Everyone Regrets It After My Death - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Utilization

As usual, Su Mingran was absent from the Su family dinner tonight. The family had grown accustomed to this, and no one even noticed a seat was empty.

The dinner table was dominated by the sounds of Su Renhua and Su Mo discussing business. Qi Xinghe chimed in occasionally, while the two ladies ate in silence. Su Minmin was not allowed to speak at the table, and Yan Qian simply had no desire to participate.

Toward the end of the meal, Su Mo finally spoke up: “I want to promote Su Mingran.”

Su Renhua understood Su Mo’s reasoning perfectly. Su Mingran was easy to control, could be paid significantly less than Liu Jiqing, and could help maintain their existing client base. When an old asset leaves, a new one must fill the void.

“Fine,” Su Renhua agreed.

Qi Xinghe asked, “Dad, Brother, what are you talking about? What do you mean ‘promote’ that guy?”

Su Renhua placed a chicken wing in Qi Xinghe’s bowl, his stern face instantly softening into a doting expression. “Your brother and I are talking about using Su Mingran to make money for the family. When that happens, we can give you even more pocket money, Xinghe.”

Catching the implication, Qi Xinghe said bluntly, “Dad, do you want Su Mingran to be a celebrity?”

Su Renhua nodded.

Qi Xinghe threw down his chopsticks and snapped, “I don’t agree!”

The soup in front of him splashed out. Fearing it would stain his clothes, Yan Qian hurriedly wiped it up. “Xinghe, don’t be angry. Being a celebrity isn’t a good thing,” she comforted him.

“How can being a celebrity be bad? Dad, are you being biased toward him because I’m just your adopted son? Why can he do it and I can’t? Am I worse than him?”

Qi Xinghe was too angry to eat. He didn’t understand the inner workings of the family business or its current precarious state.

The Su family’s primary wealth came from two major holdings. One was a traditional retail chain inherited from their ancestors; however, due to poor management, many branches had closed, leaving only three. The other was the entertainment agency managed by Su Mo, which groomed artists specifically to support and promote the retail business.

The company desperately needed someone to replace Liu Jiqing. That position required more than just the glamour of stardom; behind the scenes, it involved endless rounds of entertaining clients, enduring harassment, and often being forced into the beds of “guests.” Qi Xinghe was the treasure of the Su family; they would never subject him to such treatment. But Xinghe himself didn’t understand this.

“Be good, Xinghe. Dad will give you better things later. What’s so great about being a star?”

“In the future, your brother will let you manage a whole group of people. You can do whatever you want then.”

“Listen to your father and brother, Xinghe. They only have your best interests at heart.”

Su Minmin was enjoying the drama, but she put on a supportive front. “Brother, being a star is exhausting. People dig into your private life.”

Qi Xinghe’s tantrum ruined the peace of the dinner. “I don’t care! Whatever he has, I want too! I don’t care!”

Ultimately, Su Mo gave in, but he demanded that Qi Xinghe produce a decent musical composition first. “I told Su Mingran the same thing. I treat you both equally. Are you satisfied now?”

Qi Xinghe pouted but agreed to the condition.

The family’s decision was not shared with Su Mingran that night. At that moment, he was busy contacting a potential adopter for his dog, Xiao Huang.

After much consideration, he had found a responsible owner with good financial standing. The adopter was a young woman whose previous dog—one that looked very much like Xiao Huang—had tragically passed away. She contacted Mingran to pick up the dog after work, and he waited for her near the Su villa.

When she arrived, she spent time interacting with Xiao Huang and took him for a walk nearby to build a bond. Once they were settled, it was time to leave.

Su Mingran knelt in front of the dog, who was busily chewing on a piece of jerky provided by the woman. “Xiao Huang, you’ll have plenty of delicious food from now on. You won’t have to go hungry with me anymore.”

Hearing this, the woman remarked, “You live in this neighborhood and yet you can’t afford to eat?”

Su Mingran smiled but said nothing, and the woman didn’t press further.

As they got into the car, Xiao Huang seemed reluctant. Mingran accompanied him into the backseat for a moment, then quietly slipped out and closed the door.

The moment the engine started, Xiao Huang seemed to realize what was happening. He scratched desperately at the door with his paws, barking toward the window. As the car drove further away, the barking gradually faded.

Su Mingran watched the car disappear. He stood under a streetlamp, his shadow stretching long against the pavement. In the past, no matter how late he returned, Xiao Huang would always run out to welcome him. That welcome made his life feel a little less unbearable.

Now, the dog who had always been by his side was gone to a new home. He was alone again. Truly alone.

Mingran walked over to the makeshift kennel he had built for the dog and patted its roof gently. “Stay safe forever, Xiao Huang.”

This entire scene was witnessed by Qi Xinghe, who had come out for a walk after dinner. He spat on the ground and sneered, “The beast is gone. What a pity—now I’ve lost my source of entertainment.”

…

Su Mingran became very busy. The coffee shop where he worked was undergoing a complete renovation; he helped out in the mornings and had his afternoons free. He spent those hours immersed in the library. As a junior, his course load was lighter, giving him more time for himself.

Su Mo had demanded a song for his debut single, and Mingran worked diligently on it. Su Mo had also sent over a draft contract. Mingran noted the royalty split was 30/70 in the company’s favor. It wasn’t a lot, but it was reasonable; he knew other trainees often started at 20/80.

Still, he wondered: Why did Su Mo suddenly take an interest in him?

As if sensing his doubt, Su Mo’s assistant, Xiao Wu, called him shortly after. The call lasted nearly thirty minutes, with Xiao Wu emphasizing how much Su Mo “valued” him.

“You know President Su—he has a cold face but a warm heart. He’s strict because he has high expectations for you. If he says something harsh, don’t take it to heart. After all, you’re his flesh and blood.”

The long-winded speech boiled down to one thing: Su Mo was taking this debut seriously. Xiao Wu promised that Mingran’s pay would increase over time and suggested that if he felt uncomfortable living at the villa, he could move out and live undisturbed. He even told Mingran that if he needed to find someone, the assistant could help.

Mingran eventually set the phone aside, letting Xiao Wu ramble on. He wasn’t sure what Su Mo was up to, but for now, entering the company as a singer seemed to have more benefits than drawbacks. In all his years with the Su family, Su Mo had never treated him with such “importance.” Perhaps he truly did have utility.

Holding his pen, Mingran focused on revising his score. He recalled what his first music teacher once told him: “Mingran, you are truly talented. Maybe one day I’ll hear your songs on TV. If that happens, I’ll definitely cheer for you.”

Mingran had once fantasized about this. He loved the piano and music, but he knew how difficult it was to become a professional singer. If Su Mo was actually willing to give him this path, life seemed to have a glimmer of hope.

He shook off these unrealistic fantasies. Becoming a singer was something to take one step at a time; the most important thing was finding Sister Xiao Ling. He turned to a new page and began re-copying the sheet music.

In the evening, Mingran received a call from his music professor. He packed his things and headed to the professor’s office. As he walked through the music building, classmates greeted him warmly.

“Mingran, have you practiced the piece? I can lend you an instrument if you need one.”

“Mingran, do you have time to record a piano segment for me? I want to see where I’m lacking. I’ll handle the piano rental.”

“Mingran, there’s an event the day after tomorrow with a high appearance fee. Do you want to go? I saved a spot for you.”

Top students always received special treatment, especially one who was as talented and hardworking as the “poverty-stricken” Mingran. After greeting everyone, he entered the office and presented his score.

The professor put on his glasses and studied the manuscript. “It’s good, but a few areas need improvement; the transitions aren’t natural enough.” They analyzed and edited the piece together. Finally, the professor nodded. “Not bad. Is this your graduation project? But you’re only a junior; it’s a bit early.”

When Mingran mentioned he might debut as a singer, the professor was surprised. “Really?”

Mingran scratched his head, a small dimple appearing near his lips. “Maybe. It’s not certain yet.”

“That’s wonderful!” the professor said with relief. “Even if you don’t get your degree immediately, becoming a singer is a much better path than what most graduates face. I’ve always felt you were gifted. I’m glad you’re sticking with music. Is this your debut song?”

“Perhaps.”

“I’ll help you refine it further, but the final completion is up to you.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

It was late when Mingran left the office. He breathed in the cool night air, feeling refreshed. Perhaps Su Mo really was going to support him. Perhaps the future wouldn’t be as bleak as he thought.

He felt a flicker of anticipation, though it was tinged with regret. If Sister Xiao Ling knew, she would be so happy for him. He wondered where she was, and if Xuan-xuan was doing well after returning home.

…

On the top floor of the Yang Group building, the company’s highest decision-maker was holding a meeting.

Yang Lingxuan listened indifferently as his subordinates reported on recent progress. The Yang Group had become one of the most prominent companies in recent years, starting in real estate and expanding nationwide, now moving into overseas projects. Yang Lingxuan was their newly appointed CEO.

Once the report was finished, the subordinate stole a glance at Yang Lingxuan. Seeing no reaction, he breathed a sigh of relief and stepped down.

When the meeting ended, Yang Lingxuan was the first to leave, followed by his capable special assistant.

“Your next meeting is a cooperation talk with Su Renhua of the Su family. However, your mother visited the Sus previously and mentioned their family conduct is poor, suggesting they aren’t suitable partners.”

Yang Lingxuan gave a simple “Mhm.” The assistant immediately understood: he was refusing to meet with Su Renhua.

As they reached a corner, Yang Lingxuan suddenly remembered something. “Is there any news on the person I asked you to find?”

The assistant hesitated. The very first task the new CEO had assigned was to find a person. The previous CEO had searched as well but found nothing. Finding someone after so many years, especially when their appearance had likely changed, was no easy feat.

“Not yet.”

“Keep searching.”

“Yes, sir.”