Silent Reading

Chapter 1: Prologue Part 1

TL: QuantumC

5.7.2019

Truth, such harsh truth. -- le Rouge et le Noir

Some said that the area around the Yan-cheng City's North Nanping Avenue - the Huashi districts - was like a phantom with only half a face of makeup.

A multi-lane dual carriageway cut the Huashi district into two halves. The Eastern district housed one of the city's busiest CBDs, while the Western district hid the long-forgotten old town - the pits of the poor.

Although divided, the Eastern halve's sky-rocketing land price in the recent couple of auctions still visibly affected the shabby old town of the West: it pushed up the relocation fee benchmarks and scared away many perusing real-estate developers, fencing off their greedy capital like an invisible trench around the dingy alleys.

Those residing in their humble abodes dreamed everyday that the relocation fees would make them millionaires overnight. Spiritually, they were already basking in a sense of superiority from the comforting assumption that "my house is easily worth a millions dollars".

Of course, these slumdog-millionnaires-to-be still had to get in lines every morning, in their slippers, to empty their chamber pots.

The evenings in the early summer can still be quite chilly. The bit of heat accumulated during the day had quickly retreated. In the Western district, most of the barbecue stands that occupied the roads sans-permit were closed for the day. The residents were wrapping up their post-dinner small talks with neighbors and getting ready to head home. Occasionally, a street light or two blinked from unsteady voltage - probably a result of too many unauthorized wire-splicing done by the nearby tenants.

In the meantime, in the glamorous and bustling neighborhood only one block away, the night life has just begun --

Under a dusk sky, inside a street-facing coffee shop in the heart of the Eastern district, a waitress was just about to take a break after sending away a large group of guests. Before she could relax her stiff facial muscles from constantly smiling however, the little bells hanging above the glass door rang again.

Time to put the professional eight-teethed-smile back on. "Welcome!" She greeted.

"A decaf vanilla latte, please."

The guest was a tall and slender young man. His hair almost reached the shoulders. He wore a finely ironed suit and metal-framed glasses whose narrow frame pressed against his chiseled nose. As he lowered his head to look for the wallet, much of his face was shaded by the long hair. His nose bridge and lips were pale as if glazed by the luminescent lighting, making him look cold and aloof.

It was only human nature to appreciate beauty: the waitress couldn't help but landing her eyes on him longer than usual. She tried to guess what he likes: "Should I switch the vanilla syrup to sugar-free vanilla?"

"No. Actually, more syrup please, if that's okay." the guest handed over some cash. When he raised up the head again, his eyes caught those of the waitress.

Out of politeness, he smiled. As soon as the corners of his eyes curved delicately behind those glasses, a gentle - and ambiguously inviting - smile rippled through his mask of solemn seriousness.

That was when the waitress realized that although his face was good-looking, it wasn't an earnest and sincere kind of handsomeness. Rather, she could almost see temptatious peach-blossoms (1) from his eyes. Her face blushed, so she quickly avoided those eyes by looking down and pretending to focus on the order.

Luckily, a delivery boy arrived at that time. The waitress was very relieved to have the distraction. She greeted him loudly and asked him to unload the milk and coffee in the back.

Paid Story264K14.5K 9.3M431K 10.6M278K 146M3.7M 40M1.2M Paid Story224M6.9M 1.8M38K The delivery boy looked very young, hardly over his twenties. As he bounced in, his youthful liveliness immediately filled the room. On his shoulders was the day's last string of golden sunset. He had a very dark skin tone and a mouthful of little white teeth. He replied cheerfully: "Hello Miss! You look fantastic today. I bet the business was good?"

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The waitress didn't really care about how good or sloppy the business was, since it had nothing to do with her salary. She shrugged at his off-target sweet talks:"Just so-so. Go put the packages down. I'll pour you some iced water."

The delivery boy nodded with an exuberant smile while wiping away the sweats on his forehead. On the corner of his forehead there was a small scar in the shape of a crescent - like that of Bao Qingtian (2), except in the wrong place.

Before she finished making the coffee for the guest, the delivery boy had already unloaded all packages and checked off the inventory list. Leaning against the counter to wait for his water, he casually asked: "Pretty Miss, do you happen to know where Cheng Guang Mansion is? Is it in one of these buildings?"

"Cheng Guang Mansion?" it sounded familiar, but she didn't know exactly where it was. She shooked her head:"I'm not sure. Why?"

"Um..." The delivery boy looked down and scratched the back of his head: "Nothing. I heard they were hiring delivery men."

The waitress didn't pick up the cues of his nervous reservations at all. She replied half-heartedly while capping the coffee: "Maybe I can ask around for you...Sir, your drink is ready. Careful - it's very hot."

The guest - probably too bored and had nothing to do - looked at the delivery boy and chipped in drowsily: "Cheng Guang Mansion isn't part of the commercial buildings. It's a private club on the back. I had no idea that they hired delivery men...I can show you the way if you want."

The waitress finally saw what was strange too. She looked dubiously at the delivery boy: "A private club house?"

Busted, the delivery boy grimaced awkwardly, and fled with his icy water and delivery list.

Behind the CBD ablaze with light and color, there was a large reserved green space covered with plants and decorated with intricately designed landscapes. One mile or so into the greens, you start to see some luxurious high-end apartments, arrogantly taking up the space amidst the staged 'naturalistic' scenery -- obviously they had to build it here, because "quietness" and "tranquility" in themselves weren't worth anything. Rather, it's the "tranquility" in the middle of the hustle and bustle that's worth bragging about.

The park-apartment complex was surrounded by a variety of "happy places" of different levels and tastes. They were more or less arranged by "taste": the higher-classed and more expensive ones occupied the inner circle, while the cheaper ones were closer to the streets.

Among these venues of entertainment, the one with the finest "taste" was definitely the Cheng Guang Mansion.

The owner of the Mansion was not only rich, but also well-versed in how to be classy. The mansion's small garden was built in a neo-classic style. Its authentic details emulate those in a historic preservation site, when in reality the mansion was only recently finished. Tonight, the owner invited many friends over for a soft opening party -- needless to say they were all elites in the society and big-shots of their own fields. Some came to socialize; some came to talk business; some simply wanted to show support to a friend. There were also ones who weren't directly invited, but sniffed the opportunity and showed up hoping to use either the face or the body as a ticket to the party, and to the upper society. The parking lot was stuffed with all kinds of extravagant cars, propping up a stage for the upcoming 'vanity fair'.

Fei Du finished his sickly sweet cup of coffee while strolling to the Mansion. Before arriving, he heard the music and the loud chattering from the courtyard from hundreds of feet away. Then, right when he was throwing the empty coffee cup into a trashcan by the park trail, someone whistled at him from afar: "President Fei! Over here!"

Fei Du turned his head and saw a group of people by the courtyard. They were all what's called the "second-gen riches" - idle playboys living on daddy's plastic. The young man in the front dressed very... 'stylishly'...with accessories that's a little over the top. It was one of his good buddies, Zhang Donglai.

Fei Du walked over: "Ridiculing me already?"

"Who would dare?" Zhang Donglai hugged around Fei Du's shoulder with one arm, "I saw your car parked here long ago. I've been waiting for you. Where have you been? And WHAT in the world is with your outfit? Did you just come from signing a bilateral trade agreement with the president of the US or something? "

Fei Du didn't even raise his eyes: "Fuck off."

Zhang Donglai obediently shut his mouth for one minute, but quickly ran out of self-control: "Nope. I can't see you in this look any longer. I feel like I'm walking around with a dad. How am I supposed to pick up hot chicks like this?"

Fei Du's steps slowed down. He removed his glasses with one finger and hung it over Zhang Donglai's shirt collar. Then he stripped off the suit jacket, casually rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and started loosening the shirt buttons.

He undid four buttons altogether. Some abstract tattoo marks lurked through his half-exposed chest. Finally, he messed up his hair a little, and grabbed three thicker-than-thimble rings from Zhang Donglai's paws and shoved them onto his own fingers: "What about now, my son?"

As worldly as Zhang Donglai was, he still found this dramatic transformation jaw-dropping.

Fei Du was the alpha of this group of second-generation rich boys, because the others all still had their fathers to kiss up to. As for Fei Du, his mother passed away when he was little and his father was turned a vegetable by a car accident shortly after he came of age. In other words, he had already claimed the throne -- essentially at a different level than all the other "heirs".

He was full of money and free of parenting, so quite naturally he became the prodigal of prodigals. Luckily, he had no interest in playing the role of a "business prodigy": when it came to making big decisions for his business empire, he kept some senses and stayed away from any crazy shit investments. Therefore, simply a spendthrift at the lavish-life-style level, it looked like he wouldn't be wasting away all of his fortunes any time soon.

However, lately, out of blues, he stopped coming to the parties or hanging out with his old princeling friends altogether, as if he's decided to wash his hands off the old dancing days.

Fei Du took a couple steps forward, with hands tucked in his pockets: "Honestly, I'm only here to show my support today. I'll be on my way before mid-night."

Zhang Donglai: "C'mon, Sir Fei...Don't do that..."

For their group, what fun was there to leave before 12? Might as well just not show up at all.

Fei Du remained silent.

Zhang Donglai asked: "But why?"

"I am currently courting my future wife, very seriously." Fei Du said, not-at-all seriously, "Is it Okay to keep messing around while pursuing someone? I didn't think so. It's not a cultured thing to do."

Zhang Donglai watched Fei Du's shirt and long hair dance in the night breeze and saw no culture, only coquet. He caught up with his steps, and commented: "obviously you've lost your mind...throwing away the big forest for one single tree? Not to mention it's an old and poor..."

Fei Du suddenly turned his head and glanced at Zhang Donglai coldly.

Something about Fei Du was quite paradoxical. When he smiled, he was a moving peach-blossom tree. But when he kept a straight face, he could seemlessly turn into someone sharp and serious, with a pair of soul-piercing eyes that's almost intimidating.

Zhang Donglai killed his sentence mid-way. He gave himself a light slap on the face: "Fuck me. I really need to watch my tongue. Let me apologize to dear sister-in-law in person someday, how is that?"

The words "sister-in-law" somehow pleased Fei Du. The corner of his mouth softened. He casually waved his hand, suggesting to Zhang Donglai that this unpleasant page was considered "turned".

Zhang Donglai rolled his eyes at the sky: "Looks like his majesty Fei has been enchanted by the witch. Alas! The kingdom is in peril!"

His Majesty Fei was a man of his words. When the clock stroke twelve, he was ready to leave the party like cinderella hearing the bell.

He walked past some scattering drunks, went around a retard who raised a glass of champagne and chanted at him, and entered a small grove to look for Zhang Donglai.

Zhang Donglai was exploring the "ultimate harmony of life" (3) with a beautiful girl. They were both passionately indulging in the exploration as if no one else was around.

Seeing Fei Du approaching, the drunk-head murmured: "Wealth... status... and a dead daddy. Man... you are really the winner in life!"

"Thanks. But my dad hasn't died yet." Fei Du politely nodded, and asked Zhang Donglai: "Busy?"

Zhang Donglai was also a shameless man. He whistled, then said: "Why Master Fei... you are free to join."

"I'd better not." Fei Du did not slow down his steps, "What if you lose it too quickly when seeing these abs? We wouldn't want that to happen, right my Belle? Later~"

He continued walking, leaving Zhang Donglai's noisy complaints behind. He followed the stone pavement back to the parking lot. His steps were so steady as if the man drenched in alcohol all night was a completely separate person.

By the time that he arrived at the parking, he already buttoned up and called for a substitute driver like any law-abiding citizens would. Under a giant pagoda tree, he waited for the driver.

The tail-end of Spring in Yan-cheng city was always filled with the fragrance of silk flowers. Traces of the scent seeped out from the most unexpected corners and lingered around persistently. Although easily overwhelmed by the stinking exhaust of cars, it always came back stubbornly.

The music and conversations from the Cheng Guang Mansion in the distance could still be heard vaguely. Fei Du peeked with his half-closed eyes, and saw a large group of girls playing a game with a couple of bald "seasoned fresh meats"(4) with beer bellies.

At this hour of the night, most shops have already closed, including the ones in the Eastern Huashi district. The gentlemen at the party, real or fake, who came to extend their social networks mostly left before 12. Those that stayed were staying for the afterparty of lush and lust.

Fei Du picked some little white flowers from the pagoda tree, blew away the dusts, and chewed on them to pass time. He flipped through the address book of his phone. His swiping fingers hovered briefly over the name of "Officer Tao". Then, remembering that it was already pretty late, he gave up.

He stood there quietly and savored the hint of sweetness from the flowers. Absentmindedly, he started to whistle, and whistling gradually formed a melody.

Ten minutes later, the substitute driver arrived. He extremely carefully started Mr. Fei's flamboyant sports car, and drove onto the Nanping Avenue.

Fei Du sat back in the front passenger seat, eyes closed. The App in his phone was playing an audio book. A calm and clear male voice read: "......'Incedo per ignes,' replied Julien..." (5)

The sub-driver was a cynical college student doing part-times to pick up the extras. He was determined that Fei Du was either a good-for-nothing daddy's boy or a 18th-tier celebrity who lived on plastic surgeries. Suddenly hearing the audio book, he casted a surprising look at him.

At that time, a car approached from the opposite direction with its fog lights on. The sub-driver was almost blinded by the sudden brightness. He cursed: "What a retard." while intuitively turning the wheel to the side of the street. The car with the "search light" whooshed past them.

His eyes still hadn't adapted so he didn't see what kind of a car it was. Consequently, he had a hard time picking between the two silent grumbles: "Stupid bragger - yeah you're rich and so what " or "poor scumbags should never be allowed on the road". "What a pity." He thought. Then, he heard a "thump". Looking to his right, he saw that the passenger's cell-phone had fallen off from his hand.

The audio book kept going: "...Is a road any worse, because there are thorns in the hedges on either side of it? The traveller goes his way and leaves the wicked thrones to wither where they are..." (5)

Fei Du was deep in his sleep. Turned out that he was using the audio book as a sleeping aid.

The drive looked away apathetically.

"Hah, no different from the rest of them after all." he thought, "Fair without, foul within."

The young sub-driver let his mind wander, while driving smoothly along the straight and uninteresting Nanping avenue. In the mean time, the car that briefly blinded him kept going in the other direction, but now with the fog lights turned off. Shortly after, it made a silent turn into the hushed Western district, deftly picked its way and disappeared into the crooked alleys.

It was now close one AM. The street light that had been flickering all night finally died. A wild cat jumped onto a fence as it patrolled its territory.

Suddenly, it "meow-ed" in a frenzy. All of its hair spiked.

Under the faint moon light, a man was lying on the ground. His face was bloody and swollen to the point that it's unrecognizable. On the corner of his forehead there was a small scar in the shape of a crescent. The rest of his forehead was covered by a pieced of white paper, torn from somewhere roughly. It was like the paper amulet used to cast away the zombies.

The man was long dead.

The cat was so scared that it fell straightly off the fence. It quickly rolled over onto its feet and scurried away into the night.

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(1). peach-blossoms: this is commonly used to describe romantic feelings and encounterings in Chinese.

(2). Bao Qingtian: He is a historical figure, an official in the Song dynasty who is know for being just and always guarding the law. He famously has a crescent moon shaped scar in the middle of his forehead, as is portrayed in many Chinese period TV dramas.

(3). "The ultimate harmony in life": refers to consummating the love. This expression was first coined by Gu Long, a famous Chinese Wuxia writer.

(4). seasoned fresh meat: fresh meat is used to describe someone who is youthful and good looking (in a slightly mocking, yet flattering way) in Chinese. Here, "seasoned" fresh meat means that these bald guys were actually not young and fresh any more. They didn't have the pretty face of a youth, and they boast of being wise and seasoned with invaluable life experiences, hence the "seasoned fresh meat".

(5). This is a quote from the book le Rough et le Noir (Red and Black)