Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Beautiful New World

Qian Zhen lifted his head and gazed at the sky. The sun blazed down like fire, its dazzling brightness even more pronounced before the vast, empty gates. Not far away, a black sedan was parked. As Qian Zhen stepped out, the car door swung open, and a man emerged, dressed in a blue polo shirt and wearing black-rimmed glasses. He strode straight toward Qian Zhen, halting only when he stood directly in front of him.

Qian Zhen looked at the man before him—fair-skinned, with thick brows and large eyes, forming a stark contrast to himself. He spread his arms, and the man immediately stepped forward, embracing him tightly.

“Brother, you’re finally out! We’re together again at last!” Qian Gui choked with emotion.

“Yes, we’re together again. My release today is a good thing, there’s no need to be sad,” Qian Zhen said, patting Qian Gui’s back.

“I know, it’s a good thing—a happy day. I’m just so glad.” Qian Gui released Qian Zhen, wiped away his tears, and said solemnly, “Brother, let’s never be apart again, all right?”

“Mm, we’ll never be apart again,” Qian Zhen replied, patting his brother’s shoulder.

The two of them drove along the road toward the city. Qian Zhen gazed out the window; things looked much the same as they had two years ago, only now tinged with a layer of age. The city was no longer the vibrant place of youth it once was, but rather resembled an aged elder, vitality ebbing away with time. The sparse traffic on the streets spoke of the city’s loneliness.

“Brother, let’s just make do for tonight and find a hotel. Tomorrow we’ll head to Tanghua. Besides us, there’s no other family left here, so there’s no reason to linger in this backwater.” Qian Gui glanced at Qian Zhen in the rearview mirror, and when Qian Zhen nodded, he continued, “I didn’t waste the money you left me; I invested it all. Now we own a company! From now on, we’ll never have to live hard lives again—things will only get better for us!”

Qian Zhen looked at Qian Gui in the mirror, smiling. “That’s all thanks to your ability, little brother. It’s a shame your big brother here hasn’t amounted to much and only brings you shame.”

Qian Gui frowned. “Brother, how have you brought shame? It was just prison. You did what you had to do to survive. When we were kids, we lived off others, bullied every day. You took a crooked path out of desperation—I don’t think it’s shameful. What’s shameful is this society, this world, that couldn’t make room for a pair of unfortunate children.”

Qian Zhen looked calmly at his brother and said quietly, “There’s no need to dwell on the past. I brought that on myself—it’s no one else’s fault.”

Qian Gui wanted to defend him further, but seeing that Qian Zhen no longer wished to argue over what was right or wrong long ago, he let it drop. “Right, the past is past. Let’s move on. As long as we live well from now on, that’s what matters.”

When they reached their hotel room, Qian Gui said, “Brother, get some rest. I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.” With that, he closed the door behind him and left.

Alone in the room, Qian Zhen pressed down on the mattress—a soft, yielding touch, nothing like the hard boards he’d known inside. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as memories flickered through his mind like film reels.

That was his past—painful to recall, yet impossible to erase. Brawling, lending at exorbitant interest, extortion—these scenes replayed in his mind, along with his parents’ fights, his brother’s tears, the taunts of other children, the contempt of adults—none missing from the parade before his eyes.

Gradually, sleep overtook him. In his dreams, he felt someone gently stroking his head, softly saying, “Our little Qian Zhen is the kindest boy. That’s why he can forgive those thoughtless children, isn’t that right?” He heard the gentle voice of his teacher: “Eat a little more so you’ll grow up strong. Even though your family is poor now, it doesn’t matter. You’re such a clever boy, one day you’ll have a good life, you’ll be happy, isn’t that so?”

That gentle, kind woman—warm as the sun—made Qian Zhen feel cherished, made him believe he could be happy. But her face gradually blurred, no matter how desperately he shouted, she faded from sight. In an instant, Qian Zhen found himself at his old home’s door, watching police slip cold handcuffs onto his drunken father, ready to haul him to the patrol car. Tears filled Qian Zhen’s eyes as he roared, “Murderer! Why did you kill Teacher Hao? Go to hell, you murderer!”

The sound of his own howl yanked Qian Zhen from sleep. He sat up in bed, glancing around. Only then did he realize it had all been a dream. He touched his face—he must have wept in his sleep, for his eyes were still wet.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“Who is it?” Qian Zhen called.

“Brother, time to eat,” came the reply from outside.

“You go ahead. I’ll wash up and come down in a minute,” Qian Zhen called back.

He got up, went to the bathroom, and caught his reflection in the mirror—tear stains still streaked his face. He turned on the tap, washed up, and left the room.

In the hotel restaurant, Qian Zhen glanced around until he spotted Qian Gui waving from a corner table. He walked over and sat down, watching his brother order a table full of dishes. When the waiter left, Qian Gui said, “Brother, once we’re rested, let’s head to Tanghua. We’ll go home, settle in, then get you some new clothes and show you around our company.”

Qian Zhen looked at his brother with a smile, suddenly realizing the little boy who used to tug at his shirt, trailing after him to school, had grown up into a fine young man.

In appearance, dress, and bearing, Qian Gui was no longer the small-town youth he once was—not some poor boy, but more like a promising young man from the city. Qian Zhen was proud, deep down, to have such a brother.

He smiled and asked, “Have you been well these past two years? No one bullied you, I hope?”

Qian Gui shook his head. “No one. Your brother’s not so easy to push around!”

“Are you married yet?” Qian Zhen pressed.

“With you suffering in there, how could I think about marriage?” Qian Gui replied.

Qian Zhen felt a pang—he realized his situation might have held his brother back from settling down. Fresh out of prison, with no job, who would want their daughter to marry a man whose brother had been inside? His brow furrowed.

“Brother, what’s wrong? Why the long face?” Qian Gui asked, seeing the worry etched on Qian Zhen’s brow.

“It’s nothing.” Qian Zhen looked at his brother and said, “I’ve been thinking it over in the room. I don’t think I’ll go to Tanghua. You go on your own. I’m used to Yanbei. I don’t want to move. I can’t get used to a big city.”

Qian Gui stared at him, confused. “Brother, didn’t we agree to go to Tanghua together? Why the sudden change?”

“I’ve lived here so many years. All our relatives and friends are here. Tanghua is a strange place—I’d rather stay where it’s familiar,” Qian Zhen answered.

Qian Gui pressed on, “What relatives and friends? You don’t even see Uncle and the others anymore. I’m your only family. And what friends? Did any of them visit you in prison? What kind of friends are those?”

“I just want to stay. This is home,” Qian Zhen said, a trace of anger in his voice.

Qian Gui fixed him with a steady gaze, but Qian Zhen avoided his eyes. Suddenly, Qian Gui understood why his brother was reluctant to go to Tanghua. He sat up straight and said coldly, “You have no home here—you don’t even have a place to live!”

After a pause, he continued, “I know why you’re unwilling to go—you’re afraid of being a burden. But I’m your brother, your only family. Why can’t you just say what’s on your mind?”

Qian Zhen still avoided his gaze, speaking softly, “Yes, I’m afraid of dragging you down. You know I just got out, have no skills—what could I do in Tanghua? And if people find out you have a brother who’s been to prison, how will that affect you? What about your future?”

Qian Gui looked at him, heart aching. “Brother, look at me—look me in the eye. I don’t care what others say. You’re my brother, my only family. No one can change that.”

“If not for you, I might have starved long ago. I am what I am thanks to you. Wasn’t it your hard-earned money that started the company? You have a share in it! How could you be a burden? You’d be helping me. The two of us together—what hurdle can’t we cross? Don’t leave me alone again. Come to Tanghua with me—let’s make it together, just the two of us.”

Seeing the sincerity in his brother’s eyes, Qian Zhen knew he could never hide the truth from him. His past could not be concealed, nor could the fact that Qian Gui was all alone in that unfamiliar city. Even if he couldn’t do much to help, at least he could look after his brother’s daily needs. He was healthy and strong—he wouldn’t starve in Tanghua. If nothing else, he could always find work on a construction site.

He nodded, agreeing to go with his brother to Tanghua.

They spent the night at the hotel and caught a flight to Tanghua early the next morning. Upon arrival, Qian Gui took Qian Zhen to his rented apartment. They rested, ate, and then went out to buy Qian Zhen a new outfit.

The metropolis lived up to its reputation—streams of cars, crowds of people, skyscrapers that pierced the clouds, dazzling displays in every shop window. The energy of the city was palpable.

To Qian Zhen, it was like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden—dazzled, overwhelmed. It was nothing like home, so vibrant and beautiful. Newly arrived in Tanghua, he was awed by the city’s splendor and felt a surge of vitality himself.

The next day, Qian Gui brought him to the company. When Qian Zhen lifted his eyes to the glass façade and soaring height of the skyscraper, he couldn’t help but marvel at how different the big city was. Had he not come, he might never have seen such a tall, beautiful building in his life.

He swallowed nervously and asked, “Brother, does the company own this whole building?”

Qian Gui laughed. “If we owned the whole thing, we’d never have to work again—just travel the world with beautiful cars and women. This is the best location in Tanghua, right by Tang Harbor. Each square meter goes for over two hundred thousand yuan. How could we afford the whole building? We just rent one floor. But the office has a stunning sea view, which isn’t bad at all!”

Qian Zhen was still stunned. Over two hundred thousand per square meter—back home, that would buy a whole house! All those years spent on the wrong side of the law, and he hadn’t even earned enough for a bathroom here. He realized how ignorant he’d been; he should have come to the city from the start, even for shady work. He could have earned more for his brother. All those years of struggle back home seemed utterly worthless now.

He followed Qian Gui into the elevator. As he watched the sea from the glass lift, Qian Zhen’s heart was struck again. He’d seen the sea back home, but there it was wild and crashing—a rugged beauty. Here, it was different—gentler, the blue expanse like a giant mirror reflecting the sky, with a few seagulls singing as they soared, adding a touch of elegance to the city.

At the company, Qian Gui said, “Brother, take a look around. I’ll go say hi to our partner, and find you in a bit.” He called over a young female secretary and asked her to show Qian Zhen around the office.

Qian Zhen regarded the secretary—fair skin with a rosy glow, still a touch of innocence in her features, long black hair pinned up, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, lending her an added charm.

Qian Gui had mentioned her surname was Wen, so Qian Zhen said, “Thank you, Miss Wen. Would you show me around?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Please follow me.”

Their first stop was the main office area. The place buzzed with activity—phone calls, the clatter of keyboards, pings from chat software—all blending into a chaotic symphony.

Seeing his confusion, Secretary Wen explained, “This is our sales and marketing office, the largest workspace in the company. The sales and marketing departments are here—they’re responsible for product sales, market expansion, and strategy. Please follow me.”

She led him out and into the next area. Here, the atmosphere was completely different—fewer people, no cubicles, each person with a large desk and at least three monitors, some with as many as six.

“This is our Research and Risk Control Department,” Secretary Wen explained. “They develop all our financial products and handle risk management. Since we’re a financial services firm, risk control is extremely important.”

Qian Zhen stared, overwhelmed by the technology and jargon. It all seemed incredible to him—this was clearly a place for highly educated people like his brother, while he, a rough man, felt out of place.

Secretary Wen took him through the public relations, legal, and technical departments, the staff lounge, and coffee bar. Qian Zhen was wide-eyed—everything was so new and wonderful.

It was a world he’d never seen before—not even on television. So many brilliant minds, so much advanced technology. To him, his brother had built a veritable giant—he was deeply impressed.

As they walked, a heated argument drifted to their ears—his brother’s voice among them. Qian Zhen followed the sound.

“Zhu Qiyu, aren’t you going too far? That’s my brother. I’m a shareholder here, and you want him to be a driver for Li Jinlong in public relations? Isn’t that just bullying?” Qian Gui’s voice rang out from within a room.

“Don’t be ungrateful, Qian Gui. Don’t forget I’m the major shareholder. You’re just my sidekick. Letting your brother drive for Li Jinlong is doing you a favor. Tell me—what skills does your brother have? Which prestigious university did he attend? Everyone here is a top graduate—what makes him qualified to join the company?” Zhu Qiyu retorted.

“Then tell me—what school did Li Jinlong graduate from? Don’t think I don’t know—he’s just your lover’s brother!” Qian Gui replied angrily.

“Watch your tone, Qian Gui. Remember, the company’s success is thanks to my connections. Without me, would you be where you are now? That one million you invested would barely buy a bathroom!” Zhu Qiyu snapped.

After this, Qian Gui had nothing to say, and stormed out.

When he emerged and saw Secretary Wen and his brother outside, he paused in surprise. “Brother, Miss Wen, what are you doing here? Sorry, Miss Wen—I’m not in the best of moods today. Please keep an eye on things for me.”

Without another word, ignoring Secretary Wen’s stunned expression, Qian Gui took Qian Zhen by the arm and left the company.