Превратись в лебедя и прилети к тебе

Глава 61

Feng Junzi: "What nonsense! What special abilities? Are you saying this person has supernatural powers?"

Chang Wu: "The legend goes like this. That Soul Master can predict the future and is also well-versed in Feng Shui and Yin Yang. Young Master Sun's underlings even said that he knows magic."

Feng Junzi: "That's just hearsay. Chang Wu, look at me! Am I a master? Of course not! But if my dirty deeds get out, they'll probably sound like miracles."

Chang Wu: "That's true, actually I thought so too. You like to play tricks, and what soul master likes to play tricks even more—this time you've probably met your match!"

Feng Junzi lowered his head and remained silent, secretly thinking that he had probably truly met his match this time. He had previously opposed people of far greater status and power than himself, relying solely on deceptive and cunning methods. However, this time he had a vague sense of unease, a premonition he had had since witnessing the peculiar feng shui of the Hanhao Building that night. Could it be that he had encountered a truly powerful master this time?

...

The matter of the master was, after all, a distant prospect, and Feng Junzi didn't necessarily need to pursue it immediately; life had to go on. Nothing particularly noteworthy happened for the next while. Chang Wu reported the clues he had gathered to Director Yang, and his work was done. Chang Wu didn't inquire further about the case, and no one told him about its progress. Chang Wu vaguely heard that the anti-drug team had recently cracked a major case; due to the numerous and complex aspects involved, a special task force had been established, and much of the work was being conducted in secrecy. Knowing the rules, Chang Wu didn't pry into things that weren't his concern.

During this time, Feng Junzi also forgot about Hanhao, because he got involved in another matter, because of a woman of strange origin and a pair of chopsticks of strange origin (for details, please refer to Part 4, "The Spirit Chopsticks"). Several months later, Feng Junzi did not go to Hanhao again, nor did he see Liu Xin and Zhao Xue again. However, one afternoon in September, he unexpectedly received a phone call from Zhao Xue.

Part 5: Goddess's Heart, Episode 16: The Smile of Vairocana Buddha

When Feng Junzi accompanied Chang Wu to infiltrate Hanhao, he left a phone number with Zhao Xue. Chang Wu had given him this number, and Feng Junzi happened to have an old, outdated phone, so he put the SIM card in it and kept it in his office—for website registration, information kiosks, and such. He had never answered a call on this phone, and never expected Zhao Xue to call him several months later.

Feng Junzi was stunned for several seconds before he remembered that the person who called him "Brother Feng" on the phone was Zhao Xue, an 18-year-old prostitute from Hanhao Bathhouse. She had dined and sung karaoke with him before. Zhao Xue had something urgent to tell him, something very urgent! She asked Feng Junzi on the phone, "Brother Feng, when we were having dinner last time, you mentioned that you have a good friend who is a professor at a finance university. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's true. Why are you asking?"

“My younger brother is studying at a finance and economics university. He recently got into trouble, and I want to find someone but I don’t know who to contact… Brother Feng, could you come to Hanhao? I’ll pay for everything. I have something I want to ask you.”

Feng Junzi: "Fine, let's meet somewhere. Come out. I want to hear what happened."

Zhao Xue's younger brother, Zhao Lei, is the college student Feng Junzi saw at the Hanhao Bath Center a few months ago. He was a sophomore then, and should be a junior just starting his semester now. Shortly after the start of the semester, Zhao Lei will face expulsion from school for assaulting a classmate.

Here's what happened: Zhao Lei had a roommate named Guan Xian, the one who took everyone to the Hanhao Bathhouse for his birthday last time. Guan Xian's father was a businessman, and the family was well-off. He was their only son, so he was naturally spoiled. After learning to frequent entertainment venues during his university years, Guan Xian went there often, especially to Hanhao.

Once, when Zhao Lei was showing off his photo album, Guan Xian saw a picture of Zhao Lei's sister, Zhao Xue, and felt she looked very familiar. He then realized she resembled a massage girl at the Hanhao Bath Center. The guy jokingly remarked on it. Zhao Lei was very unhappy, and the two had a minor argument. Their classmates all felt that Guan Xian was in the wrong.

However, Guan Xian didn't think he had done anything wrong; on the contrary, he felt wronged and resentful. So he secretly went to the Hanhao Bath Center several more times and booked Zhao Xue's services again. He even secretly took photos of Zhao Xue with his camera phone in the lobby of the Hanhao Bath Center.

Shortly after the start of his junior year, Zhao Lei returned to his dorm after self-study one day. As soon as he opened the door, he found a group of people gathered inside, looking at something. Guan Xian sat in the middle of the group, flipping through Zhao Lei's photo album with one hand and holding his phone in the other, pointing to a picture on the screen and asking everyone, "Look, doesn't it look like him? Doesn't it look like him?"

After Zhao Lei understood what had happened, he was consumed by rage and rushed at Guan Xian to fight. In a physical fight, Guan Xian was no match for Zhao Xue. He was pinned to the ground and beaten senseless before being pulled apart by their classmates. The incident escalated, with Guan Xian's parents, grandparents, and maternal grandparents all coming to the school, repeatedly demanding that Zhao Lei be punished for injuring Guan Xian. Recently, rumors circulated in the school that Zhao Lei might be expelled.

As Zhao Xue recounted this story to Feng Junzi, she kept wiping away tears, her expression filled with guilt, as if she had done something wrong that had implicated her younger brother. Feng Junzi's brow furrowed more and more as he listened, and when he finally heard the fragmented account of what had happened, he couldn't help but ask, "Zhao Xue, your family situation is quite strange. Your brother is in university, and you're doing this!...Are you even siblings?"

Feng Junzi's question uncovered a bizarre backstory. Zhao Xue and Zhao Lei were not biological siblings. This was true in terms of blood relation. They lived in the same village, and their families were neighbors. Zhao Xue's father died when she was two, and her mother passed away when she was five, leaving her an orphan in the village. She was adopted by Zhao Lei's parents when he was only one year old. Zhao Xue grew up in Zhao Lei's home, treating his parents as her own and Zhao Lei as her younger brother.

The Zhao family was just an ordinary farming family, not wealthy, with an income only average for the rural area. Since Zhao Lei started high school, the family's finances had gradually become strained. Many young people in the village went to work in other places, and Zhao Xue also came to Binhai to work. As for her work experience, Zhao Xue didn't say much, and Feng Junzi didn't ask further. In short, Zhao Xue later became a hostess in a karaoke bar. Two years ago, Zhao Lei was admitted to Binhai University of Finance and Economics, and Zhao Xue also became a hostess at the Hanhao Bath Center. Zhao Xue regularly sent money home, just enough for her parents to support Zhao Lei's studies. She told her family she was working in Shenyang, but didn't say what she did, nor that she and Zhao Lei were in the same city—Binhai.

Feng Junzi sighed deeply after hearing this. He thought for a moment and decided to help her if he could. He said to Zhao Xue, "Don't worry, there's no use rushing things like this. I don't need to take you to the University of Finance and Economics to find my friend right now. I'll go ask him myself first and see if there's any way to salvage the situation."

...

Feng Junzi found some time to meet Professor Song for dinner. During the meal, he told Professor Song the story of the Zhao siblings and their recent experiences. After listening, Professor Song was lost in thought for a long time, and finally sighed, "So the story behind this is so complicated. I've also heard about the incident of the accounting students assaulting someone. Their department didn't want to punish them so severely, but the injured student's parents wouldn't let it go—I heard they even gave money to the department leaders, insisting on expelling the student who committed the assault."

Feng Junzi: "Only parents like these could raise a son like that. Think about it from another perspective: if I or you were in Guan Xian's position, could you do such a thing? Even if you knew what happened, you shouldn't say it and hurt others. What's wrong with kids these days? They're all self-centered and don't care about other people's feelings at all! I heard that kid wasn't seriously injured, but I think he deserved a beating! Is this the kind of student your university educates?"

Professor Song sighed again, “This can’t be entirely blamed on the school. Education is a matter for both schools and families, and family education is the most important for a child’s personality development. But nowadays, most children are only children, and parents are too busy spoiling them to think about teaching by example! This generation of children also lacks experience in interacting with others. Moreover, there are many problems with the current school education system. As long as the scores are good, nothing else matters! This educational system and social environment have also spread to families, where parents only care about their children’s studies and have no concept of character development. In fact, by the time they reach college age, it’s already too late…”

Feng Junzi had no interest in listening to Professor Song's long-winded explanation. Instead, he asked, "Old Song, you're now the vice dean of the School of Humanities. If you get involved, is there any chance to salvage this situation? ...People always look for opportunities to do good deeds. I'm begging you to help them!"

Professor Song: "Actually, Guan Xian's parents are just ordinary business people, and their family is only a little bit of money. In the eyes of the Zhao family, they may be someone they can't afford to offend, but in the eyes of the college's higher-ups, they are nothing. We need to find the person in charge, and if we find the right person, we can still resolve this matter."

Feng Junzi: "Who are you looking for?"

Professor Song: "If you're going to find someone, find someone who has the final say. A single word from them can settle things. I have a good relationship with Dean Xia of the School of Accounting and Finance, so I can arrange to meet with him to discuss this matter. But the key question is, why would Zhao Xue want Dean Xia's help? These days, people need benefits or interests to get things done."

Feng Junzi: "Give money?"

Professor Song shook his head: "The dean of the accounting school earns more in a year than the annual profit of a medium-sized enterprise. You're trying to bribe him, but how much do you think he'll even care? Zhao Xue is just a prostitute; even if she has some savings, she can't afford that. She's not richer than Guan Xian's family, and besides, it's unnecessary. You have to cater to his tastes to get help from someone like that."

Feng Junzi: "Then what's so good about him?"

Professor Song: "We all know that Dean Xia is a womanizer."

Feng Junzi laughed: "Lustful? That's easy! The main character is a prostitute, with a good appearance and figure. Even if Zhao Xue is no good, she knows many people in this line of work."

Professor Song shook his head: "It's not that simple. With Dean Xia Zhongliu's wealth and status, what kind of woman can't he find? The very thing he can't do is go to prostitutes. Other universities have learned this lesson the hard way! If you take him to find a prostitute, it will be worse. He can find one himself anywhere for a few hundred yuan. Why give strangers something to hold against him?"

Feng Junzi: "So what kind of woman does he like?"

Professor Song: "I heard that this person thinks he has good taste and likes women who look pure and well-mannered. He doesn't want sex, but rather the pleasure of having an affair."

Feng Junzi sneered, "What a fucking joke! Men always like prostitutes to act like noblewomen and ladies to act like sluts. There's psychological conflict that creates physical stimulation. Leave this to me. All you have to do is get him to come out."

Professor Song: "Are you really going to find him a woman like that?"

Feng Junzi: "What a joke, how could I do such a thing? I'll build one for him."

Professor Song smiled thoughtfully: "Then you'd better hurry, or it will be too late."

...

Over the next few days, Feng Junzi felt time was indeed tight, and he was making the most of his time to train Zhao Xue. He told Zhao Xue about this matter, informing her that he would arrange a meeting with Dean Xia of the Accounting School, but how to handle it was up to Zhao Xue herself. Zhao Xue couldn't go as a prostitute; she had to go as an employee of Feng Junzi's company.

Sitting in Zhao Xue's living room, Feng Junzi looked her over from left to right and felt that there were too many things Zhao Xue needed to change. From her walking posture to the sound of her eating with chopsticks, to the look in her eyes when she spoke to people, etc. Unfortunately, he only had two days, so he could only touch on things slightly. Feng Junzi gave Zhao Xue a few pages of paper and said to her, "Actually, how many books a person has read doesn't seem to make much difference, but their temperament is definitely different. This comes from within and can't be faked. It's probably too late for me to teach you classical Chinese literature and history now. These are some popular quotes I collected online. They are both meaningful and humorous. Memorize them, and just don't give yourself away."

As Feng Junzi was leaving that evening, he suddenly remembered something else. He took a card out of his briefcase and handed it to Zhao Xue, saying, "I almost forgot the most important thing: facial expressions. Practice in front of the mirror and imitate the expression in this photo."

Zhao Xue took the card and was surprised: "Isn't this a Bodhisattva?"

Feng Junzi: "This isn't a Bodhisattva, it's a Buddha, called Vairocana Buddha. Don't worry about what kind of Buddha it is, just practice his expression in front of the mirror. This kind of smile is the most charming and attractive expression for a woman."

After watching the two of them fool around all day, Liu Xin finally couldn't hold back anymore: "Brother Feng, it's one thing for you to use Zhao Xue's beauty to seduce people, but you even brought out a picture of Buddha and told her to learn how to seduce people!"

Feng Junzi: "Even if Buddha knew, he wouldn't blame me! Besides, it's not that I asked Zhao Xue to do this, it's that Zhao Xue begged me to do it, don't get the wrong idea!"

Liu Xin had also heard about Zhao Xue's brother's situation and knew what Feng Junzi was up to—he was indeed helping Zhao Xue. However, she felt very uncomfortable, especially disgusted with Dean Xia Zhongliu. It was one thing to enjoy playing with women, but to go to such lengths, and yet there were accomplices like Brother Feng, helping him with these schemes. She disliked Dean Xia, and by extension, Feng Junzi as well.

Despite her dislike, she was still willing to help Zhao Xue. Feng Junzi had been training Zhao Xue for two days, but there was one thing he couldn't do: help her buy an outfit. Feng Junzi had no experience with women buying clothes and didn't want to accompany Zhao Xue shopping. Liu Xin invited Sister Chen and her younger sister Liu Ke'er to the mall where Ke'er worked to accompany Zhao Xue shopping. Following Feng Junzi's instructions, they chose a thin but not see-through, fitted but not revealing, off-the-shoulder but not open-front, fitted waist, knee-length, and thigh-revealing suit for her.

Three days later, Professor Song called Feng Junzi to tell him that he had finally managed to arrange a meeting with Dean Xia at a private room in the Pearl of the Sea Hotel. Professor Song told Dean Xia that Feng Junzi's organization had a collaborative project they wanted to discuss, so they would also be meeting that evening. Feng Junzi thought about it and decided that it would be better to have more people. Since the plan was to send Zhao Xue to seduce Dean Xia in order to plead for her brother, he and Professor Song couldn't just sit idly by; they had to make the performance convincing, and having a couple more guests would be even better. He shared this idea with Zhao Xue, and Liu Xin and Sister Chen offered to accompany her to see what kind of person the university dean was.

In fact, not only Liu Xin disliked Feng Junzi, but even Feng Junzi himself felt uneasy. He wasn't sure if he was doing a good deed or a bad one. But since Zhao Xue was willing to do it, he couldn't say anything. Feng Junzi's training hadn't been in vain; when Zhao Xue entered the private room, Dean Xia Zhongliu's expression was one of utter amazement!

Part 5: Goddess's Heart, Episode 17: How a Hero is Forged

"Actually, to see if a man has good taste, don't look at his clothes or his words and actions, but look at the friends he makes and the kind of people he hangs out with... I think sitting with Dean Xia and Dean Song shows a lot of taste!"

"President Feng, Dean Xia and I are on the same side, you don't need to flatter me."

"Brother Feng, what do you look for to see if a woman has good taste?"

"Sister Chen, you don't know this. In my experience, it mainly depends on what brand of condoms she likes to use!"

"Mr. Feng, that's not right of you. How can you say such things in front of such a beautiful lady... Here, drink the penalty shot!"

"Since Dean Xia has spoken, I'll drink it."

Zhao Xue, who had been listening in, chimed in at the opportune moment: "Dean Xia, why do you always ask others to drink? Don't act like a leader at the dinner table. It makes me feel embarrassed to talk to you."

Dean Xia: "That was my fault, I'll punish myself with a drink... Xiao Zhao, don't always call me Dean Xia, call me Brother Xia!"

This was in a private room at the Pearl of the Sea Hotel, where Feng Junzi, Professor Song, Dean Xia, Zhao Xue, Liu Xin, and Sister Chen were drinking together. Zhao Xue naturally sat next to Dean Xia, while Liu Xin took the initiative to sit next to Professor Song, leaving the seat next to Feng Junzi for Sister Chen. Liu Xin was one of Professor Song's students, while Sister Chen was the office manager of Feng Junzi's company, Damo Investment, and Zhao Xue was an administrative assistant. They had been drinking for almost two hours; the men were flushed, and the women had a hint of amorousness in their eyes.

Feng Junzi had been rambling on for almost two hours. He was getting impatient. Seeing that the time was right, he finally got to the point. He casually asked Dean Xia, "Dean Xia, oh no, Brother Xia, Zhao Xue is the most famous and graceful lady in our company, what do you think—"

Dean Xia stared blankly at Zhao Xue: "Let's drink to this pure and beautiful woman."

Feng Junzi: "Brother Xia...some people say Xiao Zhao looks like a prostitute, isn't that outrageous!"

Dean Xia was a little stunned and didn't react. He looked at Feng Junzi, waiting for him to continue. Feng Junzi continued, "One of your accounting students saw a photo of our company's Xiao Zhao and actually said she looks like a prostitute—isn't that insulting?"

Dean Xia didn't speak, but Professor Song interjected, "Perhaps it's a compliment on Xiao Zhao's good looks."

Sister Chen: "You men, is that how you compliment someone?"

Dean Xia finally understood: "Who is it that's so outrageous! Xiao Zhao, don't be angry about this, come on. Let's drink."

Sister Chen: "Brother Xia, speaking of which, you and Xiao Zhao are quite destined to meet. Her younger brother is a junior in the School of Accounting."

Dean Xia: "Oh? That's quite a coincidence..."

Zhao Xue: "Don't mention my younger brother. It makes me angry. He doesn't study properly and just causes trouble."

Professor Song: "What? Did your brother cause trouble at our school? Tell us, maybe Dean Xia can help you."

Feng Junzi: "It's all about that matter from earlier..." He then recounted the recent events involving Zhao Xue's younger brother, Zhao Lei, at the School of Accounting. As he spoke, he observed Dean Xia's expression, which suggested that Dean Xia was unaware of the matter. This was the first time he had heard about it today.

After Feng Junzi finished speaking, Zhao Xue lowered her head, her eyes red, looking very aggrieved and heartbroken. Everyone remained silent, watching Dean Xia. Dean Xia pondered, "I didn't know such a thing happened. I need to go back to the institute and ask them how they handled it."

At this point, Dean Xia unconsciously put on his dean-like airs again. Zhao Xue said quietly, "Don't bother Brother Xia with this kind of thing. That kid is useless, he deserves to be punished."

At this point, Professor Song spoke up: "This matter is actually easy to handle. Either both schools should be punished, or neither should be punished. Zhao Lei violated school rules by assaulting someone, but doesn't Guan Xian also violate school rules by going to prostitutes? Does having money at home mean you can do whatever you want? What kind of place is a university?"

Dean Xia: "Yes, a university is a haven of tranquility in the bustling city. School rules shouldn't work for some people but not for others. Xiao Zhao, you don't need to thank me for this; I'll help..."

Feng Junzi thought to himself, "They haven't even thanked me yet!" But he said aloud, "University is a pure land, and the school rules apply equally to everyone. Well said! Let's drink to Dean Xia's words. Zhao Xue, you really have to thank Dean Xia properly."

Before Zhao Xue arrived, Feng Junzi had given her instructions: listen more, speak less, and express yourself through body language. She sat next to Dean Xia, at a distance that was neither too far nor too close, about 20-30 centimeters from their shoulders—a psychological distance somewhere between strangers and acquaintances. With every movement—whether it was the direction her toes pointed when standing, the front of her knees when crossing her legs, or the line between her elbow and hand when raising a glass—she had to keep it all facing Dean Xia. As for her expression, Zhao Xue had mastered it perfectly, displaying the standard smile of Vairocana Buddha. Of course, the most important thing was her eye contact; each gaze should last at least two seconds, without saying a word. He and Tao Muling had learned this technique, and he wasn't sure if it would be effective; today was the first time he was using Zhao Xue as an experiment.

Although Zhao Xue was a woman of few words, she gave Dean Xia a feeling that this beautiful woman was approachable and acceptable, and that she had a strong liking for him. This feeling was subconscious. Right after Feng Junzi finished speaking, Zhao Xue didn't say anything, just looked at Dean Xia, then raised her glass and drank the wine in it, but didn't put the glass down; her red lips lingered quietly on the rim for a long time. This made Dean Xia's heart flutter.

Without further ado, as the party was about to end, everyone politely declined the bill, but Feng Junzi pressed Dean Xia's hand, and Zhao Xue ended up paying. After settling the bill, Feng Junzi said, "Little Zhao is staying at the Peninsula Hotel, which is on the same route as Dean Xia. You can take Dean Xia home."

Dean Xia: "I should be the one to take Xiao Zhao home, how can I let Xiao Zhao take me home?"

Feng Junzi: "It doesn't matter who gives it to whom, I'm not going to care."

Zhao Xue: "I'm afraid Brother Xia might have other reasons for not wanting to give me a ride."

Dean Xia: "Not at all. It's my honor!"

After Zhao Xue and Dean Xia left, the other four people didn't leave immediately; they sat together and chatted for a while longer. Professor Song said to Feng Junzi with a look of surprise, "Feng Junzi, you're truly remarkable. If you hadn't told me beforehand, even I wouldn't have been able to see through this little Zhao..."

Feng Junzi: "When this young master makes a move, it is naturally extraordinary... Have you seen Stephen Chow's 'King of Comedy'? Stephen Chow's character, Yin Tianchou, teaches Cecilia Cheung's character, a prostitute, to pretend to be innocent. That's where I got my inspiration."

Sister Chen raised her glass: "Brother Feng, I'd like to toast you. I think you are an extraordinary person, a rare find in this world of entertainment."

Feng Junzi raised his glass to drink, but Liu Xin, standing beside him, unconsciously curled the corner of her mouth.

...

Zhao Lei's matter was ultimately handled to his satisfaction. The reason was simple: Dean Xia, the head of the Accounting School, personally intervened and said only one sentence: "If you're going to punish someone, punish them all; if you're not going to punish someone, then don't punish anyone. According to school rules, the one who assaulted someone will be placed on probation, and the one who solicited prostitutes will be expelled." This time, it was Guan Xian's parents who panicked. They bribed some people, and the matter was finally settled. Both Guan Xian and Zhao Lei were unharmed, but Guan Xian's beating was for nothing.

The matter was settled, and Zhao Xue called Feng Junzi several times to thank him properly. Feng Junzi politely declined each time. However, Sister Chen invited Feng Junzi twice, and he accepted both invitations. The peaceful days didn't last long; soon another major event occurred. This event, while seemingly unrelated to Feng Junzi, shook the entire Binhai City!

Several months ago, the Ganquan Branch of the Public Security Bureau cracked a drug trafficking case. Following the leads, they discovered the investigation was becoming increasingly complex, and soon a special task force was dispatched from higher authorities. The case progressed unexpectedly smoothly, and Director Li of the Municipal Public Security Bureau was suddenly placed under investigation. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Sun, who had previously been in charge of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, although not punished, was inexplicably transferred to the Municipal People's Congress as a powerless deputy director—a sinecure. Everyone knew what this meant! But the inside story was unknown to Feng Junzi.

This matter involved Chang Wu. When the public security and propaganda departments released information about the case, they barely mentioned the work of the special task force, instead heavily promoting Chang Wu's image as an undercover police officer. According to newspaper and television reports, Chang Wu practically single-handedly investigated and cracked this major drug trafficking case involving collusion between gangsters and corrupt officials. Chang Wu was awarded a first-class merit and officially promoted to captain of the criminal investigation team. Recently, Chang Wu has also frequently been required to give reports on his achievements. He doesn't like this, but it's an assignment from his superiors, and he can't refuse. The speeches are all pre-written; he just reads them.

That evening, Chang Wu was watching TV with his girlfriend, Lin Zhenzhen, in her living room. A report on Chang Wu's achievements was playing on TV. As soon as Chang Wu saw his own reflection, he wanted to change the channel, but Lin Zhenzhen wouldn't let him and insisted on watching him on screen. Just then, Chang Wu received a message from Feng Junzi on his phone: "Urgent! Come quick, see you at our usual spot!"