Chapter 3

Yan Lihua's gaze fell elsewhere, remaining indifferent, while Fang Wenxiu slightly bent forward and said, "Thank you for coming, my father will surely be very pleased"

Thank you, Uncle Zhao. Fang Wenxiu also poured herself a cup of tea: "Do you know what her parents and brothers do?"

Fang Wenxiu does not conform to the current popular standards of beauty. Although she has thick eyebrows and large eyes, a high nose, and thin lips, she possesses somewhat of a masculine appearance. Additionally, she is relatively tall and slender, and her all-black suit does not quite fit her frame. Her physical appearance may not score highly, but she exudes a calm demeanor that commands the room.

Fang Wenxiu has run out of money, and Fang Yuanshan spent the 100,000 yuan allocated for her living expenses and tuition for this semester entirely on his funeral expenses

Everything has finally settled down, Fang Wenxiu let out a long breath. The child lay on the ground like a small dog. Fang Wenxiu walked over and, trembling, picked him up and lifted him into the air. Fang Yuanshan has died, but the Fang family will not become extinct. The child's open-crotch pants revealed a small penis and two small testicles

Zhao Zhengsheng extinguished the half-consumed cigarette in the ashtray and said, "Alright, let's leave it at that"

A group of people walked out of the funeral home, and the sunlight outside was still blazing. Fang Wenxiu's phone suddenly rang, displaying a call from Zhao Zhengsheng. After the phone rang twice more, Fang Xiuwen decisively answered it.

Fang Wenxiu told her, "I am Fang Yuanshan's daughter" and then pushed the door open and walked in

Fang Xiuwen walked towards Zhao Zhengsheng's car, while Yan Lihua awkwardly wanted to chase after her to ask. Yan Xuguang turned his head to speak to her: "Let her go, this child is quite determined."

The young man led several people to bow three times before the remains of Fang Yuanshan, offered incense, and then approached Yan Lihua, saying: "Please accept my condolences"

The nanny asked Fang Wenxiu with confusion: "Who are you looking for?"

Zhao Zhengsheng seems to have always preferred to maintain a serious expression, and he has pronounced nasolabial folds.

The car came to a stop, and Fang Wenxiu opened her eyes and sat up, discovering that the window was open. Zhao Zhengsheng had a cigarette in his mouth, unlit.

"Let's go to Kaiyue." Zhao Zhengsheng glanced at her, said nothing, and drove away.

This is truly the place where Fang Yuanshan lives, adorned with luxury and warmth. If Yan Lihua were to stand here today, she would likely go mad

Fang Wenxiu turned around and said to them: "I need to step out for a moment." Yan Xuguang looked at her in silence, the deep wrinkles on his face expressing a complex array of emotions. Yan Lihua asked her: "What does he intend to do?"

In the evening, the sun, which had ravaged the day, hung at the edge of the city. Fang Wenxiu and Zhao Zhengsheng were seated in a tea house. In Fang Wenxiu's expectations, this conversation between her and Zhao Zhengsheng should not have come so early.

Wearing rubber gloves, Fang Wenxiu took a careful look at her. The woman had a clean appearance and was neatly dressed. Peering through the half-open door, she immediately understood the intention behind Zhao Zhengsheng sending her here

Yan Lihua turned around and glanced at Fang Wenxiu, forcing a smile as she said to him: "My daughter"

This is a maisonette with an attached sky garden layout. The living room on the lower level occupies half of the space, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is a large terrace. The sunlight outside is bright, and the interior is warm and cheerful. On the coat rack in the living room hangs a suit worn by Fang Yuanshan, and on the coffee table sits a square glass ashtray with a half pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes lying there.

I don't know," Fang Wenxiu replied to her, "You should take your uncle and aunt back first.

Fang Wenxiu stood under the overwhelming sunlight when suddenly a wave of dizziness struck her

Fang Wenxiu watched his car merge into the traffic, wearily rubbed his brow, and took a taxi home

Fang Wenxiu raised her head to watch the young man disappear into the crowd, observing him striding confidently towards her, and then watching him leave with his head held high. She saw him walk to the place where gifts were collected and hand over a white envelope, and then she watched as he returned to give Liu Wei a business card.

Standing up straight, she aligned perfectly with Zhao Zhengsheng, who was standing at the front. Fang Wenxiu bowed to him once again. Zhao Zhengsheng remained still, watching as Fang Wenxiu bent down, straightened up, and turned to walk out.

Many people have arrived, some of whom are employees from the company, as well as some old friends of Fang Yuanshan. Cousin has taken charge of the entire funeral's scheduling and coordination. Fang Wenxiu stood beside Yan Lihua, bowing numerous times and bending at the waist countless times

The funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:30 AM. The mortician who was invited is very professional and came to work last night, spending more than ten hours to make Fang Yuanshan look lifelike, as dignified and respectable as he was in life

The two of them each drank a cup of tea. Fang Wenxiu added another round of boiling water to the teapot without asking any further questions, and the topic was thus put to rest. Zhao Zhengsheng lit another cigarette and finally spoke: "When do you plan to go to the company?"

His hair is coarse and stiff, and it is uncertain whether it has been dyed. The texture is particularly dark, styled into a conventional men's haircut. He has a square, masculine face with relatively rough skin, crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, and nasolabial folds at the corners of his mouth. He has a strong smoking habit, with the tips of his middle and index fingers tinged with a persistent yellow from years of smoking. His temper seems to be rather poor, and there is a sense of suppressed irritation in his demeanor. His body bears many marks left by time, yet he has managed to present himself well. He does not have the sagging physique typical of middle-aged men, which makes him appear to be a very charming middle-aged man. The corners of his mouth show nasolabial folds, he has a strong smoking habit, and the tips of his middle and index fingers are tinged with a persistent yellow from years of smoking. His temper seems to be rather poor, and there is a sense of suppressed irritation in his demeanor. His body bears many marks left by time, yet he has managed to present himself well. He does not have the sagging physique typical of middle-aged men, which makes him appear to be a very charming middle-aged man

Fang Wenxiu turned her head to glance at the residential area by the roadside, then looked back at the expressionless Zhao Zhengsheng, before getting out of the car.

He has been well taken care of, plump and tender, with rolls of flesh on his thighs and arms. Fang Wenxiu held him in her arms as if she were embracing a lump of soft meat, warm and soft, seemingly without any points of support. The sensation of his body was so fresh. How old is he? Is he not yet one year old?

"Hengxin is Fang's child, and I want to raise him," Fang Wenxiu said straightforwardly as she sat back down.

In Zhao Zhengsheng's eyes, Fang Wenxiu's appearance still seemed youthful, but she was the child of Fang Yuanshan. Zhao Zhengsheng extinguished the cigarette in his hand and picked up the teacup to take a sip of tea: "Speak." He said

Zhao Zhengsheng was smoking a cigarette, watching her skillfully operate a set of tea-making tools. Fang Wenxiu placed a small cup of Pu'er tea in front of Zhao Zhengsheng and made a gesture of invitation, saying, "Uncle Zhao, please enjoy."

Fang Hengxin is ten months old, as confirmed by the household registration book that Fang Wenxiu found in that room. For over an hour, she searched through the house, taking away the child's household registration book and all other belongings. She left behind other items, including several passbooks bearing the name of the child's mother.

Kaiyue is the only five-star hotel in the city known to Fang Wenxiu. Fang Wenxiu arrived at the lobby with her family and a pile of luggage, creating quite a commotion, only to be informed that booking a family room would cost over 10,000 for a week's stay plus a deposit.

When Fang Yuanshan was cremated in the afternoon, Yan Lihua did not attend. Yan Xuguang, accompanied by his wife and children, saw Fang Wenxiu off on his final journey. As they emerged from the funeral home, Yan Lihua waited at the entrance for them. She deliberately glanced at Fang Wenxiu's hands but did not see Fang Yuanshan's urn, seemingly letting out a sigh of relief. She had been avoiding the fact that Fang Yuanshan was already dead; psychologically, she had not accepted the reality of his death. This is why she appeared so indifferent and almost heartless after Fang Yuanshan's passing. Fang Wenxiu understood her. She had stored Fang Yuanshan's urn at the funeral home, planning to return it to his hometown for burial after a few years, or when Yan Lihua could gradually ease her emotions.

Zhao Zhengsheng held a cigarette in his mouth, ready to light it. After looking at her for a while, he suddenly smiled. Zhao Zhengsheng opened the door, got out of the car, and strode towards the hotel lobby, while Fang Wenxiu followed, holding the child.

Zhao Zhengsheng called someone to settle the bill, then stood up and walked outside. Fang Wenxiu accompanied him all the way out. When Zhao Zhengsheng was about to get into the car, he suddenly turned around and asked: "Fang Wenxiu, do you not want to continue your studies?"

But why did Zhao Zhengsheng want her to come here? Fang Wenxiu stood in the large living room, looking around. First, she heard a rustling sound of bells, and then a round little head popped up from behind the sofa. Finally, a chubby little face, dripping with drool, lifted up and met Fang Wenxiu's gaze directly.

Zhao Zhengsheng looked at Fang Wenxiu through the smoke, remaining still. Suddenly, Fang Wenxiu stood up and bent down towards him, saying: "Uncle Zhao, please help me for my father's sake"

Fang Wenxiu smiled and said, "There is no other way; I have to support my mother, and now I have a younger brother to take care of."

Fang Wenxiu glanced at Yan Lihua and said, "I will go over there." Then she hung up the phone

Fang Wenxiu glanced at him, while Zhao Zhengsheng still wore a serious expression, though his tone lacked the impatience it had before

"Or do you want me to talk to your mother?" Amid the sharp sound of a car horn, Zhao Zhengsheng's stern voice was heard. Fang Wenxiu looked up and saw a Land Rover parked directly in front of the entrance of the funeral home, with Zhao Zhengsheng sitting behind the windshield.

Zhao Zhengsheng poured himself a cup of tea and slowly took a sip before speaking: "The child's mother is from Shaanxi, a college graduate from the town, with both parents alive and a younger brother. She used to be your father's secretary, and her file is still with the company. I have been holding off on notifying her family back home, but after all, a person has died, and the Public Security Bureau will require procedures. The body may arrive in the next couple of days. If you want to raise that child, you need to be willing to spend some money, but how much you spend depends on how you manage it. If not handled well, it could lead to endless troubles. You should decide how to deal with it."

Fang Wenxiu raised her eyes and saw that the newcomer was a young man in his late twenties, tall and slender, surrounded by four or five men in suits and leather shoes as he approached. He had a striking appearance, with a kind of arrogant disdain in his eyes that made it easy for him to attract the attention of others, giving off a dazzling aura that made those around him seem somewhat dim in comparison

Zhao Zhengsheng used his own identification card to check into a hotel and paid for the room. After settling the child, he gave the nanny several thousand yuan. Fang Wenxiu repeatedly urged her to take good care of Fang Hengxin during these few days. The nanny was not a difficult person; she understood the situation of her employer's family and knew that Fang Wenxiu was the child's sister, so she readily agreed.

In that year, Fang Xiuwen was nineteen years old when she first encountered Wei Heng. There was no passionate emotion, only the lively crowd as a backdrop. He was a restless and frivolous young man, and Fang Wenxiu lowered her head with a barely audible sigh

A woman stepped away from the group and walked up to Fang Wenxiu and her daughter: "Please accept my condolences," she said to Yan Lihua

Zhuang Jinrong turned and left; she was a woman of a similar age to Yan Lihua, not as well-maintained as Yan Lihua, but the charm in her eyes was something Yan Lihua lacked

I understand. Fang Wenxiu took a sip of tea, feeling half relieved, as intellectuals are always able to reason to some extent

When getting into the car, Fang Wenxiu originally intended to call out "Uncle Zhao," but Zhao Zhengsheng kept his gaze fixed on her. The pressure in his eyes made her close her mouth, and she quietly took a seat.

Fang Xiuwen looked at Zhao Zhengsheng, and just as she opened her mouth, Zhao Zhengsheng happened to look over, causing her to swallow back the words "Uncle Zhao".

This is a well-established residential community located in the city center. Purchasing a house of over 100 square meters here is not significantly cheaper than the villa that Fang Wenxiu's family owns in the suburbs. Upon entering the main gate, registration is required. Fang Wenxiu registered her name and was allowed to proceed inside. As she walked in, she did not think about anything, nor did she speculate on why Zhao Zhengsheng had oddly asked her to come here, or whom she was supposed to meet. Excessive speculation about the unknown could disrupt her thinking and affect her behavior and judgment, so she chose not to.

Fang Wenxiu found Building 22, Unit 3, took the elevator up, and rang the doorbell of the independent unit on the 21st floor. The door was opened by a middle-aged woman wearing a floral apron, who may have been busy working in the kitchen before answering the door.

Zhao Zhengsheng remained silent throughout the journey. Not long after the car set off, he took out a cigarette and lit it. The air conditioning was on in the car, and the enclosed space made the smoke unbearable for Fang Wenxiu. It was indeed inappropriate to open the window in someone else's car, so she curled up in her seat, feeling drowsy. She had gone to bed late last night and woke up early this morning, and she was indeed very tired

After about an hour, Fang Wenxiu hurriedly escaped from the community, carrying a child on her shoulder, followed by a nanny. She had entered empty-handed but came out with a child, feeling somewhat guilty. Zhao Zhengsheng leaned against the car door waiting for her by the roadside. When he saw her come out, he opened the car door for her. She said nothing, signaling the nanny to put the luggage in the trunk and then got into the car with the child. Fang Hengxin lay on her shoulder, drooling a large puddle, quietly content and not crying or making a fuss.

"Let's do it on Monday," Fang Wenxiu said, holding her teacup and covering her mouth.

Fang Wenxiu faced the employees of Fang Yuanshan and deeply bowed three times at a ninety-degree angle. She was expressing her gratitude to them for giving Fang Yuanshan his final and most dignified farewell

Zhao Zhengshen took a careful look at her, feeling that he could not see through this person for a moment, and said nothing further as he got into the car and drove away

Yan Lihua returned a half-bow to him, and Fang Wenxiu heard her rarely gentle tone as she said to the visitor: "Thank you, Wei Heng"

The woman looked at Fang Wenxiu, sizing her up from head to toe, and said: "Wenxiu, my name is Zhuang Jinrong, we shall meet again another day"

Fang Wenxiu. This time, Zhao Zhengsheng did not give her the opportunity to speak first: "There is something I need to discuss with you."

Fang Wenxiu calmly approached Zhao Zhengsheng's car while holding Fang Hengxin and said, "Uncle Zhao, I am out of money. Could you lend me some for now?"

"Alright." Fang Wenxiu nodded slightly at her

Zhao Zhengsheng led the company employees in three bows to the remains of Fang Yuanshan, as over a hundred people lined up neatly in the more than 200 square meter hall to pay their respects to the lying figure of Fang Yuanshan, who departed in a dignified manner

Fang Wenxiu stood beside Yan Lihua with her head lowered and a submissive demeanor. Wei Heng's gaze swept over her and he asked Yan Lihua: "Who is this?" in a brazenly arrogant and unreasonable tone

Zhao Zhengsheng glanced at her with half-closed eyelids and said: "It is said that they are both middle school teachers, and her younger brother is studying at a business school in Guangzhou"

The foyer is a corridor, one side of which is adorned with an array of picture frames of various sizes, covering half of the wall like an art exhibition. Among the people in the photographs, one was cremated this morning, and another was personally placed in the morgue by her a few days ago

Zhao Zhengsheng got into the car from the driver's side, closed the door, and asked Fang Wenxiu: "Where to?"

Zhao Zhengsheng lowered his head to light a cigarette: "Building 22, Unit 3, Floor 21, let's go." He said, holding the steering wheel and looking at the windshield ahead.

As noon approached, the flow of people began to dwindle. At that moment, a person surrounded by a crowd suddenly drew attention. The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder as they approached. Yan Lihua, who had remained silent all morning, suddenly straightened her back. She nudged Fang Wenxiu and whispered, "The Wei family has arrived." Her tone remained indifferent, though her expression revealed a hint of anger.

Fang Wenxiu got into Zhao Zhengsheng's car, and as soon as Zhao Zhengsheng stepped on the gas, he drove past Yan Lihua and the others. There was a strong mixed scent of cigarettes and leather in Zhao Zhengsheng's car, which, even with the car air freshener trying to mask it, remained quite unpleasant.

Fang Wenxiu never regarded Zhao Zhengsheng as a person with opposing interests from the very beginning. Human hearts are fickle, and human nature is both complex and simple. In fact, she did not care much about what kind of person he really was

Fang Wenxiu happened to look up at him, capturing the shock in his eyes. She slightly bent down and lowered her gaze. Wei Heng's expression was peculiar as he glanced at her a few times, then turned back to exchange a few perfunctory words with Yan Lihua, before turning around and leaving in a flurry with a group of people, truly coming and going like the wind