"The first request is resolved," Jin Liwei said. "Tell me about your second request."
Jin Chonglin's smiling expression turned serious once again. He even looked nervous. His knees started bouncing with jerky movements.
Then he blurted out, "I want Jin Corporation shares."
Silence.
Lin Dong's eyes widened and stared at Jin Chonglin in shock. Jin Chonglin rubbed his sweaty hands on his trousers while waiting for his older brother's response. He was tempted to retract his request but swallowed the urge. This was his decision.
"Alright," Jin Liwei's cold voice said.
Silence.
Jin Chonglin looked at his manager, silently asking him if he heard his brother correctly. Lin Dong nodded while covering his open mouth.
"R-really?"
"En."
Jin Chonglin took a sharp inhale and felt his heart racing inside his chest. "You're agreeing that easily to my request? Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure," Jin Liwei said in a calm tone. "You're a Jin."
"But still—"
"Father left some shares for you when he passed away but one of the conditions was for you to be present during the reading of his will before it can be transferred," Jin Liwei explained. "But you refused to attend it and any of the official procedures regarding his death. If I hadn't ordered my subordinates to drag you by force, you wouldn't even attend Father's funeral."
Jin Chonglin bit his lower lip and his eyes reddened a little. He blinked rapidly to prevent himself from tearing up. His hands also clenched into fists. He took their father's death really hard back then. All of them did. The two brothers poured themselves into work. It was their way of dealing with the grief of losing their father.
It was just that Jin Liwei succeeded their father's duties and responsibilities as the next head of the Jin clan and of course Jin Corporation. He had no choice but to actively handle everything that needed to be done after their father's death.
On the other hand, Jin Chonglin refused to face the reality of their father's death. Instead, he ran away from it and filled his work schedule to the brim in order to numb the pain through exhaustion. He worked nonstop for about two years before he could finally manage to talk about their father's death. Although it was a dark time for him emotionally, that period contributed a tremendous deal to his career and helped him ascend to the level of superstar.
Similarly, Jin Liwei built a formidable reputation as the top businessman of his generation in the country. Everyone soon learned that he wasn't a person one could easily mess with. Those who tried suffered the consequences. He was especially protective of the Jin and Lu clans. They were his bottomlines back then.
Jin Chonglin remembered those dark times like they were only yesterday. His older brother was right. If Jin Liwei didn't order his subordinates to basically kidnap him, he would've skipped attending the funeral. He had been angry at his brother for doing that because he didn't want to see the urn containing his father's ashes. But looking back now, he was grateful that his brother did it because he had the chance to properly say goodbye to their father.
"Father's lawyers voided your claim to the shares because you didn't attend the reading," Jin Liwei continued explaining, interrupting Jin Chonglin's depressing thoughts. "But Grandpa Lu is Grandfather and Father's successor trustee so he was able to persuade the lawyers to have your shares temporarily transferred to me until you're ready to receive them. I've been keeping them safe for you all this time."
Jin Chonglin's eyes widened and filled with emotions. The hand holding the phone started trembling. He whispered, "I didn't know any of this."
"I tried telling you so many times," Jin Liwei also said in a whisper. "But you always brushed me off or diverted the conversation to another topic whenever I tried to talk about it."
In. Out. In. Out.
Jin Chonglin focused on breathing in order to control his emotions. If he didn't, he might start bawling and that would be embarrassing. He didn't want to cry like a baby in front of his team and also didn't want Iris to witness it. If he had to cry, he would cry in his bedroom alone where nobody could see him.
"I thought that the reason why you tried talking about that topic was because you wanted me to leave my career in showbiz and start working for Jin Corporation," he said in a shaky voice.
"It's true that I did want you to do just that," Jin Liwei admitted, sighing. "Jin Corporation is our grandfather and our father's legacy with Grandpa Lu. I wanted us brothers to continue their legacy until the next generation takes over. But I know that I can't force you to leave showbiz because you love your career."
"Yes, I love my work."
"En, I know." Jin Liwei sighed again. This time, however, it was from relief. "I'm glad that you asked for Jin Corporation shares tonight. Now I can finally transfer what's rightfully yours."
Jin Chonglin almost choked from his overwhelming emotions. "Thanks, Big Bro."
"Don't thank me. It's what Father gave you. It's yours. I just took it for safekeeping."
"You could've kept it for yourself. After all, I didn't attend the reading of the will so it voided my eligibility to inherit the shares."
"I'll never do that to my own brother." In a brighter tone, Jin Liwei said next, "I'll still be a billionaire without those paltry shares. Besides, even in the low chance that I lose my wealth, I still have my beautiful and talented wife. She promised to support me if that really happens. Right, love?"
At first, Jin Chonglin felt extremely touched by his older brother's words that he almost sobbed. Then the shameless man decided to show off his woman once again and began throwing dog food at such an inappropriate moment.
Jin Chonglin's tears evaporated in an instant before they could even fall. He rolled his eyes and snorted but already felt so much better and lighter.