Additional Inheritance - Chap 74
Chapter 74
Several days later, Li Shuo sent Wen Xiaohui a link to a news article. He opened it to find Chang Xing had suddenly revealed that he was in possession of crucial evidence during his defence, and he claimed that he was being coerced. His team of lawyers sat on either side of him like the Four Heavenly Kings1, each exuding an air of arrogance and confidence that was characteristic of the elite.
Wen Xiaohui replied with a message: What does that mean?
Li Shuo promptly replied back. Chang Xing’s team of lawyers is formidable. If he loses, he might have to spend his whole life in prison, but if the court case goes well, he might only receive a suspended sentence and they’ll sweep it under the carpet. It’s hard to predict what will happen in court, we’ll have to see if the prosecutor can produce stronger evidence.
Wen Xiaohui typed a few words, but deleted them all. Instead, he dialled Li Shuo’s number.
When Li Shuo answered the phone, he smiled and said, “I knew you’d care.”
Wen Xiaohui was a little surprised, and he unintentionally spoke faster. “Everyone’s interested in gossip. The article’s too long, I didn’t really understand it.”
“Actually, I can’t say for certain either. There’s a lot of speculation and analysis, but even those involved can’t determine the end result. We can only speculate. In any case, the evidence produced by Chang Xing carries a lot of weight, and Luo Yi must be feeling the pressure. Once Chang Xing is acquitted, he’s sure to retaliate.”
Wen Xiaohui’s heart thudded. “When’s sentencing?”
“I’m not sure. Even if he’s been sentenced, this is only the first trial, and Chang Xing will definitely demand a re-trial. The trial will probably drag out for a few years.” Li Shuo smiled and said, “That’s good, Luo Yi might not have time to search for you.”
“Has he been looking for me?” Wen Xiaohui said dejectedly.
Li Shuo became aware that he had revealed too much and replied with embarrassment, “I shouldn’t have told you.”
“Actually, I already know.” Shao Qun had told him about it beforehand, and there was also the Weibo posts every few days… He’d been trying to avoid the problem because he was feeling content and free. You could say that he was trying to escape reality, he would rather dwell in this dream with its shaky foundations. At least he could eat and sleep.
“How did you find out? Did Luo Rui tell you?”
“No, I understand Luo Yi.”
Li Shuo became silent for a while. “We have to try our best to avoid being found, but even if that day comes, you don’t have to panic. We’ll try to help you.”
Wen Xiaohui smiled. “Thanks, I know.”
“Xiaohui, things will get better.”
“Okay.” Wen Xiaohui joked, “Don’t call me Xiaohui in future, especially at my studio. The name’s too old-fashioned.”
Li Shuo chuckled, “Okay, I’ll only call you that in private.”
After ending the call, Wen Xiaohui couldn’t stop himself from opening Weibo again. He discovered that during this time, there were a few more of the repeated ‘I miss you’ posts. The theories in the comment section had gotten weirder and weirder, but no one responded.
One after another, the stubborn and tenacious ‘I miss you’ were like weights added to weighing scales – one side of the scales was becoming heavier until one day it wouldn’t just be unbalanced – it might even topple over. He could imagine Luo Yi’s expression as he made the posts. It would have definitely looked grim, depressing, and stormy, but perhaps at the same time, it would also show his sadness and pain.
Wen Xiaohui recalled the last time they saw each other.
He’d accidentally injured Luo Yi. He still remembered all the blood before his eyes at the time and Luo Yi’s tearful eyes, begging him not to go. To this day, the pitch and tone of voice he used were still as distinctive as if it happened yesterday. Sometimes, when he was in a daze, he found it inexplicable how they first met under the rays of the sun, but they ended up bound by darkness and despair, to the point where it was difficult to breathe. Luo Yi was responsible for it all and he was the one who wanted to fix it. Having reached this stage, Wen Xiaohui had lost the energy to hate him, but the fear and wariness carved into his bones made him want to flee as far as possible.
If only time could stand still at our first encounter2.
———————————
The oppressive summer soon drew to a close. Wen Xiaohui, a pure northerner3, finally had some respite from the hot and humid weather. As winter approached, a certain date grew imminent – Luo Yi’s birthday.
He had many memories of Luo Yi’s birthdays. He couldn’t forget the first time he celebrated Luo Yi’s birthday with him because of the look of surprise and warmth on the youth’s face. He thought that Luo Yi’s happiness at the time ought to have been genuine. Also, for Luo Yi’s 18th birthday, he had spent a long time on the preparations only to be thwarted by the appearance of Chang Xing. Birthdays were like Chinese New Year because he’d once made a promise to Luo Yi, but he was no longer able to fulfil that promise as its foundations were built on a lie.
In any case, this occasion still left him with a stabbing pain in his eyes.
The assistant stared at Wen Xiaohui while he was in a daze and reminded him: “The celebrities from Channel XX have a magazine photoshoot. Make-up is booked in for…”
“Any day except for this one is fine.” Wen Xiaohui pointed to the date that felt offensive to his eyes.
“Okay, I’ll go speak to them.”
Wen Xiaohui cupped his forehead and all of a sudden, he felt exhausted. “Go on.”
What was the point in freeing up that day? It was just that he was worried about his work being affected. He used it as an excuse to console himself.
———————————
Wen Xiaohui went to the studio like normal on Luo Yi’s birthday, but his mind was preoccupied all day. After he spilled coffee on the keyboard, he couldn’t remain seated any longer and he picked up his coat to go out for lunch.
As he was entering the restaurant, someone was walking towards him and they nearly bumped into each other.
“Li Chengxiu?”
“Adrian?” There was a look of surprise on Li Chengxiu’s face.
Wen Xiaohui looked Liu Chengxiu up and down. They hadn’t seen each other in a few months, and the clothes that Li Chengxiu was wearing had improved significantly4. From a glance, it was evident that they were high-end products, however, he looked haggard. He looked thinner by a full clothing size, as if the wind could blow him away.
Wen Xiaohui had a hunch and suddenly felt upset. He rubbed his hands as he linked arms with Li Chengxiu, dragging him into the restaurant. “I’m freezing. Come have lunch with me.”
Li Chengxiu looked embarrassed, but he didn’t know how to decline.
“What a coincidence! Your fringe looks long, I’ll trim it for you later if you come to my salon. My salon is nearby.”
“Oh, no. No need. Thanks.”
“Why are you being so polite?” Wen Xiaohui laughed. He looked at Li Chengxiu who was in a daze, and he pretended to ask casually, “How has Shao Qun been recently?”
Li Chengxiu’s complexion changed slightly. “He’s on a business trip.”
“How are you two getting on?”
Li Chengxiu’s expression dimmed even further. It seemed as if he wasn’t going to dodge the question.
Wen Xiaohui coughed faintly. “You’re not splitting up?”
Li Chengxiu lowered his head without saying a word.
Wen Xiaohui sighed in his heart. Shao Qun tired of people quickly, but it was much sooner than he’d anticipated. How long has it been? It was a pity that such a nice person… As soon as he thought of the possibility of Luo Rui having a similar experience, he felt broken-hearted. He sighed. “Is there anything I can do to help? Please don’t think I’m being nosy, I’m just very worried about you.”
Li Chengxiu forced a smile. “Thank you.”
“You look easy to bully, so I feel worried for you. I can’t stand honest people being bullied. You need to toughen up, so you’re not at a disadvantage.” Wen Xiaohui laughed at himself once he finished speaking. He was tough enough, so why did he suffer such a harsh fall?
Li Chengxiu gently nodded.
“I have something unpleasant to say – you look all withered and droopy. Sooner or later, Shao Qun will devour you and not even a single bone will remain.” Wen Xiaohui wiped his mouth as he looked at Li Chengxiu’s dejected appearance. He felt that he’d gone a bit overboard, so he started to joke: “Since you guys have broken up, why don’t you date me?”
Li Chengxiu was clearly startled.
Wen Xiaohui laughed. “I’m joking. I only like guys with a six-pack and a 18 cm cock.”
Li Chengxiu’s face turned a little red.
Wen Xiaohui suddenly thought of something. “Since you’ve broken up with Shao Qun, let me introduce you to a great guy. He’s a must-have item for gentle and wholesome people like you. There are definitely people who want to nab him.”
“Ah, I…”
“Y-Yes! I immediately thought of someone suitable for you, really. Handsome, gentlemanly, rich, and skilled. He really suits you!” A glimmer of excitement flashed in Wen Xiaohui’s eyes, he thought that Li Chengxiu definitely conformed to Li Shuo’s preferences.”
Li Chengxiu replied awkwardly, “No, it’s fine. I’m now…”
“Hey, give me your phone number.” Wen Xiaohui didn’t hesitate to grab Li Chengxiu’s mobile phone and called himself. “I’ll call you to arrange dinner when I’m free. You have to come.”
Li Chengxiu nodded helplessly.
Wen Xiaohui still held a mix of remorse and gratitude towards Li Shuo in his heart, and he should be able to relax if he could help Li Shuo establish a good relationship.
———————————
Wen Xiaohui drove home after he and Li Chengxiu went their separate ways. As soon as he got through the door, his mobile phone notified him of an email. He opened it to see that it was from Luo Rui. The context of it was: Luo Yi came to my bakery.
His heart plummeted and he felt a chill rush to his head. His fingers shook when he typed: What the heck was he doing there? I’ll call the police if he dares to do anything!
After a moment, Luo Rui replied: He didn’t make things difficult for me. He came to order a cake. He said it was his 20th birthday today.
Wen Xiaohui stared continuously at the tiny words on his screen. The more he looked, the more he felt as if he was suffocating. He took a deep breath as he began to feel dizzy.
“Luo Yi, in future, I’ll keep you company on your birthday.”
He once made a vow with these words. It echoed in his ears like a constriction spell5, and it was so noisy it gave him a splitting headache.
He remained on the sofa in the living room from afternoon until nightfall. After a long time, his mobile buzzed again. Luo Rui had sent him a very long email. Luo Yi said that he knows I’m still in contact with you, and he also said he knows where you are. The reason why he hasn’t come to find you is because he hasn’t ended his feud with Chang Xing yet, and he doesn’t want to put you in danger. He also said that you must wait for him. I think he’s just bluffing and we shouldn’t believe his words too easily, but we should be on our guard. You should discuss it with Li-dage and see if there’s a way to stop him from finding you. I’m a little scared…
Wen Xiaohui looked at these words and felt a chill all over his body. He didn’t know why but he felt that Luo Yi really did know where he was. It wasn’t as if he’d vanished off the face of the earth. Based on Luo Yi’s abilities, he would find him one day.
He clenched his fists. A surge of fear rushed to his heart.
Did he really have to find a new place? No. Did he really have to give up his hard-earned life that just got back on track? Only if he completely severed his ties with everyone, otherwise, would he be able to get rid of Luo Yi?
Luo Yi, why can’t you let me go?
Footnotes:
The Four Heavenly Kings are Buddhist gods who act as protectors of the world.
If only time could stand still at our first encounter (人生若只如初见) is the first line of a Qing dynasty poem called Magnolia (木兰花) by Nalan Xingde. The poem is written from the point of view of an abandoned woman accusing a man of his fickleness in love. She says that life would have been better if only time could be paused at their first encounter, so she wouldn’t have had to suffer the pain of separation, pining, and loneliness.
Typically, places north of the Yangtze River have central heating and the milder southern regions do not.
鸟枪换炮 means a shotgun has been replaced by a cannon (idiom), i.e. it is used to describe something or a situation that has improved significantly. The term was first used by Wen Kang, a Manchurian author in the novel ‘The Gallant Maid’ (Qing dynasty).
紧箍咒 or band-constriction spell is a fictional incantation used by Tripitaka or Tang Sanxang to keep the Monkey King under control when he was misbehaving. It makes the band around his head tighter.
