Chapter 819 - 787: Showing Support
Che Shixiong said, "We are both outcasts in the world, like her in Seoul, with no one to rely on, and I am alone too."
Chunliang asked, "Boss Jin has no other family?"
Che Shixiong sighed and said, "Her parents were executed, and she was punished to go to the mines, mining alongside the men. For the sake of her sister, she endured inhuman suffering, leaving her with these illnesses. Fifteen years ago, she found an opportunity to escape with her sister, but they were discovered at the border, and the sisters have been separated ever since. If her sister is alive, she should now be twenty-four."
"As girls change a lot from eighteen, even if her sister appeared right in front of her now, she might not recognize her."
Che Shixiong nodded. In comparison, children change even more. Jin Xin Hui herself often says she’s afraid that one day she and her sister might meet face to face and not even recognize each other.
The greatest motivation for Jin Xin Hui to keep living all these years has been searching for her lost sister. However, the hope of finding her sister is extremely faint, given the immense changes over fifteen years and the uncertainty of whether that nine-year-old girl managed to escape back then.
Che Shixiong toasted Chunliang with a cup of wine and respectfully asked, "Mr. Xu, what do you think are the chances of Xinhui’s recovery?"
Although Jin Xin Hui’s symptoms eased after taking medicine, he still dared not hold out too much hope. Over the years, they’ve visited numerous famous doctors, experiencing countless moments of hope and despair, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted. If it weren’t for Jin Xin Hui’s determination to find her sister, she might have given up long ago.
Chunliang said, "Illness strikes like a mountain collapsing and recedes like silk being drawn. Treating lung congestion shouldn’t be rushed, and each person’s constitution is different, so the recovery speed varies. I can only assure you of one thing: this illness can be cured."
After listening to this, Che Shixiong’s excitement was evident. He has deep feelings for Jin Xin Hui, and if more time is needed to cure her, what does it matter? He toasted Chunliang again.
Chunliang said, "I have something I want to ask you as well."
Che Shixiong immediately became alert. Could it be that Chunliang wanted to inquire about Mingde Group?
Chunliang asked, "Did you join the Mingde Group to treat the boss’s wife?"
Che Shixiong nodded. There wasn’t much to hide about that.
Chunliang said, "You seem to be a man who values loyalty and righteousness. If not for some special reason, you wouldn’t make such a choice. Excuse my bluntness, Huang Youlong and his kind are by no means good people, and you’re definitely not like them. For the sake of your own safety, it’s best to leave as soon as possible."
Che Shixiong tightly gripped his wine glass and said, "President Huang has treated me well. Although he hasn’t cured Xinhui’s illness, he has already done his best in this matter."
Chunliang said, "You should know that there is some animosity between him and me. The boss’s wife’s illness has already been regarded as incurable by him. If he finds out she is recovering, do you think he won’t investigate thoroughly?"
Che Shixiong thought to himself, given Huang Youlong’s persistence in medical matters, he would definitely investigate this. When the time comes, it won’t be possible to keep Chunliang’s help a secret.
Chunliang said, "That’s all I have to say today. For your safety, it’s best to make plans soon."
Bai Lan’s book signing event was held as planned at the Book Plaza. Although she is quite popular on the Peninsula, her fame in China isn’t particularly high, and this signing event was organized somewhat hastily.
When the signing time arrived, aside from the staff, there were only five readers in line at the waiting area, and two of them were just there for the buzz.
The security sent by the bookstore to maintain order was frustrated. With such a small turnout, they sent six security guards, outnumbering the readers. Fortunately, the female author was attractive, making for a pleasant sight on the side.
The event organizers didn’t have high expectations to begin with, so they only prepared two hundred books. Seeing the situation, they estimated that selling fifty copies would be fortunate.
Sales were secondary; the main issue was the embarrassment.
Everyone felt embarrassed for the beautiful author Bai Lan, but she didn’t mind at all. She calmly signed for the five readers and greeted them politely.
The bookstore displayed slogans on the LED screen and set up stands at the most prominent spots at the entrance, but the effects were not significant.
Now, there aren’t many people visiting bookstores to see beautiful women. Most are parents bringing their children to cool off and read, while others are pseudo-literary young women posing for photos to post on social media, uninterested in any beautiful author, believing themselves to be the most beautiful.
The remaining true book lovers mostly believe in the beauty and riches found within books.
When Bai Lan signed for the fifth reader, there were no more people in line. The organizers were worried, fearing they wouldn’t even sell a hundred books today. Had they known, they would have arranged more support. Who could have imagined that a popular author from the Peninsula would have so little presence here, with such a severe culture shock?
Just as the organizers were contemplating having a couple of staff members pose as readers, over ten university students arrived, led by Gao Xiaobai. She liked Bai Lan’s work and, upon learning of her signing, took the initiative to advertise it, bringing along over ten classmates.
The arrival of these students was a timely intervention for the organizers, but soon they realized an even bigger surprise was on its way.
A call came from the sales area outside, saying that fifty to sixty people had arrived, heading straight for Bai Lan’s section, led by her new fan Chen Qianfan. This guy was wealthy and, after attending Chunliang’s class and getting a comic book, "The Female Doctor," was immediately captivated by its story. Chunliang casually suggested he come to support the event, but Chen Qianfan took it seriously.
Coincidentally, Qianfan Group was organizing an employee trip, and Chen Qianfan ordered all employees in the Capital City to attend, each buying two signed books as souvenirs.
Who dared disobey the boss’s orders? This was just the first batch, with over a hundred more expected from Qianfan Group, as other sales personnel in the Capital City arrived in shifts.
As soon as Chen Qianfan’s group arrived, Pu Jian’s side also showed up. He wasn’t alone either. Since Chunliang asked for support, Pu Jian naturally wouldn’t refuse. What’s the meaning of support? The more, the merrier. Pu Jian hadn’t been in the Capital City for nothing all these years. He called upon over twenty friends with just one call.
He anticipated hosting three tables of dinner to thank them later. Pu Jian thought his connections were impressive enough, but upon arriving and seeing Chen Qianfan’s scene, he was dumbfounded. Wasn’t this a bit too exaggerated? More people are surely good, but as an outlander bringing so many supporters, wasn’t he outshining me here in the Capital circle? Don’t I need face?
Pu Jian quickly called for more people. He stepped aside and phoned Ge Guangming, "Old Ge, do you have any workers over there? Get them over to the Book Plaza to help me queue, each person gets a hundred bucks and two free books."
This Chapter has two thousand words.