Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 543 462 Debt_1

"President, here's this month's application."

"President, the basketball team has handed in their budget application."

"President, want to grab a meal together?"

Huai Shi hesitated for a moment, shook his head, and waved at the eager girl beside him, pointing ahead. "Someone is already waiting for me."

Glancing at the impeccably dressed student council secretary nearby, the girl nodded in understanding and backed off.

"What's wrong?" Fu Yi leaned against the door, studying the retreating figure of the first-year student with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Am I disturbing you?"

"Not at all. Just typical teenage restlessness. I don't take it seriously."

Huai Shi shook his head, took out his keys, and unlocked the office the student council had provided for him. Fu Yi didn't need an invitation; she walked in, went straight to her usual seat, and started making tea.

One serving.

She drank; Huai Shi watched.

Three years passed in a flash. Huai Shi had become the president of the student council, enjoying both the taste of power and the troubles that came with it. Meanwhile, Fu Yi, the mastermind who had pushed him into the limelight, remained hidden behind him, happily coasting along.

As an assistant, there was no one more qualified than her.

However, it seemed she was also content to remain just an assistant, with no intention of taking things further. Like a tiger in the mountains that has found its prey, she had drawn a circle around the trembling little fox.

She wasn't planning to eat it, just lie beside it, idly watching for her own amusement.

Sometimes Huai Shi was bewildered by what their relationship really was. He would occasionally ask Fu Yi seriously, and she would return a smile that wasn't quite a smile and counter-question, "What do you think?"

Huai Shi couldn't say anything.

And he couldn't promise anything.

He looked around the office where he had only stayed for a year. After packing up his few personal belongings, he sat in his chair, overcome with a flood of emotions.

"Have you decided already?" Fu Yi propped her chin on her hand, studying his profile. "So you're really planning to apply for early graduation?"

"Yeah, I've already finished all my major courses. I thought about it, and staying in school would probably just be wasting time," Huai Shi replied. "Might as well try facing society a bit sooner."

"Professor Liu is so old-fashioned. He actually agreed?"

"He originally said he wanted me to go to graduate school; he could even get me into Jinling University. After graduating, I might have been able to land a secure job in a state-owned enterprise, but I turned it down." Huai Shi shook his head. "It just felt too troublesome. Besides, I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of work. Moreover, I've already found a place to go."

"Oh, the company you discussed with Senior Chu a few days ago?" Fu Yi raised an eyebrow. "Ready to start working on it so soon?"

"Yeah, I just got the patent. I figured it's better to start sooner rather than later."

Huai Shi took two envelopes out of his box, waved them at Fu Yi, and laughed proudly.

Perhaps he really did have a bit of talent in metallurgy. He had started self-studying during his sophomore year and later found inspiration and ideas from the various haphazard and fanciful formulas in his dreams.

Even if it wasn't a major breakthrough, it was still an achievement worth being proud of.

If that hadn't been the case, he wouldn't have been favored and invested in by that intimidating second-generation Chu.

Fu Yi's smile took on a hint of schadenfreude. "Speaking of which... others say you've been currying favor with his sister, trying to become the Chu Family's son-in-law, eh? I remember that girl is only in high school. You better not make a mistake."

"I've only met her twice, and she's a pop star, you know? I just got an autograph," Huai Shi sighed. "I haven't even entered society yet, and some people are already so shamelessly corrupt. You don't believe such nonsense, do you?"

Fu Yi shrugged. "That depends on how you explain it."

I, Huai Shi, act as I see fit! Why should I explain myself to others?

Huai Shi really wanted to say this. For some reason, he felt a particular need to explain things to Fu Yi... but ultimately, he didn't have the courage to utter such bold words.

He could only pull a document from his backpack and toss it to her.

"What's this?"

"It's the share subscription agreement for the company."

Huai Shi shrugged. "Young Master Chu will provide most of the funding, taking a sixty percent stake. I'll contribute my technology for a thirty percent stake. I thought about giving a share to those involved, and since you introduced us, I kept ten percent for you. Get your dad to chip in more money quickly. With the Chu Family's connections, it'd be hard to lose money."

"No need." Fu Yi signed it swiftly. "It's only four million. I can cover it myself."

Huai Shi was dumbfounded, never expecting his ever-present secretary to be a little rich girl.

"Did your dad really take bribes?"

"What on earth are you thinking?" Fu Yi rolled her eyes at him. "It's from my mom."

Only then did Huai Shi remember that Fu Yi's mother was a world-renowned scholar.

Indeed, with all the patents she held, a small fraction of her earnings would be more than enough.

"All my New Year's money from the past few years went to you. If this venture loses money, my dowry will be gone," Fu Yi tossed the document back. "What else? Bring out the other one too."

Huai Shi shook his head. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you."

Sighing, he took another document from his backpack—an employment contract.

"The new company still needs a business manager."

"Aren't you playing favorites here?" Fu Yi glanced at him with a teasing smile.

"No, I just figured that since you have shares, I'd even save on paying you a salary."

Huai Shi hefted his backpack and roughly ruffled her hair. "I'm going to check out the site Young Master Chu arranged. Remember to report for duty early after the New Year. See ya."

"See you."

Fu Yi nodded with a smile, listening to the sound of the door closing behind him.

After a long, long while, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

At twenty-five, Huai Shi achieved financial freedom.

This day came even earlier than expected.

Thanks to the hodgepodge of inspirations that kept appearing in his dreams and Young Master Chu's cash-burning tactics, six months ago, they had finally completed the technical breakthrough. They developed a new type of single crystal alloy that could be used in ship propellers.

After the patent was secured, he finally entered the stage of life most people dream of—lying back and watching the money roll in.

Even though his share of the equity had been diluted to a mere four percent after repeated capital injections, hadn't the company's value increased more than tenfold?

Even just four percent was enough for him to live a life of wanton luxury until he died.

In reality, this technology had even more room for improvement and could even be used in critical parts of nuclear power plants. But to avoid becoming an overprotected and scrutinized 'endangered species,' Huai Shi was content to stop at civilian applications.

He handed all those extraneous, 'useless' research notes to Young Master Chu to deal with as he pleased.

After Young Master Chu had someone review them, the way he looked at Huai Shi completely changed. After a few roundabout inquiries, and learning that Huai Shi had no intention of pursuing it further, he considerately stopped pressing the matter.

The entire company held a celebration. Even the cleaning lady received a huge red envelope, and everyone got rip-roaring drunk in the joy of their success.

When he opened his eyes in the back seat of Fu Yi's car, he found he was already downstairs at his apartment building.

"Thank you. I drank a bit too much this time..." Huai Shi said, rubbing his temples. He clumsily climbed out of the car. After taking a couple of breaths of the cold air, he suddenly retched and vomited all over the ground.

Fu Yi handed him a bottle of hot tea from a convenience store and suddenly asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

"Huh?" Huai Shi was stunned, then it dawned on him. "Young Master Chu told you?"

"He's still keeping it a secret for you. I asked him myself."

Fu Yi shook her head. "You've been wanting to leave for half a year now, haven't you? If it weren't for waiting for this project to go into production, you probably would have resigned already. What are you planning next? Starting your own business?"

"No."

Huai Shi shook his head. He fell silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "I've saved enough money. I want to go out and see the world."

"A trip around the globe? That works. You can finish it in two or three years and then come back and start over."

"No, I mean... I don't plan on coming back."

Huai Shi avoided her gaze. "Sorry. I just feel like I probably don't have any more room to advance in this industry."

Truth be told, he never considered himself the genius others made him out to be. Without those bizarre dreams consistently appearing, how could he have achieved what he had today? He knew his own capabilities.

Moreover... he could no longer be satisfied with this tranquil life. An inexplicable urge and a sense of unwillingness kept surfacing in his heart, making him want to leave the life that had finally gotten on track... Surely, there were still things in this world he could do. Things more meaningful, more capable of satisfying him.

Just as eight years ago, when he inexplicably gave up his originally brilliant career as a cellist, Huai Shi was preparing to say goodbye to his current life.

It was just like a madman. There was no difference between the two. He himself knew how absurd and irresponsible this decision was.

"Sorry."

He bowed his head and apologized to Fu Yi. "Sorry."

In the prolonged silence, Fu Yi remained quiet. After a long time, she suddenly said, "Lift your head. Don't be so meek, Huai Shi. It's embarrassing."

Huai Shi lifted his head.

He was met with a slap across the face.

The sound was loud.

Then came another.

"PAH, jerk!"

Fu Yi cursed, drawing curious glances from passersby.

After a while, her angry expression gradually faded. "There. Does your conscience feel a little lighter now?"

Huai Shi managed a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Man, you've got some weird tastes, huh?" Fu Yi sighed, sitting beside him. "Do I owe you something? You've never promised me anything, right? Just like I've never demanded anything from you. I've made so much money; am I still coveting your share?"

"I'm sorry, I just..."

"Just what?" Fu Yi countered.

Huai Shi was speechless.

They had never defined any relationship from the beginning. To this day, they hadn't even held hands. So what did it all mean? And what was there to feel indebted about?

"You don't owe me anything, Huai Shi."

Fu Yi patted his shoulder. "You should go home. Isn't Little Qing back from Vienna these days? Families should spend more time together. Then you can set off again."

"What about you?" Huai Shi asked.

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Fu Yi turned around and expertly rolled her eyes at him. "Is it any of your business?"

Huai Shi had no reply.

After a lengthy silence, they bid each other goodbye.

Watching Huai Shi turn and walk away, Fu Yi sat silently on the roadside bench, smoking a cigarette.

After a very, very long time, she couldn't help but begin to cry softly.