KN | Chapter 22

A Very Foolish Person

The dinner was set for two days later. Shi Zhangmin was around sixty, with slightly graying temples. He was easygoing and carried no airs.

In his early years, he had been a well-known action star on both sides of the strait and had won the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actor. Later, as he grew older, he left acting and went into business.

Chen Wan worked in technology. Early-stage research and development burned through money, and he urgently needed to connect to a stable and powerful funding pipeline. Over the past two years, Haishi’s economy had been sluggish. He had his eye on a mainland-funded government-backed project, but opportunities like that rarely fell to small companies like his.

Shi Zhangmin had high public recognition on both sides of the strait and a wide network. It was said that one of the directors over there was an old fan of his, so Chen Wan wanted to give it a try.

Chen Wan did not know Shi Zhangmin personally. They were introduced by a mutual friend. Chen Wan was well-liked, and as long as it was within their means, most people were willing to help him.

Shi Zhangmin only agreed to meet because Chen Wan had persistently sought him out with sincere intent, and an old friend repeatedly assured him that this young man was worth meeting. Even if things did not work out, he would still be worth befriending.

So Shi Zhangmin met him. Chen Wan truly was quite impressive, and the two had a pleasant conversation.

Still, Shi Zhangmin spoke frankly. “Young man, why did you think of coming to me? Coming to me is the slowest and most roundabout path.”

Chen Wan knew that very well. It was just that this was already the fastest and closest route he could find.

Hearing this, he did not feel discouraged. He only said, “Mr. Shi, please do not say that. Even if it is true, I am not afraid of going slow.”

Seeing that he remained composed, Shi Zhangmin asked him about his plans, and Chen Wan answered each question.

Shi Zhangmin said, “When I say I cannot help much, I am not being modest. Matters like this run very deep.”

There was still no sign of disappointment on Chen Wan’s face. Only then did Shi Zhangmin say, “I can only help connect you. The rest depends on your own efforts.”

That alone made Chen Wan very happy. The chance was slim, but he was never afraid of coming up empty. He picked up his glass to toast him.

Shi Zhangmin said, “It really may not work out. The connections over there are deeply tangled, and the officials are difficult to deal with. Can you drink? The way they drink is no joke. It is suffering.”

Chen Wan said, “This junior can hold his liquor.”

“Even if you can drink, it does not mean it will work out. By then, you might not catch this ride and will have wasted your time. Your later-stage funding leverage is so long, it will be difficult to manage.” In recent years, quite a few billionaires had failed to hold on.

“I understand. I will do my best. Thank you, Mr. Shi, for your guidance.”

Seeing that Chen Wan was determined to push ahead no matter what, Shi Zhangmin did not try to dissuade him further. After a few drinks, he got up to go to the restroom. Chen Wan stayed in the private room and sent a message to his partner, saying he might need to go on a trip soon to visit the mainland and work some connections.

Hearing the door open, he put away his phone, poured the wine, and smiled. “Mr. Shi—”

Shi Zhangmin walked in smiling, with a tall man following behind him. A storm swept through Chen Wan’s heart, but outwardly he remained calm and stood up.

He had not seen Zhao Shengge for a long time.

Chen Wan was busy.

But it was also possible that, after being warned last time, he did not dare to see Zhao Shengge, so he deliberately kept himself busy.

Chen Wan was not sure whether Zhao Shengge wanted others to know they knew each other, so he simply stood respectfully to the side and did not greet him first.

Shi Zhangmin said warmly, “Ah Wan, this is Mr. Zhao Shengge, my friend. We have not seen each other in a long time. I ran into him on the way and invited him to join us for a drink.” He truly had not expected to run into Zhao Shengge here.

In Haishi, meeting Zhao Shengge was no easy matter.

Chen Wan smiled as if meeting him for the first time. “Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Shengge looked at him for a moment and noticed he had lost quite a bit of weight. He nodded in a businesslike manner. “Mr. Chen, long time no see.”

“…”

Shi Zhangmin showed a hint of surprise.

He had originally not wanted others to know he was in contact with Chen Wan, but after interacting with him, he felt this young man was quite good, just somewhat unfortunate. The matter concerning his mother had circulated in Haishi’s circles before.

Perhaps it was true that people grew more soft-hearted with age. He had been thinking that if he could connect Chen Wan with Zhao Shengge, things would become much easier. Who would have thought they already knew each other?

“Ah Wan, you know Mr. Zhao? Why did you not tell me?”

Zhao Shengge also turned to look at Chen Wan.

“…” Chen Wan hurriedly lowered his head and poured tea for Zhao Shengge. He answered Shi Zhangmin, “I did not know you and Mr. Zhao were friends.”

Zhao Shengge neither drank the tea nor spoke.

Just moments ago, Shi Zhangmin had thought Chen Wan was perceptive. Now he felt the young man might be a bit slow-witted. He repeatedly hinted, both directly and indirectly, that Zhao Shengge was a major figure in the energy sector. If Chen Wan could connect with him, not only that project, but even future resources would no longer be a concern.

But Chen Wan seemed not to receive the hint at all. He did not offer a toast, nor did he take the initiative to speak. He simply sat quietly and listened, without any intention of taking advantage of the opportunity.

While Shi Zhangmin and Zhao Shengge chatted animatedly, Chen Wan quietly called the manager to add more dishes. He flipped through the menu page by page, studying it with great care.

It was probably due to preparations for the construction of a new port that Zhao Shengge looked tired when he entered. He had also grown thinner.

Zhao Shengge was indeed the type who would not eat a single bite if the food did not suit his taste, even if he was hungry, and he would not ask others for anything.

After placing the order, Chen Wan asked the manager to hurry the dishes. Although he no longer felt confident in gauging Zhao Shengge’s preferences and did not dare appear overly attentive, he still wanted to fulfill basic hospitality. This meal was originally meant to treat Shi Zhangmin, and since Shi Zhangmin’s friend had come, he was also Chen Wan’s guest.

While listening to Shi Zhangmin speak, Zhao Shengge watched as soups and pastries were brought in one after another, still steaming and enticing. He felt a slight stir in his heart, but also some speechlessness.

Was Chen Wan clever or foolish? He felt he needed to reassess.

He had been sitting here for quite a while, and not a single word of business had been mentioned. Instead, Chen Wan had been busy ordering dish after dish.

Watching the newly added dishes arrive one after another until everything was finally served, Zhao Shengge suddenly asked, “Are you not full?”

He was not harsh. His tone was actually gentle and polite.

But as soon as he spoke, the other two fell silent.

He had not called anyone by name, but it was obvious he was asking Chen Wan.

Not a single useful word had been said, yet he had studied the menu with great seriousness.

He studied it so carefully, yet he did not eat, did not even pick up his chopsticks after ordering so much.

“…” Chen Wan had no choice but to say, “The manager said these are all seasonal new dishes. If Mr. Zhao is interested, you may try them.”

Sitting between them, Shi Zhangmin watched the two young men without showing it, questions forming in his mind.

At first, judging from Chen Wan’s tone, he thought they were not familiar. But judging from Zhao Shengge’s tone, he was no longer certain.

He smoothed things over with a laugh. “Come, let’s all have a taste. Earlier, Ah Wan and I were busy drinking and did not really eat.”

Zhao Shengge glanced at the person who had barely touched his chopsticks and sighed inwardly. “Let us eat first, then talk.”

Seeing that he was willing to eat, Chen Wan felt somewhat relieved. As the lowest-ranking person present, he served soup for everyone.

Zhao Shengge was not in much of a mood. He only started drinking after watching Chen Wan drink half a bowl.

They ate and talked. Shi Zhangmin spoke the most. Chen Wan remained silent for a long time. Zhao Shengge, following Shi Zhangmin’s words, casually and half-seriously asked about the mainland investment.

Perhaps it was his low and slightly cold voice. When discussing business, he carried an innate sense of pressure and control. Chen Wan froze for a moment. It felt like sparks flashed through his mind, and a layer of cold sweat broke out along his back.

He hurriedly and tactfully made it clear that he had no improper intention of getting involved in the energy market.

At present, Haishi’s traditional industries, such as real estate, were declining, and energy had become a major pillar of the economy. Kexiang was engaged in intermediary synthesis technology, only one small link in the energy pipeline. This technology was almost monopolized by Minglong. Even with his latest patent, Chen Wan could neither threaten nor attach himself to Minglong’s commercial territory.

Intellectual property was a sensitive area, especially given that industry regulations were not yet fully developed.

The more Chen Wan thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He even put down his chopsticks, poured tea for both of them, and carried a faint sense of apology, as if making amends for an offense.

“…”

This time, both Zhao Shengge and Shi Zhangmin fell silent.

Zhao Shengge leaned back in his chair and looked at Chen Wan. His expression was calm and unreadable, but he recalled what Chen Wan had said to Song Qingmiao that day at Lianjing Temple.

Forget it.

Chen Wan was not foolish.

Zhao Shengge had his own pride. Since Chen Wan regarded him as something dangerous and avoided him, he would not say another word.

The newly added dishes were barely touched. He soon stood up and politely said goodbye to Shi Zhangmin.

Despite Shi Zhangmin’s attempts to keep him, Zhao Shengge still left.

Chen Wan felt uneasy and somewhat at a loss. He thought Zhao Shengge’s appetite had been acceptable earlier, but once business was brought up, he lost interest.

He silently sighed and concluded that, in Zhao Shengge’s eyes, his supposed ulterior motives had only grown worse.

Perhaps no one in this world would believe that he truly had no intention of gaining anything from Zhao Shengge.

After Zhao Shengge left, Shi Zhangmin remarked that Chen Wan was too honest in how he conducted himself.

Chen Wan smiled and said he was not very good with words.

Shi Zhangmin looked at him with eyes that were not yet clouded. “You are not bad with words. Your heart is clumsy.”

But a clumsy heart also meant a heart free of scheming.

Chen Wan poured him tea and called the staff to pack up the dishes. A whole table of food, barely touched, could only be taken home for him to eat slowly.

Perhaps that was true. Shi Zhangmin said he was foolish. Song Qingmiao said he was foolish. Zhuo Zhixuan also said he was foolish. Perhaps he really was just a very foolish person, always doing very foolish things.