KN | Chapter 46

The Ordinary Friend Rule

By the time Shen Zongnian arrived at Minglong, Zhao Shengge had already been working continuously while sick for seven hours.

After waking up in the middle of the night, all drowsiness had completely faded. Zhao Shengge did not take any more medicine. Many times, for him, work was more useful than medicine.

Because the driver had also come down with the flu, Zhao Shengge had been driving himself to and from work these past few days.

A great many folders were piled on the desk, all of them already reviewed and approved by Zhao Shengge, sorted into categories. Even while working overtime through illness, he was still efficient and methodical.

The ashtray was full of cigarette butts, and the strong citrus scent from the burst beads had already turned sharp and acrid.

From Zhao Shengge’s expression, Shen Zongnian could not tell what had happened after he sent the photo last night. Zhao Shengge’s emotions were always steady and quiet.

Shen Zongnian opened the window to let fresh air pour in, then poured himself a cup of tea. He did not ask about anything else.

Zhao Shengge went straight to business. The two of them were both people who spoke concisely and never wasted an extra word, so things moved very efficiently.

Partway through, Zhao Shengge coughed several times and had no choice but to stop talking. He curled one hand into a fist to cover his lips, and the way he frowned made him look somewhat uncomfortable.

Shen Zongnian asked, “Sick again?”

Zhao Shengge’s body had always been strangely contradictory ever since childhood. Sometimes his physique was fierce, and sometimes his constitution was very fragile.

The fierceness showed in how, during swimming, shooting, and equestrian exams and competitions, he would often produce records so strong that his opponents doubted their own lives. The fragility showed in how he was an enthusiastic participant in flu season almost every single year, while stomach pain was an everyday occurrence.

Shen Zongnian felt it was because Zhao Shengge paid too little attention to his own body. That was true for eating, and for sleep as well. Even AI needed to regularly start repair procedures, but Zhao Shengge’s life seemed not to contain that step. He was like a high-speed machine that worked without ever stopping.

Zhao Shengge’s voice was even lower and hoarser than it had been on the phone yesterday. “No.”

His phone lit up. He picked it up and looked at it for a while, then replied and put it back down.

After that, the screen lit up several more times in succession, but Zhao Shengge did not pay it any more attention. Shen Zongnian felt that in the latter half his efficiency had dropped somewhat, like an AI program with a malfunction that was not easily noticeable to others.

It looked intact and running, but something somewhere was broken. Perhaps only he himself knew where.

“Should I sound Tan Youming out a bit?”

Zhuo Zhixuan was not someone who failed to do proper work every single day. Today he had come over to the securities trading center on business, and while he was at it, he asked Chen Wan out to eat.

“No need.” Chen Wan put down the phone that had grown hot from being pressed so much, his expression somewhat serious.

Zhuo Zhixuan saw that in the chat window, Zhao Shengge had given detailed replies to questions about work.

Because Chen Wan had broken Fang Jian’s complicated, cumbersome model into data and text that were easier to understand and present, it was obvious he had put real effort into it.

Zhao Shengge had expressed thanks. His wording was proper, and between the lines there was not the slightest trace of grievance.

They were all adults. No one would tie private emotions to work.

But when it came to Chen Wan asking after his health out of concern, Zhao Shengge only brushed over it in a few strokes.

As for Chen Wan asking whether Zhao Shengge’s driver had returned to work yet, and if not, saying that he happened to be going to the Securities Tower on business and Zhao Shengge could ride in his car, Zhao Shengge only replied simply:

[No need, thank you.]

Just those few words, and Chen Wan looked at them for a long time as well.

Last night, Chen Wan had tried calling Zhao Shengge back. He did not know whether Zhao Shengge had been asleep, or working, or whether there was some other reason, but the call had not gone through.

Since it was so late, Chen Wan worried about disturbing a sick person’s rest, so he did not call a second time.

Instead, early this morning he sent Zhao Shengge a message asking about his health and condition, and simplified the matters in the group that needed Zhao Shengge’s approval, in hopes of reducing his workload.

As for work matters, Zhao Shengge replied to all of them seriously, annotating them one by one, courteous and proper in every respect.

But when it came to his own condition, he said very little.

Chen Wan had no way of knowing whether he had really developed a fever later, whether his throat pain and headache had eased, or whether things were worse now, or better.

Chen Wan could only hold his phone and keep reading the line “No need, thank you” over and over for a long time.

Zhuo Zhixuan did not know what exactly he had managed to read out of it.

Zhao Shengge always spoke so sparingly that other people basically had no way of guessing what he meant. Zhuo Zhixuan did not know how Chen Wan interpreted it, he only saw him biting on a cigarette, his gloomy eyes lowered, as he sent one line into the chat window:

[Alright then, you go ahead and get busy first. Please take care of yourself.]

Zhuo Zhixuan: “…”

Chen Wan stubbed out the cigarette, made a prompt decision, and privately messaged Tan Youming. “Young Master Tan said last time that he wanted to play bowling. Are you still interested lately? That bowling alley that was under renovation reopened recently.”

He said that if Young Master Tan was interested, he could go make the arrangements.

Of course, he would leave enough time for the sick person to recover.

Chen Wan had almost never taken the initiative to suggest putting a gathering together. Only when the young masters wanted to do something would he receive the task and make the arrangements properly.

But that phone call with its unclear meaning had remained stuck in his throat like a thorn.

Chen Wan did not think Zhao Shengge would get angry over something like that. When he hung up, his tone had still been polite. Aside from taking slightly longer than usual to reply to messages, he was just as patient as ever with work matters.

But Chen Wan could also clearly sense that something unnamed was quietly slipping away.

He did not know what, exactly, it was. Clearly, he had not even possessed it yet, and already he was losing it.

Only, those inexpressible emotions kept urging him to be resolute, to give, to act on his feelings openly and generously.

Tan Youming was naturally more than happy, loudly praising Chen Wan for being considerate. Shen Zongnian had been busy lately, and he himself had not been able to go out much either. Bowling was, at the very least, a sport that benefited physical and mental health, so there should no longer be any reason for the other party to stop him.

Tan Youming called friends over, and everyone gave face and responded quickly, except Zhao Shengge.

Zhao Shengge rarely spoke in the group, as if he were a fake account.

Right up until the day before they were to leave, Chen Wan still was not sure whether Zhao Shengge would come along.

He had made reservations at the bowling alley at Heli in advance. Several cars set off from the island at the same time and drove across Pearl Bridge, making quite an imposing sight.

Chen Wan could recognize Zhuo Zhixuan’s Cayenne, Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian’s Lincoln, and Qin Zhaoting’s Bentley. But among them was a Land Rover he had never seen before.

It drove fast and steady, its path straight, its drifting smooth, moving at high speed as though it meant to drive straight across Pearl Bridge and into the blue sky.

Chen Wan kept his eyes on it without blinking, hoping in his heart for a chance to correct his mistake.

He did not necessarily have to catch up to that Land Rover, but he could not remain trapped where he was any longer.

The bowling alley at Heli was newly opened, backed by mountains and facing the sea. At the entrance stood a giant model of a bowling pin. The floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides looked out over the sea and the green-blue fragrant lawn.

It was a members-only venue, with not many people around. Chen Wan had not booked out the whole place, he had only bought out part of the lanes.

This was where he was more thoughtful than other people, the young masters did not like crowds, but they also did not like things too deserted. There could not be too many people, but there also could not be too few. It all depended on how well one grasped that measure.

Even though Zhao Shengge had still gone to work while sick the past few days, some work had still piled up, and he had many phone calls. Because of that, he was the last one to get out of the car.

Actually, he had not planned to come today at all, but Tan Youming had called him many times and said he had something important to say.

He had even mocked him, saying that with such poor health he ought to exercise more.

“…”

Zhao Shengge walked over and nodded to everyone in greeting. When his gaze passed over Chen Wan, he gave the same equal nod, no different from anyone else.

Jiang Ying was standing closest, so he chatted with him in passing. Chen Wan kept failing to find a chance to greet Zhao Shengge, so he could only go deal with things with the bowling alley manager first.

By the time he entered the changing room, there was almost no one left. After putting away his things and shutting the locker door, he saw Zhao Shengge organizing his belongings. Chen Wan walked over, looked at him, and said, “Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Shengge was putting on a wrist guard. When he heard Chen Wan call him, he raised his eyes and nodded.

Not distant, and not warm either.

Chen Wan walked straight over. Seeing that using one hand to put the wrist guard on the other hand was not all that convenient, he asked, “Do you need help?”

Zhao Shengge adjusted the wrist guard himself. “It’s fine. No need.”

Chen Wan simply stood there and did not leave. His back was very straight, and he wore the posture of someone patiently and intently waiting for another person.

Reasonably understanding, Zhao Shengge said, “If you’re done, go over first. I’ll close up in a moment.”

Chen Wan shook his head. His expression was calm, but he said stubbornly, “It’s fine. I’ll wait and go with you.”

Before Zhao Shengge could refuse, Chen Wan proactively asked, “Mr. Zhao, is your cold better?”

Zhao Shengge answered without much concern, “It should be better, I guess.” In truth, his voice still held a trace of hoarseness.

Chen Wan’s hand tightened slightly. He felt that Zhao Shengge seemed to have always been rather careless and casual about his own body. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Would you like some honey water?”

The manager had come to tell him that Zhao Shengge was the only one who still had not ordered a drink. All VIPs had exclusive service. After an order was placed, staff would deliver it directly to the lane.

Given people of their status, the manager was paying them even more special attention, afraid of neglecting the slightest detail. He would not speak directly to that group of young masters, everything was handled through Chen Wan.

Zhao Shengge had already finished organizing his personal belongings and was about to leave, so he said, “No need.”

Chen Wan followed him out as well. “It won’t be too sweet. You could try it. It’s good for the throat, and it feels pretty comfortable after drinking it.”

At last, Zhao Shengge raised his head and looked at him once, his gaze calm and still, yet many thoughts flashed through his mind.

What exactly was this.

He could not get close, and he could not drive him away either.

Was Chen Wan really going to be so unrestrained, doing whatever he pleased?

Why.

The atmosphere was subtle, the air moving restlessly, as though nothing had changed at all, yet something had changed after all.

Neither of them mentioned that phone call that day. Outwardly, there seemed to be no friction at all. They nodded, exchanged greetings, and appeared no different from usual. But in reality, there was a mutual unspoken understanding, and each of them still failed to understand the other.

Chen Wan looked at Zhao Shengge with extreme seriousness. His eyes were very dark. Beneath the calm there was a kind of stubbornness that could almost be called sincerity. He accepted Zhao Shengge’s scrutiny openly and calmly.

The Ordinary Friend Rule had replaced the Secret Crush Rule and become the new standard of measure and code of conduct.

Could Chen Wan show concern for a friend’s illness? Could he wait and walk together with a friend? Could he order a cup of honey water to soothe the throat for a sick friend?

Since all of that was possible, then why could he not do the same for Zhao Shengge?

Within the boundaries, Chen Wan wanted to give Zhao Shengge many things, the most of all.

If Zhao Shengge did not want them, he could throw them away. But Chen Wan still wanted to give them.

Zhao Shengge looked at him for a while and felt that Chen Wan seemed a little subtly different from before. He was still respectful and modest, but he was not quite as obediently gentle and soft anymore. After tearing away that layer of unreal social smile, something real and sharp was revealed from him in that wordless calm.

Zhao Shengge could not describe it exactly.

But Chen Wan had too many prior offenses on Zhao Shengge’s side, and had never once fallen within Zhao Shengge’s reading comprehension to begin with, so he said indifferently, “Then suit yourself. Thanks.”