No one had expected the Young Master Du to volunteer for Pengcheng.

Market development work was always arduous. The mainland was so poor that even Pengcheng Special Economic Zone, despite being among the first to reform and open up, was still under construction. Why would Young Master Du choose to leave the good life in Hong Kong for Pengcheng?

Liu Keying’s face changed dramatically, while the other two wives were secretly delighted. Young Master Du was skilled at currying favor, meeting with Du Chengrong regularly in Hong Kong to maintain their father-son bond. No one else in the family could compete with the eldest son.

With Du Chengrong aging, he naturally wanted to groom Young Master Du. If Liu Tianquan couldn’t handle Pengcheng, the concubines hoped Young Master Du would stumble there too.

Getting rid of the troublesome Young Master Du would benefit everyone except Liu Keying’s household.

The Second Wife immediately spoke up for Young Master Du: “The young master is so filial, helping to share your burden.”

“Yes, he wants to help the family. Our third son is too young, otherwise he’d go with his big brother…”

The chatter made Liu Keying and Liu Tianquan’s faces twist with anger.

Du Chengrong hesitated, remembering how his eldest son had recently been attacked in Fujian Province. If not for a dock worker’s desperate rescue, Du Chengrong might never have seen his son again.

Afterward, the eldest son dealt with several traitors.

He truly wasn’t afraid of death, still daring to venture into the mainland.

Far from Hong Kong, Du Chengrong’s influence waned, making it easier for family members or Du family enemies to target his eldest son.

“Zhaohui, have you thought this through?”

Du Zhaohui nodded, “I believe the mainland market will be crucial in the future. Look at the tycoon building a port in Pengcheng. If the Du family wants to continue growing, shouldn’t we learn from the wise? I’m willing to share your burden, Father, and work for my brothers and sisters.”

The three concubines wanted to roll their eyes.

If Du Zhaohui took power, the other Du children would be lucky to merely be exiled rather than killed. His words about working for his siblings sounded nice, but everyone knew power was safer in one’s own hands. They all wanted Du Zhaohui to hurry off to the mainland.

Du Chengrong asked Liu Tianquan’s opinion.

How could Liu Tianquan object? He was already in disgrace and had no standing to oppose the young master.

“I just worry the young master will suffer in Pengcheng. Though it’s a special zone, it’s all under development, construction sites everywhere, nothing as convenient as Hong Kong.”

Du Zhaohui, who dated starlets in Hong Kong, would find Pengcheng like a large fishing village compared to Hong Kong’s Central district.

Du Chengrong sneered, “I don’t see you suffering much in Pengcheng.”

Liu Tianquan fell silent.

Du Chengrong dismissed Liu Tianquan and discussed Pengcheng with Du Zhaohui, “You know the tycoon is ahead of us, with his good mainland connections. This time you’re going to Pengcheng not for small dealings, but to represent the group’s investments.”

These words pleased only Du Zhaohui; everyone else was unhappy.

Liu Tianquan was the first to feel dejected.

When he went to Pengcheng, he couldn’t use the Du family name. Yet this inexperienced youth would represent Chengrong Group’s investments!

But no one could object—Du Zhaohui was the first wife’s son, legitimately the heir in others’ eyes. Besides Du Chengrong himself, only Du Zhaohui could represent the group externally… What was Liu Tianquan? Just an outsider, Du Chengrong’s dog.

After berating Liu Tianquan thoroughly, Du Chengrong took his son to the study to discuss business.

The other two households, having enjoyed the spectacle, gradually dispersed.

Only when Liu Keying was alone with Liu Tianquan did she complain to her brother: “With that brat Du Zhaohui going to Pengcheng, where will we stand?”

Du Chengrong was biased. The Fourth House had opened the market, Liu Tianquan had managed it for years, and now Du Zhaohui would take over, simply picking the fruits. All Liu Tianquan’s years of hard work paved the way for Du Zhaohui—it was infuriating.

If Liu Keying herself was upset, how much more so was Liu Tianquan?

Mindful of being in the Du mansion, Liu Tianquan’s eyes flashed dangerously as he muttered, “Pengcheng isn’t Hong Kong. That brat might not have the final say there.”

Du Zhaohui spent a long time discussing with his father in the study. Du Chengrong supported his Pengcheng venture.

Du family members could fail, but couldn’t be cowardly, weak, or complacent. Du Zhaohui understood this, which was why he was his father’s favorite son. This move was right—the old man was pleased with his initiative to develop the mainland market.

Unusually, Du Chengrong even showed concern for his safety.

“Take more men with you.”

When Du Zhaohui had nearly been killed in Fujian, he’d dealt with several traitors afterward, yet Du Chengrong hadn’t acted.

This concern was both rare and too late.

In his car, Du Zhaohui sneered. The previous incident surely involved the three concubines’ machinations. Now he suspected everyone, especially Liu Tianquan, who might not have been fully responsible for the Fujian matters but certainly knew the transaction timing.

Being on the mainland, Liu Tianquan could more easily arrange certain things.

Liu Keying, relying on the old man’s favor, had grown increasingly arrogant. With her three children still young, she enlisted her brother’s help to fight for their inheritance. The other two households did the same, though their children were older than Liu Keying’s. At 24, Du Zhaohui faced serious competition from his 19-year-old second brother studying business in England.

Was studying business useful?

He had to secure as much as possible before his second brother graduated. The Du mansion sat atop a hill, and the wind was strong. Du Zhaohui pulled his coat tighter.

Returning home, Du Zhaohui saw his Filipino maid flirting with Xia Dajun in his suit, and couldn’t help cursing: “You take my salary yet chase my women?”

Filipino maids were more loyal than bodyguards; guards changed, but maids might serve a family for decades. Calling the maid Du Zhaohui’s woman wasn’t wrong. Xia Dajun couldn’t explain—he didn’t even like the maid—so he kept quiet.

Du Zhaohui beckoned to him, “Young master is heading to develop the mainland. Want to come back with me?”

Having saved his life, Du Zhaohui nominally asked Xia Dajun’s opinion.

Some mainlanders refused to leave Hong Kong once there. If Xia Dajun didn’t want to return, Du Zhaohui would have to arrange another “job” for him.

Fortunately, Xia Dajun wasn’t completely foolish and knew following the young master was right.

“Wherever Young Master goes, I’ll follow.”