A closer look at the interaction between Yao Meng and Shu Hang, and how moved from acquaintances to business partners to friends to . . . ?
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Yao Meng & Shu Hang Short Story Part 2.1
When men's feelings towards women are concerned, even though a man may have seen a woman only once, as long as an impression has been formed, it becomes very easy to turn obsessive.
The feelings Shu Hang had for Yao Meng were somewhat complicated.
The first glimpse of her graceful form had left a favourable impression on him. However, when he found out about her situation, found out that she had once been enthralled by that man's charms, found out that he had kept her captive and captivated for several months, and then, found out that the man had finally been shot dead in her arms . . . how should he express his thoughts and emotions? No one close to Shu Hang had ever encountered such a situation.
Inexplicably, he felt both oppressed and distressed on her behalf.
Two months later, Shu Hang once again visited Lin City and met Yao Meng. This time, it was in his capacity as a business partner.
He had originally intended to shift the focus of his undertakings to the southwest, and Yao Meng was now the owner of the strongest corporation in Lin City. Interaction between them was unavoidable.
On the day of their reunion, Yao Meng was looking through several statistical reports in the company's top-floor office. The secretary came in to report, "President Yao, President Shu from Beijing has arrived."
Yao Meng nodded, and felt a faint sense of delight.
It had nothing to do with love. It would definitely move you to have such a man pursuing you, caring about you, and teasing you during the most difficult time of your life. Although she had rejected him, they could still be friends.
After a while, a tall, clean-cut man walked unhurriedly into the room while hiding a smile. The secretary at the door had previously received flowers on Yao Meng's behalf on countless occasions*, and thus a fleeting smile appeared on his face. Yao Meng smiled politely at Shu Hang and said, "President Shu, please sit."
*到手软 (dào shǒu ruǎn) – to do a manual task until one's hands are limp with exhaustion
Courtesy and alienation are as different as chalk and cheese*.
*泾渭分明 (Jīng Wèi fēn míng) – as the rivers Jing and Wei separate clearly
Shu Hang's initial plan to adopt a formal 'I am here to negotiate a major project' tone failed as he laughed suddenly. He raised his eyebrows, and spoke as if in disbelief. "What did you call me? President Shu? Have we grown so distant after not seeing each other for just two months? Yao Meng, just call me 'Ah Hang'."
Yao Meng had thought that they had turned the page on what had happened between them. When she heard his words, she looked up into his eyes, which bore an expression which was like a smile, yet not quite a smile. For a brief moment, she had no idea how to reply. Shu Hang then brought out a sheaf of plans from his briefcase and casually handed them to her, saying, "Come on, let's get to business. There's no rush to talk about private matters."
Yao Meng: " . . ."
Some people are born to bring happiness to others.
Such as Shu Hang.
Yao Meng had never met a company boss and scion of a top party official who was like Shu Hang. All day long, he was slovenly, while his mouth could spout nonsense like none other. There was nothing proper about him at all. Whether it was a business meeting, or a business lunch, he was capable of making people rock back and forth in laughter.
However, he was completely clear and logical when it came to real work. Yao Meng had learned how to conduct business only from Lin Qingyan, and had just started to figure it out, when it all came to an abrupt end. Moreover, Shu Hang's business style was different from Lin Qingyan's. He was not as ruthless as Lin Qingyan, but was even more cunning. Sometimes, when he came up with fresh ideas, Yao Meng would find herself dumbfounded and entirely at a loss for words. And, at other times, she was completely unable to follow his strategies for arbitrage trading.
Naturally, at such times, Shu Hang would take one look at her slightly glazed eyes, and would then sit down beside her in high spirits and smilingly explain everything clearly and carefully. As his concluding statement, he would always say, "Call me any time if there's anything you don't understand. I'm available 24×7!"
Yao Meng really did call him at 3 o'clock one morning. It was the eve of some big project, and she had stared at the data on the investment report without being able to make clear sense of the numbers. She felt bad about asking her subordinates and ended up calling him. They talked until 5 a.m. Yao Meng thanked him sincerely, and was just about to hang up, when he interjected, "Ai ai ai! Don't hang up! I'm already at your office building, come down and have breakfast."
Of course, Shu Hang drove and gave her instructions at the same time. Once again, Yao Meng saw the disparity in strength between the two men.
And Shu Hang was observing all of Yao Meng's efforts.
Of all the different types of people in the world, Shu Hang and Ji Bai were of the same type.* In truth, after having interacted with Yao Meng several times, Shu Hang was very clear that this lady's business acumen was only so-so. In her hands, the estate that Lin Qingyan had bequeathed to her had developed sufficiently. With a little more effort, it would perhaps be possible to maintain the current situation. The best option, for both Yao Meng and the company, would be for her to sell off her shares.
*贼毒 (zéi dú) – literally, 'thief' or 'crafty' and 'poison' or 'fierce'. I am not sure what this means.
However, he naturally could not tell her this. He did not want to deal a blow to her industrious nature. Furthermore, she clearly had not needed any intervention where the project was concerned. She had only wanted to fully comprehend all aspects of the business, and was willing to work overtime every day in order to do so.
It didn't matter. With him helping her, it might be possible to groom a future female entrepreneur star one day.
Even if he did not like her romantically, he would still want to help her when he considered all the difficulties she had encountered. To say nothing of the fact that he liked her very much indeed.
Half a year passed by swiftly.
The partnership between the two companies strengthened. Shu Hang's subtle hints and outright statements were also becoming more obvious.
As the representatives and backbones of their respective companies, they signed a partnership agreement. With a deadpan expression, Shu Hang told everyone, "There are still a few confidential conditions which I have to negotiate with President Yao." Everyone else fled the room as quickly as possible. Fully immersed in work, Yao Meng queried, "What confidential conditions? Please, do tell."
Shu Hang replied, "Hmmm. I've yet to think about that. I'm more concerned about where we're going for dinner tonight to celebrate signing the contract."
She had also become accustomed to his presence. Once, when the two of them were eating dinner, Yao Meng also drank a little wine. Shu Hang said something – who knew what it was – that was really funny, such that Yao Meng could not restrain her laughter, and also could not help stretching out her hand to punch him on the shoulder. Like lightning, Shu Hang grabbed her hand, and his eyes, normally always full of laughter, also took on a profound expression.
Yao Meng immediately snatched her hand back.
Should she accept him?
It was not the first time Yao Meng had asked herself this question.
Although he had never again mentioned pursuing her, their relationship was ambiguous. She had also come to rely on him, somewhat like a drowning person who clutches at a straw that suddenly floats by. She was unable to figure out whether what she felt towards him was love.
When she thought about love, she felt rather numb.
The issue came to a head during the annual meeting at Yao Meng's company HQ. Their partnership had officially come to an end, and Shu Hang was to return to Beijing the next day.
It was a winter night, with snowflakes falling everywhere. The atmosphere was really joyous. Most of the people present had drunk a little wine, and many others kept going up to where Yao Meng and Shu Hang sat at the main table to toast them.
The Head of the International Trade Department was a female professor who had studied abroad. She was gorgeous, and had a swift and decisive manner*. Those with a discerning eye said that she quite liked Shu Hang. However, while Shu Hang treated her with respect, he always kept her at arm's length.
*雷厉风行 (léi lì fēng xíng) – lit pass like thunder and move like the wind
Holding a glass of wine in her hands, the female professor finished toasting Shu Hang and Yao Meng, then commented, "President Shu, it's been almost a year since you've come to Lin City. Why are you still single?"
Everyone laughed, including Yao Meng. Everyone assumed Shu Hang would brush off the comment with a jest, as he usually did. Who knew that Shu Hang would smile faintly as he glanced at Yao Meng, then reply in a leisurely manner, "Haven't I been pursuing your President Yao all this time? I can't catch her ah."
Everyone was struck dumb.
Although there had been rumours about the two Presidents, when all was said and done, their relationship seemed to be neither here nor there*, and nobody had observed any development. As time passed, everyone assumed that there was nothing going on. Who knew that Shu Hang would boldly disclose the situation in front of so many people in response to a department head.
*若即若离 (ruò jí ruòo lí) – lit. seeming neither near nor distant
After a moment's pause, everyone burst out laughing but had no idea what to say after they had done so. The female professor who had been pursuing Shu Hang put down her wineglass, muttered a few words in embarrassment and walked away.
Yao Meng also felt awkward, incomparably awkward. For a moment, she actually felt her heart sink . . . with this revelation, it would be impossible for them to carry on interacting as per usual while pretending that nothing had happened.
She excused herself to go to the restroom, but when she stood up to leave, her face had already turned red.
Shu Hang put down his wineglass and, as expected, followed her out of the room. He was not the slightest bit embarrassed, for this was how Beijing rogues pursued their girls.
They walked to the terrace one after another. Shu Hang ensured that the door was shut tightly behind him, then consoled her, seemingly with great understanding, "Don't be affected by what they say. It's ok ah."
Yao Meng turned her head and quietly looked at him as she said, "I'm sorry, Shu Hang. I still can't do it right now."
Translator: shl
TL Checker:
Proofreader: Librismuse, Calculusfanatic