05: They're the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Rest first. You sleep in the master bedroom tonight, and I'll sleep in the study next door. Tell Sister Hua what you want to eat; she can cook most of the usual dishes."

"Okay." After a long day, Shang Zhi was exhausted. She returned to her room, closed the door, and a faint sadness welled up in her heart. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately.

Outside the window, Victoria Harbour was brightly lit in the night. Four years ago, she often came to Pei Yanxiu's house, but today was the first time she had seen the night view from this angle. He had never let her come home late before.

It wasn't just when he came home; he would also help her check her homework and analyze her grades. At that time, Shang Zhi always felt that she wasn't dating him at all, but rather that she was taking classes at his house.

And the teacher I was assigned to was not a very good-tempered one.

Shang Zhi turned on her computer, typed in "Ruikang Tiancui", and a series of messages quickly popped up.

Tiancui was abruptly halted due to ecological protection reasons. However, her mother had told her that the land was a barren wasteland, but its advantage was the beautiful coastline nearby, which was why the company had chosen it for tourism development, combining hotels and commercial facilities. The company had all the necessary permits and licenses in place beforehand, so this sudden closure for this reason strongly suggests someone is behind it all.

Shang Zhi carefully examined the information, which stated that there was a small forest on that plot of land, containing a group of rare and old trees. Tian Cui had been reported by an environmental organization that demanded the protection of that forest, forcing the government to take action.

However, stopping work halfway through a project has a huge impact. The equipment has been brought in, the workers have started working, and everything costs money. It's not something you can just stop doing.

At the end of a news article, Shang Zhi saw information about the environmental organization, whose leader was a person named Liang Jingwei.

She searched for the environmental organization's account online, and the homepage was indeed linked to an account called Liang Jingwei's Day. Shang Zhi scrolled through his homepage, which was full of his daily life in Hong Kong, eating, drinking, and going on blind dates. He was probably just an ordinary young man in his early twenties.

Shang Zhi thought for a moment and sent a message to his account: "Brother, I like you so much! Your videos are so funny."

There was no reply from the other end for a while, so Shang Zhi probably didn't see it and exited the app.

"Xixi, would you like some fruit?" Pei Yanxiu knocked gently on the door from the outside, and after receiving Shang Zhi's permission, he came in and handed Shang Zhi a plate of mangoes.

"Sister Hua just bought some mangoes today, they're very sweet. You didn't eat much at the wedding today, do you want me to make you some more?"

"I can't eat, Uncle Pei. Did I mess up today?"

"No." He gently rubbed her head.

"Don't overthink it. This is just the beginning. No one can do everything perfectly all at once. Making mistakes is inevitable. Don't dwell on it. Besides, getting caught up in the past is pointless. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, take some action. Read some books and research. Don't waste your emotions on pointless anxiety."

"I understand," Shang Zhi nodded softly.

"Rest now, we'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow." Just as Pei Yanxiu was about to leave, Shang Zhi's phone, which was on the bedside table, suddenly lit up. It was Liang Jingwei, the one who had just sent her a message.

Shang Zhi felt a little guilty and didn't want Pei Yanxiu to see her, so she grabbed her phone and turned it off, her eyes darting away.

What is that?

"It's nothing, Uncle Pei. It's already very late. It's not appropriate for us, a man and a woman, to be alone in a room. You should leave now; I need to take a shower." Shang Zhi said vaguely, pushing Pei Yanxiu out. It wasn't that she was afraid he would discover anything; it was just that Shang Zhi had her own plan. She wanted to try to solve a problem and help Ruikang in her own way.

She can do it, why couldn't she? She's endured so much hardship since elementary school, her body aching and she cried from the pressure, yet she persevered. She's always been someone who moves forward through tears. Now that she's back, she wants everyone to see her worth.

After Pei Yanxiu left the room, Shang Zhi locked the door from the inside, then breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up her phone again and opened the message Liang Jingwei had sent her: "Hello."

Azhi: [Brother, I've been following you for a long time, watching your videos every day. You seem like a really interesting person, able to find joy in ordinary life and with an eye for beauty.]

Liang Jingwei: [Really? I'm actually finding it quite boring. Nobody seems to read what I post, and the data hasn't been good lately. I'm even thinking of giving up.]

Azhi: [Don't give up, brother! It's really good; I watch it several times a day.]

Liang Jingwei: [You're making me a little embarrassed. Are you also in Hong Kong? If you have time, would you like me to buy you a coffee?]

Azhi: [Okay, brother, tomorrow is fine. I'm free. I can't wait to see you!]

Liang Jingwei: [Me too, is this place okay for you? Or is there anywhere convenient for you?]

Liang Jingwei sent over the location of a coffee shop, which was a bit far from Shang Zhi, but that was just right, so as not to run into Pei Yanxiu.

Azhi: [Okay, brother, no problem!]

Shang Zhi put down her phone, went to the bathroom, filled a tub with water, and soaked herself completely. Pei Yanxiu was right; she needed to pull herself together and get things done. She was only twenty years old; her life had just begun, and the future held endless possibilities.

Pei Yanxiu went to the company early in the morning. Before leaving, he asked Shang Zhi what she was going to do. She said she would just stay at home and tidy up her room and organize her things.

No sooner had he left than Lu Xingqi sent Shang Zhi a voice message: 【How was it? Wedding night, one last moment of bliss? What score did he give her?】

Shang Zhi blushed slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about? We didn't do anything. We just had a marriage of convenience. Everyone had their own motives, it wasn't real. How could we possibly do anything like that?"

Xingxing: [What about four years ago? You didn't experience that either?]

Azhi: [No, he said I was young back then, and he was very restrained. Speaking of which, he's a very good person.] If Pei Yanxiu had coaxed Shang Zhi into doing something four years ago, she would most likely have agreed when she was infatuated, but he never did, not even with the slightest hint.

He did have some redeeming qualities, though; he was always straightforward and honest in his actions. After breaking up with him, several boys pursued Shang Zhi, but she never really liked them, partly because those men were never honest with each other. What they thought and what they said were completely different; they always tried to treat girls like fools, which was incredibly boring.

Xingxing: [Azhi, I don't know why, but I felt a little uneasy when I woke up today. I had a feeling that something was about to happen. Be careful today.]

Azhi: [Don't overthink it, it's all a lie.]

Star: [Just be careful, that's all.]

Shang Zhi glanced at her watch; it was almost time for her appointment with Liang Jingwei. She told Sister Hua that if Pei Yanxiu asked, she should say she had gone shopping and would be back later.

Liang Jingwei arrived at the coffee shop first, and Shang Zhi saw him from afar. He looked much like he did in the video, with black-rimmed glasses and a refined, scholarly appearance.

"Hello, Mr. Liang, I'm the one who messaged you privately. My name is Su He." Shang Zhi stepped forward and greeted him generously, but she didn't intend to tell him her real information.

"Hello, just call me Jingwei. What would you like to drink?"

"American style is fine, thank you." Shang Zhi first chatted with him in circles, from poetry and songs to life ideals, and then from life ideals to blind dates and buying a house. Liang Jingwei seemed to have met a kindred spirit. Towards the end, his eyes were filled with excitement when he looked at Shang Zhi.

"By the way, Jingwei, I saw in your account information that you are also a member of an environmental organization, right?" Shang Zhi said casually, taking a sip of coffee, trying to make herself seem less deliberate.

"Yes, you're interested in this too?"

"Yes, I am particularly interested in environmental protection topics. A factory is going to be built behind our house recently, and our whole family is having a headache. Once the factory is built, not to mention the chemical and noise pollution, it will also block our view. We are really worried about it lately."

"You've come to the right person. I have experience in this area. But the documents are all at home. Why don't you come back with me and take a look?"

“This…” Shang Zhi hesitated.

"It'll be quick. My car is parked right next to me. It'll be there in about ten minutes. But it's okay if you don't want to go. I won't force you. But our information is internal and not shared. If you don't look at it, you might not be able to see it."

"I'll go, I'll go see." Shang Zhi clenched her fingers. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. She decided to go to his house to take a look.

"Alright, come with me."

As Shang Zhi stood up, a dark shadow not far behind her also moved.

"I usually live alone at home, so it's a bit messy." Liang Jingwei lives in a small apartment nearby. For some reason, Shang Zhi felt a bit oppressed when she entered the room, and she regretted it a little.

“I’ll go get the documents for you. You know Ruikang’s Tiancui project? We were the ones who got shut down by complaining about it a while ago. The process was really difficult. We dealt with the government a lot. There was a time when everyone thought there was no hope, but now the result is not bad. Their project is at least currently suspended.”

“Oh, I know about that project. I saw it on the news. I was wondering why. I didn’t expect it was because of you. Why did you do this? For the same reason as me?” Shang Zhi glanced at Liang Jingwei and asked casually.

"No, it's because of the person in charge. He has been trying his best to obstruct the implementation of the project. So we found a reason and said that there is a batch of relatively rare trees there, about a hundred, and asked the government to protect them."

"Then why is your person in charge so concerned about this project?"

"I've already told you so much, shouldn't you give me something in return? It should be an equal exchange, don't you think, Miss Shang?" Liang Jingwei's gaze suddenly darkened, and he moved closer to Shang Zhi. Shang Zhi was startled, but on the surface she tried her best to restrain herself, secretly turning on the record button on her phone.

"What...what are you saying? Is there some misunderstanding?"

"Stop pretending. I've checked everyone's information in your business. I know your face all too well. Shang Zhi, you've come all this way just to ask me about Tian Cui, haven't you? You want me to help you? I can help you, but what can you give me?"

“I can give you money. Liang Jingwei, now that you know who I am, we can have a proper talk. How much money do you want? Let’s discuss a number. As long as you can withdraw the complaint and allow our project to continue smoothly, we can talk about anything.”

"I don't want your filthy money! You people think you're so great just because you have money! You think you can do whatever you want just because you have money! Let me tell you, I just don't want your money. I want to watch you all worry and watch those workers crowd around your Ruikang gate! Unless, you beg me?" Liang Jingwei moved closer to Shang Zhi. Shang Zhi tried to dodge to the side, but was still forced into a corner by the faint scarlet in his eyes.

"I... I beg you, I really beg you. The Tiancui project is really important to us, otherwise I wouldn't have come to you. I hope you can calm down and we can talk properly, okay?" Shang Zhi forced herself to calm down while secretly glancing at the door, preparing to find a chance to run away.

"If you're asking for a favor, you should have the proper attitude! Is this how you ask for a favor? You rich people have no respect for others! You have no respect for people at all!" While Liang Jingwei was yelling, Shang Zhi used all her strength to run towards the door. But just as she was about to touch the doorknob, he grabbed her.

Liang Jingwei was very strong and pulled Shang Zhi back in one go: "Don't go, we haven't finished talking yet." His hand went through her hair and held her tightly.

"Miss Shang, are you like those people, looking down on me too?" Liang Jingwei let out a sinister laugh. Shang Zhi thought he must be crazy, and she tried to break free but couldn't.

For a moment, a sense of despair flashed through my mind, but I quickly forced myself to calm down.

"Open the door! Open the door!" Suddenly, a violent kicking sound came from outside the door. It was Shang Zhi's new husband. At this moment, she didn't feel annoyed when she heard his voice. Instead, she was so excited that she wanted to cry.

"Uncle Pei! I'm here! Come quick!" Liang Jingwei tried to stop her, but it was too late. The old, dilapidated door couldn't withstand much force and was kicked over by Pei Yanxiu in no time. When he came in, Liang Jingwei was still holding a knife, but Pei Yanxiu kicked it away, and Liang Jingwei was then tied up tightly.

"Uncle Pei, why did you take so long to arrive!" Tears welled up in Shang Zhi's eyes. She had been very strong all day, but she couldn't hold back her tears when she met him.