Chapter 60

Chapter 60

When Shen Gali woke up, there was a tickling sensation on his chest.

Looking down, Nan Liujing was still in the same position as last night— his head buried in his chest, lips occasionally brushing against his skin.

Nan Liujing was obsessed with this knife scar. Ever since he saw it, he kept asking: Does it hurt, which hospital did it, was it reliable, would it recur.

Even in his sleep, he clung to him tightly, as if the scar would split open if he wasn’t careful.

Shen Gali shifted back slightly, casually pulling the wide-open pajama top to cover the scar.

At the slightest movement, Nan Liujing also woke up. The first thing he did upon waking:

Gently stroking Shen Gali’s chest, his heartache evident: “Does it still hurt? Maybe you shouldn’t go to the company today. Rest at home.”

Tired of being asked so many times, he remained silent, got out of bed, and went to wash up.

But after seeing the scar, Nan Liujing’s fragile and sensitive heart couldn’t rest easy. He called for Butler Li and said, “Uncle, please help me change clothes. Today I’ll accompany my wife to the company.”

“Absolutely not, Young Master.” Butler Li panicked and quickly stopped his fidgeting hands.

Nan Liujing looked up, his eyes dark and deep: “Why? Do you also think I’m a fool and worry that I’ll mess things up at the company?”

“Young Master, don’t put words in my mouth. I’m just worried that you haven’t fully recovered, and if any accident happens during the process, I couldn’t handle the responsibility.”

Butler Li said this, but deep down, he was more concerned that if Nan Liujing went and made a fool of himself, it would once again prove he really was mentally impaired.

This time, Nan Liujing didn’t argue.

Butler Li was secretly pleased. Though the young master’s intelligence wasn’t what it used to be, at least he could be reasoned with. That wasn’t such a bad thing.

He sneaked a glance and saw Nan Liujing sitting alone in the wheelchair, staring out the window with a gloomy expression.

“Young Master, how about we wash up and have breakfast?” Butler Li said with an ingratiating smile.

“I’m not eating.” Nan Liujing said softly, still staring out the window, looking melancholy.

Then he let out a soft sigh, shaking his head with a look of desolation: “Life is meaningless. My wife suffered such a serious injury, and I neglect him while I enjoy myself at home. If I can’t accompany him and his wound worsens halfway, this splendid world is just black-and-white pages.”

Butler Li was stunned: Oh boy, is he getting depressed now? Threatening to die on me, huh? Fine, you win.

Unable to persuade Nan Liujing, Butler Li called Nan Feng to report the matter. After a moment’s thought, Nan Feng readily agreed:

“Liujing, as the company’s legal representative, indeed has many tasks not covered by Gali’s authorization. I’ll call Secretary Yan to prepare the documents. Liujing doesn’t need to trouble himself with the documents. I’ve already reviewed them. He just needs to exercise his authority as the company’s representative to sign the papers. Just signing his name shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Butler Li, today, you’ll accompany Liujing and take good care of him.”

Nan Liujing, now able to go to work with his wife, took off his mask of sadness and smiled innocently.

Overjoyed, he forgot to wear his mask and sunglasses. But Shen Gali and Butler Li were already used to seeing his uncovered face, so they didn’t find it unusual.

But Shen Gali was emo. Taking care of a man-child at home was one thing, but at the company, he couldn’t escape either.

As soon as he entered the main gate, the receptionist and passing employees respectfully greeted him, “Good morning, President Shen,” but when they saw the man in the wheelchair behind him, huge question marks appeared over their heads.

Who is that?

“Wait, could that person in the wheelchair be… our President Nan?”

“Definitely! Who else could make the security guard let them in so casually?”

“Did President Nan get plastic surgery after his fall? Why doesn’t he look as old and ugly as the rumors claimed?”

“Wow! My happiness just spiked! I’m so excited! President Nan is way too handsome. Should I faint like they do in TV shows to emphasize how handsome he is?”

Soon, news that Nan Liujing had fully recovered and returned to the company swept through the entire office like wildfire.

Another piece of gossip quickly spread: President Nan had never dared to show his real face before not because he was ugly, but because he was afraid his subordinates would be too distracted to work.

People pulled aside employees who had actually seen him and demanded they describe him in detail.

The employee racked his brain for a long time and said, “I can’t describe it. Just that he’s exquisitely handsome.”

Another employee: “Pass it on: President Nan is so handsome he’s breathtaking.”

“Pass it on: President Nan is so handsome he’s not human.”

“Pass it on: President Nan is not human.”

Nan ‘Not Human’ Liujing was placed in the office by Shen Gali: “I’m going to a quick meeting. Stay here and don’t move.”

“Wife, you need to come back soon.” Nan Liujing was the picture of obedience.

In the conference room, Yu Jinzhu walked in with a long face. Seeing Nan Feiyao, who also looked grim, he leaned in and asked quietly, “I heard Nan Liujing is back. Has his intelligence truly recovered?”

Nan Feiyao only had Shen Lanqing on his mind and didn’t bother to listen to what Yu Jinzhu was saying. He casually said, “You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

Earlier that morning, Shen Lanqing had messaged him again, saying that after careful consideration, he had decided to postpone the wedding until his brother’s situation stabilized.

He didn’t understand. Shen Lanqing changed his mind every day. He had risked going to jail to confess the 200 million shortfall, thinking Shen Lanqing would see that he had gotten into this big trouble for him and be more understanding. But now he was delaying the wedding again, and even accusing him of lying.

Did he have to show him the forged documents to prove how much he had suffered for him?

Yu Jinzhu’s face turned red from the rebuke. He sheepishly looked over at Yu Huaisu.

Yu Huaisu said she was worried about the company and would oversee work over the next few days. She had also come with Nan Feiyao to attend the morning meeting.

Yu Huaisu understood what Yu Jinzhu meant and smiled calmly: “Don’t worry. Even though the press conference cleared things up, facts are facts. If he were fully recovered, Shen Gali wouldn’t be the one chairing this meeting today.”

Yu Jinzhu had just let out a relieved sigh when the conference room door opened.

Shen Gali stood out among the group of suits— wearing only a white turtleneck sweater. He looked out of place. And when he sat at the head of the table, the contrast was even more jarring.

As soon as Shen Gali entered, Yu Jinzhu and the others instinctively looked behind him, staring hard, guessing whether Nan Liujing would appear at the morning meeting. They were on edge.

Only after Shen Gali sat down and the doors closed without Nan Liujing appearing did they breathe a long sigh of relief, their hearts settling back down.

The minutes-taker announced the start of the meeting, and everyone simultaneously opened the agenda in front of them.

Shen Gali glanced casually and said, “The first item on the agenda is to settle everyone’s salary for last year.”

As the Executive President, he didn’t need to bother managing monthly pay, but the annual salaries of the executives were under his authority.

“According to the accounting department’s calculations, everyone’s salary details are included in the documents. Please check if there are any omissions or miscalculations and report them as soon as possible.”

Yu Jinzhu, with a mocking tone, pulled out his pay stub: “How strange. When President Nan was in charge, he directly deposited it into our accounts. Now you’re passing out pay stubs. Anyone would think Huanhai Electronics is some fly-by-night company.”

Shen Gali couldn’t be bothered to look at him. He rested his chin lazily on his hand, as if afraid his head might fall off: “It’s not that I don’t trust the accounting department. I’m just afraid that someone might be embezzling company funds.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire meeting room fell into an eerie silence.

"Slap!"

The payslip was slapped onto the table with a crisp sound.

Yu Jinzhu's face turned deathly pale, his whole body trembling like a leaf trembling in the wind, his labored breaths came out like a bull snorting.

"Forty thousand?! My entire annual salary last year is only forty thousand?! The contract clearly states my annual salary is one million! Who do you think you're fooling with forty thousand?!"

Shen Gali said nonchalantly, "You only come once a week, and you're out the door two hours after the morning meeting. Based on your hourly rate of 416 yuan and your total working hours last year, the final salary comes to 39,996 yuan. I even threw in an extra four yuan. Do you want it or not? If not, give it back to me."

"You've gone too far! The contract is black and white—my annual salary is one million! Did the missing part go into your pocket?"

Yu Jinzhu slams the table #1 today.

"The contract also clearly states that taking leave requires deducting pay. That's the industry rule, and I'm just following it. Most of the people here have paid high taxes. You should be laughing that you don't even have to pay taxes." Shen Gali was too lazy to explain further—why else would he hand out payslips?

"If you insist on targeting me, I have the right to apply for arbitration from the board!" Yu Jinzhu slams the table #2.

"Go ahead, you can do it right now." Shen Gali glanced at the time. "That'll save the company over four hundred yuan as well. Since you're just freeloading here anyway, why not treat someone else?"

"Shen Gali, you—!" Yu Jinzhu slams the table #3.

He slammed the table with a deafening bang that shook the room, but it couldn't vent the fury in his heart. He looked around, his gaze landing on the teacup beside his hand.

At that moment, the door was pushed open, and Yu Jinzhu had already raised the teacup high.

Today, he would smash this bastard to death with the teacup to set things right!

The teacup shot out in a swift arc, hitting a body with a dull thud, then rolled onto the floor and broke into two pieces.

Everyone in the room stared in disbelief, then stood up abruptly.

When Yu Jinzhu saw where the teacup had landed, his eyes widened, and his Adam's apple bobbed nervously, showing extreme unease.

"Oh no, young master!" Uncle Li's voice called out as he fumbled for tissues.

Unexpectedly, Nan Liujing burst through the door right at that moment, the flying teacup hit him square in the chest, leaving a large brown stain on his white shirt.

"President Nan, you're back!"

"Good morning, President Nan! How is your health?"

The executives hurried over to greet him.

Nan Liujing remained silent, lightly flicking the tea stain from his shirt, then took a tissue and slowly wiped his fingers.

The entire movement was elegant and composed, betraying no flaw.

Shen Gali watched his hand movements with a hint of scrutiny.

He had returned. Nan Liujing's former aura of silent authority had returned. Those executives who always looked down on others now cowered like scared mice, with heads bowed, hardly daring to breathe.

Even Yu Jinzhu, who had been shouting wildly just moments ago, stopped breathing instantly, his pupils dilating in shock.

Yu Huaisu narrowed her eyes cautiously, carefully observing every move Nan Liujing made, trying to determine if his memory had returned.

He looked exactly like the arrogant and overbearing Nan Liujing of the past. But as soon as he opened his mouth, his true nature was revealed:

"Darling, are you hurt? I heard someone yelling at you at the door. Who was it? Write it down, and I'll get back at them one by one."

Everyone: ...

Yu Huaisu let out a sigh of relief, her tense body relaxing.

Good, he's still dumb.

The executives exchanged suspicious glances, on the verge of saying something but holding back.

This guy seemed simple, yet also oddly normal.

In Nan Liujing's eyes, Shen Gali's silence was because he had suffered a terrible injustice and had nowhere to vent, while the old-timers looked down on him and humiliated him at every turn.

In reality, Shen Gali: This is the perfect moment to grab a nap.

Nan Liujing slowly turned his wheelchair to face the executives, tapping his fingers casually on the armrest, his voice low and calm:

"I know some of you think I've lost my mind and am no longer what I once was. It's true—I forgot some things after the blow to my head."

His gaze swept over each person, finally locking onto Yu Jinzhu.

Yu Jinzhu shrank back guiltily.

"But I haven't forgotten who I care about the most. Since I entrusted the work to him, it means that in my heart, he is more trustworthy than any of you seasoned veterans. I demand that you unconditionally support his work."

Everyone nodded in unison: "Support, of course we'll support him fully."

"Especially you. Yes, you—baldy. Look up."

Yu Jinzhu: Oh, bald—he means me.

"Others can raise doubts, but not you." Nan Liujing said.

Yu Jinzhu's smile was uglier than a cry: "Support... of course I'll support President Shen's work."

"You'd better keep your word. Even if I can't fully return to the company yet, I am fully aware of every word and action you take." Nan Liujing turned to Shen Gali again. "Darling, as I said, if anyone bullies you or doesn't follow your management, write it down in a notebook. I'll definitely curse them under my breath."

Shen Gali replied feebly, "Okay..."

"Alright, everyone, go on with your meeting. I still have a few documents to sign. I won't disturb you any longer." With that, Nan Liujing looked back with longing at his beloved wife and left the conference room reluctantly, turning back every few steps.

Silence. Deathly silence.

They felt threatened. Not sure, let's see.

Shen Gali raised a hand to scratch his cheek, a tiny strand of hair tickling him. Immediately, an executive hurried over, bowing as he handed him tea: "President Shen, please moisten your throat. Hosting the meeting must have been tiring."

Shen Gali: ?

Just as he was about to sit down, another executive came over and helped push his chair in: "President Shen, my grandma made a wormwood pillow for me back in my hometown. You sit for long hours and should watch your neck and shoulders. I'll bring you the pillow tomorrow."

Shen Gali: ?

After the long meeting ended, the group walked out with relief.

Yu Jinzhu looked pale and weak, unable to figure out whether Nan Liujing had truly recovered or not.

He felt that his actions and demeanor were no different from before, yet his words seemed somewhat childish.

He followed behind Yu Huaisu, trying to get to the bottom of it, when he heard her give a cold laugh:

"What are you afraid of? He's just bluffing. You think I don't know?"

She said that, but once back in the office, she couldn't help pulling Nan Feiyao aside to analyze it: "Do you think Nan Liujing has gotten his memory back? It feels like he has, but then again, maybe not."

Nan Feiyao thought for a moment. "Memory doesn't come back all at once. There's a gradual process. Most likely, it's slowly coming back."

Yu Huaisu slowly closed her eyes, her mind racing.

"We can't wait any longer. We have to put the plan into action now."

Nan Feiyao was curious. "What plan?"

Yu Huaisu's eyes flew open, a strange half-smile on her face. "Shift the blame."

"Don't worry, you won't have to go to jail. Someone else will take the fall for you."

*

After the meeting ended, Shen Gali dragged his heavy body back to the office. The moment he walked in, he saw Nan Liujing sitting at the desk, dressed up like a show dog, holding a book in one hand with a serious expression that looked almost convincing.

But when he saw what book Nan Liujing was reading, he was left speechless.

*The Beauty Can't Escape: The Billionaire's Billion-Dollar Bride*

He started to wonder if Nan Liujing had partially regained his memory, but now, seeing the nearly finished trashy CEO romance novel, he understood.

All learned. All copied.

As soon as he saw Shen Gali, Little Dog Nan came over to fish for compliments: "Honey, was I great back there? Are you still mad?"

Great. How could he not be great?

He had cemented his idiot status in front of everyone—there was no one else like him on earth.

But that wasn't important. What mattered was that it was time for the annual salary. He wondered how much Nan Liujing's annual salary was. Since he had inherited Nan Liujing's job and all his income, could he save up enough for the underground mansion?

Delighted, he went to the accounting department to check and received Nan Liujing's pay slip:

"Actual salary paid: 88,888 yuan."

Shen Gali: ...

A CEO and only 88,888 a year?

Uncle Li explained earnestly: "The young master gets dividends from the company. That income is substantial, but some is withheld for taxes. So to avoid paying a second income tax, the old man set it at 88,888 yuan."

Shen Gali: 88,888 it is. What's mine is mine.

The next day, he took Nan Liujing's salary card and transferred the 88,888 to his own account. He looked at his passbook, counting the zeros on the deposit balance, happier with each zero, already planning the tile color for the underground mansion.

Suddenly his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw it was a local landline number he didn't recognize.

Unknown number? Must be a scam call.

He hung up, but the phone kept ringing persistently. He hung up again, and it rang again. Annoyed, he just turned it off.

But just as he arrived at the company, the receptionist, pale-faced, rushed up to him with an expression of impending doom:

"CEO Shen, someone from the prosecutor's office came just now. They said your phone was unreachable, so they came in person. They have some questions for you."