Song Yuzhang: Chapter 178 - By Chance
Fu Mian bought Song Yuzhang a new set of books — all popular vernacular novels currently on the market, nothing that would bore a reader.
In the courtyard, Song Yuzhang flipped through a novel and read it aloud to Xiao Fengxian, using the book to teach him characters at the same time. Xiao Fengxian learned quickly. Though he could not speak, his fingers could trace the characters as he followed along. Song Yuzhang would teach him a few words and then test him; Xiao Fengxian knew every single one. He turned out to be excellent study material.
Fu Mian, leaving early and returning late, was not idle either. His tobacco-selling permits were all in order; he was now a legitimate tobacco merchant in Haizhou.
For some reason, though he had clearly revealed no flaws, Meng Tingjing seemed particularly “interested” in him.
Fu Mian could sense that eyes were constantly watching him.
Yet he continued to conduct himself as usual, allowing those eyes to watch. His tobacco business quickly flourished. Shen Chengduo was his largest client, which gave him a perfectly legitimate reason to visit Vienna to meet him. Shen Chengduo, naturally, had no choice but to receive him with a smiling face.
In public, Fu Mian always presented himself as a humble and cautious businessman, which made Shen Chengduo feel deeply uneasy. He involuntarily recalled what Zhang Changshan had once said.
“Fu Mian wants your life.”
“Boss Shen.”
Shen Chengduo snapped back to his senses, a flash of alertness and wariness passing through his eyes.
Fu Mian opened the box and smiled. “This week’s goods. Check them.”
Shen Chengduo forced a smile. “Your goods — do they really need checking?”
“That’s hard to say. No matter how many times we cooperate, it doesn’t mean every deal will go smoothly,” Fu Mian replied with a smile. “Better to inspect them.”
“Then let’s go upstairs.”
Once they were somewhere private, Shen Chengduo lowered his voice and said bluntly, “You don’t need to come so often.”
Fu Mian set the cigar box aside. With a swift turn, he drew a knife from his sleeve, and in an instant the blade was at Shen Chengduo’s throat.
Shen Chengduo had weathered many storms. After a moment of shock, he stiffened his face and said, “Fu Mian, what is the meaning of this?!”
“The meaning?” Fu Mian smiled faintly. “When you sent men to East City, did you never think this day would come?”
Shen Chengduo’s expression darkened. “When did I ever send anyone to East City? Don’t slander me! We stay out of each other’s business. Why would I need to?”
“Indeed. We mind our own business. There’s no need.”
The blade pressed forward slightly. Shen Chengduo immediately felt a sharp sting at his neck. He knew Fu Mian well — when Fu Mian went mad, he killed without blinking. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, “If that’s the case, then why are you doing this— damn it, are you really going to kill me?!”
The knife had already cut into his skin. Beneath that was his windpipe. One stroke more — a few seconds — and a life would be gone.
Looking at Shen Chengduo drenched in sweat, Fu Mian smiled. “Did Zhang Changshan tell you I wanted to kill you?”
Shen Chengduo froze, almost forgetting the wound on his neck.
Fu Mian withdrew the knife and said calmly, “Zhang Changshan can’t tolerate me, so he wanted you to eliminate me. When you failed, he wanted me to eliminate you. Shen Chengduo, we stay out of each other’s business — but unfortunately, there’s a river between us that wants to swallow us both. I came today to tell you: killing you would be easy for me. I don’t need to borrow Zhang Changshan’s hand. As for the rest, think it over yourself.”
Members of the Meng family waited outside Vienna. When Fu Mian came out, they followed him all the way back. After watching him knock and enter the courtyard, they changed shifts and returned to the Meng residence.
Meng Tingjing sat in a rocking chair in the courtyard, listening to the report.
“He stayed inside for half an hour?”
“Yes. I checked my watch. There’s no mistake.”
Meng Tingjing’s brows knit slightly.
The attendant added, “He seems to have two lovers in Vienna.”
Meng Tingjing’s brows tightened further. “Lovers?”
“Yes.”
Meng Tingjing waved his hand, and the slight favorable impression he had of Fu Mian vanished completely.
For some reason, he always felt the timing of this man’s appearance was strange, which kept him on edge — though not quite enough to act immediately. For now, most of his energy was still focused on Zhang Changshan.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would find an excuse to visit the Fu residence as a guest, then take a plane to Nancheng that night.
He couldn’t wait any longer. No matter how many suspicions he harbored, he would have to tear open a gap to verify them.
Meng Tingjing stood and returned to his room.
As soon as the door opened, Fu Mian saw Song Yuzhang sitting on the bed with his legs drawn up.
“So long?”
Fu Mian took off his coat and tossed it aside. “We talked a bit longer.”
“How did he look?”
“You guessed right,” Fu Mian said as he approached. “Zhang Changshan did indeed reveal the truth to him.”
“And did he believe it?”
Fu Mian sat on the edge of the bed. “Half-believing, half-doubting.”
Song Yuzhang nodded slightly.
“Shen Chengduo has been struggling in the world for many years. He won’t easily believe anyone, especially when his life is at stake.”
“It’s enough that he half-believes.”
“Zhang Changshan has connections in Nancheng but can’t get money there. In Haizhou, he has no confidants, but he can get money. For his younger brother, he can only take the risk.”
“Besides Shen Chengduo, there’s also Liao Tiandong in Haizhou who has ties with Zhang Changshan,” Song Yuzhang pointed out. “Liao Tiandong…” He pondered for a moment. “I don’t think he would help Zhang Changshan at a critical moment.”
Fu Mian listened quietly. There was only a dim lamp in the room; the door was slightly ajar, moonlight creeping in and mingling with the weak light. Shadows overlapped on Song Yuzhang’s face, swaying with the breeze.
Fu Mian stared at him without blinking. Suddenly, Song Yuzhang turned his head, his eyes meeting Fu Mian’s.
Song Yuzhang smiled, his gaze softening from cool to gentle. “What is it?”
Fu Mian reached out and pinched Song Yuzhang’s chin, studying him. “Zhuqing, when you plotted against me back then, how did you analyze me?”
Song Yuzhang smiled faintly. “Looking to quarrel again?”
“No.” Fu Mian lowered his head, his nose brushing lightly against Song Yuzhang’s. “I’m just curious.”
“If I tell you, don’t get angry.”
“I won’t.”
“I didn’t analyze you at all,” Song Yuzhang said with a smile. “Don’t you remember what you were like then? I hadn’t even spoken to you, and you were already desperate to throw yourself into my arms.”
Fu Mian truly did not get angry. He smiled as well, then suddenly asked, “Has anyone in this world ever made you suffer a setback?”
“You mean emotionally?”
“Yes.”
“No.” Song Yuzhang lay back, speaking honestly. “Not a single one.”
What did it feel like to love and not be loved in return? Song Yuzhang had never tasted it. Even if he was curious, there was little he could do about it. For him, love was far too easy to obtain.
Fu Mian sat in the chair. Behind him, wind and moonlight mingled in the early autumn air, yet he somehow felt a chill.
Suddenly his hand was grasped. “Don’t overthink,” Song Yuzhang said gently, though he did not look at him. “A-Mian, I won’t scheme against you again.”
Fu Mian lowered his head and looked at the hand Song Yuzhang was holding — the back of it still bearing the large scar Song Yuzhang had once left on him.
He still did not believe Song Yuzhang.
Deep inside, a fierce doubt remained.
A person like that would never remain in one place unless he were dead.
Fu Mian clasped his hand in return. “Sleep.”
The next day, Fu Mian went to the Chamber of Commerce as usual. As a newly arrived merchant in Haizhou, he was quite well-liked. It seemed he intended to settle there long-term, making connections everywhere and treating everyone with courtesy.
Meng Tingjing stood on the second floor of the Chamber, watching as Fu Mian exchanged pleasantries and farewells with others. Then he called out, “Boss Fu.”
Fu Mian turned, his smile gentle. “Chairman Meng.”
Meng Tingjing looked him over from above, scrutinizing him with the most exacting, pressing gaze. Yet no matter how he examined him, the man appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary trader dealing in scarce goods.
Just like that encounter on the river before — he had harbored suspicion, yet found nothing.
That suspicion had already spread to everything around him. Because he suspected too much and too broadly, the accuracy of that suspicion had instead diminished.
Meng Tingjing said to himself, “One more time. Just one more time.”
“Wait a moment.” Meng Tingjing raised a hand slightly.
Fu Mian stayed where he was, waiting for Meng Tingjing to come down. He stepped aside so that others could pass freely.
Meng Tingjing descended the stairs and faced him with a smile. “Boss Fu’s business in Haizhou has been doing quite well lately.”
“It’s all thanks to the Chamber’s support,” Fu Mian said with a sigh. “Haizhou truly is a fine place.”
“I said before that I would pay a visit to your home. I wonder if today would be convenient?”
Fu Mian’s expression flickered slightly, then he smiled. “If Chairman Meng wishes to honor my humble home, may I return first to make a few preparations?”
“No need to prepare,” Meng Tingjing said. “Keep it casual.”
Meng Tingjing patted Fu Mian on the shoulder. Having already seen through the man’s outward display of devotion to his wife and inward life of indulgence, Meng Tingjing did not hold back the strength of the pat. Fu Mian’s shoulder went numb, but he smiled again and turned his face slightly. “Then I’ll gladly comply.”
Fu Mian’s car led the way, Meng Tingjing’s followed behind. The moment Fu Mian got into his car, he took a gun from beneath the seat.
He had once said that sooner or later he would kill Meng Tingjing.
No day like today.
This was not entirely an impulsive thought.
In his dealings with Zhang Changshan, Meng Tingjing was merely an outsider. Meng Tingjing indeed wielded considerable power in Haizhou — but so what?
He and Zhang Changshan had not yet openly fallen out.
If Meng Tingjing died at his place, Zhang Changshan would have no choice but to grit his teeth and help clean up the aftermath. Perhaps Zhang Changshan would even thank him.
Meng Tingjing was the only son of the Meng family. If he died, would the Meng family not become a piece of meat ready for the knife?
Originally, Fu Mian had planned to deal with him later. But since Meng Tingjing had delivered himself to his door, such a fine opportunity could not be wasted.
Fu Mian had long since developed a kind of inertia when it came to killing. It could be carried out with meticulous planning, or it could arise from a sudden impulse. Unhurried, he gently stroked the barrel of the gun in his palm. It was broad daylight, and the weather was fine. Song Yuzhang was probably sunning himself in the courtyard. When Meng Tingjing saw Song Yuzhang—
Fu Mian thought, Zhuqing, don’t disappoint me.
East-West Alley was in the western part of the city. It was not a particularly prosperous area, but it was quiet enough. Meng Tingjing stepped out of the car and immediately looked toward the vermilion gate.
As he moved to climb the steps, he suddenly asked, “Is your wife at home today?”
Fu Mian, walking slightly behind him, replied, “His health is poor. He never goes out.”
A married, worldly, hypocritical, lecherous yet courteous businessman — such a man truly gave no reason for suspicion.
In his heart, Meng Tingjing was almost certain it was Zhang Changshan playing tricks.
The Guantu expedition had been bait cast by Zhang Changshan, meant to swallow the bank and the arms factory — perhaps even to seize the railway.
No matter how one looked at it, it seemed to have nothing to do with Fu Mian, a goods trader not native to Haizhou.
And yet Meng Tingjing still felt something was off. Lifting the hem of his robe with one hand as he climbed the steps, he said, “This visit was so sudden. I came empty-handed — quite rude of me.”
Though he spoke of rudeness, his tone was exceedingly proud, as if arrogance were something born in his bones.
Fu Mian lowered his face, his eyes dark and cold, though his voice remained gentle. “Sometimes an unexpected coincidence is also a kind of wonderful fate.”
Meng Tingjing reached the top step and extended his hand to push the door open.
Behind him came the sound of a car speeding toward them. Meng Tingjing turned and saw it was his family’s car.
“Master.”
A Meng family attendant jumped out swiftly, his expression guarded. “There’s an urgent matter at home. Please return immediately — it’s extremely urgent.”
Meng Tingjing glanced at Fu Mian behind him.
Fu Mian kept his head lowered, looking respectful.
“Master!”
The attendant was usually extremely steady. Hearing such urgency, Meng Tingjing said, “Boss Fu, my apologies. There’s business at home. I must return first.”
Once he got into the car, his face darkened immediately. “What is it?!”
The attendant wasted no time. Lowering his voice, he reported urgently, “Liu Chuanzong has returned — and he’s brought Liu Chu back with him!”
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