Chapter 24 – Black Cherry (1/2)
Qiu Qian who was standing by Bai Lang also seemed to notice the direction of his gaze.
Qiu Qian followed it and at the same time Su Quan also looked over at the two of them.
Immediately Su Quan smiled in a familiar manner. After smiling at Qiu Qian, his gaze swept over Bai Lang and as if by coincidence the smile faded naturally, as though the greeting had been completed. There was nothing particularly unusual about it but at the same time Bai Lang felt a coldness sweep through him.
However this was also normal. Bai Lang had no relationship with Su Quan so he also looked away and continued observing his surroundings. It was just as Qiu Qian had told him. Rong SiQi didn’t seem to be here.
Qiu Qian pressed closer to him and said with a teasing smile, “What are you looking around at? Su Quan just greeted us before.”
Today Qiu Qian was dressed formally for once. He was wearing a traditional three piece suit. The color was predominantly a dark gray paired with a black shirt and a dark purple tie. Perhaps because he wasn’t used to it, currently this tie had already been made askew by Qiu Qian.
“Only you, not us.” Bai Lang looked around. After confirming they were in a quiet corner, he reached out and helped Qiu Qian to straighten his tie and at the same time flatten his collar.
Qiu Qian cooperated by raising his chin. He gazed at Bai Lang in a pleased manner.
“If you want to know about Su Quan, just ask and I’ll answer. However if you don’t ask then I’ll assume that you don’t want to know.”
Bai Lang followed on by helping smooth the shoulders of Qiu Qian’s suit. This movement was something he had carefully learnt at “The Regal Suit”. “I still trust you.”
“‘Still’?” Qiu Qian grasped Bai Lang’s hand. “That means things might change?”
Bai Lang said vaguely, “Trust is something that’s very simple. If it’s there, it’s there. If it’s not,then it’s not.”
Bai Lang was clearly deliberately distancing himself using this manner of speaking. Just like before when no matter how much he investigated, Qiu Qian did not feel as though he was able to see through Bai Lang. He was like a mirage. At the same time close and far away. That’s why Qiu Qian felt that he needed to break the barrier between them as quickly as possible, otherwise there wouldn’t be any chance for a future.
Qiu Qian tightened his grasp on the hand inside his palms. Right now he was trying his best to hold onto it.
“Very good. Then let’s go make our greetings to the host.”
Bai Lang nodded his head. Qiu Qian didn’t let go of his hand but continued to hold it as they walked to the other side of the room.
The first couple of steps Bai Lang hesitated and walked slowly but then he began to follow with big strides.
After all wasn’t this the kind of clear, public relationship that he died trying to achieve in his past life? In this life he didn’t need to do anything and instead it was almost forced upon him. Thinking about it this way really made Bai Lang laugh helplessly.
***
The format of the dinner tonight was that of a buffet.
The guests went to get their own food and drinks and a dining area was set up nearby with free seating.
The advantage of such a format was that guests could freely move around and mingle without the restrictions of formal seating. However if one was not able to find anyone they wanted talk to or whom wanted to talk to to them, then they could only sit by themselves in a lonely and bored manner. That’s why the invitation clearly stated that guests could bring a companion. Bai Lang had seen several artists in the crowd and thus knew there was nothing untoward about his attending. However as to what nature of companion was brought by each person, that was up them to decide. {T/N: i.e. if they want to bring their mistress or their wife, it’s up to them.}
The birthday host was the senior Rong Ai. He was accompanied by several middle-aged members of the Rong family to receive each guest’s congratulations. Just before Rong Ai had already gone to the stage to make a simple thank you and formally opened the party. Afterwards there also weren’t any other speeches arranged because there were so many important people at the party that it wasn’t appropriate to choose who to put on the stage and who to leave out. Thus only the birthday host made a speech. And as the elder of the the country’s number 1 aviation business, he definitely had this right.
Rong Ai was wearing a gold Tang coat tonight. His figure was thin and short however he still looked very spirited.
When Bai Lang and Qiu Qian went over, Rong Ai had just finished talking to the Hong Yu who was sitting in a wheelchair. To make the head of the Rong family come over to speak to him personally, it was clear at this person’s identity was exalted even among this group of honored guests.
Rong Ai wore a joyful smile the entire night. When he saw Qiu Qian he stretched out his hand, “Oh, isn’t this Xiao Qiu? Welcome, welcome. When such a young person is willing to come to an old man’s birthday party, it really makes me feel young again.”
The Qiu family controlled the sea shipping business and the Rong family controlled the air shipping business. From a long time ago they had many business deals. These couple of years as Qiu Qian had started to represent the Qiu family in their shipping business, so he naturally had a lot of contact with the younger generation of the Rong family.
Qiu Qian smiled and returned the handshake warmly. “Congratulations to Elder Rong. May your life be long and prosperous.”
“Thank you for words and also for the pots of kumquats. They look very fresh and full of fortune. I love them so much I can’t put them down.” Rong Ai grinned happily. He was able to accurately recall the gift that Qiu Qian had sent in advance. This showed that his ability to deal with outsiders and attention to detail was very good.
“If Elder Rong likes it that’s good.” Qiu Qian smiled. “Don’t just look. Eat them, they’re good for the body. As for the method of eating, perhaps Bai Lang you can give Elder Rong some suggestions?” This naturally gave Bai Lang an opening to speak.
“Elder Rong happy birthday. Other than eating, you can also wash them and with the skin together you can brew a tea. It’s good for digestion and relieving phlegm.” Bai Lang didn’t need to pause long to think about it. After all this gift was chosen by him. “However one hour before and one hour after, you shouldn’t eat any dairy type products.”
A flash of surprise showed in Rong Ai’s eyes. After all many people liked to bring stars to these kind of occasions. It was just like women bringing a designer handbag to show off. Rong Ai was already used to it. However since most of these partners were only temporary, they usually would not be given the opportunity to converse with anyone important. Previously when Qiu Qian had come he had often brought some small stars with him and had followed this rule. But now…
“So it’s like that.” Some thoughts turned inside Rong Ai’s head and he smiled at Bai Lang. “It’s good that you’ve come Mr Bai. I’ve heard that previously you took care of our SiQi a lot and I haven’t had a chance to thank you.” After speaking he reached out and clasped Bai Lang’s hand, clearly also treating Bai Lang as a proper guest.
Bai Lang clasped his hand back. “There’s no need. It’s only just my job.”
“Very good. It’s okay for young people to do what they like, however no matter what you choose you should always do your best.” Rong Ai nodded and smiled. He looked around and said, “Oldest son, SiQi didn’t come today?”
Next to him a serious looking middle aged man came forward. “No. He has lessons tonight.”
“It’s okay to take a break once in a while. Tell him to come and accompany Mr Bai to chat.” Rong Ai instructed. “There’s not that many young people at the venue. It wouldn’t do for Mr Bai to get bored.”
After he expressed this intention, a woman a few steps away dressed in a professional looking cream suit smiled and said, “Grandfather you probably don’t know but actually Mr Bai knows our Xiao Zan too. Previously he came to visit with desserts. Afterwards Xiao Zan might not say much but I can tell it left a strong impression on him.”
Rong Ai was genuinely shocked this time. “Aiyo, to leave a strong impression on Xiao Zan. That’s really extraordinary.”
When the topic turned to the kids, Bai Lang immediately felt much more relaxed. “We happen to be neighbours. Xiao Hai is always making a fuss about wanting to play with Xiao Zan, so I had no choice but to disturb him.”
Rong Ai felt a bit lost. “Xiao Hai?”
Qiu Qian smiled and interjected, “My son Qiu XiaoHai. He’s in the same class as your family’s Rong Zan.”
“Such a coincidence? How come no one told me?” Rong Ai was both surprised and happy. “This is really fate. Next time we should all have a meal together and get more familiar, haha. If Mr Bai can really make that grandson of mine who always has an expressionless face show some feelings, then it’s something I have to see.”