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Chapter 369: Chapter 301 Security Company (Please subscribe!) _1
Morning.
In the classroom.
"Here you go." Tang Qing handed an A4 paper to Wang Yan sitting beside him.
Despite having sketched all night, Tang Qing found himself itching to pick up a pencil again as he spaced out during the lesson. Seeing Wang Yan, inspiration suddenly came to him. Meanwhile, Wang Yan, who was an exemplary student, paid full attention to the class.
Done in next to no time, a fresh out of the oven side profile sketch by Tang Qing was finished. Spot on and captured the essence of its subject, there was no background to the portrait, only the character.
"Huh?"
Confused, Wang Yan, the model student, took the sketch handed over by Tang Qing.
Immediately, her eyes widened in disbelief. Covering her mouth, she looked at her own image on the sketch and then at Tang Qing’s smile.
"Is that me?" Wang Yan whispered, thrilled. Of course, it must be her in the sketch that Tang Qing gifted. She had no idea that Tang Qing had this skill. Like every other girl, she liked romantic gestures too.
Starting to feel her heart racing, she forced herself to think: it’s just an act of friendship.
"Yes," Tang Qing nodded.
"Looks a bit off though," Wang Yan scrutinized the sketch.
"Well, haha, I haven’t quite mastered it," Tang Qing replied, slightly embarrassed. The sketch was of the Wang Yan three years later. Her appearance hadn’t changed much, but her demeanor and facial expression were slightly off. She looked a bit more mature in the sketch, which was why Wang Yan felt there was something ’off’ about it.
This was Tang Qing’s last memory of Wang Yan. Ever since then, he has not seen Wang Yan again. Wang Yan also did not like sharing her selfies. After their breakup, she had only shared a photo when she sent out her wedding invitation.
The moment he saw the photo.
He felt his heart aching. And his chest was heavy, she, the woman that he could not forget was getting married. Most people couldn’t understand the unbearable pain, it made him want to get wasted.
"It’s already really nice, I like it. Can you sketch my frontal view?" After saying that, Wang Yan carefully put the sketch into a file folder, where she kept all her past monthly exams and midterm and final exams – to prevent wrinkles, suitable size too.
"Of course," Tang Qing agreed on the spot.
"Let’s wait until after class. I can’t turn my face around in class," Wang Yan whispered after glancing at the teacher on the podium.
"No problem, just one look and it’ll be etched in my heart..." Tang Qing hastily stopped mid-sentence and then explained, "Ahem, I just have a very good memory, don’t get me wrong."
"Hmm," Wang Yan hummed a reply, her face turning a faint shade of red as she lowered her gaze and began to fiddle with her fountain pen.
Such an atmosphere, Tang Qing just couldn’t handle it. He was not fond of ambiguity either.
"I’ll start sketching now."
Finishing his words, Tang Qing took out another piece of A4 paper and started to sketch. With a vivid memory in his heart, the sketch was done in no time. Within fifteen minutes, a front-view sketch was ready. Tang Qing even added some accessories to Wang Yan, like earrings, a headpiece, and hair clips, and even changed her hairstyle to one she loved the most, - a cute hairstyle. Every detail was meticulously and perfectly taken care of.
A few strands of her hair covered her face against the wind, her lips slightly parted, her eyebrows finely arched, and her eyes crystal clear.
Perfection.
Tang Qing felt himself continuously advancing towards becoming a master.
"Here," Tang Qing handed the sketch to Wang Yan after inspecting it.
Just like the previous time, Wang Yan looked at it in utter disbelief. It was. . .so beautiful, did she really look like this? But after comparing it to her reflection in the mirror, she realized she looked no different from the sketch if she dolled up a bit.
So, that’s how she appeared in Tang Qing’s heart.
She was actually that beautiful.
"It’s really beautiful," Wang Yan exclaimed happily.
"Quickly put it away. If Li Kai sees it, he’ll definitely pester me to draw him one too. What’s there to sketch for a grown man!" Tang Qing urged her, as the class was about to end; better safe than sorry.
"Hehehe..." Wang Yan giggled at Tang Qing’s reasoning. She held back her laughter, not daring to laugh out loud, but her classmates sitting in front and behind could hear her. However, no one dared to say anything, they could only look on enviously.
Tang watched without being entranced like an infatuated lover. It was just a long-lost memory resurfacing.
"What are you looking at?" Wang Yan glared at him.
"Nothing, just looking at the door," Tang Qing’s gaze shifted towards the door.
"Liar," Wang Yan glared at him disdainfully.
"Lie..." He wanted to say something along the line, "What did I lie to you about," but it was inappropriate at the moment, so he just said:
"Alright, a liar is a liar."
At that moment,
"Ding ding ding..."
The old-fashioned end-of-class bell rang.
Tang Qing stopped talking.
Of course, the teacher at the podium had noticed the whispers between the two but had no objections. They were top students, what could they possibly say to distract each other? The national college entrance examination was in just five weeks, and their grades were more or less stable. There was only so much these top-tier students could improve by.
...
At noon after school.
Walking out of the school gate with Wang Yan and Li Kai, Tang Qing saw his Audi parked at the school entrance from a distance. Sun Chao was leaning against the passenger side; he had been waiting there for half an hour already.
"Wang Yan, let me give you a ride home," Tang Qing said.
"What?" Wang Yan, who was lost in thought, asked in confusion.
Tang Qing motioned toward the roadside and said, "Move, my company car is over there. I have to run some errands at noon, so I could drop you by."
But before Wang Yan could respond, Li Kai jumped in, "What about me"
"Go enjoy your meal with your little girlfriend. Don’t try to preside over the situation," Tang Qing said.
"Cafeteria food is really hard to swallow," Li Kai complained with a bitter smile. His desk mate, who lived at the school, usually ate at the cafeteria. But Li Kai, whose family owned a restaurant, had a different opinion about cafeteria food. He really wanted to say: is this pig feed? Forgive my insolence, Cafeteria Lady.
"Couldn’t you make a sacrifice? And if it’s so bad, why don’t you pack her something good to eat? Use your brain, man," Tang Qing scolded him in a ’disappointed’ tone.
"Alright, I’ll look for her, I’ll try packing her lunch next time. I’m leaving first, you heartless man," Li Kai said and sprinted towards the school cafeteria.
"..."
It was as if I’ve done something bad to him.
"Hahaha... you two start bickering within moments," Wang Yan chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Got used to it. Let’s go, get in the car." When they reached the car, Sun Chao had already opened the back door. After Wang Yan climbed in, Tang Qing followed suit.
After dropping Wang Yan at the neighborhood entrance, Tang Qing departed.
Watching Tang Qing’s car disappear into the distance.
Wang Yan took out the two rolled-up sketches from her oversized uniform, turned around and walked to the photography studio across the street to have them framed and plastic-coated.
...
Ten minutes later.
Tang Qing arrived at the store owned by Han Leng.
Last Friday, Han Leng called asking him to drop by. From the tone of his voice, Tang Qing knew that Han Leng needed a favor. But with Liu Qian’s dinner party on Saturday, house hunting on Sunday, and a celebration for his beloved uncle’s promotion on Sunday night, he’d only managed to make time today. He hadn’t visited Han Leng since New Year and felt a bit guilty, considering that Han Leng was something like a mentor to him.
So, he had brought a lot of things with him: food, miscellaneous items, and drinks.
Upon getting out of the car, the familiar shop appeared before him.
Nothing had really changed.
Same old, same old.
Tang Qing and Sun Chao, loaded with bags of all sizes, walked into the store.
He’d been fascinated by the military gear in here during his last visit. But after his mall unlocked the infantry support equipment, he had access to military items from all over the world, all of them authentic and of top-notch quality. So, he was quite immune to these things now.
Just as he entered, Han Leng’s muscular figure came into view. The table was already set with all kinds of extravagant dishes. Other than Han Leng’s wife and children, there was also a middle-aged man, who looked quite formidable.
Another Special Forces guy, probably.
"Haha, little Tang, you finally deign to visit," Han Leng heartily slapped Tang Qing’s shoulder. "And you are even more handsome now. Keep going, and you might even surpass me from back in the day."
Tang Qing was speechless.
I didn’t see that coming, Han Leng.
"Uncle Han, I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it earlier; have been busy since the New Year," Tang Qing immediately apologized.
"Alright, I know you are a busy man. Showing up is fine, no need to bring gifts," Han Leng said, pretending to be displeased.
"It’s the right thing to do, Uncle Han. Who is this?" Tang Qing proactively inquired. Strangers did not just show up here – this man must be the reason for today’s gathering.
"Let me introduce, this is Gao Ming, one of my war buddies. And this is Boss Tang," Han Leng started. He could call Tang Qing ’Little Tang,’ given their mentor-disciple relationship. But considering Tang Qing’s status, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Gao Ming to do so.
"Hello, Boss Tang," Gao Ming walked up and extended his hand, his face wreathed in a smile. Isn’t this the prodigious disciple Han Leng often brags about? He looks a bit thin, though.
"Hello, Uncle Gao," Tang Qing replied politely.
"Everyone, have a seat before the food gets cold," Han Leng ushered everyone to sit down.
"OK."
Tang Qing also handed over the gifts to Han Leng’s wife.
Everyone took their seats.
Each person got a glass of beer.
As per tradition, they all emptied their glasses in one go, celebrating their reunion. It was only then that Tang Qing discovered that Sun Chao and Gao Ming were war buddies as well.
"Uncle Han, let’s just cut to the chase. If you need help with anything, just straightforwardly ask. If I can do it, I won’t refuse. Otherwise, it would be like having a hanging sword over my head and I won’t be able to enjoy my meal," Tang Qing said, putting down his glass and addressing Han Leng and Gao Ming.
The two exchanged helpless smiles.
Han Leng pondered for a moment before telling the truth: "Well, Little Tang, Gao Ming here used to be my team leader. He retired last year with 23-years of service and didn’t feel like going back home for work. So he used his savings to start a security company, in a bid to provide some form of livelihood to his fellow soldiers. However, the business hasn’t been doing well for more than a year. Considering the peace and tranquility here, the security business is not exactly in high demand. He was wondering if you might be interested in investing in his company? Also, you know a lot of people. Maybe, some of them require such services?"
After they finished, Han Leng and Gao Ming eagerly awaited Tang Qing’s answer. If it weren’t a matter of life and death, Gao Ming wouldn’t have brought this up, but his security business was in dire straits, on the verge of dissolution, so he was trying to get more investment. Even if he could secure one more client for a while, at least it would buy him some time to figure out where to go from there.
PS: The second Chapter is here.
