A Letter from Keanu Reeves

The dinner was scheduled for two days later. Shi Zhangmin was in his sixties, with graying temples. He was an easygoing man with no airs about him.

In his early years, he had been a renowned action star across both sides of the strait, even winning the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actor. As he aged, he left acting behind and ventured into business.

Chen Wan was in the tech industry, where early-stage research and development burned through money. He desperately needed a stable and powerful funding channel. In the past two years, the economy in Haishi had been sluggish, but he had set his sights on a government-backed project funded by mainland investments. However, such lucrative opportunities rarely fell into the hands of small companies like his.

Shi Zhangmin had a strong reputation across both regions and an extensive network. It was rumored that one of the board members involved in the project was an old fan of his films. That was why Chen Wan wanted to give it a try.

He had no prior connection to Shi Zhangmin and had only secured this meeting through a mutual friend. Chen Wan had always been well-liked, and those who could help him generally would.

Shi Zhangmin agreed to meet him out of appreciation for his sincerity—after all, Chen Wan had made several attempts to request this meeting. Additionally, their mutual friend had vouched for the young man, insisting he was worth getting to know, even if the business deal didn’t go through.

At the dinner, Chen Wan made a good impression. The conversation was pleasant, but Shi Zhangmin was straightforward.

“Young man, why did you think of coming to me? If you were looking for help, I’m probably the slowest and most roundabout way to get it.”

Chen Wan knew that perfectly well. But this was already the fastest and most direct path he had managed to find.

Despite Shi Zhangmin’s words, he remained composed. “Please don’t say that, Mr. Shi. Even if it’s true, I don’t mind taking the slow route.”

Shi Zhangmin appreciated his patience and asked about his plans. Chen Wan answered each question thoroughly.

Shi Zhangmin said, “When I say I can’t help, I’m not being humble. This kind of deal is incredibly complex.”

Chen Wan showed no sign of disappointment, which made Shi Zhangmin reconsider. Finally, he said, “I can introduce you to someone, but beyond that, you’ll have to navigate things on your own.”

That was already a great help, and Chen Wan was grateful. The chances of success were slim, but he had never been afraid of taking risks. He raised his glass to toast Shi Zhangmin.

Shi Zhangmin warned, “Even if you do meet the right people, it doesn’t mean you’ll succeed. The connections involved run deep, and dealing with officials is tricky. Can you hold your liquor? This isn’t just casual drinking—it’s an ordeal.”

Chen Wan replied, “I can handle my drinks.”

“Even if you can drink, there’s no guarantee of success. You might just waste your time. With your financial leverage stretched so thin in the later stages, this won’t be easy.” Many billionaires had failed in recent years.

“I understand. I’ll do my best. Thank you for the advice, Mr. Shi.”

Since Chen Wan was determined, Shi Zhangmin didn’t press further. After a few drinks, he excused himself to use the restroom.

Left alone in the private room, Chen Wan texted his business partner, saying he might have to take a trip soon to network further.

Hearing the door open, he put away his phone, poured more wine, and turned with a polite smile. “Mr. Shi—”

Shi Zhangmin entered, still smiling, but behind him was a tall man.

A storm raged in Chen Wan’s mind, but outwardly, he remained composed as he stood up.

It had been a long time since he had seen Zhao Shengge.

Chen Wan had been busy—too busy. Or perhaps, after last time’s warning, he had deliberately kept himself occupied to avoid seeing Zhao Shengge.

He wasn’t sure if Zhao Shengge wanted others to know they were acquainted, so he simply stood respectfully to the side, not taking the initiative to greet him.

Shi Zhangmin was enthusiastic. “Ah Wan, this is Mr. Zhao Shengge, an old friend of mine. We haven’t met in a while, but I happened to run into him, so I invited him to join us for a drink.” He genuinely hadn’t expected to meet Zhao Shengge here.

In Haishi, meeting Zhao Shengge was no easy feat.

Chen Wan greeted him as if meeting for the first time. “Mr. Zhao.”

Zhao Shengge looked at him for a moment. Noticing that Chen Wan had lost weight, he nodded briefly and said in a businesslike tone, “Mr. Chen, long time no see.”

“……”

Shi Zhangmin was surprised.

Originally, he had intended to introduce Chen Wan to Zhao Shengge, thinking it would be a valuable connection. He had heard rumors about Chen Wan’s mother in Haishi’s social circles years ago. Perhaps because he was getting older and more sentimental, he thought if he could help Chen Wan, it might make a difference.

But as it turned out, the two already knew each other.

“Ah Wan, you know Mr. Zhao? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Zhao Shengge also turned to look at Chen Wan.

“……”

Chen Wan quickly lowered his head and poured tea for Zhao Shengge. “I didn’t know you and Mr. Zhao were friends.”

Zhao Shengge didn’t drink the tea, nor did he say anything.

A moment ago, Shi Zhangmin had thought Chen Wan was shrewd and perceptive. But now, he found him rather dense.

Shi Zhangmin subtly hinted that Zhao Shengge was the real powerhouse in energy investments. If Chen Wan could establish a connection, not only would his current project be secured, but future opportunities would be limitless.

But Chen Wan seemed oblivious. He didn’t toast, didn’t initiate conversation, and showed no sign of trying to curry favor. He simply sat quietly, listening, without taking advantage of the situation.

As Shi Zhangmin and Zhao Shengge conversed, Chen Wan quietly called over the restaurant manager to order more dishes. He carefully flipped through the menu, page by page, as if deeply engaged.

When Zhao Shengge had entered, Chen Wan had noticed the fatigue in his expression—probably from handling the new port construction. He had also lost some weight.

Zhao Shengge was the kind of person who wouldn’t eat something he disliked, no matter how hungry he was, nor would he ever ask for food.

After placing the order, Chen Wan asked the manager to expedite the dishes. He no longer felt confident in knowing Zhao Shengge’s preferences, nor did he want to appear overly attentive. This was simply a matter of hospitality—after all, he had invited Shi Zhangmin to dinner, and Shi Zhangmin’s friends were his guests as well.

As new dishes arrived one after another, steaming hot, Zhao Shengge, while listening to Shi Zhangmin, felt a flicker of emotion—along with a sense of exasperation.

Was Chen Wan clever or just plain stupid? Zhao Shengge found himself reevaluating.

He had been sitting here for a while, yet Chen Wan hadn’t broached a single business topic. Instead, he had been busy ordering dish after dish.

Watching as the final dish was served, Zhao Shengge suddenly asked, “Did you not eat enough?”

His tone wasn’t harsh—if anything, it was gentlemanly and mild.

But the room fell silent.

Though he hadn’t directed the question at anyone specifically, it was clear he was speaking to Chen Wan.

Not a single word about business, yet deeply engrossed in the menu—what was this guy thinking?

He studied the menu so seriously, yet didn’t eat a bite, not even reaching for his chopsticks despite ordering so much food.

“……” Chen Wan had no choice but to explain, “The manager said these are all new seasonal dishes. Mr. Zhao, if you’re interested, you might like to give them a try.”

Sitting in the middle, Shi Zhangmin remained expressionless as he observed the two younger men, a few suspicions forming in his mind.

Initially, from Chen Wan’s tone, he had assumed the two were not familiar with each other. But hearing Zhao Shengge’s response, he was no longer certain.

He smoothed things over with a laugh. “Come, let’s all try some. Ah Wan and I were too focused on drinking earlier and didn’t eat properly.”

Zhao Shengge glanced at the nearly untouched dishes and sighed inwardly. “Let’s eat first, then talk.”

Seeing that Zhao Shengge was finally willing to eat, Chen Wan felt a rare sense of relief. As the lowest-ranking person at the table, he took it upon himself to serve soup for everyone.

Zhao Shengge wasn’t in the mood for much, but seeing Chen Wan drink half a bowl, he followed suit.

As they ate, the conversation revolved mostly around Shi Zhangmin. Chen Wan remained largely silent, while Zhao Shengge half-heartedly entertained Shi Zhangmin’s questions, responding in a mix of truth and evasion when the topic turned to mainland investments.

His voice was naturally deep and cool, and when discussing business, he exuded an innate sense of pressure and control. Chen Wan was caught off guard for a moment, his mind flashing with sudden clarity. A cold sweat broke out along his spine.

He hurriedly and tactfully made it clear that he had no intention of interfering in the energy market.

With Haishi’s traditional industries like real estate in decline, energy had become the economic focal point. Kexiang was merely a small link in the energy supply chain, focusing on intermediate synthetic technology. However, that technology was almost entirely monopolized by Minglong. Even with his latest patents, Chen Wan posed no threat to, nor had any leverage within, Minglong’s commercial domain.

Intellectual property was a particularly sensitive issue, especially given the current state of regulatory oversight in the industry.

The more Chen Wan thought about it, the more inappropriate he felt his position was. He even put down his chopsticks, poured tea for both men, and with a subtle air of deference, seemed to be offering an unspoken apology.

“……”

This time, both Zhao Shengge and Shi Zhangmin fell silent.

Leaning back in his chair, Zhao Shengge looked at Chen Wan with an unreadable gaze, his expression calm and unwavering. But in his mind, he recalled what Chen Wan had once told Song Qingmiao at Lianjing Temple.

Forget it.

Chen Wan was not stupid.

Zhao Shengge had his own pride. If Chen Wan regarded him as a venomous snake and avoided him at all costs, then there was no need for him to say another word.

Most of the newly served dishes remained untouched. Before long, Zhao Shengge rose to his feet, politely bidding farewell to Shi Zhangmin.

Shi Zhangmin tried to persuade him to stay, but Zhao Shengge still left.

Chen Wan felt uneasy, a little at a loss. He had thought that Zhao Shengge had been eating with a decent appetite, but as soon as business was brought up, his interest vanished.

He sighed silently to himself, convinced that in Zhao Shengge’s eyes, he had only further solidified his reputation as a schemer with ulterior motives.

Perhaps, in this world, no one would ever believe that he truly had no intention of gaining anything from Zhao Shengge.

After Zhao Shengge left, Shi Zhangmin remarked that Chen Wan was too honest for his own good.

Chen Wan merely smiled and said he wasn’t good with words.

Shi Zhangmin, eyes still sharp despite his age, looked at him. “It’s not that you’re bad with words—it’s that your heart is clumsy.”

But a clumsy heart also meant one free of ulterior motives.

Chen Wan poured him more tea and called for a server to pack up the food. The large spread of nearly untouched dishes would have to be taken home for him to eat slowly over the next few days.

Maybe Shi Zhangmin was right. Maybe Song Qingmiao was right. Maybe Zhuo Zhixuan was right.

Maybe he really was just a very clumsy person, constantly doing very clumsy things.