HBWMA -Chapter 23 The Shen Family

The Flower Hall of Shen Garden was unusually lively today. Members of the second and third branches of the family had all gathered, while the household staff moved in an orderly manner to prepare tea and refreshments for the young masters and young ladies.

Shen Zhuang had five sons, each one outstanding in his own right.

The eldest, Shen Qian, was the Speaker of Parliament, holding supervisory and restraining power over both the president and the judiciary.

The second son, Shen Yuan, was in business. His commercial empire spanned electronics, finance, machinery, entertainment, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals—his influence extending across multiple sectors of the global economy.

The fourth son, Shen Che, was also in business, but he made fast money. Eighty percent of the casinos, clubs, hotels, and entertainment venues in Whale Harbor were his assets.

The fifth son, Shen Rang, handled the Shen family’s dark division, responsible for overseas trade and various underground dealings that could not be exposed.

The most formidable of them all was the legitimate heir, Shen Xi. Before even turning thirty, he had risen to the position of military commander in A Country. Yet he was also the most unfortunate—he was said to have died in an overseas combat mission, his body lost at sea. If Shen Xi had not died, he would likely have even been qualified to sit in the presidency of A Country.

“Second brother, what happened at home? Why did the old master suddenly call everyone here?” Shen E wore a custom purple lace dress, absentmindedly stirring her coffee. She was from the second branch and the eldest daughter of the old master.

Shen Yuan was also from the second branch, the second son of the Shen family. He resembled the madam of the second household. Although middle-aged, he showed no signs of aging; instead, he carried a distinctive mature charm. Dressed in a tailored suit with his legs crossed, he exuded a casual, unrestrained ease. “Why the rush? We’ll know soon enough.”

Shen E glanced at him, then let her gaze drift across the people opposite her, a polite smile on her lips. “Fourth brother, I heard you secured the land in South Bay? Any plans? My husband just happens to have some idle funds lately. Maybe we can get together sometime and have a meal to talk business? Don’t forget your own family if there are any good projects.”

Shen Che, the fourth son, was speaking in a low voice with Shen Rang when he heard this and raised a brow. “Where did you hear that? The bidding results won’t be announced until next week.”

Whether or not he had won the bid was something everyone more or less understood internally. Shen Che’s words were clearly a way of shutting her down. Shen E was no fool either; she lowered her eyes and took a sip of coffee. “Alright, then we’ll talk after the results are out.”

“Big sister,” Shen Rang said, “if your brother-in-law has spare cash, why not invest it with me? I’m planning to expand my business too.”

Unlike his handsome and refined brothers, Shen Rang had been fond of food since childhood and had remained stout into adulthood. Dressed in a Tang suit, he looked kind and amiable.

Shen E had been trying to get a piece of Shen Che’s business to make quick money, but she would never dare touch Shen Rang’s funds—too stressful, not to mention worrying about whether the money was clean or not.

But everyone here was a schemer. Shen E did not offend him on the surface and replied with a smile, “I don’t really understand business matters. I’ll ask your brother-in-law about it later.”

Shen Rang had no interest in the small change from the Xiao family. He only said those polite words to signal that she should not stretch her hands too far. Seeing her disinterest, he picked up his teacup and drank leisurely.

Shen E lowered her gaze, staring at the coffee in her hand in a daze. Before leaving home this morning, her husband had specifically asked her to probe about the South Bay land. Now that the third brother had shut her down so bluntly, how was she supposed to explain it when she got back?

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yuan stood up with his tea and glanced at her indifferently.

Shen E forced herself to steady her expression. “No…”

Shen Yuan interrupted her, his tone calm. “Short on money?”

Shen E froze, then instinctively shook her head. “No.”

“Alright then.” Shen Yuan lowered his head and took a sip of tea, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear. “If you’re short, have Xiao Qi write an IOU. I’ll transfer it from my private account.”

Shen E’s embarrassment was impossible to hide, but she could not refuse the goodwill either. She could only lower her head and agree.

“Well, everyone’s here?”

At that moment, Shen Jiao stepped into the flower hall, wearing diamond-studded high heels, holding Fu Sui’er’s hand.

“Xiao Sui’er, come over and let your uncle take a look.” Shen Rang smiled and waved at Fu Sui’er.

Fu Sui’er glanced at her mother. Shen Jiao nodded, and only then did she smile and run over. “Fourth Uncle, Sixth Uncle.”

Shen Jiao swept her gaze toward the second branch, her tone carrying a hint of reproach. “How many times have I taught you? You still don’t understand manners. Your Second Uncle and Aunt are over there—why didn’t you greet them?”

“Oh.” Fu Sui’er turned around and slightly bowed. “Second Uncle, Aunt.”

Shen E pretended not to notice the girl’s awkwardness and smiled as she nodded. “Good girl.” But her gaze lingered meaningfully on Fu Sui’er.

Today was a family meeting. The messy smoky makeup on her face had been cleaned off by Shen Jiao, but her hair hadn’t been properly styled yet—dyed in streaks of pink and green, looking unruly and improper.

Fu Sui’er wasn’t stupid. She could clearly feel Shen E’s scrutinizing gaze and felt deeply uncomfortable, as if she wasn’t being respected. Her expression immediately darkened as she stood to the side coldly.

Shen Jiao saw everything but said nothing this time, only gently patting her back, signaling her to stand properly.

By the time Jiang Huashan entered the hall with Fang Mei, the Shen family had already gathered.

Fang Mei looked visibly uneasy and said stiffly, “Hello everyone.”

The Shen family were all born with silver spoons in their mouths, used to a life of luxury. To them, Jiang Huashan and Fang Mei were no different from stray cats and dogs raised by the old master. They only gave them a faint glance before looking away.

That disregard made Fang Mei even more uncomfortable, and she lowered her head, pulling Jiang Huashan and Jiang Wanyi to sit in the most marginal seats.

Jiang Huashan casually observed everyone in the hall. The Shen family still hadn’t changed.

Shen E frowned and said with mild mockery, “The old master really is something… how can he let just anyone in here?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, only Shen Yuan, who sat closest, could hear it—but he made no effort to respond.

Fu Sui’er immediately flared up at the sight of Jiang Huashan. Gritting her teeth, she said, “This is a Shen family meeting. What are these beggars doing here?”

Shen Jiao frowned. “Shut up. Did you forget what I told you on the way here?”

Fu Sui’er grew even angrier, glaring unwillingly at Jiang Huashan. Just then, Jiang Huashan suddenly looked up, her eyes curved into a bright smile directed at her.

Fu Sui’er froze, then glared back furiously. Are we even close? What are you smiling for, you shameless thing?

Jiang Huashan didn’t care. After thinking for a moment, she even waved at Fu Sui’er.

Fu Sui’er looked left and right. Confirming Jiang Huashan was really calling her, she hesitated, then walked over with a strange expression.

“What?” she asked impatiently.

Jiang Huashan didn’t mind at all and gestured for her to come closer. Though annoyed, Fu Sui’er still leaned in.

“What’s going on today? So many people here. You’re the most well-informed—spill it.”

“Huh!” Fu Sui’er widened her eyes, looking at Jiang Huashan like she was a monster. Why was she suddenly flattering her?

She opened her mouth to curse—but instead, what came out was a smug tone.

“You don’t know? The second branch is up to something again. Our Shen family is about to have another young master.”

“……”

The moment she finished speaking, Fu Sui’er immediately regretted it and slapped her own mouth.

Damn it. This little beggar is cursed!