Never turn back

Author: He Keke et al / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Excerpt Dou Ershen dropped Shen Fei and came to the Haitian Hotel Restaurant as scheduled. He placed a delicate brocade box on the table, tied with a silk ribbon, looking elegant and beautiful. Sitting at the table, he looked at the box and smiled. A waiter approached and asked if he wanted to order. Dou Ershen glanced at the restaurant entrance and told the waiter to wait a bit. He kept staring at the entrance, but none of the people passing by were Chen Xiaoqian. He felt a bit disappointed, lowered his head, and turned his attention back to the box. He reached out to adjust the ribbon, but it only became more tangled. At that moment, Chen Xiaoqian appeared at the restaurant entrance. Seeing Dou Ershen untying the ribbon to re-tie it, she suddenly appeared before him. Dou Ershen hastily hid the poorly tied box. Chen Xiaoqian didn’t mind his actions and smiled at him, saying, “I’m really sorry. Rehearsals have been too stressful, and I’m heading to Shanghai for the competition tomorrow.” Dou Ershen, while hastily tucking the gift into his pocket, asked what she wanted to eat. Chen Xiaoqian said jokingly, “This is what you told me you’d say?” “Happy birthday.” Dou Ershen scratched his head and smiled. Chen Xiaoqian smiled and sat down. Dou Ershen hesitated for a moment but still handed her the wrinkled brocade box, wishing her a happy birthday. Chen Xiaoqian took the box, and her expression showed slight surprise. Dou Ershen called for the waiter to order. Chen Xiaoqian untied the ribbon and found a beautiful watch inside. She felt a bit touched. Just as she looked up to say something, she noticed Dou Ershen wasn’t paying attention to her but was instead staring at the menu. She hesitated, put the box in her bag, but found that her bag already contained another box identical to the one Dou Ershen had given her.
Yang Tong sat in the visiting room of the detention center again with Wang Lie. She smiled at him, saying that her job at the TV station was settled and she was just waiting for the procedures, as the contract had already been signed. Wang Lie heard this and said happily, “That’s great. Unfortunately, I can’t celebrate with you in person.” He reached out and stroked Yang Tong’s cheek. Yang Tong savored his warmth, and her eyes grew moist. Wang Lie said, “Yang Tong, what’s wrong? You should be happy.” Yang Tong looked up at Wang Lie and forced a smile. Wang Lie wiped her tears and said, “It’s almost time for sentencing. At least we’ll have a resolution.” Yang Tong looked at Wang Lie with deep affection and told him that no matter what happened, she would wait for him.
Yang Tong left, and Wang Lie sat curled up on a stool in the detention center’s visiting room, remaining calm. Dou Ershen entered and stood before him. After a moment of silence, he asked Wang Lie if he had any thoughts. “I hit the person, after all, and two years isn’t too long.” Wang Lie said. Dou Ershen was a bit surprised by Wang Lie’s calmness and said, “It’s good that you think this way.” “Thank you.” Wang Lie said. Dou Ershen asked curiously what Wang Lie was thanking him for. “I know you didn’t tell my mom about what happened, and you pretended to be my friend.” Wang Lie said. Dou Ershen smiled nonchalantly, and Wang Lie lowered his head, saying he wanted to see his mother. Dou Ershen looked out the window without speaking.
The next day, Dou Ershen invited Wang Lie’s mother to the police station. When he entered the police station, he happened to see Tan Dong coming out. He saw Dou Ershen and asked why he had come so late, as an elderly woman had been waiting for him for a long time. Liu Gao raised his grim face and said, “What the hell.” With that, he turned and walked away. The old lady saw Liu Gao walk away and ducked her head. She came out from the side door and asked a cobbler nearby to watch her stall while she made a phone call. Just then, an elderly woman with small feet walked over. The old lady hurriedly approached her and said, “Liu Gao is back, over there. Keep an eye on him while I call the police.” The elderly woman didn’t know who she was talking about and asked, “Which Liu Gao?” “You don’t remember? It’s the one the police came looking for last time.” The old lady said as she walked. “Make sure he doesn’t leave. The police are coming right away.” She then walked to the nearby public phone, picked it up, and dialed.
Liu Gao was walking along the sidewalk when a car suddenly screeched to a stop beside him. The window rolled down, and a person’s head poked out—it was Mahaha. He opened the door and gestured for Liu Gao to get in. Liu Gao got into the car and sat beside him. Mahaha drove onto the overpass as a police car roared past them in the opposite direction. Mahaha sped down the highway. Liu Gao, sitting beside him, glanced at him and smiled, “Now I’m a big shot, everyone’s looking for me.” Mahaha drove, staring straight ahead without a word.
“Why didn’t Huang Jianming come?” Mahaha didn’t look at him as he drove, saying, “Huang Jianming is in a meeting today, discussing a client.” Liu Gao sneered, “That bastard is doing well now, all polished and proper. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have had it so good. Bastard! Mahaha, tell Huang Jianming to come see me right away. I have something important to discuss with him.” Mahaha glanced at him but continued driving.
Huang Jianming hurried down the company corridor when he saw Zhu Zongfu approaching him. “Huang General, I’ve been looking for you. The client from the film city thinks our quote is too high. They’re planning to find Gu XianDa.” Huang Jianming thought for a moment and said, “Tell the finance department to redo the quote, reducing it by three percent, and bring it to me in half an hour.” Zhu Zongfu agreed and hurried away. Huang Jianming called him back. He stopped and looked back at Huang Jianming. “Try to arrange a dinner with the client today.” Zhu Zongfu smiled broadly and agreed.
Huang Jianming’s car stopped in front of the Night Lily Bar. Before getting out, he saw Huang Doudou hurrying out. He stuck his head out of the window and shouted, “Doudou!” Huang Doudou, seeing it was Huang Jianming, wanted him to give her a ride, so she opened his car door and got in, saying to Mahaha in the front seat, “Could you give me a ride? I’m in a hurry.” “Doudou, I have something to ask you.” Huang Jianming said. “Just drive, I’m in a hurry.” Huang Doudou said impatiently. Mahaha started the car. Huang Jianming looked at Huang Doudou and asked, “Are you dating Wang Lie?”