Newborn 1927

Two days later, Kong Zongru received an invitation from Sun Baoqi to meet him at a teahouse. Kong Zongru dropped everything and gladly accepted. For the past two days, Sun Yongfan's face had been constantly on his mind, especially her empty, lifeless eyes, which always brought him a pang of heartache. He too had experienced heartbreak, and felt a sense of shared suffering. He believed Yang Jiefang was right; a woman so deeply wounded by love must be extremely sentimental, and if he treated her well, she would be devoted to him unto death.

Although Sun Baoqi had stepped down from his post, he still wielded considerable influence. Investigating someone's background was naturally easy for him; he had already thoroughly investigated Kong Zongru in the past two days and was now showing some interest in this suddenly appearing young man. The two met in a private room of a teahouse. After exchanging greetings and settling down, Sun Baoqi began, "Having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for so many years, I've seen quite a bit. But I truly don't understand your recent actions. Could you perhaps enlighten me?" They were clearly a bunch of thugs and ruffians, yet lately they weren't doing anything productive; instead, they were supposedly cracking down on the spread of prostitution, gambling, and drugs.

Kong Zongru couldn't immediately fathom Sun Baoqi's purpose in meeting him; however, he knew in his heart that when facing such a person, it was best not to try to deceive him with lies or hide anything, but rather to be frank. Even if some secrets were involved, he trusted that Sun Baoqi wouldn't publicize it. So, Kong Zongru said, "To be honest, I am the Logistics Minister of the Shandong People's Liberation Army. I have been ordered by the Commander-in-Chief to come to Shanghai to rectify the local criminal activities, including prostitution, gambling, and drugs, and to guide them onto the right path."

Sun Baoqi was somewhat surprised that he hadn't been able to find out Kong Zongru's identity. He had seen the story of the young commander from Shandong in the newspapers, but his understanding of it was incomplete. So, Sun Baoqi pondered and said, "Tell me about this young commander!" Kong Zongru had nothing to hide and recounted everything Yang Jiefang had done after taking over Qinglong Village. He especially emphasized Yang Jiefang's policies, such as cracking down on organized crime, gambling, and drugs, reducing rent and interest rates, and abolishing exorbitant taxes. Sun Baoqi sighed with emotion, "Since ancient times, these social ills have never been completely eradicated. If we could truly sweep away the filth and evil, it would be a blessing for the country and the people!"

Sun Baoqi then changed the subject, saying, "To be honest, I really haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a father. I also bear responsibility for my seventh daughter's addiction to drugs." Ever since Sun Yongfan's suicide attempt, the Sun family has not dared to control her, fearing that she would be stimulated and try to commit suicide again. Even when Sun Yongfan used opium to numb herself, they dared not dissuade her, which resulted in Sun Yongfan becoming addicted to opium.

Kong Zongru blurted out, "I want to help her quit drugs... Is that alright?" Sun Baoqi nodded and said, "If you can help her successfully quit drugs, I will be eternally grateful." Kong Zongru continued, "To help her quit drugs, we also need to arrange a separate place for her to stay." Sun Baoqi naturally understood what he meant. As a young lady from a prominent family, it would damage the family's reputation for her to stay overnight outside, especially with a young man. Logically, Sun Baoqi would not agree. However, out of guilt towards her daughter and her trust in Kong Zongru's character, Sun Baoqi agreed, saying, "I will arrange for two maids to attend to her. I'll leave my seventh daughter in your care!" Kong Zongru replied, "Please rest assured, Elder Sun! I will take good care of her."

Subsequently, Sun Baoqi indeed arranged for two maids to accompany Sun Yongfan to Kong Zongru's residence. This was a Western-style villa with a garden, acquired from Sun Baoqi's good son-in-law, Sheng Enyi. Kong Zongru's accounting team had originally lived here. Now that Miss Sun had moved in, Bao Ziqiang tactfully arranged for the others to move elsewhere, making room for Kong Zongru.

During the crackdown in Shandong, many drug addicts were arrested. The methods used to help these people quit were overly simplistic and brutal. Naturally, such methods couldn't be used on Miss Sun, so Kong Zongru had no choice but to send a telegram to Yang Jiefang, seeking advice on methods for helping her quit drugs.

Yang Jiefang was greatly surprised; it seemed this was a move to win over Miss Sun Qi! As someone who had transmigrated from the future, Yang Jiefang knew a little about how to overcome drug addiction. He immediately wrote down what he knew in a telegram and sent it to Kong Zongru. Finally, he told Kong Zongru that there wouldn't be any fighting recently, and that the situation in Shanghai could be dealt with slowly, and there was no need to rush back.

Seeing that Kong Zongru was about to surpass him and marry Miss Sun Qi, Bao Ziqiang quickened his pace. After much urging, the person he had sent to Lushan, Jiangxi, finally returned, bringing him two important documents: an intimate photograph of Song Ziwen and Zhang Leyi, a famous socialite from Jiujiang, Jiangxi; and a detailed introduction of Zhang Leyi, including her story of meeting and falling in love with Song Ziwen. Bao Ziqiang was overjoyed and immediately took them to Miss Sheng Qi, Sheng Aiyi.

Sheng Aiyi originally didn't want to deal with Bao Ziqiang, but the Sheng family was afraid of this gangster and dared not turn him away, so Sheng Aiyi had to step in and deal with him. Bao Ziqiang said with a grin, "Seventh Miss, I have something important to give you, I'm sure you'll be very interested." Sheng Aiyi turned her head away, utterly disdainful. Bao Ziqiang first took out the photograph and waved it in front of Sheng Aiyi. Sheng Aiyi's face immediately changed when she saw Song Ziwen in the photo. She snatched the photo away and saw a young and beautiful woman next to Song Ziwen; a bad premonition welled up in her heart.

Bao Ziqiang began, "This woman is Zhang Leyi, a daughter of a prominent family in Jiujiang, Jiangxi. She graduated from Jinling Women's University and is seven years younger than you..." He handed the document to Sheng Aiyi as he spoke. Sheng Aiyi snatched the document and skimmed through it. She had to admit, Zhang Leyi was impeccable in both family background and personal qualities. Then, the Seventh Miss suddenly blacked out and collapsed backward. Bao Ziqiang, prepared, caught Sheng Aiyi from behind, only to find she had already lost consciousness.

The Sheng family's servants panicked, clamoring to call a doctor or take her to the hospital. Bao Ziqiang shouted, "Stop making a fuss! I can save her." But inwardly, he was overjoyed: This was his specialty! Back then, when Jiang Xiaojun and Cao Laoba's wife were unconscious, they were both revived using Yang Jiefang's method. Now that his future daughter-in-law was unconscious, Bao Ziqiang naturally wanted to personally take charge and bring her back to life.

Bao Ziqiang immediately laid Sheng Aiyi flat on the ground and, following Yang Jiefang's instructions, began performing CPR and artificial respiration. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he touched her inappropriately, leaving the Sheng family's servants dumbfounded. Fortunately, his actions quickly brought Sheng Aiyi back to life. Enraged that the dignified seventh young lady of the Sheng family had been so disrespected, Sheng Aiyi slapped him across the face.

Just like Yang Jiefang before him, Bao Ziqiang was caught off guard and received a solid slap across the face, his vision blurring and his head spinning. Sure enough, taking advantage comes at a price. Bao Ziqiang covered his face and stepped aside, far from angry, secretly delighted. Didn't Jiang Xiaojun slap Yang Jiefang back then? Now she's head over heels in love. Doesn't this mean he has a chance too?

Sheng Aiyi sat up abruptly and roared, "Get out—" Bao Ziqiang obediently replied, "Okay, I'll get out. I'll come see you again tomorrow." Sheng Aiyi roared, "I never want to see you again!" She and Song Ziwen had never even held hands when they were dating. This guy, on the other hand, came right up and kissed her. How could the Seventh Miss face anyone after this?

The next day, Bao Ziqiang arrived at the Sheng family home and was told that the Seventh Miss was hospitalized. Bao Ziqiang rushed to the hospital and found Sheng Aiyi in a luxurious private room. She lay on the bed, pale and haggard, her eyes vacant and lifeless. Two maids stood beside her, each holding a lunchbox, trying to persuade the Seventh Miss to eat something. But Sheng Aiyi remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, completely oblivious.

Bao Ziqiang remembered Yang Jiefang's words: he had to be assertive in front of the Seventh Miss. He walked over and abruptly asked, "Have you two eaten?" The two maids nodded and replied, "We've already eaten." Bao Ziqiang shouted, "The Seventh Miss hasn't even eaten yet, and you dare to eat first? Who gave you the audacity? I'll punish you by not letting you eat for a day. If there's a next time, it'll be at least three days." The two maids trembled with fear and obediently agreed.

Sheng Aiyi finally reacted, saying, "Who sent you? Get out!" Her voice was weak, indicating that she was quite ill. Bao Ziqiang said arrogantly, "I'm not leaving, what can you do about it? What are you two standing there for? Aren't you going to feed Miss Qi? Do you really want me to punish you by not feeding you for three days?" Sheng Aiyi said angrily, "Whether I eat or not is my own business, what does it have to do with them? It's none of your business to meddle."

Bao Ziqiang remained silent, coldly staring at the two maids. The two maids, frightened, whispered, "Seventh Miss, please eat a few bites!" The man before them was a thug, utterly unreasonable. Sheng Aiyi had no choice but to obey, sitting up and being fed a few bites by the two maids. Bao Ziqiang wanted them to continue feeding her. Sheng Aiyi replied, "I'm full." The two maids explained, "Seventh Miss has a small appetite; she usually eats only this much." Only then did Bao Ziqiang stop.

Sheng Aiyi ate something and seemed to regain some strength. She rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, taking one out. Before she could light it, Bao Ziqiang snatched it away, saying, "Smoking is bad for your health. From now on, you're not allowed to smoke!" Sheng Aiyi was furious and shouted, "You little bastard, you filthy hooligan, what right do you have to tell me what to do?" Bao Ziqiang replied, "Because I'm a hooligan, and I have thousands of hooligan brothers under my command." He was worried that Sheng Aiyi might become addicted to opium because of her heartbreak, so he decided to help her quit smoking as well. Sheng Aiyi retorted angrily, "I'm going to smoke anyway, what can you do about it?" Then she went to look for more cigarettes.

Bao Ziqiang said, "I own quite a few brothels, and I'm short-staffed right now. If you smoke another cigarette, I'll make these two girls work as prostitutes for a day." Everyone in Shanghai knew that Huang Jinrong and the other two notorious gangsters had a history of forcing women into prostitution. The two girls were immediately terrified, while Sheng Aiyi was stunned. Bao Ziqiang was being shameless; the Seventh Miss was truly helpless.

Sheng Aiyi tossed her handbag aside, rolled over onto the bed, and lay down with her back to Bao Ziqiang, clearly not wanting to talk to him. Bao Ziqiang felt that was enough for today, and turned back to say, "Miss Qi needs to rest now. You two must take good care of her. I'll come to see her again tomorrow. If she's better, I'll reward you; if her condition worsens, you'll be punished!" Without waiting for their reactions, he left the room.

The next day, Bao Ziqiang indeed visited Sheng Aiyi again. Sheng Aiyi's condition hadn't improved, but it hadn't worsened either. Bao Ziqiang knew that her illness was psychological; unless the knot in her heart was untied, her condition wouldn't improve quickly.

Upon seeing Bao Ziqiang, Sheng Aiyi coldly said, "I know what you're up to. Don't waste your time! Even if Song Ziwen doesn't want me, I would never marry a scoundrel." Bao Ziqiang retorted, "Then what kind of man does Seventh Miss want to marry?" This question stumped Seventh Miss. She had previously only wanted to marry Song Ziwen, but he had fallen for her and betrayed her. What kind of man could she possibly marry?

Bao Ziqiang took a stool and sat down in front of Sheng Aiyi's bed. He said, "I also hate that I'm a rogue. But I don't have Song Ziwen's background. I've never seen my parents since I can remember. I begged for food with my grandmother. Later, even my grandmother died. If it weren't for kind people taking me in, I would have starved to death on the streets. I didn't even have the opportunity to go to school, let alone study abroad. A good brother of mine once said: Some people are born in Rome, and some are born as mules. What do I have to compare with Song Ziwen? I know my own worth. Even Song Ziwen couldn't catch the eye of your Sheng family, let alone me?"

Sheng Aiyi said, "Although I sympathize with your situation, you yourself said that you are not good enough for the Sheng family. Don't waste your time here."

Bao Ziqiang continued, “I originally thought I was just a lowly scoundrel who would live a life of idleness and waiting to die, and who knows when I’d die on the street. Luckily, I met a good brother. He changed my fate and gave me a new life, which is why I have the courage to stand before Miss Seven. Back then, your Sheng family looked down on Song Ziwen. But now, with the marriage of Chiang and Song, and Chiang's imminent return to power, Song Ziwen, as the Minister of Finance of the Nationalist Government, no longer looks down on your Sheng family. As the saying goes, nobility is not inherited, and a man should strive for it. Who knows, this scoundrel sitting in front of you today might one day be someone your Sheng family can’t even dream of associating with.”

Hearing these words, Sheng Aiyi couldn't help but look at Bao Ziqiang with new respect. Sheng Aiyi said, "I'm not trying to discourage you, but how can you compare to Song Ziwen?"

Bao Ziqiang proudly declared, "I am Bao Ziqiang, the Bao Ziqiang who embodies the spirit of self-reliance. I may not be as good as Song Ziwen now, but I am thirteen years younger than him. I believe that when I reach his age, I will catch up with or even surpass Song Ziwen."

Sheng Aiyi then realized that the young man in front of her was actually seven years younger than her, and Zhang Leyi was also seven years younger than her. What was going on? Sheng Aiyi said, "Where do you get your confidence? Just from those few thousand thugs under your command?"

Bao Ziqiang replied, "I have a good brother who is far superior to that Commander-in-Chief Chiang! I believe that under his leadership, our achievements will surpass those of the current Commander-in-Chief Chiang. I will also surpass Song Ziwen." Sheng Aiyi scoffed, "Anyone can talk big! Who is your good brother? Can he be more capable than Commander-in-Chief Chiang?"

Bao Ziqiang replied, "I can't say that now, unless you agree to be my wife." He'd only said a few serious things before turning frivolous again. Were he taking advantage of her? Sheng Aiyi's face darkened, and she snapped, "Get out—" Bao Ziqiang quickly pleaded, "Okay, okay! I'll get out… Don't be angry! Take good care of yourself. Once you're better, I'll help you get back your share of the inheritance. It's not about the money, but about letting the whole world know: times have changed, women hold up half the sky, and women have the same right to inherit!"

Sheng Aiyi's eyes lit up, as if a new hope had been found. After Bao Ziqiang left, she sat up straight, habitually picked up her handbag, and took out a cigarette. Then, as if remembering something, she tossed the cigarette into the trash can.