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Ch134 - Connection (iii)
Jim Bens.
Gu Yan had a deep impression of this name after going through the entirety of Joe’s folder in almost a night.
Actually, the frequency that his name popped up amidst the files wasn’t high; it was paltry in comparison to those written by contributors for popular websites or well-known reporters.
He wasn’t the type who produced quality over quantity. The points he made were a bit scattered, often unable to find a point of focus. Furthermore, the photographs that he took had the same problem as his writing; they didn’t stand out. There were too many miscellaneous figures entering the frame, and it wasn’t immediately apparent what the focus was.
If it was anyone else who was only interested in the case, they would probably have solely skimmed a majority of Jim Bens’ articles when going through the files. They wouldn’t have considered them worth reading nor taken notice of him.
Therefore, it wasn’t without reason that this reporter hadn’t made a name for himself despite the years that he had been in this industry.
Even so, in Gu Yan’s eyes, he had a strong sense of presence.
His discursive, long-winded style of writing and photography caused him to blindly stumble upon many points of interest to Gu Yan. Just like the write-up about Yan Suizhi watching the trial, he also took many photos relevant and irrelevant to the case.
Naturally, many of them were related to Yan Suizhi, who was indeed the feature point of the case. But it wasn’t only limited to Yan Suizhi. There were also the defendant, the plaintiff, and even the police officers investigating the case.
He could tell even from these photos that people’s evaluation of someone like Jim Bens would be rather divergent.
There were times when he could move people, but other times… he’d probably draw deep enmity.
Gu Yan had saved some of Bens’ photos in passing when reading the files. He opened them and swept a glance across them again, then patted Yan Suizhi’s hand, putting the photos right in front of the other, using a voice inaudible through the communication device to say, “Don’t send him storming off; we might have to request his help in the future.”
Yan Suizhi didn’t seem surprised to hear this. He just made an ok gesture at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
Gu Yan allowed him the benefit of doubt… for now.
At the inn’s bistro, Bens coughed, squeezing out a passably polite crack of a smile on his face, saying to the other end of the line, “Good afternoon.”
Hersey left him a bit of face, sitting quietly by the side with a particularly solemn expression, listening to Bens speak to that intern while thinking: It seems like a good start? I pray that the intern will say something nice, and that my teacher’s temper won’t explode. Even if it doesn’t work out, it’ll be good to ease the relationship with a short chat.
But as soon as that thought materialised, Bens went on to say, “Lawyer Ruan.”
“…” Hersey silently held his head in his hands.
How should he put it? The person on the other end was an intern. Friends calling him by that honorific would be taken as an inside joke, but coming from Bens, somehow listening to it sounded like some wacky taunt.
However, Hersey knew that Bens wasn’t really taunting him. He was just trying to get close.
A closeness… where if he wasn’t careful, he’d be close enough to get a beating.
He furtively leaned forward, pricking up his ears, indistinctly hearing a voice carrying a smile through Bens’ earpiece. “Good afternoon. You’re flattering me. May I ask who this is?”
Hersey, “…”
That time at Tian Qin, he’d personally witnessed Bens grit his teeth and exchange contact numbers with Lawyer Gu and his intern.
Bens face rapidly turned green. His mouth moved in what looked like a soundless curse. Then, he squeezed out a marginally wider smile, saying, “A person of your eminence has a short memory. It’s me, Jim Bens, the reporter from Honeycomb  Media.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Bens, “…”
Who took the initiative? Just who shared them? I was expecting to do an exchange with you, alright?!
And then the person on the other end said, again with a smile in his refined and courteous tone, “Mr Bens, so what do you have to share with me today? I’m really looking forward to it.”
Bens, “…”
Screw you.
He ripped off his earpiece without another word, flinging it noisily to the table. The call automatically cut off.
In Hanjin Hotel’s garden restaurant, Yan Suizhi took off his earpiece with a completely innocuous expression, the beeping busy tone instantly becoming crystal clear.
Lawyer Gu wordlessly sipped his wine. He leaned back in his seat and looked at Yan Suizhi, saying mildly, “What kind of misunderstanding do you have about the definition of gentle, Teacher Yan?”
“I was already being very gentle, at least, much gentler than when I angered you back then. I’m only setting the tone for him, lest he has overly high expectations.” Yan Suizhi sipped his warm water, then winked at Gu Yan. “Let’s make a bet, shall we? I bet that he’ll still dial over; you can bet that he won’t.”
It was the first time that Lawyer Gu had encountered such a forced wager. He said, exasperated, “Shouldn’t what I bet on be decided by me?”
A certain dean said, bolstered with confidence, “Just tell me whether or not you’re game.”
Lawyer Gu, “…I am.”
When it came to psychological analysis, he didn’t fall short of Yan Suizhi. The teacher and student could be said to be equally matched in strength. A man of Bens’ character had a period of ardour in his youth, with his own convictions and choices that he held onto for many years, and was, by nature, a prideful man. However, after being denied too many times, it was inevitable that he would have a bit of an inferiority complex.
Such a person with both his pride and an inferiority complex would also have a conflicting nature. What he didn’t want to do emotionally, reason would still compel him to thicken his skin to do, though he would also be a bit mistrustful.
If Yan Suizhi acquiesced to his request right off the bat, politely going along, he’d conversely feel uncomfortable all over.
So, Gu Yan also felt that he wouldn’t dial back so soon.
Unfortunately, who let the person he was betting against be Yan Suizhi?
The very moment that the bet was made, the smart device buzzed again.
With crinkled eyes, Yan Suizhi shook his finger at Gu Yan, then picked up the call again.
In the inn’s bistro, the boss lady fished out a small dish of sunflower seeds from god knows where, drinking from the beer bottle and cracking the seeds, obviously taking the guests as her sole entertainment in this tempestuous weather.
Bens’ expression was strained. He had one hand on his earpiece and the other pushing Hersey further off, chasing him away.
The voice on the other end was still carrying a smile, as cordial as before, “Hello?”
Bens was about to open his mouth when the other side spoke, “If I may ask, which planet are you on?”
This time, the other end spoke very respectfully. The eyes that Bens rolled up just barely rolled back down. He answered, “I’m on De Carma.”
“Oh, is that so?” The other end said flippantly, “I thought that the comms signal was cut off just now because of the rainstorm.”
Hur hur.
Bens’ temper flared again.
But it was very strange. This type of wording that uniquely provoked anger made him think back to their previous time in Tian Qin. Some time had passed since their last meeting, yet this intern was still the same as before, which conversely allowed him to instantaneously re-enter a familiar rhythm. This, in spite of his rage, did loosen him up.
So, Yan Suizhi dropped the feigned civilities and politesse, going straight to business.
“By that do you mean that you’ve come to Hanjin Garden Hotel as other reporters have?”
Hearing that intern, Bens nodded. “What’s wrong with that? Who wouldn’t want to take a few photos of a social event like this, especially now that there has been an incident. Something like this is bound to receive attention. Even writing a few random sentences can easily make the homepage of the internet.”
A hum came from the other end, somewhat in agreement.
As Bens mulled over how to lead up, that intern said smilingly, “So, Mr Reporter, what are you going to order for me this time?”
Bens, “…”
Bens, “???”
Hersey was pushed aside, so, unable to listen in on the conversation this time, he was naturally oblivious to what was said on the other end.
He only knew that his teacher, Bens, cut the call without a word again.
“What happened, teacher?” Hersey could no longer contain his curiosity.
Bens rubbed his face. “It’s nothing. I just need a moment to calm down.”
He’d clearly gone to the intern for easy pickings, yet without even giving him a morsel, the intern wanted to mooch off him. What the heck was this?
After two minutes, Bens put on his earpiece again.
Hersey whipped his face away. Somehow, he was feeling a bit of sympathy for his teacher, who was struggling so much that he even needed to take a deep breath before putting on his earpiece.
“Hey,” Bens said with a wooden face. “There’s a rainstorm. The signal is bad.”
That damn intern was about to speak again.
Bens continued with a wooden face, “I won’t beat around the bush anymore; I’ll say it straight. You should be at Hanjin Garden Hotel, right? Can you give me some information? It doesn’t have to be anything shocking, as long as it’s different from what other reporters know. I’m willing to make an equivalent exchange. Just tell me what you want; a fair price, don’t try to rip me off. I don’t have any quick-acting heart medication on hand.”
“Forgive me, but may I ask you something?” Ignoring the infuriating contents, the intern’s tone and choice of diction were always very well-mannered.
Bens was slightly appeased. “Shoot away.”
“How long have you been a reporter?”
“How old are you this year?” Bens gulped down a mouthful of beer, leaning back into his seat, unconsciously starting to posture as a senior.
At the garden restaurant…
Yan Suizhi covered the earpiece, waving at Gu Yan.
“What is it?” Gu Yan, thinking that he had something urgent to discuss, leaned towards him.
And ended up hearing Yan Suizhi ask, “How old am I this year?”
The distinguished Lawyer Gu, “…”
Can you please remember your persona before you act?
“Twenty six.”
“Really?”
“Made it up.” Lawyer Gu’s expression was cold.
Then, Yan Suizhi went “hello?” to the earpiece, saying with aplomb, “The signal was bad just now. I’m twenty-six this year. Why?”
Bens, “Oh. Don’t worry about it. I can assure you that I’ve taken more photos than the grains of rice you’ve eaten. I’ve been doing this for thirty whole years.”
When saying this, he suddenly got a bit emotional. He’d been in this business for thirty whole years. He was staunch in his hopes and aspirations for the first fourteen years, after which, eventually tiring slightly, he gradually adapted, then compromised. Once he did, he found that he’d been compromising for sixteen years.
Maybe this stormy weather wasn’t good for anything but talking nonsense. Maybe once he touched on those thirty years, a desire to reminisce about the past was suddenly stirred up. After responding, he downed half a glass of beer, smacked his lips, and said, “When I was a junior reporter, I was about the same as you interns, except I was especially full of vigour. I followed every case and took photos of everything. Even holding my camera for twenty hours a day wouldn’t tire me out.”
Yan Suizhi was not surprised to hear this. He considered it, then said, “You followed every case?”
“Yeah, not like today, only looking out for controversial points,” Bens said. “No matter how significant it was, I always believed that they were noteworthy. From something as major as interstellar clashes to something as minor as uncommon birds sighted in the neighbouring district. I’d snap photos of it all. During that time, it wasn’t only for work, but because I felt that it was interesting and wanted to photograph it. I was always on the go.”
After his speech, Bens caught sight of the surprise on Hersey’s face.
“Oh, shut it. Didn’t I say this before? Who wasn’t young once,” Bens said, peeved.
Through the earpiece, the intern took a moment, as though ruminating over something, before saying, “Have you heard of… Professor Zhou from the University of Batelia?”
Bens went “ah—” and said, “‘Course I have. He’s an old professor who passed away many years ago; I followed that case.”
He assumed that the intern was going to follow up with more questions, but little did he expect that the other would change the subject again, “Then, a woman who ran medicinal mines, named Ollie Lucy…”
“Yeah, yeah, I remember her,” Bens said. “Are you trying to test my memory, huh? Or are you seeking proof that I really followed every case?”