Chapter 102: Fighting a Fierce Battle

The Huayong Group spans numerous industries, with leading companies across the nation all under its umbrella; overseas, it also boasts many dominant enterprises. The group controls ten percent of the global economy, wielding immense power, which leads half of the world's corporations to willingly submit to Huayong’s authority.

The patriarch, Old Master Hu, now seventy-nine, has decided to abdicate on his eightieth birthday, passing the mantle to the next generation—specifically, one of his grandchildren. To prevent his grandchildren from turning on each other, he established a rule: the four candidates must compete domestically for one year, and whoever amasses the greatest influence within that time will succeed him.

Among the four, Yingqi holds the least power. It's nearly impossible for her to rally allies since the administrators of each major city are loyal to their own interests. Only Liu Sheng remains free, answering to no one but Old Master Hu himself.

“Remember what I said. Within a year, I will help you eliminate all obstacles. During this time, you must keep a low profile—don’t let anyone know you’re also vying for power. I will handle everything,” Liu Sheng said earnestly to Yingqi.

Seeing Liu Sheng’s unwavering resolve, Yingqi understood that in the days ahead, her only task was to live her life well; Liu Sheng would take care of the rest.

Impressed by Liu Sheng’s confidence, Yingqi asked curiously, “Do you have a plan?”

Liu Sheng shook his head. “No complete plan, only a framework. I will take them down one by one. But you’ll only have temporary peace—later, you’ll be exhausted.”

Liu Sheng’s words plunged Yingqi into deep thought. How could he be so confident without a solid plan? The uncertainty troubled her. But since Liu Sheng asked her to wait, if he failed, it wouldn’t affect her much. If she didn’t trust him, who else could she rely on? At least with him, there was a chance.

“Pretend you don’t know me. When the time is right, I will come find you. It’s late now—I have classes tomorrow. Please have those two brothers outside escort me back,” Liu Sheng instructed again before the two men outside drove him away.

On the way back, Liu Sheng sat alone in the back seat. The driver in the passenger seat said, “Mr. Liu, please support Miss Hu going forward. Since you’re on her side, be ready to sacrifice for her at any time.”

From their conversation, Liu Sheng learned that among the four candidates, Yingqi’s elder brother, Yinghe, wielded the most influence, followed by the eldest brother Ying, then Hu Jie, and finally Yingqi herself.

The order was thus: eldest brother Hu Ying, second brother Hu Yinghe, third brother Hu Jie, and fourth sister Hu Yingqi. Ying and Hu Jie were sons of Old Master Hu’s eldest daughter, while Yinghe and Yingqi were born to Old Master Hu’s second child and his wife.

Interestingly, Hu Jie seemed indifferent to this power struggle—whoever took charge mattered little to him, so long as he could live a life of wealth and comfort.

Liu Sheng closed his eyes in the car, silent all the way home, contemplating strategies to dismantle them one by one.

By the time he returned to school, it was already 11 p.m. He sat at a nearby barbecue stand and called Ren Xiadong.

When Ren Xiadong arrived, Liu Sheng shared the situation with Hu Yingqi and urged him to prepare for the coming battle.

“This will be a tough fight. If we win, we’ll stand at the pinnacle of Huayong, controlling half the world’s economy. If we lose, it will be total ruin,” Liu Sheng said gravely.

Ren Xiadong didn’t respond immediately. Since Liu Sheng founded the Liu Yao World Animation Company in their first year of high school, his progress had been steady. Ren Xiadong always believed Liu Sheng could handle anything with composure.

But this time felt different. Liu Sheng was cautious, no longer carefree in the face of challenges. There was no smile on his face—only profound seriousness, even hesitation. Deep down, Liu Sheng feared failure. What would become of him then? All his talents would be useless. Huayong would make him invisible, denying any chance of resurgence, possibly even placing him on a global wanted list. He would have to hide, but what about Ren Xiadong and his own family?

Because of this fear, Liu Sheng confided only in Ren Xiadong, excluding Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia, hoping to minimize risk. If they succeeded, Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia would not be left out.

“I’m not afraid. I’m with you. I want to leave a lasting legacy. If we fail, so be it—we’ll just live quietly at home. We still have the family fortune to support us for life,” Ren Xiadong said firmly, drinking his beer.

They sat together at the barbecue stand until six in the morning, then bought breakfast for Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia before leaving.

“By the way, Liu Sheng, ten thousand yuan remain from the flower purchase. You weren’t here last night, so I didn’t tell you. I’ll transfer it back to you,” Xiao Jia said when Liu Sheng returned.

Liu Sheng didn’t reply but instead went to Lao Jiu’s bed, took a bank card from his wallet, and directly transferred ten thousand yuan to Lao Jiu.

“Ren Xiadong and Tian Yun managed to come together successfully. You two deserve credit. This is a red envelope for both of you—one hundred thousand each,” he said.

Once in class, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong found a man in a suit occupying their usual seats. Without hesitation, Liu Sheng sat beside the man, and Ren Xiadong sat beside Liu Sheng.

“School is great. I really miss my university days—so carefree,” the man said, noticing Liu Sheng next to him but talking to himself.

Liu Sheng said nothing but knew immediately this man wasn’t a student of their class—or even their school.

Not hearing a response, the man smiled at Liu Sheng and continued, “Hello, Mr. Liu. My name is Hu Yinghe. Pleased to meet you.”

“So soon! They found me so quickly!” Liu Sheng thought but said aloud, “Greetings, Mr. Hu. What wind brings you here? Is there something you need me to do?”

Hu Yinghe paused, surprised that Liu Sheng knew his name without prior contact. Clearly, Old Master Hu’s choice of people was wise. And Liu Sheng’s talents must be exceptional. To truly understand Liu Sheng’s strengths, more interaction was necessary.

Hu Yinghe also informed Liu Sheng of Old Master Hu’s abdication plans and expressed his strong need for Liu Sheng’s support.

“I’ve heard you have the largest influence among the four. Why would you want to recruit me?” Liu Sheng whispered, wary of other students overhearing.

“Don’t underestimate Liu Sheng’s humility,” Hu Yinghe replied. “My influence surpasses the others, but if you join them, my standing domestically changes. After all, one major city equals six others.”

Liu Sheng thought to himself, “Hu Yinghe is right. If I side with him, he could dominate entirely. But if I join the second most powerful, Hu Ying, he might not surpass Hu Yinghe but could at least match him.”

Checking the time, Hu Yinghe said, “Class will start soon, so I won’t keep you. I hope to meet you at noon after school—at the San Kou Restaurant in the Huafu Hotel. I’d be honored if you’d come.”

Without hesitation, he left the classroom.

“Will you go?” Ren Xiadong asked after Hu Yinghe’s departure.

“Of course! Why not?” Liu Sheng replied.

“But he’s trying to pull you over. Didn’t we already join Yingqi’s faction? If Hu Yinghe finds out, won’t it be...”

Before Ren could finish, Liu Sheng interrupted, “If Hu Yinghe knew, he wouldn’t seek me out—he’d guard against me, or even send people to kill me. It’s better to go and learn about our strongest rival. He’s the first target I’ll take down.”

Ren Xiadong didn’t argue. Though puzzled by Liu Sheng’s plan to strike the strongest first, he had no choice but to follow.

Before class started, Yang Yu sat beside Liu Sheng in the back row and asked, “Big brother, was that guy looking for trouble? Should I get some people to teach him a lesson?”

Liu Sheng smiled and said, “He’s stronger than me. If you offend him, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Yang Yu’s mouth dropped open, thinking, “Good thing I asked first. If I’d acted rashly, who knows what might’ve happened.”

Ren Xiadong commented, “Big shots are different—their manners are impeccable.”

Liu Sheng reflected, “Hu Yinghe spoke lightly, trying to recruit me without seeming desperate. He made it clear he can do without me, but he values me. This means he won’t be easily controlled by me—he’s the lord, I’m the subject.”

“A formidable opponent,” Liu Sheng muttered.

“What opponent?” Yang Yu asked.

Liu Sheng looked at Yang Yu and said, “Brother, I’ll be very busy for a while. If one day I don’t show up for class, can you use your influence to get me excused?”

Yang Yu laughed instantly. “Don’t worry! I’ll talk to Director Fang. From now on, Liu Sheng comes and goes as he pleases. It’s nothing. If it weren’t for you attending class every day, I probably wouldn’t come either.”

Liu Sheng picked up the school newspaper, intending to thank Yang Yu, but was distracted by the headline: Ren Xiadong’s confession to Tian Yun, titled “A Lonely Soul from the North Meets One in the South.”

He eagerly showed it to Ren Xiadong, who instead noticed the gossip section beneath the headline about Liu Sheng and Tang Xin.

“Oh, Tian Yun must be the most envied girl in school now,” Liu Sheng joked.

Ren Xiadong grinned mischievously. “Then Liu Sheng must be the most envied boy.”

“What do you mean?”

Ren Xiadong pointed to the gossip headline: “The Man Supported by Superstar Tang Xin.”

Below was a photo of Liu Sheng opening a car door for Tang Xin, with the article speculating whether their relationship was love or money.

Furious at being portrayed as a kept man, Liu Sheng slammed the paper on the table and told Yang Yu, “Handle this for me! You have my permission to use force!”

His loud voice startled the teacher and classmates. The teacher, seeing Yang Yu beside Liu Sheng, dared not reprimand him. The students were amazed—how could Liu Sheng command Yang Yu so effortlessly? But Yang Yu’s next move shocked the entire class again.

“All right, big brother. Leave it to me,” Yang Yu replied loudly.

Whispers spread: “Who exactly is Liu Sheng? A few days ago, he offended Young Master Yang, but instead of retaliation, Yang now listens to everything Liu Sheng says.”

Realizing he’d lost control, Liu Sheng quickly apologized to Yang Yu: “Sorry, Brother Yang, I lost my temper.”

Yang Yu was surprised but understood Liu Sheng’s desire to keep a low profile, so he said, “Forget it.”