Although Huang Dehong still referred to himself as "Shigu" (a term of respect for his senior sister) and maintained the same level of courtesy, when he spoke of the other two, he invariably brought up the matter of Du Yuesheng arranging for Gu Jiatang to meet him and become sworn brothers. It was as if he was the only one in the 14K who was worthy of Du Yuesheng's approval. He knew perfectly well that Gu Jiatang's words were poisonous and meant to sow discord, yet he willingly swallowed them and praised them. This caused Qi Weiwen's previous bias towards him, which was based on the fact that he was Chen Zhongying's disciple, to immediately fade.
When Qi Weiwen learned of Chen Zhongying's death, she thought she should support the 14K Gang in Chen Zhongying's place. However, after the Green Gang was wiped out, she realized that standing behind Chen Zhongying and standing in the front were two completely different feelings. She wanted to shoulder this burden, but the other men in the gang never thought of giving her a chance. It was as if she, Qi Weiwen, had only gotten to her current position because of Chen Zhongying's trust.
"The War of Resistance is over, the Kuomintang no longer needs Hongfa Mountain, and China no longer needs the Hung Mun to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming. You're gone too. It's better to let them fight over 14K and disperse. Consider it my sacrifice for you." Qi Weiwen lowered his head, lit a slender Life Buoy mint cigarette, and recalled Chen Zhongying's sudden death, thinking with some despondency.
She tilted her head back, wanting to exhale, but found herself unknowingly walking to the street outside Kowloon Walled City. At this moment, on a window sill of a fourth-floor tenement building, there was a pot of gladiolus in bloom, like an elegant woman standing quietly by the window, admiring the pedestrians and scenery on the street.
Seeing the orchid swaying gently in the wind, Qi Weiwen thought of Song Tianyao, who had clearly schemed against the Green Gang and 14K, but was unable to pursue the matter because he had willingly taken the bait. He also remembered Song Tianyao's words when he left. "Please smell the orchid one more time."
Qi Weiwen stared blankly at the Cymbidium ensifolium, muttering to himself, "Thirty years have passed in retrospect, and I know that life in the world is fleeting. It is better to wash away the dust and return home in peace."
The street was bustling with pedestrians, but she only felt lonely, like the solitary orchid above her.
Having washed away all worldly cares, I return with composure, but where should I go from here?
"Song Advisor said that anyone willing to help repair Longjin Charity School and the Elderly Home will receive a wage. Song Advisor can also help repair any houses that are damaged or leaking! Money is ill-gotten gains, but it can be used for righteous deeds. Spend it all, and don't leave a single penny!" An old man's shout interrupted Qi Weiwen's thoughts. She turned around and saw the limping old man who had helped Song Chengqi tie his shoelaces when she came to see Song Chengqi night. He was now standing on the street with a ruddy complexion, shouting confidently to the neighbors.
Chapter 199 Business
"A-Yao, here are the English newspapers you wanted, the English periodicals I asked you to borrow from the University of Hong Kong Library, and breakfast too." Seeing Song Tianyao walk into the library again, Hong Lai-sau, the Chinese College Library, took out various English newspapers he had bought on his way to the library, as well as the English periodicals and breakfast that Song Tianyao had asked him to borrow from the University of Hong Kong Library the day before.
Song Tianyao placed two yuan on the service counter, took the breakfast package of milk and pineapple bun, and said to Hong Lai-sau, "Thank you, Brother Xiu."
Then, while munching on his bread, he stood at the service desk flipping through English newspaper. Hong Lai-sau, on the other hand, began his daily morning routine of cleaning the library, wiping the bookshelves with a rag in his hand, muttering, "A-Yao, you've been coming to the library to read every day for almost two months now. Don't you have a job? You're so young, don't become a bookworm. You understand English, and your notes are beautiful. Even if you're not a college student, you could definitely get a job at a big company. At worst, you can use my library card to borrow books and read them at home in the evenings. You can earn money and study at the same time!"
In just two months, he had become quite familiar with Song Tianyao. This young man was probably the most avid reader he had met in the three years he had worked as a librarian at the Chinese College Library. He would bring his own notebook, pen, and even ink bottle every day and sit for hours on end, more attentive than many college students in class.
This library was donated to the University of Hong Kong by Philanthropist Fung Ping Shan. When he made the donation, Fung Ping Shan's only requirement was that the library must be open to the public free of charge. However, even after it has been open for so long, very few ordinary people come to the library to read books. Everyone is busy with life. Occasionally, some people have some free time, but they only come here to browse novels and essays. People like Song Tianyao, who only read dry economic history materials and professional documents, are practically nonexistent.
Song Tianyao came to the library reading room every day without fail, rain Hong Lai-sau. After getting to know him for a while, Song Tianyao started helping him look up books in his spare time. Song Tianyao was also good at interpersonal relationships. Every three to five days, when the library closed in the evening and Hong Lai-sau finished work, he would invite him to find a small tavern to order some cheap braised food and have a couple of drinks together.
Now, Hong Lai-sau has gotten used to Song Tianyao asking him to buy newspapers, borrow reference books from the University of Hong Kong Library University of Hong Kong Library, and even bring him breakfast. He is 22 years old and about to graduate, while Song Tianyao is 18. They both like reading and are friends of similar age and interests. That's why he dared to advise Song Tianyao to find a job to make a living and not to become a bookworm.
"It'll be soon. I'll just tidy up my notes one last time today, and I won't bother you again tomorrow. I've already found something to do." Song Tianyao stuffed the last bite of his pineapple bun into his mouth, then took a sip of milk, his eyes still glued to the news in the newspaper, as he replied.
Hong Lai-sau as he wiped the bookshelf, looking at Song Tianyao: "Really? You spend all day reading here, never even going to work. Where do you find anything to do?"
Song Tianyao patted the English newspapers and magazines on the service desk. "I read these in books."
"Are you out of your mind from reading too much? Talking big." When he saw Song Tianyao taking pictures of those newspapers and magazines, Hong Lai-sau just took it as a joke and turned back to his work.
After finishing his meal, Song Tianyao took his notebook, along with newspapers and magazines, and went to the reading room. This time, he didn't read the newspapers but instead opened his thick notebook and began reading about the world business situation that he had learned and recorded during this period.