Chapter 9: Three Accompaniments

What can you see in a small county town? Li Huan just wanted to stay as far away from Song Chunhui as possible, but unfortunately, things didn’t go his way.

Yesterday afternoon, he was first forced to be Song Chunhui’s driver, then had to bow and scrape at another community hospital, playing the role of a grandson. During this time, Song Chunhui’s mouth never stopped, either showing off his social experience or feeding him toxic chicken soup.

When they returned to the company, they couldn’t leave work yet because Song Chunhui had a meeting. As his assistant, Li Huan had to stay and work overtime, sitting at his desk, studying business knowledge. It was pure torture.

It wasn’t until 6:30 that a salesperson returned, one of Ding Lei’s lackeys named Qian Xin. Song Chunhui lost his temper on the spot, scolding him until he was trembling and didn’t dare to breathe.

Finally, back at the dormitory, he and Qian Xin were dragged by Zhang Cong and his group to answer questions, all revolving around Song Chunhui. Even after work, he couldn’t escape from Four Eyes. It was really driving him crazy.

And today, Friday, was yet another day of being exploited by Four Eyes.

Li Huan felt like he was going insane. In the evening, he received a call from Ms. Lan, and he couldn’t hold it in anymore. He called out “Mom” with such a heart-wrenching tone, dragging the last syllable as if he had suffered a great grievance.

“Zhuangzhuang.” Lan Xiu was heartbroken but couldn’t show too much concern for her son. She briefly mentioned the surprise she and her husband had prepared and reminded Li Huan to actively participate in the team-building activities.

Li Huan’s face turned dark in an instant, and he whined, “Mom, can you send me a washing machine? It’s cold, and my clothes won’t dry. I’m running out of clothes to wear.”

Lan Xiu was puzzled, “Didn’t I give you five thousand? You can spend that money as you like. Have you spent it all? You’ve only been working for a few days. Where did it all go?”

“…” Li Huan pressed his lips together, not knowing what to say. No matter what he said, his mom would always find something to criticize and scold him for.

“Zhuangzhuang, I know you’re having a hard time now,” Lan Xiu encouraged her son. “Endure the hardships, and you’ll achieve great things in the future. Don’t follow your brother’s path. He wasn’t properly disciplined when he was young, and the Li family will rely on you in the future.”

Li Huan: “…”

Li Huan’s cousin, Li Ge, is gay.

His brother was always free-spirited and held a high status in the Li family, more favored than Li Huan, and was the apple of their grandparents’ eyes. Even if he made mistakes, he wouldn’t be scolded.

Li Ge didn’t want to inherit the family business. After graduating from college, he went straight to Beicheng to enjoy life, dabbling in the music industry and starting a company. This year, he even found a male partner and plans to register abroad next year.

The burden of the Li family suddenly fell on Li Huan’s shoulders. To say he wasn’t envious of his brother would be a lie.

Li Huan also didn’t want to inherit the family business and longed for freedom. When he was young, he had a thought: he wished his parents could swap with his brother’s parents.

Before hanging up, Li Huan thought of his stern father. After a brief hesitation, he suggested to Ms. Lan, “Mom, why don’t you try to have another child?”

Lan Xiu: “Nonsense, I’m too old for that.”

“A woman is like a flower at forty-one, and you’re not even fifty yet. It’s a beautiful age,” Li Huan tried to brainwash his mom. “A child is also a bond that strengthens a couple’s relationship. Just have one more. Your husband will definitely be happy.”

Lan Xiu: “Having you almost cost me my life. Your dad will only be happy if you work hard and make progress.”

“…” Li Huan wanted to persuade her further, but when he turned around, he saw his boss right in front of him. He immediately hung up the phone, not knowing how much Song Chunhui had overheard.

“Why are you standing outside in this wind? Why not sit in the car?” Song Chunhui opened the driver’s side door. “You don’t know the way, so I’ll drive this time.”

Li Huan got into the passenger seat, thinking about how to explain the sudden appearance of a father. On Monday, he had reported to work with resentment and had made up a lie without thinking. Should he just change it to a stepfather? He was about to explain when Song Chunhui spoke first.

“Xiao Li, what you just said isn’t quite right.”

So Four Eyes did hear it. Li Huan probed, “Which part?”

Song Chunhui kept his eyes on the road ahead as he drove, continuing, “A child isn’t a bond that strengthens a couple’s relationship. Many families end up in chaos because of children. The most important thing is the foundation.”

Li Huan wanted to say, “What does that have to do with me?”

From the few words, Song Chunhui roughly guessed the family situation of his little assistant. A single mother raising a child alone isn’t easy. Remarrying is not just about finding a companion but also about reducing burdens. But the child ends up in a situation where they feel like they’re living under someone else’s roof. To ease the relationship with the stepfather, Li Huan could only persuade his mother to have another child. He probably didn’t tell him before because he was embarrassed. After all, who likes living under someone else’s roof?

If it were someone else, Song Chunhui wouldn’t have bothered to say anything, but the little assistant who threatened his position was different.

The first step in winning people’s hearts is to show care, so he advised Li Huan not to be foolish: “If your mom really has a younger brother for you, what will you do? By then, all her and your stepdad’s attention will be on the little one, and they won’t have time for you. You’ll have to rely on yourself for everything.”

Four Eyes automatically filled in the blanks, saving Li Huan the trouble. He casually replied, “That’s fine. I can survive on my own.”

Song Chunhui: “Survive? You could survive by begging on the street with a bowl.”

Li Huan: “…”

“It’s tough to make it in this society without family support. How many people can truly rely on themselves?” Song Chunhui tried to bridge the gap between them. “You’re young, so you should have a long-term vision. Your goal shouldn’t just be a small manager position.”

Damn, so naggy.

Li Huan rolled down the window a crack, breathing in the moist evening air. Listening to Song Chunhui’s endless chatter, he wanted to shut him up again.

Why couldn’t Four Eyes be mute?

“People need dreams!” When it came to dreams, Song Chunhui seemed energized. “With dreams, you can keep going. Otherwise, what’s the point of living? Dream big! Being a general manager is great! Maybe you could even move up to the headquarters as an executive, earning hundreds of thousands or even millions a year, becoming a winner in life.”

Li Huan wanted to laugh. Four Eyes acted like he’d never seen money before. Just a million, and he’s a winner in life?

He took the opportunity to ask, “Brother Song, you’re so capable and experienced. Why haven’t you moved up? I’m counting on you to guide me, so I can follow you in the future.”

“…” Song Chunhui was momentarily speechless. As they approached a red light, he slowly decelerated and stopped. “Haven’t I been promoted? Don’t listen to Ding Lei and the others. The branch’s performance declined, and the leadership saw my capabilities and sent me to manage the business department.”

“Oh, I see,” Li Huan feigned realization. “They said you sexually harassed a female colleague and offended some manager. I didn’t believe it at the time and thought they were targeting you, so I didn’t dare tell you.”

“…” Song Chunhui almost cursed. No wonder the warehouse and finance people were indifferent to him. That accountant named Fang Ping even rolled her eyes at him yesterday because of a damp invoice. So the whole branch knew, and he was the only one in the dark. What about the headquarters…

The car fell silent. Li Huan glanced over, seeing Song Chunhui focused on the road ahead. His black-framed glasses obscured his expression, and the dim night made it hard for Li Huan to discern his emotions. Only the lenses reflected the crisscrossing lights.

As the red light turned green, Song Chunhui stepped on the gas.

Being labeled as a “sexual harasser,” any normal person would immediately clear their name. Li Huan felt a small victory, using this to shut Song Chunhui up, feeling a bit pleased.

“Xiao Li,” Song Chunhui thought for a moment before speaking, “everything has two sides. It’s hard to explain in a few words. Some things you won’t understand if said too early. In a big company, interpersonal relationships are complex. If you ever get the chance to enter, remember to be cautious and have your own judgment.”

Two sides? It seems Four Eyes really did sexually harass a female colleague.

Li Huan suddenly recalled something he noticed yesterday afternoon. Even when drinking tea, Song Chunhui’s mouth didn’t stop. He went to the hospital restroom twice, both times entering a stall but coming out quickly.

Not using the urinals, Four Eyes was clearly considering the hospital’s busy environment, unlike the company where no one disturbed him. It seemed he was afraid of being discovered.

“So, you should work hard with me for two years. I’ll help you fight for the manager position,” Song Chunhui joked to change the topic. “If you really make it big, just treat me to a meal. I’m not asking for much, just a full Manchu-Han banquet.”

“…” Li Huan joked back, “Can you eat that much?”

Song Chunhui: “Don’t worry about whether I can eat it. Show me your skills first. Do you know how much a Manchu-Han banquet costs? Over a million. If you don’t work hard, you won’t earn a million even by retirement. How will you explain that to your descendants?”

What an old-fashioned mindset. Li Huan was impressed, “Brother Song, you really think far ahead.”

It’s because he thought far ahead, setting one goal after another for himself, that Song Chunhui persevered until now. In the long and difficult quagmire, he found hope and meaning in life by achieving his goals.

Heaven gave him a thorny path in life, but for someone who had died once, it was nothing.

Difficulties are temporary. He won’t bow his head, swearing to live a brilliant life, surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying family happiness, and finally passing away peacefully, smiling in the afterlife.

This is Song Chunhui’s greatest and most complete dream.

The high mortgage is both his pressure and his motivation to strive forward.

Seeing the large restaurant appear in view, Song Chunhui was full of energy, reminding Li Huan, “When you see Director Wang later, greet him first. Be sweet-talking. He has a big drinking habit and likes foot massages and singing. Remember that. Don’t get involved in today’s cooperation. Just watch and listen, observe, and help me block the drinks.”

Li Huan understood. Song Chunhui brought him along mainly to help block drinks, purely as a tool. He had it all figured out.

“Brother Song, I can’t drink.”

Song Chunhui: “If you can’t drink, practice. How can there be no drinking in socializing? How many deals are made at the dinner table? If you want to move up, you can’t avoid the dinner table. To close a deal, you have to play the grandson. Achieving results is the real skill.”

Here we go again. Li Huan’s mind was chanting, “Not listening, not listening, a turtle reciting scriptures,” as he blatantly lied, “It’s not that I don’t want to drink, but I’m allergic to alcohol. I’ve been hospitalized before.”

The little assistant was actually allergic to alcohol. Song Chunhui hadn’t anticipated this. After the car stopped, he sat and pondered for a while before instructing Li Huan, “You can sing, right? Sing a couple of songs with Director Wang. He likes Fei Xiang’s songs.”

“…” Li Huan was truly seeing the world. What kind of socializing is this? Not only drinking, but he also had to sing? What’s next, sleeping with them?

What did Four Eyes take him for? A three-accompaniment?

After getting out of the car, Song Chunhui, not entirely at ease, took out his phone and sent his address to Li Huan on WeChat, instructing him, “This is my place. After the socializing ends, drive me to the building downstairs. If I fall asleep, don’t wake me up. Just go on your way.”

Li Huan: “…”

However, what really opened Li Huan’s eyes was yet to come. The restaurant was called “Jinyu Mantang Hotel,” with a gaudy and outdated decor, still retaining the style of the last century. The private room came with karaoke equipment, allowing for eating and singing simultaneously.

Passing by other private rooms, you could hear the singing inside, showing how poor the soundproofing was. The interior of the private room was also shabby, with a large round table filled with cheap seafood, enough to make one lose their appetite.

What was most eye-opening was that Song Chunhui, this frog in a well, was trying hard to put on a show, asking if he had ever been to such a big hotel, if he had ever eaten sea cucumber and abalone, reminding him to let Director Wang go first, and no matter how much he liked the food, he shouldn’t grab it. Remember the first rule of dining: the leader moves the chopsticks first.

*

“You are like a fire in winter, a blazing flame warming my heart…”

The colorful lights flashed and changed with the rhythm, and the dynamic melody of the song resonated from the speakers.

Li Huan was getting a headache from the noise, watching Director Wang with his beer belly, pulling the purchasing specialist he brought along, the two of them twisting their stiff waists, singing and dancing, creating both noise and visual pollution.

“Xiao Li…” Song Chunhui’s stomach was churning, and he couldn’t hold it anymore.

In fact, he wasn’t a good drinker. In the past, socializing with suppliers at the headquarters was of a much higher standard and not as humiliating. Fortunately, Ma Jianguo wasn’t a big drinker either, mostly drinking tea, in elegant tea houses, unlike today’s mess.

Li Huan didn’t hear Song Chunhui calling him until his arm was grabbed. As soon as he turned his head, Song Chunhui leaned over to him.

Smelling the alcohol, he instinctively wanted to avoid it, but his arm was held even tighter. Then, Song Chunhui used his other hand to support himself on Li Huan’s shoulder, using him as a crutch, truly treating him as a tool.

Fortunately, the private room had a restroom. Song Chunhui shook his head, trying to stay awake, apologizing to Director Wang, and with the help of his little assistant, he staggered into the restroom.

“Close the door and keep Director Wang company.”

Li Huan was already thinking of leaving. Whether the cooperation succeeded or not had nothing to do with him. The money would only go into the stingy guy’s pocket, and he wouldn’t even count the overtime pay. He made it sound so grand, saying it was to broaden his horizons. If the performance really improved, how would Song Chunhui get kicked out?

So after closing the door, Li Huan went straight to the corner sofa, lowered his head, and started playing on his phone. When the purchasing specialist invited him to sing a duet, he refused without even looking up, giving no face to the client.

His head was spinning.

Song Chunhui barely managed to take off his glasses and put them in his pants pocket, then barely washed his face with cold water to stay awake. However, his steps were unsteady, his legs weak, and he couldn’t stand firm. Suddenly, he stumbled, and his body uncontrollably fell heavily beside the toilet, numbing him with pain. This fall made his throat churn, and he couldn’t care about cleanliness. He grabbed the toilet’s edge and started vomiting.

“Ugh—”

The vomit was dirty, and Song Chunhui’s remaining consciousness wouldn’t allow him to be so disheveled. A person should be clean and decent, not dirty like a beggar. Tonight, he had to get the deal signed. He had given Director Wang two expensive bottles of good wine and served him like a grandson for so long. This was his first big order since coming to Ancheng, and it was about to succeed.

He gripped the toilet’s edge tightly, forcing himself to stand up despite his weak body. His vision was blurry, as if everything was seen through frosted glass, hazy. He could only trouble his little assistant to help him.

“Xiao Li, Xiao Li…”

…

After sending off the two “kings of song,” it was already past ten, and Li Huan’s phone was almost out of battery.

He pocketed his phone and left. As he exited the private room, he suddenly remembered he seemed to have forgotten something. Oh, it was Four Eyes, who hadn’t made a sound. Could he have drunk himself to death in the restroom?

Li Huan returned to the private room, pushed open the restroom door, and the moment he saw Song Chunhui, his gaze froze. Then, the corners of his lips slowly curled up, as if he had discovered something amusing.

Author’s Note:
Lyrics are from Fei Xiang’s “A Fire in Winter.”
For the story of cousin Li Ge, please check out “Formatting” next door.