Chapter 113
The five people who He Shen invited, except for one Silly Husky, knew about his relationship with Qiao Shao.
Of course, Qiao Shao thought they had no idea. Xiao Qiao Tongxue thought he was very good at hiding it. He hadn’t let a single thing slip so no one could possibly know.
Chen Su and Wei Jiayu never talked about their personal matters. At this time, Chen Su had been so worried that he just blurted it out.
Wei Jiayu had already seen earlier that Chen Su knew and he wasn’t at all surprised.
The four of them often have lunch together and then they’d go back to the dormitory together too. Shen Ge never shied away and always took good care of the little poor ghost. If he couldn’t see it, then it wasn’t as simple as wearing glasses. Chen Su needed to go see ophthalmologist immediately!
Wei Jiayu muttered to himself. “That’s why he’s telling us to go!”
How could Chen Su ever keep up with Blue Hair’s brain hole. “What?”
Wei Jiayu said reservedly, “Think about it. It’s Shen Ge’s eighteenth birthday, he would definitely want the little poor ghost there. But if the little poor ghost went by himself, he wouldn’t be able to explain it to his family. But if he called all his classmates, then it would only be logical, right?
This was how he managed to lead Chen Su astray. “And so…”
Wei Jiayu said firmly. “We’re there to serve as cover!”
Chen Su understood. “So that’s how it is.”
Wei Jiayu looked at the little suit in his hand and sighed. “Shen Ge, really staked a thousand gold pieces on a single throw!”
In order to let the little poor ghost be at ease, he spent hundreds of thousands of yuan. So rich!
The night before his birthday, He Shen returned to the Xie Family’s house.
They spent everyday together and he couldn’t get used to suddenly being separated like this. Qiao Shao kept thinking of him.
Qiao Zongmin shot him a glance. “You haven’t matured at all.”
Qiao Shao also glared at him. “Just what are you two planning!”
In the past six months, Qiao Zongmin and He Shen had a lot of secret discussions. He wasn’t stupid. He had a vague speculation as to what it had been about.
Qiao Zongmin said, “Just some trivial matters.”
Qiao Shao said, “It has something to do with the Xie Family!”
Qiao Zongmin didn’t actually want to hide it from him. It was He Shen who was unwilling to make Qiao Shao upset. He said, “In short, after tomorrow, He Shen will be free.”
Qiao Shao felt extremely nervous. “You’re not going to do anything illegal are you?”
Qiao Zongmin flicked his forehead. “What are you thinking? Why are you still nervous when I’m around?”
Rationally, Qiao Shao should be able to rest assured, but emotionally, he was still couldn’t be at ease.
He knew the knot in He Shen’s heart.
He Shen has always regarded his family as inferior and this feeling extended even to himself. The more he felt the warmth of the Qiao family, the more he felt inferior because of his own family. He was afraid of the Xie Family creating trouble for Qiao Shao and was even more afraid that once Qiao Shao experienced for himself the impudence of the Xie Family, he would associate that with the blood running in He Shen’s veins.
Actually, there was no way Qiao Shao would ever think that way. In his heart, everything about He Shen was good. So good that he’d blow rainbow farts in the heirloom diary if he could.
Of course he didn’t dare do it, afraid that Da Qiao would be jealous.
That tight knot in He Shen’s heart couldn’t be resolved with mere words. What he needed was to completely break away.
Break away from Xie Yongyi’s control, away from association with Xie Chengyu, away from the rotten to its very core Xie Family.
Qiao Shao didn’t know how to help him, but fortunately, Da Qiao could.
It was the end of December and the weather had turned very cold. But with the floor heating in the room turned on. Qiao Shao didn’t feel cold. He lay on the bed and sent a message to He Shen, “How are the preparations going?”
He Shen called back after a while: “Everything’s set.”
Qiao Shao suddenly remembered, “Ah, that’s right. Granddad and grandpa will also be going tomorrow.”
He Shen showed his first smile that day. “I know.”
Qiao Shao whispered: “They’ll be going to celebrate your birthday, won’t your family think it’s strange?”
He Shen said, “No at all. They’re very happy about it. They think they’re doing it to give the Xie Family face.”
Qiao Shao: “&#k2026;&#k2026;&#k2026;&#k2026;”
Okay, he was thinking too much. No one would ever think that these two bigshots would be going to celebrate their “grandson’s wife’s” birthday.
The two made idle talk, neither of them willing to hang up the phone.
In the end, it was Qiao Shao who said, “You should rest early. It’ll be tiring tomorrow for sure.”
He Shen paused and said warmly, “Shao Shao.”
Qiao Shao was defenseless against this voice of his. His ears felt tickled. “En?”
He Shen’s every word went straight into his heart. “In the future, I want to spend every one of my birthdays with you.”
Qiao Shao couldn’t help laughing. “I’ll also be with you on this birthday.”
He Shen said, “Not at the Xie Family’s house.”
Qiao Shao was dazed.
There was s longing in He Shen’s voice that couldn’t be concealed. “We’ll spend it at our home.”
Qiao Shao’s heart felt bittersweet. He agreed, “Okay! We’ll spend all our birthdays together at home!”
On the first of January, Qiao Shao and Da Qiao went to the Xie Family’s house.
Last time they went to attend Xie Yongyi’s birthday feast. This time they went to attend Xie Shen’s birthday feast. It was only a short half year between them but he felt completely different.
Qiao Shao looked at the scene outside the window and said, “It’s beautiful here.”
Actually, it was only because his mental state was different. The last time they came was in summer. The lawns were green and the garden was thriving. As far as the eye could see, it seemed like they were approaching a beautiful manor in Europe. This time it was winter and no matter how it was decorated, this season always appeared bleak and it will never look as vibrant as summer.
But in Qiao Shao’s eyes, at this moment, the Xie Family’s house appeared much better than half a year ago.
After getting off the car, it was still He Shen who welcomed them. Qiao Shao personally handed him the gift and said, “Happy birthday.”
He Shen’s lips bent into a smile. “Thank you.”
Qiao Zongmin was saying his greetings to Xie Chengyu. Qiao Shao looked over at them and froze… It’s only been half a year since he last saw him, how did Xie Chengyu become like this? Qiao Shao could hardly recognize him.
Xie Chengyu noticed Qiao Shao staring and looked at him. Qiao Shao said his greetings and Xie Chengyu nodded. With unsteady steps, he walked away to greet the other guests.
Qiao Shao couldn’t help but ask his father, “What’s wrong with Xie Chengyu?”
The man was completely hollowed out by the wine and debauchery. He had become a complete waste.
Qiao Zongmin said expressionlessly, “You can’t run away from what you brought upon yourself.”
Qiao Shao was dumbfounded.
In the past six months, He Shen had put in countless good words for Xie Chengyu to Xie Yongyi. This was simply a matter of course. After all, biologically speaking, he was his father.
At first Xie Yongyi still said, “With your father’s temperament, you can’t let him go unrestrained!”
In the end, he was no match for He Shen’s earnest filial piety. And Xie Yongyi truthfully lacked the energy, he relented saying, “I don’t care about him, but you should keep an eye on your father, you understand?
He Shen agreed but he never even spared a glance for Xie Chengyu.
Xie Chengyu had been living an absurd and wanton kind of life for several years. He has never overdone it though because Xie Yongyi kept him restrained.
Now that Xie Yongyi has let go and He Shen turned a blind eye, Xie Chengyu immediately went wild. He spent all day and night partying. Young people wouldn’t be able to bear it, let alone someone nearing fifty.
In just half a year, He Shen didn’t even have to do anything, Xie Chengyu set himself on the road to ruin.
After greeting most of the guests, He Shen went upstairs to see Xie Yongyi.
Xie Yongyi was in high spirits. He had heard that Qiao Ruan and Yang Xiaolong had come to celebrate his grandson’s birthday. He was so happy that he had to go down and see for himself.
He Shen sent away all the people waiting upon him and personally came to receive him.
Xie Yongyi was almost eighty years old. These past few years, because of sickness, he had become skin and bones. Even so, his eyes are sharp and greedy. When need arises, he uses those shrewd eyes to capture everything around him.
Alzheimer’s did not overwhelm him, what else could overwhelm him?
He Shen sneered in his heart and gently locked the door.
Xie Yongyi didn’t notice anything, he was in such high spirits. “Let’s go, Grandfather will celebrate your birthday. After today, the Xie Family …
He Shen interrupted him. “Grandfather.”
Xie Yongyi was distracted. He found that Xie Shen was a bit strange.
He Shen walked to his side and said softly, “I have something to tell you.”
Xie Yongyi felt an inexplicable chill. He said, “It’s almost time. There are so many guests downstairs already, let’s go down first.”
“No hurry,” He Shen pressed him down to sit on the sofa. “It’s not too late to go downstairs after we have a little talk.”
For the first time, Xie Yongyi discovered that the child he had groomed with his own hands was so tall. The hand on his shoulder was like a huge boulder, making him unable to move.
“What’s the matter?” Xie Yongyi looked up at him.
He Shen looked down at the selfish old man with only disgust in his heart. “I’m gay.”
Xie Yongyi was startled.
He Shen continued, “I like men.”
Xie Yongyi’s face went pale and his dry lips trembled. “This, it doesn’t matter. Grandfather is very open-minded, as long as you …”
He Shen dealt him a heavy blow. “I won’t get married and I will never have children.”
As soon as these words came out, Xie Yongyi flew into a rage. “What nonsense are you saying!”
He raised his hand to hit He Shen, but unfortunately for him He Shen sidestepped it easily. Not only did he hit empty air, he almost fell.
He Shen did not help support him and simply looked at him coldly.
Xie Yongyi’s mind was filled with a buzzing sound. He was short of breath. “Xiao Shen, don’t make trouble. Grandfather doesn’t care who you like, but our Xie Family can’t be without a male heir. You can just have a test tube baby …”
He Shen said, “I won’t have children.”
Xie Yongyi’s face was flushed, he was absolutely furious. “Are you crazy? I gave the Xie Family to you to let you continue the family line! You can refuse to get married, but how can you not have children? If there are no offsprings, then who should we give this fortune I’ve struggled to build!”
He Shen calmly said, “When I retire, I will donate it to society.”
He did not hesitate to use these words like a sharp blade and stabbed it into Xie Yongyi’s heart!
Xie Yong’s blood began to boil and his eyes were growing dark. “You! You! You!”
He Shen knew what he was most afraid of. “As of last month’s medical examination, Xie Chengyu has lost the ability to father anymore children.”
Xie Yongyi clutched his chest and began to cough.
He Shen waited for his cough to abate, and gave him another document. “This is my permanent ligation surgery report.”
Xie Yongyi choked and coughed up black blood. “Impossible, how old are you … how … how could you …”
This report was indeed false, but what did it matter? It was enough to overwhelm Xie Yongyi.
“I won’t have any offsprings.” He Shen stared at him, and said slowly, “Because I never had any intention of letting this disgusting bloodline continue.”
Xie Yongyi saw this moment’s He Shen; there was something else he didn’t understand: “You this, this despicable seed! You have been pretending all along, you …”
He Shen didn’t display the slightest change despite being called a despicable seed. He said emotionlessly, “Yes, I have been lying to you all along.”
Xie Yongyi’s eyes darted about. He gripped the armrest tightly and said, “Lawyer! Call my lawyer! I’m not dead yet. I want to change my will. I can’t give the Xie Family to you …”
He Shen looked at him coldly, “You won’t be able to die.”
Xie Yongyi suddenly couldn’t speak.
He Shen then said something that gave him a sense of déjà vu. “You will remain in this room and keep on living in a foolish daze.”
Xie Yongyi tried to speak but he couldn’t say a word.
The tremendous stimulation collapsed his spirit. That illness that he could never recover from suddenly reared its head. All the hopes he’d built this past half year were dashed. Xie Yongyi, who fell from high up in the clouds, was now completely ill.
It was true that Xie Yongyi had left a will, but if he wanted to change it, he’d have to do so while lucid.
The Xie Yongyi now had truly succumbed to dementia.
He Shen left the room. He opened the window in the hallway, and a cold wind rushed across his face, calming the resentment in his heart.
If it weren’t for Xie Yongyi, at most He Rui would have had a broken heart but she never would have married Xie Chengyu.
If it were not Xie Yongyi, He Rui wouldn’t have been locked away in that small courtyard, depressed all her life.
If it were not Xie Yongyi, his mother wouldn’t have fallen in a pool of blood, unwilling to accept fear even at death’s door!
He Shen closed his eyes and said softly, “I’m sorry, I’m leaving you.”
He said goodbye to his mother and turned around to go downstairs.
***
Qiao Shao went to find Chen Su and the others.
The teenagers stood together, feeling very uneasy. Even Wei Jiayu looked like he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.
Chen Su saw him coming and asked him nervously, “Are you all right?”
Qiao Shao was dazed.
Wei Jiayu said, “Don’t pretend, I know you’re dead nervous. It’s okay. Let’s stay together. No one will notice you!”
Qiao Shao returned to his senses… they …
Silly Husky Song was still out of the loop, but he quickly chimed in. “Shao Ge, we, we’ll give you the courage!” F*ck, I’m already scared to death though!
Qiao Shao bent his lips and smiled. “Well, there is something I want to ask you.”
Wei Jiayu said, “What’s the matter? Tell us. Your brothers are here with knives piercing both sides.” Aaaahhh, but no matter if all of us get knives pierced through us, it won’t be enough to bridge the gap between you and He Shen.
Qiao Shao felt very ashamed. “My birthday is next month, um, would you like to go to Maldives or Tahiti?”
Five teenagers: “???
Qiao Shao hurriedly said, “There won’t be anyone else on my birthday. Let’s have some fun by ourselves. I suggest going to Tahiti. There are more places to play there. Maldives might be a bit more boring …”
Wei Jiayu recovered his voice. “That …” After saying this word, he didn’t know what else to say.
“Ah, that’s right,” Qiao Shao said again, “My dad’s here too. Let me introduce you.”
Saying so, he found Qiao Zongmin and said to him, “Dad, these are my classmate that I often mention to you. Chen Su, Wei Jiayu, Song Yixu …”
After introducing everyone, Qiao Zongmin gently shook hands with the children. “Hello.”
Five children: “…………………………………………………………”
This was Qiao Zongmin, the youngest man on the Forbes list, the perpetual tyrant on the hot search list!
It was not until Qiao Zongmin left that the five petrified teenagers slowly regained their senses.
Chen Su was stupefied. He was starting to go cross-eyed. “Qiao, qiao, qiao…”
Wei Jiayu had gone crazy. “Your father is Qiao Zongmin?”
Qiao Shao said embarrassedly, “I’m sorry I hid it from you.”
Silly Husky Song fainted directly into his seatmate’s arms. “Quick! Hit me! I need to wake up.”
Jie Kai slapped his arm repeatedly. “Wake up, wake up, wake up …”
Qiao Shao’s mouth was raised in a smile. His eyes were filled with gratitude. He bowed deeply to them and said solemnly, “Thank you for everything this past six months.”
Because I met you all, I now have the power to face the past, and I’ve slowly come out of the shadows.
When Qiao Shao raised his head, he happened to see He Shen walking straight towards them. He straightened up. “Right, I have someone I want to introduce to all of you again.”
He intertwined his fingers with He Shen and said warmly. “This is my boyfriend.”
He Shen also smiled. All the haze disappeared, leaving only dazzling light. He said, “En, and he’s my boyfriend.”
The past is past. At this moment, as He Shen passed into adulthood, he grasped hope and took a step towards a new life.
The author has something to say: This is the appropriate place to end the main text!
Of course, there will be some extras ~~~
One of the tentative extras would be them going to see Xiao Ge play.