Chapter 98 — Background (2)
Bai Mingyu took Xie Jing around the factory, showing him the place and explaining the general situation.
Wang Jingqiu and the others had changed greatly from before. Their clothing, manners, and speech were all very Westernized. When Bai Mingyu arrived, they only nodded politely and then quickly returned to their work. Xie Jing didn’t feel anything unusual; he had seen many people returning from studying abroad. During the wartime, when he fled to Chuncheng, he had met many scholars and eminent figures. Whether they wore long robes or Western suits and ties, inside they all harbored the same love for their country. Such people were more focused on their work, and in social matters, they seemed distant—most scholars were like that.
Bai Mingyu himself wasn’t so formal; being young, he was more relaxed and gave Wang Jingqiu and the others space to operate freely.
Bai Mingyu had been scolded often for their actions, but conflicts between factions in the factory were all for the good of the factory, so he shouldered it for Wang Jingqiu and the others. Wang Jingqiu was too idealistic; fortunately, he had Bai Mingyu, who had money to spare. If it had been another owner, the factory would have collapsed long ago. Lord Bai Jiu had allocated substantial funds, and Bai Mingyu had no complaints.
During this time, someone came to see Bai Mingyu with official business. He left quickly, arranging for someone to accompany Xie Jing.
Xie Jing wandered the factory and ran into Wang Jingqiu. Wang Jingqiu looked pale, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. Xie Jing asked, “What’s wrong? Not feeling well?”
Wang Jingqiu shook his head, but as he climbed the steps, he stumbled slightly. Xie Jing helped him, and after a moment, he said, “It’s nothing, just an old problem—my stomach pain acting up again.”
Since there was no doctor at the factory, Xie Jing sent for one. After examining Wang Jingqiu, the doctor prescribed some medicine and warned, “Your old illness has flared up. You’re still young, but this stomach problem has lasted a long time. Young people should eat properly and not overwork. Otherwise, your body won’t hold up in the future.”
Wang Jingqiu nodded and took the medicine with warm water.
After he finished, Xie Jing asked, “Not used to the food abroad?”
Wang Jingqiu pressed his lips together and said, “Not used to it, and I didn’t have much time.” He devoted all his time to studying, leaving no room for delay. Meals were just a quick way to fill his stomach.
He spoke little, and Xie Jing was not someone who chatted much. After sitting quietly for a while, Xie Jing said, “Your former classmate at the clan school, Fang Jiwu, now a doctor—if he saw you like this, he’d surely scold you for a long while.”
Upon hearing the name, Wang Jingqiu’s expression softened. He and Fang Jiwu were very close, like brothers. He smiled and said, “He’s really become a doctor? I used to correspond with him; last I heard, he was assisting Doctor Lin.”
Xie Jing said, “This year he can see patients independently. He’s a good person and runs a small clinic in Beidi.”
Wang Jingqiu became happy: “I knew he would succeed.” His words were sincere, not thinking himself exceptional, but genuinely encouraging a friend. “Has Jiwu’s address changed? I’ve been too busy since returning and haven’t written home to ask.”
Xie Jing thought for a moment: “I remember his clinic isn’t far from the medical school. You should be able to reach him by phone.”
Wang Jingqiu’s eyes lit up: “Really?”
Xie Jing replied, “I’ll try.”
The factory had a telephone in Bai Mingyu’s office for convenience. Bai Mingyu was out on business, so Xie Jing could use it freely. He first contacted Doctor Lin at the medical school, then reached Fang Jiwu. An hour later, the two old classmates, long separated, were on the phone.
Xie Jing waited at the door, giving them some privacy. Wang Jingqiu still spoke little, but his happiness was audible, and he laughed a few times. After a long conversation, he reluctantly hung up and thanked Xie Jing.
Xie Jing asked, “All sorted?”
Wang Jingqiu nodded with a smile: “Yes, Jiwu nagged a lot, just like a caring doctor. He seems even more concerned than before.”
After the call, Wang Jingqiu relaxed in Xie Jing’s presence and smiled more. By evening, when Bai Mingyu returned, Wang Jingqiu had a better attitude toward Bai Mingyu, more cooperative, and flexible about work matters.
Bai Mingyu was astonished. After people left, he turned to Xie Jing: “Little Xie, what did you do this afternoon? Even he bowed to you?”
Xie Jing replied, “Just helped a little.”
Bai Mingyu asked further and, upon hearing it was just a phone call, was amazed.
On the way back to the East Compound for dinner, a small incident occurred. They were stopped by a girl wearing a student uniform, with short hair and a pearl hairpin, holding a schoolbag. She leaned toward the car and asked, “Bai Mingyu, my car broke down. Could you give me a ride home?”
Bai Mingyu rubbed his forehead, slightly annoyed but couldn’t refuse. He nodded, “Alright.”
She squeezed into the back seat with him. Bai Mingyu grumbled, “Wait, I’ll sit in front…” He hesitated, noticing Xie Jing. Lord Bai Jiu had instructed him to take care of Xie Jing outside; if he let Xie Jing sit alone with a girl, Lord Bai Jiu would be furious.
Xie Jing said, “I’ll sit in front.”
Bai Mingyu grabbed his arm: “No, it’s just a short ride. Squeeze in.” Fearing both Lord Bai Jiu and the lady of the house, Bai Mingyu wouldn’t let Xie Jing sit alone upfront.
The three squeezed together, Bai Mingyu in the middle. The girl, petite, didn’t take much space, holding her bag and saying shyly, “I’ll only sit a little; it’s just around the corner.”
She tried to chat, but Bai Mingyu, wanting to talk to Xie Jing, gave curt replies.
“I heard my father mentioned you; he said you’re capable.”
“Oh? Send my regards to Director Song.”
“Am I taking up too much space? Move over a bit…”
“No need, you’re almost there. I can squeeze with Little Xie.”
After a few exchanges, the girl grew annoyed. Bai Mingyu suggested taking the car to a proper repair shop, which was affiliated with Bai Hongqi. This excited Bai Mingyu, and he invited Xie Jing to visit the shop later.
The girl got off angrily, wiping her face.
Bai Mingyu didn’t notice at first. Xie Jing told him, “Second Young Master, aren’t you going to see her off?”
Bai Mingyu: “Why? Women are troublesome.”
Xie Jing asked, “Who was that girl? Are you close?”
Bai Mingyu said, “Don’t be ridiculous, she’s a director’s daughter. I’ve only met her twice—once during a school interview at the factory.”
Xie Jing nodded. Bai Mingyu warned him not to think anything, but Xie Jing replied, “The little beauty was after you.”
Bai Mingyu scoffed: “Nonsense, she’s just average-looking, nowhere near aunt.”
The girl had a good family and appearance, popular at school. She was bold in showing interest. Bai Mingyu, being tall and handsome, naturally drew attention, but he didn’t inflate her looks.
They passed a jewelry store on the way home. Bai Mingyu bought a hairpin; Xie Jing bought a small jade fish and a colorful bracelet. Bai Mingyu was clearly happy, showing Xie Jing the letter from aunt.
The letter, three pages long, instructed Bai Mingyu to prepare gifts for Lord Bai Jiu for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Bai Mingyu delightedly pointed out, “See here? She said ‘we’!”
Xie Jing thought Bai Mingyu was easily pleased, imagining elaborate scenarios from a single word.
That night, Bai Mingyu shared his feelings with Xie Jing over light sake. Slowly, he admitted, “Little Xie, I know I still have a long way with Hongqi. I’ve been trying, but there’s no progress.”
Xie Jing stayed silent, holding his cup.
Bai Mingyu reminisced about the previous year’s Dragon Boat Festival and sighed, “Little Xie, I miss her.”
Xie Jing realized the sake had affected him. Though mild, it made Bai Mingyu emotional. Bai Mingyu, impressed with Xie Jing’s beauty, noted how even a small amount of sake made his lips flush red, contrasting with his pale complexion.
Xie Jing couldn’t stay long and went to Lord Bai Jiu. In the bedroom, he found the lights off. Xie Jing crawled onto Lord Bai Jiu’s bed, removing clothing, and Lord Bai Jiu held his restless hands, asking softly, “Drank?”
“Just a little,” Xie Jing admitted.
Lord Bai Jiu sniffed faintly, detecting traces of perfume, and questioned him. Xie Jing denied seeing anyone, then admitted: “In the car, Second Young Master’s car, someone hitched a ride.” His body was flushed, biting Lord Bai Jiu’s chin and throat in small, frustrated bites.
Lord Bai Jiu, though initially upset, understood. The scent of perfume on Xie Jing left a lingering impression, and he spent the morning in a good mood, showing the colorful bracelet on his wrist, a symbol of attachment and affection.
Meanwhile, inquiries about the Xie family revealed that Xie Siquan had only one nephew—Xie Jing—raised in the He family in Hushi. Lord Bai Jiu realized the peculiar behavior of Hu Da and the timing of the salt shipment; someone had been impersonating the nephew. Furious, he gave orders to monitor both the Xie and He families.
Later, Xie Jing returned home. Li Yuan greeted him cautiously. Soon, a young man in a bright Sichuan-style robe appeared—Xie Siquan, Xie Jing’s uncle.
Xie Siquan embraced the old grandmother, overjoyed to see Xie Jing. Despite the small space at home, they managed a meal with multiple dishes stacked high. Xie Siquan eagerly attended to Xie Jing, wanting to buy anything he wished, and gave Li Yuan a gift of gold bars.
Xie Jing, quiet as ever, spoke little, but his presence charmed Xie Siquan. They then prepared to go out, with Xie Siquan promising to buy him a car, fulfilling a literal interpretation of his word.
