Hailing deserted city

Chapter 1

Hailing Deserted City Author: Wang Shiyi

Chapter 001

Just as the instant noodles were barely cooked, the phone finally rang.

The fork fell to the ground. Tao Rujiu picked up the phone, and sure enough, it was Uncle Qing calling.

"Tao Tao, be at the banquet hall on the second floor of Rose Manor in one hour. Remember, don't be late! Also, dress smartly..."

A noisy chatter came from the other end of the phone, and before Tao Rujiu could respond, Uncle Aqing hung up.

After hanging up the phone, her heart pounded even faster. Amidst the aroma of beef noodles filling the small house, Tao Rujiu quickly tidied herself up, put on her best clothes, and even brushed her teeth before rushing out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of the town's only five-star hotel. The Rose Manor was also the venue for the town government's lavish banquet for investors.

The main building of the manor is nestled deep in an artificial forest, about a two-and-a-half-minute drive from the main gate. However, there are traffic police setting up roadblocks outside the main gate, and unless you have an invitation or badge, all unauthorized personnel must give way. Tao Rujiu paid the bill and got out of the car, then made a phone call to Uncle Aqing before being led inside.

"I just got in touch and they said Mr. Ling is a bit delayed and will be gone in at least another hour. Tao Tao, go and have something to eat and drink first, your uncle might not be able to look after you later."

Uncle Aqing's main job is as a civil servant, the kind that's neither here nor there. His family doesn't have many connections to push him to the next level, so he needs this kind of event to ride the wave of opportunity. As his nephew, Tao Rujiu naturally understood his thoughts, nodded, and went upstairs alone.

At 7:25 p.m., the lights on the second floor of Rose Manor were just coming on, but the sign-in book was still largely blank.

Tao Rujiu sat somewhat awkwardly in the seat by the window, waiting for the person who had not yet arrived.

The banquet hall featured three long rows of tables arranged side-by-side on the left, right, and center, adorned with floral arrangements and a variety of dishes. Considering the predominantly Chinese attendees, the banquet adopted a Hong Kong-style buffet format, with meticulously prepared dishes served on both Chinese and Western gold and silver tableware, exuding luxury. For this grand event, the hotel specially transferred three chefs from its Beijing flagship store, demonstrating the importance it placed on the occasion.

Xiyao is a small seaside town, with 50% of its area in the sea. It has been a well-known natural harbor since ancient times. The hilly terrain gives it both vast sea views and dense forests. In the mountainous areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, uncultivated barren mountains account for 40% of the total forest area.

Unfortunately, both the port and the city are too small to be easily accessible to large ocean-going vessels. In addition, typhoons pass through the area every summer, and since the late Qing Dynasty, Xiyao has almost stagnated in its development due to its inability to keep up with the large-scale mechanization process. It was only in recent years, with the introduction of policies to reposition itself as a tourism-based tertiary industry and the arrival of central government funding, that the small town has finally shown some signs of vitality.

While rain after a long drought is certainly welcome, sometimes things go too far. For example, this lavish banquet to attract investment is the fifth such event since the second quarter.

However, it was precisely because of this unusual gathering that Tao Rujiu had the opportunity to engage in a potentially difficult negotiation with one of the nearly one hundred celebrities.

The clock struck eight before we knew it, and the banquet hall gradually became bustling. The musicians on the performance corner took a break twice. At exactly eight o'clock, a government representative gave a brief speech at the podium, and the banquet officially began.

Tao Ru studied film in college; although her grades were mediocre, she possessed a professional sensitivity to lighting and shadow. A white lace tablecloth filtered through the gold tabletop, and gold or silver cutlery sat amidst bouquets of lilies and roses. The beautifully arranged dishes emitted their fragrance, mingling with the various perfumes of the male and female guests, creating gentle breezes. High-end suits and designer evening gowns, the shimmering light of various gemstones, and the dazzling crystal chandeliers overhead all complemented each other, while black-clad waiters moved about, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era of Shanghai at night.

However, even at this point, no representative from the Ling Group had appeared.

Filled with anxiety and doubt, Tao Rujiu naturally couldn't feel hunger. During this waiting period, she tried to find Uncle Aqing several times, but after dialing his number, she would always see the man busy with social engagements.

Thinking that this might be another fruitless wait, the young man sat by the window with a hint of disappointment. Most of the male guests at the banquet were over thirty years old, and Tao Rujiu's youthful and handsome face attracted the curiosity of many. Several bejeweled friends whispered among themselves, guessing and betting on whose young master he was.

Before I knew it, the clock struck 8:30.

The dozen or so smaller halls on either side of the main hall opened at the opportune moment, and the merchants with investment intentions dispersed to their respective investment promotion teams. The main hall quieted down again, leaving only a few guests, their wives, bodyguards, waiters, and some staff.

The clock showed 8:40.

Several familiar-looking officials moved between the various small halls with wine glasses in their hands, their faces usually turning several shades red with each entry and exit.

The clock points to nine.

At first, he came out to inquire about his nephew's situation, but Uncle Aqing had completely disappeared. Tao Rujiu's eyes, which had been looking around, finally closed with a soreness. He decided to wait until 9:15 before saying goodbye to Uncle Aqing.

Because I relaxed, I started to feel hungry, so I picked up some food from the plate and sat back down by the window. Around the time I was cleaning up the second plate, the golden elevator doors behind the glass partition opened, and five more people walked out.

The five men appeared younger than the previous VIPs, and their average height was above average, making them a rather eye-catching group. Three of them, dressed in black suits and with robust builds, were clearly bodyguards. The other two were dressed casually, which seemed out of place with the banquet atmosphere; the one in front even had dyed blond hair and wore light brown sunglasses.

After signing in at the reception desk, the five people arrived at the banquet hall. Staff members immediately surrounded them and exchanged pleasantries. There seemed to be some disagreement between the two sides. After a brief negotiation, the staff members dispersed, and the five people rested for a while before taking some food with their utensils.

All of this did not attract much attention from Tao Rujiu, because the "President Ling" he was waiting for was a man in his early fifties, slightly overweight, and always dressed in a suit and tie in public.

Disappointment seemed inevitable, and Tao Rujiu could only hope to finish his dinner before the five men completely took control of the table. Jade soup dumplings were his favorite, and at that moment, the man with sunglasses had already wandered over to the steamer basket.

Harboring a defiant and venting mentality that she herself was unaware of, Tao Rujiu also took the plate and walked to the golden drawer.

"Tao Tao!"

Just as he was about to grab the last jade soup dumpling, he suddenly heard Uncle Qing calling out in a low voice. Tao Rujiu turned around to find the source of the sound, but his right hand still followed the inertia and reached towards the steamer.

He saw a look of surprise and bewildered amusement on Uncle Qing's face. His outstretched hand unexpectedly touched another person's outstretched fingers. Almost instinctively, it was a cafeteria reflex he'd developed during his student days; Tao Rujiu sprang to attention, grabbed the silver clips beside him, and swiftly picked up the jade soup dumpling.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Tao Rujiu suppressed his victorious gaze and looked up. In the meantime, Uncle Qing had rushed over from the entrance of the small hall. His face, which had been slightly tipsy just moments before, was now deathly pale.

"President Ling..."

Tao Rujiu heard Uncle Aqing utter those two words, the target of which was the brown-haired man whose soup dumplings he had stolen.

I returned to China last night and started work the next morning, which is quite normal for Ling Li. Getting to F Province by plane wasn't troublesome either. What was tiring was driving for more than four hours from the provincial capital where the airport is located to Xiyao. The highway is full of novice drivers, and the roads are under constant repair. I even had to take a big detour because of a landslide on one section of the road.

Lunch was completely gone, and the long journey had worn down his usual patience. Ling Li found himself always arriving in Xi Yao with various complaints, and he smiled wryly.

Although it was a dinner party, I knew I wouldn't get a moment's respite from the fierce negotiations on behalf of my uncle regarding the expansion project of Xiyao Bay and its future management rights. I was extremely disgusted by this kind of negotiation at the dinner table, but on the surface, I only said a few words lightly, giving myself and my subordinates about a quarter of an hour of buffer time.

Although Xiyao is a small place, its bureaucratic arrogance has a long history. While it outwardly presents itself as a welcoming and inclusive society, a deeper, more subtle attitude emerges. Ling Li understood that money is ultimately earned for himself, and there was no need to disrupt this facade of harmony over trivial matters. And indeed, the dinner seemed to prove to be somewhat interesting.

For example, the young man who had just shared a jade soup dumpling with him.

His fair skin, yellowish hair, and beige suit gave him a soft, pale yellow hue under the lamplight, making him appear, to a hungry person, like a milk dessert. Even more strangely, upon hearing his surname was "Ling," the young man seemed to see a ghost. His hand, holding a soup dumpling, froze in mid-air.

At this moment, several officials in suits walked out from the small halls on the left and right. After exchanging a few words with the staff, they came over to shake hands with Ling Li and, seemingly in a friendly manner, supported his back and practically pushed him towards the small hall prepared for the Ling Group.

Tao Rujiu was also stopped by Uncle Aqing, whispered a few words and followed him inside, sitting on the sofa in the rest room at a distance.

In the smaller hall, there was another banquet table, featuring purely Chinese dishes that included almost every rare delicacy from the sea. Both the host and the guests understood that these were merely decorative elements on the negotiating table.

On the other side, Tao Rujiu sat down in the lounge. The pufferfish-skin chandelier above his head was swaying slightly, making his eyes water.

With a model-like figure, dyed hair, and casual clothes, Tao Rujiu would never have associated him with the old-fashioned president of the Ling Group if it weren't for Uncle Qing's address of "President Ling".

However, the man with the dyed hair happens to be named Ling Li, and he is the nephew of President Ling Bojin. He is also the president in charge of the tertiary industry company within Ling's Investment.

Tao Rujiu wasn't entirely unaware of this person. However, the only information he found about Ling Li in the investigation materials was a group photo taken after he graduated from the Ivy League.

He had short, neat, yet unassuming black hair and wore a suit. At the time, his sharp features made him seem more like a background figure among the family's elite.

It's probably understandable that I wouldn't recognize myself.

Frustrated, Tao Rujiu habitually ruffled her hair. Turning her head, she could vaguely see the situation inside through the wrought iron partition and frosted glass. Yet, she couldn't guess when the banquet would end.

And then there was the jade soup dumpling incident.

Although he knew in his heart that the other party wouldn't make trouble over such a trivial matter, he still felt uneasy because he needed a favor. Subconsciously, Tao Rujiu always saw himself as an object, as if he could only be successfully sold after all his imperfections were erased. However, in this respect, his meeting with Ling Li was indeed a major failure. Could he actually succeed in asking for a favor?

At ten o'clock, Uncle Aqing, who had finished his task in the detached hall, came by once before leaving, bringing some snacks for his nephew. Tao Rujiu suddenly had the illusion of "kneeling outside the palace, pleading and begging for orders."

The night is long, and waiting makes one drowsy.

At 10:45, the waiter brought in the basket of watermelons, and twenty minutes later, the hall was filled with farewell greetings.

Tao Rujiu, who was curled up on the sofa, immediately sat up. Before she could even straighten her clothes, the living room door was pushed open.

Ling Li politely declined the organizer's suggestive invitation, knowing he had no energy left for the so-called "midnight show." His assistant, Han Fei, created an "emergency" that required immediate attention, allowing him to escape, only to be stopped in the lounge by the pale young man in the lobby.

“Mr. Ling…President Ling.”

"You were looking for me?"

A hint of surprise and impatience mingled with his sharp gaze.

Tao Rujiu nodded hurriedly.

"Mr. Ling, I am a reporter from Xiyao Daily. I would like to interview your tourism industry and complete a feature article to participate in the 'China News Award' selection."

"China News Award?"

"Yes, that is the highest annual award for outstanding news works nationwide, sponsored by the All-China Journalists Association."

"Oh. You're a reporter."

The conversation was inattentive, and Ling Li has always harbored a dislike for the press.

“I know that Mr. Ling has made great contributions to the tourism industry in Xiyao, so I hope that you can take the time to accept my interview and allow me to interview you about your work and life in Xiyao for some time to come.”

"You've been waiting for me here?"

He glanced at the lunchbox and drinks on the corner of the coffee table, frowned sharply, and changed the subject again.

"Yes, because I feel that Ling's Enterprises' contributions to Yu Xiyao should be showcased on a larger stage, and that's exactly what the China News Awards are for..."

What if I say 'no'?

Without any hesitation, Ling Li had no intention of making concessions to people with whom he had no stake in the matter.

"I don't want anyone to disturb my private life."

The light in Tao Rujiu's eyes flickered.

"This collaboration will not cause you any loss, and I guarantee that I will not interfere in your private life."

"oh?"

He smiled coldly and lit a cigarette.

"You didn't even know who I was outside just now, and you still wanted to interview me?"

To put it bluntly, someone who is so unfamiliar with the interviewee is definitely not a qualified journalist.

"I'm very sorry. I was only recently transferred to Xiyao and I didn't understand the situation this time. I thought it was Mr. Ling Bojin who came in person."

Tao Rujiu frankly admitted his mistakes, while not forgetting to continue to work hard.

"But I believe that if Mr. Ling could accept my interview, it would be even more effective."

The emerging Xi Yao, a rising star in the business world, clearly has a more pronounced semiotic significance.

"I think I have already politely declined."

The grayish-white smoke dissipated in the air, like a mysterious veil shrouding Ling Li's sharp face. Even indoors at night, Ling Li still wore sunglasses, and Tao Rujiu could only see a small part of his cheeks, thin lips, and a well-shaped, very sharp jaw.

That was half a face that looked cold.

When Tao Rujiu was being stared at so intently, he would even feel cold sweat seeping down his back.

Chapter 003

"Perhaps I misspoke, or perhaps you have some misunderstanding about journalists, but you really should give me this opportunity. You can give me a ten-day trial period, and I will prove that this is beneficial for both of us. I really need this opportunity; your choice could change a person's life!"

After a pause, Tao Rujiu added, "If you refuse, I will interview your competitors. Perhaps one day in three months, you will regret your choice today."

Are you threatening me?

He gave a sharp, cold laugh, flicked his cigarette ash, and sat down on the sofa next to him.