BF Chapter 44

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, with New Year coming and going in between—Xu Shiji was still not discharged from the hospital.

 

The Xu family mansion was cold and deserted. Xu Shen only came back two or three nights a week, spending the rest of his time outside on dates with Zhan Shili.

 

After nightfall, they left the hospital, and Zhan Shili drove Xu Shen back to the mansion, taking the opportunity to pick up a few documents from the safe for Xu Shiji.

 

They had barely stepped through the door when they ran into Xu Ziren. Xu Shen and Xu Ziren had nothing to say to each other even at the best of times; that was true enough at the company, and even more so at home.

 

Xu Ziren was just about to head out, having once again arranged dinner with one of the company’s shareholders. He had spent the past half month occupied with precisely these matters. Xu Shen’s proposal to remove him as a director had already been submitted, and an extraordinary general meeting would be held tomorrow. Xu Ziren had gone to the hospital and made a scene, but Xu Shiji refused to see him. With no other options left, he could only pin his hopes on the other shareholders.

 

Neither side even bothered to exchange a greeting. Xu Ziren cast them a dark, sinister look and walked left.

 

Xu Shen’s face remained cold. He turned and jerked his chin toward Zhan Shili: “Every time I come back and see him, he has that same look on his face.”

 

Zhan Shili said, “If being here makes you uncomfortable, you could move out.”

 

“I think I’ll pass.” Xu Shen shook his head, entirely uninterested in the suggestion. From the very first day he stepped through the doors of the Xu family, he had already made up his mind that he would not yield a single inch.

 

The ones who should move out were everyone else. Even if the day came when he no longer wanted to live here, the Xu Family mansion was something he was determined to have.

 

As they spoke, Xu Zikang’s voice suddenly came from behind them: “Nic, Ah Shen.”

 

Xu Shen gave him a casual nod: “You chat, I’m going upstairs first.” As he withdrew his gaze, he glanced at Zhan Shili without leaving a trace.

 

Zhan Shili noticed but gave no outward reaction.

 

Xu Shen went upstairs. Zhan Shili walked over to Xu Zikang and asked, “Why are you back so late today?”

 

“I went to the gallery,” Xu Zikang said softly. “What about you two? You came back with Ah Shen? Have you had dinner?”

 

Zhan Shili said, “We ate at the company. We went to the hospital together afterward. I came by to pick up a few documents for the boss and brought Young Master Shen home while I was at it.”

 

Xu Zikang nodded; after a moment of silence, he looked up at him and asked, “Nic, at tomorrow’s shareholders’ meeting… Are you really going to remove Second Brother from the board?”

 

Zhan Shili explained calmly, “You’ve been at the company for a while now, and you’ve seen everything he’s done. He really isn’t fit to remain a company director or CEO. The boss has tacitly approved removing him from his positions as well, so there’s no need for you to go soft on him. Besides, like I told you before, once he leaves the company, you’ll have more opportunities in the future.”

 

“What opportunities?” Xu Zikang asked. “Ah Shen is the company’s acting chairman now. Once Second Brother leaves, he’ll have the final say over everything at Zhaoqi. What else can I do?”

 

Zhan Shili reminded him, “You’re the company’s second-largest shareholder. There’s still plenty you can do. The boss is still around, and an acting chairman is only temporary. You can think more about your own interests too.”

 

If this had been before, Xu Zikang would certainly have been persuaded by him again. But now that he knew exactly what kind of relationship Zhan Shili and Xu Shen had, every word out of Zhan Shili’s mouth sounded like a lie.

 

He couldn’t come to terms with the reality that Zhan Shili wasn’t doing any of this for him, but for Xu Shen.

 

“I know what I should do…” Xu Zikang lowered his voice.

 

Zhan Shili said nothing more and reminded him, “Have one of the servants make you something to eat. Get some rest early tonight. Once I’ve picked up the documents, I’m heading back to the hospital.”

 

Xu Zikang hesitated, then called out to stop him again: “Nic, once Second Brother is removed from his position and kicked off the board, what are you going to do after that?”

 

Zhan Shili seemed to not understand: “What do you mean, what am I going to do?”

 

What Xu Zikang really wanted to ask was, “once you’ve achieved your goal and I’m no longer useful to you, are you going to kick me aside and never bother with me again?”

 

He was still unwilling to give up. Even knowing full well that Zhan Shili was deceiving him, he still wanted to keep this man by his side. If he couldn’t keep his heart, then keeping the man himself would be enough.

 

Xu Zikang’s voice grew even smaller: “Nothing. I was just asking.”

 

He had little appetite for dinner. After going upstairs and returning to his room, he deliberately left the door slightly ajar, leaving a narrow crack open.

 

Half an hour later, the sound of a door opening came from the room opposite his, followed by footsteps coming out.

 

Xu Zikang maneuvered his wheelchair over to the window and looked outside. Xu Shen had gone downstairs and was walking through the back garden toward the carport.

 

He stared at Xu Shen’s retreating figure until it disappeared from sight, only looking away when a servant came upstairs with tea.

 

“When did Mr. Zhan leave?” Xu Zikang asked.

 

The servant said, “Mr. Zhan went to Master’s study to pick up a few documents and left just now, only a few minutes ago.”

 

Xu Zikang lowered his eyes, his fingers slowly tightening until faint veins stood out beneath the pale skin on the back of his hand.

 

At the carport, Zhan Shili had just started the engine when Xu Shen pulled open the door and slid into the passenger seat.

 

Zhan Shili turned to him, a little surprised: “What else?”

 

“What did you say to him just now?” Xu Shen asked. “Are you sure you’ve really managed to coax him properly?”

 

Zhan Shili said, “Why don’t you go coax him yourself?”

 

Xu Shen had absolutely no interest in that: “Forget it. I’ll go with you.”

 

Something shifted in Zhan Shili’s eyes: “Didn’t you say you were staying home tonight to conserve your energy?”

 

“I still can’t sleep when I’m at home.” Xu Shen looked at him. “I don’t want to be listless again tomorrow. Nic, just do me a favor and take care of me for one more night.”

 

Zhan Shili reached over and pinched his chin: “You’re really troublesome.”

 

A smile flashed in Xu Shen’s eyes: “And you like me even if I’m troublesome.”

 

“Sit properly,” Zhan Shili said, starting the car.

 

As the car pulled away, Xu Shen casually picked up the documents Zhan Shili had brought out and flipped through them. They were all related to several of the Xu Family trusts. The Xu Family’s wealth was even more extensive than he had imagined.

 

After turning a few pages, he asked, “Since he asked you to bring these to the hospital, is he really planning to make a will?”

 

“These aren’t anything important,” Zhan Shili said. “The most important thing is the Zhaoqi shares in the boss’s hands. He probably still hasn’t made up his mind about those. But since you already have a way to deal with it, there’s no need to worry. If he wants to keep fussing over it, let him.”

 

Xu Shen pursed his lips and tossed the documents back onto the armrest compartment.

 

He truly didn’t care how Xu Shiji chose to write his will. Just as he had said before, no matter what Xu Shiji had in mind, Xu Shen had no intention of standing on ceremony.

 

The car returned to the hospital. Xu Shen didn’t follow Zhan Shili upstairs this time and simply waited in the car.

 

Half an hour later, Zhan Shili returned, his tone more relaxed than before: “Let’s go.”

 

After what happened last time, Xu Shen had gotten an apartment elsewhere to serve as a place for his little affair with Zhan Shili. It was safer than going to Zhan Shili’s home and more convenient than the yacht club.

 

Twenty minutes later, they arrived. It was a serviced apartment in Sheung Wan, with one unit per floor, offering excellent privacy.

 

Their unit was on the 23rd floor, the top floor. It was a secluded pocket amid the bustling city, and drawing back the curtains revealed the decadent brilliance of the city lights scattered near and far.

 

Once inside, Zhan Shili went around turning on the lights first.

 

“Having a date with you here makes me feel like I’m keeping a beauty hidden away in a gilded cage,” Xu Shen sighed from beside the window.

 

Zhan Shili came up behind him and pulled him into an embrace, lowering his head to kiss his neck: “Who’s the beauty?”

 

It tickled a little, but Xu Shen didn’t move away. Instead, he covered the hands Zhan Shili had wrapped around him, pressing their palms together and rubbing against them fondly.

 

The gesture, almost like a coquettish attempt to earn favour, clearly pleased Zhan Shili immensely. His kisses became careful and tender, almost lingering with affection.

 

Xu Shen sensed the change. He turned around and looped both arms around Zhan Shili’s neck, his gaze slowly wandering over his face before he inexplicably said, “What a shame.”

 

Zhan Shili asked, “What is?”

 

Xu Shen’s gaze drifted across his eyes: “It’s a shame I can’t keep you hidden away.”

 

A man like Zhan Shili would never willingly let Xu Shen confine him. All the splendor before their eyes was nothing more than fleeting smoke and clouds. They were the same kind of person, both placing greater value on things they could actually grasp and control.

 

Zhan Shili fell silent for a moment, then said, “How would you know if you don’t try?”

 

“Ugh, give me a break,” Xu Shen said lightly, “but Nic, I think I’m becoming more and more unable to leave you. What am I supposed to do?”

 

If Xu Shen hadn’t said those words with that flippant, teasing smile in his eyes, Zhan Shili might actually have believed him.

 

Even so, Zhan Shili was still bewitched by the expression on his face at that moment, his voice deepening: “Then don’t leave.”

 

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The following day, Xu Shen arrived at the extraordinary general meeting twenty minutes early. He ran into Chen Ping first and took the initiative to greet her, chatting with her for a few moments.

 

Chen Ping was as indifferent as ever. Just as Xu Shen tactfully prepared to walk away, she suddenly asked, “Xu Ziren is Zhihua’s biological nephew. If I were going to help anyone, it would be him. What use is there in cozying up to me?”

 

Xu Shen said calmly, “From what I’ve heard, when Uncle was still alive, Second Brother never did much for his own uncle. They were never particularly close. Otherwise, Uncle wouldn’t have always been closer to Eldest Brother. You should know these things better than I do.”

 

Chen Ping smiled wryly: “You’ve got quite the silver tongue. Of all Xu Shiji’s sons, you really are the most capable. No wonder Xu Shiji was willing to recognize you and bring you back. But the few shares I hold probably won’t be much help to you, otherwise you wouldn’t be telling me this now.”

 

Xu Shen didn’t say much: “Aunt, you can take your time and think it over carefully.”

 

As they spoke, Xu Ziren and the rest of the Xu family arrived one after another.

 

Xu Ziren walked to his seat with an expressionless face and sat down, ignoring everyone. Zhan Shili came in with Xu Zikang, settled him into his place and gave him a brief reminder before walking over to Xu Shen.

 

Besides them, Eldest Sister-in-law Huang Minli had also come to attend today’s shareholders’ meeting. The shares in her hands were the ones that had originally belonged to Xu Zijie.

 

Seeing Huang Minli appear, Xu Shen raised his chin slightly and indicated to the approaching Zhan Shili: “My eldest sister-in-law is a major shareholder in the company too. I wonder who she’ll support. We’ll have to keep a closer eye on her next time.”

 

Xu Shiji’s and Xu Zikang’s holdings combined were enough to kick Xu Ziren out, so for the time being, Xu Shen had no intention of making a move against his eldest sister-in-law. Next time, however, might be a different story.

 

Zhan Shili said quietly, “The Second Young Master seems to have won over Director Zhang, Director Wang, and the others. Those two will probably vote against the motion later.”

 

“Let them.” Xu Shen didn’t care. The shares held by those two combined only came to a little over six percent anyway.

 

As they spoke, Zhan Shili kept his head slightly turned toward Xu Shen. They had become so accustomed to being physically close that neither of them seemed to realize there was anything unusual about it.

 

Xu Zikang looked up and happened to catch sight of them. His gaze lingered briefly before he quickly looked away again.

 

All the major shareholders were now present. Those with tiny holdings and the retail investors who had come merely to join in on the fun could essentially be disregarded.

 

Cai Lihao walked in at the very last moment, appearing as carefree and unruly as ever. He dropped himself into a seat in the front row with complete nonchalance and instantly became the focus of the entire room.

 

Quite a few people turned to look at him, sizing him up silently.

 

Zhan Shili asked on everyone’s behalf, “Mr. Cai, this is Zhaoqi’s extraordinary general meeting today. You’re here because…?”

 

“Obviously, I’m here to attend the shareholders’ meeting too.” Cai Lihao crossed one leg over the other and lounged back in his chair. “Didn’t your former Director Huang tell you? He transferred all his shares to me. I’m now a Zhaoqi shareholder too.”

 

Everyone exchanged doubtful looks. Cai Lihao’s reputation was hardly a good one, and not long ago he had even joined forces with Zhuosheng on the attack on CLP Power. Now that he had suddenly become a Zhaoqi shareholder, speculation was inevitable.

 

Fortunately, Huang Dexing hadn’t held many shares to begin with. Even with all of them transferred into Cai Lihao’s hands, there wasn’t much he could do.

 

At the mention of Huang Dexing, Xu Ziren turned his head and studied Cai Lihao coldly for a while longer.

 

Xu Shen remained perfectly composed: “In that case, Mr. Cai, please take a seat.”

 

After that brief interruption, the meeting officially began, chaired by Xu Shen in his capacity as acting chairman of Zhaoqi’s board.

 

Following the predetermined procedure, they went straight to the point. There was only one resolution on the agenda today: the removal of Xu Ziren from the board.

 

Voting would be conducted by a show of hands.

 

Xu Shen voted in favor on Xu Shiji’s behalf. Among the Xu family, Xu Ziren himself and Huang Minli voted against the resolution, while Chen Ping remained on the sidelines and abstained.

 

Cai Lihao abstained as well, at Xu Shen’s instruction. The small percentage of shares in Cai Lihao’s hands wouldn’t have much impact on the result, so there was no need for him to rashly step forward and openly support Xu Shen at this point.

 

Of the other five shareholders with relatively substantial holdings, one voted in favor, two voted against, and two abstained. Most of the remaining small and mid-sized shareholders also chose to abstain.

 

The situation was largely within Xu Shen’s expectations. The only thing he hadn’t anticipated was Huang Minli siding with Xu Ziren. It was unexpected, but this variable still wasn’t enough to affect the final outcome, provided that—

 

Xu Zikang had yet to cast his vote. From the looks of it, he seemed to have chosen to abstain as well.

 

Xu Shen turned his head and whispered to Zhan Shili, “What is Xu Zikang doing? Why hasn’t he voted yet?”

 

Zhan Shili gestured for him to be patient, then looked toward Xu Zikang, questioning him with his eyes.

 

Xu Zikang lowered his head, avoiding Zhan Shili’s gaze. After several seconds of silence, he slowly raised his left hand, voting against the resolution.

 

A rustle of hushed murmurs instantly swept through the room.

 

Something shifted in Xu Shen’s eyes, his expression gradually darkening.

 

Zhan Shili’s brows drew together slightly. As though something had occurred to him, his expression slowly turned cold as well.

 

Xu Zikang had switched sides at the last moment. With eleven percent of Zhaoqi’s shares in his hands, his vote instantly pushed the opposing side into the lead. Xu Ziren had won this round.

 

A smile spread across Xu Ziren’s lips. He straightened the front of his suit and rose to his feet, saying smugly, “That’s enough. There’s an old saying that justice lives in the hearts of the people. Everyone has seen how tirelessly I’ve devoted myself to Zhaoqi all these years. You can play all the tricks you want, but that won’t change anything. What happened here today was nothing but a farce.”

 

With a final “Excuse me,” he strode away with his men.

 

Xu Shen lowered his eyes and fell silent for several seconds before quickly returning to normal. He announced the voting results and brought the meeting to a close.

 

As Zhan Shili got to his feet, he pressed a hand briefly against Xu Shen’s shoulder as a silent form of comfort.

 

Everyone filed out one after another, and Xu Zikang was also prepared to leave.

 

Zhan Shili walked over and stopped him: “Let’s talk.”

 

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t/n: Advance chapters up to ch 62 are up on kofi shop~ ^^

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