Chapter 399: Chapter 399 - 393: An Unbridgeable Distance

The noise in the internet cafe rose, and the smell of smoke was choking.

A middle-aged man in his fifties, with streaks of white in his hair, coughed as he walked out of the internet cafe, just about to fish a cigarette out of his pocket, when he suddenly saw a car parked ahead.

As he stepped out, the car window rolled down, and the driver, Lu Zhao, looked at him expressionlessly.

Chu Shangdong recognized this person. He had happened to see him on the day he was released from prison, conversing with some managers, seeming to be a person with some standing and not easy to approach. At that moment, when this person noticed him ready to leave prison with bags in hand, his gaze suddenly shifted inexplicably towards him. Although Shangdong didn’t know him back then, he could sense the sharpness in the gaze was directed at him.

This was the second time seeing him, the car only parked across, with a look that was neither warm nor cold cast in that direction. With the cigarette in his hand, Chu Shangdong paused for a long time before he suddenly turned to walk away.

However, five minutes later, he got into that car.

And was smoothly taken away.

During the car ride, Chu Shangdong didn’t panic or shout, but calmly asked, "Who are you? Where are you taking me?"

Lu Zhao remained silent throughout, only saying coldly before taking him in, "Come with me, my master wants to see you."

Master.

These two words were absolutely not a common address on the legitimate side domestically; they bore deeper meaning.

Having been inside for so many years, Chu Shangdong didn’t know what entanglements he could still have outside, and it was unlikely he had the capacity to offend people on either side of the law. However, the driver’s gaze, treating him as if he wasn’t even a person, left him very puzzled.

The destination was a European-style estate in the prosperous area of Jiang City. By now, it was evening, the weather had cooled slightly, Lu Zhao leading the way in front. Chu Shangdong, wrapped in an old coat that looked clean but had been worn for many years, followed, his gaze occasionally surveying the surroundings, confirming this was a place only wealthy people would frequent, his doubts growing greater.

Until he saw on the golf course within the manor that there were three to five people playing golf, and two others seated at the rest area drinking tea and chatting, observing from their attire and the surrounding environment, it was not hard to discern these were people of very high standing in the city.

Being rich is indeed good.

In stark contrast to his own circumstances...

A corner of Chu Shangdong’s guarded mind began to collapse.

"Mr. Jing is accompanying us here for a meeting, yet why doesn’t he go play a few rounds as well? I heard from the executives who came to sign a contract with your company that Mr. Jing wasn’t feeling well last month, and seldom went to the company. Is he better now?"

"Just a minor ailment, I stayed home being delicate for a few days, used the opportunity to dodge quite a few social engagements." Jing Jihan sat at the rest area, took a sip of tea, his iron-gray coat draped over the back of the chair. Sitting in place and chatting with others with a bit of laziness, indeed looked like someone just recovered from an illness.

Lu Zhao approached: "Mr. Jing, the person’s here."

Chu Shangdong stood at the back, looking at the young man sitting on the rattan chair in the rest area.

Just by approaching slightly, one could feel that although the young man’s face appeared to be smiling, he was actually detached to the extreme.

It was the aura of someone who had long been in a high position, innate, creating an unbridgeable distance in his silent presence.

Jing Jihan glanced indifferently in their direction, his gaze falling on the cautious face of Chu Shangdong.

That gaze seemed unemotional, yet carried a hint of coldness, with a deeply hidden indiscernible depth.

"Oh, Mr. Jing has someone to meet, I won’t disturb and will go play a few rounds then." The thirty-something man who’d been chatting next to Jing Jihan laughed and picked up the golf equipment beside him, walking away.

Chu Shangdong hesitated for a while, glanced at the golf course in the distance, finally returned his gaze to that Mr. Jing.

Jing Jihan rose, turning to an isolated tea rest area not far away, Lu Zhao gestured for Chu Shangdong to follow. Chu Shangdong dazedly took a couple of steps, still unsure, finally asked again, "Who exactly are you people?"

As they were about to enter the rest area, Lu Zhao turned back, glancing at him with a meaningful look, "The people who’ll give you money."

The space in the rest area was vast, furnished with a sofa, tea table, and various exquisite arrangements typical of a European estate, exuding an air of wealth everywhere.

Chu Shangdong involuntarily felt a bit dazed. Back then, as a professor, he hadn’t earned much money. After the incident, his family was destroyed, even his son was imprisoned, and after he got out, he had no source of income, only finding the remaining thousand or so yuan on his previous salary card, using it for this half month’s living expenses and spending at internet cafes, nearly exhausting all resources. He hadn’t even eaten a bowl of instant noodles since morning.

Jing Jihan was already seated on the sofa, casually placing the coat with dark silver cufflinks to the side. He noticed Chu Shangdong’s embarrassment, his faint gaze settling on him, "Chu Shangdong? A 2014 professor of Jiang City Dance Academy?"

Chu Shangdong noted the array of exquisite high-end fruits in a fruit basket next to the sofa, licked his lips inconspicuously, then cautiously stood in place and responded, "Yes, that’s me. I don’t know who this gentleman might be...?"

Upon hearing his sanctimonious Professor demeanor, there was no visible change on Jing Jihan’s face; he smiled nonchalantly.

Chu Shangdong was observing him, this man whose every movement exuded a noble, cold, and calm demeanor— what was his purpose, and what kind of role did he play.

Because this person seemed both smiling and not smiling, his entire being exuded a unique danger and coldness.

Until Jing Jihan uttered a simple word, "Sit."

"I dare not."

Jing Jihan’s calm eyebrows didn’t push him, "Afraid of me?"

Chu Shangdong didn’t reply, but his caution did not diminish; if anything, it intensified, his chest rising and falling due to tension.

"With Professor Chu so guarded, how can we proceed with a transaction?"

"What transaction?"

"Do you know Shi Su?"

The air suddenly plunged into a peculiar silence. The defense in Chu Shangdong’s eyes intensified, he almost wanted to step back a few steps, but not wanting to be too obvious, he could only stiffly stand his ground.

At this point, Jing Jihan got up and walked over, the cold born in the man’s eyes inexplicably daunting, but he saw him casually take out a gold card.

"With Professor Chu so cautious, Mr. Jing won’t play games, let’s be straightforward."

"...Please go on."

"Shi Su has been mingling in the entertainment industry for years, having deep connections with various capital parties. Especially the two films she released and is currently filming, bringing my rival’s company considerable profits. She has now become a sword for various capitals in the film industry."