Chapter 62: No Longer Keeping a Low Profile (1)

The Xiao family holds thirty-four percent of Meihua’s shares, making them the largest shareholder. Meihua is a publicly traded company, so as a matter of course, the public has a right to know; once shareholdings reach a certain threshold, disclosure is mandatory. For years, the Xiao family had controlled their shares through dozens of companies scattered across the globe, under different names. Of course, anyone with the means and determination to investigate would eventually discover that all these companies ultimately traced back to the same boss—Old Master Xiao.

Ordinary people lacked both the means and the necessity to uncover this, but for those who did, it was no longer a secret.

From the helicopter, Xiao Tianci transferred directly to his private jet, flying straight toward Meihua’s headquarters, located in the economic heart of Country M. Once aboard, he called Tian Ni, and the two of them conversed at length. Their relationship had become somewhat subtle, each carefully avoiding certain topics, yet their conversation remained lively and pleasant. They chatted about the past, sharing recent experiences. When Xiao Tianci mentioned acquiring a casino, Tian Ni was utterly astonished, unable to believe her ears.

Now that things had settled down, the chief steward had reorganized Tian Ni’s protection, and she was living in their new home—something that filled Xiao Tianci with joy.

Time passed quickly and, only after hanging up, did Xiao Tianci realize, “Huh... so much time has passed already.”

“The magic of love makes one forget the passage of time,” came the amused response from Lin Jian, the chief steward.

With a casual gesture, Xiao Tianci opened the computer before him—this was his in-flight office. He had initially intended to review some documents, but in the course of their conversation, time had simply slipped away.

Upon hearing Lin Jian’s words, Xiao Tianci replied with a laugh, “You sound like a man of experience. With your appearance, I bet you could have an entire battalion of admirers. Right, pour me a cup of coffee.”

Lin Jian responded, “Sir, there’s some of your father’s tea on board—would you care to try it?”

“My father’s tea? All right, let’s have a taste. Though I rarely drink tea. Back in school, I got used to coffee. When I’m tired, tea just doesn’t cut it—coffee packs more punch.”

As they spoke, Lin Jian had already produced a tea set and begun brewing. “What’s sold on the market barely deserves to be called tea. The true art of tea is profound, something no mere beverage like coffee can compare to. I started studying it at age five and only at nineteen was I allowed to brew tea for the master.”

Now, Xiao Tianci was reviewing internal Xiao family materials, especially information on Meihua’s shareholders—these were the people he would soon face.

“It’s just a rich man’s quirk, like the old imperial families—too much money and nothing better to do. I’ve always been independent, never one for all that formality. Anyway, what’s your impression of Will? He’s the biggest shareholder in Meihua after the Xiao family.”

“The master once said, ‘If you don’t know who your enemy is, treat everyone as an enemy.’”

Xiao Tianci thought for a moment and smiled. “You know, my father had a point. The more you talk, the more I regret never meeting him.”

The Lin family’s status in the Xiao household was unique; though called chief steward, Lin Jian was more like a member of the family. For generations, they had served alongside the family head, indispensable through the years. Now, with all other Xiao family elders gone, Lin Jian—having grown up in the household—was the closest thing to family Xiao Tianci had, along with others like Jin Gang and Fang Meng. Though he harbored his deepest reservations about everything and everyone, they felt like kin to him.

Lin Jian said nothing for a while, preoccupied either with his thoughts or the careful preparation of the tea. At last, he brought the cup over with both hands. “The master has always watched over you.”

Xiao Tianci took the cup, nodded, and tasted. He was no tea connoisseur, but even he could appreciate the color, the fragrance, and the taste—a single sip sent a wave of aroma through his body, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Only by comparison can one judge what is good.

One pot of tea, and time flew by. Soon, word came that the plane was about to land.

“By the way, now that I think of it, you talk a good game about love. How many admirers do you have—an entire battalion?”

“Regiment.”

“...Blowing your own trumpet.”

Standing on the VIP tarmac of the Meihua Group’s airline subsidiary, Will, forty-six, dressed simply yet elegantly behind his gold-rimmed glasses, was accompanied by only two other men, both relatively young. Anyone with some knowledge would recognize them as fellow Meihua shareholders and senior executives. The portly one, with a general’s belly, was Oteni, President of Meihua’s European division. The stern, chiseled-faced man was Zhou Ao, Meihua’s Chief Executive Officer.

By now, the scheduled arrival time had passed by two hours. Oteni glanced impatiently at his watch. “Seriously... didn’t he get enough fun the other day? He has time to play, but we don’t.”

Will silenced him with a quiet rebuke. “Are you so busy? Keep your mouth shut.”

Oteni shot a glance at Zhou Ao, who stood beside him, silent but inwardly sneering: “Oteni is one of Will’s trusted men. Will must be in a foul mood. No wonder—if this young Xiao Tianci really goes through with the press conference he mentioned on the phone, Will, who’s been the world’s richest man for thirteen years, will become a laughingstock. I only glimpsed Xiao Tianci briefly at the wedding, never had a chance to speak. Then he pulled off that stunt, and now his name is all over Las Vegas, even acquiring Camillo’s casino. I know all the details, but... he grows more unpredictable by the day.”

The incoming plane grew larger as it descended.

As the Zhou family’s representative, Zhou Ao knew he had to tread carefully—their family held five percent of Meihua’s shares.

This time, unlike before, Xiao Tianci was in high spirits, alert and composed, nothing like the drunken figure he’d been at the wedding. Under the protection of Lin Jian and Jin Gang, he alighted with poise.

“Ah, apologies, apologies. I was delayed by some business negotiations. Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said with an easy smile.

Behind him, Lin Jian was secretly amused—his boss had deliberately kept these three waiting for two hours without warning, giving them a taste of their own medicine after the last incident, ensuring these old foxes wouldn’t dare underestimate the Xiao family’s heir again.

Will was feeling the worst—what he’d feared for years was actually coming to pass today. He forced a thin smile. “Mr. Xiao, it’s an honor to see you again.”

When it came to family wealth, everyone knew Will had plenty, and for years he had topped the world’s rich lists. He always claimed not to care for fame, but losing it wouldn’t be easy to swallow. As the saying goes, fame and fortune are like floating clouds—but woe to anyone who tries to dispel those clouds.

Yet for the Xiao family, several members had personal fortunes surpassing Will’s, and now all that wealth was concentrated in one person. And this man, in a sharp break from tradition, was about to hold a press conference. Though he hadn’t said what he’d announce, Will’s mind was a storm of confusion.

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