Welcome

Over the past few days, Tong Zhao's bruises had gradually faded, and he had resumed filming some scenes. Hua Xiaotang came to the set in her favorite bright red high heels and bought hot milk tea for every member of the crew.

"I did my best, but I really couldn't find anything about that place called Wind House." Hua Xiaotang sat beside Tong Zhao, holding a script as she spoke in a low voice. "But my godmother found that man, the one who took a young man who looked a lot like you to the old residence."

Tong Zhao looked at her.

"That man's called Boss Huang. He's in the building materials business, and by rights, he shouldn't have connections to the Shu Group." Hua Xiaotang waved away a bee buzzing right in front of her and leaned closer, lowering her voice. "My godmother said he often takes people to Shu Sizhuo."

Tong Zhao's fingers tightened around his milk tea. "A middleman?"

"Yeah, but Boss Huang's out of the country right now, so there's no way to catch him and ask. Even if we asked, he might not tell us, and even if he wanted to, he might not know." Hua Xiaotang pouted. "My godmother even gave me a scolding."

"What did she scold you for?"

"She said I actually dared to look into something Shu Sizhuo didn't want made public. She told me I had some nerve."

Tong Zhao asked curiously, "How old is your godmother?"

"Forty."

"She's pretty young. Why do you call her godmother?"

Hua Xiaotang rolled her eyes at him. "Godmother is a term of respect, a symbol of status. What do you know?"

Tong Zhao really didn't understand. She was only a little over ten years older than Hua Xiaotang. Couldn't she call her god-sister instead?

"Huh?" Hua Xiaotang said in surprise as she flipped through the script. "I remember having a kissing scene with you. Why isn't it in the new script?"

Tong Zhao and Hua Xiaotang did have a kissing scene. Shen Yi'an, beaten black and blue by Meng Zhiting, fought back domineeringly for the first time and forcibly kissed her.

Tong Zhao also flipped through his new script and smiled. "If it's gone, it's gone. A kiss on the forehead is nice too."

Hua Xiaotang was extremely unhappy. "How is a kiss on the forehead as good as one on the lips? Tch, what's wrong with me stealing a kiss from a handsome guy? I had a chance to take advantage and didn't even get to. What a shame."

Tong Zhao: "..."

"Oh, right." Hua Xiaotang suddenly closed the script, her expression turning serious. "Have you and Shu Sizhuo been secretly meeting again lately?"

Tong Zhao opened his mouth, and a "no" popped right out.

He'd delivered takeout to Shu Sizhuo's home, been forcibly kissed, and then they'd parted on bad terms. It was embarrassing even to say it.

Hua Xiaotang leaned over and hooked an arm around his shoulders. "I'm going to a deck banquet in a couple of days. Shu Sizhuo should be there too. I'm telling you as my junior: I'm going to make my move that night."

Tong Zhao's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of move?"

"I haven't decided, but I'm very confident in my looks." Hua Xiaotang winked at him. "When the time comes, I can take him by force or use threats and enticements. One way or another, I'm going to complete my mission!"

Seeing how confident Hua Xiaotang was, Tong Zhao felt an inexplicable unease and could only try to persuade her. "Senior, take it easy. Be gentle about it. Don't go too far..."

"He's my mission target. Go worry about yours!" Hua Xiaotang huffed.

"A deck dinner? I'm not going." Shu Sizhuo's refusal was decisive.

The first assistant knew that his president had always been somewhat afraid of the sea and hadn't attended any seaside events in recent years. He made a mark in his memo, planning to decline the unnecessary dinner later.

Shu Sizhuo flipped through a contract. "Eight hundred million euros to acquire this AI company is too high, even higher than the acquisition price for that AI company two years ago. Who's in charge of this project?"

"President Yan."

"Have him renegotiate the price." Shu Sizhuo closed the contract and handed it to his first assistant.

"All right." The first assistant took the contract.

"When is Madam Ouna returning to the country?"

"She's expected next month."

"Clear my schedule."

"All right." The first assistant made a note in his notebook.

"When will the proposal for the project my uncle mentioned be ready?"

"It should be ready within three days."

Shu Sizhuo said nothing more after that.

Once he had finished reviewing all the contracts, Shu Sizhuo put away his pen, removed his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

The first assistant hurriedly asked, "Would you like something to eat, President Shu?"

Shu Sizhuo opened his eyes and saw that night had long since fallen outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights stretching to the horizon.

Before he knew it, he had worked late again.

"No, I have no appetite." If he had to name something he wanted, Shu Sizhuo would have liked a bowl of the millet porridge Tong Zhao made.

Tong Zhao had been on set these past few days and hadn't gone running around again. He was just a little too close to Shi Ruohe.

Shu Sizhuo had just lit a cigarette when his phone rang. The first assistant tactfully stepped outside and gently pulled the door shut.

With the cigarette between his lips, Shu Sizhuo leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Mei An."

"Good evening, Mr. Shu," a gentle female voice said. "It's been a month since your last treatment. How have you been feeling lately?"

"Not bad," Shu Sizhuo replied.

"Have all your symptoms eased?"

Mei An meant the insomnia, convulsions, vivid dreams, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, mania, self-harm...

Shu Sizhuo had always faced his illness squarely. He slowly blew out a smoke ring. "Yes, they've all eased."

Mei An smiled. "That's wonderful. Please make sure to keep a regular schedule, take your medication on time, and stay optimistic. We'll meet for a follow-up examination next month."

After hanging up, Shu Sizhuo gave a soft chuckle.

His illness had already reached a critical stage. Treatment was only meant to keep him from going completely mad. He had to shackle both his deranged body and his mind so he could wait for Tong Zhao, who had yet to return, and greet him like a normal person when he did.

Tong Zhao had bought Little Loofah a Chinese rural dog plush but still hadn't delivered it. With nothing to do that afternoon, he borrowed Shi Ruohe's bicycle and rode leisurely toward the old residence.

Shu Sizhuo was usually at the office during the day, or else at his apartment, so Tong Zhao probably wouldn't run into him.

It wasn't that he didn't want to see Shu Sizhuo, but they had parted on bad terms that day, and meeting again would surely be awkward.

Besides, he was still quite upset this time. His chest felt blocked, as though stuffed with a lump of wet cotton. It didn't hurt, but he couldn't breathe freely.

The weather was nice that day. Warm sunlight fell in dappled patches through the leaves, and a gentle breeze rustled them.

The wind rippled the lake, where black and white swans played.

Tong Zhao rode up to the entrance of the old residence and parked the bicycle to one side.

The courtyard gate was open. Mama Feng was pruning branches, and Little Loofah was lying on the ground, basking in the sun.

The moment Little Loofah saw him, the dog sprang up as if jolted from its deathbed and bounded toward him, tongue lolling.

The impact sent him stumbling backward, nearly knocking him over. He tilted his head up and dodged with a laugh. "Stop licking me, Little Loofah."

Mama Feng came over with a smile. "Mr. Tong, what brings you here?"

"I brought Little Loofah a toy. Little Loofah, do you like it?" Tong Zhao took out the Chinese rural dog plush he was carrying and waved it in front of Little Loofah. The dog's eyes widened, and it instantly grew excited. It snatched the plush in its mouth and bounced around in circles, playing with it.

Seeing Little Loofah like this, Mama Feng smiled kindly. "Little Loofah has recovered and gotten its energy back these past few days. Yellow toys have been its favorite ever since it was little. The young master often buys them for it too."

Tong Zhao's expression shifted, and he smiled faintly.