Chapter Twenty-Five: The History of the Xiao Family (1)

The prodigal son without the window, Chapter Twenty-Five: The History of the Xiao Family (1)

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The tense atmosphere from just moments before was quickly dispelled by Chief Steward Lin Jian’s words. Xiao Tianci shook his head helplessly, thought for a moment, and said, “From now on, just call me ‘Boss’.”

Truthfully, at that moment, Xiao Tianci’s first instinct was to say, “Call me whatever you like; it doesn’t matter. I’m older than you, so Xiao Brother works, or Xiao Tianci, Tianci, anything is fine—just don’t call me ‘Master’.” But reconsidering, and recalling the interactions and conversations of the past few days, he realized these people were unlike those he’d worked with before, whether in small business or as a high-level executive.

Evidently, whether it was the title or Xiao Tianci’s approach, Chief Steward Lin Jian thought for a moment, then nodded somewhat reluctantly and agreed, “Alright, I’ll inform the inner staff to address you as ‘Boss’ from now on.”

Xiao Tianci didn’t want to waste any more time on such trivial matters, nodded, then looked up at Lin Jian and said, “Go on, what are you waiting for?”

Lin Jian’s expression grew serious as he spoke in a low voice, “The reason I made a private decision today without consulting you, Boss, is because this matter may concern the lives of hundreds in the Xiao family.”

Hearing this, Xiao Tianci felt his head begin to throb. If things were truly as Lin Jian described, then it was far more complicated: “What did you say?”

“Although all known information shows that this was a disaster for the Xiao family—even the United Nations and several other countries conducted investigations—I’ve never believed it was so straightforward. There’s no evidence, but I am convinced it’s more than it seems. The Xiao family attracted envy for its prominence, but no matter how thoroughly we searched, nothing else could be found.”

Xiao Tianci said, “You mean someone wanted to take over or deal with the Xiao family, but with the Xiao family’s current strength, who could possibly have the power to do so?”

Lin Jian replied, “No single person could, but a group could. Interest is the greatest force to unite people. And besides, there are many nations in the world more powerful than the Xiao family.”

“An astute observation, but why should I care? Even if the Xiao family was framed, what does it have to do with me? If they weren’t trying to annex us, I’d want to squander it anyway. Now that I’ve married, whether or not I keep it doesn’t matter.” Xiao Tianci leaned back on the sofa, an air of indifference about him.

With Xiao Tianci’s clear emotional tone, Lin Jian couldn’t help but notice: “Because you are a descendant of the Xiao family. The Xiao family’s assets and its heirs may be squandered, but they must never be stolen by outsiders.”

“Hahaha…” Xiao Tianci suddenly burst into laughter, pointing at himself, “I’m a Xiao family descendant? If they hadn’t all died, who would recognize me as one? Tell me, who? Tell me, Chief Steward, who would acknowledge me as a Xiao family descendant?”

The chief steward closed his eyes as if deep in thought, and waited until Xiao Tianci’s furious outburst subsided before he spoke, “There’s much you don’t know, Boss. Now, I can reveal this secret to you.”

“Secret? What secret?” Xiao Tianci looked at Lin Jian in confusion, “There’s plenty I don’t know, even more I don’t understand—can you tell me everything? Can you give all the answers?”

Seeing Xiao Tianci’s agitation, Lin Jian remained silent until he had vented, then asked, “Do you know how Meihua, the world’s top Fortune 500 company, was founded? Don’t you find the name very familiar?”

You’re mad, and I stand like a rock in the wind, unmoving. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of you influencing me or me influencing you. Lin Jian’s calmness helped Xiao Tianci regain his composure. “Of course it’s familiar. That name was known worldwide when I was still in elementary school.”

Lin Jian sighed, a rare emotion surfacing. “Perhaps you hadn’t considered it before—after all, there was so much you didn’t know.”

“Hey, shut up, shut up, quickly, don’t think just because you’re good-looking and a bit clever you can act all mature in front of me. Not only am I your boss, I’m a lot older than you. I warn you, respect your elders—if you annoy me, even with a pretty face, I’ll hit you.”

Xiao Tianci snorted, “I’m not some upper-class big shot, you know. I grew up among ordinary people—fighting and swearing, I know it all.” He pressed his fingers together, hoping for a cracking sound to accompany his bravado, but none came, dampening his momentum. Looking up, he saw Lin Jian watching silently, expressionless, without joy or anger. Xiao Tianci exhaled deeply, “Alright, alright, you win. Go on, but don’t use that tone—I hate it when people act like grandfathers. Remember, or I really will get physical. Don’t think your looks will save you.”

Once Xiao Tianci finished, Lin Jian continued, “The answer will be clear with a little hint, Boss. Think of the old lady’s name.”

Mother’s name? Xiao Tianci’s mind buzzed. His mother’s surname was Hua, her name Shumei—Hua Shumei, Meihua. Xiao Tianci understood at last. The world’s largest corporation had risen from these roots.

Thinking of his mother, Xiao Tianci’s anger flared again: “What use is a name? If he remembered Mother, why did he abandon us?” As a child, Xiao Tianci only recalled that whenever he asked his mother about his father, she’d get angry and say he was dead. As he grew older, he realized that couldn’t be true. Even after his mother passed, he never learned the truth, but naturally assumed his father had abandoned him and his mother, else she wouldn’t have raised him alone.

“Boss, please stop. Don’t get agitated—there’s something you’ve misunderstood. Who said the master abandoned the old lady and you?”

“Yeah, thinking about it, Mother never actually said so.” Though he knew he had no grounds, Xiao Tianci stubbornly insisted, “If not him, who else? Don’t tell me he couldn’t find us—the Xiao family’s resources could find anyone.”

Lin Jian replied, “Boss, the only reason we could locate you so accurately was because the Xiao family’s archives held every piece of information about you from birth till now. Of course, we needed DNA matches and other procedures to confirm. But the master never said he abandoned you two. And Boss, you should know, you’re his only son. Although the Xiao family once flourished, the master had only the lady and you.”

“Back then…”