Extra 3
When Chen Jian came down from the third floor, he felt a bit of ringing in his ears.
He had just been standing at the door of a room on the third floor, listening to a guest give him a half-hour lecture on everything in Da Yin.
From the parking guidance at the entrance to check-in, dining, and tourist project consultation… in a word, they didn’t maintain a smile the whole time.
The security guard who guided them didn’t smile, the front desk only smiled for the first three sentences during check-in, and the person who cleaned the room didn’t smile at him when he was still in the room…
“Including now,” the man looked at Chen Jian. “You still don’t have a smile on your face while listening to my suggestions.”
“I’m sorry,” Chen Jian said, pulling back the corners of his mouth to show his teeth. “It’s our service that’s not detailed enough. We will record your suggestions and further improve our work in the future.”
“I’ve stayed in many hotels, both domestically and internationally, but I’ve spent more time abroad,” the man said. “Full-time smiling service is basic.”
“Okay,” Chen Jian said, baring his teeth.
I believe you, my ass.
“Although you are a small-town guesthouse,” the man said, “the price is also relatively low…”
You even know that.
“But you still have to have this awareness, to look up to the top hotels at home and abroad,” the man said.
Do you even want to hear what you’re saying.
“Okay,” Chen Jian nodded with his teeth bared. “Is there anything else you need?”
“No,” the man waved his hand. “You can go and do your thing.”
“Thank you very much for your suggestions and opinions,” Chen Jian bowed slightly. “I hope you have a comfortable stay and a good time.”
The man nodded.
Chen Jian bowed and retreated.
He didn’t even dare to turn around and walk away directly. He only turned around after seeing the man’s door close, for fear that this less-than-top-notch service would be caught and he would be lectured for another half hour.
“Send a portion of afternoon tea to the man on the third floor later,” Chen Jian said. He didn’t even need to say the room number; everyone knew who he was talking about. “Thank him for his guidance on our work. Remember to smile. You have to be smiling when he sees you.”
“Okay, I’ll go right away,” Hu Pan was holding a stabilizer. This was something Shan Yu had bought with his own money for them to play with, probably using the wages he had withheld from Liu Wu.
“Yes, walk over…” Hu Pan looked at Sanbing through the screen. She hadn’t started recording yet, probably rehearsing the positions. When the guests had nothing to do at night, they would take the time to rehearse and shoot, which was also a form of entertainment.
Tourism in the small town was still good, but living here was more or less a bit lonely.
“Swing your arms, yes…”
Sanbing, draped in a bedsheet, walked into the lobby from the main entrance according to Hu Pan’s instructions. He then swung his arm, flinging the bedsheet, and with a gust of wind, he glared at Hu Pan’s phone and walked over.
“Okay, stop,” Hu Pan stepped back, pushed the stabilizer forward, zoomed in on Sanbing’s face, and then pulled back. “Say your lines.”
Oh my, they’re even using camera movements.
“Sister Zhao,” Sanbing said in a deep voice, “it was you, wasn’t it?”
“Her name is Zhao Fangfang. You now suspect that she killed someone,” Hu Pan said. “You can’t call her ‘sister’.”
“Zhao Fangfang!” Sanbing said in a deep voice. “It was you, wasn’t it!”
“Are we eating?” Zhao Fangfang’s voice came from the kitchen.
“Didn’t we just finish eating?” Chen Jian said.
Zhao Fangfang ignored him.
“Don’t play dumb!” Sanbing said. “I have evidence!”
“In that case! Then I won’t be polite anymore!” Zhao Fangfang raised her voice.
It was only then that Chen Jian realized that Zhao Fangfang was acting with Sanbing.
“Okay,” Hu Pan put down her equipment. “We’ll follow this. Your gaze needs to be firmer.”
“What’s the content?” Chen Jian couldn’t help but ask. “Sister Zhao has become a suspect?”
“She killed her husband,” Hu Pan said.
Chen Jian raised his eyebrows in shock and looked towards Zhao Fangfang. She was leaning on the bar, smiling at Hu Pan and Sanbing.
“Liu Wu wrote this script?” Chen Jian asked in a low voice.
“Mhm,” Hu Pan turned her head and also whispered. “Sister Zhao asked if she could play a ‘jianghu’ person who killed her husband, so I had Liu Wu write it.”
“What’s the plot?” Chen Jian was very curious.
“The great hero Sanbing is tracking a murderer and suspects that this murderer is hiding in Dayinunder a new identity,” Hu Pan said. “So he came to investigate.”
“What’s next?” Chen Jian asked. “Sister Zhao said, ‘Then I won’t be polite anymore’. Do they have a fight scene after that?”
“Next, Sister Zhao brings out a plate of food,” Hu Pan said.
“…Ah,” Chen Jian was stunned.
“And then Sanbing prepares to eat,” Hu Pan said.
“Huh?” Chen Jian continued to be stunned.
“But Sister Zhao was eating it herself,” Hu Pan said again.
“…Are you crazy?” Chen Jian said.
“It is quite crazy,” Hu Pan clicked her tongue. “But it’s very touching later. After finding out the reason why Sister Zhao killed someone, everyone decides to help her realize her biggest wish.”
Chen Jian, while feeling it was crazy, still asked.
“What wish?”
“She wanted to eat her own cooking once, and have someone tell her that her food is delicious,” Hu Pan said.
“…And then?”
“After her wish was fulfilled, she turned herself in to the great hero Sanbing,” Sanbing said.
“That’s so heartless,” Chen Jian said.
“After all, she killed someone,” Hu Pan said. “She can’t just get away with it.”
“Then won’t there be no Zhao Fangfang in the later plot?” Chen Jian asked again.
“There is,” Sanbing said. “One day, a master chef came to the shop, who looked exactly like Sister Zhao.”
“She broke out of prison?” Chen Jian asked.
“They’re twins,” Hu Pan said.
“What is all this nonsense,” Chen Jian felt that maybe they should have paid Liu Wu for this script. You get what you pay for.
But then he thought that maybe even if they had paid, it would still be like this. After all, for Liu Wu, Hu Pan and his brother were more important than money…
“Is Manager Chen on the first floor?” Sun Nana’s voice came from the walkie-talkie.
“Yes,” Chen Jian answered into the walkie-talkie.
“I’m in President Shan’s office. Can you come up for a moment?” Sun Nana said.
“Okay,” Chen Jian said.
“Wow,” Hu Pan clutched her chest. “Nana sounds so imposing now when she speaks.”
“She’s Manager Sun now,” Chen Jian said with a smile.
Manager Sun was going to talk to Uncle Da Chen about Chen Jian’s family house tomorrow, and she was now looking for Chen Jian to synchronize information.
“Do I really not need to go with you?” Chen Jian asked.
“No need,” Shan Yu said, leaning against the desk. “Manager Sun can handle it. The previous phone conversation didn’t seem to have any major issues. We can talk.”
“It was mortgaged for fifty thousand, right?” Sun Nana said.
“Mhm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“I took a look. It’s a two-story building. Was it only mortgaged for that much?” Sun Nana said, habitually using her little finger to flick her hair back.
“When you can’t pay back the money, you have to mortgage it for whatever they say,” Chen Jian said.
“I’ll try to push the price down as much as I can tomorrow,” Sun Nana said.
“It was mortgaged for fifty thousand. I’m afraid they won’t agree to fifty thousand to get it back,” Chen Jian said.
“It was a house when it was mortgaged,” Shan Yu said. “Now it’s a ruin when we get it back. We still have to pay for repairs. If they don’t agree to the price, it’s just a waste of money to let it sit there. It will still be a ruin in the future. We are a company involved in the development and have inside information. The old village was originally only partially developed, and that area is too remote and not within the development scope. Don’t think about raising the price on the spot.”
“Really?” Chen Jian asked.
“Fake,” Shan Yu said. “How to do it is decided by Director Lu and the others after comprehensive consideration. We only know the general idea.”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian smiled. “What if he waits and sees the development progress?”
“That’s fine too,” Shan Yu said. “Then he can wait. After it’s confirmed that the radiation doesn’t reach that area, and he wants to talk again, there’s nothing to talk about. Even if we do talk, it won’t be at this price.”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian nodded and didn’t say anything else.
“Then I’ll go back to the dorm first. I got some materials from Lu Jun that I need to cram,” Sun Nana said. “I’ll pick a few pages to take with me tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Shan Yu said.
“Thank you,” Chen Jian said, looking at Sun Nana.
“What are you saying, President Chen,” Sun Nana said, flipping her hair and turning to walk out of the office.
After the door closed, Shan Yu reached out and turned Chen Jian’s shoulders, making him face him.
“Hm?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“Don’t worry,” Shan Yu said. “If he’s really someone who doesn’t lack money and is willing to gamble, I’ll buy it back at a high price.”
“That’s not worth it,” Chen Jian said.
“How is it not worth it,” Shan Yu said. “That’s your home. It’s worth any amount of money.”
Chen Jian didn’t speak. After a moment of silence, he reached out and hugged Shan Yu.
“There shouldn’t be any problem,” Shan Yu said, hugging his waist and gently patting his back. “Nana is very good at negotiating these things. When she was negotiating with the construction company, she could talk the boss into complaining to me.”
Chen Jian smiled.
“If she can’t negotiate it, I’m still here,” Shan Yu said. “No matter what, we’ll get this house back. If legal means don’t work, there are still illegal means…”
“Hey,” Chen Jian tightened his arms. “We’re all from the same village. Your company is going to be working in this area in the future. You’d better be legal.”
“Mhm,” Shan Yu smiled and nodded.
Chen Jian didn’t say any more. He held Shan Yu and didn’t let go, burying his face in his neck with his eyes closed.
His nose started to sting, and his eyes felt very hot.
“Don’t cry,” Shan Yu said. “I just changed my clothes. If you get them wet, I’ll beat you.”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian responded.
Too late.
He could even hear his own heavy nasal voice, and his eyes were getting a little watery.
“Are you going to pick up your dad tomorrow by yourself, or should I go with you?” Shan Yu asked.
To ensure a smooth negotiation with Uncle Da Chen, they had decided to bring his father back. If Uncle Da Chen didn’t agree, his father could step in and talk.
“I’ll go by myself,” Chen Jian said. “Isn’t Lu Jun in the small town these two days? Although it’s not your turn to deal with him now, you should still be here, right?”
“What do you mean, ‘it’s not my turn’,” Shan Yu said with a smile.
“Oh,” Chen Jian said, “are you jealous of Nana…”
“Don’t give me another chain of jealousy,” Shan Yu pushed him away and pinched his chin, shaking it. “Da Yin’s account has fans now. You’d better be careful, or I’ll just post all those pictures of you sleeping on the carpet to attract traffic.”
“Damn,” Chen Jian looked at him in shock.
“Why so shocked,” Shan Yu was taken aback.
“I feel like you’re capable of doing it,” Chen Jian said.
“Fuck you,” Shan Yu said.
“Then what am I afraid of,” Chen Jian hugged him again. “You’re just jealous of Nana…”
“Damn,” Shan Yu sighed.
Chen Jian hadn’t told his father about the house yet. Whether they could negotiate it or not, it would be a surprise for his father. His son had grown up and was thinking of getting their home back. As for the result, his father wouldn’t mind.
So Chen Jian only told his father that he was going to look for him and asked him to take a day off. He planned to tell him the surprise when he got there.
“Am I driving the big Mercedes?” Chen Jian asked, looking at the keys in his hand.
“Mhm,” Shan Yu nodded. “Nana will have a car when she goes back to the city. The company bought a car. She’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
“What kind of car?” Chen Jian asked.
“A second-hand pickup truck,” Shan Yu said.
“…It’s a company, after all. Manager Sun is a girl. Is she driving a pickup truck?” Chen Jian asked.
“And it’s second-hand,” Shan Yu said.
“Are you even embarrassed to say that?” Chen Jian asked. “What about President Liu’s investment?”
“She’ll be running around in the mountains and at construction sites in the future,” Shan Yu said. “A pickup truck is practical. As for the city…”
Shan Yu cleared his throat and whispered, “I had Xiao Ye drive a business car over from President Liu’s company.”
“Is this… considered mooching off your parents?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“I guess so,” Shan Yu said. “Starting a business is hard. Besides, Xiao Ye is on secondment. She should have a car anyway. She’s a general assistant, after all.”
“You’re really something,” Chen Jian laughed.
“But don’t call her ‘old’ in front of President Liu…” Shan Yu pushed him. “Hurry up and go. The moment you say you’re going to see your dad, he’ll probably be up at six.”
“He usually gets up at six anyway,” Chen Jian said.
“Then he’ll have to get up at four today,” Shan Yu said.
“Why not just say he didn’t sleep at all,” Chen Jian said, jumping down the steps and walking towards the car.
“That’s me,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian looked back at him. “Why don’t you go and take a nap? See if you can fall asleep?”
“I can’t sleep. I’ll go hang myself. I’ll sleep better when I’m tired,” Shan Yu stretched.
“Want to get tired?” Hu Pan immediately came over. “It’s easy to get tired. Boss Shan, why don’t you help us shoot a couple of scenes? The guests have finished their breakfast, and there’s nothing to do right now.”
“What scene?” As soon as Shan Yu turned his head, he saw Lao Si behind him holding a bedsheet. He was stunned. “Do I have to wear this thing too?”
“You should still wear your long coat and a hat and a mask. You have to remain mysterious,” Hu Pan said. “This bedsheet is for Sanbing’s exclusive use. The others either wrap it around themselves or tie it on their heads. It was all arranged by Liu Wu.”
“…You guys actually listen to him,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian kept laughing until the car was on the street before he stopped.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at it. It was indeed a message from his father, asking if he had left and if he wanted to have breakfast together.
“I’m already out,” Chen Jian sent his father a voice message. “If you’re not hungry, you can wait for me. We can go for some morning tea.”
If it were in the past, his father would definitely have objected, saying it was too expensive. But today, after he said it, his father actually replied with a ‘good’ and even a grinning emoji.
It reminded Chen Jian of his own grinning for half an hour.
His father was still renting with Old Zhong, but not at the old place. It was with one of Old Zhong’s old hometown friends. The three of them rented a two-bedroom apartment, and his father had a single room.
When Chen Jian parked the car on the side of the road, his father came out of a small supermarket next to them, talking to someone and pointing at the car.
“Bragging to someone?” Chen Jian asked as he watched him get into the car.
His father chuckled and handed him a box of yogurt. “This isn’t bragging. It’s a fact.”
“We’re going to the teahouse soon. I won’t drink this,” Chen Jian said, taking the yogurt.
“Just to tide you over,” his father said. “I just had a box.”
“…Then I won’t be able to eat later,” Chen Jian said.
His father smiled without speaking.
“Are you thinking of eating less later if you eat something now?” Chen Jian looked at him.
“Hey,” his father waved his hand, a little embarrassed.
“This yogurt is also a few yuan. It’s not cheap,” Chen Jian said.
“It’s about to expire,” his father said. “The two boxes together were nine yuan and eighty cents.”
Chen Jian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
He still drank the yogurt. After all, it wouldn’t take up any space in his stomach.
When he was ordering, he didn’t order any less at all.
His father leaned over and looked. “That’s about enough. We can’t eat that much.”
“I can eat,” Chen Jian said. “I can eat all of this by myself.”
His father smiled, suddenly a little emotional. “Eat up. Eat more. In the past… if you had had better nutrition, you could have grown at least another few centimeters taller now.”
“No way. It’s hard to buy a quilt if you’re two meters tall,” Chen Jian said.
After ordering, Chen Jian looked at his father while making tea. “Do you know why I’m here to see you?”
“I’m just waiting for you to tell me,” his father said, looking at him.
“That house of ours,” Chen Jian said, “Nana is going to talk to Uncle Da Chen today. The company is planning to get it back.”
“What?” his father was stunned.
“We don’t know if we can negotiate it yet,” Chen Jian said. “But it shouldn’t be a big problem. You’ll go back with me later…”
“This matter,” his father reached out and held his hand. His hand was trembling a little. “Is it Boss Shan’s company…”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian nodded.
“Oh, this…” his father was obviously a little excited. “This…”
“It’s also possible that we can’t reach an agreement…” Chen Jian said.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” his father lowered his head and quickly wiped his eyes with his hand. “Oh, I really didn’t expect… this… oh…”
