Chapter 2: The Major Fellow
The early winter weather was dark and cold, and the station was filled with loud voices, footsteps and the sound of public announcements.
Li Zhi Cheng wearing a woollen coat and carrying a small bag in one hand, jumped off the bus. Tall and broad shouldered, he stood out in the chaotic crowd. He quietly and quickly looked around, then spotting a Cadillac parked at the station entrance, he walked to it with long, straight strides.
Gu Yan Zhi was leaning against the door, and looked at him with a faint smile.
“Ai You! So this is the son of a noble house who ran from the family business who is now returning?”
All the people around them turned to look at them one after another with raised eyebrows.
Li Zhi Cheng pretended like he did not notice anything as he walked up to him.
He gazed up and said indifferently “You’re home.”
Gu Yan instantly smiled, reached out and held his shoulder. A little smile emerged on Li Zhi Cheng’s face, and the two men hugged each other tightly.
Car drove smoothly around the second roundabout.
Gu Yan’s hands were on the steering wheel, his fingers tapping a rhythm. It was warm and quiet in the car, and he looked up into the rear view mirror, and saw Li Zhi Cheng sitting up straight like a tree. He was looking out the window, his face still ice cold indifferent, keeping to himself like a stranger.
Gu Yan hated this most of all: this guy was still in his twenties, but if you didn’t talk to him, he would stay quiet 24 hours a day, and be so cold that you would crumble.
“So high and tall.” He slowly teased.
Li Zhi Cheng stared out of the window at the simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar city, voice tranquil, and both warm and cold, said: “Hmm… I’ve been taller than you since I was 12 years old.”
Gu Yan chuckled quietly, and turning the steering wheel around the roundabout, took a turn and changed the subject: “You want to go to the nursing home or the company?”
“Company.”
Gu Yan Zhi smiled and said nothing. Where did his heart lie? This fellow hadn’t come back for how many years, but he was still willing to eat father’s[1] temper.
Nevertheless, it was pivotal for the family business.
**********
Lin Qian stood downstairs in the Ai Da building, with an apprehensive frame of mind.
When she had come for the interview two months ago, this had not been the case.
At the time, there had been dazzling sight of the large edifice, with the parking at the bottom pcked full of beautiful cars. Well-dressed white collared people greeted each other, seeming particularly busy. Behind the building was the industrial park, which had passionate slogans on red banners hung around. The workers were busy as well, and the whole company was a thriving scene of grand plans.
And now?
The same buildings, and the same clean and beautiful parks. But the building was cold, empty, with only two security guards who dazedly stood around doing nothing. The production workshop in the back was dark and muted, with many workers at the door smoking and chatting, all seemingly laid off. The glaring red banners which had once graced the scene were missing.
Oh, she saw half of one still hanging on the wall, half off and in the mud.
Lin Qian stood in a trace, while a low-key and luxurious car quietly passed her.
Lin Qian focused and looked inside.
She recognised the man in the driver’s seat.
Magazines and newspapers published his photos—Ai Da’s first Deputy CEO, chairman of the board’s nephew, Gu Yan Zhi[2].
In reality he seemed to be even younger and more handsome than he looked in the photos. Who knew if he would also be as cunning as was rumoured?
Her eyes moved to the back seat, where another man sat. Since he was blocked by tinted glass, you couldn’t see which person was so great that he could make Gu Yanzhi his personal driver.
[1] The word used over here is laoye (老爷), which normally means father. However, the word itself means Lord, and can also be used to say father, in a highly respectful sort of way. The context makes it seem more to be the case of father, hence my translation.
[2] The term used here is either sister’s (or wife’s sibling’s) son. I shortened it since I wasn’t sure which.
Chapter 2: The Major Fellow
The early winter weather was dark and cold, and the station was filled with loud voices, footsteps and the sound of public announcements.
Li Zhi Cheng wearing a woollen coat and carrying a small bag in one hand, jumped off the bus. Tall and broad shouldered, he stood out in the chaotic crowd. He quietly and quickly looked around, then spotting a Cadillac parked at the station entrance, he walked to it with long, straight strides.
Gu Yan Zhi was leaning against the door, and looked at him with a faint smile.
“Ai You! So this is the son of a noble house who ran from the family business who is now returning?”
All the people around them turned to look at them one after another with raised eyebrows.
Li Zhi Cheng pretended like he did not notice anything as he walked up to him.
He gazed up and said indifferently “You’re home.”
Gu Yan instantly smiled, reached out and held his shoulder. A little smile emerged on Li Zhi Cheng’s face, and the two men hugged each other tightly.
Car drove smoothly around the second roundabout.
Gu Yan’s hands were on the steering wheel, his fingers tapping a rhythm. It was warm and quiet in the car, and he looked up into the rear view mirror, and saw Li Zhi Cheng sitting up straight like a tree. He was looking out the window, his face still ice cold indifferent, keeping to himself like a stranger.
Gu Yan hated this most of all: this guy was still in his twenties, but if you didn’t talk to him, he would stay quiet 24 hours a day, and be so cold that you would crumble.
“So high and tall.” He slowly teased.
Li Zhi Cheng stared out of the window at the simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar city, voice tranquil, and both warm and cold, said: “Hmm… I’ve been taller than you since I was 12 years old.”
Gu Yan chuckled quietly, and turning the steering wheel around the roundabout, took a turn and changed the subject: “You want to go to the nursing home or the company?”
“Company.”
Gu Yan Zhi smiled and said nothing. Where did his heart lie? This fellow hadn’t come back for how many years, but he was still willing to eat father’s[1] temper.
Nevertheless, it was pivotal for the family business.
**********
Lin Qian stood downstairs in the Ai Da building, with an apprehensive frame of mind.
When she had come for the interview two months ago, this had not been the case.
At the time, there had been dazzling sight of the large edifice, with the parking at the bottom pcked full of beautiful cars. Well-dressed white collared people greeted each other, seeming particularly busy. Behind the building was the industrial park, which had passionate slogans on red banners hung around. The workers were busy as well, and the whole company was a thriving scene of grand plans.
And now?
The same buildings, and the same clean and beautiful parks. But the building was cold, empty, with only two security guards who dazedly stood around doing nothing. The production workshop in the back was dark and muted, with many workers at the door smoking and chatting, all seemingly laid off. The glaring red banners which had once graced the scene were missing.
Oh, she saw half of one still hanging on the wall, half off and in the mud.
Lin Qian stood in a trace, while a low-key and luxurious car quietly passed her.
Lin Qian focused and looked inside.
She recognised the man in the driver’s seat.
Magazines and newspapers published his photos—Ai Da’s first Deputy CEO, chairman of the board’s nephew, Gu Yan Zhi[2].
In reality he seemed to be even younger and more handsome than he looked in the photos. Who knew if he would also be as cunning as was rumoured?
Her eyes moved to the back seat, where another man sat. Since he was blocked by tinted glass, you couldn’t see which person was so great that he could make Gu Yanzhi his personal driver.
[1] The word used over here is laoye (老爷), which normally means father. However, the word itself means Lord, and can also be used to say father, in a highly respectful sort of way. The context makes it seem more to be the case of father, hence my translation.
[2] The term used here is either sister’s (or wife’s sibling’s) son. I shortened it since I wasn’t sure which.
