Reply to Keats - Chap 72
72. Manchester Snowman
“…..”
“Zhao Shengge, why did you shoot at me that time?”
“…I didn’t. You just happened to be standing next to the target.”
“I’ve been wondering for a long time—did you actually hate me?”
Zhao Shengge’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed. “No.”
Chen Wan tilted his head and looked at him with a smile. “Then could it be that you already liked me back then? That early?”
“…” Zhao Shengge pointed at another box. “Why don’t you take a look at this one?”
“…” Chen Wan gave him a teasing glance and obediently opened the second package. His fingers suddenly clenched.
No one knew this robot model better than he did. The original version, kept in the Yifu Building, had listened to countless of his secrets, bearing the weight of his youthful confusion and hopelessness.
Chen Wan carefully studied it for a while before reaching out to gently stroke the robot’s head. A long-lost ache rose in his chest. With a touch of emotion, he said, “You made another one?”
“Mm.” Zhao Shengge demonstrated how to use it and said, “That one was for the school. This one’s just for you.”
“But,” Zhao Shengge added after letting him look for a while, “even though this is for you, from now on, if you ever want to talk, you can talk to me instead.”
Chen Wan’s heart pounded as he stared at the robot, designed just like the one from years ago.
Someone who could now handle a crowd of foreign media with ease stood there like an excited child, completely taken with his new toy.
What had once been a celebrated piece for public display was now a personal gift, meant only for him.
He stared at it for a long time, until Zhao Shengge finally said, “What you used to tell it, you can tell me.”
Chen Wan held the robot tightly, then looked up and said softly, “Zhao Shengge, you really do seem to love me.”
“…..” Zhao Shengge murmured, “So you do know.”
“…..” That rare twinge of bitterness in Chen Wan’s heart stirred again, and he smiled. “I think I was under too much pressure back then. I wasn’t used to talking to real people. Talking to that robot gave me peace of mind. Honestly, I’ve forgotten most of what I even said after all this time.”
“But I remember feeling better every time I finished talking. Poor Zhuo Zhixuan, though,” he added a little apologetically. “The first time he saw me talking to a robot, the look in his eyes… it was shock. But he tried to cover it up, pretending it wasn’t a big deal.”
“Can you imagine that kind of look? It was really… well-intentioned.”
After he finished, Chen Wan finally brought himself to set down the gift he couldn’t bear to part with. He reached out and hugged Zhao Shengge, burying his head in the crook of his neck. Smiling, he sighed, “Thank you. I really love the gift.”
“No need to thank me. You’ll have to repay it.”
After the overseas roadshow officially came to an end, the project team began preparing for the celebration banquet. It was necessary to invite local aristocrats, as well as thank the media contacts they had worked with over the past few days.
As investors, Shen Zongnian and Tan Youming also had to attend to demonstrate their full support and high regard for the mission.
On the day of the banquet, everything from Chen Wan’s tie to his socks had been specially tailored by Zhao Shengge. The night before, Chen Wan had stayed up late playing with the robot, and Zhao Shengge had pulled him into something rather intense, so even getting dressed in the morning had been handled by Zhao Shengge.
Chen Wan tugged on Zhao Shengge’s wrist, lowered his head slightly, and revealed the underside of his ruby cufflinks with a smile. “Mr. Zhao, may I ask what this means?”
“…” Zhao Shengge looked at the small symbol and stood up expressionlessly, answering calmly, “It doesn’t mean anything. Don’t mind it.”
Chen Wan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He grabbed Zhao Shengge again. “Zhao Shengge.”
Zhao Shengge stopped and finally gave in. “It means you’re really stubborn.”
“…”
“We’re going to be late. Let’s go.”
“…”
The banquet was held at a manor.
Shen Zongnian and Tan Youming had arrived in Manchester the night before.
Coming straight from a tropical island of eternal spring into a snow-covered landscape, Tan Youming was so cold his brain nearly stopped working. He deeply regretted choosing a good-looking but thin long coat just to look fashionable.
But the coat truly was a great look—it gave him an air of charming elegance.
With a grim face, Shen Zongnian took off his own scarf and gloves and bundled Tan Youming up tightly, leaving only a pair of peach blossom eyes exposed.
“Ah, I can’t even—”
Shen Zongnian lifted his eyes slightly, and Tan Youming immediately fell silent.
A boxy, high-roofed vintage car carved tire tracks through the snow as it entered the manor grounds, where it was thankfully much warmer.
Now that things had turned in his favor, Tan Youming peeled off his scarf and gloves and threw them back at Shen Zongnian, reverting to the noble young master who moved effortlessly through the world of fame and fortune.
Chen Wan, who was greeting guests, heard a familiar voice call out, “Ah-Wan!”
He looked up, a smile touching his lips. Taking a glass of champagne, he walked over. “You’re early. Was the journey smooth? The weather wasn’t great yesterday.”
Tan Youming took the champagne and sipped it, frowning. “Not smooth. Shen Zongnian’s ACJ tossed us around like crazy.”
“…”
He continued complaining vividly, “I woke up halfway through the flight thinking we were flipping somersaults in the troposphere—”
But the moment Shen Zongnian walked up, he fell silent. Chen Wan found it amusing and greeted him, “Mr. Shen.”
Shen Zongnian gave him a nod. “Congratulations.”
Chen Wan’s impressive performance during the dozen or so roadshows had made waves even back in Haishi.
Chen Wan replied modestly, “It was the result of everyone’s collective effort.”
Tan Youming handed his phone back to Shen Zongnian. “Qin Zhaoting says the roads are blocked due to heavy snow. He won’t arrive until later this afternoon.”
Qin Zhaoting was visiting family at the end of the year. His mother had emigrated to Shengcheng years ago, which wasn’t far from Manchester.1 Given their relationship, it would have been hard to justify not showing up to today’s event.
Tan Youming passed on his message: “As an apology, he said he’s bringing a big gift.”
Chen Wan smiled. “Mr. Qin is too kind.”
Shen Zongnian glanced at him but said nothing.
“Come on,” Tan Youming said to Chen Wan. “Let me introduce you to some old friends.” Though the guests were invited by Chen Wan, the Tan family had deep overseas connections, and many of the local dignitaries in attendance were long-time acquaintances of his.
Having just finished speaking with a local official, Zhao Shengge, Xu Zhiying, and a few others came out and spotted Shen Zongnian. Zhao Shengge walked over and asked, “When did you arrive?”
“Yesterday.”
Zhao Shengge nodded.
The two of them went out to the terrace to drink, chatting for a while about business matters in Haishi.
The terrace was on the second floor, offering a view of the banquet hall below. The last time they had chatted like this was at the Baoli Bay launch event.
It was the same high vantage point, overlooking the entire venue. That time, Zhao Shengge had even worn his family crest.
In the blink of an eye, they were already at the tail end of the Baoli Bay project’s roadshow.
Shen Zongnian spoke succinctly as always. “How’s it going?”
Zhao Shengge leaned on the railing. “Still pursuing.”
“…” Shen Zongnian couldn’t make sense of what they were doing. “I thought someone like him would be totally under your thumb.”
Zhao Shengge looked down at Chen Wan, who was mingling effortlessly with a British businessman. “Is that so?”
Caught off guard by the calm and fathomless look in his eyes, Shen Zongnian was momentarily stunned, unable to follow. “What?”
Zhao Shengge’s gaze remained serene.
Is it really like that? That Zhao Shengge had Chen Wan entirely under his thumb?
It seemed that way—Chen Wan had harbored a secret crush for years, and Zhao Shengge, being the favored one, acted with impunity.
But only Zhao Shengge knew that in this relationship, the one holding the reins had never been him.
The one with the crush, the one who made the first move, could stop their feelings at any time. The one who had truly fallen could only cling to those feelings and keep chasing that love.
Shen Zongnian looked into his eyes, saw the turbulence beneath that calm surface, and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Downstairs, Chen Wan was receiving a steady stream of business cards and invitations. Sometimes, when he happened to glance at someone a little longer, Zhao Shengge’s gaze would follow.
His eyes were slow and unhurried, composed and casual. No one could tell what he was thinking.
“…” Shen Zongnian frowned slightly. “You—”
Zhao Shengge turned to him. “What?”
“Forget it, never mind,” Shen Zongnian said. “You just keep being like this.”
There’s a lid for every pot.
“…”
When Qin Zhaoting arrived, Chen Wan was in the middle of a conversation with a local socialite.
“Keats.” The man hinted at inviting Chen Wan to a concert in two days.
Chen Wan took the opportunity to tactfully end the somewhat overly enthusiastic exchange. “Mr. Johann, a friend of mine just arrived. I should go say hello. Please forgive me if I’ve been lacking in hospitality.”
Qin Zhaoting waved at him in greeting. “Where’s Zhao Shengge?”
“Chatting with Mr. Shen.”
Qin Zhaoting accepted the glass of wine Chen Wan handed him. He raised his glass and looked at him, as if he wanted to say something. In the end, he only smiled and said, “Chen Wan, congratulations.”
There was much to congratulate him on—career, love, ideals. Everything went without saying.
Chen Wan knew this well; he was someone adept at navigating all kinds of situations.
But part of being an adult is knowing that some things don’t need to be said, and don’t need a response.
He returned the smile. “Thank you.”
Qin Zhaoting mentioned that Zhuo Zhixuan had wanted to fly over as well, but since it was getting close to the end of the year, and their family is a traditional big clan with many strict rules, they didn’t allow the younger generation to travel so freely this time of year.
Chen Wan understood. Just yesterday, Zhuo Zhixuan had been complaining to him online, saying it was unfair that he was the only one missing.
No matter how busy Chen Wan was, the two of them stayed in frequent contact. Even separated by the Pacific Ocean, things were still the same as they’d always been.
Qin Zhaoting’s maternal family was from Luoshi, so he was fairly familiar with the area. The two of them chatted a bit about business.
They hadn’t spoken for long before Zhao Shengge and Shen Zongnian walked over.
The group exchanged greetings. From the moment Zhao Shengge appeared, Chen Wan had been watching him. He even arched his brows. Zhao Shengge finally looked at him, and his gaze was deep, without a smile.
“…”
Tan Youming, who had been flitting about here and there, came back in high spirits. Upon seeing Zhao Shengge, he raised his glass enthusiastically. “Long time no see.”
Zhao Shengge nodded, lifted his glass slightly, and asked, “Are you and Xu Zhiying competing to see who can tolerate the cold better?”
“…”
Tonight, Ms. Xu Zhiying had shown up in a black velvet cutout gown despite the minus-ten-degree weather, topped with a Paraíba tourmaline tiara. Among the sea of socialites, she stood like a queen, with a powerful aura as if she could be crowned at any moment.
Winter nights in Manchester darkened early, and by afternoon, the guests had mostly dispersed.
Even earlier to leave was Fang Jian, who had only stayed long enough for a quick photo op with the press before hurrying off to the airport with his students. He had been away too long already, and his research couldn’t afford further delay.
When Xu Zhiying departed, the snow had thickened. Her pointed high heels weren’t suited for walking outside; the fresh snow was soft and unsteady beneath her feet.
Chen Wan set down his glass and walked over. “Miss Xu, are you in a rush to leave? If not, I could have someone bring over a pair of flat snow boots for you.”
Xu Zhiying looked at him and smiled with a soft sigh. “Chen Wan.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re really gentle?”
Chen Wan paused slightly, then shook his head and replied modestly, “It’s nothing.”
“Thank you, but no need,” Xu Zhiying said, flicking her hair. “This little snow is nothing.”
“And I won’t be on your flight back. I’m heading straight to Northern Europe for vacation.”
“All right, have fun. See you in the new year.”
Zhao Shengge walked over holding a long-handled umbrella and handed Chen Wan his coat. “Let’s go.”
The snow had let up a little. At some point, Tan Youming had ended up bundled up again. The scarf didn’t quite match his style.
Chen Wan noticed him ordering Shen Zongnian to build a snowman for him.
“That doesn’t even look like a person.”
“The head’s the same size as the body?”
“The hands are—”
Shen Zongnian looked up at him. He immediately changed his tune. “The hands are pretty cute.”
“…”
Chen Wan tilted his head up to Zhao Shengge and said, “I’ll make one for you too?”
Zhao Shengge looked at him calmly. “Mm. Then you’d just turn into a snowman yourself.”
“…” Chen Wan, feeling like if someone else got something fun and romantic, then his own family should have it too, stubbornly asked, “You really don’t want one?”
“Come on,” Chen Wan persuaded. “You wanted fireflies. You should want a snowman too.”
He glanced over at the shapeless lump Shen Zongnian had made and murmured tactfully to Zhao Shengge, “I should be able to do better than Mr. Shen.”
“No need,” Zhao Shengge said, lowering his gaze to him. “I’ll take something else.”
“What do you want?” Whatever it was, he’d find a way to get it.
Zhao Shengge didn’t answer, but that night, when Chen Wan was pinned breathless against the 72nd floor’s one-way floor-to-ceiling window, he understood.
