Chapter 90. Jia Shu hadn't been this happy in a long time...
It was late at night, but Chen Jiashu showed no signs of going to sleep. Qin Qiao put her phone back on the bedside table, got up, and went to find him.
Hearing the door open, Chen Jiashu paused slightly and turned his head in the direction Qin Qiao had come from. His gaze followed her footsteps, finally stopping beside him.
Chen Jiashu looked up at Qin Qiao.
Why aren't you asleep yet?
Qin Qiao now teaches at the university in the mornings and returns to the group in the afternoons to continue serving as the deputy chief financial officer. Tian Jiayue recently went home to prepare for childbirth, so the review of important contracts has temporarily fallen on Qin Qiao's shoulders. She has been working non-stop lately, and Chen Jiashu is very worried that her health will not be able to keep up.
"Is it because of Zhu Ao?" Qin Qiao reached out and gently took his fingers, which were resting on the table. "Let's go back to your room. I'll talk to you. I don't want to see you getting stuck on this." Otherwise, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight.
This story begins three days ago when Director Huang came to Chen Jiashu's office.
Qin Qiao was sitting on a single sofa reporting to Chen Jiashu when Director Huang knocked on the door twice. After receiving a "Come in" from Chen Jiashu, he hurriedly went inside.
"Jiashu, guess who I saw on the street this morning?" Director Huang leaned forward as soon as he sat down, his face carrying an barely suppressed, almost gloating, sense of mystery.
"Who did you see?" Chen Jiashu asked in a flat tone, cooperating with the question.
"Zhu Ao!" Director Huang almost leaned across the coffee table to Chen Jiashu's face. "Wow! You scared me. You have a full head of white hair and look older than me. It seems you can't make it without our Qiaoshu."
"Zhu Ao..." Chen Jiashu read it out subconsciously.
Qin Qiao glanced at the sound and saw Chen Jiashu's face suddenly turn pale, and the fingers on the armrest curled up.
Unaware of this subtle change, Director Huang remained immersed in his mocking pleasure: "I knew this kid was incompetent... Wasn't he at Huaxin before? He was probably kicked out. He must have had over a billion yuan when he left, right?! Looks like he's squandered it all... It's pathetic. You just can't be arrogant!"
Afterwards, Chen Jiashu seemed to be in a dream, his whole demeanor dazed. Director Huang talked at length for nearly five minutes, then belatedly realized that something was wrong with Chen Jiashu, quickly shut his mouth, said "Let's go," and got up to leave.
Knowing that Chen Jiashu needed to calm down and sort out his thoughts, Qin Qiao didn't dare to disturb him. Once he came to his senses, Qin Qiao sat down beside him and patted his back.
“Continue,” Chen Jiashu said.
He didn't want to talk about it. Qin Qiao returned to her seat, picked up the documents again, and continued discussing the official business she hadn't finished earlier.
But now it's been three days, and she needs to intervene.
Chen Jiashu could also sense that she loved his eye very much.
Because she was an inseparable part of him, she loved him completely.
Chen Jiashu said, "...I always treat him with the same standards I use to treat Zhang Shuang, but at the same time I hope he is 'Zhang Shuang'."
This sentence was profound. Qin Qiao went through it in her mind before replying: "Their personalities are different. Zhang Shuang is straightforward and carefree, while Zhu Aowei is sensitive. And you, do you ever feel like a 'patriarch,' always planning everything for them with foresight?"
Chen Jiashu silently repeated, "Patriarch." Afterward, he nodded slightly, "Just like you once said, I always make choices for you, Qiao Qiao... do they feel the same way?"
The blue veins on the back of his pale hand were faintly visible, and his fingertips were trembling slightly. Qin Qiao gently took his fingers, pulled them into her arms, and patiently said to him, "You and Zhang Shuang have a childhood friendship as a foundation, which can withstand 'trouble'. But haven't you noticed? Every time, it's Zhang Shuang who takes the initiative to 'bother' you, because he understands your personality."
“Zhu Ao is different…” Qin Qiao recalled, “Let me tell you something. It was when Zhu Ao was still a graduate student, I think it was his first year. He came to see you, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and carrying a backpack. He was nervously clutching the bag straps with both hands, watching you and Zhang Shuang go into the warehouse shirtless and carry microwave ovens onto the small truck again and again.”
And then Zhu Ao arrived.
“I watched as Zhu Ao took off his backpack, leaned it against the door, and then looked down at his shirt. He stared at it for about four or five seconds before starting to unbutton it, one button at a time, very slowly, as if he were doing something very important and very shameful.”
Qin Qiao described the scene so vividly that Chen Jiashu couldn't help but chuckle softly. Even distant memories slowly resurfaced in his mind.
"He wanted to be like you guys, and he wanted to go shirtless and fit in with you... At that moment, you suddenly turned around and called him to go and fill out a form. He was so scared that he immediately buttoned up his shirt again, his face turning red. He ran into the office inside as if he were running away... But later he went shirtless in the middle of summer just like you guys."
Chen Jiashu squeezed her hand back: "You mean, in my relationship with Zhu Ao, he made changes for me, while I... remained stagnant, demanding that he become like Zhang Shuang to adapt to me."
Chen Jiashu's self-attribution surprised Qin Qiao. What she meant was that Zhu Ao and Zhang Shuang were two completely different kinds of people, and their thoughts on being "arranged" would be worlds apart.
She changed the subject, her tone turning cold: "To be honest, I don't want to mention him. No matter what he was like before, he hurt you with malicious intent... but I don't want to see you endlessly punishing yourself because of this unresolved issue. His kindness to you in the past was genuine, without any falsehood. It only gradually changed because of his own sensitivity and suspicion."
"We're identifying the root of the problem not for others, but so that you can get out of it yourself."
But at this moment, Chen Jiashu's mind was filled with his own thought, "I demand that he become like Zhang Shuang to adapt to me."
It seems...that's indeed the case.
He used the same methods he used on Zhang Shuang on Zhu Ao. Zhang Shuang indulged him, just as Qiao Qiao said, "Their relationship can withstand any hardship."
Although Zhu Ao is about the same age as them, he entered the workforce several years later than them; at that time, he was still a student.
He often treated Zhu Ao like a younger brother, but sometimes he also asked him to be understanding, sensible, and able to understand the deeper meaning behind his silence.
Chen Jiashu couldn't help but think of the matter of bringing in Sun Gang. He hadn't actually communicated with Zhu Ao, the vice president. He considered Zhu Ao a brother, so he didn't tell him, thinking that Zhu Ao would understand his intentions later; but during the argument, he used his status as the 'boss' to suppress and reprimand him.
Chen Jiashu was startled. Could it be that he really was like that?
What role did he play before that betrayal?
Some things are like glass that's been covered in dust for a long time, finally cleared up. He understood. Chen Jiashu murmured painfully, "It was me... I kept saying we were brothers, that we'd draw up a future together, and I made him believe it. Brothers shouldn't be divided. I kept talking about giving him shares, first-in-line representative, the CEO position... Actually, it wasn't about giving; it was about Zhu Ao having the ability, that he deserved it. And yet, when he was dissatisfied with me, I used these 'gifts' to refute his lack of 'gratitude'..."
Even if that's not what he really meant, Zhu Ao felt that Zhu Ao always acted superior and gave him orders.
He is no longer the Chen Jiashu who used to sit and chat with Zhu Ao, calling him brother.
He betrayed their relationship.
Therefore, it was he who sowed the seeds.
Once he understood everything, the man's face turned deathly pale, and he leaned heavily against the headboard.
Qin Qiao leaned over and hugged his gradually stiffening body: "Jiashu... listen to me, you're not a bad person... When many companies are small, the founders call each other brothers, moving goods together during the day and sleeping in the warehouse together at night, never distinguishing between 'yours' and 'mine'... But once the company grows big, problems arise. The trust of 'not distinguishing between us' in the past, the passion of 'everyone working together' in the past, will turn into deciding whose orders to take. But Jiashu, you are the legal representative of the group, the captain. When the ship is about to hit an iceberg, you must have the courage to say 'you must listen to me'."
"Perhaps Zhu Ao's breakdown is that he hasn't gotten out of the 'entrepreneurial brother' mentality, while you have already taken on the responsibility of the entire group and must think like a 'boss'."
Her hand slid back and forth on Chen Jiashu's upper arm, comforting him: "His mistake was interpreting the inevitable 'alienation' during business transformation as your personal 'betrayal.' Jiashu, seeing this is not about understanding him; he doesn't deserve to cause you any more pain."
The bright white light suddenly became a little dazzling. Qin Qiao blinked. She really didn't want to determine who was right and who was wrong. Even with a thousand grievances and resentments, Zhu Ao's actions did not deserve forgiveness.
*
Early in the morning, the children chirped and chattered downstairs like sparrows. Qin Qiao was still putting on makeup when Chen Jiashu walked downstairs with his white cane.
Chen Jiashu came out of the elevator, and Xixi came up and took his arm, leading him to the center of the living room.
"Dad, the deliveryman brought a big box!"
Now all three children are eleven years old. Danie has grown the fastest, and her head is already up to Chen Jiashu's chin. Zhaoye is a few centimeters shorter, while Xixi is still petite and delicate. When she nestles in her father's arms, she always looks like a well-behaved little sloth.
“Dad, the box says ‘Star’ Technology Skill Robot Dog.” Zhao Ye squatted in front of the cardboard box, squinting as he peered inside through the ventilation hole.
Danie read out the English text next to the large lettering: "Guidance-E, E-Guide Dog (Electronic Guide Dog)".
Chen Jiashu and Xixi stopped in front of the box together. He laughed and said, "These are 'toys' that your mother bought for me."
Last month, he and Qin Qiao went to a technology expo and passed by this "Star Technology" booth. Qin Qiao was attracted by the trailer playing on the screen and insisted on dragging him into the booth to experience it.
Two young men greeted them, first telling the story and philosophy behind the brand's founding, and then detailing the core functions and technological advantages of the guide dog.
Qin Qiao was very interested: "You mean it can be like a guide dog, leading its owner around?"
"Madam, you're underestimating our electronic guide dog. The ordinary guide dog you mentioned can't understand where its owner wants to go. The owner needs to know the destination and the general route themselves. In layman's terms, a traditional guide dog is an 'intelligent obstacle-avoiding mobile companion.' Our product includes this basic function, but when you turn on the 'Star Wish' advanced mode, it can take you anywhere you want to go."
Qin Qiao was shocked: "It can understand what we say? It can really go wherever it wants?"
The two young men smiled, and the other man, whose voice was slightly hoarse, chimed in: "Madam, watch the promotional video. The scene is set in a five-story office building with thirty-six rooms. As long as you pre-store a map of the entire building into its navigation system, you can tell it where you want to go, and it will take you there."
"For example, just say 'Go to the finance department office,' and it will accurately take you there, completely freeing your mind."
Qin Qiao gripped Chen Jiashu's sleeve tightly, slightly surprised: "What about outside?"
The boy continued to explain: "Due to the wide area involved and data control, we cannot obtain a complete map of the outdoor environment. However, we offer two solutions: one is that you send us the route you need to plan, and we will deploy everything for you within a five-kilometer radius."
"What about method two?"
“Then we’ll use our basic guide dog model. When you have a clear destination and route in mind, it can guide you and help you avoid obstacles, go up and down stairs, and so on.” He paused, “In other words, you are responsible for ‘navigation,’ and it is responsible for ‘safety,’ allowing you to go wherever you want.”
Another guy suggested, "Your husband can experience it here. We've pre-mapped this area, so if he wants to go to the open-air parking lot, it can guide him right now."
Chen Jiashu handed his white cane to Qin Qiao and grasped the leash the young man offered. Since he had not received any training, the two staff members cleared a path for him and accompanied him through the crowd to the parking lot.
And they still managed to get him to a safe place.
After experiencing it, Qin Qiao immediately decided to book and order the "guide dog". Half a month ago, Qin Qiao had already sent them a map of the entire headquarters, and last week he also went to the after-sales training point of "Star" Technology in Lanchuan to participate in user training.
That morning, Chen Jiashu attracted the attention of many when he brought the guide dog to the company. He stepped out of the elevator and said, "Tag, to the chairman's office." The dog then led him to his destination without fail.
Assistant Zhang and Assistant Ye stood frozen against the wall, mouths agape, looking like they were about to lose their jobs.
When Qin Qiao walked over and saw their expressions, she couldn't help but laugh, while Chen Jiashu, who had successfully entered the office, was in a similarly good mood.
In the following days, Qin Qiao had to receive Chen Jiashu no less than five times every afternoon; Sun Gang and Chen Cheng were in the same predicament and dared not leave their posts.
That day, she met Sun Gang in the hallway. Sun Gang shook his head and laughed, "Jia Shu has found a novel 'big toy'."
She paused, then said softly, "...I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."
Qin Qiao nodded in agreement. In fact, they all knew that Jia Shu was happy because he had regained his autonomy.
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