Du Chengrong made his fortune in the shipping business during the 1960s.

This was the official story, but many people in Hong Kong knew the truth. Even now in the 1980s, the Chengrong Group that Du Chengrong founded still operated in a gray area between legal and illegal business.

Du Chengrong didn’t conduct his shadier dealings in Hong Kong, having moved them elsewhere. Previously, he focused on Southeast Asia, but now he was looking to expand into mainland China.

He had considered legitimate business in mainland China, but his reputation preceded him, and the mainland authorities were wary of his capital. Hong Kong had no shortage of patriotic businessmen; Du Chengrong wasn’t essential. There were even tycoons who had been personally received by national leaders, making Du Chengrong rather insignificant in comparison.

Given the high risks of operating in gray areas, Du Chengrong wanted to earn money legitimately. This led to Liu Tianquan’s investment in Pengcheng, following Du Chengrong’s suggestion. This was during the early days of China’s Reform and opening-up policy. If not for Du Chengrong’s directive, Liu Tianquan wouldn’t have dared venture into Pengcheng at that time—Hong Kong people greatly misunderstood the mainland government then, fearing their assets and persons would be “communized.” The numerous illegal immigrants from coastal areas to Hong Kong only deepened these negative impressions.

Not everyone in Hong Kong was wealthy; during economic downturns, many couldn’t find work. Yet even the poorest Hong Kongers maintained an air of superiority toward mainlanders, viewing the land across the sea as barren. This wasn’t entirely wrong—before the Reform and Opening Up, mainland China was indeed quite poor.

However, Hong Kongers hadn’t anticipated how rapidly mainland China would develop after the reforms. In just thirty years, the economy had taken flight. Du Chengrong hadn’t anticipated this either; otherwise, he would have prioritized the mainland market instead of sending his brother-in-law as a scout.

Liu Tianquan was only a mediocre businessman, though he was good with people. His jovial, chubby appearance made him appear friendly and lowered others’ guards. But for some reason, his business development had significantly slowed over the past year. Now, with problems arising in the Fujian Province “business” and the dance hall in Pengcheng being investigated—Du Chengrong cared little about one small dance hall, but he saw its closure as a negative signal for the Chengrong Group!

This necessitated calling Liu Tianquan back for questioning.

The Du family mansion was packed with spectators. Du Chengrong’s Third Concubine was Liu Tianquan’s sister, Liu Keying. Originally hired as an English tutor for Du’s eldest son, Liu Keying wasn’t particularly beautiful but excelled in dance. After becoming involved with Du Chengrong, she quickly became his Fourth Concubine.

Why was Liu Keying called the Fourth Concubine when Du Chengrong only had three? Outsiders weren’t so tactless—she had entered the household before Hong Kong’s marriage laws were reformed, making her legitimately Du Chengrong’s fourth wife.

Liu Keying had enjoyed many years of favor; after her, none of Du Chengrong’s other women had managed to enter the household. She had borne him two sons and a daughter and usually carried herself proudly in the Du household. But today was different. With Liu Tianquan being called back for questioning, the other two households were watching the spectacle unfold, their comments nearly causing Liu Keying to break the diamond bracelet on her wrist from anxiety.

Du Chengrong typically ignored such jealous squabbles. The fighting among his households happened with his tacit approval—would he hand over his hard-earned empire to someone weak and incompetent? Let them fight; the eventual winner would still be his offspring.

“Fourth Sister, your brother this time really…”

“I heard the government arrested all your brother’s people. I said before he was too high-profile.”

Liu Keying could barely maintain her smile. In the Du family, the power went to the capable. If Liu Tianquan proved capable, her children’s lives in the Du family would improve. Though she appeared in Du Chengrong’s life later, and despite his becoming more restrained with women afterward, Liu Keying’s children were the youngest.

Du Chengrong had been poor in his youth, marrying his first wife in his thirties. He was nearly forty when he had his first son, now twenty-four years old. This explains the fierce competition among households. Du Chengrong was over sixty now, and while he had no major health issues, he did have minor ailments. No one knew when he might pass away, so the fight for inheritance had to happen while he was still alive.

Liu Tianquan arrived at the Du mansion by car. Except for the eldest young master who had his villa, Du’s three concubines still lived together. Liu Tianquan’s steps were heavy—he had embarrassed his sister Keying, and if he couldn’t explain things well, facing Du Chengrong would be difficult.

Du Chengrong wasn’t known for his good temper.

Just as Liu Tianquan’s car stopped, another pulled up beside it—the eldest young master’s vehicle. After his mother’s death, the eldest young master had moved out of the mansion and rarely returned. His appearance now was clearly to watch the spectacle.

The eldest young master walked past Liu Tianquan without a glance, treating him like air. Liu Tianquan sneered—what was there to be proud of? They were all Du family members and the eldest young master had neither a mother’s support nor brothers’ help. Though he was currently the most favored, the future was long.

Inside the mansion, the eldest young master’s attitude changed completely from his cold exterior demeanor. He not only called “Father” affectionately but also didn’t neglect his three stepmothers.

“Father, I met Uncle Liu at the door. Wasn’t he supposed to be in Pengcheng?”

The eldest young master feigned confusion. Liu Keying forced a smile, “What a coincidence. He’s back to report on business.”

Du Chengrong glanced at his eldest son, “What are you trying to say?”

He knew his son must have heard about Liu Tianquan’s troubles and wanted to know what game he was playing.

The eldest young master just smiled without answering.

Though the Du mansion was large, the distance from the entrance to the main hall was short. Liu Tianquan entered reluctantly. Du Chengrong didn’t give him a chance to make excuses, immediately asking a question that left him speechless:

“Did you offend someone in Pengcheng? The company’s business is stagnating, and the Fujian business has hit obstacles—you volunteered to go to Pengcheng initially, and this is how you handle things. If you can’t manage it, get back to Hong Kong and let someone else take over Pengcheng!”

Du Chengrong was known for being blunt. He respected his business partners and those more powerful than him. Liu Tianquan was just someone dependent on the Du family, not Du Chengrong’s son, so he wouldn’t coddle him.

Liu Keying bit her lip—even though she had borne Du Chengrong children, her brother had no status in the Du family, so what face did she have?

“Chairman, someone is targeting me!”

Liu Tianquan always called him Chairman, not brother-in-law.

Liu Tianquan explained the situation in Pengcheng, naturally omitting the matter about a certain woman, instead saying he had fallen out of favor with Mayor Tang.

Du Chengrong frowned, and the eldest young master suddenly said with a smile:

“Father, let’s set aside the Fujian business for now, but how can we abandon the Pengcheng market? I’m willing to go to Pengcheng to help Uncle Liu.”