Trillionaire's Slice of Life

If it had not been for this unexpected incident, after celebrating her birthday, tomorrow she would have returned to Capital City to continue her studies. By the time she possibly came back after retirement, she might not even notice that the metropolis she once knew had changed so much. Caught in Yu Jun's direct gaze, as if he sensed something, the young man across suddenly turned his head and looked at her. In the instant their eyes met, the distinguished young man flashed a slight smile at the long-haired girl. Then, just for a moment, he averted his gaze! "Lu Master, Mr. Chu, having both of you grace our humble establishment truly brings an extravagant flair. I have a few bottles of Wuliangye's ninetieth anniversary commemorative liquor stashed away, priced at eight hundred and eighty thousand each. I really can't bring myself to part with them normally, but for Lu Master and Mr. Chu, I dare not withhold. You both must honor us with your presence!" The rotund man in his fifties or sixties, short and stout with a belly and stubby legs, resembled a plump ball, known by the nickname Hammer. Of course, only the top-tier big shots of the metropolis could call him by this nickname. To the younger generation, this ball-like elder was known as Hammer Master, with a net worth of forty-two billion, a man of influence and standing. However, in the presence of Chu Mo and Lu Master, this ball-like old man certainly did not dare to put on airs. He behaved like an ordinary waiter, his entire demeanor exuding humility and eagerness to please. Lu Master didn't bother with pleasantries; he simply nodded slightly and then, very casually, waved his hand, showing no intention to engage in any polite conversation. With an understanding nod and a smile, the ball-like elder made a few retreating steps before saying eagerly: "If the two of you need anything, just call on me!" After the bar's owner presented a bottle of top-grade baijiu and respectfully retreated, Lu Master personally poured a drink for both Chu Mo and himself. Then Chu Mo took a deep breath and said: "Lu Master, if you've come this time to redeem those antiques, just say the word, and I'll immediately pack up all two hundred billion worth and send them to you. If it's to plead on behalf of the Lin family, then let's pretend we haven't met tonight!" Chu Mo had drunk quite a bit of red wine that evening, consuming more than half of the two bottles of top-grade Heidsieck by himself. Although his alcohol tolerance had improved over time, the hangover from such fine red wine was still severe, so at that moment, his cheeks were tinged with red and he felt somewhat uncomfortable. Lu Master did not speak. He just seriously took the wine glass in front of him, raised it high to clink glasses with Chu Mo, and despite Chu Mo nearing his limit, he couldn't refuse a drink esteemed by Lu Master. Thus, restraining his discomfort, Chu Mo gritted his teeth and poured the full glass of baijiu down his throat. As the drink hit his stomach like a tsunami, the grave-looking Lu Master slowly began: "Let's not mention the antiques again. I promised you before that I wouldn't redeem them, and I won't go back on my word. Moreover, I've invested that two hundred billion in the company. Even if the entire Lu family were to liquidate our assets now, we couldn't come up with a hundred billion as for the Lin family's situation... Lin Youzhi did seek me out before, wanting me to advocate on their behalf, but I refused. After Su Zhengxiong's incident, I acted hastily without understanding the situation, taking the role of peacemaker, and I never expected Su Zhengxiong to pull so many tricks behind the scenes. That was rash of me, so, I won't be interfering in the Lin family's matters anymore." With his head throbbing, Chu Mo seriously looked at the old man before him. Seeing his earnest expression, Chu Mo nodded slightly and said: "Thank you for your understanding, Lu Master! Indeed, there's no longer any possibility of reconciliation with the Lin family. Perhaps you don't know, but I had proactively approached the Lin family before the full-scale war started. I considered reconciliation; it's just unfortunate the Lin family didn't give me that opportunity. I waited in Lin Family Supreme Jewelry for half a day, and Lin Youzhi did not show his face from start to finish. It was the Lin family that forfeited that chance for peace, leaving us no room for retreat. Otherwise, the Lin family's investment of several billion would have gone to waste, and Fan Zhijian would probably despise me. Thus, this matter can only end with either your side or mine perishing. However, Lu Master, there's no need for you to worry too much. My target is solely the Lin family, and I have no intention of antagonizing the other three top families in the metropolis. Of course, that is as long as you don't get involved. I will support the Fan family to replace the Lin family, and going forward, the metropolis's four major families will be led by the two Fan brothers. The remaining families, provided you don't align yourselves wrongly, I will not touch you!" The elderly man with his hands gently caressing the ring on his finger slightly squinted his eyes, he was one of the most influential old men in Hua Country, and although his worth fell far short of the eight major families, no one could match the reputation of Grandpa Lu. At this moment, Grandpa Lu wasn't in a hurry to reveal his stance. He needed to think, to weigh the pros and cons. The Fan family had thrown their support behind Chu Mo, and now Chu Mo was fully backing the Fan family. Originally the fifth family of Capital City, they might soon replace the Lin family and officially become the first family of Capital City. Such an opportunity can be said to come once in a hundred years. Although the Lu family had the greatest renown among the four great families of Capital City, its real foundation was the weakest. Moreover, after the heavy blow this time, it could be said that they were having a tough time. Although the Lu family was slowly recovering, it was unlikely they could return to their peak, and amidst this upheaval, even if the Lu family chose to remain neutral, it would be difficult to stay intact, especially while watching the Fan family seize the opportunity to surpass the four major families in one fell swoop and become the new leader. Such temptation is truly hard for anyone to resist. At this point, Grandpa Lu was swiftly considering whether to continue the neutrality and safely ride out this upheaval in Capital City or to seize the chance and choose to align with either the Lin or the Chu family. To stay neutral, one would naturally ride out the storm in safety, but they would miss out on the opportunity for rapid development. Whether it be the rise of the Fan family or the Lin family's victory with the backing of the eight major families, the upper circles of Capital City would inevitably undergo earth-shattering changes. By then, being neutral would mean no progress, which likewise also meant regression. And choosing a side to ally with, if you bet right, you naturally come back fully loaded, but if you bet wrong, it's an absolute disaster. This was a decision between soaring to the skies or being shattered to pieces. Even the old man, who had seen countless storms and once led the trendsetters of Capital City, had to be cautious. Chu Mo was not pressing Grandpa Lu to make a decision immediately. He just squinted his eyes and listened quietly to his own frantically beating heart. Tonight he had drunk too much again, feeling somewhat nauseous. But he knew now was not the time to leave. He had to wait for Grandpa Lu to make a decision. Although the Lu family didn't hold vast assets, just a hundred billion in scale, the personal influence of Grandpa Lu himself was immense. If possible, Chu Mo naturally hoped that Grandpa Lu would stand by him. Breathing gently, trying to suppress the turmoil in his stomach, Chu Mo said seriously for the first time: "Grandpa Lu, our relationship is truly significant. I won't sugarcoat things, I'll speak the plain truth. The eight major families have controlled Hua Country for far too long. Their methods are too overbearing; they don't allow any emerging families to challenge their status. As soon as any family shows the slightest headway, they're met with joint suppression by the eight major families. I'm going to be blunt, the reason why the Lu family has been secure is merely that your assets have not yet threatened the status of the eight major families, Grandpa Lu. A hundred-billion scale, just within what the major families can tolerate. The moment your family grows beyond that line, you will inevitably face both overt and covert suppression from them, and that's an irrefutable fact. Are you content to see the Lu family always stay at this scale, with no progress for your descendants forever? With you here, the major families naturally won't do much, but what if one day you're gone? What will happen to your descendants, will they advance or retreat? To advance would inevitably face suppression, to retreat? How far can they go back? As for wanting to maintain the status quo, that's not so easy either. All families in Hua Country are afraid to challenge the tyranny of the eight major families because they have all been cowed. But I dare, I, Chu Mo, want to settle this battle with the eight major families! The future of Hua Country will be completely changed!"