Chapter 129: Lost

"I wasn't the only one who agreed to push him out back then. We are all on the same boat; we sink or swim together. Trying to shift the blame and turning on each other now is simply unacceptable."

The relatives of the He family were nothing but a pack of bloodsuckers. Madam He understood their nature all too well. Had she not showered them with benefits, they never would have stood by her and He Cheng. He Chuan was capable and had kept them in check; while he managed the company, they hadn't dared to offend him in any way. They had swallowed their fair share of his reprimands and harbored resentment, so when Madam He and He Cheng appeared with a proposal, they joined forces to oust him.

After successfully driving He Chuan out of the company, their position shifted from Madam He’s, primarily due to the unequal distribution of interests.

Management positions in key departments were taken over by their own kin—sons and daughters alike. Even those lacking management skills were forced into roles to seize substantive power. The consequence was that the subordinates were resentful of being managed by people who owed their positions to nepotism. Furthermore, as soon as they took over, they initiated sweeping reforms. These were not applied uniformly; they were selective. Departments without "connections" were forced to start an hour earlier and stay half an hour later, with no pay raises, and the standard two-day weekend was reduced to alternating between one and two days off.

With these policies in place, the company was in a state of panic, and rumors of impending layoffs began to circulate.

There is a fundamental difference between voluntary resignation and corporate layoffs. The former yields no severance, while the latter is avoided by the company; instead, they manufacture excuses, waiting for a mistake to use as leverage to force a resignation.

Madam He was aware of the situation, but she lacked the skill to manage the company. The relatives, seeing her incompetence, acted with unbridled arrogance, throwing their weight around and showing her no respect. This was especially true now that performance had declined, with competitors poaching many of the company's projects, leading to mounting complaints against her.

During meetings, they would often snap at her. When asked professional questions, she could not provide answers, and He Cheng, who only held a titular role, never even attended the meetings.

As time passed, Madam He realized they were now maneuvering to push her and He Cheng out as well. In a panic, she sought out He Cheng to discuss a strategy.

However, she could never get through to him, a clear indication that he truly had no interest in the company.

With no other choice, Madam He called He Cheng’s talent agency to ask for his former assistant. She ended up calling A-Zhou directly, assuming she was still working for him, as He Cheng had never mentioned changing assistants.

A-Zhou was resting in the hospital due to a breech pregnancy. After an incident where He Cheng had sought her out and caused her such distress that she had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance, she had stayed on to ensure the baby's safety.

When Madam He’s call came through, she was bewildered. "I... I am no longer Brother Cheng’s assistant."

"What do you mean? You aren't working for my son anymore? When did this happen? Why didn't I know?"

A-Zhou replied, "Mrs. He, I stopped being Brother Cheng’s assistant about four months ago. I don't know where he is right now, but please don't worry. I will try to ask for you."

Madam He only had A-Zhou’s number because He Cheng had once brought her home, and fearing she might be unable to reach him during work hours, she had asked for A-Zhou’s contact information.

"It’s been that long? Why the sudden change? Weren't you doing a good job?"

"I fell ill, so I resigned."

"I see. My apologies. By the way, you said you could help me reach him? Please do me a favor and contact him. Tell him to turn his phone on; I have an urgent matter."

A-Zhou: "Of course, Mrs. He. I will try."

A-Zhou hesitated. She wondered whether to tell Madam He that she was pregnant with He Cheng’s child. She wasn't sure if Madam He would welcome the baby, and she was doing this behind He Cheng’s back.

She had seen He Cheng’s attitude that day; he did not want this child. Even so, she was determined to give birth to it, a desperate gamble to see if He Cheng might treat her better because of the baby.

A-Zhou contacted Tan Yazhuo and asked, "Sister Ya, are you free? Is the company busy?"

"Still at the office. What’s wrong?"

"Is it because of He Cheng? I saw the news online. Sister Ya, is this situation very thorny?"

Tan Yazhuo sighed. "Very. All of He Cheng’s work has been halted. The company has given him a forced vacation, telling him to stay home and stay out of sight. Reporters are camping out downstairs, and he can't even come to the office."

A-Zhou couldn't help but worry about He Cheng’s state of mind. She hesitated, "Sister Ya, did he really do those things?"

"Who knows? He denies it, claiming someone is smearing him and competitors are playing dirty. Who can say? Even the dirty things he did in high school have been dug up. Fame brings trouble, as they say."

Tan Yazhuo added with regret, "Perhaps a young master with his background is just too used to doing whatever he pleases. I was blinded by his appearance. I misjudged him when I signed such a scoundrel."

A-Zhou knew he wasn't a good person; the way he tortured her was so practiced, as if it wasn't his first time. But what could she do? She loved him, uncontrollably, and was drawn to him.

She even naively hoped to persuade him to mend his ways and stop hurting others.

A-Zhou said, "Sister Ya, it’s my fault. When you told me to keep an eye on him, I didn't tell you that he..."

"Don't blame yourself. I underestimated him too. I never expected he would target you directly. Your current situation is all his doing. A-Zhou, don't be afraid. If you can't bring yourself to abort the baby, then have it. Rest well at home, and don't worry about anything else."

A-Zhou hesitated, then asked, "Sister Ya, is he home? His mother called me saying she couldn't reach him and is worried."

"I see. I’ll contact him and pass the message along."

A-Zhou: "Thank you, Sister Ya."

After hanging up, A-Zhou called Madam He back. "Mrs. He, please don't worry. I’ve asked his agent to reach out to Brother Cheng. I believe you’ll have a reply soon."

"Thank you, young lady. You are such a warm-hearted girl; it’s a pity. By the way, what are you doing now?" Madam He was merely being polite; she didn't truly care.

A-Zhou, however, felt Madam He was a kind person, gentle and well-tempered. After deliberating for a moment, she decided to tell her the truth.

"Mrs. He, there is something very important I need to tell you. Would it be convenient for us to meet?"

Madam He asked, "What can't be said over the phone?" She really didn't want to meet a mere former assistant. What could she possibly have to say?

"It’s hard to explain over the phone, Mrs. He. If you have time, could you come to the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine? I’m currently hospitalized and can't leave easily."

"Oh, I see."

"Yes, Mrs. He. This matter concerns He Cheng, and it is very important. That is why I want to tell you directly; I don't want to hide it from you."

Madam He replied, "Fine. I’ll make time to go tomorrow. We can talk then."

"Thank you, Mrs. He."

After the call, A-Zhou’s heart hammered with anxiety. She didn't know how Madam He would react to the news of the child—would it be joy or shock?

But this was, after all, a child of the He family. Surely, Madam He wouldn't dislike it.

The next morning, Madam He arrived at the hospital. She was curious about what this girl could possibly want to talk about that concerned He Cheng. She had imagined many possibilities on her way, but prayed it wasn't that she was pregnant with his child—that would be no laughing matter.

***

A-Zhou hadn't rested well and had caught a cold, but unable to take medicine, she could only drink warm water and bundle up. She looked quite pale.

Madam He knocked and entered to find the girl lying in bed, covered by a quilt, showing no signs of anything unusual.

A-Zhou was the first to speak, calling out softly, "Auntie He..."

The title made Madam He pause. "Just call me Mrs. He. You said on the phone you had something to tell me regarding He Cheng. What is it?"

A-Zhou looked wounded, biting her lip and staring blankly at the sheets. She was nervous and uneasy, but she had to gamble. If she wanted to be with He Chuan, she had to take risks. Even so, she had to try.

"Mrs. He, when I was Brother Cheng’s assistant, we were together. I am now carrying his child. I am almost five months along."

At five months, the belly should have been obvious, but she was thin and hadn't gained much weight, so it wasn't visible under the quilt. Only after she finished speaking did she lift the blanket, revealing her rounded abdomen to Madam He.

Madam He was stunned, her pupils dilating. She quickly turned to lock the hospital room door and confirmed, "Are you sure? Is the child in your womb of the He bloodline? Is it He Cheng’s?"

A-Zhou nodded solemnly. "It is He Cheng’s, Mrs. He. I am not lying. I am pregnant with his child. I didn't say anything before because I was afraid you would reject it. It is a life, a poor, innocent one. I cannot bear to lose it."

Madam He wanted grandchildren, but not while He Cheng was unmarried and the He family was in the midst of so much trouble. This was the worst possible time.

And why on earth would He Cheng get involved with this girl? Wasn't he obsessed with the daughter of the Xin family? Had he moved on to someone else?

Madam He calmed herself, her kind expression replaced by a stern one. "What game are you playing? You say this child is He Cheng’s—what proof do you have? Are you so lacking in self-respect, a young girl having a child out of wedlock? Do you know how serious this is?"

A-Zhou replied, "Mrs. He, I know it’s hard to believe, but this is indeed Brother Cheng’s. He is the only man I’ve ever been with. You may reject me, but you cannot reject this child. It is innocent. It has been four months. I told you today because I wanted to know your stance. If you do not wish to acknowledge this child, I will never let it appear before you, and it will not take the He name."

Madam He: "Are you threatening me, girl? Have you lost your mind?"

"I am not. I just don't want it to be as wretched as I am. I want to find it a good place, and the only place is the He family. Mrs. He, I beg you. I don't want anything for myself, but please, can the child return to the He family?"

Madam He hesitated. "Give birth to the child. We will run a DNA test. If it is of our blood, we will take it back and raise it. If it is not, young lady, people must pay the price for their actions. Don't blame me for turning heartless then. The He family is not so easily fooled."

A-Zhou was ecstatic. "I understand. Thank you, Mrs. He, for showing mercy and giving the child a chance."

"Enough. But I have one requirement: you must keep this a secret. Do not tell anyone else you are carrying my son’s child, especially the media."

A-Zhou froze. "There are already rumors online... saying that I..."

"Do not admit to it. Do not come forward. Deny that the child is He Cheng’s until it is born. Do you hear me?"

A-Zhou nodded repeatedly. "Yes, I understand, Mrs. He."

With the matter settled, Madam He did not linger and left the hospital shortly after.

***

He Chuan had just received a call. He had hired someone to track Madam He, and the man informed him, "The person Madam He met was a woman—He Cheng’s former assistant, A-Zhou."

"What was said?" He Chuan asked indifferently.

"I eavesdropped. A-Zhou claimed she was pregnant. I checked; she is indeed pregnant, nearly five months along."

"Good. Keep following her, and find someone else to watch the hospital. Report back if anything happens."

"Yes, boss."

He Chuan smoked in silence, looking out at the bustling city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The room was deathly quiet.

The ashtray on his desk was overflowing with cigarette butts. He didn't know how many he had smoked, but the cigarette never left his hand, as if he were trying to kill himself.

Suddenly, the office door opened, and a woman in a professional suit walked in. Catching the smell of smoke, she frowned, walked over, placed some documents on the desk, and couldn't help but say, "How many have you smoked? Do you want to die? Do you want lung cancer?"

As she spoke, she opened the window to air out the room. He Chuan didn't stop her, letting her manage him like a housekeeper.

Her name was Wen Liang. They had graduated from the same school but different majors; she had a degree in finance and had been hired by the company last month. It wasn't until she started and they were in a meeting that He Chuan recognized her.

They had known each other in school, both belonging to the same club, but he had been cold and aloof, ignoring everyone. Wen Liang had been the one to actively reach out to him until graduation. After she spent time abroad, they lost touch until last month, when she returned looking for work and saw his company hiring; she hadn't hesitated to apply.

Since joining, she had taken over the management of his daily life, relying on the fact that she was his junior.

She was young, with a youthful appearance, but her working style was independent and formidable. He Chuan let her be and never complained.

Now, as she scolded him about smoking, He Chuan’s expression remained indifferent, his eyes cold as he continued to smoke.

Wen Liang turned back, snatched the cigarette from his fingers, and said, "Stop smoking, Senior."

When they were alone, she called him "Senior"; when others were around, it was "Boss."

He Chuan squinted at her. "You’re getting bolder."

"Sorry. But do you even care about your health? Smoking this much—are you really not afraid of dying?"

"I’m afraid of death," he said, making a crude joke, disregarding his image. "But even more afraid of dying under a woman’s skirt."

Had Wen Liang not known him for years, she would have reported him for harassment.

"Senior, let’s have dinner tonight. I booked a restaurant; their filet mignon is famous."

He Chuan: "You go. I won't."

"No, you have to go. I booked it under your name. Besides, it’s my birthday today. Won't you celebrate with me?"

He Chuan smiled. "Shouldn't a birthday be spent with family or a boyfriend? Are you afraid I'll give you more work? What, do you have a masochistic streak?"

"I’ll do the work after dinner. Besides, I don't have a boyfriend, and my family is abroad. You know that. You’re the only person I know in Yongcheng. You can't leave me alone on my birthday, can you? Are you really that heartless?"

By the end, Wen Liang sounded like she was flirting with a boyfriend.

***

He Chuan’s gaze deepened, drifting as if he were thinking of someone else.

"Senior? What’s wrong?" Wen Liang’s voice brought him back to reality. He Chuan rubbed his temples, helpless. "Let’s go, since it’s your birthday."

***

Wen Liang was very attentive, but the man sitting across from her kept checking his phone, distracted and unfocused. Smoking wasn't allowed in the restaurant, and he kept drifting away, not paying her any mind.

Wen Liang ate elegantly, her eyes fixed on him. Seeing him focus on work was something she hadn't seen before, and she was reminded of their university days, when she would find excuses to get close to him, asking for help, and when caught, she would act shamelessly. This was the same.

The birthday thing was a lie. He hadn't noticed.

Wen Liang knew his mind wasn't there; it seemed to be lost somewhere else.

She decided to be direct. "Senior, actually, today isn't my birthday. I lied."

He Chuan didn't hear her. He looked up, saying, "What did you say?"

"I said today isn't my birthday. Senior, you’ve been zoning out the whole time; you haven't been listening to a word I’ve said."

He Chuan frowned. "What did you say just now?"

"I said today isn't my birthday. I lied to you. Senior, if I hadn't done that, you wouldn't be having dinner with me; you’d still be stuck at the office." Wen Liang rested her chin on her hand, complaining.

He Chuan: "It doesn't matter. Just eat; don't worry about me."

"Senior, have you suffered some kind of trauma? You feel strange."

He Chuan put down his phone and looked at her. "What are you talking about? Just eat."

Wen Liang stared at him thoughtfully, sensing he didn't want to talk about it, and fell silent.

After dinner, He Chuan took her home. The entire way, he remained silent, his brows furrowed, staring straight ahead.

Wen Liang secretly studied him. "Senior, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"Are you married?"

She hadn't been back long and didn't know much about his situation, but he spent every day at the office, came home late, and didn't wear a wedding ring. He didn't seem married.

"No," he replied curtly.

"Then do you have a girlfriend? You’re at the office every day; doesn't your girlfriend complain?"

He Chuan’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.

Wen Liang noticed and felt a pang of worry. "Did I ask something I shouldn't have? Sorry, Senior, I didn't mean to."

"It’s fine. I don't have a girlfriend." He Chuan’s jaw was set tight.

Wen Liang stopped asking.

***

After dropping Wen Liang off, He Chuan returned to his own place. He opened the door to an empty home. Only the dog remained. Its owner hadn't returned, so the dog had stayed with him. He had grown fond of it, so he had asked the owner if he could buy it. The owner, feeling guilty for making him watch it for so long and unable to return to the city, had simply given it to him.

When Cheng Hui was still around, at this hour, she would sit on the sofa watching movies with the dog, waiting for him to come home.

He Chuan sat in the spot where Cheng Hui used to sit, mindlessly clicking the remote. The dog squatted at his feet, motionless, watching the television as well.

He Chuan closed his eyes, petting the dog’s head. He muttered to himself, "Buddy, do you miss her?"

The "her" was, of course, Cheng Hui. There was no one else.

The dog yawned but didn't react. It couldn't understand human speech, so naturally, it didn't respond.

He Chuan gave a self-deprecating laugh. His mouth felt parched, and he couldn't help but light a cigarette.

As he exhaled, his thoughts drifted far away.

It had been a while since Cheng Hui left, but he couldn't move on. He stayed at the office every day to escape; this house was filled with traces of her life. Every time he returned, his mind was flooded with her image.

Whenever this happened, he would sit on the sofa and smoke, motionless.

During the day, the housekeeper came to clean. He Chuan had just woken up and, seeing her cleaning, said casually, "By the way, throw away all those women’s things in the bathroom, and the clothes in the closet."

The housekeeper asked, "Throw them all away?"

She knew the house had a mistress, even if she looked very young—not quite a couple, and they lived together.

The mistress hadn't been back for a while, and the master never mentioned her. Suddenly asking to throw everything away meant they had broken up? That she wouldn't be coming back?

The housekeeper didn't dare ask and, suppressing her curiosity, did as she was told.

He Chuan couldn't look at the things that belonged to Cheng Hui. After washing up, he grabbed his keys and left.

The dog wandered around the house and saw the housekeeper organizing the clothes in the closet. It walked over, head tilted in curiosity, and watched.