The Tycoon Inheritance

86.

Shanghai

"Sir. Madam and Young Master Boyang are here."

Under the midmorning sun, the once-feared patriarch of the Chen Family sat prominently at the head of the overtly designed garden table, looking down at the so-called elders of the family.

The butler who relayed the message has been at the old man's side for a large number of years. From the tapping of his index finger on the table, he could tell that his boss was utterly displeased with those around him and the new visitors. The butler patiently waited for his next instructions.

Old Man Chen leaned back in his chair and moved his oppressive gaze to the people sitting quietly at the table. They were brothers and cousins but in Old Man Chen's eyes, they were mere collateral to his family. In his eyes, they should be content with what he gave them and not reach out for what isn't theirs.

"Have them wait in the solarium." The old man was angry at that son of his, he wouldn't lower himself to be accommodating with his family.

"Yes, sir."

When the messenger servant left, a few eyes followed his back and thought over the visitors he named. Inwardly they laughed at the possibility of the two coming for help. Chen Huai's actions rocked the entire clan.

"Huai's words are null. The inheritance of the company stays as is," Old Man Chen said in an overbearing tone.

If it was before, the few would bow their heads in submission because he was the Patriarch back then and had the majority of power to break them but…. That isn't the situation presently.

"Cousin, this is confusing. Huai is known to be a decisive and truthful leader. His words can't easily be brushed away as a joke. Huai wouldn't make so much noise if it were a ruse." Three years younger than Old Man Chen, Chen Hong was a cousin and the head of one of the branch families. His invitation to the ancestral home spoke volumes, he and the others knew the first son of the main family angered and belittled the past patriarch's authority and rules.

They only came for some fun. Chen Huai is the patriarch now. His word is law.

Seeing him trying to overpower his son's words was amusing.

Old Man Chen slammed his closed fist on the table, rattling the Fine China and cutlery violently. "Chen Hong! You dare go against me!"

"Elder Brother, there's no need for this outburst. Sigh~ You have stepped down. Your words are weak when it comes to Chenyu Group. Little Huai won't lead the family to decline."

Chen Hong laughed inwardly at the younger brother's words. The mockery coated those words like a blanket. Watching the gloom on Old Man Chen's face was interesting. How many years did they have to bow their heads to this capable older brother of theirs? Their families can breathe now.

"You dare mock me. Chenyu Group was built by me, how dare you reach out for what was never yours. The luxury you're living in is all thanks to me. The food that you eat, the expensive clothing; and the best education for those brats of yours are all thanks to my connections. With just one word, I can send all of you back to your roots." Old Man Chen sneered at these relatives of his. His aging eyes were still sharp as a hawk and his weathered face still had the handsome charm from his young days.

Sweeping his eyes over the people who had 70 to 80 points similarities to him, he had nothing but disgust towards them. The superior mindset he nurtured over the years made him arrogant, despotic, and intolerable. With his oppressive behavior, over the years the family members always lowered their heads to him. It was demeaning asking him for things but that control is what Old Man Chen liked.

If it wasn't for his mediocre business sense and the need for capable hands to keep his wealth afloat, he wouldn't have handed over the family head position to his son so early.

"Dear older brother," Chen Shi stood up and adjusted his clothes unhurriedly. He was no longer the meek younger brother he portrayed to Old Man Chen. A hint of mockery flashed across his eyes before he continued. "As stated in the family rules, only the words of the current family head can be considered unmovable and final. Little Huai made his decision for the next CEO of the Chenyu Group. You have no say in this…. Older brother."

"YOU!" Old Man Chen shot to his feet and pointed angrily at his brother. The present scene was like a replay of their younger years. Brother against brother.

Chen Hong scoffed at his older cousin's behavior. What should have been a show of power by the old man turned into a full-blown mutiny. No one present was lowering their heads to Old Man Chen's demands. Standing from his seat, the others followed suit.

Tall strapping elderly gentlemen who carried their family through their own prosperity over the years faced the previous patriarch boldly with relaxed expressions. When they accepted this invitation, they all knew there would be a major upheaval when they left. The first son had already started and their next decision would be a continuation.

The butler's eyes shook in disbelief. These brothers and cousins were weak-willed when did they get the arrogance to stand up to the patriarch … old patriarch.

Chen Hong as the spoke person said his next words carefully. "There's an underlying understanding when it comes to the changing of leaders – different rules for different kings. This is clear for our situation. Since Little Huai is the present family head, its understandable that that title no longer belongs to you. You are merely an elder like us now. Your words hold no power. Huai's announcement is related to the development of the Chenyu Group. Don't you think his success in doing so means the shareholders and executive members agree also? Let's leave the family for this generation. We shall take our leave now, cousin."

His last two sentences were blatant mockery and touched on the Old man's pride. The amused smiles on their faces made the old man's anger surge.

How dare they make a fool of him!

"GET OUT! GET OUT! A bunch of wolves who don't know who's their backer. Without me, you wouldn't be where you are today!"

A couple of mirthless chuckles and disdainful scoffs sounded; they inwardly praised that man for his shamelessness. The outside world only knows of his 'accomplishments' but the insiders knew of the talents he used and then discarded, even his relatives were treated the same. The positions they held during the founding of Chenyu Group were exchanged forcefully with dividends.

What wolves?

Old Man Chen was a snake in human skin.

"Have a good retirement, older brother," Chen Shi said amicably.

The use of the word was a double entendre that stabbed at the old man's heart. Weren't they assuming that he should sit back and keep his hands off the company? Isn't this embarrassing him with nice words?

"GO!"

The butler returned to reality by the second outburst of his master. Hearing the content, he moved to make a dismissive gesture but the gathered few left the table without a word spoken.

Behind them, the unnerving sound of china hitting the concrete floor was heard.

Older brother was throwing a tantrum were the thoughts in their heads.

~~~~~~

In the solarium of the west wing, the quarters of the old man, Sun Yilan was in full bloom. She was in her element as Madam Chen. The maids fawned over her and the chef was preparing special treats for her stay.

Chen Boyang sat afar and watched his mother play her role as a daughter–in–law of the Chen family. Since he returned from Hangzhou and had a calm conversation with his father, it's like a haze has been lifted from his mind and eyes. Maybe it's the shock of knowing he had an older brother and how capable he was, that made him see what's good for him and what's not.

What he realized made him wary of his future.

Since he was young, he was made to believe that the positions of CEO and family head were his because he was the firstborn. He didn't have to put much effort into studies or relationships with outsiders. Why should he? Everything would be his for the taking.

Then his father's announcement and revelation shocked him to the core.

There was a more capable son who had his own riches. The CEO position is open to other family members and children amongst the shareholders and executives.

Its clear that the sweetest fruit isn't easily gained. What rubbed him the wrong way was his mother's words and actions. He thought they were caring and upright nurturing but it turned out to be opportunistic. She was raising him as a tool for her comfort.

Should he live only to give her this luxury lifestyle? Is his current image something that would be liked by future friends or partners?

Chen Boyang sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He didn't want to be here. Dealing with his mother's continuous disparaging remarks about his father made him upset. When that Old Man comes in, it will be another wave of stupid words.

"XiaoYang when your grandfather comes, show some backbone. Let him see that you're the only one suitable for taking over Chenyu Group. Promise him that you'll start off your internship on Monday ….."

His mother's words turned into static noise as he watched her talk on and on.

The mention of that internship made him think of his upcoming last year of college. Does he want to work at the family company?

The old master arrived a good hour later since their arrival. Sun Yilan was displeased by the wait but couldn't voice it.

"Hello, father."

"Grandfather."

The two greetings were different but not like their past interactions. If the old man hadn't caught up in his present wave of anger, he would have noticed.

Chen Boyang and his mother remained standing until he took his seat at the head of the seating arrangement.

Old Man Chen cast an impatient look on them both and waved to them to state the reason for their visit. He knew but chose to be the one who have the high ground in the conversation.

In the past, this move looked intimidating to Boyang but now it looked overly arrogant and dismissive. His grandfather was no longer an elder he feared but one he was confused about. His mother began her monologue and he became absentminded.

"What do you think of your father's decision, Boyang? Think carefully." Old Man Chen's questioning voice broke through his wanderings. The intimidation in his last words was clear.

'Hah~ So this is how they truly are. Isn't this coercion?' From his grandfather's threatening words and the looks of his mother, he knew they wanted him to be the voice of reason towards his father.

Too bad they would be disappointed.

"Father has developed Chenyu Group over the past two going into three decades. He grew along with the changes of the era and the people, it only right for him to want someone with the same vision and work ethic as him…." As he spoke, Boyang thought of his elder brother Chen Kai but the other two in the room weren't happy with his words.

"I support father in his search for a suitable CEO."

Curses flew into the wind.

Nanjing

"This is different."

Chen Kai moved the room, looking at everything with a novel expression on his face. You can hear his amused laugh when he tested some animated household product or at a plushy sitting cutely in their designated spot.

To provide Su Lian with her private space on the estate, he assigned one of the guest courtyards as hers, giving her free reign over the design and upkeep of the place.

Her bedroom suite design can be considered eccentric. The colors were bold and the knick-knacks were from different things she loved. The outside living area had a delicate feminine touch that was suitable for her and her friends.

Su Lian was on the sofa, cuddling with a Gardevoir Pokemon plushie watching him look around her bedroom. Everything was set up after they came from their day out, the previous day, only this morning they did the final walkthrough.

"Is there anything you wish to add, electronics-wise?" Chen Kai asked.

She looked at the tv in her room and remembered the few appliances in the courtyard. She wasn't in need of anything.

"I can always by an extra charger or whatever cute things I want in the long run."

"Alright, baby."

She blushed when he looked at her with those dark amorous eyes. His steps towards her were languid and his intention was clear on his face. Su Lian cursed herself for being too damn lucky with this husband of hers. How can he be so tempting by simply walking?

When he got closer, her body seemed to move on its own, acting in tandem with Chen Kai's actions. He was standing above her but she was already lying back on the sofa, the plushie was abandoned and her eyes were inviting.

A teasing yet devious smirk was on his lips. The alluring look on her face came naturally, he wondered if she knew how stimulating her actions were. He chuckled and lowered himself over her body. His name was a whisper on her lips and the love and need she had for him were clear in her eyes.

This love from her made him proud. She was an exceptional woman and she loved him wholeheartedly. She is his life long companion.

A kiss was placed on the corner of her lips, teasing her. She whined in complaint when he placed kisses everywhere besides her lips.

Laughing at her impatience, he gave her what she wanted. It was a mere touching of lips gradually moving slowly pouring their feelings for each other in that slow burning kiss. Wrapping her arms around his neck, he place more of his weight against her body to let her feel his reaction to her.

Her response was fiery. He heard her soft gasp when she felt 'him', Nipping at her lips, he whispered teasing words against her ear making her restless. His low chuckle against her skin made her shiver. She wanted more but knew he was taking this part of their relationship slowly and not being excessive with their intimate moments.

Just as he wrapped his arms around her body and switched their positions, her phone rang.

They ignored the first two calls but the third crushed their romance time.

"I swear if its one of them, I will hide their makeup kits."

Su Lian rolled off the sofa and grumbled all the way to her phone that was on the bed.

Not looking at the Caller ID, she answered abruptly.

"Someone better be dying or already dead. You're interrupting our two-person world!"

Chen Kai laughed at her adorably angry expression. Sexual frustration is dangerous.

Hearing his laugh, it was hard to stay angry at the caller.

"Hello?" The person on the other end didn't respond to her earlier outburst. When they didn't say anything for a full-blown minute, she knew it wasn't her friends.

"Hello? Who is this? If you won't answer, I will hang up." She said impatiently.

"Lian'er"

Chen Kai frowned in worry when he saw Su Lian's abnormal reaction. The smile was gone from her face along with any expression that may convey how she was actually feeling. He rushed to her side wanting to grab the phone to take over whatever was bothering her to this extent but stopped when she uttered one word.

"Mom?"