Lin Wan had never experienced such a scene in her life.
It was almost scalp-numbing, leaving her at a loss, even carrying a dazed sense of disbelief.
Ever since waking up in the Fu family villa and living in the time and space of 1995, Lin Wan sometimes even doubted herself, wondering whether everything in her previous memories was false, whether perhaps she really had married Fu Xiuhuai right after graduation, without Fu Mingjun and herself ever being entangled…
Until this moment, when Fu Mingjun stood alive before her eyes, no different from the boyfriend she had dated in university in her memory: youthful and upright. Only that high spirits had dissipated a great deal, and he looked somewhat haggard.
The emotions in Fu Mingjun’s eyes as he looked at her were even more countless, deep as the sea.
Those two unspoken words, Wanwan, fell by Lin Wan’s ear and made her heart tremble even more.
Yet Auntie Wang’s one shout startled everyone. Hearing that Fu Xiuhuai had returned home, the Fu family villa living room suddenly fell silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop. No one made any sound.
The steady sound of leather shoes stepping on the floor grew clearer. Lin Wan’s heart was in chaos, for a moment unable to distinguish reality from dream, unable to tell left from right or where to go.
An inquiring gaze fell on her, coming from the direction of Fu Xiuhuai behind her. Lin Wan did not speak, and Fu Mingjun did not speak again either. Only Jiang Yuehua, overjoyed, broke the deadlock in the room.
“Xiuhuai, come quickly and see who’s back!” Jiang Yuehua doted on her son and also doted on her grandson. She most loved seeing the family harmonious and beautiful. “Mingjun came back without a word! This child really—leaving without a word, and coming back without saying anything in advance.”
Fu Xiuhuai’s gaze lightly swept over the nephew standing beside his mother. His thin lips held a smile: “It’s good that Mingjun is back. Spend more time with your grandparents and parents.”
Lin Wan was startled inwardly. She quietly tilted her head to size up the tall man, and could only admire his psychological fortitude.
Fu Xiuhuai had clearly seen her and Fu Mingjun dating, and at the time had even received the younger generation in the capacity of uncle. Yet now he could chat with his nephew without changing expression!
As the person involved, Lin Wan’s heart pounded. Even Fu Mingjun’s face was stiff. Only Fu Xiuhuai was so open and calm that he seemed completely unconcerned about past events, even composed as if he knew nothing at all.
“Mingjun, what’s wrong?” Jiang Yuehua looked at her grandson lovingly and patted his arm. “You used to be closest to your uncle. Are you shy now?”
Fu Mingjun pulled out a forced smile: “I understand.”
“That’s good.” Fu Xiuhuai nodded, no longer looking at his nephew. Instead he lowered his eyes and whispered to the woman who had remained silent all along. “Did the baby bother you today?”
Lin Wan was suddenly questioned, and her heart could not help lurching. She only barely steadied herself and shook her head: “No.”
With Lin Wan’s two low words, the surrounding air grew even thinner. Lin Wan heard the sound of a glass cup thudding down onto the coffee table, accompanied by her mother-in-law Jiang Yuehua’s voice asking with concern whether her grandson had been scalded. The scene was momentarily chaotic.
In front of her boyfriend, being asked by his uncle about her pregnancy, Lin Wan almost wanted to curl her toes tight and wished she could leave immediately.
The suffocating living room atmosphere finally eased when Auntie Wang called out that dinner was ready.
……
Zhang Meiying, who had just returned from playing mahjong outside, was almost frightened half to death. Her son had returned, and he was sitting at the same dining table as his uncle Fu Xiuhuai and Lin Wan.
What kind of situation was this!
When the Fu family moved into the villa, they had specially chosen a European-style rectangular dining table and spread a tablecloth with complex patterns, carrying a fair bit of the European style popular in Jiangcheng these past two years.
But at this moment, no one was in the mood to appreciate it.
At the head seat sat the old master Fu Zhiyong. On the left side, in order, were the old madam Jiang Yuehua, Fu Xiuhuai, and Lin Wan. On the right side was Fu Xiutong’s family of three.
Directly across from Lin Wan was Fu Mingjun. Even without raising her head to meet the eyes of the person across from her, she could feel the gaze drifting over from time to time.
Especially as Fu Xiuhuai on her left kept placing food into her bowl, Lin Wan felt that gaze grow sharper and hotter.
The once lively dinner table was much quieter now. Zhang Meiying did not speak much. Fu Xiuhuai only concerned himself with placing food. The rest was only Fu Zhiyong’s emotional remarks as he talked with his eldest son Fu Xiutong about changes in the times.
Jiang Yuehua had a good appetite today. Especially seeing the whole family finally gathered, her mood was much brighter. Her face smiled like a blooming flower: “Mingjun, last time your uncle got married you weren’t in Jiangcheng. You haven’t met Wanwan yet, right? Come, quickly get acquainted. You should call her aunt too.”
Hearing the words “aunt,” Lin Wan found it truly terrifying. Especially as the old master Fu Zhiyong also spoke following his wife’s words.
Fu Zhiyong rarely showed a smile: “Your uncle dotes on you so much. Usually he spoils you more than your own parents. He finally got married, and you, kid, ran off outside, not even saying congratulations. Don’t let your uncle’s heart grow cold.”
Lin Wan said nothing, only silently sweeping her gaze over the people at the dinner table who knew the truth. Zhang Meiying’s face was stiff, her eyeballs darting around. The veins on Fu Mingjun’s neck bulged. His lips parted slightly, as if about to say something… Yet Fu Xiuhuai was extraordinarily calm, even having the leisure to peel shrimp meat for her and put it in her bowl.
At this moment, how could she be in the mood to eat?
Even Auntie Wang, who knew the truth and brought the final lotus root and pork rib soup to the table, did not dare breathe. Lin Wan clearly saw that when Auntie Wang was serving the dishes and heard the old master and old madam tell Fu Mingjun to call her aunt, her eyes instantly lit up. Her eyeballs bulged, her mouth twisted, and she drew in a sharp breath.
“Uncle…” Fu Mingjun finally spoke. But he had only said two words when—
With a clatter, the sound of Zhang Meiying dropping a soup spoon interrupted the words Fu Mingjun had opened his mouth to say.
“Dad, Mom, Mingjun just got back and is tired. He doesn’t have much appetite right now. I’ll take him back to his room to rest.” Zhang Meiying was covered in cold sweat, almost unable to endure this situation.
As she spoke, she had already pulled her son up and pushed him away from the dining table, heading toward the second floor.
“Hey.” Fu Xiutong did not know why his wife was being so rude. He quickly stood up and caught up, lowering his voice. “Let Mingjun call her aunt before leaving.”
Zhang Meiying shot her husband a fierce glare. What do you know!
Fu Xiutong only felt baffled… After returning to the dining table, Fu Xiutong thought of something and asked toward the backs of his wife and son going upstairs: “By the way, didn’t Mingjun say he had a girlfriend in university? He’s already graduated. Why not bring her home to meet the elders?”
Zhang Meiying’s steps upstairs were hurried. She only wanted to use glue to seal shut the mouth of her husband who knew nothing!
What happened from this evening to dinnertime was truly astonishing. While clearing the dishes, Auntie Wang could not help muttering inwardly.
Chaotic. Truly too chaotic!
Thinking back to last year, she had once been asked by Fu Mingjun to take a homework assignment from home and deliver it to Jiangcheng University. It was then that she saw Fu Mingjun’s girlfriend Lin Wan.
A tall, thin girl, very beautiful, with a ponytail and bright eyes. She followed Fu Mingjun in calling out, “Hello, Auntie Wang.”
At the time, Auntie Wang had thought the two were truly well matched. How did that saying go? A talented man and beautiful woman, a match made in heaven.
As a result, the next time she saw Lin Wan, it was actually because the Fu family’s true pillar, Fu Xiuhuai, was going to marry Lin Wan!
Auntie Wang was greatly shocked, but did not dare say anything. She only buried herself in pretending not to know, feeling that young people’s relationships nowadays were too chaotic.
That she could leave the village and establish a foothold in the city, receiving a bountiful salary, all depended on the Fu family’s kindness. She understood the basic requirements of being a nanny: absolutely no gossiping.
But tonight’s situation was still too shocking.
On the first floor, the only sounds in the dining room were Auntie Wang cleaning up. On the second floor, behind the tightly closed doors everywhere, each room had its own secrets.
Lin Wan had not eaten much at dinner. Returning to the bedroom, she only felt her thoughts in a mess. Thinking of Fu Mingjun’s sudden appearance, his hesitant gaze upon seeing her, and then recalling her aunt mentioning that she herself had personally told her she and Fu Mingjun had broken up, Lin Wan gradually calmed herself.
Could it be that after breaking up with Fu Mingjun, she and his uncle had… fallen in love? The words “fallen in love” seemed as if they should never be connected between herself and Fu Xiuhuai no matter what.
Too bizarre, too absurd.
It was possible that she and Fu Mingjun had broken up, but how could she possibly have anything to do with her ex-boyfriend’s uncle?
Lin Wan pondered without stopping. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door. As if she had a premonition, she rose and opened the bedroom door, and saw Fu Mingjun appear at the doorway.
Twenty-two-year-old Fu Mingjun did seem to have aged quite a bit. When he spoke, his voice was even somewhat hoarse, not like his former bright vitality: “Wanwan, are you doing well now?”
“Fu Mingjun.” Lin Wan deliberated whether to tell him that she had no memories of the past year, then hesitated whether it would add more waves. She could only try another way to probe. “The matter of our breakup…”
“So you really have fallen in love with my uncle now?” Fu Mingjun excitedly stepped forward and grabbed Lin Wan’s wrist with some force, making Lin Wan frown.
“What are you saying?”
At the bedroom doorway, former lovers stood facing each other, yet their words were no longer sweet nothings.
“Oh my, Mingjun, quick, look, your uncle is coming upstairs!” Auntie Wang held a rag and diligently wiped the solid wood railing in the second-floor corridor. She glanced at Fu Xiuhuai below, who had just finished talking with Fu Xiutong and was returning to his room, and desperately shot looks at the young people upstairs.
These two really were bold! If they wanted to reminisce, they should go outside to reminisce! Do not end up staging a scene of uncle and nephew falling out, making such a scene that they sever relations, throwing the Fu family into chaos… and costing her the nanny job.
Auntie Wang gripped the rag tightly and summoned all her energy. She must protect the Fu family and protect her high-paying job of two hundred yuan a month!
Hearing that Fu Xiuhuai was coming upstairs, before Lin Wan could react, Fu Mingjun hurriedly turned and left, leaving only one sentence: “Tomorrow I’ll go to the garment factory to find you.”
Fu Mingjun’s figure disappeared down the corridor and quickly returned to his own room, leaving only Lin Wan in front of the bedroom door. In an instant, she met eyes with Fu Xiuhuai, who had just come upstairs.
For some unknown reason, although she herself knew nothing, at this moment looking into Fu Xiuhuai’s deep eyes, she actually had the feeling of a thief fearing discovery.
On second thought, Lin Wan felt indignant. What did it have to do with her? Waking up from sleep and suddenly having no memories of the past year—she was the pitiful one. Why should she feel guilty?
The two, who had been in Lincun Village just days ago, returned to the bedroom of the Fu family villa. The room was more than twice as large, and it seemed to also pull their distance farther apart.
Lying on the big bed, Lin Wan would no longer feel the rolling warmth from behind her. She and Fu Xiuhuai could still be clearly separated on the big bed, not touching at all.
It was just that tonight Fu Xiuhuai seemed somewhat different.
The man who was always proper suddenly raised his hand and placed it against her abdomen. His broad palm gently yet with undeniable force took hold of Lin Wan’s pajamas and the slightly bulging outline in one hand.
The pajamas were especially thin and could not block the temperature of his palm.
“The baby did not move today.” Lin Wan tried to explain, tried to persuade the man to remove his palm.
“He really doesn’t give face.” Fu Xiuhuai’s voice carried a bit of amusement, and he seemed to be in a good mood. His palm moved away from Lin Wan’s abdomen, but instead took hold of her wrist.
This was the first time Fu Xiuhuai had touched her so intimately. Lin Wan suddenly pressed down on the man’s hand, but inadvertently made things worse, pressing Fu Xiuhuai’s hand more forcefully against herself, so that it pressed even tighter.
Fu Xiuhuai eased his strength and gently stroked Lin Wan’s wrist, which bore faint red marks. His thin lips parted lightly: “Mingjun is immature. I will teach him.”
Lin Wan remembered how Fu Mingjun, in a moment of agitation, had grabbed her wrist. Only now did she hear Fu Xiuhuai’s implied meaning.
The man’s rough fingertip rubbed against her wrist, as if wanting to erase other marks. Lin Wan raised her eyes to look at Fu Xiuhuai and for the first time saw in his eyes a trace of something different from his usual gentle, refined expression.
This man really did seem to differ, once again, from the gentle and thoughtful image she had formed of him during this period of getting along.
Impossible to see through, impossible to fathom.
Lin Wan could not remember how she had drifted off to sleep. In any case, she and Fu Xiuhuai had each occupied half the bed, clearly separated.
But when she opened her eyes and woke again, Lin Wan was startled to find that she had once again turned to face inward, lying face to face with Fu Xiuhuai, at an extremely close distance.
The soft pillow beneath her neck was gone, replaced by the man’s firm arm.
His long arm stretched out and bent slightly, as if gathering her into his embrace. His broad palm rested on her shoulder, ready at any moment to pull the two closer.
Her heart pounded chaotically. Before Lin Wan could figure out the situation, Fu Xiuhuai seemed to wake. As if casually, he reached out and gathered her into his arms, almost zero distance apart.
Her pert nose bumped against the man’s hard chest. Before her eyes was something as hard as a mountain. All around was an unsettling presence. Lin Wan was just about to leave Fu Xiuhuai’s embrace when she noticed that he had already let go.
“Today I actually woke up late.” Fu Xiuhuai always got up before Lin Wan, without exception. “Sleep a little longer.”
With that, the man seemed to rise without any lingering attachment, tidy himself, and go wash up.
Still on the bed, Lin Wan raised her hand and looked at her watch. Seven thirty. She could still sleep another ten minutes, but how could she fall asleep? She could only get up and prepare to go to work.
The things in life could not be figured out clearly, yet when Lin Wan walked into the garment factory, her mind was clear. Everything had to make way for earning money.
Before the National Day holiday, Lin Wan had received the task of receiving the Hong Kong businessman. Thinking of the bonus promised by Deputy Factory Director Wang, she had no time to attend to anything else.
A few days earlier, even in her hometown in the countryside, Lin Wan had flipped through the Hong Kong businessman’s materials. Now, as she followed the factory leaders in the office to welcome the visiting Hong Kong businessman, Lin Wan carefully sized up the big boss before her.
The Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong was tall, somewhat portly in middle age, with a square-round face and an obvious black mole on the tip of his nose. When he smiled, folds piled up. He was quite affable, yet every gesture carried presence. Especially when chatting with everyone, when he casually mentioned his experience of struggling and making his fortune in Hong Kong City, it was exceptionally colorful.
The several leaders of the garment factory had also seen the world, yet even they were attracted by the ups and downs of Wang Yuanzhong’s years making his fortune in Hong Kong City. Not to mention Lin Wan, who felt as if she were listening to a TV drama.
Speaking in very plasticky Cantonese-accented Mandarin, Wang Yuanzhong talked freely: “I earned enough in Hong Kong City and thought I should come support the mainland’s development. In another two years Hong Kong City will return. The two shores are one family, progressing together.”
Hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Wang nearly shed tears: “Boss Wang, what you said is too right, too enlightened! Thank you, Hong Kong businessman. We are all one family!”
Wang Yuanzhong exchanged words with Deputy Factory Director Wang, who shared his surname, then turned his gaze to Lin Wan’s face: “Your factory really hides dragons and crouching tigers. There is even such a beautiful female employee. I think she is as beautiful as Hong Kong City female movie stars.”
As he spoke, Deputy Factory Director Wang threw Lin Wan a look, intending to close the distance: “This is our factory’s employee, Comrade Lin Wan. Although she has never been to Hong Kong City, she greatly loves Hong Kong City songs, movies, and TV dramas. She can even say a couple of lines of Cantonese.”
Using local culture and language to close distance was certainly right.
“Boss Wang, hello.” Lin Wan noticed that Wang Yuanzhong’s gaze on her was somewhat direct and vaguely felt it crossed a line.
When she heard his next question, she felt even more uncomfortable.
“Miss Lin is very beautiful. Do you have a boyfriend?”
When Lin Wan first entered university, quite a few male classmates had tried to strike up conversations with her. Among them were some bold enough to directly express their feelings. Lin Wan was familiar with certain looks and opening lines, just like now.
“I am married.” Lin Wan was somewhat glad. At this moment, this honest answer was a perfect shield.
Sure enough, hearing that Lin Wan was already married, the Hong Kong big boss before her dimmed a little, but still pressed: “Is Miss Lin’s husband also from this factory?”
Feng Tianjiao heard that the Hong Kong businessman’s meaning was not quite simple and quickly took the initiative to speak, discouraging the thought. She thought inwardly, was this person not honest? “Comrade Lin Wan’s husband is a famous wealthy businessman in Jiangcheng, handsome and capable, well known in Jiangcheng.”
Feng Tianjiao had heard that some big bosses liked to prey on young and beautiful female comrades, and some even kept mistresses outside. Truly corrupting morals.
No matter what, her words were also a warning to this Hong Kong businessman not to have any crooked ideas.
She was actually married to a wealthy man. The light in Wang Yuanzhong’s eyes completely extinguished. In an instant he returned to the amiable big boss appearance, talking with everyone, as if the earlier faint probing had all been illusion.
Lin Wan used the Cantonese she had self-taught over years of following Hong Kong City songs to converse with Wang Yuanzhong for a few sentences, and even talked about classic Hong Kong City film and television dramas from more than a decade before and after. For a time, host and guest were all delighted.
Wang Yuanzhong gave a thumbs-up to the garment factory people: “I have seen quite a few factories on the mainland. Among them, your Jiangcheng Garment Factory is the most attentive.”
After the conversation ended, everyone moved to a high-end restaurant near the garment factory for a meal. During the meal, they again talked freely about the garment factory’s development prospects, making the factory leaders nod repeatedly, their blood boiling with excitement.
Wang Yuanzhong’s Mandarin accent was quite awkward, but the content of his words was inspiring: “Things like clothing, I played with them all in Hong Kong City long ago. The biggest problem your factory has now is that the clothing styles are not fashionable enough, too old-fashioned. Look outside, clothing is being sold everywhere. You also need to keep pace with the times. Just take my Xitian Building in Hong Kong City. Have you heard of it? It has opened seven or eight chain stores, assets in the hundreds of millions, and the clothing inside is never out of date… Back then, when I made Xitian Building big…”
Listening to the first half, Lin Wan still deeply agreed. But as this Boss Wang from Hong Kong City talked on and on and again brought up his glorious years, she began to frown somewhat.
He really could talk too much. Every few sentences he had to boast about his businesses, or else about his years of struggle, wishing he could tell the whole world how rich he was. It was slightly exaggerated.
By the end of the chat, Wang Yuanzhong proposed that he needed to inspect more and had the garment factory book a luxury suite at Minghui Hotel, the largest four-star hotel in Jiangcheng.
The satisfied Wang Yuanzhong shook hands with the garment factory leaders: “I’m familiar with Hong Kong City. If you come to Hong Kong City in the future, I’ll host! Visiting around, no problem. Even if you want to meet singers or movie stars, no problem. My daughter also acts. Very famous.”
This was fresh news. Everyone asked curiously: “Boss Wang, which Hong Kong City movie star is your daughter?”
“Wang Wenli. Heard of her? She just won the Golden Image Award last year!”
Lin Wan could not help being surprised. The rising Hong Kong City actress Wang Wenli was actually this Boss Wang’s daughter.
Wang Wenli debuted after graduating university at twenty-two. She shot to fame with a supporting role as a resilient young girl in a suspense film and was rated the most spiritually gifted Hong Kong City actor in recent years. Last year, she even won the Golden Image Award for Best Actress for playing a woman who rose from the bottom to become a gang boss.
Lin Wan still remembered watching the film with her roommates. Wang Wenli, whose acting was full of spirit, had left a deep impression.
And Wang Yuanzhong was actually her father!
A Hong Kong City big boss, and the father of a famous movie star. After his first day of visiting, Wang Yuanzhong was placed on an altar by the garment factory leaders.
After settling Wang Yuanzhong and returning to the factory, Deputy Factory Director Wang was satisfied and also full of fighting spirit: “This Boss Wang has ability. Hearing his rags-to-riches stories, they don’t seem fake. He told them too wonderfully. He has substantial assets himself, and his daughter is a movie star. It would be great if we could get his investment! Director Feng, remember, during this period Boss Wang’s food, drink, lodging, and everything in Jiangcheng are all covered by our garment factory. Be sure to entertain him well and not neglect him.”
Feng Tianjiao, suddenly named, quickly responded: “Deputy Factory Director Wang, I understand!”
Deputy Factory Director Wang seemed already able to see the bright road ahead: “During this period, everyone pay more attention. The Hong Kong businessman’s visit must leave a good impression. In a couple of days we’ll discuss investment again. Comrade Xiao Lin will still come along. I see Boss Wang likes to hear those things.”
Lin Wan nodded, not knowing whether this foreign investment would be successfully secured this time.
After being busy for most of the day, when Lin Wan and Feng Tianjiao returned to the factory office again, it was almost time to leave work.
Seeing the two return, Qin Fang waited until Director Feng was speaking alone with her niece Feng Yan, then asked Lin Wan about the situation: “Wanwan, how was it? Did meeting the foreign investor go smoothly today? Is there hope for the investment?”
Lin Wan was concise: “Quite smooth. As for the investment, it depends on how the factory director talks with him afterward.”
Investment was no small matter. Especially when one move involved millions or tens of millions, everyone had to be cautious. Mainland factories needed to inspect, and foreign investors needed to inspect even more. Both sides chose each other.
“I hope it works out!” Qin Fang still counted on another wage increase. “By the way, when you went to meet the foreign investor at noon, a man came looking for you. I said you had gone out.”
Hearing that a man had come looking for her, Lin Wan immediately guessed who it was.
Fu Mingjun, who had hurriedly left one sentence yesterday evening: tomorrow I’ll go to the garment factory to find you.
At the garment factory, Lin Wan temporarily did not think about all the messy things. Back at her desk in the factory office, Lin Wan continued to bury herself in office work. Before long, she saw Feng Tianjiao and Feng Yan, aunt and niece, return.
Feng Yan had been quite dispirited for a while, all because when receiving the foreign investor, her translation had been inadequate and affected the efficiency of communication between the two sides.
Criticism from state-owned factory leaders was especially hurtful. Especially since Feng Yan was only twenty-three this year, thin-skinned and proud in heart.
But at this moment, she walked to Lin Wan’s desk with office documents in hand, and surprisingly had a somewhat pleasant expression: “Comrade Lin Wan, did you learn English in university?”
Lin Wan was writing a report swiftly. Hearing this, she only hurriedly raised her head and glanced at her: “Mm.”
“I wonder how the English you learned in university compares with the teaching at New Western?” Feng Yan had just spent six hundred yuan last week to register for New Western’s TOEFL class. First, to wipe away her shame. Second, because she still had an American dream in her heart. Third, sooner or later she would surpass Lin Wan.
This time Lin Wan finally stopped writing and raised her head to carefully examine Feng Yan.
She had heard that Feng Yan did not get into university after graduating high school. Later, relying on Feng Tianjiao’s connections, she obtained an exam slot for the garment factory and had worked there for five years with outstanding performance. Even her English was self-taught. Unfortunately, without systematic teaching, she spoke a little better than ordinary people, but when it came to actually serving as a translator, her level fell short.
But now, this girl had spent several hundred yuan to register for English classes. Lin Wan felt pain for her on her behalf. That was nearly two months of wages!
If she had known earlier, it would have been better to let her learn from herself. She could have charged half the tuition.
As she thought this, Lin Wan stopped writing and spoke, still answering seriously: “The emphasis is different. University teaching is comprehensive, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but except for English majors, it is only superficial. As for outside English training classes, they are for striving to go abroad, specifically for the TOEFL exam, so they are more targeted.”
Feng Yan had originally come to show off that she had registered at New Western, and that surpassing Lin Wan was only a matter of time. She had not expected Lin Wan to actually earnestly explain the differences between the two.
“You…”
Lin Wan hoped to finish the report in her hands in the last ten minutes before work. Time was tight, so she buried herself in writing again and only said lightly: “However, going directly into a TOEFL class might be a bit difficult for you. If you want to build a solid English foundation, I can lend you my university English notes.”
“Huh?” Seeing that her show-off had no effect and instead hearing Lin Wan say this, Feng Yan stomped her foot in anger and ran off. “I don’t need them.”
The sound of thumping footsteps reached Lin Wan’s ears. She did not bother with it anymore. If she did not want to borrow them, then forget it. It also saved her the trouble of going back to search and organize them.
As soon as five o’clock arrived, Lin Wan left work on time, going out along with the thousands of workers in the factory.
In the sea of people, Lin Wan saw a familiar figure at the factory gate at a glance—Fu Mingjun.
Fu Mingjun had clearly dressed up specially, very different from the dispirited look when he had just returned to the Fu family yesterday. A black leather jacket made him look especially sharp. Under his short-cropped black hair, his features had also become much more angular. Seeing Lin Wan come out, he signaled with his eyes toward a corner nearby and walked over first.
In her own memory, clearly only a month had passed, yet Lin Wan felt as if she had lived through a long century.
Originally it had been just the start of senior year, with a boyfriend whose family opposed the two of them dating. Now everything had changed.
“Fu Mingjun.” Lin Wan made up her mind to ask clearly, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Fu Mingjun fired off like a machine gun.
“Wanwan, how is Uncle to you? He…” Fu Mingjun seemed somewhat conflicted, forcing out the words with difficulty. “He is a businessman, a big boss. He is formidable at everything, more formidable than most people outside. You are so innocent. What good can there be in you marrying him!”
Lin Wan was baffled. She had wanted to question Fu Mingjun, but now she did not know where to begin. In the end she could only probe with one sentence: “Fu Mingjun, we have already broken up. Why are you saying these things now?”
“Even if we broke up, I still have to say it. Uncle is not like us students. How early did he enter society? Deep schemes, ruthless and vicious, unscrupulous. How can you be his match!”
The Fu Mingjun who once praised and worshipped his uncle Fu Xiuhuai in every way seemed to have become a different person. Surprisingly, every word was denial and criticism of Fu Xiuhuai.
But from Fu Mingjun’s affirmative attitude, Lin Wan once again confirmed one piece of information: she really had broken up with him before.
And having spent a month with Fu Xiuhuai, to be fair, Lin Wan had only experienced Fu Xiuhuai’s gentleness and thoughtfulness, attentive in every way, meticulous in every detail. She had not seen the slightest ruthlessness or unscrupulousness.
But she also believed that a man who could make his fortune in the complex social environment of the past should not be as kind as he now appeared. People always had to disguise themselves.
Lin Wan understood clearly in her heart. After all, even she herself did so, and most people in society did too. They always played the image of being more studious and sensible in front of teachers and classmates. It was human nature and blameless.
What Lin Wan was more curious about was the change in Fu Mingjun’s attitude.
“Fu Mingjun, do you still remember why we broke up?” Lin Wan probed again. “What is the point of you saying these things now? I have already married your uncle, haven’t I?”
Hearing the words “why we broke up,” Fu Mingjun’s expression suddenly changed. His lips opened and closed, but in the end he could not squeeze out a single word. He only turned and left.
“You can still divorce even if you’re married! Wanwan, think clearly. No matter how bad I am, don’t be deceived by my uncle’s disguised appearance!”
Fu Mingjun threw down these words and hurried away, leaving Lin Wan even more puzzled.
For a brief moment just now, Lin Wan had very much wanted to blurt out and tell Fu Mingjun that she did not remember what had happened in the past year. But looking at Fu Mingjun’s appearance, different from her memory, Lin Wan ultimately could not speak.
No matter what, the only person Lin Wan could temporarily trust now was the self in the words of her family and friends who had made that decision.
Trusting anyone was not as good as trusting herself.
……
That night, Lin Wan returned to the Fu home. Until dinnertime, Fu Mingjun did not appear again.
Zhang Meiying smiled and explained to her parents-in-law: “Mingjun just got back. He’s gathering with a bunch of classmates and brothers. Don’t wait for him.”
Fu Mingjun had always loved eating, drinking, and having fun. During university he had often gone out and not returned. The family had not restricted him. Now naturally they were not surprised.
After dinner, Lin Wan was asked with concern by her mother-in-law Jiang Yuehua about her pregnancy. Jiang Yuehua then busied herself wanting to make clothes for the child, even bringing out the long-dusted sewing machine.
Back when she had been sent down to the cowshed, naturally she had no sewing machine and relied entirely on needlework. By the kerosene lamp, she had nearly ruined her eyes. Later, when the Fu family was rehabilitated and returned, the first thing Jiang Yuehua did was buy a sewing machine.
“But later life got better and better. The men in this family all stopped letting me do things myself. The sewing machine also rested. Whatever clothes we bought, we went to the department store.” Jiang Yuehua thought inwardly that outside things might be good in every way, but still not as good as what she made herself. “I’ll make it slowly, not straining my eyes. Anyway, you still have several months before giving birth. No rush.”
Lin Wan was just about to persuade her a couple of words, worried that Jiang Yuehua’s eyes really would be ruined, when she heard Fu Xiuhuai beside her express approval.
“Mom, when it gets dark, put it away. You must be self-aware.”
Jiang Yuehua, with graying temples, was happy like a child. Her wrinkle-covered fingers operated the sewing machine with unusual dexterity: “Rest assured. Mom knows.”
Only after returning to the bedroom did Fu Xiuhuai quietly explain to Lin Wan: “If Mom does not find something to do, she always feels uneasy. Better to let her have her way.”
Among the Fu family, the one Lin Wan had the best impression of was her mother-in-law Jiang Yuehua: gentle and kind, thoughtful in every way. Hearing this, she naturally had no objection: “I will remember to remind her.”
Fu Xiuhuai nodded. As he picked up the kettle and poured Lin Wan a cup of warm water, he seemed to mention casually: “You came back a little late from work today. Was there something at the factory?”
Her heart thumped.
Lin Wan inexplicably felt a bit guilty. Could Fu Xiuhuai have found out about her meeting Fu Mingjun after work?
But on second thought, the boyfriend in her memory was Fu Mingjun. Why should she feel guilty in front of Fu Xiuhuai?
“I ran into an acquaintance after work and chatted a few extra words.” Lin Wan told half the story, not quite lying, nor fully telling the truth. She only watched Fu Xiuhuai’s later reaction.
The man tilted his head back and drank half a glass of warm water. He set the glass on the tabletop and looked down at Lin Wan, his tone calm: “You and Mingjun can indeed be considered acquaintances.”
Lin Wan: “…”
Boyfriend and girlfriend were acquaintances. Indeed, nothing wrong with that.
It was just that coming from Fu Xiuhuai’s mouth, it sounded strange.
Seeing Fu Xiuhuai’s utterly calm appearance, Lin Wan ultimately could not help probing: “Do you mind me meeting him? After all, he is your nephew, and we are both in the Fu family. In the end, we can’t avoid seeing each other.”
These words of hers were also fine. In Fu Xiuhuai’s view, it was merely the awkward identity relationship of wife and ex-boyfriend.
Fu Xiuhuai’s clearly jointed fingers held the glass water cup, each finger long and strong. As he casually set the cup on the tabletop, the man lowered his eyes and looked over. In his eyes brewed emotions that could not be clearly explained, intense and deep.
“Of course I will not mind.” Fu Xiuhuai leaned close, his tall body almost gathering Lin Wan in. “I said before, the past is long past. Now it is you and me on the marriage certificate.”
Lin Wan stared blankly at the approaching man. Compared with his composure and refinement, Fu Mingjun this afternoon had been agitated and indignant, forming a sharp contrast.
“Then do you know why Fu Mingjun and I broke up… you…” Lin Wan stared into Fu Xiuhuai’s eyes.
“Mingjun is carefree in temperament, doing things without regard for cause and consequence. Such a person indeed is not suitable to entrust one’s life to.”
Lin Wan muttered inwardly, this uncle and nephew slandering each other were quite the same.
Before Lin Wan could figure it out, Fu Xiuhuai raised his hand and touched her cheek, gently brushing away a strand of hair on her face, as if settling the matter with one hammer: “We married voluntarily. However, I have never had a girlfriend before, and there are no women around me. I do not know where I do well or poorly. If I do something wrong, just speak up. Wanwan, I will learn to be your man, to be your lawful husband.”
Lin Wan’s lashes trembled lightly. She could somewhat not bear Fu Xiuhuai’s light few sentences, feeling their weight was extremely heavy.
She silently turned her head away, clenched the hem of her shirt, and had to change the topic: “Last time you said you wanted to learn Cantonese to receive the Hong Kong businessman. Do you still need to?”
Fu Xiuhuai did not press aggressively. In a moment he stepped back a few inches, and a smile rippled in the depths of his eyes: “It is hard on you to still remember my matters.”
Lin Wan, who only wanted to change the topic: “…”
Fu Xiuhuai seemed to know nothing about Hong Kong City. Following Lin Wan, he imitated a few Cantonese greetings like a child learning to speak.
Learning the language was not enough. Fu Xiuhuai also had Lin Wan tell him about Hong Kong City’s cultural customs, films, TV dramas, and songs, looking exactly like a good student listening earnestly.
“When Hong Kong businessmen come to the mainland, talking more about their local culture and entertainment industries closes the distance and easily creates a sense of closeness.”
Lin Wan looked at the man suspiciously. Remembering how he had tricked her into thinking he could not play Minesweeper, she no longer dared believe easily: “Hong Kong City movies, TV dramas, and songs are so famous. Who on the streets has not seen or heard them? Stop lying to me, pretending not to know.”
Fu Xiuhuai chuckled softly: “I am busy discussing business every day. The people I meet are all merchants reeking of copper. Even I myself have been pickled in the smell of copper. I truly do not understand those entertainment things. How could I lie to you?”
What bare-faced nonsense. In an instant Lin Wan was no longer rational and blurted out what she had discovered before: “How have you not lied to me? You are clearly a Minesweeper expert, yet you lied to me that you knew nothing.”
Fu Xiuhuai clearly had not expected Lin Wan to suddenly bring up Minesweeper. Yet his face showed no panic or indignation at having a lie exposed, still less any of the quibbling Lin Wan had imagined.
“I am quite a bit older than you and usually busy with work. Of course I had to find some reason to spend more time together.” Fu Xiuhuai showed no embarrassment at being exposed. Instead he seemed very calm.
Fu Xiuhuai was so open and calm that Lin Wan was shocked inwardly, as if someone had gripped her heart. She could not say what emotion it was.
Opening the drawer and taking out the cassettes, Lin Wan stuffed them into Fu Xiuhuai’s hands: “These are the songs that were popular in Hong Kong City these past years, and some famous TV dramas and movies, like The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Looking Back in Anger, A Moment of Romance…”
Lin Wan gave a brief introduction and wanted to leave. This man really did seem, as Fu Mingjun had said, very dangerous.
“You’ve said so much. I can’t remember it all in a short while.” Fu Xiuhuai held Lin Wan’s wrist and kept her there. His fingertip gently rubbed her jade-like skin. “How about this: on Sunday, when receiving the Hong Kong businessman, you accompany me?”
Lin Wan felt rolling warmth from her wrist. Skin against skin was somewhat hot and dry: “I’m not from your company.”
“But you are my wife.” Fu Xiuhuai was completely justified. “A husband and wife entertaining a Hong Kong businessman together appears more formal and sincere, doesn’t it?”
Lin Wan was choked by Fu Xiuhuai’s words. In the end she could not say a refusal and agreed to accompany him on Sunday to treat the Hong Kong businessman to a meal.
Having been accompanied by Hong Kong City songs, films, and TV dramas for many years, now she was to meet Hong Kong businessmen one after another. Lin Wan only found it novel.
Over at the garment factory, the Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong whom they were hosting had an easygoing personality. When discussing investment, he was even easier to deal with than the foreign investor from Country M a while ago, so much so that Lin Wan thought this investment was a sure thing.
But within a few days, while Lin Wan was working in the factory office, she heard Sister Yang bring the latest news: “What was this Hong Kong businessman raised on? He burns money like this.”
Qin Fang poked her head over: “How is he burning money?”
Lin Wan put down the not-so-urgent work in her hands, equally curious.
“Look at these expense bills. He can really spend!” The factory office was responsible for managing all affairs related to receiving the Hong Kong businessman, naturally including organizing the expense bills to submit to finance for reimbursement as a whole. “He stays in the best hotel, a four-star one. One night is twenty yuan. Not to mention eating abalone and shark fin every meal, and the alcohol he drinks is XO. Yesterday he even went to a karaoke hall and spent over a hundred. Today he says he wants to go to a nightclub…”
“This doesn’t seem like investing. It seems more like sightseeing.” Lin Wan murmured softly, only feeling it was strange.
Qin Fang thought it over and finally concluded: “Look, this is the corrosion of capitalism! No wonder in the past they vigorously struck down petty bourgeois thinking!”
Young Qin Fang casually made a joke, but it stirred the older employees in the factory office who had lived through those years. Recalling the past, they chimed in one after another that many people nowadays were too petty bourgeois.
Lin Wan could not comment on the Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong’s behavior of seeking pleasure and enjoyment. After all, the garment factory leaders had said nothing and only arranged everything properly, insisting the man must live comfortably.
But this way, Lin Wan became somewhat worried. On Sunday, the Hong Kong businessman coming to see Fu Xiuhuai—he would not also be this sort, would he?
……
Sunday soon arrived.
Fu Xiuhuai hosted a banquet at the best Jinzhuang Grand Hotel in Jiangcheng. In a private room, several trusted subordinates of Kaihua Construction Company accompanied them, along with boss Fu Xiuhuai and Lin Wan.
“President Fu, the Hong Kong businessman’s representative, Mr. Yang, has arrived!” Xiang Zhengping, project department manager of Kaihua, brought the latest news, causing everyone in the private room to file out to welcome him.
In the lobby of Jinzhuang Grand Hotel, the representative of the Hong Kong City chain building that Kaihua Construction had won the bid to jointly invest in and build with Jiangcheng got out of the Santana. A middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes shook hands and exchanged greetings with Fu Xiuhuai.
“President Fu, I am Yang Minghui, representative of Boss Cheng and Boss Lin of Xitian Building and Wanying Department Store.”
“Mr. Yang, welcome to Jiangcheng.” Fu Xiuhuai was somewhat surprised. This Hong Kong businessman’s representative surprisingly spoke Mandarin so fluently that almost no accent could be heard. “Mr. Yang’s Mandarin is truly fluent.”
Yang Minghui smiled: “Our boss’s mother is from the mainland. We have also studied for many years.”
“So that is how it is.” Fu Xiuhuai introduced his subordinates to Yang Minghui, and finally, with his palm resting on Lin Wan’s waist, introduced her. “This is my wife, Lin Wan.”
Lin Wan lightly sized up the Hong Kong businessman before her: tall and handsome, looking like an elite, an image completely different from the Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong. “Mr. Yang, hello.”
“What a coincidence. Same surname as our Xitian Building boss, Boss Lin. It seems five hundred years ago you were one family. Truly fate.” Yang Minghui shook hands with Lin Wan and said with a smile, “Mrs. Fu and Mr. Fu are truly a talented man and beautiful woman, well matched!”
These words made everyone nod. Fu Xiuhuai, with a smile at the corners of his mouth, welcomed the man into the private room. Only Lin Wan’s ears grew hot, thinking inwardly that this Hong Kong businessman Mr. Yang really was eloquent.
Lin Wan followed everyone toward the private room. At the moment the private room door was about to close, another group of hotel guests’ lively, noisy voices sounded from the lobby behind her, chattering without stop.
Lin Wan casually turned her head for a look. She saw a group of young men mixed together, being guided by a waiter toward another private room. Among them was a familiar figure—Fu Mingjun.