Chapter 54: Chapter 26: A Chance Encounter Amidst Mountains and Waters (Part 2)
It seems that Jinxing Media takes on all kinds of jobs, even doing promotional packaging for Qile Manor. Qile Manor is probably looking to attract more business recently, which is why they’ve hired a media company for promotion.
This kind of promotion should mainly be online, but there also need to be arrangements offline. However, for the offline arrangements, it’s not that they aren’t attentive, but rather that they have hidden motives!
The man in the promotional image, upon closer inspection, uncannily resembles Peng Xian, the boss of Jinxing Media.
Qian Guran had a brief encounter with Boss Peng last time at the Bada Club. He was busy with other matters, so they didn’t really talk. Nevertheless, Qian Guran still remembered him, and recognized him upon seeing the photograph.
Could it be that this boss became a model to save costs? Probably not, as the person in the photo just bears a striking resemblance.
Even for people who are quite familiar, they would only feel the person resembles Peng Xian a bit, but isn’t Peng Xian. So, this photo was likely tweaked using software to create this effect.
As for the woman in the photo, upon closer inspection she has a certain uncanny resemblance to Gao Xue’e, but it’s just resemblance, not identity.
Qian Guran observed quietly, noticing none of his colleagues, including Gao Xue’e herself, realized this. It seemed like only He Kao noticed. It’s understandable though, as who would pay much attention to a roadside promotional picture?
Why did He Kao notice it? Because he was thinking about Xiaopang’s matchmaking earlier when he saw the promotional poster. The two people seemed like they were on a date, so he took a closer look, increasingly feeling the woman resembled President E somewhat.
Just then he saw Peng Xian standing at the entrance of the manor. This department activity was specially arranged by Boss Peng, who had booked the venue for them.
This person looks to be in his thirties, handsome and tall, possessing a robust masculinity.
He Kao hadn’t really interacted with President Peng before, only having a brief encounter by the pool last time, where they didn’t even say a word. That day he first swam with Xiaopang, then saved President E, and later went to the private room upstairs with colleagues for fun.
But after the recent discovery, seeing Peng Xian, he increasingly felt he resembled the man in the promotional image!
The theme of the promotional image is "Scenic Encounter," with a total of seven pictures; a man and woman’s photo are in the central position. Above the photo is another picture, it shows a tall peak entwined by flowing water.
If the viewer is unintentional, it’s just a scenic picture for ornamentation effects.
If the author is intentional, the picture clearly implies something quite suggestive.
Standing from the entrance of the manor, in one glance the scenery does have mountains and water indeed. The mountain is behind, Qiyun Mountain, while the water is drawn from elsewhere, forming a stream and an artificial lake.
Behind the manor’s entrance is the stream, over which an iron chain suspension bridge is set. The manor actually has another entrance where self-driving visitors can drive their cars directly in, but today the bus stopped here so everyone had to get off and walk across the suspension bridge.
He Kao just felt the man and woman in the promotional image bore a resemblance to the present Peng Xian and Gao Xue’e, while Qian Guran was secretly frowning.
Seeing the promotional picture in the bulletin board first, then seeing the iron chain suspension bridge behind the gate, Qian Guran couldn’t help but complain inwardly—are the sorcerers of Xingshen Sect doing things this blatantly?
Qian Guran’s first judgment was that Jinxing Media’s President Peng in front should be a sorcerer from Xingshen Sect, and his purpose in orchestrating this today should be to try to court Gao Xue’e.
Whether a man intends to court a woman, as a Tier Three Zongheng Scholar of the Qi Observation Sect, Old Qian can still discern it, because both Peng Xian and Gao Xue’e are standing right in front of him now.
What’s going on with the sorcerer of Xingshen Sect? It’s just Old Qian’s speculation. Spirit Awakening Skill focuses on teasing the mind, guiding, and controlling emotions of people; it sounds somewhat like hypnosis.
The sorcerers of Xingshen Sect not only use techniques but are also adept at arranging and utilizing various environmental factors for suggestion. But setting environmental hints so openly probably means President Peng’s skills aren’t notably superior.
Qian Guran inferred that this person cannot possibly be a Tier Four "Beggar", at most a Tier Three "Performer", with the greatest likelihood being a Tier Two "Fisherman".
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier One is known as Disguiser.
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier Two is commonly called Fisherman.
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier Three is self-termed Performer.
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier Four is jokingly called Beggar.
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier Five is hailed as Heart Stealer.
Spirit Awakening Skill Tier Six is referred to honorably as Illusion Master.
Peng Xian had already walked swiftly towards the crowd, extending his hand directly to Gao Xue’e, smiling brightly, speaking heartily—
"President Gao, I’ve been waiting a long time, the lamb in the yard is already roasting, just waiting for you to start the feast... Please, please, there’s a suspension bridge ahead, it’s shaky, watch your step... Let me be a guardian of the flower!"
Peng Xian’s actions were natural, greeting as he intended to accompany Gao Xue’e into the door, seeming like he meant to protect her shoulder to shoulder across the suspension bridge, conveniently offering support.
"There’s no need for you to be a guardian of the flower, we have plenty of them here... He Kao, hurry and support President E!"
An abrupt voice sounded, followed by an equally abrupt person. Qian Guran timely inserted himself between Peng Xian and Gao Xue’e, obstructing Peng Xian’s steps.
Peng Xian was momentarily stunned, but his expression soon returned to normal, ready to sidestep, only to be blocked once more by Qian Guran’s offered hand, saying: "Hello, I’m Qian Guran, a new employee in the business department. Are you President Peng? Pleasure, pleasure!"
Peng Xian had to shake Qian Guran’s hand accordingly, saying: "Oh, pleasure, pleasure! I’ve heard President Gao mention you, Dr. Chunhua?"
Qian Guran held Peng Xian’s hand and didn’t let go, appearing very cordial, yet inexplicably said: "The hill is bright in front of the gate, the plaque inscribes glory. The scenery along this road is beautiful, which branch does the flower bloom?"
This is the sect’s jargon, also commonly known as Jianghu slang, which developed into a modern version today, but Qian Guran spoke the traditional old version, roughly translating to: "I’m from the Qi Observation Sect, which path are you from?"
If Peng Xian were a sorcerer of Xingshen Sect, willing to be honest and not wanting Qian Guran to spoil his plan, he could answer: "The sun rises on the hilltop, seeking fortune amid clouds. The wide road ahead, water flows under the bridge."
The brief translation would be: "I’m from Xingshen Sect, not targeting you, just met by coincidence today. I’m doing some business here, please refrain from interfering."
Such a question and answer is called "discussion of paths", which can reveal identities and prevent misunderstandings, with outsiders not understanding what they’re actually saying.
Yet Peng Xian didn’t say so, he portrayed a slightly puzzled yet polite expression, saying: "Blooming flowers, what are you talking about? Flowers don’t bloom much in the mountains this season, they’ve long borne fruit, you can still pick some today."
Qian Guran secretly frowned again, the other party wasn’t planning to go along, playing it off as ignorance.
That’s indeed Peng Xian’s plan, since they previously weren’t acquainted, as long as he doesn’t expose any technique marks, Qian Guran can’t say much more, and might even doubt having made a mistake.
This delay on their side, meanwhile, the crowd had already crossed the bridge. Gao Xue’e was indeed assisted over by He Kao, while other colleagues fell a few steps behind, some even snickered there.
People had privately joked before, saying He Kao was President E’s little puppy, so in today’s occasion, it was fitting for him to be expressive! However, He Kao felt differently; beneath his calm exterior, he was actually quite shocked inside.
Because he clearly heard Peng Xian’s voice, this person was the man from the coffee shop recording!
**