C7 Tianmen Mansion

"Second Young Master, congratulations are in order!"

"The family's growth hinges on the presence of steady, young leaders like yourself. Having passed the test, Second Young Master, you're now free to wield the Chu family's economic might in Yunhai City to realize your grandest ambitions." The man at the helm of Tianmen Mansion was a portly elder, standing just around 1.6 meters. His eyes crinkled into slits when he smiled, his cheeks bunching up in a comical display of joy.

This jovial fellow was none other than the head of Tianmen Mansion, whom Chu Fann affectionately addressed as Uncle Ding.

Uncle Ding went on.

"The Chen family really doesn't appreciate what they have, daring to break the three-year pact by calling off the engagement prematurely. It seems they believe their run of good fortune is over."

"Second Young Master, to seamlessly integrate you into the Chen household three years ago, we enlisted the help of an esteemed elder to plead our case, which facilitated the concealment of your identity. To secure our objective, we even pledged a partnership between Mingzhu Group and the Chen family. Only under those terms did they agree to take you in and commit to the so-called three-year engagement. The Chen family has reaped immense profits through Mingzhu Group over these years, riding high on success. Yet, they seem to have forgotten who's really in charge!"

Uncle Ding punctuated his remarks with a disdainful snort.

"Boss, once I get back, I'll sever the ties between Mingzhu Group and the Chen family. We'll see how high and mighty they feel then!" A prosperous-looking middle-aged man among the executives interjected with a cold laugh. He was Cai Fu, the head of Mingzhu Group.

Tianmen Mansion served as the nexus for the Chu family's vast array of enterprises in Yunhai City, with numerous subsidiary companies, including the prominent Mingzhu Group.

Chu Fann's gaze swept over the assembly, taking in the faces of group leaders and CEOs—all pillars of the Chu family's influence in Yunhai City.

Chu Fann remained silent, taking in the dialogue around him.

This asset transition meeting was, in essence, an opportunity for introductions, orchestrated by Uncle Ding to acquaint the subordinate managers with Chu Fann.

An hour later, the meeting adjourned. Chu Fann politely refused Uncle Ding's offer to arrange his transportation, opting instead to drive himself back to the Chen residence.

As Chu Fann contemplated the arrival of Monday and the inevitable return to his dorm, a sense of irritation crept in. Despite being a senior on the cusp of graduation, his obligations to the school weren't yet fulfilled, and he wasn't allowed to leave campus. Staying off-campus wasn't an option either, unless he was a graduate exam candidate with the proper permissions.

Consequently, Chu Fann took advantage of the weekends to enjoy some solitude at home.

The university, much like a microcosm of society, was abuzz with the gossip that had spilled over from the Chen family. At school, Chu Fann had become somewhat of a notorious figure, known for his less-than-stellar reputation.

Being engaged before graduation was uncommon, and being seen as an incompetent home-son-in-law only added to the whispers. Whenever these murmurs reached his ears, Chu Fann's only recourse was to keep his distance.

Thankfully, graduation was just a few months away.

"Chu Fann, hold it right there!"

It seemed his fears had a way of finding him.

From a distance, Chen Mengyu and her family approached briskly, clearly coming from the direction of the Chen family estate.

"What's going on?" Chu Fann asked, his face betraying no emotion.

He braced himself for another round of scathing rebukes. His blunt words at the banquet had certainly ruffled feathers, especially with Chen Mengyu's unforgiving nature.

"How come I never realized just how capable you are?"

"Huh? Chu Fann, who put those words in your mouth?" Chen Mengyu taunted as she approached, with Mengyao playfully gesturing to him from behind. Chu Fann knew, however, that some issues needed to be addressed.

Before Chu Fann could respond, Chen Mengyu began to chuckle to herself. "Actually, I'm not in the mood for a confrontation today. Just so you know, I'm the new project manager for the Chen family and Mingzhu Group. I'm on my way to becoming a millionaire."

"That's right, and you are to cease bothering Mengyu from now on. It was one thing when you were just admiring her from afar, indulging in your daydreams. But now, you'd best make yourself scarce," declared Chen Mengyu's mother, her voice full of conviction.

With that, the entourage breezed past Chu Fann and into the building, leaving only Chen Mengyao lingering behind.

"Chu Fann, you really mustn't antagonize my sister anymore. Grandma has chosen her as the project manager, and she's bound to become very influential. You won't stand a chance against her," Chen Mengyao whispered earnestly.

"Don't worry about me; you should head back. If they catch you talking to me, they'll just give you another earful," Chu Fann said with a resigned smile.

"Okay, just be careful, and if it gets too much, just stay at school," Chen Mengyao called out, waving as she ran off.

Once they were gone, Chu Fann's expression turned peculiar.

The Chen family made Chen Mengyu the project manager? As compensation? What hardships had she faced in the last three years? Any she did face, she took out on him. The real burdens of humiliation and distress had fallen mostly on Chu Fann and Mengyao.

...

"What? The partnership is off? Why? We've been collaborating for three years, and you just call it quits? That's hardly fair play, Mingzhu Group."

Old Madam Chen's face was a mask of fury in the ancestral Chen home, her grip on the phone white-knuckled, eyes blazing.

"Enough with the nonsense! Did the Chen family really think they had the clout to challenge the Mingzhu Group? Let me give you some advice: be kind," came the disdainful retort from the other end of the line.

After the call ended, Old Madam Chen was shaking with rage.

"Tell Mengyu that the deal with Mingzhu Group is off. She's no longer the project manager," Old Madam Chen finally spat out.

At that very moment, Chen Mengyu's family had just uncorked a bottle of Lafite worth thousands, toasting to their fortunes.

"Mengyao, we know you've been helping Chu Fann behind our backs. You're our daughter too, and it's not that we don't care for you. We're just warning you to keep your distance from him. Your prospects might not match your sister's, but you can still marry into a wealthy household and live a life of luxury," they reasoned.

"Chu Fann is already suffering enough. Why do you have to be so cruel to him?" Chen Mengyao's voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm in a good mood today, so do yourself a favor and don't bring him up again," Chen Mengyu snapped, her face turning icy and startling Mengyao.

Just then, a loud knocking erupted from outside.

"Who could that be?" Bai Yulan rose to answer the door.

"Zhang, have you had lunch yet? Come join us for a drink." Upon recognizing the visitor as Old Madam Chen's confidant, Chen Mengyu's father, Chen Shouguo, let out a hearty laugh and eagerly called out in welcome.

"No, no, I shouldn't." Zhang's smile carried a hint of discomfort. "I'm here to deliver a message from Old Madam."

"My mom could've just called with her message. Why send you all this way, Zhang? Hahaha, what's the good news?" Chen Shouguo rose to his feet and approached the door to greet him.

"Exactly, come in and have a drink first. We can discuss it at leisure." Bai Yulan offered warmly.

"Well... Old Madam has decided to revoke the Third Young Lady's position as the person in charge," Zhang said, steeling himself.

He glanced at Chen Mengyu. Her hand trembled, dropping her wine cup to the floor where it shattered, the smile on her face instantly solidifying.

"What?"

"Grandma is revoking my position? That can't be right. She gave me her personal assurance! The entire Chen family can vouch for that!" Chen Mengyu's composure shattered as she challenged the news.

"It wasn't Old Madam who made the decision. Mingzhu Group has terminated their partnership with our Chen family, and so..." Zhang clarified.

"Mingzhu Group, terminating... our partnership..."

The words seemed to sap all the energy from Chen Mengyu as she slumped onto a stool, defeated.

How could the Chen family ever measure up to Mingzhu Group? They were the darlings of Jing'an District in Yunhai City, heavily backed by the government.

Zhang watched as the family seemed to crumble before him. He sighed and retreated from the room.

It was a classic case of higher hopes leading to deeper disappointment. Chen Mengyu had barely settled into her new role for two hours before reality came crashing down, without reaping any benefits—a truly pitiful turn of events.

"Sister... there will be other opportunities. Don't lose heart," Chen Mengyao said, moving closer to offer some solace.

Slap!

In a fit of rage, Chen Mengyu lashed out with a slap across her sister's face. "Get out! Stop annoying me. It's all because of you, you bringer of bad luck! Your constant meddling with Chu Fann has brought nothing but misfortune to our family!"

Bai Yulan was at her wit's end, sitting silently on the sofa, while Chen Shouguo took deep drags of his cigarette.

Chen Mengyao was dazed by the slap, standing before Chen Mengyu with bitten lips and eyes brimming with tears.

"All you do is cry! Have you no spine? You're such an irritation—get out!" Chen Mengyu's rage boiled over as she delivered a kick to Mengyao's stomach, sending waves of sharp pain through her.

Picking herself up off the floor, Chen Mengyao wiped away her tears and fled the house.

Downstairs, Chu Fann was just arriving at the entrance when he witnessed the scene, and his heart immediately plummeted.