The flight from Xinghui City to Yandu took only a few hours. Chen Shilei sat by the window, watching the stars drift past as the plane cut through the night sky. Thoughts swirled in his mind—memories of the past surged like waves, relentless and unyielding, while the future lay ahead like a fogged landscape, mysterious and waiting to be explored.
Soon, the plane began its descent. "Enough thinking. I'll deal with everything when I get home," Chen Shilei murmured to himself.
As he stepped out of the airport, he was greeted by an impressive sight: twenty black Mercedes cars lined up neatly, each emblazoned with the family crest. In the middle sat a Coaster van, flanked by pairs of bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses. Under the Coaster stood a middle-aged man, unmistakably there to meet him.
Chen Shilei walked up casually. "Uncle Liu, you didn't have to make such a show. It looks a little… much."
The man, Liu Nan, smiled. "Young Master! This is nothing! If it weren't for your father considering the crowds here in Yandu, he would have sent a first-class security convoy to meet you. The Chen family has four levels of protection for arrivals and important transports. This is a level-three convoy. Level one is the highest."
Chen Shilei shook his head. "Fine, fine. Let's go." He stepped onto the Coaster.
As the convoy slowly made its way through the streets, Chen Shilei looked out at the rapidly changing skyline. Skyscrapers, construction cranes, and bustling traffic filled his view. "In just a few years… I can't believe how much this city has changed," he said with a mix of awe and nostalgia.
Liu Nan replied, "It's true. The economy has been booming. Companies are springing up like mushrooms after the rain."
Chen Shilei leaned back, frowning slightly. "Uncle Liu… how's the family? Any trouble with my uncles again?"
Liu Nan's expression darkened. "Since you left, your uncles have repeatedly tried to strip you of your heir status, claiming you neglect the family business. Your father kept using your absence as an excuse to brush them off. But recently, one of your cousins returned from studying abroad, bringing with him a two-billion-yuan investment. Your uncles are now pressing your father to confirm him as the heir."
Chen Shilei's brow furrowed. "And my father… what does he plan to do?"
Liu Nan chuckled. "Of course, he rejected the idea. But he made a compromise: within a set period, whoever among the heirs earns the most and contributes the most will claim the heirship. Without your last phone call, you wouldn't even know this. Your father also said, if he couldn't find you, he would have had to deploy the Dark Guards."
Chen Shilei smiled wryly. "I was worried you'd find me when I left. I bought a train ticket under a fake name. And, as luck would have it, my phone was stolen on the train. That's why your search didn't work."
Liu Nan's eyes widened. "Ah, that explains it. No wonder your father only traced a couple of petty thieves using your phone's signal. He even combed hundreds of nearby cities and helped find several missing children while he was at it. Nobody expected you to hide in a small county."
Chen Shilei had grown up in the Chen family, fully aware of all its methods and operations. Over time, he had figured out how to evade their searches. But if his father deployed the Dark Guards, even he couldn't hide for long.
The Dark Guards were the family head's private force, loyal only to him. Members ranged from battle-hardened mercenaries and world-class hackers to brilliant scientists and specialists.
Chen Shilei and Liu Nan continued their conversation, reminiscing and planning, until the convoy turned onto a secluded road. Ahead, the grand gates of the Chen estate loomed into view.
Stepping out of the vehicle, Chen Shilei ran his hand over the massive stone lions guarding the entrance. Memories flooded back—he had often climbed them as a child, playing without a care in the world. Nostalgia tugged at his heart.
Inside, a traditional screen carved with the "Four Gentlemen" flowers—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—welcomed visitors. Beyond it lay the reception area, and further still, elegant pavilions, jade railings, winding paths, and gently flowing streams. Fish swam lazily in ponds, while meticulously maintained gardens bloomed with flowers and trees.
Ancient trees, hundreds of years old, stood sentinel throughout the grounds. Their thick trunks and expansive canopies not only added to the estate's classical beauty but also bore witness to the Chen family's long history. Bridges connected the various areas, offering both private and public spaces, each carefully designed.
Further inside lay the outer, middle, and inner courtyards. The outer courtyard housed the staff, designed for convenience and efficiency. Chen Shilei observed orderly rows of houses, blending traditional architecture with modern amenities, as busy servants moved about, their faces radiating diligence and simplicity.
The middle courtyard served as a reception area for guests—clean, orderly, and perfectly suited for both hosting and meeting the family. The inner courtyard was private, quiet, and secure, with modern facilities seamlessly integrated into the traditional exterior. Here, the family enjoyed fitness rooms, private cinemas, and pools, designed to suit their preferences.
Beyond the residential area stretched the back garden, a riot of flowers and rare plants alive with color and fragrance. A marble-and-pebble stream meandered through, accompanied by a small fountain and a delicate pavilion. A stone bridge arched gracefully over the flowing water, connecting a private lake. A waterwheel turned slowly, driven by the stream.
Deep within the estate stood a tranquil library, shelves filled with ancient texts, the faint scent of ink in the air. It was both a sanctuary for scholars and a testament to the Chen family's cultural heritage. Nearby, the ancestral hall stood solemn and grand, harmoniously integrated with the gardens. Its traditional hard-slope roof, green tiles, and flying eaves conveyed timeless dignity. Stone lions guarded the entrance, upholding the family's honor. Inside, a spacious hall bore plaques proclaiming loyalty, filial piety, and scholarly legacy.
Further in lay the private lake, named Tingwan Lake, dotted with various lotus species. Beyond that, a private golf course awaited. Chen Shilei stood at the lake's edge, absorbing every detail, every plant and tree steeped in memory.
"Ah, Lei! Long time no see. What brings you here?" a magnetic voice called out.