Additional Inheritance - Chap 11
Chapter 11
Wen Xiaohui swapped his shift with a colleague, which meant he had the day off. He didn’t go anywhere and instead stayed home with Luo Yi to play computer games, watch movies, and stuff himself full of food. The friends that he used to hang out with were mostly at university and some even went abroad, so it was difficult to get together and mess around like before. Therefore, he went completely wild, playing and wasting time with Luo Yi, as if he’d been transported back to his student days where there were no worries nor harsh realities of life.
Wen Xiaohui lay on the floor, resting his slightly sore and swollen eyes when Luo Yi stuffed a grape into his mouth. “Xiaohui-ge, are you on the morning or night shift tomorrow?”
“Morning.”
“Then you’ll have to return home to sleep.”
“Yeah.”
Luo Yi said in a disappointed voice, “I still want to hang out with you at the weekend.”
“Come find me in the afternoon, but I’ll have to go home in the evening.”
“Okay, since I haven’t seen the inside of your studio yet. I only got as far as the entrance last time.”
Wen Xiaohui rolled over and stared at him. “Remember, you’re not allowed to call me Xiaohui-ge at the studio.”
“How come?”
“That name is so old-fashioned.” Wen Xiaohui pouted, “You can call me Adrian or Adi. Don’t forget!”
Luo Yi laughed, “Don’t worry, I have a really good memory.”
“If that son-of-a-bitch is there tomorrow, don’t pay any attention to him no matter what he says or does.”
Luo Yi said, “Oh…” He propped up his chin and smiled at Wen Xiaohui. “What can he do?”
“Who the heck knows? But don’t worry, I won’t let him bully you.”
“Okay.”
Wen Xiaohui’s conversation with Luo Yi reminded him that no matter how much he wanted to escape reality, he still had to return to work tomorrow unless Raven sacked him. However, he didn’t think that Raven would do that and it was more likely that he would quit in disgust if he ever left the studio, rather than waiting for Raven to kick him out. However, since it hadn’t gotten to this stage yet, he needed to go back and take a look.
He sat up and started fiddling with the mobile phone that he fished out.
Luo Yi asked, “What are you up to?”
“Uploading photos… How about this filter? It’s Japanese.” Wen Xiaohui pointed at the selfie that he took yesterday and showed it to Luo Yi.
“Not bad. How about a natural1 look?”
“Hey, this one’s great. I’m going to put this photo of me and Li Hua as the first photo.” Wen Xiaohui laughed evilly, “When Luca opens Weibo, he’s going to be so pissed off that he won’t be able to sleep all night.” After Wen Xiaohui finished editing his Weibo, something suddenly occurred to him and he draped his arm over Luo Yi’s neck and said, “Hey, we haven’t taken a photo together yet…”
Luo Yi extended his finger and gently covered the lens of the camera.
Wen Xiaohui stared blankly. “What’s wrong?”
Luo Yi replied, “I don’t like having photos of me online.”
Wen Xiaohui queried, “How come? You’re so handsome that I want to show you off to everybody.”
Luo Yi smiled. “I’m just not keen.”
“Hasn’t anyone tried to secretly photograph you at school?”
“Maybe? But no one dares to upload it.”
Wen Xiaohui thought it was inconceivable; he could understand how people wanted to hide their wealth, but he’d never met anyone so handsome who would want to hide their own face away. If he were as good-looking as Luo Yi, he would definitely storm the showbiz industry without hesitation. Continuing to pester, he said, “I won’t put it online. Can we just take one photo together?”
“Okay, but the photo can only be saved on your mobile phone.”
“Relax, but I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.” Wen Xiaohui hooked his arm around Luo Yi’s neck again and faced the camera. He tilted his face to present his most attractive side. Luo Yi gently smiled without any deliberate expression as he stared at the screen. He was so beautiful that he had no bad angles. Wen Xiaohui looked at the screen and thought to himself that this must be the first time in his life that he couldn’t resist staring at another person when taking a selfie.
After taking a few photos, Wen Xiaohui chose the best one and messaged it to Luo Yi. “Keep it. I don’t mind if you use it as your wallpaper.”
Luo Yi switched on his phone and stared at the photo of the both of them that Wen Xiaohui sent across. The two teenagers posed face-to-face with youthful and lustrous smiles in the photo. The light from the mobile phone screen reflected off his eyes, making his pupils shine even brighter.
Wen Xiaohui chuckled, “What’s up? Are you infatuated with your own beauty?”
Luo Yi tilted his mobile phone. “Excluding my mum, you’re the only other person I’ve taken a photo with.”
“Are you serious? But you’re so old and you’ve never taken photos with anyone other than my sister?”
“Yes, really. I don’t like having photos taken of me, never mind taking photos with others.”
Wen Xiaohui rubbed his nose. “Are you angry because I asked you to take a photo with me?”
Luo Yi smiled and said, “How would I? You’re part of my family just like my mum.”
Joy spread across Wen Xiaohui’s face.
———–
The next day, Wen Xiaohui was unsurprised by Luca’s dejected appearance when he started his morning shift.
Xiao Ai came over to say, “Darling2 Adi, I saw your Weibo. How was it? Is Li Hua as beautiful in real life? Wang Yudong is my idol. Is he really 1.8 metres tall?”
“Li Hua is gorgeous and her skin is extremely supple. Wang Yudong is pretty tall – he’s definitely at least 1.8 metres.”
Xiao Ai said excitedly. “I’m so jealous. If I knew that you were going, I would have asked you to get me some autographs.”
“What autographs? It’s very embarrassing to ask for autographs at that kind of venue. I attended as a guest.” Wen Xiaohui deliberately raised his voice.
As expected, Luca snorted mockingly.
Xiao Ai pouted, winked at Wen Xiaohui and said, “I’m so broken-hearted.”
Both of them started snickering.
Luca sneered, “What a fucking idiot! Do you want to be the next A-Kai?”
Wen Xiaohui rolled his eyes in response. “What’s wrong with being the next A-Kai? A-Kai is doing so well.”
“Well?” Luca looked around and checked that there were only the three of them in the studio. “Li Hua was on the cover of Vogue magazine recently. The ‘Delicate and Exquisite Visage’ style of makeup that was all the rage a little while ago was actually designed by A-Kai, but Raven took all the credit. I bet you didn’t know that. Why do you think A-Kai had to go abroad? They said it was to further his studies but it was actually because he fell into Raven’s trap and had to go nurse his wounds.”
Wen Xiaohui was shocked. “It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, Luca. You’ve got guts, daring to spread rumours about Raven.”
“I’m not afraid to say it. I don’t care if you tell him anyway since Juxing is going to be split up, and I won’t be following Raven. Do you think Raven’s great? You’re acting like this because he took you to the event like a charity case3? I genuinely wish you luck in becoming his next right-hand man.”
Wen Xiaohui’s face looked downcast but he forced himself to put up a front. “Let me be the judge of Raven. It’s better than you following Xiao Yan for all this time and she’s never taken you out to network. Is she ashamed of your appearance?”
Luca revealed a malicious smile. “You look presentable. Raven will definitely negotiate a good price for you.”
Wen Xiaohui clenched his fists and he really wanted to go and rip Luca’s mouth. Luca’s words resonated with his inner resentment and the hatred that had built up from the bullying and provocation that started from the first day he joined the studio, bubbled to the surface. “Fucking idiot! You talk shit every day. I’m4 going to teach that foul mouth of yours how to speak.” He kicked over the stool and looked like he was about to pounce at him.
Luca’s eyes momentarily showed his fear, he didn’t expect that Wen Xiaohui would look so intimidating when he lost his temper.
Xiao Ai grabbed onto Wen Xiaohui’s waist. “Stop Xiaohui! Calm down, calm down! Shut up, Zhang Xiong5!”
Luca harrumphed and turned to run towards the storage room.
Wen Xiaohui inhaled a few deep breaths before he was able to calm down.
Xiao Ai said, “It’s been such a long time, you should be used to it. What’s wrong with you today? Why did you lower yourself to his level?”
Wen Xiaohui was too embarrassed to mention how Raven had tried to pimp him out yesterday and he could only say “I’m on my period.”
Xiao Ai burst out laughing.
Wen Xiaohui wasn’t able to laugh because he felt that Raven was capable of doing the things that Luca had mentioned. He suddenly feared for his career prospects.
Luo Yi appeared close to the end of his busy morning shift.
As soon as Xiao Ai saw Luo Yi, she said excitedly, “Wow. Young man6, are you looking for Adi?”
Luo Yi smiled and replied, “Yeah, is he around?”
“Adi, your ‘handsome boy’ relative is here.”
Wen Xiaohui was blow drying the hair of a customer when he heard her words and he looked over. “Luo Yi, take a seat, I’m nearly done.”
Luo Yi sat on the sofa beside the door and his eyes swept over the studio. He watched Wen Xiaohui skillfully style someone’s hair; his professional behaviour was completely different from his normally sunny character.
“Have some water, handsome.”
Luo Yi raised his head. Luca had unexpectedly poured him a glass of water and placed it in front of him.
Luo Yi nodded. “Thanks.”
“Are you really related to Adrian?”
“Yeah.”
Luca’s face was full of disbelief. “What relative? You two don’t even look alike.” He lowered his voice and whispered, “You must be a couple.”
Luo Yi faintly smiled. “I’m his nephew.”
Luca looked at Luo Yi from head to toe. “How old are you?”
“15.”
Luca hadn’t finished speaking by the time Wen Xiaohui dashed over and blocked him. He said impolitely, “What did you say to him?”
“It’s none of your business.” Luca rolled his eyes at him. “Go sort out customer number seven.”
“I’ve already finished my shift.”
“You can work overtime. Anyway, I need to go. Since you’re the most junior one here, you know what to do.” Luca brought out a mirror to fix his hair.
Wen Xiaohui glared at him viciously.
“You can’t just leave,” said Luo Yi with a smile.
Luca glanced at Luo Yi. “Oh? Do you want to tie me up on the spot?”
“I saw the customer records at the front desk, the ones that you’re expected to input by yourselves.” Luo Yi said calmly, “If you leave, I’ll reduce your recorded number of customers by half.”
Luca’s eyes widened in shock. “What did you say? How dare you!”
Wen Xiaohui was startled, how come he had never thought of doing this after being framed so many times by Luca?
When Luo Yi stood up, he appeared half a head taller than Luca. “Yes, I dare. You should stay behind if you haven’t finished your work.”
Luca took a step back and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
Wen Xiaohui was so delighted that he literally wanted to give Luo Yi a round of applause.
At that moment in time, the door to the studio opened and Raven entered with his bag slung over his shoulder.
Wen Xiaohui felt a little nervous, but followed the others in greeting him.
Raven’s expression appeared normal. “Everyone needs to stay later today. There’s an investor coming to view the studio.”
“Sure.” Everyone went back to working.
Unexpectedly, two people entered one after another within the next 10 minutes. It was the two remaining partners of Juxing, Xiao Yan and Liu Xing.
A lot of people had been at Juxing for many years but had never seen all three of them appear at the same time. They suddenly began to think that maybe something extraordinary would happen today.
Xiao Yan said to Luca, “The investor is due soon, let us know immediately when they arrive. I’m going to get some rest first.”
Luca smiled as he said, “Of course, Xiao Yan-jie.”
Wen Xiaohui thought that Director Luo must be arriving soon, and he suddenly wanted to find a place to hide. However, after a good look around, there didn’t seem to be anywhere suitable to hide.
Luo Yi noticed his abnormal behaviour. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, there is an investor who is a bit of a pervert. He might be coming today, but I don’t want to see his face.”
With a meaningful smile, Luo Yi said, “Maybe it’ll be interesting.”
“What?”
“I meant the negotiations.”
“We’re not allowed to watch, they’ll be having discussions in the office.”
Not long afterwards, the doors to the studio were violently shoved open. A tall and stocky middle-aged woman burst in aggressively, followed by two men who looked like bodyguards.
A smile spread across Luca’s face. “Excuse me, you’re…?”
The woman bellowed, “Who’s Luca!”
Luca stared blankly. “Huh? I am. Are you looking for me?”
The woman turned her head around slowly and her domineering eyes looked as though they were going to bore two holes in his face. Before anyone else could react, she raised her arm and delivered a heavy slap.
Everyone was stunned.
Luo Yi stood behind Wen Xiaohui with his arms crossed over his chest and revealed a barely detectable and shallow smile.
Luca had almost fallen on the floor due to the slap and he didn’t have time to react before the woman cursed at him loudly, “You shameless son-of-a-bitch! How dare you seduce my husband? Open your fucking eyes and take a look at who I am! Do you want to die?”
The door to the office opened. Raven and the two others ran out one after another. They were all shocked by the scene.
Liu Xing was the first to react. “You’re Director Chen?”
The woman replied, “Yes. I was the one who phoned you, because I wanted the bosses to know what kind of employees work for them. A man who seduces another person’s husband, urgh, it’s enough to make me vomit!”
Luca’s complexion was pale, which complemented the increasingly bright red handprints on his face. His whole body was trembling.
The whole studio was completely silent.
An embarrassed Xiao Yan said, “Director Chen, has there been a misunderstanding…”
“What misunderstanding! His car is in my husband’s name and the house he lives in is in my fucking name! Every penny of my husband’s money that he spends is mine. I’ll sue him for fraud.”
“This matter… Let’s go inside to talk…”
Director Chen said aggressively, “There’s nothing more to say about this. There’s one thing I want to do now. Either let me smash the studio since I can afford the compensation, or let me teach this son-of-a-bitch a lesson.”
Luca took a step back and looked pleadingly at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan frowned and wasn’t sure what to do.
The two bodyguards that Director Chen brought along propped Luca up by his arms and they stood on his feet. He let out a blood-curdling shriek and started struggling with all his might. Director Chen approached and started slapping him with alternate hands, and even kicked and stomped on him. Each slap on his face sounded extraordinarily loud.
Xiao Yan’s face started to burn due to embarrassment and fury.
Like everyone else in the studio, Wen Xiaohui was shocked by this incident and although he believed that Luca deserved it, he didn’t feel like rejoicing in his misfortune. Instead, it was Xiao Yan and the other two that stood there watching by the sidelines, that left a deep impression on him.
Director Chen stopped once she grew tired. Luca’s cheeks were flushed and swollen like a steamed bun; his eyes were unfocused. The two bodyguards loosened their grip and he slumped to the ground, unable to shed any tears.
Director Chen said in a harsh tone, “Your salon really damages its image by hiring such immoral trash. I’ll keep coming around as long as he continues to work here. Take care.”
Even after Director Chen departed, the studio was so silent that even the sound of a dropped pin could be heard.
After a while, Liu Xing said, “We’re closing for the rest of the day. You can all go home.”
Wen Xiaohui grabbed his bag and hurriedly dragged Luo Yi away.
He sped downstairs and said while panting, “Shit, it was so scary!”
Luo Yi said as he smiled, “Why are you scared? You’re not the one being beaten.”
“Yes, but it’s still scary because that lady was so fierce, she’s comparable to my mum. But my mum isn’t at the level of bringing bodyguards dressed in black.”
“Let’s celebrate by grabbing something nice to eat.”
“Huh? What are we celebrating?”
“Luca won’t be able to stay at Juxing anymore. Aren’t you happy?”
Wen Xiaohui frowned. “I’ve always wanted him to leave, but…”
“But, what?”
“I’ve always imagined that I would become an awesome stylist so that he would be beneath me and have to pander to my needs, instead of him leaving like this… Even though he deserves it.”
“Yes, he really deserves it.” Luo Yi took out his mobile phone. “I secretly recorded what happened just now. You can rewatch it whenever you want.”
Wen Xiaohui said in surprise, “Why did you record it?”
“Isn’t it amusing?” Luo Yi smiled innocently. “Do you want to upload it? I set up a VPN on your behalf, I guarantee that no one will be able to trace it back to you.”
Wen Xiaohui’s heart shook and he felt that Luo Yi’s smile was a little frightening at that moment in time. Most of the people in the salon were frozen in fear since they were mostly youngsters in their early 20s and had never experienced anything like this before. But Luo Yi had actually recorded it? He hurriedly said, “No, there’s no need. Just delete it, I don’t want to watch it.”
Luo Yi shrugged. “I thought you would be happy, he won’t be able to bother you anymore.”
“Yeah.” Wen Xiaohui sighed, “I suddenly remembered what you said before.”
“About what?”
“How some bad guys are easier to differentiate; Luca is the type of bad guy that’s easy to identify, so I can keep my guard up around him. The worst he can do is disgust me, but he can’t hurt me. The bad guys that can’t easily be differentiated, the type you described as ‘those who do bad things when their interests are endangered’ – I think my boss might be one of those.”
Luo Yi’s eyes narrowed. “What did he do to you?”
“He hasn’t done anything yet, but I heard some of his rumours. Don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’m reading too much into it. Let’s go have some delicious food and forget about other people’s business.”
“Remember to tell me if you think there’s something wrong with him.”
Wen Xiaohui laughed, “The world of grown-ups is too complicated, you wouldn’t be able to help me even if I told you.”
“At least I could give you some suggestions. It’s better than facing it alone. Right?”
“Yep.” Wen Xiaohui stretched his waist. “Stop talking about these troublesome things. Go, go, go. Let’s have lunch.”
Footnotes:
The raws (Chinese text) say “LOMO” which stands for Let Our Life be Magic and Open! It’s a more relaxed approach for taking photos whereby the technical aspects of photography are less important and the person shoots what they want, when they want.
I’ve used darling for the word 宝贝 (baobei), sometimes translated as baby.
This was closest in meaning to the Chinese words 施舍, giving charity/alms to someone but in the context of this sentence, it has negative connotations.
老子 (laozi), i.e. dad, but is an arrogant way to refer to oneself that demeans the other person.
This random name appeared, I can only assume that this is Luca’s Chinese name which the author hasn’t mentioned until now.
Little brother is used in the raws but it looks rather odd in English.
