Chapter 29: Snow-White Beneath the Shirt

After the meeting, He Shinian returned to his office. His phone rang—the number was both familiar and strange.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Squad leader, have you forgotten me now that you’ve been promoted?"

He Shinian was slightly surprised. As he searched his memory for the voice and connected it with the title, the name slipped out: "Is that you, Shi Dahai?"

"Yes, it’s me, squad leader."

He Shinian continued, "Aren't you in Guangdong Province?"

"I came back last week. I plan to develop my business in Donghua Prefecture and Xilong City over the next few years."

Donghua Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in Xiling Province, and it is also where Ninghai County is located. Xilong City is the provincial capital of Xiling Province.

Shi Dahai was a comrade-in-arms who had enlisted with He Shinian. However, after their two-year mandatory service, Shi Dahai chose to retire and enter the business world. It was said that he was doing quite well in Guangdong. He started as a clothing sales consultant and later moved into foreign trade and futures. After three years of development, he had accumulated significant capital and had become a wealthy bachelor.

He Shinian was shocked and confused to hear that Shi Dahai was returning to Donghua. "I heard you were doing well in Guangdong. Why did you decide to come back?"

"No matter how far I go, Donghua is still my home. Actually, I’ve always wanted to contribute to the development of my hometown, but I lacked the capital for the past two years. Now that I’ve got some standing, I want to seek development back home..."

Shi Dahai said a lot, which touched He Shinian. If someone else had said these things, He Shinian might have dismissed them as empty rhetoric, but coming from Shi Dahai, he believed it completely.

"I applaud your ambition," He Shinian encouraged.

"Squad leader, it’s been three years. I’ve missed you so much. Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to a meal."

It had been three years, and He Shinian did miss his comrade.

"You scoundrel, stop with the flattery. I’m free tonight, but I might not be tomorrow."

"Alright, squad leader, it’s settled then. Six-thirty at Dongling Pavilion. I’ll have my driver come pick you up."

Dongling Pavilion again?

"No need. I’ll ride my bike over after work. I’m not used to the ways of you capitalists. By the way, who else is coming?"

Shi Dahai said, "I know your position is sensitive, so I didn't invite anyone else. Just a beautiful host from the television station. Do you have a date? If not, I'll have her bring someone from the station."

He Shinian declined. After hanging up, he called Qiao Yina, but she said she had too much to do and had to work overtime. Since she couldn't make it, He Shinian thought of his former colleague, Lin Anyan. She had invited him to dinner once before, and he had turned her down. He decided this was a good opportunity to make it up to her.

He used his office landline to dial Lin Anyan’s number. After five or six rings, her somewhat lazy voice answered: "Hello?"

"This is my office line; remember it for next time."

Lin Anyan was pleasantly surprised. "Senior, it's you! Are you off work?"

He Shinian ignored her question and asked instead, "Do you have any plans for tonight?"

"A friend invited me to dinner."

"Oh, never mind then."

Just as He Shinian finished speaking, Lin Anyan immediately said, "Are you calling me because you’ve decided to let me throw that farewell party for you?"

He Shinian felt a warmth in his heart, but he replied, "Yes, but since you have plans, I suppose it’s off."

Lin Anyan immediately retorted, "What do plans matter? Everything has to make way for you, Senior. Tell me, where are we going?"

"Six-thirty tonight, Dongling Pavilion, room 808."

"Understood, Senior. I’ll go change. See you later." Lin Anyan sounded exceptionally excited and expectant.

When he arrived at Dongling Pavilion, He Shinian parked his bicycle as he had done last time and turned to leave, but he was shouted at by a voice behind him.

"Hey... you there! You can't park your bike here. Please park it over there."

He Shinian turned to see a fat security guard pointing toward a distant corner with a cold expression.

"There are markings for non-motorized vehicles here. Why can't I park?"

The guard glared at him, gestured toward the line of luxury cars, and said, "Look at those. Those are all luxury cars. If your piece-of-junk bicycle scratches one of them, can you afford to pay for it?"

He Shinian was displeased. "I parked in the designated non-motorized zone. If it gets scratched, that would be the other party’s responsibility."

"Hey, why can't you listen? It’s just a beat-up bike, what’s the harm in parking it further away? I’m telling you, if you don’t listen, I’ll drag your bike and toss it out."

He Shinian’s gaze turned cold. This guard was far too arrogant. "Is this how Dongling Pavilion treats its guests?"

The guard gave a contemptuous smile, looked at He Shinian’s attire, and said, "The guests at our Dongling Pavilion are incredibly noble, unlike you—a total pauper. You’re here to sponge off a free meal, aren’t you? Let me tell you, I’ve seen plenty of people like you."

"Riding a piece of junk and acting so entitled. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I suggest you push your bike away and park it next to the trash can. Don't get in the way."

He Shinian was amused. He was being belittled and treated like a moocher just because he rode a bicycle? If Shi Dahai hadn't invited him, he wouldn't have bothered coming at all.

"I’m parking here today. I want to see if the service at Dongling Pavilion is as pathetic as you are."

"Kid, go find a puddle and look at yourself. A guy on a junk bike doesn't deserve to talk to me about quality. I’ll say it one last time: move it now, or don't blame me for being rude."

He Shinian laughed. "I’d like to see how you plan to be rude." He turned to walk away, but the guard grabbed him by the collar from behind.

"Kid, if you don't want to get beaten, move your junk bike. Otherwise, don't blame us."

He Shinian shoved the guard’s hand away. "How exactly do you plan to be rude?"

The guard grew furious. "I'll show you!" He swung the rubber baton in his hand toward He Shinian.

He Shinian was a veteran and had exceptional reflexes; he wasn't going to stand for this. As the baton swung through the air, He Shinian grabbed the guard’s wrist. With a slight exertion of force, the guard yelped in pain, and the rubber baton dropped to the ground.

Another guard nearby saw this and rushed over. "You’ve got some nerve! You actually dare to strike back?" Without another word, he swung his own baton.

The commotion caught the attention of those in the lobby. A voice bellowed, "Stop that at once!"

The two guards looked over and saw the manager, Ma Sanyou, rushing over in a panic. One of the guards, seeing Ma Sanyou, immediately put away his baton and said fawningly, "Manager Ma, this kid doesn't know his place. He parked his junk bike in the wrong spot, and when we tried to reason with him, he tried to start a fight..."

Ma Sanyou didn't let him finish; he slapped the guard across the face. The guard was stunned, clutching his cheek in disbelief. "Manager... Manager Ma... this..."

"Are you blind? How dare you be rude to such a distinguished guest of our Dongling Pavilion!"

What? The guards’ eyes widened as they looked at each other. A distinguished guest?

Ma Sanyou ignored them and looked at He Shinian, his cold expression replaced by a bright smile. "My apologies, Secretary He. My staff is ignorant. I will definitely discipline them strictly. I hope you can be magnanimous and not hold it against them."

He Shinian replied, "So, can I park my bike here?"

"Yes, yes, of course you can!" Ma Sanyou replied obsequiously. He then turned to the guards and barked, "Both of you, three months' pay deducted. If this happens again, you're fired."

He Shinian didn't bother with them and walked slowly into the lobby. Ma Sanyou followed fawningly behind. The two guards watched their backs, wishing they could slap themselves for having stepped on a landmine.

"Secretary He, which private room are you in? I am truly sorry about what happened today. How about this: your bill for today is on the house, as an apology."

He Shinian didn't want to engage further with Ma Sanyou. "No need. Manager Ma, go back to your work."

Seeing that He Shinian wasn't buying it, Ma Sanyou pulled a Silver Dragon Card from his pocket. "Secretary He, please take this Silver Dragon Card. In the future, you’ll get a 30% discount on all services here."

"I cannot accept a reward for no merit. I appreciate your kindness, Manager Ma, but please go attend to your business."

Without waiting for a response, He Shinian stepped into the elevator. Unexpectedly, he ran into Lin Anyan.

Today, Lin Anyan was wearing tight black cropped trousers that accentuated her figure. On her top, she wore a trendy Korean-style shirt, and through the gaps in the fabric, a hint of porcelain-white skin was visible. Upon seeing He Shinian, she was pleasantly surprised.

"Senior, what a coincidence!"

He Shinian nodded in response, and the two took the elevator up to the eighth floor together.