Age of Legends

Chapter 366 Each Strives for the Right Path, A Thousand Miles Apart Share the Same Wind (Part 3)
In fact, Zhang Chen knew that these days, the express delivery industry was no different from manual labor. Compared to the glamorous internet industry, running a studio, designing a website, or even opening an internet cafe was much more respectable than working in express delivery.

Not many ambitious business owners are willing to enter this industry because you may face postal mail search teams, joint law enforcement, various forms of interception, and friction and clashes with your peers at any time.

Zhao Tao clearly had more options, but he still did it this way, which truly showed the demeanor of a respected elder brother. Because internet cafes and arcades are limited in number, with only one person per space, they simply couldn't accommodate the unemployed youths from the old factory areas, urban-rural fringe areas, and rural towns.

He was a college-educated hoodlum who knew in advance what might happen to these people, so if there was any chance he could give them a helping hand, he would.

Only the express delivery industry can accommodate so many people, allowing these unemployed youths to earn a living through their own efforts, and even legitimately assimilate into the influence of various forces.

With the arrival of a new era, Zhao Tao used this method to resolve the issue of local unemployment. While he may not have unified the underworld, he at least significantly reduced the channels through which many unstable forces could gain new blood.

But another problem is that Zhao Tao has also been labeled with a less-than-respectable tag. At least in the eyes of his parents and the group of people he grew up in, Zhao Tao could have lived a life of luxury, but now he seems to have become a "deliveryman".

Those privileged sons of officials who used to fawn over him and idolize him seem to have stopped talking about him as times have changed. Before, if you could fight, you were the boss; now, it's definitely the rich who's in charge.

Is Zhao Tao wealthy? His methods of making money certainly don't compare to many others who resell permits or acquire land. Does he have a promising future? It's hard to say. At least he doesn't compare to many talented young people from well-connected families who have stable, respectable jobs and are waiting to rise to power.

Zhao Tao naturally lacked influence. His father was nearing retirement, and his ability to influence the situation was limited. At least within that circle, the Zhao family was considered to be among the lower-ranking families. Therefore, they were not a suitable match for the Yan family.

Yan Mingshu undoubtedly liked Zhao Tao, and during this process, Zhao Tao did soften his stance. However, the Yan family was not happy about it and simply sent her abroad to see more of the world. Perhaps she would find a boyfriend there and wouldn't pester her anymore, since she had been called "Brother Zhao" since childhood.

The day Zhang Chen chatted with Zhao Tao happened to be the eve of Yan Mingshu's departure abroad. She called Zhao Tao several times, but he hung up on her every time.

Even after Zhang Chen had finished discussing business with Zhao Tao, seeing Zhao Tao frequently hanging up on his Nokia phone, he couldn't help but say, "I've said what I needed to say. If you need to handle things, just answer your call."

Zhao Tao shook his head, but then kept pacing around in the same spot.

Just as Zhang Chen was wondering why he was spinning around in circles, he inadvertently looked down from the second floor and saw a girl standing under a tree across the street, gazing out of a second-floor window. She had clearly seen the two people inside, who were holding a phone and looking at the window with a resentful expression.

Zhang Chen then realized that Yan Mingshu was downstairs, and had been waiting for who knows how long.

Zhao Tao used to use a PHS phone. He was a person who didn't care much about his living expenses and didn't pursue fashion. But the new Nokia phone was a gift from Yan Mingshu. Zhao Tao said he didn't want it because he had his own phone, but in the end he still replaced his shabby flip phone with a phone for work. He used the Nokia to save the phone numbers of his family and friends and used it very carefully.

Zhang Chen learned from Wang Shuowei that Yan Mingshu was about to go abroad. Seeing Zhao Tao standing there like a statue, pretending to be profound, Zhang Chen finally couldn't help but say, "Are you really planning to just let her go like this? Don't wait until one day you say, 'There was once a sincere love in front of me...' until you miss it and regret it too late."

In the past, anyone who dared to say such joking things in front of Zhao Tao would have been beaten by him, but since it was Zhang Chen in front of him, Zhao Tao could only endure it and said, "She has her own path."

"Are you afraid that you can't even walk this path steadily, that you lack confidence, and that you'll hold others back? Or do you even despise what you're doing, feeling that you're not good enough for her? Where did that fearless Zhao Tao go?"

Zhang Chen's eyes were piercing: "Do you really think you can't make something of yourself? Or are you just making empty promises about the blueprint I told you today, but you don't actually believe we can create an unprecedented situation?"

"Do you not believe yourself, or do you not believe me?"

Zhao Tao was somewhat stunned: "I..."

"I made you a promise today," Zhang Chen's voice suddenly rose. "You made promises to your brothers too. Now there's someone else waiting for a promise from you. Is Zhao Tao of Shengfeng the kind of person who can make promises to thousands upon thousands of people, but can't even make a promise to a little girl? Who will believe you in the future!"

Zhao Tao really wanted to say, "You're exaggerating! What makes me think I can make such a promise to thousands of people?! And why are you shouting like that? Do you even have a point?"

But now is not the time to refute Zhang Chen. Perhaps he's always been putting on airs, and all he needs is a wake-up call. Ultimately, it's about not being able to break free from the persona he's built up since childhood. How can you treat someone you've always called your little sister, who used to follow you around like a shadow, and then suddenly that little sister has grown into a beautiful young woman, and you're developing feelings for her?

So Zhao Tao pretended to be a stone sculpture for many years, and no one dared to disobey him in the past, but today Zhang Chen couldn't stand it anymore and decided to kick him awake.

Downstairs, Yan Mingshu held her phone, staring blankly out the window, where the dial tone continued to play, indicating that the call had been disconnected yet again.

The autumn wind swept the leaves past her, just like her mood at that moment, a scene of desolation.

She suddenly felt as if she really was about to leave.

The glass door hinges creaked.

Zhao Tao came out of the building, wearing his old leather jacket, his steps slightly hurried.

But there was no one under the tree on the opposite street. He quickly crossed the street to the other side, but he didn't see the figure at either end of the street. He even thought about taking out his phone to make a call.

He hit the first time, but before the other end could even ring, he immediately hung up.

He stood there, wanting to turn back and go into the building across the street, but then picked up his phone again and hung up as soon as he dialed the number.

On the third time, he finally pressed the button, then held the phone and waited for a few rings. He used his other hand to hold the hand that was making the call, as if trying to hold a hot coal, his left hand preventing his right hand from hanging up.

One ring. Two rings. When the girl still hadn't answered after the third ring, Zhao Tao resolutely hung up.

He exhaled in the light and shadow, his face displaying a rich expression. He first gave his head a finger gesture, as if mocking his own foolish behavior, then shook his head helplessly.

He looked up at his phone screen again and found that there was no call back. He laughed in frustration and wanted to throw his phone away.

He pretended to throw it twice, but ultimately failed to throw it.

After putting her phone back in her pocket, she turned around with red eyes and saw Yan Mingshu, who was crying and laughing, peeking out from among the dense trees in the park behind her, wearing a black pleated skirt.

The final scene shows Zhang Chen on the second floor watching the two people opposite him embrace one last time.

Then Yan Mingshu took a taxi and left.

Zhao Tao returned to the second floor.

Zhang Chen asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Tao looked at his face, which was full of annoying gossip, and pouted, "She's going to study, I can't hold her back."

Zhang Chen almost laughed in anger, but then Zhao Tao said, "I made her a promise. I will marry her in grand style, riding on auspicious clouds."

Zhang Chen couldn't hold back any longer: "Do you think you're Stephen Chow?!"

(End of this chapter)