CH 44.3

Chen Shuo and Lin Sheng had joined the company at the same time. They were similar in age and had many interests in common, so they had always been close. But unexpectedly, right when it mattered it seemed like the most important position in Chen Shuo's heart had been taken by Fu Zheng, whom he had only known for a short while. The moment he saw Fu Zheng, Chen Shuo turned and left Lin Sheng behind...

Sure enough, friendship was as subtle as love. When the relationship had begun didn't matter; friendships that had blossomed late could still catch up.

Sighing in her heart, Ning Wan thought, How unexpected for Fu Zheng and Chen Shuo to be so close! As expected, eating Michelin and watching a movie together had brought their relationship to a higher level. Even though all three of them would work together in the future, perhaps soon there would no longer be space for herself between the two of them. After all, men had more shared hobbies and things to talk about between themselves...

Chen Shuo really did walk right up to Fu Zheng. "Why are you here?" he asked, frowning minutely.

"I just by chance felt like playing basketball, too." Fu Zheng glanced lightly at Chen Shuo. "What an unexpected coincidence."

"What a coincidence indeed," Chen Shuo said in a regretful tone, staring at Fu Zheng. "Although it's quite amazing that we've met, both of our teams are currently full, so we can't invite you to play with us. Don't waste your time here - if you go take a look at a different stadium, there might be a shortage of people there."

"It's not a big deal," Fu Zheng said unhurriedly as if he wasn't at all worried. "I'll just wait here with Ning Wan. What if you end up needing a substitute?"

Chen Shuo seemed as though he was afraid that Fu Zheng would wait for long. "We shouldn't need a substitute!" he pressed eagerly, even with some excitement in his voice. "Don't waste your time here! It's not worth it! "

Ning Wan was feeling rather moved. Fu Zheng was willing to be a substitute and warm the bench just to play with Chen Shuo, while Chen Shuo was trying to make sure Fu Zheng didn't waste his time and showing him where to go instead. Although she wasn't sure what she was missing here, such a considerate friendship was so touching! Look at them putting themselves in the other's shoes!

Chen Shuo didn't attempt to persuade Fu Zheng again, but just looked at him. Was it because the warm-up match was too intense just now? His face was becoming darker and darker, so much so that his displeasure had become visible to the eye. Ning Wan said, worried--

"Chen Shuo, is there something wrong with you? You don't look so good. If you can't play, let Fu Zheng play for you."

The result of her words was that though Chen Shuo's countenance darkened even more, he said in a very insistent manner, "It's okay, I'm fine. It's impossible to sub me out now. I'll fight until the end in the regular game."

But his face was so dark... Ning Wan put some earnest thought into it and concluded that Chen Shuo must have tanned recently without her noticing.

"Chen Shuo, come on! Let's get started!"

It was obvious that his friendship with Fu Zheng was very important to him, and Chen Shuo obviously had more to say, but since his team members were already calling him, he could only take another long look at Fu Zheng and leave his side, looking unwilling.

In contrast to Chen Shuo's reluctance, Fu Zheng seemed quite cool and indifferent. Without saying a word, he sat down and took out his phone. It looked like he was texting.

Ning Wan couldn't bear it. What a pity for him to come here all dressed up and yet be unable to even touch a ball. "Why don't you go to another stadium?" she advised. "Maybe there will be a team there that won't be full yet."

Unfortunately Fu Zheng seemed quite determined. He smiled at Ning Wan. "It doesn't matter. I'll substitute."

"But no one in the team might end up needing one! You might have to sit here on the bench the whole time. It's rare that you get a chance to play on a weekend, and you won't even be able to exercise."

Despite her persuasion, Fu Zheng seemed quite at peace. Whether it was from self-confidence or to make himself feel better she didn't know, but he replied calmly, "No, they'll definitely need a substitute."

……

Meanwhile, on the other side Gao Yuan was finally getting into a taxi after a long wait. The private club they had chosen was relatively remote, so he had had to wait for quite awhile before he managed to get one. Just as he sat down, a text from Fu Zheng arrived--

"Assign Lin Sheng some work."

?

Before Gao Yuan could finish feeling perplexed, a second text arrived--

"The sort of work where he will have to go back and work overtime immediately."

Followed by a third and a fourth--

"Mark it as 'urgent'."

"Tell him to report back within a half hour."

? ? ?

Probably because he had waited awhile but Gao Yuan hadn't yet replied, Fu Zheng soon sent him a fifth message--

"I'll help you with a bankruptcy consultation for free, if you take the next five minutes to assign Lin Sheng a job."

Deal!!!

Gao Yuan wasn't curious at all about Fu Zheng's motives. He didn't want to know what had happened between Lin Sheng and Fu Zheng. What did that have to do with him? In return for selling out one of his subordinates, he would get a free consult and guidance from Fu Zheng. Wasn't this a very profitable bargain? What was there to hesitate about?

He at once produced his phone and, in order to display the urgency of the matter, cleared his throat and solemnly gave Lin Sheng a call.