RNP Chapter 43 Reality and Dreams
Chapter 43 Reality and Dreams
JA area.
Lin Chen went to Shen Peng's house to pay New Year's greetings in the afternoon and didn't leave until nine o'clock. He was on his way back to Huashan Apartment when, after driving for a short while, he saw a familiar figure walking by the roadside while waiting at a red light.
Wu Hongmei pulled her suitcase and walked aimlessly along the roadside.
She didn't know where to go; there was no place for her in this vast city of Shanghai.
She didn't know how long she walked, but when she got tired, she found a step to sit down and finally couldn't hold back her tears!
Suddenly, a figure stood beside her. Wu Hongmei looked up and saw Lin Chen.
Lin Chen didn't ask anything, he just reached out a hand to her.
Let's go!
Wu Hongmei mechanically grasped the hand, feeling the warmth in her palm.
Lin Chen used a little force to pull Wu Hongmei up from her seat. Only then did Wu Hongmei come to her senses. When she saw Lin Chen clearly, she felt a little embarrassed and tried to pull her hand away.
He said, "Mr. Lin, it's me."
Lin Chen let go of her hand, took off Wu Hongmei's glasses with one hand, and took out a handkerchief from his pocket with the other to wipe away her tears.
Wu Hongmei stared blankly at him as he wiped her glasses clean and put them back on for her.
Seeing her standing there blankly, Lin Chen took her hand again and led her to a black Bentley parked by the roadside. Li Xu put Wu Hongmei's suitcase into the trunk.
A refreshing yet warm and sophisticated fragrance, unlike anything I've ever smelled before, wafts over me, a blend of the soft scent of top-quality leather and the subtle aroma of rare wood.
Wu Hongmei subconsciously lowered her head slightly, awkwardly bending down to sit inside the car. The moment her body touched the seat, she couldn't help but pause slightly. The Bentley's semi-aniline leather seats were soft yet didn't sag, as delicate as clouds, gently supporting her entire body. Every tense and tired part of her back, shoulders, neck, and thighs was comfortably enveloped the moment she sat down. Warm caramel-colored leather covered the entire cabin, with exquisite and neat diamond-shaped hand-quilted patterns arranged in a staggered pattern. Every stitch was even and crisp, visibly expensive and sophisticated.
She subconsciously raised her hand and gently touched the door panel beside her. The cool, smooth solid wood veneer stretched out before her eyes, its natural wood grain flowing seamlessly, polished to a mirror-like finish, warm and smooth to the touch, without a single rough burr. Knurled metal knobs were arranged in a staggered pattern, exquisite and cold; a light touch revealed just the right amount of resistance, every detail exuding the luxury of meticulous craftsmanship.
The interior is more spacious and quiet than I imagined. The roof is made of fine matte black suede material, which is soft and non-reflective. Hidden ambient lights around the car slowly diffuse a soft, warm light, and the light and shadow fill the cabin.
"Brother Li, let's go to Jing'an No. 1," Lin Chen said to Li Xu.
"understood."
Wu Hongmei sat cautiously in the car, her heart filled with emotion, making her even more at a loss. She didn't dare look at Lin Chen, turning her head to look at the other side of the car window, staring blankly at the colorful street scene rushing past outside.
The car traveled smoothly along the wide and clean streets of the JA district, passed Nanjing West Road, and soon entered a high-end residential area with strict security and an extraordinary atmosphere.
The ground floor of the building is lined with bustling shops, a constant flow of people and the aroma of cooking. A sophisticated and grand security wall shuts out all the noise and chaos of the outside world. The buildings are brightly lit, as bright as day. At first glance, the building facades are high-end and elegant, while the ground floor is lush with greenery, tranquil and serene. It's a world completely different from the cramped, damp, noisy, and dilapidated old apartment in Putuo where she previously lived.
The underground parking garage was spotless, with an epoxy floor that was immaculate and soft, non-glaring lighting. Various luxury cars were neatly parked and arranged in a staggered pattern. The car slowly stopped at the drop-off area in the underground parking garage of Building 3. Li Xu got out first, walked around to the back to open the car door, and then quickly stepped forward to take the suitcase out of the trunk.
Lin Chen got out of the car first, turned around to look at Wu Hongmei, who was still awkward and reserved, and said softly:
"Come down."
Wu Hongmei bit her lower lip, lowered her head and bent down to walk out of the carriage. When she looked up, she saw the luxurious underground lobby with its marble walls and crystal chandeliers. Stepping on the thick, soft carpet, her steps became unconsciously light.
"I'll carry it myself," Wu Hongmei said to Lin Chen, looking at Li Xu carrying his suitcase.
"fine."
Following Lin Chen into the private elevator, the elevator doors slowly closed, and a faint woody fragrance lingered around them.
The elevator ascended smoothly, the numbers slowly changing, and after a moment a soft "ding" sounded as the doors slowly opened to both sides.
Unlike ordinary residences, the two elevators each perform their own function without disturbing each other. Stepping out of the elevator, you enter a private transitional space that belongs solely to your home, with a bright and spacious independent foyer.
Lin Chen raised his hand and tapped the smart panel on the wall, and the heavy front door in front of him unlocked silently.
Wu Hongmei stood rooted to the spot, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes, her gaze sweeping blankly across everything before her. The nearly ten-meter-wide panoramic hall opened up before her, floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the dazzling night view of the JA district. Warm, soft recessed lighting strips stretched along the ceiling, casting a gentle, non-glaring glow that made the space both warm and tranquil. The smooth, polished marble floor gleamed like a mirror, while the custom-made solid wood cabinets stood with simple yet elegant lines. The sofas and upholstery were soft and luxurious; every piece of furniture was simple yet refined, subtly concealing its considerable value.
"Come in, Red Rose. I bought this place at the end of last year. No one has lived here since it was renovated. You're its first guest."
Lin Chen walked slowly to the center of the living room, turned around to look at Wu Hongmei who was standing blankly in the entrance hall, and said to her with a smile.
"President Lin, I'm so sorry..." Wu Hongmei hurriedly lowered her head, her voice weak and hesitant, a blush of embarrassment rising on her cheeks. Her heart was filled with warmth and fear. "This place is so nice, how could I just move in like this? It's really too much of a bother for you."
"Mr. Lin, I'm so sorry..."
Lin Chen interrupted her, saying, "It's okay, we're friends, aren't we? You can stay here for now, and we'll talk about it when you have somewhere else to go."
He then said to Li Xu, "Brother Li, go find the butler to prepare dinner and send it over."
Li Xu nodded, gently placed the suitcase beside the entrance, and silently bowed before leaving.
Wu Hongmei clutched the hem of her clothes, her nose stinging with tears again. She had never dared to imagine that one day she could step into such a place. The spacious room, the warm lighting, the tranquil environment—every inch of air held a long-lost sense of relaxation and peace.
"Come, Hongmei, sit here."
After Wu Hongmei sat down, Lin Chen poured her a cup of hot water.
"What happened? Did you have a fight with your husband?"
Seeing that she had taken a sip of water and calmed down, Lin Chen asked gently.
"Yes." Wu Hongmei looked somewhat disappointed, but quickly regained her resolve. "I want a divorce!"
"It's normal for couples to argue, how did it suddenly escalate to divorce? Did he cheat on you?"
"No, it's just that I feel our personalities clash and our values don't align. Putting us together would be too much of a struggle for everyone!"
"Oh," Lin Chen replied noncommittally.
"How long have you been together?"
"It's been four years." Wu Hongmei sat on the edge of the soft sofa, her fingertips slightly curled, her thoughts drifting uncontrollably back to the days when she first came to Shanghai.
At that time, she had just graduated with a master's degree from Renmin University and went to Shanghai alone with her resume. Although she successfully joined the human resources department of Winsea Group headquarters and became a respectable employee of a large company in other people's eyes.
But only she knew: the loneliness of having no relatives or friends, the predicament of having nowhere to go in the city where every inch of land is precious, and the desolation of being crammed into a small rented room day after day without even a light on for her.
The work was tedious and stressful, and the workplace was cold and cutthroat, with people forming cliques and excluding each other. She was gentle and not good at fighting for things, so she suffered grievances everywhere, but she didn't even have anyone to confide in. In order to save some living expenses, she never ate out at restaurants. Every day after get off work, she would take a detour to the large supermarket near her home to buy the cheapest vegetables and ready-made food. Occasionally, when she came across discounted food that was close to its expiration date, she would hesitate for a long time before daring to put it in her shopping cart.
To earn more money from part-time work to help pay her rent, she used her weekends to work as a temporary promoter in the food section of this supermarket. Wearing a uniform, she stood by the shelves, repeating tedious sales pitches to passersby. Her legs ached after a day of standing.
It was in front of that supermarket shelf that she first met Zhang Xiaobei.
Back then, Zhang Xiaobei was far more naive than he is now. He wasn't talkative and seemed a bit dull, but his smile was sunny. He was a programmer at an IT company, and had just arrived in Shanghai to make a living. Earning a modest salary, renting a shared apartment in a remote area, he was, like her, one of the most inconspicuous and desperately struggling lower-class migrant workers in the city. He couldn't bear to spend money on snacks, but always loved to go to the supermarket on weekends and linger in front of various food tasting stalls.
Wu Hongmei stayed at the cookie and pastry tasting station for more than half a month, and she could see him almost every weekend.
He always wore a faded old coat, walked over quietly, didn't say a word, took the small sample plate she handed him, ate it with his head down, nodded, and turned to leave without saying a word. He never bought a single product or chatted with her.
After this happened several times, the other sales promoters in the supermarket started joking behind his back, saying that this guy came in every day to eat and drink for free, and was extremely stingy. But Wu Hongmei never complained or showed the slightest impatience. She still quietly handed out samples every time, with a gentle attitude.
She understood this predicament all too well. She understood the struggle of not wanting to spend money, the inferiority complex of feeling timid and hesitant in a bustling city, and the helplessness of having to haggle over even a bag of snacks. They were the same kind of people, strangers desperately trying to grasp a bit of stability in this big city.
On a drizzly weekend, when the supermarket wasn't crowded, Zhang Xiaobei still came over. After eating the samples, he didn't leave immediately as usual.
He looked up at Wu Hongmei, who was standing behind the shelf looking somewhat tired, and after a long silence, he managed to utter a clumsy but sincere remark.
"Thank you. You're a very nice person, and you're very beautiful, really beautiful."
Growing up in her twenties, Wu Hongmei was neglected and suppressed in a family that favored sons over daughters, and looked down upon and ostracized in the workplace. In her entire life, she has never been genuinely praised for her looks.
She lived with a deep sense of inferiority, used to bowing her head, used to yielding, used to hiding herself in the most inconspicuous corner of the crowd. No one ever saw what she looked like hidden under her dull glasses and plain clothes.
This simple and straightforward compliment, like a faint but warm light, unexpectedly shone into her dark, miserable, and lonely world.
After that day, Zhang Xiaobei would still come to the supermarket and still sample the food, but he no longer turned around and left. He would stand beside her, say a few words, chat about the hardships they faced coming to Shanghai, complain about the pitfalls of renting an apartment, and talk about the troubles at work. Two equally lonely, equally strapped for cash, and equally helpless drifters in Shanghai found common ground in front of the bustling supermarket shelves.
Later, Zhang Xiaobei treated her to the cheapest hot pot meal.
The scalding hot pot was steaming, and cheap sliced beef and vegetables were laid out on the table. There were no romantic flowers or exquisite plating, just two strangers, facing a pot of steaming hot food, speaking the simplest words from their hearts.
He said he wasn't very capable, had no money or connections, but he would live a down-to-earth life and treat her well.
She said she didn't crave great wealth and status, she just wanted a stable home and someone who wouldn't abandon her or bully her.
There was no grand confession, no expensive gifts; two ordinary people adrift in the sea of humanity simply came together naturally.
Thinking about this, Wu Hongmei hesitated. Zhang Xiaobei seemed to have always been the same Zhang Xiaobei; had she, Wu Hongmei, changed?
"Four years, that's not a short time!" Lin Chen said with some emotion.
Lin Chen knew that the two divorced in the TV series, and that Wu Hongmei later became Zhao Xiankun's mistress. In Lin Chen's opinion, neither of them was wrong in the marriage; they were just poor. He helped Wu Hongmei for no particular reason, nor did he need to; he just did it because he wanted to.
Without saying anything more, he let Wu Hongmei figure it out herself.
Lin Chen changed the subject, talking about lighthearted things. After chatting for a while, Wu Hongmei's mood improved considerably, and a smile appeared on her face.
Li Xu led a middle-aged butler in after gently knocking on the door.
The butler was in his forties, with a tall and steady posture, and wore a well-fitting dark housekeeping uniform. He was the exclusive private butler of the mansion.
He was carrying a large, double-layered, antique-style insulated food box with intricate carvings. It was made of thick material and had excellent sealing properties; one layer could hold three dishes and a soup.
The butler gently placed the insulated food container on the solid wood dining table in the restaurant, skillfully opened the lid, and took out the dishes one by one. There was a stewed matsutake mushroom and old chicken soup, steamed silver cod, braised pork belly simmered over low heat, stir-fried kale, cold bamboo shoot salad, and a soft and sweet jujube and white fungus soup. The dishes were a good balance of meat and vegetables, light and palatable, yet still nutritious and delicious.
"Mr. Lin, dinner is ready." The butler bowed slightly, his tone respectful.
Lin Chen nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and the butler quietly stepped aside. After the two were ready to eat, he quietly left the living room and waited outside the door without disturbing them.
Lin Chen turned to look at Wu Hongmei, who had been hungry and looked slightly haggard, and said gently, "Are you hungry, Hongmei? Come and eat something."
Wu Hongmei had been traveling all day and had cried for a long time on the road, so her stomach was rumbling with hunger.
Looking at the steaming, fragrant food on the table, I felt a mix of warmth and bittersweetness. I nodded hesitantly and slowly walked to the table to sit down.
Lin Chen casually picked up a bowl and chopsticks, ladled a bowl of chicken soup for her, and placed some tasty vegetables on her plate. He also ate a few bites himself.
Wu Hongmei was so hungry that she didn't care about anything else. The warm food slid into her stomach, instantly soothing the soreness of her empty stomach and slightly comforting the grievances in her heart. The days of running around, crying, and helplessness seemed to be soothed by this peaceful and warm dinner.
Lin Chen stood up and said softly, "Take your time eating the red roses. I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. The housekeeper will handle your entry and exit procedures tomorrow morning, and I'll send the main gate code to your phone."
Wu Hongmei stood up and caught up with Lin Chen, wanting to say something but unsure what to say. Lin Chen gently hugged her, indicating that there was no need for further comfort; adults would figure things out on their own.
The heavy front door closed gently, and the spacious apartment fell silent, leaving only Wu Hongmei alone. She walked to the window and looked down at the dazzling lights that shone all night long. The neon lights of the high-rise buildings stretched into a sea of shimmering light, and cars flowed slowly along the wide roads. The city's most expensive night view was laid out before her without any obstruction.
At that moment, she felt as if she were in a dream!