Shanghai morning

There is no news from the fleet, and Jardine Matheson is still shrouded in an ominous atmosphere.Arthur had a cloudy face every day, Wang Yao didn't dare to talk to him, and other employees also avoided Arthur, avoiding the violent aura emanating from his body.Except for the time when Wang Yao bumped into Antonio, Arthur never mentioned the fleet.Feeling that things were not going well, Wang Yao also began to worry about future problems. He needed a stable income. If Jardine Matheson really went into decline, he should leave as soon as possible.But there was one thing that tripped him up here. Gangzai hadn't finished his studies yet. During this period, Wang Yao didn't dare to have any idea of ​​finding another job.

Wang Yao did not look for Francis again, and Francis did not appear in the foreign firm again. Now Wang Yao realized that Francis had decided to leave the foreign firm completely.Wang Yao couldn't imagine what would happen after the French left, but Francis should not live on the streets like the unemployed Chinese, at least not on the streets of Shanghai.

What he should worry about is whether he and Wanwan will end up on the streets of Shanghai.

On the morning of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the Chinese in Shanghai were still immersed in the atmosphere of the New Year. Firecracker debris all over the floor, red lanterns in every household, and red clothes on children became the highlights of this gray-based season.But even the brightest red was dulled by the gray tone of the whole city, as if even the red itself was too old and faded.But the same gray color, Shanghai is dark and indifferent, but it is lovely and gentle gray in Suzhou. It would be a pity if the sun suddenly dispelled the gray.Wang Yao has never been to Suzhou, so he can't appreciate the benefits of gray, but now, the grayness of Shanghai can only make him feel the cold air that soaks into his bones and invades and explores his body more greedily and sharply, even though he has already turned to him. Want it to surrender, but it will never let him go, it will only intensify its attacks and demands because of his weakness, endlessly, until his body becomes lifeless, and there is no value for attacking at all.

This is the end of weakness, Wang Yao warned himself in his heart.Is he weak?It is difficult for weak people to survive in this age, but strong people will die earlier in this age.

On the way home, Wang Yao suddenly subconsciously stopped and looked back nervously.

An unexpected person stood behind him: "Long time no see, Wang Sang."

"Mr. Honda?" Wang Yao didn't like Honda Ju at first, and he hated the Japanese even more after the last conversation, but he has decided to be patient: "Hello, Mr. Honda, I just want to contact you, but Now……"

"Is Wang Sang going to work now?" Honda Ju interrupted Wang Yao's words.

"Exactly, if it's convenient for Mr. Honda, how about seeing you another day?" Wang Yao asked cautiously.

But Honda Ju took a step forward: "Please stop, I won't waste too much time for Wang Sang."

Wang Yao had no choice but to stop, and asked with an unnatural expression: "What's the matter with you?"

Honda smiled slightly, which made Wang Yao feel even colder to the bone, and the Japanese said slowly: "The meeting with Wang Sang last time seemed not very pleasant."

Being pointed out by Honda Ju, Wang Yao was a little flustered for a while, so he could only say as politely as possible: "I left without saying goodbye last time, how offended you are."

Honda Ju was not annoyed: "No, I offended Wang Sang last time, should I give Zai a chance to apologize?"

"Mr. Honda doesn't need to apologize, but I really have to go to work now, I'm sorry." Wang Yao said as he walked quickly towards Jardine, trying to get rid of Honda Ju. No matter how prepared he was, when he faced Honda Ju Still can't take it easy.

Honda Chrysanthemum seemed to be relentlessly catching up, maintaining the same speed as Wang Yao, and asked kindly, "Is your sister satisfied with the gift last time?"

Hearing Honda Ju mention Wanwan, Wang Yao stopped suddenly, turned his head to look at the Japanese smiling face, and said with disgust, "Sister Sister, don't worry about Mr. Honda, she is just an ignorant little girl, please invite Honda Raise your hand high, sir!"

Honda Chrysanthemum said meaningfully: "But as far as I know, Lingmei is not young anymore, and seems to be old enough to marry."

"What do you mean?" Wang Yao shouted out of control.

"I have no other intentions. There are many foreigners who are interested in the ladies and beauties in Shanghai. Your younger sister is young and beautiful. Naturally, she has some reputation in our circle. I am only asking out of concern for my friend's younger sister." Honda Ju's smile did not know Why is it a little cold.

"What reputation can Wanwan have? She is a female student!" Wang Yao said angrily.

Honda Ju changed the topic: "Perhaps there are too many rumors and it will inevitably be distorted. Don't mind Wang Sang. In addition, I am really concerned about Wang Sang's condition. Today I see Wang Sang is more haggard than in the past. I hope I have worried."

"Thank you for your concern, it is indeed your concern." Wang Yao said coldly.

"Then I won't bother you any more. Let me go." Honda Ju saluted Wang Yao in a gentlemanly manner, and then walked into the gate of Yokohama Specie Bank.

After Honda Ju left, Wang Yao's tense nerves relaxed a little bit, and he felt himself trembling. He didn't know whether it was because of the cold weather or because he was just too excited.Obviously decided to restrain himself, but still got angry in front of Honda Ju, Wang Yao regretted his impulsiveness.

Walking into Jardine Matheson, the atmosphere was still tense and silent. Wang Yao was estranged from his colleagues in Matheson. No one took the initiative to talk to him except Francis.Wang Yao is also used to being alone, most of the people working in the foreign firm are foreigners, and a few Chinese also have a western spirit, Wang Yao can't get along with them.

Arthur's office has been closed all the time. Wang Yao doesn't know how the British are doing now, but he guesses that Arthur will not be better off than Francis. Arthur's current violent mood will affect everyone in the foreign firm, making everyone uncomfortable. Be careful, for fear of running into bad luck.

Wang Yao knew that Arthur cared about Francis very much. Although Francis had never done any substantive work in the foreign company, without Francis, Arthur could not run the foreign company normally, and he was no longer the usual him.Wang Yao felt that he should do something, but the attempt on the side of the talkative Francis failed, and Arthur, Wang Yao did not dare to persuade him at all.

The whole day was spent in a dull atmosphere.

After finally getting off work, Wang Yao packed his things and prepared to go home.Suddenly a colleague stopped him: "Old Wang, Mr. Kirkland asked you to go to his office!"

Wang Yao had no choice but to put down the coat he was about to put on, and walked to Arthur's office.Colleagues looked at him without saying a word, with obvious gloating in their eyes, Wang Yao ignored those eyes, walked to Arthur's door, knocked on the door in a calm rhythm as usual, and said calmly : "Mr. Kirkland, am I coming in?"

"Come in." Arthur's voice came from inside.

Wang Yao opened the door and went in, and saw that Arthur was working at his desk, and the desk was full of messy documents.Wang Yao thought for a while, pointed to those messy papers and asked, "Can I?"

"Okay." Arthur put down his pen and leaned back in his chair a little tiredly.

Wang Yao began to tidy up the messy documents carefully, Arthur was a neat person, he didn't like being buried in piles of papers, he would never make the office like this.

Seeing Wang Yao's methodical movements, Arthur suddenly asked, "Have you gone to Francis?"

Wang Yao was stunned for a moment, and the movements of his hands froze. He didn't know whether Arthur knew about his private visit to Francis, or he just asked casually.Wang Yao decided to answer truthfully: "Yes, I went to him."

Arthur's eyes were a little dim: "For the matter of the foreign firm?"

"Yes, I told Francis that the company is facing difficulties now," Wang Yao thought about his words, "he is also very worried."

"Worried about the foreign company or someone?" Arthur looked at Wang Yao inquiringly.

Wang Yao didn't know how to answer. He dodged Arthur's gaze and whispered, "It's all."

Arthur sighed: "Francis, he likes you?"

"Me? No, no." Wang Yao denied embarrassingly. He didn't expect Arthur to misunderstand this level, but considering Francis' usual behavior, it's hard not to be misunderstood.

Arthur misunderstood what Wang Yao meant: "I know it sounds like a crime, but it's not unacceptable, especially in Shanghai."

Wang Yao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and couldn't help thinking about whether to tell Arthur the whole story: "Mr. Kirkland, you really misunderstood."

Without listening to Wang Yao's explanation, Arthur went on talking to himself: "I know he likes you, but you may like Al more."

Wang Yao was choked and speechless, did he like Al?He wanted to deny it right away, but found that he couldn't say it. The relationship between him and Al was happy, but he never thought about it. He had been secretly in love with Roderich a few days ago.But... if he can fall in love with one man, it doesn't mean he can't fall in love with another.Is it true?Wang Yao is still unable to judge.

Seeing Wang Yao's bewildered look, Arthur thought he had guessed right, and he said persuasively, "Yao, I know it's a wonderful thing to fall in love with someone, no matter what kind of bastard it is. But life doesn't Always allow all our wishes to come true, not every good thing has to happen to us."

"I know." Wang Yao said in a muffled voice.

"There are some things you can't get, because you will pay a higher price for it, so you might as well give it up before it causes actual harm to you." Arthur pointedly, "The most important thing now is the Life or death, if it falls down, we will all have nothing, but it is a pity that Francis, a fool, will never understand this truth, he really made the worst decision!"

Wang Yao was speechless, he was worthless for Francis, Francis' feelings for Arthur were something that Arthur should abandon, and Arthur didn't even know the existence of this feeling.

Arthur looked at Wang Yao, and continued: "It's the same for you, it seems that you haven't contacted Honda Ju for a long time, right?"

Wang Yao's heart tightened, and he stammered, "I'm planning...I'm already planning to write a letter to Mr. Honda Ju...Actually, I just ran into him this morning..."

When Arthur heard this, he stared at Wang Yao closely: "Did you meet him? What did he say?"

Wang Yao had no choice but to say: "Mr. Honda wants to talk to me again, in private."

"Did you promise him?" Arthur asked.

"Yes." Wang Yao lowered his gaze.

"Very good," Arthur finally felt relieved, "Yokohama Specie Bank, a mountain of gold, must be seized."

It's all about business.Wang Yao's heart was filled with anger, but he still said obediently: "I understand." He put down the documents he had arranged: "Is there anything else, Mr. Kirkland?"

"It's okay, let's go." Arthur waved his hand.

"Goodbye." Wang Yao said goodbye to Arthur, turned and left the office and closed the door.

Walking out of the gate of the foreign company, Wang Yaoyu's breath in his chest was blown away by the cold air. He felt a little more relaxed in his heart, shook his head, and walked quickly to the station.

It was getting dark, and the tall western-style buildings twisted into eerie ghosts under the night.Wang Yao stood in the open-air tram station, next to a few Chinese people with expressionless faces and necks curled up. Seeing them, Wang Yao could guess his current appearance, indifferent and sluggish, as insensitive as a puppet.

The tram came clanging and stopped beside the station.Frozen people scrambled to get into the car. The air in the car was cold and stagnant, but at least it was sheltered from the wind.Wang Yao stood leaning against the corner, looking at the moving street scene outside the window, exaggerated movie posters, advertising posters, and all kinds of signs mixed with Chinese and Western flitted past his eyes, which was so complicated that it was disturbing.

Back home, Wang Yao dragged his tired body upstairs, and saw Wanwan holding a gorgeous doll as soon as he entered the door. Looking carefully, it was a gift from Honda Ju.

"Brother, you bought me such a doll? Why didn't you tell me!" Wanwan was very happy.

Wang Yao snatched the doll: "This is not a good thing! Don't play with it!"

"Hey? What are you doing?" Wanwan didn't understand why Wang Yao got angry.

Holding the doll, Wang Yao didn't know how to throw it or hold it. He didn't know how to explain to his sister: "This is...it was given by someone else!"

"What's wrong with the one given by others? Can't I touch it?" Wanwan pouted and asked unhappily.

"You can't have this!" Wang Yao shouted anxiously.

"You...you are too bad!" Wanwan cried angrily.

"It's useless to cry! If you can't have it, you can't have it!" Wang Yao was so angry that he threw the doll on the ground.

At this time, Ivan pushed the door open and came in: "Why is there so much noise?" He looked at the doll on the ground, and he probably understood, so he bent down to pick up the doll, dusted it, and said to Wang Yao: "You throw away this thing. So what? You can’t give it back to others, so you’ve accepted it anyway.”

"It was given by the Japanese! He is not a good person!" Wang Yao shouted at Ivan.

"It's not that the doll is broken, why are you angry with it?" Ivan said, "Anyway, I've already accepted it, so why not give it to Wanwan, what a pity to throw it away!"

"But..." Wang Yao was speechless in anger, but he didn't know how to refute.

Ivan stuffed the doll into Wanwan's hand: "Wanwan, play with it, it's yours!"

Wanwan still cried loudly, grabbed the doll and threw it on the ground, even stomping on it twice.

Now Ivan was also embarrassed, but it was only for a moment. He quickly smiled and observed the disgusting brother and sister, to see how things would develop.Two silent men and a girl crying loudly, this picture has an indescribable weirdness.

After a long time, Wang Yao let out a long sigh, squatted down and picked up the soiled doll from the crying Wanwan's feet, opened the cabinet and put it in.There was a small box next to the doll, which contained the cross that Al gave him. Wang Yao looked at the box and fell into deep thought. It took him a while to react, and he closed the cabinet door.

Ivan looked at Wang Yao, and the expression on the Chinese face changed subtly, from resentment and helplessness to melancholy.

Wang Yao bypassed Ivan, left the room, and went downstairs to cook dinner in the kitchen.

tbc

The author has something to say: I haven't updated it for many years, but I hope I can finish it.