The Real Young Master is Entangled by the Paranoid Fake Young Master - Chapter 13

Song Shicheng arranged Zhaoqing’s new room quickly.

The good news was that the room was clean, quiet, and spacious, furnished with everything he could possibly need.

The bad news was that the room was separated from Song Yuening’s by only a single wall. Moreover, the room featured a large balcony that sat adjacent to Yuening’s. The gap between the two balconies was so narrow that one could climb from one side to the other with almost no effort. If the balcony doors weren’t locked at night, there was virtually no privacy to speak of.

Zhaoqing had hated Song Yuening for a long time, so he wasn’t particularly thrilled with this arrangement. However, he quickly realized that Yuening was currently avoiding him as much as possible; the boy wouldn’t risk the effort or the embarrassment of sneaking over. With that thought, Zhaoqing dismissed the idea of asking for a room change.

The room was silent. Zhaoqing turned on his desk lamp and focused intensely on his high school textbooks.

Before his rebirth, Zhaoqing had been out of school for many years. He had forgotten almost all of his high school knowledge and desperately needed to catch up. While using the Song family’s money to disrupt their plans was important, his ultimate dream was still to attend a university of his choice. He wanted to break free from the Song family’s control and create a new, independent, and brilliant life. To do that, a degree from a top university and a wealth of knowledge were essential.

As expected, no one came to disturb him until late into the night.

Having completed his tasks for the day, Zhaoqing rubbed his temples and finally looked up from the stack of books. He walked to the balcony to take a few deep breaths of fresh air, then felt his stomach growl. He prepared to go downstairs to find something to eat.

In the Song household, everyone’s arrival times were irregular, so the kitchen always kept freshly made, exquisite late-night snacks on hand. However, the Old Madam seemed to have “conveniently” forgotten Zhaoqing’s existence; no servant had called him down for dinner.

Zhaoqing knew the old woman viewed him as a “jinx,” but he didn’t care about her feelings. He ducked into the kitchen, helped himself to a plate of lotus seed cakes and a glass of juice, and began to eat heartily. The Song family chef was talented; after a few cakes, Zhaoqing felt satisfied and returned to his room.

This time, though no one cared about his well-being, the social-climbing servants at least gave him a wide berth. They even seemed a bit fearful; when they saw him eating in the kitchen, they didn’t dare say a word and simply slipped away. Zhaoqing was happy for the peace. It seemed the news of his confrontation with Housekeeper Yu that morning had already spread among the staff.

Many people in this world preferred to bully the weak while fearing the strong. If you treated them with politeness, they laughed at your weakness; if you acted fierce and overbearing, they immediately backed down.

Back in his room, Zhaoqing found himself unable to sleep. The events since his rebirth swirled in his mind. He turned on the desk lamp, leaned over his desk, and began to write a simple “Rebirth Plan.”

Luck had never been on his side, but this rebirth was the only chance he’d ever get to turn the tables. He couldn’t afford to be passive.

First, he had to find Fang Yang. Even though Fang Yang didn’t know him yet in this timeline, Zhaoqing had to find a way to invest in his project.

Second, he had to carefully consider his grandfather’s inheritance. Zhaoqing knew the only reason Song Shicheng had so easily agreed to give him three million was because he believed the grandfather’s massive estate would eventually fall into the Song family’s pockets. To Shicheng, the three million was just bait to hook the entire Sun family fortune.

According to the will, Zhaoqing could access half the inheritance at seventeen. But as a minor, his access to such wealth would be strictly limited by his legal guardian his nominal father, Song Shicheng. Furthermore, Zhaoqing currently had no power, no allies, and no degree. If he pushed Shicheng too hard, his life might truly be at risk. Zhaoqing knew it would be difficult to get that money into his own hands right away.

However, thinking of this didn’t make him anxious. He held a secret that no one in the Song family knew: the “promising” new project that Shicheng pinned all his hopes on was about to fail spectacularly.

In the past life, Shicheng had tricked Zhaoqing into investing half of his inheritance into that project. It had looked grand for a while, and even the Fu family who had lured Shicheng into the deal eventually transferred their shares to the Songs. The Song family’s status skyrocketed.

But the success was short-lived. A sudden, critical problem arose, catching Shicheng off guard. The Songs lost nearly everything and were forced out of the ranks of elite families. If it hadn’t been for a few subsequent projects barely keeping them afloat, they would have been a laughingstock for decades. During that time, the household was a place of tension; even the children had to walk on eggshells to avoid Shicheng’s wrath.

Zhaoqing felt a pang of pain knowing his grandfather’s lifelong hard work would be partially wasted by Shicheng, the man who had indirectly killed his mother. But if that money could pave a path of ruin for the arrogant Song family, it would serve as revenge for both his mother and grandfather. Thus, Zhaoqing decided not to provoke Shicheng yet. He would wait. That money would be the Songs’ death warrant; they had taken what didn’t belong to them, and in both lives, Shicheng, Zhiyuan, and the Old Madam would meet their deserved ends.

Finally, the most pressing issue: the timeline. Soon, he was scheduled to transfer to the First High School (No. 1 High). This meant that if he didn’t act, he would once again cross paths with Fu Lansheng and the other bullies.

Zhaoqing didn’t trust Song Yuening for a second. He didn’t expect Yuening to help him just because he’d saved his life. Yuening was someone without a shred of gratitude; he viewed everyone as a pawn. If he didn’t actively make things worse, Zhaoqing would consider it a miracle. Zhaoqing had to protect himself.

But as a teenager, where could he go if not No. 1 High? The city’s famous international school? That was out of the question. In his past life, after he had a falling out with Yuening, he was forced to transfer to that international school  and that was where he met Xie Chengxuan, the ex-boyfriend who had entangled him for a decade. Xie Chengxuan had used fake affection to win him over, and Zhaoqing had foolishly thought they could be happy together.

He hadn’t realized then that Yuening’s influence reached everywhere. Xie Chengxuan was Yuening’s loyal “dog.” The entire relationship was a cruel prank designed to seduce Zhaoqing just so he could be dumped and humiliated to appease Yuening. Even after Yuening went abroad and Xie Chengxuan saw his chances with him fading, he hadn’t confessed. He had kept Zhaoqing on the hook while cheating on him and hiding the truth about Fang Yang’s death.

Zhaoqing was deeply troubled. He couldn’t go to No. 1 High, but he also had to avoid Xie Chengxuan.

He pulled out his phone and began searching the local education news. Suddenly, a headline caught his eye: [Three Students from No. A High Specially Recruited and Early Accepted by T-University].

Of course! No. A High! Zhaoqing nearly stood up in excitement.

He remembered now. No. A High, which used to be considered a mediocre school among the top high schools, had recently hired a new principal. This principal focused heavily on specialized education and well-rounded development. The school produced many “specialty” students in sports, art, technology, and science who were recruited early by top universities. Within a few years, No. A High would become just as prestigious as No. 1 High and even show signs of overtaking it.

Going to No. A High would not only help him avoid his enemies but also allow him to meet many future industry leaders. These invisible networks would be invaluable to him and Fang Yang.

Now, only one problem remained: how to get Song Shicheng to agree. To Shicheng, No. A High was currently unremarkable. For the sake of “face,” he wouldn’t want Zhaoqing to attend a “mediocre” school. Given the tension between them, if Zhaoqing suggested it directly, Shicheng would likely refuse just to spite him or out of suspicion.

What should I do? Zhaoqing twirled his pen cap, lost in thought.

Just then, a sharp “tap-tap-tap” of knocking came from the door. Before he could even ask who, it was  a bratty voice rang through the wood.

“Song Zhaoqing! I know you’re not asleep. Come out! I have something to say to you!”

It was the Song family’s little princess, Song Lili.

Zhaoqing’s eyes lit up. Perfect! If I can’t say it, it doesn’t mean Song Lili can’t say it for me!