Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"Nan Feng, say something." Yu Huaisu lowered her voice in warning.

If that little wretch ruined her and Feiyao's plans, she would never forgive him.

Nan Feng was dazed for a long time before finally coming back to his senses, his expression forlorn.

He seemed to have been hallucinating; he saw the faint shadow of his mother vanish as Shen Gali left. Before she disappeared, she turned back to look at him one last time, her originally kind and gentle face suddenly turning stern.

In a trance, he seemed to hear his mother's scolding from afar:

"Nan Feng, Mom doesn't remember raising you to be this kind of child."

"Since you were little, Mom has always told you: be a person with a conscience, know gratitude. You ate a bowl of rice from your grand-daughter-in-law that day, yet today you let both her and your own son suffer in front of so many people."

"Mom really only has you as her child, but would I treat you any differently if I had two children? Whether it's the palm or the back of the hand, it hurts no matter which side is pricked."

"Nan Feng, Heaven sees everything. Although Mom is no longer here, I’ve been watching you all along. You’ve done so many dirty deeds over the years, have I ever punished you once? It’s because Mom loves you."

"But how could you not love your own child?"

"Mom is very disappointed in you. I won't appear in your dreams for now."

"Boo hoo, Mom..." Nan Feng shed two lines of turbid tears.

Yu Huaisu's expression was a mix of revulsion and astonishment. Was everyone having a mental breakdown today?

She quickly stepped in front of Nan Feng, vigorously wiping away his tears, and hissed in a low voice: "Hurry up and announce the position adjustments! Stop embarrassing me!"

Nan Feng glanced at Yu Huaisu, sniffled hard, and waved to the guests:

"Apologies, everyone. I recalled some old memories and got a bit emotional. Sorry for the scene."

Everyone: ...

This trip was worth it.

"Well, I won’t hold up your time any longer. Next, I will announce this year’s position adjustments."

Everyone: Here it comes! Grab my little stool and snatch the front row.

Yu Huaisu heaved a long, relieved sigh and looked at her fine son, Nan Feiyao.

Damn it! Are you making a fool of yourself too?

Nan Feiyao no longer cared at all about being chairman. He had seen Shen Lanqing run out after Shen Gali, and the walls in his heart had collapsed, his soul sucked out.

Yu Huaisu understood that the only way was to take drastic measures. She pressed Nan Feiyao's hand and whispered as softly as possible:

"Feiyao, listen to me. There’s nothing in this world you can’t snatch. You like Shen Lanqing, okay? I'll let you two date. Even if his heart isn’t with you right now, it doesn’t matter. I have plenty of ways to have him present his heart to you. But now, you need to snap out of it."

Nan Feiyao slowly turned to look at her, his coal-black eyes regaining a hint of light because of Yu Huaisu’s assurance.

Yu Huaisu gently patted his hands and gave him a firm look.

The two of them slowly turned their gaze to Nan Feng on stage.

Nan Feng held the document and first announced some unimportant position adjustments before reaching the last line.

"Finally, the announcement for my beloved son Nan Feiyao’s position."

The audience below strained their necks, not sure if they were hopeful or just here for the drama.

Nan Feng seemed somewhat distracted, looking to the side: "Because Feiyao is still young, having just returned from studying abroad, he lacks experience in many areas. However, I fully affirm his abilities. Therefore, after careful consideration, I have made the following decision."

Yu Huaisu could barely contain her smile, and Shen Lanqing’s mother felt the same.

Nan Feng opened his mouth, then shut it. He took a deep breath, avoiding Yu Huaisu’s burning gaze, and spoke slowly:

"Nan Feiyao, starting from September of this year, will be appointed by me, the Chairman, to serve as Chief Operating Officer of Huanhai Electronics Group. His responsibilities include overseeing corporate operations and management, supervising the execution of work by subsidiary general managers, and... assisting the Chief Executive Officer – his elder brother Nan Liujing, in all his work."

Although the paper next to Nan Feiyao's name read "Chairman," what Nan Feng read out was "Chief Operating Officer."

Because of his mother’s earnest call, he suddenly felt like nothing.

What parent doesn’t love their own child?

Everyone: ...?

Do I clap or not?

They thought it was for chairman, but... that’s it?

Nan Feiyao hadn't reacted yet, as if he thought they were reading someone else’s name.

Yu Huaisu’s smile completely vanished. Her fingers shook uncontrollably, and red veins slowly filled her eyes.

What did he say? Chief Operating Officer? Assist... Nan Liujing’s work?

Meaning... Nan Feiyao?

Yu Huaisu suddenly felt so cold. Even though it was September, goosebumps rose all over her body. She tried to steady her breathing, but her upper and lower teeth chattered, and after breathing in, she forgot to breathe out.

Why?

The board had already voted; Feiyao’s appointment as chairman was a done deal. But why did Nan Feng change his mind at the last moment, even giving Feiyao a useless position?

Yu Huaisu repeatedly replayed Nan Feng’s expression changes from the start of the banquet, frame by frame, scene by scene, every expression etched into her mind as she tried to find where things had gone wrong.

The guests below seemed equally stunned. Despite their frantic inner questions, they maintained their upper-class composure—smiling and applauding.

Even though the applause was thunderous, the banquet hall remained eerily silent.

On the other side.

"Brother."

Shen Gali and Nan Liujing had gotten into the car. The driver had just started the engine when he heard someone knocking on the window.

Standing outside was Shen Lanqing, slightly bent, trying to see Shen Gali through the tinted glass.

Uncle Li helped roll down the window, and Shen Lanqing immediately leaned in.

"Big brother, how is your body? Have you taken your medicine on time?"

The original male lead, Shen Lanqing, was as pure and elegant as an orchid, dazzlingly white and clean. Standing there, he outshone the sun and moon. Even in the dark seaside parking lot, amid the dim surroundings, he was still as white as porcelain and jade. Even Uncle Li, the driver, couldn’t help but take a second look.

But not everyone admires a beauty. For instance, the couple, Nan Liujing and Shen Gali, who usually didn’t get along, were now perfectly synchronized, ignoring the beauty and staring straight ahead.

Shen Gali's coldness didn't surprise Shen Lanqing. On the contrary, he liked people like that—the type to follow through, said he'd ignore him forever and never look at him. This personality held a fatal attraction for him.

"Brother, you've been sick these days, and I can't see you. I'm very worried." Shen Lanqing leaned forward slightly, his hands intertwined and fidgeting unconsciously.

Shen Gali was extremely annoyed by these meaningless greetings—not just from Shen Lanqing, but he hated all greetings equally.

"You feeling better? How's your health?" and stuff like that.

If he wasn't better, would he be sitting here listening to you nag?

To get rid of Public Nuisance #1 as soon as possible, he without hesitation grabbed his chest, his face pale, and said to Uncle Li, "Quick, drive! My heart hurts a lot, I'm dying..."

Uncle Li was terrified and immediately floored it and sped off.

It was just a joke, but unexpectedly, Nan Liujing's large hand suddenly covered his left chest, and he took out his phone to call 120.

"What are you doing?!" Shen Gali pressed down on the phone, rightly suspecting that Nan Liujing was up to some trick to mess with him.

Nan Liujing pressed harder on his chest, his usually indifferent and cold tone now becoming nervous and hurried: "Where does it hurt? How does it hurt?"

Shen Gali shot him a sideways glance, and after a long while, sighed weakly.

Not bad, he actually sold it pretty well.

"Speak! What kind of pain?" Nan Liujing's voice shot up an octave.

Uncle Li in the front seat finally couldn't help laughing: "Young master, Mr. Shen is just pulling your leg. Can't you see?"

Nan Liujing was stunned for a moment, then slowly released his hand.

When he calmed down and thought about it, it wasn't the first time he had acted like this, but after learning about his heart condition, he had fallen for it for the first time.

Losing face wasn't something he could just let slide, but he couldn't vent his anger at Shen Gali, so he had to turn his fire to Uncle Li in the front seat:

"Didn't I tell you to watch him? You brought him out before his fever broke?"

Uncle Li didn't think the young master was actually mad at him, so he smiled and said:

"Mr. Shen was worried about you and insisted on coming to see you."

Uncle Li understood that Shen Gali, who wouldn't leave his bed even if the sky fell, insisted on coming to see the young master using the excuse of "wanting to eat the pumpkin porridge cooked by Nan Liujing," simply because of his own words: "The young master is not allowed to eat at the same table with family before marriage," and "a bunch of snobbish adults fool a six-year-old child to please the master."

Therefore, Shen Gali's stubbornness was not because of the pumpkin porridge, but because he was afraid that the young master wouldn't have anyone willing to eat at the same table with him here, and those heartless adults would still fool him.

Uncle Li couldn't help a proud auntie smile on his face.

Nan Liujing suddenly fell silent. After a long while, he asked Shen Gali softly in return: "Is that so?"

Shen Gali leaned against the car window, his voice weak and faint: "No, I just want to eat pumpkin porridge."

"Do you want it that much? Even giving up on lounging around and traveling all the way here?" Nan Liujing's voice was very, very soft, with a tenderness he'd never shown before.

Shen Gali was tired and didn't want to argue anymore. He slowly closed his eyes: "If that's what you think, I can't do anything about it."

Nan Liujing let out a soft chuckle and slowly looked out the window at the neon-lit street.

Uncle Li in the front seat's grin was practically ear-to-ear. At the same time, he admired Shen Gali—how could his mouth be tougher than the young master's? The two of them together could probably bite through a diamond.

The old man was very happy, his mouth couldn't stop, and he went into a rambling mode, eventually muttering about Shen Lanqing.

"The young master of the Shen family is truly a rare beauty—graceful as the moon, precious as jade, radiant as gold. Even an old man like me can't take my eyes off him."

Shen Gali: First time seeing someone describe being a perv in such a poetic way.

Nan Liujing wasn't buying it: "Oh really? Just average, nothing special."

Yes, that's all. If he were really as stunning and radiant as Uncle Li described, would Shen Gali even give him a second glance?

The lights flickered across the car window, accidentally lighting up Nan Liujing's face.

His eyes slowly drifted to one side, his gaze falling on Shen Gali's face whether on purpose or not.

The one beside him, although praised online for having an amazing face, was just okay.

Maybe a little above average.

A little better.

Much better.

"Eh~ Young master, you're being too modest. It's far more than that. Young Master Lanqing stands out and excels wherever he goes. In the words of young people, he's the kind of good-looking that makes you overlook his personality and even his character." Uncle Li sometimes lacked tact and kept voicing his two cents.

Nan Liujing let out a contemptuous snort, but couldn't help pulling down his mask and checking out his own face in the rearview mirror.

Hmm, not bad. Probably a bit better than Shen Lanqing.

Uncle Li wasn't done yet. He insisted on dragging Shen Gali into trying to get validation: "Mr. Shen, what do you think? Young Master Lanqing is very outstanding, right?"

Shen Gali had no concept of personal appearance; at most, he could tell the difference between a toilet plunger and a person. But to prevent Uncle Li from continuing to pester, he told a little white lie and said, "Mm."

However, he thought Nan Liujing was quite good-looking, closer to his idea of what a human should look like.

But this simple "Mm" caused Nan Liujing to suddenly sit up straight.

What did Shen Gali say? He thought Shen Lanqing was the most handsome? Then what about him, Nan Liujing?

Carrying this jealousy, after returning home, while cooking pumpkin porridge for Shen Gali, Nan Liujing said to Uncle Li:

"These days, do some digging and make a ranking of Shen Gali's favorites."

Then he explained: "Just so you know, I don't care about his preferences."

Uncle Li: Alright, alright, definitely not concerned about his preferences.

Uncle Li was a man of action. He immediately made a scoring table, listing the names of everyone around Shen Gali, and then scoring and ranking them.

"Ahem." Uncle Li sat at the head of Shen Gali's bed and cleared his throat.

Shen Gali was eating pumpkin porridge and gave him a strange look.

Although Nan Liujing was not great, the porridge he cooked was indeed commendable—not entirely useless.

"Mr. Shen, take your time eating, just answer a few small questions for me." Uncle Li picked up his pen, ready to score.

"Among the following people, please choose the one you consider a perfect ten out of ten."

Naturally, those participating in the selection included Nan Liujing and Bai Wei, and even Hein and Evan were on the list.

After listening to Uncle Li list the names, Shen Gali said without hesitation: "Bai Wei."

Uncle Li nodded. Just as he expected. He wrote "NO.1" after Bai Wei's name. As for the young master, second place was also good, after all, Bai Wei was Shen Gali's mother, so being first was normal.

"Then next, please choose the person you consider a nine out of ten." Uncle Li said, his pen tip already poised behind the name "Nan Liujing", ready to strike.

Shen Gali ate his porridge slowly, one grain of rice at a time, but did not answer for a long time.

Uncle Li's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes fixed on Shen Gali's lips, and his hand holding the pen trembled slightly from the long wait.

After a long while, Shen Gali pulled a tissue to wipe the corner of his mouth, lowered his eyes and said nonchalantly, "No."

Uncle Li swallowed. No was fine, then. Even if the young master only got eight points, that would still be second only to Bai Wei.

"Then, what about eight points?" Uncle Li asked.

Shen Gali: "No."

Uncle Li: ...

And the high-score spots for nine and eight points were left empty, leaving Bai Wei dominating with a huge gap.

"Then next, please choose who you'd give six points."

Still the same names. Shen Gali thought for a moment and said, "Gong Yuan and Shen Lanqing."

Gong Yuan was one of the few people he had a good impression of. Although he was a spineless man with no say, and even a dog could kick him on the street, at least he wasn't a bad person.

As for Shen Lanqing, he was certainly annoying, and as the main protagonist who in the original story trampled the cannon fodder original owner, they should have been irreconcilable enemies. But after observing him these days, aside from being annoying, he was fine in other aspects, and occasionally he even found Shen Lanqing a bit cute.

Uncle Li's expression changed slightly, and his old fingers trembled.

How could these two score higher than the young master?

"Then, what about the five-point candidate?" Uncle Li asked cautiously, hoping to hear the young master's name next.

But Shen Gali: "Ren Yinuo, Hein."

Uncle Li went pale, his lips hidden under his beard trembled uncontrollably, almost letting out a bark as if he was about to cry.

"Then... what about four points?"

Shen Gali thought for a long time, then shook his head to indicate none.

"Three points...?"

Shen Gali continued shaking his head.

Uncle Li's heart was trembling, and his tone had already taken on a hint of despair.

"Then, what about two points?"

Shen Gali: "Evan, Nan Feng."

For no other reason than that Evan made him money, and Nan Feng praised his cooking.

Uncle Li let out a long sigh. No need to ask; the young master was in last place. But procedure required him to ask anyway.

He looked at the only two names left—one was the foster mother, and the other was his young master. He swallowed. "Then what about one point?"

Uncle Li had already prepared comforting words—"Young master, it doesn't matter. One point is fine too. At least it's a 'one'."

Shen Gali pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "You, right now, stand up, go out the door, turn left to the end, enter the first room, in the southwest corner at a 45-degree angle—that thing is the one-point candidate."

Uncle Li: ?

Following Shen Gali's instructions, Uncle Li saw the one-point candidate.

Uncle Li: ... ...

If he wasn't mistaken, this should be a toilet plunger.

Shen Gali hadn't lied to him; he was referring to the toilet plunger.

He had been observing this plunger for a long time. The base color was white, with a faint pink edge, exactly like the pink-and-white Lisianthus that his mom loved.

Love me, love my dog, so he liked this plunger.

Uncle Li racked his brain for a long time but couldn't remember how to write the word "plunger", so he just drew a circle.

How could he, with the power of words, make sure the young master wouldn't get hurt?

...

In the study.

Nan Liujing had just hung up a congratulatory call from the board of directors, congratulating him on his continued appointment as CEO and informing him that Nan Feiyao was taking over as COO.

Unexpectedly, whether it was his father's original plan or a last-minute change of heart, he gave Nan Feiyao a middling position. If it was a last-minute change, he couldn't help but associate it with Shen Gali's sudden appearance.

He knew that his father liked Shen Gali very much and had muttered that Shen Gali must be the reincarnation of his grandmother.

And as for the banquet tonight, although everyone thought Shen Gali bringing a bowl there was totally unreasonable, but everyone understood that this little guy was rushing to be a protective husband.

Nan Liujing recalled the indifferent but resolute expression on Shen Gali's face at that moment, and a smile curled the corner of his lips.

And you say you don't care about me?

He wondered how Uncle Li's ranking was coming along. Thinking about it, even if he wasn't first, he'd be second. After all, in his heart, it was only natural for his mom to be first.

As for Bai Wei, Nan Liujing thought there was no need to investigate the truth of the matter. As long as Shen Gali was happy, then that was the truth.

He looked up, and Uncle Li, who looked like a vengeful spirit at the door, startled him, making his hand tremble.

"Young master, this is Shen Gali's preference ranking..." Uncle Li said, then pressed his lips tight and presented the ranking with trembling hands.

Nan Liujing glanced at him indifferently.

This old man, did he really need to get so worked up?

Nan Liujing took the paper smugly, not in a hurry to look, first making a prediction.

It must be Bai Wei first, him second, with the rest all lumped together at the bottom.

A smile played in his eyes as he glanced at it.

Hmm, just as he thought. Bai Wei first, then it should be his turn.

He cleared his throat loudly so Uncle Li would hear, as if showing off: "Look, I'm second."

But when he looked down, ...

Hm?

Second place is empty?

Nan Liujing was annoyed but quickly comforted himself. It was normal, after all—he and Shen Gali weren't close enough for that yet.

Third place, then. Third place was acceptable, barely.

But when he saw the blank space after third place, his heart chilled midway.

Looking further down, Gong Yuan and Shen Lanqing...

He couldn't believe it. Shen Lanqing was ranked higher than him.

Nan Liujing slowly closed his eyes, struggling to steady his trembling hands.

It was normal, too—they had been brothers for a while after all.

But with every name he read further down, his heart grew colder, until he reached the tenth spot. There was no name after it—only a circle drawn.

"What does this circle mean?" Nan Liujing's voice had gone off-key, the last word carrying a faint tremor.

Li Shu, with a regretful look, leaned close to his ear and whispered in a hushed voice: "It's... a toilet plunger."

The next second, the paper was torn in half. Nan Liujing slammed his hand on the desk in fury:

"What do you mean? Am I less important to Shen Gali than a toilet plunger?!"

Li Shu dared not speak, but nodded to himself silently.

"What about me?" Not seeing his own name, Nan Liujing asked.

"Young master, it's on the back."

Nan Liujing flipped the paper over, and there it plainly read:

"NO. 11: Nan Liujing, foster mother (Score: -1)"

Nan Liujing: ...

He sped his wheelchair to Shen Gali's room faster than ever before.

Upon entering, he slammed the torn paper onto the table and demanded harshly:

"Shen Gali, am I really less liked by you than a toilet plunger?"

Shen Gali glanced faintly. So that was it—Li Shu had made that ridiculous ranking for nothing; Nan Liujing just wanted an excuse to start something.

He replied nonchalantly: "Yeah, that's right. Not as good as the plunger. That one was pretty good-looking."

Nan Liujing: ...

Once again, Shen Gali had pushed Nan Liujing's threshold for being speechless to a new low.

Shen Gali looked up and met Nan Liujing's dark, heavy eyes.

Nan Liujing probably didn't know what expression he was wearing right now—all his aristocratic pride had vanished, replaced by hurt and resentment, and his slightly parted lips seemed ready to pour out his grievance.

"Pfft—" Shen Gali laughed out loud again mercilessly.

Nan Liujing's face twisted in anger was just too hilarious. The more dignified and refined a man usually was, the more striking the contrast when he made a fool of himself. It made him look even more bizarre than your average comedy actor.

As he laughed, his breath hitched, triggering a coughing fit from his hoarse throat, his cheeks flushing red. When he finally caught his breath, he slumped onto the small table on the bed, laughing and coughing at the same time.

Interesting. So there really was this kind of absurd humor in the world.

Nan Liujing watched him silently. Seeing him laugh uncontrollably, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes and wetting his long lashes, his flushed face and neck half-hidden in the loose pajamas, making the tiny crimson mole on his neck even more vivid—like a drop of blood-red jade that seemed to roll with a tinkle.

Strangely enough, Li Shu seemed to catch it too. Though he didn't know what was so funny, he couldn't help covering his mouth and laughing along.

Nan Liujing finally understood: Shen Gali wasn't incapable of laughter. The price for making him laugh heartily was his own utter humiliation.

But that smile was too dazzling—behind it, a million flowers seemed to bloom.

He raised a hand to hide the smile at the corner of his own mouth, then forced a stiff tone: "Is comparing a person to a toilet plunger really that funny?"

Shen Gali rested his head on the small table board, slowly raised a hand, and gave a thumbs-up.

Hilarious.

Nan Liujing gave a contemptuous smile, muttered "Boring," and turned to leave.

After thinking it over in his room for a long time, he still felt the ranking was too insulting to his pride. He had to do something—at least beat that plunger.

*

Meanwhile, at the Nan residence.

The moment Nan Feng returned home, he lay down on the bed, covering his eyes with one hand, muttering to himself:

"Mom, I know I was wrong. I'm definitely not the bad kid you think I am. I will atone for my past mistakes. I hope you still come to my dreams on time, stroke my hair, and kiss me."

If there was any soft spot in the villain Nan Feng, it was probably his mother.

He had watched his own mother starve to death in front of him for a single mouthful of grain. Later, when he started living a good life, he lamented that she never got to enjoy even a single day of it. That was a wound that would never heal.

That's why he changed his mind at the last minute and appointed Nan Feiyao as COO—he wanted to give Nan Liujing another chance. It was the start of his atonement.

Thinking back, his mother, even though she could barely walk, had still carried him across high mountains and steep ridges. But decades later, as a parent himself, he had stooped to the shameless act of abandoning his own child, forbidding his son to eat at the table, and giving the best resources to the youngest.

How painful—what would a six-year-old have thought?

Yu Huaisu followed him into the room and threw her handbag heavily onto Nan Feng, even more annoyed by his pathetic demeanor.

"Nan Feng, get up! Explain yourself! What's the deal with Chief Operating Officer? You think Feiyao would care about some mediocre position? Or do you have another plan?"

Nan Feng, annoyed by her noise, replied harshly: "Yes, I have another plan. Liujing is my son too. On what grounds did you remove him as chairman and give the position to Feiyao without even asking his opinion? Is Liujing's ability lacking somewhere?!"

"Buzz—a buzzing sound filled her ears. The last straw broke her composure.

So that was it. Not killing Nan Liujing back then and letting him live was the stupidest decision of her life! Everyone knew you had to root out the weeds and pull out the roots. If the elder was gone, the younger could never be left alive—he would only become a huge obstacle on Feiyao's path to success!

Should she do to the younger one what she did to the elder back then? But Nan Liujing was clearly much smarter than his foolish mother.

The more Yu Huaisu thought, the angrier she got, her blood boiling.

"So I decided to let the two kids compete fairly. Huaisu, the Qing Dynasty is long gone. In this day and age, ignoring individual ability and clinging to hereditary succession—people will laugh at us." Nan Feng had always had the final say, and his decision was made.

The board of directors would then vote for the new chairman based on both of their performances. Fair, just, and reasonable.

Yu Huaisu stared at Nan Feng sidelong, her beautiful eyes wide open, the whites of her eyes streaked with vivid red bloodshot lines.

She finally understood why Nan Feng had changed his mind at the last moment: an irresistible force had emerged in the process—Shen Gali, who was like a natural disaster.

Last time after returning from Nan Liujing's place, that old bastard was also making a fool of himself, crying and saying that Gali's cooking tasted exactly like his mother's, and that this child must be his mother's reincarnation.

Wasn't that absurd?

But since the disaster had already struck, to avoid further complications, they must take action as soon as possible.

Yu Huaisu found Nan Feiyao, who also looked dejected and disheartened. She threw herself into her son's arms, sobbing:

"Feiyao, mother only has you. Your father is no longer on the same page with us. He still pines for that other woman and the little bastard she left behind. No matter what, we cannot let them defeat us."

She cupped her son's face, looked up with tears streaming down her face, and said, "You're Mom's only hope."

Nan Feiyao was somewhat troubled. He had grown up hearing those words from his mother, and she always called Nan Liujing's birth mother the other woman, but he still knew right from wrong.

Yet the only thing his mother said tonight that didn't make him even more upset was:

"Don't worry. Your mother will go all out to make sure you and Shen Lanqing get married smoothly, since you like him. But before that, you must also work hard to secure the chairman position by whatever means necessary. Understand?"

Understood. The prerequisite for marrying Lanqing is that he must win the chairman position.