Last Love chapter 90

After Zhuo Yuan drove home, he didn’t immediately enter the house. Instead, he slowly smoked a cigarette by the driveway.

Standing in the snow, despite feeling the cold, he resisted looking at the bright light emanating from the Zhuo family mansion.

Only when the cigarette was slowly smoked to the end, and he couldn’t find any more reasons to delay, did he slowly walk towards the porch.

Upon entering the living room, unsurprisingly, he didn’t see his father’s figure but could hear his mother crying on the sofa. The old servants in the house stood aside, restrained, and dared not approach.

Zhuo Yuan took a deep breath, walked over, and embraced his mother, comforting her, “Mom, don’t cry. It may not be that serious. Where’s Dad?”

“He’s in the study upstairs with your eldest uncle,” Zhuo’s mother covered her face with a handkerchief, choked up as she spoke, “I just can’t understand why he keeps getting into trouble. Didn’t the disaster more than ten years ago teach him a lesson? Oh… my life is so bitter. Your father’s business is always having problems, and your business, after so long, is not making any money. We rely on your eldest uncle for everything! If not for him helping, what would our family do? Let me tell you—”

As she spoke, she suddenly stood up, pointed upstairs with red eyes, and said, “If this time it gets as bad as the last time, and we have to evacuate to the countryside again, I’ll divorce your father!”

A string of pearls around her neck emitted a lustrous glow under the light. Despite her appearance as a wealthy lady, her tone escalated to an unbelievable level, and her sharp voice seemed capable of piercing eardrums.

Zhuo Yuan felt his breath momentarily catch. There was a hint of annoyance in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, speaking in a softer tone, “Mom, don’t say that. Let me go upstairs and see Dad. Aunt Wang, can you make a cup of ginger tea for my mom?”

He skillfully directed the servants to shift his mother’s attention, then took the opportunity to leave the living room quickly.

Only when he was alone in the shadows, slowly ascending the stairs, did a trace of resentment appear on his face.

Every time it came to this, the atmosphere at home was always gloomy.

His mother, being a full-time socialite, lacked the ability to handle pressure. More than ten years ago, when his father’s business faced a major problem, the whole family fled to a small northern city for refuge. During those times, his mother would lose control of her emotions every few days, hysterically crying at home until his father was forced to shout at her.

The air at home was always stagnant, like a muddy swamp. During those high school days, Zhuo Yuan would listen through the walls to his parents’ furious arguments, like muffled thunderclaps exploding. He, like a mouse, would hide in his blankets, holding his breath.

He remembered one time when he dared not go out to use the bathroom for an entire afternoon, eventually peeing in his pants. He had to secretly wash his pants in the bathroom in the middle of the night.

For a teenager, that was an unforgettable memory of shame. Each time he recalled it, it felt like being whipped harshly.

…

The study was filled with the scent of smoke. After Zhuo Yuan knocked and entered, he first greeted Zhuo Li, who was sitting on the sofa, “Eldest Uncle,” then turned to his father, Zhuo Ning, and said, “Dad, I just arrived.”

“You’re here.” Zhuo Li nodded at Zhuo Yuan, saying, “I’m discussing matters with your father about the post-resignation affairs.”

“Does it really have to go as far as resignation?” Zhuo Yuan couldn’t help but stammer, “This is too…”

Zhuo Ning’s Donglin Group had developed over a dozen residential properties in City B, and its strength was formidable.

This was the foundation of the Zhuo family and Zhuo Yuan’s confidence for so many years. He always felt that things hadn’t deteriorated to the point of Zhuo Ning resigning.

“Do you not understand?” Zhuo Li turned to look at Zhuo Yuan. Although his gaze was calm, it exuded an unquestionable authority, “Two years ago, when we sold the land in the Xihu district, I had to mediate in the middle. If it were to be investigated further, even I might get implicated. This matter must be suppressed now, no discussion.”

Zhuo Yuan didn’t argue further but turned to look at his father. However, Zhuo Ning just lowered his head, drinking tea without speaking.

Ignoring Zhuo Yuan, Zhuo Li continued discussing the matter of Zhuo Ning’s resignation.

Although called a discussion, it was more like giving orders and instructions.

Zhuo Yuan, accustomed to seeing his father kowtowing to his eldest uncle, was not surprised, but today he felt particularly stifled. He didn’t say anything, walked to the desk, opened the window slightly to let the smoke dissipate.

Although five years older than Zhuo Ning, Zhuo Li looked younger, with only fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

As a political figure, he was dressed in a gray cardigan sweater, wearing only an old-fashioned Longines watch on his wrist. Compared to the sophisticated Zhuo Ning, his attire was very plain.

Nevertheless, among the two brothers, Zhuo Li held an absolute dominant position in terms of charisma and influence.

Over the years, Donglin’s real estate business in City B couldn’t be separated from Zhuo Li’s behind-the-scenes manipulation. But Zhuo Li, in turn, couldn’t do without Zhuo Ning, whether for managing connections, transferring and handling funds, or occasionally resorting to some under-the-table means when necessary. Having Donglin as a shell made everything much easier.

In the Zhuo family, it seemed like Zhuo Ning depended on Zhuo Li, but in reality, Zhuo Li also took a good amount of blood from Zhuo Ning. Even the turmoil that forced Zhuo Yuan’s entire family to evacuate from City B years ago was, to some extent, Zhuo Ning taking the blame for his elder brother.

Therefore, in Zhuo Yuan’s view, his father didn’t need to be so submissive, but in any case, matters of the elders were not for him to comment on.

“Also,”

Zhuo Li stood up, lit another cigarette, and suddenly looked at Zhuo Yuan, saying straightforwardly, “Your company, if it’s not profitable, you might as well quit. Over the years, you’ve been pouring money into it, and there’s been no return. Just let it go. Your father is stepping down, and you should step up.”

Zhuo Yuan’s complexion instantly worsened, but he forced a smile, “Uncle, I’m currently planning a new project. The new app is about to launch; I can’t abandon it now.”

Zhuo Li cast an unhappy glance at Zhuo Yuan but ultimately didn’t insist, just handing over a folder with a serious expression, “Take care of your affairs, but also look into this.”

“IM?”

Zhuo Yuan took the folder, glanced briefly at the first page, and asked with confusion, “Isn’t IM involved in commercial land? Donglin has always developed residential properties. What’s their connection to us?”

“When we manipulated the deal for that land in Xihu, Yunfeng acquired it at a high price. Do you remember that?”

“I remember,” Zhuo Yuan nodded, “Didn’t Yunfeng suffer a financial breakdown later because of that land deal?”

“I suspect someone from Yunfeng is causing trouble behind the scenes.”

Zhuo Li extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray with a stern face, then said, “About half a year ago, IM acquired Yunfeng. This group is a bit mysterious, and I suspect there’s a problem. —Investigate it, and by investigating IM, you’re also investigating Yunfeng. Zhuo Yuan, figure out priorities. Your father funded Yuanteng; it’s fine to have some ups and downs in normal times. But now, let it go. This matter is more important. Understand?”

The second half of his sentence was uttered in a low, heavy tone, indicating his dissatisfaction with Zhuo Yuan’s attitude.

Zhuo Yuan remained silent.

“Go and investigate quickly.” Zhuo Ning concurred with his elder brother’s words, glanced at his son, who didn’t look good, and added, “Alright, go accompany your mother. Your eldest uncle and I have things to discuss.”

“Okay.” Zhuo Yuan nodded.

After going downstairs, Zhuo’s mother was still crying, but this time she sat in the dining room with her back to Zhuo Yuan.

Zhuo Yuan felt a splitting headache. Instead of following Zhuo Ning’s instructions to accompany his mother, he turned and informed the servants in the living room that he had urgent matters to. He then left, getting into his car and driving away.

In City B, the snowfall was heavy, and the leaden clouds pressed down heavily, as if bearing on people’s hearts.

The road back was covered in snow, but Zhuo Yuan’s car moved swiftly, tires crunching over the thick snow, emitting a squeaking sound.

During the journey, he received a call from Jiang Nanfei, urgently inquiring when he could invest in his movie.

Initially, Zhuo Yuan tried to control his irritability and responded with a few words. However, when Jiang Nanfei persisted in questioning, he suddenly felt a surge of anger. He took the phone away from his ear and shouted directly into the receiver, “I said I don’t have money, no money—stop bothering me! Get lost!”

After the abrupt outburst, Zhuo Yuan suddenly felt a sense of exhaustion.

He turned the car into a small alley, abruptly opened the car door, and escaped from the car, standing in the empty alley, panting heavily.

He didn’t want to stay in the suffocating Zhuo family home, nor did he want to face Jiang Nanfei at his own home.

In high school, he thought he experienced the most dismal days of his life.

A constantly quarreling, destitute family, going through puberty, lacking the assertiveness and attractiveness of pheromones, and many, many teenage concerns.

Later, he possessed the Omega he loved, though through less honorable means. The act of “possessing” satisfied him for a long time, and he even thought that he would finally welcome happiness.

However, even after being with Wen Ke, he remained unhappy.

In the long years of married life, he would always recall those things that happened in high school. After moments of panic, watching Wen Ke sleep at midnight, he would suddenly feel a sense of disgust.

So he cheated.

The sweet and unfamiliar pheromones of a high-level Omega excited him for a while. He naturally thought that this was the kind of relationship that fulfilled an Alpha’s physiological desires and, conveniently, he wouldn’t be constantly nagged by his mother about having children—children that he couldn’t have, prompting a divorce.

He discarded his marriage with Wen Ke as easily as an old piece of clothing or an old sofa, choosing to divorce without hesitation.

He always wanted to make himself happy.

Year after year, he grew older, even getting old. He thought he could gradually control his own life, and he wouldn’t be the shameful teenager who wet his pants because he dared not go out when his parents were arguing.

But he became more and more unhappy, with everyone demanding things from him, some asking for money, others seeking dependence.

Except for Wen Ke.

Wen Ke never demanded anything.

Wen Ke just existed, gently and calmly.

…

Zhuo Yuan stood in the falling snow, looking at the sky—

The sky was a gloomy, ash-gray color, without birds or stars.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered high school. Once, he forgot to bring his Chinese textbook. On that day, Han Jiangque didn’t come to class, so Wen Ke took the initiative to sit next to him and read the textbook together.

That was the first time he felt the joy of secretly having Wen Ke without Han Jiangque knowing.

The hot summer wind blew the teenager’s soft hair, and Zhuo Yuan, who was closer, only focused on the textbook with one percent of his attention, stealing glances at Wen Ke with the remaining ninety-nine percent.

In his youth, when looking at someone he was infatuated with, it seemed like he couldn’t remember any facial features. He only remembered that Wen Ke was very fair.

On the fair skin, there were fine pores and tiny golden hairs lit by the sunlight.

The teacher suddenly called him to stand up and read the text. Feeling at a loss, he stood up, and Wen Ke discreetly pointed to the paragraph he was supposed to read—

That day’s lesson was about Shen Congwen.

So, he clumsily read, “The wind is very strong, and my hands and feet are freezing, but my heart is warm. But I don’t understand why, my heart is always very tender. I want to be close to you, so I won’t be sad.”

I want to be close to you, so I won’t be sad—

The intense emotions he once felt in his youth, thinking about them again at this moment, brought about a heart-wrenching pain.

Supporting himself on the car door, Zhuo Yuan couldn’t help but open his phone and quickly search for Wen Ke in his recent contacts on WeChat.

After searching twice, he realized Wen Ke had changed his profile picture to a smiling, silly, yet sweet little giraffe.

Zhuo Yuan was a bit puzzled; he never remembered Wen Ke saying he liked giraffes. Without time to think it through, he clicked open the chat window and began typing:

Wen Ke, hey?

After some contemplation, he deleted the message and typed again:

Xiao Ke, I miss you so much.

In the cold winter, the yearning he typed out with trembling fingers seemed to overwhelm him with emotions.

At that moment, impulsively, Zhuo Yuan thought that as long as Wen Ke was willing to come back, he would immediately cut ties with Jiang Nanfei. Holding onto this sentiment, he clicked send.

The phone immediately vibrated. Could it be that Wen Ke replied so quickly?

Zhuo Yuan was a bit dazed. He lowered his head to look at the phone screen, and the conversation window displayed a red exclamation mark, followed by a sentence:

【You are not friends yet. Please send a verification message to apply.】