Reply to Keats - Chap 34

Chap 34
Which Mr. Chen

Chen Wan thanked the second assistant for the reminder on the phone, but she actually had no intention of trying it.

This was left for him by Zhao Shengge for emergency use. It can only be broadcast if an abnormal situation is discovered, and it cannot be used for personal gain.

That string of numbers was like some kind of code or spell that could turn on Chen Wan’s emotions. Even though he had repeated it in his mouth and in his heart thousands of times, he never felt that he would actually dial it.

In addition to being able to contact each other by phone, Chen Wan and Zhao Shengge also have a common group, which was created by Tan Youming, but he and Zhao Shengge are not friends.

Chen Wan had clicked on the other person’s account homepage many late nights, but had never thought of actively adding him as a friend.

The party was scheduled for Sunday, but Chen Wan didn’t receive a reply from Zhao Shengge’s second assistant until Friday. He checked emails and messages every day with great anticipation at the beginning, but later he was almost frustrated and concluded that Zhao Shengge would not come.

Zhao Shengge’s time is very precious, counting every minute and second. Even if Tan Youming and Shen Zongnan called him, he would not always accept the invitation, let alone Chen Wan.

This should be the first time that he invited Zhao Shengge in his own name. Chen Wan couldn’t help feeling regretful. He didn’t want to do anything, but Zhao Shengge hired a security guard and an aunt for him. Out of courtesy, he should thank them in person.

As Sunday approaches, there is still no news from Zhao Shengge’s assistant.

According to convention, such an invitation should have a clear response, whether you come or not.

Chen Wan thought about it and couldn’t help but call again.

This time it was not the friendly and kind second assistant who answered the phone, but the special assistant who was rumored to be rather unapproachable.

But Chen Wan felt that the other party’s attitude was respectful and polite enough.

He tactfully asked about tomorrow’s invitation, and the other party said that Mr. Zhao’s schedule was usually scheduled by the second assistant, who was on a business trip recently, so he needed to verify it before he could give Chen Wan a reply, and he was very sorry.

Chen Wan felt that something was not right, but since the other party’s tone and wording were very professional and serious, he didn’t think about it any more.

“But Mr. Chen,” the special assistant finally said to him, “weekends are Mr. Zhao’s personal time. Many times we are not sure whether we can contact him. If you have urgent matters, it is best to call him in person. This may be more efficient.”

Chen Wan was stunned for a moment, his words were exactly the same as Erzhu’s.

The second assistant suggested that he call the private number directly, and the special assistant also suggested that he contact it in person. Chen Wan couldn’t help but sigh that it turned out that even insiders had such a hard time finding Zhao Shengge, and it must be difficult for everyone.

Chen Wan had never really thought about calling Zhao Shengge’s private phone number directly, but the two “close ministers of the emperor” made the same suggestion at the same time. Chen Wan began to hesitate: “Will calling directly disturb Mr. Zhao?”

“Probably not, Mr. Chen,” the special assistant said naturally, “If Mr. Zhao doesn’t want you to find him, you can’t disturb him at all.”

“…” That’s right. The other party should have a lot of experience in missing out. Chen Wan thanked him, “Okay, then I’ll give it a try. Thank you, Assistant He.”

“You’re welcome.”

After the power was turned on, Chen Wan held the phone motionlessly, preparing his speech word by word, and mentally preparing himself for a long time.

When the special assistant brought in the documents, Zhao Shengge was holding a video conference.

He saw his boss glance at his phone but quickly put it back in a drawer.

When it was time to get off work, the special assistant went in again to get the documents approved by Zhao Shengge, and the private mobile phone was on the table again.

Zhao Shengge was busy in the office until ten o’clock. The CBD park in Hai City is a city that never sleeps, and the buildings are brightly lit.

He picked up the cell phone, which had been silent but had only 5% battery left, and walked out the door.

The assistant who was going to the tea room was met in the corridor. It was the second assistant who was claimed by the special assistant to be on a business trip recently.

The other party asked respectfully: “Mr. Zhao, do I need to reserve time for you tomorrow night?”

Zhao Shengge’s time is calculated accurately to the hour. She is responsible for the usual schedule. All the sections for the coming week have been completed, and only the blank for tomorrow night remains to be filled.

Because Zhao Shengge had not checked in with her yet.

The incandescent lights in the corridor were very bright at night, making Zhao Shengge’s face look somewhat cold. The second assistant instinctively felt that she should not ask this question at this time, but this was her job.

Fortunately, Zhao Shengge’s cell phone vibrated at this time, and Zhao Shengge quickly looked at the screen.

Because his gaze was so direct and quick, Ersuke couldn’t help but lower his head subconsciously.

But the caller ID didn’t show a name, but some pattern or symbol, which she couldn’t see clearly.

Zhao Shengge did not answer the phone immediately. He raised his chin to his assistant, motioning her to go first. Then he walked towards the elevator with the phone in hand and did not answer the call until the call prompt was about to be disconnected.

I picked up the phone but didn’t speak right away.

Chen Wan listened to the empty white noise on the other end, her heart beating fast, but her voice remained calm and decent: “Hello, is this Mr. Zhao?”

Zhao Shengge still didn’t speak until the second before Chen Wan’s heart was about to stop beating, and then he spoke directly by calling out his name: “Chen Wan.”

Chen Wan felt his ears explode. Zhao Shengge was in some open environment, and the voice was very low with a shallow echo.

Chen Wan squeezed the phone a little hard, but her voice was steady, with a gentle calmness: “It’s me, Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Shengge did not take the elevator down. Instead, he pushed the door and walked into the stairwell. He was the only one on this floor.

After the sensor light went out, it was pitch black. He leaned against the wall, his hand that didn’t hold his phone in his pocket, his head lowered, looking very relaxed. He asked calmly, “What’s the matter?”

Chen Wan spoke out the speech she had prepared all day: “This is what I said. I was hospitalized a few days ago and everyone came to visit me. Now that I’m discharged, I want to treat everyone to a meal. The time is set at 7 o’clock on Sunday evening. I wonder if you are free.”

After a few seconds, Zhao Shengge asked softly, “Did you invite me?”

Chen Wan’s heart was beating: “Yes, I want to invite you, are you free?”

Zhao Shengge didn’t say whether he was free or not. He just walked downstairs slowly, looked at his watch, and said calmly, “It’s scheduled for 7pm on Sunday. It’s 10pm on Saturday now.”

“…” After he said that, Chen Wan felt that he was being rude and insincere. Inviting someone to dinner had to be done at least a few days in advance, let alone someone as busy as Zhao Shengge.

This is against the rules.

His mistake was that he did not follow Erzhu’s advice at the beginning and call the other party in person to invite him, which wasted a lot of time.

That’s so rude.

Chen Wan became a little anxious, fearing that Zhao Shengge could not sense his sincerity, and explained, “I’m sorry, Mr. Zhao, I was inconsiderate.”

He did not mention that he had called his assistant twice and had sent an invitation a week ago. He just said, “I should have invited you earlier. Do you have time… this Sunday night?”

Zhao Shengge didn’t expect that Chen Wan didn’t mention that he had actually sent an offer through his assistant a week in advance. He just took the blame silently. He was silent for a moment and said, “You called my assistant on Tuesday?”

Chen Wan was stunned. It turned out that the assistant had conveyed the message for him. Then why did Zhao Shengge only know about it tonight?

Zhao Shengge was at ease: “She said Mr. Chen asked me out, but I don’t know which Mr. Chen it was.”

“…” Chen Wan didn’t know whether what he said was true or not, but he made an excuse in a very good manner, “Maybe I forgot to leave my name. Since I didn’t get a reply, I can only take the liberty to try to call your private number. I hope you don’t find it abrupt.”

Chen Wan always thinks a lot. This phone number was left for him by Zhao Shengge for emergency use. He used it to invite people to dinner. He wondered if the other party would think he was being greedy and unsatisfied.

Zhao Shengge said in an ambiguous tone: “So I left you my private number.”

“…”

This sentence can be understood as Zhao Shengge being sarcastic about Chen Wan not calling him in person to invite him in time, or it can be understood as Zhao Shengge really forgetting that he had left a phone number for Chen Wan.

In short, it can be interpreted in too many ways. Chen Wan explained carefully: “I left it there. Did you forget the night I was hospitalized?”

After saying this, Chen Wan felt a little regretful. This really sounded like anger and complaint, but that was not what he meant at all. He just wanted to confirm and remind Zhao Shengge about this matter.

But it seemed like everything he said was wrong, and Chen Wan hoped that he could return to normal as soon as possible.

Zhao Shengge didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. He just said “oh” and said leisurely, “I remember it now.”

“…”