Du Zhao Ji was the second young master of the Du family.

Four years younger than Du Zhao Hui, he was born to Du Cheng Rong’s second concubine. From a young age, he had been intelligent and studious, making him a formidable rival to Du Zhao Hui in terms of age.

Du Zhao Hui hadn’t originally considered this opponent seriously, remembering his second brother as merely a bookworm.

During this return to Hong Kong, Du Zhao Hui privately met with two company veterans who had always supported him. During their meeting, they hesitantly warned him:

“Zhao Ji has quite good relationships within the company.”

The Cheng Rong Group had grown significantly, and most of the veterans who had built the empire alongside Du Cheng Rong now simply collected dividends without managing affairs.

Especially since Du Cheng Rong wanted to legitimize assets and develop the Cheng Rong Group, the old brothers couldn’t help much. The group’s middle and senior management primarily hired professional managers.

These people shared a common trait – they were all well-educated with overseas study experience… and could relate well to Du Zhao Ji!

These professionals didn’t want to see a young master who frequently appeared in tabloids and acted like a gangster managing the group in the future. They preferred the second young master, Du Zhao Ji, who studied business in England and spoke their language, someone who could appreciate their expertise.

The veterans who had built the empire with Du Cheng Rong preferred Du Zhao Hui.

The underworld had its rules – Du Zhao Hui was the first wife’s son and wasn’t a well-behaved child, much like these veterans themselves. Du Zhao Hui had that gangster spirit and operated like a triad member. These veterans believed that if Du Zhao Hui took over, their positions wouldn’t plummet.

One’s stance depends on one’s position. In the six months since Du Zhao Ji had returned and started working at the group, he had won considerable support.

Although Du Cheng Rong was a wolf king who didn’t need tenderness, with one son constantly hovering around him and another expanding territory outside, he could still think clearly. Du Zhao Hui worried that as the old man aged, he might become confused and favor his second son.

Summer Zi Yu’s strategy was valued by Du Zhao Hui under these circumstances.

Not just Summer Zi Yu – he had arranged several other types for the second young master, hoping one would catch Du Zhao Ji’s fancy!

As for his father, his taste had always been consistent – he liked feminine women, with bonus points for good dancing skills.

Liu Ke Ying had risen to power this way, originally Du Zhao Hui’s English teacher before seducing Du Cheng Rong with her exceptional dancing.

That was over a decade ago.

Du Zhao Hui sneered: “It’s time for a younger woman to replace her.”

When the big boss talked to himself, it was best to pretend not to hear. Ah Hua stood beside him like a statue.

Of course, Du Zhao Hui knew these were minor matters. Besides undermining others, he couldn’t neglect his own affairs. While the old man’s future mental state was uncertain, what mattered most now was capability – whoever could manage the Cheng Rong Group would be the true Du family heir.

“Isn’t President Tang from Mei Hua meeting me for golf today? He’s been quite active in Peng City lately, I heard he invested in a hotel?”

Hong Kong Mei Hua was a subsidiary of Yu Hua Group, managed by Tang Yuan Yue, the eldest Tang son, for practice.

Tang Yuan Yue was several years older than Du Zhao Hui, truly in his prime at thirty. The Tang family’s eldest son was in a much better position than Du Zhao Hui – although the Tang family had three brothers, they shared the same mother, which Du Zhao Hui deeply envied.

Previously, Tang Yuan Yue and Du Zhao Hui weren’t close, having little in common.

It wasn’t until recently, when Du Zhao Hui showed promise managing hundreds of millions in capital and independently operating Cheng Rong Group’s mainland investments, that they found common ground, as Mei Hua followed a similar development strategy.

Ah Hua respectfully answered: “President Tang’s company invested in the Nan Hai Hotel in Peng City, scheduled to open next year. The building is complete, just waiting for interior decoration. Speaking of which, Liu Tian Quan was particularly interested in securing the Nan Hai Hotel’s decoration project when he was in Peng City.”

This sounded familiar to Du Zhao Hui.

He didn’t need to ask about the aftermath – he had taken over all of Liu Tian Quan’s foundations in Peng City.

Du Zhao Hui pondered, “Liu Tian Quan’s company is now managed under the group, right? What’s it called? They do decorations too?”

“Young Master, it’s called Tian Chen.”

Du Zhao Hui wanted to spit in disgust.

Fat Liu wasn’t just physically large – his ambitions were too. Despite having a small company, he gave it quite a powerful name.

“Call Tian Chen’s current manager here for questioning.”

Summoned by Young Master Du, the Hong Kong manager came running.

Hearing that Young Master Du would take him to meet President Tang of Mei Hua, he grinned from ear to ear: “Young Master, the Nan Hai Hotel decoration project is still open for bidding!”

Du Zhao Hui wasn’t concerned about the Nan Hai Hotel’s decoration – now that Tian Chen was part of the Cheng Rong Group, it was Du’s family business. He was slightly interested in the project Liu Tian Quan had coveted but failed to secure – if he got it, Liu Tian Quan would surely be furious.

Secondly, Du Zhao Hui wanted to build a relationship with Tang Yuan Yue, using the Nan Hai Hotel matter as a conversation starter.

Neither Du Zhao Hui nor Tang Yuan Yue could consume the mainland market alone.

Both investing in Peng City, and they could cooperate in the future!

While Du Zhao Ji was building goodwill within the group, Du Zhao Hui couldn’t remain passive – he needed to compensate in other ways.

Hong Kong tycoons enjoyed golf.

This trend came from abroad, but golf suited the tycoons’ status. Sports like basketball, football, baseball, and ping pong were too competitive – what was the point of players getting exhausted and sweaty?

Golf was different – walking and stopping, occasionally taking a swing, discussing business while playing.

Having two beautiful women accompany them, embracing them while golfing, added another layer of pleasure.

Du Zhao Hui brought Tian Chen’s manager to meet Tang Yuan Yue at the club.

Tang Yuan Yue had already changed into his golf attire.

“Zhao Hui, you take the first shot.”

The two walked onto the course, with Tian Chen’s manager following closely, acting as their caddie. After Du Zhao Hui explained his purpose, Tang Yuan Yue smiled and shook his head:

“Zhao Hui, it’s not that I won’t help you. I’ve seen Tian Chen’s proposal, but the Nan Hai Hotel matter isn’t simple. Besides Mei Hua, there are three other shareholders – Hong Kong Merchants’ Bureau, HSBC Bank, and Dong Feng Holdings. You know how mainland capital always wants to compete with us.”

Du Zhao Hui took a swing, “Brother Yuan Yue, what you want, what can’t you get? You’re luckier than me – you know my situation at home, wolves in front and tigers behind, I can only prove myself through excellence. If you help me today, I’ll have more say, and naturally, I can help you in the future.”

Tang Yuan Yue smiled, “We can help each other. Dong Feng Holdings has Mayor Tang speaking for them, making it difficult for Mei Hua. Zhao Hui, you have a good relationship with Mayor Tang – this could be a win-win situation.”

Du Zhao Hui’s grip on the golf club stiffened – had he walked right into this? However, he agreed with Tang Yuan Yue’s reasoning – why would the other party help him if he couldn’t help in return? Benefits must be exchanged equally!

“As for Mayor Tang… I’ll give it a try.”