Chapter Five: Times Have Changed (1)

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When you wish others to believe something, you must first believe it yourself.

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The motorcade turned around and retraced its route. Along the way, Xiao Tianci had a long conversation with Xu Guowei, gaining a deeper understanding of the Xiao family. At the same time, he discreetly observed their surroundings, and sure enough, not a single other car appeared along the roads they traveled. Any lingering doubts he had were now almost dispelled, but out of instinct, he remained cautious and alert.

For so many years, he had harbored countless theories as to why his father had abandoned his mother and him. Now that he knew his father and the rest of the Xiao family were gone, he no longer wished to dwell on it.

Nevertheless, his interest in the Xiao family remained strong, and he kept probing Xu Guowei for information. Xu Guowei, for his part, answered every question without reservation.

Once again, a stretch Bentley, flanked at front and rear by four Mercedes each, stopped in front of the company. Each Mercedes, including the driver, carried four bodyguards. Xu Guowei explained that these men had been trained from childhood and devoted their lives to serving the Xiao family.

From Xu Guowei’s account, Xiao Tianci learned that these men were all armed, which made him somewhat nervous. He quickly asked how they had managed to “bring” their weapons inside.

Xu Guowei smiled and explained that the head of the Xiao family was no less significant than a king or the president of a major nation, and thus enjoyed the highest privileges wherever he went. In most countries around the world, his security team was authorized to carry firearms legally.

The events of the day made Xiao Tianci feel as though he had suddenly become a country bumpkin, stepping into a grand estate for the first time. Yet, these incidents also helped him realize the magnitude of the power he was about to inherit.

“Isn’t this a bit much? Maybe they could just wait outside for now,” Xiao Tianci suggested, still uncomfortable with the way the area was cleared as soon as he stepped out of the car. Before he even entered the office building, eight members of the security team had already gone in.

He now truly understood what it meant to be surrounded by attendants. Including the men from his Bentley, there were nine waiting outside, and sixteen following close at his heels—this was only counting the bodyguards, not Xu Guowei or the three prominent lawyers. These men formed a protective circle around Xiao Tianci, each on high alert, to the point that even he began to feel uneasy.

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Xu Guowei was adamant this time as well, shaking his head firmly. “Absolutely not. This is the most basic measure to protect your safety. It’s a matter of utmost importance and cannot be compromised. If we had given special notice, the national security agencies would have mobilized as well.”

“Is it truly safe, though? If it were, the dozens in the Xiao family…” Xiao Tianci forced a dry laugh as he entered the building, leaving Xu Guowei momentarily taken aback by his words. The matter had long been settled, finalized with the involvement of countless powers, nations, and even the United Nations, yet now Xu Guowei’s heart stirred with uncertainty. Whether to believe or not was not for him to decide, but when it came to security, even presidents and kings—were they really safe?

Xiao Tianci had only spoken offhand, not having given much thought to his own security. After all, he had lived as an ordinary person for so many years, and such concerns were far from his mind.

Together with Gu Qiang, Xiao Tianci furtively peered through the blinds, watching the scene outside.

“Boss, seriously, these guys are incredible. They stand there like futuristic warriors. They even searched me on my way in.”

Xiao Tianci slumped wearily into his executive chair. “Good fortune walks hand-in-hand with misfortune; it’s hard to tell whether there’s more benefit or harm in all this.”

Gu Qiang, settling into the chair across from him, said excitedly, “What’s the harm? It’s all good, Boss, you’re soaring to the heavens now! Just look outside—what a display! Far superior to the chairman’s two showy bodyguards. Just looking at them from a distance gives one chills.”

Outside of official matters, Gu Qiang and Xiao Tianci were always casual with each other. Gu Qiang had been personally mentored by Xiao Tianci, and they were of similar age.

In Gu Qiang’s eyes, it was a simple matter, but Xiao Tianci saw much more—albeit still limited, but a world apart from Gu Qiang’s perspective.

“All right, enough about that. By the way, contact the chairman and say…” Xiao Tianci had intended to say that he would go see Tian Hao himself, but looking at the situation outside, he reconsidered. The headquarters was in the same city, not far from this branch, and he had always gone to see Tian Hao in the past.

“Just tell him I have something important to discuss and ask him to come over as soon as possible.”

“Perfect… yes!” Gu Qiang snapped his fingers in delight. “Awesome! Boss, you’re a different man now. If Tian Hao finds out you’re the heir to the Xiao family, one of the world’s richest, he’ll come running.”

“Oh, come off it. You think I’m putting on a show? Even if I’m no longer who I used to be, I’m not about to act high and mighty. Just look at that convoy outside…” As he spoke, Xiao Tianci gestured toward the window. “If I went to headquarters, it’d cause quite a scene. Enough joking—go on, get it done. Don’t tell him anything else, just say I have urgent business to discuss and he must come immediately. And keep everything else in the company running as usual. You can attend all meetings on my behalf and make decisions for now.”

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“Don’t worry, Boss.”

After Gu Qiang left, Xiao Tianci thought to himself, “It feels good now, but who knows what the future holds? The greater the responsibility, the heavier the burden. The Xiao family’s legacy will not be so easily assumed.”

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, a group of people was gathered, deep in discussion. There were just over a dozen of them, each holding at least one percent of Meihua’s shares, a company now valued at over three trillion US dollars.

At their head was none other than Weir, known as the world’s richest man. He held eight percent of Meihua’s shares, as well as countless other businesses. Excluding hidden dynasties like the Xiao family, he had topped the world’s rich list for thirteen consecutive years.

These people had just received notice from Xu Guowei that the Xiao family’s new heir would not be attending the meeting for now, and they were to await further instructions.

Each and every one of those present was a figure of considerable status and power, but all they could do upon receiving this notice was fume in silence. Some, quick-tempered, even cursed aloud. After all, the Xiao family was no longer what it once was.

Yet, the most respected among them, Weir, simply watched in silence—for he would only act when the flames were at their fiercest.

When Tian Hao received Gu Qiang’s message, the recent events at the company prompted him to drop everything and head over immediately, his heart pounding with anxiety along the way. He could not understand why Xiao Tianci had sent Gu Qiang instead of contacting him personally. He considered calling Xiao Tianci, but worried there might be some inconvenience, especially with the board questioning him again that afternoon. He assumed something must have changed, making Xiao Tianci desperate for his presence.

But as soon as Tian Hao arrived, he sensed something was amiss. The cars outside and the imposing presence of the bodyguards left him baffled, unable to grasp what could have happened.

Inside his office, however, Xiao Tianci harbored no ulterior motives. He wasn’t putting on airs simply because he was now different from before. His mind was still reeling from this incredible, earth-shaking development, and he hadn’t given much thought to anything else.

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