chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Family Business

After digesting everything the system had told me, I quickly called my stepmother and stepbrother. I needed to let them know about the company. The situation was too important to leave unaddressed. My fingers trembled as I dialed, and when they picked up, I was direct. "Hello, I have something to tell you. It's about the company," I said, and before they could respond, I hung up.

I couldn't stand lingering on the call. There was too much to do.

I quickly stripped off my clothes and hopped into the shower, savoring the sensation of fresh water cascading down my body. In the apocalypse, clean water was a luxury—more precious than gold. I marveled at how simple moments like this now felt extraordinary. As the water splashed against me, I took a deep breath, letting it calm my nerves. Once I was done, I dried myself off and got dressed, choosing something comfortable but practical.

Looking around, I felt a strange emptiness. The house was silent, no servants, no maids. It had always been like that for me—no one around. I preferred being alone, even before the apocalypse. The only help I had was a cleaning company that showed up every Saturday, but today, it was just me in this once-bustling house.

I went downstairs, pausing briefly to check the TV—another thing that was becoming nearly extinct in the post-apocalyptic world. Watching the screen flicker to life was almost nostalgic. The apocalypse had stripped away so many simple joys, and now, I savored even the smallest things.

Less than an hour later, the doorbell rang. It was my father, stepmother, and stepbrother. They all walked in, their faces plastered with smiles. I could already sense that they had no clue what I was about to say.

"Li Wei, you called? What's it about the company?" My father asked, his voice too casual, like he didn't have a care in the world.

I met their smiles with a cold, unwavering gaze. "I've decided to sell it."

The surprise was immediate. Their expressions shifted, shock replacing their feigned indifference.

"Sell the company?" My father almost shouted. "Why? It's a family business!"

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze icy. He didn't care about the company, not really. He cared about the power that came with it—the prestige of being part of the richest family. That was all. He never had a true business mind, just a hunger for status.

My stepbrother, ever the 'perfect son,' immediately jumped in, his voice dripping with too much sweetness. "Brother, why do you have to do this? It's a family business. If you're tired, I can help. I can take some of the burden off your shoulders." His words might've been comforting if I didn't know the truth. He wasn't offering to help out of kindness—he was just waiting for the chance to seize control.

I let out a small laugh, the sound dark and humorless. "No. I've decided to sell it to you—for the low price of $7 billion."

The room went silent. My father, my stepbrother—they both gawked at me as if I had sprouted a second head.

"Seven billion?" My father's voice was full of disbelief. "That's impossible. Too expensive. What are you talking about?"

I glanced at them with disgust. "The Li Family Corporation is worth $20 billion. You're getting it for seven billion because of your family ties. If you don't want it, I can sell it to someone else. I'm sure someone else would be more than happy to pay the full price." I threw the words at them like daggers.

Their eyes widened, but there was something calculating in the way my father and stepbrother exchanged glances. After a long pause, my father finally spoke. "Alright. We'll get the money by next month."

I laughed out loud, the sound bouncing off the walls. "Next month? That won't work. I want the money now."

I pulled out my phone, casually dialing a number I knew all too well—the number of Mr. Mu, the rich businessman who had always wanted to buy the company. I wasn't about to wait around for their slow, bureaucratic process. My future wasn't going to be on hold.

"What are you doing?" My father asked, panic creeping into his voice.

I didn't answer him. Instead, I pressed the call button.

The phone rang once, twice, before Mr. Mu picked up.

"Mr. Mu," I said, my voice smooth and confident. "I'm calling to offer you the Li Family Corporation. I know you've always been interested in purchasing it, and I'd be happy to sell it to you at a reasonable price. We can skip the long negotiation and finalize the deal right now."

My father and stepbrother stared at me in shock, and I could practically hear their thoughts racing. They had no idea who they were dealing with.

On the other end of the line, Mr. Mu's voice was warm and eager. "Li Wei, you don't know how long I've been waiting for this opportunity. I'll transfer the funds immediately. Just say the word, and it's done."

I ended the call without a second thought. When I looked up, my father was glaring at me, his expression twisted with frustration.

"You're really doing this?" he asked through gritted teeth.

I just smiled, watching them as they processed the situation. I had them right where I wanted them.

A few moments later, my father and stepbrother went outside to make arrangements for the money. I could already guess what was happening—they were going to borrow the money from someone, anyone who would lend it to them, so they wouldn't have to pay the full price. But that wasn't my problem anymore.

A few hours later, they came back inside, looking far too pleased with themselves. "We've transferred the money to you," my father said, handing me the confirmation.

I didn't even bother to pretend to be impressed. I took the documents, calling the family lawyer who arrived almost immediately. The paperwork was finalized, ownership transferred, and just like that, the company was no longer mine.

My father, stepmother, and stepbrother barely pretended to mask their joy. But I could see it in their eyes—now that they were in control of the company, they thought they had won.

My stepbrother looked at me smugly, a grin spreading across his face. "You're going to regret this, Li Wei. This company is ours now. You'll see."

I stared back at him, my expression unchanging. "You'll regret it long before you even realize what you've done."

They had no idea that in just two weeks, money would mean nothing. They would lose everything—everything they had fought so hard to control. But for now, I had what I needed. And soon enough, they would understand the true price of their greed.