Chen Shilei turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Standing in front of him was a young man with sharp, striking features, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a tailored gray suit, his smile easy and confident.
This was Chen Ze, his cousin—the eldest son of Chen Boyuan, his uncle. On the surface, Chen Ze appeared cultured and polite, the image of a well-bred young man. But Chen Shilei knew better. Chen Ze had a reputation, one that sent shivers down anyone's spine. He was ruthless, manipulative, and utterly without conscience.
Chen Shilei's mind flicked back to a grim memory from a few years ago. "There was this time," he thought, "when Chen Ze spotted a young, beautiful girl at school. He had her kidnapped. She suffered terribly, and ultimately, he killed her. He didn't stop there—her family home was burned down. One parent ended up in a vegetative state; the other, cremated in a funeral home."
The incident had caused a stir within the family. The elders were furious and wanted to punish him severely. But Chen Ze, cunning as ever, covered his tracks flawlessly. No evidence could be used against him, and his father, Chen Boyuan, constantly defended him. In the end, the matter was quietly swept under the rug.
Similar incidents had happened more than once. It was exactly because of these unchecked escapades that Chen Boyuan decided to send him abroad, claiming it was for "experience and growth." In reality, it was just a change of scenery for him to indulge his desires while staying out of trouble. With no incriminating evidence against him, he had lived freely outside, untouchable.
Chen Shilei forced a polite smile. "My dear cousin! Good morning," he said, extending his arms for a brotherly hug—though the smile didn't reach his eyes.
Chen Ze chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Ah, Lei! I heard you were traveling abroad for three years. So, tell me—what have you gained from your little adventure?"
Chen Shilei kept it light, deliberately nonchalant. "Gains? Nothing much. Plenty of food, plenty of soup… freedom, mostly."
Chen Ze raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh? Really? Don't lie to me. That life sounds too good to be true."
"Really, it's not bad at all. You could try it yourself sometime, cousin."
Chen Ze laughed. "No, thanks. I wouldn't trade my path for that kind of life."
They continued their playful banter, each careful with words, carefully measuring their tone. On the surface, it was casual conversation; beneath, it was a subtle game of probing and evasion. Chen Shilei deflected, Chen Ze tested—each fully aware of the other's mind behind the smiles.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind them. "Hello there! Brothers meeting without me? Have you forgotten I'm your younger brother?"
Both men turned. A fair-skinned young man approached, smiling warmly. He had the aura of someone scholarly and refined. This was Chen Hua, Chen Ze's younger brother, also one of the family's heirs.
Chen Hua's demeanor suggested a carefree, almost naive character. But those who knew better—including Chen Shilei—understood that appearances could be deceiving. In truth, Chen Hua was far more cunning and patient than his older brother, Chen Ze, making him a dangerous adversary in his own right.
"Ah, Hua! Long time no see! I've missed you," Chen Shilei greeted, genuinely friendly.
"Yes, Brother Lei! It has been a while. I've missed you too. When you left home last time… you didn't even tell me. I wanted to see you off," Chen Hua responded cheerfully, his tone light, almost musical.
Chen Ze clapped his brothers on the shoulders. "Enough chit-chat. Our second brother just came back and hasn't eaten yet. I'll have the servants prepare some snacks and wine. Let's have a proper reunion!"
Chen Hua nodded. "Sure, let's follow the eldest." Then, turning to Chen Shilei, he asked, "Second brother, what's your plan?"
Chen Shilei gave a slight nod, acknowledging the question, but remained noncommittal.
The three of them settled under a nearby pavilion. The servants brought wine and food, plates of meat and delicacies laid before them. "To the eldest brother returning from overseas! And to the second brother coming back from his journey. Let's toast!" Chen Hua raised his glass, signaling the start of the gathering.
The brothers drank together, laughter punctuating the air. Chen Shilei picked up two pieces of meat and placed them in the bowls in front of Chen Ze and Chen Hua. "Here, eat up," he said, indicating they should enjoy themselves.
The meal was simple. They ate and drank, the conversation deliberately light, polite, avoiding any deep or revealing topics. A picture of brotherly camaraderie unfolded before them, each gesture and smile hiding layers of strategy and calculation. Little did they know, this jovial moment was fleeting. One day, these same brothers would face off, pitted against each other in a deadly contest for dominance.
After a few rounds of wine, Chen Ze leaned back, scrutinizing Chen Shilei with a sly smile. "Second brother… Father plans to test our commercial acumen and personal capabilities within a set period. What are your thoughts on that?"
Chen Ze's question ignored Chen Hua, who was busy with his meal. In Chen Ze's mind, his younger brother was merely a harmless lamb, incapable of competing, leaving Chen Shilei as his only true rival.
Chen Shilei swallowed his food and replied evenly, "Eldest brother, that's impossible to predict. It will depend on skill and connections. In this contest… maybe you'll win, maybe I will."
Chen Ze smirked. "And what do you think your chances are?"
"Fifty-fifty," Chen Shilei said lightly, shrugging. "Even if the sky falls, it's still fifty-fifty."
Chen Ze's smile faltered. He didn't like the answer. Without another word, he drained his cup, stood, and said, "Second brother, third brother, I'm done eating. I'll be heading back."
Once he turned, his previously cheerful expression darkened into a brooding scowl. Chen Shilei ignored it. Chen Hua quickly snatched a chicken drumstick from Chen Shilei's plate, stuffing it into his mouth with a cheerful wave.
After a few rounds, Chen Shilei patted Chen Hua on the shoulder. "Hua, I'm done. Take your time, no rush. No one's competing with you here."
As the older brothers left, Chen Hua sat alone, savoring the last of the delicacies. The moment of solitude brought a shadow over his face. A sly smile curled at his lips.
"These two fools," he thought, "let them fight it out. In the end, victory will belong to me."
Chen Hua did not relax like he appeared to. Once in his study, he closed the doors and windows to ensure no interruptions. From a shelf, he retrieved a thick dossier, meticulously flipping to a page dense with notes on the family's key members—their habits, strengths, and weaknesses.
"Chen Ze… Chen Shilei… you think you're the smartest in the family?" he murmured, a cold smile forming. "The real strategist… is always the one behind the scenes, invisible and patient."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with ambition and calculation. Every smile, every courteous word he exchanged with his brothers was a layer of deception, a mask to hide the sharp mind beneath. Every detail mattered—the smallest weakness could be exploited, every relationship could be manipulated. And Chen Hua intended to play the game perfectly.
As he glanced out the window, watching the family estate sprawled below, Chen Hua's thoughts were already racing ahead. In this game of heirs, where power, wealth, and survival intertwined, only the clever and ruthless could hope to emerge unscathed.
And he intended to be that one.