The Tycoon Inheritance

'System, what's the current status of my mental stability?'

[100%]

Chen Kai ran his fingers through his damp hair. He can feel the strain on his face and the tiredness in his eyes. His body was screaming in pain from the vigorous workout session. Feeling the rampant beating of his heart against his chest was proof that he was alive.

Yes. Alive.

It felt good.

When they returned home, there was no excitement or joyous greeting. Chen Yan was visibly tired and pale and he was no better. With the excuse of a long day, he personally tended to his brother and left him in his room. After gifting him two pills and strict instructions, he closed himself off in the gym.

'.... and the strength?'

[ Status: Below Average.]

'What is considered safe?'

He had an idea of why he was affected so easily but needed answers to his questions. Chen Yan's reaction to the painting answered some hidden questions but why him? Why so easily?

[Above the rating of 70%. The host's strength rating is below 50%.]

He didn't ask any more questions. He opted for the silence, blankly staring at the night view of the backyard. Since he arrived on the star, he hasn't indulged in such a thing. A lot of things took precedence and he forgot to focus on himself wholly. Regaining stability was important but he forgot his mental strength.

The body is led by the mind and the soul is its essence.

"My fault. I only focused on the body because this world is peaceful and no one is after my life."

'The deterioration. How bad was it?' he asked unhurriedly. It's not that he didn't care about his well-being; he only wanted to know his new starting point. If he starts a compatible mental cultivation technique, he will be balanced in a good amount of time.

[The host's last mission dealt the most damage. Your mental strength depleted to 10% because you.....]

'.... gave up,' he ended.

[Yes.] The abrupt answer was like a stone pressing down on his heart. It will never be easy to talk about depression.

His previous life was Emmerson Lee, a business tycoon. He moved from the forsaken child to the sole heir of the cross-continent business empire. He went through a lot of struggles that messed with his mind and body. He had no outlet to release his dark emotions due to the seal and he was tired of transmigration.

He did the missions and ignored the system.

To keep the stability of the business empire, he didn't leave it to the poisonous family, he adopted five children from different countries and raised them well. The business wasn't forced upon them, there was an option to become overseers or handle the empire themselves.

As Emmerson Lee's life was coming to an end, he sat at the edge of the abyss and waited for death. There was no connection to that world. It was a monotonous job for him.

Becoming Chen Kai was a surprise to him.

'Why did you ignore my wish?' he asked. There was no anger or contempt, he was genuinely curious.

[ The administrator decided to give you what you truly wanted - To have a peaceful rest. This is our compensation to you.]

'Is it the same for other transmigrators? Transmigrating to different worlds and dimensions affects the mind greatly. I survived because of the cultivation seal and the pills that were rewarded. I chose not to take the pills in my last life.'

[It depends on their evaluation and integrity.]

It wasn't uncommon for humans to want more than their worth. Fantasy writers created the image that systems reward their hosts with money constantly for no apparent reason. Being rewarded with a few Mind Cleansing/Strengthening pills may be a letdown to those transmigrators who yearn for quick riches. It's their choice to use it or not.

The system would never control its host.

'Thank You.'

[You have worked hard, host.]

'System. Is XiaoYan's soul in the selection for transmigration?'

He needed to know.

Only strong souls are selected since they can handle the transfer. Having his brother go through transmigration didn't settle well with him. Chen Kai didn't want him to suffer. The kid is already going through his own troubles.

[Authorization allows the host to know that Chen Yan previously known as Vance Deluge has been placed on a special surveillance list. His presence here is all due to a request being fulfilled. The host is advised to help nurture his mental strength.]

'Host hereby request permission to speak of your existence to my sole relative,' he asked with a little expectation. The reason why he chose to tell XiaoYan about the system is all due to their relationship.

He wasn't real Vance's brother yet the kid roamed the planes of the afterlife searching for him. He owed the kid a lot. If the past XiaoYan's request wasn't accepted, he would be wandering the afterlife until his soul withers.

Wouldn't it be best to lay all the cards on the table? Plus, he has an inkling that XiaoYan knows this and is waiting for him to say something.

The child is so sly.

[Permission granted.]

So fast? Isn't the system being a bit more humane?

"Heh! Thanks, system," he said aloud and made his way to the master's courtyard.

~~~~~~~~

During that time the young masters of the Sleeping Dragon Villa recapture themselves. The subordinates of the estate were full of worry.

Xiao Wei was present when they returned to the house. The auction next day can be considered nonsensical but it still has some weight in the business circle. He wanted to go over some ideas with Chen Kai when he returned but didn't expect to see the brothers in such a state.

The bodyguards were questioned thoroughly.

Commander Liu quietly did his investigation and it led them back to the art store due to the paintings Chen Yan purchased and their last route at Yenning Plaza.

"What can disturb them in an art store?" Xiao Wei questioned, not only himself but also those present in the meeting room.

It was nearing nine in the night, most folks would still be awake. Retrieving the store owner's information, the group contacted the person.

Not wanting to drive so far, Xiao Wei requested a video conference which the old man accepted with the help of his assistant.

When the video call was connected, the store owner and his assistant were mildly surprised at the lineup on the other side. Silently they regarded these people as the rich they naturally feared.

"Apologies for the late call, uncle. We are the current staff of the Sleeping Dragon Villa and our young masters visited your store earlier in the afternoon. I am Xiao Wei, the assistant to the elder Young Master."

Xiao Wei was the designated speaker. After all, he's the second in command and answers directly to Chen Kai.

The store assistant sat up when he heard Xiao Wei's greeting. He began to worry even more since his boss told him about the encounter with the guests and the painting. It wasn't the first time to get complaints on that particular item.

The old man beside him sighed in deep regret. His love for art was causing problems.

"Little friend, what can I say? What can I do? I can apologize and pay compensation for any trouble caused. This painting has had a bad reputation since it was found in Europe. It is said to be the unknown piece of a once-famous painter from Austria when he was alive. Only lovers of his work are interested in his pieces.

I am one of them. Tell me, are your bosses alright? The older one seemed fine on the surface but the younger - he didn't look quite right."

The old man didn't hide anything. Chen Kai and Chen Yan's reactions were similar to what was recorded in the painting's history. He spoke frankly and treated this incident like the others.

Pay some money or medical fees and forget it.

Commander Liu and the bodyguards who accompanied the brothers became tense when they heard the old man's words. Their expressions were dark and were easily spotted by the shop assistant.

"Forgive us. The boss is a true lover of art and saw no harm in this peculiar painting. After the upheaval of customers, they return commenting that the painting reveals their weakness which is both good and bad. We bore no harm to your bosses. Please allow us to make compensation," the assistant pushed.

He cuts off his boss's words of vindication for the painting before he can go further.

Those soldier-looking brothers weren't too happy at the moment.

"I see," Xiao muttered those two words calmly but the people on the other side weren't calm.

Those words were too heavy.

"Uncle, this is my suggestion. This painting should be part of your private collection. What do you think?" Xiao Wei asked with a gentle smile.

The old man had years of experience and recognized this young man's 'gentle' smile.

A smile with no reflection in his eyes.

This kid has resources to make him bow even if the latter isn't well-known in the circle. But this was his treasure, he should show the world the essence of art even if it's on a small scale. He won't bow down.

Seeing the reluctance, Xiao Wei made a call to Lawyer Luo in the presence of everyone. He, along with most respects the elderly and also respects the likes of people. But... when it messes with people and there is no remorse from the other party, it pisses him off.

"Assistant Xiao, how can I help you?" Lawyer Luo's voice was energetic completely different from workers who will be burnt tired at this time.

"Trouble you, Lawyer Luo. Our Young Masters have been in an incident today, not physical but mental. The cause of this is open to the public. Don't you think that this is an issue to bring up with Public Welfare? One's mental faculties are needed to be stable for everyday life. If one is affected, shouldn't someone be responsible?" Xiao Wei said unhurriedly.

"Public Welfare has put these things into consideration after seeing a few incidents. An investigation will be held and things will spiral from there. The mental state of the victims will be checked, and though it varies, the tests are accurate to judge the person's mental state. If the item or means affects one's faculties, the court will be involved.

It can lead to major compensation and confiscate the troublesome article."

During the lawyer's explanation, Xiao Wei kept his eyes on the old man. From another perspective, this may be excessive and rude to one's elders but Xiao Wei was never a surface-type person.

If Chen Kai wasn't stable enough to drive back home, wouldn't the estate be in full worry if the young masters were injured?

What he's doing is simply protecting his boss in a decisive manner.

"Thank you, Lawyer Luo. Your words met the ears of the store owner. Do you wish to stay to hear his decision?"

"Why not? It will save me a lot of time if he refuses right away." Lawyer Luo was really not in a hurry. He became attached to this young employer of his and hearing that he was hurt and his skills may be put to use. Of course, he had to be proactive.

Looking at the screen, they saw the shop assistant persuading his boss to put away the painting in his home. The request was simple. The disadvantage was great. There was no major issue to simply take a painting off of display. If the old man refuses, doesn't that me he doesn't care and sees the affected people as a joke?

"How pitiful will it be to see your prestige fall at Yenning Plaza? It took you quite a while to gain that storefront and sales help with the rent. The solution to this is simple, uncle."

The old man sneered at Xiao Wei's words. He huffed with displeasure and left the view of the callers. He was being unreasonable and that was true. If he wanted to stay in Yenning Plaza then he had to put away his favorite artist's work.

His act of resistance was childish in their eyes but who can predict how people will act to protect their favorite hobbies?

Xiao Wei spoke in detail with the more reasonable shop assistant and left a few amiable suggestions to lessen their abrupt contact.

After ending the call, the well-being of the young masters was questioned.

"Brother Kai is fine. He was a bit distracted but stable to tend to XiaoYan and leave last-minute requests," Xiao Wei answered.

The bodyguards sighed in relief and left to retire for the night.

"Oh! It turns out we have a Young Miss for the estate."

Commander Liu's eyes widen with the news. They were all like elders when it came to the house and personal affairs of Chen Kai.

"There are four young ladies he's close to but there's one who he's particularly intimate with. Tomorrow we'll know which one. He had me make a reservation at a suitable restaurant for two," Xiao Wei continued. The grin on his face was like any other friend happy for their buddy's good luck.

The old soldier laughed heartily at the possibility of the estate becoming livelier. It's better than looking after an expensive piece of architecture.

~~~~~

While his subordinates slipped into gossip mode, Chen Kai received a late-night call. A silly grin was on his face because of the coincidence of the call.

His finger was above the call icon to dial her number when her name popped up.

He knew the topic she would start off with.

"Chen Kai! This is too much!"

There was no greeting, no silly teasing but he didn't mind. Hearing her admonishment was adorable to him.

"Its husband!" He countered.

Back in his quarters, he strolled out of the living area and out to the stoned paved yard, listening to her rants.

The night was still and the dark skies were clear. The sound of the fountain babbling was a sign of peace that mixed with nature's nightlife.

When she calmed down, he spoke. "Ending of Freshman year before I returned home. You gave me three new outfits for a total of 9000 Yuan. Why did you buy them?"

On the other end, Su Lian became silent. She was presently in her room with shopping bags all over the floor and items on the bed. Her eyes moved to the garment bag on the closet door.

Lin Fa, the one who follows the fashion trends reverently educated them all on the clothing Chen Kai sent them. Her biggest reaction was the dress he bought for Su Lian.

"..... because I want to and that you would look good in them."

"The main point is that you wanted to buy them for me. It's the same for me. I bought specific things for the girls knowing that they would like them and possibly need them in the near future," he replied. His tone was gentle whenever he spoke to her. He hasn't realized it but the people around him will notice.

"But the cost." Su Lian still wanted to argue about his spending and relay the helplessness her friends portrayed but understood his words.

They were now adults in a very materialistic world. Everything he gifted them will help them acclimatize to it all.

How easy it is to become jealous of female colleagues bragging about the good things they got?

Or... seeing things they like and can only grumble about it.

What about being lured by these things under scumbags' actions?

And also for them to be comfortable.

There are so many reasons why Chen Kai gifted them all of these and she was thankful. Their little resistance came from hearing the prices and the brand.

"Let's not speak of something that already came to an end. It's all for you, even the membership cards. Take it as a benefit of being the wife of their shareholder."

"WHAT!"

"Hahahahaahaha! This is me keeping you on your toes. There will be many more things attached to my name in the future, my Lian. Are you scared?" he teased.

Lin Fa rushed into Su Lian's room when she heard her friend scream. She was staring at the Givenchy shopping bag on the floor with a dazed expression. Her phone was by her ear but Lin Fa could hear Chen Kai's laughter and teasing coming through the speaker.

"Are you alright? Lian?"

Hearing a new person in her room, Su Lian came out of her daze. "Oh, sorry. This stinky boy just put me through a heart attack," she commented and slowly went back to the call.

Lin Fa rolled her eyes at the two and left the room, going back to having fun doing an impromptu fashion review on her broadcast channel.

"Kai. Is this true?" Su Lian asked going back to their conversation. Her legs became weak when he reminded her of the membership card. Her card was the highest when it came to discounts and in-house service. She sat on the bed and listened to her boyfriend confide in her what is currently in his name.

"I won't hide it from you. It makes no sense to do so. This is me telling you that I'm fine when it comes to income and career. Also, I'm your support when you need it." He laid his cards on the table, wanting her to have peace of mind when it came to their relationship.

The minds of women are complex. But... there's one thing they need and that's security. Some go overboard regarding money, but Chen Kai knows how different Su Lian is in that aspect.

When it comes to him, she's more focused on him being able to provide for himself.

"You know I won't...."

"I know, baby. Isn't it fun knowing your husband is doing well?" he said cutting off her sentence.

"Hehehe! I can show off and say I got a rich boyfriend at my next class reunion," she joked.

"Brag as much as you want."

The two fell into their teasing familiarity as the call went on, not caring about the time.

Once again, new thoughts and ideals flourished in Chen Kai's mind as they spoke. Day by day he was cementing himself into this world and forming relationships as he went on.

Slowly he was healing himself without the help of techniques and pills.

After the call with Su Lian, he checked on XiaoYan to find he was sleeping with the TV on a music channel.

The room was clean, everything was packed away leaving only a household robot in the corner on standby.

"Argon. Why are the lights and TV still on? Was your sleep mode taken off?" he asked aloud.

{Yes, Young Master Kai. The second young master requested for them to be kept on. From observation, it helps the young master succumb to sleep more easily.}

Chen Kai didn't make a comment. He needed some sort of simulation to fall asleep also. Over time they will get over it. This is all lingering trauma from the bloody environment they lived in.

"Continue your monitoring."

He returned to his room, ready to turn in for the night. He had to save energy to socialize the next day.

Under the sheets, he lazily pulled up the special warehouse the system gave him. The unseen reward was remembered a few seconds ago.

He was curious as to what they brought over from that star but not overly so. Opening the warehouse, the semi-transparent screen popped up with a welcome note and rules when it comes to using it.

He clicked next.

His hand froze mid-air.

His eyes shook when he saw the reward. This was beyond his thinking.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"