This particular year on Hong Kong Island, the wealthy faced no stringent conditions to adopt an orphan. Xu Si was young and wealthy, while Pei Zhen was old enough to be capable of self-care.
Therefore, obtaining adoption approval wasn't difficult.
However, Anshi mentioned it would take some time to complete the procedures and for Pei Zhen to visit the new school and familiarize himself with the environment.
Xu Si went home first.
Her family's home was located in Cloudtop Bay.
It was a mansion in a traditional wealthy district of Hong Kong Island. Even in 1985, it was prime real estate, worth a fortune, let alone its projected value twenty years later.
Since her bankruptcy and the mortgaging of the house in her past life, she hadn't set foot in it for many years.
So, returning now, Xu Si's steps were somewhat heavy.
Though called a mansion, the Xu family's house was more like a palace. Its decor leaned towards a luxurious Northern European style—dark and avant-garde. The courtyard was filled with countless precious plants, their vines clinging to splendid iron railings.
It was striking and yet absurd.
Navigating the familiar yet intricate corridors, the concept of "rebirth" began to materialize.
She had just reached the lobby when a man in his fifties, dressed in a proper suit and with a kindly face, stood bowing by the door.
"Miss, you're back," he said in a low voice.
Upon seeing him, Xu Si curved her lips upward and called out, "Butler Ge."
This was the old butler who had been with the Xu family since their rise to prominence and had practically watched Xu Si grow up.
Butler Ge smiled faintly. He held several dark yellow envelopes and asked, "Miss, there are a few letters from overseas. Shall I send them to the study for your perusal?"
Xu Si glanced at the postmarks on the envelopes, took the warm, damp towel offered by a servant to wipe her hands, and said casually, "Send them over. Also, tell Anshi to bring the backlog of contracts and reports from the group that I haven't reviewed yet."
Butler Ge had never seen the young lady inquire about the company's affairs. Indeed, no one would blame this eighteen-year-old heir for her detachment from such matters. She had just taken leave from school to handle funeral arrangements; it was impossible for her to learn enough in a month to manage such a large real estate company.
Now that she was taking the initiative, Butler Ge paused, somewhat taken aback, and ventured, "Miss, do you require an advisory consultant?"
Xu Si shook her head. "No need. Anshi will suffice."
Butler Ge nodded. "Very well, I'll see to it immediately."
「 」
Anshi received the message and quickly arrived at the Xu Mansion.
He carried a box of documents, making his way with practiced ease to the study door. His slightly narrowed eyes held a complex expression.
Just a month ago, his capable former boss had occupied that seat. Now, it was an eighteen-year-old heiress.
He would have to expend considerable energy teaching her things she might not comprehend at all.
The task felt daunting.
Anshi couldn't help but feel a headache forming, yet he still knocked on the door.
KNOCK, KNOCK—KNOCK.
A moment later, a young woman's clear voice rang out.
"Come in."
Anshi pushed open the heavy wooden door. Beyond it, the study seemed a world apart. Only a few dim lights illuminated the Ancient European-style room, where massive bookshelves towered. The young woman sat centered at a large desk, reading several opened letters.
Seeing him enter laden with items, Xu Si gestured to the seat in front of her. Her voice was calm. "Anshi, thank you for your hard work. Please, sit."
Anshi, facing the young woman who seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, absentmindedly set down his burden and sat opposite her.
The change in her demeanor was staggering. It was merely a change of setting, yet it felt as if Xu Si were a different person—serious, composed, her presence lending the study an air of profound stillness.
For a moment, he hardly dared to speak.
Xu Si had no intention of beating around the bush. As soon as she spoke, she began to inquire deeply into every aspect of the family business—areas she had encountered in her past life but had never delved into the details of.
Her father had passed away, and the media were all reporting on it. They claimed she was too young to take over the family business, a narrative that had already caused considerable turmoil within the company.
If the backlog of decisions wasn't addressed promptly, it was only a matter of time before the company would collapse.
Once the inquiries were done, Xu Si opened the suitcase Anshi had brought, a slight frown creasing her brow.
Anshi, caught off guard by her questions, looked blankly at her, assuming she didn't understand.
He was about to start explaining.
Unexpectedly, Xu Si merely sighed and immersed herself in the work. Her movements were so practiced, it was as if she had been doing this her entire previous life; she exuded an air of complete business mastery.
Anshi: ?
Impossible, right? Is she just scribbling? This isn't a college assignment.
He hastily leaned closer to see, only to find that Xu Si wasn't scribbling at all. She was meticulously reading the documents, signing and stamping them, and even annotating important points. Any unsuitable documents were decisively tossed aside.
"I can't make public appearances for a while. You were close to my father; I need you to handle these matters and see them through for me," she said.
"Who prepared this report?" she demanded. "The mall's name is misspelled five times! Just because the old man died doesn't mean the Xu Family is finished. Taking a high salary and not working diligently? Fire him."
"..."
Anshi was stunned; he truly felt as if he were seeing a ghost.
But it was undeniable that the decisions Miss Xu was making were indeed sound.
He couldn't help but wonder: Could the Xu family's genes be so exceptional that they were naturally predisposed to be tycoons?
Just as he was about to say something more, Xu Si suddenly looked up at him. "Anshi, you may leave now. Come back for these this evening."
"Oh, alright, Miss," Anshi replied, completely awed by her presence, and stood up in a daze.
Xu Si pressed the call button, summoning Butler Ge to see him out.
For a time, the only sound in the spacious study was the rustle of turning pages. The dim lights flickered occasionally, and the scent of old books filled the profound silence.
After finishing everything, Xu Si finally allowed herself to relax, leaning back against the leather sofa. Her slender fingers massaged her tired eyes, but her gaze inadvertently fell upon the two letters from overseas.
She had glanced over them earlier. They were from those two opportunistic uncles, filled with solicitous words. They mentioned they would be returning to the country in a few days and asked if she needed their assistance.
A scornful smile curled the corners of Xu Si's mouth.
In her previous life, she had said no, but didn't they still come?
Vultures, and still so much pointless talk.
The grounds of Xu Mansion were beautiful, with towering trees in the courtyard. A thick fog often enveloped the estate.
Xu Si rested her fingers on the table, tapping an irregular rhythm.
It was a little habit of hers.
When she was in a good mood, she always wanted to tap something.
When she was in a bad mood, she always wanted to shatter someone's skull.
DING-A-LING!
Just then, the old-fashioned telephone in the study began to ring.
It was her father's private line.
Xu Si lifted the receiver to her ear. "Hello? Who is this?"
A flirtatious voice, crackling with static and somewhat distorted by the connection, came through the earpiece.
"Hello, are you Xu Sheng's daughter?" the voice purred. "I am your father's confidante—practically your stepmother. I'm pregnant, and Xu Sheng's estate should include a share for my son."
Xu Si's expression remained placid; she wasn't flustered at all. "You'll have to get in line," she replied calmly. "In the past few days, my butler has received over a dozen calls, all from women claiming to be my stepmother and already pregnant. When it's your turn, I'll have someone contact you."
The caller clearly hadn't expected such a response. Her voice grew more urgent. "Miss Xu, I'm not a liar! It's true, I'm really pregnant! I even have intimate photos of myself with Xu Sheng. Your father did this; the Xu Family must take responsibility, right?"
Xu Si toyed with the telephone cord with her pen. Her voice, though weary, was laced with a lazy indifference. "And what if I refuse to take responsibility?"