Additional Inheritance - Chap 67
Chapter 67
Wen Xiaohui went upstairs for a shower. He took out the laptop he’d just grabbed from his house and started to type his resignation letter.
When it finally dawned on him that he had to leave, he realised that his job, which was of the greatest importance to him, was actually the easiest to give up compared with his family, friends, and his hometown.
Yet as soon as he wrote the introduction followed by the reason for his resignation, he felt a sudden unwillingness to let go.
Thinking back to himself five years ago, he was so excited about passing the interview at Juxing that he couldn’t sleep. He felt proud of his own achievements even as an apprentice on 1,500 yuan a month, he worked diligently and found himself becoming more and more accomplished. Afterwards, he finally became a permanent employee and because of Juxing being split and Raven’s departure, he was given the opportunity to further his studies, then he was promoted. Currently, not only was he one of the employees considered to be the backbone of Juxing, he was also a pretty famous makeup artist and stylist within China. His blog had 200,000 followers and he also had his own website and books. He had a never-ending stream of private work and invitations to functions – his prospects were bright.
However, he had to give it all up if he wanted to get rid of Luo Yi. All of it.
After begrudgingly typing a few words, he leaned on the headboard and closed his eyes.
Did he really have to give it all up? All his achievements, social media following, and glory would disappear… But what choice did he have? It wasn’t as if he wanted to be imprisoned by Luo Yi and live such a chaotic life.
At least he still had the huge ‘breakup fee’ that Luo Yi gave him, so he had a means of living. Perhaps Luo Yi would forget about him in a few years and he would be able to come back to the place that he liked and live the life he desired.
He let out a sigh and reopened his eyes. He continued writing his resignation letter.
As he was halfway through, Luo Yi walked upstairs looking fatigued.
Wen Xiaohui happened to raise his head and noticed that Luo Yi was wearing a suit. He wasn’t sure when Luo Yi began to look so mature despite the fact that he was only 19. He had the figure of a grown-up man coupled with a steady and calm demeanour. When he remained silent, he seemed almost callous and stern – just one look or action was enough to put someone under pressure, rendering them unable to speak.
Did he used to be blind or were Luo Yi’s acting skills too accomplished? How could he mistake a wolf cub for an affectionate little lamb?
Luo Yi stared at his laptop. “What are you doing?”
“Surfing the internet.” Wen Xiaohui closed the lid of the laptop, setting it aside.
“Are you really bored? I can play computer games with you.” Luo Yi revealed his handsome smile.
“I’m going to sleep.” Wen Xiaohui lifted his duvet and tucked himself inside.
Luo Yi went over and rested one of his hands on the mattress as he stooped to give Wen Xiaohui a peck on the forehead. “Goodnight.”
Wen Xiaohui closed his eyes and stayed still.
His eyes suddenly opened once Luo Yi went into the bathroom. He turned over, getting out of bed to walk to the desk where he saw Luo Yi’s mobile phone.
He wanted to call Shao Qun, but his mobile was under surveillance – the only means of contact left was Luo Yi’s mobile phone.
He daringly turned on Luo Yi’s mobile when he heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom, typing Shao Qun’s number which he’d spent a long time memorising.
As he inputted the fifth digit, the smart function on the mobile displayed the rest of the number – it was Shao Qun’s!
Wen Xiaohui felt a chill in his heart causing him to almost drop the mobile phone.
Shao Qun’s number in contacts was listed as Director Shao. Why would Luo Yi have Shao Qun’s phone number?
Wen Xiaohui tried his hardest to calm himself and he carefully recalled what had happened.
Shao Qun seemed to know an awful lot about Luo Yi and Chang Xing, but he wasn’t willing to talk about it. Shao Qun had warned him many times in the past and he even wanted to send him to France… Finding Shao Qun’s number saved in Luo Yi’s contacts showed that they had been in contact with each other for ages. Also, it didn’t seem like Shao Qun was merely aware of the grievances between Luo Yi and Chang Xing – perhaps one of the funds involved in attacking Changhong Corporation’s stock was owned by Shao Qun.
The more Wen Xiaohui thought about it, the more probable it seemed. Shao Qun was the kind of person who wouldn’t lift a finger if there was nothing in it for himself, so why would he seek out information about other people’s personal affairs. From top to bottom, he must have known a lot about what had happened. His guilty conscience meant that he was unable to watch Wen Xiaohui get sucked in and he’d warned him to leave many times. It was a shame that Wen Xiaohui didn’t listen.
Wen Xiaohui clutched the mobile phone tightly as he hesitated about making the call.
If Shao Qun and Luo Yi were part of the same group, then why would he help him? However, Shao Qun really did try to help him in the past, so maybe there was still a glimmer of hope.
He struggled internally for a while, then he pressed the dial key.
The mobile rang a couple of times before it was connected and Shao Qun’s deep and low voice echoed from the other end of the line. “Why are you calling me from this number?”
Wen Xiaohui gulped. “Young Master Shao, it’s me – Wen Xiaohui.”
The person on the other end of the line went silent, then Shao Qun said fiercely, “Do you have a death wish? Is Luo Yi aware of this?”
“I don’t know.” Wen Xiaohui’s tone of voice had a slight hint of sobbing. “Young Master Shao, I know I should feel too embarrassed to say this as we’re not even friends, but…”
“It’s good that you know. I’ve already given you plenty of opportunities, so don’t call me again.”
“Young Master Shao!” Wen Xiaohui shouted, “Could you please help me?”
“Why would I help you?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Is there something wrong with your brain?”
Wen Xiaohui sobbed, “I didn’t know who else to ask for help. I want to leave Beijing. I want to leave Luo Yi, but he’s locked me up. I’m not sure who can help me, so… I’m giving it a try.”
Shao Qun sneered, “Give me one reason why I should help you.”
Wen Xiaohui paused for a long time. “Because I’m your employee?”
“After signing the contract in a few days’ time, I’ll have transferred all my Juxing shares and you won’t be my employee anymore.”
“You’d said previously that you’d take me to the coastal region. Will you still keep your word?”
“No.” Shao Qun hung up callously.
Wen Xiaohui took a deep breath and wiped his tears away. As a matter of fact, Wen Xiaohui had already expected this outcome, but he couldn’t help feeling disappointed. He really couldn’t think of a reason why Shao Qun should help him – the two of them were neither friends nor relatives and they didn’t have anything to do with each other. Shao Qun wasn’t a compassionate person, so why would he be willing to get involved and make things difficult for himself?
The tiny spark of hope that remained was now shattered. Would he really have to let Luo Rui and Li Shuo take risks for his sake? Even if he could regain his freedom, how could he feel at ease if something happened to either of them?
The sound of running water in the bathroom ceased, leaving Wen Xiaohui so scared that his heart skipped a beat. He quickly deleted the record of his call with Shao Qun and returned the mobile to its original place. He went back to lying down on the bed.
A moment later, Luo Yi came out wearing only a pair of shorts because of the hot weather. In the past, he wouldn’t have bared his torso in front of Wen Xiaohui, but currently, there was only a piece of cloth covering him – his broad shoulders, pecs, narrow waist, and long legs were all in plain sight.
Wen Xiaohui opened his eyes a sliver to sneak a peek, then he closed them again.
Shortly afterwards, he felt the bed sag when Luo Yi got on the bed. Luo Yi lifted the duvet and slipped under the covers as he hugged Wen Xiaohui from behind.
Luo Yi’s body, which was damp with droplets of water, felt warm as he plastered himself to Wen Xiaohui. Wen Xiaohui instantly straightened his lower back in an attempt to maintain some distance from Luo Yi’s chest.
Yet Luo Yi wrapped his arms around Wen Xiaohui’s waist, dragging him back into his arms.
Wen Xiaohui said gloomily, “Can’t you behave while you’re sleeping?”
“How can I behave when you’re in my arms?” Luo Yi nuzzled Wen Xiaohui’s neck. “I really want you.”
Wen Xiaohui elbowed him hard. Taking advantage of Luo Yi’s pain, he shuffled forward.
Luo Yi stifled a groan as he continued to hold Wen Xiaohui’s hand, unwilling to give up. Before Wen Xiaohui started struggling, Luo Yi said hurriedly, “Let me hold your hand for a bit or you’ll have to let me hug you.”
Wen Xiaohui froze and gave up.
Luo Yi’s thumb gently rubbed Wen Xiaohui’s palm. In the darkness, he used his soft voice to say: “We’re both sleeping on the same bed like we did in the past. We’re so close, yet you feel so distinct.”
Wen Xiaohui was in a bit of a panic and he thought to himself how great it would be if he could block his ears.
Luo Yi lifted Wen Xiaohui’s hand and placed it on his chest.
Wen Xiaohui immediately felt a strong pulse travelling through his palm all the way to his heart. Ba-dump, ba-dump. It was Luo Yi’s heartbeat, which was no different to anyone else’s. Although he’d been called a monster from childhood, he had a heart just like everyone else.
“Xiaohui-ge.” Luo Yi whispered, “What do you want? Are you willing to start over with me?”
Wen Xiaohui retracted his hand silently and flipped over.
Shrouded in darkness, Luo Yi could just about make out the curves of Wen Xiaohui’s body. Just the view from the back was enough to make his heart pound erratically.
Bodies close, yet hearts afar…
Luo Yi felt stifled by this fact.
Did he regret it? He’d asked himself this many times in the past, like when Wen Xiaohui signed the contract to transfer his inheritance without hesitation, the first time Wen Xiaohui found out that Luo Yi had lied to him, and when Wen Xiaohui was willing to meet Chang Xing in order to help him. He had asked himself whether he regretted it.
He didn’t allow himself to have a superfluous and useless emotion like regret. Every step he took was according to plan and every action could not deviate from the path to his destination. He had prepared for years in his attempt to topple Chang Xing, and no one could stop him from doing what he set his mind on. He used to think his plan was flawless, but he never expected that the biggest and most difficult-to-control variable was Wen Xiaohui himself.
He was unable to ascertain how much time and effort he had invested in manipulating this component that he might lose control of at any moment. He’d overcome all the obstacles that could result in his failure – including Wen Xiaohui. Hence, did he regret it? No, he didn’t regret it. He did not regret it. Chang Xing was going to disappear from his sight and Wen Xiaohui – the biggest variable and his greatest weakness, the most unique person in the world, and the person who managed to touch his heart – had to remain under his control. He couldn’t let Wen Xiaohui leave him. It was like how he wouldn’t be able to drive without taking control of the steering wheel.
Wen Xiaohui revised the letter several times before he finished writing the resignation letter.
After he’d written it, he made a copy by hand, intending to pass it to Liu Xing either directly if he had the chance or via someone else.
He knew that his sudden resignation would make Liu Xing furious and he didn’t want to behave in such an irresponsible and disloyal way.
Like before, Luo Yi was still leaving early and returning late. Sometimes, he was back around noon solely for the purpose of cooking him lunch. He had to admit that Luo Yi was the perfect lover when he wanted to act the part. In order to coax Wen Xiaohui to eat, his voice and his mannerisms were so gentle that it seemed as though water could ooze out of him. Even the bodyguards stared – this was the same person who could cruelly send Wen Xiaohui to his enemy as a hostage.
Wen Xiaohui was confused by Luo Yi at times. As he was spacing out, he felt like there were two different people living in Luo Yi’s body. When Luo Yi tried to feed him dessert again, he couldn’t stop himself from blurting, “Do you have a split personality?”
Luo Yi looked blank momentarily before he smiled and replied, “No.”
“Don’t you feel tired of putting on an act every day?”
Luo Yi smiled as he looked at Wen Xiaohui. “Maybe I’m used to it, but I think it’s a matter of course to treat you in this way.”
“Why don’t you pack up your ‘matter of course’? The version of Luo Yi who thought it was a matter of course to treat me in this way is a different person – he’s already dead in my mind, or maybe he never even existed.” Wen Xiaohui stood up and he said coldly, “I’m scared of you when you’re like this. You should just tell me if you can extract any value out of me and I’ll help if I’m able to. It’s better than being the last person to find out the truth.”
Luo Yi’s smile gradually disappeared from his face and he said indifferently, “I won’t lie to you again.”
Wen Xiaohui laughed bitterly, then gave Luo Yi a look of contempt. “If that’s the case, I must not be of any value to you. I’m thrilled.”
Luo Yi felt a burst of pain in his chest. Wen Xiaohui’s hostile expression made him feel as though he was being stabbed with a knife. He closed his eyes. “That’s right, you no longer have any value, but there are still things that I want from you.”
Wen Xiaohui’s facial muscles were slightly warped; the look he gave Luo Yi was filled with bitter resentment.
“Actually, there are a lot of things…” Luo Yi gave Wen Xiaohui a profound look. “Your smile, your affection, your body, your heart, and your remaining time – I want them all. No, I don’t just want them, I’m determined to have them and I won’t give them to anyone else.”
“Luo Yi, do you really think we’d get back together after you treated me like that? Do I seem that fucking cheap in your eyes? If you have the means, why don’t you chain me up for the rest of my life? Otherwise I’ll escape sooner or later. Sooner or later, I’ll live a life without you in it. I’ll meet new people, start a new relationship, and live a life without you!”
Luo Yi’s complexion changed. A sinister look flashed in Luo Yi’s eyes, which scared Wen Xiaohui so much that his heart nearly missed a beat. Luo Yi’s body drew closer to Wen Xiaohui. He said quietly, “If you can’t forgive me in a year’s time, we can still spend two years, three years, five years, or 10 years. One day, I’ll be able to make you accept me again, but you’re better off burying your idea of being with someone else. If you fall in love with another person, I’ll kill them.”
Wen Xiaohui stared at Luo Yi in disbelief.
The corners of Luo Yi’s lips curled into a smile. “The first time I felt brave enough to murder someone was when I was six years old. Do you think I’m all talk? Xiaohui-ge, I’m serious. You’re not allowed to look at anyone except for me or I’ll make him disappear off the face of the earth.”
Wen Xiaohui said fiercely, “You’re insane!”
Luo Yi smiled. “Would you like some dessert?”
Wen Xiaohui felt as if a chill had invaded each and every cell in his body. It was already difficult for him to put into words his hatred and fear towards Luo Yi. He felt trapped by an invisible hand, making him suffocate. There was nowhere he could flee. Luo Yi had brought him a truly unforgettable experience.
As such, he couldn’t come to a decision. The days seemed endless and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
————————————-
Each day, Wen Xiaohui woke up in Luo Yi’s arms and was forced to share a bed with him at night. Although there were a few times when Luo Yi wanted to snuggle up to him, he managed to hold back and didn’t go overboard. However, he felt as if Luo Yi’s patience was gradually wearing thin.
Wen Xiaohui kept in contact with Luo Rui and his mum during this time. Luo Rui didn’t mention a word about what had happened in his bakery that day, and they only discussed casual topics on the phone. It was like nothing had happened. On the eve of his mum’s wedding, he was talking to Luo Rui on the phone when Luo Rui told him to ‘bring what he needed’ and he stressed it twice. An outsider might have thought that Wen Xiaohui was supposed to bring what he needed for his mum’s wedding, but Wen Xiaohui was perceptive enough to know that Luo Rui was reminding him to bring along his things. Were they planning to help him escape at the wedding?
After hanging up, Wen Xiaohui tossed and turned all night and couldn’t fall asleep.
Luo Yi naturally allowed him to attend his mum’s wedding, but Wen Xiaohui’s heart skipped a beat as soon as he thought about the storm that was brewing.
