When people’s living conditions got better, they would naturally pursue morality. Society was more aware of civil virtues, except for some, like those two young men.
All people, once they reached certain age, had to take responsibility for their actions. Parents were to blame if they raised naughty kids who made terrible mistakes.
Those two young men were both at their twenties. Given their shameful behavior, cutting in line and being offensive, Qin Sheng was going to act in their parents’ stead to give them a lesson of morality.
Aside from Song Ruyu, who was so angry that she came out to criticize them, the rest of the people were indifferent and still. Qin Sheng could understand the older couple, they would prefer avoiding trouble given their advanced age. But what about the others? Was it none of their business? That was exactly the problem with modern day society. Most people were indifferent and only cared about their own interests. The good traditional ethics of the Chinese nation, like being ready to help others for a just cause, became a rarity.
Qin Sheng’s mind was stirred, but he couldn’t consider that much at such a dangerous time. What he had to do at the moment was to protect Song Ruyu. If she was hit by others, the Song family would go after him for answers. But he didn’t imagine that Song Ruyu, a gentle and mild woman, would be so straightforward and impulsive with her words and actions. Was she fearless?
Nobody expected that Song Ruyu would slap the young man, ready to face any consequences. The arrogant and immoral young man was totally irritated and was about to hit back.
Song Ruyu took a few steps back after slapping the man. Of course she knew what would happen next, but she had Qin Sheng rely on.
Qin Sheng rushed forward to seize the young man’s wrist the moment he held his arm up, and sneered. “If I were you, I would never bully a woman and bring shame to my parents.”
Apart from their rude behavior and the offensive remarks said previously, this young man was about to hit someone, which made Qin Sheng angry. This was Shanghai. You might meet someone anywhere. Qin Sheng thought, “I’m helping you out from real difficulties. You have no idea who her grandfather is and how you would suffer if you hit her.”
“You son of a b*tch! I’ll beat you to the grave!” After being scolded by Qin Sheng, the young man so enraged that he attempted to kick him.
Qin Sheng didn’t bother to quarrel. He kicked to the inside of his foe’s leg, grabbed his arm, took a turn and suplexed to slam his body. The young man was thrown 2 meters away. Actually, Qin Sheng avoided hitting the young man, he would have been hospitalized for half a month otherwise.
However, the young man fell heavily and whined; he was unable to get up. His companion saw this and rushed at Qin Sheng to fight. He was a good friend, but not a good fighter. He was kicked in the chest and thrown into the air before he even reached Qin Sheng.
The others present saw how the two young men were beaten and cheered, eyeing Qin Sheng with an expression of admiration. This was the very reality of the current society. Justice, something that was normal in life, was quite rare in recent years. That was why so many people felt disappointed with this world.
“You’re really good at fighting, huh?” Song Ruyu had been watching Qin Sheng, and felt more curious about him. She had seen many martial arts masters, like her grandfather’s guarding officer, but she had never seen one among her friends.
Qin Sheng showed a bitter smile. “If I weren’t good at this, we would have gotten into great trouble. How could you be so impulsive? I thought a lady would never do things like getting into fights.”
“They cut in line, and even cursed at me. Am I wrong?” Song Ruyu asked and blinked, offering an innocent look.
Qin Sheng couldn’t help but to say, “I don’t mean that. You’re not wrong and these two guys really need a lesson. But, never, ever do that again if you’re alone, OK?”
Song Ruyu shook her head and said, “I didn’t think that far. They deserve being hit since they acted that way. I won’t say a thing if I’m hit, and they’ll finally get theirs.”
Qin Sheng found it hard to understand Song Ruyu, so he said sarcastically, “Sister, you’re so correct, I can’t argue with you.”
Song Ruyu never expected others to understand her and only wanted to do what she thought was right. Right was right, wrong was wrong. This was a truth that had nothing to do with anything else.
The two young men weren’t that hurt and they knew it was impossible to beat Qin Sheng, so they didn’t say a word and just left, since they had been humiliated.
After that, Qin Sheng and Song Ruyu finally bought the tickets and, guided by the signs, went to the elevator and up to the top of Shanghai Tower. Qin Sheng had never been there before, and only watched these skyscrapers in Pudong from the ground.
The elevator went up fast. Qin Sheng was good, but Song Ruyu’s ears began to ring. Qin Sheng smiled and asked, “Beijing has so many skyscrapers, like the one from the World Trade Center. Why would you come to Shanghai to see this?”
Song Ruyu shook her head and said, “I’d rather go to Hutong alley in Beijing, and barely go to those prosperous places. It’s too easy to meet acquaintances there; I don’t like that.”
Qin Sheng didn’t ask more, fearing that Song Ruyu would rant endlessly. At the top of the building, Song Ruyu became a little girl who was curious about everything. She walked around the sight-seeing hall very happily. She pointed at many places, asking Qin Sheng what they were. Qin Sheng took a few pictures for her.
If Qin Sheng didn’t know Song Ruyu and her family background, he would have thought Song Ruyu was a silly and simple girl from some small town, which made him recall his first visit to that place. Qin Sheng was confused, since he thought that a woman with such a rich family background should have had higher goals and taste. Why was she happy with such simple things?
After they got out of the Shanghai Tower, Song Ruyu asked Qin Sheng to take her to the Bund, where it was crowded with people. Qin Sheng had been there several times before, and went to the restaurants in that area.
“We can have lunch there; I know some good restaurants. But maybe we should book a table first,” Qin Sheng said.
Song Ruyu, however, shook her head and refused. “I don’t like those expensive restaurants; I prefer street food. Do you have any recommendations? I want something local.”
Qin Sheng was getting used to Song Ruyu’s unique ideas and didn’t say another word. Maybe it was because the rich lady wanted to experience the life of a common person. He just nodded and said, “All right, it’s your call.”
They wandered around the Bund for an hour. Song Ruyu liked to take pictures, so she carried her camera along. She just went and stopped sometimes, taking pictures of buildings, beautiful sights, or passersby. She looked very much like a photographer. While Qin Sheng got tired and could hardly walk, Song Ruyu was still relaxed and lively. Qin Sheng kind of regretted having accepted this special task.
When Qin Sheng thought he really needed a rest, he took a seat somewhere near the road and waited for Song Ruyu. She kept going here and there until she felt hungry, and then Qin Sheng took her to have something to eat.
For the whole day, Qin Sheng accompanied Song Ruyu, traveling around Shanghai. Song Ruyu rarely bought anything, except for delicious snacks and some special crafts. They walked everywhere, which was a torture for Qin Sheng.
At dinner time, Song Ruyu asked, “Sorry for troubling you for the whole day. Let’s go and have dinner. It’s my treat, of course. What would you like to eat?”
“Hotpot, or food stall.” Qin Sheng didn’t reject Song Ruyu’s treat for he knew that she would definitely insist until he said ‘yes’.
Song Ruyu thought for a few seconds and said, “I also like food stalls. When I am in Beijing, I often go to Ghost Street for crayfish BBQ with my friend.”
Qin Sheng was astonished again by Song Ruyu’s special taste. He thought a woman like her would prefer Western food or Japanese food and only poor man like him would like food stalls.
“Anything wrong?” Song Ruyu was confused for she found that Qin Sheng was staring at her.
Qin Sheng shook his head and said, “Well, I’m okay with that now.”
Then Qin Sheng took Song Ruyu to the food stall where he was a regular. They ordered a lot of food and beer. To his biggest surprise, Song Ruyu told him that she had never drunk any alcohol before.
“Not even beer?” Qin Sheng was almost rooted at the spot by his surprise.
Song Ruyu nodded and said, “No, I’m allergic to alcohol.”
Qin Sheng understood and said with a smile, “That’s unfortunate. It’s really good to have BBQ with beer.”
Qin Sheng was drinking and eating, while Song Ruyu was only eating. Qin Sheng ate very fast with satisfaction, which could entice people at the same table to eat more.
Song Ruyu saw Qin Sheng drinking, and couldn’t help but to want a try. So she asked softly, “Can I have some?”
Qin Sheng said with a teasing tone, “OK, I’m pouring a glass for you to try.”
Song Ruyu had never drunk any kind of alcohol before. She would refuse whenever other people tried to persuade her. Once in a party, an arrogant man forced her to drink; her elder brother was so angry that he tipped over the table and had a fight with that rude man. Nobody dared to ask her to drink since then.
Song Ruyu took over the glass and smelled it first—it smelled good—and then she sipped a little. In a second, her whole face was contorted. She put down the glass and whined, “Disgusting.”
Qin Sheng was amused by Song Ruyu’s awkward face and erupted with laughter.
Song Ruyu was a bit unhappy. “Is it really funny?”
“It isn’t?” Qin Sheng was still laughing.
Song Ruyu felt super awkward and just lowered her head, to continue eating.
An idea hit Qin Sheng; he suddenly was very curious about her job. Someone who never drank. How did she get along with her colleagues at the work place? “Ruyu, where do you work?”
Song Ruyu didn’t know what Qin Sheng was thinking about, and thought it was a casual question for chatting. She answered with a calm and easy face, “CPC, the Central Policy Research Office.”
Qin Sheng’s face became a stone, and thought, “What the hell?”