Perfect Mistake

Part 1:

Looking at the mirror, he touches his face, measuring where to begin before his eyes dart to the shaver lying on the bathroom counter, its sleek body a testament to modern design. Its silver casing glimmered under the fluorescent lights, like a promise of precision and efficiency.

As he picked it up, the weight felt substantial, yet balanced. The rubber grip provided a reassuring texture, a tactile confirmation of control. From the left side of his face, the blade angled to glide smoothly over the contours of his skin. It left a trail of smoothness in its wake. Everything seemed fine until he hissed and let out a sharp cry as the shaver cut him. Blood slowly ran to its edge down to the counter, and spots of blood soon appeared. A tiny droplet of blood welled up on his chin. '' Damn it!'' Wincing in pain. He grabbed a tissue and applied gentle pressure to the small cut.

Knock! Knock!

"Young master. Mr. Shen is waiting for you downstairs"

He faced the mirror, looking at himself while replying, "Tell him I'll be downstairs in 20 minutes "

"I'll tell him, young master" The footsteps faded away. He double-checked to ensure there were no traces of blood on his face before stepping out. Despite the icy room temperature, Hua Yong didn't feel cold. He walked calmly, unclothed, to the wardrobe and selected a luxury brand black suit, inspecting every detail. Dressing impeccably and adding his accessories before meeting anyone was his routine. He never missed a single detail of his attire, which everyone envied. This charismatic young businessman was renowned worldwide as the sole heir of Skyline Company, a multinational conglomerate with diverse interests in real estate, finance, technology, and hospitality.

Shen Wen Lang, his best friend, smiled as he saw him coming downstairs. "Always on time," he said, glancing at his wristwatch as Hua Yong stopped in front of him. "Exactly 20 minutes." The young master smirked before turning toward the door. To avoid potential threats, they decided not to use the mansion's main entrance for security reasons. Instead, they exited through another door to confuse any would-be attackers lying in wait. With heightened security came greater risks, as the family's enemies had placed a significant bounty on his head. Six different cars left the house simultaneously, another tactic to mislead assassins about which vehicle carried the young master with the high-priced bounty on his life.

"Young master is always careful. If I were the one after you, I'd rather stay at home and play mobile games" Shen Wen Lang chuckled. They were in a Lexus car with two bodyguards in the driver's seat while the two of them sat in the back. "Tell me, why did you just come back now?"

"I've been busy abroad, which took some time to resolve before coming back here," Hua Yong said, his eyes scanning the transformed landscape. He looked around, amazed by the changes that had taken place in his hometown. The big trees that once stood tall, providing shade and shelter, had been cut down, their places taken by sleek glass and steel buildings. The once dirty roads, where he'd spent countless hours playing as a child, were now paved with concrete, smooth and even. The park where he used to play, laugh, and create memories with friends, had been replaced by a towering condominium building, its height and grandeur a testament to progress.

"Just a few years pass, but it seems everything here has changed," Hua Yong said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and nostalgia. He continued to gaze out at the road, his eyes taking in the new sights, the new sounds, the new rhythm of the city.

"What do you expect, it won't stay as it is," Shen Wen Lang replied, smiling. "We have so many great inventors, engineers, and innovators working tirelessly to shape our world. Progress is inevitable, and change is the only constant. " Hua Yong nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the past and present. He remembered the carefree days of his childhood, the laughter, the adventures, and the simplicity of life.

Now, everything seemed so different, so fast-paced, so modern. He wasn't sure if he liked the changes, but he knew he couldn't stop them. All he could do was adapt, learn to navigate this new world, and find his place in it.

The car stopped in front of the towering Skyline Company building. Before the newcomer arrived, the entire staff was already in position. A red carpet was laid out, and employees stood in two lines facing each other, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the company's new heir. Everyone was buzzing with curiosity, wondering what the new leader would look like.

"I heard seeing him will make you die from overwhelming joy and love!" One staff member whispered,. She giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"No way, my brother met him on a business trip and said he looks just like his cousin - fat, short, and tan-skinned." Another staff member chimed in. The group snickered, speculating about the mysterious person's appearance. Another one from the front couldn't take it anymore and turned around, saying, "Didn't your brother say Mr. Shen Wen Lang is also fat and ugly, but look how handsome he is!" Her comment was met with nods of agreement.

"Sheesh!" Just as the gossiping continued, a senior staff member interrupted with a stern . Everyone immediately stood up straight, composing themselves as the car door opened. The atmosphere shifted from playful chatter to formal respect, anticipation hanging in the air.

As the car door swung open, a pair of long, slim legs emerged, clad in black luxury pants that seemed to have been tailored to perfection, with not a single wrinkle in sight. The shoes were black leather, polished to a high shine that reflected the morning light, and seemed to gleam with an inner radiance. A hand, strong and well-defined, slowly appeared, carrying a sleek briefcase that was immediately accepted by the bodyguard standing at attention to the right. The staff and members of the Skyline Company couldn't help but gasp in unison as Hua Yong stepped out of the car, his physique a stark contrast to the rumors that had circulated about him. His skin was a radiant, pearlescent white, like the finest pearls from the Pacific Ocean. He stood tall, at an impressive height of around 183cm, his broad shoulders and chiseled features evoking the image of a top model from Paris. As he straightened up, his face came into view, and the staff couldn't help but be struck by his chiseled features.

His eyes seemed to sparkle with intelligence, his nose was straight and proportionate to his face, and his lips were firm and inviting. A small, enigmatic smile played on his lips, as if he knew a secret that no one else did. The staff and members of the company stood frozen in admiration, their eyes fixed on the man who was about to take the reins of the company. The air was electric with anticipation, and the whispers and giggles that had filled the air just moments before were replaced by an awestruck silence. As Hua Yong began to walk towards the entrance of the building, the staff and members parted to let him through, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and admiration. The red carpet seemed to stretch out before him like a royal pathway, and he walked along it with a confident stride, his eyes fixed on some point ahead.

The bodyguard walked closely behind him, briefcase in hand, as Hua Yong made his way into the building, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. The staff and members of the company followed closely behind, their eyes fixed on the man who was about to lead them into a new era.

As the door closed, Shen Wen Lang thought about what happened earlier. "You were amazing back there - everyone was totally impressed. You didn't even need to say anything, they were all stunned just by looking at you," Hua Yong smiled as he walked over to the center table and picked up an open card that read "WELCOME BACK." A sly grin spread across his face as he held it up, then set it back down. He touched the desk, which dominated the center of the room like a command post, crafted from rich mahogany with a gleaming glass surface so polished it reflected the light pouring in.

It was impossibly long and immaculately clean-no clutter, only a sleek laptop, a crystal decanter with matching tumblers, and a single silver pen aligned with obsessive precision. The edges were sharp, almost intimidating, as if the table itself issued quiet warnings to anyone who dared to sit across from it. Behind it stood a stately, ergonomic chair of dark wood, its cushioned seat and backrest upholstered in supple black leather, a throne of authority. With a grin, he seated himself, fitting into it as though it had been made for him alone.

The door creaked open, and a man in his mid-50s entered, radiating warmth. Hua Yong, who was seated, stood up with surprise and joy. Their eyes met, sparking a flood of memories. Though it had been years since they last saw each other, the connection was instant, and smiles broke across their faces. Hua Yong opened his arms and rushed toward his uncle, embracing him tightly. "My nephew! Welcome back!" he exclaimed, filled with emotion.

Their joy was palpable, and the familiar scent of his uncle's cologne brought back memories of simpler times. As they pulled apart, Hua Yong noticed the lines on his uncle's face, reminders of the years passed. Despite the changes, their bond remained strong, showcasing the enduring ties of family and love.

"You need to get some Botox now, Uncle - your wrinkles are so obvious!" Hua Yong's blunt words caught everyone off guard: She Wenlang struggled to stifle a chuckle, but his grin was quickly suppressed when Hua Yong's uncle shot him a disapproving glance. She Wenlang hastily bowed his head in apology. The older man waved his hand dismissively, his expression softening.

"Don't mind that, boy! Wrinkles are just a natural part of aging." He placed a gentle hand on Hua Yong's shoulder. "I'm just glad you've decided to come back for good. I don't want you to waste another few years abroad." Hua Yong nodded respectfully.

"Of course, Uncle. I'm taking over the company now, and I'll do what's necessary." A warm smile spread across his uncle's face, filled with pride and hope.

"Tomorrow is your succession ceremony," his uncle reminded him. "You should give them a good speech. Show them your vision and leadership." Hua Yong nodded confidently, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Yes, Uncle. I'm always ready, and being perfect is my thing." His uncle's face lit up with joy at his words, and he patted Hua Yong's shoulder affectionately.

"I know you'll do great, boy. Just be yourself and lead with confidence." The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and expectation as Hua Yong accepted the weight of his new role.

"The shareholders can't wait to see you now. They are very impressed with your business work in the States," Hua Yong smiled. He had truly done his best to learn and achieve the highest skills, knowledge, traits, and qualities to be worthy of being the sole heir of their company.

"By the way, Uncle, I want to see her," Hua Yong said. His Uncle was stunned but quickly smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Of course! No problem. She's been nonstop looking for you every day when she heard you will be back! I'll bring her here sometime," his uncle said, patting his shoulder.

"But I can go and see her, right?" Hua pleaded, his facial expression unchanging. The sudden avoidance of eye contact did not escape Hua Yong's sharp insight.

"Ye...s...yes, no problem, as you wish, there is no problem," his uncle said with a faint smile and stepped away. "Since I will now be busy, I will go first and talk to you again later. Go and check around the company to familiarize yourself with the environment," his uncle added. Hua Yong, maintaining the same expression, said goodbye.

"Wow, he was so happy earlier but suddenly changed his mood and wanted to go back," Shen Wen Lang said, confusion written all over his face. Hua Yong flashed a smile. Of course, he knew why his uncle reacted that way when he mentioned wanting to see her. While roaming around the company, he noticed that all the personnel were hired and chosen by his uncle-from the guards outside to his secretary, every one of them.

He found out there were so many inconsistencies in financial reporting, a lack of transparency, and other issues. The sudden death of his father had plunged their family into crisis, which led to his mother falling ill and passing away as she couldn't bear it. He had been studying abroad at the time, so his uncle temporarily took over the company to help. Years later, he managed to solve all the problems, and the company stood on its own again. Shen Wen Lang leaves after spending hours talking to him.