Since ancient times, power, money, and beauty have all been vilified and deemed as poisons to familial bonds. However, if one peels back the layers, beneath it all lies a heart full of greed.
From the Nine Princes' struggle for the throne that harmed their own brothers, to the famed tales of betrayal like that of the Fang Tianhuaji (a legendary weapon) piercing the heart of a foster father, history is filled with such stories.
Cheng Yuxuan shook his head with a smile: "Alright, old man, just wait and see. Whether or not you reach Xuanwu Gate, none of your three daughters or I, your rebellious son, will covet your wealth. But... when you are about to run out of breath and I pull out your oxygen tube, I will definitely remind you of these four words."
Chu Zhijing turned his lips away and brought the conversation back on track: "Stop thinking about pulling my oxygen tube. From today on, you'll probably need to help me."
"Help you?"
"Yes. Continue to maintain your playboy persona, and in your spare time, handle the matters of the construction company. I have Wan Haishan's seven inches in my hands, and he listens well, like a loyal dog. As for the second branch, leave it to you to handle. I need to focus on acquiring the Ye family and keep an eye on Chu Haoran and his son. I'm too busy... sigh, most of the burden of the old man's condition is on my shoulders. If I make even a slight misstep, he'll use it as an opportunity to strip me of my power. Otherwise, we wouldn't be so passive!"
Cheng Yuxuan frowned: "I'm busy with investigating Tianji Society... the communication lines are cut, and I don't know how to investigate. How can I spare any thoughts for your family disputes?"
With internal and external troubles, both father and son wore a worried expression.
After a moment, Chu Zhijing sighed: "Tianji Society is a big bone that needs to be chewed slowly; it can't be rushed. Help me out for now, and I'll use my connections to investigate Tianji Society in secret."
Cheng Yuxuan lightly nodded: "Deal."
Pausing for a moment, he added: "Actually, I have an idea. You mentioned that Tianji Society deals with shady activities. If we start from the criminal underworld, we might find some surprises."
Chu Zhijing pondered: "The criminal world in Jiangcheng is very deep. It's no longer the era of flaunting tattoos and boasting. Everyone is a businessman, and you can't tell who is black and who is white. I'm not the same as before; most of my business is legitimate now, and I have little interaction with those in the criminal world."
"I'm not asking you to investigate," Cheng Yuxuan interrupted. "If you investigate personally, they'll be on guard and it will be twice the effort for half the result. Moreover, starting with small fry is like finding a needle in a haystack—it's too troublesome. So... we need to secretly support some criminal forces and seize their business, making them come to us."
Thinking of Black, who is loyal, decisive, and has courage, Cheng Yuxuan found him to be a perfect choice. Unfortunately, Cheng Yuxuan regretted not keeping him back then.
"Let's consider it carefully," Chu Zhijing sighed. "Go see your grandfather first."
As soon as he finished speaking, the second branch's young master and miss walked out of the bedroom. Seeing Chu Zhijing and his son, they seemed surprised but quickly greeted: "Uncle, are you here to see grandfather?"
They only glanced at Cheng Yuxuan without speaking.
Chu Zhijing nodded and greeted them cheerfully.
Cheng Yuxuan's cousins, Chu Junze and Chu Miaotong, were named after their mother's family due to their father being a son-in-law. They inherited their mother's domineering nature and had been at odds with Cheng Yuxuan since childhood. Cheng Yuxuan, in turn, ignored them and walked straight into the bedroom.
Inside the bedroom, a servant was carrying the bird's nest soup that the siblings had brought and asked Chu Tian: "Sir, would you like to try some?"
Chu Xiaotian, lying weakly on the bed, glanced at the bird's nest soup and coldly said: "Throw it away."
"Yes!" The servant turned and bumped into Cheng Yuxuan, quickly greeting: "Young Master, you're here."
Cheng Yuxuan acknowledged with a casual tone and walked to the bed, smiling at his grandfather: "What did Uncle Shan say? The greatest sorrow in this world is that a person dies and money is left unspent."
The personal doctor beside the bed staggered, looking at Cheng Yuxuan with disbelief.
A maid who had just stepped outside lost her grip and spilled the bird's nest soup on the floor.
In the morning, everyone who came to see the old man, regardless of age or gender, was crying and worried that the old man wouldn't feel their filial piety.
This b*st*rd of a son was so casual! As soon as he entered, he said such depressing words?
The maid couldn't help but feel indignant, but then Cheng Yuxuan said: "Grandfather, don't rush to die. With so much money, at least spend seventy or eighty percent before you go."
Chu Xiaotian sighed deeply, glaring at his most disfavored grandson and said: "You little b*st*rd... If you really want me to live a few more days, don't come see me again."
Cheng Yuxuan laughed nonchalantly and sat down by the bed: "The less we meet, the better. No matter how much you dislike me, I am still your grandson... your real grandson."
Chu Xiaotian had heard countless flattering words throughout his life, but now, listening to a few harsh but truthful words, he surprisingly did not get angry. He glanced at the plastic bag in Cheng Yuxuan's hand and asked: "What's in that?"
Cheng Yuxuan raised his eyebrows and then turned to the personal doctor: "You can leave now. I need to talk to my grandfather."
The doctor, looking at Chu Xiaotian for permission, then left.
Cheng Yuxuan mysteriously closed the door and returned to the bedside. From the plastic bag, he took out a bottle of mineral water, unscrewed the cap slowly, and Chu Xiaotian's eyes suddenly brightened: "Is it fragrant or sauce?"
Cheng Yuxuan poured the liquor into the cap and carefully handed it over: "Try a sip."
Chu Xiaotian took the cap and drank it in one gulp, then sighed: "Good wine... it's been aged for a while, hasn't it?"
Cheng Yuxuan took back the cap, screwed it back on, and stuffed it under the bed: "Just drink a small capful each day, don't be greedy."
Chu Xiaotian was not satisfied but had to give up due to his physical condition. He lamented: "I didn't expect that the one who understands me the most now is my most disliked grandson. Haha. But my grandson has always been pretending to be a fool, it's really pointless, really pointless."