Unmatched Chapter 48

Chapter 48 The Bitter Fruit

Ten days later, January 13th, Saturday.

The weather in Fengjing City had been terrible recently. Gale-force winds howled, and heavy snow mixed with mud and sand, dirtying the entire city.

The atmosphere at Chaoyang Group headquarters was even worse than the weather.

Whether they were management or ordinary employees, entering the company each day felt like stepping into a forbidden zone—solemn, heavy, with a storm brewing in the silence. The intense low pressure was like an invisible gel, clogging everyone’s windpipes. No one dared to laugh or speak loudly.

Although most people didn’t know exactly what was happening, the Board of Directors meetings were held daily, the high-level executives were locked in a fierce battle, and people were being fired at the drop of a hat. Reporters, drawn by the scent of trouble, lingered outside the gates. No one wanted to say the wrong thing and become cannon fodder in the storm.

Within the Board of Directors, Zhao Shuyi’s actions were no longer a secret.

Zhao Huaicheng, the person directly involved, had been kept in the dark for a while but was now fully aware.

He tried to negotiate with Zhao Shuyi but was refused. He also tried to threaten him, claiming that he had built the majority of Chaoyang Group’s empire, and the network of contacts depended on him. Without him, Zhao Shuyi couldn’t sustain such a massive family business. He suggested that instead of a mutually destructive outcome, they should both take a step back. If the Old Master knew about this in the afterlife, he wouldn’t be heartbroken.

However, Zhao Shuyi was impervious to persuasion or threats. No resistance could make him stop. He was determined to sweep Zhao Huaicheng and his faction out completely and thoroughly reshuffle Chaoyang Group.

The cleansing was naturally not limited to Zhao Huaicheng.

Chaoyang Group’s high-level structure was rigid and lacked fresh blood; in some respects, it had fallen behind the times. The reform had to be thorough, or it would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Zhao Shuyi had always dreamed of replacing the management and restructuring the Board of Directors, and now was the perfect opportunity.

He blocked out the noise from Zhao Huaicheng and spent his days preparing for the lawsuit. Naturally, he also needed to socialize and lobby in political circles to prevent the case from becoming too widespread and creating future problems for the group’s development.

The pressure was immense, but pressure was exactly what Zhao Shuyi needed. Some people are crushed by pressure, but he was gradually returning to normal under the infinite strain.

However, this “normalcy” was far from ordinary, subtly revealing a hint of frantic madness, like a final burst of energy before collapse. This deeply worried those around him—such as Ye Zhao—about his mental state.

Ye Zhao wasn’t the only one worried about Zhao Shuyi; his mother, Qin Zhi, whom he hadn’t contacted in a long time, was too.

On Saturday afternoon, Zhao Shuyi suddenly received a message from Qin Zhi.

He was working overtime at home at the time, talking on the phone while watching Xie Qi unpack deliveries.

Recently, Xie Qi’s shopping addiction had flared up, and he had bought many beautiful sets of tableware. He hadn’t cooked many meals, but the new dishes had nearly filled the kitchen.

They chatted occasionally, but rarely about personal topics; they only talked more when discussing work.

Zhao Shuyi was willing to tell Xie Qi about his recent progress, and for the umpteenth time, he proactively mentioned, “I will pay you back once the Board of Directors is restructured.” Xie Qi had gone from initial displeasure to later ignoring him. No matter what Zhao Shuyi said, he didn’t argue, but he was clearly distracted and wasn’t listening carefully.

The tableware deliveries were mostly padded with foam to prevent damage. Xie Qi sat on the floor with his long legs spread out—a very undignified posture—unpacking the boxes one by one. White foam fragments clung to his trouser legs due to static electricity. He was completely absorbed, like a child unwrapping a toy.

Zhao Shuyi stood beside him, looking at the foam fragments that had somehow gotten into Xie Qi’s hair, and said, “Xie Qi, my mom asked us to go over for dinner. Do you want to go?”

“Whatever, I’ll follow your lead.” The newly opened package contained a set of golden glass bowls. Xie Qi looked up. “Hasn’t she avoided you for months? Why the sudden dinner invitation?”

Zhao Shuyi scoffed, “Do you even need to guess? What else could it be about?”

“…”

Zhao Shuyi felt that if he ever truly went insane, at least half the credit belonged to Qin Zhi.

He had a premonition that Qin Zhi wouldn’t stand idly by once he openly clashed with Zhao Huaicheng. But when he actually received the message and saw his mother’s carefully worded invitation on the screen, which was more distant and polite than a stranger’s, his heart still chilled.

He could refuse the meal, but there was no need to avoid it. Zhao Shuyi specifically canceled his evening engagement and went to the appointment with Xie Qi.

Since she was being polite, he had to observe the full etiquette. He asked Secretary Ye to buy several expensive gifts, carefully wrapped them in colors Qin Zhi liked, and he and Xie Qi each carried two gifts, making a grand entrance.

It was just getting dark when they arrived. After days of wind and snow, dirty, unmelted snow piled up outside the villa. A familiar car was parked in the courtyard. Zhao Shuyi glanced at it: “My Second Uncle is here, as expected.”

Xie Qi asked, “They invited you for a heart-to-heart talk. Why did they call me?”

“They probably want to play the family card.” Zhao Shuyi got out of the car, holding the gifts. “Don’t worry about it. Just be yourself. My mom is a great cook.”

“…” Xie Qi shook his head and followed closely behind him.

Walking into the living room, the housekeeper greeted them first. Zhao Shuyi handed the gifts over and subconsciously surveyed the surroundings. Everything was the same as before, almost unchanged.

Zhao Huaicheng sat casually on the sofa like the man of the house. Zhao Shuyi ignored him, shifting his gaze to Qin Zhi, who was walking out of the kitchen.

After a long absence, Qin Zhi had lost a lot of weight. Although her clothes were still tasteful and her makeup was meticulous, she couldn’t hide the wrinkles on her face and the gray hairs at her temples. She seemed to have aged suddenly, her energy drained, as if a gust of wind could shatter her.

Zhao Shuyi suddenly remembered that she was already over fifty.

If this was her attempt at a sympathy ploy, using maternal love to pressure him, Zhao Shuyi regretted coming today.

“Auntie, how many dishes are left? I can help you.” Xie Qi took off his coat, washed his hands, and went to the kitchen to help serve the food.

Zhao Shuyi frowned, annoyed by his meddling.

Qin Zhi smiled and said, “No need to trouble you. Just wait.”

The dining room was between the kitchen and the living room, separated from the latter by a carved screen door. The lighting was warm, and a photo hung on the wall—a commemorative picture of Zhao Shuyi winning a competition during high school.

Although he loved to act cool back then, he occasionally had a brilliant smile on his face. That smile was almost never seen now.

Zhao Shuyi’s frown deepened when he saw the photo.

The dishes were all served: eight dishes and two soups. Aside from some simply prepared seafood, the rest were made by Qin Zhi herself. She knew Zhao Shuyi’s preferences, and every dish was one he loved. The intention to please was obvious.

They sat around a small square table, four people on four sides.

Qin Zhi was on Zhao Shuyi’s right, Xie Qi on his left, and Zhao Huaicheng opposite him. As soon as Qin Zhi sat down, she remembered she had forgotten the wine and asked the housekeeper to bring it over.

“Are you hungry? Start eating. Make yourselves at home.” Qin Zhi’s words were directed at no one in particular, and only Xie Qi responded with a smile.

Zhao Shuyi and Zhao Huaicheng were both silent, and their silence carried a hint of rivalry. Neither wanted to appear like a guest or like the host.

Qin Zhi opened the wine, poured a glass for everyone, and said, “This bottle was a gift from the Old Master last year. I don’t know much about wine, and I didn’t want to waste it, so I saved it until now—please try it.”

Zhao Shuyi took a sip but couldn’t taste anything special.

Zhao Huaicheng said, “The Old Master didn’t know much about wine either. He just told his secretary to buy expensive ones.”

Qin Zhi replied, “He was busy with a million things every day. How could he have the time to enjoy himself?”

“Yes, unlike some people,” Zhao Shuyi interjected, “who can appreciate wine and flowers, need expensive cars and good houses, and don’t find a two-hundred-million-yuan mansion too empty even when living alone. Even if it’s meant to be passed down to a son later, it’s still too early.”

“Clack,” Zhao Huaicheng put down his chopsticks, about to erupt, but Qin Zhi quickly scooped a spoonful of soup for Zhao Shuyi, speaking first: “Try this, Shuyi. This lotus root and pork rib soup was your favorite.”

Zhao Shuyi kept a dark expression and didn’t take it. Xie Qi took the soup bowl for him but didn’t hand it over, instead taking a sip himself: “It’s a little bland.”

“Is it?” Qin Zhi asked. “Should I add some salt?”

“It’s fine. A lighter taste is good too.”

Xie Qi seemed to be there specifically to smooth things over, always interjecting at inappropriate moments. Zhao Shuyi shot him a look of displeasure. Xie Qi acted oblivious, personally serving Zhao Shuyi a new bowl of soup and adding two extra pieces of pork rib: “Eat first. You ate too little at noon.”

“…”

With Xie Qi disrupting the flow, the atmosphere, though tense, didn’t immediately devolve into an argument.

Zhao Shuyi was in a bad mood, and his stomach felt uncomfortable. Every bite he swallowed fueled his anger. When he reached a certain point, he finally put down his chopsticks and stopped eating.

This seemed to be the signal. Qin Zhi, who had been watching him, said, “Why are you eating so little? Is it not to your taste? Are you too tired from work lately—”

Before she could finish, Zhao Shuyi interrupted, “What do you two want to talk about today? Just get to the point. Stop with the preamble.”

Qin Zhi looked awkward. “What do you mean ‘you two’? I unilaterally invited you and your Second Uncle because I wanted to talk to both of you.”

Zhao Shuyi slightly raised his eyelids and glanced across the table.

In the past, family gatherings always involved four people, but the fourth person was the Old Master. They sat in similar positions, with Zhao Huaicheng and him flanking the Old Master. He was usually silent, while Zhao Huaicheng was witty and entertaining.

Now, Zhao Huaicheng was the one who was more silent than him.

Qin Zhi looked at Xie Qi and said softly, “I asked you and Xie Qi to come today because I thought, we are the only family members left, and we should gather. If something major happens, we should sit down and talk it out to avoid misunderstandings.”

She clasped her hands tightly, lowering her gaze. “I’ve been avoiding things all these years. If I had realized this sooner, the conflict between you and your Second Uncle wouldn’t have deepened to an irreconcilable point… Ultimately, your conflict started because of me. So, I have a responsibility to be the intermediary and say a few good words.”

“Is that so?” Zhao Shuyi said coldly. “Our conflict is at the company. How much does it have to do with you?”

“Even if it’s only thirty percent, it’s still my fault.” Qin Zhi’s face turned pale from his retort. She gave a forced, bitter smile, and the wrinkles on her brow deepened. “I know that if… if it weren’t for my relationship with your Second Uncle, the atmosphere at home wouldn’t be so bad, and you wouldn’t have been unhappy all the time.”

Zhao Shuyi wanted to smoke but held back.

Zhao Huaicheng across the table also looked unwilling to listen, silently turning his face away.

“I actually thought about it once, if there was a way to make you accept him? He really wanted to be your father back then…”

At this point, Qin Zhi glanced at his expression, afraid of provoking Zhao Shuyi. “I remember once, you were bullied by the neighbor’s boy, who was two years older. You endured the pain and didn’t tell me. Your Second Uncle found out, rushed over to their house to settle the score, and scolded the boy and his parents. He came back and told me, ‘Why is little Shuyi so introverted? He doesn’t even cry out when he’s hurt. That’s not good…'”

She continued, “It was also my carelessness back then. I thought children didn’t understand anything and neglected your inner feelings, missing the best time to repair the relationship, allowing you to grow up under… under a family shadow.”

Zhao Shuyi said indifferently, “Who doesn’t have some family shadow? Now that I’m grown up, why bring this up? If you have a purpose, just say it directly. There’s no need for emotional manipulation.”

Qin Zhi wiped the corner of her eye. “I’m not trying to manipulate you. I just want to have an honest talk. We’ve communicated too little over the years, and many misunderstandings have arisen.”

“Have they? What are you referring to?” Zhao Shuyi asked. “Did I remember incorrectly? Was it a misunderstanding that you two were intimate in my father’s mourning hall, or was it a misunderstanding that you secretly planned to send me away and have another child? Indeed, that weekend when you took me on an outing to the suburbs was purely out of kindness, and you never intended to kill me. That was my paranoia acting up—a misunderstanding.”

“…”

“And your deliberate deception, inventing countless cover identities for my Second Uncle to meet him in private, was out of fear of hurting me, so that also counts as a misunderstanding.”

“Shuyi,” Qin Zhi clutched the tablecloth. “I was wrong in the past. Your mother is sorry—”

“No, you weren’t wrong.” Zhao Shuyi interrupted. “Before being my mother, you were yourself. You can be with whoever you want. I was just a burden, wasn’t I?”

The hand under the table was suddenly grasped. Zhao Shuyi looked at Xie Qi, then continued, “I don’t blame you, so I don’t want to argue with you. Our best relationship is living separate lives. I’m an adult; I have my own life. You have yours. I don’t care who you eat with, who you sleep with, which Buddha you worship, who you give your shares to, who you think about or hate—does it concern me?”

Zhao Shuyi couldn’t control the trembling of his hand, thankfully held firmly by Xie Qi. “Although I don’t care, you have hurt me repeatedly, and every time it was for him. Including now, you are saying all this, sacrificing your dignity and revealing old wounds, isn’t it all just to plead for him!”

“…”

“When have you ever considered my feelings? Did I wrong you, or did he wrong you? Do you know he has a mistress outside, and his son is almost ten years old!”

The dining room fell into a dead silence. Qin Zhi’s face was ashen.

Zhao Shuyi’s vision blurred, and his head ached. He couldn’t tell if she had known about it all along. She had a habit of being submissive; even if she knew, she wouldn’t do anything to his Second Uncle.

It was strange. Others could torment her, but only Zhao Shuyi suffered her pain.

If this was the Buddhist concept of karma, what cause did Zhao Shuyi owe her that he had to endlessly consume this bitter fruit?

Qin Zhi, however, defended herself: “No, I’m not pleading for him, Shuyi…”

She stood up agitatedly, trying to grab his hand. “I’m thinking of you… The company is in such a mess, and the rumors are everywhere. I’m afraid you’re young and don’t know your limits, and your extremism will harm yourself…”

“…”

“The group is so large, and you are only twenty-seven. Even if you manage to take it on, how heavy is the pressure? Wouldn’t it be better to let your Second Uncle help share the burden? When we both get old, the family business will still be yours…”

“Is that why you gave him your shares?” Zhao Shuyi laughed in anger. “In your eyes, I always come after him, and you call it thinking of me!”

Zhao Shuyi desperately held back, preventing his eyes from watering. He looked at Zhao Huaicheng, who remained silent across the table, and found it increasingly amusing: “You try every means to plead for him, and he doesn’t even utter a sound. You always say that he has sacrificed so much for you over the years—where are these sacrifices? Why haven’t I seen them? Qin Zhi, aren’t you pathetic? Isn’t this hilarious?”

Hearing this, Zhao Huaicheng slammed his cup down. “How dare you speak to your mother like that?”

“It’s none of your business!” Zhao Shuyi abruptly flipped the table. Soup and water splashed toward the opposite side. Zhao Huaicheng, unable to dodge, was soaked in the mess and immediately turned furious.

Qin Zhi stood motionless, tears streaming down her chin. “It’s my fault. Blame me…”

“I was afraid you two would fall out and the company would suffer. I feel guilty toward your Grandfather.” She was barely standing, muttering, “I just hoped to make up for past mistakes and let everyone live well, but I was wrong again…”

She lowered her head, as if a long-suppressed grievance had erupted. But even in eruption, she didn’t know who to direct it at. She kept thinking it was all her fault, choking her heart with frustration, afraid to look at Zhao Shuyi.

“I know you hate me, Shuyi,” Qin Zhi said mournfully. “And I know it’s hard to fix our relationship. Sometimes I even think, maybe only if I die will you stop hating me. Then… then when you burn paper money at my tombstone, you might remember that your mother once had a few good qualities, and you might mourn me…”

She seemed to be losing her mind, starting to say strange things.

Perhaps this was also part of the sympathy ploy. Zhao Shuyi’s head was splitting, and his eyes were burning.

He didn’t want to stay any longer, nor did he want to hear another unnecessary word. Let it be fate; they were not meant to be mother and son. There was no need to force it.

“…Xie Qi.” Zhao Shuyi’s vision was darkening in waves. He struggled to grab Xie Qi’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

Forgetting even his coat, Zhao Shuyi plunged into the dark night.

Xie Qi quickly grabbed the coat and draped it over him. As soon as they got into the car, Zhao Shuyi collapsed against the seat, exhausted. His face was pale, his breathing labored, and his hand hanging by his side trembled uncontrollably.

He looked like he was having a medical episode. Xie Qi sighed, hugged him, and gently patted his back. “Forget it, Zhao Shuyi. Don’t take them so seriously, okay?”

“…”

“If you can’t handle it, why did you come today?” Xie Qi whispered in his ear. “I thought you were going to show off your power and give them a piece of your mind. Instead, you’ve worked yourself into this state. You really… have a problem.”

“You haven’t been drinking, have you? Drive.” Zhao Shuyi didn’t even have the strength to argue, speaking almost in a whisper. “Drive far away.”

—He wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

It was a good thing he remembered not to drink and drive.

Xie Qi fastened his seatbelt and drove out of the residential area. He wanted to take him to see a doctor but knew Zhao Shuyi wouldn’t cooperate in this state, so he reluctantly set the navigation for home.

It was freezing cold, and snow was falling outside the car window. Frames of pale streetlights flashed across Zhao Shuyi’s retina. He stared blankly for a long time, then slowly closed his eyes.

He hadn’t eaten enough—or rather, Xie Qi felt Zhao Shuyi hadn’t eaten enough. Xie Qi pulled over halfway and found a shop, planning to pack two portions of late-night snacks.

The wait for the food was a bit long. Zhao Shuyi was covered with Xie Qi’s coat, dozing in the passenger seat. Xie Qi greeted the boss and returned to the car to keep him company.

“Are you cold?” Xie Qi held his hand. “The heater is on, but it doesn’t seem very warm.”

Zhao Shuyi shook his head, then suddenly said, “Xie Qi, thank you.”

“Thank me for what?”

“I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“…”

Such distant words. Seeing him like this, Xie Qi felt bad too. He wanted to comfort him but didn’t know what to say, so he awkwardly replied, “Actually, I should be thanking you.”

Zhao Shuyi opened his eyes and looked over.

“I wasn’t happy at home when I was little either, but I was lucky because I had you… Every day, as long as I saw you, I forgot all my troubles.”

Xie Qi wiped his damp eyes. “So, do you know where you went wrong? You went wrong by not falling for me sooner.”

What ridiculous nonsense.

Zhao Shuyi was too weak to refute him. He pulled the coat higher up his shoulder and closed his eyes, continuing to rest.

He wasn’t asleep, but he wasn’t fully awake either. After some time, Xie Qi got the food, and the car continued driving.

In truth, his original plan was exactly as Xie Qi had guessed: he wanted to assert his authority, say harsh things, and make those two look bad. And then what? He did say harsh things, but it was a thousand injuries to the enemy and eight hundred self-inflicted. What was the point?

Lately, Zhao Shuyi kept thinking: meaning, meaning, what is the meaning of all this?

—There was none at all.

Xie Qi turned on the music, playing a song for him.

It was a lullaby. In the gentle, soothing melody, Zhao Shuyi grew drowsier. Only the slight vibration of the moving car reminded him that he was still conscious and on the road.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Zhao Shuyi didn’t want to deal with it and instinctively pressed the hang-up button. But the caller couldn’t reach him and instead called Xie Qi.

“Hello?” Xie Qi put on his earphones. “Who is this?”

Whatever the person on the other end said, Xie Qi’s expression froze. He suddenly turned to look at Zhao Shuyi, his tone heavy: “Zhao Shuyi, we’re not going home yet.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Something seems to have happened to your mother.”

“…” Zhao Shuyi looked bewildered. “What happened?”