Atlas of Heaven and Earth

After the doors to The Atlas of Heaven Fetal Heart were pushed open, Meng Shu paused at the doorway, Chen Chuan saw her take a deep breath unconsciously before walking inside.

He followed her in. The living room had excellent lighting. The autumn sunlight streamed in, illuminating the lavishly decorated reception room in opulent splendor.

In the center of the hall, beneath an elaborate crystal chandelier, sat a heavy solid wood desk. Beside the desk stood a half-person-high celestial globe, its drawings and markings in the style of old times.

Meng Lai, the founder and current helmsman of Fusion Boundary Company, was sitting on the sofa behind the desk.

Fusion Boundary was founded sixty years ago, so he should be at least eighty years old, but he looked like a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.

His face was handsome, and he was in excellent condition. His facial muscles were not slack, his skin was well-maintained, and his hair was thick and black. He possessed an air of authority from long being in a high position.

Chen Chuan noticed that Meng Shu's eyes were very similar to his, both being almond-shaped eyes with slightly upturned corners. However, his eyes appeared complex and profound, like a bottomless abyss.

Auntie Yu approached Meng Lai and leaned down to say a few words to him. He first nodded and smiled at Chen Chuan, then looked at Meng Shu and said, "Xiao Shu, you've arrived."

Meng Shu stepped forward, bowed, and greeted, "Grandfather."

Another guest?

Chen Chuan wondered if it could be Meng Huang. It was likely, but the term "guest" had a peculiar implication.

Auntie Yu said, "Please, all of you, sit down."

Chen Chuan didn't stand on ceremony. He nodded his thanks and sat down on the long sofa. He glanced outside and could see the parking lot, where Meng Xu was still waiting, seemingly for someone.

Auntie Yu touched the Boundary Token and said something. After a while, a middle-aged man with neatly styled hair and a monocle walked in, accompanied by an elderly man leaning on a cane, his face covered in age spots and his hair sparse, being helped in.

Chen Chuan had seen the general data of some people around Meng Lai and recognized Meng Lai's personal lawyer, Ma Guangming. He also had a strong impression of the other elderly man.

This was Meng Lai's paternal uncle, Meng Zhenghuai, the most senior member of the Meng family. He was an old man of one hundred and twenty years old, now sustained by drugs.

Auntie Yu walked over, waved the servants away, helped Meng Zhenghuai to sit down, and said, "Uncle, take it easy."

"I'm old, getting old, panting after just a few steps."

After Meng Zhenghuai sat down, he fumbled for his hearing aid, put it on, and looked at Meng Lai saying, "Xiao Lai, I'm here. Speak while my ears are still working."

Meng Lai smiled and said, "Uncle, you're not old yet. If you're willing, I can arrange an implant surgery for you. With current technology, your body can be taken care of as well."

Meng Zhenghuai waved his hand and shook his head, "I've said it before, I won't install those messy things. I'm afraid I won't recognize my ancestors if I do. I'm content to have lived this long."

Meng Lai didn't press further and looked at Ma Guangming, saying, "Lawyer Ma."

Ma Guangming bowed and said, "Mr. Meng, I'm here."

Meng Lai said, "Today, I've invited two younger members of the family who I've been considering as heirs. I've observed them for a long time. Now that Xiao Shu is here, I announce the first matter. Take it down…"

Ma Guangming's expression turned serious. He took out a document from his briefcase and a pen, looking at Meng Lai, waiting for him to continue.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the room became quiet.

Meng Lai continued, "If Meng Huang does not arrive in this room within the stipulated time today, it will be regarded as an automatic waiver, and I will confirm my granddaughter, Meng Shu, as the sole candidate for Company heir."

Meng Shu sat there, not showing any particular excitement. She wasn't sure if this was her grandfather's reassurance or a genuine decision.

But she knew how to maintain the appearance that her grandfather wanted to see, so she showed no emotion on her face.

Meng Lai seemed to like her performance and showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Ma Guangming quickly wrote down what Meng Lai had said in the document, then looked up, his expression slightly serious, and said, "Mr. Meng, I have recorded your words.

However, according to the agreed-upon articles, any decision regarding inheritance requires confirmation and approval from members of the Meng family and must be preserved in written form."

Meng Lai hummed, picked up the teacup on the table, blew on it, and said slowly, "I will announce it at the subsequent family meeting after today."

Ma Guangming respectfully said, "Then there is no problem."

Meng Zhenghuai said, "Xiao Lai, this old bone of mine is still here. I'll be watching today's events." He turned to Auntie Yu beside him, "Xiao Shu is Old Four's daughter, right?"

Auntie Yu bowed slightly and said, "Yes, she is the Fourth Master's daughter. Uncle, your memory is truly good."

Meng Zhenghuai chuckled, stroked his sparse beard, and said, "Old Four is a good child, and Xiao Shu is a good child too. Xiao Lai, you decide the matter, and I'll support you in family affairs."

Yan Yi glanced at Meng Lai above but quickly looked away, then looked at Ma Guangming.

Although it seemed that Meng Lai had already made a choice, she did not think that the situation had really changed. All of this still depended on Meng Huang's actions. Without removing Meng Huang, these things could change at any time.

Giving subordinates long-term expectations is an essential skill for Company management. As a member of the management, she deeply knew that only things that were truly put into practice had practical significance. Some descriptions, although seemingly beautiful, were just empty promises until they were fulfilled.

Chen Chuan heard this conversation clearly. At this moment, he had a feeling that these words were not only for Meng Shu but also for him.

More precisely, they were for the Processing Bureau behind him.

If so, he was being treated as the Processing Bureau's representative here.

But in reality, this was not wrong. He was here today because the Processing Bureau had granted him certain permissions. The official letter of authorization had been sent with those things yesterday and was now on his person.

Ma Guangming filled out several copies of the recorded document and handed them to Meng Lai for confirmation. After ensuring there were no problems, he took them back and left with Auntie Yu. Not long after, Auntie Yu returned and nodded to Meng Lai.

Next, Meng Lai and Meng Zhenghuai talked about past events, and occasionally asked about Meng Shu's life, just like a true family elder understanding and caring for the younger generation. The atmosphere seemed more harmonious than before.

Time passed little by little. After waiting for more than half an hour, the appointed time was approaching. The clock beside them began to chime.

Meng Zhenghuai stopped talking and squinted his cloudy eyes.

Yan Yi unconsciously tightened her fingers.

As the last chime faded away, the door to the living room was pushed open, and a man in his thirties walked in, saying in a playful tone, "Oh, sorry, it seems I'm late."

Chen Chuan looked over. This person had some resemblance to Meng Shu, with handsome features, but his expression had a sense of wanton freedom.

The real person standing in front of him was slightly different from the photo the Processing Bureau had given him. The most obvious difference was his height. Meng Huang was originally about 1.8 meters tall, but he was now reaching over 2.1 meters.

Although many technologies and implants could achieve this effect now, he could be sure that Meng Huang was not using this method.

Moreover, the real power holders at the top of the Company rarely used things like implants. They had better drugs and unique methods to improve their physical fitness and extend their lifespan.

Meng Huang did not come alone. Behind him was a stout man wearing sunglasses. His arms were short, but his limbs were exceptionally thick. Compared to Meng Huang in front, he seemed unremarkable and easy to ignore. After entering, he just stood there motionless.

But he could sense that this person was not simple and could confirm that he was a Third Limit Martial Artist, probably Meng Huang's personal bodyguard.

Meng Huang first glanced around the room, smiled when he saw Meng Shu and Meng Zhenghuai, then moved his gaze to Meng Lai. There was a hint of contempt in his eyes. Then he went to an empty sofa and sat down, crossing his legs.

Meng Lai said slowly, "You are late, but you still came."

Meng Huang smiled indifferently and said, "Actually, I didn't want to come, especially to face you. Oh, please forgive me for saying that, because when I face you, I really can't muster any respect."

Meng Zhenghuai sat on the side. He took off his hearing aid as soon as Meng Huang came in, then leaned on his cane, his head bobbing, as if he were dozing off.

Yan Yi looked at Meng Lai in disbelief. She didn't expect Meng Huang to be so impolite to Meng Lai, the Company's helmsman, and not even bother to maintain the most superficial courtesy. Was it because he knew he couldn't be the heir, so he was throwing caution to the wind?

Meng Huang looked at Meng Shu again, "My good sister, you don't know, do you?" He pointed to Meng Lai, "The person sitting in front of us is just a biological body double implanted with a Consciousness Coordinator.

You think he's our grandfather? Don't be ridiculous!

I suspect that we've never seen the real him since we were little, and perhaps the real him no longer exists. What controls the Company now is just a Consciousness Coordinator.

Are you willing to listen to the orders of a Consciousness Coordinator, to let this thing decide the fate of the two of us? I'm certainly not."