Next morning, Li household.
The sun streamed through the curtains, casting soft light across the room. Li Lian stirred beneath the covers, her lashes fluttering as she slowly woke up.
Rubbing her eyes, she slipped out of bed and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.
A few minutes later, dressed simply yet neatly, she stepped into the living room and greeted her parents with a warm smile before heading out to the family tea shop to begin work.
The Li family's tea shop sat quietly on a corner street, tucked between old brick walls and flowering vines. It wasn't grand or flashy—but it had charm. The kind that wrapped around your heart like a warm blanket.
A wooden sign with hand-painted characters swung gently with the breeze above the entrance. Inside, the scent of jasmine, oolong, and chrysanthemum lingered in the air, weaving through neatly arranged wooden tables and mismatched cushions that somehow all fit together perfectly.
Soft light filtered through gauzy curtains, bathing the shop in a golden morning glow. Potted plants lined the windowsills—simple, green, alive. A small shelf of tea sets stood proudly behind the counter.
The shop didn't pretend to be more than it was. It was humble.
Soon, the quiet morning gave way to a steady stream of customers, and the once-peaceful tea shop began to buzz with life.
Li Lian moved swiftly between tables, her steps light but hurried as she carried trays of steaming teapots and delicate cups. Laughter, soft chatter, and the clinking of porcelain filled the air.
In the back, her parents worked in quiet harmony—her mother preparing the tea leaves with practiced hands, her father pouring with steady grace, the fragrant steam curling into the warm air.
It wasn't easy work, but it felt good.
"I'm sooo tired, Dad," she sighed, slumping against the counter for a moment.
Her parents exchanged a small smile.
"I'll cook something delicious once we close up, alright?" her mother said gently, trying to lift her spirits.
"Okayyyy". She hopped on and continued.
Zhaoyi holdings..
"Young Master, this building on Gulangyu Island needs to be demolished," Shen Rui said, standing straight with a tablet in hand.
Zhao Yifan raised an eyebrow, his expression cool and calculating. "Explain."
The secretary cleared his throat and continued carefully, "It's the tea shop, sir. A modest but thriving business—but it's become an obstacle. The building is old, barely holding up, and more importantly, it sits on prime land. That space is crucial for the luxury complex we plan to build. The longer it remains, the more delays we face."
Yifan leaned back in his chair, hands steepled beneath his chin, eyes narrowing in thought.
"And the owner?"
Shen Rui hesitated for a moment. "We're preparing to speak with them, sir."
"Make sure it's handled within the next twenty-four hours," he ordered firmly.
With a slight nod, Shen Rui turned and exited the office, leaving behind a quiet stillness. Yifan sighed, the morning's events replaying in his mind like an echo he couldn't silence.
...
"YIFAN! You are not going to Beijing—what is wrong with you? Can't you work from here?" Qin Lihua's voice rang out, sharp and frustrated, as she stood behind her son, who was already dressed in a suit and ready to leave.
"Didn't we talk about this yesterday? I'm going now," he replied calmly, adjusting his sleeve.
"YIFAN, why are you so stubborn? Just stay with us for a few days—we've missed you," Zhao Jingyuan's voice softened, trying to reason with him.
Yifan didn't answer. He merely glanced at them and walked toward the door without pause.
"Jingyuan, stop him," Qin Lihua pleaded, turning to her husband, eyes misting with unshed tears. Six years... he's been gone for six years, and now he acts like he can't even bear to look at us.
Outside, as he reached his car, Yifan paused. A sigh escaped his lips before he finally spoke.
"I'll come visit every month, Mother. Don't worry."
He turned to look at her. "Don't cry—it's just Beijing. You can visit anytime. I just want my space."
With that, he entered the car, and the driver quietly pulled away.
...
"Women are really a hassle." He shook his head, a faint scowl tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Young Master, the meeting with the shareholders is scheduled after lunch. You also have a private meeting with Elder Yang immediately afterward," Shen Rui reported, flipping through his tablet.
"Hm. So my schedule isn't tight." Zhao Yifan leaned back slightly. "How's the Gulangyu project progressing?"
"I just sent the notice a few minutes ago. It should reach them within the hour," Shen Rui replied.
"Hm. You can—". He paused, eyes narrowing slightly, before waving a hand. "Keep me updated. I want that land cleared by next week."
Lianghe Tang teashop.
Time slipped by, and as the crowd thinned, the once bustling shop grew quiet. They continued working for a few more hours before finally catching a break.
Li Lian sank into a chair, stretching her legs with a soft sigh. Her rest was short-lived when the bell above the door jingled again. But instead of a customer, a mailman stepped in and handed her an envelope.
She signed for it, thanked him, and walked over to her parents, handing the letter to her father. She watched his face tighten as he read through it, the deepening frown a clear sign of bad news.
"They want to demolish the shop?" her mother asked, her voice barely a whisper, face paling with worry. "Honey, what do we do?"
Li Chenghai's jaw clenched as he passed the letter to his wife. "…I don't know yet. We need time to think. But it seems the people behind this are… powerful."
At his words, her mother looked down at the paper. The moment her eyes caught the sender's name, she gasped and quickly folded the letter, hiding it away from Lian's view.
Li Chenghai pulled some cash from his pocket and handed it to her. "Go and have lunch."
"Really?! Thanks, Dad!" Li Lian grinned, practically hopping out of the shop as she headed off to get food.
The moment she disappeared from sight, Li Chenghai turned to his wife, Wen Yuxia, a heaviness clouding his expression. "What do we do now, Yuxia? After all they took from us… they still want this."
His voice wavered, years of quiet endurance bleeding through the crack.
Seeing the worry on his face, Yuxia stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. "You were once the chairman of Li Empire, Chenghai. Calculative. Capable. I believe in you. You can rise again… just give it time."
He nodded slowly, resting his forehead against hers. "Thank you, Yuxia."
---
Zhaoyi Holdings
In the executive suite, tension simmered under control. Seated around the long, polished table were a group of high-level executives, their suits crisp, expressions sharp. At the head of the table sat Zhao Yifan—calm, composed, and commanding.
The discussion was already underway.
"Why is it taking so long to carry out the project on Gulangyu Island?" Mr. Han, an older man with a sharp gaze, broke the silence. "You know how crucial this is to our expansion."
"We've been at this for months now," Mr. Liu added, his tone clipped and irritated. "Are you not capable of handling it?"
Mr. Qiao leaned back, arms folded. "Perhaps it's time we consider a change in leadership."
Zhao Yifan remained composed, his fingers steepled as his cold eyes swept across the table. Then he finally spoke—voice low but sharp as steel.
"I do hope you all remember that I just returned yesterday," he said, gaze resting on Mr. Han. "I'm taking over a project your foolish son failed to manage despite being handed my position during my temporary absence."
He let the words sink in, eyes now narrowing slightly. "So if anyone should be questioned about incompetence, I suggest you start there."