Chapter 2 Sooner or later

Qin Sheng preferred trains to planes, not because he was afraid of heights or anything. It was because train journeys allowed him to appreciate the passing scenery and local customs. Sometimes, they even offered a unique charm and a chance to observe passengers from all over the country, searching for interesting people.

In truth, the most important reason was that he couldn't afford to fly.

On this seventeen-hour journey, Qin Sheng had bought a hard sleeper ticket. The compartment was filled with students from northwestern provinces who were heading back to school after the National Day holiday. They were chattering excitedly about all the great things about Shanghai, as if they had all decided they would never return to their hometowns after graduation.

It reminded Qin Sheng of his own journey to Shanghai for university. He had also taken a train, filled with curiosity and anticipation. It had been his first time traveling out of his province, and he had carried his luggage alone, embarking on a four-year journey.

What was Qin Sheng's ultimate conclusion after spending four years in Shanghai?

It was that the good was better, and the bad was worse. Most people were merely surviving, not living.

After waking up, Qin Sheng chatted with the students. They all attended prestigious universities and were undoubtedly top students from their respective regions. It seemed that education was the best way out for most people.

Many people nowadays say that education is useless, but in Qin Sheng's eyes, it was the best path for most ordinary people. It might not make you rich or guarantee you a good job, but it would give you more choices and help you become a better version of yourself.

Whether it's the books you've read, the places you've been, the people you've met, or the experiences you've had, both good and bad, they would eventually settle and bear fruit.

However, most of the time, Qin Sheng didn't like all the noise. He would just sit by the aisle and admire the scenery rushing past outside.

When he arrived in Shanghai, it was already dusk.

Stepping onto this land again, Qin Sheng took a deep breath of the no longer pure air. It had been almost three years since he had left. Memories of people, places, and things flooded back into his mind.

Qin Sheng really wanted to say, "If only life could stay as it was when we first met."

"Shanghai, I'm back!" Qin Sheng shouted loudly. The passersby stared at him as if he were crazy, but Qin Sheng didn't care. He had never cared about what others thought of him.

His grandfather had said that Shanghai was his "dragon's rising place." Qin Sheng didn't know if he could truly succeed here.

From the train station, he took a bus directly to his destination: Tomson Golf Villa, located on Longdong Avenue in Pudong. He was going to meet an old friend and fulfill a promise.

Although he had studied at a university in Shanghai for four years, Qin Sheng had barely explored the city. If it weren't for his grandfather's words about Shanghai being his "dragon's rising place," he would never have returned.

Tomson Golf was one of the most expensive residential areas in Shanghai. Those who could afford to live in this inch-by-inch piece of land in Pudong were among the city's elite.

Qin Sheng was going to meet one of them.

After taking a taxi to the entrance of Tomson Golf, he was ushered inside by a bodyguard after a brief announcement. Qin Sheng said nothing along the way.

A few minutes later, they finally arrived at the old friend's villa. It was a three-story mansion of nearly a thousand square meters, surrounded by a wall and iron railings. There was a private garden and swimming pool inside.

The villa was brightly lit at the moment. As Qin Sheng entered, he happened to meet an elderly man who was tending to the flowers and plants with a bent back. The bodyguard bowed slightly and said, "Mr. Wu."

Qin Sheng also bowed slightly. The old man merely glanced at Qin Sheng and lost interest.

When Qin Sheng was led into the villa, the bodyguard pointed to a room not far away and said, "Mr. Han is waiting for you in his study."

Qin Sheng thanked him with a smile and went straight to the study.

He knocked on the door...

And waited...

After a while, a deep middle-aged man's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Qin Sheng pushed open the door.

The study was filled with smoke, making it hard to open his eyes. If you didn't know any better, you would think there was a fire.

A slightly overweight middle-aged man with gray hair was sitting on the sofa smoking. The ashtray was full of cigarette butts, and there were quite a few on the floor as well.

"Qin Sheng, you're finally here," the middle-aged man looked up and saw Qin Sheng. He was stunned for a moment before extinguishing his cigarette and quickly got up to meet Qin Sheng, laughing heartily.

Qin Sheng chuckled, "Uncle Han, it's been a year and three months since we last met on Mount Kunlun."

"You little rascal, you said you would definitely come to Shanghai to develop and that you would find me as soon as you arrived. I thought you were bluffing me, but it turns out you really did come," the man Qin Sheng called Uncle Han laughed loudly.

Qin Sheng sat down on the sofa, taking the tea pot from the man and pouring tea for both of them. "Uncle Han, you said that if a man can't do something, he shouldn't make promises lightly. Honesty is something young people don't understand, but the older you get, the more important it becomes. Besides, you saved my life."

"You kid," Uncle Han pointed at Qin Sheng and laughed. "When did you arrive?"

"I came right after getting off the train."

"You're still so straightforward. I've been a bit busy these past few days. I'll find some time to give you a proper welcome," Uncle Han patted Qin Sheng on the shoulder.

Uncle Han, whose real name was Han Ping, was a businessman, although Qin Sheng had never looked into what he did exactly. They had met by chance on Mount Kunlun while traveling around China. They had been going to the same place and had traveled together. Qin Sheng was probably too young and inexperienced, and if it hadn't been for Han Ping, he might have been killed in that avalanche.

"Uncle Han, is something wrong? If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word," Qin Sheng and Han Ping got along well, and they could be considered old friends. That's why he came to see him as soon as he arrived in Shanghai.

Han Ping sighed and lit another cigarette. "It's just a small matter. Everyone goes through ups and downs in life."

"But right after that, he said, 'Since you've brought it up, Xiao Qin, I actually have something I need your help with. Are you free?'

Qin Sheng replied earnestly, 'Mr. Han, you name it.'"

Han Ping handed Qin Sheng a cigarette, lit it for him despite Qin Sheng's refusal, and then said, "I've made an enemy. He's been targeting me recently, and I'm worried he might take it out on my daughter. So I want you to protect her until this storm passes."

Though Han Ping seemed calm on the surface, Qin Sheng could sense the underlying tension. He pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Han, can I really trust you? And has she agreed to this?"

Han Ping replied, his voice steady, "I've made a few wrong judgments in my life, but I'm absolutely certain I won't make one with you this time. Once this is over, you can come work for me. As for her, don't worry about it. I'll talk to her. I'll just tell her you're her new assistant." Han Ping looked quite haggard, his eyes bloodshot.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. It was the villa's butler. He bowed and said, "Mr. Han, your guest has arrived."

"Please show him to the study. And ask Han Bing to come here as well. I have something to tell her," Han Ping said calmly.

After the butler left, he turned to Qin Sheng and said, "Xiao Qin, I have some things to attend to, so I can't keep you company. You just got off the train, so you must be hungry. There's food ready in the kitchen, or if you want something specific, just ask them to make it for you. I'll find you again after my daughter arrives."

Qin Sheng nodded and left with a smile.

In the dining room, the maid prepared some dishes and a few steamed buns for him. This was exactly what Qin Sheng preferred; he liked steamed buns more than rice. And coincidentally, Han Ping was from the northwest too, and he also loved steamed buns.

Usually, Qin Sheng ate very quickly, but today he chewed slowly, carefully observing everyone in the villa, from the bodyguards to the maids. He wouldn't miss a single detail. It was a habit he had developed to stay alive.

Any carelessness towards strangers could be fatal.

Qin Sheng ate for half an hour, until a tall, s*xy beauty walked into the villa. This must be Han's daughter, Han Bing. No wonder Han was so worried. Any man would go wild for her, especially those ruthless killers.

"So late at night, what does old man want from me? This is so annoying," Han Bing mumbled as she walked into the villa.

She had short hair, a gray tight-fitting T-shirt paired with black shorts, and casual flip-flops. She wore a Bulgari Serpenti pendant necklace, a limited-edition Bvlgari Saint Valentin heart-shaped diamond watch, and a Saint Laurent bag.

A true super-rich beauty...

Not long after the beauty went upstairs, the maid came down and called Qin Sheng, "The master wants to see you."

When Qin Sheng approached the study, he heard Han Bing shouting, "I don't want any bodyguard. You're invading my privacy."

"Don't give me that nonsense. I'm your father. If you don't want an assistant, fine. I'll immediately withdraw my investment from your company, freeze all your credit cards, and take back your car and house. From now on, you'll just stay home obediently," Han Ping said angrily.

Qin Sheng walked in at this moment, and Han Ping immediately beamed. "Come here, come here, Qin Sheng. This is my daughter, Han Bing. Let's get to know each other."

"Qin Sheng, nice to meet you," Qin Sheng extended his hand, but Han Bing didn't seem interested in shaking hands with him. The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but Qin Sheng understood. He withdrew his hand sheepishly.

Han Ping said apologetically, "She's just got a temper, and I've spoiled her since she was a child. Sorry if I've put you in an awkward position. I'll entrust her safety to you from now on. I'll ask the butler to give you some money later. If you run out, just ask him for more. Han Bing lives in Huarun Riverside Nine. I have a house in the opposite Shimao Binjiang Garden. The butler will give you the key later. Everything you need is there. It'll be convenient for you to pick her up and drop her off. Why don't you go find the butler? I need to talk to her for a bit more."

Qin Sheng went to find the butler, while Han Ping continued his heart-to-heart with his spoiled daughter...

After Qin Sheng got the key and money from the butler, Han Bing came downstairs from the study. Seeing Qin Sheng, she shouted, "Hey, lackey, let's go. Take me home."

The butler chuckled helplessly, but Qin Sheng didn't get angry. It would be beneath him to argue with a spoiled rich girl who was still under her father's wing.

Han Bing's car was a bright red Maserati GranTurismo. After getting in, she handed the keys to Qin Sheng and stared at him with a smirk.

Qin Sheng had rarely driven such a luxury car, but he remained calm. After a moment's thought, he started the engine and drove towards the Bund. Han Bing held her breath and glared at Qin Sheng angrily.

The whole journey, they didn't say a word.

When they arrived at Huarun Riverside Nine, Qin Sheng escorted Han Bing inside. She said viciously, "Pick me up at nine sharp tomorrow morning. If you're one second late, you're fired."

Then she slammed the door shut.

Qin Sheng shook his head helplessly and smiled wryly. Then he left.

After going downstairs, instead of driving back to Shimao Binjiang Garden, he parked the Maserati on the side of the road and took a taxi to the Bund.

In Qin Sheng's eyes, if a man had any ambition, he should go to Beijing and walk down Chang'an Avenue, and come to Shanghai to see the Bund. That would ignite the deepest desires within him.

Did Qin Sheng have ambition? Yes.

Did he have desires? Yes.

He felt that if a man didn't live an exciting life, if he couldn't reach a certain height, then this life would be a waste.

Everyone has the right to choose their life. Maybe many people are willing to live a simple and ordinary life.

But Qin Sheng didn't want to be ordinary.

On one side, the Bund glittered with its decadent allure; on the other, Pudong's skyscrapers twinkled with their neon lights. Qin Sheng stood by the Huangpu River, lighting a cigarette, inhaling deeply, and then slowly exhaling the smoke.

Gazing at this bustling, superficial city, Qin Sheng narrowed his eyes and muttered, "One day, this city will remember me for many years to come..."