Chapter 72: The Manchester Snowman

Chapter 72: The Manchester Snowman

"..."

"Zhao Shengge, why did you shoot at me back then?"

"...No, you just happened to be standing next to the target."

"I wondered for a long time if you hated me."

Zhao Shengge's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed hard: "No."

Chen Wan tilted his head to look at him and smiled: "So, you liked me back then? That early?"

"..." Zhao Shengge pointed to another box and said, "Take a look at this."

"..." Chen Wan shot him a teasing look and dutifully opened the second item, his fingers suddenly tightening.

No one was more familiar with this robot model than him. The original version on the Yifu Building had listened to countless of his thoughts, containing his youthful confusion and despair.

Chen Wan carefully examined it for a while before reaching out, gently touching the robot's head. A long-forgotten ache welled up in his chest, and he said with a bit of emotion, "You made another one?"

"Yes," Zhao Shengge demonstrated how to use it and said, "The one at the school was for everyone, but this one is just for you."

"But," Zhao Shengge waited for him to look for a while, then said, "Although this is for you, you can talk to me in the future if you want to say something."

Chen Wan's heart raced as he gazed intently at the robot with its years-old design.

The man who was so poised in front of foreign media now seemed like a child enchanted by a new toy.

The once admired masterpiece had now become a gift for him alone.

He looked at it for quite a while, and Zhao Shengge said, "Whatever you told it before, you can tell me now."

Chen Wan tightly held the robot, looked up, and softly said, "Zhao Shengge, it seems you really do love me."

"..." Zhao Shengge said quietly, "So, you finally figured it out."

"..." A rare pang of bitterness stirred in Chen Wan's heart, and he smiled, "I was under so much pressure back then, and I wasn't comfortable talking to real people. In front of that robot, I felt very calm. Actually, I've forgotten what I said after so long."

"But I remember feeling better every time after I finished talking. Poor Zhuo Zhixuan," Chen Wan felt a bit apologetic, "The first time he saw me talking to a robot, the look he gave me... was pure shock, though he tried to play it cool."

"Can you imagine that look? It was really... well-meaning."

With that, Chen Wan finally set the cherished gift aside, wrapped his arms around Zhao Shengge, burying his face in his neck, and sighed with a smile, "Thank you, I really like the gift."

"No need to thank me; you'll owe me one."

After the overseas roadshow officially ended, the project team began preparing for the celebration banquet, inviting local dignitaries and thanking the media representatives they had dealt with these days.

As investors, Shen Zongnian and Tan Youming also had to attend to show full recognition and high affirmation of this mission.

On the day of the banquet, from his tie down to his socks, Chen Wan was decked out in Zhao Shengge's custom-made ensemble. Because Chen Wan had played with the robot a bit late the previous night, Zhao Shengge had been rather intense with him, so in the morning, even dressing was done by Zhao Shengge.

Chen Wan grabbed Zhao Shengge's wrist, lowered his head, revealing the bottom of his ruby cufflinks, and asked with a smile, "Mr. Zhao, care to explain what this means?"

"..." Zhao Shengge rose without a word, calmly stating, "It means nothing, don't mind it."

Chen Wan was torn between amusement and exasperation, tugged at him, saying, "Zhao Shengge."

Zhao Shengge stopped and had to say, "It means you're really hard-headed."

"..."

"We’re running late, let’s get going."

"..."

The banquet was held at a grand estate.

Shen Zongnian and Tan Youming had landed in Mancheng the night before.

From the tropical island with its eternal spring to the snow-covered interstate, Tan Youming was so cold he could barely think straight, deeply regretting wearing a stylish but thin long coat just to look good.

But the long coat really looked good on him, making him appear dashing and handsome.

Shen Zongnian, with a stern expression, took off his scarf and gloves and bundled Tan Youming up tightly, leaving only his eyes exposed.

"This is overkill—"

Shen Zongnian gave him a look, and Tan Youming immediately shut up.

The boxy, high-roofed vintage car left deep tracks in the snow, and once inside the manor, it finally warmed up.

Tan Youming, now that he was safe, discarded the help he’d received, taking off the tightly wrapped scarf and gloves and throwing them back to Shen Zongnian, reverting to his smooth-talking, high-society persona.

Chen Wan, who was mingling with guests, heard a voice call out from a distance: "A Wan!"

He looked up, a smile spreading across his face, and took a glass of champagne to greet them: "You’re here early. How was the trip?" The weather wasn’t great yesterday.

Tan Youming took the champagne, took a sip, and frowned: "Not great, Shen Zongnian’s plane was really bumpy."

"..."

He complained dramatically: "I was halfway through sleeping, I thought the plane was doing flips in the troposphere—"

But as soon as Shen Zongnian approached, he stopped talking. Chen Wan, amused, greeted him: "Mr. Shen."

Shen Zongnian nodded at him: "Congratulations."

Chen Wan’s impressive performance in over a dozen roadshows had even reached Haishi.

Chen Wan modestly said, "It’s a team effort."

Tan Youming handed his phone back to Shen Zongnian: "Qin Zhaoting said the roads are snowed in; he won’t make it until the afternoon."

Qin Zhaoting had come at the end of the year to visit relatives. His mother had moved to Shengcheng earlier, which is not far from Mancheng. Given their friendship, it would be rude not to show up today.

Tan Youming conveyed on his behalf: "To make up for it, he said he’d send a big gift."

Chen Wan smiled: "Mr. Qin is too generous."

Shen Zongnian glanced at him but said nothing.

"Let's go," Tan Youming said to Chen Wan, "come with me to meet some old friends." Though Chen Wan invited the guests, the Tan family’s deep overseas connections meant many local dignitaries were old acquaintances of Tan Youming.

Zhao Shengge, Xu Zhiying, and a local official finished their chat and spotted Shen Zongnian, walking over to ask, "When did you get here?"

"Yesterday."

Zhao Shengge nodded.

The two of them went to the terrace to drink and chatted for a while about the business matters in Haishi.

The terrace was on the second floor, offering a view of the banquet hall below. The last time they had a conversation like this was at the launch party for Polly Bay.

It was the same elevated position and angle, and that time Zhao Shengge was even wearing the family crest.

Before they knew it, they had already reached the end of the Polly Bay project roadshow.

Shen Zongnian spoke as usual: "How are things?"

Zhao Shengge leaned on the railing: "I'm pursuing him."

"..." Shen Zongnian didn't know what they were up to, "I thought someone with his temperament would be completely at your mercy."

Zhao Shengge looked at Chen Wan, who was chatting and laughing with a British businessman downstairs, and said, "Is that really the case?"

Shen Zongnian was momentarily taken aback by his calm and deep gaze, unable to grasp it: "What?"

Zhao Shengge's gaze remained calm.

Is that really the case? Zhao Shengge had Chen Wan completely at his mercy.

It seemed like Chen Wan had had a crush on Zhao Shengge for years, and Zhao Shengge, being the one who was favored, felt secure.

But only Zhao Shengge himself knew that he was never the one in control in this relationship.

The one who harbors a secret love and takes the lead can stop their feelings at any time, while the one who falls can only strive to maintain and seek that infatuation.

Shen Zongnian looked at the turmoil beneath his calm exterior and felt somewhat speechless.

Chen Wan was handed numerous business cards and invitations downstairs. Sometimes, when he casually glanced at someone, Zhao Shengge would also look over.

His gaze was slow, steady, calm, and casual, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"..." Shen Zongnian frowned slightly, "You—"

Zhao Shengge turned his head and asked, "What?"

"Never mind, it's nothing," Shen Zongnian said, "Just keep doing what you're doing."

Opposites attract.

"..."

When Qin Zhaoting arrived, Chen Wan was talking to a local celebrity.

"Keats." The other party subtly suggested inviting Chen Wan to a concert two days later.

Chen Wan took the opportunity to politely conclude the overly enthusiastic conversation: "Mr. Yon, a friend of mine has arrived, I need to go and greet him. Please excuse any lack of hospitality."

Qin Zhaoting waved in greeting: "Where's Zhao Shengge?"

"Talking with Mr. Shen."

Qin Zhaoting took the drink Chen Wan handed him, raised his glass, looking at him as if to say something, but in the end, it all ended with a smile, saying, "Chen Wan, congratulations."

There was much to congratulate—career, love, ideals—all left unspoken.

Chen Wan was well aware; he was a man of great social finesse.

But adult decorum means some things don’t need to be spelled out or responded to.

He smiled back, "Thanks."

Qin Zhaoting mentioned that Zhuo Zhixuan had wanted to fly over, but with the New Year coming up, his family, a traditional and strict clan, didn’t let the younger generation wander off during such an important time.

Chen Wan knew this; just yesterday, Zhuo Zhixuan had complained online that it was unfair he was the only one missing.

No matter how busy Chen Wan was, they stayed in touch often, and even with the Pacific Ocean between them, it felt just like before.

Qin Zhaoting’s family on his mother’s side was in Los Angeles, so he knew the area pretty well, and the two talked shop.

Before they could get into it, Zhao Shengge and Shen Zongnian showed up.

They exchanged hellos, and Chen Wan had been watching Zhao Shengge since he walked in, even giving him a little eye-smile. Zhao Shengge finally met his gaze, his eyes intense and unsmiling.

"..."

Tan Youming came back from his globe-trotting, full of himself, and when he saw Zhao Shengge, he raised his glass with gusto, "Long time no see."

Zhao Shengge nodded, raised his glass, and asked, "You and Xu Zhiying having a cold endurance contest?"

"..."

Xu Zhiying wore a black lace velvet dress in the minus ten-degree weather today, with a Paraiba gemstone crown, standing out like a queen among the socialites, looking like she could take the throne any second.

Winter days in Manchester got dark early, and by the afternoon, most of the guests had cleared out.

Fang Jian left even before the guests, posing for a photo with the journalists before hightailing it to the airport with his students. Being gone so long had really set back his big research projects.

When Xu Zhiying left, the snow had picked up, and her stilettos weren’t cut out for walking outside, with the fresh snow too soft to get a good grip.

Chen Wan set down his glass and walked over, saying, "Miss Xu, in a rush to leave? If not, I can get someone to bring you some flat snow boots."

Xu Zhiying looked at him, smiled, and sighed, "Chen Wan."

"Has anyone ever told you you’re really kind?"

Chen Wan was a little surprised, shaking his head modestly, "It’s no big deal."

"Thanks, but no need," Xu Zhiying said, tossing her hair, "This little snow’s nothing."

"Also, I’m not flying back with you; I’m heading straight to Northern Europe for a vacation."

"Alright, have a great time, and see you next year."

Zhao Shengge walked over with a long-handled umbrella and handed him his coat, "Let’s go."

The snow had let up a bit, and at some point, Tan Youming had been bundled up again, the scarf not really his style.

Chen Wan saw him bossing Shen Zongnian around to build him a snowman.

"Is this even a person?"

"The head’s as big as the body?"

"And the hands—"

Shen Zongnian looked up at him and said, "Your hands are quite cute."

"..."

Chen Wan looked up at Zhao Shengge and asked, "Want me to make one for you too?"

Zhao Shengge gazed at him calmly, "Hmm, and then you’ll end up as a snowman yourself."

"..." Wanting to have whatever fun or romantic things others had, Chen Wan persisted, "Are you really sure you don’t want one?"

"We should have one," Chen Wan persuaded, "If we have fireflies, we should have a snowman too."

Looking at the indistinct lump Shen Zongnian had made, he whispered to Zhao Shengge tactfully, "I bet I can make a better one than Mr. Shen."

"No need for that," Zhao Shengge looked down at him intently, "I’d rather have something else."

"What do you want?" Whatever it was, he could find it.

Zhao Shengge didn’t say, but that night, when Chen Wan was pinned against the one-way floor-to-ceiling window on the 72nd floor, struggling for breath, he understood.