The Yun family's main hall had been stripped of warmth and filled with ceremony. Rows of elders sat behind a long crescent table, silk banners bearing the family crest draped above them. The air smelled faintly of incense and polished wood—stifling, reverent, and expectant.
Every year, this was where the Bright Youngstars proved their worth.
Jason walked in last.
He didn't rush. His steps were measured, the soft rhythm of his shoes echoing through the marble hall. Dozens of eyes turned his way—some curious, most dismissive. He caught snippets of whispers as he passed.
"He showed up?"
"After last year's disaster?"
"Must be desperate for attention again."
Jason's lips twitched, not quite a smile. He'd heard worse. He'd been worse. But this time, there was something different behind his calm—an undercurrent the others couldn't name.
Near the front sat the others. Alex Yun, his cousin and constant rival, adjusted his cufflinks with lazy confidence, pretending not to notice Jason. Beside him, Jessy Yun leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, already rolling her eyes. Jane Yun offered a polite nod that Jason returned briefly. And then there was Britney Yun—poised, bright, her hair neatly tied, the quiet embodiment of grace. She looked at Jason once, studying him like a puzzle piece that suddenly didn't fit where she remembered.
The family head, Elder Yun Zhaoran, cleared his throat. His voice, gravelly from age yet filled with authority, rolled across the room.
"Let us begin this year's evaluation. It has been a demanding cycle, and I expect all six of you to present more than promises. You represent our future. Act like it."
He gestured toward the center dais.
"Alex, you will go first."
Alex rose smoothly, flashing his practiced smile. "Of course, Grandfather."
He began his presentation with flair—charts projected on the screen behind him, data on profit margins, market growth, and expansion deals. His words were slick, confident, perfectly rehearsed.
"—and in addition to solidifying our partnership with LusterTech, I am currently in advanced talks with representatives from the Son family regarding their SolarBloom Project. If negotiations continue as planned, we expect a full partnership within the quarter."
Soft murmurs swept through the elders. Alex basked in them. He'd saved that revelation for last, and it landed exactly as he wanted. He ended with a short bow, eyes sliding to Jason with a faint smirk.
"Thank you. I trust my progress speaks for itself."
Jason's expression didn't change, but inwardly he noted the phrasing: 'in advanced talks.'
Interesting choice of words.
Britney went next, her report crisp and precise. She outlined new scholarship programs and efficient product-chain restructures in one of the family's tech divisions. She didn't grandstand like Alex; she didn't need to. Her results spoke in numbers that even the oldest elder nodded at.
When she finished, Elder Zhaoran said simply, "Consistent excellence. As expected."
Jason saw the smallest flicker of pride in her eyes, followed by something else—curiosity. She stole another glance at him, and this time didn't look away as quickly.
Jessy followed. She tried to maintain her usual composure but her tone had an edge, a little too defensive. The figures were fine, but nothing sparkled. A few elders whispered to each other halfway through. Her jaw tightened as she caught it.
Jane's turn came and went quietly. She delivered a steady, respectable performance, ranking above Jessy but far from Alex and Britney. Jason gave her an encouraging nod when she returned to her seat; she managed a faint smile.
Then Elder Zhaoran's gaze settled on him.
"Jason. You're next."
The murmuring rose again. Jason rose from his seat, adjusting his jacket with unhurried grace. He walked to the center dais, the subtle rhythm of his footsteps the only sound. The projection screen behind him flickered to life—no bright colors, just clean data and brief titles.
"I won't waste your time," he began evenly. "Over the last quarter, I've focused on consolidating external partnerships and optimizing revenue flow through subsidiary channels. You may know some of them—C & B Holdings, Eversage Labs, and several smaller tech firms."
At the mention of Eversage, a few heads turned. Alex stiffened slightly.
Jason continued, voice calm, confident, unhurried.
"Through internal restructuring and joint management algorithms, total returns across these subsidiaries have risen by 37 percent since the previous evaluation. I've also secured exclusive licensing rights to the Han Group's logistics division for upcoming distribution expansion."
The elders began murmuring again—low, approving sounds. Alex's confident mask twitched.
"And finally," Jason said, almost as an afterthought, "regarding the Son family's SolarBloom Project."
Every whisper stopped.
"I understand there were discussions about partnership opportunities. I'm pleased to inform the board that, as of this morning, the project has been formally entrusted to the Yun family—under my management."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Alex froze mid-breath, his smirk dying instantly.
Jessy blinked, disbelief written across her face.
Even Elder Zhaoran leaned forward, brows rising.
"Under your management?"
Jason met his gaze evenly. "Yes, Grandfather. The Son family confirmed the assignment at 7:14 a.m. today." He tapped the tablet in his hand; the projection behind him shifted to display a stamped confirmation letter. "They expect the first development report within two weeks."
A long pause. Then, quietly, Elder Zhaoran said, "Remarkable."
The room erupted—questions, murmurs, astonishment. Britney's expression softened into something between admiration and intrigue.
Alex's fists clenched under the table.
Jason stepped down, unbothered, returning to his seat as the elders debated logistics and formalities. He sat beside Alex, who finally hissed under his breath, "You stole it."
Jason didn't look at him. "No. You just assumed it was yours."
The words landed like a slap in the echoing hall.
When the noise settled, Elder Zhaoran called for order. "That concludes the first round of evaluations. We will deliberate and reconvene for ranking results after lunch."
The Bright Youngstars filed out, tension thick enough to taste.
Across the courtyard, Britney stood beneath a maple tree, watching him. When their eyes met, she didn't look away. She simply gave a slight nod—acknowledgment, or maybe challenge.
Jason returned the gesture and kept walking.
Behind him, through the glass walls of the hall, Alex's reflection glared after him, the faint tremor of rage barely contained.
The balance inside the Yun family had shifted.