Additional Inheritance - Chap 89
Chapter 89
The two of them glared at one another, wishing they could strip each other completely to see their inner thoughts. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just clothing, flesh, and bones that separated them; there was also a chasm that couldn’t be filled after the endless lying and anguish.
Finally, Luo Yi slowly released his grip on Wen Xiaohui’s collar and put him down.
When Wen Xiaohui’s feet hit the ground, his heart still felt as though it was suspended mid-air. He crouched down gradually, covering his eyes in fatigue. “I’m scared. If he harms my mum…”
Luo Yi lowered his head to look at Wen Xiaohui. His slender neck appeared fragile, as if it couldn’t withstand any force, prompting a sudden idea in Luo Yi’s head. Maybe he and Wen Xiaohui should die together? Then he wouldn’t have to worry about anything. He wouldn’t have to worry about Wen Xiaohui leaving him.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He still remembered the carefree smile that used to be found on Wen Xiaohui’s face. It was gorgeous. He wanted to give back the smile he’d stolen from Wen Xiaohui; he ached for that smile, even if it wasn’t for him.
Luo Yi also crouched down and stroked Wen Xiaohui’s hair. “I’ll protect you and those dearest to you. I’ll double the number of bodyguards, but if you’re still worried, then try to persuade Auntie to go back to the US as soon as possible.”
Wen Xiaohui held his head in his hands and whispered, “What should we do about that bodyguard?”
“I’ll deal with it.”
Wen Xiaohui looked up at him. “He said that the items he wanted were dug out from the wall of my house by you. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“So my mum and dad know about them?”
“Your mum probably doesn’t know about them, but your dad definitely did. He wanted to protect Mum. I read through the documents and they’re not something an ordinary person would be able to gather. At least, it’s not something my 20-year-old mum could have pulled together. This information was hidden for so long – Chang Xing only learned of their existence after Mum passed away, then he started to search for them like crazy…” said Luo Yi softly. “It’s good that they’ve ended up in my hands. If Chang Xing found them first, he wouldn’t let you or your mum off so easily.”
Wen Xiaohui recalled his own father who passed away a decade ago. His memory of his father’s appearance was a bit hazy, but he always remembered how he was a steady and dependable man. Despite kicking Yaya out of the house, he wouldn’t have sat by and watched her struggle. It really did seem like something his father would do. As early as ten years ago, he was already involved in their dispute.
Wen Xiaohui wiped his face, then stood up. “I’m going home to send my mum off within the next couple of days.” He recalled Ian’s birthday was fast approaching, but his mum wasn’t planning to go back. He had to persuade her.
“Don’t do anything by yourself from now on.” Luo Yi said, “Lao Wu is just outside. He’ll accompany you 24 hours a day.”
Lao Wu used to be Chang Xing’s chauffeur, and he’d saved Wen Xiaohui before. He was a bodyguard that Luo Yi trusted a lot. Wen Xiaohui frowned; he wanted to ask Luo Yi if his goal was to protect him or to protect himself against him, but he knew there was no point in asking. He was afraid that it was a bit of both. There was no trust left between them, and it wasn’t just from his point of view.
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After Wen Xiaohui arrived home, he started to persuade his mum to go back to celebrate Ian’s birthday. His mum didn’t think she’d been back for long, so she didn’t want to leave. In the end, Wen Xiaohui lied to her, telling her that he was going to fly over and celebrate Ian’s birthday next month before she agreed. Wen Xiaohui quickly purchased a plane ticket for three days’ time.
After sorting things with his mum, he called Luo Rui and told him how he wanted to go to Australia for a break. Luo Rui had invited Wen Xiaohui several times in the past, but he never had time. This time, Luo Rui was extremely happy when he heard that Wen Xiaohui wanted to go.
Luo Rui said enthusiastically, “My mansion in Australia is really beautiful – I hired the best designers locally. There’s a little farm at the front and a river at the back…”
Wen Xiaohui smiled as he replied, “Okay then. You keep showing off, damn rich second generation. This time, I’ll eat, drink, and sleep at your expense.”
Luo Rui giggled, “When would you like to go?”
“Next month. You go first to spend some time with your parents. I’ll make some preparations and fly over in two weeks’ time.”
“Okay, it just so happens that my mum called me a few days ago, saying she misses me. I should go back and take a break.”
“Then you should hurry.” Wen Xiaohui knew that Chang Xing was going to be sentenced at his second trial next month at the latest. Chang Xing was sure to be a mad dog, looking for any way to save himself. That bodyguard who found Wen Xiaohui was the best example of this. During this period of time, he had to send his mum and Luo Rui to a safe place, and he would finally be able to relax once the dust settled. With Luo Yi dealing with the bodyguard, he should be able to send his mum and Luo Rui off safely.
After he’d sorted things out with both of them, Wen Xiaohui felt even more tired than if he’d gone to the gym. Recalling his life in Pengcheng, there was a phase when he threw himself into getting fit in order to distract himself, but he hadn’t exercised at all after returning home. He wanted to forget Luo Yi, but he couldn’t – nothing could erase Luo Yi’s existence.
Wen Xiaohui shut himself in his house for three days without going outside. His mum wanted to buy some stuff to take back to the US, but she was stopped by the dense smog. He told her that he would bring some stuff over for her on his visit. Luo Rui was really efficient; he bought a plane ticket and took off. At his bakery, there was an experienced manager and a patissier, so he didn’t need to worry at all.
Normally, Wen Xiaohui would receive constant calls and text messages from Luo Yi, but Luo Yi hadn’t contacted him at all within the past three days. He didn’t know how to put into words how he felt. He was a little worried since the bodyguard was dangerous. While Luo Yi posed a greater threat, the main difference between them was the fact that the bodyguard was a desperate fugitive. Hesitating over the past three days, Wen Xiaohui wondered if he should call Luo Yi to find out what was happening, but he didn’t want to make it obvious that he cared.
He and Luo Yi were in a very delicate situation – they lived together, they slept with each other, and other people saw them as a couple, but only they themselves knew the awkward truth. After living together for such a long time, it was inevitable that he would get used to it, and he found himself subconsciously accepting this kind of lifestyle and ‘relationship’. After all, he didn’t have a choice. He felt as though he wouldn’t be able to accept anyone else in his entire life.
Once everything ended and the issue of Chang Xing resolved, he and Luo Yi would continue living like this, without love or any mention of the past. They would just spend the rest of their lives together. Anybody would want an easy life if they had the choice.
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The day his mum went back to the US, he and Lao Wu went to send her off.
Having gotten into the car, Feng Yuehua was puzzled. “Son, when did you hire a chauffeur?” It suddenly dawned on her. “Does he work for Luo Yi?”
Wen Xiaohui pretended to be indifferent with a simple ‘yeah.’
“I was just saying, why’d you buy a company car like this?” Feng Yuehua paused to think. “Is Luo Yi not coming?”
“He’s…” Wen Xiaohui’s mobile phone rang before he’d finished speaking. He checked his phone. It just so happened to be Luo Yi calling. He could roughly guess why Luo Yi, who hadn’t contacted him for three days, was calling.
Indeed, as soon as he answered, Luo Yi’s pleasant voice resonated from the other end. “Xiaohui-ge, Auntie must be on her way to the airport around this time.”
“We’re on our way.”
“Put Auntie on.”
It was quiet inside the car, Feng Yuehua heard Luo Yi’s words clearly. Turning his head, Wen Xiaohui saw that Feng Yuehua had her hand out, ready to take the phone. He felt a little dejected as he passed the phone across.
“Hi, Luo Yi1.” Feng Yuehua coughed gently as she tried to come across as imposing, but even Luo Rui could tell that Feng Yuehua was very pleased with Luo Yi. Although there was some distance between them and numerous factors made her feel uneasy, she was very satisfied with Luo Yi himself.
“I’m sorry, Auntie. I was planning to see you off at the airport today, but something urgent came up at work, and I couldn’t get away.”
“Don’t worry about it, you already sent your chauffeur. It’s not as if I’m not coming back.”
“Of course. Next time you come back, I’ll collect you from the airport personally. Have a safe flight. If you need anything, just tell Xiaohui-ge, and I’ll post it to you.”
“Okay, I won’t trouble you any longer. See you next time.”
After hanging up, Feng Yuehua nodded. “That kid’s young, but he has good people skills.”
Wen Xiaohui thought to himself that even if they pooled their collective intelligence and doubled it, they still wouldn’t match up to Luo Yi’s brain, and therefore, he wasn’t surprised at all by Feng Yuehua’s change in attitude after meeting Luo Yi. They were only in each others’ company for three hours. He spent three whole years with Luo Yi, only managing to uncover Luo Yi’s true nature towards the end.
On the way, Feng Yuehua told Wen Xiaohui repeatedly that he should try to get along with Luo Yi, but that he had to protect and think of himself.
Wen Xiaohui nodded in agreement, but her words weren’t registering at all.
Only after taking his mum to the airport security checkpoint could Wen Xiaohui finally relax. His mum and Luo Rui had left. Chang Xing was unlikely to extend his reach outside of China even if he were more powerful. Wen Xiaohui was just waiting for the final ruling. He wanted to free himself completely from the dark shadow hanging over him.
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On the way home, Wen Xiaohui stared at the back of Lao Wu’s head for ages before he finally asked, “Wu-ge, what was Luo Yi doing the past few days?”
Lao Wu was a little surprised, but he appeared calm. “I’m not sure, I’ve been watching over you for the last few days.”
“Aren’t you worried Chang Xing’s bodyguard will take revenge on you?” After all, it was him who severed the tendon in the bodyguard’s wrist at the time.
Calm and collected, Lao Wu replied, “How can you be afraid of retaliation in my line of business?”
“Yeah.” Wen Xiaohui wanted to continue speaking, but his mobile phone rang again. The name on the caller display made his heart tremble.
Li Shuo?!
He never expected that Li Shuo would call him again. Although Li Shuo was a gentleman with a mild personality, he was actually a very high-minded individual. He must have felt extremely disappointed in Wen Xiaohui…After deliberating for over 10 seconds, Wen Xiaohui finally answered the phone and croaked, “Li-dage.”
Li Shuo’s calm and captivating voice came from the other end. “Xiaohui, have you been well?”
“I’m great… You?”
“I’m fine too. Let’s not waste time on pleasantries, I have something really important to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not sure if Luo Yi will tell you. Based on his personality, I think he’ll hide it from you.”
Wen Xiaohui’s heart sank. His hand clenched tightly around the mobile phone. “Tell me.”
“I’ve only just received inside information that Chang Xing skipped bail yesterday.”
A ray of white light flashed through Wen Xiaohui’s brain, he struggled to stop himself from trembling. “H-how could he…?”
“The legal proceedings relate to an economic crime and he’s also on bail, so it’s easy for him to run away. He has cut off other means of retreat by skipping bail. I don’t really know the reason for the animosity between him and Luo Yi, but you should be more cautious since you’re so close to Luo Yi.”
“Thanks, Li-dage. I…”
BANG! The forceful collision was accompanied by a loud noise, sending Wen Xiaohui flying from his seat and into the car door. Half of his body was in severe pain, and everything around him spun. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was Li Shuo’s panicked voice calling his name…
Footnotes:
She specifically calls him Xiao Luo, which is an affectionate way of addressing someone you know.
