Looking at the mirror, he touches his face, measuring where to begin before his eyes dart to the shaver lying on the bathroom counter, its sleek body a testament to modern design. Its silver casing glimmered under the fluorescent lights, like a promise of precision.
As he picked it up, the weight felt substantial, yet balanced. The rubber grip provided a reassuring texture, a tactile confirmation of control. From the left side of his face, the blade angled to glide smoothly over the contours of his skin. It left a trail of smoothness in its wake. Everything seemed fine until he hissed and let out a sharp cry as the shaver cut him.
Blood slowly ran down the counter, and spots soon appeared. A tiny droplet of blood welled up on his chin. ''Damn it!'' Wincing in pain. He grabbed a tissue and applied gentle pressure to the small cut.
Knock knock
''Young master, Mr. Shen is waiting for you downstairs.''
He faced the mirror, looking at himself while replying, ''Tell him I'll be downstairs in 20 minutes''
''I will tell him, young master'' The footstep faded away. He double-checked to ensure there were no traces of blood on his face before stepping out. Despite the icy room temperature, Hua Yong didn't feel cold. He walked calmly, unclothed, to the wardrobe and selected a luxury brand black suit, inspecting every detail. Dressing impeccably and adding his accessories before meeting anyone was his routine. He never missed a single detail of his attire, which everyone envied. This charismatic young businessman was renowned worldwide as the sole heir of Skyline Company, a multinational conglomerate with diverse interests in real estate, finance, technology, and hospitality.
Shen Wen Lang, his best friend, smiled as he saw him coming downstairs. ''Always on time,'' he said, glancing at his wristwatch as Hua Yong stopped in front of him. ''Exactly 20 minutes.'' The young master smirked before turning toward the door. To avoid potential threats, they decided not to use the mansion's main entrance for security reasons. Instead, they exited through another door to confuse any would-be attackers lying in wait.
With heightened security came greater risks, as the family's enemies had placed a significant bounty on his head. Six different cars left the house simultaneously, another tactic to mislead assassins about which vehicle carried the young master with the high-priced bounty on his life.
''Young master is always careful. If I were the one after you, I'd rather stay at home and play mobile games'' Shen Wen Lang chuckled. They were in a Lexus car with two bodyguards in the driver's seat, while the two of them sat in the back. ''Tell me, why did you just come back now''
''I've been busy abroad, which took some time to resolve before coming back here,'' Hua Yong said, his eyes scanning the transformed landscape. He looked around, amazed by the change that had taken place in his hometown. The big trees that once stood tall, providing shade and shelter, had been cut down, their places taken by sleek glass and steel buildings. The one dirty road, where he'd spent countless hours playing as a child, was now paved with concrete, smooth and even. The park where he used to play, laugh, and create memories with friends had been replaced by a towering condominium building, its height and grandeur a testament to progress.
''Just a few years pass, but it seems everything here has changed,'' Hua Yong said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and nostalgia. He continued to gaze out at the road, his eyes taking in the new sights, the new sounds, the new rhythm of the city.
''What do you expect? It won't stay as it is,'' Shen Wen Lang replied, smiling. ''We have so many great inventors, engineers, and innovators working tirelessly to shape our world. Progress is inevitable, and change is the only constant.'' Hua Yong nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the past and present. He remembered the carefree days of his childhood, the laughter, the adventures, and the simplicity of life.
Now, everything seemed so different, so fast-paced, so modern. He wasn't sure if he liked the changes, but he knew he couldn't stop them. All he could do was adapt, learn to navigate this new world, and find his place in it.
The car stopped in front of the towering Skyline Company building. Before the newcomer arrived, the entire staff was already in position. A red carpet was laid out, and employees stood in two lines facing each other, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the company's new heir. Everyone was buzzing with curiosity, wondering what the new leader would look like.
''I heard seeing him will make you die from overwhelming joy andlove!'' One staff member whispered. She giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
''No way, my brother met him on a business trip and said he looks just like his cousin, fat, short, and tan-skinned.'' Another staff member chimed in. The group snickered, speculating about the mysterious person's appearance. Another one from the front couldn't take it anymore and turned around, saying ''Didn't your brother say Mr. Shen Wen Lang is also fat and ugly, but look how handsome he is!'' Her comment was met with nods of agreement.
''Sheesh!'' Just as the gossiping continued, a senior staff member interrupted with a stern. Everyone immediately stood up straight, composing themselves as the car door opened. The atmosphere shifted from a playful chatter to formal respect, anticipation hanging in the air.