Chapter 39 Life's Journey
Before Grandpa Nan left Old Qin's house, Old Qin's daughter packed a box of hairy crabs and insisted that Grandpa Nan take it back. She said there were a lot of people at the Nan family these days, and the children loved eating them. Before Grandpa Nan could even offer a word of refusal, Nan Qiaoyu took the crab box without hesitation.
Back at the teahouse, Grandpa Nan urged Nan Qiaoyu to take the crabs out of the box, lest they suffocate and die. Nan Qiaoyu was no problem eating crabs, but catching live, untied crabs was a death wish. He hid in the kitchen for a long time, yelling and clamoring to himself, no one knew what he was saying.
Old Man Nan couldn't stand it any longer and walked into the kitchen on his crutches. The grandfather and grandson busied themselves moving the crabs to a deep basin.
Nan Qiaoyu was sweating profusely from his work, and Old Man Nan was also panting heavily from his efforts. The old man went to the teahouse to have some tea and rest. Nan Qiaoyu washed his hands, came out and said to Old Man Nan, "I'm going back to the hotel first."
Mr. Nan nodded and said, "Go ahead."
Nan Qiaoyu threw the tissue he used to wipe his hands into the trash can, walked straight to the door, opened the door of the teahouse, and his expression froze on the spot.
Old Master Nan raised his eyes, his sagging eyelids suddenly opened, and the wrist holding the tea trembled violently.
......
In the room, Old Man Nan sat on his mahogany chair, his face as pale as wax.
Nan Qiaoyu slipped to the door of the room, handed the cup of tea that Old Man Nan had just drunk to Nan Jiu through the crack of the door, and winked at her.
Nanjiu took the tea and closed the door. She carefully walked over to the old man with the tea in her hand, bent down and handed the tea to him: "Have a sip of tea."
Old Master Nan's gaze was fixed on Nan Jiu, his cloudy eyeballs converged into two rays of light, and he raised his hand and knocked the teacup away.
With a "bang", the teacup shattered into pieces and the tea splashed onto Nanjiu's dress.
The atmosphere in the room was extremely depressing. Nan Jiu stood in front of the old man, motionless, with his eyes lowered. "It's none of his business. I took the initiative..."
"How dare you say that?" Old Man Nan's face was covered with deep wrinkles, his eyes filled with anger. "I thought you had matured after coming back, but I didn't expect you to do such a ridiculous thing. Do you even know how to write etiquette and morality?"
Nanjiu's fingers gradually curled up and clenched, his eyes staring at the mottled ground, without saying a word.
"I've lived in this alley my whole life, and nothing like this has ever happened to my family. You've brought shame upon our Nan family. I've told you since you were little that he's your uncle, just like your own uncle. What kind of behavior are you taking? Are you treating me like I'm dead?"
Old Man Nan was so angry that he was shaking all over. He looked at his granddaughter's young face and said in a hoarse voice with terrifying power: "You and your Uncle Song...what's going on between you and him?"
Nan Jiu pursed her lips, and the bitter taste of rust spread on her lips. She shook her head palely.
Old Master Nan slammed the table, his nostrils flaring violently. "What do you mean by shaking your head? Are you serious with him, or are you just being a bitch?"
Nan Jiu lowered his gaze even lower. Her reaction stung Old Man Nan's eyes. He squeezed out his voice from between his teeth, filled with surging anger: "Where can I put my old face?"
"Get out of here and go back to pack your things now. I don't want to see you getting in the way."
......
The door opened, and Nan Jiu walked through the tea room, her eyes briefly meeting Song Ting's. That glance captured everything from beginning to end. She ended her silence, then stepped into the night.
As soon as Song Ting turned around, Mr. Nan's scolding voice came: "Don't go, come in."
His figure was nailed to the spot. The night outside the door was like a huge net, swallowing up her retreating figure. He could almost feel the faint air current that disappeared with her, taking away the last wisp of thought that he could not grasp.
The gaze behind him was as heavy as a mountain, pressing down on his spine and turning into tangible shackles, locking him firmly within this threshold.
He turned around and looked at Nan Qiaoyu: "Go look after her."
Nan Qiaoyu nodded and ran out. When he reached the door, he reminded her, "There are crabs in the kitchen. Remember to tie them up tonight so they don't run away."
The solemn and tense atmosphere in the teahouse was suppressed by a deeper silence.
Song Ting walked into the house and glanced at the messy floor. He found a broom to clean up the debris, then brewed another cup of tea and placed it next to Old Man Nan.
"It's my fault. She is younger than me after all. I didn't know how to handle it properly."
Old Man Nan glared at him. "You're just trying to make excuses for each other." His voice was a mixture of disappointment and anger. "I know my own granddaughter better than you do."
Song Ting stood up straight, the fishy-sweet bitterness stuck in his throat, burning silently.
"I thought you understood Xiao Jiu's temper better than anyone else. When she was little, she used to play tricks on you, saying and doing things without knowing the importance of the matter. When she acted foolishly, could you let her do it?"
Song Ting's teeth were as hard as stone, and his brows gathered into a deep shadow.
"Come here."
Song Ting walked up to Old Man Nan. Old Man Nan picked up the cane beside him, his hand shaking violently with extreme anger and heartache.
Song Ting glanced at the cane, lowered his head, and knelt on one knee in front of the old man. The cane cut through the air, making a dull and terrifying whistling sound, and the hard material hit Song Ting's back firmly.
He did not dodge, nor did he have the slightest intention of relieving the force, and just took the severe blow head-on.
"You've suffered a lot since you were little. Ever since you came to the teahouse, I haven't even touched you. Why do I keep you around? Because you know the rules and understand them. Xiaojiu has been very smart since she was little. Can't you see that? You're getting involved with her because you think your life is too smooth? These old neighbors can drown you with their spit alone.
"After all, it was me who kept you by my side. If her uncles and aunts knew that you had such thoughts about my granddaughter, how would they look at me?"
"Snap!" Another blow, heavier and more brutal.
The strong muscles in his shoulders and back suddenly tensed beneath the fabric, trembling with the immense force. Song Ting didn't groan, his jaw clenched tightly, locking all the pain deep in his throat.
"Remember the pain you felt today. From now on, put aside these inappropriate thoughts."
......
Nan Qiaoyu chased Nan Jiu all the way but couldn't catch up with him until he ran back to the hotel and saw Nan Jiu checking out with his luggage.
He came closer, panting, and asked her, "You're not going back to Feng City so late, are you?"
Nan Jiu handed the room card to the front desk, picked up his luggage and walked out. Nan Qiaoyu followed him to the side of the road: "Grandpa's birthday is tomorrow, why don't you stay for dinner before leaving?"
Nan Jiu stopped and turned to look at him: "Are you going to stay and make things difficult for him? Or are you just looking for trouble?" A trace of sadness flashed in her eyes, "Forget it, you can still have a peaceful meal when I'm not around."
Nanjiu looked towards the shop across the street and said, "Go buy two cans of beer."
"Oh." Nan Qiaoyu walked to the door of the shop, bought two cans of beer and brought them back.
Nan Jiu opened a can, tilted her head back and drank it. The night wind blew her hair, and she let it fly around her ears and then blend into the darkness.
Nan Qiaoyu took a sip of beer to calm his nerves. "You said I wouldn't leave earlier or later, but it just happened to be that time. If I had known where you were, I wouldn't have opened the door."
Nan Jiu's gaze was fixed on the empty air, unfocused, and he just drank in silence.
Nan Qiaoyu sensed the low pressure around her and asked tentatively, "You won't blame me, will you?"
"Anyway, I've never been a good kid in my grandfather's eyes since I was little. At least he didn't find out when I was in school, otherwise he would be even more annoyed."
Nan Qiaoyu was shocked and said, "Huh? You were already hooking up with Uncle Song before graduation? Nan Jiu, I really underestimated you. You even dared to flirt with Uncle Song. How brave did you have to be?"
Nan Jiu held the jar in his hand expressionlessly, his eyes filled with a dead, empty look.
"How did you seduce Uncle Song into getting that hard lump? I'm so curious." Nan Qiaoyu was still chattering, and suddenly seemed to remember something, "Fuck, it couldn't be that year when you went to the mountain... I said something was wrong after you came back, why didn't I think about it in this direction, I really..." He slapped his head, feeling that he had missed the gossip of the century.
Nan Jiu turned his head and interrupted his chatter: "I have a favor to ask of you."
"What's up?"
"I ordered a pair of crutches for Grandpa. They won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon. Please sign for them and put them in Grandpa's room for me." She raised her head and looked at the heavy night sky over Maoer Lane. "Don't tell him it's from me, or he'll be upset."
"Okay, send me the order number."
"What happened between me and Song Ting..." Nan Jiu stopped talking.
Nan Qiaoyu pouted. "Even if I don't consider you guys, I have to consider Grandpa. It's his birthday, and I won't go around saying it to make myself look bad, don't worry."
Nanjiu drank the beer in his hand, flattened the can and threw it into the trash can, then turned and walked to the street.
Nan Qiaoyu stared at her back in a daze: "Are you really leaving? Do you want me to take you to the station?"
Nanjiu waved without turning her head. A ride-hailing car stopped at the intersection, and she opened the door and got in.
......
At the birthday party the next day, Nan Zhendong said he had a sudden problem at Nanjiu Company and was leaving. While his relatives complained, young people these days have their own things to do and couldn't say anything. As for Song Ting, he showed up briefly and then left.
Old Master Nan had originally intended to use this birthday banquet to strengthen the relationship between his children, but after what happened last night, he had no intention of organizing it. Throughout the banquet, he simply maintained a calm demeanor.
Even Nan Qiaoyu, who always loved feasting, was absent-minded during this meal.
It was Mr. Nan's birthday, and the children agreed to jointly host a banquet for him, with the expenses split equally. When Nan Zhendong went to pay the bill on behalf of everyone, he learned from the hotel that Song Ting had already paid for the banquet.
......
On Monday, Lin Songyao passed by Nanjiu's office and saw her wrapped in a down jacket, sitting at her desk, writing furiously. He almost thought he was seeing things, so he stopped in front of the office door and knocked.
Nan Jiu raised his head and saw that it was him. He looked normal and said, "Good morning."
"It's not early, it's noon. What kind of weather is this? Is it necessary to wear so many clothes?"
"I caught a cold a couple of days ago. I have a slight cold."
Lin Songyao pulled out a chair and sat across from her: "Why don't you stay home and rest because you have a cold? Didn't you ask for leave?"
"Please come in."
Lin Songyao unbuttoned his dark shirt and loosened his collar. "You call it taking a leave after taking half a day off? I thought you were going to stay with your grandfather for a few more days."
Nan Jiu lowered his eyes, didn't respond, and started writing again.
Lin Songyao leaned in to take a closer look: "What's written?"
"Da Qiao and the others have compiled the time schedule, so I'll schedule a recorded class. Previously, this was done to accommodate students who couldn't attend or were from out of town, but recently, some students who want to review have expressed a desire to watch a replay. We'll evaluate the data and come up with two plans: paid video courses and packages with added benefits."
Her eyes were fixed on the paper, and she was marking as she spoke.
Lin Songyao stared at her lips and asked, "Why is your mouth broken?"
Nan Jiu paused his pen and raised his eyelashes. His clear, bright eyes were close at hand, a hint of inquiry in them.
"Why are you staring at my mouth? Will you attend the meeting on Friday?" Nan Jiu lowered his head again and pursed his lips subconsciously.
Lin Songyao sat up straight, his eyebrows raised: "Could it be bitten by a man?"
Nanjiu slapped his pen on the paper, leaned back in his chair, and said calmly, "What's the problem? Is it affecting your work?"
Lin Songyao's lips curved slightly, then he quickly restrained his expression and said, "I think I can give you a chance to visit and learn about the studio you mentioned to me last time."
Nanjiu stood up straight, his eyes brightening: "Where can I contact him?"
"To my house."
"......" Nan Jiu's eyes dimmed a little and he leaned back.
"My dad has an hour this Saturday afternoon. His group has an operations department with a complete set of mature content development processes, a course production center, and the technical tool stack you mentioned. What Xingyao wants to do won't be more complicated than theirs. If my dad is willing to introduce you, you can avoid a lot of detours."
"We're the ones who've avoided taking detours," Nanjiu emphasized. "You're a major shareholder. Shouldn't you seize this opportunity?"
"You're in charge of the development of this aspect, and I'm not entirely sure what your specific needs are." Lin Songyao's gaze slowly moved across Nanjiu's face, and he suddenly chuckled. "It's more like you're meeting not my dad, but our financial sponsor. Are you still going?"
Nanjiu tapped her fingers on the paper. After staring for a few seconds, she looked away: "Send me the address."
Lin Songyao stood up: "I'll pick you up when the time comes."
On Saturday afternoon, Lin Songyao's driver parked the car at the gate of Nan Jiu's residential complex. For once, he didn't drive a two-seater sports car, but a more stable sedan.
Nanjiu was wearing a dark straight-shoulder jacket with a black long skirt underneath, making her look very tall.
Lin Songyao stared at her for a few seconds, and Nan Jiu turned his head: "What are you looking at?"
"I find you quite attractive."
Nanjiu looked away: "She's not as attractive as the little model outside."
The formal meeting with Lin Shengkang was much more natural than Nanjiu had imagined. Lin Shengkang didn't have the airs of a group chairman, and when he met Nanjiu, he treated her like an elder he had known for a long time.
He brought Nanjiu into the tea room and took out a jar of tea from the wooden shelf. "This is what Songyao gave me last time. He said it was your tea. I think it tastes good. Do you know how to brew it?"
She looked at Lin Shengkang, her eyes unwavering and calm as water: "I know a little bit."
"Come on, let's drink and talk."
Nanjiu memorized every step of brewing tea. Over the years, she'd repeated the same steps, becoming quite adept at it. Even when discussing thorny issues with a project with Lin Shengkang, her movements remained relaxed, without a trace of urgency. When Nanjiu was little, Old Man Nan always told her that drinking tea could improve her character, and that she would only truly become an adult when she could calm down and brew a cup of tea.
At that time, she thought tea was too bitter and she probably would never grow up. When that day finally came, the fleeting years seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye.
In the time it took to make two cups of tea, Nan Jiu secured the opportunity to lead a team on a week-long study tour. When she left, she met Lin Songyao's mother, a beautiful and well-mannered woman.
Lin Songyao asked Nanjiu to wait for a moment and he would go with her later. So Nanjiu got in the car first.
When Lin Songyao returned to the tea room, Lin Shengkang had just lit a cigarette. Lin Songyao sat across from Lin Shengkang, picked up the still-warm teacup, and asked, "How's it going?"
"That girl has her own plan and is someone who can get things done. With your temper, you need someone to 'tame you' and keep an eye on the rear."
Lin Songyao's brows relaxed and his thumb stroked the teacup in his hand.
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