Untitled Episode
“…The ancestral teachings clearly state that the heir should pass down the legacy, not wisdom, and that the order of elders and juniors must be followed. No matter how you look at it, you are the eldest grandson of the old madam, and as the eldest son of the late CEO, it’s only natural that you are the first in line to inherit the family business. I believe that in the future, the entire Qinhuang Group will belong to the eldest young master.”
On this A95 Imperial Star private jet, through the large video screen, a man in his fifties, who fancies himself as the "Left Chancellor," was speaking. His slightly protruding forehead shone with oil, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his single eyelid flickered with calculating intent. He had been scheming for some time, hoping to push his master onto the throne of the "Nine-Five" position, the pinnacle of power.
Though the title of "Nine-Five" had long since ceased to exist, for a conglomerate as wealthy as Qinhuang Group—whose assets included countless oil fields, cargo ships, airports, and interests in finance and technology—it was the undisputed leader in the world. Even the President of the United States, the most powerful nation on Earth, had to courteously extend a handshake when meeting this powerful Oriental family, known for their black hair and yellow skin.
“The eldest young master has been exceptionally talented since childhood—wise, strong, and knowledgeable about all aspects of the business. Even the second and third young masters cannot compare…”
The Left Chancellor continued, speaking endlessly in an attempt to flatter his master into fighting for the inheritance position, which would secure his own position as second-in-command. He was so engrossed in his speech that he didn’t notice the increasingly dark and ominous expression on the face of his master, Jun Canghao, who was sitting in the expensive leather seat. Jun’s temple was twitching in pain.
However, the personal bodyguard sitting nearby noticed it all too clearly and silently prayed for the oblivious Left Chancellor.
Amen! The young bodyguard, Summer Night, who was in his early twenties with a gender-neutral face, made the sign of the cross on his chest, even though he wasn’t a Christian.
“Left Chancellor.”
Jun Canghao finally spoke.
His deep, cello-like voice was laced with a dangerous storm. Anyone with any sense would have known to stop talking, or they wouldn’t know how they would meet their end.
Thinking that his master had finally listened to his advice, the Left Chancellor put on a fawning expression, trying not to raise his smile too high. He pretended to be humble, saying, “Yes, my lord, I am here.”
Jun Canghao pressed his neatly trimmed finger to his throbbing temple and spoke, “According to reliable sources, Sinopec is negotiating a multi-billion-dollar oil and gas deal with Iran. You need to go to Iran immediately and work with the Chinese ambassador there. Stop this contract from falling into anyone else’s hands.”
“Huh?” The Left Chancellor’s face suddenly twisted, as if he had been struck by a stroke. “I… Iran? The Iran where there have been protests over the twelve cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist?”
Pfft! Summer Night suppressed a laugh and moved aside.
With his legs crossed in a regal manner, Jun Canghao replied, “Yes, that country. I thought such a small protest wouldn’t scare someone as experienced and cunning as the Left Chancellor, would it?”
The Left Chancellor’s mouth twitched, “Of course not! A small matter like this could never frighten me. Thank you for your confidence, my lord. But I am responsible for protecting the safety of the young master. What if something happens…”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Qinhuang Group has world-class security and private armies. You will be well-protected.” Jun Canghao looked at the screen with a decisive gaze. “I trust your abilities, Left Chancellor, which is why I am giving you this important task. If you don’t want to do it, then…” At that, the Left Chancellor exhaled in relief as Jun’s sharp, dark eyes flashed. “Summer Night!”
The bodyguard, who had barely stopped laughing, quickly replied, “Ahem, yes, sir?”
“Call the Right Chancellor immediately.”
Summer Night instantly understood. “Yes, young master!” He reached for the satellite phone to call the Left Chancellor’s rival, the Right Chancellor.
“Wait!” The Left Chancellor hurriedly shouted. “Why does the young master want to call the Right Chancellor? Could it be… that you want to assign this task to him?”
The Left Chancellor pulled his lips into a mocking smile, trying to coax the young master into revealing his intentions.
“I’m a reasonable person. I don’t like forcing others. Since you don’t want to go, I’ll just give this important task to the Right Chancellor,” Jun Canghao said with a hint of sarcasm.
The Left Chancellor’s face turned even paler. He couldn’t care about his dignity anymore, shouting anxiously, “No! No! I will go! I will prepare right away!”
“I’m not forcing you,” Jun Canghao said coldly.
“I’m not being forced at all! I am willing to serve the young master with all my heart, even if it costs me my life!” The Left Chancellor didn’t want to be laughed at by the Right Chancellor, thinking he was cowardly or afraid of death, and then spend his life as a mere turtle, unable to hold his head up.
Jun Canghao raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Of course! I will do my best for Qinhuang Group. Just wait and see, young master!” The Left Chancellor hurriedly ended the communication, knowing that without proper preparation, going to a country with nuclear weapons and terrorists would be as good as walking to their death.
“Hahaha…” Summer Night couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore. “This move by the young master is brilliant! Just look at how terrified the Left Chancellor looks, it’s priceless! It’ll be a while before we hear him nagging again. Thank you, Jesus.”
His laughter didn’t faze Jun Canghao, whose handsome face remained cold and unreadable. “How much longer until we arrive in Taiwan?”
“About another hour or so.”
After a brief pause, Jun Canghao pressed a few buttons, and through Qinhuang Group’s satellite connection, a live broadcast from Taiwan appeared on the massive screen.
“…Now, the weather forecast for tomorrow…”
A veteran male meteorologist pointed to the satellite cloud map behind him, explaining the temperatures and weather conditions across Taiwan. He also reminded the northeastern part of the island’s residents to carry umbrellas in case of rain.
Jun Canghao, resting his chin on his hand, stared intently at the screen. His calm black eyes seemed to be lost in thought, making it impossible for anyone to guess what he was planning. Compared to his brothers, who were born just minutes apart, he was universally acknowledged to be the most inscrutable and unpredictable.
That’s right! He and his two brothers were triplets, born prematurely through an emergency cesarean by one of the most renowned obstetricians. Their mother, who had congenital heart disease, insisted on giving birth to heirs for the Jun family—rumored to be descendants of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After safely giving birth, she passed away, leaving a last wish to be buried in her hometown, Taiwan, the beautiful island of Formosa.
Thus, every year around the anniversary of her death, the three brothers would return to Taiwan to pay their respects at her tomb, a small gesture to show their filial piety.
“How long are you planning to stay in Taiwan, young master?” Summer Night asked as he brought over some hot Hong Kong-style dim sum, though he knew his master wasn’t one for afternoon tea.
Jun Canghao, feeling bored, closed his eyes. “Not sure.”
“Don’t you plan to fight for the CEO position?”
“Fight? Why would I fight for it? Qinhuang Group will only be inherited by me. Why would I need to fight?” Jun Canghao’s tone was one of supreme confidence, but there was a hint of restlessness in his words. “But things that come too easily are no fun. It’s boring.”
Summer Night understood what he meant. For someone like Jun Canghao, born with everything at his fingertips, nothing in the world was out of reach. A simple snap of his fingers would have anything he wanted delivered to him. It made everything feel too easy, and even the thrill of taking something by force was no longer appealing.
“I heard the new head of the Liu family, known as the ‘God of Business’ in Taiwan, is interested in the ancient bamboo scrolls housed in a museum in Xi'an, China. The museum claims these scrolls are national treasures from over 2,000 years ago, from the Qin Dynasty. Naturally, they won’t be sold,” Summer Night said.
Jun Canghao sneered. “Really? Well, that’s good. Competition makes things interesting. I’ll wait and see what price they’ll offer.”
“Yes,” Summer Night responded.
“Welcome to H News…”
The scene switched, and a young female news anchor with a sweet smile appeared on screen, reporting on a Japanese donut chain making waves in Taiwan, with long queues and a rapid expansion of franchise stores.
Jun Canghao, who wasn’t interested in desserts, picked up his whiskey glass, preparing to change the channel. But before he could, the screen switched to a night market scene.
“Similar to the egg tart effect, the donut craze quickly subsided, but the local Taiwanese donut shops still maintain their charm. Now, we’re here at a small stall in the night market. Don't underestimate it—it sells fried donuts coated with powdered sugar, which have a crispy texture that has drawn in many female customers…”
When the camera focused on a young woman around twenty-five years old, with shiny black hair in a ponytail, her simple but pure and clean appearance caught Jun Canghao’s attention. As she smiled at the camera, he found himself momentarily entranced, as if time had stopped.
“Good evening, everyone!” She greeted with a soft, bashful voice.
The reporter asked, “Why do so many people like your donuts?”
“Well, of course!” The young woman eagerly promoted her product. “Once you try our crispy fresh milk donuts, you’ll know why. They’re as iconic as bubble tea here in Taiwan!”
As she took a bite of the donut, savoring it, her expression became one of sheer delight. “Mmm~~ The crispy texture and the milk fragrance in the dough… It’s the best thing to eat when you’re exhausted at work. It’s the happiest thing in life.”
The way she savored the donut with such pure joy captured Jun Canghao’s attention. Unconsciously, his throat bobbed as he swallowed. A strange and unfamiliar stir suddenly awakened in his usually cold and unfeeling heart.
Summer Night, who had been about to pour more wine, noticed his master’s unusual focus. “Young master!”
Startled, Jun Canghao snapped back to reality and tried to shake off the strange sensation he had just felt.
“What’s the matter?”
Summer Night, ever observant, noted, “She doesn’t seem like the type you usually go for.”
Jun Canghao raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
“Well, you tend to go for women with more obvious assets. A simple, pure girl like her doesn’t seem like your type.”
Jun Canghao narrowed his eyes. “What’s your point?”
“Nothing, just saying.” Summer Night quickly cleared his throat. “What now, young master?”
Jun Canghao smirked, “Go find out where that donut stall is. I’m curious to see what kind of dream that donut represents.”