Additional Inheritance - Chap 16
Chapter 16
Luo Yi called that evening and Wen Xiaohui asked what he’d been up to. Luo Yi steered the conversation so that the two of them ended up chatting about Shao Qun.
Luo Yi said, “So you need to wait for Shao Qun to take the initiative to ask you out again. Don’t forget that he has to be the one to take the lead, then find somewhere quiet to meet up and bring me along.”
“Huh, bring you? What should I tell him?”
“Just tell him that I’m your nephew. You two can discuss things and I’ll play on my phone next to you. He won’t mind me.”
“What should I say to him?”
“You can say whatever you want to him, but you have to remember two things. Firstly, don’t accept money from him, and secondly, don’t diss any of your bosses.”
“Can’t I just ignore him and let this matter blow over? Why do I have to meet up with him?”
“That’s fine if Shao Qun doesn’t become Juxing’s majority shareholder. What if he succeeds? Do you think he would find you pleasing to the eye?”
Wen Xiaohui was speechless.
“You have to reject his attempts to use you without causing offence. It requires a lot of skill to master.”
Wen Xiaohui sighed, “It’s so damn complicated and boring. I really don’t want to go.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
Wen Xiaohui rolled on the bed and said in a coquettish tone, “But I really don’t want to go.”
“You should go, it’s for your own good. Shao Qun has a bad temper so you can’t offend him. Aren’t you disrespecting him1 if you refuse his invitation?”
Wen Xiaohui said with surprise, “Are you familiar with him?”
“I know a little bit about him.”
“How did you find out about him? You don’t seem to belong in the same social circles. I wouldn’t even know he existed if Raven didn’t tell me about him. People like him are good at protecting their privacy.”
“I asked Mr Cao to make some inquiries after you told me about him. Mr Cao has a lot of connections in politics and business.
“Well, you can easily tell that you shouldn’t get involved with someone like Shao Qun. To be honest, I’m a little scared of him too.”
“Try not to worry too much. It’s just a job.”
“You’re right – it’s just a job.”
“Yeah. By the way, has Sydney been in touch?”
“No, I think she might need a few days to calm down.”
“Just comfort her if she contacts you, but don’t give your opinions about her ex-husband. Don’t meddle in other people’s business.”
“But…”
“No ifs or buts. Their current situation is very dangerous, so don’t get involved. The more you speak, the greater the chance of making a mistake. Let her sort it out by herself since she’s a grown-up.”
“Okay, but when I think about how her ex-husband hasn’t been punished yet, I feel anxious and goddamn angry.”
Luo Yi responded wisely, “Someone like him will suffer the consequences of his actions sooner or later.”
“Yeah. I can’t bloody wait.”
“Get some rest soon.”
“Oh, you too.”
Luo Yi laughed, “I go to bed very early when you’re not around. If you’re here, I want to stay up and chat with you for a bit longer.”
Wen Xiaohui’s heart trembled. Maybe it was because of what his mother implied, but why did these words sound so ambiguous? He laughed out loud, “Early to bed and early to rise. Goodnight.”
———————–
Ever since Shao Qun came to the studio that day, Raven’s attitude towards Wen Xiaohui changed and he became more amicable. Raven no longer used the issue of Director Luo to openly or secretly mock him, which he found funny in the first place even though he was used to Raven’s elitist attitude. One day, he took advantage of Raven’s good mood to request time-off because Luo Yi wanted to take him to Japan. However, Raven’s face immediately became sullen and he shut down the request by saying that they didn’t have enough staff.
Wen Xiaohui became extremely depressed, but after some consideration, he realised that he wouldn’t have been able to explain holidaying abroad to his mother. He was better off not going.
Sydney didn’t try to contact him at all during the two months of summer holidays. Shao Qun had also vanished without a trace. He would have forgotten about the issue with Shao Qun if Luo Yi hadn’t asked him about it twice during this period of time. He had a feeling that Luo Yi was more impatient to meet Shao Qun than he was.
In a blink of an eye, it was time for Luo Yi to register at university. Wen Xiaohui volunteered to act as his guardian and take him to university, even though it was situated very close to his house.
Wen Xiaohui had swapped his shift in advance, and hailed a taxi to the villa in the early hours to pick Luo Yi up.
Luo Yi was a little surprised when he saw the taxi. “Why did you take a taxi?”
“I’m taking you to university.”
“My house is only a half an hour cycle from the university.”
“You’re a new university student. Don’t you need to bring stuff?”
Luo Yi tapped his backpack. “I won’t be living on campus, so I only have to bring some documents. Why don’t we cycle instead?”
Wen Xiaohui had no choice but to pay the driver. “You can leave now.”
The driver gave him a look that said ‘can’t you afford a taxi despite living in a villa’ and he drove away in contempt.
Wen Xiaohui sat on the back seat of Luo Yi’s bicycle. “I’ve discovered that you love riding your bike.”
“Isn’t it great? It’s healthy and environmentally friendly.”
“Do you happen to hate cars?”
Luo Yi paused. “Cars aren’t safe, I prefer bicycles.”
Wen Xiaohui couldn’t help but chuckle. “I really haven’t seen a rich second generation like you. Which rich person doesn’t like showing off?”
Luo Yi said in a moderate tone, “I am not a rich second generation.”
“If you don’t count as a rich second generation, then I must come from the slums.”
“You were born into a great family; one that was very affectionate and emphasised the importance of values, and provided you with a strong sense of security. You’re the one who is a rich second generation based on this criteria.”
Wen Xiaohui wanted to mock Luo Yi for retransforming into a life coach simmering chicken soup for the soul2. However, he recalled Luo Yi’s family situation as he was about to speak and he was unable to say it aloud. Everytime he thought of the history of the youth’s life, he would feel especially heartbroken. He sighed, “Even though your parents weren’t that reliable, it was fortunate that you grew up to be such a good kid. A lot of the kids with… more complicated families end up twisted.”
Luo Yi smiled and said, “What do you think a twisted person is like?”
“Erm… Someone who is particularly sensitive, jealous and vengeful. They have trust issues and a general disdain towards society. They should be more or less like that?”
“Oh, I see…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Have you ever met anyone like this?”
“I came across people that met one or two of the criteria, but not anyone who meets all of them. If someone like that really existed, it would frighten people to death. I would stay far away from them.”
Luo Yi laughed gently.
They had entered the university grounds and were surrounded by first year students who had come from all around to register for university. Each and every juvenile-looking face was like the morning sun, brimming with youthful energy.
Wen Xiaohui said, “Sometimes I wonder what university life is like.”
“Why don’t you enrol then? I can tutor you and I guarantee that you’ll get into a decent university.”
Wen Xiaohui shook his head. “Of course not. I despise studying and exams. I just feel a little melancholic.”
Luo Yi cycled towards the most prestigious university in the country and Wen Xiaohui stared at the plaque on the main gates to the university. “Wow, I never expected to visit X University one day. This place doesn’t exist on the same planet as me.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Of course you don’t think it’s an exaggeration. I’ve heard that there are quite a few child geniuses like you.”
“Yeah, there are and some are even younger than me.”
“Even younger than you?”
“There is a 13 year old in the physics department.”
Wen Xiaohui praised3, “What a freak!”
Luo Yi parked his bicycle by the classroom building, and they walked towards the registration office for freshers.
Wen Xiaohui looked all around and appearing a little disappointed, he said, “There aren’t any handsome guys and not many girls at all. It’s going to be difficult for you to find a girlfriend.”
Luo Yi smiled but remained silent.
The registration office was surrounded by many freshers, and the two of them immediately caused some commotion when they appeared. After all, this was the kind of establishment where the most accomplished grade A students would congregate. Wen Xiaohui’s appearance was enough for him to be graded at a colonel’s rank of handsomeness4 at the university. When they realised that it was Luo Yi who had come to register, an even larger wave of excitement replaced the last. Teenage geniuses weren’t considered rare, but most people weren’t fortunate enough to meet a teenage genius that was even more beautiful than a girl in their entire lives.
Wen Xiaohui took advantage of the preferential treatment for family members, and he stood beside Luo Yi brimming with pride, as if Luo Yi had been raised by him since childhood and he joyfully reaped the rewards. He felt well respected5.
Luo Yi became famous after he finished the registration process. He declined a ton of invites to join certain societies and escaped with Wen Xiaohui.
They were about to find somewhere to have a nice meal when Wen Xiaohui unexpectedly received Shao Qun’s call.
“Wow, it’s Shao Qun. I thought he’d already given up.” Wen Xiaohui grasped the phone and appeared a little nervous.
Luo Yi raised his eyebrows. “Good timing. We can freeload a meal off him.”
“You’re right, meals are expensive.” Wen Xiaohui suddenly whispered, “Oh yeah, I used your allowance to buy a limited edition CPB eyeshadow palette.”
Luo Yi chuckled, “You don’t have to report back to me. I’ve already explained that you’re free to spend my allowance.”
“That seems a little cheeky… I’ve bought you a really nice shampoo as well. I’ll help you apply it when we get home.”
“Great. Xiaohui-ge, we are family so don’t worry about these things. Otherwise it’ll seem like we’re estranged from each other.”
Wen Xiaohui chuckled, “I need to be mindful because I’m worried I can’t control my spending.” He hopped onto the back seat of the bicycle. “Let’s go. The restaurant is a bit far from here. Young man, it’s time to test your physical strength.”
“Don’t worry, I have great stamina.”
Wen Xiaohui watched Luo Yi’s legs follow the neverending up-down motions of the bicycle pedals. The outline of his thigh muscles were faintly visible through his jeans. It was evident that he still had the body of a growing teen that had yet to fully mature into an adult, but it still made people’s imagination run wild.
Wen Xiaohui gently slapped himself on the face. He thought this situation was too freaking dangerous!
The location where they were dining was a high-class licensed restaurant. The security guard’s eyes widened when he saw Luo Yi stopping the bicycle at the entrance to the restaurant. It might have been because he had been on duty for such a long time and had never seen someone arrive by bicycle before.
Wen Xiaohui felt a little shy. Luo Yi’s facial expression appeared normal, and asked the security guard, “Where can I park my bicycle?”
The security guard blinked. “Park? Just park it there.”
Luo Yi finished parking the bicycle. “Let’s go.”
The waitress showed them to a private room where Shao Qun was sitting alone in the room, looking at his phone. He raised his head to glance at Wen Xiaohui. “You’re here.” He was stunned when his eyes fell on Luo Yi.
Wen Xiaohui nodded. “Young Master Shao.”
“Who’s this?” Shao Qun looked at Luo Yi with interest.
All of a sudden Wen Xiaohui recognised that look in Shao Qun’s eyes which was full of undisguised intentions. He immediately said, “He’s my nephew and he’s 15 years old.” He placed great emphasis on Luo Yi’s age.
Shao Qun said, “Oh. Sit down.”
From the moment he entered the door of the private room, Luo Yi pretended to be indifferent. Shao Qun must have had an ulterior motive towards Wen Xiaohui from the expression in his eyes.
After they sat down, Shao Qun picked up the menu. “Is there anything you can’t eat6?”
“No.”
“How about your nephew?”
Luo Yi replied, “No.”
Shao Qun glanced at Luo Yi. “Wen Xiaohui, why did you bring your nephew? I’m here to talk business with you.”
“Today was the start of the university term. I took him to complete his registration and we were about to go for a meal when I received your call. It’ll be fine since he’s very quiet.”
Shao Qun didn’t care at all. After placing the order, he got straight to the point and asked, “What’s your decision on the matters we discussed last time?”
Footnotes:
The raws refer to Shao Qun losing face.
Being philosophical like Headmaster Lu Bixing in Priest’s Can Ci Pin/The Defective who was known for watering his students with chicken soup.
Literally to click one’s tongue and in this context it is used to denote admiration.
校草, most handsome boy in the school, literally school grass. The female equivalent is school flower.
The Chinese phrase refers to him having ‘face’ i.e. being respected (please refer to previous chapters where the concept of having/losing face was explained).
The implications are wider than just allergies and would extend to diets where certain foods are avoided.
