Please Be More Serious Chapter 7

Grasping the Food and Men with Both Hands:

The holiday ended and Zhengqing returned to work feeling comfortable. (Zuben; Dude, you need a life)

Huizhu returned to town as well but they were unable to meet because she had to travel out of the country for work, but they did chat online a few times. Zhengqing wasn’t bothered, he wasn’t anxious about it. His deadline was two years so there was enough time.

Though he didn’t get to see Huizhu, he did see Yin Ting.

One Friday after the holidays, he had to attend a party on behalf of his company. The Huafu Group were launching a new company and they held a banquet. It was the same kind of to-do everytime; sign the guest book at the door, hand over gifts, listen to speeches, applaud, eat, drink, network, exchange business cards, chat about business, introduce friends and acquaintances…

Such immutable life, Zhengqing coped with ease.

But there was a slight variation in proceedings when the Huafu representative came over to him to introduce their Vice-President, a young woman with a sweet smile.

‘Hello, I am Shen Jiaqi,’ she said her voice rich and hearty. (Zuben: Like a full bodied claret)

Huafu’s representative was cautiously respectful, and this woman’s family name was Shen. So must be Shen Fuhua, Huafu's chairman's daughter. Such elegance at twenty-six years of age, she also reminded him a little of Qin Yufei,

‘Hello, I’m Yong Kai’s representative Qiu Zhengqing.’ He replied politely.

‘I know,’ she said with a smile, ‘I have heard a lot about you.’

They exchanged business cards.

Zhengqing returned her smile, ‘Shen Zongtai is being polite.’

‘I’m telling the truth,’ Jiaqi said and began to make small talk. Zhengqing listened politely, when waiter came by, he procured a glass of wine for her.

Jiaqi took the glass with a smile of thanks. She glanced at the Huafu representative, who then turned to Zhengqing and made his excuses; he needed to greet other guests. When he left, Shen Jiaqi started to chat with Zhengqing; she expressed admiration and envy for Yong Kai winning several lucrative contracts that year, with Qiu Zhengqing at the helm.

Zhengqing smiled, ‘Shen Zong is over praising me. Shen Zong seems to be up to date with Yong Kai.’

‘Yes. We are constantly watching Yong Kai. My father often says, the most intelligent thing Qin Shushu did was to employ you into Yong Kai. It’s been four years, right?’

‘Right,’ Zhengqing said quietly, ‘Shen Zong is well informed.’

Shen Jiaqi laughed, ‘Yes, very much so. I also know that there have been many companies trying to scout you around the world and you haven’t budged.’ She said with a smile looking directly at Zhengqing, ‘Is Qiu Zong looking for something special?

‘There is nothing special to look for. There was no reason to leave Yong Kai.’

Shen Jiaqi cocked her head to the side looking playful, ‘Higher salary and a sense of accomplishment?’

‘I am satisfied with what I have at the moment.’

Shen Jiaqi laughed and said, ‘It seems Qiu Zong is a straight-forward person, then I won’t beat about the bush, you know Huafu does not lose to Yong Kai, what they can give you – we at Huafu can match or even top. You heard my father’s speech, we have a far-sighted vision for the future, and we see that Qiu Zong skills can help us achieve our goals. Our Huafu is always looking for people with talent, like yourself.’

Zhengqing also smiled, ‘Thank you for your acknowledgement.’

‘Qiu Zong is also immune to praise, I have heard others say so. And I also know that many companies give a lot of praises to try and get you. Our Huafu is willing to have you and your ideas even for a short while.’

‘Thank you very much for your kind offer, but I have no plans to leave Yong Kai for now.’ He said refusing her directly.

‘I understand,’ she said with a smile and a shrug, ‘My father gave me this task. He didn’t want to do it himself, just in case you refuse and he can’t save face. So he sent me to make friends. There is a lot of time for that.’

She was a very frank person, he thought. He thanked her,

‘Then, there is my own agenda,’ Jiaqi said as she held her hand out to him, ‘would you dance with me?’

Zhengqing put aside his glass, ‘I am not a very good dancer. I am very clumsy.’

Jiaqi laughed and pulled him to the dance floor.

Zhengqing saying he couldn’t dance wasn’t modesty, he really couldn’t. He knew that part of his job was going to parties like this one and dancing with high class ladies like this one, so he went to dance classes.  He realised he had no talent for it so he just jumped. (Zuben: You’re over-thinking it that’s why)

When they reached the dance floor, he held on to Jiaqi’s waist and her hand in the proper manner, and set the pace, Jiaqi laughed, ‘Qiu is the most earnest and serious partner I’ve ever had.’

‘I can’t dance, therefore, I can only make up for it with enthusiasm. And if my partner decides they’ve had enough I can say I was earnest and I tried, which makes for a good argument.’

Jiaqi laughed, ‘Qiu Zong is really funny.’

Zhengqing tried not to raise his eyebrow. Funny? What was so funny about what he’d said? He flashed back to Yin Ting’s message about the god of humour hugging him.

Just then, he saw a familiar form in the corner of his eye; Ying Ting.

Zhengqing lost concentration at the moment, thinking he’d seen an illusion, he stepped on Jiaqi.

Zhengqing quickly made an apology to her.  Jiaqi blinked and said, ‘Good, haven’t I praised you? You don’t need to step on me.’

Zhengqing laughed, and apologised again. He added that he jumped really well, so they two of them did a bout of vigorous jumping for one song, and left the dance floor. Zhengqing ran into a business acquaintance, he introduced Shen Jiaqi, they exchanged pleasantries and she excused herself to go and meet her friends.

His acquaintance needed recommendations for a new project. Zhengqing took him over to a group of people he knew and introduced the acquaintance to two who could help, he was overjoyed and they convened to discuss. Zhengqing was left at a loose end, so he looked around. He did not see Yin Ting. This was a business banquet, Yin Ting would not be here, right?

He headed to the refreshments table for some nibbles. He was about to eat a piece of meat when he heard a voice behind him, ‘Didn’t I tell you that red string will work?’

He nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned to find Yin Ting behind him. Zhengqing made a great effort to chew, and tried to swallow with great difficulty. Yin Ting handed him a glass of juice conspiratorially. Zhengqing drank a big gulp, and finally caught his breath,

‘How come you’re here?’ he asked.

‘Did you just have the beef steak? It’s not nice, too tough. The roast calamari is good, as well as the pork chops. The garlic mutton leg is not delicious. The salad is good, you can try that.’ Yin Ting said ignoring his question.

‘You must have tried everything on the menu.’

‘Yes,’ Yin Ting said with a smile. Zhengqing wanted to laugh, but there was nothing funny, but looking at Yin Ting’s expression he laughed anyway, she continued, ‘May was bragging about her family’s super chef so I must verify how super they are.’

‘May?’

‘You just danced with her.’ She turned around looking for Shen Jiaqi.

‘Oh,’ Ying Ting was not here from the perspective of a business dinner, she was here with her friends.

‘Your dancing needs more practice.’ She said jumping from food to evaluating his dancing. Zhengqing remained silent; at least she did not say his jumping was ugly, just that he needed more practice.

‘Thank you for your evaluation.’ He said finally.

‘The red spiritual string works fast, thank me.’

‘What did the spirit do?’ Jiaqi merely wanted to win over a popular staff from a competitor; it wasn’t as though the god of wealth hugged him. What does this have to do with the matchmaker thread? (Zuben: Don’t these gods have better things to do than to be hugging every one hither and yon?)

‘May is interested in you,’

Zhengqing laughed in spite of himself, ‘Only in the interest of public relations, that’s why she danced with me.’

‘It’s more than that, oh,’ Yin Ting said wagging a finger, ‘My woman’s intuition is good at discovering love lines, and I’m telling you she fancies you. Not love at first sight but there is a favourable impression. Are you that famous? She heard about you and your competence, then meets you today, she sees you’re handsome and intelligent; naturally there will be ideas. Just now you danced. You made her laugh, you didn’t notice the expression she had when she looked at you; she’s definitely interested.’

 Can see love lines? She has the mouth to say this? Zhenqing had black lines on his head. Which god was possessing this girl? ‘So you’re good at seeing love lines,’ he teased, ‘Why has it not helped you find the right guy yet?’

‘Well ah, I go forward and tell them of my admiration, but their hearts don’t know how to recognise good people and good aura,’ Yin Ting said with a long suffering expression. Zhengqing wanted to laugh.

‘But I will not be discouraged,’ she said as she looked around.

Ah so that’s another reason why she was there; to grasp the food and the men in both hands.

‘Have you met any one interesting?’ he asked.

‘No. I have to know when is appropriate, most of it starts with eye contact, then if we seem interested in each other, we can move closer to chat.’

Zhengqing did not want to be meddlesome, but thought he should offer up some advice to Yin Ting since she has had terrible luck with men in the past,

‘To achieve a cooperative development, a balance of interests is important,’ he said, ‘Eye contact is one thing, but there must be mutual benefit for both sides.’

Yin Ting gave him a silly expression, playing dumb. If she did not understand, she should say. (Zuben: Zhengqing, you can’t talk) But she really wasn’t interested in listening to him. Too bad, at least, his conscience was clear.

Mutual benefit? Cooperative development? He was one to talk. Yin Ting merely blinked and said to him, ‘Let’s bet; May will come looking for you.’

Zhengqing got annoyed; tell her east she replies with west.

‘I am not betting with you.’

‘Who do you like better: May or Zoe?’

Which is better? They weren’t comparable.

‘Well, can’t really ask you that, Zoe is your girlfriend. One cannot pedal two boats.’

‘You think too much nonsense,’ Zhenqing said, ‘Zoe is not my girlfriend and Miss Shen is not planning to pursue me.’

‘I did say the red thread was very clever. Look at you now; peach flowers are blooming.’ Yin Ting said paying little attention to what he was saying, her expression one of gloating – taking undeserved credit.

Zhengqing decided not to comment.

‘Good,’ Yin Ting said changing tack, ‘Now you’ve become an attractive man that women covet.’

Zhengqing wanted to laugh; he raised his eyebrows and replied mockingly, ‘I will evaluated the intentions as well as the conditions. Many thanks to you.’ With a smile.

Yin Tin frowned, what’s so funny, ah. Because he’s being chased by many women, is that why he’s smiling proudly? People she’d given the red thread to were finding luck in love, yet it doesn’t seem to have worked for her. No, she would not be discouraged; there were many twists and turns in the course to a true love and big happiness. (Zuben: Your problem, dear Ting Ting, is you think happiness will land on you by being married.)

A few days later, Jiaqi confirmed that Yin Ting’s intuition was on point.

Index ❀ Chapter 8