Chapter 19 Island New Year

Chapter 19 Island Spring

This was their first visit since Zhao Shengge moved into the hillside villa Chen Wan had specially acquired for him, complete with a sky garden, infinity pool, and semi-outdoor hot spring.

As soon as Tan Youming saw Zhao Shengge, he loudly accused, "A pool of wine and a forest of meat, extravagance at its peak! I’m going to tip off the paparazzi that you’re living off someone else. Shameless!"

Zhao Shengge, still somewhat groggy from waking up, focused his gaze and asked seriously, "Really?"

Shen Zongnian looked at him coldly.

Zhao Shengge made a rather solemn promise to Tan Youming: "The coverage and promotional costs can come from my side."

[Silence]

Chen Wan, fearing they might strike a deal any second, clasped his hands behind his back and subtly smiled. "Youming, would you like to see the new peonies I planted? A new variety—they’re blooming right around the Spring Festival."

Tan Youming, eager to avoid Zhao Shengge’s smug expression, gladly accepted.

Zhao Shengge watched them walk away, then turned to Shen Zongnian to explain, "It’s a hybrid of 'Cream Bowl' and 'Dynasty' peonies, developed by botanist Yan Xingshu’s lab. This hybrid strain can bloom out of season in subtropical regions."

Traditional peonies have a very short blooming period, peaking in May, but hybrid plants, through rigorous soil cultivation, can defy natural growing conditions and achieve multiple blooming seasons in a year.

Shen Zongnian nodded expressionlessly but spoke sharply: "I never expected someone who used to skip natural science class to sleep would have such accomplishments in botany."

Zhao Shengge ignored the remark and continued, "Fewer than two hundred plants are currently circulating on the market. The soil was also directly airlifted from the mainland as part of the package."

The seller was initially unwilling, but Zhao Shengge offered so much that the deal was eventually completed.

Shen Zongnian sneered, "Then you might as well increase your investment, uproot all the redbuds from Minglong to Prince Edward Road East, and replace them so all the island’s residents can enjoy them together."

"……"

Tan Youming followed Chen Wan through the model gallery and the swing bed amidst the flower fields, his frown deepening. "Chen Wan, tell me the truth—is all this your doing, inside and out?"

"More or less," Chen Wan replied, noticing a few peonies looking slightly wilted and casually watering them. He added, "But the lab on the third floor was set up by Zhao Shengge." It was equipped with a full set of experimental instruments meeting the highest international standards.

"This isn't good—you're letting Zhao Shengge get away with too much. He's going to get carried away," Tan Youming said, standing in the flower field with his hands on his hips, speaking earnestly. "You’ll understand someday."

"Not really," Chen Wan said with a gentle smile, his eyes curving like crescents. Holding a watering can and with a weeding hoe at his feet, he resembled a gentleman among the flowers. "Zhao Shengge is quite easy to take care of." He hardly asks for anything and has a particularly amusing personality.

Tan Youming looked at him, fell silent for a moment, and then suggested seriously, "You might have been hexed. You should go see a doctor."

Chen Wan turned to look at him, blinking. "I am seeing one."

"……" Being chivalrous, Tan Youming straightened a crooked flower branch, not minding his stylish outfit getting muddy as he helped Chen Wan water the flowers. "Aren't these flowers afraid of the cold?" Even in the dead of winter, they bloomed in vibrant clusters, lush and radiant.

"They are," Chen Wan explained. "Zhao Shengge had soil with special trace elements in the rock layers transported from the mainland. He tweaked the formula so they could bloom." He also had an outdoor climate control system installed, ensuring the flowers remained unaffected by sun, rain, or extreme heat.

"Tsk," Tan Youming exclaimed in surprise. "Why's he being so flashy?" This was very unlike Zhao Shengge.

He muttered, "What is this called? In ancient times, King You of Zhou lit beacon fires to amuse his nobles for a laugh. Today, Zhao Shengge blows a fortune hauling dirt from miles away to grow peonies?"

Chen Wan laughed heartily, brushing the dust off Tan Youming’s clothes. "Tan Youming, are you starting work at TCB after the New Year? I think their top paparazzo doesn't have half your way with words."

"Of course," Tan Youming said, crouching down to examine the flowers.

The peonies were large and lush, their petals fading from light pink to white from the edges to the center, swaying gracefully. Chen Wan regularly picked them to display in his study and by his tea table.

The vase on the tea table was a white porcelain vase with twin handles featuring a plum blossom pattern. Zhao Shengge moved it aside and took out a can of Da Hong Pao that Chen Wan had brought back from a business trip to the mainland.

Waiting for the tea leaves to unfurl, he said to Shen Zongnian, "We’ve basically combed through all the auction houses and pawnshops. There’s no news from the major players on my end, and Jiang Ying likely has the same results from the smaller, less reputable shops and the black market. So far, no one has seen any genuine scrolls."

Shen Zongnian watched the boiling water without a word. Zhao Shengge placed a teacup in front of him and said, "If you insist on suspecting that Shen Xiaochang sold off calligraphy and paintings to have someone else hold shares and inject capital into the Haishi market, I suggest you try a different approach to investigate."

Shen Xiaochang’s entanglement in massive debt back then was partly due to Zhao Shengge’s subtle efforts. After being banned from trading by the securities regulatory commission for serious acts of dishonesty, Shen Xiaochang fled overseas.

But he didn’t settle down abroad either. First, he fled to Southeast Asia and South America, where the Shen family’s original factories and raw material sources were stationed—both regions were controlled by Grandfather Shen’s trusted aides.

Shen Xiaochang never gave up, constantly claiming publicly that Shen Zongnian’s inheritance rights were illegitimate and attempting to use media and public opinion to seize power.

Without trading qualifications, Shen Xiaochang’s only way to re-enter Haishi’s capital market was through illegal economic means, using proxy holders.

Those ancient artifacts and calligraphy pieces symbolizing the family were the best stepping stones and trading items.

Shen Zongnian understood what Zhao Shengge meant by "try a different approach": "He Wufei approached me before the New Year."

Zhao Shengge raised an eyebrow.

Shen Zongnian continued, "He wants me to be his informant." Casinos are breeding grounds for money laundering and fraud. "The police plan to set up a dragnet at the Galaxy Bay hotel after the New Year to gather clues."

"So he’s been transferred to economic crime investigation," Zhao Shengge remarked. The officer he collaborated with during Operation Thunderstorm was He Wufei.

"Yes," Shen Zongnian said, taking a sip of the Da Hong Pao but finding it not to his taste and setting it down. "He received a third-class merit award for dismantling the White Crane Hall and was promoted to police captain."

Zhao Shengge nodded, thinking it feasible—the hotel could provide convenience to assist the police in investigating the case, while the police could help investigate the remaining Shen family members.

"What do you think?"

Before Shen Zongnian could respond, Tan Youming and Chen Wan returned.

"Zhao Shengge, you know how to brew tea? Is this even drinkable?" Tan Youming sat down beside Shen Zongnian, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. The tea was so light it made him frown. He bluntly commented, "It tastes like dishwater."

"..."

Tan Youming pointed at the young master, instructing him to pour another cup. "What were you two talking about?" He was annoyed by these two always sharing secrets since childhood.

Shen Zongnian never allowed Tan Youming to get involved in such matters and didn’t respond. Zhao Shengge poured him more tea and said, "We were talking about some new pastries made at home. Would you like to try some?"

Tan Youming was even more speechless. He scrutinized Chen Wan and asked, "You made pastries?"

Chen Wan raised an eyebrow, smiled at him, and gestured with a "please" motion. "Yes, please try my baking skills."

Zhao Shengge began introducing the pastries to them: "They’re butter cookies with hazelnuts, almonds, and—"

Shen Zongnian directly took the box of pastries and handed it to Tan Youming, saying, "Eat."

Tan Youming tried one and praised it repeatedly. Chen Wan was delighted and immediately said, "Let me pack two boxes for you to take home."

"?" Zhao Shengge hadn’t anticipated this. There were only a few cookies in the batch to begin with. After Chen Wan went to the kitchen, he asked Tan Youming, "Is it reasonable to eat your fill and take some home just because someone is generously sharing?"

Tan Youming crossed his legs and ruthlessly took another big bite. "Just because someone has a good temper doesn’t mean you can be waited on hand and foot while acting entitled."

Zhao Shengge couldn’t quite understand how Tan Youming, someone who needed help picking scallions out of his soup, had the audacity to accuse others of freeloading.

After seeing the guests off, he seriously counted the remaining cookies—only eight were left. Chen Wan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He produced two boxes from behind his back and said, "Zhao Shengge, look what these are."

Zhao Shengge opened them to find new, upgraded version cookies shaped like animals: a majestic lion, a dozing cat, and a running puppy.

Zhao Shengge arched an eyebrow.

After bombarding all his friends and relatives with calls and messages, Tan Youming obediently laid low at home for two days.

His activities during this time included, but were not limited to, working out, handling business, and incessantly pestering Shen Zongnian.

Shen Zongnian was also working during the holiday, sitting on the living room sofa listening to reports from overseas managers.

Tan Youming occasionally mentioned work-life balance. After approving red-flagged messages in the internal system, he picked up his tablet to play games.

No one was watching the TV, but it droned on softly in the background like ambient noise.

"During the Spring Festival, Wang Jing, Chairman of the Bay Area Business Association, led representatives from various industry associations including culture, agriculture, and labor to visit and extend New Year greetings to island-based workers..."

"...bringing them festive blessings and heartfelt care packages."

Tan Youming lay at the other end of the sofa, restless even while gaming. Unconsciously, his feet ended up on Shen Zongnian’s lap.

Shen Zongnian brushed them off. Tan Youming didn’t seem to notice—within two minutes, his feet were back. Shen Zongnian pushed them away again, but they returned once more. Eventually, Shen Zongnian gave up and let them be.

The game wasn’t going well. Tan Youming frowned, kicking his legs excitedly when he won and stomping his feet when he lost. Shen Zongnian set his phone aside, grabbed Tan Youming’s ankle firmly, and growled in a low voice, “What are you doing?”

Tan Youming stiffened, stayed quiet for a few seconds, and finally settled down.

For lunch, they had dumplings left by the housekeeper, who had stocked the fridge with plenty. Shen Zongnian heated them up and called Tan Youming to eat. But a barrage of work calls kept interrupting. Annoyed, Tan Youming speared open three dumplings—all filled with pork and shrimp—and sarcastically picked a fight: “Do taro paste dumplings not have rights?”

Shen Zongnian, still on the phone, gave him an impassive look for two seconds before turning to the fridge and pulling out half a steamer tray of vegetarian dumplings.

Tan Youming was irritated by his endless calls—what kind of business partner intrudes on someone’s family time during the New Year? After eating a few vegetarian dumplings, he stomped his chopsticks down and stirred up more trouble: “So the beef and celery dumplings the housekeeper worked so hard to make don’t deserve a spot on the table?”

Shen Zongnian frowned, pointed at him, and warned coldly, “Stop being difficult.”

“Then let me starve!” Tan Youming slammed his chopsticks down and retorted loudly, “Who dares to mess with you? You’re busier than the Hong Kong Chief Executive.”

Shen Zongnian had had enough. If it weren’t for the holiday, he would have taught Tan Youming a lesson properly. He said a few words to the person on the phone, hung up, and went back to the kitchen.

Tan Youming was picky—dumplings had to be tossed in fried garlic oil, duck had to be simmered with aged lemon and plum, crystal chicken wasn’t proper without sand ginger, and even his usual lemon tea today needed extra preserved plums.

Shen Zongnian pointed at the dishes on the table. “You’re not leaving until you finish everything.”

Tan Youming perked up again. He took photos of each dish and sent them to the family group, the relatives' group, and his closest friends’ group.

The family and relatives' groups responded enthusiastically, but only the ever-kind Chen Wan replied in the friends’ group: “So lavish! Are those three-colored dumplings? *Mouth-watering kitten emoji*”

“Yep yep *Dog holding a rose emoji*”

Tan Youming happily sipped his preserved plum iced lemon tea. After clearing most of the dishes, he casually picked up Shen Zongnian’s phone to play games. Shen Zongnian’s social account was still logged in, and a new message popped up.

Shen Ziqi: “Bro, Happy New Year.”

Tan Youming stared at it for a moment, then switched screens and continued gaming.

Soon, another message arrived with a photo: “These are dumplings I had in Chinatown. Did you go back to the old house this year, bro?”

Tan Youming quit the game and replied directly: “This is Tan Youming.” Then he deleted the message.

Without hesitation, Tan Youming walked into the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. “Shen Zongnian.”

Shen Zongnian was cleaning the kitchen island and turned around, thinking Tan Youming looked ready for a fight.

Tan Youming smirked. “Shen Ziqi texted you.”

Shen Zongnian ignored him.

Tan Youming curled his lips. “Aren’t you going to ask what he said?”

Shen Zongnian didn’t care but turned back to load the dishwasher and asked casually, “What?”

Tan Youming said, “I forgot. I deleted it.”

Shen Zongnian stopped and turned around again. Tan Youming’s eyes held a puzzling, probing, provocative smile. Shen Zongnian narrowed his eyes.

Tan Youming blinked. “Want to know? Should I recover it for you?”

Shen Zongnian had no interest. “If you’re that bored, go take out the trash.”

Tan Youming seemed satisfied. He gazed at Shen Zongnian calmly and plainly, his lips parting softly. “Shen Zongnian.”

“Don’t forget whose family you belong to.”

Tan Youming resisted, rejected, and despised any inquiry, prying, or contact from the Shen family toward Shen Zongnian. His hatred for the Shen family ran deeper than even Shen Zongnian’s, the victim himself.

At fourteen, Tan Youming had even asked Guan Kezhi to let Shen Zongnian take the Tan surname, be recorded in the Tan family registry, and become part of the Tan lineage.

Guan Kezhi fell silent for a moment, then slowly turned and shook Tan Zhongshan’s arm, exclaiming, “It’s over—the kid’s lost his mind.”

Open-hearted as he was, Tan Youming was willing to share his parents, family, and friends with Shen Zongnian—but he would never share Shen Zongnian as his brother with anyone else.

He rarely showed such an expression. Shen Zongnian frowned, about to speak, when Tan Youming suddenly switched moods again, flashing a cheeky, toothy grin. “Alright, I’ll take out the trash now.”