Yichen reached the Yi Mansion in the evening. He parked his car in the driveway, gripping the steering wheel for a moment, his mind heavy with thoughts. With a deep sigh, he stepped out, straightening his coat, and walked toward the main gate. As he entered the mansion, an eerie silence enveloped him. The usual bustling energy of the house was absent. Deciding to avoid any confrontations, he headed directly toward his room. However, as he reached the base of the stairs and began climbing, a sharp, mocking voice rang out from behind.
"Welcome! Welcome! Our company's new CEO finally comes home," Taisun sneered, clapping mockingly. Yichen turned to see Taisun standing with a smug expression, his father, Yi Yong Zheng, standing beside him with a cold, stern look. In the corner of the hall, Yichen's younger brother, Yi Zhao, and his stepmother, Zhao Lin, exchanged anxious glances. They knew the storm brewing in the air and feared the inevitable clash.
Yi Yong Zheng's voice boomed, "Our family gave you everything, Yichen. Food, shelter, clothes, a name—and how do you repay us? By stabbing us in the back and snatching what rightfully belongs to your brother!"
Yi Chen's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "I earned this position because I'm capable. Unlike someone who manipulates others and treats everyone as their puppet!"
"Enough!" Yi Yong Zheng roared, his face turning red. "Whether you like it or not, Taisun is far better than you'll ever be. I'm tired of this CEO drama. Tomorrow, you will resign and tell the media it was a mistake—or blame your grandfather's ill health if you must!"
Without waiting for a response, he turned his back on Yi Chen.
Yichen's fists clenched. "I will not resign," he declared, stepping down the stairs he had just climbed. His voice was steady, but his eyes were blazing with defiance.
Yi Yong Zheng froze for a moment before his face contorted in rage. "What did you just say?"
Taisun stepped forward, smirking as he approached Yichen. "Little brother," he mocked, placing a hand on Yichen's shoulder and leaning closer. "Just because we share a roof doesn't mean we're equals. Know your place. There's a fundamental difference between us—I am Father's legitimate son, while you…" His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "You're nothing but a bastard. The son of a prostitute who sold her child for a few million yen, You're not—."
Before Taisun could finish, Yichen's fist connected with his face, sending him staggering back. Blood trickled from Taisun's lips as he wiped them with a smirk. "You dare!"
Yichen's voice was cold as ice. "Say another word , and I'll break more than your face."
Taisun lunged at Yichen, and the two brothers were locked in a ferocious fight. Fists flew, and the sounds of punches and crashes echoed through the grand hall. Taisun grabbed Yichen by the collar and slammed him into a glass table, shattering it into a thousand pieces. Yichen retaliated with a swift uppercut, sending Taisun sprawling onto the marble floor.
Zhao Lin cried, clutching Yi Zhao's arm. "Stop them! I'll fetch your grandfather," she said hurriedly, rushing toward the staircase.
Yi Zhao stepped between the two brothers, raising his hands. "Chen Ge, Taisun Ge, please stop! This isn't the way!" But his pleas fell on deaf ears as the fight grew more vicious. Yichen grabbed a broken shard of glass, but his younger brother's desperate voice broke through the haze. "Chen Ge, no!"
Yi Yong Zheng stormed forward, his face a mask of fury. He slapped Yichen across the face, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap. "Enough!" he roared.
Yi Chen froze, his breathing ragged. Blood dripped from his nose and lips, his once-pristine features now marred by cuts and bruises.
Yi Yong Zheng helped Taisun to his feet, his voice cold and final. "I've had enough of you. You are no longer welcome in this house. Leave."
Yi Zhao stepped forward, his voice trembling. "But, Dad—"
"Silence!" Yi Yong Zheng barked. "This is between elders. Stay out of it."
He turned back to Yi Chen, who stood motionless, tears pooling in his eyes. For the first time in his life, Yi Chen cried in front of his father. But those tears were not met with warmth or understanding, only disdain.
A bitter smile formed on Yi Chen's lips as he gazed at his father, emotions swirling in his eyes—pain, betrayal, and a desperate longing for love that would never be returned.
Without a word, he turned and began walking toward the entrance.
Just then, a voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the hall.
"He is not going anywhere."
All heads turned to see Chairman Yi descending slowly, his cane tapping against the marble floor.
"This house is as much his as anyone else's," Chairman Yi said, his voice steady. "But you are right, Yi Yong Zheng—he will not stay here.
Confusion rippled through the room as Chairman Yi continued. "Because you do not deserve this child."Yi Yong Zheng stammered, "Father, I—"
"Enough!" Chairman Yi's voice was sharp. "You've made it clear you don't deserve this child.
"I have seen enough," Chairman Yi said, his tone softening as he addressed Yi Chen. "You have suffered more than anyone should. I hoped your father would one day see the error of his ways, but I was wrong."
It's time for a change. I've already made arrangements."
A knock at the entrance drew their attention. Secretary Zhou stepped inside,. He was a young man, around Yichen's age, with sharp features and an air of quiet confidence. Bowing respectfully to Chairman Yi, he said, "Everything is prepared as you instructed, Chairman."
"Good," Chairman Yi replied before turning to Yichen. Placing a reassuring hand on his grandson's shoulder, he said, "They say I made a mistake choosing you. Prove them wrong. Show them you are the only one worthy of the title I have given you."
Yi Yong Zheng let out a derisive laugh, his frustration boiling over. "Prove it?" he sneered, stepping forward, his voice echoing across the hall. "This boy will bankrupt the company within a year! Your blind faith in him will destroy everything our family has built!"
Taisun, wiping the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, smirked bitterly. "Because of your foolish decision, our family is on the brink of calamity! He's an outsider—a stain! He'll bring nothing but ruin. Mark my words, Grandfather," he spat, his voice dripping with malice. "One day, he'll drag this family down to the streets."
Taisun cast one last venomous glance at Yi Chen before storming out of the hall, his footsteps heavy with anger. Yi Yong Zheng followed closely, muttering curses under his breath, his indignation palpable.
The room fell silent as the door slammed shut behind them. Chairman Yi stood tall, his expression unreadable as he turned to Yi Chen. His voice softened, though it still carried the authority of a leader. "Go with him," he said, gesturing toward Secretary Zhou, who had been standing quietly in the shadows. "He will be your secretary from now on."
Yi Chen hesitated for a moment, his face a mask of indifference. No anger. No sadness. No triumph. Just cold resolve. Finally, he gave a curt nod.
As Yi Chen began to walk toward the door, a voice broke through the silence, trembling with emotion. "Chen-ge!"
Yi Chen stopped in his tracks and turned around. Yi Zhao, his younger brother, ran toward him, tears streaming down his face. He threw his arms around Yi Chen in a desperate embrace, his voice breaking as he whispered, "You're not alone. You'll never be alone."
Yi Chen stood still, his body rigid, his eyes fixed ahead. After a moment, he raised a hand and gently patted Yi Zhao's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Zihao," he said, his tone devoid of warmth, as if he had buried every trace of emotion deep within.
Yi Zhao tightened his grip, his voice cracking as he pleaded, "Chen-ge, please—"
But Yi Chen stepped back, breaking the embrace. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the waiting car.
Secretary Zhou opened the door, and Yi Chen slid inside. As the car pulled away from the mansion, Yi Zhao stood frozen at the doorway, his sobs echoing in the empty hall.
That night, Yi Chen left the house he had once called home. The walls that had sheltered his childhood now felt like a distant memory, replaced by the cold reality of his new role. He had gained the title of CEO, but the cost was steep. He had lost his family, his brother, and the love he had yearned for his entire life.
All that remained now was the fire of determination burning in his heart—a fire to prove himself, to succeed against all odds, and to rise above the shadows of his past.