112. 4 years later

Four years later...

Around twenty people were gathered in the large hall decorated with simple yet expensive things. A pair of old couple was in the center with their head high and eyes stern. Behind them were four more pairs of middle aged couples who had similar stern eyes. Infact it was only the men who had stern eyes. The women present all had worried looks pasted on their face.

Before them were ten boys and a girl, all around the age of early twenties to early thirties, looking anywhere but infront of them. They didn't dare meet the eyes of the elderlies infront of them.

Everything was pin drop silent in the hall. The air was cold and heavy that if someone else were to be present, that person won't even dare breathe under this intense pressure.

Finally the old man in the center broke the silence.

''Tell me. Who is going to do this? You better be quick.''

''First brother is the best candidate.''

''Sencond brother seems to like it very much.''

''Third brother said he wants to do it.''

''Fourth brother said that this was challenging one so he would like to give it a try.''

''Fifth brother said that this is a fun place to work at sho he will do it.''

''Sixth brother said that he would like to try.''

''Seventh brother said that he is excited for it.''

''Eighth brother asked me to recommend him. I think he likes the job.''

''Nineth brother said he wants to do it.''

''Tenth brother said that since he is youngest among the brothers, he should do it as a form of respect.''

The ten men present pointed out and recommended eachother without leaving anyone but themselves and the only girl present.

This could have gone on and on if the elderlies didn't stop it.

''SHUT UP. If I didn't know better I would have thought that you were asked to go on a suicide mission. Is this how the family has taught you? Where are your manners? The etiquettes that you learned? Is the Kuan family feeding you for nothing?''

The old man's voice put an end to all the 'discussions' that were going on. Every one of the youngsters felt guilty and bowed their heads.

''I am only asking you to lead the family and work in the family business. Why is it so difficult? Is becoming the head of the family a job to tough for you all? Is that why you are all resisting it so much? Or is it that you think the Kuan family doesn't deserve your service? If so then tell me, who deserves it? Which family is more powerful than us that you'd want to work for them? Name one and I'll let you go or else...''

That was an indirect death sentence.

How were they to name someone above their family. They were not just any family, they were the Kuan family. Not even the royals dared to go against them and this old man was asking them to name someone above them. Is his age catching up to him?

The Kuan family was at the top of the food chain. The very peak. There wasn't anyone or any family above them. No one could accurately calculate the amount of wealth they had, not even after trying for several times by several top investigators. It was said that they had a foot in every industry. It was even said that they had each and every top as well as potential companies under them.

There was even a rumor around saying that the more the investigators dug in on them the more connections they could find increasing their worth by hundreds of millions every time. Some investigators had even stopped mid way because they just couldn't seem to want to beleive it. They wanted to stop because they didn't want to know that someone so very powerful really existed.

The Kuan family was a family of a completely different existence. They were like the ruler of the world. No one dared to go against them at any cost.

''Father let's do it like this. Why don't we ask them to put forward their condition. Lets see if it can be fulfilled.'' The eldest son of the old man stood up. His eyes was identical to that of Li Zhilan. ''Name it. What do you want us to do so that you can join the company.''

''Muffin will be the head of the house.''

The resolute and determined chorus voice of ten people resounded at the same time.

''What? Why are you guys dragging me into this mess. Grandpa don't listen to these few idiots. How can a girl be tje head of the family? That's just preposterous. No can do.''

''What do you mean 'how can a girl be the head of the family'? Don't tell me that you also beleive in this shit. I don't believe that the person who believes in gender equality the most in this family would say that.'' It was Old man Kuan who said that but agreements resounded right after.

''Exactly.''

''Yes.''

''Thats the point.''

...

''Listen to me guys. Let do it this way. Give us two years and the person who is the least successful will lead the family so that he doesn't starve to death. What do you say? Isn't that a great idea?''

Li Zhilan crossed her fingers behind her back to wish for more luck so that they would agree to this stupid on the spot idea.

''Okay.''

''Thats a great idea.''

''Alright then that's it. In two tears exactly, on this very date, we would have a meeting again to determine who is doing the worst and hand over everything to that person.''

And so the final verdict was said. It was two years. Everyone has to work hard in these two years if the want to escape this head thingy.

All eleven youngsters walked out with their head high with extreme confidence.