The extra person in Mr. Jun's study was none other than Mrs. Jun, Jun Yang's mother.
Mrs. Jun was a woman slightly past her prime but she maintained her beauty well with the aid of expensive minor plastic surgeries and make-up. Jun Yang saw his mother as someone who dominated the scene once she stepped into the room. She had that presence about her. It came from a sense of superiority that was cultivated since she was young.
Jun Yang heard that before his mother married his father, she also came from a powerful and influential family. Other people might read Mrs. Jun's aloofness around people who were of lower societal standing around her as cockiness but Jun Yang knew it was the result of her upbringing.
The only exception was when she was around her husband. Mrs. Jun would appear more reserved than usual and have the tendency to fade into the background when she was in her husband's company.
This was the traditional chinese family make-up. The father was responsible for the business side while the woman looked after the family side. Jun Yang's parents were the quintessential pair. They were like a well-oiled machine, one where the two individual cogs had little to no interaction unless it was absolutely necessary.
This was why Jun Yang was startled when he noticed his mother in the room. The study was Mr. Jun's territory and Mrs. Jun rarely entered it, the same could be said of the kitchen which was Mrs. Jun's territory. This meant that the thing that Mr. Jun wanted to tell Jun Yang involved the whole family. This thing might be more important than Jun Yang initially believed.
Jun Yang moved to stand next to his father's large office table. Mr. Jun did not offer Jun Yang a seat at his table and his mother did not say anything. In fact, Mrs. Jun was so silent she could have masqueraded as one of the furniture.
Without any preamble, Mr. Jun reached into one of the drawers and pulled out a file binder. He opened it and read the details out for Jun Yang, "Jun Yang, today the company will transfer 5 percent of its share to you."
Jun Yang was not that surprised when he heard that. He had been instilled since he was young the impression that he was going to continue the family legacy when he grew up. Inheriting the company share was a predictable step following that plan. In fact, Jun Yang predicted this was the issue that his father was going to tell him when he heard from the butler that his father had summoned him.
However, Jun Yang was only privy to the big picture. The purpose of Mr. Jun calling Jun Yang to the study was to fill him in on the details. "That 5 percent is only for you to claim a stake to the company's ownership but you are still far away from being the shot caller. Even the other shareholders have a bigger say than you do."
Jun Yang nodded. He wondered for a moment why the amount was so little but he understood his father's intention in the next second.
"This is only the first step," Mr. Jun said, confirming Jun Yang's speculation. "Since today is the first day you've officially become an adult, we will start with something small. As you slowly grow into a qualified heir of the Jun name, then you will take over the business little by little.
"After you graduate from Xing Ming Academy, you will be sent to a business school at America to focus on learning business skills. You will spend four years there at the boarding school and when you finish your studies, you will gain another 5 percent company shares."
While he said that, Mr. Jun pulled out a document from the binder and slid it towards Jun Yang. It was the school application acceptance letter from the American school. Jun Yang's name and details were already all on it. His family had already applied and set up everything on his behalf.
Jun Yang did not know how to respond. He did not expect his family would literally lead his life on his behalf. He looked at the acceptance letter and his mind was still busy formulating a response.
Mr. Jun was not yet done. Before Jun Yang caught up to speed, he continued, "On the fourth year of your studies, my right-hand man at the company will liaise with you. He will slowly teach you how to manage the company and the company details.
"That will probably take longer than five years. After your graduation from the business school, I will arrange for you to join the company. But to prevent people from suggesting the idea of nepotism because you are the future heir of the Jun family, at the company, your supervisor will be my right-hand man. There will be no interaction between us.
"He will bring you to get to know the shareholders that you need to familiarize yourself with and the important department leaders. After he feels that you have reached enough progress, I will award you with another 5 percent of the company share.
"After that, I will send you out of state to manage a branch company. You will need to send progress report back to me every month and when I am satisfied with the result, you will be ordered to come back to the main company and work directly under me."
Jun Yang was stumped. His life had been laid out for him and he had no say in it until… well, until he became the new master of the house.
"Congratulation, Jun Yang." Mr. Jun said solemnly, "You have officially grown into a man and it is time to start preparing yourself to accept the responsibility that comes with carrying the Jun family name."
Jun Yang was too frazzled to notice the exchange of gaze between his father and mother. Too much information had been revealed to him in a short amount of time.
Mr. Jun leaned back in his seat to signal that his turn was over. This time, it was Mrs. Jun who cleared her throat and said, "Congratulation, Jun Yang. I'm sure you'll be able to live up to the Jun family name…"