Yin Xu kept his word and didn’t contact Yu Zhi afterward, but Yu Zhi could freely investigate him, learn about his recent situation, and understand what he had been up to; that was their agreement.
Looking at the photos of the young man who had shed his innocence and grown into a youth, Yu Zhi seemed to feel a sense of accomplishment.
He was watching a child grow, a child who had also grown because of him.
He cherished this feeling in his heart, along with Yin Xu’s affection.
“Dad, why doesn’t Brother Xu call anymore? He even said he’d help me rank up in the game,” Xiao Pang noticed something was amiss.
“He’s busy, not everyone has as much free time as you do,” Yu Zhi glanced at him, somewhat disdainful of the boy’s foolishness, and his business sense was only average.
He wasn’t worried anymore about whether the main tasks could be completed; instead, he worried whether the original owner’s wishes could be fulfilled. With Xiao Pang’s brain, how could he survive among the cunning sharks of the business world?
Xiao Pang, long used to being verbally attacked by his dad, had already developed a healthy habit of letting criticism go in one ear and out the other. So what if he was dumb? He was still his dad’s biological son! That just meant his dad’s genes weren’t strong enough.
Hey, wait, his dad is pretty smart, it should be his never-before-seen mom who’s dumb. Otherwise, how could she have done something as stupid as taking the money and running away, lowering his IQ?
“Dad, there’s no need to compare and contrast like that. Brother Xu might be smarter than me, but he hasn’t won you over, has he? But I was born as your son, which means in terms of luck, I’m way ahead of him!” Xiao Pang said smugly.
Yu Zhi: “…”
He began to wonder if his parenting skills were declining. How had both kids turned out like this?
The difference was: one was overly persistent, and the other, overly confident. Both taken to extremes.
“The high school entrance exam is coming soon. Work hard, and I’ll send you to whatever school you can get into,” Yu Zhi said, indicating he wouldn’t help him get in through the back door.
Xiao Pang was dumbfounded, watching his dad calmly return to the house. After a moment, he realized what was going on and hurriedly called his deskmate.
“What should we do? We won’t be able to go to the same school!”
Deskmate: “…It’s still compulsory education.”
Xiao Pang: “…Oh right! My dad tricked me?!”!”
Deskmate: “…” Isn’t the bigger issue the fact that you actually fell for it?
Xiao Pang’s grades were good now, so there wasn’t a problem with him attending the same high school as his studious deskmate. Suddenly, the nervous Xiao Pang relaxed, resuming his lazy posture to enjoy the rare holiday.
But his deskmate wanted to inspire him to aim higher.
“You can’t just settle for this. It’s fine for middle school, but what about high school? University? Don’t you want to be with me then?”
Xiao Pang clutched his soft stomach. “That’s still a long way off.”
“It’s not early anymore. If you keep slacking off, I’ll dump you,” his deskmate warned.
Xiao Pang looked alarmed. “Since when are we dating?”
Deskmate: “…”
Deskmate: “I meant studying… studying!”
Xiao Pang scratched his head sheepishly. “Um, you see, I’ve been confused lately because of my dad. It wasn’t intentional.”
Feeling guilty, Xiao Pang had to agree to his deskmate’s request to study together. From then on, he lived a miserable life of being dragged into studying by his deskmate after school and by his dad for extra lessons at home.
He suddenly wished his dad would marry someone or have another child. His previous envy of only children was too naive; sure, they received more love, but they also faced more pressure.
He was just a useless salted fish, but his dad insisted on him soaring like a dragon. It was fate’s mistake, binding together mismatched souls like us.
………………
“Senior, there’s a design competition hosted by a corporation in S City. Shall we sign up together?” A long-haired woman in a cream-colored chiffon dress approached.
Yin Xu was tidying up the things on the table when she glanced casually at her. “Which company?”
“It’s Yu Group, the one with various industries. You have their phone, and their jewelry is also famous. I heard from an insider that if you win this competition, there’s a chance to get an offer from Yu Jewelry,” the woman explained.
Yin Xu paused in his movements of packing up his things. He curled his fingers, his eyes vacant for a moment, then continued to put his notebook into his bag.
“You guys go ahead. I’m planning to visit F City. Wish you success in getting the prize and the offer,” Yin Xu smiled.
“Such a great opportunity, Senior, you’re more capable than us. Don’t you think it’s a pity not to seize it?” The woman still felt Yin Xu was wasting his talent. She rarely saw him participate in any activities or competitions besides studying, always seeking inspiration outside.
“Le Tong, you don’t know. Senior Yin Xu has already signed with Kaixuan. There’s no need for her to strive for other offers,” a young man walked up to the woman, his tone slightly strange. There was a mix of admiration and jealousy in his eyes as he looked at Yin Xu.
What you fight desperately for, others won’t even spare a glance at.
Yin Xu glanced at him and then smiled, “I only sold them a series of designs, didn’t sign a work contract, and won’t be joining Kaixuan in the future.”
Everyone assumed he planned to become an independent designer and open his own studio. They felt both envious and impressed.
Yin Xu didn’t care about their thoughts. After exchanging pleasantries, he left.
Walking on the street, he almost tripped over a stone because he was lost in thought, feeling a bit helpless for a moment.
But even after coming back to his senses, the name he heard just now lingered in his mind.
After hesitating for a while, he still made a call to his teacher.
“Teacher, I want to apply for early graduation.”
………………
Cloud Guest
“It’s rare to see you come out!” Wei Rui’an tapped his glass against Yu Zhi’s.
“What’s up? Not taking care of yourself lately?” he asked curiously.
He had simply invited him as usual, expecting to be rejected as usual, but surprisingly, he showed up this time.
Yu Zhi had never deliberately taken care of himself. He was someone who demanded strict discipline from himself. What others saw as a healthy lifestyle—abstaining from alcohol, smoking, indulgence, controlling diet, and exercising daily—was just routine for him.
“I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations,” Yu Zhi evaded, changing the subject.
Wei Rui’an chuckled helplessly, “Isn’t it because of my old lady at home pushing me? She insists on me settling down. That’s how old folks are, worrying that I’ll be left alone when I’m old. But I have money, she’s just unnecessarily worried.”
“Brother, I can’t live it up anymore. You still have a chance, I envy you.”
Yu Zhi smiled and didn’t say much.
“Oh, have you heard? Wang’s second son brought back an illegitimate child recently. His wife only gave birth to a daughter and dares not even let out a fart. She can only endure it. Amazing, with just one endurance, in no time, that illegitimate child was arranged by the old man of the Wang family to join the company,” Wei Rui’an said.
Wei Rui’an had two great joys in life—indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, and gossiping. He talked about it animatedly, clearly enjoying himself.
Yu Zhi always felt like this guy was hinting at something, especially since the original owner, Xiao Pang, wasn’t a legitimate child.
He had been worried lately about Xiao Pang’s lack of business talent, but he didn’t want to have another child or adopt one just to fulfill the original owner’s wishes.
Dealing with two was already giving him a headache; adding another one would probably send him to the next world a few years earlier.
Since the original owner’s wish wasn’t fulfilled, at most, he could use his achievements to earn some merit and pay back the body. It wasn’t that troublesome.
“Brother Wei, your wedding is in a few days. Today, we, your buddies, are giving you a big gift. You won’t have the chance later.” A few of his buddies approached Wei Rui’an.
“President Yu.”
“President Yu.”
Yu Zhi didn’t have much acquaintance with them, and they seemed quite reserved.
Within a few minutes, someone led a group of men and women.
Yu Zhi frowned slightly, but before he could say anything, Wei Rui’an waved his hand. “You guys go play; I’m about to get married.”
Having lived for so long, he had seen all kinds of people. These people didn’t interest him. Since he had agreed to get married, it would be disrespectful to mess around.
He might be a playboy, but he wasn’t disrespectful.
The arranged gift was unappreciated, so his buddies had to entertain themselves with the group. While the men and women obediently followed, there was one man who lingered, refusing to leave, his gaze fixed on Yu Zhi.
Sensing that gaze, Yu Zhi casually glanced up, and in the next moment, he paused, raising an eyebrow involuntarily.
Wei Rui’an was perceptive. “What’s up? Recognize him or caught your eye?”
Yu Zhi casually withdrew his gaze, seemingly unaffected. He hadn’t expected to see the protagonist here of all places.
Since the Lins’ downfall, he hadn’t paid any attention to the Lin family. Who would have thought that in just a few years, the protagonist would end up in such a situation?
In his opinion, even if the Lin family had fallen, they should still have tens of millions. With a bit of brains and planning, leading an ordinary family life wouldn’t be a problem. He hadn’t intended to wipe them out completely.
But now it seemed like a lot had happened to the Lin family.
However, Yu Zhi wasn’t interested in any of that.
He stood up, saying he needed to use the restroom and would be back in a moment.
Watching him leave, Lin Nuan gritted her teeth and seized an opportunity to slip out.
“President Yu, long time no see,” Lin Nuan finally caught up with him outside the restroom.
Yu Zhi replied, “Excuse me, you’re in the way.”
Lin Nuan ground her teeth and lowered her voice. “President Yu, shouldn’t you apologize to me for what happened in the past? It’s because of you that I’ve ended up like this!”
Yu Zhi: “………”
“Did I make your brother commit incest?”
Lin Nuan choked.
“Did I make you injure your mother, and then get kicked out after the incident?”
Lin Nuan was shocked. “How…how do you know?!” Could this man have been watching them all along? Watching until their demise?
The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he instinctively wanted to flee.
Yu Zhi originally didn’t know, but out of curiosity, he had just messaged his assistant.
The assistant was efficient and within minutes sent him the details.
Having no interest in explaining to this person, Yu Zhi bypassed him and left directly.
After so long of trying to please others, Lin Nuan suddenly encountered someone he had once admired. Even though he sensed danger, he didn’t want to give up easily. After coming to his senses, he hurriedly followed.
“President Yu, President Yu, it’s been so long. Don’t you even want to see me a little bit? Speaking of which, I haven’t seen my second brother in a long time. I heard our parents are not doing too well now. What do you think would happen if I had them go find my second brother?”
Yu Zhi furrowed his brow, pulling out his phone, intending to call his bodyguard to escort the person away.
“Long time no see, Young Master Lin, you still can’t understand human language, huh? You only have one big brother entangled with you, where did this second brother come from?”
The familiar voice made Yu Zhi pause, subconsciously turning his head to look.
The young man wore a light khaki knit sweater and black slim-fit trousers, which accentuated his long and straight legs. With his hands in his pockets, he appeared casual and relaxed.
The unfamiliar style and attire struck Yu Zhi with a hint of strangeness.
The first thought that crossed his mind was — he had grown taller.
The young man stepped forward, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the spot on Yu Zhi’s hand that Lin Nuan had inadvertently touched earlier.
“You…” Yu Zhi stuttered slightly, after all, he hadn’t expected to see the young man at this time, in this place.
The young man glanced at him, focusing on wiping his hands without saying a word.
Yu Zhi’s bewildered heart suddenly quieted down, and he smiled faintly.
“Welcome back.”
The young man finished cleaning his hands, tossed the handkerchief into the trash bin, and lifted his lips. “Thank you, sir, but I’d prefer to hear ‘Welcome Home’.”
……………………………
Author’s Note:
Yin Xu: Just got back and almost saw him getting taken advantage of. That old man needs to watch himself.
Yu Zhi: …Author, just tell me straight, did he get possessed?
Just kidding.
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