A Gentleman is Open-minded, While a Petty Person Sighs | Chapter 37 | He is the Waiting Tree | Novela.app

Chapter 38 - He is the Waiting Tree Aside from Chang Ying, it was Qin Ruanshu—halfway across the globe—who first realized that Tan Junzi had truly vanished. Everyone was consumed by the frantic pace of their own lives; by the time the realization rippled through their circle, more than half a year had already slipped away. In the beginning, the group had communicated through a QQ chat. As the years progressed and technology shifted, they migrated to WeChat, forming a group titled: *Tongcheng No. 1 Middle School Class of 2011 Outstanding Graduates.* The nicknames within the group were a relic of their shared past, a digital museum of their high school identities. Chang Ying was "Old Dog," while Tan Junzi remained the "Sanitation Monitor." Qin Ruanshu was the "Study Representative," Zhang Da the "Math Rep," and Luo Zihan was simply "Persimmon Cake." Liu Kan went by "Kamehameha," Qin Ke was "The Worker," and Yuan Guo was "The Worker’s Little Sister." The group wasn't particularly active, but everyone had their own digital rhythms. Qin Ruanshu’s suspicion was piqued when she noticed that Tan Junzi hadn't shared a single Nike+ running record in six months. Finally, she broke the silence: *@Sanitation Monitor, are you okay? Where did you go? @Old Dog, where’s your wife? Tell her to get on QQ; she hasn’t replied to my DMs.* Twenty-four hours passed in silence before a single message appeared. Old Dog: *She joined the army. Don’t ask.* The group chat exploded instantly. At that time, Chang Ying had not yet returned to Tongcheng. His medical device company was just finding its footing in Jiang City. They had started with cardiac stents and were gradually expanding into the research and development of other specialized equipment. He was working around the clock, a relentless machine of ambition and distraction. It took Zhang Da three attempts to finally pin him down for a dinner date. Zhang Da arrived in Jiang City first, followed closely by Qin Ke. By then, Zhang Da had just finished a three-month internship at an investment bank and had finally secured a full-time position. Even so, he’d had to waste a significant amount of breath just to talk his way into a Friday afternoon off. Stepping off the plane from the north into the humid embrace of Jiang City, he was immediately engulfed by a wave of stifling heat. He couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for his decision to move north; the mid-June plum rain season in the south was simply not fit for human habitation. Qin Ke, meanwhile, possessed a brilliant mind but lacked the temperament for academic research. He was a born businessman. Since the start of university, he had been dabbling in a chaotic variety of ventures. No one quite knew exactly what he was doing these days, but they all knew he had moved his base of operations back to Tongcheng and that his business was thriving. The three of them met at a restaurant along the Huangpu River, a space cleverly converted from an old ship’s cabin. When Chang Ying had made the reservation, the staff informed him that the riverside tables had a minimum spending requirement and were generally reserved for parties of five or more. Chang Ying had simply replied that there were only three of them, but they would be ordering several bottles of expensive wine. The manager understood immediately. When Chang Ying saw Zhang Da, the latter was dressed in a sharp suit, looking every bit the successful professional—or a "wolf in sheep's clothing," as Chang Ying thought. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had his hair slicked back in a classic "scumbag" pompadour. Chang Ying glanced at his hairline and remarked dryly, "I get the feeling you’re going bald." "Screw you," Zhang Da cursed. He knew Chang Ying was just trying to get the upper hand, but he still couldn't help but reflexively touch his forehead. Qin Ke arrived and tossed his car keys to the valet. He had actually driven the entire way, a two-day journey, simply because he couldn't stand the thought of being unable to smoke on a plane. His skin had darkened a shade, and he wore a simple grey T-shirt that clearly outlined the definition of his chest muscles. The first thing Qin Ke said to Chang Ying was, "I heard you crashed and burned? I’m just waiting to pick up the pieces." "Get lost," Chang Ying replied, though Zhang Da laughed and patted Chang Ying’s shoulder as the words were spoken. Chang Ying knew exactly why they had come, but throughout the meal, Tan Junzi’s name was rarely mentioned. Instead, they talked shop and traded insults. Qin Ke urged Chang Ying to return to Tongcheng. "The development there is actually quite good. They’ve recently established a new high-tech zone, and the government is providing a lot of support. It would suit you." "I’m planning to merge several martial arts halls in Tongcheng soon," Qin Ke added. "If you’re interested, you can invest. It’s not a big money-maker; it’s purely for the sentiment." Chang Ying nodded in silent agreement. None of them ate much. They were no longer the ravenous teenagers who could consume mountains of food and remain lean. They did, however, drink a significant amount. No one kept count, but judging by the manager’s beaming face, the bill was substantial. After dinner, they walked along the Bund. Outside the restaurant was a small patch of greenery, a rare pocket of tranquility in a city where every square inch was worth its weight in gold. As the river breeze ruffled their hair, Zhang Da suddenly bent over. Qin Ke patted him on the back. "Can't handle it? I'll find you a tree to lean on." Zhang Da waved him off. "No, I’m looking for a pebble. Let’s skip stones." There was a touch of boyish innocence in his voice. Here was a man over six feet tall, dressed in a designer suit with a loosened collar and a few stray hairs escaping his meticulous pompadour, rummaging through the grass for stones. Chang Ying looked at Qin Ke and mouthed silently: *He’s wasted.* The two of them hauled Zhang Da back to Chang Ying’s apartment and dumped him on the sofa. Being men, they didn't bother with the niceties of removing his shoes or wiping his face; they simply left him there, sprawled out and staring at the ceiling to fend for himself. Qin Ke wandered through the apartment as if he were touring a museum. "The two of you lived here?" His voice was thick with alcohol, losing its usual restraint and taking on a more provocative edge. Chang Ying raised an eyebrow. "What, looking down on it now?" After Tan Junzi left, Chang Ying had actually gone through two major "upheavals." The first was moving out. He had bought a new apartment—luxurious, ostentatious, and utterly cold. His family had raised him with a sense of frugality, never indulging him with money. However, after he started university, his father and grandfather had suddenly become incredibly generous. By then, Chang Ying’s habits were set, and he was never one for extravagance. But at that time, he truly couldn't bear to stay in their old home. He needed an escape, so he indulged in the simple, hollow pleasure of the wealthy: spending money. He soon discovered it was just as meaningless. The second upheaval was moving back. He had originally planned to replace all the furniture and renovate the entire place from top to bottom. In the end, he did nothing. Part of it was a lack of time, but the other part was a lack of resolve. There weren't many traces of Tan Junzi left in the apartment to begin with, and he found he couldn't bring himself to erase the few that remained. Qin Ke didn't enter the bedroom. He simply paced the study and living room with his hands in his pockets. On the desk in the study, he spotted a single black hair tie. He reached out to pick it up, then hesitated and pulled back. Who else could a black hair tie belong to? It was obviously Tan Junzi’s. He sat down in the leather chair and spun halfway around to face Chang Ying, who was leaning against the doorframe. "Are you two officially broken up?" The question caught Chang Ying off guard. He paused, then let out a short, dry laugh. "So, that’s what you’ve been waiting for." "To your disappointment, no, we aren't," Chang Ying added. "Oh." Qin Ke nodded, but the movement was exaggerated and slightly mocking. "I thought you two would be married right after graduation. I was waiting for the wedding banquet." Chang Ying felt a sharp pang in his chest. He knew Qin Ke was intentionally twisting the knife. He kept his voice steady. "You traveled all this way, and I thought you were checking in on an old classmate. Turns out you’ve got your eye on another man's wife. Impressive." "To be honest, I really did consider it," Qin Ke smiled. "If I were you, and my girlfriend went off to join the army, I would have followed her without a second thought." Qin Ke pointedly ignored Chang Ying’s use of the word "wife," emphasizing "girlfriend" instead. Chang Ying crossed his arms. "I’m not like you. I know Junzi. Sometimes, with a person like her, you have to let them go for a while. You can't chase too hard; it loses its meaning." Qin Ke stood up. "Fine. If there ever comes a day when Junzi doesn't like you anymore, remember to give me a call. I’m heading out." He walked past Chang Ying and patted his shoulder. "You have my number, right?" The scent of alcohol wafted into Chang Ying’s face. He frowned, realizing that Qin Ke was only slightly more sober than Zhang Da. He was just better at hiding his drunken bravado. Chang Ying didn't take it to heart. He reached out to steady him. "Where are you staying? I'll drop you off." Qin Ke waved him away and walked to the door. He tried to put on his shoes, but instead, he stepped out of his slippers and into another pair—a pair of women’s slippers belonging to Tan Junzi. He looked down, chuckling to himself. "Wrong ones. These are so small, and they don't even have heels. Where are my shoes?" He finally found his own and put them on. "I called a designated driver. I’m leaving. See you in Tongcheng." After Qin Ke left, Chang Ying gave the snoring Zhang Da a kick on the sofa. Zhang Da groaned and hugged a cushion, mumbling, "Junzi... don't be sad... you still have me..." Chang Ying froze. These "brothers" of his were nothing but a pack of opportunistic old dogs. They were like sharks scenting blood in the water, circling and waiting for an opening. And to think, for a moment, he had actually been moved by their supposed concern. *** A few months later, Chang Ying finally returned to Tongcheng. Qin Ke had returned to his normal self, and neither of them mentioned the lapse in decorum that night in Jiang City. With Chang Ying providing the capital and Qin Ke providing the labor, they successfully consolidated the martial arts halls of Tongcheng. Aside from the three main ones on Zhongxin Road—Fat Master’s, Tall Master’s, and Little Yang’s—they also absorbed several gyms and training centers, turning them into a chain. The flagship location was established on Zhongxin Road. After two months of renovation, it was rebranded as the *Qianniu Fitness Center.* On the wall behind the front desk hung a large poster of Qianniu. Beneath it, the caption read: *Eldest Senior Sister of Yongan Hall.* Anyone signing up for martial arts classes had to respect the hierarchy, starting from the fifteenth generation downward. The center also included a swimming pool. For the ribbon-cutting ceremony, to save on costs, the "celebrity" they invited was the "not-so-famous" provincial swimmer Chang Pu—Chang Ying’s younger cousin. After the ceremony, Chang Pu asked Chang Ying for Qin Ke’s number. "That partner of yours is actually quite handsome... exactly my type. And his physique? I’m starving for a body like that. I’m going to go for him." Chang Ying’s face darkened. "No. Absolutely not. I don't agree." Before he could finish, Chang Pu had already skipped away toward Qin Ke, completely ignoring her brother’s protests. To Chang Ying’s immense relief, however, Qin Ke ignored her, shooting Chang Ying a look that clearly said, *Come and deal with your sister.* *** Aside from his investment in the fitness center, Chang Ying also started a secret side venture. One day, he drove past the *Mulan Shu Flower Shop*, parked nearby, and walked back. "Boss, name your price. I want this bookstore. After I buy it, you can stay on and manage it for me." The owner, sitting amidst a pile of test prep books, looked at Chang Ying as if he were insane. "Young man, why would you do this to yourself? Running a bookstore doesn't make any money." Chang Ying was persistent. "How much?" The owner thought for a moment and tapped a number into a calculator. Chang Ying glanced at it and nodded immediately. The owner was now certain he was dealing with a madman. And so, the *Mulan Shu Flower Shop* changed hands. Nothing else changed, except for the name, which became: *Mulan Shu Flower Shop (Note: Actually a bookstore, does not sell flowers).* *** In the second year of Tan Junzi’s military service, two major events occurred. The first was that Fat Master and Tall Master led the original group of "little brats" from the martial arts hall to a first-place victory in the provincial martial arts competition. They eventually placed third in the national finals—the best result in the hall’s history. Not only did the local Tongcheng news cover it, but CCTV also gave it a ten-second slot. It was supposed to be a nine-second segment, but the anchor stumbled over the name "Qian... Qianniu Martial Arts Team," stretching it to ten. The second event was less of a milestone and more of a joke. Zhang Da resigned from his job and enlisted. Qin Ke and Chang Ying were out drinking when they saw a photo Zhang Da posted in the group chat. His "scumbag" pompadour had been shaved into a buzz cut. He asked the group: *Guess what I’m doing?* Study Representative: *Going to prison.* Kamehameha: *Labor reform.* Zhang Da: *I’m on my way to boot camp. See you in two years, comrades. *Wink*.* Chang Ying and Qin Ke both put down their phones and shared a look. They both knew exactly what the other was thinking: *Fuck.* Usually, recruits spend three months in boot camp before being assigned to local units. Three months later, they heard the update from Teacher Li Wei. Apparently, after finishing his training, Zhang Da had requested a post where female soldiers were typically sent, ending up as a signalman. Only after his assignment was finalized did he discover that Tan Junzi had gone to the border—the kind of harsh frontier post that most green recruits would do anything to avoid. Coincidentally, their old military training instructor, Instructor Liu, was also there. Zhang Da had managed to squeeze the information out of him, but the instructor had kept his lips sealed until Zhang Da’s own assignment was set in stone. Upon hearing this, Qin Ke said to Chang Ying, "You were actually pretty panicked when Da-zi enlisted, weren't you?" "Not at all," Chang Ying replied, casting a cool glance at Qin Ke. "Don't hold it in. Laugh if you want to." They both burst out laughing. *** When a person waits for a long time, their mind begins to wander. It wasn't that Chang Ying and Tan Junzi lacked a connection. After he had calmed down, Chang Ying could more or less understand why she had left without a word. But understanding was not the same as accepting. While he maintained a calm exterior, his emotions were a turbulent sea. Sometimes, looking up at the moon over Tongcheng, he would wonder, *Is Junzi looking at the moon too?* That was his poetic side. Then there were the less poetic thoughts. In the deep silence of the night, he would find himself reliving that one afternoon, the black hair tie still looped around his wrist. He even went so far as to search the internet: *What level is one hour including foreplay for the first time? What level is three times in one afternoon? I’m in my early twenties.* The results were a chaotic mess. The most upvoted answer was: *Thanks for the invite. To be honest, at your age and with that timing, you’re looking at premature ejaculation. For example, I’m 28 centimeters when erect—about the diameter of a Nutri-Express bottle. I go eight times a night, two hours each time, and I’m only considered average. So, young man, you need to take better care of your body. On a side note, why are you asking? Did your girlfriend dump you because she was unsatisfied?* The comments below were all: *Same here.* *Ditto.* *Same.* ... Chang Ying slammed his laptop shut and spent the rest of the night in a state of melancholy. The next morning, he woke up and added a generous handful of goji berries to his hot water.