I didn’t tell Meng SiQi that I had met with He Li during the day.
I was afraid that he would become worried for no reason.
When he saw me being dispirited, he came up to me and asked, “Are you still worried about the announcement of your father’s will tomorrow?”
I gave him a forced smile. “Yes, I am afraid that Father was angry at me and refused to leave me even half a cent. When that time comes I’ll become pathetic, not having anything to my name.”
I probably did not look any better when I smiled as I was almost as pale as a ghost.
“You don’t have to worry about that. Even if you don’t get a share of his assets, I still have the ability to support you.” He winked at me. “I may look like this but I’m still a golden bachelor <sup>1</sup> “钻石王老五” (literally “diamond single man”) refers to wealthy single men who are over 35 years old and were known as golden bachelors. It is usually used in China but not anywhere else so most probably will never hear of this. JiYu also did a word play on the Chinese term but I decided not to include it cause it is not really translatable over to English. in this city.”
I teased him, “Huh, as a single average man, you still dare to call yourself a golden bachelor.”
Finally, I was able to smile comfortably.
Even if I lose everything, there would still be someone waiting for me.
I told Meng SiQi, “I’m really afraid that my father left me nothing.”
It was because that would mean that in the end, he didn’t forgive me, and refused to recognize that I was his son.
Meng SiQi also didn’t say a word since he knew what I meant.
“As I was growing up, I did a lot of frivolous and rash things. Even if I knew that there was a thornbush, I still rolled over it without regret. However, this one issue will torment me for as long as I live.” I then covered my face with my hands.
“JiYu, even now, you still can’t put it down.” Meng SiQi said gently, “In this world, there are no parents who hate their children. Even if their children make a lot of mistakes, they will still be tolerant. So, don’t think too much about this.”
The next day, Meng SiQi asked if I needed him to accompany me.
I shook my head with a smile, “Who would take a doctor with him when dividing their family properties? After all, it’s just a little fortune and I wouldn’t faint due to excitement. There is no need for you to worry needlessly.”
Meng SiQi sighed and said helplessly, “Once something happens, call me. When I woke up this morning, I felt uneasy as if something might happen. I can’t help but worry about you.”
“Don’t frighten me, I’m already nervous enough.” I was really scared.
Meng SiQi repeated himself one last time, “You must give me a call when it’s over.”
“Ok, ok. Recently you’re turning into a nagging old lady.”
Both of us then went downstairs where Lu QingFan had already sent a car to pick me up.
When I arrived, Lu QingFan and the two lawyers were already waiting for me in the study. When he saw me coming, he nodded to the lawyers. They then opened the document and began to read the will.
While my palms were full of sweat, Lu QingFan’s face was as usual, very calm.
“… my assets will be divided into two parts, one for my son Lu QingFan and one for Pei JiYu…”
As I listened quietly to what the lawyers said without intonation, I was not interested in anything else except this part. After hearing it, I was suddenly relieved, as if I had suddenly been relieved of a burden as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold.
My father still recognized me as his son.
He didn’t blame me.
Finally, the lawyer concluded, “After the tax is paid, the assets can be officially distributed.”
The two lawyers then proceeded to pack up the papers and left.
Only Lu QingFan and I were left in the room.
I said to him, “Father has always treated you like his own son.” Even in his will, Father had not referred Lu QingFan as his adopted son but gave him the title of his son like me.
It was Lu QingFan who had always looked down on himself.
“But now it’s all over.”
I took a breath, got up and was readying myself to leave.
However, he stood in my way. “Are you this unwilling to be with me?”
“I thought you would be busy reorganizing the company. I heard it’s not smooth sailing these days.”
Lu QingFan’s tone was not taunting when he spoke, “I didn’t expect that you would also care about the issues with the Pei family.”
In the end, I stayed with him for lunch.
I was afraid that I wouldn’t have the chance to have a good meal with him in the future.
As the chef of the Pei family was on leave, Lu QingFan drove me to a private club in the city.
In the car, I called Meng SiQi and reassured him, “Yes, I’m all right and nothing happened. I’m having lunch with Lu QingFan and will be back soon.”
At the end of the call, I saw Lu QingFan looking at me coldly. The expression on his face didn’t look very good.
He eventually asked, “What’s your relationship with Meng SiQi?”
“Would you believe it if I say it is a doctor-patient relationship?”
He didn’t respond.
But even then, I knew he didn’t believe that.
I continued, “He likes me.”
He hesitated for a moment before asking again, “What about you?”
“Me?” For a while, I was stunned.
At this moment, the car had arrived at the gate of the club, and a security guard came over. I slowly thought back to the memories I had after knowing Meng SiQi and his every word, every action, flashed through my mind like a movie.
I chuckled. When I got out of the car, I said to Lu QingFan, “I like him too.”
It was like, not love. Love is a very serious thing that takes a lot of time to confirm.
However, I sincerely liked him. No matter what happens in the future, I would treat this feeling seriously.
Lu QingFan’s expression then became even more ugly.
He seemed to want to say something, but he suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze behind me.
I followed his eyes and turned my head. It was unexpected that under such a situation and location, I would come into an unavoidable confrontation with He Li.
He Li also saw us.
He came over with a smile on his face and greeted us, “What a coincidence. I didn’t expect that I would meet you all here.”
His eyes were fixed on me.
Lu QingFan coldly responded, “We also didn’t expect to meet you here either.”
The atmosphere was very awkward and the security guard at the door looked at us at a loss.
It was at this moment that pain started radiating across my body again.
I told Lu QingFan with a pale face, “Let’s not eat here and change to somewhere else.” I then proceeded to pull him into the car.
However, He Li suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.
“Pei JiYu, don’t even think that you will be able to leave that easily today!” He continued ruthlessly, “If you don’t settle everything clearly, I won’t let you go.”
The look in his eyes seemed to reflect his desire to cut me to pieces.
Responding immediately, Lu QingFan pushed me behind him.
“The relationship between you and JiYu is over. Please don’t pester him endlessly!”
“Ha! Who told you that the relationship between Pei JiYu and me is over?” He Li sneered at him, “Lu QingFan, who are you to interfere in the issue between me and him?!”
I walked out from behind Lu QingFan and said to He Li, “Please show some respect. Lu QingFan is the only relative I have in the world. You are the one who is not qualified to speak.”
In my heart, I just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
1
“钻石王老五” (literally “diamond single man”) refers to wealthy single men who are over 35 years old and were known as golden bachelors. It is usually used in China but not anywhere else so most probably will never hear of this. JiYu also did a word play on the Chinese term but I decided not to include it cause it is not really translatable over to English.