Chapter 2 Trouble Insulator

Chapter 2: The Trouble-Proof Man

Guan Junshan had never been good at remembering people he barely knew.

Lin Haoda was probably an exception.

A day earlier, Guan Junshan had first met Lin Haoda at the immigration hall.

Returning from business in Shenzhen, he landed at West Kowloon Station—it was Friday rush hour, so the passenger traffic was double the usual.

Lin Haoda was ahead of him in the immigration queue, carrying a large backpack, though his demeanor was far from that of a backpacker. As Guan Junshan stood behind the yellow line, watching Lin Haoda hesitate before placing his travel permit on the reader, he turned his head to glance at the line next to him, revealing the straight, pale bridge of his nose beneath his black frames.

Whether it was due to a glitch or some other reason, the first door in front of Lin Haoda wouldn't open, and the green light started flashing erratically. Though the screen was too far to see clearly, Guan Junshan guessed it was likely displaying warnings like "Verification Failed."

The entire immigration process here was fully automated: tap the card, scan the fingerprint, open the door—like an efficient assembly line in a factory, where things could be done in about ten seconds if smooth. But every now and then, a first-time visitor like Lin Haoda would run into problems. They were like a faulty part that jammed the whole line, causing congestion and bigger problems.

But that wasn't great either.

Guan Junshan felt that modern society prioritized efficiency a bit too much.

Lin Haoda had clearly realized the problem as well. He turned around, scanning the area, his eyes hesitating for a moment on Guan Junshan's face before quickly shifting away.

Only then did Guan Junshan get a clear look at him—he had a youthful baby face that didn't reveal his age. Apart from his large eyes, all his features were small, and his fair skin didn't make him look weak, thanks to full, moist lips that pouted slightly, with a subtle curve to the upper lip.

Guan Junshan guessed he might want to ask a staff member for help, so he stepped back, actively making way for him.

The automated gates at the checkpoint had been upgraded, cutting most of the manual labor costs. Not far away, a few officers were chatting together, oblivious to the commotion.

Lin Haoda bit his lip noticeably, blinking in their direction. He might have debated whether to wave or shout, or maybe just try again?

After two seconds of hesitation, he chose the latter.

But when he failed again, the middle-aged man behind Guan Junshan couldn't hold back any longer. He burst out of the line and shoved Lin Haoda aside, scolding, "Messing around this long—can't you see or read?"

Lin Haoda stumbled from the push, his elbow hitting the gate with a loud "bang," and his permit slipped from his hand, falling to the ground.

A dazed look flashed across his face, followed by anxiety and apology. He muttered several "I'm sorry" in a row.

"Go, go, go, get to the back of the line."

When Lin Haoda just stood there dumbfounded without moving, the man grew more irritated and raised his hand to shoo him away.

Guan Junshan, standing closest, could no longer stand by.

He stepped forward to block Lin Haoda, and gently brushed aside the man's wrist with a light gesture.

"Sir."

Perhaps because his voice had a natural chill, Lin Haoda's gaze turned toward him.

Guan Junshan took off his sunglasses with one hand, revealing a chiseled, handsome face, and said to the troublemaker: "You stepped over the yellow line."

The air went silent for two seconds.

"What?" the man snapped back, pointing at Lin Haoda. "It's clearly him causing trouble!"

The staff had noticed the commotion and were looking over. Guan Junshan couldn't be bothered to argue further. He turned and waved them over, then bent down to pick up Lin Haoda's permit from the ground.

"What happened?" A staff member walked through the crowd and nodded at Guan Junshan.

"The gate's malfunctioning—it won't open," Guan Junshan stated simply, showing him the permit.

"Maybe it's the upgrade this morning—it's not stable yet. Sigh, can't be helped... Mr. Lin Haoda, right? Please take your permit and come over here."

Guan Junshan deliberately avoided touching Lin Haoda's fingers when handing him the permit.

Unlike others who helped out of kindness, Guan Junshan had no direct interaction with Lin Haoda from start to finish.

"Thank you."

Even so.

Lin Haoda's rosy lips parted for a moment, and he quickly said to Guan Junshan as the latter turned back to the line.

Because he'd been delayed at immigration, Guan Junshan's driver, tired of waiting, called to ask where he was.

Guan Junshan answered the phone as he walked toward the exit, telling the driver exactly where to pick him up.

Since the second half of this trip was personal, Guan Junshan hadn't planned on bringing his secretary along. There was a pretty good bakery in the station hall, and remembering that Wu Sihan liked it, Guan Junshan went back to stand in line himself.

The line snaked around the pastry counter, and just as Guan Junshan was about to reach the counter, he looked up and spotted Lin Haoda again, stood in the middle of the crowd, messing with something.

Guan Junshan recognized him instantly because of his conspicuous backpack, covered in dangling trinkets that meant nothing in particular.

Lin Haoda's cluelessness was truly impressive—standing at such a busy transit exit, turning in place, with an expression that screamed his brain had checked out.

Guan Junshan averted his gaze slightly, unable to find a place to rest it, and finally had to look back at Lin Haoda.

But he quickly understood: Lin Haoda was probably trying to navigate using a map.

Guan Junshan's impression of him grew slightly heavier. He glanced at his phone map to get his bearings, wondering how someone could be so clumsy with something so simple.

The line moved slowly, and finally, it was Guan Junshan's turn.

He handed his tray to the cashier as the total on the digital screen kept changing. He looked down quietly, his expression cold, lost in thought.

Many said he was cold-hearted, or even heartless and ungrateful. As they claimed, Guan Junshan knew how to look out for himself. He feared trouble and hated entanglements—things he had learned to reject since childhood.

His earlier help to Lin Haoda was a momentary impulse—a favor for a stranger, since they'd probably never meet again.

So his goodwill quota was used up. Doing it again would be overdrawing.

Guan Junshan paid and left the bakery.

Fortunately, Lin Haoda had found someone to help him. His face indeed had the natural advantage of evoking sympathy.

At that thought, Guan Junshan didn't feel bad about passing Lin Haoda by, who was still asking for directions, as the flow of people carried him past.

The hired driver dropped Guan Junshan at the foot of Victoria Peak, where Wu Manzhen's driver was already waiting. Guan Junshan switched cars and drove up to the hillside mansion.

On a nice afternoon, Wu Manzhen typically spent time in the garden, so Guan Junshan first went around to the front of the car to grab the flowers before entering the gate.

The garden was lush and verdant, with all sorts of flowers growing beautifully. The rare hydrangeas Guan Junshan had imported from overseas were in full bloom, their large clusters vibrant and enchanting.

Guan Junshan walked over, crouched down, and briefly checked the soil. Seeing the plants thriving, his usually cold features softened considerably.

"Since these hydrangeas were delivered, Madam has been taking care of them herself," the servant said from behind, saying what he wanted to hear.

Guan Junshan brushed off the dirt and stood up, handing her the trowel, asking casually, "Where is Madam?"

"In the house," the servant told him. "Young Master Sihan has brought Miss Song to see Madam."

Guan Junshan thought it was perfect; no need to have the driver make another trip.

Just as he stepped into the entrance, a burst of laughter came from inside the house. Guan Junshan stood at the door listening—it was Wu Sihan telling Wu Manzhen about their funny stories in Singapore, so vivid and lively that Wu Manzhen couldn't stop laughing, turning to ask Song Yanxin if it was true.

Song Yanxin was not talkative, playing along and letting Wu Manzhen guess, but both of them were focused on her.

Taking advantage of a pause in the conversation, Guan Junshan came out with a large bouquet of flowers, his gaze landing on Wu Manzhen seated in the middle of the sofa. He called out, "Mom," and added, "I'm back."

Wu Manzhen set down her teacup, gave a faint "mm," her smile faded slightly, and asked softly, "Was the trip tiring?"

"Not too bad." Guan Junshan took a few steps closer and added, "I flew to Shenzhen first last night, then came to Hong Kong this morning after handling company matters."

Wu Manzhen gave another "mm," casually told the maid to clear the tea and snacks as she said, "Next time, just fly directly here."

"Sure." Guan Junshan also stopped smiling, nodded in agreement, and handed the flowers, which Wu Manzhen hadn't even looked at, to the servant.

"Still, big brother works the hardest, always on the go," Wu Sihan quickly stood up, slinging an arm around his shoulder and joking, "I wonder if the airlines have seen a stock bump because of you?"

Guan Junshan was used to his goofy attitude. He shot him a sidelong glance: "And you? Still calling Uber when you go out, and rushing to the supermarket at eight o'clock to grab discounted groceries?"

"What's wrong with that?" Wu Sihan immediately raised both hands in protest. "You run such a big business, and I can't have a money-saving cousin? Where's the justice?"

The servants bowed their heads to hide their smiles. Even Wu Manzhen pointed a finger at him from a distance, half annoyed, half amused: "It doesn't matter how you live, but don't make Yanxin suffer alongside you."

Song Yanxin quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Sihan just loves to exaggerate. Pay him no mind."

Feeling Guan Junshan's gaze on her, she stood up from the sofa and nodded to him, saying, "Young Master Guan." Song Yanxin, like everyone else, still called him "Young Master Guan." "Long time no see."

Guan Junshan handed her the gift he had prepared beforehand, said "Congratulations," and added, "When you and Sihan graduated with your master's degrees, I was on a business trip in Europe and couldn't make it. Later, I saw your journal article on WeChat Moments. Your perspective was very fresh and very valuable for reference."

"If you need funding or project support in the future, feel free to contact me directly."

Song Yanxin took the gift and thanked him gracefully.

Wu Sihan, feeling ignored, made sarcastic remarks from the sidelines, pretending to be heartbroken.

Guan Junshan took a pastry from the servant and tossed it to him: "If you could just be a little more reliable, I'd be grateful."

Wu Sihan recognized the packaging and knew how hard it was to get from that place. He immediately changed his tune: "Brother, you don't have to be so cold on the surface when you're really warm inside."

In the evening, the two of them stayed for dinner. Wu Manzhen brought up their engagement ceremony during dinner.

Guan Junshan listened to the news nearby, the TV volume low. The company's performance in several Hong Kong stock market sectors had been poor recently, and it was giving him a headache.

After the prime-time broadcast, Wu Manzhen's herbal soup, which had been simmering all day, was ready. Each person got a large bowl. Song Yanxin said it was delicious and wanted to learn, so Wu Manzhen patiently explained the recipe. Midway, she suddenly sighed, the gentle crinkles at the corners of her eyes visible as she said: "Jun Shan loved it when he was little too. Now he's mostly on the mainland, and no one makes it for him."

Wu Sihan didn't think much and said offhandedly, "Once Cousin gets married, he can drink it every day until he can't stand it, Aunt."

Just then, the TV started broadcasting entertainment news. The first item was about the Guan Group's intention to form a marriage alliance with the Jiang family. There were no gossip pieces, but because part of the Jiang family's business was in the entertainment sector, it made the headlines.

Wu Manzhen, with her back to the TV, listened quietly. Her face gradually turned cold. After a long silence, she suddenly spoke: "Guan Yongyue has no other tricks left up his sleeve."

Guan Junshan's face also darkened. He put down his porcelain spoon: "Mom."

A heavy silence fell. The servant quietly walked over and turned off the TV.

Wu Manzhen wanted to preserve her dignity. She reached up to smooth her hair and didn't continue.

Silence fell at the dinner table, no one speaking, only the clinking of spoons against bowls.

Wu Sihan dared not joke anymore. Song Yanxin, however, asked calmly as usual how long Guan Junshan was staying this time and what his plans were for the next few days.

Guan Junshan told her that he had come back this time just to spend more time with Wu Manzhen, with no work arrangements.

Song Yanxin switched to calling him "Big Brother," asking, "Tomorrow morning, we're going back to the University of Hong Kong. Would you like to come along and relax?"

Guan Junshan agreed without much hesitation.

Over the years, Wu Manzhen's deliberate coldness had been like a dull knife, each time piercing precisely into the softest part of his heart, slowly drawing out blood and flesh.

Did it hurt? Not really, after all, he had long been used to it. But the numb exhaustion gradually crept up on him, suffocating him.

Anywhere would do; he just wanted to catch his breath.

But Guan Junshan didn't expect that at HKU, he would once again run into Lin Haoda.