The Sickly Beauty is Too Good at Seducing - Chapter 28

Shen Congbai was pinned to the spot by those words. He turned his eyes with difficulty to look at Old Master Shen, who sat regally in the center, and said bitterly, “He’s right.”

Jiang Yan stood beside him and reached out to take his hand, but Shen Congbai jerked away. Like an act of self-flagellation, he repeated the truth over and over: “Jiang Yan and I were swapped over twenty years ago. He is the true young master of the Shen family.”

Shen Congbai’s internal state was nowhere near as calm as his exterior. Even though he had prepared himself for this, when he finally faced it, humiliation and shame completely occupied his heart.

His face burned. Suppressing the tremor in his voice, he took Jiang Yan’s hand, walked before Old Master Shen, and lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I actually knew for a long time, but I was terrified of being kicked out of the Shen family. So, I kept begging… CEO Shen to help me keep the secret. I even asked someone to trap Jiang Yan in Port A. It was all my fault.”

Tears shimmered in his eyes like glass that would shatter at a single strike; his pupils were flooded with fine, watery light.

A dull thud echoed from the nearby wooden table. Old Master Shen pulled his hand back and pointed at Shen Congbai, roaring, “You scoundrel!”

“When has the Shen family ever mistreated you? How many years did you need the Shen bloodline to wander outside before it was enough? I should have listened to your father back then and cut off your medical expenses. Let you die of illness early on, and then Xiao Que wouldn’t have wasted so much energy on you.”

The blood rushed to Shen Congbai’s head. Overwhelming shame turned his eyes red instantly, but he forced a bitter smile and whispered, “Grandfather is right to scold me.”

Old Master Shen spoke coldly, looking at him as if he were a piece of useless trash. “A fake who came from who-knows-where has no right to call me Grandfather.”

A wave of mockery erupted from the surrounding crowd. Shen Congbai’s vision became a blur as the mist in his eyes rose. These elegantly dressed nobles seemed to sprout crimson, gaping maws, their shadows flickering beneath them like ghosts, ready to rush forward and tear him to pieces in the next second.

Shen Congbai trembled all over, his lips pressed white. Just then, Feng Yu stepped in front of him. His broad back shielded him completely, as if cutting off all the malicious gazes.

He heard Feng Yu speak: “Old man, have you scolded enough?”

Old Master Shen had always looked down on Feng Yu’s “thuggish” ways. Used to exerting authority in the Shen house, he instinctively tried to lecture the junior: “I am handling Shen family affairs. Does the Feng family intend to intervene?”

Shen Congbai tugged at Feng Yu’s clothes and whispered, “It’s fine. Don’t get involved.”

He already owed Feng Yu too much. If Feng Yu got entangled now, it might sever the last shred of cordiality between the Feng and Shen families.

Feng Yu let out a sneer and lifted his chin slightly, glancing at the crowd. “The Shen family’s business is none of my concern, but Shen Congbai is my boyfriend. You dare touch him? Do you intend to oppose the Feng family?”

The room fell into a stunned silence. Even Old Master Shen’s gaze toward Shen Congbai changed.

The old man hadn’t expected the Feng boy to be so devoted to Shen Congbai. The scales in his heart wavered as he weighed the cost of supporting a sickly person against the benefits of winning over the Feng family.

Shen Congbai felt extremely uncomfortable, being scrutinized like an object. It felt like a bristly caterpillar crawling over his body, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

It was that same strange look again. Every time he came to the old manor with Shen Que, Old Master Shen looked at him this way. He had never thought deeply about it before, assuming he was just being sensitive; he would always happily share the gifts from the old man with Shen Que.

Thinking about it now, he finally understood. In the Shen family, he had always been a tradeable commodity. When useful, he was given small favors to win his heart; when useless, he was cast aside like a worn-out shoe, mocked and insulted in front of outsiders without mercy.

He thought dazed: How is this any different from my past life? No wonder Shen Que treated me that way. He felt utterly disappointed, completely abandoning any thought of reconciliation.

He stood straight with Feng Yu’s support. Sensing Feng Yu’s worried gaze, he shook his head to signal he was alright.

Shen Congbai’s heart hadn’t known peace since he learned he was the “fake” young master, but now that the truth was exposed, it finally landed on solid ground.

He spoke calmly: “I have wronged the Shen family. I came here today, firstly, to apologize to the Shen family, and secondly, to return the identity to Jiang Yan entirely.”

Shen Que’s fingers curled tight as he suddenly looked at him. “Wuwu, don’t speak out of anger. Even without a blood relation, the Shen family won’t abandon you.”

Shen Congbai gave him a faint smile. Since returning from Port A, this was the most he had smiled, yet it made people feel inexplicably uneasy.

“It’s not anger,” Shen Congbai said softly. “I won’t take anything with me including the shares my father left me. I’m transferring them all to Jiang Yan.”

This was his way of giving Jiang Yan an explanation. Once he returned to the Shen family with shares in hand, he would never have to live his old life again.

A glint flashed in Old Master Shen’s dim eyes. “You’re truly willing to give up those shares?”

Shen Congbai gave a bitter laugh. “They weren’t mine to begin with. I’m just returning them.”

Old Master Shen pondered for a moment and waved his hand. “Since you insist, we will do as you say. However, the Shen family will always consider you one of our own. If you don’t mind, you can attend events as an adopted son of the Shen family.”

Shen Congbai sneered internally. He just saw Feng Yu’s reaction and wants to use me to curry favor with the Feng family.

He refused flatly: “No need. A clean break is best. From now on, I have no relation to the Shen family. Whatever mistakes I make, I no longer need the Shen… family to back me up.”

Shen Que stood to his side, head lowered and silent, but the bulging veins on his arms betrayed his turbulent emotions.

Seeing the refusal, Old Master Shen’s face went cold. He said “Fine” three times and left, claiming he was feeling unwell.

Jiang Yan, who had been following Shen Congbai in silence, suddenly let out a low laugh. His eyes were dark as his fingertips traced the palm print on Shen Congbai’s face inch by inch. He murmured:

“So this was your plan. I wondered why the Young Master was acting so strange. You found me a place that thinks it’s a home, just so you could leave me and run away?”

Shen Congbai noticed something was wrong with his expression and frowned. “This is where you belong. I’m just returning everything to its rightful owner.”

He patted Jiang Yan’s shoulder. Half of his face was covered by the slap mark, making him look both piteous and innocent. His tone was relaxed: “From now on, you don’t have to worry about children’s crying disturbing you. I’m truly sorry for taking your place for so many years.”

Jiang Yan’s face was dark, his chest heaving. He grit his teeth. “In the Young Master’s heart, am I really someone who cares about these things?”

Aren’t you? Shen Congbai thought to himself.

He was a sickly person with a bad temper. Compared to the wealth of the Shen family, no one would choose a life of displacement with him. Even Shen Que couldn’t give up the power and wealth; how could Jiang Yan?

He looked away, ignoring Jiang Yan. He looked toward the spot where Old Master Shen had been. “Now that everything is settled, I’ll be leaving.”

He nodded to the crowd, turned to go, but was suddenly grabbed by the wrist.

Jiang Yan’s face was terrifyingly pale, like a ghost from hell. His knuckles left a red mark on the boy’s wrist.

“Are you going to leave me here alone?”

Shen Congbai shook his head, and hope flared in Jiang Yan’s eyes. But Shen Congbai’s next words shattered it: “You have your family here to accompany you. How could you be alone?”

Jiang Yan laughed out of sheer anger. So that was what Shen Congbai meant when he promised not to leave him alone.

He planned today’s step so long ago. Jiang Yan’s aura became dangerously oppressive. “Shen Congbai, you’re truly something.”

“You lied to me again.”

His Young Master was so wicked. He would have to uproot everything the boy relied on, break his limbs, and bind him in chains before the boy would stop thinking of leaving.

Before Shen Congbai could process this, he was pulled into Feng Yu’s embrace. His back was pressed against Feng Yu’s chest, close enough to feel his heartbeat.

Feng Yu’s features were sharp and his gaze like a blade. He spoke with authority: “I’m taking him now. I hope no one lacking eyes comes around to bother my boyfriend again.”

Shen Congbai’s heart jumped. He instinctively looked at Shen Que, only to find the man staring gloomily in the direction the Old Master had left, his thoughts unknown.

Giving a bitter laugh, he followed Feng Yu out. Near the exit, Jiang Yan lost control and rushed up to grab his arm.

Jiang Yan hunched over, looking shorter than Shen Congbai because of his posture. A single tear escaped his dark eyes, sliding down his gorgeous cheek and creating a sense of brokenness.

It was the first time Shen Congbai had seen him cry; he froze in place. Seeing the boy’s moved expression, Jiang Yan pleaded with rapid breath, “Young Master, please take me with you. I don’t want to stay here.”

Shen Congbai gently pried his hand away, his face helpless. “You’re just not used to it. Once you’ve been with your family for a while, you won’t want to cling to me anymore.”

He was the same way. When he first went abroad, he was so lonely he couldn’t sleep. Gradually, he got used to the individual ward and the beeping of the machines. One can get used to anything.

Shen Congbai left with Feng Yu.

Jiang Yan stood there for a long time. People came to greet the “true” young master, but he ignored them all. When the banquet ended, only Jiang Yan, Shen Que, and Xu Xiaobai  who was still curled in a corner remained.

Shen Que walked toward Xu Xiaobai, crouched down, and lifted the boy’s chin with a handkerchief. Seeing the terror on the boy’s face, he frowned with disgust. “A fake is a fake. No wonder Feng Yu didn’t spare you a single glance.”

Xu Xiaobai fell to his knees, his face a mess of tears and snot, making his face which was fifty percent similar to Shen Congbai’s look ugly and distorted. “Give me one more chance. I will win over Feng Yu. CEO Shen, believe me, just one more time.”

Shen Que glanced at the catatonic Jiang Yan and sneered. “You know I’ve always liked obedient people.”

Xu Xiaobai froze. “I was blinded by greed. I thought if I told Feng Yu that Shen Congbai was a fake, he would look at me more. Ah!”

Jiang Yan suddenly rushed forward and kicked him ruthlessly in the stomach. Xu Xiaobai turned pale and curled up on the floor, drenching in cold sweat, unable even to scream.

When Jiang Yan moved to deliver a second kick, Shen Que spoke: “If you kick him to death, do you think he’ll come back?”

Jiang Yan didn’t stop, delivering the second kick before finally looking at Shen Que. “You’re good at acting like the nice guy. Why didn’t you step in as a mediator when Feng Yu took him away just now?” Jiang Yan grabbed his collar, his face gloomy. “You useless waste. You couldn’t keep him, and now you don’t even dare to vent your anger.”

Jiang Yan turned to leave. Shen Que said, “Wait.”

Shen Que stood up, looking displeased. “If we keep fighting like this, we’ll never beat Feng Yu.”

“What brilliant plan do you have now?” Jiang Yan mocked.

Shen Que said suggestively, “The culprit who hurt Wuwu today is the ‘substitute’ that the young master of the Feng family has been keeping.”

“I’m not letting you kill him because he is still useful.”

Jiang Yan grew interested. He used the tip of his shoe to lift Xu Xiaobai’s chin. “This person is worthy of being the Young Master’s substitute? It seems Feng Yu is not only a fool but also blind.”

“I planned for him to get close to Feng Yu to make Wuwu give up hope, but someone instigated him to do this instead,” Shen Que narrowed his eyes. “But it’s fine. We can use this to make Wuwu completely give up on Feng Yu.”

Jiang Yan looked at him. “So what? The Young Master is so repulsed by the Shen family now. Even without Feng Yu, he won’t come back.”

Shen Que looked at his palm and whispered, “It’s because someone at home made Wuwu angry. We just need to drive away the people who make him sad.”

“You’re going to move against the old man?” Jiang Yan thought for a moment. “It’s possible, though a bit troublesome.”

Anyone who has hurt Shen Congbai must pay the price.

The two men’s gazes met briefly in the air before pulling away.

Including you.

After leaving the banquet, Shen Congbai was taken to Feng Yu’s house. He looked at the decor with a trace of memory. This house was the one they had picked near the school for convenience when they were together.

It was small, about eighty square meters, but cozy. The familiar scene allowed his tension to ease. Shen Congbai asked, “Why… haven’t you moved out of here yet?”

Feng Yu glanced at him, sat him down at the entryway, and began changing his shoes for him. “It’s convenient. And I’m used to it; too lazy to move.”

Shen Congbai bit his lip. This place was far from the busy district; it wasn’t actually convenient at all.

Suddenly, his socks were removed. Shen Congbai’s toes curled with shyness. “I can do it myself.”

Feng Yu gave him a light look, and Shen Congbai froze, waiting for him to finish.

Feng Yu stood up and gave him a tour, finally leaning against the only bedroom door. He raised an eyebrow. “I turned the other room into a study. Now there’s only one bedroom. We need to discuss the sleeping arrangements.”

He was much taller than Shen Congbai, and his gaze took in all the boy’s micro-expressions the fluttering eyelashes, the pursed lips, and the puffed-out cheek. That white, soft curve looked like a piece of mochi. Feng Yu’s fingers itched, and he reached out to pinch it.

Shen Congbai stared at him blankly, stunned.

Feng Yu let out a low laugh. When he let go, a small red mark remained on the boy’s cheek. “If you don’t speak, then the right to this room belongs to me tonight.”

Shen Congbai was exceptionally obedient. “I can sleep on the sofa.”

Feng Yu grit his teeth. “You think your body can handle sleeping on a sofa for a night?”

“Then what should I do?”

Feng Yu almost blurted out “Sleep with me,” but to keep from looking too eager, he coughed. “I don’t know. Maybe you can think of another way?”

Shen Congbai lowered his eyes and thought seriously. Feng Yu watched his side profile, his heart softening. His fingers were about to reach out again when Shen Congbai’s eyes lit up. “I know what to do!”

Feng Yu retracted his hand. “What way?”

“You can take me to Zhi Zhi’s house!”

He was only staying in Kyoto for two days anyway. Staying with Tu Zhi would be perfect.

Feng Yu realized he had shot himself in the foot. “Actually…”

“Actually what?”

“Actually, there’s a folding bed at home. If you don’t mind, you can stay in the same room as me.” Fearing Shen Congbai hadn’t given up on the other idea, he added, “Tu Zhi has to work; he’s very busy. If you get a fever or something, he might not notice in time.”

It made sense. He didn’t want to be a burden to Tu Zhi.

“But…” They were exes. Sleeping in the same room felt wrong.

Feng Yu provoked him: “Unless you still have… for me?”

“I don’t!” Shen Congbai denied it quickly, a blush rising. “One room is fine! I’ll… I’ll go get the blankets!”

Feng Yu’s lips curled. He followed Shen Congbai like a happy puppy. “You stay here for now. Do some housework when you’re free to pay for your stay, how about it?”

Shen Congbai was tempted. He had nothing left, and finding a job with his health would be hard. This solved his immediate problem. He toyed with his fingers shyly. “Is it okay? I’ve never done it before.”

He had never done hard labor in two lifetimes. In the last half month with Jiang Yan, even his clothes were removed for him.

Feng Yu’s Adam’s apple rolled. “I believe in you. It’s very simple.”

He’d hire a top-tier housekeeper tomorrow. As for Shen Congbai… Feng Yu’s gaze drifted, his dark skin taking on a hint of pink.

Shen Congbai waved a hand in front of him. “Why are you dazed again?”

Feng Yu stepped back. “I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to ask where the extra bedding is.”

He also wanted to ask if he could get an advance on his “wages” to buy a phone, but felt bad asking for money before starting work. He kept quiet.

“I’ll handle it,” Feng Yu coughed. “You go shower first. You must be tired after today.”

The moment he said it, a wave of exhaustion hit Shen Congbai. He yawned, his eyes tearing up. He didn’t argue and whispered, “Then, thank you.”

Inside the bathroom, Shen Congbai realized he hadn’t brought any clothes. He scanned the room and spotted the bath towel hanging on the side.

The style looked familiar very similar to the one he saw in Feng Yu’s lounge before. Thinking about where that towel had wrapped around Feng Yu, the heat on his face didn’t fade.

He looked at the laundry basket and hesitated. The little young master with a lifelong obsession with cleanliness finally chose to pick up the towel by one corner with two fingers. He closed his eyes, wrapped it around himself haphazardly, and bolted into Feng Yu’s bed.

He nuzzled the pillow, feeling like he was being marinated in Feng Yu’s scent a cool mint. Strangely, the scent was sharp on Feng Yu but became soft on himself, like a cold-toned fruit. Was it because he liked eating fruit?

Shen Congbai knelt up, lifting a corner of the blanket to sniff his arm. He didn’t notice that the towel had become disheveled.

Feng Yu walked in with the bedding to find this blood-pressure-raising scene. He admired it silently for a moment before speaking slowly:

“Shen Congbai, are you playing the rogue in my bed?”