Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 89
Beloved Enemy Chapter 89
MARCH 3, 2019 ~ ROSYSPELL
[Two years later]
GuQingPei had just gotten out of the airport when he was struck by the heatwave, gasping as he carried the suitcase with sweat starting to run down his body. The summer heat in Beijing is usually hot, especially during the hottest periods of the summer (mid-Jul to mid-August).
The driver that WangJin sent to pick him up had just called to inform him that the car broke down along the way and asked him to wait for a while. The young man’s voice sounded especially anxious, as if he was about the cry. He figured that since he’s new; he was afraid of getting punished. GuQingPei consoled him and said that he’ll wait in the terminal for him.
Originally, he (GuQingPei) had wanted to stand outside and breathe in the familiar Beijing air since his long absence. But, after standing for a while, the heat was unbearable and the air quality is also not good, so he returned back to the hall toward the cool air with air conditioner.
He had just found a cafe to sit down when WangJin called.
“QingPei, you’ve arrived.”
“Yeah, just arrived.”
“I am sorry. There are a lot of stuff going on at the company. The driver that went out is a probationary driver. I didn’t think such unexpected mistake would happen. Just wait for a bit. I’m now twenty minutes away from the airport. I’ve just finished work and will come to pick you up.”
GuQingPei, “Wang Ge, you don’t have to pick me up. The car breaking down is an unexpected accident. I’ll just wait. If not, I can just take a taxi. This is the worst traffic time. Even though it says twenty minutes, you may not be able to get here in an hour.”
WangJin laughed, “Even if it’s an hour, I want to be the first one to see you.”
GuQingPei laughed loudly, “Okay then, come.”
In the time span of two years, WangJin’s glib tongue habits still has not changed but GuQingPei was finally able to open his heart and accept him as his friend. During the past two years, he and WangJin met several times and he even became familiar with WangJin’s two lovely children and his wife, whom had separated from him for seven to eight years. He saw many different sides of WangJin. WangJin had slowly stopped his intense pursuit after GuQingPei’s constant cold attitude.
Although they’ve met only a limited number of times, they often talked on the phone about work. The relationships between the two men were much more honest and close than two years ago.
Before he returned to Beijing, he had a deep communication with WangJin. He decided to resign. He felt that whether it was having the capital, social networks, or abilities, now is really the perfect time. Even the age of 35, it is just right. He wanted to venture out alone (have his own company).
Two years’ time should be enough for most people to forget a lot of things. He believes he can startup once again.
At first, WangJin strongly tried to keep him. After all, he turned a normal trading company in Singapore to ten times its capacity in a little more than one year’s time. Not anyone can do this, GuQingPei is a rare talent. But GuQingPei has already made his decision. Although he felt that it’s a great pity, he ultimately respected GuQingPei’s choice.
Such people like GuQingPei are not destined to work for others for life. Once he has sufficient abilities, he will definitely go solo.
Now that time has come.
The traffic situation is better than both of their projections; WangJin arrived half an hour later.
Once the two met, WangJin gave him a big hug. Both are tall, handsome and elegant men so they attracted a lot of attention at the airport’s entrance.
WangJin patted his back, “You’re finally back.”
GuQingPei narrowed his eyes to look at the hot sun, sighing loudly, “Yeah, finally back.”
After getting into the back of the car, the two chatted about the situation in Singapore. Later, the topic of discussion took a turn, WangJin laughed, “QingPei, since you are back. There is information about one person, I think you should know about.”
GuQingPei’s breathing lagged a bit. He can guess whom WangJin is referring to.
He pretended breezily and says, “Ahhh, let’s hear it. We didn’t have any contact in the past two years. I also didn’t ask about his news. We may run into each other on some occasions, so it’s better to know the news in advance to lessen any awkwardness.”
WangJin smiled at him, “You usually don’t have much to say except when you have a guilty conscience.”
GuQingPei smiled, “Wang Ge, don’t tease me. Those things are all in the past.”
WangJin shrugged, “I’m just reminding you. The YuanYang now is not the same YuanYang that you know from before. No, it should be said that you can’t even find the shadow of the rampaging foolish boy in him. In the short two years’ time, this person’s change is really drastic; it’s really an impressive sight.”
An uncontrollably dull pain rose in GuQingPei’s heart. Two years, the situation actually shows no improvement?
He laughed, “Really. How has he changed?”
WangJin mocked, “He’s matured. His business has greatly expanded, but competes against me at every turn. It’s really quite interesting.”
“Really……” GuQingPei looked outside the window at the constant passing scenery. His mind drifted back to two years ago. All the things from the past have been sealed in his memory. They have never disappeared. It is only that he did not want to think about it.
WangJin looked at him again and said softly, “Oh by the way, he has a girlfriend. It is said that they will be engaged immediately.”
GuQingPei’s expression stiffened, then quickly said, “That’s a good thing. His parents can be rest assured this time.”
“Yeah, a lot has changed in two years. This time, you can be rest assured to put your talents into the business prospects in Beijing.”
GuQingPei displays an indifferent smile, “Yeah.”
It just happens to be noon now so the two people found a place to have a meal. Then WangJin took GuQingPei home, telling him to take a good rest.
When GuQingPei returned home, he first give his parents a call and then booked a ticket to go back to Chengdu the next day. He has not returned to China in more than two years and altogether, he met up with his parents only three times and all in Singapore. Just thinking of going home, GuQingPei could not help but feel excited.
After hanging up the phone, GuQingPei looked around the house that had been left vacant for so long. He saw the gray room and felt tired.
This originally was the house that he moved into so he could conveniently be near WangJin’s company back then. No, it should be said that the biggest reason was that he wanted to avoid YuanYang. He had lived in this house for less than two months, it really lacked human warmth. Now that it has been idle for two years, it’s even more desolately lonesome.
There is no sense of family-feel at all.
GuQingPei wants to sit but there is no suitable place. He called a part-timer to come clean up the home. He himself took a cold shower to wash away the sweat but it failed to cool down his restless mind.
After he had taken a shower and had tidied up the bathroom, he fell onto the bed wanting to sleep, but found himself unable to sleep.
He remembered WangJin’s words.
YuanYang has changed. He has become a big boss and now has a girlfriend. The two years really flew by fast. This person also changed really fast, making people sigh.
GuQingPei laughed bitterly. It is a good thing, all are good things. YuanYang had finally grown up. Whatever happened between the two of them have finally disappeared.
GuQingPei returned home to Chengdu the next day. The last time the family of three met was more than six months ago. The two elders have not change, still happy and giddy all day. There were some health concerns. But overall, they are still fairly healthy. GuQingPei’s heart also feels comforting.
GuQingPei told them about his business plan and also mentioned that he has become a boss, so he will have more time to come back, at least monthly.
The two old elders smiled so widely that they can’t even close their mouths. Seeing how promising their son’s future is, they are very proud.
After dinner, his mom brought up a topic that the entire family had been trying to avoid. His mother said, “QingPei, I am sixty-two this year. All my girlfriends at my age all have grandkids. I’m really envious.”
Father Gu put some rice in his mouth, his eyelids lifted slightly as he secretly looked GuQingPei.
GuQingPei smiled, “Mom, it’s not like you don’t know my situation.”
“I know. We did not force you to get married. Don’t they have what’s called test-tube baby? Go get one. It’s not like you can’t afford it. You’re thirty-five this year. In another one or two decades, your mom and dad will be gone. Who will take care of you? Children is a must have. Only then, can a person feel hope.”
GuQingPei is not at all fond of children. He felt that children would become a burden in many aspects of his life. However, as his parents grow older, this is indeed a real problem. To carry on the ancestor’s line, no matter in what generation, it cannot be avoided.
“What mom is trying to say is that you can find a suitable man to be together, but you must have children to have a complete family. It’s no biggie even if you each have one. I will treat them all as my grandchildren. No matter how many, I don’t mind.”
GuQingPei smile painstakingly, “Mom, it’s not that easy to raise children.”
Mother Gu became anxious, “QingPei, are you not agreeing to it? How many years have this been dragged on? When you married YuanYuan seven to eight years ago, I had hoped for grandchildren. After passing many years, mom’s heart also suffered.”
GuQingPei saw that his mother was about to cry, so he quickly tried to comfort her, “Mom, I didn’t say that I don’t agree, I just felt that it’s not the right time right now?”
“Then when is it the right time? You are already at this age.”
GuQingPei looked at his father for help.
Father Gu coughed and quietly said, “QingPei, you are indeed old enough. You need to have one (a child).”
GuQingPei is out of tricks to appease his parents, letting out a long sigh, “I know. Give me two years. I will give you a grandchild in two year, is that good?”
The two elders immediately beamed with joy. GuQingPei is a person that says it as it is. Toward them, he always does what he says. He will definitely bring them a grandchild within two years.
Mother Gu continuously talked about how joyful and exciting it would be to have a child around, but seeing that GuQingPei is not very interested, she changed the subject, “Oh, QingPei, mom haven’t told you all along. I was afraid to distract you from work. But not long after you went abroad, Xiao Yuan, that kid, came to see us once……”
GuQingPei paused his chopsticks and looked up at his mother, “Oh, what did he come here for?”
“He said he came to take a look, brought some things, but didn’t mention you. It was very strange. It could be my feeling but that child is very different from the first time we met him. However, I can’t say what or pinpoint what the difference is, just felt a little bit……gloomy, lifeless.”
GuQingPei said, “We are already in the past, don’t mention him in the future.”
His mother gently and cautiously asked, “I just want to ask, is that child living well?”
GuQingPei smiled, “Yeah…Well, very well.”
Looks like both of them are good, all are happy.
GuQingPei stayed for two days before returning to Beijing. He is venturing into businesses that he was familiar with, primarily real estate asset disposals. He had elicited a few of his former subordinates and classmates to start a partnership. The company was already registered before he returned to the country. Now it is in the staff recruiting phase. Things are complicated and there is a lot of busy work. His subordinates who switched jobs also brought some resources. The company’s prospects are full of hope.
About a week after he returned to Beijing, WangJin invited him to attend a film premiere. This film was invested by WangJin. About a year ago, WangJin began to aim his investment prospects at the entertainment industry. As the first film he invested in, the good and bad returns are crucial. GuQingPei is very interested in this fast-money making industry, so he mentioned to WangJin before to let him know if there is a suitable opportunity. Therefore, after WangJin got the premiere vote, the first and the only one he invited is GuQingPei. The purpose is to bring him into contact with some of the directors and producers, people connected to the industry. There are plenty of opportunities to generate money internally.
That night, GuQingPei changed to formal wear and attended the event.
The size of the premiere was not small, except for some people related to the production of the movie, also invited to attend are some prominent figures from the business and entertainment circles. Suddenly seeing a lot of beautiful men and women, GuQingPei’s mood is also slightly better. Flamboyantly, he went to mingle with all kinds of people, talking cheerfully and wittily. A flirtatious actress had already stuffed a fragrant business card into his suit pocket discreetly.
Extraordinarily handsome and successful young talents like WangJin and GuQingPei simply met all the women’s fantasies of men, how can people not be tempted?
After the premiere started, GuQingPei wanted to go to the bathroom from having drank two glasses of cocktail. Originally, he did not want to leave his seat but the film is too artsy. He’s not interested, so finally at halftime, he got up to go to the bathroom.
He walked to the bathroom outside theater lobby, but the cleaning staff told him that there is something wrong with the bathroom and directed him to go to the bathroom on the third floor.
He had no choice but to go up to the third floor. There was no performing arts activity on the third floor, so he did not see anyone as he was walking. It was exceptionally quiet.
GuQingPei finished using the toilet. Just as he was heading out, he slammed onto someone.
GuQingPei looked up surprisingly. When he saw who the person is, his body’s blood quickly flowed to the bottom of his foot and his body went into a cold cave and stiffened.
YuanYang…..
The person standing in front of him is the YuanYang that he had not seen in two years.
End of the Chapter
