The Tycoon Inheritance

"Hey, Sister Ruo. Is that a new K-drama you're watching?"

Another work day has begun and workers began to fill the spots of desks and positions in places everywhere. In a now-common small investment company a young woman in her early 20s arrived at her cubicle and happened to get a quick look at her co-worker's phone screen with a somewhat familiar k-pop song blasting through the speakers.

"Hmm? Ah! Sister Yu, you're here. This is a streamer's latest live broadcast," Co-worker Ruo replied with a giddy smile on her face.

"It sounded like a scene from a modern K-drama," Jian Yu murmured distractedly as she settled in. She wasn't interested in live-streamers or K-dramas and only spoke in polite greeting.

"Sigh~"

The loud envious sigh sounded lonely on the barely filled work floor. Other co-workers glanced her way but she ignored them and kept watching the video. "Their lives are filled with drama. This streamer's best friend cut ties with her rich family and is now the wifey of a new rich young master…" Ruo began her gossip.

The other females slid their chairs closer to hear more and watched melon eating hunger as Ruo pointed out the characters in the video.

The world of the rich was really dramatic.

"…. Him. Brother Chen. He received his inheritance from his mother who passed away and now manages his own company. They all just graduated from XXX University and have been friends for years. You can see in her past videos of their time together. Nothing is faked. These are their new friends. OH! Guess who this one is?"

Ruo's gossip filter became loose. She excitedly told her co-workers about the life of her favorite streamer and her friends. Though most of the information was regular everyday handlings, it was beyond their understanding as 'ordinary' folks.

Inheriting billions?! Perfect jobs after graduation?!

Weekends in Hangzhou and sailing on million-dollar yachts?! Shopping courtesy of a rich friend? Friends with the overlord families?

Is that the life of ordinary people?

Jian Yu couldn't bear being the only one who did not look at these lucky people in life. She leaned over Ruo's shoulder in time to see her point at the guy who became rich overnight.

Out of all the male jade beauties in the video, the one with the dark abyssal phoenix eyes and sly smile stood out from the group. He may be wearing expensive clothing and had a more confident aura but Jian Yu's eyes widened slightly when she recognized her high school senior – Chen Kai – her and every girl's crush.

She could recognize him from afar and hearing his voice now when the camera panned to him as he spoke she was clear on her recognition. A light blush stained her cheeks and her placid eyes showed a flicker of emotion when she recalled her high school days.

'Senior Chen is developing in Nanjing and is a young master. Good for him. That role in life suits him well,' she said inwardly. Jian Yu was more amused than shocked by this news. She didn't have any envy or jealousy, only heartfelt good wishes to the senior who was kind to his juniors. Her amusement came from knowing how stupid those girls in his class were. Their arrogance and inflated ego made them miss out on a great guy like Senior Chen.

Avidly watching the videos of her senior Chen and his friends, she pondered about the guy who made every teenage girl go crazy in their early years.

He's a CEO, right? His life should be easier now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CEO Chen, whose life should be easy: Why are there so many idiotic people in one company?

Three days.

He has been at Donghua Construction for three days settling the company and weeding out the useless links. He gave the years-old company some benefit of the doubt when it came to their internal matters after the strict warning but he was slapped in the face badly when Xiao Wei called him cursing like a shrew.

They didn't take him seriously.

These dying fruit flies didn't take him seriously after his first cleanup. Every problem always has a solution and Chen Kai came up with the most straightforward one.

"Seeing that they are bent on giving up a bit of money, it won't hurt them to lose more. It's just a few million."

Xiao Wei was the only person present in the office, quietly waiting on Chen Kai's decision for those who were purposely disrupting their changes. Ten minutes of watching his friend read the reports made him light a few candles for those few. Chen Kai's expression became colder by the minute as he read on. When he uttered that sentence, Xiao Wei gave a sigh of pity for those few.

If they were simply staging a 'no-work' strike then a little forced vacation would have been rewarded but no…. these stubborn fools messed with projects, supply channels, and internal communications that made the company lose a good bit of money. The order to do those things came from senior executives who were against the reshuffling of staff and the changes that were implemented.

The boss made his decision. The report was flung to the side before he turned his unaffected gaze to his friend.

"Is two days enough?" he asked in a low voice.

Xiao Wei chuckled humorlessly under his breath, fixing his cuff links intently. "The letters were already drawn up and security is waiting. As you said, It won't take long to replace them."

"Good. Give them a better show." The ruthless side of a CEO is bound to come out at some point. Chen Kai first showed the people of all his companies that he was a young and diligent CEO ready to do his best and they accepted it with fake smiles. Over the weeks, their façade dropped, now they touched on the CEOs interest.

Wasn't that begging to be killed?

Xiao Wei bid him goodbye and left for his office.

Taking the half an hour break before leaving for the afternoon, he checked his phone for any messages. A few were in his group chat and a few from his father. He checked his Private Chats only to be a bit disappointed.

He stared at the 'last seen' notice in the chat with Su Lian then her status – busy.

How can he not understand what was going on; tied together with their restrained conversations since their return and the heavy cloud hanging over their texts?

A sour feeling formed in his chest as he thought about the changes Su Lian went through after he revealed his identity to her. He hated that he did it but was somewhat relieved. He never liked taking over another person's life but it was his job. Chen Kai didn't want to spend his retirement lying to the people closest to the previous host.

Guilt will eat away at his heart. He doesn't know if Su Lian will fully accept it, presently she's probably in a state of grief. The acceptance back in Hangzhou was weak, he knew it but his excitement got the best of him.

Things will have to be slower from now on.

"It'll be like a new relationship all over again," he murmured as his fingers flew across the screen.

Sent.

The message wasn't filled with words of love or flirting, only his true concern for her, stating that he would stay one step behind her until she was all right.

~~~~~~~~~~~

(Message Received from Husband. Do you wish for it to be read?)

Glancing at the phone on the dashboard and spotting the text on the locked screen, Su Lian was mad at herself for hesitating to read a simple text. After she returned to Nanjing, Chen Kai's revelation hit her like a runaway truck.

The Chen Kai she knew and grew to love has died and a complete stranger is in his body. On top of that, she let herself go with that stranger.

Gripping the steering wheel tightly she relived her embarrassment and guilt when she recalled what they did.

Was she supposed to end things since the soul of the previous Chen Kai died or should she fully accept this 'Li Yun' as the present Chen Kai?

The answer was in front of her but something was blocking her clarity.

"He's no different from him (previous Chen Kai). There's no discomfort with him but…" She sighed at the incomplete words. Ignoring the text on her phone and chasing away those confusing thoughts, she focused on driving to the café her aunt invited her to.

The day off she took was only known to her friends. They thought she would go spend the day with Chen Kai but were surprised when she didn't. She was hit with concerned looks, their thoughts were on whether the new budding couple had their first fight.

That's when she realized how dazzling she and Chen Kai were in their eyes.

An immortal couple – the name Lin Fa's fans dubbed them.

A small smile of pride played on her lips before it died. They are good for each other but she can't be as relaxed as she was before.

She really needs to think things through in a better atmosphere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Did you read everything that I've given you?"

"Yes, Sister Lin."

"XiaoYan is the same as XiaoShi. They don't need to suck up to anyone and they are simply doing 'errands' for directors who find them for a role. School is their priority right now and your job is to help XiaoYan balance that and his 'part-time job. The person meeting us is his older brother, CEO Chen, the head of their family. He's new in Nanjing but has promising companies under his name. His feats are already mentioned among the higher-ups. You must give your best. Those two are little emperors. Remember that."

The little female assistant Jiao Mei nervously glanced at the door of the private room as Manager Lin continued her exhortation. This was her first job and her first time being a celebrity's assistant. The Entertainment Company that hired her had great popularity in Asia, Nanjing has one of their many branches. She was lucky to be hired and be assigned to Manager Lin. She must leave a good impression on her new charge's brother. She can't mess up.

Straightening her back and fixing her business casual suit, she prayed her dependable image would help Chen Yan's brother agree to let them sign the child.

Manager Lin saw the girl's effort and was pleased to see her serious work ethic. She too was nervous in meeting this brother of the little emperor. The boys described him in one word – unpredictable.

If the man's own flesh and blood doesn't have a handle on him, won't outsiders be wary of an unpredictable person?

She was determined to sign Chen Yan to the company. His screen test was superb and as the senior actors and director commented, the kid was spiritual in his acting. The little guy who was curious about everything was a hidden talent. He and Han Shi were two talents that she was lucky to come across.

'These two will be Tenhai's biggest child stars if she can sign XiaoYan.' Manager Lin knew how strict parents are when their kids want to be an entertainers. A lot of negotiations and schedules are to be made to protect and nurture them in the right way. She wonders how many things Chen Yan's brother will demand. Whatever it is, she can only give a positive answer as the Branch Manager saw the screen test and gave her one job – sign Chen Yan.

She anxiously touched the blue folder on the table and glanced at the door.

'Please be easygoing.'

The two ladies went over the topics for their meeting until a brisk knock sounded on the door. Rising to their feet, they invited the person in.

"My word!" Jiao Mei cursed under her breath when she got a firsthand look at the man stepping into the room.

His stature was tall and with his broad shoulders on his slender and muscular frame, he's what designers call a clothes rack while for the ladies, he's a golden ratio.

She stepped back subconsciously when he turned his sharp gaze her way.

… She was about to say something, like a greeting, maybe, but her mind went blank when those dark eyes under sharp eyebrows looked at her. Jiao Mei saw and met a lot of handsome men but there were a few who deserves momentary amnesia.

This man was counted in the few.

His fair skin flawlessly matched his dark phoenix shaped eyes and inky black hair; his pink slightly lush lips had a permanent teasing arch that can confuse anyone about his current mood but dub him a roguish. His handsome beauty was dangerously delicate, anyone would be dazzled by this beauty. Sinful.

Everyone loves beauty.

"Good day."

'Shit. Even his voice was sinful,' Jiao Mei cursed inwardly while trying to keep calm on the outside. Forget her nervousness, she wanted to take a few pictures of this guy and share them with her friends.

"CEO Chen. Thank you for meeting with us," Manager Lin greeted. She too was affected by this undeniably handsome man, he's surely a nemesis to men and a forbidden fruit to women. Thank heavens for her rigorous willpower she can maintain her composure.

She shifted her eyes to the two men who were accompanying him and cursed inwardly.

Jiao Mei wasn't better. The heavens were testing her. Yes. That's what it is. How can an assistant be so gorgeous and this companion – were they chosen for their looks?!

"XiaoYan didn't tell me much, only that he wish to try acting."

Straightforward. That's better for her. Manager Lin switched to professional mode after her quiet appreciation of the male beauties in front of her.

"The director and screenwriter found his age and looks suitable for a role they created but couldn't fill. His screen test and audition were excellent for a newcomer. We are ready to listen to any of your requests you may have." Manager Lin stated what the other side saw in XiaoYan and their stance in signing him.

She showed no arrogance in front of Chen Kai, she opted for being the lower party knowing the man across from her have strong connections and gaining influence in the province. He's a new power within the circle and someone everybody has their eye on.

Chen Kai tapped the table unhurriedly and gestured to the contract under her hand.

She offered it to him, only for his assistant to receive it. Not bothered by this, Manager Lin introduced Jiao Mei to him. He didn't say much at first after giving her a quick once over; he glanced at the young man on his left who had the demeanor of a soldier but the looks of a model.

The young man spoke one sentence. "Chi Xin, the second young master's bodyguard and driver."

"He will be at XiaoYan's side. My people won't be errand boys nor scapegoats for any mishaps that may happen among others." Chen Kai's words were firm and left no room for arguments. The warnings behind them were clear and understandable.

Jiao Mei shifted uneasily when she felt the pressure of his words, it was suffocating and the feeling of that bodyguard made her cautious. Why is her first charge so high profile? Maybe a little unknown idol would be better.

"The benefits suit XiaoYan's needs at the moment," Xiao Wei commented, sliding the contract to Chen Kai.

Seeing the income and percentage from projects, it was a considerable amount. "I wonder what he would say when he sees this. It's about the same as his allowance," Chen Kai commented with a playful smirk on his lips.

"The young master would probably ask for a higher amount from you when he does," Xiao Wei replied, handing him a pen.

"Then he will be thoroughly acting like a kid!"

Jiao Mei: A six figure allowance? Big Bro are you missing a sister?!

Manager Lin: Why does this sound familiar? ….. Oh! Right. XiaoShi's grandfather. Its really different in a wealthy household.

Clap!

The sudden clap pulled the ladies out of their stupor. Looking at the person who did it, they were taken aback by the grin on Chen Kai's face and those playful eyes filled with coldness. "XiaoYan's business is settled. Here are the little specifics. Two vans will be prepared for him only XiaoShi can ride with him and it's not the property of Tenhai. His background is what we tell you and nothing more. Lastly, whatever he says is what I say. This is his past time this is why we accepted this open contract. Manager Lin, he's my only brother. Do you understand?"

"Yes, CEO Chen," Manager Lin answered without hesitation. Listening to the man smiling while talking with threats lining each word, she began to feel mentally tired.

.

Jiao Mei: Is this the smiling devil from the books? As expected of a handsome CEO!