Chapter 65 - The Shadow of the Past
Despite the explosive arguments that had characterized their initial encounter, both parties had managed to maintain a veneer of impeccable professionalism throughout the duration of the meeting. As they filed out of the conference room, the air of corporate civility remained intact. Fang Zhixing, observing the truce, silently retracted his earlier skepticism. It seemed that President Xiao and Professor Jiang had followed the old adage: from an exchange of blows, a friendship—or at least a lucrative partnership—grows. If these two could truly align their interests, there was no telling how much wealth they might generate together.
The group transitioned from the climate-controlled silence of the office building to the biting evening air. As they approached the parked vehicles, Fang Zhixing, perhaps buoyed by the successful negotiations, struck up a casual conversation.
"By the way, Professor Jiang," Fang asked with a light, offhand curiosity, "how did your son’s interview go?"
Xiao Fengtai was a step ahead of them, his hand already reaching for the handle of the car door. At the mention of the word 'son,' his entire body seized. The fluid motion of his stride congealed into a sudden, rigid stillness. He didn't turn around immediately, but the tension radiating from his shoulders was palpable.
"What did you say?" Xiao Fengtai’s voice was low, stripped of its usual melodic confidence.
Fang Zhixing, oblivious to the sudden drop in atmospheric pressure, let out a cheerful chuckle. "You wouldn't guess it just by looking at him, would you? Professor Jiang’s son is already about to start primary school. He’s a remarkably handsome little mixed-race kid."
He gave Jiang Tong a playful nudge with his elbow, his tone encouraging. "Hey, Professor Jiang, why don't you show President Xiao a photo? Let him see what a prize you’ve got there."
Jiang Tong had been walking in a state of eerie, haunted silence, his thoughts seemingly miles away. Fang’s nudge seemed to startle him back into the present. With a hand that trembled almost imperceptibly, he reached into his pocket and withdrew his smartphone. The screen’s glow was a harsh, clinical white against the gathering dusk.
"This is... this is my son," Jiang Tong said. His voice was tight, the words squeezed out as if his throat had constricted. "He’s six and a half this year. His name is Jiang Zhen."
Xiao Fengtai finally turned. He stepped closer, his gaze dropping to the illuminated screen. He stared at the image with a face that had become a mask of unreadable stone. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving the world in a state of bruised purple twilight. The ghostly pallor of the phone’s backlight reflected in Xiao Fengtai’s eyes, casting deep, flickering shadows across the sharp contours of his face. The play of light and dark obscured his expression, leaving only the cold, predatory intensity of his stare visible.
A heavy, suffocating silence descended upon the trio. Fang Zhixing felt a sudden, inexplicable shiver crawl down his spine. The streetlights above seemed to dim, their yellow glow struggling against the encroaching gloom. The wind howled between the glass-and-steel canyons of the business district, a mournful sound that punctuated the stillness. Their three shadows, stretched long and distorted by the low light, tangled together on the pavement—a messy overlap of deep charcoal and pale grey, centered around a core of chilling darkness.
To Fang Zhixing, those few seconds felt like the passing of centuries. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for a collision that felt inevitable yet invisible.
Finally, Xiao Fengtai broke the spell. He lifted his head and turned toward Jiang Tong. To Fang’s immense relief, a smile spread across Xiao Fengtai’s lips—though it was a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, which remained fixed on Jiang Tong with a sudden, burning interest.
"You head back first," Xiao Fengtai commanded, his voice smooth once more, though he didn't even glance at Fang Zhixing. He was looking at Jiang Tong as if seeing him for the first time, or perhaps, as if finally recognizing a ghost.
"I’ve just remembered something," Xiao Fengtai added, his tone conversational yet brooking no argument. "I find I still have a few matters I need to discuss privately with Professor Jiang."
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**GLOSSARY OF NEW TERMS**
