The Real Young Master is Entangled by the Paranoid Fake Young Master - Chapter 6

“Hello. I am Chen Zhaoqing, the ‘little jinx’ you were just talking about.”

“Madam, I assume you have already received my DNA test results?”

“The report states that I am the biological son of this… oh, Mr. Song Shicheng.”

“Madam, I understand that accepting a ‘vulgar, low-class wild child’ like me as your grandson isn’t easy for you. But that’s perfect, because I have absolutely no intention of letting you or Mr. Song ‘accept’ me anyway.”

“In my eyes, your recognition is as worthless as trash.”

“However, given what you just said, I am quite curious. If I am a ‘jinx,’ then what does that make you. Your son, and your grandson?”

Zhaoqing’s finger pointed slowly at every person who had just pushed through the door.

When the Song family entered the room, they found a sixteen-year-old boy standing there with a calm, mocking expression. Before they could even open their mouths, Zhaoqing’s sharp ridicule hit them in waves, leaving the Old Madam and Song Shicheng with no time to react.

“You! You! You’re that little jin you’re Song Zhaoqing?!”

The Old Madam hadn’t expected Zhaoqing to be in Song Yuening’s room, let alone that he would have heard every word she said. She smoothed her hair awkwardly, clearly embarrassed at being caught red-handed. After all, she cultivated an image of a noble and generous matriarch; how could she be caught gossiping like a common shrew?

Seeing her guilty expression, Zhaoqing burst out laughing. It was simply hilarious to him. He remembered how, in his past life, he had practically crawled in the dust during their first meeting, viewing this woman as a sacred statue to be worshipped.

Now, seeing her “paper tiger” facade crumble after a single blunt scolding, Zhaoqing felt a wave of pity for his past self.

A gentleman fears virtue, not power; a villain fears power, not virtue. He had held the Songs in far too high a regard. Now that he didn’t view them as superior beings, they weren’t scary at all.

Hearing Zhaoqing insult his mother, Song Shicheng frowned. Truly, the boy was just as vulgar and ignorant as Lin Qi’s report suggested. How could someone like this be a Song? Making him a ‘foster son’ instead of a biological heir was definitely the right move!

“Zhaoqing, you are far too impudent! Is this how you speak to your grandmother? It seems we need to hire tutors to teach you some proper rules!”

Song Shicheng snorted, watching the Old Madam clutch her chest in simulated distress. Song Zhiyuan, ever the model of a refined gentleman, didn’t miss his chance to join in.

“That’s right, Zhaoqing. We are family. How can you upset Grandmother the moment you return? Besides, the Songs have acknowledged your identity. You must remember: you are no longer Chen Zhaoqing. You are Song Zhaoqing, and only Song Zhaoqing. You represent the face of this family. If you behave like this and embarrass us, it is the family that has to cover for you. Be sensible, understood? Apologize to Grandmother.”

“Song Zhaoqing or Chen Zhaoqing what’s the difference?”

“When have you ever treated me as a Song? To whom do I need to apologize? Which part of what I said wasn’t the truth?” Zhaoqing wasn’t intimidated in the least.

Zhiyuan’s “refined” lecture might have terrified the Zhaoqing of the past, but it had no effect now. Zhaoqing had always sensed a strange, hidden hostility from Zhiyuan, one that didn’t just stem from the threat to Yuening’s status.

In his past life, he finally understood where that hatred came from when he saw Zhiyuan kiss the sleeping Yuening’s forehead. Even the “calm and rational” Song Zhiyuan was capable of jealousy. He was jealous of Zhaoqing’s “closeness” to Yuening. Yuening’s fake kindness had fooled not only Zhaoqing but also this “brother” who loved Yuening in a way he shouldn’t.

Of all the Songs, Zhaoqing loathed the hypocritical Song Zhiyuan the most.

The Old Madam was arrogant, and the father was cold and pragmatic. Having run a household alone while living with a gambler, Zhaoqing had once desperately hoped for a kind older brother to stand by his side. He had admired Zhiyuan’s “upright” image.

What a joke. He hadn’t realized that Zhiyuan’s hatred was bone-deep. If Yuening treated him with total contempt, Zhiyuan was the one who hypocritically wished for Zhaoqing to meet the most miserable end possible, all while wearing a mask of righteousness.

“Song Zhaoqing! What is that supposed to mean?”

Zhiyuan’s face darkened at the retort, but before he could strike back, the patriarch exploded.

“The Songs were gracious enough to take you in, and yet you’ve brought all the filthy habits of a gambler with you! To be this disrespectful to your elders… what a misfortune for this family! This is Yuening’s room, and I will not have you disturbing his rest. Go home immediately and reflect on your sins! Otherwise, the Songs will act as if we never had a son like you!”

Reflect on my sins?

Zhaoqing knew what that meant. Song Shicheng intended to use “Family Law” a heavy sandalwood cane tipped with brass. It was hard to believe such a feudal, physical punishment existed in modern society, but the Song family thrived on it. New-age morality was just a mask for outsiders; feudal cruelty was their true nature.

In his past life, Zhaoqing’s skin had been flayed open by that cane many times. But in this life, Song Shicheng wouldn’t touch a hair on his head. Zhaoqing was no longer afraid of this “paper tiger” father who viewed him through a tinted lens.

Shicheng thought the threat of losing his “Song identity” would make Zhaoqing beg for mercy. But Zhaoqing wanted nothing more than to be rid of the name. If he could drain every drop of Song blood from his veins, he would do it in a heartbeat!

However, he knew they wouldn’t let him leave. They were a family that wanted something from others but insisted on being worshipped for it. It was nauseating.

In his past life, Zhaoqing thought they took him back out of blood-bond affection. He later learned the truth: they only endured the “jinx” because of the massive inheritance left by his maternal grandfather!

Zhaoqing’s biological mother was Shicheng’s second wife. Shicheng was a womanizer; his first wife, Zhiyuan’s mother, was a starlet who died four years into the marriage. His second wife, Zhaoqing’s mother, was the only daughter of the elite Sun family.

Shicheng had targeted her only to swallow the Sun family’s assets. He used the marriage to steal trade secrets and poach talent, eventually driving the Sun family into ruin. He then stopped pretending to be a kind husband and returned to his philandering ways. The Old Madam, too, had been jealous of the high-born Sun daughter-in-law.

The Sun daughter wanted a divorce but found herself pregnant. She died in a “drowning accident” six months after giving birth. Her heartbroken father followed her to the grave shortly after, but not before leaving a massive inheritance to his only living relative, his grandson.

The money was held in a trust that the Songs couldn’t touch unless the grandson “voluntarily” transferred it to them. Shicheng had since married a third time, but the Song Group was currently overextended and desperate for cash. They needed that inheritance.

The trust lawyer, however, stipulated that a DNA test was required to prove the bloodline hadn’t been swapped. When they tested Yuening, the world collapsed: he wasn’t a Sun. After testing Shicheng, they realized Yuening wasn’t even a Song. He had been swapped at birth.

The Songs loved the brilliant Yuening too much to give him up, and they loathed the “clumsy” Zhaoqing who had been raised by a gambler. But they needed the “jinx” for the money.

So, when Shicheng threatened to kick him out, Zhaoqing simply didn’t care.

“Fine. If the Songs don’t want to acknowledge me, then so be it. I don’t care. Mr. Song, if you agree, we can nullify the adoption papers right now. My life is no longer your concern.”

Zhaoqing was more than happy to oblige.

“You… you impudent brat!” Shicheng was shaking with rage. He signaled his bodyguards to seize Zhaoqing and take him back to the estate.

“What? You plan on kidnapping me now?” Zhaoqing’s voice was like ice. He bet Shicheng wouldn’t dare use force yet; he still needed Zhaoqing to sign over the inheritance.

Shicheng was stunned that his intimidation failed. He shot a furious, questioning look at Lin Qi. How did you handle this? Didn’t you say he was desperate for love and easy to control? Does this look ‘easy’ to you?!

Lin Qi, drenched in sweat, realized that since waking up in the car, Song Zhaoqing had become a completely different person.

The standoff continued until Song Zhiyuan stepped in again.

“Zhaoqing! Listen to me. Father is just angry; he doesn’t really want to punish you. Why won’t you just apologize? No parent is ever truly in the wrong. You can’t expect Father and Grandmother to bow down and say sorry to you, can you?”

The words were meant to sound like a reconciliation but were actually a goad. Shicheng’s brow furrowed deeper. Zhaoqing gave Zhiyuan a long, meaningful look before responding:

“You’re right. We can’t have ‘Father’ apologize to me. How about this? Since you, Song Zhiyuan, are such a filial son, why don’t you ease Father’s burden? I don’t need Father or Grandmother to apologize. I just want to see you, Song Zhiyuan, get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness.”

Zhaoqing’s voice was soft and pleasant, making the statement sound almost like a joke. But Zhiyuan saw the cold, unwavering determination in his eyes.

He can’t be serious, Zhiyuan thought, stunned.

Zhaoqing walked toward him, step by step, until he was inches from Zhiyuan’s face. Looking into his shocked, angry eyes, Zhaoqing said playfully:

“What? Unwilling? It seems you aren’t such a ‘filial son’ after all, are you?”