DLRAS Chapter 97

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Chapter 97: I actually don’t doubt that there is love between you.

The city was abuzz with excitement, and what was most worthy of the public’s attention was the distribution of Huo Kaishan’s will, but the lawyer did not immediately make it public.

Huo Kaishan’s death had become the top news recently.

Stockholders were focused on the stock charts, while the general public was engrossed in the drama of the wealthy families. Amidst the frenzy of gossip, few people noticed the news in the financial section that Zheng Group had been fined heavily for tax evasion.

The funeral committee list was filled with top figures from the political and business worlds, and entertainment celebrities, each with the influence to shake the city with a single step. After a week of busy preparations, a small figure like Chen Wengang even declined an invitation from his high school alma mater for the sake of caution.

Although not entirely an insider, he was still closely associated with the Huo family members. At this time, showing his face might attract opportunistic paparazzi to the school, causing awkward situations. Hence, he chose to stay reclusive.

He even moved back to the Yunding Tower, which had stricter management.

For the same reason, Jiang Cai was also forced to take leave from school, as the Huo family didn’t want her talking carelessly outside.

Rather than staying cooped up in the mansion, she applied to stay with Chen Wengang, asking him to continue looking after her.

Huo Zhenfei’s secretary reported this and got permission to send her over.

Chen Wengang and Jiang Cai lay low in Huo Niansheng’s apartment for two days, avoiding going out as much as possible and relying on takeout for meals.

The obituary did not include Jiang Cai, implying that she was not recognized in the family genealogy. But she didn’t mind and was at ease until she unexpectedly hit a snag when Chen Wengang still found time to manage her studies during such a period.

Chen Wengang did so matter-of-factly: “Just because you’re not attending classes, doesn’t mean you don’t need to review your lessons.”

Jiang Cai regretted bringing all her textbooks in her backpack: “Can’t you just let me relax for two days?”

Chen Wengang, with nothing better to do, paced around the house with his hands in his pockets, having plenty of time to spend with her: “If you relax too much, you’ll become useless. I think you used to relax too much. Take out any assignments you have and start working on them. I’ll tutor you.”

For Jiang Cai, writing on paper was as painful as a mermaid trying to walk on land, and she wailed in agony.

Chen Wengang was leaning over behind her, looking at her messy handwriting. In the evening, he ordered takeout again. The delivery person left the food at the door and left. When Jiang Cai heard the doorbell, she felt like she was granted amnesty and dashed to the door to pick it up.

Chen Wengang cleared the coffee table and turned on the TV.

Jiang Cai sat on the sofa, sucking on her chopsticks. “Seriously, I mean it. How about letting me skip the homework? I would be grateful to you for a lifetime.”

Today was the day Huo Kaishan was cremated. The news anchor was reporting related news.

The screen showed scenes outside the crematorium. Chen Wengang stared at the TV. These past two days, he could only see Huo Niansheng through the internet and newspapers. The camera panned to show the scene from two days ago of the Huo family descendants in mourning attire outside the mourning hall, and Huo Niansheng’s figure flashed by.

He was dressed entirely in black, with a black armband on his arm, but he was not in heavy mourning attire, nor did he look sad. He lit a cigarette casually.

Chen Wengang recalled some irreverent online media mocking that this Young Master Huo was so charming that he even flirted while in mourning.

But the reporters did not know how he sounded on the phone with Chen Wengang in private, his voice so tender it could squeeze out water:

“What have you been eating these days? Just leave the trash at the door, the property management can send someone to take it down.”

“It’s fine, Jiang Cai and I need to go out for a walk anyway. It’s not like we’re avoiding people.”

“If you want to go out, that’s fine. Let Bald drive you wherever you want to go.”

“Got it, you don’t need to worry about me. The will is being read soon, right?”

“Yes.” Huo Niansheng just said, “I’m not the eldest grandson, so there won’t be much for me to do. Wait for me at home.”

***

Before he could return home, early in the morning, Chen Wengang received a call from Huo Zhenfei. When he answered, it was the crisp voice of a child.

“Uncle! Uncle Chen!” Huo Yuxiang shouted on the other end, “Can I come to your house to play?”

“What’s the matter?” Chen Wengang was puzzled, but still spoke warmly, “You’re welcome to come. Do you know where it is?”

An hour later, Huo Zhenfei personally brought his son over.

Huo Yuxiang greeted them and ran into the house, giving Jiang Cai the chance to quickly put away all her homework.

Chen Wengang pretended not to notice, smiling as he welcomed Huo Zhenfei into the living room.

Huo Zhenfei, also wearing a black armband, calmly looked around. Chen Wengang, dressed in loose loungewear, appeared comfortable and relaxed.

Huo Zhenfei glanced around the apartment, noting the large, exaggerated floor-to-ceiling window. “I rarely come to Niansheng’s place in the city.”

Chen Wengang sensed he had something important to say.

He poured Huo Zhenfei a cup of coffee, and they sat politely facing each other on the sofa.

“Although Huo Yingfei can be harsh, some of the information he gave you isn’t false,” Huo Zhenfei began cautiously. “In fact, I’m here to talk about this. Grandfather indeed hoped Huo Niansheng would have a suitable marriage. This isn’t surprising; there were hints of this before.”

Chen Wengang rested his arm on the armrest, patiently waiting for him to explain.

Huo Zhenfei looked at him. “To keep it short, before he died, Grandfather had some shares placed in an overseas trust. This means those shares can be benefited from but not transferred. I’ve gathered some reliable information suggesting he might have decided to allocate 2% of those shares’ dividends to Huo Niansheng, on the condition that he gets married. Do you know what 2% means for a company like Huo’s, a publicly listed company?”

Chen Wengang nodded, his expression calm. “It would probably be enough for anyone to live comfortably for a lifetime.”

Huo Zhenfei said, “Yes, especially since he already holds a significant amount of shares. His influence is considerable. Over the years, he has been on the same boat as us. My father supported him in acquiring the shares that originally belonged to our uncle, in exchange for his full support of my father in the board of directors. You know, the board is a place where votes matter. Now, this additional 2%, apart from its tempting dividends, also grants Huo Niansheng corresponding voting rights.”

This was the key point.

Chen Wengang understood, “So, the voting rights that come with this 2% of shares are something you must strive for.”

Huo Zhenfei looked at him and sighed, “Having observed you both, I don’t actually doubt there’s love between you. Really. I’ve never seen Niansheng value someone so much. It’s funny to say, but it seems he wishes he could carry you in his pocket. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be telling you these details. Now, we need to figure out how to solve the attached issue. Huo Niansheng needs to marry to enjoy the rights from these shares. Or, looking at it from another angle, he only needs to marry to enjoy these rights.”

Chen Wengang was thoughtful.

He asked for clarification, “I actually have a question I need you to answer—your father has long been the chairman of the group. I believe his position is very secure, and his word is final. Will this additional 2% make a decisive difference in your control of the company?”

Huo Zhenfei admitted, “Perhaps it isn’t the decisive factor, but I can only say it is very important. I can tell you, with the combined shares of some major shareholders, we can achieve relative control of the company. But my second uncle’s side won’t give up easily. They have been privately raising funds and repurchasing shares from the secondary market, increasing their holdings. Once they have over one-third of the votes in the board, they will have the power to veto major decisions. He can use this to challenge the chairman or cause disruptions.”

Chen Wengang held his cup without speaking.

After a five-second pause, Huo Zhenfei lowered his voice to persuade him, “In any case, if there is such a clause in the will, even if I turn a blind eye and pretend I don’t know about it, my father and several other shareholders on our side will put a lot of pressure on Huo Niansheng. To be honest, it’s not just my grandfather who was obstinate. Which of these old gentlemen isn’t stubborn?”

Chen Wengang even smiled slightly but hadn’t yet shown any displeasure. “So, in the end, the only solution is for Huo Niansheng to enter into a sham marriage?”

Huo Zhenfei simply said, “Don’t rush. The will hasn’t been announced yet. Everything is still speculation, and we haven’t reached that point.”

He took a sip of his coffee, which had become a bit cold.

Pushing the cup back, the two fell into silence.

Huo Zhenfei was the first to speak, “Do you have any other questions? Or anything you find hard to discuss with Huo Niansheng? You can ask now.”

Chen Wengang thought for a moment, his voice still gentle, “This might be a bit offensive—if you were in such a situation, needing to divorce your wife and enter into a fake marriage, would you agree? Would she agree?”

Huo Zhenfei was stunned for a moment and avoided a direct answer. “She would understand.”

Huo Yuxiang came running over, holding an unopened wooden model, looking at his father with pleading eyes.

The father understood, “Yuxiang doesn’t have school today. He keeps saying he wants to play with you. Do you mind?”

Chen Wengang patted the boy’s head, “You’re welcome to visit. It’s just Jiang Cai and me at home, and we were bored anyway.”

Huo Zhenfei flattered, “Ever since you left, he’s been going on about what Uncle Chen said this and Uncle Chen said that, to the point where his mom’s ears are getting calluses. Kids his age really look up to older brothers and sisters, thinking they’re even better than their parents.”

Chen Wengang smiled politely and saw Huo Zhenfei to the door.

At the entrance, Chen Wengang called out to Huo Zhenfei again, “Huo Jingsheng and Jiang Cai are also Mr. Huo Fenglai’s children. Why is Huo Niansheng the one he favors most? What makes him special?”

“It’s hard to say. After all, human hearts are unpredictable.” Huo Zhenfei picked up his car keys, one leg already out the door, then he stepped back in. “Maybe he looks the most like our uncle, so unconsciously our grandfather treats him as if he were our uncle. Or maybe he feels he wronged him when he was younger, or for some other reason… I believe people are born with talents, and Huo Niansheng is the kind of person who was gifted by the heavens. If he had been properly nurtured back then, he might be very different now. But, there’s no point in talking about that.”

Chen Wengang stayed with Huo Yuxiang in the living room, unwrapping the model packaging on the carpet. They assembled the wooden music box together.

Jiang Cai eagerly joined in, and for a while, they were so engrossed that they nearly forgot the time.

Meanwhile, the lawyer read Huo Kaishan’s will in front of everyone.

At around six in the evening, as Chen Wengang was contemplating whether to order takeout again or cook dinner himself with a child in the house, the doorbell rang.

Huo Niansheng entered, looking travel-worn, and affectionately touched his hair before kissing him on the lips. “Baby, did you miss me?”

Chen Wengang smiled, “A reminder, your little nephew is here.”

Right on cue, Huo Yuxiang ran over, “Uncle!”

Huo Niansheng let Huo Yuxiang hug his waist and smirked, “Oh, what are you doing at my place?”

“I…”

“Alright,” he said, “run along now, your dad is waiting downstairs.”

Huo Yuxiang, reluctant to leave, looked back at the pile of parts on the carpet. “Can I come again tomorrow?”

Huo Niansheng responded with an ambiguous remark, “That depends on whether your dad will let you.”

Chen Wengang took him down in the elevator, where Huo Zhenfei was waiting for his son in the underground garage.

It was their second meeting of the day.

Chen Wengang remained calm and gentle, “How did it go?”

Huo Zhenfei got out of the car, rubbed his face in front of him, and then opened the car door for his son.

Author’s note:
The funeral committee consists of highly esteemed individuals, inspired slightly by the process following the death of the casino magnate.

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