The Tycoon Inheritance

In Beijing, Chen Kai was silently worried about Su Lian's situation. He wanted to call and console her as best as he could, but he understood that she needed to handle these things on her own.

He couldn't protect her emotionally all the time, nor could he always be at her side.

A wry smile played on his lips. When was the last time he made someone a top priority in his life? Besides Chen Yan in their last life, there has been no one.

This feels ….. nice.

It has been a while since he has been in a relationship. It's like learning a new skill. In the coming years, with her there may be new things to discover.

"Young Master, they have started." Tong Ming's dull voice cut through his musings.

"Oh~ Who is it?" Kai asked. That wry smile turned into a full-blown Cheshire grin. The warmth from his previous musings dissipated under the chill emanating from his body.

Tong Ming sensed the shift in his young boss's mood and straightened his back.

"Xi, Dong, and Ning. The Tao family has their own problems at the moment, but their eyeliners are active within our companies. The Sun family pulled their people back after the backlash the Xi family encountered. We are all waiting for your orders."

Chen Kai nodded in acknowledgement. He really didn't put these so-called royal families in his eyes. They were all clinging to the Li family and sucking our blood yet still show their disrespect with their little to big movements.

Tch~

It's because of the old man's face that he didn't swallow up their companies and leave them with a middle family income.

"How far are they?"

"They found your companies in Nanjing and your business circle. They're trying to gather information on your personal life. Shall we release some water?" Tong Ming inwardly sighed at the information. Even he, as an assistant, can see their next steps.

A lazy observer can even see through their moves.

Chen Kai clicked his tongue in disgust at their actions.

If you consider someone a threat, why did you only do a surface-level investigation and run with that information? It made him wonder how these people earned their millions. By their actions, he knew what they would do next.

Why not play along with them?

"Only let them see my father's side. I notified everyone to be on guard and had Argon strengthen their firewalls. Let's sit back and see what they have planned. My presence agitated them greatly. Tomorrow's luncheon will be interesting."

The day ended smoothly for him; one of the most relaxing days since he came to this star. Chen Kai wasn't bothered by all the intrigue and threats of those around him; he simply did what he had to do and focused on what he really wanted.

"Young Master, the elders have arrived at the manor," Tong Ming reported.

They were making their way out of the bustling city after a full day of work. With his swift execution of the company's black marks and idlers, everyone knew that the new president wasn't the pampered soft guy they thought him to be.

"Okay."

The elders Tong Ming referred to were the remaining old guys of the Li family. They once held high positions in various industries and left a mark on the family name when they retired with their numerous achievements. These days were spent managing their branch families.

He talked to them over the phone and created some sort of connection with them. Personally, meeting them would allow him to understand things clearly.

Even though he has officially taken over all properties, businesses, and connections of the clan and is known as the new chairman, there was still the family part of things.

Chen Kai found himself more at ease in meeting this side of his family, compared to his paternal side. He shared his thoughts with Tong Ming.

"It's probably the nature of things," Tong Ming answered quietly.

"Oh?"

Tong Ming took a moment to get his words in order, he knew how sensitive his boss was to words spoken.

"Old Madam was the jewel of the Li Clan. The only female to be born to the family after four generations. She was treasured and held in the high heavens. She lived up to the clan's expectations with her achievements and contributions, but they never held her back. From what I heard from my uncle, she didn't need to go to college, she went to meet someone. Your father….."

Chen Kai can almost see the remaining parts of the story.

The girl falls for the boy at first sight.

The boy, in turn, falls for the girl.

Love blossomed.

Love crystallized.

Love was rejected by one family due to selfish reasons.

The girl loved the boy wholeheartedly and willingly gave up.

The boy searched but was blocked by the so-called duty and filial piety.

The result of that love was to be left alone.

He was left alone without the truth of his background.

"Did they know she was sick?" Chen Kai asked quietly. The atmosphere in the car was a bit somber after each question he asked.

"No. Auntie probably didn't know herself."

Chen Kai nodded in understanding. From what Lawyer Ji stated, his mother was advised to abort him. Her constitution wasn't strong enough to bear childbirth. Giving birth to him was a huge risk, and she did it.

He wondered how her mentality was at that time. He could guess about 70% of it. Chen Kai didn't resent her for the decisions she made. From what he gathered from both sides and the memories he gained, Li Muqinq, his mother, was an exceptional woman with a high sense of duty.

Having him out of wedlock was probably going against the family's expectations of her. The deadline she set was left to fate as she sees it. If he grew on the right path, he would gain everything that he needed; if he was crooked, a life as a second gen would be for him.

Understandable.

"So, the answer to my question is that I'm her son, and my going back to the clan is welcoming her back home and her beloved child." Chen Kai spoke softly; his words carried a hint of solemnity that showed his understanding of the elders' smooth acceptance.

"Yes."

There was nothing left to be said. Chen Kai had no resentment, and he was ready to accept this family.

It's nice to have more family members.

Xi Manor.

Behind an ornate walnut study desk, Old Master Xi sat motionlessly in his chair, watching his son and grandson complain to him like three-year-olds.

Inwardly, he too was complaining at how soft these two were; they can't even handle a bit of provocation from a bastard dog. Leaving his entire life's work to these two had him thinking of additional plans.

"Grandpa, you must tell Uncle Li about this. How dare that shit-stained bitch have my VIP privileges revoked from his day club! He's nothing but a placeholder for when that old timer dies. Grandpa, you must deal with him."

Old Master Xi gave his grandson a strange look, then shifted his gaze to his son, who was nodding like a dumb, bubble-headed dog.

'I guess plan B should be set in motion.' Old master Xi rubbed his temple tiredly as his grandson cursed until his face turned blue. "Are you done?"

"..W-what?" Young Master Xi Wen was bewildered by his grandpa's question for a moment. Wasn't the old man supposed to say – I'll handle it? Where did this question come from?

Old Master Xi clicked his tongue in annoyance when he saw that dumb look on the kid's face.

No wonder Old Li is proud of that nephew of his. That brat was better than the two in front of him. Fucking kid counterattacked him after a small infiltration and he was ruthless with it. Now he messed with his grandson's sore spot. Chen Kai is good at targeting weaknesses. A true Li Clan member.

"Instead of worrying where you should fuck next, you should be focusing on building your strength. When was the last time you went into the company? You graduated from a key university a year ago, and what do you have to show for it? And you – " Old Master Xi turned to his sniveling firstborn.

He sighed in disappointment. Let the second child handle the company from now on.

" – You will accompany me tomorrow to the luncheon." Old master Xi knew how ambitious his firstborn was, but his capability was missing. That wife of his has been trampling on his head and giving silly pillow talk that leads to nowhere.

He was tired of this one.

When he mentioned the luncheon, the father and son had varying expressions. Xi Junkang was delighted because that would give him the opportunity to show his face and solidify relationships; Xi Wen, on the other hand, was livid. He didn't want to show his face amongst his peers; his embarrassment was already circulating.

"Grandpa. Can I sit this one out?" Xi Wen asked with his most flattering tone.

"No."

"Oh."

Shot down in one word.

Old Master Xi frowned when he saw his stupid grandson sulking in his seat. Once again, he sighed for the sixth time since these two entered his office.

He was getting too old for this.

"Besides your leisure places being banned, have you heard or received any other news?"

Father and son took a while to think about it, then shook their heads in response.

Old Master Xi's blood pressure shot up. He slammed his hand atop the desk surface in anger, ignoring the stinging pain. His eyes were fierce as he looked at the duo; the two flinched in fear, seeing the old man like this.

"How the fuck are you two living till this day? One came complaining about a simple matter, and the other is oblivious that his cards had been destroyed. ARE YOU TRYING TO SEND ME EARLY TO OUR ANCESTORS?"

The old man's shout alerted the few maids passing by the office. It has been a while since they heard their master so angry.

"Dad, ease your anger, it's not good for your body."

"Yes, grandpa. It won't do good if you become ill before the luncheon. We won't be able to show our faces while knowing you're unwell."

The fuck. The incredulity in the old man's eyes couldn't be missed. He wanted to slap this grandson of his. Did he hear his words? It was so obvious that Xi Wen didn't want to go and wanted to use the old man as a shield.

"What a good grandson I have." The sarcasm was clear, but flew right over the heads of the duo.

Xi Wen beamed under the praise while his father stood beside him with his face blossoming with pride.

Old Master Xi visibly deflated upon seeing this. "I need a drink."

Sun Family Manor

"Do you understand now?"

The young man Sun Feng sat opposite his father, re-reading the information he was given ten minutes ago.

His grandfather was also present in the study. He had already read through the materials and took on the role of spectator.

"This. How long will it take me to do something like this?" he asked. He was silently thinking of his current power and how much manpower it would take for him to do the things Chen Kai did in a matter of hours.

"Based on your current authority, five years, maybe nine," his father honestly answered.

"But we're basically the same age. He graduated a year ago. How can he be so good!?" It would be a lie to say that he wasn't convinced by this evidence.

Sun Feng has always been 'other people's children,' and the emergence of Chen Kai showed him that there will always be someone better.

Six and a half months.

That's six and a half months. Chen Kai was also a fresh college graduate. How could he achieve so much in that little time?

His face held an ugly expression of disdain. Sun Feng couldn't accept this.

"Can you be a leader to those veterans in our company who watched you grow up. The respect they have shown you is because of your title – The Sun clan's heir. How many times have I told you not to rely on your family's prestige?!"

Sun Feng lowered his head to hide the unwillingness in his eyes. He was annoyed by the praise they heaped on Chen Kai. When the group heard of this nephew appearing out of nowhere, they instantly placed him on the unworthy pile.

Heck, even the old folks thought so before, now they're praising the unwanted bitch to high heavens.

"Dad, however you say it, I don't believe someone so young can grasp Uncle Li's consortium so easily. I bet it is all a façade for us to see. Maybe Uncle Tong is by his side and working in the background. Didn't you say he was bred in backwater scum. How can he be excellent?" Sun Feng said it all, venting his frustration and disgust at the same time.

The two old men can hear and see the disdain their little Feng had for Chen Kai.

The older head said nothing, but his eyes said a lot.

The younger one was at a loss; he too didn't put that Li kid in his eyes, but there was proof of his latest achievements.

Can't help it.

"Don't repeat those words outside of this office," Father Sun said fiercely.

Sun Feng sneered in response and said nothing further.

"Go. When we go to the luncheon tomorrow, many eyes will be on us. Be on your best behavior."

Sun Feng bid his father and grandfather a quick good night and left the study.

Father Sun became a bit uneasy now that his son had left the room.

Old Master Sun has always been a towering presence in his life; he feared this father of his and always has been on pins and needles around him. Simply sitting in the same room with the old master, he felt suffocated.

The momentum of the retired soldier and ruthless CEO was still there.

He subconsciously wanted to ask the old man what to do, but didn't dare to.

How can the old master not know his son was thinking? It's his own flesh and blood. It would be better if the damn kid's spine isn't so soft. He wanted to say a few words about the current situation, but knowing his son's cautious behavior and the grandson's arrogance, he knew it would be a waste.

'Whatever. I'm already nearing the end of my trip to Lord Yama; can't take all those millions to the grave.'

'I wonder if I should update my will. Judging by the actions of these two, it would be safe to do so.'

"D-Dad, what do you think about the situation now?" Father Sun finally plucked up the courage to ask his father for help.

'When can I fully retire like Old Li?'