Additional Inheritance - Chap 75
Chapter 75
After a few days of trembling in fear, Luo Yi still hadn’t made a move, so Wen Xiaohui gradually relaxed his wariness. He didn’t mention it to Li Shuo, since they were just friends, and Li Shuo had no obligation to help him deal with his private matters. Moreover, it would bring him trouble. Wen Xiaohui could only take a step at a time. Because he’d been living in Pengcheng, his mum had yet to return to China ever since she left for the US. He planned to go to see her after the new year. After all, he’d spent a year living in the US, so he might as well not come back if he could get used to it. He’d feel more relaxed if they were only that far apart.
Of course, he still had to call Li Shuo because of Li Chengxiu. He thought they seemed suited to each other, really suited to each other. Although Li Chengxiu’s appearance might not meet Li Shuo’s standards, he didn’t think Li Shuo was the kind of person who would only value looks. Li Chengxiu’s docile nature and air of homeliness even tempted him, but it wasn’t lust – it was the sort of yearning for something comforting.
Li Shuo was very surprised after listening to him. He couldn’t hold back his laughter. “You want to set me up with someone?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with that? Didn’t you break up with that young model already?”
“Yeah, but you are setting me up with someone.”
“Hey, do you not trust my tastes?”
Li Shuo smiled as he said, “It’s not that. Okay, tell me what he’s like.”
“When it comes to his looks, he’s not that handsome, but he had a tidy appearance; well worth a second look. He’s thin with pale and clear skin. His personality is particularly gentle. He’s a chef, so I bet his food is super delicious, even though I’ve never tried it. Anyway, I think he’s great. It’s just a meeting, it’s not as if something will happen.”
“Okay, let’s have a meal together.” Li Shuo asked curiously, “Why did you decide to set me up with someone?”
Wen Xiaohui was silent for a while. He smiled and said, “Seeing your love life not going very well over the last few years, I feel… I feel like I’ve let you down.” Even though Li Shuo never said anything, he must have thought about how Wen Xiaohui gave up being with him for Luo Yi – someone who turned out to be not what he seemed. He agreed he was dumb to turn down Li Shuo. He jumped into the fire pit and really regretted it. However, once you missed your chance, it was impossible to go back to the start, no matter how much you regretted it.
Li Shuo said gently, “Don’t think like that. There’s no one in this world who hasn’t made mistakes. This shouldn’t affect how you’re living life for the better.”
Wen Xiaohui chuckled, “Yeah, I have a good life now, that’s why I’m in a rush to play matchmaker.”
“Okay, I’ll invite you both to dinner tomorrow night.”
Wen Xiaohui eagerly called Li Chengxiu to invite him to dinner. Although Li Shuo and Li Chengxiu hadn’t met yet, strangely, Wen Xiaohui really looked forward to it. Perhaps he was too eager to see his friends happy, even if it had nothing to do with him. It was enough to make him feel content as long as it could rub off on him.
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The following night, Wen Xiaohui had a booking at a Thai restaurant that he really liked. Li Shuo arrived first. Wen Xiaohui happened to bump into Li Chengxi at the entrance, and they went in together.
Surprisingly, both Li Shuo and Li Chengxiu looked stunned as soon as they met.
“Chengxiu?”
“Boss?”
Wen Xiaohui’s eyes widened and shouted, “You know each other? How dare you meet behind my back? What about my sense of achievement as a matchmaker? You have to compensate me!”
Li Shuo was delighted, standing up to hug Li Chengxiu. Li Chengxiu was surprised but happy, and he also seemed a little embarrassed.
Delighted, Li Shuo took the initiative to pull the chairs out for both of them. “Come take a seat and let’s talk.”
Wen Xiaohui pouted. “I want to order the most expensive things.”
Li Shuo smiled as he stroked Wen Xiaohui’s head. “Good boy, you can order. You’ve done a great job as matchmaker. You’re the best.”
Wen Xiaohui laughed. His feelings were mixed – at the same time as feeling envious, he was also jealous. He wasn’t jealous of Li Shuo’s undisguised affection for Li Chengxiu, he felt jealous that Li Chengxiu had the opportunity to meet someone compatible after leaving someone incompatible. And him… his relationship with Luo Yi left him severely wounded, and he no longer had courage nor confidence.
From their chat, Wen Xiaohui discovered that Li Chengxiu used to be an intern at Li Shuo’s firm. Although he was a chef, he’d always wanted a career change to become an accountant. At the time, Li Shuo hinted at his interest, but he regretfully let things slide because of Shao Qun’s existence. Breaking up with Shao Qun was a wise decision, and although he could tell that Li Chengxiu had suffered, it was impossible to leave unscathed in a relationship with Shao Qun. In addition, it was likely that only Li Chengxiu viewed it as love.
The two of them had a good chat while Wen Xiaohui wined and dined at the side like a third wheel1. Once he was full, he secretly observed their expressions. Li Chengxiu was shy, polite, and a little cautious. Li Shuo was his usual witty and graceful self. Wen Xiaohui felt it was likely that they’d get together because they seemed so well-matched. It was a better pairing than him and Li Shuo.
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After dinner, he took Li Chengxiu home.
He was shocked when his car arrived at a particularly run-down residential building and glanced at Li Chengxiu. Li Chengxiu was a little embarrassed as he said, “You can stop here.”
“You live in a place like this?” Wen Xiaohui looked all around at what could be considered a slum. It wouldn’t be a surprise to find that Li Chengxiu lived here if he still looked the same as the first time Wen Xiaohui saw him. However, he’d just broken up with Shao Qun. How deep were Shao Qun’s pockets?
Li Chengxiu nodded.
Wen Xiaohui couldn’t recognise his own raised voice. “You broke up with Shao Qun, but you didn’t manage to get an apartment from him?”
Li Chengxiu shook his head.
Wen Xiaohui was furious. He was the kind of person who couldn’t bear to see honest people being bullied. He couldn’t stop himself from jabbing Li Chengxiu’s forehead with his fingertip. “Are you an idiot?! You slept with him for more than a year for nothing. You didn’t manage to gain any benefits because he refused? What are you doing?” He remembered Shao Qun wasn’t that stingy.
Li Chengxiu gently shook his head without a word.
Wen Xiaohui took his mobile out. “Wait, I have to extort some stuff from Shao Qun on your behalf. He can’t bully people like that. Fuck!” He didn’t know why, but perhaps it was because he missed Luo Rui so much that he always seemed to find a trace of Luo Rui in Li Chengxiu. Thinking about what would have happened to Luo Rui if he’d never met him, it was likely that he would have turned out like Li Chengxiu. As soon as he thought of this, his saviour complex couldn’t be subdued.
Li Chengxiu was shocked, instantly restraining Wen Xiaohui’s hand. “No, there’s no need for that. I’m not… in contact with him…”
“I’ll contact him since you’re not in contact with him. A house, a car, and everything else – not one can be missed. Don’t worry, the problem can be solved with a few million and Shao Qun isn’t short of money.” A meal that Shao Qun invited him to randomly could run into the tens of thousands. What was a house in the eyes of someone like that? To a person like Li Chengxiu, he could settle down and get on with his life. It was a place that could shelter him from the wind and rain.
Li Chengxiu soon started to cry. He tugged Wen Xiaohui’s hand firmly. “It’s fine, there really is no need.”
Wen Xiaohui said angrily, “What the heck are you thinking? Are you really that stupid or are you just pretending?”
Li Chengxiu sealed his lips and didn’t say anything.
Wen Xiaohui lowered his hand in disappointment. “I think you were born unlucky in life, you never think of yourself. When you’re in a relationship, you need to leave yourself a means of escape. Don’t you understand?” The more he talked, the more he wanted to laugh. He actually managed to keep a straight face dishing out advice, but did he leave himself a means of escape? No, in reality, it wasn’t up to him because Luo Yi had blocked all his means of escape. Therefore, he was grateful that he could currently live his life worry-free.
Li Chengxiu still kept his head down and didn’t speak.
Wen Xiaohui was probably trying to hide his guilty conscience to recover his dignity. He said, “I know what I said was unpleasant, but that’s what I’m like. It goes without saying, when dating a rich person, you should try and milk it while you’re young. When you’re older and your looks begin to fade, who would be looking to give you money? Have you seen my store? There’s this car as well. I pried them from the jaws of my ex. If everyone were as silly as you, we’d have world peace.” Wen Xiaohui had a particular illness at the moment – cognitive distortion. From the bottom of his heart, he wished that he and Luo Yi only had a transactional relationship based on money – mutually beneficial dating. He was treating it as though he was sleeping with a young and handsome idol where he also received a large sum of money. Such great things were super rare in this world. He’d rather his relationship with Luo Yi was like this. He’d rather Luo Yi kick him to the side after being nice to him; that way, he could leave, carefree and happy, taking his money with him. He resented how he once had feelings for Luo Yi and ended up riddled with wounds, forced to leave behind everything familiar to him, living each day in fear.
Li Chengxiu looked at him with shiny eyes, hesitant to speak.
Wen Xiaohui’s argument seemed inconceivable to people like Li Chengxiu. He took pleasure in the look of confusion in Li Chengxiu’s eyes as it allowed him to hypnotise himself even more. He knew his state of mind wasn’t normal, but he felt it was alright. It was good enough as long as he numbed his heart, so that he could feel more comfortable.
Wen Xiaohui stroked Li Chengxiu’s head. “I have a friend who is really like you. Or I should say that he used to be like you, so that’s why I can’t seem to stop myself from helping you.”
“What… is he like?”
“He’s my best friend, to the extent that I take care of him like my own son. He was especially timid as a kid, because he acted a bit feminine and was bullied because of it. Later, with me looking out for him, he slowly built up his confidence. I taught him how to have fun, socialise, and dress. He’s really beautiful now and loves to smile. He owns a famous patisserie with a net profit of 100,000 yuan a month. Chengxiu, you’re just as outstanding and kind as him, and you deserve a better relationship, career, and life. Forget about bastards like Shao Qun. Your relationship was fleeting like a passing cloud. Keep in touch with Li-dage and you’ll feel better.”
The rims of Li Chengxiu’s eyes started to look red. “Adi, I trust you.”
Wen Xiaohui giggled and replied, “Oh, I really am a great person. You should go home. I’ll invite you out to have fun next time.”
“Take care driving.” Li Chengxiu glanced at him with a look of gratitude before he got out of the car.
Wen Xiaohui watched his disappearing back view amongst the greyness of the neighbourhood. He felt upset. Looking after someone who was weaker than himself made him feel wanted and gave him a sense of purpose. It would help him get back on his feet quicker than having someone take care of him, so he seriously considered treating Li Chengxiu as he would Luo Rui and protect him. Even though it was a case of emotional attachment, he really needed it now.
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When Wen Xiaohui arrived home, he sent Luo Rui an email asking him to pass a message onto his mum. After the new year, he was planning to go visit his mum as soon as he found someone to look after his salon. Once he thought about how he’d be able to see his mum in two months’ time, he felt aggrieved. He’d never been separated from her for so long since he was a child, and because of an issue with his love life, he wasn’t able to speak a word to his mum in over a year. He was truly an awful son.
This time, once he left for the US, he didn’t think he would be returning any time soon…
Footnotes:
In Chinese culture, we use the term light bulb (电灯胆) instead of third wheel, i.e. someone who tags along without realising that they’re unwelcome.
小鲜肉, literally little fresh meat describes young male idols who are often popular as a result of their looks.
