smoke like fire

The third time I saw Fred was at a company board meeting.

The details of the cooperation between the two parties have been finalized in the early stage, and they are only waiting for the signing of the contract. They also have responsible department personnel. He came in person to save face for Chen Liren and to eliminate the ambiguity about the cooperation in the minds of a few directors.

Chen Liren can lead nearly [-]% of the decisions of the board of directors, and the remaining [-]% is based on the carelessness of the elders in the family. However, he seeks to be safe and honest, so he invites Fred to be present to express his sincerity.

I was not qualified to participate in the board of directors, so I stayed busy all morning in the department office, until the secretary Elin came to talk to me about the itinerary, and there was a knock on the glass door.

It was Fred, I couldn't help but wonder.

Fred smiled slightly, "Did I bother you?"

I got up and asked him to come in, "Of course not, Mr. Hughes, is it the cooperation details that need to be discussed?"

Fred said: "Oh, no, that's okay, I just wanted to talk to you."

I was slightly startled, and before I could signal to Elin, she nodded to Fred, turned and left with her high-heeled leather boots, and closed the door intimately.

There was a sofa in front of the desk, and I asked Fred to sit on it, but he shook his head.I casually asked directly, "What does Mr. Hughes want to tell me?"

Fred showed a look of embarrassment, or hesitation, and said for a moment: "I want to talk to you about Kuan."

Kuan?Talk about Zhao Kuanyi?I was startled for a moment, then smiled and said, "I don't quite understand what you mean."

Fred didn't explain, he looked at me with a firmer expression than before.He said: "I heard that you knew him a long time ago and have a very good relationship." After a pause, "You and his mother are also familiar."

Frankly speaking, there are quite a few people who know that I know Zhao Kuanyi, and even more people who know that Ms. Zhao and I have a close friendship.I'm not surprised he had heard of it.

But the so-called heard, who did you listen to?

It will never be Zhao Kuanyi.He doesn't easily talk about personal matters with others, especially when it comes to his mother. In the past, if he didn't pay attention to talking to me a lot, he would keep silent.

As for my relationship...

I believe that now he will not speak up.I thought for a while and said, "I still don't understand what you mean. If you want to know something, you'd better ask him yourself."

The corner of Fred's mouth twitched, "Ask him, would he say it?"

I didn't say a word, but I remembered the scene when Fred turned around and left at the bar that day.I didn't think much about it, but I couldn't figure it out.

I can only guess.

Over the years, Zhao Kuanyi chose only female companions, even at that unrestrained age.He never avoided talking about sex in the past, and the object of his conversation was also a woman.

Although I saw him kissing a man once, but that time alone, it didn't mean anything at all.Sometimes I thought, if I could hear a man's name from him, maybe I wouldn't have too many scruples.

However, it is always an assumption.

I just said to Fred: "No matter what you want to know, even if he doesn't tell you, you shouldn't ask me."

Fred remained silent, and said, "It's not for nothing that I came to you. I've known Kuan for so long, and I've never seen anyone he invited to drink. You are the first."

I smiled.

"Just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean he hasn't invited others."

"Certainly not."

Fred's tone seemed to be swearing, and I was a little annoyed.I understand it's pointless, he buys me drinks, and I always buy him.

I am no longer polite: "What do you want to say?"

Fred also said directly: "What kind of relationship do you have with Kuan?"

I laughed: "Didn't you hear about it? We have known each other for a long time. I am familiar with Ms. Zhao, and everyone knows it. I don't know why you want to investigate it carefully."

Fred was silent for a moment, as if deliberating.Finally, he said: "I have known Kuan for a long time, and I have always been to him—I say this, maybe you will find it strange that my concern for him is far more than that of a friend, can you understand?"

I felt a slight palpitation in my heart, and I listened to myself: "No, I don't think it's strange, I can understand."

Fred twitched his lips slightly, and continued: "I know he only has female companions around him, but you should feel that Kuan is very special, not only women are attracted to him, he also knows that he never showed any disgust, but he also No—" He paused, his expression slightly depressed, "It's been so long, I still don't understand what he's thinking."

I have only silence.

After saying this, Fred seemed to have nothing to say, and when he saw that I didn't speak, he showed an embarrassed expression.

Seeing that he seemed restless, I thought for a while and said, "You have known him for a long time, so you should know his temper. I have nothing to tell you."

Fred was silent.

After a while, he said, "I'm sorry, I've said all this."

I said: "No."

"Disturb you."

I smiled and opened the office door.Secretary Elin cleverly stepped forward to take over and led him away.I turned back and walked to the desk.

I picked up the cigarette and lit one.I smoked slowly for a while, I thought about it, and dialed the phone with my mobile phone, and the other end rang for a while before answering.

I asked: "Busy?"

"Busy!" Qiu Yisen replied.

I laughed, and smashed the ashes in my hand, "Leave it alone."

Qiu Yisen replied: "Boss, I'm cutting someone's hair, can I just ignore it?"

"I'll cut it for someone else." I said, "Boss, I'm not in a good mood. I told you to close the store and stop doing business."

There was silence on the other end for a long while, before Qiu Yisen replied angrily: "—Forget it, I'm afraid of you, that's all right, I'll close the shop and wait for you to come."

In the end, it was Qiu Yisen who came to look for me.

Qiu Yisen bluntly instructed me to drive to Dihua Street for tea.The teahouse is near the Xiahai Town God's Temple. There are many street houses there. It is one of them. There are various crafts sold in front of the first floor. You have to go up the stairs to drink tea.

Compared with the past, Dihua Street has changed a lot.When I was young, I was not what I am now. That time, before the Chinese New Year, my mother took me and my aunt who married in Banqiao to do New Year's shopping.

In my impression, there are all people, shoulders rubbing against each other, and the heat on the face is mixed with various smells and sounds.That time, I walked for a short distance, and a new coat I was wearing was squeezed and crumpled, and the uppers of my shoes were stained somewhere.I couldn't bear it, and quarreled with my mother. She had no choice but to take me home first.

I have talked about this experience with Zhao Kuanyi before, and I naively asked his mother if he ever went there to buy New Year's goods.He said that of course it is necessary to make special purchases for the New Year, but this kind of thing will never be his mother's turn.

Thinking about it, it is true, there is no one in the Zhao family, and Miss Zhao will not be bothered by these things.

Judging from normal days, there are many customers in the teahouse. Qiu Yisen originally wanted to sit on the sofa seat in the living room, but unfortunately it was full, so we had to choose the seats by the window.

Qiu Yisen ordered a pot of Oriental Beauty tea.The snacks served with the tea include four-color candied fruit and dried fruit cake, which are his favorites, so he is very happy.

I only drank tea, generously gave him all the snacks, and said, "There are a lot of people today."

Qiu Yisen said: "I'm tired of doing New Year's goods, so come up and drink tea."

I was slightly taken aback, "Have you started doing New Year's goods? So soon?"

"How fast." Qiu Yisen said, "The Chinese New Year will be over in two more weeks."

No wonder, Ms. Zhao hasn't contacted me for a while. She used to fly to Switzerland just before Chinese New Year, and usually, Zhao Kuanyi would go with her.

I thought for a while and said, "A few days ago I went to participate in a fine watch exhibition, where I met Zhao Kuanyi. He has a female companion by his side, the one I told you about last time."

Qiu Yisen served tea and raised his eyebrows slightly.

I continued: "He told me that he... is considering talking to the other party."

Qiu Yisen snorted.

"You really reconciled?"

I shrug.

"Of course I don't know him better than you do, but he told you this, it shows that he doesn't blame you in his heart."

I was silent, and said in a low voice: "Actually, I don't know him very well either."

Qiu Yisen did not comment, and only said: "And then? Is he with the other party?"

"He said he was thinking about it at the time, but he doesn't know the situation now." I said.

Qiu Yisen looked at me, "It's because you don't want to ask about the progress."

I don't talk.

"Actually, it's good for him to talk to someone, you can also talk to someone." Qiu Yisen said.

I laughed, "It's as if he's hindering me."

Qiu Yisen also laughed, but with a bit of sarcasm: "Isn't it?"

I didn't say anything, and brought tea to drink.

"Okay." Qiu Yisen sighed, "Forget my mistake."

I said, "You are not wrong. He has always been like this, and he has never had another choice. It is my illusion."

Fred was talking about himself, but it wasn't what I thought?In addition to female companions, Zhao Kuanyi never lacks men who are interested in him. He is neither disgusted nor alienated, and even has intimacy.

I am no different from Fred, or even Zhao Kuanyi's former Brazilian classmate.We all want Zhao Kuanyi, but in his eyes, no one is special, no one has ever understood him.

Qiu Yisen looked at me, "Actually, it's just a sentence."

I answered him: "I know."

But, I dare not.

If it is said that even the weak position in his heart is gone, what should we do then?

Seeing that I might be depressed, Qiu Yisen changed the topic.

He wants to open a second hair salon recently, and he has been looking for a store and looking at the design since the end of last year.I listened to him, gave some advice now and then, and after a while, the time passed.

Qiu Yisen wanted to stop by to buy some dry goods, so I asked him to go downstairs first and settle the bill.

When I got to the counter, I handed out the bill, but I also handed it in from the side with one hand. The service staff was taken aback, looked at me, then looked again...

I turned around and saw a well-dressed old gentleman.He and I met eyes, raised eyebrows and eyes slightly, and I couldn't help calling him Mr. Zhao with a respectful demeanor.

Mr. Zhao, Zhao Yufu, the founders of Liantian Group.He is Miss Zhao's father and Zhao Kuanyi's grandfather.When Chen Liren first took over the business, he helped a lot, so I had contact with him several times.

But in fact, I met Mr. Zhao's even longer ago.

Zhao Kuanyi lived in his grandfather's house for a while when he was young, and he once took me there.

Mr. Zhao retired five years ago and still held banquets, but at that time I went to the meeting with Chen Liren as guests.

At this moment, listening to my shout, Mr. Zhao's profound brows and eyes stretched.Compared with Zhao Kuanyi, Mr. Zhao's mixed blood is much purer, and the Western blood is more obvious.

I asked the service staff to settle the bill for him first.

"Long time no see, is Liren busy recently?" Mr. Zhao asked.

"It's a bit busy." I said.

Zhao Laodao: "It's good to focus on career, but don't overdo it."

I smiled, "You're right." Then I asked: "You also come here for tea, who are you with today?"

Mr. Zhao was about to answer when someone called him first.

"Grandpa—" the voice paused, "Cheng Jingcheng?"

I was taken aback, and turned around, and sure enough, I saw Zhao Kuanyi, who was walking with a lady's purse in one hand and a dignified old lady in the other.

I am really surprised.

The old lady asked Zhao Kuanyi: "I know you? Whose family is this?"

Zhao Kuanyi said: "It belongs to the Cheng family, Cheng Jingcheng."

I quickly greeted: "Hello."

"Hey." The old lady smiled, took the purse from Zhao Kuanyi's hand, and said to Mr. Zhao, "Why did you come to pay the bill? It's agreed that I will invite you."

Old Zhao said: "Your request is not the same as mine."

"It's different, I'm not asking you."

"Then I didn't ask you..."

I couldn't help but glance at Zhao Kuanyi, his expression didn't change, he just took out his wallet and directly took out a credit card to the service staff who had been waiting for a while.

Seeing Mr. Zhao, he frowned slightly.

"Hey, it's all over now." The old lady gave Zhao Lao a dissatisfied look.

Elder Zhao looked at Zhao Kuanyi as if complaining.

I couldn't help being funny. It's true that old people are like children.Who would have thought that Mr. Zhao, who used to be vigorous and resolute in the mall, also had such an expression.

Zhao Kuanyi was still at ease, and said: "Grandpa and grandma, you go downstairs first."

"Well."

The old lady said, grab the purse, turn around and leave, regardless of Mr. Zhao.Mr. Zhao seemed to be used to it and didn't mind, so he just came to me and said, "Come and sit at home when we see."

I was startled, and before I could answer, Elder Zhao went downstairs.

"That..." I looked at Zhao Kuanyi.

"Grandpa said so, just watch the time." Zhao Kuanyi said, and he also saw it, so he stretched out his hand and took the bill from my hand, and handed it to the service staff, "We will settle this together."

"Ah ok, please wait a moment."

I was still ruminating on his previous sentence, I didn't react for a while, but after I came back to my senses, it was too late to stop it.

"you do not need…"

Zhao Kuanyi said lightly, "It's just by the way."

I froze for a moment and could only say thank you.Zhao Kuanyi raised his eyebrows slightly, as if my thanks were superfluous.I knew it in my heart, as he said, it was just by the way.

I watched him sign the bill, thought about it, and asked, "Aren't you going to Switzerland this year?"

Zhao Kuanyi only responded, took the signing form, and signed it like a stream of water.

I didn't ask any more questions, as he answered.

After going downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao and I expressed our thanks again. After seeing the three of them leave, we went to look for Qiu Yisen.When he saw Zhao Kuanyi early in the morning, his eyes widened.

"What a coincidence?"

"Yeah." I smiled wryly, "What a coincidence."