Chapter 5: Stirring A Pool Of Spring Water

Zhong Yu Bai’s expression was very calm, his posture and demeanor slightly relaxed. Even though he attended these seemingly important meetings, he did not show the posture of leadership, only casually observing the exhibition.

He came from this orderly and rigorous team, but he could also detach himself from it, wandering to the corners and seeing a familiar face, so he came over to say hello.

His gaze slowly rose, looking at the painting in front of him, and said, “Your masterpiece.”

Ji Zhen Tang was slightly stunned, glancing sideways, surprised at his affirming tone, “How did you know?!”

Zhong Yu Bai raised his hand and used the corner of the business card to gently flatten the curled-up corner of the painting.

Hidden beneath it was a signature: Ah Zhen.

Ji Zhen Tang awkwardly reached out to block, her constrained movements explaining everything.

Zhong Yu Bai looked at her reddened ears and asked, “Your artist name?”

She answered evasively, “This was last year’s final assignment.” Standing in front of the painting, she used her body to block it, feeling quite embarrassed.

But obviously, he had already admired her work.

It was a traditional Chinese ink painting, with an impressionistic style. It exuded a sense of openness and freedom, with the inscription “In this world, where is there a place not free to roam.” In the water, there was a red fish, the only vivid color in the entire painting. The intense red seemed to bring the fish to life, stirring up a pool of spring water.

Zhong Yu Bai carefully examined her work again and asked, “Did it receive the highest score?”

Ji Zhen Tang choked back a response, shaking her head softly, “No, it didn’t.”

As she lowered her head, revealing the undisguised disappointment in her eyes, he said, “The teacher missed out.”

Ji Zhen Tang subtly raised the corners of her lips, the light in her eyes becoming buoyant again, a restrained sense of excitement. She diverted her attention back to the business card, seizing it from his fingertips when he wasn’t paying attention, and looked at it.

The business card bore the name of the principal.

…

With the business of the principal intervening, she could only look at him with a faint smile, feeling dejected, and lowered her head.

Someone behind her called out, “Mr. Zhong, you’re here. This is Professor Lin from the Oceanographic Institute.”

It was the principal speaking, leading a well-mannered teacher.

Zhong Yu Bai glanced at the newcomer, then lowered his gaze to Ji Zhen Tang. He slightly bowed, whispering softly, “Excuse me.”

Ji Zhen Tang replied, “Sure.”

As Zhong Yu Bai turned and walked into the crowd. She glanced at the time and received a message from Lin Guixue: Ah, why haven’t you arrived yet? It’s your turn according to the student ID order, you’re up next.

Ji Zhen Tang hurriedly replied: I’m coming, two minutes.

After she finished speaking, she hurriedly left.

…

Back in the classroom, as she hastily concluded the presentation, Ji Zhen Tang opened her textbook and flipped to a page with some draft paper. Written on it were some financial records. For example: zongzi (rice dumplings) 3 yuan, eyeliner pen 120 yuan, clay pot rice noodles 18 yuan. Following closely were today’s expenses.

Ji Zhen Tang glanced at her account balance. It was time to consider her livelihood.

Ji Zhen Tang sent a message to Ji Huan: Dad, look, I’ve turned into a little crab.

Ji Zhen Tang: [Image]

She sent a cartoon picture of a crab.

Ji Huan: What do you mean?

Ji Zhen Tang: [Image]

This picture showed a crab retracting one of its legs.

Ji Zhen Tang: But I don’t have pincers anymore.

Ji Huan suddenly understood and quickly transferred 2500 yuan over. Ji Zhen Tang accepted it with a beaming smile, already planning how to playfully thank him. Soon, a new message from Ji Huan popped up: You’ve grown up and need to go out to work to earn some pocket money.

Ji Zhen Tang’s smile froze on her face.

She replied: Okay, I’ve opened a small online store.

Ji Huan: Look for part-time jobs at milk tea shops or coffee shops, something more practical.

Ji Zhen Tang: Okay, thank you, Dad!

Ji Zhen Tang: [Salute.jpg]

She waited for three minutes, but Ji Huan didn’t respond. She waited for five minutes, still no reply. She knew her dad wouldn’t respond anymore.

Refreshing the screen yielded no results. She clicked into her dad’s Moments and saw him documenting her brother’s high school life. Just a glance made her eyes sting at every video thumbnail.

She couldn’t bear to look further.

She calmly logged out, paid off her debts, her balance sharply decreasing by three hundred yuan, feeling like her heart was being cut with a knife. She didn’t want to admit that her father was stingy with her, nor did she want to lose any more dignity as a daughter who couldn’t meet his expectations.

Ji Huan had told her more than once, “Your major is too expensive!” with a disdainful expression as he helped her pay tuition fees. The look of disdain when he handed over money repeatedly stung her.

She could only force a smile and say, “Sorry, thank you, dad.”

Thinking about her small online business, Ji Zhen Tang opened a certain e-commerce app, switched to an account she hadn’t managed for a long time, and saw a red notification indicating one message. Excitedly, she clicked in, only to find it was just a platform notification.

The cost of jewelry was too high, and Ji Zhen Tang’s current capital didn’t meet the standards. So, she had been doing creative design for a while, earning meager income when traffic was good and wasting effort when it wasn’t.

When you’re down on your luck, even big data can bully you. Of all times, it had to recommend someone she might know, and at first glance, she saw Zhao Siqi’s dazzling account— their class monitor, a scion of a wealthy family, who was already running his own brand, with thousands of followers in just a month.

His profile picture was an exquisite logo with his brand name in the middle: Serein.

Out of sight, out of mind, she logged out of the account.

It wasn’t a major blow, but when all the little discomforts piled up, it could tighten one’s heart so much that it couldn’t breathe.

“Sigh.”

Taking a breath, Lin Guixue glanced at her app interface.

“How’s your traffic been lately?” Ji Zhen Tang asked, looking at her app interface.

“I haven’t checked in a while. Every time I put effort into making videos or designing, nobody watches. Feels like I’m wasting my time,” Ji Zhen Tang replied.

Lin Guixue said, “It’s a matter of luck. Maybe one day it will pick up. Just keep going.”

She was touched. “Thank you.”

“It’s inevitable. That’s how internet business is. Traffic is king. Cut off the traffic, and you cut off the money-making path. Making money isn’t hard, but keeping it is. Accept that, and then keep a calm mindset,” Lin Guixue explained.

Ji Zhen Tang said gloomily, “I know.”

Playing with her phone for a while, Lin Guixue suddenly asked her, “Have you seen Zhong Yu Bai? Heard he came to the school today, and the principal personally received him.”

Ji Zhen Tang replied listlessly, “Yes, I have. He’s Zhong Heng’s third uncle. He was there at dinner that day too.”

Speaking casually, she didn’t expect a genuine response. Lin Guixue’s eyes lit up, “Really? Is he handsome?” Women couldn’t avoid gossip about his appearances.

She responded in an official tone, “He’s okay.”

“Just okay? He’s rumored to be exceptionally handsome, even compared to Pan An. And yet, in your opinion, he’s just okay,” Lin Guixue teased.

Ji Zhen Tang changed the subject, asking, “Why did the principal receive him?”

“You didn’t see the group chat? The Haike Institute is about to sign a cooperation agreement with Boyang,” Lin Guixue explained.

Ji Zhen Tang hesitated, “Boyang?”

“You haven’t heard of it? It’s the Boyang from the Zhong family, the shipbuilding conglomerate. Their products and technology are world-class,” Lin Guixue praised, giving a thumbs up. “Zhong Yu Bai is a big shot at that level, dominating the industry.”

Listening to her, Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but feel surprised and cautiously asked, “Wow, you’re saying he’s so powerful, does he have a lot of resources?”

“In what aspect?” Lin Guixue inquired.

“For example, cough cough, just hypothetically—let’s say my dad wants to sell tea abroad. But he hasn’t found suitable channels, can’t reach some high-end customers. Do you think if someone from the Zhong family were to sell tea, would it be easy?” Ji Zhen Tang explained.

“I’m not sure about the specifics, but someone at that level could easily secure not just one channel, but ten,” Lin Guixue replied. “Where does your dad want to sell?”

“I don’t know. He says business in China isn’t doing well. Maybe Japan or Southeast Asia,” Ji Zhen Tang said, feeling discouraged again. What’s the point of knowing how capable others are? It only adds jealousy.

Ji Zhen Tang opened the part-time job group chat to look at the latest job postings. This was closely related to her life, determining her scarce leisure time with every few hundred yuan she earned, like waves engulfing her, squeezing her modest energy until it was exhausted, buying her little moments of respite.

Who likes studying anyway? A life without economic resources is like a swamp. Begging day by day.

“Sigh.”

Another sigh.

Just before class ended, she received a call from an unknown number.

The teacher hadn’t finished yet, so Ji Zhen Tang thought it was a prank call and hung up casually.

A few seconds later, the other party sent a text message:

【I’m Zhong Yu Bai.】

After reading this line, Ji Zhen Tang suddenly jumped up from her seat.

She was quickly pressed down by Lin Guixue, “Are you crazy? Class hasn’t ended yet.”

Ji Zhen Tang lowered her head awkwardly, unable to believe the four words on the screen. Probably because she left her number on the roster at the door earlier, so he found it.

Recalling this, she heard Lin Guixue asking, “Doesn’t Zhong Heng tell you about his family?”

“Not much. He’s cautious, only talks about his dead mouse,” Ji Zhen Tang replied.

Lin Guixue sighed with understanding, “People like them are all like that. You pour your heart out to them, but they, they can’t say this, can’t say that, always holding back, making friendships exhausting.”

Ji Zhen Tang seized on the word “all” and asked, “Is Zhao Siqi like that too?”

“He did tell me some insider stories about the Zhong family once, want to hear?” Lin Guixue asked.

Desperate to know, Ji Zhen Tang beckoned, “Yes.”

“The former president of Boyang was Zhong Heng’s dad, named Zhong Jing. You know, Zhong Jing had some ability, but not much luck, lost money here and there, ended up owing the bank a lot, and Boyang’s industries were split into several pieces. Later, Zhong Yu Bai returned to China, and Boyang’s situation improved a bit. Not long after, he completely sidelined the entire board of directors, replaced them with his confidants. Although he gave Zhong Jing the title of chairman, it was just for show. All the real power was in Zhong Yu Bai’s hands.”

“No wonder…”

“No wonder Zhong Heng is so repelled by his third uncle,” Ji Zhen Tang sighed.

“How did he manage to do that?” Ji Zhen Tang asked.

“It’s all about tactics, if I knew how he did it, I’d be a big shot today too,” Lin Guixue replied.

“How does Zhao Siqi know all these things then?” Ji Zhen Tang inquired.

“His brand was able to rise, partly thanks to Boyang’s influence,” Lin Guixue explained.

“Serein?” Ji Zhen Tang asked.

“You need investment to enter the market. Having capital support is different from starting from scratch like us,” Lin Guixue elaborated.

Hearing Lin Guixue’s explanation, Ji Zhen Tang felt slightly relieved again. She smiled, “People born in Rome.”

Lin Guixue remarked, “Surrounded by people born in Rome, we seem so insignificant.”

Her implication was that people in this industry were all from wealthy families.

During the break, Ji Zhen Tang hurried to a quiet corner of the staircase and opened the text message again, carefully scrutinizing the words “I’m Zhong Yu Bai” for a moment before dialing the number.

After several rings, the call connected.

“Uncle, it’s me,” she said.

On her end, there was noise, while his side was calm. Zhong Yu Bai was probably slightly surprised by the term of address, hesitating for a moment before his voice became warm and leisurely as he asked, “Class over?”

Ji Zhen Tang nodded, “Yes, it’s break time now. Is there something you need from me?”

Zhong Yu Bai remained silent for a moment before speaking directly, “There is indeed a favor I need your help with.”

“Me? Help you?” She was surprised and asked, “What is it?”

He didn’t immediately say over the phone, only asking, “Are you free tonight? Would it be convenient to have dinner together?”

Two unexpected questions caught her off guard.

“Huh? Din… dinner,” she stumbled, asking nonsensically, “Then… Is the principal going too?”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled faintly, “No principal.”

“Then, Professor Lin?”

“Also no Professor Lin.”

“Is it just the two of us?”

After a brief pause, he slowly said, “You can inform your boyfriend that I have an important matter to discuss with you.”

Ji Zhen Tang pursed her lips, glanced at her phone’s time, “What time? Will you come to pick me up?”

“Of course,” Zhong Yu Bai replied.

Ji Zhen Tang said, “I finish class at six.”

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Three hours later, I’ll wait for you at Xueyuan.”

Xueyuan was a commercial street behind the museum, a transportation hub for Qingcheng University. Ji Zhen Tang hesitated before replying, “Um, okay.”

Detecting her reluctance, Zhong Yu Bai spoke up for her, “Is there any difficulty?”

“It’s just that… there are quite a few people leaving school in the evening. I’m a bit afraid of gossip. Could you… hide and wait for me?” As she spoke, her voice awkwardly lowered.

He paused, chuckled lightly, then said, “I’ll be lurking in the bushes at the foot of the mountain, waiting for you to find me.”

Ji Zhen Tang smiled with relief, “Thank you.”

“It’s my request, it’s only natural,” Zhong Yu Bai replied.

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