"A City in a City" by Teng Xiaolan. The novel was first published in 2018 in the long special issue of "Harvest" (summer volume), and was awarded the ten "Excellent Realistic Literature" by the Central Propaganda Department in 2018. It is set in the Lujiazui Financial City of Shanghai, and shows a fierce confrontation between Tao Wuji, a newcomer to the bank, Zhao Hui, vice president of the branch, and Miao Che, the head of auditing, around interests and original intentions.
A City in a City (excerpt) Teng Xiaolan
Two days later, Wu Xianlong held a banquet in a hotel on the Bund and invited Xue Zhiyuan. Zhao Hui accompanied. Xue Zhiyuan took Zhou Lin to attend. The two of them clasped their fingers tightly, like a couple, and the situation seemed to be closer than last time. During the banquet, Xue Zhiyuan put forward a pre-conceived plan - Zhiyuan Trust came forward to find a bank to issue a directional fund, and the beneficiary was Wu Xianlong's company. "It's not complicated at all, the money comes quickly, and it's relatively safe. ”
Wu Xianlong glanced at Zhao Hui. Zhao Hui was silent. Xue Zhiyuan said it a little lightly. With the current situation of Hsien Loon Group, it is unlikely that the issuance of trust funds will not be possible, not to mention that the policy stipulates that the real estate sector should be prudently financed, even if there is no stubble, the qualifications are not enough, and the audit cannot be passed, it is in vain. Take 10,000 steps back, even if the review is passed, and you can't repurchase it when it expires, it's still troublesome, and you don't care about it. Xue Zhiyuan seemed to see Zhao Hui's doubts, and smiled again:
"Mr. Wu's company doesn't have to come forward directly and get a subsidiary. The project is under the name of the subsidiary. When the time comes, if you do a little tricking, won't the funds still pass? The repurchase will also be a matter of one or two years later, and then you will find a way. With so many financial institutions in Shanghai, both public and private, black and white, and so many people want to eat, will they still not be able to find a way? At present, the most important thing is to get the funds first. With funds, it is good to talk about the next thing, otherwise, the insurance is insurance, and the thing cannot be done, is it ?—— Mr. Wu is an expert and senior, and he thinks more thoroughly than me. It's up to you. ”
After Xue Zhiyuan finished speaking, he picked up the wine glass and gave way to the two. The wound on his nose was not yet complete, and he was faintly bruised. Su Jianren's punch was really not light. At that time, everyone was a little confused. I think these two people will not change their old problems, and they will fight from 20 to 50 years old. Xue Zhiyuan drank a lot of wine that day, and he got a little carried away later. What should be said and what shouldn't be said jumped out. Especially for Su Jianren, even if he doesn't do anything, he can ignite his fighting spirit after three seconds of looking at each other. That day, he shouted to call 110, but was stopped by others. took out his mobile phone and took a selfie, saying that he wanted to keep evidence. What's worse is that he actually asked Su Jianren for medical expenses. After waking up, Xue Zhiyuan vaguely remembered the scene when Su Jianren threw the banknote on his head, and he was extremely annoyed. Without others summing up, he popped up the word "frivolous". Especially in front of Zhou Lin. Of course, Zhou Lin is a person with a clear mind, so he only asked lightly, "You must have chased the same woman with him, right?" "How do you know?" he asked, "Man." She quickly got into the groove that night, going from "female companion" to "girlfriend". Maybe it's because of that face that makes him feel fresh, and at the same time feel kind, like an old friend. Evoke the infinite feelings of the past. Even if she doesn't mean it, she's a good girlfriend candidate. Young, pretty, and full of charm. Because the purpose is not simple, and they take care of each other, but they also save a lot of foreshadowing. It also takes energy to chase women. Men reach a certain age and prefer to get straight to the point. Simple and crude. It's like that's when you fall in love, and it's the same with business. In a few words, the benefits and risks are put on the table one by one. Those who understand naturally understand.
On the way back, Wu Xianlong asked Zhao Hui how he was. Zhao Hui had heard of Xue Zhiyuan's style for a long time, but it was the first time that he had dealt with him at such a close distance.
"He wrote two big words on his face - 'violation'. ”
"People are a bit pompous, but what they say makes sense. In this world, if you don't take some risks, you can't do anything. ”
Zhao Hui knew that Wu Xianlong was moved. When a businessman sees money, his eyes instinctively light up. For them, the capital chain is fundamental. Zhao Hui wanted to persuade a few more words, but he felt that it didn't mean much.
"That woman—" Wu Xianlong finally couldn't hold back.
"See you for the second time. Zhao Hui said.
"At first glance, it looks like it. But if you look at it again, it's still different. In terms of temperament, it is far from Li Ying. ”
Zhao Hui smiled. Wu Xianlong took out a cigarette and gave him one. Point on each. Zhao Hui didn't smoke when he was young, and he started smoking after his wife's death. The addiction is not big, and I smoke one occasionally, never at home. Rui Rui has bad eyes, but a sharp nose, and when she smells the smoke, she screams, "Daddy is smoking—" Every time he finished smoking, he had to stay downstairs for a while, and then go home when the smell of smoke was gone.
"Have you thought about it, find another one?" Wu Xianlong asked him.
"I've read a lot of fairy tales since I was a child, and I think my stepmothers are all witches. Can't. Zhao Hui smiled.
"The kids are so old. ”
"The kids are older, and I'm getting old. ”
"Old what? in the prime of life. Wu Xianlong patted him on the shoulder, "If I were a woman, I would have married you a long time ago." 'Shanghai good man', you deserve it. ”
A few days later, news came from Wu Xianlong's side, saying that Xue Zhiyuan had done it for him. Zhao Hui was a little surprised. Although I knew that guy had great powers, he was so efficient, and he really didn't expect it. made a call to Xue Zhiyuan. Thank you and thank you. In the end, it is a favor to help in front of yourself, and it is very worthy of other people's affection. Wu Xianlong held a banquet again. It's still the last time there were four people. Opened a bottle of 88-year-old Moutai. This time, the topic is much more relaxed, and it is really just about Fengyue. Xue Zhiyuan asked Wu Xianlong, "What is your dream?" Wu Xianlong deliberately said: "China's Got Talent? Several people laughed. Xue Zhiyuan even imitated Zhou Libo's tone, and said in a strange tone, "Excuse me, what are your dreams?" Wu Xianlong replied: "Every day, I can make a tune, tune a tune." He gestured as he spoke.
During the dinner, I talked about the Shanghai No. 1 project. The official announcement is out. The Pudong branch of Bank S is indeed the leading bank, with a total of 12.5 billion, accounting for less than 5 billion. Several people congratulated Zhao Hui. Wu Xianlong joked: "I used to wonder why the tallest buildings were built in Pudong, but now I have figured it out." Because we are always in Pudong. Xue Zhiyuan slapped his thigh and suddenly realized: "I see." Originally, I couldn't figure it out, but when you said this, I finally understood!"
While talking and laughing, Zhou Lin suddenly turned to Zhao Hui: "Is Zhao always from Shanghai?" Zhao Hui was stunned, "Yes." Zhou Lin said: "I listen to your Mandarin is very standard, and you have a bit of a northern accent." Zhao Hui said: "I had a dubbing host with a few classmates in college, and I also went to the Drama Academy to enroll in an amateur class to practice pronunciation. Zhou Lin praised: "Mr. Zhao is really an all-rounder. Zhao Hui smiled: "Where, it's just a moment of play." Xue Zhiyuan said on the side: "Lao Zhao's skills are far more than that. Can speak and write, or piano grade 8. Zhou Lin was surprised: "Really?" Zhao Hui snorted: "The child next door to my house is only 13 years old, and he is already a piano grade 10." Xue Zhiyuan said: "It was forced by the parents, and it is now." When we were studying, how many of them could play the piano? It would be good to be able to play a harmonica—do you know how Lao Zhao learned the piano?" Wu Xianlong knew the answer, and smiled but did not answer. Zhou Lin thought for a while: "Take the child to learn the piano, and watch the learning from the side?"
Xue Zhiyuan laughed and said: "Smart —— his baby son, he is a lively person, likes rock and roll, where can he play the piano quietly." forced our Lao Zhao to become a piano grade eight. It's good that the tuition fee was not paid in vain. ”
"Shame, shame. Zhao Hui caught a glimpse of the piano in the private room, and secretly wondered that something was wrong, worried that Xue Zhiyuan would have a trick. Sure enough, Xue Zhiyuan pouted: "Lao Zhao, come one, let us feast our ears." Zhao Hui excused himself and said, "No, don't spoil your appetite." Xue Zhiyuan asked Zhou Lin directly: "You say, Lao Zhao plays the piano, will it spoil your appetite?" Zhou Lin smiled: "Of course not." I'm afraid that the more I listen to it, the more appetizing it will become, and I will be addicted, and I won't be able to eat without Mr. Zhao playing such a section in the future. ”
"Hey, the beauty has spoken. I'm afraid you won't be able to play if you don't play. Wu Xianlong also joked.
Zhao Hui had no choice but to play a short piece of "Moonlight Sonata". Just play a song. He got up and made eye contact with Zhou Lin. The latter's expression seemed to be a little strange. There was a pause in the rhythm, although it was only for a second, but it was also a little abrupt. Soon, her smile was full again, her eyes were bent into moon buds, and she applauded: "Mr. Zhao played really well." Zhao Hui thanked him.
After the end, Xue Zhiyuan said that there was something to do later, so he wouldn't send Zhou Lin. "Lao Zhao, how about you do her a favor and let her hitchhike?" he looked at Zhao Hui.
Before Zhao Hui could answer, Zhou Lin had already said, "I live in Dapuqiao." Mr. Zhao just let me down at the subway entrance of Line 9. ”
Having said that, I was embarrassed to let the lady get off the bus halfway. Fortunately, Zhao Hui lives near Fuxing Park, and it is not a very detour to take a turn around Puqiao. On the way, the two chatted casually and mentioned the piano again. Zhou Lin said: "Mr. Zhao, looking at the way you look when you play the piano, it's like a painting. Zhao Hui thought, this woman was talking a little exaggerated. Then he said: "It's a comic, that kind of monster in Japanese comics, Ultraman, right?" Zhou Lin pursed his lips and smiled: "Mr. Zhao is really joking - I mean like landscape painting, Boya Fuqin, and mountains and flowing water." You have a very classical temperament. The Western piano is played like a guqin by you. ”
"Where. Miss Zhou won the prize. Actually, I'm a rough guy and don't understand anything. ”
"Mr. Zhao," she looked at him, a little solemnly, "the first time I saw you, I thought you were very familiar, as if we had met before." ”
Zhao Hui smiled. I don't know what to say. This pair of dialogues is very similar to the routine of a man when he pursues a woman. Such as "your temperament is really special", "your whole person is like a painting", "have we met before", etc.
"I'm a public face. He pretended to be confused.
"Mr. Zhao is good at everything, but he is too modest. She said. "It's not fashionable to be too modest anymore. ”
"What's in vogue then?" he asked casually.
"Toothy, aggressive, angular, like—" She rolled her eyes and smiled playfully, "—Mr. Zhao is well-informed, and I don't say you know." ”
Zhao Hui thought, this woman has a trap when she speaks. said: "Miss Zhou's idiom is very slippery." ”
"When I was eating just now, I saw that you had been looking at your watch. Is there something wrong?" she asked.
He was stunned, and said honestly: "The child is at home, it's too late, and I'm a little worried." ”
He was worried that she would ask. For example, how many children, why don't you worry, and your mother is not there, and so on. That's a bit of a trick to answer. Fortunately, she just nodded, "Hmm." He pondered her tone, guessing that she must have known about him. She was right, Xue Zhiyuan was so open and clawed that he didn't even want to find an excuse, so he said "hitchhiker" like that. His female companion is that he has something to do, and it is convenient to call a taxi, so he entrusts it to others. It's weird. Zhao Hui is not a fool. Xue Zhiyuan's intention was to guess with his toes. Fortunately, this person is so arrogant, and he is not afraid of others guessing. With that face as the base, he was determined.
Zhao Hui couldn't help but look at Zhou Lin, just as she was also looking at him. The two of them looked at each other and immediately looked away.
Soon arrived at her house. She got out of the car and said "thank you" to him.
"You're welcome, as it should be. ”
He was leaving. She suddenly leaned closer, leaning against the window. He caught a glimpse of her face, even brighter in the moonlight, and her eyebrows were picturesque. A heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
"Mr. Zhao," she paused, "-if, I say I like you, do you believe it?"
The novel "A City in the City" was first published in 2018 in the "Harvest" long special issue (summer volume)