Chapter 16: Shares Sold

It was another week before Bi Qiao’an finally received Shen Yanming’s call, informing her that he would pick her up from the campus. After packing and bidding farewell to her roommates, she practically skipped with joyous anticipation toward the school gates.

Stepping inside the house, Bi Qiao’an’s eyes were instantly drawn to the living room overflowing with assorted gift baskets and gourmet hampers. “Explain yourself! What have you been up to lately?” she demanded playfully.

Enfolding her in his arms, Shen Yanming simply smiled as he vaguely said, “Just some well-wishes from visitors.”

“You didn’t spread the rumors of you being terminally ill just to receive gifts, did you?” Bi Qiao’an paused and scrutinized him critically. “Not that you look anywhere near death’s door!”

“It wasn’t me who spread those rumors,” he chuckled. “But they did align with my plans. Qiao’an, I’ve sold off all my shares in the company.” He held her gaze as he gauged her reaction.

Bi Qiao’an simply accepted the news matter-of-factly. “Selling makes sense with only a couple of months remaining. Once sold, it relieves you of unnecessary worries. You’ve toiled enough as it is.”

“But now I have practically no influence or standing left! Back to being a commoner, I suppose,” Shen Yanming said with a mock-pitiful expression as he tried to elicit a hint of pity from her for his sudden downfall of status.

However, Bi Qiao’an remained unfazed. “I don’t really care. Worldly possessions are ultimately meaningless. Soon, even money loses all value. What use would flashy titles have, then? Besides, there were so many people watching your every move before, but now you’re just an ordinary rich person. Doesn’t this freedom taste sweeter?”

Her calmness drew a soft chuckle from Shen Yanming. This was his Qiao’an, the only one who truly understood him. Any other woman might have accused him of giving away the goose that lays golden eggs.

“So, you didn’t prevent the spread of rumors just to sell the shares?” Bi Qiao’an inquired.

“Yeah. I was worried acting hastily would draw unwanted attention. The rumors gave me a good excuse, you see. Being ‘unwell’ makes declining management seem reasonable,” Shen Yanming explained.

Bi Qiao’an raised an eyebrow. “But you look perfectly fine to me!”

Shen Yanming chuckled. “My health isn’t the point, Qiao’an. As long as the other shareholders believe it, that’s all that counts. It’s a chance for those old guys to acquire the shares they’ve been eyeing for a while. Look at the gifts they’ve been sending – not exactly a subtle hint, is it?”

“Who did you finally sell to?” Bi Qiao’an asked.

“A few shareholders split them. From now on, Shen Group will be surnamed Su,” Shen Yanming replied.

Bi Qiao’an nodded. “What are your plans for the future?”

“Let’s enjoy the imperial grains first. This will give us a lot of security in the future. I have a lot of money now so we can secretly stock up on supplies in a while,” Shen Yanming said.

Bi Qiao’an was shocked to hear this. “How do you know that working in the government sector is beneficial? Weren’t you always in Europa?”

Slightly embarrassed, Shen Yanming clarified, “I stayed in the country for nearly half a year. At that time, I had nothing on me as I walked back from the border to Hai City. I also learned about the country’s policies along the way. Qiao’an, I’m sorry for coming back so late.”

Bi Qiao’an simply shook her head, a tender smile gracing her features as she cupped his face. “Not late at all! Your voice gave me strength in those final moments and it remains my most treasured memory. Perhaps this incredible rebirth was granted because of your presence by my side.”

“And I thank the heavens daily for bringing you back into my life,” Shen Yanming murmured fervently before gently kissing her forehead and pulling her into a tight embrace.

Meanwhile, in one of the villas in the Shuhui Garden Villa Community in Hai City, inside the living room, a middle-aged man berated a young man before him. “Useless fool! You bungled such a simple task. Didn’t I say to buy out Shen Yanming’s shares?! Explain yourself!”

“Boss Wei, we intended to negotiate a lower price, but rumors about Mr. Shen’s severely ill health leaked out. Those old foxes from Shen Group kept monitoring Mr. Shen’s house every day and made offers that exceeded our budget,” the secretary felt wronged. He was really clueless about how the news had leaked out. What’s more, the boss had clearly given out only this much money. It was obviously not his fault that he couldn’t beat the others.

“Shut up! You were the only ones informed of his health! Who else did you blabber to?!” Wei Guoqiang seethed. He had long desired control over Shen Group for years, but the senior directors clung to their shares fiercely. 

He could understand, of course. Who would be willing to send money to others?

So when his eldest daughter, Wei Yun, confessed her affection for Shen Yanming, Wei Guoqiang fully supported the potential match. However, no one anticipated Shen Yanming’s sudden overseas assignment.

Years trickled by with the ideal candidate miles away and the pressure intensified regarding Wei Yun’s unwed status. Wei Guoqiang tried introducing her to other prominent young men, but she stubbornly clung to Shen Yanming. She either flatly refused these meetings or subtly sabotaged them.

After numerous fruitless attempts, Wei Guoqiang gave up. He couldn’t force her to abandon her affections, especially when the man wasn’t even in the country. Surely, Wei Yun would eventually come to her senses.

However, fate took an unexpected turn. News reached him of Shen Yanming’s return. That very day Wei Yun arrived home, she inexplicably locked herself in her room and sobbed uncontrollably for hours.

Only after relentless questioning did Wei Guoqiang discover the ridiculous reason. Shen Yanming had heart disease which forced him to relinquish his overseas ventures and return home to recuperate.

Naturally, the proud Wei Yun mourned the loss of such a catch. On one hand, she’d loved him for years and yearned for a formal union. Yet, the thought of marrying a frail invalid repulsed her.

Amidst his daughter’s grief, Wei Guoqiang sensed an opportunity. After calming Wei Yun, he immediately instructed his secretary to try and acquire Shen Yanming’s shares.

Wei Guoqiang harbored doubts about success. Logically, even if an illness prevented work, retaining shares provided Shen Yanming with ample dividends. However, upon further thought, he realized that Shen Yanming had no wife or children to leave his fortune to…

Still, he would lose nothing from trying while the opportunity knocked. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

The result still ended in failure.

The expected rejection stung Wei Guoqiang. He wouldn’t have felt bad if Shen Yanming had not been willing to sell. The key was that Shen Yanming did sell, but he sold to that old coot Su!

Fuming about this missed opportunity, Wei Guoqiang absentmindedly vented his frustration as his daughter entered the room. He interrogated her aggressively, “Xiao Yun, who else did you tell about Shen Yanming’s condition?!”

“Only you, Father!” Wei Yun was overflowing with grievances. She still couldn’t believe how Shen Yanming had suddenly become a seriously ill patient.

“Then explain the widespread rumors enveloping Hai City regarding his severe health?!” Wei Guoqiang’s voice rose in agitation.

“How should I know?! Maybe it was Shen Yanming himself who spread it!” Wei Yun retorted as her frustration flared. It had nothing to do with her, anyway! She was already sad enough…

“Is Shen Yanming sick? Would he go around saying he’s grievously ill?” Wei Guoqiang felt it improbable for the news to spread from Shen Yanming himself. If he were truly sick, his first priority would be to suppress the news so as to avoid causing the company turmoil.

“Is Shen Yanming not sick? He’s already sick!” Wei Yun snapped back and stormed off, slamming the door shut. Was there any need to jab at her heart?!

“Look at this damn girl, getting more unruly as she gets older. Why did I have such a wastrel child!” Wei Guoqiang felt his chest throbbing in pain because of stress.

The secretary chose not to respond and silently drew closer to help his boss into a chair.

“Forget it. Since it failed, you can go back!” With a resigned wave dismissing the secretary, Wei Guoqiang closed his eyes and leaned back in exhaustion.

The secretary nodded, and after saying his farewell to Wei Guoqiang, he returned to the company.