The Su family residence was exactly as Su Chen imagined.
Big.
Not the flashy kind of big that screamed new money, but the quiet, oppressive kind that said this family has been standing here longer than your confidence.
As the car passed through the iron gates, Su Chen rested his chin on his hand and glanced around casually.
"Hmm," he said. "Nice place. Maintenance alone could bankrupt a small nation."
No one laughed.
The driver kept his eyes forward.
The middle-aged couple—his so-called parents—sat upright, expressions mixed with anticipation and restraint.
Su Chen didn't mind.
He had already categorized the Su family as dangerously functional.
The moment he stepped into the main hall, the atmosphere shifted.
It wasn't hostile.
It was… evaluative.
Seven pairs of eyes turned toward him. Some curious. Some cold. Some emotional. Some openly judgmental.
Su Chen paused, scanned the room once, and nodded politely.
"Good evening," he said lightly. "I'm assuming this is the part where everyone stares at me."
Silence.
The Su family was large—the largest family, in fact. Power extended through business, real estate, finance, and industries Su Chen mentally bookmarked for later research.
At the center sat Old Master Su, his posture straight despite his age. His eyes were sharp, calculating—eyes that had seen fortunes rise and fall.
So that was the pillar.
To one side stood a young man around Su Chen's age.
Well-dressed. Well-mannered. Hands clasped calmly in front of him.
The fake young master.
He smiled.
Warm. Polite. Almost textbook-perfect.
"Welcome back," the young man said gently. "I'm Su Hao. I grew up here… but I suppose this place belongs to you more than me."
His words were humble.
His smile was flawless.
His eyes?
They flickered—just once.
Resentment.
So faint it would have been missed by anyone less observant.
Su Chen noticed.
And immediately lost interest.
"Nice to meet you," Su Chen replied, voice relaxed. "Don't worry. I'm just visiting."
Su Hao's smile stiffened for half a second—then returned, brighter than before.
Behind him stood the seven sisters.
Each one exceptional in her own way.
The eldest sister's gaze was steady and sharp, like she was already evaluating whether Su Chen would be an asset or a liability.
The second crossed her arms, eyes cool and distant, clearly unimpressed.
The third tilted her head slightly, curiosity in her eyes but no warmth.
The fourth didn't even bother hiding her disinterest—she looked at her phone.
The fifth studied him quietly, expression unreadable.
The sixth looked surprised, then quickly masked it.
The seventh—youngest—glanced at him once, then looked away as if he were just another piece of furniture.
Not hostility.
Just indifference.
Su Chen found that refreshing.
Good, he thought. No instant affection. That would've been annoying.
Old Master Su finally spoke.
"So," he said calmly, "this is the child who lived outside."
Su Chen met his gaze evenly.
"Yes," he replied. "Still alive. Surprisingly."
A few brows twitched.
One sister almost smiled—almost.
The old master stared at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
"Rest," he said. "We'll talk later."
Su Chen inclined his head politely.
"Much appreciated. Long day. New world and all."
That earned him several confused looks.
Servants led him upstairs.
As he walked through the long corridors, Su Chen's mind was anything but quiet.
Power structure is clear.
Fake young master isn't stupid.
Seven sisters—none emotionally attached yet.
Good. No immediate variables.
Yet outwardly, his expression remained calm, his steps unhurried.
Lighthearted thoughts.
Indifferent presence.
When he reached his assigned room, Su Chen closed the door behind him and exhaled softly.
Su Chen lay on the bed, one arm behind his head, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.
His mind, unlike his expression, was anything but quiet.
Largest family in the region… seven sisters with different temperaments… a fake young master smiling like that…
None of it stirred emotion in him. No anger. No desire to compete. Just information, neatly sorted and filed away.
What interested him more was the world itself.
Markets that haven't matured. Industries still playing safe. People worshipping bloodlines instead of systems.
To others, this place was complicated. To him, it looked full of loopholes.
He chuckled softly.
"Everyone's busy acting out a drama," he murmured, closing his eyes,
"while I'm thinking about which business will make the most money first."
With that thought, his breathing slowed.
For now, the Su family could keep their roles.
He'd start writing his own script—after a good rest.