Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2548 Ordinary People Who Overturn Common Sense (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

Winters in Shanghai are damp and cold.

The damp, cold air seeped into the attic. Although it was winter, the musty smell of summer and autumn had not yet dissipated. Gong Xue curled up on the narrow wooden bed, the sloping ceiling overhead making it hard to breathe.

In this small space, the walls still bear the graffiti she drew as a child, but now they are so crowded with piles of clutter that only a narrow passageway remains.

She remembered that her home was spacious and bright when she was young. Later, the private house was divided up and two families moved in. The original living room was partitioned into rooms, and in the end, she could only live in the attic. But even so, it was already very good. After all, Zhang Juan and her family had several generations crammed into a small house of just over ten square meters. At least she had her own room, which, although small, was still her own room.

At this point, she missed the dormitory of the performing arts troupe even more.

Compared to here, the drama troupe's dormitory is simply paradise—two people per room, sunlight streaming through the south-facing windows, radiators keeping the room warm in winter, and electric fans in the summer.

But this is home, the place she always returns to no matter how far she goes.

Gong Xue turned over, touched the dampness seeping from the wall, and felt a tightness in her chest. She was already twenty-six years old this year. Most of the female soldiers in the regiment retired in their early twenties. If nothing unexpected happened, she would have to take off her uniform and come back in a few months.

Her parents would ask someone to find her a stable job, but her life would mostly consist of staying in that tiny attic, getting married, having children, and seeing the end of the road ahead.

An inexplicable sense of oppression, like damp, cold air, seeped into her nasal cavity, making her chest feel tight. She tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning without closing her eyes.

At five in the morning, while it was still dark, Gong Xue quietly got up, changed into her workout clothes, and slipped out of her house. The streetlights along the Huangpu River were not yet lit, and the dim starlight sprinkled on the water, creating shimmering ripples. She jogged slowly along the riverside road, the cold wind brushing against her cheeks, making her feel much more awake. Being over the age limit to remain in the troupe, she had to work harder than the others, running and dieting, daring not to slack off in the slightest, all to maintain her best condition for the stage.

As she ran, a moving figure appeared in the darkness ahead, running towards her. Gong Xue's heart tightened, and she subconsciously slowed her pace. When the figure drew closer, by the moonlight, she could see its appearance clearly—wearing an oddly shaped hoodie, with a tall and upright figure.

It was none other than Shen Jiaming, whom I met on the train yesterday.

"Ah, it's you!"

Gong Xue stopped in surprise.

Shen Jiaming also recognized her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:
"Gong Xue? You're here too... exercising?"

When he took her home yesterday, he noticed that her home was less than a kilometer away from the Peace Hotel where he was staying, but he never expected to run into her by the river in the early morning.

The two jogged side by side, the river breeze carrying the fishy smell of the river water. Gong Xue could feel the steady steps of the man beside her, his breathing even and powerful, showing that he was someone who exercised regularly.

"I've been running for an hour, and I plan to run a little longer before heading back to the hotel."

Shen Jiaming said casually. He had developed the habit of exercising back in elementary school.

Gong Xue's eyes widened in surprise:

"Five kilometers? I usually find it difficult to run three kilometers. Your stamina is amazing."

"I've loved running since I was a child, it's a habit."

Shen Jiaming smiled:

"You're an actor in a drama troupe, so you must need to train your physical fitness regularly, right?"

"Yes, you have to sing and dance on stage, so you can't afford to be physically unfit."

The two chatted about their work and lives, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of the Peace Hotel.

The morning light illuminated the retro European-style buildings along the river. Shen Jiaming noticed the beads of sweat on Gong Xue's forehead, her cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly evasive, and her tone tinged with embarrassment:
"I'm going to the restaurant for breakfast in a bit. There's hot water and a bathtub in the room... If you don't mind, you can come to my room to shower first..."

He knew that in those days, bathing was very inconvenient, whether at home or in a regular hotel; most people used public bathhouses or boiled water in a kettle to wipe themselves down. The Peace Hotel, as a hotel catering to foreign guests, already had top-notch facilities.

Seeing his stammering and slightly embarrassed expression, Gong Xue couldn't help but laugh, and said gracefully:

"Okay, I'm really uncomfortable being all sweaty. Thank you so much."

She simply couldn't refuse. The train journey from Kunming to Shanghai had been bumpy, and she had spent the night in a damp and cold attic. She hadn't showered for several days, so if she refused, she would have to go to a nearby public bathhouse.

Shen Jiaming was taken aback by her quick agreement, then pulled out the room key with the room key from his pocket.
"Room 302, you can go up first, I'll go to the restaurant."

Gong Xue took the room key and entered the Peace Hotel.

This was her first time stepping into this renowned building. The marble floors gleamed, the crystal chandeliers reflected dazzling light, and the corridors were covered with thick carpets that made no sound when stepped on. Her father had mentioned to her that the Peace Hotel was the best hotel in the area, and in the past, only foreigners and dignitaries could stay there. Her mother had also said that the Western restaurant here was the best in all of Shanghai.

Taking the elevator upstairs and opening the door to room 302, Gong Xue was instantly stunned by the scene before her. The room was spacious and bright, with a view of the Huangpu River outside the window. The soft bed was covered with clean white sheets, and an exquisite vase was placed on the cabinet against the wall. Unlike the cold outside, there was heating here.

What surprised her most was the separate bathroom in the room—the white bathtub was spotless, there was a shower head next to it, and brand new toiletries were placed on the sink.

These were all things she had only heard from people in the group—yes, only from descriptions. And where did they hear them from? Perhaps from other people in the group as well. Of course, some people told her that she could have all of this too, but she refused them all because she knew the price to pay.

She sighed softly, walked to the bathtub, and, since it was her first time using it, studied it for a while before turning on the hot water tap. Warm water slowly flowed into the bathtub, and steam filled the air.

She took off her clothes and lay down in the bathtub. The water was just the right temperature, enveloping her body and so comfortable that she almost moaned. This was a kind of comfort she had never experienced before. There was no oppressive feeling in the attic, no crowding in the public bathhouse, only warm water and a quiet environment.

Is this their life?

A flicker of curiosity arose in Gong Xue's heart, a curiosity about their lives. This was quickly replaced by a profound sense of relaxation. The exhaustion of a sleepless night washed over her, and she closed her eyes, falling asleep without realizing it.

After an unknown amount of time, the water in the bathtub gradually cooled down. Gong Xue shivered and suddenly woke up. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, slapping her forehead in frustration.

"Oh, Gong Xue, Gong Xue, really! Someone kindly invited you to take a bath, but you actually fell asleep. I wonder how long he's been waiting."

She hurriedly got up, dried herself with a towel, changed into the clothes she had brought, packed her things, and quickly left the room. She glanced at her watch; it was already past nine in the morning. As she took the elevator downstairs, Gong Xue felt uneasy, afraid of keeping Shen Jiaming waiting too long.

As Gong Xue entered the restaurant, melodious piano music filled the air. The tables were covered with pristine white tablecloths and set with silver cutlery. Gong Xue immediately spotted Shen Jiaming sitting by the window, gazing at the scenery outside while holding a newspaper.

Hearing footsteps, Shen Jiaming turned around, saw Gong Xue, and immediately smiled:
"Now that you are here, please sit down."

Gong Xue quickly walked over and apologized somewhat embarrassedly:

"I'm so sorry, I barely slept last night and actually fell asleep in the bathtub, making you wait so long."

"It doesn't matter,"

Shen Jiaming smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for the waiter to come over:

"I just arrived not long ago. If you really feel bad about it, then have breakfast with me. It's too boring to eat alone."

"This this……"

Gong Xue sat down, her guilt gradually dissipating, and a relieved smile appeared on her face:
"Well, then I'll accept it without hesitation."

For some reason, Gong Xue did not refuse, and even when she sat down, she did not know why she had agreed.

The waiter brought the menu, and Shen Jiaming asked Gong Xue to order first, but she repeatedly shook her head and declined. It was her first time at a Western restaurant, and she had no idea what to order.

In the end, Shen Jiaming made the decision to order breakfast.

At the dinner table, the two chatted about their morning run along the river, but more often they talked about Shen Jiaming's travels. He mentioned the United States, Britain, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and other countries. Three years of life on the ship had allowed Shen Jiaming to visit many countries, and all of this sounded new and intriguing to Gong Xue.

What surprised her even more was that he had actually been to so many countries.

Looking at the man in front of her, speaking eloquently, the sunlight shining on him revealed an undeniable confidence and vitality that she had never seen before. Although she had met many children of officials, these men were different.

There is an indescribable quality about him.

It wasn't just confidence and vitality, but also a kind of carefree spirit, a calm demeanor, or rather, composure. This composure and carefree spirit were things she had never seen or felt before.

"So, when I first arrived in England, can you imagine the surprise a plantation-raised child would have when he first saw London? Well, it was like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden."

Gong Xue asked curiously, "Plantation? What is a plantation?"

"Yes, it's somewhat similar to your farm. My father was a first-generation immigrant and worked on plantations all his life, well, he was an agricultural worker."

"You mean, your father was a worker?"

Gong Xue looked around in surprise. Could a restaurant like this be a luxury for the children of ordinary workers?

"Yes, and it's the most ordinary kind."

Shen Jiaming spoke frankly, not at all hiding anything, and he didn't think there was anything to hide. However, Gong Xue found his composure utterly unbelievable.

"What? You mean your parents were just ordinary workers, and then..."

Gong Xue's tone was tinged with surprise, but even more so with curiosity. She looked around with curiosity at the surrounding environment. This was the best hotel in Shanghai. Even a regimental-level cadre couldn't stay in such a hotel, and of course, couldn't afford it.

But not only can he stay here, he can also eat here, which is really unbelievable. According to his parents, isn't this place only for rich people?
Full of doubt, Gong Xue looked at Shen Jiaming and asked:
"You, you can travel around the world and have been to so many countries, that's really impossible!"

(End of this chapter)