Capítulo 8: Chapter 8: The Cherished Daughter (Part 1)
The Chen family ruled over their empire with an iron fist, dominating both the city's legitimate and criminal worlds. Behind the cold, calculated leadership of Li Chen was the heart of their family: Mei Chen, the treasured daughter who was the very definition of a spoiled rich second generation. Mei was everything her family's empire wasn't—soft, sheltered, carefree, and completely oblivious to the dark shadows her father controlled.
Mei was the light in Li's otherwise grim life, a bright spot that he cherished above all else. To the rest of the world, Li Chen was the man who could topple governments and destroy empires with a single word. But to Mei, he was simply her father—her protector and her provider. And as her father, he ensured that Mei lived in a world of luxury and privilege, far removed from the dangers of his dealings.
Mei's every whim was granted without hesitation. If she mentioned wanting something, it would appear in front of her in no time. Her requests were not met with questions or resistance. Whether it was the latest fashion from Paris, a private island getaway, or an entire wardrobe overhaul, Mei received whatever she asked for. The Chen family, built on wealth and power, bent over backward to fulfill every one of her desires.
Her life was designed to be simple and free of stress. College was more of a formality than a necessity for her. She attended classes, but she wasn't focused on her studies in the same way as her peers. While some of her classmates might be worried about assignments or future careers, Mei's greatest concerns revolved around social events, gossip, and her next shopping trip. Her days were filled with chatter about romantic novels and fashion trends, while her nights were spent at the city's most exclusive clubs, surrounded by friends who envied her life.
The incident that had changed the way the city treated Mei occurred a few years ago, though it was little more than a passing memory to her now. She had been out with her close friends, enjoying a night of fun and laughter at an upscale club. Mei was blissfully unaware of the tensions that existed just beneath the surface of the city, tensions that her father worked tirelessly to manage. She was, as always, lost in her own world.
That night, however, a man—drunk and reckless—had decided to harass her. He had no idea who she was, nor did he seem to care. To him, she was just another beautiful girl at the club. He grabbed her wrist, and Mei froze. She wasn't used to confrontation or aggression. Her friends, equally unprepared for such an incident, watched in horror as the man became more insistent.
Without hesitation, Mei had done the only thing she could think of: she made a call to her father. Within minutes, her father's men arrived, swiftly removing Mei from the club and dealing with the man who had dared to touch her. The man was never seen again.
Li Chen had handled the situation personally, ensuring that the man's fate was a clear message to anyone who might think of crossing the Chens. It was an unspoken rule in the city after that: You do not touch the Chen family. Mei's safety was sacred, and anyone who threatened it would face the full wrath of her father's power.
For Mei, though, that night was just a scary memory, a fleeting moment of discomfort quickly erased by her father's protective presence. She hadn't understood the full implications of what had happened. Her world hadn't changed. If anything, it had only reinforced the idea that her father would always be there to shield her from harm. She never thought about the man who had been taken away. That wasn't her concern.
As Mei's life returned to its usual rhythm, her days were filled with college classes, where she would sit with her friends, giggling over romantic novels and whispering about the latest fashion trends. She was the darling of her friend group, and it was easy to see why. Mei had a natural charm, an easy smile, and a carefree attitude that made her the center of attention. She was effortlessly beautiful, with glossy black hair that always seemed perfectly styled and a wardrobe full of the finest designer clothes.
Her friends envied her life, and in truth, Mei enjoyed being admired. She knew she was lucky, that her life was one of extreme privilege. But she didn't think too deeply about it. Mei was used to getting what she wanted. It was simply the way her life worked.
Her favorite hobby was shopping, and she spent hours each week perusing the city's most exclusive boutiques. Whether she was looking for the latest handbag or a new pair of shoes, Mei always found something to add to her already extensive collection. Shopping was more than just a way to pass the time for her—it was a form of therapy, a way to relax and indulge in the luxury that surrounded her.
Her father, Li Chen, never once denied her anything. In fact, the entire Chen family indulged her every desire. It wasn't just her father who spoiled her, but her uncles, aunts, and cousins as well. Mei was the cherished jewel of the family, and everyone treated her as such. Her uncles showered her with gifts for every occasion, and her cousins would accompany her on her shopping sprees, ensuring she was always surrounded by people who adored her.
Li Chen himself was acutely aware of the life he had built for Mei. He had worked tirelessly to ensure that she never had to deal with the harsh realities of his world. Mei didn't know the first thing about managing the family's vast empire or the dangers that came with their power. She didn't need to. Li had made sure of that. He had designed her life to be one of comfort, far removed from the world of threats and violence that he navigated daily.
Yet, even Li had moments where he worried about the future. Mei was his daughter, and he loved her deeply, but she wasn't equipped to handle the Chen empire. She had no interest in the family business, nor did she have the ruthlessness required to manage it. Mei was gentle, kind, and soft-hearted—qualities that made her beloved within the family, but that also made her ill-suited for the cold, calculated world her father ruled.
Li's brother, Jian Chen, had often tried to involve Mei in the business, suggesting that she should at least understand the basics of the family's operations. But each time, Mei had shown no interest. She didn't want to deal with the complexities of power and control. Her world was one of romance novels, fashion, and luxury. The Chen empire, with its dirty dealings and dangerous alliances, didn't concern her.
Jian had eventually given up on the idea. "She's too soft," he would tell Li, shaking his head. "You've spoiled her. She doesn't know the first thing about what it takes to run a family like ours."
Li would smile at his brother's remarks. "Let her be," he'd reply. "She doesn't need to know."
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