BXBX NOVEL Chapter 8: 8.
Chapter 8: 8.
"Brother Chen! It\'s not what you think."
Zhu Dong tried to explain but he couldn\'t because he really did destroy the laptop.
"Why are you saying the lines of a guilty party? I don\'t blame you, Brother Zhu. I just expected better of you," Chen Kai replied. The chilling smile didn\'t leave his face.
A feeling of hot anger surged through Chen Kai\'s heart. This anger was from the remnants of the past Chen Kai\'s soul which assimilated with the stronger one.
The anger was from Zhu Dong\'s betrayal.
He was his only friend in this city, this school. They came from the same third-tier city. Zhu Dong was his only supportive friend in this big city.
How can he not be aggrieved?
This guy destroyed his stepping stone for a good life for whatever those idiots gave him.
He chose them over him.
Chen Kai had all the right to be angry.
He clenched his fist tightly. The need to punch this guy was strong. He needed to feel how painful this betrayal is.
The room suddenly felt too small for Zhu Dong, he can feel the walls closing in on him as Chen Kai came closer to him. Was the quiet bookworm always this fierce? In his eyes, Brother Chen was a dangerous predator approaching him and he had no way out. It was getting too hard to breathe. He tried taking deep breaths but it didn\'t help.
This beast was getting closer.
What is Chen Kai going to do? He watched on as the guy raised his hand and like a persistent snake, his clenched fist was coming towards him. He closed his eyes and raised his arms to defend himself.
He can take this punch. Chen Kai was weak.
[Warning! Please return to the basic human state. Host, please retract Emperor\'s intimidation. Please settle Emperor\'s Rage.]
The swift punch stopped a millimeter shy of impact on Zhu Dong\'s arms. The guy fell to the ground when he felt a sharp wind that was following Chen Kai\'s punch.
\'What was that?!\' Zhu Dong was at a loss for what happened.
"Tch! Fucking kids," Chen Kai muttered under his breath. He left Zhu Dong in a quivering mess and packed up his remaining belongings. He ignored the guy and left the room.
Coincidentally, Li Feng and Lin Shen were returning, they eyed Chen Kai with a smug grin on their faces. Walking past him, they willfully bumped into him harshly but he only lowered his head and chuckled. The urge to bloody their noses was there but he pushed it down.
He was doing this for their own safety. Everything he gained from his past lives was still integrated into his body. It is the system\'s job to maintain his body to match the humans of this star but they can\'t put a seal on the host\'s brutal nature.
Once provoked he will reciprocate the same actions, he wouldn\'t care if you\'re the son of the president. Just don\'t provoke him.
"They\'re just kids," he reminded himself and walked away from the two idiots.
"What a wimp! He can\'t even stand up for himself. He\'s done for. Let\'s see how he makes the deadline," Lin Shen commented with a triumphant smile on his face.
Li Feng gave a snort in disdain as he watched Chen Kai leave the dorm building. He disliked the guy the moment they met in freshmen year. Everything about him was too perfect, everyone loved him even the faculty. His position in the school\'s popularity was in the top ten and it bother Li Feng. He was the reason why he couldn\'t get a girl to hook up with. They always had a motive when they approach him. They wanted to meet Chen Kai. But isn\'t that all he had, looks, academic superiority, and a few athletic accomplishments? What use they will have when he leaves the university?
Lin Shen\'s plan was the first stumbling block they created for him.
"You have the name of the company right?" he asked Lin Shen.
"Of course. Zhang Rui told me a good while now. She spilled everything about him, even the name of his high school girlfriend. So pathetic."
Li Feng nodded and continue to their room. He didn\'t really consider the relationship between him and Lin Shen as best friends but he can gain some benefits from the guy. He was already hired to be a driver for his family\'s company, he would earn more than an office worker.
That will be more than Chen Kai after tomorrow.
~~~~~~~
It was nearing 10 pm and the only place he can take a nap safely beside his car was the library. It was open through the night during this period. He can find a hotel for the night but he still had some business at the school.
\'System, you do know I only wanted to scare him right?\' Chen Kai commented inwardly.
[Yes, host. The warning was issued due to the other party\'s mental stability.]
\'Oh. I have yet to measure the strength of the humans here. What is your analysis, system?\'
[You can take reference from Earth Star 9501. Eighty-five percent are comparable to Tier 1 awakeners while the remaining fifteen are between basic Tier 2 and Tier 3 due to their military training and body modifications. System Advice: Proceed with caution within self-defense and intimidation.]
\'Hmmm. I\'m sure the officials are working on something to raise their levels. Am I right, system?\' he asked carelessly. He wasn\'t looking for trouble but having knowledge is best.
[You\'re right, dear host. Without the right materials, they are at a bottleneck. Calculations detect this will be their state for an unknown time.]
\'Thank you, system. Your advice is noted also.\'
He was on this star for his retirement and he will do so the best way he knows how and that is to enjoy all the riches he earned over the years. He will be a rich kid until society deems him a full adult then be a wealthy recluse.
That\'s the plan but he knows there will be people like Lin Shen or probably worse than him.
"Whatever," he mumbled to himself and entered the library.
Finding a study cubicle in a corner and made himself comfortable.
"I wonder when they will receive my little gift."
~~~~~~~~~
The sun was unrealistically bright the next day and it placed a lot of people in a good mood. In the library, the day shift librarian was making her way around the study hall to wake the overnight students. This was a common occurrence for the staff. To help these young ones, a simple breakfast can be taken at the exit. A wrapped meaty sandwich and a takeaway cup of milk tea or coffee.
Making her way to the last row, she found the sleeping Chen Kai at his desk. A frown marred her face. This was the first time she saw him in the library with so much stuff around him. Only his laptop and notebook accompanied him, he did everything on his laptop.
"Student Chen, it\'s time to wake up," she called out to him. After a few more times, he woke up in a dazed state. His hair was all over the place and there were pressure marks on his face from sleeping on the desk.
"Come now, student Chen. It\'s time to start the day. Go back to the dorm," she said trying to contain her laugh. He looked so adorable.
"Mm. Yes, Teacher Su," he mumbled.
"Don\'t forget your breakfast at the door."
He nodded and trudged towards the door with his belongings in his hand. Last night Chen Kai found his weakness - Online Shopping
It started out with a few pieces of clothing for everyday use then escalated to watches and jewelry. He took the liberty to order a few pieces of streetwear and necessities then made note of the famous watchmakers that had boutiques in the country.
The thought of buying a few watches and jewelry perked him up.
Grabbing a cup of coffee from the waiting library attendant with a smile, he made his way to his car.
[Host, would you like to sign in?]
\'Do I have to sign in every day, system?\'
[Rewards for any missed day will be saved and added to the day on which the host chooses to sign in.]
\'Impressive! Sign-In!\'
He was excited to know what he gained in this world since the system was bestowing inheritances similar to what he earned in his past lives.
[Congratulations on your sign-in! You have received 40% shares of Nanhe Emperor Malls of Jiangsu Province and $10,000,000 Yuan]
~ $10,000,000 Yuan has been deposited into your account ending xxxxxxx xxx xx651.
"Wait. Isn\'t that the mall I commented on last night?" he muttered to himself but the smile on his face didn\'t fade. He couldn\'t wait to explore the mall. He needed a few things that can be found there anyway. When he was looking for the boutiques for the watchmakers he took a liking to, he found Nanhe Emperor Mall. It was considered a high-end shopping plaza with five branches throughout the Jiangsu Province. It so happens that one was close to the Xuanwa District where his new home was.
Talk about coincidence.
"Maybe I can do some shopping before I head over to the Villa," he said to himself.
Chen Kai focused on the visits he had to make before he left campus after dumping his stuff in his car and a quick shower back at the dorm.
He was like a busy bee moving from office to office, talking to his teachers, and ending his stay at the dorms with his advisor. Two hours later, Chen Kai officially left the xxxxxx University campus. He made a quick stop at the food stalls and gifted the elderly couple something to help them out in the long run. As expected, they didn\'t accept it but after a little cajoling from him, they accepted it.
Driving away from the campus, the joys of exploring were reignited for Chen Kai. Plotting in the first and second destinations, he drove his fully loaded Jetta into the morning traffic.
Nanhe Emperor Mall was half an hour away and was situated amongst different businesses creating a symbiotic flow for everyone. Entering the streets, lots of high-end stores and restaurants can be seen catering to the young and the old. In this area, riches were prominent, each corner had a touch of luxury. Apart from stores and restaurants, beautifully designed office buildings and traditional teahouses, and pristine gardens, it all pulled at Chen Kai\'s sense of belonging.
This was in his blood. To appreciate and honor one\'s culture was equal to living a full life.
To live in such an area was perfect for \'retirement.\'
Chen Kai circled the area once before heading to Nanhe Emperor Mall. It wasn\'t hard to find.
The six-story glass architectural masterpiece was a show-stopper. The first thing that came to his mind was a crystal vase that one will see in an Emperor\'s palace. The design was clear to the eye - pristine glass design and artistically curved at the top creating an observatory for patrons to relax during their shopping trips. From what he read, at the center of the mall was an artificially created garden with a real wisteria tree as its core. The mall was built around the tree and was carefully nurtured.
The photos were perfect but he wanted to experience it himself.
Finding a park was easy because it was still early hours, he took a spot near the entrance and left the lot. The general manager called him earlier to welcome him to the Nanhe Emperor family and wished to meet him. Chen Kai knew the higher-ups are nervous about a newcomer. With his 40%, he had a say in decisions. If he came with ill intentions, it will destroy the harmony of the company and affect thousands of employees.
He wasn\'t like that. Earning his cut and possibly sharing thoughts will be all on his schedule.
Reaching the sidewalk, Chen Kai stood and stared at the massive structure before him. It was then he realized the glass was designed like Waterford crystals with an Alana pattern. You can see the blurred silhouettes of people walking along the pathways of each floor.
"This meant the stores are in a reversed position compared to other malls. Ingenious!"
~~~~~~~
General Manager Xu Yushi was thankful that she was visiting Nanjing when she was struck by the news of this shareholder. The sale and purchase were like a bomb within the entire company. 40% shares was a huge lump sum and that was putting it lightly. The malls were all luxurious in experience, design, and service which is compatible with the profits at each branch. To have someone new - everyone will be wary.
The chairman was sitting on pins and needles awaiting good news from her after she met Mr. Chen Kai. When she spoke to him earlier, she tried to ascertain his age and attitude towards them but she was even more confused. The man spoke with a youthful voice but had a mature and direct speech. His words flowed with no hesitation with magnetism and dominance coating each word.
Xu Yushi consciously followed his suggestions and waited for him at the entrance of the mall.
While waiting she took note of the patronage flow at that time of the morning and the customers\' reaction to the well-kept environment.
At that moment, a group of four girls was blocking her view of anyone leaving the parking lot. Chen Kai already gave her a hint about his clothing for recognition.
The selfie-taking girls walked by giving her the view she wanted.
There he was.
The General Manager was dumbfounded for a moment because it moved to a mind-numbing sensation in her head. \'He\'s so young!\' she cried out inwardly. Xu Yushi tried to remember what she was doing in her early twenties and wanted to slap herself.
Refocusing, she stepped forward and patiently waited for Chen Kai. She could see from the bright smile on his face and his curiosity-filled eyes that he was appreciating the beauty of the mall. Pride surged through her. He lowered his head and made his way over to her. He walked with confidence, with no laziness or waste of movements in each step.
Being the meticulous sort, she noted his precise steps in walking and how he didn\'t swing his arms carelessly. This posture reminded her of etiquette training her parents signed her up for when she was young.
How strict was his training? He walked like a perfect example of a noble.
When he came closer, she appreciated his tall figure and muscular body. His broad shoulders filled out the blue linen shirt and the black jeans were snug on his long legs. His coal-black hair was styled perfectly. There was no hair out of place and neatly tucked away from his handsome face. His eyes were dark like the abyss and alluring. He smiled her way and stretched forth his hand when he was five steps before her.
There was no lacking of gorgeous men in the country but Chen Kai was the most dazzling she ever met personally. The simple clothes on his body were like royal silk, he didn\'t need any extra brands to gather attention. He was naturally charismatic and handsome.
Xu Yushi added another positive point to her evaluation of him.
\'How wonderfully composed this young man is.\'
"General Manager Xu! Thank you for welcoming me. I apologize for canceling your initial plans for my welcome."
She felt like bowing to this man and not out of greeting and respect but out of a sense of honor. But why?
Xu Yushi accepted his handshake and bowed in greeting. "Welcome Mr Chen! It\'s of no problem." She kept her head lowered when she regained her upright posture. She felt like she was speaking to an emperor, not even the chairman had this presence. Even her speech went under changes.
Chen Kai on the other hand didn\'t pay attention to this. He was used to those actions. He simply gave her a sharp nod and she regained her sense of professionalism.
Xu Yushi took a deep breath and guided Chen Kai into the mall. This young man was extraordinary.
She gave him a brief history of the company and guided his attention to the outdoor security and facilities. The picture the two gave off to the people around them was like a Minister reporting to her King.
"Is that one of those wealthy young masters?"
"Maybe a low-key tycoon? Look at his clothes."
"Bah! What do you know about low-key tycoons? They are always dressed in diamonds and gold."
"But he\'s right. There are low-key tycoons."
The comments of passersby did not bother them both especially Xu Yushi because she had the same thoughts.
Entering the ground floor, Chen Kai stopped in his steps and basked in the beauty of the purple Wisteria tree before him. He stepped forward and admired the upward growth of the tree. The morning sun shone directly on it due to the carefully designed building. Its branches were wide but carefully pruned to avoid obstruction to the stores and customers. The grassy floor around it was genuine but the flowing brook was artificial. The fresh scent of nature inside a man-made building was too captivating.
Chen Kai smiled in great appreciation.
\'I\'m going to love it here.\'