Chapter 439 - 412: Almost Lover
Xu Chunliang said, "There’s nothing wrong with that."
Su Qing asked, "Want some more to drink?"
Xu Chunliang blinked, not understanding her meaning for a moment.
Su Qing said, "I want a drink."
"What about your car?"
"I parked at the TV station, there’s a nice little bar nearby."
Xu Chunliang nodded, "No problem." He thought that although Su Qing seemed calm on the surface, her mood was still affected by Su Tianyu’s sudden departure. This was a time when she needed someone to talk to, and he had undoubtedly become her best choice.
Xu Chunliang found that he had developed a flaw; he was too soft-hearted towards girls.
Ping Ju is a quiet bar located across from the TV station in Guiyan Lane. It’s a small storefront, decorated in a style reminiscent of the Republic of China. The owner studied in Europe; his real name is unknown, so others call him Old Farmer.
Old Farmer is forty-two years old, dressed like he’s from another century, with slick-backed hair, wearing a white shirt, black vest, and a tie. If you come here every day, you’d notice that he changes his tie daily.
Old Farmer’s attire doesn’t have a hint of rusticity, instead exuding an old-fashioned gentlemanly charm.
Ping Ju has been open for three years, and business has always been slow. Its main customers are the TV station employees. Su Qing knows of this place because Zhao Xiaohui brought her here. Tonight, it was especially quiet; apart from the two of them, there were no other customers.
Su Qing ordered a Margarita, and Xu Chunliang ordered a Japanese whiskey. He was quite adept with alcohol.
When there are no customers, the bar plays the tune of Ping Ju eternally. It’s not the song, but a saxophone solo. When guests arrive, Old Farmer will ask for their musical preferences.
Su Qing requested the song "Almost Lover."
Old Farmer, being very considerate, told Su Qing he had recently acquired a U2 sound system and asked if she’d like to try singing on it.
Su Qing hesitated for a moment.
Xu Chunliang had never heard her sing and encouraged her to give it a try.
Su Qing agreed.
When Su Qing took the microphone to sing on the small stage, Old Farmer brought Xu Chunliang a glass of whiskey.
Xu Chunliang looked at the bewildering text on the projection and quietly asked Old Farmer the name of the song Su Qing was singing.
Old Farmer told Xu Chunliang the song was "Almost Lover," but Xu Chunliang still didn’t understand, so he brazenly asked, "What does that mean in Chinese?"
Old Farmer gave him an enigmatic smile, "Translated into Chinese, it’s ’Not Quite Lovers.’
"Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images
You sang me Spanish lullabies..."
Su Qing’s voice was hoarse with a hint of fatigue, and her singing was filled with the regret of unrequited love.
Although Xu Chunliang didn’t understand English, he heard the story in Su Qing’s soothingly sad voice. A while ago, listening to Adele’s concert, although he didn’t understand English, he comprehended and resonated with it. Su Qing’s singing this time made him feel even more immersed, perhaps because of the closer proximity.
As she sang, Su Qing only left him with her back, but through it, he saw her loneliness and bewilderment.
From Old Farmer’s angle, you could see Su Qing’s profile, and as she inadvertently looked up, a gleaming tear rolled down her flawless fair cheek.
When Su Qing returned to Xu Chunliang’s side, she seemed as calm as if nothing had happened.
Xu Chunliang used the simplest two words to describe Su Qing’s singing, "Beautiful!"—a straightforward appraisal, and even the mentors on "The Voice of China" like using these words.
Su Qing said, "I sing too amateurishly."
Xu Chunliang said, "It was very moving. Even someone who doesn’t understand English like me was touched. What’s the word for this... empathy, your empathy is incredibly strong!"
Su Qing picked up her Margarita and took a big sip, realizing she had sung in vain for half the night; he didn’t even know what she was singing. It felt like playing music to a cow, but on second thought, it was probably for the best that he didn’t understand.
Su Qing said, "I’ve withdrawn the case!"
Xu Chunliang understood her meaning. Su Qing decided not to file a report, indicating she had probably found out about Su Tianyu’s whereabouts.
Su Qing said, "My dad left me a letter, telling me not to worry."
Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "The most important thing is that he’s safe and sound."
Su Qing said, "I won’t explain to Brother Lu, I’m really sorry for causing him so much trouble this time."
"It’s okay, the fact that he didn’t ask you anything today proves he has already guessed that your family’s issues should have been resolved."
Su Qing sighed, "I wonder when he’ll be back."
Xu Chunliang said, "He will definitely come back. Surveillance shows that he has regained his freedom of movement and can take good care of himself wherever he goes."
"Thank you!" Su Qing said solemnly, looking into Xu Chunliang’s eyes.
"Thank me for what? I didn’t do anything."
Su Qing said, "If it weren’t for you and Director Zheng’s help, my dad wouldn’t have known when he could stand up and walk out."
Xu Chunliang said, "Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit guilty. If it weren’t for us, maybe it wouldn’t have caused the separation of you and your father."
Su Qing laughed, "I originally thought I would be very sad, but when I think about it, my dad has already regained his health, and that’s more important than anything. As long as he’s fine, even if we never see each other again, what does it matter?"
Xu Chunliang comforted her, "Actually, you’ve been doing very well. If it were me in your position, I might not have been able to do better. You’ve met my dad; the time I’ve spent with him since childhood doesn’t exceed six months."
"Uncle Xu is very kind, it’s clear that he cares about you."
Xu Chunliang said, "I understood a truth from a very young age: parents can’t accompany you forever. One day, they’ll leave you, it’s just a matter of time. So we must learn to live independently as soon as possible and adapt to the days without them by our side. No matter what happens, life must go on, and I believe they also hope we have our own lives."
Su Qing raised the glass in front of her and clinked it with his, whispering, "Hearing you say that, I have no worries at all."
Xu Chunliang smiled, "Come to me anytime you feel bad."
"Can I?" Su Qing looked at him seriously.
Xu Chunliang nodded, feeling a stir in his heart, raised his guard, his way-heart! I, Xu Chunliang, am a man with a firm way-heart, why must I be tested repeatedly, one Mei Ru Xue didn’t work, and here comes Su Qing.
Xu Chunliang realized that there was a problem with his way-heart and he must cultivate diligently.
In life, one must have a firm way-heart. As the saying goes: "Hold fast to the green hills without relaxing, the roots are in the broken rocks. Through countless hardships, remain firm, let the north, south, east, and west winds come."
Su Qing’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s, "It’s really nice to know you!"
The second phase project of Changxing Hospital had actually been suspended, as it was close to the Spring Festival, it didn’t arouse much suspicion.
The renovation of the ward building had also stopped, and the project funds owed to Tian Fangqiang from Celestial Sea Construction had not been paid. Although he received a verbal promise from Zhao Feiyang that it would be signed and released when he returned to China, with the Spring Festival approaching, Tian Fangqiang felt increasing pressure.
Currently, only Ding Si’s Dingli Construction is operating normally in Changxing, and it’s rumored that Ding Si has just won the project for the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital demonstration zone.
Tian Fangqiang specially went to see Secretary Gao Xinhua; in the past, Gao Xinhua was the vice president in charge of infrastructure, so everyone still habitually went to him for construction issues.
Gao Xinhua didn’t think much of Tian Fangqiang as a person. This person got a lot of renovation and modification projects in Changxing through his relationship with Zhao Feiyang, but Tian Fangqiang was overly profit-driven. Previously, there was an incident of illegal operation that resulted in a worker’s electrocution, causing significant losses to Changxing. If it weren’t for that incident, Ding Si’s construction team wouldn’t have entered Changxing so easily.
Tian Fangqiang lamented in front of Gao Xinhua, who listened impatiently and couldn’t help but stop him: "President Tian, I know the situation you’re talking about, but you’ve come to the wrong place. I’m no longer in charge of infrastructure at Changxing Hospital, you should go to Vice Director Geng."
Tian Fangqiang said with a mournful face, "Secretary Gao, you know what she’s like, too difficult to deal with. I didn’t even have a chance to speak before she kicked me out."
Gao Xinhua said, "No wonder you keep coming to me, turns out I’m easy to talk to, but it’s no use. You have to wait for Dean Zhao to come back to sign for your project funds."
Tian Fangqiang said, "Secretary Gao, when exactly will he come back?"
"Soon, probably in the next few days."
Tian Fangqiang said, "I’m waiting for the rice to be cooked. When we signed the contract, it was clearly stated that payments would be made, but now I can’t find the person in charge."
Gao Xinhua thought to himself, why don’t you mention the trouble you caused Changxing before?
Just then, Director of the oral department, Fang Jian Country, knocked and entered. He was called by Gao Xinhua. Seeing Fang Jian Country, Gao Xinhua issued an expulsion order to Tian Fangqiang.
Before leaving, Tian Fangqiang sent a restaurant reservation message to Gao Xinhua in front of him. Even though the project funds couldn’t be collected, connections still needed to be maintained with the New Year approaching.
Gao Xinhua didn’t plan to go. After Tian Fangqiang left, Fang Jian Country said to Gao Xinhua, "Secretary Gao, you were looking for me?"
Gao Xinhua said, "Yes!" He explained the situation regarding Lu Ming’s mother-in-law and was very clear that Fang Jian Country should handle this matter well.
But before Gao Xinhua could finish talking, Fang Jian Country shook his head, "Secretary Gao, I don’t have the authority over this matter, you should know that our oral department has been outsourced. My salary and bonuses are paid by the contractor, and even though I’m the director, I don’t have the authority to sign off on free charges."
Gao Xinhua said, "My intention is for you to talk to He Yanjun, and have the cost of tooth extraction refunded first, regarding follow-up treatment, we can wait for Dean Zhao to sign off when he comes back."
Fang Jian Country said, "Secretary Gao, you should directly contact the contractor, He Yanjun. My words are less effective than yours."
Gao Xinhua felt a bit displeased as he wasn’t familiar with He Yanjun. Fang Jian Country was an old-timer in Changxing, so he came to Fang Jian Country to communicate. Even though the cost of tooth extraction wasn’t much, it was intended to express an attitude. At this point, he hadn’t yet told Zhao Feiyang about this matter. Making dental implants was a process, and by the time they come for a follow-up, Zhao Feiyang would have returned.