Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 182: The Three Companions of Literature
Zhang Chao slept until the sun was high in the sky. After washing and changing clothes, he saw that it was already 10 o'clock. He thought that the hotel's breakfast must have been gone. Zhang Chao didn't want to order food, so he decided to go around to see if there was any Shanxi specialty food nearby.

He had no plans to leave Shanxi immediately. As the saying goes, "To see the cultural relics on the ground, go to Shanxi." Although he was pressed for time, he still wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sign Liu to visit one or two ancient architectural complexes to broaden his horizons.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw two rows of reception ladies standing at the door. They were wearing heavy makeup, cheongsams, and gorgeous clothes. When they saw Zhang Chao appear, they all said, "Good morning!"

Zhang Chao was stunned, thinking that Boss Mai from Wancheng had expanded his business to Shanxi. What kind of service is this? But no service can be provided in the corridor!
Fortunately, a man in uniform with a slicked-back face came forward and said to Zhang Chao, "Are you the great writer Mr. Zhang Chao? I wonder how you rested in our hotel last night?"

Zhang Chao frowned. This trip to Shanxi to see Liu was a temporary one. No one except a few people in the company knew where he was going. He had only been in Yangquan for less than a day, and he was inexplicably "warmly received". Zhang Chao felt very bad and alerted.

So she didn't answer his question, but just said coldly: "I want to check out."

The greasy-haired man said quickly, "You misunderstood! We have no other intentions. We just hope that you, Mr. Zhang, can do us a favor and stay with us for a few more days. We will definitely give you the best reception."

I will upgrade your room to a luxury suite, and we will have someone deliver your luggage to you..."

Zhang Chao became more alert after hearing this - "If someone is too nice to you for no reason, he is either a traitor or a thief" - and took a step back, ready to go back to the house, close the door, and then call someone.

Seeing this, the greasy-haired man hurriedly said, "Please don't misunderstand me. We really want to treat you well..."

During the stalemate, a hearty, loud voice with a distinct Shanxi accent came from behind: "How did you do it? You scared the great writer Zhang!"

Then a short, fat middle-aged man with a red face and a big nose appeared from the corner of the corridor and strode towards Zhang Chao. Wherever he went, like Moses parting the sea, the receptionists made way to the wall, bowed and said in unison: "Hello, Chairman!"

The short and fat man walked up to Zhang Chao, took the initiative to extend his hand, and introduced himself: "I am Xing Youtian, the chairman of Tianquan Group. Nice to meet you, Zhang Chao."

Zhang Chao and Xing Youtian shook hands gently and said, "Boss Xing, I'm leaving Yangquan today, so I don't deserve such a grand ceremony."

Xing Youtian winked, and the greasy-haired man helped Zhang Chao walk out. Xing Youtian said, "If you leave like this, people will say that we Yangquan people don't know how to entertain guests, and I will be laughed at."

At this time, Zhang Chao didn't know the other party's intention and didn't dare to act rashly, but he finally made sure that there was basically no malicious intent, so he followed him to an office in the hotel that was decorated in a magnificent Baroque style.

There were several steaming hot breakfasts on the small conference table outside the office.

Xing Youtian introduced enthusiastically: "I know you get up late, so I asked the chef to prepare a few more of our special breakfasts. You can choose any of them. This is 'San', this is 'Old Tofu', this is 'Ya Bing', and this is 'Min Qu'..."

Zhang Chao was not polite and picked up the most appetizing Minqu and started eating. Soon, a large bowl of Minqu was finished, and he also ate the pressed cake with the soup.

Then he asked, "I wonder how the chairman knew that I stayed at your hotel?"

Zhang Chao thought that if Xing Youtian didn't tell the truth on this point, then he wouldn't listen to every word he said afterwards.

Xing Youtian smiled awkwardly and said, "We at Tianquan are mainly engaged in the coal mining business, and this 'Tianquan Hotel' is our reception hotel. I believe you also know that for us who are engaged in coal mining, the most annoying thing is for people to come down to inspect, interview, and investigate...

We are not in the city center, it is a small place, and few outsiders come here. You came to register with your Yanjing ID card yesterday, and you are so young, the front desk was cautious and reported it to me.

Later, when I saw your name, age, and address on the Yenching University campus, I thought it must be you. There is no other Zhang Chao in the world who was born in 1985 and studied at Yenching University! "

Zhang Chao thought about it and agreed with Xing Youtian's statement. He was "discovered" by accident. After sending Liu last night, he was on his way back to the city and just checked into a hotel that looked better. However, Xing Youtian was already in his early 50s and a coal boss. He didn't look like a fan of his books. It was strange that he recognized him and treated him so politely.

Xing Youtian asked, "I wonder what classmate Zhang is here to investigate in Yangquan this time?"

Zhang Chao didn't want anyone to disturb Liu's writing, so he casually said, "Come to Shanxi to see the ancient buildings, relax, and accumulate some writing materials. I just went to Niangzi Pass yesterday."

Xing Youtian said happily: "Our ancient buildings in Shanxi are naturally famous throughout the country. If you need, I will send a driver who is familiar with the route to drive you around for a few days - I will cover all the expenses!"

Zhang Chao quickly waved his hand and refused: "No, I'm also going back to Yanjing, and there are a lot of things waiting for me!" Free travel is not reliable. If you don't believe it, ask Carlson, the former deputy director of IWP!

Xing Youtian said quickly, "Three days, just three days! Just tell me what you want to eat, what you want, and where you want to go. If classmate Zhang can't stay for three days, it means that I, Xing Youtian, don't have enough face!"

As soon as this slightly threatening remark was made, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Zhang Chao pondered for a moment and said, "If Boss Xing has anything to discuss, I'm willing to listen to you. But if you want me to eat, drink and have fun for three days without knowing why, I'm sorry I can't do it.

Besides, I asked for leave from Yenching University, Yenching Normal University and Luyuan College for my trip to Shanxi. If I don’t go back when the time comes, my teachers will worry.”

After saying this, he looked at Xing Youtian neither humbly nor arrogantly and said no more.

Xing Youtian didn't expect Zhang Chao to be so bold at such a young age, and he would not give in to any threats. And although it was hard to tell whether what he said about asking for leave was true or not, it was certain that if such a famous young writer lost contact with him for two days, the inspection team and reporters would probably come.

Thinking of this, Xing Youtian sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want to say it, but the key person hasn't arrived yet... That day, one day will be fine, right?"

Zhang Chao didn't want to make things too awkward, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I must go back to Yanjing tomorrow at the latest. I just sent a text message to my teacher, saying that I will go back a day later to cancel my leave."

Xing Youtian said helplessly: "Student Zhang is really too careful."

Zhang Chao smiled but said nothing. For a character with such a strong underworld background, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Xing Youtian raised his head slightly to the greasy-haired man and ordered, "Tell them to come in first."

The greasy-haired man hurriedly walked out of the office and went to the meeting room next door, bringing with him seven or eight people, both men and women, mostly middle-aged and young, all of them well-mannered.

After arriving at Xing Youtian's office, several people greeted Xing Youtian at the same time: "Hello, Boss Xing!"

Xing Youtian did not stand up, but just nodded slightly in return, and then said to Zhang Chao earnestly: "These people are all local writers, poets, painters, calligraphers... In short, they are all from the cultural circle.

I don’t know what interests and hobbies a great writer like you have, so I called a few more people over. You are all cultural people, so you must have common topics.”

Then he turned to the seven or eight "families" and said, "Student Zhang Chao is well-known throughout the country, so there is no need for me to introduce him further. Your task today is to accompany student Zhang well, eat with him, play with him, and chat with him, so that he can have a happy day in Yangquan!"

Everyone agreed.

Only Zhang Chao was speechless - was this also considered a three-way companionship? Should he accept it or not?
(There will be another chapter later)
(End of this chapter)