Wen Tao
Wen Yunsheng paced back and forth in the corridor, glancing at his watch every few steps.
He only breathed a sigh of relief when Tao Chu opened the door.
He forced a smile and said casually, "It's just time for dinner. I'll have someone deliver food to the suite so we can eat and talk."
Tao Chu remained noncommittal and followed him toward the elevator.
Wen Yunsheng kept glancing at her expression the whole way, but Tao Chu was focused on analyzing Shen Yingchang's identity and purpose.
Upon reaching the suite door, Tao Chu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
If Shen Yingchang is not entirely trustworthy, then she needs to be even more careful with every step she takes now.
"Don't panic, don't be afraid," she silently told herself.
I came alone, and at most I will return to being alone.
Wen Yunsheng rang the doorbell, and Tao Chu glanced at the room number—Wen Tao was only staying in VIP5.
These people place great importance on position, including but not limited to seating order and room number.
You could even say that this is what they have been pursuing all their lives.
She glanced to the side and, sure enough, skipped number 4. There were three people ahead of Wen Tao in higher positions, and perhaps even Zhou Bingcheng wasn't qualified to stay in VIP1.
Wen Yunsheng's own suite is VIP9, and there are three other people between him and his son, including Li Pengcheng.
As he quickly pondered, a thought popped into his head—with so many important figures gathered here, what was the thing that Zhou Bingcheng's faction feared most?
Tao Chu remembered that her mother used to complain about the daily meetings, saying that the young people in the office were all busy with meeting affairs and were on edge, with no time to do serious work.
For high-profile and important meetings, mobile phones and other electronic devices are not allowed, and recording, filming, and taking photos are prohibited.
This celebration is similar in spirit to that of the "Sea Chaser" ship.
They were afraid of making mistakes, leaking secrets, and causing trouble for their superiors and themselves.
Someone opened the door; it wasn't Wen Tao, but a familiar-looking middle-aged man.
"Yunsheng is here—" he called out warmly, but as soon as he finished speaking, when he looked at Tao Chu, his ingratiating smile faded, and he nodded and said, "Miss Tao."
Tao Chu remembered that this person was Wen Tao's distant nephew, whose name seemed to be Wen Lei.
About ten years ago, he stayed at the Wen family's house for a while, saying he was going to Jianglin to find work. Tao Chu met him a few times.
Why does it look like she's become Wen Tao's secretary now?
"The leader is still on the phone in his study. Please sit in the living room for a while." He led them forward.
When Tao Chu first boarded the "Sea Chaser," he didn't think it was particularly luxurious. The so-called "sea money pit" wasn't much different from a five-star hotel.
Perhaps because it is open to ordinary tourists on a regular basis, the public areas are neither used nor dared to be too ostentatious.
Upon entering Wen Tao's VIP suite, Tao Chu noticed that the door was thickened, resembling a double-layered steel plate used for bulletproofing.
The corridor was paved with golden-brown teak flooring, creating a serene and secluded atmosphere. Tao Chu took a few steps forward and caught a faint whiff of sandalwood.
A mother-of-pearl inlaid screen depicting flowers and birds stands in the entryway, shimmering with iridescent colors under the lamplight.
On the altar in front of the screen is a large bronze vase with two handles and rings, with a vigorous pine branch inserted diagonally, and plum blossoms and camellias combining elegance and lushness.
After going around the screen, Tao Chu finally saw the view from the living room.
Before we knew it, the ship had sailed out of the harbor, and through the two-story-high floor-to-ceiling windows, we could take in the azure sea view.
The sunlight reflected off the sea, creating a dazzling display. Tao Chu stood by the window; the winter sun, though not scorching or intense, still stung her eyes.
She thought of the blue sky and white clouds she saw through the car window as she drove home with the ashes from the funeral home.
Her mother died with her eyes wide open in dismay, while Wen Tao enjoyed such a luxurious and unrestrained life.
Tao Chu heard the sound of a door closing and footsteps coming from upstairs. She turned around and saw Wen Tao leisurely walking downstairs with his belly protruding.
Perhaps because he had gained a lot of weight, Wen Tao didn't look any older than he did eight years ago, and his forehead was shiny and glowing.
He didn't avoid Tao Chu's gaze at all, and even had the same kind smile on his face as before.
"Chuchu, it's been so long! You've grown so much!"
The greetings were so hypocritical they were nauseating.
Tao Chu also smiled and took two steps forward to greet him: "Yes, it's been a long time, Uncle Wen."
As she spoke, she extended her right hand.
Without the slightest hesitation, Wen Tao raised his hand to grasp Tao Chu's hand, but she firmly held it and shook it twice.
Tao Chu let go first, and Wen Tao slowly withdrew his hand, sighing, "I still remember how you used to look with a lollipop in your mouth. Now you really seem like a grown-up!"
Tao Chu looked at him with a smile: "It's kind of you to still remember me, even things from when I was a child—I'm turning 26 this year, I'm not an adult anymore!"
Seeing their harmonious way of reminiscing, Wen Yunsheng felt even more anxious.
Both of them have fiery tempers at heart, and they are both knowingly putting on an act.
Wen Yunsheng felt that the room was filled with the smell of gas, and that even a tiny spark could cause an explosion.
He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, just as he was about to speak, when the doorbell rang.
“It must be the delivery person.” Wen Yunsheng looked at Wen Lei, who was standing to the side.
"I'll go get it." Wen Lei nodded.
"You've come so early, you must be tired from the journey." Wen Tao walked towards the restaurant. "The food here is pretty good, Chu Chu, come and try it—I heard you're studying abroad, you must have been on a cruise ship before, right?"
Tao Chu looked at Wen Yunsheng: Look, even your dad knows where I am. All these years, you've just been foolishly sending text messages and making phone calls.
Wen Yunsheng's face darkened: "Dad, when did you find out she was studying abroad?"
Wen Tao, who had just sat down, glanced at his son and said, "What, do I need to report to you?"
Tsk, a combination of fatherly airs and official jargon, a double whammy.
Tao Chu sat down on his own, while Wen Yunsheng did not sit to his father's right, but instead sat down next to Tao Chu.
Waiters filed in, pushing several food carts and methodically placing more than a dozen dishes on the table.
"Xiao Lei, sit down and eat with us," Wen Tao said.
Wen Lei was selecting the wine that Wen Tao liked to drink. He picked up a bottle, smiled, and walked over. While pouring the wine, he said, "It's been a long time since you've seen Yunsheng and Miss Tao. I won't disturb you any longer—there are so many restaurants on the ship, and I haven't tried many of them yet."
"Oh, okay, go ahead." Wen Tao responded, picked up his chopsticks, and said to Tao Chu with a smile, "Come on, Chu Chu, don't be shy, start eating."
Tao Chu picked up the wine that Wen Lei had just poured and said, "Uncle, let me toast you first."
"Look at Chuchu—when did you become so sensible?" Wen Tao chuckled, glaring at his son before raising his glass.
Wen Yunsheng watched as their cups drew closer and closer, his hand clenched tightly, refusing to lift it.
“You know my mother’s temper—when I was little, if I was impolite at the dinner table, she would hit the back of my hand with her chopsticks.”
As he said this, Tao Chu stared intently at Wen Tao, trying to see if he could truly remain unmoved.
Sure enough, Wen Tao paused in his hand holding the wine glass, and withdrew it before even touching Tao Chu's glass.
Upon hearing them start this conversation, Wen Lei quickly followed the waiter out of the room.
Wen Yunsheng looked at his father, whose face was full of grief, and took a sip of wine.
"When I heard the news of your mother's accident, I was in a meeting at headquarters. To be honest, I didn't hear a thing in the second half of the meeting." Wen Tao waved his hand and sighed.
Tao Chu didn't respond, but silently watched him.
"Your mother was two years younger than me, just turned fifty by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, the prime of her life. How could she just suddenly... be gone..."
Wen Tao took off his glasses and placed them on the table. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes, and his lips trembled as if he were crying.
Tao Chu rested his arm on the cold table and leaned forward, trying to see if he could squeeze out some tears.
His oily face was etched with deep lines of bitterness and resentment, but Tao Chu did not see the tears that were falling.
After choking up for a long time, Wen Tao continued, "Chuchu, I know you must be in more pain than anyone else. But you have to look forward. You're still so young—I believe your mother would also want you to be happy. I watched you grow up, so if you have any difficulties, just tell me."
After saying that, he put on his glasses and looked at Tao Chu with great sincerity.
Tao Chu blinked a few times, and tears streamed down her face: "I just want to be safe and sound, nothing else matters."
Seeing her cry, Wen Tao was finally moved to tears as well.
"Yes, without peace and health, everything else is empty and fake," Wen Tao sighed.
Tao Chu reached for the tissues on the table, and Wen Yunsheng immediately grabbed a few and stood up to hand them to her.
He met her tearful eyes and couldn't help but say, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Tao Chu didn't speak, but took the tissue and wiped away the tears on her cheeks, not bothering to wipe the tears in her eyes.
Wen Yunsheng looked at his father and found him drinking soup with his head down, seemingly trying to pretend he hadn't heard.
After listening to their back-and-forth conversation for a while, Tao Chu didn't show any aggressiveness, probably because he didn't want to break off relations right now.
Since she clearly stated that she "only wants to be safe and sound," then let him speak first.
Wen Yunsheng looked directly at his father and said, "During these few days on the ship, Chuchu has been living with me—wherever she goes, I go."
Wen Tao choked and, while coughing with a napkin over his mouth, glanced at his son, only to find that he wasn't even looking at him.
Because Wen Yunsheng was immersed in Tao Chu's "grateful" gaze, his heart softened, and he wondered if she had already forgiven him for his previous abruptness.
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