c2 (1/2)
昨天 by 風弄 Chapter 2
Yesterday by Feng Nong
I awoke to the sound of birds. Everyone says that Hong Kong is the city of concrete and steel bars. Real flowers, birds, worms, and fishes have already vanished. However, the Rong mansion is halfway up the mountain. Exquisite s.p.a.cious surroundings with expert gardeners, it is no wonder that there are birds. Life in all its forms, yet money is actually the most important. Whether one is able or unable to hear birds singing also comes down to finances. Not sure why after listening to bird calls this morning, I started to think of sn.o.bbish things. I repeatedly shook my head and clambered up from bed. I chose a white suit from my suitcase, in order to let the awaiting by the breakfast table YuJiang admire with surprise. I imagined his shy and restrained look when he catches sight of me and smile towards the mirror. The person in the mirror is highly frivolous, delicate features with every inch showing the elegance of an aristocratic prince. Rong YuJiang, you are indeed fortunate. Even I am starting to envy you. One burst of narcissism later, I headed downstairs. Hong Kong's rich and powerful families are very respectful of house rules. Born into excess yet practice strict rules. Sure enough the Rong father and sons are already a.s.sembled at the dining table.
”Uncle Rong, good morning.” I brightly greeted Uncle Rong. My eyes however aimed straight for YuJiang. I intentionally paused at the top of the stairs to let him clearly see my splendid attire. 3 persons simultaneously looked up and concentrated their gaze on me.
”ShengSheng, you're dressed up so splendidly today. Can't be you have a date with your girlfriend?” The first one to speak was Rong YuTing. He looked at me as if seeing a rare piece of treasure. Pity it only made my hair stand on end. Only YuJiang in his elegant refined way nodded saying:
”Come on over and eat something. Your habits acquired from living abroad are actually not good. You should eat breakfast on time.” Can't help but feel a little disappointed that I failed to see his open-mouthed fl.u.s.tered reaction. My smile turned into a frown and I walked over, pulled out the chair and sat down.
”ShengSheng, your father contacted my yesterday evening. He wished for me to arrange a position for you in Rong enterprise to let you train a little and familiarize yourself with business operations. I think, since you're still young, for the moment like YuJiang and YuTing handle external business. What do you think?” My old man really acts quickly. Opened up a golden opportunity for me with such speed. I modestly replied:
”Uncle Rong, I don't understand anything. Rong enterprise is such a big company, how can I carelessly enter? How about this? I first follow YuJiang and act as his a.s.sistant, learning however much it ends up to be.” Uncle Rong gave me a position out of consideration, but probably has a headache inside thinking of yet another pest asking for a favor. Hearing my reply, he at once felt relieved but still said:
”That won't do. How can YuJiang be compared to you?” He praised me a few words and hastily changed the topic lest I go back on my word. YuJiang turned to me and gave me a look as if accusing me of again up to no good. I feigned a look of seriousness and ate my breakfast without looking to my side. Since my presence by YuJiang's side will be perfectly justifiable, this breakfast should be not bad. It's a pity that I chose the wrong seat and ended up facing Rong YuTing. Throughout the entire breakfast he repeatedly looked up and stared at me with a faint glint in his eyes. Almost made me put the soy milk spoon into the white congee a few times. This fellow is not a good person.
After breakfast, everyone headed together to the company. Naturally, I once again rode in YuJiang's car. Once in the car, YuJiang was not in a hurry to start the car. He turned towards me smiling:
”You look very handsome today. I was so shocked that I almost fell off the stool.” Listening to his flattering sentence, I immediately forgot about the little unpleasantness earlier that morning. I snorted and pursed my lips in a smile.
”ShengSheng, I want to kiss you.”
”Then why don't you?” He actually earnestly asked:
”Are you willing?” Why did I meet such an ill-matched character? I sighed and lost my temper:
”Not willing!” I turned my face to the other side. He sat uncomfortably silent for a long time, seemingly at a loss to the cause of my temper. He straightened the black-framed gla.s.ses on his nose bridge and started the car. Fuming mad, I waited until the car entered the Rong enterprise underground car park. I flung away YuJiang's hand and entered the elevator. He cautiously followed me lest I threw another fit, unconsciously b.u.mping into the elevator door. In the empty elevator the two of us faced each other. The more I glared at him, the angrier I got. I myself don't understand why I flared up over such a trivial matter. However, if he continued like this, straight-laced and bull-headed, old-fas.h.i.+oned like my great-grandfather, how would I pa.s.s the days together with him? Heavens, why am I even thinking of ”pa.s.s the days” such a ridiculous phrase. The elevator door opened and I angrily rushed out. Right when I turned the corner, one impressively tall and large object jumped out at me.
”Watch out!”
”Ah......” Unable to stop in time, I b.u.mped my forehead painfully. d.a.m.n it! I didn't b.u.mp into the elevator door yet ran into this filing cabinet. Where is this d.a.m.n cabinet going?
”ShengSheng, how is it? Should I call the doctor?” YuJiang asked as he rushed in front of me to examine my forehead. The staff member transporting the cabinet was so frightened that he apologized continuously:
”I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was not careful.......” This carried on for a while. Turns out it was because of my new a.s.sistant post that the cabinet was being moved. I'm forced to smile bitterly. I stood up with a blank face and as before ignored YuJiang completely, letting him follow me from behind. Once we entered his office, he grabbed my wrist.
”ShengSheng......” Worried yet no choice but to call my name: ”Really, why are you so angry?” I don't want to answer. This anger came without rhyme or reason. Even I was at a loss to offer an explanation. Therefore, I wore a sullen look. His gentle face at this time was full of worry. He sighed and turned away, letting me go. Once I could no longer see his face, my heart felt a sudden coldness, to the point of flying into a rage just to attract his attention. He suddenly turned around and with one grab, pulled me tightly into his arms. Only now do I realize how strong he is. My whole heart and face filled with his unique presence. After his forceful kiss, I realized that he is not as pure and innocent as I had imagined. If he is able to take me, young master ShengSheng, and kiss me until I'm out of breath, he must have had a few lovers. It's too late for me to jealous of these things. I have already fallen into YuJiang's abyss.
Right after the kiss, YuJiang's secretary appeared. She was carrying a big stack of files that reminded me of the time of my graduation project with my similar mountain of reference books. YuJiang sat down and took out some files and said to his secretary:
”Jie-r, Mr. Huang will be starting as my special a.s.sistant today. Please prepare for him the necessary work things.” Even though she is called ”Jie-r” she is actually already a middle aged attractive woman. Come to speak of it, she is not really attractive, completely lacking gracefulness. One look and one can see her attire is that of one never to be promoted. She's probably just like YuJiang, a willing-ox type. Jie-r complied with one sound, and turned to me and politely nodded. YuJiang continued:
”Mr. Huang although is my a.s.sistant in name, he is also a friend of the Rong family. He is only here to observe for a while. Please notify the junior staff to treat him with respect.” I see the seriousness in his face and felt a slight sweetness in my heart. I couldn't help but shoot him a flirtatious look. This person is showing me that since I'm following him, a good natured person, he is worried that I will be bullied. Officially I'm the a.s.sistant so I can't just not do anything. I simply leaned on the sofa and carefully look through the doc.u.ments that had been checked by YuJiang. This many files, he flipped through very quickly and yet also frequently jotted down instructions. I originally thought that this type of working manner will certainly have mistakes and omissions, so I inspected his work for him. I didn't expect that the more I looked, the more my admiration grew. Surprisingly I couldn't find a single fault. At times when I didn't understand his notations, he even stopped to explain them to me. From building site topography, to the quality and composition of soil up to the high level government connections, to the reason for adopting certain tactics, not the least bit overlooked and crystal clear.