KN | Chapter 19

The Correct Answer

The Buddha statue stood solemn and imposing. In front of it, Chen Wan was flipping through scriptures for Song Qingmiao. He was so focused on what he was doing that he did not even notice when the abbot entered.

Zhao Shengge heard the woman call Chen Wan “BB” in a very soft voice, and his expression became slightly subtle.

Only when he got closer did he see clearly that the woman was Song Qingmiao, who had once stirred all of Haishi.

Then the two of them were not a couple. Although Zhao Shengge’s generation no longer knew much about the events of those years, time had long since buried them, and by now truth and falsehood were all tangled together.

However, he had heard Tan Youming say that Chen Wan was not from Haishi.

Song Qingmiao was from Jiangnan. No wonder Chen Wan carried a kind of gentle, refined temperament, like an ink landscape painting.

This was not Zhao Shengge’s own conclusion, it was something Qin Zhaoting had said.

The people nearby greeted the abbot. Chen Wan also looked up. When he saw the people behind the abbot, he sighed inwardly.

He could only steel himself and greet them, “Abbot, Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Shengge gave a faint nod. The abbot recognized them. “Donor Song, Donor Chen.”

Song Qingmiao had once seen Zhao Shengge from afar at a banquet. She was somewhat surprised and pleased, and turned her head to glance at Chen Wan. She had never imagined that the son she considered to have achieved nothing would know someone like him.

“BB, introduce us.”

Zhao Shengge heard the repeated term of endearment again and raised his brows slightly.

Chen Wan had no mind to pay attention to that, because he saw Song Qingmiao tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

His expression remained calm, but inside, something rotten was being peeled open bit by bit and exposed to the light, along with a sense of humiliation.

Chen Wan knew Song Qingmiao too well. He understood exactly what that gesture usually meant.

That was precisely why he was unwilling, a thousand times over, to let Song Qingmiao and Zhao Shengge meet.

Zhao Shengge was not Chen Bingxin, who acted on lust. He was not Xie Jiajian, who secretly dated her while having a family. Zhao Shengge was not any of those men. He was not someone she could see through, scheme against, or make use of.

No matter what Song Qingmiao was planning, it would look ridiculous, whether she relied on herself or tried to rely on Chen Wan.

His mother’s greedy delight and his own vulgar origins had nowhere to hide in front of Zhao Shengge.

Chen Wan sighed inwardly and said very briefly, “This is Mr. Zhao. This is my mother.” He had no intention of saying anything more.

Song Qingmiao spoke quite a lot, but Chen Wan did not really listen. He was quieter than usual.

This was the first time Zhao Shengge had seen Chen Wan’s indifferent side. Chen Wan had always been gentle and considerate. It felt somewhat strange. Although Chen Wan still wore a proper smile when he spoke, Zhao Shengge felt it was false, not from the heart.

He did not know the reason, but seeing that Chen Wan truly did not want to continue the conversation, Zhao Shengge did not stay long. He lifted his eyes, glanced at the assistant beside him, and left first.

Originally, his stay at Lianjing Temple had already far exceeded the time he had planned. He should not waste more time.

Song Qingmiao saw that Chen Wan was neither attentive nor warm, and complained that he did not understand how the world worked.

“You know Zhao Shengge. Why didn’t you tell your mother?”

Chen Wan’s smile disappeared. He suddenly turned his head to look at her, his gaze containing something she found unfamiliar and difficult to understand.

That deep, slow calm, she wanted to interpret it as a reminder, but it was clearly a forceful warning. Even though his voice was gentle, it was gentle to the point of being slightly cold.

“It doesn’t count as knowing him. Don’t overthink it.”

Song Qingmiao shivered for no reason. Her voice dropped as she muttered, “How does it not count? He even greeted you.”

In Haishi, how many people were there that Zhao Shengge would greet first?

“No.” Chen Wan lifted his chin slightly. His expression carried a kind of gentle indifference. “We’re not familiar. He was just responding casually. In fact, he doesn’t even know who I am.”

This was naturally a lie told to Song Qingmiao. Although Zhao Shengge and he were not close, Zhao Shengge at least definitely recognized him.

Song Qingmiao frowned delicately, still wanting to say something, but Chen Wan spoke first.

“Mom.”

His voice was soft.

He had not called Song Qingmiao that in a long time, and it made her pause.

Chen Wan’s eyes were exceptionally dark, like a deep abyss. He looked seriously at his beautiful and greedy mother and patiently advised,

“Yama and Rakshasa are not people we can provoke. Otherwise, no matter how many Bodhisattvas you worship, it will be useless. Don’t you think so?”

Whatever Song Qingmiao wanted, he could try his best to satisfy, jewelry, money, status. But Zhao Shengge was the one thing he could not allow.

“……”

Seeing her usually obedient son become so serious, as if he would truly become very angry if she continued, Song Qingmiao fell silent unhappily, though in her heart she was already entertaining other thoughts.

Zhao Shengge’s car crossed Mingzhu Bridge. Just then, a call from his assistant came through.

Ever since the shooting incident in Italy two years ago, whenever Zhao Shengge went to outer districts, he would have people make arrangements in advance. Although the country was very safe, he had too many enemies.

Through the earpiece, Chen Wan’s conversation with his mother came through clearly, word for word. His voice was gentle and patient.

Zhao Shengge listened expressionlessly. Then he said to the vice president still waiting on the other end of the video meeting,

“The dock budget figure doesn’t seem very auspicious. Take another look and see if it should be redone.”

“……”

His tone was too gentle, making it sound like a discussion. The vice president explained a few things, but Zhao Shengge was no longer listening.

Outside the window, trees passed one after another. Their fleeting shadows fell across his somewhat solitary shoulders.

Countless speculations about Chen Wan’s motives.

So this was the correct answer.

After that meeting at the Mazu Temple, Zhao Shengge disappeared for a long time, so long that Chen Wan even felt a bit worried.

But this time seemed to involve a highly confidential meeting. Even Tan Youming did not mention a word, so Chen Wan naturally had no way of knowing anything.

The next time they met was because of Qin Zhaoting.

During that two-day, one-night cruise, Chen Wan had gained a stack of business cards. Qin Zhaoting had also exchanged private contact information with him and invited him to visit his newly opened shooting club.

The club was located on Holland Avenue. In the extremely expensive Central district, it still occupied nearly a thousand square meters, with shooting, archery, rock climbing, and billiards all available.

Chen Wan arrived early and even brought a small gift.

Qin Zhaoting asked if he had played before. Chen Wan said no. Qin Zhaoting was just about to say he would teach him later when an off-road vehicle drove over.

Three people got out.

Shen Zongnian had a blank expression. Zhao Shengge was on the phone. So when he passed by, he probably did not hear Chen Wan greeting him, and therefore did not respond.

Or perhaps he did respond. Chen Wan was not sure.

Tan Youming, who had acted as the driver the whole way, walked over while spinning his car keys. He pointed at Shen Zongnian’s back and said, “Not awake,” then pointed at Zhao Shengge’s back and said, “No manners.”

Qin Zhaoting and Chen Wan: “……”

The club was filled with a futuristic feel. Today they were going to play electronic clay shooting with ten targets.

Inside the target trench were fifteen launch machines. The clay targets moved randomly. Shooters could fire in different directions and score based on rings.

While choosing equipment, someone mentioned the land at Baoli Bay. News that Zhao Shengge intended to build a new dock had already spread throughout Haishi.

Jiang Ying asked Zhao Shengge, “I heard you want to revise the budget?”

Tan Youming spoke quickly and answered for him, “He thinks that number isn’t lucky.”

Everyone fell silent for a few seconds.

Zhao Shengge slowly took down a pair of protective goggles and tried them on, then corrected him, “That’s Zhao Maozheng’s idea. When people get old, they tend to become superstitious.”

Everyone was somewhat skeptical of this explanation, because the old master of Minglong no longer had the final say.

Zhao Shengge spoke with certainty, “You wouldn’t want a Titanic situation, would you?”

After he said that, no one had anything more to say.

Many of those present had family businesses related to cruise ships and maritime shipping. If the Baoli Bay dock were completed, at least eighty percent of Haishi’s cargo ships would berth there. It had deep water, was sheltered from wind, and had a long shoreline. Its capacity far surpassed others.

One person said that when the dock was completed, he would apply to be the first to trial sail.

Another person said half-jokingly that it should depend on capability. Even among friends, business was business. This was something that could make financial headlines.

Chen Wan listened silently, and a faint sense of envy arose in his heart.

It was not envy of others’ wealth, but rather a vague feeling that it was romantic.

Chen Wan was a very practical person. But when it came to matters involving Zhao Shengge, he would develop some unrealistic, romantic thoughts.

To become the first ship to sail from Zhao Shengge’s harbor was something very desirable.

But even if Chen Wan worked for decades, he might never realize that dream.

Zhao Shengge did not hide his nature as a businessman. He nodded and said, “Everything is negotiable. Highest bidder wins.”

“……”

He changed into a white shooting suit, which made his broad shoulders and long legs even more pronounced, standing out among the crowd.

He selected a compact “Void Wing” model, shaped like a small anchor. From aiming to pulling the trigger, it took only 0.3 seconds, hitting the ten ring at thirty-three feet.

A bang sounded. In the digitally simulated smoke, there was an air of arrogant dominance.

Chen Wan felt as if his soul had also been struck in that instant.

Qin Zhaoting walked over and asked how he was doing.

Chen Wan was actually very skilled with firearms, but had never shown it in front of others.

As an expert, Qin Zhaoting patiently introduced several types of guns and explained shooting methods and aiming techniques.

Chen Wan looked refined and gentle, clearly like someone who had never handled a gun. As the host, Qin Zhaoting should naturally spend more time accompanying him.

Chen Wan listened somewhat absentmindedly to the basics. With a smile, he told Qin Zhaoting to go ahead and not worry about him. He would practice alone first. Just then, someone called Qin Zhaoting. He apologized with a smile, patted Chen Wan’s shoulder, and told him to come find him if he had questions.

When taking the gun, Chen Wan deliberately avoided touching Qin Zhaoting’s hand. He lowered his head and began to load it.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked up.

His pupils shrank sharply.

Zhao Shengge’s gun was pointed directly at him.