The stone path was flanked by verdant bamboo groves, which gave way to a vast expanse of grassland. In the center of the grassland stood a rock garden and a small lake, where colorful ornamental fish, each a rare specimen worth tens of thousands, swam.
Ju Lanlan, dressed in a Tang Dynasty long gown reminiscent of the painting "Court Ladies Adorned in Elaborate Hairpins," sat on a bench by the lake. Beside her, men and women in suits and formal wear formed a line, heads bowed, waiting with the piety of believers before the Pope. Ju Lanlan scattered fish food into the lake while conversing with those waiting. Often, after only a few words, one person would bow repeatedly in thanks and depart.
A contingent of guards suddenly arrived, dispersing the waiting crowd.
Once the courtyard was clear of loiterers, Jiang Ye finally entered, hands clasped behind his back.
Ju Lanlan stared at him with a complex expression, her hand frozen in the motion of scattering fish food, though her palm was now empty.
Jiang Ye walked to the edge of the lake and looked at the fish.
A guard brought over a chair, and Jiang Ye nodded and sat down.
"It's been a while since I've come to see you," Jiang Ye said, turning to look at her. "I didn't expect you to be living so comfortably."
"Comfortable is perhaps too strong a word," Ju Lanlan replied calmly. "How have you been lately?"
"I'm fine," Jiang Ye said, glancing around. "Such a large hospital, and you've secretly turned the backyard into your private garden. Your influence is considerable."
"It wasn't my request," Ju Lanlan smiled. "The director offered to convert it for me. There used to be a lot of fitness equipment here, a recreational area for patients. I saw the construction from my window, all the equipment and paths being removed, replaced by flowers and plants. I didn't even know it was being done for me. By the time they notified me, it was already finished. I couldn't really say anything, so I just come here every day to feed the fish."
Jiang Ye turned back. Su Yueming, in the distance, immediately trotted over and bent down to listen.
"The director of this hospital, and the person who signed off on changing this courtyard, were both transferred these past two days, demoted to ordinary staff," Jiang Ye said.
Su Yueming nodded and hurried off to make a phone call.
"These are good fish," Jiang Ye remarked, looking at the water again.
"The fish weren't bought by the hospital; they were gifts from various corporations. Some sent one, others several," Ju Lanlan said calmly. "They buy indiscriminately, without regard for the species already in the lake, and just throw them in. I often see these fish devouring each other here; it's quite brutal."
"Were those people who came to see you just now from various companies?"
"Yes, from businesses of all sizes. Young people eager to start their ventures, middle-aged individuals exhausted and looking to exit. They came to me for advice. After all, I have some business experience, and they believe my suggestions will be effective," Ju Lanlan nodded.
Jiang Ye looked Ju Lanlan up and down, as if seeing her for the first time.
"I truly never imagined you would become the business godfather of this planet," Jiang Ye said.
"Godfather is too grand a title; perhaps a con artist," Ju Lanlan chuckled. "I don't charge them, and my accounts are frozen, so they can't transfer any money. My advice proved effective, bringing their companies back from the brink of collapse. They felt indebted and bought me fish, knowing I spend my days by this small lake."
"What kind of advice do you offer them? Personnel management? Legal matters?"
"Those are mere techniques; I offer the underlying principles, or perhaps a business mindset," Ju Lanlan said. "Sometimes, two companies that are bitter rivals will approach me, one after the other, or even together. I don't favor either side. I advise them to explore new, unoccupied market segments rather than engage in all-out warfare with their competitors, which would ultimately deplete their companies and benefit alien enterprises. I try to help them avoid cutthroat competition and encourage cooperation. It's like the fish in this lake; there's no need for so much mutual destruction."
"In that case, you've contributed to the business atmosphere of Jiang Ye Star. I must thank you," Jiang Ye said.
"There's no need for thanks; I have little else to do here," Ju Lanlan replied. "Jiang Ye Star is different now; it's a vast ocean with many fish. I'm merely a conch shell in a corner, capable of emitting the sound of the tide. A small school of fish comes to listen out of curiosity."
They both fell silent for a moment, watching the fish in the water.
"Do you hate me?" Jiang Ye suddenly asked.
Ju Lanlan turned to look at him.
"I actually had a premonition," Ju Lanlan tilted her chin up and sighed deeply. "I don't hate you. I committed a capital offense. The fact that you didn't kill me is already a kindness."
"Do you truly feel that way?"
"Yes, truly."
"How do you plan to spend the rest of your life?"
"If you don't tear down this garden, feeding the fish would be quite pleasant," Ju Lanlan said. "My life was too extravagant before. Now, living simply in the hospital, I've adapted and find it quite nice. I don't suffer from insomnia at night, my phone doesn't ring, and I don't have to try to decipher people's intentions. The absence of pressure feels rather good."
"Try to decipher me," Jiang Ye said. "Guess why I've come to see you this time."
Ju Lanlan shook her head. "I can't be bothered to guess; my brain has stopped working."
"You must guess one," Jiang Ye said, crossing his legs.
"You're so domineering," Ju Lanlan laughed. "I guess it has something to do with Jiang Senlin. When you and your wife used to travel, Senlin would stay with Old Yi. Now that Old Yi no longer comes to Jiang Ye Star, and Xiao Tian is attending an entrepreneur conference off-world, you want to leave the child with me for a few days."
"That's a wild guess," Jiang Ye said. "I've come to ask if you're willing to come out of retirement and work again."
Ju Lanlan frowned, her expression clearly indicating she thought she had misheard.
"There's some heavy and urgent work that requires responsibility and involves significant cash flow. Feng Zhi Shuang recommended you," Jiang Ye said. "If you're willing, I'll put you to work. If not, I'll find someone else."
"I'm willing!" Ju Lanlan said decisively.
"But..." she looked at Jiang Ye, "why are you willing to use me again? I know the sins I've committed. Even if I'm spared the firing squad, I'd likely be confined to a small place for life. So, this re-employment, will I be working at a desk with shackles on?"
"No, you'll have your freedom back," Jiang Ye said.
"I truly find this unbelievable," Ju Lanlan said. "I never thought a day like this would come."
"You have Mengmeng to thank for that. She persuaded me. She said your hands are stained with blood, but so are mine. Therefore, it's better to give you an opportunity to do some good, to atone for your past misdeeds with good deeds," Jiang Ye said.
"Your wife is truly a good person," Ju Lanlan nodded. "When I first met her, I thought she was just beautiful, a mere vase, not worthy of you at all. Now, I see she's excellent in every aspect."
"Besides Mengmeng's suggestion, there are my own thoughts," Jiang Ye continued. "After this period of feeding the fish, I suspect your state of mind has stabilized, and you won't do anything reckless again. You haven't regressed during these days; rather, you've progressed. I eagerly await your achievements after returning to work."
Ju Lanlan smiled and nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "The more you are so forgiving, the more I regret what I did in the past."
"Regret is something to be carried for a lifetime," Jiang Ye said, rising and leaving the garden without looking back.