Chapter 48 - Why...

Before coming to Shanghai, Qin Sheng knew what kind of life he wanted to have and what kind of things he may encounter. What he had chosen was a road full of thorns and setbacks. The only thing he could do was to move forward and never return back.

Li Jun was the rising star in the Bund. Qin Sheng would definitely meet him as long as he was not the demon or the ghost. He did not have the ability to refuse such kind of people. He had to go even if he didn’t want to. But in fact, Qin Sheng was not unwilling.

Sinan Mansion was very close to Shangshan Ruoshui. It took only more than ten minutes to walk here. Han Bing’s design company was not far away. Qin Sheng had already learned from Chang Baji that Han Bing was in the design company today and it was unnecessary for her to worry about the Guoping Group. Zheng Ping had reached an agreement with the creditors on behalf of the company. The two sides set up a committee to tackle this matter together.

Sinan Mansion is the only project in Shanghai that aims to preserve and protect the garden houses. It has 51 historic garden houses, adjacent to the elegant Fuxing Park, and convenient to Chongqing South Road in the east. The Sinan Road runs through it, and the former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is in the north. It borders on the Residence of Mr. Zhou, which was the office of the CPC in Shanghai. The famous historical celebrities, including Liu Yazi and Mei Lanfang once lived here. There are boutique hotels, serviced apartments, corporate residences and commercial districts. Combined with the centuries-old classic buildings and celebrities’ former residences along Huaihai Road, it has become the most unique scenery in the center of Shanghai and an embodiment of humanities, history and fashion.

The rising star Li Jun met Qin Sheng at Sinan Mansion Hotel, where he chartered a single garden house and invited two chefs to cook. Most of the time he lived here.

Bro Jun stood at the entrance of the hotel from six and waited for Qin Sheng. He was relieved after meeting him. He was afraid that Qin Sheng would stand him up and then it was shameful for him to face his boss.

“Mr. Qin, here you are! Mr. Li has been waiting for you inside.” Bro Jun with the braid greeted him respectfully. He was arrogant in the morning when he first saw Qin Sheng, but now he changed completely and was afraid that this man may hit him if he said something wrong. What’s worse, his boss may also punish him for his mistakes.

Qin Sheng said lightly, “Take me in.”

Bro Jun reached out his hand with politeness, and then carefully guided Qin Sheng to the garden house where Mr. Li lived. He admitted that the environment of Sinan Mansion was really good, and it was more charming than the hotels above the high-rise buildings in Pudong area.

There were two bodyguards at the entrance of the house and they naturally stopped Qin Sheng, indicating that he must be searched. Qin Sheng was slightly angry. Bro Jun next to him was embarrassed and said, “Mr. Qin, this is the rule and I hope you don’t care.”

Qin Sheng was serious. He volunteered to open his hands and let them check. The inspection was very detailed, but they did not cross the line. Qin Sheng thought that they just went through the motions.

After that, Qin Sheng was led into the house by Bro Jun. Compared with Jiang Xianbang’s mansion and Shangshan Ruoshui, the single house of the Sinan Mansion was not so charming. Although the restaurant, kitchen and so on are all available, unfortunately it was still a hotel and the developers were reluctant to spend so much money on it.

In the living room, a man in his early thirties was watching TV, with a sexy beauty in his arms. His hair was slicked back and his clothes were casual. He wore ordinary sweatpants and short sleeves, with a pair of sandals on his feet. His hand went into the V-neck top of the beauty and touched her. He was Li Jun of Xinghe Industry and a rising star on the Bund.

“Boss, Mr. Qin arrived.” Bro Jun whispered.

Li Jun let go of the beauty next to him, and he got up and laughed, “My dear man, you finally come! Please come over and have a seat!”

Before coming here, Qin Sheng searched for information about Xinghe Industry and Li Jun but nothing was found on the Internet. All he found was some disconnected information. It seemed that this man was quite low-key. He said politely, “I have heard your name for a long time, but I did not expect that I had the honor to meet you, nice to meet you.”

Qin Sheng needed to say these flatteries. He shouldn’t talk too frankly like a long-lost friend on first acquaintance. But he couldn’t hold himself aloof because they were not at the same level.

Li Jun got up and waved his hand, ordering the beautiful woman in his arms to go upstairs. He slowly walked up to Qin Sheng and held him on the shoulder and said, “My dear man, stop talking about these flatteries. Although it’s the first time I meet you, I appreciate you very much. I’m 33 years old, older than you. If you don’t mind, you can call me Bro Li.”

Qin Sheng haven’t understood his intentions till now. But Li Jun was not at the same level as him, so he must accept his kindness despite that he was reluctant to do so.

“How do I dare to refuse? I’m worried that your position is beyond my reach. After all, I’m just a nobody.” Li Jun motioned him to sit down and Qin Sheng said with a smile.

Li Jun asked the servant to offer the tea and he pretended to keep a stiff face and said, “I don’t like to hear that. All of us were nobody in the past. There are only two of us talking tonight and you don’t need to care about our positions and background. Please make yourself at home or I’ll be disappointed.”

After all these flatteries, Qin Sheng called him Bro Li directly.

Li Jun laughed happily and said, “This is right!”

“Xiao Jun, ask the chef whether they are ready, I am already a little hungry.” It was time for dinner. Li Jun knew that Qin Sheng must have not eaten, so he had arranged everything.

It didn’t take long for him to come back and say, “Boss, dinner is ready.”

“Qin Sheng, let’s go, we can talk while eating.” Li Jun said to Qin Sheng and Qin Sheng followed him.

Li Jun asked, “Can you drink?”

“It should be OK if I drink a little.”

Li Jun knew that these were polite noises. If such person did not drink alcohol, it would be more terrifying. He smiled and said, “Do you want liquor, red wine or western wine? I have all of them.”

Qin Sheng said flatly, “Liquor is the best.” His drinking capacity was OK and he could drink all kinds of wine. He could drink more if he was in a better mood, which was true for most people.

After listening to his words, Li Jun ordered immediately, “Bring my treasured Maotai.”

On the dining table, there were no outsiders. Qin Sheng and Li Jun were sitting opposite each other. This made Qin Sheng feel a bit funny. After all, he was not Jiang Xianbang and why was Li Jun, a man of respectable position so nice to him and what did he want?

“These are all simple Ningbo food. I don’t know if you are used to it?” Li Jun was from Ningbo. It was natural that he used his hometown food to entertain guests. If he was not used to it, he would change other tastes next time.

Qin Sheng honestly said, “Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines are sweet, and I can enjoy it occasionally. But I can’t stand it if I eat it everyday.”

Li Jun laughed happily and said, “People outside of Ningbo always say that. People of different places have different tastes.” After laughing, he toasted, “Come on, let’s drink first.”

After a glass of wine, Li Jun’s eyes changed slightly and asked, “I heard that your university is in Shanghai?”

“Philosophy Department in Fudan University. I spent four years without any aims and I couldn’t find a job after graduation, so I went out for two years.” These words were very subtle, and they finally stepped into the topic. Li Jun must find a lot of information about him if he invited him to his house. This was also tentative questions and everybody knew the answer. Qin Sheng did not mind telling him the truth directly to save some time.

Li Jun was a little surprised and said, “I didn’t expect it. You are the top student who graduated from Fudan University. Philosophy is one of the best majors. Unfortunately, I only played in school. Later, I had spent money to attend an independent college. Now, I regret.”

Qin Sheng said with a smile, “Bro Li, I don’t know what to say. How many students graduating from Fudan University can become so successful as you?”

Li Jun laughed happily and replied, “My man, you will succeed sooner or later. It’s difficult for me to find a young man like you. Besides, you also have the support of Bro Jiang.”

Li Jun mentioned Jiang Xianbang, and it seemed that he knew a lot, which made Qin Sheng’s face change slightly.

Qin Sheng drank a cup of wine and said in a low voice, “I’m just a nobody and please don’t flatter me.”

Li Jun pointed at Qin Sheng, and he said, “My dear man, you are too modest. You must be curious why I want to see you. After all, there is no communication between us. Both of us are smart people and when smart people are together, they may be annoyed. They have to go around dozens of circles to get to the point. It’s better to go straight to the main subject.”

“Then I want to know, what qualifications do I have to attract the attention of a big man like you?” Qin Sheng suddenly asked.

After hearing the question, the smile on Li Jun’s face faded and he asked seriously, “What do you think?”

“I really don’t know.” Qin Sheng shook his head, and he knew that the answer must be revealed by Li Jun.

Li Jun sneered, “Why? Because I want to see the man who dares to kill Zhou Wenwu.”

This sentence took Qin Sheng by surprise.