After driving for more than an hour, the car arrived at the Bund.
This place is always crowded, except during typhoons, and it's a must-visit spot for tourists to take photos when they come to Shanghai.
The car stopped, and Chu Fang handed the car keys to the waiter before the two went inside.
"Why?"
"It's raining so hard outside, let's just stay here and take shelter from the rain for a bit, it'll be over soon."
"We'll leave as soon as the rain subsides a little."
"Is Shanghai such a precious place that they won't even let me take shelter from the rain?"
“... ..."
Chu Fang looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of people hiding under the eaves, while the hotel manager was trying to persuade them to leave.
"Please understand, this wasn't my decision. If you all stand here, I'll have my salary docked," the hotel manager explained helplessly.
As a high-end private restaurant, it pays great attention to serving high-end customers. If these people offend those customers, it will be very difficult for him to handle the situation.
"Manager Yang."
Upon seeing Chu Fang, the hotel manager quickly approached and bowed slightly, saying, "Hello, Mr. Chu."
Chu Fang said, "With such heavy rain, where are you going to send them? If they get wet and catch a cold, that would be a big problem. Just let them stay in the rain until it gets a little lighter before they leave."
"Understood." The hotel manager nodded.
When Chu Fang spoke up, Manager Yang naturally agreed. Chu Fang was very familiar with the hotel owner, and even if the customers he was serving were disturbed, Chu Fang would ultimately take responsibility for them.
The hotel manager then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you," the group said gratefully.
"It's nothing," Chu Fang said with a smile, shaking his head.
The two were then led into the hotel by a waiter.
The group of people were left looking at each other in bewilderment. Someone said to the hotel manager, "No wonder they're so rich. They don't have an arrogant attitude. You should learn from them."
The hotel manager smiled bitterly, feeling helpless: "You only see me targeting you, but actually I'm just an ordinary worker like you, subject to others' control."
"If I had half of Mr. Chu's wealth, I would treat you to dinner at the hotel today."
... ...
This is a private restaurant in Shanghai that specializes in local cuisine. I heard the chef is over forty years old and has been cooking Shanghai dishes for over fifty years.
Don't ask why he's been a chef for fifty years when he's only forty. The chef once told Chu Fang in a serious tone: "I started cooking Shanghai cuisine when I was still an embryo."
Despite the chef's penchant for rambling, it must be admitted that his skills are excellent. While retaining the flavors of Shanghai, he has reduced the sweetness and saltiness, making it suitable for the tastes of most people in China.
"Is it good?" the chef asked after the dishes were served.
"It doesn't taste good." Chu Fang shook his head.
"He threw up," the chef said directly.
Chu Fang stubbornly insisted, "I refuse to throw up."
"Then don't throw up."
Pooh!
Chu Fang vomited immediately, which made the chef clench his fists in anger.
A faint smile appeared on Zhong Tingyue's face. The chef glanced at her and then said, "Enjoy your meal. I'll be leaving now."
Zhong Tingyue asked, "You two seem to know each other very well?"
"I asked Chef Liu for cooking tips."
Cooking is a fun thing. Chu Fang has spent a lot of time and energy on cooking and has also consulted many famous chefs, including Chef Liu.
“Master Liu is quite stubborn,” Chu Fang said. “Let’s put it this way: he likes sweet tofu pudding. Even if a knife is held to his throat, his body is buried in the ground, and his ashes are gone, he’ll still say that the salty faction is heresy!”
"So, I sometimes really enjoy arguing with him."
"You two are evenly matched."
Enjoying a meal while admiring the night view of Shanghai was quite pleasant and leisurely.
After finishing her meal, Zhong Tingyue felt much better. As she left the hotel, seeing that it wasn't raining outside, she suggested, "Shall we take a walk?"
Chu Fang naturally agreed.
The two strolled along the riverbank of the Bund, surrounded by crowds of people taking photos, with cruise ships passing by on the river.
"Mr. Zhong."
"Um."
What's the date today?
April 13.
"Oh, I see. Then it'll be quick."
"What's coming soon?"
Zhong Tingyue sniffed: "It's almost May Day. My mother called me a few days ago and asked when I would be coming home."
Chu Fang immediately understood.
Their relationship evolved gradually over time.
Last year, both sets of parents met and decided to get engaged on May Day. If all goes well, today, National Day, should be the wedding day.
"That means I can only be single for another five months." Chu Fang sighed at this point. "Sigh!"
Zhong Tingyue's eyes shone brightly: "Why are you sighing? Are you feeling wronged by marrying me?"
"If I said no, would you believe me?"
"Do I think I should believe it or not?"
"letter!"
"screw you!"
The two strolled along the riverbank. Zhong Tingyue gazed at the bustling scenery along the river and suddenly recalled the experiences of the past few days.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of painting, hoping to create a perfect work to make up for the lessons Mr. Wu had taught her back then.
She seemed to be in a dilemma; the more she tried to achieve a certain effect, the less she could achieve it, and she was trapped in a vicious cycle.
"Phew... ...I really am a bit obsessed."
"I'm not drawing anymore," Zhong Tingyue said.
"What?"
“I don’t want to draw anymore. I don’t have the talent, and I can’t achieve the effect I want.” Zhong Tingyue shrugged. “I can only say that Teacher Wu misjudged me. I’m not as good as she imagined.”
"You really don't want to draw anymore?"
"Yes, I have put a lot of thought and effort into fulfilling Teacher Wu's wish. I have neglected my work and become a mess. I can't continue like this. I have my own life to live, and I need to work hard for my own life."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Everyone has regrets in life, and it's fine if I have some regrets too."
Time cannot be turned back, but green beans can be stewed.
Teacher Wu has long since passed away. She wanted to create a perfect work to make up for her regrets, but it was all in vain.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. Now we should focus on our work."
After figuring things out, Zhong Tingyue felt much more relaxed. "Mr. Chu, what do you think?"
Chu Fang pondered for a moment: "I think you should continue drawing."
"Why?"
“Let’s give a result to all the efforts we’ve made these past few days,” Chu Fang said. “I’m not saying you have to paint those kinds of artistic works, those are what artists appreciate. It’s just that we’re all ordinary people, so let’s paint works that ordinary people can understand.”
Chu Fang looked around: "Don't you think this place is extraordinary? The number one financial center in the country, where a square meter costs four or five hundred thousand yuan. Not only are there all sorts of billionaires here, but also cleaning ladies and uncles earning only a few thousand yuan..."
"This is a place many dream of, and a starting point for many. Everyone who comes here is full of hope, hoping to establish themselves here. But very few actually do; the vast majority fail miserably..."
Shanghai is a very different city, a gathering place for people from all over the country, each with their own expectations for the future.
After speaking, Chu Fang looked at Zhong Tingyue expectantly: "Ms. Zhong, what do you think of what I said?"
Zhong Tingyue looked around, her eyes sparkling: "It must be very tiring for you to memorize so many words, right?"
“It’s quite strenuous,” Chu Fang replied. “I’ve never been this diligent when memorizing classical Chinese texts.”
Okay, Chu Fang admits that he did indeed find those words on Baidu.
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