The Long Road Ahead: C07

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

Only the smoked salmon was eaten to completion by Xiao Ning, while the sweet and sour pork on his plate, along with the tofu, still had a good amount remaining. Seeing this, Shan Haiming looked at him and asked, "Are you heading straight back to your place after this?"

Xiao Ning was even more impressed, saying, "So you skipped ahead to graduate early then."

Xiao Ning sat back down again and directed Shan Haiming to the parking lot on the first floor, then both took the elevator upstairs. Because this apartment was only visited by Xiao Ning and Lu Yan occasionally, there were still two pairs of slippers in the shoe cabinet, perfect for him and Shan Haiming, one pair, each.

But despite Xiao Ning having no clue as to why he asked such a question, still nodded his head honestly in response.

"Your phone. Can you not understand?" Shan Haiming spread his hand open in front of Xiao Ning, causing the latter to only now understand his intention, as he then handed over the phone. Xiao Ning watched Shan Haiming slide open the screensaver, then after a few seconds, Shan Haiming's own phone rang, and Xiao Ning's phone was returned. "Why didn't you set up a screen lock?"

"Yeah, sure. The remote is on the table," Xiao Ning replied while making his way to the kitchen to boil the water. When he came back out, Shan Haiming already had the television switched on and was quickly flipping through the channels before finally stopping on Animal Planet.

A grunt signifying his understanding left Shan Haiming's throat, with him then asking the waiter to pack up the leftover food while he paid the bill.

Furthermore, you did so straightforwardly with dignity and pride.

These words of his were direct, so much so, that they gave Xiao Ning not even the slightest chance to be tactful.

"Nope. I came back to the country when I was twenty," Shan Haiming replied.

However, Shan Haiming said nothing more apart from asking, "Where's the parking lot?"

Oh, so it's like that. Despite having no real idea why being at Rihua would be "unconformable", Xiao Ning guessed it may have something to do with Shan Haihong. Think about it for a bit, he then said, "I still think you're quite admirable, though."

Reminded of the other man's family background, Xiao Ning felt this action of Shan Haiming's was so done with such ease and so conservative that it made the meal instantly become a bit uncommercial. He wanted to decline but was left with no way to really voice it.

"Not dislikable?" Shan Haiming cast a sidelong glance towards him, saying, "You have a really good temper."

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

Following this, he hung up his phone, tossed it aside, and then pulled out his car keys. "Your house is close to Baiye, right?"

"Because doing so would be a pain." Shan Haming took a sip of slightly cooled water, adding, "I just want to be comfortable."

On their way out, Xiao Ning thought carefully about his words, thinking he should not bother Shan Haiming too much. Despite it seeming as though they had a close relationship, Shan Haiming's behaviour really made it hard for Xiao Ning to communicate with him.

Xiao Ning: "..."

Shan Haiming shook his head, while a thin smile seeming to be floating on water spread itself on his face. "Even if I don't depend on Rihua for something, if not for my parent's names, a lot of folks wouldn't so much as give me the time of day, neither would they know about me. On top of that, there would be a lot of information I just wouldn't have known. It's unpleasant to hear as much as it is to say this, but since I was young, the stuff I was exposed to was quite different from the average person."

Forcing Xiao Ning to ask in return, "What?"

In response Shan Haiming raised his chin, his tone carrying a trace of criticism as he asked, "Aren't you going to invite me up?"

"Nope. I came back to the country when I was twenty," Shan Haiming replied.

Xiao Ning smiled reluctantly, "I'm just lazier than most. I just don't have it in me to get angry. Besides, it's much easier to go along with stuff in comparison."

Obviously, he had zero intentions of asking about it, and soon Shan Haiming stopped in front of the entrance of his apartment building, Xiao Ning then said, "Sorry for troubling you, Mr. Shan."

On Xiao Ning's phone screen, a disconnected call was shown, the number belonging to Shan Haiming. Hearing what the other asked, with a smile he replied simply, "Because there's nothing on my phone."

"Being with me is uncomfortable for you, isn't it?"

Speaking quickly, Xiao Ning couldn't help but say with a smile, "Oh, you can come up then, but... I really don't have anything to entertain Mr. Shan."

On Xiao Ning's phone screen, a disconnected call was shown, the number belonging to Shan Haiming. Hearing what the other asked, with a smile he replied simply, "Because there's nothing on my phone."

Xiao Ning smiled reluctantly, "I'm just lazier than most. I just don't have it in me to get angry. Besides, it's much easier to go along with stuff in comparison."

"Nope. I went for two years then dropped out." Shan Haiming then added, "So my highest level of education is just a high school diploma."

Shan Haming made no further comment, his hands now resting on the table as he rose to his feet. "Pick up your leftovers and the clothes, I'll give you a lift back."

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

"The year of the dragon..." Shan Haiming froze for a moment before asking, "You're twenty-seven? Then that means you're four years older than me."

This sentence of his was too sudden, so sudden, Xiao Ning reacted before his mind had caught up. His head slowly turned to look at Shan Haiming before his brain could digest the statement.

Maybe it was the true sincerity emitted in his words, or perhaps it was the pure earnestness in his eyes because each time there seemed to always be some part of him that caused Shan Haiming to be moved. Currently, in that youth's smile, no longer was any cynical look able to be seen.

It's not exactly what can be called near, but it is in that direction. Xiao Ning nodded, replying, "Yes. It's south of Baiye."

"Don't send it for me to look over, is that something I do?" Using his other hand, Shan Haiming buckled his seatbelt, continuing, "I understand. Tell me the reports on Sunday."

Xiao Ning felt a little uneasy by his staring, so he undid his seatbelt and was planning to open the car door, when Shan Haiming asked him, "No more?"

His tone as he said this was rather casual, almost sounding like one of familiarity. Xiao Ning wanted to say a few polite words in response but the other man had already walked outside, forcing Xiao Ning to follow after him with the plastic takeaway container in hand.

Shan Haming made no further comment, his hands now resting on the table as he rose to his feet. "Pick up your leftovers and the clothes, I'll give you a lift back."

"Not dislikable?" Shan Haiming cast a sidelong glance towards him, saying, "You have a really good temper."

"Would you like some coffee or maybe some tea, Mr. Shan?" Although neither of these options was considered anything grand, given he had no idea how long the tea had last been stocked, and the coffee was the instant kind, Xiao Ning still had to ask the other man out of courtesy.

"Because doing so would be a pain." Shan Haming took a sip of slightly cooled water, adding, "I just want to be comfortable."

He then reached over to rub Xian Ning's head, giving little warning of his action, still smiling as he said, "There's nothing here to admire."

Xiao Ning followed Shan Haiming to the parking lot, and not far away from them, a sapphire blue car unlocked. "Mr. Shan..."

"Speak." Shan Haiming was not replying to him, but to someone on his own phone. While opening the door of his car, he motioned Xiao Ning to go to the other side, continuing to speak to the person on the other line, "Stop talking nonsense and just make the arrangements now."

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

"No, I'm not that ambitious." Having said this, Shan Haiming probably felt his lips to be a bit dry, using his tongue to lick them before continuing, "I just didn't want to stay over there any longer."

"Nope. I came back to the country when I was twenty," Shan Haiming replied.

Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds, but Shan Haiming was already seated in the car, so he had no choice but also climb in.

Those words of his made no sense, making Xiao Ning ask confusedly, "What?"

When one is compared to the other, the only result will be a face full of tears.

Xiao Ning was even more impressed, saying, "So you skipped ahead to graduate early then."

On Xiao Ning's phone screen, a disconnected call was shown, the number belonging to Shan Haiming. Hearing what the other asked, with a smile he replied simply, "Because there's nothing on my phone."

"Don't send it for me to look over, is that something I do?" Using his other hand, Shan Haiming buckled his seatbelt, continuing, "I understand. Tell me the reports on Sunday."

Xiao Ning hesitated for a few seconds, but Shan Haiming was already seated in the car, so he had no choice but also climb in.

These words of his were direct, so much so, that they gave Xiao Ning not even the slightest chance to be tactful.

Following this, he hung up his phone, tossed it aside, and then pulled out his car keys. "Your house is close to Baiye, right?"

Xiao Ning followed Shan Haiming to the parking lot, and not far away from them, a sapphire blue car unlocked. "Mr. Shan..."

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

Xiao Ning was impressed. He also recalled Wang Hua mentioning Shan Haiming had studied in Germany. "Did it only take you a year to start your company?"

It's not exactly what can be called near, but it is in that direction. Xiao Ning nodded, replying, "Yes. It's south of Baiye."

Xiao Ning was of course stunned, thinking of how such an act showed no respect towards an elder. But once he saw how good of a mood Shan Haiming was now in, he stopped himself from voicing his complaints aloud, and, in the end, simply chose to shake his head with no words said.

"You live that far away?" Shan Haiming started his car after saying this, driving off.

"The year of the dragon..." Shan Haiming froze for a moment before asking, "You're twenty-seven? Then that means you're four years older than me."

Folks born in the year of the sheep are thought of as having been born with the characteristics of the sheep/ram/goat zodiac: gentle and considerate, good at communicating, and willing to sacrifice their own interests for other's sake. They give others a reliable feeling.[] Folks born in the year of the dragon are believed to be blessed with innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence. They are seen as being filled with confidence and enthusiasm; able to take on challenges, never backing down and willing to take risks. But they may sometimes be thought of as aggressive... and angry. Another fallback is them not being open to criticism.

So when facing someone like Shan Haiming, he didn't just feel a sense of admiration, he also felt somewhat envious.

After the water boiled, Xiao Ning went for it and brought the kettle back, pouring a cup for Shan Haiming as he further asked, "But you came back here and started a business, didn't you? So that's way more awesome than me, who just graduated from university and nothing else."

The two had nothing to converse over during the drive, apart from Shan Haiming asking Xiao Ning which direction to take when they came upon a fork in the road. During that time, Shan Haiming's phone also rang a few more times, but all he did was glance at it without answering at all. His act caused a bit of curiosity to stir within Xiao Ning, making him unable to stop himself from taking a look, only for him to see vaguely the name Ye Ziyin flash upon the screen.

So when facing someone like Shan Haiming, he didn't just feel a sense of admiration, he also felt somewhat envious.

Obviously, he had zero intentions of asking about it, and soon Shan Haiming stopped in front of the entrance of his apartment building, Xiao Ning then said, "Sorry for troubling you, Mr. Shan."

"You live that far away?" Shan Haiming started his car after saying this, driving off.

Xiao Ning sighed, replying, "It's admirable how you know who you are and what you want for yourself."

But all Shan Haiming did was grab hold of the staring wheel, then rest his chin on his hands while staring at Xiao Ning.

It seemed as though that guy was well aware of his own imposing nature, but Xiao Ning honestly thought it was his natural talent to be able to hold it back to such a degree. One where it made others feel more embarrassed, but never getting to the point where it became unacceptable.

Speaking quickly, Xiao Ning couldn't help but say with a smile, "Oh, you can come up then, but... I really don't have anything to entertain Mr. Shan."

Xiao Ning felt a little uneasy by his staring, so he undid his seatbelt and was planning to open the car door, when Shan Haiming asked him, "No more?"

Such qualities were exactly what Xiao Ning lacked. He was also overly cautious, constantly worried, and excessively prudent. Not to mention, still being unable to handle things properly.

Those words of his made no sense, making Xiao Ning ask confusedly, "What?"

Wearing a forced smile, he kept looking at Xiao Ning as he continued, "I'm not some industrious entrepreneur. The starting point for me was completely different."

Xiao Ning was impressed. He also recalled Wang Hua mentioning Shan Haiming had studied in Germany. "Did it only take you a year to start your company?"

"Nope. I came back to the country when I was twenty," Shan Haiming replied.

In response Shan Haiming raised his chin, his tone carrying a trace of criticism as he asked, "Aren't you going to invite me up?"

But despite Xiao Ning having no clue as to why he asked such a question, still nodded his head honestly in response.

"You live that far away?" Shan Haiming started his car after saying this, driving off.

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

Xiao Ning: "..."

But Xiao Ning had no idea how this topic ended up being delved into so deeply. Thinking for a moment, Xiao Ning then asked, "So why didn't you just enter Rihua directly?"

This sentence of his was too sudden, so sudden, Xiao Ning reacted before his mind had caught up. His head slowly turned to look at Shan Haiming before his brain could digest the statement.

But all Shan Haiming did was grab hold of the staring wheel, then rest his chin on his hands while staring at Xiao Ning.

Ever since he was little, Xiao Ning has been extremely sensitive to other people's feelings, so he got the sense that this question was not at all similar to Shan Haiming's earlier queries, as it seemed he simply wanted to ask it without being answered.

Those words of his made Xiao Ning seem as though he had lost his manners. So while letting out an awkward laugh, he replied, "...no, I just assumed Mr. Shan would have other business to attend to this afternoon."

"Don't send it for me to look over, is that something I do?" Using his other hand, Shan Haiming buckled his seatbelt, continuing, "I understand. Tell me the reports on Sunday."

"I'm awesome..." Shan Haiming kept a tight grip on his cup, swirling its contents, while his half-closed eyes were fixed on the hot water inside. He then lifted his gaze towards Xiao Ning and asked, "Then would I still be considered awesome if I was reborn in a different body?"

"I've already cancelled my afternoon appointments." Shan Haiming answered bluntly, adding, "I have nowhere to go."

On Xiao Ning's phone screen, a disconnected call was shown, the number belonging to Shan Haiming. Hearing what the other asked, with a smile he replied simply, "Because there's nothing on my phone."

*thanks a user* Happy Holidays Everyone!! (T/n: this was released around the Spring Festival, but since Corpus Cristi was yesterday, Happy (pseudo) Holiday from me too.)

Being told he was easy to bully by a man like Shan Haiming, a person who was even younger than him, felt too strange. So touching his nose smugly, Xiao Ning replied, "I was actually born in the year of the dragon."

Speaking quickly, Xiao Ning couldn't help but say with a smile, "Oh, you can come up then, but... I really don't have anything to entertain Mr. Shan."

However, Shan Haiming said nothing more apart from asking, "Where's the parking lot?"

But all Shan Haiming did was grab hold of the staring wheel, then rest his chin on his hands while staring at Xiao Ning.

Shan Haiming now turned his head Xiao Ning's way, staring at him for a long time before scoffing with a grin, "If you're like this, you'll be really easy to bully. Were you born in the year of the sheep?"

When one is compared to the other, the only result will be a face full of tears.

"I've already cancelled my afternoon appointments." Shan Haiming answered bluntly, adding, "I have nowhere to go."

He then reached over to rub Xian Ning's head, giving little warning of his action, still smiling as he said, "There's nothing here to admire."

This sentence of his was too sudden, so sudden, Xiao Ning reacted before his mind had caught up. His head slowly turned to look at Shan Haiming before his brain could digest the statement.

"Just a glass of water will be fine, thanks." Shan Haiming was currently taking a look around the apartment he had stayed in the night prior, then took himself a seat on the sofa. "Can I watch some TV?"

Speaking quickly, Xiao Ning couldn't help but say with a smile, "Oh, you can come up then, but... I really don't have anything to entertain Mr. Shan."

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

"You live that far away?" Shan Haiming started his car after saying this, driving off.

Those words of his made no sense, making Xiao Ning ask confusedly, "What?"

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

Forcing Xiao Ning to ask in return, "What?"

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

Xiao Ning took a seat next to him on the sofa, a gap between them, and silently stared at the screen.

Xiao Ning sighed, replying, "It's admirable how you know who you are and what you want for yourself."

"Nope. I came back to the country when I was twenty," Shan Haiming replied.

A grunt signifying his understanding left Shan Haiming's throat, with him then asking the waiter to pack up the leftover food while he paid the bill.

On Xiao Ning's phone screen, a disconnected call was shown, the number belonging to Shan Haiming. Hearing what the other asked, with a smile he replied simply, "Because there's nothing on my phone."

"Being with me is uncomfortable for you, isn't it?"

A grunt signifying his understanding left Shan Haiming's throat, with him then asking the waiter to pack up the leftover food while he paid the bill.

This sentence of his was too sudden, so sudden, Xiao Ning reacted before his mind had caught up. His head slowly turned to look at Shan Haiming before his brain could digest the statement.

It's not exactly what can be called near, but it is in that direction. Xiao Ning nodded, replying, "Yes. It's south of Baiye."

Shan Haiming held a throw pillow in his arms, still maintaining his television-watching position, leaving nothing but his bored side profile to see. Xiao Ning instinctively wanted to say something to deny it, as well as adding a few kind words to ease the situation. But those words of his only got stuck in his throat, preventing him from saying them aloud.

You see, in the story of Bill Gates's success, it is rarely ever mentioned that he had a powerful mother behind him.

Demanding great help from a mere acquaintance is a foolish

Forcing Xiao Ning to ask in return, "What?"

"Admirable?" Shan Haiming laughed a little as he responded, "What about me is admirable?"

So as a result, Xiao Ning swallowed those words of his right back, doing so for a good while also, until he finally spoke out frankly. "To be truly honest, it's not actually, Mr. Shan, because you don't do anything that goes too far. I think our interactions are rather friendly, to be honest. It's just that we don't know one another all that well. Plus, I'm not the kind of person who naturally opens up a lot, and your forward attitude makes me feel just a little uncomfortable—but it's not to the point where it's dislikeable or anything."

"Not dislikable?" Shan Haiming cast a sidelong glance towards him, saying, "You have a really good temper."

"I've already cancelled my afternoon appointments." Shan Haiming answered bluntly, adding, "I have nowhere to go."

Following this, he hung up his phone, tossed it aside, and then pulled out his car keys. "Your house is close to Baiye, right?"

Xiao Ning smiled reluctantly, "I'm just lazier than most. I just don't have it in me to get angry. Besides, it's much easier to go along with stuff in comparison."

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

Following this, he hung up his phone, tossed it aside, and then pulled out his car keys. "Your house is close to Baiye, right?"

Xiao Ning: "..."

Xiao Ning felt a little uneasy by his staring, so he undid his seatbelt and was planning to open the car door, when Shan Haiming asked him, "No more?"

*thanks a user* Happy Holidays Everyone!! (T/n: this was released around the Spring Festival, but since Corpus Cristi was yesterday, Happy (pseudo) Holiday from me too.)

Xiao Ning smiled reluctantly, "I'm just lazier than most. I just don't have it in me to get angry. Besides, it's much easier to go along with stuff in comparison."

Xiao Ning kept getting the feeling, that when these kinds of things occur with Shan Haiming, they surprisingly did not come off that weird. So with a chuckle, he asked the younger man, "Are you trying to be like Bill Gates then?"

But Xiao Ning had no idea how this topic ended up being delved into so deeply. Thinking for a moment, Xiao Ning then asked, "So why didn't you just enter Rihua directly?"

Wearing a forced smile, he kept looking at Xiao Ning as he continued, "I'm not some industrious entrepreneur. The starting point for me was completely different."

It's not exactly what can be called near, but it is in that direction. Xiao Ning nodded, replying, "Yes. It's south of Baiye."

Shan Haiming then suddenly stated, "Phone."

"The year of the dragon..." Shan Haiming froze for a moment before asking, "You're twenty-seven? Then that means you're four years older than me."

"Nope. I went for two years then dropped out." Shan Haiming then added, "So my highest level of education is just a high school diploma."

*thanks a user* Happy Holidays Everyone!! (T/n: this was released around the Spring Festival, but since Corpus Cristi was yesterday, Happy (pseudo) Holiday from me too.)

Xiao Ning was stunned for a bit as well. He had guessed that Shan Haiming was indeed not older than himself, but... he never expected the other man to be younger than him by this much. That is to say, this kid was only twenty-three years old and had already started a business selling real estate right out of university?!