Sheng Li hadn’t expected Li Mingchuan’s evaluation of his marriage with Sheng Changyu to be “quite happy,” nor did he expect him to agree to him pursuing Zuo Chi.
He asked, “The reason you’re not against it is because I like Zuo Chi, or because Zuo Chi’s surname is Zuo?”
Li Mingchuan said, “I see the determination you want to change. Even if your engagement with the Sheng family wasn’t canceled, even if the Sheng family and the Zuo family reached a friendly cooperation, if you still don’t put any effort into your work, then everything is meaningless. Changyu wants you to take over the Sheng Group, and I want my son to become a capable and responsible man.”
“Don’t disappoint us this time, can you do it?”
Sheng Li looked at him and nodded after a long while.
Leaving the Sheng family’s house, Sheng Li settled the bill with the private detective, telling him not to follow Qin Xu anymore.
Though he wanted to catch Qin Xu’s flaws and kick him out of the game, he was afraid of angering Zuo Chi. He was already in the negative in Zuo Chi’s eyes; he absolutely couldn’t afford to lose any more points.
He then went to the villa. Since he hadn’t been here for a long time and hadn’t specifically hired a cleaner, there was a layer of dust on the floor and tabletops.
He searched every corner of the second floor until he finally found the bracelet in a drawer of the cloakroom.
The small pendant of the figure was delicate and petite, only as long as a section of a finger. Without careful observation, one wouldn’t notice the hidden details. Sheng Li turned the figure over and looked at its sole, finding his name engraved there.
He put the bracelet on his wrist, feeling the intentions of Zuo Chi from seven years ago.
What did the other bracelet look like? Sheng Li took a photo of the bracelet on his wrist, called a friend, and asked him to help find out which brand the bracelet belonged to.
The next day, his friend replied, saying he had found out that it was an original bracelet designed by an independent designer. The designer would upload each of their works to social platforms, hence the clue.
Sheng Li found the designer’s account on a social media platform, sent a private message explaining the situation, and requested the designer to replicate the bracelet.
The designer replied two days later: “I’m sorry, but my bracelets are all uniquely designed. The same style won’t be sold again.”
Sheng Li said: “I know, this pair of bracelets was designed by you seven years ago at the request of my friend. He gave me one, and the other one was lost. Now I want to remake the lost one and give it to him.”
Designer: “What’s your friend’s name?”
Sheng Li: “His last name is Zuo.”
Designer: “If it’s Mr. Zuo’s request, I can make an identical one.”
Sheng Li: “When he gave me this bracelet, I didn’t know it was a pair, so I missed a lot. This pair of bracelets is important to both him and me.”
Sheng Li: “As long as another one can be made, any amount of money is fine.”
Designer: “It’s not a matter of money, it goes against my principles. Mr. Zuo paid a high design fee, so I must ensure his rights.”
Designer: “I’m sorry, but I still wish you and Mr. Zuo happiness.”
Sheng Li: Sorry to bother you, thank you.
Sheng Li guessed he would be rejected, but he still had to give it a try.
He saved the picture of the bracelet and enlarged it to take a closer look, noticing a clue: the two little figures were designed based on him and Zuo Chi.
Looking at just one bracelet, it was hard to notice, but when the two little figures were placed together, Sheng Li remembered the photo they took together at the beach during their second year of high school.
In the photo, he was wearing a T-shirt and beach pants, with one pant leg rolled up higher than the other. Zuo Chi was wearing a shirt and casual pants, with one pant leg also higher than the other.
Before taking the photo, Zuo Chi reminded him to fix his pants, but he jokingly said it added some personality. Then, he squatted down and rolled up Zuo Chi’s pants legs as well. After succeeding, he smiled and put his arm around Zuo Chi’s shoulder, looking at the camera.
And the pants worn by the two little figures in the picture were obviously the same as what they wore back then.
Zuo Chi had once put so much effort into this for him. But he had said it was just a little bit of liking.
A wave of bitterness welled up in Sheng Li’s heart. He raised his hand and gently kissed the bracelet. He dared not think about what mood Zuo Chi had when he customized this bracelet at that time, or how he threw away one of the bracelets with such a completely different mood.
Even if he made another one exactly the same, it wouldn’t be the same as the original one.
What can’t be compensated for is regret.
….
After deciding to go solo, Zuo Chi became even busier than before. He had to do his work well and run back and forth between the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, commercial banks, accounting firms, and the National Taxation Bureau. Qin Xu had invited him out several times, but he had no time. Fortunately, Qin Xu knew he was a workaholic and didn’t mind.
Cheng Xiangwan also bombarded him occasionally on WeChat, asking what he had been busy with recently and if he wanted to go out for a drink.
Cheng Xiangwan: I’ll introduce you to Alpha, I guarantee the quality is good.
Cheng Xiangwan: Beta and Omega are also available. If you still want to pursue OO relationships, I promise there are plenty of Omegas willing.
Zuo Chi replied with a smile: I’m engaged, busy lately. I’ll treat you to a drink sometime later.
Cheng Xiangwan: Okay.
Cheng Xiangwan: Oh right, I forgot. How’s your fiancé now? What’s his name again?
Zuo Chi: Qin Xu, he’s a good person.
Cheng Xiangwan: You’re giving him the “good person” card, huh. Is he handsome? Tall?
Zuo Chi: Quite handsome.
Cheng Xiangwan: Hahaha, why didn’t you answer my second question!
Zuo Chi: I don’t know, can’t answer that.
Cheng Xiangwan: Heard he’s a mixed-race?
Zuo Chi: Yeah.
Cheng Xiangwan: I recently met a mixed-race person too, so tall!
Zuo Chi: …
Talking with Cheng Xiangwan always revolved around these topics, but Zuo Chi didn’t mind. In this society, most people still believe that the best fate for an Omega was to find a reliable Alpha, build a family, and prioritize family. Cheng Xiangwan was obviously an outlier.
Society needs outliers to sometimes appear less conservative.
And Sheng Li would send him messages every day, recounting his life like keeping a diary, regardless of whether he replied or not.
Sheng Li: What did you eat today?
Sheng Li: I had lunch at the company. Not tasty, I’m going to suggest improving employee benefits to Sheng Changyu.
Sheng Li: I haven’t been to the gym in two weeks. I saw over twenty unread messages on WeChat and thought it was group messages, but it was from the personal trainer.
Sheng Li: I don’t like golf, I’m terrible at it. I was laughed at today.
Sheng Li: When are you free? Your pajamas are still with me.
Zuo Chi: Didn’t I tell you to throw them away?
Sheng Li: Can’t bear to.
Zuo Chi didn’t intend to respond to him anymore. He felt somewhat unfamiliar with this Sheng Li. Before, Sheng Li would tell him everything, but not to the extent of reporting what he had for dinner, let alone chatting on WeChat, which they both found inefficient.
Didn’t he say they were over? Did Sheng Li really not understand?
Zuo Chi was glad he had things to keep him busy, not as much time and energy to think about his messed up relationship with Sheng Li.
That day, just as Zuo Chi left the bank, he received a call from Zuo Yi, whose tone was serious, urging him to return to the Zuo family home immediately.
But considering that exposing these flaws wouldn’t significantly impact the Zuo Group’s stock price, Zuo Yi wouldn’t compromise because of them. Zuo Chi hadn’t revealed his cards yet and was still searching for other opportunities.
If all else failed, he’d have to take a risk.
As soon as he walked into the Zuo family home, he sensed a heavy atmosphere. Zuo Yi sat on the sofa, his face livid, while Zuo Lie stood before him with his head bowed, a handprint on his face.
So, it must have been Zuo Lie who had messed up again.
He had heard that since Zuo Lie took over his position, life hadn’t been easy for him. Zuo Yi kept a tight rein on him, placing a lot of pressure on him, yet the two projects under his supervision were still progressing poorly.
Zuo Chi quietly asked, “Father, what happened?”
“Tang Liao was reported for embezzling public funds!” Zuo Yi pointed at Zuo Lie’s nose. “Did you instruct him to do it?”
Tang Liao was a direct subordinate of Zuo Lie, promoted during Zuo Lie’s tenure.
Zuo Lie didn’t dare speak, his heavily heaving chest the only indication of his current emotions.
Hearing this, Zuo Chi made a guess, his heart racing with excitement as his fists clenched by his sides.
“Thump thump thump”—he worried Zuo Yi might hear his heartbeat.
“Do you know that embezzling public funds can land you in prison?” Zuo Yi roared in anger. “I control your money so that you can focus on your work! The company will be yours in the future anyway!”
Shu Qingyu, who was standing nearby, lightly coughed. Zuo Yi glanced at Zuo Chi but didn’t correct his previous statement.
“I don’t expect you to be as capable as your brother, but at least you’re an Alpha of the Zuo family. How did you end up like this?” Zuo Yi said. “I should have raised you by my side! Who knows what your mother taught you!”
In front of Zuo Chi, Zuo Yi unleashed his fury on Zuo Lie, making him kneel to reflect on his mistakes.
Zuo Chi remained silent throughout, waiting for Zuo Yi’s next instruction. Sure enough, after venting his anger, Zuo Yi announced that Zuo Lie would be suspended and that Zuo Chi would temporarily take over the relevant affairs.
Zuo Chi found it ironic that Zuo Yi had summoned him just to give Zuo Lie a hard time. Once this incident blew over, he’d have to step aside for Zuo Lie again.
Why?
He excelled in everything compared to Zuo Lie, just because he was an Omega?
Zuo Yi symbolically asked Zuo Chi if he was willing to take over, not expecting any answer other than “yes.”
However, Zuo Chi shook his head.
