Chapter 1543
Finding a Beauty
These past few days, Yang Jun has been depressed and seems like he's dead.
He locks himself in his study every day, refusing to see anyone, and silently smokes by himself.
While the news of the deaths of old comrades, neighbors, and relatives had some impact on him in the past, the news of Shi Tou's death hit him the hardest. The reason was simple: it was the first time he had personally experienced the grief of losing a loved one.
Although Shi Tou was his adopted son, he was no different from his own son. Shi Tou's sudden death made him experience the pain of losing a son in advance, and he knew in his heart that such pain would continue to be played out in the future.
The saddest thing in the world is for a parent to outlive their child; no matter how strong or magnanimous a person is, they cannot let it go.
Sometimes he really disliked this body, specifically, he disliked immortality. He really wanted to experience birth, aging, sickness, and death like a normal person, and to experience the world normally. He really didn't want to witness the tragedy of parents burying their children in his lifetime.
He couldn't imagine losing his wife, son, and daughter in the future, and then watching his grandchildren and descendants pass away one by one. He really couldn't imagine whether he would completely collapse or... become numb at that time.
These past few days, he has been racking his brains over this problem, thinking about his future plans, but the more he thinks, the more confused he becomes, and the more his head aches.
He had considered ending his life by suicide, but the thought was immediately rejected as soon as it crossed his mind. He lacked the courage and resolve to commit suicide. He knew himself better than anyone else. He loved the alluring taste of power, and he understood better than anyone the pleasure and enjoyment that power brought him. He was greedy for the colorful life of the world...
In short, suicide is impossible.
So... all I can do is keep living.
"Boom boom boom!"
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and before Yang Jun could answer, the door opened automatically.
It was Yi Qiushui who came in. She walked up to Yang Jun with a worried look on her face, first looking at Yang Jun's haggard face, and then sighing deeply.
She didn't say anything, but silently walked to the seat next to her and sat down, quietly watching Yang Jun.
Half an hour passed.
"Is Stone... being buried today?" Yang Jun asked.
"Ah."
Yi Qiushui gave a faint reply and didn't say anything more.
After hearing this, Yang Jun silently lit a cigarette and said in a hoarse voice, "Why didn't you go and see Shi Tou off on his final journey?"
"I feel terrible, I feel terrible inside."
After a slight pause, Yi Qiushui continued, "I can't bear to see the scene of white-haired people burying their black-haired children; it breaks my heart."
"However, I sent Chengdao with his younger siblings."
Yang Jun listened but didn't say anything.
He understood that Yi Qiushui felt the same way he did; after all, they had known each other for over a decade and their relationship was closer than that of family.
"Hey!"
Yi Qiushui sighed, sat on the sofa in a daze, and didn't say a word.
The two sat there silently, neither of them speaking.
After an unknown amount of time, Yang Jun suddenly said:
"I'll be heading back to your province tomorrow."
After hearing this, Yi Qiushui didn't say anything, but simply nodded.
"Ah."
"Do you want to come back with me?"
"I don't need it. I'm not used to the climate there, and besides... what will happen to this family if I leave?"
Yi Qiushui knew that Yang Jun didn't like staying in Beijing because the relationships there were too complicated. He preferred a quieter place. Over the years, Yang Jun had done his best for this family. Now that his son had successfully taken over, it was time for him to enjoy the life he loved.
"Okay, then I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
Yi Qiushui nodded and said, "I'll go pack your things."
After saying that, he got up and left.
Looking at Yi Qiushui's somewhat hunched back, Yang Jun was filled with mixed feelings. This was the first time he felt that Yi Qiushui had also grown old. Looking at himself, who was still in his prime, the two of them together seemed particularly jarring. It wasn't that Yang Jun was materialistic or fickle; he didn't dislike Yi Qiushui in the slightest. He was simply considering their relationship and the so-called distance between them. He also had to consider the influence of the world.
The main reason he hid in the shelter in your province was to hide himself away, to make his shadow disappear from the world's sight and be gradually forgotten. He didn't want people to see him looking forever young, and he didn't want to become the subject of gossip. Also... he preferred a quieter life.
The next morning, Yang Jun prepared to go to the airport.
As soon as he stepped into the front yard, he saw the entire family gathered there, standing in a group and silently watching Yang Jun.
Upon seeing this, Yang Jun was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said,
"What's going on today? Everyone's here to see you off at the airport?"
After attending the stone's funeral yesterday, they didn't go back but stayed at the old house. Since Yang Jun was flying south today, they all came to see him off.
"Dad, it's been so many years, and I've never seen you off at the airport before. It's rare for everyone to be together today, so this is a good opportunity to send you off," Yang Chengdao said with a smile.
Yang Jun frowned slightly upon hearing this: "It doesn't sound like seeing someone off at the airport, but rather like saying goodbye."
"Dad, you're overthinking it. It's just a normal airport drop-off, haha."
Yang Jun pointed at Yang Cheng and said, "You're not telling the truth. You probably wish I would leave sooner so you wouldn't have to hold you back, don't you?"
"Dad, you've wronged me. I'd love for you to be in charge of things in the capital. Only with you here can I really get things done."
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You're probably hoping I'll get out of your way as soon as possible."
"Dad, you're really framing me..."
At this moment, Yi Qiushui said with a smile, "Old Yang, the children are just being filial, getting up early to see you off. Why don't you appreciate it?"
"Hmph, filial piety, huh? I'm just grateful they don't cause me any trouble."
After saying that, Yang Jun waved his hand and said, "Alright, I'm leaving. You guys go do whatever you need to do."
"Chengdao, take good care of this family."
Before leaving, Yang Jun gave one more piece of advice.
Afterwards, watching Yang Jun's car drive away, everyone went home.
Just as Yang Jun arrived at the airport and was about to board the plane, he spotted an old acquaintance already waiting there.
"Silly Zhu?"
Upon seeing this long-lost old acquaintance, Yang Jun shook off the heavy mood he had been feeling for the past few days and greeted He Yuzhu warmly.
"Hey, Junzi, what are you doing here?"
After saying that, Sha Zhu said in the unique straight man tone of Beijing, "Look at the question I asked. You are a big leader, you must be very busy flying around."
Sha Zhu is three years older than Yang Jun, and is seventy-three years old this year. Like ordinary old people, his hair is already gray and his back is bent. However, he looks quite healthy and has no major health problems. At least his limbs are still intact.
"Brother Zhu, I'm planning to go south. Where are you planning to go?"
To avoid revealing his identity, Yang Jun led him to a VIP room. Since he was on a private jet, he could leave at any time. He just wanted to chat with his old acquaintance, Sha Zhu. He had been in a bad mood these past few days and needed to find an old friend to talk to and cheer himself up.
"Hey, I don't know where to go either. I'll just go wherever I can get a plane ticket," Sha Zhu said casually.
Yang Jun paused for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "What do you mean? Little brother didn't understand."
Sha Zhu scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly after hearing this, then laughed and said, "I had a fight with Qiu Ye about where to travel. I wanted to go to Northeast China, but she wanted to go to Hainan to see the sea. Tell me, wouldn't we get sunburned like mummies if we went to Hainan this season? So I just went out by myself in a huff." "I haven't decided where to go yet. I'll go to the ticket window later and see where I can buy a ticket, and that's where I'll go."
After saying that, Sha Zhu still looked sullen.
Yang Jun listened, shook his head and smiled speechlessly.
He's so old, why is he still acting like a child? But Sha Zhu is still the same Sha Zhu he knows, stubborn and oblivious to his own mistakes, still with a fiery temper, running away from home at the slightest disagreement.
"Still haven't decided where to go?" Yang Jun asked with a smile.
"No."
"How about... coming to your province with me?"
"Don't go!"
Without a second thought, Sha Zhu said, "Going south to sunbathe in the middle of summer? Am I out of my mind?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Jun couldn't stop laughing, thinking to himself, "You must have lost your mind! Who said all places in the south are hot? The mountain where the shelter is located is quite cool in the summer."
"There's air conditioning." Yang Jun didn't explain anything further.
"Even if there's air conditioning, I won't go. I'm going on vacation, not to escape the heat. How can I have a vacation if I'm hiding in an air-conditioned room every day?"
Yang Jun shook his head slightly after hearing this: "Really not going?"
"Don't go."
"Fine, if you don't want to go, then you don't have to go."
Yang Jun had been thinking that he could chat with Sha Zhu when he got to Guizhou Province, but now that he saw that Sha Zhu didn't want to go, he couldn't force him. Some people are born to love excitement and like to join in the fun, while others prefer quiet and like to be alone.
Afterwards, the two chatted about other things for about half an hour before parting ways.
After leaving the VIP lounge, Yang Jun went directly to the boarding tarmac, while Sha Zhu went to the ticket window to buy tickets.
Yang Jun's plane is a private jet, so there are no complicated procedures such as ticket checks and security checks; he can board directly.
The plane started and slowly taxied forward. Through the glass window, I could see the huge building in front of me slowly receding. My eyes swept across the waiting hall and I suddenly noticed a figure waving frantically in my direction.
Yang Jun took a closer look and suddenly laughed. Wasn't this Sha Zhu?
I guess this guy couldn't get a ticket, so I changed my mind and wanted to go south with him.
Yang Jun shook his head and smiled.
He didn't stop the plane.
He could have stopped the plane at any time, or even brought it back mid-air, but he didn't need to. Opportunities in life aren't always available; once you miss one, it's gone forever. There's no going back in life, and not all opportunities will wait for you.
Since Sha Zhu doesn't cherish this opportunity, it means he's not meant to be, so why should he force it?
When Yang Jun woke up, he found himself at the refugee camp in Guizhou Province. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and got off the plane.
"Wocao".
As soon as he stepped off the plane, Yang Jun burst into a national treasure.
No wonder Sha Zhu doesn't come to the South, the weather here is damn hot.
"Wocao".
"Wocao".
Yang Jun had just finished swearing when he heard a series of curses behind him.
Sha Zhu, Zhao Cai, Luo Xiaojun, and the others stomped their feet and cursed. Although they were wearing shoes, the heat made them afraid to let their feet touch the ground for long.
"Where's the car? Where's the car? Come here right now!" Sun Zhaocai yelled.
The car drove up as soon as the plane landed, but everyone felt it was too far from the plane. Led by Yang Jun, the group sprinted towards the car at top speed.
"Wow, it's so cool."
As soon as I got into the car, I felt a blast of cool air, which made me feel much more comfortable.
"Go home, hurry home."
As soon as they got in the car, Yang Jun urged them to go home.
The airport was built just a few miles from the shelter, and it only took about ten minutes to get home. As soon as he got home, Yang Jun ran straight back to his air-conditioned room.
The South is the South, it's always hotter than the North. If he had known it would be this hot here, he would have gone to Qinhuangdao to escape the heat.
Actually, for someone who likes quiet solitude, he stays indoors in an air-conditioned room no matter where he is, so it's all the same to him.
"Alright, stop standing around here. Go home and come back tomorrow."
Unable to stand the strong smell of sweat emanating from Sun Zhaocai and Ding Erzhu, Yang Jun sent them away.
"okay!"
Upon hearing that they could go home and rest today and didn't have to work, the two of them were overjoyed and disappeared in a flash.
About ten minutes later, a woman in her fifties came in.
"Mr. Yang."
The woman walked up to Yang Jun, bowed respectfully, and greeted him.
"sit down."
Yang Jun squinted and gave a curt reply.
This woman was none other than Green Smoke, who was in charge of running the teahouse for him. Her original name was Chen Cuizhi. Originally, Sister Hong was in charge of running the teahouse for him, but she was secretly executed for embezzling teahouse funds with Qi Weimin. Later, Yang Jun promoted Chen Cuizhi to be the manager.
Decades have passed, and Chen Cuizhi has gone from a young woman in her twenties to a middle-aged woman. However, because of her loyalty to Yang Jun and her competence, Yang Jun has continued to employ her.
"How's it going?"
Yang Jun lay on the rattan chair, pretending to doze off, and asked with squinted eyes.
"Everything is in place."
After speaking, Green Smoke paused slightly and continued, "As per your instructions, we have selected three stunning beauties this time. They are not only beautiful, but also well-educated and reasonable."
"The three of them have been arranged to stay in another courtyard. You can go there anytime."
Green Smoke reported everything carefully and meticulously, with the utmost respect.
"Hmm, well done. Go and withdraw the 100 million bonus from your account."
"Thank you, Mr. Yang."
Upon hearing this, Green Smoke was overjoyed, her face beaming with delight.
Yang Jun waved his hand, and Green Smoke tactfully left.
Since Mu Sheng passed away, no one has sent women to Yang Jun anymore. He is in the prime of his life, and women are as indispensable as food on the table. Moreover, he did not bring any women with him this time, so he had to ask Lvyan to help him arrange this.
After staying in the air-conditioned room for about two hours, until it was completely cool, Yang Jun finally went out and walked towards the other courtyard... (End of this chapter)