Reply to Keats - Chap 1
Chen Wan drove an inconspicuous Volkswagen and slowly drove onto the airport elevated road.
On the first day when the No. 8 typhoon signal was hoisted, the palm trees and bauhinia trees on both sides of the Airport Boulevard were blown into pieces by the typhoon. I activated the windshield wipers several times and could barely maintain a clear view.
The weather was extremely bad and Terminal 2 repeatedly broadcast weather reports.
“This year’s seventh typhoon, ‘Xianlu’, has landed on the coast of our city at 11:36 this morning.”
“Affected by convective clouds, the maximum wind speed in the outer ring has reached level 8. Heavy rainfall is expected in the next six hours. A red rain warning has been issued…”
The report will be broadcast once in Mandarin, English and Cantonese.
Chen Wan glanced at his watch, made a big turn onto B3, found an inconspicuous place to park, leaned against the seat, put his hand on the steering wheel, and the other hand on the window. His posture was relatively relaxed, but his eyes were fixed on the front.
It was a stormy day, not suitable for flying. There were occasional passengers rushing to catch flights or landing, but the person Chen Wan was waiting for was not among them.
He lit a cigarette to wake himself up. He hardly slept last night, and he had to rush to the airport before the typhoon made landfall this morning, so he was afraid of traffic jams.
The orange-red flames lit up a faint, vague warmth in the darkness.
The Hong Kong radio station interrupted yesterday’s hit song, and the Cantonese song had a hypnotic effect amid the rustling sound of rain.
Chen Wan changed the channel.
“TNB reports to you… Minglong recently completed… mergers and acquisitions…”
“The Trade Association… the general election… the Legislative Council vetoed…”
The phone vibrated, and Zhuo Zhixuan asked Chen Wan how the welcoming banquet was being prepared.
Zhao Shengge returned to China, and even Zhuo Zhixuan did not dare to take it lightly.
Chen Wan sent a few photos and said, “A mountain villa restaurant in the Bay Area.”
Zhuo Zhixuan took a look and was quite satisfied. Chen Wan has always been reliable and reassuring.
After talking about business, Zhuo Zhixuan gossiped: “I heard that he came back with Miss Xu.”
“No,” Chen Wan put out his cigarette, pulled the lever neatly, stepped on the accelerator, and corrected his friend, “He came back on his own.”
“…” Zhuo Zhixuan woke up instantly, pushed away the warm and soft jade in his arms, and sat up, “Did you run off to follow someone?”
Chen Wan stared intently at the tall figure coming out of Exit B3 until the other person stepped into a black Maybach. Then he replied distractedly, “It’s not stalking, it’s picking him up at the airport.”
One-sided.
“…” Zhuo Zhixuan kept silent for a while, and then seemed to be used to it, and finally uttered a soft sentence, “You are not afraid of death, right, Chen Wan.”
Chen Wan followed behind the Maybach not too far away, was silent for a moment, and said, “I am worried.”
Hai City has been in turmoil recently, with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s board of directors about to be replaced, and forces from Zhudao, Halongjie and Saigon Gate are ready to make a move.
Since about last month, there have been frequent hijackings and plane crashes in the archipelago.
That person’s recent series of aggressive and tough acquisitions abroad have caused a stir again…
The attack that happened a few years ago is still fresh in Chen Wan’s mind, and he has been feeling uneasy since the past few days.
He guessed that the other party should have returned on the Dassault Falcon 900 private jet.
The Falcon is a strong aircraft that can withstand tropical cyclone storms, but the landing was very hard and I don’t know if it will be forced to land.
Zhuo Zhixuan was speechless and laughed angrily: “Is it your turn to worry? You should worry about yourself.”
Chen Wan smiled good-temperedly and said nothing.
As classmates for more than ten years, Zhuo Zhixuan knows him inside and out. Chen Wan always behaves properly and knows when to advance and retreat, but if he suddenly does something out of line, it must be a big deal.
Zhuo Zhixuan was puzzled: “How do you know where he got off the plane?”
Aoyu Airport is a transit station for many international flights. Several secret exits have been newly built, and some politicians or important figures will exit the airport through different exits.
Chen Wan was silent for a moment, then said vaguely: “I have my own way.”
“……”
As they were all adults standing at the forefront of the storm, Zhuo Zhixuan did not try to persuade him much, but just objectively told him: “If you go any further, even I may not be able to save you.”
Chen Wan’s voice was gentle and calm: “No, I didn’t mean to do anything.”
This is the truth.
The bed partner was clinging to him tightly, so Zhuo Zhixuan gave him a few instructions on the important matters at the banquet and then hung up.
Chen Wan followed the black Maybach until he saw it pass through the undersea tunnel smoothly. Then he turned the steering wheel to the left lane, overtook it swiftly, and left it far behind.
The sky grew darker and the radio was playing “Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains”.
Chen Wan turned off the speaker, leaving only the white noise of rain hitting the glass.
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A few days later, at the Bay Area mountain villa restaurant.
Xiaotan Mountain is surrounded by the sea on three sides. On typhoon days, there is no moonlight at night. The sea tower lights up, and the foot of the mountain is hit by low, roaring white waves.
It was windy and rainy outside, but people were drinking and chatting inside.
The seemingly glamorous dinner is actually like the night sea outside the window, with unpredictable waves and deep undercurrents.
Zhao Shengge arrived neither early nor late, followed by Shen Zongnan and Tan Youming. Even Zhuo Zhixuan had to stand a little further back, as he could not get past them given his status.
Chen Wan had arrived a long time ago and was standing in a very inconspicuous corner. She silently discussed the dishes and drinks for tonight with the manager, and whispered to him to lower the temperature, move the orchids under the crystal chandelier, and that the wine did not need to be fully decanted, only 70% would be enough… like a chief director who was carefully finalizing and confirming the details.
There were not many guests, all of them were young men, peers from the prominent families in Hai City. However, Chen Wan knew very well that these were not actually the core social circle of Zhao Shengge.
Zhao Shengge is low-key, like a dragon that cannot be seen from head to tail. The pyramid in the world of fame and fortune is strictly ordered. There are only a few people from childhood to adulthood. Chen Wan, the illegitimate son of a second-rate wealthy businessman, is completely like a nobody looking at a tall building, and has no connection at all.
In other words, Zhuo Zhixuan there is his classmate of more than ten years, and in the circle of young masters there is always someone who arranges food, drinks and entertainment.
Chen Wan was very versatile, reliable, and neither humble nor arrogant, which was why she won the favor of those young masters.
I have to admit that many occasions need people like Chen Wan, who is good at networking and everyone feels comfortable when he is around. Everyone thinks he is very good and treats him as half a friend.
Chen Wan looked calm, but was actually very busy. It was not until he was actually seated at the table that he had the chance to take a serious look at the person sitting at the host seat.
His appearance was more prosperous, his features were handsome and sharp, fierce and handsome, but his temperament was more relaxed.
To be fair, Zhao Shengge has never acted superior. Perhaps true strength and power do not need to be emphasized by pretending to be cold and arrogant. He can even be described as gentle and approachable.
Therefore, many people took the opportunity to toast tonight.
Men and women, their eyes were respectful, eager, and naked.
The chosen one is the target of competition among wealthy men and women.
While his peers are still indulging in yachts, gold and luxury goods, Zhao Shengge, who is not yet 30 years old, has become the only operator who can leverage foreign investment in the past two years. In recent years, he has been invited by the authorities to the mainland to attend many political meetings with red letters at the top. In the sluggish economic downturn in Shanghai, this name represents a certain hope and belief.
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Zhao Shengge listened to people’s greetings and nodded occasionally.
He has no interest in these social occasions, but after being away for a few years, he still has to show up at the right occasions.
These days, various sects and schools have been competing to invite Zhao Shengge to come and welcome them. Zhao Shengge has declined some invitations and attended some, but none of them were as comfortable as tonight.
It’s hard to say what’s comfortable about the music, seats, and environment, but even the humidity of the air is unusually just right. Zhao Shengge, who has been working non-stop for several days since returning to China, has never thought of relaxing for a moment in such an occasion.
Tan Youming saw that he had picked up his chopsticks several times and the wine was almost finished, so he asked, “Is the dish suitable?”
Even if others don’t know about Zhao Shengge, he still knows him.
When has the prince ever eaten a meal seriously in such an occasion? He has been the most picky since he was a child. He will not touch a single bite if the ingredients are stale, overcooked, or even if the presentation of the dish is not pleasing to the eye.
However, Zhao Shengge never said anything. He just put down his chopsticks silently, making it impossible to tell what he really liked.
Zhao Shengge, a Chinese who has eaten too much junk food in foreign countries, felt very comfortable eating local food and nodded.
Tan Youming: “…”
Zhuo Zhixuan, who was sitting in the third seat from the main seat, could not hear what the two of them were saying. Tan Youming and Zhao Shengge grew up together and had always been closer to each other than he and Zhao Shengge.
But seeing that Zhao Shengge seemed to be in a good mood, he winked at Chen Wan who was sitting in the corner.
The meaning is that he should go and toast as soon as possible, and not work so hard all night just to make wedding dresses for others.
He did not approve of Chen Wangan’s sneaky activities such as tracking and surveillance, but the good thing should not be given to outsiders, and such a good thing as being able to have a relationship with the prince in a legitimate way should not be given to others for nothing.
The round table was very large. Chen Wan’s seat was far from Zhuo Zhixuan and even farther from Zhao Shengge. There were delicious food and wine on the table and the noise of people talking. It seemed as if there was not only space but also the Milky Way between them.
Chen Wan smiled at Zhuo Zhixuan to comfort him, but did not move. She lowered her head and drank her tea, continuing to listen to the people at the table talking about the events of Victoria Harbour and the secrets of The Peak.
What Chen Wan said, “I didn’t intend to do anything,” was true, but Zhuo Zhixuan just didn’t seem to believe it.
