"I won't eat. The old man has given me a new project, and I still need to work on it. If this project goes well, maybe the current situation will change," Chen Liang said meaningfully.
Chen Zhengye, who was opening a bottle of wine, paused slightly, then smiled and said, "That's great! Your grandfather is entrusting you with this important project, which means he trusts you. Do a good job and make your father proud."
"Dad, there are some things I want to fight for." Chen Liang kept a close eye on his father's expression, not missing a single subtle detail or movement.
"We must fight for it!" Chen Zhengye slammed his fist on the table. "You are also a direct descendant of the Chen family. Why is it that good-for-nothing Chen Hao can manage so many projects? Every single one of them is losing money, while the few small projects you are in charge of are all profitable."
“The old man can’t be so biased. No way, I’m going to see him right now. He has to give you a few big projects.” Chen Zhengye said, picking up his phone to make a call.
"Dad...that's not what I meant. Besides, Grandpa's in a bad mood right now. If you call him now and ask for these things, you'll get yelled at." Chen Liang said, both amused and exasperated.
"Oh, right, the old man is in a bad mood right now. He got angry because of some young people. I'll go see him another day and try to get something from him. If that doesn't work, I'll ask your grandma." Chen Zhengye thought for a moment and put down his phone.
"What I'm fighting for is the future position of head of the family," Chen Liang said, looking directly at his father.
Chen Zhengye froze... a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, but Chen Liang clearly saw it.
“This… son, I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult.” Chen Zhengye pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said, “It’s not that Dad doesn’t want to help you, but the Chen family has its own rules. Most importantly, everyone agrees that your uncle is the future head of the family. This… Dad really can’t fight for it.”
"Dad, how will we know if we don't try?" Chen Liang smiled. "Moreover, the second young master of the Chen family was once a famous scholar in Yanjing. He and Chen Zhengyi were renowned for their martial arts and literary skills, respectively."
"I just can't believe that such a person is a good-for-nothing and useless piece of trash in other people's eyes."
Yes, Chen Zhengye was once a famous scholar in Yanjing. He graduated from Yanjing's most prestigious university. Everyone thought that such a person would definitely be able to carry the Chen family banner in the future.
But who would have thought that Chen Zhengye, after returning from three years of studying abroad after graduation, would become a spoiled brat and a womanizer, becoming a second-generation rich kid in everyone's eyes.
Chen Zhengye froze again. He slowly filled both glasses with wine and pushed one of them towards his son.
When he looked up, his gaze had changed. The sallowness in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a glimmer of wisdom.
"Do you really think so?" Chen Zhengye asked.
“Yes, at least when I said those words just now, I could see the change in your heart.” Chen Liang said slowly, “The appearance you show is just the appearance you want us to see. The real you is not like that.”
"So, in your opinion, what am I really like?" Chen Zhengye smiled.
“I don’t know. Since you’ve hidden your true self, it’s because you don’t want anyone to see through you,” Chen Liang said.
“You’ve seen through it all, haven’t you?” Chen Zhengye laughed heartily. He picked up his wine glass, swirled the wine in it, and said leisurely, “Actually, what kind of person I am isn’t important. What’s important is being able to protect myself wisely in the deep, secluded mansion of the Chen family.”
"To protect oneself?" Chen Liang was startled.
“Yes, it’s all about self-preservation. Back then, I was just like you, full of youthful vigor.” Chen Zhengye smiled and said, “But after experiencing a life-or-death situation, I suddenly realized something.”
"Nothing is more dangerous than being in a wealthy family, especially when your opponent is exceptionally talented."
"The opponent you're talking about, is it my uncle Chen Zhengyi?" Chen Liang asked.
“If it’s not him, then who is it? Your uncle, the Iron-Faced War God, is born decisive and ruthless. Even if it’s your own brother, as long as he gets in his way, the outcome will be the same.” Chen Zhengye got up and paced around the room.
"I have brains, but I'm not as strong as him, so I can only protect myself and have been a spoiled brat for so many years."
"Dad..." Chen Liang was somewhat moved. Heaven knows how hard his father has hidden these past years.
"Heh, don't worry, I'm doing just fine now," Chen Zhengye said with a smile. "Besides, I've accumulated some influence in the Chen family over the years, it's just that nobody knows it."
“I am pleased that you are thinking of vying for the position of family head, because neither of us, father and son, can beat Chen Zhengyi in a one-on-one fight.”
"But even if we take it all together, he's still not quite there. After all, his son is a good-for-nothing."
"Dad, Ye Xingchen contacted me." Chen Liang's eyes lit up.
“That would be even better, our chances of winning would be even greater.” Chen Zhengye said with a smile, “The old man is very dissatisfied with Chen Hao now.”
“The Chen family’s selection of an heir is a long-term plan. No matter how capable Chen Zhengyi is, if his son is not good enough, then he is not good enough. Therefore, the old man will consider skipping the younger generation and choosing someone directly from the third generation. And you are the best candidate among the third generation.”
“But the old man doesn’t seem to have completely given up on Chen Hao.” Chen Liang thought for a moment and said, “At least, he’s still arranging a marriage for Chen Hao.”
“Yes, this is also a test for Chen Hao. The Chen family is so big and has its own think tank.” Chen Zhengye nodded: “As long as Chen Hao is not completely useless, even if he has only a slight chance of being able to make something of himself, the old man will not choose an heir from the third generation.”
“But if Chen Hao is crippled, then the old man won’t consider anything.” Chen Liang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You want to touch Chen Hao?" Chen Zhengye glanced at Chen Liang, then shook his head and said, "No, we can't touch Chen Hao, that's a big no-no."
“Perhaps we can think of other ways,” Chen Liang said with a smile. “For example, by using someone else.”
"You mean Ye Xingchen?" Chen Zhengye frowned slightly. "You're right. Right now, there's an opportunity."
"What opportunity?" Chen Liang asked.
“Chen Hao is eager to prove himself, and I think he must also feel threatened. He’s eager to win over Li Yijin.” Chen Zhengye pondered, “Maybe this is our chance.”
"Li Yijin?" Chen Liang's pupils contracted slightly, and he began to make calculations in his mind.
Ye Xingchen got up early in the morning, and a military-plated SUV was already waiting for him.
"Xingchen, your grandmaster uncle wants you to go there. A car has already been sent to pick you up. Go now," Xia Xueming said.
The grandmaster was Zhou Fuwen, Xia Xueming's junior brother and one of the founders of Xuanyu Pavilion, but he retired to the second line after being injured.
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