30: Chapter 3 The Older, the More Skilled

The next day.

Chen Shaoping didn't go to the company; instead, he wandered around the neighborhood to see if he might bump into Cai Guoqiang.

After walking a lap, he realized he might have been a bit scatterbrained from not sleeping well last night.

Even if he saw Cai Guoqiang, he wouldn't recognize him.

Giving up on the stroll, he headed straight home.

To his surprise, he ran into Zhang Ying just as she was leaving her door.

She was dressed up beautifully, and he had no idea where she was heading this time.

Regardless, he hadn't seen her at all yesterday.

"Sister Ying, you look truly beautiful in that outfit."

Zhang Ying smiled knowingly and pulled her door shut.

"Which of my outfits isn't beautiful? Did you stay out all night?"

She even walked over to Chen Shaoping and sniffed carefully to see if he smelled of cigarettes, alcohol, or perfume.

Detecting nothing, she patted her chest in relief.

"Sister Ying, I came back early last night. I just went for a walk downstairs this morning."

"You're the one who needs to explain. What time did you get back last night? I looked for you around seven to grab dinner, but you weren't there."

Chen Shaoping asked in return. He really hadn't noticed when she returned last night; it was possible he just hadn't heard her.

"I went to a music festival yesterday and didn't get home until nearly 11 PM."

"Then where are you heading now?"

"To the company. Aren't you, the big shareholder, planning to go?"

"Is there something you need to do there?"

"Not really, but Li Qian is away on a business trip, so someone needs to hold down the fort at the office."

If the employees saw the company's first and second largest shareholders debating whether to even show up, they'd probably pack their bags and quit on the spot.

"I'm not going yet. Come with me to handle something in a bit."

After saying that, Chen Shaoping opened his front door.

Though puzzled, Zhang Ying followed Chen Shaoping inside.

"Sister Ying, have a seat first. We'll head out in a while."

"Alright."

Zhang Ying walked into the kitchen on her own and checked the fridge.

"How is your fridge completely empty? Don't you ever cook?"

Chen Shaoping was sitting on the sofa, tapping away at his phone, and didn't catch what Zhang Ying said.

He turned his head toward the kitchen. "What?"

Zhang Ying was speechless. "Have you had breakfast?"

"No."

"Wait here."

She had intended to go to the company and hadn't planned on making breakfast at home, but since they weren't going yet, she figured it was better to eat something.

Chen Shaoping stared at his phone screen, complaining inwardly that the property manager was taking forever to reply.

It felt like a long time had passed, yet no message arrived.

Chen Shaoping put down his phone and went to wash up and change.

Just as he finished changing and stepped out of the bedroom, he saw Zhang Ying walking in carrying two bowls of noodles and a fried egg.

Only then did he realize that Zhang Ying hadn't even closed the door when she stepped out earlier.

"Come eat your noodles," Zhang Ying called out, placing the bowls on the dining table.

Chen Shaoping hummed in response and sat down at the table, phone in hand.

"Sister Ying, is that all you're eating?"

Of the two bowls, Chen Shaoping's was full, while Zhang Ying's had only a few strands.

To Chen Shaoping, her portion looked like it wouldn't even make a single mouthful for him.

"It's enough. This is actually quite a lot for me."

Chen Shaoping shook his head speechlessly, chatting with the property manager as he ate.

His expression shifted between frowning and smiling.

Finally, after sending a 20-yuan digital red envelope, the property manager added him to the Building 11 homeowners' group.

After a careful look, he actually found his target.

He searched his memory frantically and finally selected a poem, which he edited and sent to the group.

"Inscribed on Lake Qingcao in Longyang County:

The west wind ages the waves of Lake Dongting; in one night, the Goddess of the Xiang grows much white hair.

Drunk, I know not the sky is reflected in the water; a boat full of clear dreams weighs down the Milky Way."

"I happened upon a classical poem and would like the poetry enthusiasts in the group to critique it."

He even had the property manager help by @mentioning everyone in the group.

Seeing Chen Shaoping constantly on his phone, Zhang Ying scolded, "Can't you finish your noodles before playing with that?"

"Okay, okay!"

Chen Shaoping put his phone down and began to eat properly.

He just had to see if Cai Guoqiang would take the bait.

Meanwhile, in Apartment 51, Building 11.

An elderly woman with neatly kept white hair was busy in the kitchen wearing an apron.

The clay pot on the stove made a bubbling sound, and a delicious aroma wafted out.

A thin but spirited elderly man stood at a desk, his brush continuously tracing characters onto Xuan paper.

As he finished the last character, he murmured, "'Drunk, I know not the sky is reflected in the water; a boat full of clear dreams weighs down the Milky Way.' What a beautiful poem!"

He sighed in admiration repeatedly.

This man was indeed Chen Shaoping's target, Cai Guoqiang.

The poem he had just finished writing on his desk was the one Chen Shaoping had posted in the group.

After admiring it silently for a moment, he picked up the phone sitting on the top right corner of the desk.

He began to reply in the group.

Chen Shaoping was washing dishes in the kitchen when he suddenly heard the notification sound for a new message. He dropped the dish and ran out.

11-51-Cai: "After reading this poem, I suddenly feel surrounded by a magnificent scene."

"Stars twinkle in the night sky, a small boat floats on the river, and the water stretches as far as the eye can see. When the drunkard on the boat wakes, he cannot tell if he is in a dream or reality."

"If the gentleman is currently free, I would like to pay a visit immediately."

Chen Shaoping replied in the group, indicating that he could come over to discuss it together.

"Let's go, Sister Ying, we're heading out."

Zhang Ying stood up and looked at Chen Shaoping as he headed for the door. "Are you going out like that, without even taking off your apron?"

"Oh, right!"

Chen Shaoping took off the apron, hung it in the kitchen, and then left with Zhang Ying.

When they arrived at Apartment 51, Building 11.

Zhang Ying asked in confusion, "What are we doing here?"

"To secure a spot in a CCTV music program. When we go in, just back me up."

Chen Shaoping stepped forward and rang the doorbell.

A moment later, Cai Guoqiang opened the door with a smile, but his brow furrowed noticeably when he saw Chen Shaoping and Zhang Ying.

"You two... who are you looking for?"

Chen Shaoping smiled and replied politely, "Old Cai, I am the author of that poem. My name is Chen Shaoping."

Chen Shaoping felt it was perfectly natural to claim the works of his ancestors in this parallel world; his face didn't redden, and his heart didn't skip a beat.

Cai Guoqiang was stunned, unable to believe the author of that classical poem was so young.

After a moment, he recovered. "Please, both of you, come inside."

Led by Cai Guoqiang, Chen Shaoping and Zhang Ying went straight to the study.

As they passed the kitchen, Chen Shaoping smiled and nodded to the elderly woman.

After Cai Guoqiang poured them each a cup of tea, he asked, "Is there something you two wanted to see me about?"

Chen Shaoping's heart skipped a beat. It was no exaggeration to say that people got cannier as they aged.

His little trick had been seen through so easily.

"Old Cai, we do indeed have a matter to discuss. Please forgive our intrusion."

Cai Guoqiang's expression darkened. With a hint of displeasure, he asked sharply, "Did you really write that poem?"