Chapter 3: 03. He Was A Phone Zombie For Three Days.

On the second day after Shen Ruozhen's awakening, before he could undergo a thorough examination, he was quietly whisked away by the Chu family and transferred to another hospital. 

He found herself admitted to a luxurious private hospital, where the wards were more spacious, the nursing staff more plentiful, and the environment more secluded. There were scarcely any other patients on the same floor. 

Boredom did not bother Shen Ruozhen, nor did he have any additional demands. All he desired were newspapers, the more from different publishers, the better. 

He craved all sorts of information - international affairs, economic progress, technological advancements, and advancements in education and people's livelihoods. Whenever he was awake, he tirelessly immersed himself in reading the news. 

Shen Ruozhen marveled at the tremendous changes that had swept the world. Any traces of uneasiness he had initially felt were gradually replaced by a sense of joy. 

Mrs. Chu was equally taken aback. Her previously clueless son had taken to reading books and newspapers. She couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Chen, are you getting tired?" 

Shen Ruozhen, not yet fully accustomed to being addressed as such, looked up a little belatedly and replied, "I'm not tired." After a brief pause, he refrained from using the term "mother" and avoided feigning intimacy. Instead, he complimented, "Your dress today looks very lovely." 

Mrs. Chu beamed with joy, her eyes seeming to well up with tears. She lingered by the bedside, hoping that her "son" would engage in conversation despite his lost memory. 

Closing the newspaper, Shen Ruozhen took the precaution of saying, "I don't remember much, I don't know a great deal either, and my knowledge is quite superficial." 

Mrs. Chu comforted him, saying, "Don't be sad. In the past, you were rather ignorant and lacked a wealth of knowledge." 

Shen Ruozhen felt taken aback. "Really?" 

Chu's mother replied, "Fortunately, your sister excels academically and consistently achieves good grades. Otherwise, I would be quite embarrassed when socializing with other wives in our circle." 

Shen Ruozhen remained silent. 

During their conversation, he couldn't help but reminisce about his mother. She hailed from an influential family and had been his first teacher during childhood. Her guidance had been strict yet loving, and she held high expectations for him compared to his father. 

On the other hand, Mrs. Chu embodied the archetype of a "doting mother." She made no demands of Chu Zhichen and accepted him unconditionally. She never pondered the implications if something irreversible were to happen one day. 

Shen Ruozhen pondered his predicament. Living as "Chu Zhichen" already felt dishonorable. If he were to simply enjoy the privileges without fulfilling his duties, wouldn't he be a complete villain? 

As a son and an elder brother, as an adult man, he must do what is expected of him and assume responsibility for Chu Zhichen. 

He vividly remembered the words of the stranger he encountered the day he woke up: "It caused such a big accident." Shen Ruozhen couldn't shake off the suspicion that Chu Zhichen was somehow involved. 

Though the past few days had been tranquil and stable, had the matter been handled appropriately? 

Would his loved ones be implicated? 

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Ruozhen probed Mrs. Chu about the incident. Wary of upsetting him, she downplayed the severity but reassured him that Uncle Li would handle it. 

Later, Shen Ruozhen learned from Chu Shihui that it had been a yacht explosion. They were both transferred to the same hospital due to the numerous individuals involved and concerns of potential trouble arising within the same institution. 

As for the subsequent treatment and procedures, Chu Shihui wasn't entirely certain. She mentioned that Uncle Li would take care of everything. 

Shen Ruozhen observed closely and discovered that the true power behind the Chu family was Li Zangqiu. 

Li Zangqiu made decisions regarding official business matters and handled the aftermath of the explosion without even consulting Mrs. Chu, merely informing her once everything was resolved. 

Mrs. Chu did not raise any objections, clearly accustomed to such arrangements. 

Day by day, Shen Ruozhen's health improved, and with it, the time spent conversing with Mrs. Chu increased. Though he rarely spoke, he was an attentive listener. Capitalizing on this opportunity, he familiarized himself with the status of the Chu family and the company. 

Yisi, the technology company, was something Shen Ruozhen struggled to comprehend. Computer software, hardware, and system development were foreign concepts to him, yet he absorbed every word silently, committing them to memory. 

Mrs. Chu had saved multiple photographs for Shen Ruozhen to peruse, helping him identify various individuals such as the household nannies, the driver, close relatives, and even the company executives. 

Anyone who had visited him in the hospital, even if only once, Shen Ruozhen could recall with precision. 

Mrs. Chu was pleasantly surprised by his improved memory. "Why is it that you may have lost your memory, but your memory seems to have improved? It's like the saying 'the east is bright and the west is bright.'" 

Shen Ruozhen recognized all the individuals in the photos, except for one person who remained a blank in his memory. He inquired, "Who was the first person I saw when I woke up?" 

"Oh, his name is Xiang Mingzhang," Mrs. Chu replied. "He has official business ties with us. They call him 'Ming' for short, and he holds a high position." 

Shen Ruozhen silently repeated the name to himself. "Is he a relative or a friend?" 

Mrs. Chu responded, "It's difficult to find relatives within the Xiang family. They are friends. Our grandparents have known each other for a long time. It's a pity that your father passed away early, and our Chu family's prosperity is no more." 

Shen Ruozhen remembered Xiang Mingzhang's arrogant demeanor and mused, "It seems that the relationship between our families has grown distant." 

"It doesn't matter," Mrs. Chu said, approaching the matter simplistically. "Though we've had less contact in recent years, it's superficial. However, the price Xiang Mingzhang offered to buy Yisi is quite good, which shows the sincerity of our relationship." 

It was at this point that Shen Ruozhen learned that both Chu Zhichen's and Mrs. Chu's shares had been sold. In other words, the company founded by his father no longer belonged to the Chu family. 

He couldn't comprehend it. 

The Shen family had established a bank during the Guangxu period, boasting over 30 prominent branches on Jiangxia Street in Ningbo, with the Shen family owning 12 of them. When foreign capital flooded into the country, his father, Shen Zuorun, advocated for reform and established a modern bank in Shanghai. 

[T/N: The Guangxu period was a period in Chinese history from 1875 to 1908, during the Qing dynasty. It was the reign of the Guangxu Emperor, whose personal name was Zaitian. The Guangxu Emperor was only 4 years old when he ascended to the throne, and his aunt, Empress Dowager Cixi, acted as regent for him. Cixi was a powerful and ambitious woman, and she ruled China for most of the Guangxu period. 

The Guangxu period was a time of great turmoil and change in China. The country was struggling to modernize and keep up with the West, and the Qing dynasty was eventually overthrown. However, the Guangxu period also saw some important reforms, such as the introduction of Western education and technology. These reforms laid the foundation for the future development of China.] 

In his youth, Shen Ruozhen understood that "management" was paramount in business, striving for progress, and attaining success. 

Expanding from one shop to two, venturing into new territories, and blocking competitors at every turn – these were the actions necessary to become a leader during times of economic turmoil. 

In his educational philosophy, selling a business was a disgrace, a colossal failure, and an opportunity for others to mock. 

He wore a solemn expression as Mrs. Chu asked, "What's the matter?" 

Shen Ruozhen lifted an eyebrow lightly and replied, "It's nothing, just a slight feeling of regret." 

"Son, don't be unreasonable," Mrs. Chu scolded. "In the beginning, it was you who wanted to sell it, even threatening to commit suicide abroad if I didn't agree. Now you're regretting it?" 

Shen Ruozhen apologized helplessly, saying, "I'm sorry." 

Mrs. Chu's heart softened immediately, and the atmosphere became more relaxed. "These past few years have been difficult, so it's good that we sold it. Xiang Yue is at the top of the industry, and they may be able to revitalize it. As for Xiang Mingzhang, he may seem polite, but he's quite capable. Let him handle everything in the future." 

The indifferent facade of Xiang Mingzhang flickered across Shen Ruozhen's mind. Why had "politeness" been redefined in the 21st century? 

It was likely that Mr. Xiang possessed a shrewd mind, adept at disguising himself as a harmless wolf. 

Once fully recovered, Shen Ruozhen was discharged from the hospital. 

Stepping out of the hospital, he entered a vast new world. 

The Chu family's villa lay on the western bank of the river. With Mr. Chu's passing and Chu Zhichen's years abroad, the household was predominantly composed of female relatives who diligently maintained both the interior and exterior of the property. 

The doors were opened early to greet Shen Ruozhen, and as he stepped out of the car, he walked through the garden accompanied by Mrs. Chu. Two individuals stood before the courtyard - an older woman named Aunt Tang, who held the position akin to a chief manager of the family, and a younger sister named Xiu, responsible for various household chores. 

The first meal upon returning home was opulent, with an abundance of hot and cold dishes, but Shen Ruozhen remained cautious. He ate what Mrs. Chu served him, careful not to make any wrong choices. 

After lunch, he was taken to Chu Zhichen's bedroom. 

The room walls were adorned with a large, dark-toned painting. Amongst chaotic lines, a rebellious youth stuck out his tongue. Shen Ruozhen asked, "Did I... paint this?" 

Aunt Tang smiled and replied, "You didn't create this level of artistry. It was purchased." 

Shen Ruozhen examined the painting closely and noticed a framed photo on the side cabinet, seeing Chu Zhichen's face. 

The resemblance between them was striking. 

Choosing not to intrude upon Chu Zhichen's personal belongings, Shen Ruozhen left the room. He opted to occupy a vacant guest room that had long been deserted, with a dusty Steinway piano against the wall. 

Aunt Tang brought a storage box filled with electronic devices for him, including two mobile phones, two pairs of earphones, and a charger. 

"I bought a new phone after the accident," Aunt Tang explained. "The number has changed, and I kept one as a spare. They're fully charged but not turned on." 

Observing that Mrs. Chu used her mobile phone, Shen Ruozhen inquired, "Does everyone have one of these?" 

Aunt Tang responded, "Of course, no one can survive without a mobile phone nowadays. Especially for someone like you, it's essential to have one on hand. It allows you to call for help when needed and avoid places with poor signal in the future." 

Shen Ruozhen nodded in agreement, briefly examined the phone, and reluctantly turned to Chu Shihui for assistance. 

Chu Shihui only visited him once after his transfer, and she was quickly pulled away by Chu's mother. Today, as Chu Shihui returned home, she remained upstairs until lunchtime, not uttering a word to him. 

From their few conversations, it was evident that Chu Shihui held very little affection for Chu Zhichen, almost bordering on disgust. 

Knocking on the door, Shen Ruozhen mimicked Mrs. Chu's address and asked, "Xiaohui, how do you operate this?" 

It was the first time Chu Shihui had heard her brother call her "Xiaohui," and she took a few seconds to react. "...You even forgot how to use a mobile phone?" 

Shen Ruozhen remained calm as he replied, "I don't remember. Can you teach me?" 

Chu Shihui was taken aback for a few more seconds. It was rare for him to use the word "please." 

Throughout the afternoon, Shen Ruozhen learned how to turn on, set up, and use various functions, gaining an appreciation for modern technology. Chu Shihui, bewildered by his humility and eagerness to learn, momentarily forgot the dynamics of their sibling relationship. 

In the past two days, at the Xiangyue Communication Park. 

The team responsible for the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) project was constructing the scene. Xiang Mingzhang observed and provided feedback before leaving the research and development (R&D) center and heading back to the office building. 

As Xiang Mingzhang walked past the picturesque lake, the autumn foliage gleamed in the soft light of the setting sun. The leaves on the trees were a riot of color, from the fiery reds and oranges of the maples to the deep purples and golds of the oaks. The lake reflected the sky like a mirror, and the clouds were painted in shades of pink and lavender. 

Xiang Mingzhang paused to admire the view, taking a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. He felt a sense of peace and tranquility as he gazed out at the lake. 

His assistant purposefully approached and said, "Mr. Xiang, I found you." 

Xiang Mingzhang replied, "Arrange for someone to catch some live fish and send them to Manzhuang." 

"Understood." The assistant acknowledged and then shared some news, "The Chu family recently contacted us, informing us that Chu Zhichen was discharged from the hospital two days ago." 

Upon hearing the news of his amnesia, Xiang Mingzhang casually inquired, "How is he now?" 

The assistant replied, "He has spent the past three days playing with his mobile phone." 

Xiang Mingzhang's expression remained unchanged. 

The assistant couldn't help but suppress a smile as he continued, "Mrs. Chu asked if you're available this weekend. She would like to invite you for a meal." 

Since the accident, the Chu family had been entangled in legal matters to manage compensation, and significant efforts were made to suppress the news. Xiang Mingzhang knew that Li Zangqiu was not competent enough to handle the situation, and thus the business handover after the contract signing had been delayed. 

It was not solely out of consideration; Xiang Yue, being the bigger fish, needed to consume the smaller fish carefully. Hastiness would only invite criticism of being an "opportunist." 

With the situation finally settled, Xiang Mingzhang wanted to focus on business proceedings and avoid wasting time discussing irrelevant matters or reaching out to the Chu family with insincere intentions. 

His secretary asked, "Shall I help you decline the invitation, then?" 

Just as the secretary spoke, Xiang Mingzhang's cell phone received a text message. 

Ten minutes ago, Shen Ruozhen had been practicing his typing speed. Mrs. Chu informed him that the initial invitation to Xiang Mingzhang had failed and requested him to contact Xiang Mingzhang once again to demonstrate sincerity. 

Shen Ruozhen contemplated for a moment before sending his very first text message. 

Xiang Mingzhang glanced at the number labeled "Chu Zhichen." It had been given to him by the Chu family after the accident, but he had never reached out to them nor vice versa. 

Now that Chu Zhichen had lost his memory, what normal conversation could they possibly have? 

Curiosity piqued, Xiang Mingzhang opened the text message, only to find that Chu Zhichen had sent two poems: 

"Thousand boats obscured by mist, shore lights ablaze, 

The journey remains unfinished, ancestors yet to be praised." 

Xiang Mingzhang read the lines once. The first half metaphorically depicted the accident that fateful night, while the second half conveyed Chu Zhichen's current state of mind. It seemed to imply that setbacks were to be overcome without fear, and the journey must persist, even if it meant facing criticism along the way. 

On the surface, it presented a positive attitude. 

But there was a touch of cunningness... The author of these two verses had met an untimely death due to a life of indulgence before turning thirty. Interestingly, the elegy written for him after his passing contained the same line that Xiang Mingzhang had borrowed during their conversation in the hospital. 

It appeared that not only had Chu Zhichen heard it, but he also understood it. 

By sending these two poems, Chu Zhichen smartly responded to the accident with grace and without being overly humble. He also cleverly addressed Xiang Mingzhang's sarcastic remark from that night without directly praising him. 

This unexpected response took Xiang Mingzhang by surprise. 

Meanwhile, his secretary awaited his instructions. "Regarding the Chu family..." 

"Reply on my behalf," Xiang Mingzhang reconsidered. "Inform them that I will attend the gathering this weekend, punctual as promised." 

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The author has something to say: 

[Big peers] Banks with more operating capital, generally greater than 60,000 silver dollars 

Poem author Zhang Yipo (Qing Dynasty)