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Chapter 135: There won’t be a next time.
Throughout his life, Chen Wengang might never forget the day when the bad news came.
From the moment he woke up in the morning, every tiny detail within his sight was etched into his mind, disregarding all else.
Those images played like a broken recorder, continuously looping, out of control, never truly ceasing.
That day, he woke up early, pulled back the curtains, and outside was a crisp autumn day with clear skies, no clouds in sight, the sky blue, the water clear, a sunny and beautiful day. He fed Harley a bit, feeling inexplicably restless.
Harley seemed to sense his owner’s emotional turmoil, staying close by his side.
Chen Wengang took him out to the yard, but even he didn’t seem too interested, so they quickly returned inside.
Then Chen Wengang went to his study, sitting on the sofa by the window, picking up a book he hadn’t finished reading.
The breeze fluttered the curtains, sheer fabric dancing, a ladybug flew in, briefly landing on the pages before flying away.
He continued reading the book for about two hours, gradually getting immersed in the reading, momentarily forgetting everything else.
Until the jarring ringtone of the phone interrupted.
Chen Wengang recognized the number, it was from Amanda, the assistant of Huo Niansheng. Over the years, they had some interactions, but their relationship was never too close. Her voice sounded unusually heavy: “Mr. Chen, unfortunately, there’s some bad news…”
The clear images end here, and the video tape distorts beyond recognition.
Chen Wengang seemed to lose his ability to comprehend, holding his breath, unable to understand what she was saying.
She said, “Please accept my condolences.”
After a buzzing noise in his head, his mind went blank, having difficulty breathing, sweating all over, feeling dizzy and nauseous, with ringing in his ears like drums.
His stomach felt like it was filled with stones, and everything seemed upside down, Chen Wengang had to reach out to grab the edge of the table.
But the sofa he was sitting on seemed to be rapidly plummeting into an abyss.
A tremendous fear seized him, different from any fear he had experienced before. His fear was tangible; every object in the room—bookshelves, vases, tables, chairs—all turned into monstrous creatures, menacingly closing in on him.
On the other end of the phone, Amanda was still speaking, but Chen Wengang suddenly remembered, her Chinese name seemed to be surnamed Yang.
What did she say?
She said something about picking him up in an hour and a half, as soon as possible…
Her voice sounded like it was coming from a very distant place.
Chen Wengang didn’t know what he replied; he couldn’t believe it because it couldn’t be happening. Apart from Huo Niansheng, Huo Zhenfei, and so many other people from the Huo family, as well as many executives from the group, they were all on the ship. How could something happen to all of them? He looked up at the calendar, and no matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t April Fool’s Day, a day when someone might pull a prank.
What was extremely strange was that, in such a situation, another voice emerged from within him, responding to her words one by one.
He threw the phone far away.
Harley suddenly barked anxiously.
Chen Wengang seemed to collapse on the ground. He couldn’t quite understand himself, he only remembered feeling the rough texture of the carpet. He reached out to grab the sofa cover, trying to find something to support himself and stand up, but his limbs were too weak.
He kept climbing up, only to slip back down. The door seemed to be pushed open; it was the butler rushing over upon hearing the news.
He knew Chen Wengang had panic attacks, feeling the butler’s hand reaching into his pocket, finding the box of Alprazolam. The butler, in a hurry, opened the box, not very skillfully, scattering several pills on the floor.
Chen Wengang groped for one from the floor, swallowing it.
He sat on the floor, drenched in cold sweat, with the butler supporting him, looking extremely worried.
He heard the butler ask, “Should we go to the hospital? Did Mr. Huo say when he might come back?”
Mr. Huo…
Huo Niansheng…
Accident…
At sea…
Shipwreck…
Going out to sea…
Accident…
Chen Wengang clenched his teeth tightly, the butler retrieved his phone, and suddenly he raised his hand, throwing the phone even further away.
Harley’s worried barking filled his ears.
Chen Wengang seemed to mutter something low, but at the same time, he closed off his senses. He blocked out the butler’s face, from shock to fear to seriousness, he also blocked out the butler’s voice. He stared fixedly at the ground, not wanting to hear any sound now.
Huo Niansheng was the cornerstone of his life, a part of him deep in his bones and flesh.
He wouldn’t be coming back.
So he won’t be coming back.
When can he come back?
After that, Chen Wengang’s consciousness seemed to be in a daze. He felt like he was walking in a nightmarish and unreal dream, where every move was guided by instinct. But his instincts were incredibly strong, telling him that he still had to do what needed to be done.
He had endured countless pains, and he had to accept many things.
When Amanda arrived, Chen Wengang was waiting at the villa gate. He had changed into all black, with a black shirt, black pants, black shoes, and his face devoid of any color, covered with some old scars.
The butler and Harley were by his side, and when Amanda lowered the car window, the butler came forward to greet her.
This middle-aged man’s hair had turned gray, his face weary, he rubbed his face vigorously, sighing deeply, and bent over to talk to her.
Chen Wengang stood a bit further back, his gaze vacant, his slender shoulders straight.
Before leaving, he asked the butler to stay, saying that he and Amanda could go alone. With the employer in trouble, there were still many staff at home who needed to be notified and reassured. He waved his hand, and only Harley followed him into the car.
Amanda’s complexion was equally poor; she wasn’t wearing any makeup and looked tired, with bags and fine lines clearly visible.
She personally drove over to the villa, just to take Chen Wengang to the morgue to see the deceased one last time.
She had made numerous calls before coming, and the unfortunate news of Huo Niansheng’s accident had been repeatedly confirmed, firmly established, with no room for doubt. He had met with an accident; it happened too suddenly, without leaving behind any direct last words. But if there was anyone who should handle his affairs, she believed it was her duty to call Mr. Chen, and this was probably also the boss’s intention. Apart from him, there was no second consideration.
The atmosphere in the car was extremely oppressive.
She began to tell Chen Wengang what she currently knew— the cruise ship Huo Niansheng was on was leased in the name of the Huo family’s company, it was a small luxury cruise ship, and the reason for the accident was that it was hijacked by pirates, who were armed and took over the entire ship.
Chen Wengang stared straight ahead, remaining silent throughout.
They arrived at the hospital parking lot, and Amanda pulled the handbrake. Chen Wengang had already pushed open the car door.
He still remembered to open the back door and let Harley down. It closely followed Chen Wengang’s footsteps, while Amanda led the way ahead. They went down the stairs together, entered a building, pressed the elevator button, and the floor sign next to it read “Morgue”.
The elevator “dinged”.
Just as they stepped out of the compartment, mournful cries echoed. It was chaotic outside, and amidst the chaos, there was also a sense of desolation.
Inside the morgue, besides hospital staff, there were far more than just the two of them, after all, the entire ship had been involved in the accident, some bodies had been salvaged, and some were still missing. Family members crowded together; the scene was bustling, with people coming and going—even chaotic.
Amanda glanced at Chen Wengang, who stood quietly among the grieving crowd, looking especially reserved.
Someone uncovered the white cloth, and Huo Niansheng’s face had been prepared.
Chen Wengang calmly looked at him, staring for a long time, without saying a word.
At one point, he raised his hand slightly, but his movement was very subtle, as soon as he lifted it, he put it down again, so subtle that hardly anyone noticed.
Someone brought a register and said something, lips moving.
Chen Wengang heard the soft sobbing behind him. He turned his head and saw the back of a somewhat familiar woman, her voice also familiar. Chen Wengang suddenly remembered her as Huo Zhenfei’s wife; they had met when they had breakfast together as a family of three.
Her hair was disheveled, her shoulders slumped, and she faced a white wall, continuously wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.
Chen Wengang retracted his gaze, nodding to the staff, indicating that she was the person they wanted to see, without any mistake.
The white cloth was covered again.
The door of the freezer closed.
Suddenly, someone raised their voice, and the crying behind him became even sharper and more mournful.
The staff whispered to calm down the family members, advising them not to make a scene in the morgue.
Amanda observed coldly, looking at Chen Wengang. He was too calm, too serene. Of course, she didn’t deny that he was sad. Over the years, it was obvious how much Huo Niansheng meant to him; who wouldn’t be sad at all? But she secretly felt a bit sorry for the employer.
Such a close confidant, in the end, not even a single tear at the farewell, whether kin or stranger, husband and wife.
Chen Wengang left the morgue, and Harley came up to him, lifting his head to lick his hand.
Amanda came out, signaling to Chen Wengang that there was something else to discuss, preferably in a more private place.
Chen Wengang didn’t react much, he stood there, thinking for a while, before lifting his head and asking if Kang Ming had arrived.
Kang Ming was a former bodyguard who had followed Huo Niansheng. He was bald, tall, and strong, and he quickly appeared in front of them.
Chen Wengang hoarsely instructed him to stay here and not to move Huo Niansheng, no matter who came.
He left Harley with Kang Ming as well, Amanda remained silent, watching him pass the leash to him.
They left the hospital and crossed the street. The main road was wide, and Chen Wengang walked forward with his head down. Amanda pulled him back, and they waited for the traffic light on the sidewalk. Across the street was a crystal hotel, and Amanda used her ID to book a suite at the front desk.
And so, they arrived in the room, and she matter-of-factly told Chen Wengang some news, speculating that this accident might have been a conspiracy. Now the Huo family was in chaos, with reporters swarming out, madly digging for information. The main casualties were from Uncle Huo’s side, Uncle Huo himself didn’t even board the ship, the whole family went on vacation to Hawaii. Although various conspiracy theories were shocking, the entire cruise ship accident was full of mysteries, the police investigation would take time, and some things left behind by Huo Niansheng needed his signature and decision as soon as possible.
After that, she began to make endless phone calls, hardly ever unplugging the charger.
Chen Wengang leaned against the glass, looking downstairs at the street bustling with traffic.
Less than two hours later, Huo Niansheng’s lawyer also arrived at the hotel. He looked like a special agent, wearing a mask, and looked around before entering. After confirming that no one was following him, Lawyer Zhu closed the door. He put down his briefcase, and the first thing he did was take out a thick envelope.
Before his death, Huo Niansheng had made a valid and notarized will, specifying who would inherit all his property.
In a monotonous and straight tone, the lawyer explained what each document was and instructed Chen Wengang where to sign.
Chen Wengang held the pen, listening intently and signing each one as they went along. They cooperated seamlessly; he would sign a name, and Lawyer Zhu would flip the page over, indicating the next place for him to sign.
Until they reached the last document, the pen still hadn’t moved.
Amanda glanced at him, startled.
Chen Wengang’s eyes were red, lost in a daze. His eyes were already filled with tears, the wet eyelashes obscuring his vision.
His pupils were light-colored, only his left eye was intact, and the right eye had a prosthetic, but it wasn’t noticeable without a close look.
Suddenly she remembered something, when he had the implant surgery, Huo Niansheng had stayed up all night watching over him, afraid he would touch the bandages and dressings, infecting the wound. She sighed, then sighed again, more heavily.
After a long time, he moved the pen, making the first stroke of the character “Chen”, a tear dropping onto the tip of the pen.
The ink spread out, forming a dark blot.
Chen Wengang smiled faintly, he grabbed a tissue, pressed it onto the paper, and slowly blotting it dry, “Excuse me.”
Lawyer Zhu brought out another copy; this time he signed smoothly, and all the documents were packed up again.
The atmosphere in the suite was heavy, as if it had turned into a place of dead silence.
Chen Wengang sat on the carpet, one leg bent, the other leg sagging down. He rested his hand on the back of his neck, using his knee to block his face. His movements were like a bird burying its head, but a bird with a broken wing, barely breathing.
He looked like he was crying, yet not entirely. After a while, he remained motionless, silent.
Amanda and Lawyer Zhu also just sat on the side.
Three living beings, resembling three statues, in the brief few minutes, there was no movement, no sound at all. If not for the central air conditioning still running, the room felt as if the pause button had been pressed.
It was Lawyer Zhu’s phone call that finally broke the stagnant time. He answered it, responding with “uh-huh” and “okay” to the other end.
After the accident, Lawyer Zhu was responsible for liaising with the police and various parties.
His voice was hoarse to the point of being almost inaudible, his brows furrowed deeply, constantly clearing his throat. Amanda poured him a glass of water, he took it and drank it in one gulp, talking for a long time before finally hanging up the phone.
Then he squatted by the coffee table, organizing his briefcase, and took out another sealed envelope from the compartment.
Chen Wengang stared at his movements. Lawyer Zhu glanced back at him, his gaze solemn and dignified.
The sealed envelope contained a folded piece of paper.
He told Chen Wengang that this was something Huo Niansheng had left behind before leaving this world, during the time between the hijacking and the shipwreck. It had been sealed in an empty wine bottle, hidden in a place not easily found. This was evidence for the investigation, and Lawyer Zhu didn’t go into detail about how much effort it took to retrieve it from the police. He said the evidence collection process was complete, and he was giving this letter to Chen Wengang to keep.
Chen Wengang stared at the sealed envelope in his hand, unable to hear what Amanda was still murmuring.
Both of them left, leaving him some space.
Chen Wengang knelt on the carpet, his elbows propped on the coffee table, his heart pounding hard. He opened and closed the envelope several times before carefully tearing open the seal. He trembled as he unfolded the letter, laying it flat. Before he could clearly see the hastily scribbled handwriting, tears had already blurred his vision.
He leaned over the coffee table, lifting his hand to cover his eyes.
The morgue of the hospital was still bustling with people.
After all, such shocking social events were rare in a decade— from the afternoon to the evening, apart from the staff on duty, doctors and nurses had to divide their manpower to help maintain order. Most of the victims were either wealthy or influential passengers, and family members, subordinates, lawyers, and infiltrating reporters turned the solemn place into a market square, where one dispute was barely settled before another broke out.
The young nurses had to shout loudly, just as one quarrel subsided, another erupted elsewhere.
Huo Jingsheng was still shouting, “You better figure out who the real family is, what are you?”
Chen Wengang leaned against the wall, looking at the speaker expressionlessly.
He might be hiding away, but he still recognized Huo Niansheng, the younger brother who got the better end of the bloodline, giving Huo Jingsheng a somewhat similar contour to his brother, except his features were more compact, with a touch of mediocrity.
Chen Wengang said, “Get lost.”
Huo Jingsheng pointed at his nose and said, “Big brother’s body isn’t even cold yet, I don’t know how you’re scheming with his inheritance, but whether or not Zhu had his hands in it, you two know best in your hearts. Don’t be smart, thinking Lawyer Zhu is the only lawyer in Jincheng. Do you think you can become his widow just because you have his body? When it comes to court, the law won’t protect you!”
He pointed at the morgue door and said, “You’ve been pampered like a canary, not knowing your place. Where did you get the courage to defy the Huo family’s intentions? Do you think he can still sit up and favor you? Your protective umbrella is gone!”
Chen Wengang’s fist had already swung to his nose.
Huo Jingsheng took a heavy blow, his head banging against the wall, gritting his teeth, his spirit almost leaving him. Kang Ming reacted quickly, immediately blocking in front of Chen Wengang, but Huo Jingsheng, humiliated, grabbed him and kicked him, wanting to pounce on Chen Wengang.
They were quickly pulled apart by the crowd, with Huo Jingsheng panting angrily. In the chaos, his nails still scratched Chen Wengang’s face.
The young nurse shouted angrily, “No fighting in the hospital! Take it outside if you want to fight! Fight to the death!”
Huo Jingsheng was dragged out, and someone wanted to chase Chen Wengang away, but they were intimidated by the bodyguard and the dog, so they shrank back.
The nurse came back, using alcohol to treat Chen Wengang’s wounds.
Chen Wengang hoarsely said, “Sorry.”
The nurse said helplessly, “You seem reasonable; now that you know to apologize, don’t fight next time!”
Chen Wengang kept apologizing continuously; she said, “Okay, I get it, just don’t do this again next time.”
The nurse paused, her wrist gently held, and Chen Wengang shook his head, indicating there was no need for further treatment.
She looked at him sympathetically as he wiped away a tear with his knuckles, “There won’t be a next time.”
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