Chapter 14
How did he come to be traveling in a wheelchair?
This was Li Shanshan’s first reaction, followed immediately by a second question: why had Zhou Yuqi arrived in Fengcheng two years earlier than in the previous lifetime?
No matter how much Li Shanshan praised Fengcheng in front of John, the truth was that Fengcheng was just a small city. After thirty years of economic development, it had never advanced to a first- or second-tier city, remaining firmly in the third tier.
Was this because of her rebirth?
Or was it due to the subtle changes set in motion by Xiang Hui’s butterfly effect?
It must have been the result of Xiang Hui’s actions over the years since her rebirth.
If Zhou Yuqi were healthy, why would he be sitting in a wheelchair for no apparent reason?
Something must have happened in this life that hadn’t in the last, damaging his health.
In an instant, countless questions flashed through Li Shanshan’s mind. At the same time, she lowered her gaze and stared at the plate before her rather than at Zhou Yuqi, who was attracting the attention of everyone in the restaurant.
A bodyguard slowly pushed Zhou Yuqi’s wheelchair past Li Shanshan’s left side without stopping.
Out of the corner of her eye, Li Shanshan saw Zhou Yuqi’s right hand resting on the wheelchair’s armrest—long, slender fingers with neatly rounded nails, bare of any adornment. If she was correct, his left wrist must be adorned with a string of old coral prayer beads, wrapped three times around his wrist.
They had been a gift from a revered monk in his youth.
When their feelings were strong, Zhou Yuqi often said that the old monk must have foreseen that the woman he would spend his life with would be named Shanshan. Hence, he had given him a coral bead bracelet, worn for decades.
Li Shanshan always scoffed at this.
Her father hadn’t known what coral was when he named her Shanshan.
At this moment, the entire restaurant fell into an involuntary silence, no one daring to speak.
This stillness was broken by John, whose eyes lit up with surprise as he stood first, ignoring the stunned looks from the officials around the table. His voice was bright and clear: “Mr. Zhou, you’re here in Fengcheng as well?”
All this time, he had only spoken English, yet now he spoke Mandarin—with a heavy accent.
Zhou Yuqi’s wheelchair stopped. He nodded slightly with a dignified grace. “Mr. Bush, it has been a long time.”
“You can just call me John. It’s been more than five years since we last met. Seems you’ve been too comfortable in the States; we haven’t seen you back in Hong Kong.” John hurried to Zhou’s side, almost wanting to replace the bodyguard and push the wheelchair himself. “I’m here on Josephine’s orders to inspect Fengcheng. We plan to establish a new branch of Qilin Technology here. Are you here to invest as well?”
Zhou Yuqi smiled lightly. “Josephine has great vision and courage.”
John’s face lit up even more. “Hearing you say that will surely make Josephine proud. Over the years, her business in the Mainland has expanded impressively and is doing quite well.”
Li Shanshan sneered quietly.
As expected, it was her.
When faced with questions she preferred not to answer, she skillfully diverted the topic.
John was clearly an admirer of Yang Hailin. Growing more enthusiastic, he warmly invited Zhou Yuqi to join them, hoping to glean some useful information about Yang Hailin.
Zhou Yuqi’s business empire was far larger than Yang Hailin’s. Compared to Zhou Yuqi, Yang Hailin was just dabbling.
Zhou Yuqi declined politely. “I have an appointment, so I won’t disturb your dinner.”
As he spoke, he nodded respectfully to all the officials who had now risen.
John could only regretfully return to his seat.
Zhou Yuqi had never appeared publicly in the Mainland or given interviews. None of the officials recognized him, but judging by John’s attitude, he knew Zhou’s background was extraordinary and tried to ask for an introduction. However, Zhou politely declined and was then pushed by his bodyguard in the wheelchair toward a window-side table where a man awaited him, surrounded by several others who fervently guarded him, clearly signaling that no one else was allowed near.
The officials quietly inquired of John, but he avoided a direct answer, smiling instead. “Without Mr. Zhou’s permission, I really can’t say much. But their family has many enterprises in Fengcheng. There will definitely be opportunities to get acquainted in the future.”
The officials’ eyes sparkled.
A Zhou with many businesses and from Hong Kong — could he be from Changning Holdings?
More than one person thought this.
The atmosphere at Li Shanshan’s table relaxed accordingly. Xu Huihui whispered, “Sure enough, a big figure. Even Mr. Bush treats him with utmost respect. He’s so young too, probably around thirty? His looks are almost unfair. Since I can remember, I’ve never seen such a handsome man. Among men, he’s as remarkable as Shanshan is among women.”
Others nodded vigorously in agreement.
Li Shanshan quietly sipped her soup. Hearing this, she opened her large, innocent, glistening eyes and reined in her emotions. “What does that have to do with me?”
With her rebirth, the marriage between them in their previous life was definitively over. She had no intention of reliving it.
The key was that she could earn her own living and didn’t need to rely on Zhou Yuqi.
No need to fawn over him!
Xu Huihui laughed. “They’re both good-looking! No other man can compare to him, no woman to you. You two are truly the pinnacle of your respective groups.”
Li Shanshan’s only weakness was her humble origins.
Yet, with her beauty alone, she could still unlock the doors to high society in this class-conscious world.
Moreover, she was talented.
Li Shanshan waved her hand. “Don’t mention me. I’m unworthy and embarrassed.”
Seeing her youthful, tender complexion, the conversation naturally turned back to Zhou Yuqi.
He was extraordinary, a born center of attention.
“Compared to Mr. Zhou, Mr. Xiang, who had to rest in his hotel because of exhaustion from hiking, pales in comparison—like rubble next to a pearl. Xiang Hui is nothing but rubble.”
“I wonder what kind of woman would be fortunate enough to marry him.”
“She must have accumulated ten lifetimes’ worth of virtue.”
“Not just marry him—even to be his mistress, I bet many would be lining up.”
A female interpreter, who was well-regarded on the team and had served as a simultaneous translator, scoffed at this. “What are you imagining? With his bearing, looks, and family background, he’s probably already married with children. We ordinary people need not fret.”
Li Shanshan agreed silently.
Yang Hailin had been blocked by Xiang Hui, but there would still be others like Li Hailin and Zhao Hailin eager to try.
Zhou Yuqi was thirty-six now. His parents, eager for grandchildren, would never allow him to remain single. Maybe he already had a beloved wife and children in the U.S., enjoying family bliss.
She wasn’t sure if it was just her illusion, but Zhou Yuqi seemed to glance in their direction after receiving some documents from the man at his table.
From her seat, Li Shanshan had a clear view of their table, unblocked by plants thanks to the aisle.
The man appeared to be around thirty, with an ordinary appearance and demeanor, not someone Li Shanshan recognized from either of her lifetimes. He was unlikely to be Zhou Yuqi’s business partner or close friend.
In a low voice, he said, “Mr. Xiang is focused on a girl named Li Shanshan—that’s the only one.”
A strange expression flickered in Zhou Yuqi’s eyes. “Still a young girl.”
“Yes. Mr. Xiang arrived in Fengcheng and immediately fixated on her. At first, he was quite obvious about it, but later restrained himself. The girl is sixteen, though her ID says she’s two years older. She’s currently a second-year high school student at Huaishu Middle School but has temporarily stopped attending due to owing nine hundred yuan in tuition.” The man reported this yesterday after investigating, prompting Zhou Yuqi to come over today. “She’s sold goods at a stall and worked as a translator, recently showing great enthusiasm for earning money. According to reliable sources, after hosting the inspection group, she’s expected to return to school.”
Zhou Yuqi flipped through the documents in his hand.
The man watching Xiang Hui continued quietly, “Two days ago, Mr. Xiang gave the girl a valuable jadeite worth nearly ten thousand yuan. She handed it directly to John for safekeeping and treated Mr. Xiang without any pretense.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Yuqi’s lips curved slightly.
The man nodded. “Yes.”
Zhou Yuqi closed the papers.
Li Shanshan’s life could be described as unremarkable.
If it weren’t for the unexpected variable of Xiang Hui, Zhou Yuqi might have married and had children long ago, never knowing that his future wife would be a young girl—so beautiful and exceptional.
Her cheeks were full with a faint blush, like a flower just beginning to bloom, making everyone else almost fade into the background.
She ate and drank quietly, listening to the grand conversations.
Her simple attire could not conceal her composed and elegant bearing, her refined temperament suggesting she was no rustic girl but one nurtured in high society for many years.
Zhou Yuqi paused in thought, slowly furrowing his brow.
According to the documents, Li’s father was an ordinary rural man who farmed, worked odd jobs, and ran a stall. He lacked the means or connections to provide Li Shanshan with perfect etiquette training.
Then where did her impeccable manners come from?
Among the dozen or so at the table, her striking presence was due not only to her beauty.
Zhou Yuqi needed solid evidence to confirm his suspicions but did not want too many people focusing on her. He instructed the man, “Continue monitoring Xiang Hui’s movements. Report any news to Ah Zhao.”
Chen Zhao was his personal assistant, handling daily trivialities, standing just behind Zhou Yuqi.
The man acknowledged, “Mr. Zhou, rest assured.”
Zhou Yuqi turned to Chen Zhao. “Book a room for tonight at the Ronghua Hotel. Make the arrangements.”
“Yes, sir.” Chen Zhao departed ahead.
They had come straight to Yipin Xian after landing, and had yet to set foot in Ronghua Hotel.
Zhou Yuqi stayed behind to dine. Soon, he noticed Li Shanshan rise, seemingly heading to the restroom. Without hesitation, he set down his chopsticks and left his seat without calling a bodyguard to accompany him.
He wheeled himself into the restroom and immediately saw Li Shanshan emerging from the ladies’ room.
Seeing Zhou Yuqi, Li Shanshan instinctively stopped washing her hands.
Their eyes met briefly.
Li Shanshan looked away, not intending to greet him, eager to finish washing and leave. Yet, amid the sound of running water, Zhou Yuqi’s deep, resonant voice spoke softly: “May I trouble you to help me with something?”
Li Shanshan gasped softly, straightened, and turned off the faucet.
She turned back to find Zhou Yuqi smiling gently, his gaze free of sharpness. “I want to wash my hands, but the sink is too high for me.”
He gestured at the distance between his seated position in the wheelchair and the sink.
Li Shanshan suddenly felt a bit at a loss.