Volume 1: The Ivory Tower's Happy Life Chapter 24: A New Encounter After Parting

  The city museum located on Taihang West Road, a building from last century, with mottled red walls and half-covered ivy hidden behind thick trees, has survived the autumn chill, leaving only a few yellow leaves trembling in the wind. Passing through the large stone archway, the courtyard is filled with solemn grid windows, a stark contrast to the modern urban landscape that can be glimpsed outside.

  Shanyong registered his name at the gate and curiously entered the courtyard, where the office of the Folk Museum Preparation Group was located. His younger brother was also there, but neither he nor Lei Dapeng had time to come to this old and outdated place, which gave people a somewhat oppressive feeling. It made Simu Xian say that this is what they call "thick and heavy".

  "Hey, boss, look over here." Simu Xian waved his hand from behind a small building's passageway. Single Yong rushed forward, only to find that there was still space in the backyard - an old-fashioned courtyard with a two-story building. The first floor had a large area that looked like a garage, with a sign that read "Canteen". Simu Xian walked up to him, holding a ceramic rice bowl, just like he would in school. Single Yong noticed that the bowl still had the words "Lu Courtyard" written on it and couldn't help but laugh.

  Si Mu Xian stepped on a steamed bun with meat dishes and asked: "Have you eaten?"

  "You were eating while on the phone, and you're still using that small school bowl, how stingy!" Dan Yong said with a smile.

  "This is the museum, isn't it? The utensils in my hand are already the youngest." Si Mu Xian joked with a smile, leading Dan Yong into the cafeteria. As they ate, they chatted for a few sentences, asking about Lei Ge and Lao Da's recent situation, complaining that the two brothers treated him like an outsider. After hastily finishing their meal, while washing the rice bowls, Dan Yong looked around and saw that Si Mu Xian's colleagues were not too old-fashioned. There were many new university graduates who were not much older than himself, and some refined middle-aged people discussing the origins of brocade, Luzhou poetry, famous works, folk myths, and so on. Dan Yong was bewildered, afraid he couldn't understand what they were talking about.

  There are so many small worlds in the world that you can never fully understand, and when you accidentally come into contact with them, you will only feel that your horizons are too narrow. At this moment, Shan Yong had such a feeling, listening for half a day, he felt confused, envious, and ashamed, looking at their young age, how could they all be so elegant and refined, like pearls and jade, while the few of them who hung out together, only spat out names of genital organs from their mouths.

  "What's this, boss? You're interested in folklore?" Si Mu Xian had finished washing up and was standing by the dinner table, not knowing when he had gotten there. Shan Yong laughed and stood up, saying: "I do, I'm a bit puzzled. I've lived in Luzhou for over twenty years, but what they say sounds like nonsense to me."

  "Otherwise, how can it be called excavation? It's been buried for too long. Do you know what we did last month? We spent half a month in Wuxiang just to listen to the local geomancer sing a few segments of ghost-driving opera. Its origins date back to the Northern Song Dynasty, with no written records, passed down orally for hundreds of years. Can you imagine?" Si Mu Xian said, speaking with great enthusiasm, but the listener was an outsider and smiled awkwardly. Shan Yong said: "If you want me to listen to your professional talk again, I'll tell you about eating donkey meat."

  Xie Muxian also smiled and led Dan Yong to the office, but Dan Yong was preoccupied with the message on the phone and followed Xie Muxian asking: "Xian"

  "Excuse me, where is Professor Zuo?"

  "I just attended a preparatory group work progress report meeting this morning, and had lunch with the municipal leaders this afternoon. I haven't even spoken yet, but you've already caught up with me. This afternoon, I'll come back to take a look around, maybe I'll even meet with our frontline workers. By the way, boss, didn't you get in touch with Shifu Jie? How could you not know about such a big thing?" Si Mu Xian asked in surprise.

  Shan Yong smiled and didn't explain, Si Mu Xian tactfully didn't ask, and went straight up to the front three-story old building. The corridor was still made of old-fashioned cement, and after opening the office door, a strong smell of ink wafted out. Except for one window, there were bookshelves on three sides, with various documents and books piled up on tables and shelves. Only the new computer on the table showed some modern flair; otherwise, it would have looked like a cultural relic. After sitting down and turning on the water, Shan Yong said in surprise: "Xian Di, this place is really too cramped, aren't you bored all day?"

  "What's wrong? What's bothering you?"

  "There are so many books, it's giving me a headache just looking at them."

  "Hehe, in my eyes, these books are just like donkey meat to your elder brother, all about money."

  "You're such a sourpuss."

  Two people laughed and joked, sitting opposite each other. Looking at Xian Di's thick bookish aura, even Dan Yong felt a bit envious at this moment. He looked at himself, always covered in oil stains from cooking, and with the wind and rain outside, he couldn't avoid getting dusty. Si Mu Xian saw Dan Yong's expression and was afraid that he had guessed his thoughts. Smiling, he said: "Don't be envious of me, every profession has its own hardships. Sitting for a long time really gives me a headache... Boss, it's still over an hour before work starts. If you want to wait, I'll stay here with you. If you want to rest, I'll find a place for you and call you later."

  "You've really become a cultured person, I'm like this, do you think it's necessary for me to take an afternoon nap?" Dan Yong laughed.

  Lao Da got even darker than before, Si Mu Xian laughed and said directly: "That's good, I'll accompany you, we brothers haven't sat together for some days... But Lao Da, you're not very considerate, how could you exclude me from the group?"

  "What's going on? Are you interested in what's happening on the street?" asked Dan Yong.

  "No, I'm saying you and Lei Ge have accomplished something big, previously it was all counted as my share, now I'm just following the rules, feeling quite down. " Si Mu Xian smiled and asked in a low voice: "Boss, be honest, this time we gained a lot, right?"

  "Want to know, then I'll listen to how much you've guessed?" Dan Yong said with a smile, putting his feet on the table without any elegance. Si Mu Xian didn't mind, and as brothers, they could talk freely. After thinking for a moment, Si Mu Xian continued: "I went to see Lei Ge once after something happened to him, and from his gritted teeth expression, I estimated that he was probably in trouble. Then the city's donkey incident happened, followed by the cold storage ammonia leak incident. The two bosses involved were exactly the people Lei Ge wanted to target, according to what he let slip... which means they were the masterminds behind the attack on you at Bayi Square. With that in mind, I started to think of many possibilities. Later, when there was a surge in donkey meat prices, I even suspected that it was you, Egg, who manipulated it. However, considering your current abilities, Old Big Brother, it seems like you're still a bit short..."

  "It's not just a little different, it's a lot different. How could I possibly have that kind of skill?" Yun shook his head.

  "What about the farm and cold storage?" Simu Xian asked.

  "It's more or less like that, the matter is related to us, but not necessarily all done by us. Those who do many unjust things will eventually destroy themselves, they have brought it upon themselves and can't blame others." Yun Rong said vaguely.

  "It doesn't matter what others think, this... " Si Mu Xian seemed to want to say something, but Shan Yong shifted his buttocks and continued: "Don't be sarcastic, just say it straight. Are you talking about the ammonia leak accident? That wasn't me, nor was it Da Peng's doing. I'm not so ignorant of right and wrong."

  "Oh, I'm relieved then. One must have a bottom line when being human and doing things to a certain extent. I was really worried that you guys would mess things up big time without any consequences. It seems my worries were unnecessary. That day you guys got caught by the police at the station, and I even heard rumors that someone was beaten to death at Bayi Square, with several people being carried away by the police... it scared me so much that I went to look for our leader and our branch secretary... Ah."

  Suddenly, Si Mu Xian stopped talking, realizing that Shan Yong's gaze had turned unfriendly, and he quickly retracted his leg, becoming startled. He immediately realized that he had misspoken, and hastily closed his mouth, a painful reminder of his mistake.

  Xin Bing's face turned red with rage, "Bang" he slammed his hand on the table, pointing at Si Mu Xian and scolding: "I'm so angry I could strangle you to death, how can you be even worse than Lei Da Peng? I said it was just a small matter of getting into a fight and being sent to the police station, but Lei Da Peng's dad kept asking me if I had any connection with him, and what the deputy mayor said... You have no idea how much harm you've caused my heart, I thought about it over and over again, couldn't think of a reason, turns out it was all because of you!"

  "What? I've done it wrong again? Eldest, I'm really doing this for your own good. I looked around and asked Minister Xu, but it was Wang Huating's dad who made a phone call to ask about it. Otherwise, I'd be worried sick. But still, it shouldn't have hurt your feelings that much, are you more sensitive than anyone else?" Si Mu Xian said, looking quite disconsolate.

  "Ah, you're such a troublemaker! This isn't going to set an example... I said, how did Sister Mei know that I went to the police station in Xiamen? We didn't have much of a good impression to begin with, and now this has happened, it's been many days since we last contacted each other. I'm too embarrassed to make a phone call or send a text message. If this matter falls through, I'll hate you for the rest of my life." Dan Yong said furiously.

  "You're still so innocent? Hehe... I'm really sorry, boss. But I think you're too idealistic, if you really catch up with Zuo Xiying, I'll hate you for the rest of my life, it's just not fair, hehe... Sorry, sorry, I said something wrong." Si Mu Xian looked at Shan Yong with anger and comforted him, but Shan Yong still couldn't calm down. After a pause, Shan Yong thought of another person mentioned in the conversation and asked: "Huh? You mentioned Wang Huating? How is she now?"

  "Really don't know?"

  "Cut the crap, stop pretending."

  "I'm going abroad."

  "Really?"

  "Zhuoyi also went abroad, I and Cuiyun went to see her off, many from our class went, including Baochun, Zhao Hui, and Miao Li who came from Shanxi."

  "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

  Shan Yong was furious again, saying that he didn't consider his brother a classmate at all. However, looking at Si Mu Xian's complex and inquiring gaze, Shan Yong wilted and waved his hand, saying: "Let's just go, what kind of world is this? Every day they shout about loving the party and the country, but they send their children abroad one after another; every day they shout about revitalizing national industries, but they change their nationality by hook or by crook... I'm puzzled, can't those foreigners with hairy bodies consider us black-haired and black-eyed people as one of their own? Isn't that like a mule joining a donkey herd, an alien?"

  "Sour grapes," said Sima Xian.

  "Get out! The moon abroad is no rounder than the one at home." Yun Rong scolded.

  The two of them started arguing, exchanging a few heated words, and then suddenly burst out laughing at each other, just like they used to do in the dorm over some ridiculous topic. Perhaps noticing Shanyong's embarrassment, Simu Xian changed the subject of talking about books, stood up and picked a manuscript from the bookshelf, handing it to Shanyong. Shanyong thought he was showing off his achievements and didn't take it, still feeling annoyed, saying: "What do you want me to look at? Nowadays I only look at cattle or account books, everything else is a no-go."

  "This is related to the donkey... Hehe, I was organizing some folklore materials in the library and found many text descriptions of Shangdang donkey meat and other snacks. Maybe it's useful for you, although there are no detailed recipes, but the descriptions of color, fragrance, taste, and shape, I think with your leadership skills, you might discover something. Didn't we create a perfect dish together back then? Even the great chef can't make that." Si Mu Xian introduced enthusiastically, after a while, he fell silent, and when he looked at Shan Yong again, he was indeed fascinated by the book.

  Si Mu Xian didn't make a sound, smiling as he looked at Shan Yong's serious expression. After a while, Shan Yong flipped to a page and asked, "Not bad, the color is deep and rich, the shape is round and full, and it smells fragrant... It should be said that it's donkey balls... But when you chew it, there's a sweet and refreshing taste like honey, what does that mean? Is it possible that something was added to the donkey balls to make them delicious? The foodie who wrote this note might have tasted the world-famous donkey meat feast, unfortunately, it's just a fragment.

  "Boss, you always say that university was a waste of time, but I think it wasn't entirely wasted. At least we can be considered cultured people, right? Honestly, I really don't understand these things." Si Mu Xian said humbly.

  "I was wrong, the only gain from attending university is that I've confirmed I have no affinity with cultured people in this lifetime."

  Shan Yong smiled and continued to look at it carefully, chatting occasionally until the work time was approaching...

  It's a disaster, the leader who only came to eat with us is back, but Professor Zuo hasn't arrived yet. Si Mu Xian arranged for Shan Yong to wait, and again went out of the office. It wasn't until after a while that he found out where Professor Zuo was staying at the hotel. When he rushed back excitedly to report to his superior, he unexpectedly discovered that Shan Yong was still in the same state as when he left, intently staring at the various notes he had unintentionally brought back...

  ………………

  ………………

  The collapsed hotel is: Dongming International Hotel.

  Shan Yong didn't come out until it was almost closing time, after arranging the evening delivery back at the store and taking a detour around Shanmazi Village. Suan Xian-di was originally supposed to accompany him, but Shan Yong sent him away; he probably didn't want outsiders to know about his concerns.

  Arriving at the Dongming International Hotel by car, before it got dark, Dan Yong was thinking about how to find out which room Professor Zuo was staying in. Although Professor Zuo was very approachable and didn't put on airs, his status was still there, after all, he wasn't someone just anyone could meet. He turned around to take a look at the gift prepared on the passenger seat, wondering if this trick would still work.

  When he suggested giving gifts, Shanyong couldn't help but think of the time when his mother steamed a pot of zodiac signs to fill the warehouse, which made his teacher sister unforgettable. They hadn't known each other for long, but it felt like something that had happened a long time ago. For half an afternoon, he kept having the urge to dial her number, but restrained himself. Shanyong couldn't understand what kind of psychology he had, and every time his teacher sister's shadow appeared in his mind, his first thought was to forcibly suppress it, but the more he suppressed it, the clearer it became, and the more he didn't want to think about it, the more he missed her.

  Perhaps it's because I've been living too repressed... Shan Yong gently stroked the scar on his chest, which had already scabbed over. To get a handful of gold, he paid a terrible price, and what he got in return was equally terrible. Kong Xiangzhong is still in prison, and Qin Junhu's debt evasion has become the biggest negative news in the business world. What didn't make it into the news was that several major merchants had secretly manipulated and not only swallowed up Qin Junhu's inventory but were also discussing taking over the Xi Yuan cold storage from the district government through debt repayment. The dark underbelly of the business world, this bloodless devouring, even Shan Yong, the mastermind, hadn't expected that those people would play it so smoothly, far exceeding his simple plan to swallow up the inventory.

  No matter what reason is used to convince oneself, there will always be a little guilt in one's heart, just like the first time doing something bad, there will always be a feeling of unease, this unglorious role of mine, I'm afraid it has also been reflected in many people's hearts, such as Shibaoquan, Baoying sister, and even Shimuxian may have guessed one or two things.

  Perhaps it was because of Shī Jiě's sake. Dān Yǒng thought for a moment, the only thing he felt guilty about seemed to be towards Zuǒ Xī Yǐng, yet he hadn't done anything wrong to her, but somehow had this feeling that tormented him, and now didn't even have the courage to call and ask after her.

  After thinking for a long time, he got off the bus and waited under the trees on the side of the street until it was late. When he saw the municipal party committee's special car coming to see him off, Shanyong slowly followed behind, catching up quickly when he got into the elevator. He looked clearly at which floor the elevator stopped on, turned around, waited for a moment, and then, dressed in a brand new suit, stood respectfully in front of the general platform and asked: "Hello, I am from the Teaching Affairs Office of Lanzhou University. May I ask if Professor Zuo from Xiamen is still staying on the 18th floor?"

  The waiter looked surprised for a moment and smiled: "Yes."

  "Are you still staying in room 1816 from last time?"

  "No, I'm staying in room 1812."

  "Thank you."

  When the waiter blurted out the room number that the guest had asked to keep confidential, he instinctively covered his mouth and when he looked up, the inquirer was already gone.

  Skill, the skill of lying, got into the elevator, Dan Yong thought incomprehensibly how his lies came out sometimes, while going up to the floor, he warned himself that this habit must be changed, if Professor Zuo or Shijie found out, they would definitely be disgusted.

  I clearly know I dislike and resent him, so why did I still come? Why couldn't I sit still as soon as I heard Professor Zuo was coming? Before this, I had made up my mind not to think about that unrealistic matter again... I scolded myself for a long time, but still couldn't control my own footsteps.

  As he came out of the elevator and headed straight for room 1812, the waiter stopped him again, whispering that there was an important guest staying here, and a "Do Not Disturb" sign had just been hung up. Suddenly, Dan Yong made a careless remark with a sly smile: "This is a gift from Professor Zuo's old comrade-in-arms, if he knew you'd stopped it, he'd be even angrier... Don't believe me? Just make an announcement and say that Professor Song of Lanzhou University is paying his respects."

  He spoke so confidently and knew the room number, that the waiter didn't dare to stop him. Shanyong went forward and gently knocked on Professor Zuo's door. On the doorknob, there was indeed a "Do Not Disturb" sign.

  I don't know if Professor Zuo will blame me for this impolite visit, but in his heart, Shanyong was thinking that apart from this method, he really didn't have a better way to enter this hall that didn't belong to him.

  The door opened, and in the instant he saw Shanyong, his eyes widened in surprise. But Shanyong was holding a "Do Not Disturb" sign and smiled, saying, "Professor Zuo, your sign wasn't hung properly, it fell off, so I came to disturb you, don't mind." After being stunned for a moment, Professor Zuo burst out laughing...