The spring breeze was in high spirits, and the Audi A4's trajectory was especially fierce in the eyes of senior white-collar workers at Qinghe Industrial Co., Ltd. Due to the internal rumors and speculation within the company, Chen Ergou not only didn't have the aura of a nouveau riche, but instead had an imposing presence like that of a group heir, so strong that it made several big shots from the group who happened to arrive at the same time as Fang Jie put down their airs and smile obsequiously, further solidifying the rumor that Chen Ergou was the son-in-law appointed by Old Man Wei before his death.
He Fangjie and several Qinghe leaders entered a special elevator for high-level personnel, standing behind He Fangjie, who was gradually establishing absolute prestige within Qinghe. They looked at a painting of chrysanthemums by Zheng Xie, "Reporting to the Emperor", a poem, "Clear and Peaceful Music". Although Chen Ergou still couldn't appreciate its flavor, he had the right to comment on the words, which were written in Zheng Xie's six-point-five script, with a mix of clerical and cursive styles, like a bunch of twisted bamboo. He Fangjie's grandfather had not been fond of Zheng Xie's style when he was alive, but had simply said, "Zheng Xie's calligraphy is especially beautiful and moving in the strokes and dots of 'Peach Blossom Shore'". At that time, the old man had drunk half a bottle of liquor and was tipsy, leaning on Zheng Xie's style to write the three characters "Peach Blossom Shore", but quickly tore them up. The old man never taught Chen Ergou or Chen Fugui Zheng Xie's style, only letting Chen Fugui copy Yan Zhenqing's "Eighteen Arhats" and making Chen Ergou spend years copying Liu Gongquan's "Divine Strategy Monument". When he was young, Chen Ergou didn't understand the subtleties of these works, but now, after occasionally hearing Cao Xueqin's explanation of "Don't read 'Dream of Red Mansions' when you're young, don't read 'Three Kingdoms' when you're old", he roughly understood the old man's good intentions.
Qinghe Enterprise was transformed by Wei Duan Gong into a place full of mysteries, with calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, and a rich cultural atmosphere. Chen Ergou is definitely the most outsider among the guests who have visited this mansion only a few times with Fang Juan, but he is also the one who can best feel Wei Duan Gong's intentions behind every painting, vase, and piece of furniture. The old drunkard from Zhangjiacun, who seemed crazy and muddle-headed, quietly influenced Chen Ergou's foundation and framework for dealing with people, and later it was Shanghai Lao Touzi, Cao Jingzhen, and Wei Duan Gong, those guys who were either wise and foolish or wise and demonic, who came to enrich his flesh and blood.
Chen Ergou smiled slightly as he peeked at one of the Qinghe big shots, and the middle-aged man looked embarrassed, trying to hide his awkwardness. The elevator doors opened, and Chen Ergou followed Fang Jie out, with several big shots voluntarily letting this young prince, who dared to show off his knife at the board meeting, go first. It was clear that they acknowledged his identity as the successor of Qinghe. Recently, rumors have been circulating in Nanjing about the so-called insider information between Fang's family and another family, which also involves a big gangster from Pudong. It is said that all these people have a complex and mysterious relationship with this guy. These wealthy elites, who are used to being in charge in the business world, did not dare to underestimate Chen Ergou, as kidnapping and ransom demands were not unheard of among them. A few years ago, a series of brutal kidnappings had spread widely in Suzhou and Nanjing, causing a stir in the business community. The kidnappers had some moral principles, so they didn't harm their victims or cut off their fingers, but it still made everyone feel insecure. At that time, some businessmen even prepared cash at home as ransom, just in case. Once you got involved with these underworld organizations, it was hard to get rid of them without losing a lot.
"Han Kun, take Flo to the Human Resources Department for a visit." Fang Jie instructed after walking out of the elevator. Now that she has taken control of Qinghe Enterprises, she holds the power over everything from janitors to high-level vice presidents, and her words carry much more weight than they did when she was easily intimidated and at a loss for what to do.
Han Kun is the head of Qinghe Industry's Human Resources Department, a middle-aged bald man who looks like a gentle giant with his suit and thick-framed glasses. Chen Ergou thought he was just a yes-man who knew how to play it safe, but in reality, Han Kun had been keeping a distance from him since day one. Han Kun led Chen Ergou into the HR department, clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, cleared his throat, and smiled politely as he introduced Chen: "Everyone, this is our new manager, Chen Fusheng."
Chen Ergou also squeezed out a self-satisfied smile, Chen Deputy Manager, this was indeed a pretty fresh title. Looking at the various strange faces, Chen Ergou saw envy, jealousy, awe, and a small number of numbness in their eyes, but not a single pair of eyes looked at him with disdain like the customers at Améi's restaurant. Chen Ergou played with the one-yuan coin he had carefully kept on his body, feeling somewhat relieved and pleased.
Han Kun took Chen Ergou to visit his office, which he had never sat in before. It was a separate room where you could observe the human resources department's every move through the glass. Chen Ergou didn't know that his appearance had hindered someone's promotion, but today he could ignore it. Catching the thief first catches the king, taking down Fang Jie is equivalent to taking down Qinghe. Han Kun took the lead in saying goodbye, and Chen Ergou sat in the chair, staring at the industrial park scenery outside the window, lost in thought.
When leaving the Human Resources Department, he heard a string of "Hello, Director Chen". Chen Ergou hastily responded with a smile and a nod, feeling a bit regretful that he hadn't memorized all the employee data in the department as Cao Jingjian had suggested. These days, his thoughts were elevated by his fiancée's lectures on the art of managing people, which left Chen Ergou dazed and confused. The lengthy discussions and numerous examples made it impossible for him to digest everything, so he just stuffed them into his brain, wishing he could use a tape recorder. Chen Ergou didn't know why Cao Jingjian was in such a hurry to teach him everything, as if trying to turn a primary school student into a university graduate overnight. Chen Ergou had no complaints and could only try his best to remember and learn, leaving him no time or energy to flirt with his intelligent and beautiful fiancée, which was probably Cao Jingjian's only way to avoid being taken advantage of.
In the evening, when he returned to the residential area, Cao Jingjian cooked him a dish of braised pork with rice noodles for the first time. Although it was not his first time in the kitchen, it was his first time cooking a meat dish. The result was quite good, and Cao Jingjian was indeed Cao Jingjian - she would never make the mistake of using salt instead of sugar. Except for slightly immature knife skills, every dish had perfect color, aroma, and flavor, not like a beginner at all. Such a flawless woman made him wonder whether he should be amazed or secretly disappointed.
After wolfing down the last piece of tender pork, Chen Ergou poured the remaining rice noodles into a large bowl, added some white rice, and finished it off in one breath. His eating style was no less impressive than his knife skills, and he quickly devoured two plates of stir-fried vegetables. After three bowls of rice, Chen Ergou patted his belly, let out a satisfied belch, and sat down at the small but cozy kitchen table. He instinctively wanted to light up a cigarette to savor the aftertaste, but Cao Jingjian gave him a stern look.
Chen Ergou ignored her and smiled: "You finished the tobacco you brought last time, or I wouldn't be smoking this. Your mouth is too spoiled, and so is your food. If things go on like this, I'm afraid we'll become too picky to eat at small restaurants or street stalls in the future."
Cao Jingjian didn't stop Chen Ergou from smoking, she was in a good mood. A woman who could find a man who finishes all the food she cooks every time had no reason to be depressed. Busy thinking about how to challenge new dishes tomorrow, Cao Jingjian seemed to have forgotten that she used to be a woman who extremely hated second-hand smoke. Chen Ergou finished smoking one cigarette and stopped, helping Cao Jingjian wash the dishes and chopsticks. Later, when Cao Jingjian was brewing a pot of Pu'er tea in the living room, the doorbell rang. Chen Ergou carefully opened the door, it was a young woman carrying a small basket of pomegranates. She wasn't beautiful or charming, but had a youthful aura, a slender figure, clear eyes, and wore simple yet elegant clothes. The coral bracelet on her wrist and the red agate pendant around her neck showed off her cleverness. The impression she gave was that of being pure yet not rigid or cunning. Chen Ergou had seen her once before, she was the daughter of a middle-aged woman from the neighboring household, estimated to be around 25 or 26 years old, probably just graduated two or three years ago, and could be called a young and innocent girl. Chen Ergou was now completely immune to this type of woman. She smiled sincerely, handed over the basket, and said: "This is pomegranate that my relatives from the countryside just sent over, it's very fresh, not expensive, but delicious."
"Come on in and take a seat?" Chen Ergou took over the basket with a smile.
"No, I still need to help my brother with his English tutoring, so just leave the basket here for now." The young woman smiled and was even more elegant than before. A year and a half ago, she would have been Chen Ergou's first choice for a virtuous wife and good mother. She didn't drag her feet or linger as she bid farewell and headed back to her own home.
Chen Ergou closed the door, put the basket on the coffee table in the living room. Cao Jingjian had a habit of drinking tea and was busy paying attention to the tea brewing time. He saw Chen Ergou staring blankly at a basket of pomegranates for nearly half an hour. Cao Jingjian, sitting in another purple sandalwood chair, couldn't help but laugh: "What's wrong, afraid of poisoning?"
"I've never eaten this stuff."
Chen Ergou smiled and said, "I just want to let Fugui have a taste too. There's a saying that goes like this, 'When one person is happy, many people are happy', I used to share everything with Fugui when we had something, now it feels a bit strange not doing so. To be honest, after sleeping on the same kang for over 20 years, when we first came to the big city, I couldn't adapt to not hearing Fugui's thunder-like snores."
"Last time I went to the troops, Fu Gui told me that if it weren't for discipline, he would have gotten you a few tanks as wedding cars." Cao Jingjian said with a smile.
"This is a good idea." Chen Ergou smiled with his mouth open, peeled a pomegranate and threw the seeds into his mouth one by one.
"Wealth and nobility will have a great future, I believe." Cao Jingyuan sighed sincerely, poured a cup of tea, held the Longquan celadon teacup, and the tea aroma wafted around.
"If wealth and honor can't make a name for themselves, it's unacceptable to heaven. I know his weight best, and for over a year, I've been thinking that if wealth and honor were mine, how would he do? In the end, I came to the conclusion that Zhao Kunpeng would die miserably without any suspense, Wei Duan Gong would appreciate his talent at first sight, Chen Yuanshu might fall in love with him at first sight, and Guo Goulu wouldn't even have a chance to fight back. Not to mention wealth and honor's brain, but in terms of martial arts, even Chen Qingzhi, who wears a knife on his hand, may not be a match for wealth and honor."
Chen Er Gou huddled in the chair, gnawing on a pomegranate, shrugged his shoulders with a self-mocking expression, "Now I just hope I won't drag him down. His path is completely different from mine. If something really happens one day, even if I have to flee again, I won't let him know. I ruined him for over ten years, and I shouldn't ruin his bright future ahead. So, at that time, you can only accompany me in exile, of course, if you choose to withdraw, I won't blame you or resent you at all. This is my heartfelt words, without any pretence."
"A pessimist, must occasionally do some good positive self-suggestion, know or not?" Cao Qiang stretched out a finger and poked Chen Er Gou's forehead, "Do I look like someone who can't bear hardship?"
"Not like."
"Yet you're not a woman who should be dragged down by the likes of me, a man who's tasted blood on his blade and has no life to speak of."
"I don't like hearing that. It doesn't sound like you either." Cao Qiang said, sipping her tea lightly.
Chen Ergou suddenly burst out laughing, jumped off his chair without warning, and pecked Cao Jingjian's cheek with a loud smooching sound. "That's really not my style," he said. "You've boarded the pirate ship of your husband, and when disaster strikes, you'll be dragged along even if you want to escape. I'm just a lump of the most awesome, fragrant cow dung, and I only insert myself into beautiful flowers like you who are so stunning they're dizzying and intelligent to the point of being bewildering. Once I get my hands on you, I won't let go even if I die."
"How many flowers are you prepared to insert?" Cao Qiangjian asked with hidden murderous intent.
"Of course, the more the better." Chen Ergou blurted out.
"So fierce, why don't you go be the director of Zhangjiacun Village Committee?" Cao Jingjian squinted and said.
"Mistake, mistake! It should be 'Weak water three thousand, I only take a dip to drink.' " Chen Ergou scratched his head and laughed.
"Shall we drink cup after cup and exhaust the weak waters of the Three Rivers?" Cao Zhi's murderous intentions grew stronger.
Chen Ergou was speechless.
"Don't think I don't know about the little something between you and Zhou Jingzhen. According to Wang Hu, it seems like you even had a crush on that little girl Li Wei? How about the girl who delivered the pomegranates earlier, was she pretty or not? Did she leave her phone number? Or should I introduce some beautiful northern girls to you?" Cao Qianqian smiled slyly.
"Son's wife, it's a miscarriage of justice!" Chen Ergou cried out in protest, "I'm recognized as a first-class good citizen in Zhangjiacun! Widow Zhang praises me for having the courage to take risks but not being promiscuous. Even Lame Village Chief says I have a sense of honor for the village. Which young whippersnapper in the village doesn't look up to me as a role model?"
"No washing board, tomorrow I'll go to Computer City and buy a few more keyboards." Cao Jingjian said indifferently. (To be continued, please log in for more chapters, support the author, support the official version!)
