HBWMA -Chapter 140 Shen Zhuang’s Favoritism

Watching the cars drive off one after another, Shen Lanxi stood there for a while before turning back into the estate.

Inside the main hall, both the dining area and the tea room had already been tidied up. Shen Zhuang sat calmly at the table, his gaze clear. On the rosewood surface in front of him were two blue-and-white porcelain teacups.

“Grandpa.” Shen Lanxi stepped forward.

Shen Zhuang tapped the table lightly. “Sit.”

Shen Lanxi nodded slightly and took a seat.

Shen Zhuang personally poured him a cup of tea, his eyes lingering on Shen Lanxi’s face for a moment before he smiled slowly. “Not bad—your alcohol tolerance.”

Shen Lanxi replied, “Grandpa, I was just drinking water later on.”

Shen Zhuang waved it off. “Once the atmosphere is right, what you’re drinking doesn’t matter. So—did you notice any problems with today’s situation?”

After a brief moment of thought, Shen Lanxi looked up at him. “Grandpa, are you trying to win over the Yao family?”

Shen Zhuang shook his head. “A family that stands at the top of Country A’s hierarchy can’t be won over with just a copper mine.”

Shen Lanxi pondered again. “Then… you’re trying to split the Yao family?”

A hint of approval flashed in Shen Zhuang’s eyes. “And how did you figure that out?”

Shen Lanxi explained, “Among the five major families—Qiao, Guan, Li, Yao, and Gu—aside from the Gu family being led by Old Madam Zhong, the others are all controlled by the father’s generation. Although Yao Li is the current head, it was actually Yao Jun who had the final say before. Now that Yao Jun is imprisoned, the Yao family’s finances have taken a major hit. At a time like this, a copper mine is like a windfall to everyone in the Yao family. Since they’ve never been united, they’ll definitely fight bitterly over the mining rights.”

He hesitated slightly. “But… Grandpa, why do you want to do this?”

Shen Zhuang took a sip of tea, looking completely at ease. “I’ll explain the reasons to you when the time is right. For now, I want to tell you something else.”

After a moment of thought, Shen Lanxi said, “You mean Shen Guiling and Shen Qingyu?”

Shen Zhuang chuckled. “Why so distant? Those two are your younger brothers.”

“…” Shen Lanxi fell silent.

Shen Zhuang continued, “The Yao family rose rapidly in Country A because all four siblings were capable—but that was also their downfall. Before, Yao Jun could still keep them somewhat in check. Now that he’s in prison, Yao Li likely can’t control them. When people aren’t united, the family falls apart.”

Shen Lanxi was sharp-minded; he had already grasped the deeper meaning from Shen Zhuang’s very first sentence.

Shen Zhuang tapped the table again, signaling him to drink his tea. “Lanxi, remember what I’m telling you—there are many ways to reach the top, but turning your own brothers into enemies is always the worst choice.”

Shen Lanxi didn’t respond. He simply lifted the teacup and drank it in one go.

At that point, nothing more needed to be said. How much he understood depended entirely on his own insight.

Shen Zhuang’s tone lightened as his gaze shifted. “In a few days, it’ll be your homecoming banquet. How are the preparations coming along?”

All the arrangements were being handled by Shen Zhi. Aside from trying on a few outfits, Shen Lanxi hadn’t really done anything—but he didn’t dare let Shen Zhuang know how uninvolved he had been, especially since the old man had put so much effort into the event.

Lowering his gaze, Shen Lanxi gave a soft acknowledgment and took another sip of tea.

Shen Zhuang, however, was quite enthusiastic. “Have you prepared your speech for that day?”

Shen Lanxi paused. “A speech?”

Shen Zhuang nodded. “You’ll have to go on stage and say a few words—introduce yourself, talk about your interests, that sort of thing. You’re usually so quiet you scare people off. Say a bit more so others can get to know you—it’s not a bad thing.”

“…Alright.” Shen Lanxi was reluctant, but seeing Shen Zhuang so eager, he could only respond perfunctorily, “Got it.”

Shen Zhuang nodded. “That’s more like it.” As he spoke, he casually handed a visiting card from the table to Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi glanced at the old man, took the card, and paused slightly when he saw the signature below. “Yu Siwen? Isn’t he…?”

Shen Zhuang gave a subtle smile.

In previous years, the president would always find an opportunity to visit Shen Garden for a meal within a week of taking office. There had always been an unspoken balance between the government and the powerful financial conglomerates that controlled the economic lifelines.

But this Yu Siwen, even after a month in office, had been busy rectifying the old administration. Not only had he not paid a visit, he hadn’t even made a single phone call.

Yu Siwen was not someone elevated by financial capital. In fact, his election could be seen as a miscalculation by the powerful families—a loophole in capital itself. Because of that, his deliberate distance from top-tier conglomerates like the Shen family was something the general public was pleased to see.

His intentions were unclear. That was why the Shen family hadn’t invited Yu Siwen to this family banquet. Yet unexpectedly, he had taken the initiative to send a visiting card.

This could not possibly be a simple courtesy visit.

Shen Zhuang looked at Shen Lanxi. “Why so serious?”

Shen Lanxi stared at the card in his hand.

The Shen family had remained quiet for a long time after Shen Xi. This time, they were holding such a grand and high-profile banquet for one reason—to tell everyone who coveted or watched the Shen family that they had a worthy successor.

On that day, Shen Lanxi would formally step into the public eye, to be observed and judged by all. From then on, every word and action of his would represent the Shen family.

This was also Shen Zhuang’s unique favor toward him.

The young man lifted his gaze, a trace of determination appearing in his otherwise indifferent eyes. “Grandfather, don’t worry. I will perform well that day.”

A pleased smile crossed Shen Zhuang’s face. “Good.”

That evening, as soon as Shen Jiao returned, she heard about Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er getting into a fight with Yao Ge in the side hall. Without hesitation, she immediately brought the two of them to apologize in person.

After marrying Shen Qian, Yao Ge had moved out of Shen Garden and had been living in the Bishan Villa by Bi Lake.

When the doorbell rang, Yao Ge was discussing how to divide mining rights with her second brother, Yao Zhang.

Seeing Shen Jiao’s face appear on the video doorbell, Yao Ge was visibly taken aback. Reluctantly, she hung up the call. After a brief hesitation, she still went to open the door herself.

Shen Jiao was carrying two boxed gifts. The moment the door opened, a bright smile appeared on her face. “Sister-in-law.”

As the saying goes, you don’t slap a smiling face. Yao Ge smiled in return. “What brings you here?”

Shen Jiao turned back and signaled to Fu Sui’er and Jiang Huashan with her eyes. The two stepped forward quietly. “Hello, Aunt.”

The smile on Yao Ge’s face faded slightly. She cast a meaningful glance at Shen Jiao. “Come in.”

As she spoke, she stepped aside to make way, then called into the house, “Auntie, pour some water for our guests.”

She gestured for Shen Jiao to sit. Her gaze swept over Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er before returning to Shen Jiao.

“Since you’ve come personally, I assume you’ve heard about what happened in the side hall today?”

Shen Jiao nodded and placed the two velvet gift boxes on the coffee table.

“Sister-in-law, we’re family, so I won’t beat around the bush. These two children were indeed a bit unruly today. No matter what, they shouldn’t have raised a hand against an elder. I’ve brought them here to apologize. I hope, for the sake of family, you won’t take it to heart.”

Yao Ge glanced at Jiang Huashan. “You said just now—two children?”

Shen Jiao nodded. “That’s right. I forgot to tell you—I’ve already taken Huashan as my daughter. From now on, she’s just like Sui’er, both are my precious girls. Anyone who troubles her is troubling me.”