Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 87 (Part 2)
I updated the chapter earlier by accident, hehe enjoy!
Translated by Pure
Chapter 87.2 Extra [Sixteen years later II]
After their marriage, Xiao Chi frequently accompanied Lin Jingzhe to the Zhou Family's residence as a guest. Once he savored Mother Zhou's culinary creations, Xiao Chi found himself unable to stomach the fare offered by various eateries. Their abode in Dongtai Community was solely occupied by the two of them, without the presence of any domestic staff or intruders, as they both detested having outsiders in their sanctuary. Generally, aside from entrusting the property management with the cleaning of larger items, the two of them shared the household chores.
While the division of labor wasn't exactly equal, Lin Jingzhe was rather indolent...
It was acceptable to request him to sweep the floors, gather the laundry, and perform light tidying in the Buddhist Hall. However, when it came to the arduous task of cooking, Xiao Chi had shouldered the responsibility for over a decade.
Xiao Chi was captivated by the sheer delight and contentment that radiated from Lin Jingzhe's face whenever he indulged in the delectable dishes prepared by Mother Zhou. As he grew more acquainted with both families, Xiao Chi found himself instinctively gravitating towards the heart of the Zhou Family's kitchen, offering his assistance to Mother Zhou. It was a gesture that she wholeheartedly embraced, for she possessed an extraordinary culinary talent that none of the children seemed to share. However, with Xiao Chi's arrival, a willing successor to her culinary legacy, all reservations vanished. This exchange of support and collaboration not only alleviated the initial awkwardness between Xiao Chi and the Zhou and Gao Family, but also forged a bond so strong that, even after more than a decade, Mother Zhou regarded him as if he was another biological child of hers.
The succulent pig's trotters were meticulously prepared, deboned, and tied with delicate hemp string before being boiled to a tender perfection. Once chilled, they were transformed into a delectable aspic that would make anyone's mouth water. Meanwhile, the yellow croaker was given a golden makeover through a thorough washing and frying process before being simmered with yellow wine. The tantalizing aroma of these dishes wafted through the kitchen door and into the living room, tempting even the most discerning of taste buds.
Lin Jingzhe, feeling at ease like an old man, kicked up his feet on the coffee table. "Uncle! I want to watch the news!"
Father Zhou switched the channel for him, a small act that carried a hidden gratitude. Gao Sheng's eyes rolled as he observed Xiao Chi, who was donning an extravagant shirt in the kitchen, while pouring Lin Jingzhe a glass of juice. "How on earth did Mr. Xiao Chi end up falling for someone like you?"
Exhausted, Lin Jingzhe lazily slumped onto the sofa. "I'm tired, okay?"
The morning had been filled with restlessness, and the lengthy ordeal in the bathroom, where he was ‘cleaned’ for an additional half an hour, had left him sore and drained. If he hadn't agreed to come over earlier, he probably wouldn't have mustered the energy to leave the house today.
Gao Sheng retrieved a straw and inserted it into the juice, feeding it to Lin Jingzhe. Lin Jingzhe glanced at the serious expressions of the news anchors on the television. After a first sip, he remarked in dissatisfaction, "It's too cold."
"Get the hell out of here." Gao Sheng slammed the juice down on the coffee table and stood up, his anger evident.
Lin Jingzhe shook his head, looking up at Gao Sheng from his seated position, and remarked, "You know, with your bad temper and unreasonable behavior, who would be able to tolerate you in the future?"
Gao Sheng stared at Lin Jingzhe in disbelief, the latter continued to slump in the sofa while wiggling his toes, as if looking for a beating, feeling a mix of shock and annoyance. He couldn't believe that he, Gao Sheng, was being criticized by Lin Jingzhe for his unreasonable temper. Does this person have no self-awareness?
Lin Jingzhe continued the conversation, asking, "I heard Deng Mai mention that you two broke up again?"
Gao Sheng: "…………"
Gao Sheng's arrogance was swiftly quelled as he shot a piercing gaze at Deng Mai. He threw himself onto the sofa, his voice barely audible as he grumbled, "Who has the time to indulge her whims? The company has invested in a new TV series, four movies, and there are also Best Partner IT’s new online games. I'm swamped beyond belief."
His Gao Sheng Advertising had long evolved beyond its initial role as an advertising company. In 2000, he joined forces with Lin Jingzhe and Zhou Haitang, each investing 100 million, to establish Gao Sheng Film, a subsidiary that marked their official entry into the world of movies and television. The extensive network of industry contacts Gao Sheng had built during his early advertising days proved invaluable. With the company up and running, he never ceased his entrepreneurial endeavors. The first wave of collaborators who had joined forces with him had now risen to fame, particularly the talented young director Liang Xuan who had been recruited with a mere 2,000 yuan. Director Liang Xuan had already garnered accolades as the recipient of the best director award at two prestigious domestic film festivals. Now, he was on the cusp of embarking on a new cinematic venture—a profound and thought-provoking film that transcended the boundaries of pure comedy, aiming to captivate audiences on the international stage.
As the CEO of a film and television company, Gao Sheng was the epitome of envy for all men. Countless handsome men and beauties desperately sought fame through contracts with his company. Surrounded by stunning women, Gao Sheng found himself at the center of scandalous rumors. A simple conversation with an actress during a banquet would quickly escalate into headlines the next day, suggesting a more intimate connection.
Even Hu Yu would occasionally advise Gao Sheng to approach relationships with more seriousness. Despite being wronged by these rumors, only Lin Jingzhe, Zhou Haitang, and Deng Mai knew the truth—Gao Sheng was still a virgin.
Although Gao Sheng had been involved in numerous relationships, none of them were within the entertainment circle. Typically, he would engage with women of suitable age from various professional backgrounds, often through business dealings or introductions from others. However, these relationships were short-lived, lasting no more than two months at most.
Gao Sheng's attack power was completely diminished at the mere mention of his love life by Lin Jingzhe. And yet, it seemed that the latter had not finished speaking. As his father, who was engrossed in the television, cast a sidelong glance at him, Gao Sheng capitulated without hesitation, rising from his seat with a graceful motion, clutching the juice cup in his hand. "I’ll go get some ice for you."
Father Gao let out a worried sigh, turning to Father Zhou and expressing his concerns, "That young rascal fears that I will nag him about marriage. Can he not learn a thing or two from Jingzhe and Haitang? Let me spare myself the anguish."
Father Zhou, who had finally found solace in his wife's decision to forgo plastic surgery, sighed deeply upon hearing this, "What do you mean spare anguish? Haitang is hardly deserving of such a title. That stinky brat is brimming with enthusiasm when assisting his mother in managing the factory but when I mentioned the subject of our hotels with him a few days ago, he fled like a startled rabbit. That ungrateful bastard has truly been raised in vain."
Zhou Haitang's face contorted with bitterness as he lamented, "The sales of Haitang pickles in North America and Australia have just taken off, and I'm barely able to keep up. Even if I were divided into three, it still wouldn't be enough to handle everything. Why don't you ask Gao Sheng to take care of the hotels? After all, he's usually in China."
Before Zhou Haitang could finish his sentence, Gao Sheng stormed into the room, having just finished adjusting the temperature of Lin Jingzhe's juice. His frustration was evident as he prepared to confront Zhou Haitang, "Enough! Don't you think my life is already difficult as it is?"
Zhou Haitang was busy, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t. The Family Restaurant had grown from a small restaurant franchise to a massive hotel chain with hundreds of locations across the country. It was a listed company with billions in annual revenue and tens of thousands of employees. It would be a nightmare if he had to take on such a responsibility. How would he manage Gao Sheng Advertising and Gao Sheng Film then?
The fathers never fathomed that, after pouring their heart and soul into supporting their children, they'd find themselves facing a future where no one would carry on their legacy. Now in their sixties, most people their age in Yan City would be enjoying their leisurely lives, carrying birdcages and dancing in the square. But for them, there was never a moment of rest.
Their business had grown to a point where it could no longer rely solely on the achievements of previous generations. If the hotel chain didn't expand its scale, it would be left behind by its competitors. It had taken them over a decade of relentless work to bring the Family Restaurant to this level of success. Neither father wanted to see their hard work go to waste, abandoned like a worn-out shoe. While they were still in good health, managing it was doable, but what about when age started to take its toll?
The fathers turned to Deng Mai, hoping for a solution. But he quickly waved his hands, trying to dissuade them. "Don't look at me, don't look at me! I'm just as busy! Brother Lin is too lazy and has left all of New Beginnings' work for me to handle... I'm only catching a breather now due to those Olympic-related restrictions on real estate. Starting next year, there will be three projects in Yan City, along with several commercial property ventures in the Special Administrative Region. I really don't have the time or energy..."
His words suddenly paused, and everyone's faces turned to look in the same direction.
Lin Jingzhe, who was sipping juice through a straw: "..."
"Ahem." He put down the cup and faked a cough, "I'm busy too. What do you mean by ‘too lazy’? Is Hero Electronics' job not considered work? I’m also in charge of New Beginnings’ investment management and overseeing Best Partner’s upcoming new programs. Let's not forget how I brokered the deal between Haitang Factory and North America's supermarket chains. And, of course, there's Gao Sheng Film..."
His confident tone began to waver, overpowered by the collective gaze fixed upon him. Eventually, he reluctantly withdrew his feet from their relaxed perch on the coffee table, gently set aside his cup, and had no choice but to concede. "...I'll have the person in charge of the major shareholders of New Beginnings get in touch with you next Monday."
Mao Dongqing spearheaded this operation. When Deng Mai caught wind of the brilliant idea, he couldn't help but applaud. "Great idea!"
As the juice slid down his throat, a bitter aftertaste lingered on Lin Jingzhe's mouth. He felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him, and he couldn't help but rue the decision to come here today.
He handed the cup back to Gao Sheng. "It's not cold enough."
"Get f*ck out of here." Gao Sheng rolled his eyes at him.
"What are you all chatting so happily about? Come and eat!" The kitchen door swung open, though it was doubtful Mother Zhou found their discussion particularly joyous, her voice carried over along with the tantalizing scent of the food. When Lin Jingzhe turned, and met Xiao Chi's gaze, his expression quickly morphed into one of complaint.
Xiao Chi was momentarily taken aback by Lin Jingzhe's appearance. He set down the plates and hurried over. With a light touch to the juice glass in Lin Jingzhe's hand, he inquired, "Need more ice?"
"Yes." Lin Jingzhe's mood instantly lifted, and he passed the cup to Xiao Chi. Then he turned around, shooting Gao Sheng an exaggerated eye roll.
Gao Sheng: "…………"
He felt like he had just witnessed a spectacle.
—
Pig trotter aspic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTtmKvqXsmA
