At the foot of Yunxi Mountain lay Jing City’s premier luxury villa district, home to the ancestral Shen family residence.
The Shen family villa had been renovated just two years prior. The modern-style mansion was imposingly grand, its white marble walls adorned with intricate carvings and bas-relief decorations.
The estate occupied a vast area. The garden fronting the courtyard was lush and verdant, the surroundings picturesque. Remarkably, the front garden even featured a small artificial lake and fountain—luxurious and magnificent.
Shen Yanzhi had barely stepped out of his car when the butler hurried forward. “President Shen, Old Master Shen has been waiting for some time. He requests your presence in the study upon your arrival.”
Shen Yanzhi gave a slight nod, handing the car keys to a servant standing by, who would park the vehicle in the villa garage after he left.
The moment Shen Yanzhi crossed the villa threshold, Huang Yuwan, who had been chatting with Qin Mengshuang on the sofa, spotted him with her sharp eyes. She immediately rose to greet him. “Oh my, Yanzhi is back? Just came from the office, I presume? Are you thirsty? The butler just brought some tea—it’s still hot!”
“Not thirsty. Third Aunt should enjoy it herself,” Shen Yanzhi replied coolly.
He had received a sudden call from the old master that afternoon, summoning him back to the estate for dinner.
Shen Yanzhi didn’t need to think hard to know tonight’s meal was undoubtedly connected to Third Aunt’s useless nephew.
Huang Yuwan’s uncharacteristically fervent attitude only confirmed his suspicion.
Shen Yanzhi strode on long legs toward the study.
Watching his perpetually aloof and indifferent demeanor, Huang Yuwan’s face contorted briefly. She took a deep breath, unable to resist whispering a complaint to Qin Mengshuang. “I tell you, ever since Shen Yanzhi became president of Shen Group, he’s grown more and more dismissive of us elders!”
A flicker of mockery passed through Qin Mengshuang’s eyes, but she said nothing more.
The day Shen Hongguo had stormed out of Shen Group in a fury, he told her that very evening about what Huang Yuwan’s nephew had done.
What colossal audacity, embezzling twelve million from Shen Group?
And still having the face to complain to the old master?
Did they really think the Shen family was the Huang family’s personal ATM?
If not for needing to join forces with Shen Yuanzhong to topple Shen Yanzhi, Qin Mengshuang would have no interest in associating with a sister-in-law as brainless and shameless as Huang Yuwan.
…
The study door was shut. Shen Yanzhi raised a hand and knocked. “Grandfather.”
A response came quickly from within.
Shen Yanzhi pushed the door open.
Inside the study, Old Master Shen sat before a Go board. Seeing Shen Yanzhi’s tall figure, he promptly waved him in. “Come, come. It’s been too long since we grandfather and grandson played a game.”
“Yes.” Shen Yanzhi walked over and took a seat opposite the old master.
Shen Yanzhi had been raised by his grandfather from childhood; his first lessons in Go were taught by Old Master Shen himself.
During his school years, Shen Yanzhi often played Go with the old master. After starting work, he grew increasingly busy, and after moving out of the estate, he had even less time.
One held black stones, the other white. Neither spoke much.
On the empty board, pieces gradually accumulated.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Old Master Shen let out a soft sigh. “Yanzhi, your Go skills have grown remarkably refined.”
Shen Yanzhi’s playing style was like the man himself—at first, calm as still water, seemingly without danger.
By the time one realized it, they were already surrounded and trapped in an inescapable predicament.
Once the game concluded, Old Master Shen tossed his stones back into the container and looked at his eldest grandson sitting calmly opposite him. “Do you know why I called you back today?”
Chi Yu, secretly siphoning power inside the phone, also perked up her ears.
“It’s about Third Aunt’s unreliable nephew,” Shen Yanzhi said evenly.
“Correct.” Old Master Shen admitted directly. “That day in your office, you showed no regard for your uncle and third uncle’s face, directly having the police take Huang Sheng away. Your uncle and third uncle are very displeased, especially your third uncle—he’s been grumbling in front of me for days.”
Chi Yu: …
She remembered now!
It was the incident in the office a couple of days ago.
Who would have thought? Shen Hongguo and Shen Yuanzhong, both men in their forties or fifties, actually ran to the old master to complain?
And complained about their own nephew at that!
At this moment, Chi Yu suddenly understood why Shen Group had skipped a generation to land in Shen Yanzhi’s hands, rather than being inherited by Shen Hongguo and Shen Yuanzhong.
Just in terms of emotional stability, these two who had lived most of their lives couldn’t compare to the composure and reliability of the young Shen Yanzhi.
“The police have already gathered sufficient evidence, and the legal department has filed charges against Huang Sheng. I believe the court’s verdict will be delivered soon,” Shen Yanzhi stated. “Once the verdict is announced, I trust Third Uncle and the others will cease disturbing you.”
The smile vanished from Old Master Shen’s face. He scowled, appearing somewhat angry. “Are you saying that even if I personally asked you to let Huang Sheng off, you wouldn’t agree?”
Shen Yanzhi was not the least bit intimidated by Old Master Shen’s authority. Instead, he said, “Grandfather, handling matters impartially without favoritism—that is what you taught me.”
His meaning was crystal clear. Even if Old Master Shen intervened, he would not sign any settlement agreement. This was his firmness and loyalty in safeguarding the company’s interests.
Old Master Shen’s face remained stern. He did not speak immediately, and the atmosphere in the study suddenly grew silent and tense.
Even from within the phone, Chi Yu could sense the stalemate between Old Master Shen and Shen Yanzhi from this quiet tension.
She couldn’t help but silently give Shen Yanzhi a thumbs-up in her heart.
Handling matters impartially—as a leader, Shen Yanzhi’s character and capability were truly impeccable.
No wonder her former classmates had fought tooth and nail to get into Shen Group.
Not only were the benefits excellent, but the leadership was also top-quality.
After what felt like an eternity, Old Master Shen suddenly slapped the table and burst into hearty laughter. “Good! I knew I hadn’t misjudged you, Yanzhi. Entrusting Shen Group to your hands, I can rest easy. From now on, toward anyone who acts against Shen Group’s interests or damages them, you must remain as resolute as you were today—firmly uphold Shen Group’s interests. No pleas for mercy should sway you!”
Shen Yanzhi was emotionally detached, with only two people who truly held his regard: Old Master Shen who had raised him, and Madam Jiang who had carried him for ten months and brought him to this world.
If he could refuse even Old Master Shen’s plea, one could imagine how steadfast Shen Yanzhi was in upholding the principles he had set for himself.
The more Old Master Shen thought about it, the more pleased he became. As he looked at Shen Yanzhi, his expression grew increasingly proud.
Chi Yu: “…” What??
You crafty old man, actually setting up an entrapment?
Who would have thought you were this kind of Old Master Shen!
In contrast, Shen Yanzhi’s expression remained composed, as if he were long accustomed to Old Master Shen’s unpredictable style.
During dinner that evening, the villa was uncharacteristically lively.
Apart from Shen Yanzhi, both Shen Hongguo and Shen Yuanzhong had brought their entire families.
Old Master Shen had also called Shen Yanzhi’s mother, Madam Jiang, in advance. However, Madam Jiang had just traveled to another province on business yesterday and had not yet returned, so she could only regrettably be absent.