94: Chapter 94 The Philosophy of Wealthy Families: Every Gain Has Its Loss

The door to the private room was pushed open again, and a line of waiters in tuxedos filed in one after another.

Even though Chen Nianyao had prepared herself mentally, she was still dumbfounded by this spectacle.

The so-called "braised pork belly" was served on a solid green jade plate. The pieces of meat were a perfect amber color, each cut into neat squares and garnished with a few edible gold flakes.

It wasn't accompanied by plain white rice, but rather a bowl of translucent, plump "rouge rice." It was said that this stuff used to be tribute exclusively for the emperor, and its current production volume was scarcer than that of giant pandas.

"Brother, this..." Chen Nianyao picked up a piece of meat, her hand trembling slightly. "With this one bite, did I just eat the down payment for an apartment?"

Chen Muyang didn't touch his chopsticks. He simply leaned back against the chair, unbuttoned his cuffs, and revealed the patek philippe on his wrist.

"You're scared by this?" He said in a flat tone. "This is just the daily routine of Beijing Chen Family. The card Dad gave you is enough for you to buy this building and use it as your cafeteria for the rest of your life."

Chen Nianyao stuffed the meat into her mouth.

It melted in her mouth, fatty but not greasy, with the sweetness exploding on her tongue just right.

It was truly delicious, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy in her heart.

She put down her chopsticks, looked at the brother opposite her who had become much more indifferent than before, and couldn't help but ask: "Brother, do you think us being like this... is really okay?"

"Like what?" Chen Muyang poured himself a glass of red wine.

"I mean... like just now." Chen Nianyao pointed toward the door. "Those women were fawning all over you, and that manager looked like he wanted to kneel on the ground to serve you. We used to not even be able to afford KFC, but now that things have suddenly changed like this, will we be punished by heaven? Or... is this what they call corruption?"

She was genuinely a little scared.

She was afraid that this family had changed its nature, and afraid that the brother who had always carried her on his back while running in the rain had turned into the kind of overbearing CEO who viewed human life as worthless.

Chen Muyang swirled his wine glass, the scarlet liquid clinging to the sides of the glass.

He looked at his younger sister's clear eyes and suddenly smiled.

It wasn't a cold sneer, but one filled with a hint of helplessness and doting.

"Nianyao, do you think I let those women in earlier just to enjoy myself?"

"Otherwise?" Chen Nianyao curled her lip. "They were practically shoving themselves in your face."

"That was a 'greeting gift' sent by President Wang." Chen Muyang stopped smiling, his gaze becoming sharp. "In this circle, this is also a test. If I had shown lust or appeared flustered just now, Huihuang Group would have a huge chunk bitten off by the other side at the negotiating table tomorrow."

Chen Nianyao was stunned: "It's that complicated?"

"That is the price."

Chen Muyang stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the traffic like ants below.

"Dad often says that there is gain in loss. We enjoy the wealth that ordinary people cannot earn in several lifetimes, so we must bear the pressure and filth that ordinary people cannot imagine."

He turned around and pointed at the luxurious private room.

"You think this meal is free? No, this was won by Dad with his life. This Yunding Clubhouse, and even the entire Huihuang Group, looks glamorous, but underneath, it is all daggers and swords. If we don't have the ability to hold onto this family business, we are the ones eating braised pork here today, but tomorrow, we will be the ones eaten like braised pork by others."

Chen Nianyao felt a chill down her spine, and she forgot to put down the chopsticks in her hand.

She had never imagined that the dad who was always happy-go-lucky, wearing big shorts and keeping her company in the hospital, was secretly playing such a big game behind the scenes.

She had even less expected that the brother who only knew how to fight for her had already reached such a height to think about problems.

"So, put away your worries about 'corruption'." Chen Muyang walked back and flicked his sister on the forehead. "As long as you don't go around killing people or committing arson, all the rules in this world are made for you. What you need to do is adapt to this life as soon as possible and grow fangs."

Chen Nianyao rubbed her forehead and nodded, half-understanding: "Grow fangs for what? To bite people?"

"To bite those who want to eat us."

Chen Muyang sat back in his seat, cut a piece of steak, and his tone became exceptionally serious.

"There is one more thing. Dad told me to give you a heads-up beforehand."

"What is it?" Chen Nianyao's heart skipped a beat.

"Jiangcheng is too small; it cannot contain Dad's ambition." Chen Muyang's voice was very low, yet every word carried immense weight. "Tiansheng Group is just a stepping stone. Dad's next target is the Capital."

"The Capital?!" Chen Nianyao almost jumped up.

That was the center of power, a place where dragons and tigers truly crouched!

"Yes, Beijing Chen Family." A cold light flashed in Chen Muyang's eyes. "That debt from when they forced Dad into a dead end and made him hide his identity... it's time to settle it. So Nianyao, there isn't much time left for us to be 'children.' Once we go to the Capital, that is a true slaughterhouse. Dad and I need you to be able to stand on your own two feet too."

The private room went quiet.

Chen Nianyao looked at the priceless bowl of rouge rice in front of her and suddenly felt that it wasn't just a bowl of rice, but more like a farewell drink before a battle.

She took a deep breath, picked up the bowl, and shoveled it into her mouth in large bites.

"Eat! Only when I'm full will I have the strength to grow fangs!"

Chen Muyang watched his sister's ravenous appearance, the coldness in his eyes fading, replaced by a hint of warmth.

No matter what storms they had to face in the future, as long as the family was together, he was afraid of nothing.

Although this meal was heavy, it also allowed Chen Nianyao's drifting heart to settle.

Since she was born into a wealthy family, she had to have the demeanor of a wealthy family!

After the meal, the waiter removed the plates and brought up two cups of green tea.

Chen Muyang checked his watch, took out his phone to flip through his schedule, and casually instructed the manager standing at the door.

"Cancel all meetings this Saturday."

"Understood, Young Master Chen." The manager immediately wrote it down.

"Also," Chen Muyang paused, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, "have all the major brands send over their lookbooks for this season's new women's clothing. I want to pick out a few pieces."

Chen Nianyao, who was sprawled out in her chair digesting her food, instantly perked up her ears.

Women's clothing?

Her eyes lit up, and she grabbed Chen Muyang's arm: "Brother! You understand me so well! You just finished saying you wanted me to stand on my own, and now you're getting me some outfits? I want that new jacket from Chanel, and the little dress from Dior!"

Chen Muyang pulled his arm back and looked at her strangely.

"Who said I was buying them for you?"

The smile on Chen Nianyao's face froze.

"Huh?"

"The size is wrong." Chen Muyang said nonchalantly while replying to a message on his phone. "Your size is too big. These clothes are for skinny people."

The air froze for that second.

Chen Nianyao felt that her heart, which had just been warmed by the "wealthy family chicken soup," was instantly doused with a basin of cold water.

Not buying them for me?

And you think I'm fat?!

She narrowed her eyes, keenly sensing a signal that was extremely dangerous.

"Brother." Chen Nianyao's voice became sinister. "Canceling meetings on Saturday, buying women's clothing, and it's not for me... who are you going to see?"

Chen Muyang paused, locked his phone, put it in his pocket, stood up, and straightened his suit.

"A very important person. It's her birthday that day."

After saying that, he strode out with his long legs.

Chen Nianyao sat where she was, her fists clenched.

A very important person?

More important than his own sister?

And for that "wild woman," he not only canceled work but also wanted to pick out clothes himself?!

"Chen Muyang!"

Chen Nianyao roared, grabbed her bag, and chased after him, her demeanor even more ferocious than when she had caught him cheating earlier.

"You stop right there! Do you have a dog outside? I haven't even worn clothes you picked out yourself yet! Who exactly is that vixen!!!"