Amidst this noisy backdrop, Fu Yumo’s voice was light yet heavy, “What did you say?” Raindrops pattered against the floor-to-ceiling window in the office, then dripped down, soon blurring the view for those inside. The sky was overcast, the air pressure suddenly low, pressing down on Fu Yusen until he could barely breathe. Bloodshot veins slowly crept over his eyes: “You’ve got it wrong, I want Jiang Nuan alive, understand?” The last two words were almost squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one’s spine. Tang Beizan was also scared, stepping back half a step, finally seeing the man sitting in the chair clearly. Fu Yusen sat in the chair, leaning forward, exuding an oppressive aura. Tang Beizan couldn’t help but recall a lion he had seen hunting on the African savannah. But Fu Yusen, sitting in the cold office chair, seemed bound by something, far from resembling a lion, more like a trapped beast. Tang Beizan focused his gaze on the document: “Fu Yusen, you need to learn to accept death.” Back when Fu Yusen’s mother passed away, in the mourning hall, he was the same, as if he wanted to bare his claws and fangs at everyone. Fu Yusen didn’t speak, just tightly pressed his lips together, stubbornly sweeping the document off the desk. “Beizan, if you won’t look, I’ll find her myself! One day, I will find Jiang Nuan!” Fu Yusen’s anger was so evident, yet Tang Beizan could sense a hint of fear beneath the ferocity. He was afraid, afraid to accept the fact of Jiang Nuan’s death. Tang Beizan picked up the document, said nothing more, and turned to leave the office. After an indeterminate amount of time, Fu Yusen’s racing heartbeat finally slowed, and his reddened eyes returned to their normal color. He slumped over his desk, spine bent, hands covering his face, in a state no one had ever seen him in. His mind was flooded with fragments of memories: Jiang Nuan’s smile, her obedience, her sorrow… Jiang Nuan understood him better than he understood himself; whatever he wanted, she would do for him. She had said she was willing to be his assistant for life, to be with him forever. She never went back on her word, especially not to him. So, Jiang Nuan could not possibly be dead. Fu Yusen slowly straightened up, murmuring to himself, “Jiang Nuan, wait for me, I will find you.” He grabbed his car keys and left, the new assistant swaying towards him, “Mr. Fu, I’ll accompany you.” Fu Yusen looked at the woman with perfect makeup, suddenly frowning, “Go to the finance department to collect your salary today, I’ll compensate you.” Before the new assistant could respond, Fu Yusen brushed past her. When he hired the new assistant, he wanted Jiang Nuan to know that anyone could replace her. But now, Fu Yusen felt that no one could replace her; he only wanted Jiang Nuan as his assistant. Fu Yusen drove onto the coastal highway. The winter wind was biting cold, but Fu Yusen drove with the window open, circling aimlessly, feeling no chill at all. He thought for a moment, parked the car, and dialed his father’s number. Since their last encounter, he hadn’t returned home, and his father hadn’t called him either. After three rings, the call was answered. Fathers know their sons best, and his father opened with, “What do you want?” Fu Yusen didn’t beat around the bush: “I need Jiang Nuan’s mother’s contact information.” His father was silent for a moment before replying, “What do you need it for? She left the Fu family half a month ago.”
Chapter 21
