The train roared along the tracks, cutting through the countryside like a silver dragon. Inside, Gu Jun sat by the window, watching the blurry greens and browns of the landscape fly past. His reflection shimmered faintly on the glass—calm, collected, almost detached.
Across from him, Rong Xi was still talking—cheerful, animated, and unstoppable. She had no problem filling the silence with conversation, even when no one asked for it.
"I'm in my third year now," she was saying. "Business Administration. Honestly, it's boring, but I'll probably inherit part of the family business, so it can't be helped."
Gu Jun listened politely, occasionally nodding, though his attention shifted to Bai Yue, who sat quietly beside her cousin. She was the opposite in every way—composed, elegant, and radiating an air of quiet pride. He hadn't expected her next words.
"I've just joined the university," she said calmly. "As a lecturer. English Department."
That stunned him more than it should have. A lecturer? At such a young age?
Rong Xi rolled her eyes. "Don't let her fool you. She just finished her master's and got pulled in immediately. She's always been the overachiever in the family."
As the train continued its journey, Gu Jun caught snippets of their conversation—two names standing out like thunder in a clear sky: Rong Family. Bai Family.
He closed his eyes briefly, recalling what he knew about Tianhai's power structure.
The Xiao family sat at the top, unquestioned and unrivaled, with wealth and influence stretching into politics, business, and even the criminal underworld.
Beneath them were five recognized first-class families. The Rong family, famous for their grip on real estate, ranked first among these. The Bai family, wealthy from their international trade empire, held the third spot. Combined, their estimated worth exceeded 600 billion yuan.
He thought of Wang Wei as well. That arrogant young master from earlier had to be from the Wang family, a name that surfaced often in both business and... darker dealings. On the surface, they owned chains of casinos, entertainment hubs, and resorts. Beneath that glittering exterior, they ran the Green Gang, the second-most powerful syndicate in Tianhai.
The number one gang? That belonged to the Xiao family, controlling a full 60% of the city's underworld.
The remainder was split between the Green Gang and the Imperial Bull Gang, controlled by the Hong family, the last of the first-class families, a relatively new power. Though fresh to the game, the Hong family had risen meteorically. Gu Jun knew why—the Gu Empire backed them completely. Word in the planning council was clear: if the Xiao family went rogue, the Hong family would become Tianhai's new ruling clan.
The plan, of course, was gradual—soft power, integration, manipulation. But the direction was firm.
Gu Jun also recalled that elements of the Rong family had been quietly aligning themselves with Gu Empire-friendly factions, hinting at deeper cooperation.
As the train neared Tianhai Central Station, the compartment buzzed with movement. Passengers gathered their belongings, standing up and adjusting coats and bags. Bai Yue gently closed her tablet. Rong Xi yawned and stretched, her energy finally dimming.
When the train came to a halt, the trio stepped out into the warm summer air.
They said their goodbyes with polite formality—after all, they would inevitably meet again at Tianhai Royal University.
Once alone, Gu Jun pulled out his phone and dialed Uncle Tang.
A close friend of his father and Gu Jun suspected Tang's rise through the government bureaucracy had been smoothed along by his mother. He had always treated Gu Jun with genuine warmth.
"Uncle Tang," Gu Jun said when the call connected. "I've arrived."
"I'll be there soon," Tang replied. "Don't go far."
Gu Jun nodded to no one and began crossing the plaza in front of the station. Then he heard shouting behind him.
"Hey! Boy! Stop!"
He turned and saw Wang Wei, flanked by his two bodyguards, storming out of the station and rushing across the road toward him. Their expressions were hostile, full of righteous indignation and bruised ego.
Then it happened.
From a nearby underground parking garage, a heavily modified SUV—its front plated like a battering ram, paint matte black, tinted windows reflecting nothing—burst out with a deep growl.
It moved like a predator. Straight toward Wang Wei.
The bodyguards froze.
"Young Master! Look out!" one yelled.
One guard rushed to block the vehicle with his body—a desperate move, but the only one he had. The other tried to shield Wang Wei.
It was useless.
The SUV hit the first guard and launched him ten meters into the air. Bones cracked audibly. The second guard and Wang Wei were swept aside like bowling pins. They landed in a heap by the roadside, screaming in pain. Blood dripped from cuts and open fractures.
People nearby screamed.
But Gu Jun wasn't looking at them.
He was looking at the tail lights of the disappearing vehicle. Or more precisely—hearing something.
A soft, wicked laugh.
Rong Xi.
She had been waiting. Waiting to see if Wang Wei would try something stupid—and she had acted first.
Reckless. Dangerous. Absolutely audacious.
Gu Jun smirked. She had truly taken her self-declared role as senior sister seriously. Though her family held power, attacking the Wang heir so openly would certainly provoke a response. But Gu Jun wasn't worried. Someone in the Gu Empire would handle the backlash if needed. If the Wang family tried to escalate things... they'd be reminded where the true line of power lay.
From the pavement, Wang Wei and his guards looked at the disappearing SUV, then at Gu Jun with unmistakable hatred.
They knew who had triggered this humiliation.
A horn.
A sleek government car pulled up beside Gu Jun. The rear door opened, and a man in his fifties stepped out, dressed in a crisp summer suit.
"Well, look at you," he said with a grin. "I haven't seen you in two years, and now you're already in university. Time flies."
"Hello, Uncle," Gu Jun greeted with a slight nod. "I'm doing well."
"Good. Don't stand around in the sun. Let's get in."
Inside the car sat a young girl, no older than fifteen, wearing a school uniform and earbuds. She eyed Gu Jun with mild curiosity.
"Gu Jun, meet my youngest daughter—Tang Xin," Uncle Tang said. "Tang Xin, say hello to your brother Gu."
Tang Xin looked at him, scrutinized him head to toe, then said bluntly, "I haven't seen you in two years. I thought you'd grow up handsome. But you're still just... so so."
Gu Jun blinked.
"Another spicy girl," he thought, amused.
And with that, the car pulled into the bustling streets of Tianhai—a city of dynasties, ambition, and dangerous games.