Interlude : The Young Dragon
### 2001, Shanghai / Longteng A-Share Listing Celebration
The hotel ballroom overflowed with congratulations.
On stage, the uncle who had led Longteng Group since Haotian's father's death beamed broadly, receiving applause from distinguished guests.
"Listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange was my late father's lifelong ambition---"
Flashes fired without pause.
The uncle turned halfway to Haotian, standing a half-step behind.
"As you all know--"
He swept his gaze across the room.
"Our company has a promising next generation."
A brief pause. His hand settled on Haotian's shoulder, pushing him slightly forward.
"Li Haotian.
The young dragon who will carry Longteng into the future."
Applause erupted.
Haotian didn't move.
Didn't nod. Didn't refuse.
Just stood there, expression quiet.
The uncle's hand remained on his shoulder.
Another flash.
In the corner of the hall,
veteran executives holding glasses exchanged small nods.
Their gazes were not on the uncle, but on Haotian.
"The young master has returned."
"Now Longteng will be secure."
"He's gained experience abroad. Times will change."
Their voices low. In their expressions, something more than relief--calculation.
---
At the edge of the room, Shuilan looked up at the stage.
They should be the same age, yet Haotian's bearing seemed far quieter than his years.
Shuilan murmured softly.
"...Was he always someone who made that face?"
Beside her, Haoming gave a short snort of laughter.
"He has to."
His gaze never left the stage.
"If he's going to stand there."
Haotian didn't move, the uncle's hand still on his shoulder.
Even amid the celebratory applause, his expression didn't change.
Haoming held Shuilan’s hand and watched that figure intently. Then he lowered his voice.
"Gege intends to carry that entire 'family' on his back."
He didn't look at Shuilan. His gaze remained fixed on Haotian.
"The uncles' schemes, the executives' expectations--he'll swallow it all."
Another flash.
---
### The Transparent Cage / 2002-2005
In contrast to the sweat gleaming on the veteran executive's forehead,
Haotian's profile showed not a trace of disturbance.
Only his fingers moved, quietly scrolling the device.
"--Drop this company."
Short. Dry.
The executive's face froze.
"Y-young--no, Master Haotian...but this company, since your father's time..."
"It doesn't meet the standards."
"B-but...that is...your father's 'sentiment'...!"
The veteran executive scrambled desperately.
"Profit margin, expenditure transparency, risk management.
Not a single reason exists to continue this contract."
Haotian looked up for the first time.
Direct, but cold.
"Longteng is not a company that operates on sentiment.
Nor is it a scale that can afford to."
Without leaning back in his chair, Haotian continued quietly,
maintaining his steady gaze.
The executive's throat made a sharp sound.
"B-but...then...the existing contracts..."
"They'll be in trouble."
Haotian's voice was quiet enough to seem kind.
"Precisely because it will cause trouble, it must be done."
---
Night. Longteng Tower, top floor.
Most office lights were out.
Only one room retained a pale glow.
Haotian sat at his desk, continuing to examine numbers in silence.
--Waste.
--Opacity.
--Anything connected to personal gain.
Standards to systematically eliminate all of it--
No one would praise him for this.
He bore no resentment toward anyone.
He was simply organizing.
At that moment, a knock at the door.
"Gege?"
Haoming.
Haotian moved only his face slightly.
"...What is it."
"Saw your light on."
Haotian's reply was brief.
"Go home first."
Haoming entered anyway, scanning the documents on the desk and frowning.
"All companies with uncle faction connections."
"They don't meet standards."
"They never intended to, that bunch."
Haotian offered no response.
Haoming watched his profile in silence for a while.
Then spoke quietly.
"--Gege, you're not doing this to 'make it easier,' are you."
Haotian didn't answer.
Haoming didn't smile.
"You're building a cage and putting yourself inside it."
Haotian showed no reaction, simply continued watching the screen.
Haoming said nothing more, placing his hand on the door.
"...Gege."
Quietly, to his back.
"Nobody's asking you to go this far."
Haotian didn't look up.
"Even if they don't ask, it's necessary."
Those words were far too heavy for Haoming to carry.
"...I see."
Haoming left quietly.
Beyond the closed door,
Haotian returned his gaze to the screen.
(Nobody's asking me to go this far, huh.)
To others, this work might look like
"preparation to end an era."
To Haotian, it was
"constructing a cage of complete transparency."
