That morning, Qi Mu stood in the bathroom facing the mirror, looking troubled as he touched the red marks around his neck. He had not had time to think about them at the time. It was only after returning home that he realized his entire neck had turned red.
How was he supposed to show his face in public like this?
He was afraid someone might see the marks and call the police.
Fortunately, he was the company president, so he did not even need to request leave if he chose not to go into the office. Besides, much of his work could be handled just as easily from home. He could attend meetings online and speak to clients over the phone. After thinking it over, Qi Mu made up a casual excuse and told Zhan Xiao Hui that he would not be coming to the company for the next few days. She could reach him on his phone if anything came up.
Qi Mu remained at home for the next several days.
Whenever he needed anything, he ordered delivery.
It felt a little strange at first, but after a few days, the place had taken on a warmer, more lived-in feel. Qi Mu decided that staying home like this once in a while was not so bad.
Of course, he had not been idle. Apart from handling the company’s day-to-day affairs, he also found time to contact Professor Lai and arranged to visit H University after New Year’s Day.
He needed to finalize the collaboration with Professor Lai and accelerate the research and development process as soon as possible. Only then could his company stay ahead of the competition.
After another weekend had passed, Qi Mu examined himself in the mirror.
Only after confirming that he had fully recovered did he return to work.
Although he told himself there was no need to care about Jiang Shao, he still glanced into the office opposite his as he walked past.
Unsurprisingly, Jiang Shao was not there.
This time, however, Qi Mu did not ask about him. He merely looked away with perfect calm.
He had plenty to do every day. Since Jiang Shao was already fine, it was not Qi Mu’s place to worry about him.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day before New Year’s Day.
Everyone was in a good mood with the holiday approaching. Those who had nothing urgent to deal with left early, and by the end of the workday, there were not many people left in the company.
Qi Mu received a call from his mother asking him to come home for lunch the following day. He agreed and planned to pick up a few things to bring with him.
As he was leaving the company, he rounded a corner in the corridor and overheard several people chatting.
“Where did that handsome new guy from the President’s Office go? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“I heard something happened at home, so he took leave.”
“He’s only just joined the company, yet he’s already taking leave every other day. President Qi is a nice person, so he probably won’t fire him, but that guy really does whatever he pleases.”
“Isn’t he President Qi’s relative? Maybe he’s some rich young master who came here just to kill time. Of course he’s different from ordinary people like us.”
“You’re right. If he weren’t genuinely handsome, I wouldn’t even notice him.”
“At least you’re unapologetically shallow.”
Qi Mu’s steps paused briefly before he calmly continued forward, treating the conversation as no more than a minor interlude.
It seemed that Jiang Shao had taken his advice this time and had not gone to him to request leave.
Of course, that was how it should be. There was never any need for an ordinary employee to approach the company president over something as minor as taking leave.
Qi Mu had no intention of looking into whether Jiang Shao truly had family matters to deal with or had simply found an excuse not to work. He merely realized that their relationship seemed to have returned to where it began.
No. They were probably even more distant than they had been at the beginning. Back then, Jiang Shao had constantly appeared in front of him, whether he had any reason to or not.
He had also frequently done things that left Qi Mu vexed and troubled.
Now, he had stopped coming to the company altogether.
He was not even bothering to keep up the act anymore.
Presumably, the young master had finally grown tired of playing at having a regular job. Perhaps he would leave before long.
That was exactly what Qi Mu had hoped for from the beginning: for Jiang Shao to resign of his own accord. Now, his goal finally seemed close to being achieved.
Yet he was not as happy as he had imagined he would be.
…
The following morning, Qi Mu slept until ten.
Then he drove to his parents’ home.
He arrived just in time for lunch.
Fu Yun had instructed the housekeeper to prepare an entire table of food. She looked her son up and down, then nodded in satisfaction. Her son was not merely handsome; he had excellent taste in clothes and carried himself well. It was rare for a young man to be so clean and particular about his appearance. Dressed in a casual suit today, he looked just as pleasing to the eye as ever.
What girl could possibly dislike him?
Fu Yun smiled and asked Qi Mu, “Do you have any plans today?”
“Nothing in particular,” Qi Mu replied.
Although he took his work seriously, he was not a workaholic. There was no reason to arrange work for himself on his only day off.
Fu Yun asked again, “Did the summit go well?”
“I met several prospective clients. We’re still in the early stages of contact.”
Qi Xiang Ming nodded repeatedly. “Mm-hm, good. Some things can’t be rushed.”
His parents continued talking, one after the other. After a while, Qi Xiang Ming suddenly said, “Speaking of which, I attended an alumni gathering some time ago and chatted with a few old classmates. One of them is in the electrical appliance business and is currently expanding overseas. He’s interested in working with us. I arranged to discuss it with him in greater detail when we both had time. Since you don’t have anything else to do today, why don’t you meet the client in my place?”
Qi Mu frowned slightly.
Seeing this, Fu Yun immediately elbowed Qi Xiang Ming and scolded him, “He finally gets a holiday, and you’re already arranging work for him? Isn’t that man your classmate? Why don’t you go yourself?”
Qi Xiang Ming looked aggrieved. “Haven’t I already retired? I only helped make contact with the client. Why can’t he handle the rest…?”
Fu Yun said, “Then arrange it for another day. Why does it have to be today?”
“He rarely comes back from abroad. He’ll be leaving again in two days, and today is the only time he has.”
“You—”
Seeing his parents start bickering again, Qi Mu helplessly pressed a hand to his temple. “I’ll go.”
Qi Xiang Ming immediately looked grateful. “What a good son. You’re still the one who cares about me.”
Seeing this, Fu Yun said nothing more and merely rolled her eyes at Qi Xiang Ming.
After lunch, Qi Xiang Ming gave Qi Mu the address for the meeting, explaining that everything had already been arranged and that Qi Mu only needed to go there at the appointed time.
Qi Mu checked the address. It was quite far away and would take an hour by car. Judging by the time, he ought to leave soon, so he said goodbye to his parents and headed out.
The moment Qi Mu was gone—
Qi Xiang Ming and Fu Yun exchanged knowing smiles.
Fu Yun praised him with a laugh. “Your acting wasn’t bad.”
Qi Xiang Ming promptly flattered her. “Yours was even better, dear.”
Qi Mu knew nothing of his parents’ scheme.
He entered the address into the car’s navigation system and arrived an hour later.
It was an elegant teahouse.
Its photogenic décor made it especially popular with young people. Even though it was midafternoon, business was brisk, and many young men and women were there on dates.
The main hall was filled with open booths. Although the atmosphere was refined and pleasant, it did not seem particularly suitable for a business meeting.
Qi Mu wondered why his father had arranged to meet a client here.
He walked farther inside while searching for the correct table.
When he was still several meters away, his footsteps abruptly faltered. A young woman was seated in the booth. She had long, wavy hair and striking, elegant features. She wore a camel-colored cashmere coat and white casual trousers. A diamond bracelet glimmered faintly around the wrist of the hand supporting her chin.
It was not that Qi Mu was prejudiced against women or believed that she could not possibly be a client. He had dealt with many capable and formidable businesswomen. But at that moment, his sixth sense told him that this was not a business meeting.
His parents had duped him with their little double act.
Qi Mu very much wanted to turn around and leave, but the woman had already seen him. Walking away now would be far too rude.
After a moment’s hesitation, Qi Mu went over.
…
Wangshan Cemetery lay on the western outskirts of the capital.
The broad plains of the capital stretched out before it, while majestic mountains rose behind it, creating the auspicious arrangement of having mountains at its back and water before it. The cemetery itself had been designed with meticulous care. Beyond its excellent feng shui, lush trees were arranged throughout the grounds in graceful layers, presenting a different view in every season. The surroundings were quiet and serene.
On this winter morning after the rain, the damp chill and heavy dew had yet to disperse.
Rows of gravestones stood in neat order without appearing crowded. Every stone was spotless, a clear sign that the grounds were carefully maintained.
Many high officials, dignitaries, and members of prominent families were buried here.
Jiang Shao wore a black overcoat, his expression solemn and cold as he followed the mountain path through the cemetery.
The deeper one went into the grounds, the better the burial plots became and the farther apart the gravestones stood. Naturally, the prices rose accordingly. It would not be an exaggeration to say that every inch of ground here cost a fortune.
At last, Jiang Shao stopped before a gravestone.
He bent down and placed the bouquet in his hands before it.
Then he raised a hand and carefully wiped the dust from the stone.
The woman in the black-and-white photograph smiled gently. There was no trace of how pale and despairing she had looked when she chose to end her own life. What remained here for the living to look upon would forever be the most beautiful version of her.
But wasn’t all of it a lie?
A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Shao’s mouth.
Shao Yun Xin.
He stared fixedly at the name engraved upon the gravestone.
The prince and Cinderella ran away together. In the end, Cinderella died, and the prince returned to his family with their child.
They said you were the person Jiang Zong Chao loved most—the lost love who had died young and become untouchable in his memory, immortalized in idle gossip.
They said I was the child born of your love because Jiang Zong Chao combined his surname with yours to form my name.
They said Jiang Zong Chao had not hesitated to break with his family for your sake, and that his love had been so deep he had never regretted it.
Did you hear any of that?
Did you find it laughable?
No. Perhaps you believed it too and merely blamed your own poor fate for being unable to enjoy such happiness.
Jiang Shao silently lowered his eyes. Yet even he could not decide which ending was better: dying without ever understanding the truth, or living on with clear-eyed awareness.
He stood there for a long time.
Only when the dew had soaked into his coat did he turn around.
A familiar figure stood behind him.
The middle-aged man was also dressed entirely in black. His face strongly resembled Jiang Shao’s, though he was older and faint lines had formed around his eyes. His expression and bearing softened the resemblance, making him appear less sharp than Jiang Shao. Time had lent him a gentle, refined composure, though he still possessed the commanding presence of someone accustomed to authority.
Jiang Shao was not surprised to see Jiang Zong Chao here.
After Shao Yun Xin’s death, Jiang Zong Chao had wanted to give her a proper burial. He returned to his family with their child and pleaded with them. Once the family forgave him, the very first thing he did, despite the immense pressure upon him, was purchase the most expensive burial plot for Shao Yun Xin. From then on, he came personally to mourn her every year on the anniversary of her death.
For twenty years, without fail.
Later, once he had taken complete control of the Jiang family and risen to a position of immense power, no one dared criticize his actions. Instead, they praised Mr. Jiang for his devotion and loyalty.
Jiang Zong Chao glanced calmly at Jiang Shao. “You came.”
Having to see this man every year on his mother’s death anniversary was downright bad luck. Jiang Shao could not be bothered with him. He shrugged and prepared to leave.
Jiang Zong Chao did not stop him. He merely spoke in a deep voice as Jiang Shao passed. “Come home when you’ve finished acting out. Are you really going to make your mother worry even in death?”
Those words stopped Jiang Shao in his tracks.
Several seconds passed before he turned around, an unrestrained, careless smile on his face. “I have no idea what you mean. What have I done that would keep her from resting in peace?”
Jiang Zong Chao could not stand his flippant manner. He frowned. “How long do you intend to keep drifting aimlessly like this?”
Jiang Shao raised his eyebrows in genuine confusion. “I go to work and earn money in exchange for my labor. I’m doing what most people do. How can you call that drifting around? Don’t tell me you look down on the working class?”
Even with all his self-control, Jiang Zong Chao could not help being angered by such an infuriating brat. “You? Work seriously?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiang Shao snorted and raised his chin slightly. “The company I work for is excellent, and the boss is a very good person. Going to work is far more interesting than staying at home. I love going to work.”
Utterly unreasonable!
Jiang Zong Chao stared at him, his expression dark.
The boy had not inherited any of Yun Xin’s gentle, sensible nature. He had never given anyone peace of mind since childhood, constantly causing trouble and getting into fights. He had even refused the cushy position that had been arranged for him. Would he truly be willing to work at someone else’s company?
Jiang Zong Chao said coldly, “Suit yourself. Just don’t come crying home to me when the time comes.”
Jiang Shao replied mockingly, “Don’t worry. I definitely won’t come looking for you.”
Father and son once again parted on bad terms.
…
Jiang Shao left the cemetery.
An inconspicuous black sedan was parked a little over a hundred meters from the entrance. The narrow road was secluded, with no one around. Jiang Shao opened the door and got inside.
Lu Jin Wen sat in the driver’s seat, looking listlessly at him. “Couldn’t you have taken a taxi back? Why did you have to make me come pick you up? I finally had a chance to sleep in, but instead I had to get up at the crack of dawn and go out of my way to find a cheap car. Why drag me into this…?”
Jiang Shao glanced sideways at him. “At your age, you ought to start taking care of your health. Going to bed early and getting up early is good for you. I’m only thinking of your well-being.”
Lu Jin Wen scoffed. “Then I suppose I should thank you?”
Jokes aside—
Lu Jin Wen handed him a document envelope. “Here’s the information you wanted on Hanxing Automotive. I think we’re about ready to make our move. Given the mess they’re in now, there’s no possible way they can win.”
Jiang Shao read through the documents, his expression thoughtful. “Wait a little longer.”
“Oh? Why?”
He gave a cold laugh. “Don’t rush to spring the trap. Tighten the pressure slowly and make Li Xin feel cornered. Given what a useless idiot he is, what do you think he’ll do?”
A glint passed through Lu Jin Wen’s eyes. “He’ll go back and beg his beloved aunt for help, then reallocate funds from somewhere else. But if he still can’t plug the hole in the end, it will only grow larger. By then, the entire Li Group could be dragged into it. Your real target is the whole Li Group.”
“Exactly,” Jiang Shao said evenly. “Sometimes bringing down a giant isn’t nearly as difficult as people imagine. All it takes is the right opportunity.”
Lu Jin Wen let out a long sigh. “You’re even more ruthless than I imagined.”
Jiang Shao raised his eyebrows. “Thinking of quitting?”
Lu Jin Wen immediately straightened, afraid of being misunderstood, and hurriedly clarified his position. “Who said that? I love the thrill of conquering the business world. Why else would I keep slogging away as an overworked company president? Wouldn’t it be far easier to find some ordinary job like you did?”
Jiang Shao: “…”
“Enough.” Jiang Shao fastened his seat belt. “Take me to…”
Lu Jin Wen nodded and started the car, casually asking, “When are you planning to resign?”
Without even thinking, Jiang Shao replied, “Why would I resign?”
“You’ve been on leave for a week and still show no intention of going back to work. Doesn’t your boss have a problem with that?”
Before Jiang Shao could answer, Lu Jin Wen seemed to remember something and continued to himself, “Right. Your boss has been busy going on blind dates lately, so he probably doesn’t have time to worry about you…”
Jiang Shao’s expression finally changed. “What did you say?”
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