Chapter 136: Slapping Shen Linglong in the Face

Spring Breeze Pavilion is the highest-end restaurant in Dragon City. Inside a private dining room, the members of the Shen family and Meng Xinghe were awaiting the grand arrival of Meng Kaiwen.

"Grandmother, you can rest easy now, can't you?" Shen Linglong, draped over Meng Xinghe's arm, beamed with triumph. With Meng Kaiwen's promise, the Shen family felt they could finally put their hearts at ease. Everyone fantasized that after tomorrow night's banquet, the Shen family would become the premier family in all of Dragon City.

Old Madam Shen smiled until her face resembled a blooming flower. "With you and Xinghe here, I am naturally at ease."

"Mother, Linglong has made a great contribution; shouldn't there be some kind of reward?" Shen Qiushan seized the opportunity to speak. While Shen Qiushan nominally managed the Shen family, the real power had always rested with Old Madam Shen. Even the position of family head had remained vacant, so Shen Qiushan was raising this issue now to secure the position for his daughter. Shen Linglong shared this ambition and had already consulted with her father before coming, planning to use this moment to firmly grasp power in her own hands.

Old Madam Shen, an old fox, was well aware of their intentions. Furthermore, Shen Linglong had indeed been indispensable in securing the project. Thinking of this, she looked around at the group, her expression growing serious. "I am old now and it is time to step down; it is time to give the younger generation a chance. I announce that from today on, Shen Linglong is the new head of the Shen family!"

Once these words were spoken, the members of the Shen family offered their congratulations to Shen Linglong while taking the opportunity to disparage Shen Miaoyu and Chu Fei.

"Grandmother’s decision is correct. Giving the position to Linglong is far better than handing it to that money-losing wretch, Shen Miaoyu!"

"Exactly! Whether in terms of capability or character, what does Shen Miaoyu have to compare with Linglong?"

"The funniest part is that she actually fantasizes that the bumpkin from the mountains is the chairman of the Chu Group. That bumpkin even plays along with her act; I think they should both be sent to a mental hospital to perform!"

Facing the chorus of praise for herself and insults for others, Shen Linglong felt immense satisfaction. She even wished that Shen Miaoyu and Chu Fei were present so she could humiliate them in person. Convinced she was already the victor, Shen Linglong smiled smugly at the crowd. "Everyone, rest assured! As the head of the family, I will lead us to create new brilliance!"

The Shen family members applauded and cheered. Watching this, Shen Linglong felt a wave of exhilaration, silently mocking to herself: *Do you see? Shen Miaoyu is only fit to be trampled under my feet!*

Only Jiang Mei spoke up at this moment: "Linglong, now that you are the family head, why not let your sister come back to the Shen family?"

"She is not my sister!" Shen Linglong looked at Jiang Mei. "Mother, Father has already told me everything. Shen Miaoyu isn't even your child, is she?"

Jiang Mei looked at Shen Qiushan in disbelief, never expecting him to reveal this secret to Shen Linglong. Shen Qiushan merely let out a cold snort. "Why are you looking at me? I’m just telling the truth. That wild seed is definitely not our child!"

This matter was known only to Old Madam Shen, Jiang Mei, and Shen Qiushan. The other Shen family members were unaware. Hearing Shen Qiushan’s admission, everyone was stunned. Since it had come to this, Old Madam Shen felt no need to hide it any longer. She explained to the group: "That wild seed was abandoned at the gates of the Shen family years ago. It was Old Shen who took pity on her, adopted her as a granddaughter, and raised her to adulthood. Who would have thought she would turn out to be an ungrateful wolf!"

The group quickly accepted this fact and began to curse Shen Miaoyu.

"I knew it! No wonder she acts like a lunatic, working against our family; it turns out she isn't even of our blood!"

"Those who are not of our kin have different hearts; the old saying is certainly true!"

"Why let a wild seed of unknown origin come back to the Shen family? Just let her rot out there with that bumpkin!"

Shen Linglong chuckled. "Mother, you heard them. A wild seed like her has no right to return to the Shen family; she should just die and rot out there!"

Jiang Mei was left speechless. Just then, Meng Kaiwen pushed the door open and entered. Everyone stood up immediately to welcome him; he was their god of wealth, after all!

Meng Xinghe greeted him with a smile. "Second Brother, why didn't you say you had arrived? We would have come down to receive you!"

"Don't give me that, kid," Meng Kaiwen chided him before smiling slightly at the others. "We are all our own people; no need for formalities. Everyone, sit down!"

Once they were seated, Old Madam Shen raised her glass and showered Meng Kaiwen with sycophantic praise, terrified of offending him. "This time, thanks to Mr. Meng’s assistance, our Shen family was able to secure the Wanli City project. You have effectively given our family a new lease on life. I offer this toast to you!"

"Whether this toast can be drunk depends on the sincerity of your Shen family," Meng Kaiwen said, leaving his glass untouched.

Old Madam Shen looked at Meng Xinghe in confusion. Meng Xinghe, not having anticipated this, could only look at Meng Kaiwen. "Brother, what is this about?"

"Even brothers must settle accounts clearly," Meng Kaiwen said to the group. "I spent a great deal of effort to help your Shen family win this project. How do you intend to repay me?"

"How about this: I want fifty-one percent of the shares of the Shen Group as compensation!"

The beast had finally bared its fangs. This was Meng Kaiwen’s true goal. He hadn't supported the Shen family out of any fraternal affection for Meng Xinghe; it was purely for his own benefit!

Fifty-one percent of the shares—this was equivalent to handing over more than half of the Shen Group to him, including veto power. In other words, in this project, Meng Kaiwen would be the one eating the meat, while the Shen family would be lucky to get the broth.

When these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room turned strange. The Shen family clearly had not expected Meng Kaiwen to demand such terms. Even Meng Xinghe felt awkward. "Brother, isn't this a bit too much?"

It was more than just too much; it was essentially robbing them blind.

"It is not too much at all," Meng Kaiwen said, painting a grand picture. "Collaborating with me, Meng Kaiwen, means that in the future, it won't just be the Wanli City project. I plan to build the Shen Group into a second Meng Group, an independent entity that doesn't need to rely on the Meng Group. If it weren't for your sake, they wouldn't even be eligible to cooperate with me!"

The members of the Shen family looked at one another, then all turned to their new family head, Shen Linglong. After a moment of hesitation, Shen Linglong said, "I think Second Brother is right. These shares are what he deserves, and I believe that under Second Brother's leadership, our Shen Group will surely flourish!"

Hearing Shen Linglong say this, the others had no objections, and even Old Madam Shen agreed. After all, once the shares were given away, Meng Kaiwen would be in the same boat as them. There would be plenty of opportunities to make money later; there was no need to be stingy with these shares!

"Sister-in-law is a woman of reason!" Meng Kaiwen smiled with satisfaction, raised his glass, and clinked it with Shen Linglong's, his eyes filled with aggression. "Then let us toast to our pleasant cooperation!"

"Pleasant cooperation!"

The atmosphere turned harmonious once more. Only Meng Xinghe, watching the scene, felt an indescribable sensation. He felt as if he had been used by his own second brother...

***

The following evening, the banquet was held as scheduled. It was a gala that shook all of Dragon City, for tonight, the mysterious chairman of the Chu Group would appear and announce who their partner would be.

Though it was an announcement, the gossip in Dragon City had long since spread: the partner was the Shen family! Therefore, when Shen Linglong and the Shen family arrived, they drew the attention of many. Even some who had previously looked down on the Shen family came forward to greet them and curry favor. Shen Linglong was surrounded in the center like the moon among stars, grinning from ear to ear.

But just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance. Everyone looked toward the man and woman walking in, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Shen Miaoyu, who was kicked out of the Shen family? And that gigolo who loves to brag—why are they here?"

"It goes without saying; they must have seen the Shen family about to soar and came to try and mend relations!"

"I remember at the last Shen family birthday banquet, this gigolo bragged that he was the chairman of the Chu Group. He dares to come here now? Is he tired of living?"

Amid the crowd's discussions, Shen Miaoyu tucked her arm into Chu Fei's and walked straight up to Shen Linglong and the others, signaling the start of the banquet.