That evening, the Wu family was hit with a piece of news so shocking that it left everyone stunned. Wu Zhixing, who was currently in jail, had voluntarily stepped down from his position as the head of the Wu family.
This news exploded within the family like a bombshell. No one could have predicted that Wu Zhixing would take such a drastic step. Despite being incarcerated, it was widely believed—based on Shen Hongyue's words—that Wu Zhixing would likely receive a suspended sentence and be out of prison within three months. Once free, he could resume his role as the family head.
By all logic, Wu Zhixing should not have relinquished his position as the family head. Everyone knew that if he stepped down, his younger brother, Wu Zhiming, would become the first in line to inherit the title. This was a rule that had been in place for over a century and was unchangeable.
It was well-known that Wu Zhixing's imprisonment was intricately linked to Wu Zhiming. Wu Zhixing was undoubtedly aware of this, making his decision to hand over the family leadership to Wu Zhiming even more baffling.
The entire Wu family was left in utter confusion by this news.
Following this, the elder of the Wu family, Wu Maocai, sent out a notice to all family members. Whether they were local or living elsewhere, everyone had to return to the Wu family estate in three days.
In three days, Wu Zhiming would assume the role of the head of the Wu family!
At this moment, the previously marginalized Wu Maocai became a pivotal figure. All the older generations had passed away, including Wu Zhiming's grandfather and father. Despite being sidelined in terms of power, Wu Maocai was now the highest-ranking member of the family by seniority. He was the one to preside over the ceremony of the new family head's inauguration.
Family members from afar began booking flights and train tickets. In three days, they would return to the family estate to witness Wu Zhiming's rise to power.
A man who had been dismissed as a mere illegitimate child for over twenty years would, in three days, become the new head of the Wu family. This dramatic turn of events left everyone feeling as if they were in a dream.
Somewhere in Haixia City
Shen Hongyue stood expressionless, looking down at the three people kneeling before her. These were the same three individuals that Wu Zhiming had sent to her. She had learned everything just a few hours ago.
After Wu Zhiming left, Wu Zhixing had come to her and explained everything. Faced with the same choice as Wu Zhixing, Shen Hongyue chose to step down and replace him.
Wu Zhixing's grandfather had already negotiated a lighter sentence for him. But if these three witnesses came forward, Wu Zhixing would be looking at a prison term of at least twenty years, if not more.
So, they had no choice.
"I finally understand what Wu Zhiming's true goal is," Shen Hongyue said calmly.
"Please, have mercy, madam! We had no choice!" the three kneeling figures pleaded.
"Madam, it was all Dong Jian's doing. He delivered us to Wu Zhiming!" they exclaimed desperately.
"It's too late to say anything now," Shen Hongyue replied coolly. "In less than a week, Wu Zhiming sent Zhixing to jail, captured you three, bought out the Wu Group, and seized the family leadership. Everything is settled now. It's too late."
"Please, madam, have mercy!" they begged, bowing their heads to the ground.
"You really think I would trade my son's position as head of the family just to keep you alive as a threat to my son?" Shen Hongyue asked coldly.
The three men kneeling before her were startled. One of them abruptly stood up and tried to flee. In that instant, a sharp glint of steel flashed through the air.
The fleeing man's expression changed as a stream of blood spurted from his neck. He staggered a few steps, collapsed face-first onto the floor, twitched a few times, and then lay still, lifeless.
From the shadows emerged a man with a grim and cold demeanor.
"Sister, Father is very unhappy about you losing the Wu family head position," the man said, hands in his pockets, his face devoid of emotion.
He appeared to be in his forties, with a scruffy beard and a generally unkempt look. However, there was an aura about him that sent chills down the spine.
"I had no choice but to do this for Zhixing! I can't let him spend his entire life in prison!" Shen Hongyue retorted through gritted teeth.
"But… losing the position of family head means wasting over twenty years of our efforts and planning. Can you bear the responsibility for this?" the man asked.
"If Father wants to blame someone, let him blame me. But we're not completely without hope. If I can kill Wu Zhiming within the next three days, the Wu family will have no choice but to have Zhixing as the head again!" Shen Hongyue declared.
"I'm here for that very reason," the man responded coolly. "Father has assigned me three Shadow Killers for this task."
"Really?!" Shen Hongyue asked, her face lighting up with surprise.
"This is our last chance to turn things around. If we miss it, twenty years of scheming will be for nothing. Father doesn't want to see that happen," the man explained.
"With you and the three Shadow Killers, no matter who's backing Wu Zhiming, he won't survive!" Shen Hongyue said excitedly.
"Have you identified who's backing Wu Zhiming?" the man asked.
"No, they're deeply hidden. We have no leads… But based on the intelligence we've gathered, their goal seems to align with ours. Otherwise, Wu Zhiming wouldn't be in such a hurry to become the family head. He could have simply handed those three people over to the police. In a few months, Zhixing would have been sentenced heavily. The fact that he's in such a rush to assume leadership suggests… he's also after the same thing we are. After all, that matter is about to begin!" Shen Hongyue speculated.
"Maybe… Just as we've plotted for over twenty years, others might have been scheming as well. Regardless, first we kill Wu Zhiming. We can deal with everything else later," the man said with a murderous gleam in his eyes.
"I'm counting on you, my brother!" Shen Hongyue smiled, then looked at the two remaining kneeling men. "Brother, these two are for the Shadow Killers. Let them have some fun."
"Understood!" the man nodded.
The two men pleaded for mercy, but it was futile. They were taken away and soon vanished from the world.
Meanwhile, at the Hilton Hotel in Haixia City.
Wu Zhiming sat in the luxurious living room of the presidential suite. Across from him sat Wu Maocai.
As he gazed at Wu Zhiming seated before him, Wu Maocai couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine. Despite being over seventy and having seen a lot in his lifetime, he had never encountered someone like Wu Zhiming. This man was exceptionally adept at concealing his intentions, profoundly strategic, and his methods were unfathomably sophisticated. When Wu Zhiming initially spoke about changing the head of the Wu family, Wu Maocai thought he was merely dreaming. Yet, in just a day, Wu Zhixing had inexplicably relinquished his position as the family head, paving the way for Wu Zhiming to ascend.
Such capabilities were beyond Wu Maocai's comprehension. Recognizing this, Wu Maocai wisely decided to fully support Wu Zhiming's bid for the family head position, taking on the role of the facilitator.
"You've done well," Wu Zhiming remarked.
"Thank you, thank you," Wu Maocai responded with evident humility. Although he was Wu Zhiming's granduncle and thus his elder in terms of family hierarchy, he accepted Wu Zhiming's praise with the deference of a junior.
"Is there a specific process for becoming the head of the family? Four years ago, I wasn't allowed into the old residence to observe Zhixing's succession, so I don't know how it's done," Wu Zhiming inquired.
"Ah," Wu Maocai sighed. "When Zhixing took over four years ago, it was a grand affair. Besides being a member of the Wu family, he was also the nephew of that elder from the Shen family, which made his status exceptionally prestigious. Many people from the Shen family were present, and the old residence was filled with important figures. Although you had the status, you were still excluded from attending."
"The process is necessary but not overly complicated. As the second son of the Wu family, with the eldest son stepping down and no heirs to take over, it naturally falls to you to become the head of the family. Even Shen Hongyue has no right to object!" Wu Maocai explained earnestly.
Wu Zhiming smiled faintly, "Then I'll leave it to you."
"You're too kind," Wu Maocai waved off the compliment modestly.
"Are you comfortable staying here?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Very comfortable, actually. To be honest, I've never lived in such a nice place in my entire life," Wu Maocai said, sighing with a mix of contentment and awe.
"As long as you're comfortable. I'll be leaving now. In three days, at the old Wu family residence, you and everyone staying here must be present," Wu Zhiming instructed.
"Of course… By the way, Zhiming, about the Third Uncle… Shouldn't you visit him too?" Wu Maocai asked quietly.
The Third Uncle, Wu Maohua, was Wu Maocai's younger brother and Wu Zhiming's granduncle. Unlike Wu Maocai, Wu Maohua was highly capable and held a significant position as a senior shareholder of the Wu Corporation, making him a central figure in the Wu family. His branch of the family was also the most prosperous, with three sons and two daughters, and over a dozen cousins to Wu Zhiming.
Ever since Wu Zhiming bought out the Wu Corporation's shares, Wu Maohua had been staying low-key at home, not showing up for several days. Wu Zhiming was aware that upon learning that the Wu Corporation had been rescued, Wu Maohua had almost suffered a heart attack out of frustration.
Wu Maohua had been a senior executive in the company and was closely aligned with Shen Hongyue. However, with the company's acquisition, his connection with her had almost completely severed.
"No, I'm not going," Wu Zhiming replied with a smile. "I don't think he would want to see me either. Since we don't get along, there's no point in wasting time."
"True," Wu Maocai nodded in agreement. "As long as he shows up in three days."
"In three days…" Wu Zhiming's smile widened, hinting at the anticipation of something significant. "It will indeed be a very eventful day."
Wu Maocai watched Wu Zhiming intently, sensing that there were layers of meaning behind his smile.