The plane arrived at Beili Airport in the capital ten minutes later than scheduled. Wang Cheng and Wang Ziyu followed the flow of passengers out, collected their luggage, and left the terminal. Before long, a neatly dressed man in a suit approached them. He was Wang Ning’an’s assistant, sent to pick them up, and because he had their photos on his phone, he recognized them immediately.
Wang Ning’an really was busy. Competition at Shenghui Group’s headquarters was far fiercer than at the branch. There were plenty of capable people there, all of them Wang Ning’an’s competitors. His transfer to headquarters clearly threatened some people’s interests, so he had to be especially careful for the time being and avoid giving anyone a weakness they could seize on.
Wang Ning’an’s assistant was named Peng Yang. He first took them to the large hotel Eldest Brother had instructed him to book in advance.
After completing the check-in formalities at the front desk, Wang Cheng went upstairs to leave his and his sister’s luggage in the room. Only then did the group head for Jing University.
Haifu District was one of the capital’s busy, prosperous areas, and Jing University was located there. Evening rush hour was approaching, and more and more vehicles were appearing on the elevated roads. Traffic ground to a halt every so often. Wang Cheng was fine, but Wang Ziyu’s excited impatience to reach Jing University had been thoroughly cooled by the repeated traffic jams.
They arrived at Jing University even later than expected. Fortunately, the teachers handling student enrollment had not left yet. After spending some time on the paperwork, they completed the procedures without trouble. It was already too late to deal with the dormitory because the person in charge of the keys had gone home, so they would have to come back another time.
After leaving Jing University, Peng Yang took them to dinner. Wang Ning’an had also instructed him to reserve a table at a large restaurant in advance. Any well-regarded hotel restaurant or popular restaurant with good food required reservations, or there would be no seats available at mealtime.
The restaurant mainly served Chinese food, all dishes Wang Cheng and Wang Ziyu were familiar with.
To thank Peng Yang for spending the past hour or two running around with them, Wang Cheng specifically invited him to eat dinner with them. Since Wang Ning’an had also told Peng Yang to help them familiarize themselves with the capital, he did not refuse. After the meal, Wang Cheng called a server over.
“Wait, there’s no need.” Seeing Wang Cheng take out his bank card to pay, Peng Yang quickly stopped him. “This meal has already been charged to Manager Wang’s account. You don’t need to pay.”
Wang Cheng put his card away and sighed with feeling. “Having an elder brother really is great.”
Peng Yang did not know what expression to make at that. Having an elder brother was certainly nice, but having one like Manager Wang was a stroke of luck. Peng Yang had only worked beside him for a few days, yet he had already personally seen how capable Manager Wang was. No matter how difficult a client might be, he handled them with ease.
The sky had already darkened, but the capital’s brilliant, dazzling night was only just beginning.
Peng Yang drove them back to the hotel.
“Brother Peng, thanks for taking the time to accompany us today. There’s no need to trouble yourself tomorrow. I remember the route now, so I can take my sister to Jing University myself,” Wang Cheng told him.
“But Manager Wang told me to accompany you tomorrow to buy whatever you need too.” Peng Yang hesitated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell my brother.”
“All right, then.” Seeing how firm Wang Cheng was, Peng Yang could only agree.
After watching him leave, the Wang siblings returned to their hotel room.
“Ah, nothing beats a bed.” Wang Ziyu flopped onto the soft mattress without the slightest concern for appearances, rubbing her flushed cheek against the blue-and-white pillow. She had lived in Shanhai City for a few years, but the capital clearly moved at an even faster pace.
“Lazybones, get up and take a shower first.” Wang Cheng walked over, gave her a smack on the butt, then dragged her suitcase closer.
Wang Ziyu reflexively covered her backside and pouted. “Second Brother, I’m already eighteen. Why are you still smacking my butt?”
“Even when you’re twenty-eight, you’ll still be my little sister.” Wang Cheng did not care in the slightest.
Seeing that protesting was useless, Wang Ziyu could only obey.
Their room was a deluxe twin room. Both beds were large enough to sleep three people. Wang Ning’an had worried that Wang Ziyu might not be used to sleeping alone in a hotel, so he had deliberately arranged this kind of room. Since the two were siblings, there was nothing awkward about sharing it. As it turned out, his arrangement had been the right one.
While Wang Ziyu was showering, Wang Cheng called Eldest Brother and explained the situation. Wang Ning’an knew he was perfectly capable of taking care of Wang Ziyu, so he did not insist. He only reminded them to be careful. After hanging up, Wang Cheng took out a map of the capital and started studying it.
The maps had also been prepared by Peng Yang at Wang Ning’an’s request. They were very detailed, including a complete map of the capital’s subway system as well as maps of the various districts. Wang Cheng focused particularly on the map of Meifu District.
“Second Brother, I’m done.” Wang Ziyu came out of the bathroom drying her wet hair and walked over to Wang Cheng, who was lying on his stomach on the bed studying the maps.
Wang Cheng gathered them up.
“Give them to me. I want to study them too.” Wang Ziyu pulled several maps from his hands. She would be living in this city for the next few years, so she naturally needed to learn her way around it herself.
“Take your time, then.” Wang Cheng took a change of clothes from his suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom. He normally showered very quickly, but since he was using the hotel’s water this time, he took a little longer. When he came out, Wang Ziyu was still studying the maps.
Just then, the phone on the bedside table chimed. Wang Cheng picked it up and swiped the screen open. The moment he saw the name of the person who had messaged him, he felt an unprecedented flicker of guilt.