The Real Young Master is Entangled by the Paranoid Fake Young Master - Chapter 34

Inside Xihai Resort

(Zhaoqing) had woken up very early today and was currently yawning fit to burst. It was 3:00 PM, and he desperately wanted to return to his room for a soak in the hot springs. However, Old Mistress Song had invited far too many people; the banquet hall was packed with socialites, so Zhaoqing grabbed a sparkling drink and propped his chin on his hand, playing his role as an “invisible person.”

“Did you hear? The main line of the Jiang family is moving back to the country to settle down, and they’ve reportedly chosen our city!”

“Really? I thought they’d go to B-City for sure. After all, Old Mistress Jiang’s ancestors were part of the B-City elite.”

“It’s definitely our S-City! I sent people to look into it. I even have an inside scoop…”

“What is it? Tell us!”

“I heard there’s a very important reason for the Jiang family’s move… they’re actually coming to find a long-lost relative!”

“Finding a relative? Who could it be? Does the Jiang family have important kin left in the country?”

“That, I don’t know.”

“Tch, and here you were saying your news was absolutely certain.”

Zhaoqing, who had been on the verge of nodding off, was suddenly jolted awake by those words.

The Jiang family? Finding a relative?

Could it be that legendary, mysterious Jiang family of Country A? Looking at the entire nation, there wasn’t even half a family that could compete with the Jiangs. However, it was said that their lineage was thin, which was why they had the habit of adopting sons.

Speaking of Jiang family adoptees, Zhaoqing immediately thought of (Han Yizhu), later known as Jiang Yizhu.

The reason Han Yizhu eventually gained the Xie family’s recognition as Xie Chengxuan’s official fiancé wasn’t just because he’d managed to seduce Xie Chengxuan into bed; it was because of his connection to the Jiang family. But Zhaoqing had always found it strange in his past life how did the vulgar Han Yizhu get chosen as a Jiang adoptee? Aside from his face, which bore a slight resemblance to Song Yuening’s, there was nothing special about him.

Does being a good seducer count as a special talent? Is that the Jiang family’s standard?

As Zhaoqing’s mind wandered, someone lightly tapped his shoulder. He turned to see that it was none other than (Xie Chengxuan), the man Han Yizhu had spent his life chasing.

The faint smile on Zhaoqing’s face vanished instantly. He turned to leave, but Xie Chengxuan blocked him urgently.

“Don’t be in such a rush to leave! Song Zhaoqing, I have business with you. Why do you run every time you see me?”

Because you’re bad luck, Zhaoqing thought. He snapped back, “You got me brought to the police station; I’m not helping you chase Song Yuening!”

“I didn’t want you to help me with that!” Xie Chengxuan barked as he intercepted him again. “Yes, I admit, I wanted your help before. But after what happened last time, I’d be too ashamed to ask again. Besides, I’ve cut ties with those two bastards. Let them rot in jail; are you satisfied now?”

Xie Chengxuan, breaking his usual silence, spoke a mountain of words in one breath. Zhaoqing only gave a cold reply: “That was your choice. What does it have to do with whether I’m satisfied?”

“Hey, you…!” Xie Chengxuan had been pampered since childhood; he had never dealt with such a cold reception. If anyone else treated him this way, he would have stormed off long ago. But with Zhaoqing, he found he couldn’t even summon a temper.

“I, I have something to give Yuening and! Just as a side-thought! I have one for you too! Go to my room and pick it up!” As Xie Chengxuan said this, his face suddenly turned red.

This morning, he had packed two gift boxes into his luggage like precious treasures, warning the servants not to let them get damaged. Inside were two gifts he had painstakingly selected. Song Yuening’s was a crystal because in his heart, Yuening was as pure and sacred as crystal.

But what to give Song Zhaoqing?

The boy wasn’t like glass; he was like a stubborn, hard stone, or like a weed by the road—lowly yet incredibly resilient. Without realizing it, Xie Chengxuan had grown lost in thought.

Ultimately, he had personally made a pottery jar for him, engraving both of their initials on the surface. Pottery wasn’t as expensive as crystal, but it was the first gift the fearless Second Young Master Xie had ever made with his own hands. In fact, he had spent more time on the jar than on the crystal.

He felt Zhaoqing was like pottery earthy and not as “noble” as crystal, unable to withstand a heavy blow. Yet even if he shattered into a thousand pieces, he would still be himself; he would return to the earth as clay, impossible to truly destroy.

In truth, it wasn’t a ‘side-thought’ at all. When you see it, you’ll know I put my heart into it.

Xie Chengxuan felt a mix of anticipation, awkwardness, and excitement. For some reason, every time he saw Song Zhaoqing, his heart became a tangled mess. One moment he felt like he was flying, better than the thrill of a motorcycle; the next, he felt like his heart was being squeezed until he couldn’t breathe.

He couldn’t stand the boy’s neglect and coldness. He wished they could be closer even if it was just like the bond Zhaoqing had with his other classmates. But he also knew that if they actually got that close, he’d probably greedily want even more.

After all, when they first met, Xie Chengxuan’s only wish was that next time, the boy wouldn’t look at him with such terror before running away.

Am I really that scary? Xie Chengxuan asked himself.

“I’m not going. If you want to give it to Song Yuening, do it yourself.” Why should I be a gopher for your love life? Zhaoqing shrugged him off and walked away without looking back.

He moved so fast it was as if a crocodile were chasing him. How ridiculous, he thought. Song Yuening haunts me every day, and now Xie Chengxuan is looking for me too. I’m not even an obstacle anymore, and they’re both in the same resort can’t they just date each other without me being the ‘litmus test’ for their love? He was completely baffled by their psychopathic logic.

The only thing he knew for sure was that he had no intention of being a substitute or a third wheel.

Xie Chengxuan was stunned that Zhaoqing would actually just run away in public. He was about to chase him when he collided with someone at the final corner.

“Who is it? Don’t you have eyes?” Xie Chengxuan was already irritable from Zhaoqing’s avoidance. His tone was harsh.

“My apologies.” (Song Yuening) apologized immediately upon hearing the arrogant tone. “Young Master Xie, I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. Yuening, I didn’t know it was you. Are you hurt?” Normally, a soft word from his dream boy would have sent Xie Chengxuan’s heart into a flutter. But now, thinking of the vanished Zhaoqing and his undelivered gift, his response was involuntarily perfunctory.

In the past, he had longed to see Song Yuening, even if they never spoke. But now, he saw him often, yet his mind was always on someone else. Furthermore, he realized he didn’t like it when Song Yuening and Song Zhaoqing appeared together.

Even if they weren’t doing anything intimate, there was a strange, “unbreakable” vibe between them that made Xie Chengxuan feel like an intruder. He hated that feeling.

Song Yuening chatted for a few more minutes, but Xie Chengxuan was clearly distracted, his eyes constantly darting over Song Yuening’s shoulder. Song Yuening noticed the look; his face stiffened for a split second before he adjusted his expression and asked:

“Young Master Xie, are you looking for Zhaoqing? I saw him run past just now. Did he upset you?”

“Oh, no, no.” Seeing that Zhaoqing had truly disappeared, Xie Chengxuan gave up. He decided he would just find him in his room later. “Actually, I’m the one who upset him.” He had a rare moment of self-awareness.

“Is that so?” Song Yuening’s tone was slightly exaggerated. “In that case, I suggest you don’t go looking for him right now.”

Xie Chengxuan frowned in confusion. Song Yuening continued: “You might not understand Zhaoqing’s personality. Once he’s angry, he doesn’t cool down easily. If you go to him now, he won’t forgive you.”

Song Yuening spoke with such conviction that Xie Chengxuan began to believe him. After all, they lived together; Yuening surely knew him better.

“But I… I have a gif I have something for him!” Xie Chengxuan said, torn.

“It’s fine. You can give it to me, and I’ll deliver it for you. Wouldn’t that work?” Song Yuening suggested smoothly.

To his surprise, Xie Chengxuan shook his head firmly. “Forget it, Yuening. It’s not anything important. I can find him in a few days. We’re going to be here for a while anyway; he’ll probably be fine once he cools down.”

This was the first time in his life Xie Chengxuan had ever refused a request from Song Yuening. Song Yuening hadn’t expected the “idiot” to be so clear-headed on this matter. He fell silent for a moment before taking a step back:

“Since it’s a small matter, I’ll help you explain things to him. Maybe he’ll cool down faster that way. How about this: I’ll go and test the waters for you. You stay away for now, otherwise he’ll see that we’ve ‘colluded’ together. Once he’s calm, I promise he’ll come looking for you.”

“But…”

“We’re friends, right? Trust me, with my help, he won’t stay mad for long.” Song Yuening said, giving him no room to refuse.

“Alright then. But if he’s still angry, you have to tell me.” Seeing Song Yuening being so helpful, Xie Chengxuan decided it was a good plan, at least it would prevent another immediate conflict.

As Xie Chengxuan relented, the smile on Song Yuening’s face became a touch more genuine.

Meanwhile, Zhaoqing had returned to his room. He was preparing for a soak when he received a link from (Fang Yang).

“What’s this? ‘Test Your Soulmate’? Are you that bored?!” Zhaoqing looked at the test and started a voice call with Fang Yang.

“Hey, you’re on vacation, why are you being so serious? It’s just a fun test! It’s really popular lately. I already finished mine; you should try it too!” Fang Yang pestered him.

Fang Yang had recently become obsessed with horoscopes and personality tests, so Zhaoqing had been humoring him by doing a few. “Fine, fine, I give up.” Zhaoqing opened the test and began clicking through the options without thinking too much.

The first few were easy, but they grew stranger as he went on. Some questions were things he’d never considered; he had always been passive in romance, he liked whoever showed him kindness first. As for his actual “type”…

Zhaoqing looked at the options:

• A. Sunny, Athletic “Puppy” Type
• B. Gentle and Elegant Older Professor
• C. Cold, Rich, Overbearing CEO
• D. Tragic Backstory, Gloomy Senior
• E. Yandere, “Green Tea” (Manipulative), Beautiful Childhood Friend

Zhaoqing’s hand seemed to have a mind of its own, drifting toward Option E. Just as he was about to click, an image of Song Yuening flashed through his mind.

Yandere… manipulative… beautiful… childhood friend…

Every word described him. No, no, no! How ridiculous! Zhaoqing hurriedly clicked Option D instead.

He was about to continue when a knock came at the door.

“Zhaoqing, are you there? I have something to tell you…”

It was Song Yuening. Zhaoqing hurriedly hung up on Fang Yang and straightened his clothes, opening the door with a guilty conscience.

“What is it?” Zhaoqing asked, swallowing nervously and acting cold.

Song Yuening lowered his head, casually tucking a strand of long hair behind his ear. He spoke with a mix of gentleness and “green tea” manipulation:

“I came to tell you… the resort manager just spoke to Father and Eldest Brother. He said the ecological environment around here is getting better, so there have been sightings of jackals on the mountain. They aren’t as fierce as wolves, but they hunt in packs. If someone gets lost in the back mountain and runs out of strength, they might not be able to fend off such a cunning animal. So, unless it’s necessary, try not to go there. Let’s go tell (Li Li) together; she listens to you now, and she’s far too playful. She’ll only behave if you’re the one to tell her.”

Zhaoqing thought his reasoning was sound. Plus, after hearing about Fang Yang’s near-kidnapping, his right eyelid had been twitching a sign of impending trouble. He decided it was best to be cautious. He nodded and reached for his phone to head out.

In the split second before the screen went dark, Song Yuening’s sharp eyes caught a few keywords from the soulmate test. His expression changed violently, a dark, unreadable shadow crossing his eyes.

But when Zhaoqing looked back, the ruthlessness was gone. He was the same refined, cold Song Yuening as before. Those few moments of malice were like a hallucination.

Xie Chengxuan lay on his bed, waiting anxiously. He eventually stopped playing on his phone.

He waited and waited. Two hours passed. His patience was at its end, and he was about to go find Zhaoqing himself, when an object was thrown through his open window.

He rushed over to pick it up. It was a small stone wrapped in paper. He unfolded the paper; it had a single sentence written in black ink:

[8:00 PM tonight, meet near the Yunxi Pool in the back mountain. – Song Zhaoqing]

Xie Chengxuan was overjoyed. His spirits soared. Yuening was right! he thought happily.

[Author’s Note]: This is a mess! “Green Tea” Xiao Ning, Ex-boyfriend Xiao Xie, and Zhaoqing all think they are the “third wheel” between the other two… Who do you think threw the stone?

PS: Why did Zhaoqing “help” Xie Chengxuan keep his secret? Because Song Yuening already knows Xie Chengxuan likes him! Only Xie Chengxuan thinks he’s being cold because he doesn’t know; in reality, Song Yuening knows everything but hates him, so he pretends to be oblivious while occasionally using the Xie family’s power. (Song Yuening is just that hypocritical).

Zhaoqing is wary of both of them. He’s afraid that if he exposes the secret, Song Yuening will reject him, and the “idiot” Xie will blame Zhaoqing for the failure. Zhaoqing has no power right now; he’d be crushed between them. He assumes the worst of their characters, so he refuses to get involved in their business.

In the past life, Song Yuening only “broke” when Zhaoqing became Xie’s boyfriend because he viewed Zhaoqing as his property. Otherwise, he would have kept using Xie. So Zhaoqing isn’t keeping a secret for Xie’s sake—he’s just trying to keep the fire from spreading to himself! (Zhaoqing’s only leverage right now is his grandfather’s inheritance and the adoption contract, it’s a delicate balance he doesn’t want to break).