Episode 46 Cause and Effect
The atmosphere of the dinner was good. After all, the relationships between these people were either good friends or partners, so there was no need for a few rounds of toasts.
Jiang Shu had previously set a rule not to drink alcohol, so no one forced him to do so - it just troubled Wang Duo to get an extra bottle of wine.
Fortunately, Pierre can be called a walking atmosphere FM machine. He is very talkative, speaks with emotion and smiles heartily. Chen Lan and Wang Duo take care of everyone, switch between three languages, and handle the situation with ease.
Twenty-four-year-old Lin Ying would be very resistant to this scene in her heart, but the thirty-year-old girl didn't care.
On the contrary, she felt that this kind of dinner was much more relaxing. She didn't need to dominate the atmosphere. She just needed to be herself. Even if she didn't answer, she didn't have to worry about offending anyone. And today, because Jiang Shu was present, she didn't need to pay attention to her daughter's every move all the time.
On the contrary, Jiaze on the right had been silent since he sat down. Wang Duo didn't say anything to him specifically. He just counted the dishes on the turntable silently by himself, and sometimes he couldn't even take a few bites... Therefore, his plate remained clean and tidy since the meal started, and he didn't eat much at all.
The amount of shrimp dumplings in the tray was worrying, and it was obvious that they had not eaten their fill. So Lin Ying took the opportunity when the waiter was pouring wine for Wang Duo to quietly ask him to bring another portion.
When another tray of shrimp dumplings was served, Lin Ying deliberately confused the audience: "Ruxing is greedy, so I ordered another serving of shrimp dumplings. Jiaze, would you like some too?"
As she said that, she used the serving chopsticks to hand two shrimp dumplings into Jiaze's bowl. Jiaze naturally nodded quietly and thanked her.
As for Ruxing herself, she kept chattering and harassing Jiang Shu, not caring at all that her mother had used her as a shield. Lin Ying didn't know whether to be happy or worried. She watched the interaction between the uncle and nephew - Jiang Shu would pinch Ruxing's cheek from time to time, or wipe the corner of her mouth for her, giving her a patient and doting smile, which made Lin Ying feel a little dazed for a moment...
If she had really chosen to go to Hong Kong with Jiang Shu back then, such a warm and comfortable scene might have happened often.
But this idea is just a fleeting thought.
She knew that if it weren't for the six-year gap, she wouldn't have such a strong and warm feeling.
Everything has cause and effect, everything is destined.
Wang Duo's attention would wander here from time to time, taking in the atmosphere between Jiang Shu and Ruxing. His eyes fell between Lin Ying and his son, and he smiled without saying anything.
After the meal, the group went downstairs to get the car, chatting and laughing.
Everyone except Jiang Shu and Lin Ying drank tonight. Chen Lan and Pierre stayed in the same hotel in the city. Chen Lan said goodbye to Wang Duo and handed the key to the designated driver, but Wang Duo did not call a designated driver - because he had told Lin Ying before the dinner that she would drive him home after dinner. After arriving at the Wang family, he would ask the family driver to take the mother and daughter back.
This was nothing new. Lin Ying was about to take the key from his hand, but before she could hold it firmly, Jiang Shu behind her snatched it away first.
"Mr. Wang, our last meeting was rushed, and it's fate that Pierre asked me to accompany him today. My sister has been busy supervising the exhibition lately, so why don't I take the blame and take you back?"
Wang Duo was stunned. "Indeed, Lin Ying has just recovered from a serious illness. In front of your brother, I'm asking you to be my driver. It makes me seem like a very unkind boss. Don't bother Mr. Jiang. It won't take much time for me to call a designated driver right now."
He was about to open his phone to operate it, but Jiang Shu stopped him again and shamelessly suggested -
"Mr. Wang, you don't have to be polite with me. I'll give you a ride. You can ask the driver to give Lin Ying and me a ride. It's just on our way."
Seeing the two people present were slightly stunned, he took the opportunity to explain to Lin Ying: "I forgot to mention that I have moved now. The apartment is only two blocks away from your house."
Now, no one has any reason to shirk responsibility.
Just like that, Lin Ying took the two children into the back seat, Wang Duo sat in the passenger seat, and Jiang Shu was the driver, just enough to fill the car - Wang Duo's Bentley hadn't been so crowded in a long time.
With Ruxing, this clever girl, the atmosphere in the car couldn't calm down at all. It was in stark contrast to Jiaze beside her. She would gossip at Lin Ying one moment, then lean over to harass Jiang Shu, who was driving...
Lin Ying had no choice but to stop him: "My uncle is driving, please sit still and don't disturb him."
Seeing this scene, Wang Duo sensed something subtle—
"Boss Jiang just returned from Hong Kong a few months ago, and he's already very close to this niece. I think she's even more attached to you tonight than to her mother."
Jiang Shu said, "That's not the case. Ruxing is just a little more lively and likes chatting with others."
"Ruxing is indeed more lively. My son has inherited my personality and is much more taciturn."
He kept talking about his son, but didn't even glance at Jiaze in the back seat, as if he was just a character in the script and didn't need to appear on the stage.
Lin Ying glanced at Jiaze and said reluctantly, "Children also have a desire to express themselves. As long as you respond patiently, they will become more or less clingy. After all, Jiaze has only been in Shanghai for a short time and is a little shy."
Hearing this, Wang Duo did not react, but just continued to tell his son:
"Ms. Chu will be back tomorrow. She said your English is still lacking. If you feel there are any problems with the course, please tell me immediately so that I can explain it to your mother."
"I know, Daddy."
After Jiaze agreed, he became dull again, even quieter than the air conditioner in the car.
Until Jiang Shu suddenly mentioned——
"Since we're here for the holidays, Mr. Wang still wants to arrange so many courses. Aren't you afraid that your son will think you're being too harsh?"
"The extra time during the Hong Kong semester is already ample. He usually just enjoys playing video games at home and doesn't like going out to socialize. He started primary school this year and has always been at the bottom of his class. I know his mom, she's always spoiled him and never asks him to learn more."
"I think Mr. Wang has been in mainland China for so long that he's probably learned the 'don't let your children lose at the starting line' mentality. I thought Hong Kong people wouldn't care about that."
This sounded like a joke, or a test, but it made Wang Duo laugh at himself.
"To be honest, I went to secondary school in mainland China. So, to be honest, I can't really be considered a pure Hong Konger."
"Is that so? You've been able to thrive in Shanghai for so many years on your own, not only weathering the economic downturn but also doubling the market value of your businesses and achieving such remarkable success with the projects and brands you've undertaken... With all due respect, your achievements are truly legendary in the industry. Mr. Wang, you're still too low-key. If I could achieve such success, I'd definitely find some trustworthy media outlets to hype it up. Firstly, to build my reputation, and secondly, to attract the attention of larger investors. Maybe even better opportunities would arise."
After hearing this, Wang Duo subconsciously glanced at Jiang Shu, full of inquiry. However, Jiang Shu was sitting upright at the moment, looking straight ahead, and neither of them could tell the truth.
"You're more knowledgeable than I am about hyping your personal influence. Speaking of which, Mr. Jiang, you seem to have received a lot of public support for Jianglin Group's successful listing in Hong Kong. I've read the most influential Hong Kong media reports back then, and I imagine the editor-in-chief who wrote for Jianglin at the time must have had a close relationship with you. Her words were full of admiration for you. Without a thorough understanding of you, it's hard to imagine how she could have produced so many articles for you, with so many golden quotes."
He seemed to be hinting at something, so Jiang Shu didn't beat around the bush and confessed directly:
"Yes, she did. She was the one who introduced Pierre and me to each other. But I remember... the articles she wrote for me were published under different pseudonyms to avoid controversy. How did you know it was the same person? Could it be that... Mr. Wang also knew her?"
"As expected of the president of Jianglin Group's Greater Bay Area, he's very perceptive about people."
Wang Duo laughed out loud, but the laughter was not refreshing, like a surging tide of temptation. He held up the frame of his glasses and tried to explain -
"But you're overthinking it. I don't know that person. The reason I can tell that those articles were written by the same person is because I also work in art media. Discerning the intentions behind these online media posts is... a piece of cake for me."
As soon as the words fell, he did not forget to add a knife -
"Unlike you, who loves to show off and socialize, making friends everywhere. I haven't been in Hong Kong for many years, so I don't have many relatives and friends there anymore."
Lin Ying heard that the two of them went from flattering each other about business to testing each other, but considering her current status, it was not appropriate for her to help anyone, so she simply played dumb, ignored everyone, and sat quietly watching the child.
The roads were especially quiet at night, with only the sound of neon lights flickering, sometimes bright and sometimes dim. At this moment, the three people in the car each had their own thoughts.
Ever since the chance encounter when Lin Ying was sick, Jiang Shu knew that Wang Duo also lived near Gubei.
Since Song Qi and his daughter had long anticipated his identity and also lived nearby, Wang Duo, being such a cunning person, would have been somewhat suspicious of this.
The reason why Song Qi was wary of him was simply because he was worried that he and Song Sheng would secretly go to Chen Cang. As Song Sheng's most valued eldest son, he had been traveling between the two places for many years, and his start-up capital came from Song Qihui's secret support. Otherwise, how could he have withstood the storms of these years?
Song Qihui, however, is an investment tycoon who has built half of Hong Kong's business empire. In his mind, nothing can't be measured by cost-effectiveness, including relationships. He has many illegitimate children. If each of them were open to investing like this, what would motivate him to take such a risk?
So he invested in Wang Duo to this extent, naturally wanting to see that he could give him greater value in return.
And Wang Duo will definitely do his best to prove himself in front of Song Qihui in order to maximize his own interests.
But he has been able to stand firm in the mainland for all these years, and he certainly does not rely solely on Song Sheng's support. Then who else could be behind him on the mainland?
When they arrived at the villa door, Jiang Shu declined his polite request to come in for tea. Wang Duo then tactfully arranged for a driver to take Jiang Shu and Lin Ying, mother and daughter, back home.
The two of them were almost silent all the way until the driver arrived downstairs of Lin Ying's house. Jiang Shu said that he would get off with him and didn't want to bother him any longer. In fact, he wanted to take some time to talk to Lin Ying alone.
But as soon as they got off the car, the first person to speak directly was Lin Ying—
"You came prepared tonight, right? Want to find out what my boss is up to?"
"Yes, but I do want to see you too." He was slightly stunned and added, "And Ruxing."
Lin Ying smiled and asked, "Then why did you choose Cantonese food for dinner?"
She asked for no apparent reason, as if to confirm the answer, "It can't be that Pierre is obsessed with it, or that he's just taking care of those two people from Hong Kong, right?"
"Don't you like Cantonese food? I asked Pierre for his opinion, and he said: It's all up to me."
He admitted it readily, and as soon as he finished speaking, the two of them laughed at the same time.
Lin Ying's heart stirred. She raised her eyes deliberately, and happened to meet his gaze. It had been a long time since she had looked at him so seriously. The last time she had looked into his features so openly seemed to be six years ago...
The days since their reunion had been so rushed that she hadn't had time to ask or think much, yet so much time had passed unnoticed. Intentionally or unintentionally, she had received a lot of help from him, just like back then...
But she didn't take it seriously back then, and now she doesn't care.
"I heard you say at dinner that you were prescribed sleeping pills? Could it be... related to my boss?"
She has always been perceptive and knows that Jiang Shu is always calm in the face of difficulties and is not the kind of person who would worry about work or interpersonal relationships to the point of being unable to sleep at night.
Jiang Shu did not hide it and confessed it smoothly -
"It is indeed somewhat related to him, but he is not the one who really worries me."
He paused for a moment or two, his eyes fixed on the face of the person in front of him with a knowing look.
The streetlight flickered for two seconds, and it was so quiet that one could hear the sound of the filament leaking electricity. Lin Ying knew the true meaning behind his words, and her heart softened. She wanted to take the opportunity to chat with him for a few more words, but before she could say anything, her daughter yawned and shook her hand.
"Mom, I'm sleepy..."
Ruxing was too excited tonight and talked too much before, which caused her to feel sleepy on the way back from Wang Duo's house. She calmed down a lot along the way.
Lin Ying felt helpless and could only nod and tell her—
"Then say goodbye to your uncle? We'll go home now."
After that, she took the opportunity to pick up the child and said to Jiang Shu, "See you some other day?"
She turned around and tried to escape into the narrow corridor, until the voice-activated light on the first floor suddenly lit up, and then she heard someone behind her tentatively ask -
"How about bringing Ruxing to my new house for dinner this weekend? As a housewarming gift?"
It's really hard to refuse an invitation like this.
But this time was different—Lin Ying had no intention of refusing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
