Volume 4: Hidden Struggles, Chapter 213: Different Realms

With their commotion, the atmosphere seemed to come alive. Everyone watched Lan Yue, Chu Yunjiao, and Bai Lei’s “fighting” without any intention of stopping them, instead adopting an attitude of casual observation.
In fact, once things are talked out, no matter how they are resolved or what the outcome becomes, it won’t lead to misunderstandings or unnecessary suspicions between the parties. Just like Bai Lei and the others now, whatever happens in their relationship going forward is their own choice, and they can’t blame anyone else.
This was exactly what Chu Tianyu wanted to see. Whether Bai Lei ended up with multiple partners or ended up with nothing, it would depend on his own abilities and skill in manipulation. Lan Yue and Chu Yunjiao also now knew the truth and had the right to make their own choices.
So Chu Tianyu stopped paying attention to whether they were really fighting or just pretending, and instead turned to call out his cousin Chu Tianao, saying, “Cousin Tianao…”
But before he could finish speaking, Chu Tianao interrupted him, “Hey, Tianyu, don’t call me ‘Cousin Tianao.’ That sounds too formal. Among family members, there’s no need for such formalities. Just call me Tianao.”
Chu Tianyu still called him cousin before casually continuing, “Cousin, how long are you planning to stay in Beijing this time? If time permits, I’ll invite my elder brother too, and we can get together!”
After hearing this, Chu Tianao first smiled meaningfully, then thought for a while before staring intently at Chu Tianyu and slowly saying, “Tianyu, to be honest with you, although there were some conflicts between our grandfathers, that shouldn’t affect our relationship as cousins. Although we haven’t had much contact before, I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ve known you forever. So I won’t hide the reason for my visit to Beijing. I’m here mainly to compete with your elder brother, Tiancheng!”
“No way. You two really took those jokes from last meal seriously?” Chu Tianyu said in disbelief.
“Jokes?” Chu Tianao shook his head and continued with a surprising statement, “Even if I consider it a joke, your elder brother won’t! The business battles with Tianxing Group, along with the subsequent acquisition of some of its assets—these are all blows your elder brother has dealt me. And the competition between us has already been recognized by both sides…”

Although Chu Tianao didn’t say it explicitly, Chu Tianyu certainly knew what was meant by “mutual recognition”! He never expected things to escalate to this extent—wouldn’t this mean the “war” between his grandfather and great-uncle would extend to their generation as well?
Chu Tianyu had been either abroad or in the remote mountains lately, so he hadn’t had time to pay attention to matters within the Chu family. That’s why he was somewhat surprised when he first heard about it.
At that moment, the conversation between Chu Tianyu and Chu Tianao also caught the attention of others, especially Ouyang Ziyi, who thoughtfully interjected, “So, what criteria are used to determine the competition between you two? It can’t go on forever, right?”
Chu Tianao glanced at Ouyang Ziyi approvingly and smiled, “Ziyi has hit on the key point. This time, my competition with Tiancheng is about using our respective resources over a five-year period to see who can create the most benefits!”
“Benefits?” Chu Tianyu noticed that Chu Tianao used the word “benefits” rather than “profit.”
“That’s right—benefits! Because within these short five years, it’s not necessarily possible to determine exactly how much direct profit can be obtained. Moreover, these benefits aren’t just about increased funds; they also include long-term advantages, such as enhanced brand value and other such intangible gains,” explained Chu Tianao.
“Who will decide these things? And it seems like you and my elder brother aren’t on the same level!” Chu Tianyu asked.
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianao replied calmly and clearly, “The board of directors! What we compare is the return ratio! So even if I only have 10%, if I can triple it, my high return ratio means I win!”
“What happens after winning?” Ouyang Ziyi asked on Chu Tianyu’s behalf.
Chu Tianao smiled, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Ziyi, and replied frankly, “There’s no real advantage to winning. The loser will step down from the next board of directors, which means giving up any chance of competing for the position of chairman in the future.”
At this point, Chu Tianyu really didn’t know what else to say, so he shifted the topic back to Bai Lei, who was being teased by the two girls. Chu Tianao immediately stated that since it was Chu Tianyu’s request, he wouldn’t object—let Yun Jiao decide on these matters of youthful affection.

Later, everyone chatted about trivial matters. The topics naturally revolved around Chu Tianyu’s enviable “good fortune” and the superstar Xue Feifei. Even someone as composed as Chu Tianao was her fervent admirer, his enthusiasm prompting Xue Feifei to sing and play piece after piece. Fortunately, Xue Feifei made Lan Yue and Chu Yunjiao stop what they were doing and gather around her, immersed in the wonderful music, which allowed Bai Lei to escape his predicament for a while and get a breather.
…
Late at night, the party had long dispersed, but Bai Lei stubbornly stayed behind. This was within Chu Tianyu’s expectations. Not to mention he had no face to go back with Lan Yue or Chu Yunjiao, he would surely come to question him. Ouyang Ziyi and the others also cooperated by packing up and claiming they wanted to take a bath and rest, leaving the garden to the two of them.
“Bai Lei, are you okay?” Chu Tianyu couldn’t help but ask, looking at his badly injured body.
“I’m fine! How could I not be fine?” Bai Lei, who had seemed dazed moments ago, suddenly snapped and jumped up, shouting in anger at Chu Tianyu’s question.
“Wow, you still seem energetic and agile. It seems you really are fine, hehe!” Chu Tianyu teased.
“Haven’t you seen all these wounds on my face? And also, there’s something that’s broken…” Bai Lei covered his chest with both hands, barely able to speak.
“What else is broken? Haven’t you heard or felt it? What’s broken is my pure heart of a young man…” Bai Lei said with grief and anger.
“Enough, enough. Since you’re seriously injured, you’d better go wash up and go to bed!” Chu Tianyu said, as if afraid of him.
“No rush, Tianyu. First, I need to ask you a question. You must answer honestly!” Bai Lei grabbed Chu Tianyu.
“Okay, okay. Ask away! Just don’t touch me…”
“How can you have multiple wives and mistresses—ranging from superstars to delicate ladies like Li Rou—and still get along harmoniously and happily, while I end up with nothing?”
Chu Tianyu thought for a while before saying, “Do you know why some moves are earth-shattering when used, while others are worthless?”
“Of course, it’s because of different internal strengths!” Bai Lei replied without hesitation, having deep experience in this.
“Exactly. It’s different internal strengths. If we extend that idea, could it be said it’s a difference in realms?”
“A difference in realms?”