Additional Inheritance - Chap 58
Chapter 58
Wen Xiaohui was distracted for the next two days. When Li Shuo told him that the relevant authorities were investigating Changhong Corporation’s unusual share price movements, he couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to go find Luo Yi.
On the way to Luo Yi’s house, he received a phone call from Shao Qun. He had a feeling that Shao Qun was looking for him because of Luo Yi, but he never expected Shao Qun to get straight to the point and say: “You should go to France to train for three months.”
Wen Xiaohui was shocked. “Pardon?”
“I’ve just received the training quota. Hand the documents to Liu Xing’s assistant, your visa will be ready in a week. We need to move quickly or you’ll miss the start of the course.”
Wen Xiaohui didn’t expect there to be a sudden opportunity for him to undertake further training and that the reputation of the training provider cooperating with them in France wasn’t worse than the one where he’d trained in the US. It was a place everyone in the industry craved, but could he really leave at this moment in time with his heart at ease? He said hesitantly, “Young Master Shao, why is it so sudden?”
“We just talked about it. Stop spouting rubbish and go get your documents ready.”
“I… Could I possibly join the next intake?”
Shao Qun replied sternly, “The next intake? What’s in that brain of yours? Do you think these opportunities are as common as shopping for vegetables? If you miss this chance, you won’t have such opportunities in future with me leaving.”
With mixed feelings, Wen Xiaohui clenched his fists. During this period of time, his brain was completely filled with Luo Yi’s matters and he nearly couldn’t accommodate anything else. He’d been neglecting his work a little and couldn’t bring himself to appear excited at receiving such news, because the timing was awful. He said softly, “I-I’ll have a think.”
“Think your ass. You only have yourself to blame if you dare waste my time and energy.” Shao Qun hung up.
Wen Xiaohui held his handset in a daze for a while. He decided that he would go home to get things ready after seeing Luo Yi. Any normal person wouldn’t want to miss this kind of opportunity, besides Shao Qun was doing him a favour and he was sure to offend him if he didn’t go.
Going away for a while was possibly a good thing for him. If he couldn’t do anything or stop Luo Yi, then running away from it all was his only option.
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When he reached Luo Yi’s house, he summoned his courage to ring the doorbell since he’d left the key behind last time. Each time he thought it would be his last time at this place, but the truth of the matter showed that his entanglement with Luo Yi wasn’t over yet.
Luo Yi opened the door. In the split second that he saw Wen Xiaohui, the surprise on his face gradually turned to joy. “Xiaohui-ge.”
Wen Xiaohui’s fist swung towards Luo Yi’s face.
This time, Luo Yi didn’t dodge again and bore the impact of the punch. He staggered backwards a few steps and his expression immediately dimmed.
“Changhong’s stock is under investigation. Aren’t you planning to stop yet? Are you not worried they’ll find out you’re behind it? You’re not a kid anymore, you’ll be sentenced to what you deserve!”
Luo Yi wiped the corner of his mouth. “Li Shuo spared no effort in order to please you.”
Wen Xiaohui was distracted for a couple of seconds until he finally processed the sentence. “You’re monitoring my mobile phone again!”
Luo Yi looked at him with a somewhat gloomy and cold look in his eyes. “I wanted to find out who revealed the matter and it turned out to be Li Shuo.”
“This has nothing to do with Li Shuo, I discovered Changhong Corporation myself. I only made enquiries about Changhong Corporation’s share prices with Li Shuo. He knows nothing!”
Luo Yi sneered, “Are you worried I’ll deal with him? I did think about it before, to the point where I’d even started plotting. Thankfully you rejected him, but it looks like he hasn’t given up yet.”
Wen Xiaohui was enraged as he gritted his teeth. “Dare to harm Li Shuo and I’ll fight you with all I’ve got!”
“Relax, I don’t have the energy at the moment to deal with him, but I don’t want to hear him talking rubbish to you again.”
“He’s talking rubbish? It’s all true!”
Luo Yi lowered his eyes. “Xiaohui-ge, this isn’t something you should get involved in. I’m really happy that you came to find me, but if you came here to persuade me… I’m sorry, your efforts are wasted. ”
“So there’s no way to stop you? Aren’t you fucking scared at all?! Do you want your life to be ruined?!”
Luo Yi smiled ever so faintly. “So what if my life is ruined? I don’t have anything to look forward to even if it’s not ruined.” He looked at Wen Xiaohui, each clench of his heart felt painful. “Why did you come back? Is it because you can’t bear to be apart from me?”
“You’re my sister’s son!” Wen Xiaohui clenched his teeth and shouted, “You’re so young and life is long, you’re an idiot to want to bury yourself with a 50-60 year old man!”
Luo Yi’s eyes were as clear as a mirror. He said in a low voice, “Why are you so foolish?”
“What did you say?!”
“I said you’re too foolish. What should we do with you?” Luo Yi looked at him with an expression that contained both tenderness and pity – it was very complicated.
Wen Xiaohui felt angry as a result of being humiliated. “You’re more goddamn stupid than me. A fool!”
Luo Yi closed his eyes. The sound of his strained breathing quivered slightly. “You should leave and don’t come back again. You have a good life ahead of you.”
“I want you to stop what you’re doing.” Wen Xiaohui said firmly, “Or go abroad now. In any case, you don’t have to keep fighting with Chang Xing.”
Luo Yi lowered his head, he stayed silent for a long time before raising his head. The expression in his eyes seemed determined. “I don’t want to leave and if you want me to stop, you should stay by my side.”
“You motherfucker!” Wen Xiaohui felt like his heart and lungs had been blown apart. Luo Yi went as far as using this to threaten him.
Luo Yi walked over. His slender fingers caressed Wen Xiaohui’s face. “If you stay by my side, I’m willing to stay alive for you.”
Wen Xiaohui batted Luo Yi’s hand away. “You lied to me for three years, are you still hoping we’ll make up? Fuck you! Are you sick in the head?”
Luo Yi’s arm drooped down lethargically. “I’m sorry… You should leave. Just pretend you never met me.”
Wen Xiaohui hoisted him up by his shirt collar. He was so angry that his facial features appeared distorted, his fist was raised high.
Luo Yi closed his eyes.
Wen Xiaohui clenched his fist with all his strength, his fingernails dug into his flesh and pierced his palm as he felt bursts of pain. Looking at Luo Yi’s resigned to fate expression, he couldn’t bring himself to throw the punch.
Luo Yi was so young, his skin was so tender that it looked as if it was glowing. His lips were bright-red and plump, and the stubble on his chin had an air of immaturity. All in all, he was just an 18 year old kid, even if he was smarter, more mature, and more ruthless than his peers…
In the end, Wen Xiaohui relaxed his fist and he pushed Luo Yi away. His frail chest heaved vigorously. His jawline was very taut.
Luo Yi opened his eyes and calmly stared at him.
Wen Xiaohui said quietly, “What are you trying to do to Chang Xing?”
“I’m working with several companies to short1 his company’s stock. Or in simple terms, when I spend 10 yuan to manipulate his share price, he needs to spend 15 yuan. If I spend 20 yuan, he needs to spend 25 yuan and it will keep going up like that. The investors will keep following, trapping us all. Changhong Corporation will be bankrupt as soon as I dump the shares. However, if Changhong Corporation continues to hang on, we’ll be the ones who will lose everything. We’re now competing to see who will be the first to fold.”
“Are you confident you’ll beat him?”
“I’m not.” Luo Yi smiled faintly, “It’s a gamble, but it’ll be the end of him if I win. Even if I end up losing, he’ll still suffer huge losses.”
“Aren’t you worried he’ll do something?”
“I have the guts to do it, so I’m not afraid. I have something in my possession that will put him away for the rest of his life. That’s why he doesn’t dare do anything yet.”
Wen Xiaohui felt chills running down his spine. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Chang Xing was plotting to deal with Luo Yi. How could he let Luo Yi do as he pleased?
Luo Yi clearly saw through his thoughts. “He asked his assistant to come see me, he’s willing to exchange his shares for the object in my possession.”
“Give it to him then.” Wen Xiaohui stared into Luo Yi’s eyes. “If you’re able to defeat him using these methods, my sister wouldn’t have… Have you considered the consequences of angering him? Yaya was forced down the path of no return because of it!”
“I’m not like Mum, she was scared in the end.”
“She did it for you!”
“That’s why I’m not like her.” Luo Yi gave Wen Xiaohui a profound look.
Wen Xiaohui clenched his fists. “Please stop. If you agree to stop, I promise I’ll give you another chance.”
Luo Yi’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“I want you to prioritise your own safety and don’t antagonise him. From now onwards, you need to define a clear boundary between you and agree not to provoke each other. If you’re able to do this, I’ll give you a chance.” Wen Xiaohui had tried every method possible to stop Luo Yi. He couldn’t do anything to help Yaya, but he couldn’t watch helplessly as Yaya’s son ran into it head-on!
Luo Yi grabbed Wen Xiaohui’s hand, asking gently, “Are you serious?”
Wen Xiaohui stared right at him. “Yes.”
Luo Yi swept him up into his arms. His expression looked complicated, filling his eyes with a hint of sadness. “Xiaohui-ge, you shouldn’t be so nice to me.”
“I’m not doing this for you.” Wen Xiaohui pushed him away. “When will you be able to do as I say?”
“I’ll discuss it with him again.”
“Great, I want to know the outcome first thing.”
Luo Yi stroked Wen Xiaohui’s hair. “Can I give you a kiss?”
Wen Xiaohui extended his hand to brush Luo Yi’s hand away. Luo Yi grabbed Wen Xiaohui by the wrist and used one hand to press against the back of his head. He kissed him firmly.
When his soft lips made contact, Wen Xiaohui couldn’t stop himself from recalling the warm and passionate memories. Both of them went from being intimate to estranged, and perhaps they could restrain their emotions, but memories of the body were the hardest to erase. Just one kiss could evoke Wen Xiaohui’s numerous longings.
Wen Xiaohui glared at him, punching him on the shoulder.
Luo Yi felt the pain and released him with a muffled groan.
Wen Xiaohui opened the door. “Let me know when you have news.” After he finished speaking, he strode out of the house.
After leaving Luo Yi’s house, Wen Xiaohui continued to feel ill at ease. He thought back and realised Luo Yi had agreed too easily. After all, Luo Yi had lied to him before, therefore whatever he said or did had to be taken with a pinch of salt. Should he believe Luo Yi this time?
Luo Yi was being a lot more honest with him – in particular, his childhood which he used to be so tight-lipped about – even his remorse and his thirst for Wen Xiaohui. It appeared so genuine that it moved his heart. Maybe Luo Yi was still lying to him. But what if it was real this time?
Luo Yi had bewitched him – it made him fearful, but at the same time, it brought out his sympathy and made him feel pity. It was someone he once loved…. Someone he once loved. Therefore, he couldn’t look on helplessly while Luo Yi dug his own grave.
He dwelled on how there was no way for him and Luo Yi to go back to the beginning; it was just a move to stall for time. His only wish was that Luo Yi remained safe. Yaya didn’t manage to stay alive, but they should all try to keep on living.
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When he got home, he didn’t go upstairs, and instead mustered all his courage to dial Shao Qun’s mobile phone.
Shao Qun’s lazy voice came from the other end of the line. “Speak!”
“Young Master Shao, I… decided I’m not going to France.
Shao Qun stayed silent for a while, “Say that again?”
“Something’s happened at home, so I can’t go away in the short term. I really really want to go and I’m very grateful to you for giving me this opportunity, but I… I really can’t go.” Turning down an opportunity like this made him feel very upset, but there was no way he could leave with his mind at ease. He didn’t know how he’d cope if something happened to Luo Yi in his absence.
“Wen Xiaohui, you little idiot! You’re going to regret it.”
“I’m sorry, Young Master Shao. I’m really sorry.” Even though Wen Xiaohui didn’t have a good impression of Shao Qun and had been scared of him since the start, Shao Qun treated him rather well and didn’t have ill intentions towards him. As a result, he felt really guilty turning down Shao Qun’s favour.
“Wen Xiaohui, I’ve been generous to you and I’ve done my duty. If you don’t go now, you won’t be able to go in future. You’re on your own.” Shao Qun hung up.
Wen Xiaohui stared at his own mobile phone, sighing deeply.
What Shao Qun had said was right, he might not have an opportunity to go in future…
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The next few days, Wen Xiaohui waited for news from Luo Yi, but Luo Yi acted as though nothing had happened. He started to send him text messages every day at a fixed time to attentively inquire about his daily life – it made Wen Xiaohui feel incessantly irritated.
He continued to pay attention to Changhong’s stock and in the past few days, there was a slight downward trend in the share price. On the surface, it looked a lot more normal. In reality, he still couldn’t really understand anything, but based on what Li Shuo and Luo Yi had said, this could only be a good sign because the crazier the share price rose, the scarier it was.
Luo Yi invited Wen Xiaohui to his house for dinner on Saturday – he had some good news to tell him. For the first time in days, Wen Xiaohui replied back to his text message with one word: Okay.
After finishing work, Wen Xiaohui went over to Luo Yi’s house. Luo Yi was wearing loungewear with an apron tied around him when he opened the door. He revealed a gentle and brilliant smile as soon as he saw Wen Xiaohui.
Wen Xiaohui raised his head to look at Luo Yi, feeling as though his vision became blurry temporarily and his mind went blank. It was as if he’d gone back in time. The youth had worn the apron with a smile numerous times to wait for him to come home and they’d eat dinner together, chat, watch films, and afterwards, they would hug, kiss, and make love to their hearts’ content. Devoting a lifetime to each other couldn’t be deemed excessive.
It’d be a lie to say that he didn’t miss that period of time – it was so perfect.
It was a shame that it was only perfect on the surface and after tearing it apart, only gorey lies and exploitation remained.
Luo Yi grabbed Wen Xiaohui’s hand and dragged him to the door. He smiled as he said, “We’re having seafood tonight. I’ve just learned how to make a few things and I guarantee you’ll like it.”
Feeling uncomfortable, Wen Xiaohui retracted his hand.
Luo Yi smiled and said, “Go watch some TV, I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Wen Xiaohui nodded and went to sit on the sofa. However, he couldn’t concentrate on what was shown on TV and instead, he turned his head once in a while. From this angle, he could see one of the corners of the kitchen. The back view of Luo Yi’s tall stature was bustling away inside. Wen Xiaohui continued to watch and an image appeared in front of him – he was walking over and hugged Luo Yi naturally from the back. Luo Yi turned around and kissed him on the lips. In an instant, they looked at each other and smiled – their smiles were bright, looking as though they were glowing.
The rim of Wen Xiaohui’s eyes felt hot and he immediately turned around. He leaned on the back of the sofa due to his lack of strength.
This sofa also contained a lot of memories – the first time he lay on it, Luo Yi considerately gave him the password for the wifi. They used to watch films and play computer games countless times while sitting on it. Once Luo Yi stripped him of his clothes and pressed him down on it, plowing him in various positions.
It was true, every corner of this house was filled with their memories. How could he ever forget? And how could he be set free? He began to feel more frightened that he would forget the pain that he’d felt at the beginning – he was scared that he would believe Luo Yi again.
When dinner was ready, Luo Yi happily pulled him over to the dining table, explaining the ingredients and cooking methods to him one at a time.
Wen Xiaohui looked at the seafood feast. You could tell it was tasty without having to taste it. Luo Yi has always been a good cook and he was willing to spend the time to look up recipes. He used to think that Luo Yi was the most perfect boyfriend in the world, or more precisely, he could pretend to be the most perfect boyfriend in the world.
With complicated feelings, Wen Xiaohui started to eat dinner. The person he thought he would be estranged from for the rest of his life was sitting opposite him and they were sharing a meal. His memories came flooding back which made him feel sad. In order to free himself from his memories, he had to forcefully disrupt his train of thought. He asked, “What good news do you have to tell me?”
“I agreed to that person’s conditions and I received a large sum of money from him, plus a guarantee.”
“What guarantee?”
“He’ll never come to see me or contact me again for the rest of his life.”
Wen Xiaohui breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s amazing.” He felt relieved, but at the same time, he couldn’t help feeling heartbroken about Yaya. Perhaps it was like what Luo Yi had said – if she wasn’t scared and if only she had half the ruthlessness of Luo Yi, she might have achieved her desired outcome.
No matter what, he couldn’t let Luo Yi repeat Yaya’s past mistakes.
Footnotes:
Finance lesson time! Shorting is when an investor sells more shares than they own by borrowing shares from a broker at a cost (this is possibly what Luo Yi means when he says he’s working with other companies), usually because they’re banking on the share price falling. Short-selling can cause a company’s share price to fall (due to supply and demand) and it looks as though Luo Yi’s dad is trying to counter the impact through a share buyback to prop up the share price. Eventually, if the share price does fall, the short-seller will make a big profit buying the shares at a lower price and returning them to the broker. Conversely, if the share price does not fall, the short-seller has to buy the shares at a higher price to return them to the broker plus pay interest on the amount borrowed. This is a high risk strategy and Luo Yi explains that it could go either way. The film The Big Short is pretty good at explaining this simply, so I’d recommend it if you want to learn more.
