18. "Love in a Puff"
People often say, "The key to life is just a few steps." But the reality is often that one few steps leads to another, always crucial, and it never ends. It's like a line from the movie "Infernal Affairs": "We agreed on three years, but after three years came another three years, and after another three years, it's almost ten years, boss!"
Fang Kaixuan was now at a crossroads in his life, unsure of which way to go.
This is so annoying, bro.
As Fang Kaixuan was leaving the boss's office, he remembered the matter that Xiao Ju was investigating and said cautiously, "The SN project may be getting some negative news recently."
The boss raised her eyebrows. She quickly recounted the whole story, as concisely as possible.
The boss's expression was grave: "I'll write an email and give it to David to handle. Just follow his instructions if anything happens." Seeing Fang Kaixuan's hesitation, he added, "There's no need to be so nervous. He's already a late-stage cancer patient. Genetic testing and targeted drugs are just diagnostic and treatment methods; no one can guarantee a life-saving outcome. I'll instruct David to handle it well and not let these minor issues affect the acquisition process."
Fang Kaixuan had nothing to say. She walked out of the office, still preoccupied.
"These are small things."
In their eyes, these were just minor matters affecting their ability to make money and secure their profits, nothing important. Fang Kaixuan didn't consider himself a bad person, yet he found himself involuntarily helping to cover up these bad people and bad deeds.
Yet this cold-blooded person was willing to smile and give her the freedom to choose her future.
Fang Kaixuan was distracted. He walked to his colleague Qin Zhisheng's desk and paused. The two often worked together near the boss, and over time, they could understand each other with just a glance. So they went downstairs one after the other and met in the smoking area.
When the two had something to say in private, they always did this without saying a word. Fang Kaixuan often thought of the movie "Love in a Puff," where Shawn Yue and Miriam Yeung did the same thing, often smoking and chatting in the back alley.
However, neither of them smoked, and the two were simply standing under the tree. Fang Kaixuan had his arms crossed, while Qin Zhisheng, as always, was nonchalant, hands in his pockets, swaying back and forth.
"You've heard about that too?" Qin Zhisheng asked.
"Yes, Lao Shen just talked to me," Fang Kaixuan replied.
Without needing to be explicitly stated, both understood what the other was talking about.
Whether there are ghosts in the office is unknown, but there are never any secrets.
*
Fang Kaixuan and Qin Zhisheng were both favored by the boss, who was very satisfied with the duo. As a result, the boss liked to bring them along to many important events and meetings, spending half the year traveling. Sometimes, they would wake up one morning and have no idea what time it was or which hotel they were in.
Fortunately, Qin Zhisheng was not difficult to get along with. Although he and Fang Kaixuan had completely different personalities, they were both smart and sincere people. The two got along well and could even share some harmless little secrets.
The boss's schedule is unpredictable and constantly changing, so the two of them often have to wait for a long time, but they can't sneak off to do their own thing, because they might get caught at the last minute.
Once, the boss was having a meeting at the IFC in Central. Seeing that they had plenty of time, the two of them sneaked off to Kau Kee Beef Brisket. Although it wasn't very tasty, there was a long queue, wasting a lot of time. Just after they finished eating, the boss's secretary called to summon them, but they couldn't get a taxi anywhere. Fang Kaixuan ran for a long time in her high heels.
Having learned their lesson, the two never dared to sneak out again. When bored and waiting, they often spent time together in Qin Zhisheng's room.
But nothing happened. They were really just gossiping and complaining together, or maybe they were actually working.
One late night, Qin Zhisheng suddenly joked, "Tell me, what would someone think if they saw you leaving my room in the middle of the night?"
"What else can they think? They definitely won't believe we're just modifying the PPT," Fang Kaixuan shrugged.
Although this is the truth.
Often, the boss would casually offer a suggestion, and the two of them would be busy until dawn.
Not only do others gossip about them, but they also joke that they are like each other's office wife/office husband because they spend more time with each other than with their families in 24 hours.
However, there was absolutely no ambiguity between the two.
Qin Zhisheng has no interest in women.
Otherwise, if they spent so much time together, it would be hard to avoid something happening. Looking at it this way, the boss is quite perceptive; he knows they have no ulterior motives, which is why they serve him wholeheartedly.
Some people joked that the reason the boss liked the two of them so much was not only because they were obedient and capable, but also because their names were auspicious.
A triumphant return.
Fang Kaixuan believed it was just a coincidence. But who could say for sure? The wealthier people are, the more likely they are to believe in these superstitious beliefs. Some people check astrological compatibility with their employers during job interviews. Some people decorate the top floor of their office building into a giant Buddhist shrine, where the entire management team meditates with them every noon. Some people even release hundreds of venomous snakes into the city park.
The two men had completely different personalities: Fang Kaixuan was meticulous and cautious, while Qin Zhisheng was quick-witted and resourceful. What they had in common, however, was that they both knew perfectly well that although their boss might have some appreciation or liking for them, this appreciation or liking was of no practical use; they could be replaced at any time if he no longer liked them, no different from pet cats or dogs.
When they went out, they looked like a pair of neat boys and girls beside Laozi (the founder of Taoism), and they jokingly called themselves Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
Now even Ox-Head and Horse-Face have to find their own way to make a living.
Fang Kaixuan felt heavy-hearted, like a sunny day suddenly turning into a rainstorm.
Although she was just a subordinate, a mere servant, Fang Kaixuan had indeed escaped the worst of things in the past two years under the boss's protection. While layoffs and pay cuts raged outside, like a thunderstorm, she remained completely unaffected. Even though she was diligent and ambitious, she had to admit that the boss's influence played a significant role.
Now that this umbrella is about to disappear, can she withstand the fierce winds and torrential rain outside?
But to simply leave is easier said than done. People aren't plants; they can't be uprooted and simply take root and grow in another place. Even though Fang Kaixuan often complains about Beijing's air, traffic, and food, seemingly finding everything unsatisfactory, she certainly wouldn't want to leave like this.
The news came suddenly, leaving Fang Kaixuan completely bewildered, but Qin Zhisheng had a plan:
“I chose Hong Kong. It offers both offensive and defensive advantages. I can move to Singapore in the future, or I can go back to Futian every week to eat, drink, and have fun. It's cheap and fun.”
"Good grief, are you just going to abandon me like this? Where is our sisterly bond?"
"When disaster strikes, everyone flies away." Qin Zhisheng joked casually, unaware that his words would offend Fang Kaixuan. She kept the divorce a secret; apart from her closest relatives and friends, very few people knew. In other people's eyes, she was still in her first wedding anniversary.
Fang Kaixuan wasn't saddened by these words. Qin Zhisheng was right; even true couples sometimes abandon each other in times of trouble.
"Mr. Fang, what are your plans?"
"Do you have any suggestions? I really don't like to move around, after all, my home is here." As soon as he said this, Fang Kaixuan felt sad. After all this heartbreak, where is home now?
"Hong Kong is so great. It has mountains and sea, money, lots of fun things to do, and the food is the best in the world."
"...Another handsome guy. You're like a mouse falling into a rice jar."
"But seriously, if I were you, I'd wait and lie low for now. No matter what happens, keep a smile on your face, cling to Old Shen's coattails, and you'll be able to go to the American West someday," Qin Zhisheng suddenly said seriously.
"That's great, aren't you going?"
“I’m really not suited for the countryside; I prefer that kind of decadent lifestyle. But you’re different,” Qin Zhisheng lightly kicked the shadows cast by the sycamore canopy on the paving stones. “Don’t you hate crowds? The air is better there, the pace is slower, the scenery is better, and there are fewer people. At least you won’t need to rely on Sinuosi to sleep anymore, Xiao Fang.”
Qin Zhisheng lowered his voice. The two had spent almost every day together, and he knew very well that Fang Kaixuan had been unable to fall asleep naturally for a period of time.
Hearing him say that, Fang Kaixuan felt a pang of sadness, but didn't want to become even more heartbroken: "Then I'll be counting on you when we go to Hong Kong. Don't let your feelings for someone else over your friendship."
"Anytime, don't worry, I've got it covered." Qin Zhisheng also shook off his gloomy mood and became lively again.
Although they made different choices, they remained good friends who understood each other.
Fang Kaixuan suddenly felt an emptiness in her heart. How she envied Qin Zhisheng, who was so young yet so resolute and certain about the future.
But the world is so vast, where is her final destination?
Where Chen Zhilun once lived was where her heart belonged. But when that dream shattered, she not only lost love, but also a part of her meaning in life. It may sound contrived, but Chen Zhilun was indeed a transcendent presence in her life.
Fang Kaixuan always felt powerless to start over. Physically and legally, she had left Chen Zhilun. But the heartache, anxiety, and even panic attacks caused by those days did not leave as expected. Sometimes, while sitting peacefully in the office, she would suddenly break out in a sweat, restless, and had to get up immediately and go downstairs to be alone for a while before she could gradually calm down; otherwise, she was afraid she would scream out loud.
Those days almost completely drained her. Now she's like someone who's just started rehabilitation from a serious illness. There's absolutely no way she'd run a marathon right now.
The new world wasn't bad, but it was too big, too new, and too bizarre. She didn't know if she could handle it.
This is a long and unknown road.
///
happy holidays
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays! Australian cattle and horses continue their work.
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