The Delicate and Frail One Everyone Hates - Chapter 1

The sound of conversation grew clearer, waking the person from their sleep.

Song Qie felt himself lying on a large, soft bed, but his body was in terrible pain. His chest throbbed with a dull ache. He thought to himself—hadn’t he been thrown off a bridge in a car accident? Had someone taken him to the hospital?

He actually survived?

Just as he was about to open his eyes, the voices nearby made him freeze.

“You knew Song Qie couldn’t go surfing or do such intense activities. Why did you let him go?”

“I’m sorry. It was my oversight.”

“Beihuai, I let you stay with the Song family because I thought you could help me look after him. You know his temper best; you know how spoiled he is. Besides, he has a heart condition. This time he drowned and caught a fever that almost caused heart inflammation. he can’t handle any more trouble. I don’t ask much of him, so please watch over him more. If he really won’t listen to you, come find me.”

“Understood, Uncle Song. This was my fault. I will be more careful from now on.”

“I know you’re a good kid. You’re hardworking and capable just like your father. You saved Song Qie again this time. Don’t worry about school; I will arrange for you to go abroad for university with Song Qie. I’ll have to trouble you to take more care of him in the future.”

“Yes, Uncle Song.”

“Starting tomorrow, his mother and I will be away for half a month. Keep a close eye on Song Qie during this time. Especially after he rests and goes back to school, don’t let him hang out with those rich playboys all day. He can’t drink or smoke. His health is not like theirs, yet he insists on doing these wild things. If he collapsed on the side of the road, no one would even know…”

The middle-aged man’s helpless tone could still be heard until the bedroom door clicked shut.

The large room quickly fell silent, making the sound of footsteps approaching the bed very clear.

Song Qie lay on the bed, staying in his original position. He held his breath as the footsteps drew closer. His heart pounded, and he didn’t dare open his eyes.

Wait, what was going on? Surfing? Heart disease? Lu Beihuai?

Wait, why did that sound familiar? Weren’t those the characters from the novel his sister, who loved reading, had just told him about?

It was the story of the “fake” young master, Song Qie, who took over someone else’s place, and the “true” young master, Lu Beihuai, who blackened for revenge. Lu Beihuai set a “gentle trap” for the fake young master, planning to pull the arrogant and bullying Song Qie into hell step by step.

He had set up a scheme lasting several years. In the end, he reclaimed his identity as the true young master, took over the company, and manufactured a scandal. Song Qie ended up dying in bed from a heart attack caused by drugs while playing “adult games” with men.

The true young master was pitiful, but he was also ruthless.

When Song Qie had heard his sister describe the plot, he could barely finish his own thesis because he felt so much secondhand embarrassment for the character.

…Wait, hold on!

Does that mean he is now…?

At that moment, the footsteps reached the bedside.

Suddenly, his cheek was pinched hard. He froze, not daring to move.

“Song Qie, why didn’t you just die?”

A deep, gloomy voice whispered near his ear.

Song Qie: “…” Who was pinching his face? Lu… Lu Beihuai? So scary! And it really hurt.

Wait, it really did hurt.

Was he actually pinching his face?

What???

He was now the “Song Qie” from the novel?

Song Qie tentatively and slowly opened his eyes.

Lu Beihuai had just been scolded, and his mood was terrible.

It was clearly this spoiled brat who insisted on surfing despite everyone’s warnings. He had no idea how weak his own body was, yet he messed around with those bad friends.

It was pure luck he hadn’t died.

Lu Beihuai expressionlessly reached out and pinched the pale face of the sleeping boy. With just a little force, the delicate skin turned red.

At that exact moment, the teenager slowly opened his eyes.

Perhaps the timing was too sudden; Lu Beihuai didn’t have time to pull his hand back. His gaze met a pair of watery, dazed eyes. The boy’s stunned expression revealed a sense of helplessness—he was afraid.

He already had poor health and was raised to be precious and delicate by his family. His face, as pale as snow, looked so lost that for a moment, he appeared truly pitiful.

Lu Beihuai’s fingertips paused. His expression shifted almost instantly from gloomy to gentle. He leaned down, changing the pinch into a light caress.

“Young master, are you awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

Song Qie: “…” This really wasn’t a dream.

It was real.

He had actually…

Travelled into the book.

He looked at the strange but handsome face close to his.

Hmm… this future big boss is actually quite handsome.

For a moment, he hadn’t fully realized the danger of his situation.

Seeing Song Qie staring at him blankly, Lu Beihuai wondered what trick he was playing or if the fever had turned him stupid. He said warmly, “Young master, let’s not play in the water next time. You can’t swim, so going into the water is very dangerous.”

Before Song Qie could react to the current situation, he saw Lu Beihuai walk to the side, unsure of what he was doing.

“Lu Beihuai?” He rolled over and sat up. His body felt soft and weak, making it a bit difficult to sit. Just as his feet touched the ground, Lu Beihuai walked back.

The next second, he was stunned.

“Young master, the dog is here.”

Song Qie had only meant to call his name to test things out. He didn’t expect Lu Beihuai to walk over and kneel on one knee by the bed, grabbing the foot Song Qie was about to place on the floor. Song Qie froze. His scalp tingled and his toes curled with embarrassment. What on earth is this “dog” thing!!

Arghhhhh!!

His habit of feeling embarrassed for others kicked in. He hurriedly pulled his foot back: “What dog? You… you stay calm.”

Lu Beihuai didn’t move. He stayed in that position and looked up at Song Qie, as if he had never seen him act this way before: “Young master, didn’t you say I was your dog?”

Song Qie: “…”

He was done for.

He didn’t know how to play this part. Was he going to die again?

Wait—

No, this must be a trap.

As the bullied victim, how could Lu Beihuai possibly enjoy being called a dog? Could it be that he was already suspicious?

Before he could speak, Lu Beihuai stood up.

Perhaps because his height and build were so superior, his broad shoulders and long legs in his black tracksuit created a sense of pressure that loomed over Song Qie.

Song Qie couldn’t help but look up. When he met Lu Beihuai’s dark, cold downward gaze, he immediately looked away. So scary! How did the original Song Qie dare to bully such a tall guy? He looked at his own thin arms and legs—it seemed the original Song Qie had no self-awareness.

Suddenly, he felt his body being lifted into the air. He let out a gasp of surprise.

“Don’t get out of bed yet. The doctor said you haven’t recovered. What do you want to do? Do you need to use the bathroom? I’ll carry you.”

Song Qie was placed back on the edge of the bed. Seeing Lu Beihuai sitting there with a face full of worry and care, he looked incredibly devoted.

Song Qie silently looked away, still reeling from the shock of the “dog is here” comment.

He understood a bit more now.

This Lu Beihuai was a “white-cut-black” (someone who looks innocent but is actually dark inside).

“You bumped it in the water earlier; your knees are still red.” Lu Beihuai held Song Qie’s right ankle. It was so white you could see the faint veins, and it was so thin it felt like it would snap if squeezed. He pulled up the loose pajama leg and looked at Song Qie, who was avoiding his gaze: “Does it hurt?”

Song Qie felt his ankle being gripped by that large hand, and his mind was exploding. How can it be like this!!

He tried his best to stay calm and didn’t look at Lu Beihuai: “It doesn’t hurt.”

What is wrong with this guy? Why is he touching me so much?

He tried to subtly pull his ankle away, but it was gripped tighter.

!!!

“Are you still angry with me?” Lu Beihuai didn’t let him hide. His gaze swept over the joint, which was red all the way to the ankle.

Song Qie carefully moved his ankle again.

Lu Beihuai’s hand suddenly tightened.

Song Qie suddenly felt like crying. His eyelashes trembled, and he whispered, “It hurts a little. Can you be gentler?”

The end of his sentence trembled. His dark, watery eyes and his pleading, sobbing tone were incredibly effective combined with his angelic face. It felt like even a heart of stone would break.

“Sorry, I hurt you.”

The slender ankle that had been gripped tightly now had a red mark, with faint traces of finger marks visible.

Lu Beihuai stood up and reached out to check the temperature of Song Qie’s forehead.

Song Qie instinctively dodged. After dodging, he peeked at Lu Beihuai’s hand frozen in mid-air. Looking up, he ran right into the man’s dark, cold eyes. In that instant, he felt like if he tried to escape, he would be snapped in half.

“…”

Waaaah, this person is so fierce! How did the original Song Qie dare to bully him???

He really had traveled into the book after his car accident. He finally understood the warnings he’d heard from his sister: If you meet a novel character with the same name as you, remember to memorize the whole plot.

He had truly become the “Song Qie” in the book—the one who would die in bed in a few years.

No, this absolutely wouldn’t do. He had to change his approach. It must still be in time. He needed to find a way to return the “true young master” status to Lu Beihuai early. While Lu Beihuai didn’t know his real identity yet, he had to make sure Lu Beihuai’s hatred didn’t grow too deep.

Otherwise, the one dying in bed in a few years would be him. Thinking about it now, he’d rather just be dead.

What should he do, what should he do?

Just as Lu Beihuai was about to withdraw his hand, he saw the forehead that had dodged him earlier move back cautiously. Like a timid little deer, Song Qie actively tilted his head up and pressed his forehead back into Lu Beihuai’s palm.

The palm brushed against soft, slightly feverish skin.

The movement was very light, like a subtle peace offering. However, the high temperature of the forehead drew Lu Beihuai’s attention back.

He frowned slightly: “You’re burning up again. Do you feel sick anywhere?”

Song Qie forced back his emotions and shook his head: “I want to sleep.”

This was the truth. Sleeping would help him avoid too much talking so he could organize his thoughts—specifically, how to win over this high-school-aged future boss before he fully turned evil.

After saying that, he crawled back into bed and pulled up the blanket, ready to sleep.

But his ankle was grabbed again.

His body froze. Why!!! Why does he keep touching me!!

“I forgot to help you take off your socks just now. Take them off first.” Seeing Song Qie preparing to go back to sleep, Lu Beihuai wanted to help him with his socks, but he accidentally noticed that the boy’s ears and neck had turned bright red instantly.

“No need, thank you.” Song Qie quickly pulled his feet in and covered himself with the blanket. He figured if he said two more words, he might expose himself.

The “Song Qie” in the book was arrogant and clearly an extrovert, but he was an introvert. If he spoke more, he wouldn’t be able to act “cool” and would probably start stuttering. He needed to organize his thoughts first—stop touching me!!

Lu Beihuai stood by the bed. He looked at the back of the head slightly peeking out from the blanket and could see that the tips of the ears were still bright red.

Thank you?

What kind of “playing hard to get” game was this arrogant guy playing now? Was he shy? Not likely.

Was it still the fever?