Perhaps only Du Zhaohui was his biological son.

The other Du family children were merely byproducts of Du Chengrong’s liaisons with women.

Though crude, Du Zhaoqi couldn’t think of a better description.

Even Du Zhaohui wasn’t particularly favored—giving him shares while elevating Xia Ziyu… wasn’t this just a way to check Du Zhaohui’s power?

And now being called back to manage the family’s smuggling business created a three-way power dynamic.

A triangle is the most stable shape—was the old man afraid of someone usurping power?

Du Zhaoqi was clear-headed.

Precisely because of his clarity, he couldn’t refuse his father’s arrangements.

He had high hopes for the Asia project, wanting to emulate Japan’s Yaohan to develop Asia into a chain department store. However, his financing plans weren’t progressing smoothly.

He had approached many people, with Tang Yuanyue being the most promising prospect.

Unexpectedly, Tang Jinyun’s sudden death left Tang Yuanyue dealing with his mess, too busy for investment discussions, ending their negotiations. As for other prospects, they either couldn’t provide sufficient funding or wanted to micromanage with minimal investment, trying to boss Du Zhaoqi around—he knew how Hong Kong people viewed him, believing he had lost his chance at inheritance, lost the competition with Du Zhaohui, with dim prospects, not believing in his ability to rise again, naturally showing him no respect!

Du Zhaoqi now found himself in a dilemma.

After careful consideration, he decided to return to Hong Kong.

Du Zhaohui received 5% of the shares; he couldn’t be left with nothing.

Du Zhaoqi’s return to Hong Kong delighted Zhu Suizhou more than anyone—though he held the smallest stake in the under-construction Shangdu Asia Mall, with conflict between the first and second shareholders, and second shareholder Xia Xiaolan sidelining Asia, Du Zhaoqi’s departure would return control to Zhu Suizhou.

This was originally his business, his idea, and he had nearly been marginalized due to lack of capital.

The night Du Zhaoqi left, Zhu Suizhou opened a bottle of wine at home.

Sheng Xuan wondered, “You’re in high spirits today?”

“Du Zhaoqi’s gone. When I saw that the Du family’s fifth concubine became CR Investment’s executive director, I knew Du Zhaoqi would return to Hong Kong Island and wouldn’t be back anytime soon!”

Compared to the Du family fortune, what was a few million invested in Asia Mall?

If Du Zhaoqi didn’t return, others would divide up the Du family’s wealth. The eldest son and young wife were Du family patriarch’s priorities; Du Zhaoqi was just the middle son caught between them.

Sheng Xuan’s eyes lit up:

“Then doesn’t that mean…”

She poured Zhu Suizhou wine, “With Du Zhaoqi back in Hong Kong, is Xia Xiaolan stepping back?”

Zhu Suizhou nodded, “Seems she won’t be involved. She’s right here in Shangdu, working on some museum design with foreigners. It’ll occupy her for months at least, though I don’t know why!”

The business world’s strategic games were exhilarating.

Zhu Suizhou had quit his iron rice bowl to run his own business.

He thought Xia Xiaolan was like him, yet she kept surprising him.

A real estate company owner with architect dreams—while not conflicting, the former was clearly more important. Qihang’s ‘Luohu Sky City’ sold well, Xia Xiaolan should have substantial returned capital, perfect timing to seize more land in Pengcheng for new developments… but Qihang showed no movement. Zhu Suizhou’s inquiries confirmed that Qihang hadn’t acquired any new land in Pengcheng.

What was Xia Xiaolan planning with all that cash?

Initially, Zhu Suizhou feared the money was meant for Asia Mall, to squeeze out Du Zhaoqi.

Now, he doubted this theory.

Xia Xiaolan showed no urgency!

Not rushing to make money, spending days around Erqi Square, and planning some museums.

How much could a museum earn?

Young people had strange ideas.

No, not strange exactly—young people were easily tempted by empty fame, abandoning profitable business for international recognition—the title of internationally renowned architect held no appeal for Zhu Suizhou.

He knew that when he paid design institute staff generously for blueprints, the Provincial Construction Institute’s people worked very quickly!

Why become an architect when you could simply hire them? This didn’t align with Zhu Suizhou’s values.

But this situation benefited him.

Sheng Xuan shared his joy, the couple toasting each other until nearly drunk.

…

Had Xia Xiaolan known Zhu Suizhou’s thoughts, she would have cried injustice.

When had she ever neglected to make money?

Why must profit-making follow Zhu Suizhou’s way?

Shangdu Asia Mall was Zhu Suizhou’s life’s work but meant little to Xia Xiaolan.

Profitable projects existed everywhere; why fixate on Asia?

And holding funds to target Du Zhaoqi?

Who gave Du Zhaoqi such importance?

Xia Xiaolan temporarily delegated money-making to others, focusing on museum design, experiencing intertwined pain and joy, and pure living reminiscent of her Cornell exchange student days.

Without anyone saying, she knew completing the museum design would transform her abilities.

After accumulating quantitative changes, qualitative change wasn’t far.

With Xia Xiaolan stationed in Shangdu, Liu Fen worried the housekeeper wouldn’t care for her properly, leaving Tang Hongen in Pengcheng and Beijing business aside to care for Xia Xiaolan’s daily needs.

Business was important, she remarried her husband too, but her daughter remained paramount.

Mother and daughter had cared for each other this way since leaving their village.

As Xia Xiaolan found life simpler, Liu Fen found joy.

While mother and daughter lived in Shangdu, Xia Dajun suffered… after Xia Hongxia forcibly took Xia Junbao away, Fan Yu burned with anger.

Since when could Xia Hongxia dismiss her with money? Those who once depended on her goodwill now threw her a few hundred to care for Old Lady Xia.

Fan Yu hardened her heart, cutting off Old Lady Xia’s food and water after Xia Hongxia took Xia Junbao.

She stopped caring for Old Lady Xia, threw open her blankets, and opened windows to air out odors. Spring had arrived, nature revived, people shed winter coats for lighter clothing, and days weren’t too cold, but temperature differences between day and night were significant.

Young people still used thick blankets at night—how long could a paralyzed, malnourished elderly person last?

Within two days, Old Lady Xia was barely breathing.

Old Lady Xia lived a bitter life.

Even in old age, she tried controlling her three sons.

Fearing any son might grow too close to his wife, choosing spouse over mother, focusing on their own family instead of caring for their mother!

So she had her cunning.

Relied on the eldest son.

Tormented the second son.

Favored the youngest son.

Who knew that at life’s end, none of the three sons she tried to control would be by her side?

“Heh heh…”

Such resentment! Unfilial, all unfilial, wretched sons, should have drowned them in the chamber pot at birth!