Chen Shilei didn't care about Yu Fei's threats in the coffee shop. By now, he had completely lost his passion for the company. The work was exhausting, the pay was low, and on top of that, he had to endure unfair treatment from his boss and cold stares from colleagues. In the past, he might have hesitated because of Su Qinxue, but now that he had seen her true nature, he felt no attachment to this place at all.
As for Yu Fei saying he would cause trouble? That didn't scare him in the slightest. Since childhood, every Chen family heir had trained in martial arts and self-defense. Not just him—any of the heirs could handle a dozen strong, fit men without breaking a sweat.
He had originally planned to pawn the jade pendant, but his shabby appearance and lack of proof that the jade belonged to him made the pawnshop owner wary. Fearing trouble, the owner refused. At other shops, the owners noticed his desperation and deliberately offered low amounts. Frustrated, Chen Shilei left empty-handed.
Feeling dejected, he returned to the bench outside the hospital. His mood was heavy, weighed down by the thought that Lao Fan had helped him so much over the years, and now he felt powerless.
He sat there, lighting one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. Finally, he decided to call a number long buried in his memory—the number of Liu Nan, the Chen family steward who had played a crucial role throughout his life.
Carefully, Chen Shilei dialed, double-checking the number.
"Hello? Who's this?" A strong, steady middle-aged voice answered.
"Uncle Liu, it's me. I've run into some trouble… I need to borrow some money."
Liu Nan had served the Chen family for forty-five years. He had watched Chen Shilei grow up and had been a trusted assistant to Chen Bosong, the head of the family.
There was a pause on the line. Then Liu Nan spoke, his voice brightening with emotion: "Young Master! You finally reached out to us! The master and I have been thinking about you. Where are you? When will you come home?"
After a few casual words, Chen Shilei got to the point. "Uncle Liu, I need to borrow some money. Not much—150,000 yuan. That's nothing to you."
"Young Master… I can't just lend it to you," Liu Nan said seriously. "Three years ago, you left home without a word. The master nearly lost his mind. He ordered that no one could lend you money under any circumstances. If someone disobeyed, they'd have their legs broken and be thrown into the lake! He also said if you wanted money, you would have to come home and admit your mistake first."
Chen Shilei chuckled. "Uncle Liu, you've been with my grandfather since I was a kid. You served my father for decades. You even once shielded him from a bullet—that's a meritorious act. How could he ever throw you in a lake? Don't joke about that."
But Liu Nan's next words made him take notice. "Young Master, I'm serious. When the master said that, he stared at me. And he has mentioned you more than once. I think there's something he wants to tell you. A trip home won't hurt." His tone was unusually serious.
Chen Shilei could tell Liu Nan wasn't joking. Rarely did Liu Nan speak this way. After a moment of thought, he said, "Alright, I'll listen to you this time. I'll come home in the next couple of days. But first… can you do me a favor? It's urgent—life or death."
He explained Lao Fan's situation in full, emphasizing the urgency. Worrying Liu Nan might refuse, he even added a little embellishment.
After listening, Liu Nan laughed warmly. "Alright then. Consider it done. But you must keep your word! I don't know how to swim, so don't trick me. And remember to come home and see us."
The conversation, though simple, was filled with warmth and affection. Chen Shilei felt Liu Nan was more like a caring elder than a servant.
"A gentleman's word is his bond," Chen Shilei murmured. He promised solemnly that he would honor his word—and realized he might have to make sure Liu Nan actually learned to swim.
Not long after, Lao Fan was wheeled into the operating room. Chen Shilei immediately booked a flight home. To ensure Lao Fan was cared for, he arranged for two nurses to assist him.
He had originally planned to wait until after the surgery to return, but Liu Nan's call the night before forced him to change his plans and book the earliest flight.
Back at the Chen family estate, several of Chen Shilei's uncles and cousins tried to use his long absence as an excuse to strip him of his heir status. Fortunately, Chen Bosong skillfully deflected them.
In the Chen family, every heir's seat was contested—except for those who had been stripped of status. All of Chen Shilei's cousins were heirs, but there was only one top position. Naturally, they all schemed and competed, overtly and covertly.
Chen Shilei had no real desire for the family fortune, but he knew that losing his heir status would expose him to attacks from other heirs, potentially putting his friends at risk. Aware of his cousins' ruthlessness, he had no choice but to compromise—for Lao Fan's sake and to protect his friends.
Even as family head, Chen Bosong had to consider many factors and couldn't act entirely on his own. Chen Shilei's return was not just a homecoming—it was a chance to reassess his own fate.
He knew that this trip home would mark a new beginning—for himself, and for the entire Chen family.
.....