Chapter 13: He was moved by love. For the first time, he wanted to share his feelings...
This business trip to Shenzhen was Qin Yonglian's first visit to the mainland. He had been living on the island since he was taken back to Hong Kong at the age of 6.
It was not until this summer that he finally got the chance to go abroad again.
It was widely rumored in Hong Kong circles that he was under disguised house arrest, but that was only the first 20 years. After that, he stayed at home and was unwilling to go out.
Everything he had seen and heard, he had already read in thousands of books. Setting foot in a new territory was just a matter of going from the second dimension to the third dimension.
"Traveling all over the country"? Is it really interesting?
Standing on the top floor of Shenzhen A Hotel Group, he overlooked the entire city like a group of small mountains. Every time his eyes caught a scene with the smell of fireworks, a girl's voice would appear in his mind, as if whispering in his ear.
Qin Yonglian couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.
Qin Yuan secretly glanced at his boss who was smiling alone, and couldn't help feeling touched. This kid finally came out of the shadows and started to stand on his own and inspect his empire.
Qin Yonglian obviously did not get the same sentiment as his subordinates.
He was attending internal training for the A Hotel Group's South China region, a business trip that, at best, meant moving to a different office location. Moving from one room to another made no real difference to him.
Qin's hotel group is divided into South China, North China, Northeast China, Southwest China and Northwest China according to geographical regions in China.
The performance of the South China region has been among the best in recent years. It is a department with great strategic importance. Many outstanding managers are trained in this area, so it is also known as the Whampoa Military Academy for the reserve cadres of the Qin family.
The significance of this internal training is that Qin Yonglian, having made his debut from the Whampoa Military Academy, announced to the entire group and the business community that he would officially manage the company as CEO.
Counting the time, the young prince of the Qin family has been parachuted into the group for more than half a year. He has been involved in both grand and low-key work.
His management style is very simple: let professionals do professional things.
So as soon as he took office, the South China region began to make frequent personnel adjustments. Zhenyan was a professional talent that Qin Yonglian poached from a competitor company at a high salary and became the marketing director of the South China region.
Zhenyan was five years his senior, a graduate of the prestigious Cornell University in the United States, and possessed extensive industry experience. Qin Yonglian knew Zhenyan well and trusted his abilities. So, against all odds, he assigned the management of the most important marketing department in South China to this "paratrooper," Zhenyan.
*** ***
The meeting was attended not only by regional managers from across the country, but also by heads of Asia and Europe, bringing together nearly 400 people from around the globe. In the morning, everyone gathered in the auditorium to listen to the bosses outline the group's future development strategy.
The speakers on behalf of the Qin Group's board of directors were Deng Yuqian and Qin Yonglian. The two mother and son in name only had a tacit understanding and did not communicate at all. However, Qin Yuan, who was watching from the side, was extremely nervous.
After a full day of meetings, everyone went directly to the banquet hall next to the auditorium for a welcome dinner.
A small stage was temporarily set up on the stage, and the host with excellent professional skills began to actively perform.
The lights went out, and rhythmic music started playing instantly. A group of young men appeared on the stage and started dancing. In order to cater to the wife of the board of directors' obsession with ballroom dancing, a surprise program was specially prepared①.
After the music ended, the performers stayed on stage. The host returned and enthusiastically invited the group's hostess to dance with them. So, the beautifully dressed Deng Yuqian took the stage and happily danced a ballroom dance with one of the managers.
There was singing and dancing on the stage, and hundreds of people were cheering loudly in the audience. Qin Yonglian had an illusion that this was not a company dinner, but a fan meeting of popular stars on TV, but more like a large-scale Shura field for flattery.
It felt like there were people in front and behind him, and even the air was densely packed with different sounds. Qin Yonglian didn't like this atmosphere of crowds, and this feeling made him feel tired quickly.
He sat at the same table with Zhenyan and couldn't help but ask, "Did you arrange this?"
"What do you think?" Zhen Yan crossed his arms and looked at his boss and good friend calmly.
Qin Yonglian understood and quickly changed the subject: "How about we go to the food street for a late-night snack?"
Zhen Yan's expression didn't hold back. "Leon, I personally reviewed the dinner menu and revised it several times before finalizing it. Isn't the food I chose delicious?"
Qin Yonglian: “…”
"Others are preparing a dance performance for the Madam, and I've also prepared a delicacy of love for you. Look, it's filled with my love for you."
Qin Yonglian again: "..." and picked up a piece of crispy baby pork with chopsticks.
Zhen Yan then stood up with a smile, "Boss, please take your time eating. I'll go check on the place."
Qin Yonglian, who was left alone, was bored and had to deal with the managers' polite words from time to time.
Qin Yuan came over cautiously, "Leon, the eldest lady wants to see you."
Qin Yonglian wiped the corners of his lips with his napkin elegantly. After a few seconds, he said, "Go and take a look."
Deng Yuqian was sitting alone in the VIP reception room, still wearing the dazzling dress she wore on stage. Although she was in her sixties, her makeup was still meticulous and her temperament was excellent.
When she wasn't speaking, the woman looked dignified and kind, which was the charm brought by her origin from a noble family.
"Madam, long time no see." Qin Yonglian's greeting never changed.
Deng Yuqian looked up at the tall young man in front of her. Looking closely, she found that his features resembled her husband Qin Ansen when he was young.
She would rather the child be a little naughty and mischievous, but Qin Yonglian was different from others in both rebelliousness and obedience since childhood. His whole body gave off a signal that he did not need her as a mother, making it impossible for her to fulfill her obligations as a mother.
And she was very satisfied that there was such a consensus between the two of them. After all, it was boring to force each other and act according to circumstances.
She has been the most proud princess in the family since she was a child, with a distinguished family background and dazzling experience. Later, she married Qin Ansen and continued to live the life of a prince and princess for a while.
What had gone wrong back then? Deng Yuqian stared intently into the man's eyes, which were as deep as her husband's, her mind wandering. The spotlight in the room was bright enough that his long eyelashes cast shadows on his eye sockets.
"You asked me to come here just to see me, didn't you?"
Qin Yonglian had a faint smile on his face. "My height should be fixed at 192cm. There's no sea here for me to jump into, so you can rest assured."
Deng Yuqian finally woke up from her hazy memories and cleared her throat:
"I only want to ask you, what did I say to you when I first came to see you on the day Yongli got into trouble? I don't believe anything anyone else says, and Yongli doesn't want to say anything, so I can only ask you, and only you."
"What else could Big Brother want from me? He only has one purpose in looking for me."
Deng Yuqian straightened her body slightly, looking more like a proud white swan by the lake.
"My eldest brother just went to visit his half-brother who lives alone as usual." Qin Yonglian told the truth.
Deng Yuqian was somewhat surprised by this answer, yet it was also expected. This answer, like Qin Yonglian's usual behavior, made her feel like she was punching a pile of cotton every time she tried to do something.
Qin Yonglian noticed the change in the eldest lady's expression. He was not used to being alone with this woman. "If there is nothing else, I will go back to the venue first."
Without waiting for her response, he stretched out his long legs and walked to the door.
"Leon, Yongli's car was tampered with."
Qin Yonglian's pace paused noticeably.
Deng Yuqian also stood up, her eyes determined, "I will find out who hurt Yongli, and then make him suffer pain a thousand times worse than Yongli's."
"Then I wish you can find out the truth as soon as possible." Qin Yonglian nodded.
The figure at the door disappeared. Deng Yuqian calmed herself down, held her head high, and walked out of the meeting room.
*** ***
Qin Yonglian did not return to the venue. "Brother Yuan, let's just go for a stroll around the city."
Qin Yuan could see that he was worried and said, "Okay."
November in Shenzhen is already deep autumn, but winter hasn't set in yet. The temperature at night is quite high, and you can see many pedestrians in short sleeves walking along the roadside.
The hotel is located in the city center. The car drove out and circled slowly on the main road, with the city neon lights flashing across the car window.
Qin Yonglian thought of a description of autumn he had read in a book before: the ground was covered with golden ginkgo leaves, the branches on the tree trunks were folded up, and they began to wait for the snow to fall.
Every city has its own unique business card. This is a southern city, so it doesn't snow.
Bai Ying marked each city based on its food, while Qin Yonglian used his memory.
The same buildings, streets, hurried pedestrians, the same night sky, bright moon, and stars.
Qin Yonglian looked at the time and wondered if Bai Ying was staying up late in the library tonight.
The moon is very round tonight, he thinks it is very beautiful and wants to take a picture of it and ask Bai Ying if she has seen the same scenery.
For the first time in twenty-six years, he had someone he wanted to share his feelings with.
"Qin Yuan, can I send photos and videos in real time just by registering for the app? And even video?"
Qin Yuan was driving when he was suddenly called out. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized, "Yes, it's very convenient. It's in the latest phone that Mr. Su gave you last time."
Qin Yonglian held the BlackBerry in his hand and said, "Go back and change it."
The car was silent for a while, and then the man suddenly said, "Let's change it now. Qin Yuan, take me to buy a phone."
*** ***
The next morning, Zhenyan regretted staying in the same room with Qin Yonglian at night.
He gave his room to other employees of the group because the hotel was almost full due to a regional meeting, so he and Qin Yonglian stayed together for one night. Anyway, the two beds were big enough.
Unexpectedly, Qin Yonglian spent the entire evening fiddling with his new phone. Not only did he play with it quietly, but he also called him up from time to time to ask questions.
He is clearly the future successor of a group, but with his tall stature and handsome face, he holds his phone to his face, turning into a picture of an old man on the subway looking at his phone.jpg
He had known Qin Yonglian for so long, and this man had always used a candy bar phone that was about to be consigned to a history museum. Now that he had suddenly become enlightened, it was obvious that there was something new going on.
Zhen Yan thought to himself that the man who couldn't be swayed by money, power, or brotherhood had suddenly come to his senses. It was obvious that he had fallen in love. To be more precise, he had found a partner.
"Why don't you use the cell phone I gave you before?" Zhen Yan asked calmly.
"Jiahao also gave me an identical phone. I don't care who gave it to me, one of you will definitely complain about it."
Zhen Yan: “…” Why do I feel like I’m jealous of someone competing for favor?
Qin Yonglian seemed in high spirits. "Thank you for teaching me how to use so many apps. I've now mastered them all. I've leapt from Yuanmou Man society into your digital age in one fell swoop."
Zhenyan put on earplugs and listened to white noise to catch up on his sleep, and suddenly he didn't want to be friends with him anymore.
Qin Yonglian walked to the balcony and saw that the weather was just right, and it was time for Bai Ying to get up.
"Bai Ying, it's me." He made the first call excitedly.
There was some noise on the other end of the phone, but it soon quieted down again. "Leon?"
"What's wrong with you?" Qin Yonglian had a vague sense of foreboding. He even noticed his heart beating wildly in his chest.
After a long silence, the girl seemed to muster up a lot of courage and said, "I, I'm at the police station."
The author has something to say:
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【Notes】
①For details of the meeting, please see Chapter 7 of "I, a Socially Anxious Person, Finally Fall in Love."
②For details on Zhenyan’s tour, please refer to Chapter 8 of the next article. The reward from the tour was finding a wife.
Qin Yonglian: Humph! Someone got a wife while patrolling the venue, but I didn’t even get to taste the delicious food my wife recommended.
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