GLIHBN Chapter 48
by VolareAfter Su Shi got off the plane, he was picked up by the hotel’s car and arrived at the hotel smoothly.
Getting out of the car, Su Shi shivered from the cold wind blowing in his face. It was past midnight, and the temperature in Dong Su was a few degrees lower than in West Hangzhou. It had just rained, and the ground was still wet.
After checking in, Su Shi swiped his card to take the elevator upstairs.
Little Jie was efficient and booked a nice hotel.
As soon as he entered the room, Su Shi lay on the large white bed in a starfish shape, bouncing up and down. It was soft and comfortable enough.
After staring at the ceiling for half a minute, Su Shi slowly got up and took his toiletries bag to the bathroom.
Su Shi brought everything he needed: toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, travel-sized shampoo and shower gel, and even simple slippers.
After taking a shower, he washed away the fatigue of the day.
Su Shi had a habit of turning on all the lights in a hotel room, turning them off when he went to sleep, and leaving a night light that was bright enough to illuminate but not too bright.
It was already late, but he still wasn’t sleepy.
Su Shi opened his phone and scrolled through it casually.
That night when he stayed at Song Qingyan’s house, Su Shi had blocked everything related to Xu Chongming.
Only by completely saying goodbye to the past can you embrace the future.
New friends were adding Su Shi’s chat account, but Su Shi directly declined them.
The unfamiliar environment made it difficult for Su Shi to fall asleep until very late, but he still slept well.
The next day, he rented a car from the rental company with a full of energy and drove to Mr. You Li’s location.
The road was narrow and winding, and he was constantly bumping along the way. Su Shi had to be fully focused.
Even though the drive was supposed to be an hour, it had been an hour and forty minutes and he still hadn’t arrived.
The navigation showed that the destination was nearby, but Su Shi was dumbfounded. Was this a village? Someone’s home?
The car drove into a dead end. Su Shi turned off the engine and was about to make a call when someone knocked on the car window.
Su Shi rolled down the window.
“Teacher Su?”
It was a middle-aged man with a beard and some gray hair.
Su Shi felt a little familiar, and said uncertainly, “Mr. You Li?”
The other person’s voice was deep, “It’s me, welcome.”
You Li looked friendly and extended his hand. Su Shi unfastened his seat belt, “Let me get out of the car first.”
After getting out of the car, Su Shi extended his hand and shook the other person’s hand, saying a little shyly, “I thought I was lost.”
“No, you’re smart. Many people get lost when they come here and end up in the neighboring village.”
Su Shi smiled, “Then I’m lucky.”
“Let’s go, I’ll take you there, it’s this house.”
You Li pointed to the yard next to them.
Su Shi raised his foot to follow, but stepped into a puddle. Water and mud splashed on his shoes and trousers. This was a disaster for someone who liked to be clean.
However, now was not the time to be picky. Su Shi didn’t stop and hurried to catch up.
You Li may have been emulating the ancients, turning his home into a secluded courtyard, full of antique charm.
Su Shi followed him in, as if entering a paradise.
Su Shi followed You Li to view some of his displayed paintings. Although Su Shi wasn’t a professional, he was definitely not a layman. He occasionally made a few comments that were to You Li’s liking, and the two chatted happily.
The tea table was set up in the courtyard, echoing the fish pond next to it, allowing them to enjoy tea and watch the fish.
“Teacher Su, sit down and have some tea.”
“Okay.”
Su Shi sat opposite him, watching You Li make tea.
There were many steps to making tea, and You Li’s movements were slow, but very aesthetically pleasing.
Doing business is sometimes like this, not going straight to the point, but seeing if you can get along first. Many times, cooperation depends on the person.
If you have similar interests, you can cooperate happily.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and coming to this kind of place can sometimes bring a moment of peace. At this moment, Su Shi’s heart was calm and still. This business trip was worth it.
While waiting for the tea, Su Shi suddenly heard someone knocking on the courtyard door.
“Do you have guests?”
“No, I hung a sign on the door saying ‘No Visitors’.”
Seeing that the other person’s tea-making movements didn’t stop, and he had no intention of opening the door, Su Shi said, “Shall I go and take a look?”
“Sure.”
Su Shi walked out and was startled. His heart began to beat faster.
It was Chi Ye. How could he be here?
The courtyard door wasn’t high, and Chi Ye had already seen Su Shi. He didn’t say anything, just looked at him, as if waiting for him to open the door.
Su Shi walked over and asked Chi Ye through the courtyard door, “Chi Ye, why are you here?”
“I was worried about you. I asked Brother Little Jie for the address and followed you here.”
Little Jie was so ignorant, revealing the boss’s whereabouts without authorization. It seemed he needed to be disciplined.
Chi Ye said it lightly, but Su Shi knew how difficult it was to drive all the way here on such a bumpy road.
He was here for work, but why was Chi Ye here? For him?
Su Shi had to re-examine Chi Ye. What was Chi Ye’s purpose? Was their relationship so good that he couldn’t wait to follow him here after he suddenly disappeared for a day?
Before Su Shi could “interrogate” Chi Ye, You Li followed him out, “Who is it? Who’s looking for me?”
You Li was well-known, and there were often people who came to him seeking paintings.
Seeing that the person standing outside was a stranger, You Li asked suspiciously, “Young man, are you looking for me?”
Su Shi didn’t want the other person to misunderstand, and quickly said, “He’s my studio’s intern assistant, Little Chi. He arrived later than me to assist me with my work.”
You Li’s eyes moved back and forth between the two, as if he believed him. “Then come in quickly, the tea is ready.”
Chi Ye walked through the door, and Su Shi realized that his legs and shoes were also covered in mud. It seemed that Chi Ye had also stepped into the puddle outside.
Chi Ye wasn’t in a hurry to follow them in, but said, “There’s water here, my shoes are dirty, I’ll wash them clean before going in.”
You Li didn’t even turn his head back. “Okay, then hurry up.”
He said “you,” plural, and Su Shi didn’t notice.
“Su Shi, come here.”
When Chi Ye called Su Shi like this, he walked over as if by reflex.
Chi Ye squatted down, turned on the faucet, and used his hands to catch the water, carefully rinsing Su Shi’s shoes.
Su Shi really wanted to pull his foot back, but Chi Ye held it down. “They’re dirty, you must be uncomfortable, right?”
He was uncomfortable, but not to that extent. Su Shi felt awkward.
Soon, Chi Ye washed Su Shi’s shoes clean, and also wiped the mud off his trousers, making him look a little less disheveled.
Su Shi withdrew his foot uncomfortably. “Hurry up.”
Chi Ye cleaned Su Shi meticulously, but when it was his turn, he did it sloppily and quickly, got up, and said, “Let’s go, Teacher Su.”
There was no way around it, Su Shi could only bring his “intern assistant” Little Chi in.
After drinking tea, Su Shi began to discuss business with You Li.
Chi Ye had only seen Su Shi working in the studio before, only seen Su Shi talking on the phone or video conferencing with clients. He had never seen Su Shi interacting with clients in person.
This side of Su Shi was new to him. He was neither arrogant nor humble, neither impatient nor rash. He knew when to advance and when to retreat. Chi Ye was fascinated by his serious and focused appearance, but he didn’t forget his current identity.
Whenever Su Shi needed anything, Chi Ye was always able to hand him what he needed, sometimes a pen, sometimes a picture, sometimes a document, and sometimes a cup of tea.
Chi Ye acted like Su Shi’s assistant in a very professional manner, knowing what the boss was thinking, and the two cooperated with unusual tacit understanding.
However, because Su Shi was too serious and focused, he didn’t notice this.
The business was almost finished. The two sides initially determined their intention to cooperate. Su Shi would first produce an initial plan and then continue with the follow-up.
After everything was discussed, You Li looked at Su Shi again with a strange look. Su Shi had seen this look before, and couldn’t help but ask, “Is there still a problem?”
You Li stroked his beard, appearing inscrutable. “Don’t be angry if I say something wrong.”
Su Shi generously gestured for him to speak.
“You two don’t look like superiors and subordinates, but more like a couple, cooperating so tacitly.”
Su Shi only paused for half a second, then quickly showed a candid smile. “You’re really joking, but I’ll take it as your compliment. Little Chi is indeed very meticulous in his work.”
You Li also laughed. “Yes, yes, the young man is good.”
Chi Ye curved the corners of his lips, his eyes containing an incomprehensible depth.