r18novel Chapter 48 Could it be that my luck with women has returned?
Chapter 48 Could it be that my luck with women has returned?
"Hello, Teacher Han. I... I'm Feng Chengcheng, Xiaowen's classmate. We met at the school gate last time." The girl's voice trembled slightly, as if she had mustered up a lot of courage.
Feng Chengcheng? Han Zhenhua immediately pictured the girl who stood next to Lin Xiaowen during the incident at the school gate, with a beautiful face and a look of surprise mixed with a strange emotion in her eyes.
She was the daughter of Feng Jingyao, a Chinese director of the British Concession Municipal Council and a leader of the Green Gang.
"Oh, it's Miss Feng. Hello. What can I do for you?" Han Zhenhua asked in a gentle tone.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, as if you could hear the other person's nervous breathing, before the voice resumed, quickening its pace, as if afraid of changing its mind: "Professor Han, my... my father recently acquired some excellent Spanish ham and would like to invite you... to our home for dinner tomorrow evening. Would you... do me the honor?"
Feng Chengcheng invited him? Han Zhenhua was quite surprised. He had only met Feng Chengcheng once, and that was only because of her best friend, Lin Xiaowen. This invitation seemed rather abrupt.
Seemingly sensing his hesitation, Feng Chengcheng quickly added, "My father also wants to see you again to thank you in person. It was thanks to your timely help last time..."
"Of course, the main thing is that I want to thank you for protecting Xiaowen..." Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, but her girlish feelings could still be faintly felt through the telephone line.
Han Zhenhua instantly understood. The hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress trope may be old-fashioned, but it still works on sheltered young ladies.
His previous act of standing up to the Japanese spies for Lin Xiaowen had clearly left a very deep impression on this Miss Feng, and might even have sparked some feelings that went beyond friendship. Now that Lin Xiaowen was far away in the mountain city, this young lady's thoughts began to stir.
To go or not to go?
Han Zhenhua quickly weighed his options. Feng Jingyao was a Chinese director of the Shanghai Municipal Council in the British Concession, a bigwig in the Green Gang, and his influence was deeply entrenched, making him incredibly powerful in Shanghai.
Befriending him would undoubtedly provide a powerful shield for oneself, especially in these chaotic times.
"Miss Feng, you're too kind." Han Zhenhua smiled and made his decision. "It's my honor to receive an invitation from Mr. Feng and you, such a beautiful lady. I will definitely be there on time tomorrow evening."
"That's great!" Feng Chengcheng on the other end of the phone jumped up instantly, her voice filled with surprise. "Then...then I'll have my driver pick you up at seven o'clock tomorrow night?"
"No need for that, I can drive there myself. Just tell me the address."
"Okay, okay, my home is on Yuyuan Road..."
The next day, Han Zhenhua personally arrived at the Shanghai Huashang Stock Exchange and personally supervised the brokers in building positions in batches. They worked diligently for almost a whole day before all the funds were used to buy rubber stocks. After Han Zhenhua completed the transactions and took all the stocks with him…
I looked up and saw that there were less than ten minutes left before the market closed, and then I yelled, "Buy another 3216 ringgit worth of Malaysian rubber, closing price.................."
As evening approached, Han Zhenhua dressed up carefully and drove his brand-new Studebaker to the Feng Mansion on Yuyuan Road.
The grandeur of the Feng mansion far exceeded his expectations; it was more like a small estate than a residence. High walls and deep courtyards, imposing iron gates, and the guards standing at the entrance were not ordinary guards, but sharp-eyed, temple-bulging Green Gang members.
After announcing his name, the iron gate slowly opened. A man who appeared to be a butler respectfully led him inside. They passed through a meticulously manicured garden before arriving at the main building. The interior was extremely luxurious, with the elegance of Chinese furniture interwoven with the modernity of Western appliances, showcasing the owner's extraordinary wealth and status.
Feng Jingyao was already waiting in the spacious living room. Today, he was wearing a dark red silk robe with floral patterns, which made him look both wealthy and dignified.
Upon seeing Han Zhenhua, he greeted him with a warm smile, saying, "Professor Han, welcome! It's an honor to have you here!"
"Mr. Feng, you're too kind. It's an honor for me to be invited here," Han Zhenhua said, shaking hands with him with neither arrogance nor servility.
Feng Chengcheng stood behind her father, wearing a pale yellow modern cheongsam that made her skin appear even whiter. With a touch of makeup on her face, she looked even more charming than when she was at school.
When she saw Han Zhenhua, her cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes sparkled, and she said softly, "Hello, Teacher Han."
"Hello, Miss Feng," Han Zhenhua replied with a smile.
The dinner was extremely lavish, featuring a mix of authentic local Shanghainese cuisine and exquisite Western dishes.
Feng Jingyao chatted amiably, discussing everything from the local customs and culture of Shanghai to the international situation, demonstrating his extensive knowledge while remaining discreet and never delving into sensitive topics.
He raised his glass several times to thank Han Zhenhua for protecting Chengcheng and Xiaowen last time.
Han Zhenhua handled the situation with grace, maintaining both the humility of a scholar and confidence. Occasionally, he would quote classical texts or talk about his experiences abroad, always managing to keep up with Feng Jingyao's conversation and even offering some unique insights, which would occasionally elicit admiration from Feng Jingyao.
Feng Chengcheng sat quietly to the side, mostly listening with a smile, her gaze lingering on Han Zhenhua, her girlish thoughts almost written on her face.
Halfway through the banquet, Feng Jingyao suddenly waved his hand, dismissing the servants. Only he, Feng Chengcheng, and Han Zhenhua remained in the living room.
The atmosphere seemed to have become a little subtle.
Feng Jingyao took a sip of wine, looked at Han Zhenhua, and said in a meaningful tone: "Professor Han is young and promising. He is not only an academic genius, but also a man of great character. He dares to stand up for his friends. Such courage and loyalty are especially rare in today's world."
"Mr. Feng, you flatter me. I only did what I could and was just doing what I was supposed to do," Han Zhenhua said modestly.
"What should be done?" Feng Jingyao smiled. "When it comes time to do something, many people choose to protect themselves."
Teacher Han is a British citizen and a top student of Professor Cole, with a promising future. She could have remained aloof, but instead, she stood up for her classmates, even risking direct conflict with the Japanese. This sense of duty is something not everyone can do.
He paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, as if an elder were giving advice to a younger person: "Teacher Han, I am a few years older than you and have been in Shanghai for many years. I have seen my share of ups and downs."
There's something I want to say, but I'm not sure if I should.
"Please speak, Mr. Feng. I am all ears."
"This Shanghai may look prosperous, but it's actually a huge melting pot and a whirlpool."
"The various forces are deeply intertwined: the Japanese, the people of Chongqing, the people of Hong'an, Westerners, and us locals trying to make a living... It's a very complex situation." Feng Jingyao stared sharply at Han Zhenhua!
"Teacher Han, you are a very capable person, but the more capable you are, the more you need to know how to conceal your talents and keep a low profile. You need to see the path you are on clearly, which parts are safe to step on and which parts are traps. One wrong step could lead to utter ruin."
Han Zhenhua felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that Feng Jingyao was giving him some pointers, telling him that it was still unclear which side would ultimately win in the current situation, and that he must not easily join "a certain camp," lest the camp he joined lose in the future, which would surely lead to utter ruin!
It could also be a test, but overall it should be seen as a well-intentioned reminder from an elder.
It's perfectly normal that others can't tell, after all, I'm a time traveler from the future!
How can one achieve victory? I knew that when I was just three years old!