Chapter 76 – The Heir of the Si Family

Shanghai under the night sky was even more vibrant and bustling than during the day. Si Nan, clad in his perpetual black attire, seemed not only to confine himself but also to freeze the atmosphere around him.

He loved brightness—spacious, luminous spaces. It made him feel as though he were always enveloped in sunlight and light. Whether it was his own residence, his offices in various branch companies, or even the hotels his secretaries booked for him, each and every one without exception featured a wide, bright floor-to-ceiling window with an excellent view.

Si Nan hadn't turned on the lights; his figure was swallowed by the boundless darkness as he gazed out at the ceaseless traffic below, lost in thought. Neon flickered, and the city's nightlife—drenched in lights and revelry—was just beginning.

Back then, he was still the "wastrel" in his elders' eyes, the one who never took up proper business, forever incapable of being molded. He idled away his days, mingling with so-called heirs and sons of wealthy families, drifting from one outrageous party to another, indulging in pleasures and extravagance.

In short, anything the older generation disapproved of, Si Nan had done openly and brazenly. Because he knew, no matter how hard he tried to please his father, he would never meet his expectations. It was better to live as he pleased, freely—after all, his brother was always there for him.

Si Dong had comforted him more than once:

"Nan, I know you've suffered a lot in father's eyes since you were little, but it doesn't matter. As long as your big brother is here, do whatever you want. If you want to race, go ahead and race. I'll always be behind you, supporting you!"

Si Dong's voice was always gentle and reached deep into his heart. For Si Nan, it was the only warmth he felt in the Si family.

"It's fine—father's dislike of me isn't anything new. It's all because I'm not the eldest son," Si Nan said, tossing his head carelessly, his smile helpless and dismissive. He continued, "Our ancestors always favored the eldest over the younger, and according to the old calendar, I'm just a 'secondary son.' To have the life I do now, with fine clothes and good food, should be more than enough... If it were old times, I'd be your page or your servant."

Hearing Si Nan's self-deprecating, joking words, Si Dong couldn't help but deliver a firm flick to his brother's forehead and scolded with a laugh, "Where do you get all these ideas... 'secondary son'? 'Favoring the eldest'? Not only is it the twenty-first century, even back in Kangxi's time, it was about choosing the worthy, not just the eldest! If father heard you say this, you'd get another lecture."

"See? See?" Si Nan rolled his eyes in reply. "The way you talk is becoming more and more like father. No wonder the elders have chosen you as the sole heir!"

Complaints aside, Si Nan truly respected and relied on his only brother from the bottom of his heart.

The Si family, direct descendants of the Aisin Gioro clan, had fled Beijing during the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance, when many nobles scattered like birds and beasts. The idle Prince Jing, who held little sway in court, led his family to Hong Kong, where the present-day "East Dawn Group" was founded.

Few outsiders knew the origins of the East Dawn Group, but in the old Si family mansion, ancestral tablets were still enshrined in a long row. House rules followed the strict codes of the old imperial family—rules that made Si Nan's head spin in three seconds, yet Si Dong could recite them fluently, even backwards.

If only everything could have proceeded as people imagined: his brother would not have perished young in that fire, would have retired from military service and inherited East Dawn Group. Si Nan would never have been valued, would never have become the sole, last heir of the Si family.

Then, he would have been happy, living the life he truly wanted. The brother who had given him endless comfort and protection would be living a blissful life with his wife and daughter.

Thinking of this, Si Nan sighed and pulled himself out of the tangled web of his thoughts. The night outside grew clearer.

From Lin Xiaowen's actions today, it was obvious she had long known his identity, hence her deliberate distance. But if she'd insisted on having the child just to gain entry to the Si family by bearing its bloodline, why did she refuse to acknowledge Ranran when he came to her?

Had he misunderstood her? Perhaps Lin Xiaowen was not such a scheming woman after all.

This world was harsh, especially for a frail, unmarried girl raising a child alone. The hardships she had endured over the years were unimaginable. Without some steadfast belief, how could she have persevered and raised her child single-handedly?

So many questions, so many mysteries—Si Nan found himself increasingly captivated, or perhaps... curious about this seemingly delicate and helpless, yet unexpectedly strong woman.

Three knocks sounded on the door, one light and two firm, in proper order.

Another damn Si family rule. A hint of cold mockery flashed across Si Nan’s face as he called out in a low voice, “Come in.”

The footsteps were steady, neither too light nor too heavy—just like Xia Bin’s manner of handling affairs over the years. Entrusting Xia Bin with such matters always brought Si Nan peace of mind.

"Well? Any findings?" Si Nan lounged lazily in his chair, looking up at him.

By the window’s faint glow, Xia Bin’s eyes shone with keener shrewdness than usual.

"I found out," Xia Bin paused, and Si Nan raised his brows ever so slightly. This tone and demeanor rarely appeared in Xia Bin, so Si Nan listened intently.

"Miss Lin is currently working at Xu Ningning's shop, and also as a part-timer at a bar called 'No Chance Tonight.' The bar owner, Su Nian, is a thug who has been pursuing Miss Lin, but she hasn’t agreed."

Hearing someone was pursuing Lin Xiaowen, Si Nan's brows instinctively knit together, but upon learning she hadn't accepted, he subtly relaxed, the trace of displeasure fading.

As he signaled Xia Bin to continue, Xia Bin cleared his throat and lowered his gaze, his voice as calm as ever.

"Miss Lin presently has a boyfriend—a popular young actor named Cheng Yishu. You’ve met him once, at our jewelry brand’s endorsement launch."

"A boyfriend?" Si Nan gazed at Xia Bin’s lowered head, smiling faintly. "Her boyfriend?"

"…Yes." Such dangerous tension and a seemingly casual smile were all too familiar to Xia Bin.

Some had likened the calm before CEO Si’s rage to that of the Titanic before striking the iceberg, or the hush before a storm.

Receiving no response, Xia Bin stood motionless, as time quietly flowed and the chill in the air grew ever deeper.