Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The lengthy kiss ended to the sound of crashing waves.

Nan Liujing looked down at the person whose mind had been kissed to a standstill, a glimmer of starlight flickering in his lowered eyes. "You said it yourself—let me pry it open."

Shen Gali: "What if I told you to split eighty percent of your assets with me?"

Nan Liujing: "That's a different matter."

Dividing assets meant divorce and separation—don't you dare try to pull one over on me with your abacus.

Shen Gali slowly stood up, rubbing his wet trousers. "Boring. Let's go home."

On the way back, the streets were packed with people, still unable to calm down after the meteor shower that symbolized hope.

Once home, Shen Gali couldn't wait to lie down on his bed—which was nothing but a bare plank—when Nan Liujing grabbed his sleeve and dragged him back. "You're planning to sleep like that?"

Shen Gali replied telepathically: "Mm."

"Take a shower. The sea breeze is damp, and sleeping like this will make you catch a cold..."

Just then, his phone rang.

Still holding Shen Gali with one hand, he pulled out his phone with the other. The caller ID showed "China Trust." He suddenly let go and slipped into a secluded corner to take the call.

At the same time, Shen Gali's phone rang.

He didn't want to answer, but the caller ID read "Gong Yuan." After a long pause, he went back to his room and answered.

"Li Li, I've got great news!" As soon as the call connected, Gong Yuan's excited voice came through.

Shen Gali was skeptical. He didn't dislike Gong Yuan, but calls from that family never brought anything good.

"Your little brother's future is finally set! Guess who the other party is."

Shen Gali: Don't want to guess.

Even though Shen Gali didn't say a word, Gong Yuan kept talking on the other end: "It's Nan Liujing's younger brother, the second young master of the Nan family! How about that? This time we're double the family ties. As a father, I can finally rest easy."

Shen Gali: ...

This was bad news. He felt sorry for Shen Lanqing.

"We've set a date to meet with the in-laws to discuss the engagement gift. You must come and support your brother. After all, the Nan family is a big consortium. With you as the acknowledged eldest son-in-law, the Nan family will naturally show proper respect, so your brother won't get bullied over there." On the other end of the line, Gong Yuan's cheeks were flushed with excitement, wishing he could reach through the phone and hug his son.

Shen Gali said directly, "No time. Not going."

He had no interest in other people's business, no desire for luxury feasts—he just wanted to lie on his little bed until the end of time.

"Li Li, that's being too distant. Your brother..."

"Mr. Gong, I won't be swayed by anyone anymore. I appreciate you looking after me, and I respect you, so please respect me too." Shen Gali cut him off. "I have things to do. I'm going to sleep."

Gong Yuan looked at his phone dejectedly and let out a long sigh. He understood where Shen Gali was coming from. Back when Shen Gali entered the Nan family, he hadn't received a single cent in engagement gifts—he was a true live-in son-in-law. If they discussed engagement gifts in front of him, it would be really humiliating.

If he didn't come, he couldn't be blamed. He had only himself to blame.

But the next day, Shen "won't-be-swayed-by-anyone" Gali still went.

He had thought of everything except one thing—Nan Liujing was also a member of the Nan family. If his younger brother was getting married, he had to be there. So after a long day of reviewing documents, Shen Gali, without realizing it, found himself heading to the hotel in Nan Liujing's car...

Shen Gali: ...

"Oh dear, Li Li! I knew you still cared about Qingqing~" Gong Yuan beamed when he saw him.

Even his usually sharp-tongued and harsh foster mother was in a great mood because her son was marrying into a wealthy family, and even Shen Gali seemed tolerable. Though in truth, she never considered him family and hadn't wanted him to come at all.

It was only because Shen Lanqing had begged his father, pleading with him to call his brother and make sure he attended.

He wanted his brother to witness his engagement to Nan Feiyao with his own eyes. Maybe, under such provocation, his brother would suddenly realize his true feelings and slam the table, shouting coldly:

"I object to this marriage!"

If his brother said no, he would abandon all schemes to steal him away and, ignoring everyone's objections, grab his brother's hand and run off together.

In the elegantly decorated private room, like attracts like. His foster mother and Yu Huaisu clasped hands as soon as they met, smiling and calling each other "in-laws," saying this was truly a double joy.

Shen Gali sat to the side, yawning, only thinking about what excuse he could use to slip away midway and get home early to lie down.

He didn't yawn gracefully. After yawning, Shen Gali blinked his red-rimmed eyes and stared blankly at the tassels on the tablecloth, looking completely spaced out.

But to Shen Lanqing, this was unpretentious and utterly adorable.

The first day he had been reunited with his birth family, he met the baby who was switched at birth, as his mother had mentioned. On that first meeting, although he had acted humble and polite, even a little ingratiating, his brother still dismissed him with contempt. The look in his eyes was cold and detached, as if he were looking at trash.

Perhaps it was the innate competitive streak in him—he didn't hate his brother, but he secretly resolved that one day he would make his brother bow to him.

But his brother's pride was harder than diamond. The more he tried to catch his attention, the more it backfired, and his brother became even more distant and indifferent. And people are always drawn to what they can't have. Gradually, this obsession turned into admiration, and admiration eventually blossomed into an unstoppable love.

Today, both families were meeting. The nominal focus was Shen Lanqing and Nan Feiyao, but from the moment Shen Gali entered the room, Shen Lanqing's eyes were glued to him. Even when others spoke to Shen Lanqing, he answered while looking at Shen Gali.

Nan Feng couldn't help teasing: "Look at how clingy Lanqing is with his brother! At this rate, Feiyao might get jealous."

Though to others, Nan Feng's tone also carried a hint of sourness.

Shen Lanqing didn't shy away. Half-jokingly and half-seriously, he said, "Maybe my brother and I were soulmates in a past life. Even if we can't be blood brothers in this life, it still feels like we've known each other all along."

Nan Feiyao and Nan Liujing, half-brothers who never got along as kids, both wore the same expression at this remark—furrowed brows and tight lips.

As for his foster mother, the words stung like a needle in her heart.

An outsider, yet he meant more to Shen Lanqing than his own mother. Even if she had given birth to a piece of roast pork, it wouldn't have hurt this much.

She shot Shen Gali a vicious glare, then immediately put on a warm smile for the in-laws. Her face changed faster than flipping a switch.

The two families exchanged pleasantries, superficially friendly, but each had their own agenda. No one respected anyone else, but they all saw each other as useful tools to accomplish their grand plans.

Shen Gali was bored out of his mind. He simply put on his Bluetooth earphones and pulled up a drama Bai Wei had filmed, tuning everything out.

The back-and-forth flattery went on a while, then they finally got down to business.

Nan Feng said that since Shen Lanqing was Nan Feiyao's own choice for marriage, and since he had heard that the two had already developed feelings for each other, the Nan family doted on their younger son and naturally trusted his decision. Moreover, Lanqing was Gali's younger brother, so he was very satisfied with this match. He was willing to offer 88.88 million as an engagement gift, along with two villas in the city center and a penthouse as their wedding home, plus countless pieces of jewelry and accessories.

All these things combined were worth at least 150 million yuan.

Gong Yuan, being a classic henpecked husband, had never seen so much money in his life. He was grinning from ear to ear, saying that Nan Feng was generous and thanking him again and again on behalf of his son.

Others also felt the betrothal gift was not low. Although the Nan family wouldn't blink at this amount of money, money doesn't grow on trees after all, and they are not a charity; to go this far was already the best they could do.

Only the foster mother twitched the corner of her mouth awkwardly, saying nothing.

Yu Huaisu noticed her mood and asked with a warm smile, "Is there something you find unsatisfactory, in-laws? This is what my husband and I discussed overnight. With time being short, there may still be many shortcomings in the details. If you have any opinions, please feel free to speak up."

The foster mother put on a troubled look, her smile stiff. "In terms of the betrothal gift, the Nan family is indeed wealthy. Eight eights—rolling in wealth—and the omens are auspicious. It's just that..."

Nan Feng still maintained a smile on his face. "Just tell us directly what you're unhappy about, in-laws."

The foster mother curled her lips and said with deep emotion, "Then I'll speak frankly. You also know, in-laws, that we were separated from Lanqing for over twenty years, and only recently has he been reunited with his roots. The family that adopted him was of average means and couldn't provide him with a comfortable life, causing the child to suffer hardships since childhood. Since we found him, of course we want to keep him close and cherish him, giving him the best. But today, he's leaving just like that; we as parents feel we owe him."

Her meaning was clear: I had a great chance to keep my son close and give him everything, but your Nan family just takes him away; shouldn't you, on behalf of us parents, compensate him well?

As long as they got this four percent, the Shen family could take the place of some shareholders and throw their weight around at Huanhai Electronics, and then their own precarious small company would be saved.

Yu Huaisu's smile faded a little. "So what do you mean by that, mother-in-law..."

The foster mother smiled innocently. "I know the old master had a tough time leaving his hometown to start a business in the big city, so we won't make excessive demands."

She held up four fingers. "We want four percent of Huanhai Electronics' shares as the couple's postnuptial living fund. In-laws, this request isn't too much, is it?"

Everyone thought to themselves: Not excessive—at most, it's to the extent that even the greediest miser would feel ashamed.

Nan Feng's smile completely disappeared; his grizzled, rough brows furrowed deeply.

After a long moment, he asked in a low voice, "In-laws, do you know what four percent of the shares means?"

Converted to assets, it would be about six billion.

The foster mother chuckled. "You jest, in-laws. You're the ones begging me to marry off my son; it's not like Shen Jiali's case, rushing to give himself away for free."

She proposed four percent of the shares as the betrothal gift not only to maximize the Shen family's interests but also to seize this opportunity to sow discord between Shen Jiali and Shen Lanqing.

One is married off gloriously with billions in betrothal gifts; the other goes empty-handed and even pays to be with a cripple—anyone hearing that would feel unbalanced.

Finally, she had to add a remark to Shen Jiali: "Jiali, don't feel unbalanced either. After all, there's a difference between close and distant. You are ultimately a stranger's blood. Mom managed to get you married into the Nan family; your ancestors must be smiling in their graves. Why would you ask for more betrothal gifts?"

Shen Jiali happened to be watching a palace drama where a face-slapping scene was playing. The noise cancellation on his earphones wasn't good, so he heard everything the foster mother said clearly. Not knowing what to say, he recited the lines of the character played by Bai Wei, a palace maid official:

"Baring your teeth and grinning, you're more ghost than human; you earn less in a year than you do in drama."

The foster mother's face instantly flushed red. Forgetting all decorum and shame, she slammed the table. "What did you say?! Say it again!"

Shen Jiali took off his earphones. "Sorry, I was too absorbed in the drama and just repeated the lines."

The foster mother's eyes bulged like a cow's, and the blush spread from her ears down to her neck. But since Shen Jiali said it was just a line from the drama, if she kept pushing, she'd be the one losing face.

Nan Feng gave a light cough and waved a hand. "Alright, in-laws. Jiali said it was unintentional; it's just that the lines came at a bad time. Don't mind him; he's young."

But in his heart: That greedy old woman. Today she dares to demand four percent of my shares, tomorrow she'll dare to force me out and take over my Huanhai Group. Don't think I don't know your scheme. For the young couple? More like using the money to prop up your failing little company. At least Jiali knows to protect his father-in-law. Good kid, mwah~

Seeing the foster mother's ashen face, Nan Feng knew that even if he offered nothing, the other side wouldn't let go of this golden opportunity. For Jiali's sake, he'd back down.

He cleared his throat to speak.

"What you said earlier, mother-in-law, actually reminded me. So, I will offer two percent of the shares in total. One portion will be Lanqing's betrothal gift. The other... at the time, Liujing and Jiali's wedding was rushed, and we didn't have time to discuss the betrothal gift in detail. I'll make it up to him today as well. In addition, like his younger brother, he'll get three houses plus shops and some gold jewelry."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to Nan Feng simultaneously, so quickly that action sound effects seemed to appear.

Shen Jiali: I... I got rich?

Overnight, become a little tycoon? How much is one percent of the Nan family's shares? Could I add a few more layers of the meandering outer wall to the original tomb design? The kind that would tire out Spider-Man halfway through climbing.

The foster mother clenched her teeth, the muscles of her jaw standing out.

She had wanted to maximize her own interests, but instead she made a wedding dress for an outsider!

But if she didn't agree, the Nan family would likely darken their faces and part on bad terms on the spot. After all, they were a big conglomerate, and many noble families were eyeing this big piece of fat.

Unexpectedly, Nan Liujing, who had been silent all along, also spoke up.

"Since Father has made his stance, let me also share my thoughts. I currently hold six percent of the shares in Huanhai Electronics. I am willing to take out twenty percent of that as a betrothal gift. I am almost thirty, and marriage is not just the parents' business; I have the responsibility to bear my own marriage."

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Nan Feiyao.

Sure enough, when their eyes met, the other's face darkened considerably, much like the foster mother's.

Nan Feng was deeply gratified to hear his son's stance. "Liujing has matured."

Only Shen Jiali: Twenty percent of six percent—how much is that? How many layers of outer wall can I add at most?

The expression on the foster mother's face was hard to describe—both crying and smiling, but in any case not pleasant. She also knew that if she didn't compromise, she might end up with nothing. So she had to say, "Then I thank the in-laws for their great kindness to our Lanqing."

Nan Feng smiled. "You should thank Jiali. If I hadn't felt that I treated him poorly back then, I would have stuck with the eight eights and not added a single cent."

The foster mother gritted her teeth, grinding them audibly, and shot a dagger-hiding smile at Shen Jiali. "Yes, I truly must thank my good son a thousand times for making the in-laws think so highly of us..."

Oh well, one percent is still quite a lot.

Shen Jiali: Mm, that's enough. Since you know, shut up and don't disturb me watching my drama.

"But I have a request." Suddenly, Nan Feng changed his tone.

The foster mother's heart rose into her throat.

"I promise to give one percent of the shares to each of my two daughters-in-law, including Liujing's twenty percent. The shares can be sold or transferred freely, but for now they are held by me, and they only take effect after my approval and signature." Nan Feng deliberately emphasized the word "must."

Foster mother: ...

This old bastard is clearly bullying people!

The reason for doing this was Nan Feng's own plan. He had no problem with his two daughters-in-law; he just didn't trust this woman who had made such exorbitant demands. Once the shares fell into her hands, they might be squandered by her one day, and in the end, it would be his two daughters-in-law who would suffer.

"If the in-laws agree, we can continue discussing other details. If not, it's getting late." Nan Feng said.

"Ag... agreed." The foster mother clenched her fingers and quickly responded, afraid the bird in hand would fly away.

"Thank you for understanding, in-laws."

As for Shen Lanqing, he had no thoughts about the betrothal gift from beginning to end. His mind was focused solely on his brother, wanting to see even a trace of displeasure on his face—displeasure about him marrying Nan Feiyao.

But his brother showed none; he was either watching the show or watching his drama.

Nan Liujing saw from the corner of his eye that Shen Jiali's eyes were nearly squinting from watching the drama, and knew he was sleepy. Since there was nothing left for them to do, he said goodbye to Nan Feng and the others, saying he would go back first, and also called Uncle Li to pick them up.

Seeing his brother about to leave, Shen Lanqing stood up involuntarily and chased after him. Just as he reached the door, the foster mother called him back.

"Qingqing, come back and sit down. We're discussing your marriage. How can you, the person involved, be absent?"

Nan Feng didn't mind and advised, "The two brothers are close. It's only natural that Lanqing wants to spend a few more words with his brother after marriage, since they won't see each other as often. Go ahead, Lanqing."

Shen Lanqing rushed out of the room in one go.

Shen Gali, groggy with exhaustion, had earphones in his ears listening to his mother's recorded lines, completely unaware that Shen Lanqing was running right behind him, and walked ahead on his own.

"Brother, wait for me." Shen Lanqing felt he was walking fast, but for some reason, his brother's back kept getting smaller and more distant.

He called out "Brother" as he ran after him, but in the end, he didn't catch up to his brother; instead, he was cut off halfway by Nan Liujing.

Nan Liujing sat in his wheelchair, blocking the corridor with an imposing posture that seemed like a one-man fortress.

Although he had to look up at Shen Lanqing, it did nothing to diminish his commanding presence.

"Shen Lanqing." He stared directly at Shen Lanqing, his tone showing no sign of backing down.

Shen Lanqing stared back, his eyes like a bottomless black pool—lifeless, still.

Nan Liujing didn't want to waste words with him and got straight to the point: "I know what you're thinking, but you're about to marry Nan Feiyao. I don't want you to do anything that hurts others, no matter who it is."

He made it sound nice, but he couldn't care less whether Nan Feiyao lived or died—he was just warning Shen Lanqing not to disturb him and Shen Gali.

He wasn't interested in Shen Lanqing's reply either, and turned to leave.

The long, bright corridor cast Shen Lanqing's shadow diagonally, while in his eyes, the image of Shen Gali's back turning the corner replayed in his mind.

Following Nan Feiyao's plan, he intended to use someone else's help to elope with his brother. To make the act more convincing, coming to meet the future "in-laws" today was part of the act, but the whole process still felt like sitting on pins and needles—especially when the elders paired his name with Nan Feiyao's, it made him feel like a thousand needles pricking him.

During that time, he wavered countless times, wanting to blurt out that it was all fake, but every time he saw his brother's face, he stopped himself.

He was already restraining himself with great effort, but Nan Liujing still insisted on being the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The world was slowly crumbling.

And behind him stood an expressionless Nan Feiyao, gazing at his back, full of sorrow.

*

The next day, at Huanhai Electronics.

Nan Liujing was very busy today; he didn't come to the company all morning and only arrived near lunchtime, carrying a large stack of documents for Shen Gali to sign one by one.

Shen Gali didn't understand: "Since when does a company let an assistant have authority?"

Mainly, he didn't want to look at these boring documents—he just wanted to do nothing.

"I've read through all the documents, but since they're special files, I need a witness. You don't need to read them, just sign." Nan Liujing explained.

Shen Gali looked at him warily: "Is it one of those loan guarantee agreements? I sign, you take the money and run, and I'm left with all the debt to repay."

"I've only heard of Huanhai Electronics lending money to others, not borrowing from others. They're just ordinary documents." Nan Liujing chuckled, telling him he watched too many TV dramas.

There weren't many documents—just six in total, six signatures. Shen Gali didn't want to waste his precious break time arguing with him, so he signed quickly and went back to resting.

Nan Liujing flipped through the documents, and while Shen Gali was sleeping, he took out a blank sheet of paper and wrote several long paragraphs, neatly folded them, and put them in an envelope. Then he called Driver Yang to pick him up and take him home. Not long after returning, he rushed back to the company.

After fussing around for half a day, Shen Gali vaguely heard some commotion but didn't know what he was busy with, so he ignored it and continued sleeping.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Thursday. Everyone was very busy this week because they had to finish ahead of schedule the work that would have been done during the National Day holiday. Reluctant and resentful, they worked overtime every day to complete an overload of work. For a while, the company was filled with employee complaints and leadership reprimands.

Working under a state of frustration and stress led to countless mistakes. Upper management scolded lower-level managers, who then vented their anger on the employees, who in turn cursed the upper management for being inhuman—a perfect closed loop.

Nan Liujing also had to work overtime, but he would have Driver Yang come to pick up Shen Gali on time to take him home.

He was worried that Shen Gali would be upset about working overtime, and if he upset him to tears again, he'd have to die to make up for it.

On Thursday night, while some employees were working overtime, the entire building suddenly plunged into darkness with a pop.

Everyone: "Nice! Power's out! We can go home!"

But the security guards ran back and forth to announce: "The road construction is causing a temporary blackout. Power will be back in half an hour! Please stay seated and wait patiently."

The people groaned and closed their eyes to rest.

But before they could fall asleep, the security guards suddenly rushed in shouting, "Something's wrong!"

Meanwhile,

Shen Gali was scrolling on his iPad, skipping the palace drama scenes unrelated to his mother, when suddenly the entire mansion was plunged into complete darkness. The footage on the screen also stopped abruptly, leaving only a spinning circular loading icon.

Uncle Li came up with a flashlight, turned on the charging lamp on Shen Gali's nightstand, and comforted him: "Mr. Shen, don't be afraid. The municipal road construction has caused a temporary power outage in our area for half an hour; the power will be back soon."

It was just a normal power outage, but Shen Gali, staring at the spinning loading icon, felt an inexplicable knot in his chest.

Suddenly, for no reason, a sense of unease arose, like something stuck in his chest, a feeling like he needed to burp but couldn't get it out.

Shen Gali slowly looked out the window.

Normally at this time, the rose-shaped courtyard lamps would emit a warm yellow light, illuminating the redwood trees with a mysterious and serene glow.

But today, the courtyard lamps were dark, the redwood trees were gone, and only the milky white moonlight poured down, dotting the white salt flats with starlight.

He instinctively glanced at the clock—it was already nine o'clock.

Nan Liujing hadn't returned yet.

"Thump, thump, thump!" The stairs outside echoed with hurried footsteps—chaotic, fast, and unsettling.

Uncle Li burst in without regard for manners, his phone in hand, the blue light casting a grim, terrifying shadow on his face.

"Mr. Shen!" his voice trembling, on the verge of tears.

"The young master's in trouble!"

Shen Gali looked at him silently, the dim lamplight cast a huge shadow of him on the wall.