Chapter 143: Tears of Homesickness at the Corner of His Mouth

Chapter 143: Tears of Homesickness at the Corner of the Mouth

Gu Youming firmly believed that withdrawing from Hong Kong operations was the best decision he had ever made in his life.

How could he compare to the heir of the Connaught Family?

There was simply no comparison.

Now, the retail sector's lifeline was essentially in Jian Ruochen's hands, and the mainland logistics network was about to expand. In the future, several shopping centers would emerge in mainland China, built on the foundation of these two industries.

In just one meal, Jian Ruochen, who appeared largely inactive, ended up benefiting the most.

Although he didn't seek any financial positions and showed little interest in the Standing Committee, these tangible industries would generate solid cash flow in the future.

If he ever became interested, there would always be people ready to propel him upward.

The ten billion U.S. dollars Jian Ruochen contributed today would soon return to him multiplied.

Such unconditional generosity was immensely valuable in the eyes of the mainland government at the time.

Everyone understood that this kind of "money" was rare.

Because no one else could do the same.

Liquid capital was as valuable as gold to all businesspeople.

Only Jian Ruochen would deploy capital this way.

And only he had the confidence to do so.

The final dish—fruit—was served.

Ten types of fruits were arranged, symbolizing traditional perfection.

Jian Ruochen thought for a long time before picking the smallest hawthorn fruit.

If he had any room left in his stomach, he would have eaten a few more western satsumas.

After discussing all matters, the mainland leaders called in the waiting journalists from next door. They took several group photos and individual shots of handshakes for future publicity.

Jian Ruochen looked at the film canister where the journalist stored the film, with some envy.

If only there were phones that could take photos directly, he could've saved these images.

After seeing off the important guests, the Hong Kong businesspeople gathered together, exchanging wordless exchanges.

"Are you full? Want another round?"

"Too salty—didn't fill me up. Let’s go."

"Let’s go!"

Jian Ruochen watched their wordless negotiation.

During the meal, these individuals had frequently changed their side plates, taking only small bites of many dishes without finishing them.

Moreover, Gu Youming, who had already registered as a Sichuan native, was supposed to leave with the mainland leaders but stayed behind alone. It was clear he still had business to discuss with one of the others.

Jian Ruochen interrupted, "I'll sit this one out."

Gu Youming: "...Right."

He was momentarily surprised, but upon recalling Jian Ruochen’s reputation, he realized it would be stranger if Jian Ruochen didn’t notice something amiss.

Gu Youming pondered and said, "Are you really not interested in the position of Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce?"

Jian Ruochen replied with five simple and sincere words: "I really don’t have the skills."

Gu Youming: ...

Jian Ruochen’s earlier ideas were practical and forward-thinking, almost as if he were shouting, "I’m great at making money." How could he not have the skills?

He said with regret, "Alright."

Seeing his expression, Jian Ruochen smiled and said, "If you want to do it, go ahead."

Gu Youming didn’t deny it. He watched as Jian Ruochen gathered the documents for submission, then followed Luo Binwen back to the silver-black Toyota Alphard.

Once in the car, Jian Ruochen let out a long sigh, relaxed his posture, and slumped into the seat. Only then did he feel a belated thrill.

The occasion had been too grand, almost intimidating.

The food had been too delicious, leaving him stuffed.

The combination left him feeling dazed, as if it were all a dream.

He took out his phone. The meal had lasted nearly three hours, and there were many missed calls—all from Guan Yingjun.

Jian Ruochen glanced at Luo Binwen in the passenger seat, who was busy with work. Leaning back, he quietly returned the call, his mouth close to the microphone, and whispered, "What’s wrong? Is it urgent?"

His hushed tones transformed into an electric current, transmitting softly through the receiver.

Guan Yingjun felt as if his ear had been lightly brushed by the sound.

He exhaled softly, "No, I couldn’t reach you... I thought something had happened to you."

A full three hours offline!

"I had some private business and went to meet a few people," Jian Ruochen said, gazing at the roof liner and feeling drowsy.

Guan Yingjun suddenly remembered that today was October 7, that significant date Jian Ruochen had mentioned.

He paused but didn’t ask for details. "As long as you’re okay."

Jian Ruochen asked, "Aren’t you going to ask who I met?"

"Even if you don’t say it, I know it was the mainland leaders," Guan Yingjun chuckled. "You surrendered your phone and went quiet—must have been someone important."

Jian Ruochen laughed softly, "Sharp deduction."

They exchanged a few more whispered words until Jian Ruochen heard Luo Binwen snap his pen shut. He quickly said goodbye and hung up.

Luo Binwen checked the rearview mirror, looking at the person lying in the back seat. "Young sir, you often have dinner with your colleagues at the police station. Is it because the food at home isn't to your liking?"

Jian Ruochen’s eyes shifted away, dodging the question. "Actually, the milky French toast you make is quite delicious. I’d be happy to eat it every day. Your braised oxtail is also very tasty."

Luo Binwen’s cooking skills were excellent, but he was busy managing countless companies and didn’t have much time to cook, so they still had to rely on the family chef.

The chef’s cooking wasn’t bad either, but British ingredients were too limited. It was fine for a week or two, but after more than half a year... it became hard to take.

"So, Chef Collorin’s French toast doesn’t suit your taste? He said you quite like English apple pie," Luo Binwen pressed.

"Are we having it tonight?"

"No," Jian Ruochen sat up, dropping the pleasantries. "I’m quite full from lunch. I don’t need to eat anything tonight."

Luo Binwen: ...

It seemed they really needed to change the chef.

"Were you just on the phone with Detective Guan? Is something going on at the police station again?" Luo Binwen asked, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Nothing much," Jian Ruochen felt a bit guilty. He really didn’t know how to tell Uncle Luo about his relationship with Guan Yingjun. "...We’re on vacation."

Luo Binwen gave a noncommittal hum and glanced back again.

The young master was holding back, as if he wanted to say something else.

The car was scented with lemon air freshener, and the driver drove smoothly.

Jian Ruochen rested his chin in his hand and turned to look out the window.

The afternoon sun was exceptionally golden, bleaching the ground white, making eyes water.

On the sidewalk nearby, an old man was riding a bicycle, the bell on the handlebars jingling as he rode. The basket tied to the back seat held two or three cans of cocoa powder and a few soft, fluffy new towels.

A little girl sat sideways on the bicycle’s crossbar, her laughter drifting in the wind.

Jian Ruochen watched, a smile tugging at his lips.

The *Alphard* drove through the city and stopped at the entrance of the hilltop villa.

Jian Ruochen got out of the car, went home to clean up, read a bit, and then comfortably lay down to sleep.

Meanwhile,

At the Lu residence.

Lu Rong sneered. "Say that again."

The supervisor stood in the same spot as before, his voice trembling. "The people who bid against us before never made another move afterward."

He swallowed nervously. "Instead, we... the intentionally botched bid was useless. We won a tender in the jade industry, which requires 50 million in funding."

Lu Rong took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring slightly. Despite his fury, his expression remained eerily calm. "What use are you?"

Although it was meant to be a fake bid, the Lu family had never been involved in the jade industry.

Others had mining sources and experienced stone-gambling masters. What did they have?

The Lu Corporation would never invest a single cent in the jade business!

"Bidding for jade?" Lu Rong laughed bitterly. "Are you afraid Jian Ruochen won’t know we’re trying to trick him?"

He paused, closed his eyes, and turned away in disgust. "Go collect your final paycheck. You don’t need to come back starting tomorrow."

The supervisor’s face turned deathly pale.

Being fired by Lu Rong meant he would never find another job in this industry!

He was finished!

He knelt down, crawling on his knees, almost scrambling forward on all fours. "No, Mr. Lu, please give me another chance! You— mmm—!"

The Lu family’s butler entered with security guards, clamping a hand over his mouth and dragging him away.

Lu Rong tossed the bid that had wasted 50 million into the shredder.

His liquid assets were already tight, and this failed plan had rendered his efforts over the past five days completely useless.

Jian Ruochen had already established connections with the mainland. The 5.9 billion yuan in funding was certainly not given for nothing, yet he hadn’t even found a way in.

Perhaps he shouldn’t aim too high just yet...

Rumor had it that the chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was about to be replaced.

Maybe he should first secure the position of chairman and then use that connection to reach the mainland.

While Lu Rong was planning late into the night,

Jian Ruochen, still savoring the meal from earlier, was dreaming of feasting at a military base banquet.

In the compound, the best food was undoubtedly the white flour steamed buns.

In compounds in Guangdong, a little sugar was added to the buns, making them sweet and fragrant. Even eating them plain with rice porridge was a unique delight.

The stir-fried dishes had the delicious *wok hei* aroma.

The sauce from the braised chicken poured over rice was indescribably delicious.

So delicious that he woke up hungry, with homesick tears streaming down the corners of his mouth.

·

The West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit had been on a seven-day break since October 4.

4:00 PM on October 10.

Jian Ruochen finished his last class. As soon as class ended, the lecturer left faster than the students, and the classroom immediately grew noisy.

"There’s a new baked goods shop in Mong Kok. My brother said the shrimp cakes there are delicious, and they also sell dessert soups. Want to go?"

Jian Ruochen tilted his head slightly.

"Mong Kok... It’s definitely going to be crowded at this hour," another person pursed their lips, reluctant. "I still have to go home and watch the TV series. Today’s episode of *Justice Bao* is on!"

"Forget Justice Bao! Just get the box set later," the boy retorted, grabbing his friend’s wrist. "Waiting week after week for updates is annoying."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jian Ruochen’s distinctive silver hair. "Justice Bao’s cases are from the past. Nowadays, if you want to watch investigations, it’s all about West Kowloon! Just read STN's newspaper!"

The person started acting cute, "Come on, pleeease. I'll get you the HD disc of 'Justice Bao' later!"

The man spoke in a pinched Donald Duck voice.

The guy next to him quickly had enough, "Alright, alright, I'll go, I'll go. Where in Mong Kok?"

"Right next to the old gold shop. Let's go!"

Jian Ruochen made a mental note of the location, planning to buy some tomorrow to share with everyone at the Major Crimes Unit.

The Major Crimes Unit started a 7-day holiday on October 4.

Today was exactly the last day.

The police station would resume work on October 11.

Just in time to celebrate his birthday together at the station.

He'd go buy them tomorrow morning—fewer people, fresher pastries, definitely no queues.

Jian Ruochen, thinking it through, got into Guan Yingjun's car after leaving the school gate, and told him the plan, "...Do you want to come with me?"

Guan Yingjun responded casually, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, "Is there an imported goods store next to the gold shop?"

"Mm." Jian Ruochen thought for a moment, "Is there something missing at home? Need to change toothbrushes?"

Guan Yingjun didn't speak, reached out, and brushed his fingers lightly against the soft cheek of the person beside him, "20 years old, all grown up."

Jian Ruochen's eyes slowly widened, warmth rising in his cheeks.

If he couldn't understand such a hint, what's the fucking point of studying criminal psychology?

"You want to buy... buy..." He struggled for a while, finding it hard to speak under that intense gaze, so he lowered his voice and changed his wording, "You're about to commit a crime?"

"Mm." Guan Yingjun reached out and grasped the nape of Jian Ruochen's neck, his thumb gently stroking twice. He stared into Jian Ruochen's amber-clear eyes, slowly lowered his head, pressed his forehead against Jian Ruochen's shoulder, and took a light sniff.

It was a familiar scent, with a hint of grapefruit, but upon closer sniff, not quite.

Smelled so good.

His heart hammered in his chest, almost bursting through his flesh to leap over to Jian Ruochen's side.

He really liked this person, liked him so much he could just eat him up, tuck him in his pocket, and keep him close forever.

He steadied himself, restrainedly lifted his head, and pressed his nose against Jian Ruochen's, "I really like you."

Guan Yingjun kissed Jian Ruochen's forehead, "Are you going to be a police officer for life?"

Jian Ruochen mumbled an affirmative.

"Cops can't really wear wedding rings." Guan Yingjun whispered in his ear, feeling as if the cold, restrained emotions of many years were no longer suppressed, surging toward the person before him like wildfire, "Can't even wear plain bands. What will we wear in the future?"