Shengli was in his room typing on his computer. He stopped and thought about dinner. Before marrying Jing, he said that he would remain out of her family business.
But after looking into Atlas' green eyes, he felt compelled to say he'll help him. Ever since he's been in the house, he would always stay away. He would never see him. If they didn't live together, it would be the same.
He doesn't blame Atlas though, it's clear that Jing feels nothing for him. But even though he asked her to pretend, he could tell he doesn't care whether she does or not. The only thing that seemed to touch him was his father being mentioned.
You can tell they had a strong bond. The fact that he wrote in his will that he should inherit the company proves it. He can tell that A-Xue despises him for that, but that's not his problem.
He sighed in annoyance when someone knocked. Since the last time they spoke, he thought he was more than clear to Jing. They're never going to happen, he only married her because of the promise he made his father before he died.
He doesn't want to marry or have children, so he didn't mind, moreover, it's only temporary. She should just let it go, nothing will ever develop between them.
Since she's so persistent, he'll clarify it.
"Come in."
He watched surprised as Atlas came in and closed the door behind him.
"I've enrolled in a school in B country, and I'm leaving tomorrow at dawn."
Shengli closed his laptop and walked to him.
"Why?"
"I'm sick of A-Xue paying people to make my life a living hell. Once I graduate and take over the company, I'll deal with him and his mother once and for all."
Shengli smiled and asked:
"Why did you ask for my help if you knew you were leaving?"
Atlas looked into Shengli's gold eyes and answered:
"I just wanted to see what kind of man you were."
Shengli nodded and inquired:
"What kind of man am I?"
Atlas simply answered:
"The devil."
Shengli laughed. Everyone knows him as the cold tech millionaire, but people in the tech business know who he truly is. They all call him the devil, which in his opinion is fitting.
He genuinely doesn't mind being called that. Before his father's killing, he wasn't an ethical man, but when it happened, he became the devil. One of Nexus's competitors killed his father, thinking that it would destabilize the company.
He watched as his father took his last breath in his arms. Shengli knew the only way to do everything he wants with impunity, was to become strong, so he did. A lot of people lost their lives.
They came for his world, so, of course, they had to pay. Since then, everyone fears him, as they should. He didn't think Atlas was aware of his nickname.
No one knows of his real identity, not even his "wife".
"Despite that, I know you do what's right."
Atlas is aware of Shengli's bloody history, he has Aurora. Nothing can get past him. But he also knows that he doesn't shed blood pointlessly. If you hit him, he'll hit back with everything he's got, but if you don't, he won't even look at you.
He's just vindictive. He takes retaliation to another level. Shengli peered at him with a smile and reached out to caress his hair, but Atlas took a step back.
He asked expressionlessly:
"Can you let my mother know when I'm gone?"
Shengli took back his hand and said:
"I will. Do you need anything before you leave?"
Atlas looked at him for a few seconds then looked away, asking:
"Will you keep in touch?"
Shengli was a little surprised by his question. He wanted to check on him every once in a while too, but he was going to have someone do it without his knowledge.
He reminds him of him when he was younger.
"I will."
He smiled when Atlas gave him a small smile. Atlas turned around and left after saying:
"Good night."
Atlas went back to his room and met his mother on the way to Shengli's. He ignored her and entered his room. Jing looked at his retreating back and followed him.
She entered without knocking and saw that Atlas was sitting on his bed using his laptop. She walked to him and closed it violently on his fingers. Jing watched as Atlas pulled back his hand and looked at her expressionlessly.
She looked at his red hands, confused about how he wasn't rolling on the floor in pain. He never even uttered the smallest cry. Atlas is really unfeeling.
Ever since Atlas was a kid, she always felt like something was different with him. He didn't show emotions except to his father. From the moment he was a baby, he made it clear to her that he doesn't love her, so why should she love him?
Atlas always admired his father like she was not good enough to be. So, she put all her energy into A-Xue, and he loves and adores her as anyone should.
She sacrificed her sixteen-year-old body to give birth to him, and this is how he repays her. By worshiping his father rather than her. Even if maids took care of the twin, she gave birth to them.
But at the end of the day, Atlas only asked about his father's day of work or told him he should rest more. It's like she's insignificant to him.
But now she got her revenge, since his almighty father is dead, and he has no one. Jing thought he would come crawling towards her and was ready to laugh at his face, but he never did.
What did she expect? Atlas is patronizing and rude. He thinks she's not good enough to be his mother. He deserves nothing good, so she'll do everything in her power, so her favorite son gets Liu Tech.
She won't rest until A-Xue gets that presidential seat. It's not fair, he is the eldest it should have been his, to begin with.
But no matter how much she pleaded, her husband always refused. He kept saying how A-Xue has a black heart and that he's greedy.
He's perfect, and he'll run the company regardless of the will.
"What do you want?"
Jing yelled:
"Don't talk to me like that, I'm your mother."
She looked at Atlas, astonished when he laughed at that. That bastard.
She threatened:
"You better not act indecently in front of Shengli anymore or, as god as my witness, you'll never inherit the company. Do you understand?"
"Again, you have no say in the matter. You're just a poor farm girl, who seduced my father for his money."
Every word was true. She became pregnant to trap him. Jing seethed her face red in humiliation.
"Like father, like son, huh? I swear I won't rest until A-Xue becomes the heir."
She'll make him beg before she's done with him. She left, slamming the door behind her.
Atlas looked at his red fingers. He deactivated the pain sensor. No matter how much pain he's been under, he still can't stand it, so of course, now that he has control over Aurora he'll get rid of it.
Before even if he could've made it, so he didn't feel the pain, he didn't. Why would he? That was the point of his punishment.
He shook his head to forget about the past. None of this matters, he's free and once he has enough power from all those worlds, he'll go back to Deïte to kill him.