Chapter 41: "A Reality Check – The Weight of Jiang Chen’s Name"

At the same time, in the heart of Jinling City, amidst the towering skyscrapers and the bustling streets, lay a serene yet imposing estate—Jiang Zhai.

Unlike the modern high-rises that surrounded it, Jiang Zhai was a relic of time, blending the elegance of ancient architecture with modern sophistication. The wooden beams, the intricate carvings, and the courtyards filled with rare flora created an atmosphere that exuded both power and prestige.

Inside the grand dining hall of the estate, a middle-aged couple sat at a polished mahogany table, finishing their evening meal.

Jiang Zhizhong, a formidable figure in the business world, carried an air of authority. His sharp eyes and furrowed brows gave him a constant look of seriousness, while his wife, Wang Nianchu, was his opposite—graceful, elegant, and looking far younger than her years.

As they dined, Wang Nianchu idly scrolled through her phone. Suddenly, her fingers froze.

Her eyes widened.

She turned to her husband, her voice filled with excitement. "Zhizhong! Look at this! It's our son!"

Jiang Zhizhong scoffed, not bothering to look. "What nonsense? Didn't he run away from home? What could he possibly be doing that's worth seeing?"

Wang Nianchu pursed her lips. "Just take a look. I always said, no matter where our son goes, he is destined to be extraordinary!"

Jiang Zhizhong hesitated. He didn't want to show it, but his curiosity was piqued. Once Wang Nianchu left the table, he discreetly took her phone and scrolled through the article.

The next moment, his hands trembled.

His stern expression cracked as he read the headlines, watched the videos, and saw the world hailing Jiang Chen as a hero.

"This brat… has become this powerful?" he muttered.

At that moment, Wang Nianchu's teasing voice rang out from behind him. "Oh? Didn't someone say they weren't interested?"

Jiang Zhizhong coughed awkwardly, quickly setting the phone down. "Hmph! Just some lucky discoveries. It's nothing special." He crossed his arms. "Mark my words, he will eventually come crawling back to inherit the family business."

Wang Nianchu simply smiled knowingly.

---

Meanwhile, in Jinling's high-end nightlife district, inside a lavish VIP booth, a group of young men sat surrounded by beautiful women, drinks flowing endlessly.

At the center of the group sat three prominent figures—Zhou Kai, Wang Shaojun, and He Sixian—known as the Three Young Masters of Jinling. Their wealth and influence made them the undisputed kings of the city's elite circles.

Among them, however, was a newcomer—Zhao Ziwen, the so-called "Fourth Young Master," desperately trying to fit in.

At that moment, the three young masters were huddled together, eyes glued to their phones.

Zhou Kai suddenly let out a shocked exclamation. "Holy sh*t! Young Master Jiang is insane! He's a world-class legend now!"

Wang Shaojun chuckled. "I always knew Jiang Chen was different. Back in school, I told you guys he'd surpass all of us one day. Looks like I was right!"

He Sixian swirled his drink thoughtfully. "If he had stayed in the business world, there wouldn't be a single person in Jinling who could compete with him."

Seeing their admiration, Zhao Ziwen scoffed.

"So what? He's just an explorer. What's so great about that? Give me a hundred million, and I wouldn't waste my time doing something so reckless."

Wang Shaojun sneered, not bothering to hide his disdain. "A hundred million? You wouldn't last a single day in his shoes. Do you even understand the level Jiang Chen is on? If he wanted, he could shake the entire Jinling business world overnight."

Zhou Kai nodded. "People used to call him 'The Demon King of Jinling' for a reason."

Zhao Ziwen rolled his eyes. "So what if he's rich? If he messes up an expedition, he'll just lose his job."

The moment he said that, the entire booth erupted into laughter.

Zhou Kai wiped away tears of laughter. "Lose his job? Oh man, you really don't know anything about Jiang Chen!"

Wang Shaojun smirked. "Actually, you're right. If Jiang Chen screws up, he will lose his job."

Zhao Ziwen crossed his arms smugly. "See? That's what I was saying."

Wang Shaojun leaned in, his grin widening. "And if that happens… the poor guy will have no choice but to go home and inherit his family's trillions."

Zhao Ziwen froze.

His entire face went blank. "Trillions? You're joking, right?"

He Sixian, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but it carried undeniable weight.

"No. He's not joking."

He swirled his glass and looked directly at Zhao Ziwen. "In fact, all of us here combined don't even amount to half of Jiang Chen's family fortune."

The color drained from Zhao Ziwen's face.

He had always thought of himself as someone important, someone who had influence. But now—he realized he was nothing.

No wonder Zhou Kai and Wang Shaojun spoke about Jiang Chen with such awe.

Jiang Chen wasn't just rich—he was on a completely different level.

"Don't use your ignorance to question people who are higher than you," He Sixian continued coldly. "Brother Jiang could erase your family's existence in Jinling with a single word. Hell, even I could make your life miserable if I wanted to."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone sharp.

"Do you really think that just because some people call you the 'Fourth Young Master,' you actually belong in our circle?"

He scoffed. "You're not even close. Get out. And don't let me see you again."

Zhao Ziwen felt like he had swallowed a mouthful of poison. He clenched his fists but had no choice but to leave in humiliation.

When he returned home and told his father about what happened—

His father was furious.

Not only did he berate Zhao Ziwen, but he even threatened to sever their father-son relationship for offending Jiang Chen.

At that moment, Zhao Ziwen finally understood.

Jiang Chen wasn't someone he could ever compare to.

Jiang Chen was a monster.

---

The next morning.

Jiang Chen was about to step out of his house when he suddenly noticed something at his doorstep.

A figure was kneeling outside.

Jiang Yan.

Her entire body was trembling, her head lowered.

Jiang Chen frowned. "What do you think you're doing?"

Jiang Yan flinched but didn't lift her head. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap.

Her voice came out hoarse. "I… I was wrong."

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Wrong about what?"

Her breath shuddered.

"I doubted you. Mocked you. Thought you were reckless. But now…" Her voice cracked. "Now I see how foolish I was."

Jiang Chen's expression remained unreadable. "And?"

She lifted her head slightly, her eyes red and filled with regret.

"I want another chance."

Jiang Chen chuckled. "A chance? For what?"

Her hands curled into fists.

"To prove myself."

Jiang Chen looked at her for a long moment. Then, without another word, he stepped past her and walked inside.

Jiang Yan remained on her knees, unmoving.

She had made too many mistakes.

Now, she had to fix them—no matter what it took.