My Birth Parents Finally Found Me — Only to Discover Their Daughter Had Already Fallen for Me! - video Dailymotion

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00:00:00The first thing I do after my rebirth is to engineer a chance encounter with my own sister

00:00:03Lily, and make her fall for me at first sight. Because in my past life, after I was tracked down

00:00:07by my wealthy birth parents, Lily did everything she could to make my life hell. All to protect the

00:00:12fake heir, Tyler. She even spread rumors that I was an illegitimate child. She even sent people

00:00:16to bully me. But after a whole lifetime together I know exactly what makes her tick. So I craft

00:00:20the perfect image, the ideal man she has always dreamed of, just so she can feel the despair of

00:00:25falling for someone who turns out to be her own brother. Right on cue, my target Lily appears.

00:00:29Walk up to her slowly and ask, Hi excuse me, could you tell me where the nearest library

00:00:32is? Lily and her friends spin around and they all freeze. Standing before them is a young

00:00:36man in a crisp white shirt, all sunshine and charm. Lily's heart slams into overdrive. It's

00:00:40only when I ask again that she snaps back to reality. Her hand shoots up instinctively, pointing

00:00:44toward Gianshi Road. That way. Got it, thanks. I give her a polite smile and walk away. Lily

00:00:48stands there staring at my back until I disappear. Then her friend's voice is cut through the

00:00:51silence. He is seriously gorgeous. I've never seen a guy this good looking in my entire life.

00:00:55So those novel heroes who are impossibly charming at 17 or 18, they're not totally made up after

00:01:00all. Right? He's stunning. Every feature landed exactly where it was meant to. Lily clenches

00:01:04her fist. She takes a slow breath. Let's go. We're heading to Gianshi Road 2, to fall head

00:01:08over heels for someone you should absolutely despise. What does that feel like? That's a

00:01:12question the Lily from my past life would know the answer to. Thinking about the look in

00:01:15her eyes just now, I can't help but laugh out loud. Can't wait to see the look on Lily's

00:01:19face when she finds out I'm her own brother. Running the timeline in my head, the Lu family

00:01:22should be making plans to bring me home right about now. In my past life, I entered the

00:01:26Lu family as an adopted son, and it was a long time before I learned the truth about

00:01:29who I really was. But in this life, if they think they can just take me back, they are

00:01:33in for a rude awakening. And sure enough, just as I expected, first thing the next morning,

00:01:37the Lu family shows up at my door. Not Victor and Diana themselves though. It's the family

00:01:41driver and housekeeper. Are you Ethan Lu? Ms. Li's smile is perfectly polished, but the

00:01:46moment she gets a clear look at my face, her pupils contract sharply. She recovers quickly.

00:01:49Hello, Mr. Lu. We work for Victor Lu, the chairman of Sheng Hong Group. Here is our

00:01:53card. Ms. Li extends the card with one hand. Don't take it. Instead, I cross my arms and

00:01:57lean against the wall, sizing her up. So, what do you want? Being dismissed like that

00:02:00makes Ms. Li's expression go rigid. There's a flash of irritation before she smooths it

00:02:04over. Do you have any memory of your biological father? What is that supposed to mean? I raise

00:02:08an eyebrow. Are you saying your boss is my biological relative? No. Before I can finish, Ms. Li's

00:02:12brow furrows and she cuts me off. Your biological father saved our boss's life. He passed away,

00:02:17and our boss wants to take his place as your father. That's why he sent us to bring you

00:02:20home. He'll go through the proper adoption process. From this point forward, you'll be

00:02:24a son of the Lu family. The driver, Jack, chimes in. I'm sure you know the Lu family is

00:02:28the wealthiest in Jinhai City. Bluntly speaking, becoming our boss's son would be striking gold

00:02:32overnight. Both of them wear the same smug expression, as if I'm the lucky one here.

00:02:35I let out a quiet laugh. Sorry, I don't make a habit of picking up random parents. Is there

00:02:39anything else? If not, don't keep me from my breakfast. Thanks. I step back inside and shut

00:02:43the door. Just before it closes, I catch the look of disbelief on their faces. A moment

00:02:47later, an angry voice comes through the door. Mr. Lu, you need to think this through. This

00:02:51is the Lu family we're talking about. The wealthiest in the city. If you walk away from

00:02:54this, there's no coming back. If you don't believe us, call and verify who we are. We

00:02:58really are from the Lu family. Do you have any idea what you're turning down right now?

00:03:01You'll regret this when you're older. Before long, Ms. Li and Jack return to the Lu estate

00:03:04tan, report my response to Victor and Diana. Lily happens to be there too. The moment she

00:03:09hears I've turned down the adoption, she lets out a cold laugh. If he doesn't want to come

00:03:12back, fine. He's just some lowlife. Who does he think he is? The words barely leave Lily's

00:03:16mouth before Diana shoots her a sharp look. Lily, don't talk like that. You know the

00:03:20situation. Lily rolls her eyes and grabs her car keys. You don't need to explain anything

00:03:23to me. I've got somewhere to be. She storms out. Diana sighs and turns to Victor. What

00:03:27do we do now, honey? He doesn't want to come back. Victor sits back with the newspaper

00:03:30unbothered. Is that really a problem? He's saying no because he's cautious. He doesn't

00:03:34believe good things can just fall into his lap. I'll go myself in a few days. Diana

00:03:37relaxes. That makes sense. We can bring some luxury gifts too. Let him see what real

00:03:41money looks like. He's our son, after all. We can't just leave him out there to fall

00:03:44apart. I just hope he's smart enough, mature enough, and well-behaved enough to

00:03:48come home. After sending Ms. Lee and Jack away, I head to the library on Gianshi

00:03:51Road. I know exactly how much Lily despises the idea of having me as a

00:03:54brother. Hearing that I turned down the adoption today must be eating her alive.

00:03:57And when she's angry, she never stays home. No boyfriend. She goes to the

00:04:00internet cafe. Has a boyfriend. She runs to him. But that day, I saw the spark of awe in

00:04:04Lily's eyes, clear as day. So even though I'm not her boyfriend as the person she fell

00:04:08for at first sight, chances are she'll come to Gianshi Road today to try her luck.

00:04:11I pick up a psychology book and settle in to read. Sure enough, just as I predicted

00:04:15about an hour later, I hear Lily's voice, bright with surprise. It's you! I had made

00:04:19a point of sitting behind the window. The sunlight today is perfect. Golden rays fall

00:04:23across my face, and I almost seem to glow. I lift my gaze slowly and spot Lily not far

00:04:27away, already striding straight toward me. My slightly upturned eyes carry a hint of

00:04:30confusion. When she stops in front of me, beaming, I furrow my brow. And you are? A flicker

00:04:34of disappointment. Crosses Lily's eyes when she realizes I don't seem to recognize her.

00:04:38But she quickly flashes me a wide smile. You! Don't remember me? At the library entrance

00:04:42the other day, you asked me for directions. Oh, it's you! I act like it's just clicking.

00:04:46I give her a polite smile. Thanks again. That was my first time on Gianshi Road and I'm

00:04:49terrible with maps. I almost went the wrong way. Don't worry about it, really. Lily waves

00:04:53it off. Then she points to the empty seat across from me. Mind, if I sit here, go ahead.

00:04:57I know Dan go back to my book. Lily settles in, and when it's clear I have no intention

00:05:01of talking, a trace of disappointment flickers across her face. But one look at me, and her

00:05:05heart starts bounding all over again. I feel her staring again glance up slightly. My slightly

00:05:09upturned eyes give me an air that's hard to place. The moment our eyes meet, Lily jolts

00:05:13back to reality, scrambling for something to say. So, I noticed you're reading a psychology

00:05:17book. Are you studying psychology? No. I set the book down. Just, a personal interest.

00:05:21I see. Are you still in school? Of course. High school or university? University, obviously.

00:05:25All these pointless questions. A flicker of impatience crosses my eyes. Is there something

00:05:29you actually need? Lily catches the shift in my tone, and her heart skips. She rushes

00:05:33to explain. I'm just making conversation. I just want to get to know you better. Honesty

00:05:37is always the most powerful move. Lily decides to go all in. Her warm, dough-shaped eyes look

00:05:41straight into mine. Honestly? From the moment I first saw you, I've liked you. I've been

00:05:44coming to Gianchi Road every single day just to find you. Will you give me a chance to pursue

00:05:47you? Don't let the lovesick act fool you. Lily is anything but devoted. She burns through

00:05:51boyfriends at record speed. She doesn't want someone who just rolls over for her. In her mind,

00:05:55a man with no backbone has no appeal. Otherwise, he's just dull and predictable. No challenge

00:05:59at all. Having been her brother for a whole lifetime, I know exactly how to handle her.

00:06:02I let Lily finish without a word, then give her a calm smile. Whether you pursue me is

00:06:05entirely your call. Why are you asking me for permission? What? If I say no, you'll just

00:06:09disappear? If that's how it works, then my answer is clear, no. My voice is gentle, but

00:06:13my expression is iron. There's a trace of quiet annoyance there, too. I pick up my book

00:06:16and stand. Anything else? If not, I'm heading out. Lily didn't expect me to turn cold so fast.

00:06:20She scrambles to her feet the moment I move. That's not what I meant. Look, you don't have

00:06:24to let me pursue you. I just wanted to be up front with you, so it wouldn't feel like

00:06:27I was being sneaky. No matter what you decide, I'm going to pursue you. She says it with complete

00:06:31sincerity. I give her one cool glance. Suit yourself. Before I leave, I pull another book

00:06:35off the nearby shelf. Lily follows and offers to take me to lunch. I decline, but getting

00:06:38turned down doesn't stop her. She asks for my contact instead. Getting a little tired

00:06:42of it, I tell her, maybe next time. If we happen to run into each other again, then I'll

00:06:45give it to you. This time, Lily doesn't push further. The moment I'm gone, she rushes right

00:06:48back inside the library. Her reason is obvious, not that I mind. Things that come too easily

00:06:52are never truly valued. And while the Lou family is busy trying to reel me in, I need to leave

00:06:56a deep mark on Lily. For the next few days, I go back and forth between school and my

00:07:00rented room. Don't go near the library. Then Sunday rolls around, and my room gets another

00:07:04visit. This time it's Victor and Diana themselves. Ever since I turned away the people they sent,

00:07:08Victor has been calculating when to make his move. Today he finally has the time, so he

00:07:11brings Diana along. As for Ms. Lee and Jack, they wait downstairs. Who, are you? It's still

00:07:16early. I lean against the doorframe. Neither Victor nor Diana expected me to look like this.

00:07:20They both freeze the moment they see me. It takes a moment before they recover. A son this

00:07:23good looking is already an asset just to look at. And once I'm in the Lou family, regardless

00:07:27of my background, this face alone is a powerful weapon. Hello there, young man. I wonder if you

00:07:31might know who I am. Before coming here, Victor was already half impatient. After all, toward a son

00:07:35he never raised a day in his life he feels absolutely nothing. If it weren't for the blood

00:07:38tie, he wouldn't have bothered making this trip at all. But now this visit is turning out to be far

00:07:42more worthwhile than he imagined. Victor puts on a warm smile. I raise an eyebrow. If I knew who you

00:07:46were, would I be asking? My tone makes Victor quietly, uncomfortable. But when he thinks about what I

00:07:50could bring to the Lou family, the benefit of having me on their side, he swallows his irritation.

00:07:54It never even crossed his mind that I would refuse. After all, he is the wealthiest man in

00:07:58Jinhai City. Controlling a teenager should be child's play. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Victor

00:08:03Lou, chairman of Shanghong Group. My card. He presents it with a gracious smile. Don't take it.

00:08:07Instead I ask flatly, so, what do you want? Not an ounce of respect. Diana's brow tightens. Victor

00:08:12pockets the card without missing a beat. Here's the thing, a man and a woman came to find you a

00:08:15few

00:08:16days ago, yes? They should have explained the situation. Your father saved my life. His only wish before he

00:08:20died was to find you and make things right. I cut him off. You want me to be your son?

00:08:23Victor nods.

00:08:24Yes, and don't worry, I'll do this properly. Everyone in Jinhai City will know you're my son.

00:08:28He lets out a long sigh and looks at me with practiced warmth. I know you lost your mother

00:08:31when you were very young. Growing up alone until 17 wasn't easy. But no matter what happened in the

00:08:35past, I won't let you suffer anymore. The Lou family may not be the richest in the world,

00:08:39but we carry weight in Jinhai City. We can back you in anything you want to do. From now on

00:08:43you are my son.

00:08:44Victor delivers the words with feeling. I feel nothing. My expression stays flat. No thanks.

00:08:48Same answer as before. I don't make a habit of picking up random fathers. He never imagined

00:08:52I'd still say no after all that. His face drops. How is this picking up a random father? Your father

00:08:57saved my life. My father saved your life. I didn't. You fed him well and treated him right

00:09:01for all those years. That's enough. His son is a separate matter. Besides, I'm doing fine.

00:09:04You call this place fine. As long as I'm happy, it's fine. In this life, I am absolutely not going

00:09:08back as an adopted son. I want Victor to acknowledge me as his biological son. I want to chip away

00:09:13at

00:09:13the Lou family's peace. Peace by peace otherwise. I can cause just as much trouble from out here.

00:09:17Going in as an adopted son would mean putting Galicia around my own neck. Then slapping

00:09:20whatever label they want on me becomes an incredibly easy thing to do. Not that I'm afraid,

00:09:24but I'd rather not deal with the hassle. More importantly, going back as a biological son

00:09:27is the only way to find out just how innocent that fake heir, Tyler, really is. I look at their

00:09:31barely contained fury. Anything else? If not, I'm heading out. I shut the door and move to leave.

00:09:36Victor and Diana rush after me. Victor is done talking. Diana trails behind me pleading.

00:09:40You're young. You don't understand how important money is. I'll earn my own. And how much will that be?

00:09:43I'm not trying to put you down, but the Lou family can hand you a villa without blinking.

00:09:47On your own, when would you ever afford something like that? And the limited edition cars,

00:09:50the watches, all of it is yours the moment you become our son. I spin around and look at Diana,

00:09:54my voice sharp. My father saved your husband's life, and the only way you can think to repay

00:09:58that is by adopting me. If I refuse to be your son, then I get nothing. What does that tell

00:10:02you?

00:10:03It tells me this was never just about honoring my father's memory. You see someone who looks the part,

00:10:07and you see someone useful to the Lou family. That's what elite families do, isn't it?

00:10:10Strategic marriages. Calculated moves. A cold smile pulls at my mouth. If I actually became

00:10:14your adopted son every cent you invest in me, you'd expect back tenfold. And if I ever step

00:10:19out of line, you'd brand me ungrateful in a heartbeat. I take a slow breath. How pathetic.

00:10:22You're the ones betraying a debt, and yet you dress it up as generosity. Money, power, reputation,

00:10:26all of it for you. Truly worthy of being called Jin Hai City's wealthiest. Don't come looking for

00:10:31me again. Whatever you say, my answer will always be no. I watch their faces cycle through guilt,

00:10:35rage, and disbelief. I walk away with a light step. After putting those two in their place,

00:10:39I feel great. Time to go stir up some trouble for the youngest one. This family deserves to

00:10:43suffer together. After several days away, if Finley head back to the library on Jianji Road.

00:10:47Before I even get close, I spot Lily crouched outside the entrance, looking thoroughly fed up.

00:10:51At the same moment, she sees me too. Our eyes lock. Lily lights up and sprints over. I

00:10:55finally found you again. Can I get your contact now? I frown, cold and flat. Unsettled by my expression,

00:11:00Lily says carefully, you said before if we ran into each other again you would. I cut her off before

00:11:04she can finish. My face is full of cold mockery. Rich people are all the same. Always chasing

00:11:08someone young, naive, and easy to control. Isn't that right? The implication is clear.

00:11:11Something is bothering me. Lily tenses and when I turn to leave, she hurries after me.

00:11:15Did something happen? Talk to me. Maybe I can help. I ignore her. Okay, look, I know love at first

00:11:19sight

00:11:19is often just attraction, but I never meant to make you uncomfortable or pressure you in any way you

00:11:23don't like. I press my lips together. Forced feelings don't last. What I want is something

00:11:27built on respect, on equal ground, on real feelings. Lily sees the shift in me. She breathes easier

00:11:32and presses forward with more sincerity. Ever. Since you said you'd give me your contact the next time we

00:11:36met, I've come Tothy Library every single day, just hoping to see you again. Just want to be

00:11:40your friend. I glance at her. My expression says it all. For now, Lily says. But I believe one day

00:11:45I'll win you over. That confident? The cold wall in me finally starts to crack. Lily doesn't miss a

00:11:49beat. Of course. You might not think much of me at first glance, but once you get to know me

00:11:53you'll

00:11:53realize just how easy I am to like. I raise an eyebrow. You? Not much to look at? Lily actually

00:11:57isn't

00:11:58bad looking at all. Tall. With a bright and youthful face she turns heads at school constantly.

00:12:02Add money to the picture and she's basically star of the school. By the time we finish talking,

00:12:05the distance between us is noticeably closed. We find a cafe and order coffee. Lily asks why I

00:12:10seemed upset earlier. I'm quiet for a long moment before I carefully choose me words. I tell her

00:12:13that a wealthy couple showed up today, claiming my family owed them a debt and that they want to

00:12:17adopt me. Lily's expression says it all. You're almost an adult. Why are they coming to you now

00:12:21wanting to adopt you? What is that about? I glance at her but don't say more. Their family is very

00:12:25wealthy. They said that if I agree to become their son, I'd skip years of struggling. Oh, so being rich

00:12:29makes them special? Lily laughs in disbelief. Before she can finish, her expression freezes. Oh, yeah. I know

00:12:34exactly what she's about to say. I nod. I'm an orphan. I never knew my father. My mom left when

00:12:39I was seven. After that, I made it through school on donations from strangers. My voice stays light

00:12:43and even. My expression stays calm. But somehow that calm makes it hit harder. Lily's heart aches.

00:12:48That must have been so hard. Not really. I got used to being on my own. So when these strangers

00:12:51show up

00:12:52out of nowhere with all this, I got a little angry. I took it out on you earlier. Sorry. Don't

00:12:56apologize.

00:12:56They're the ones in the wrong. Lily has absolutely no idea that the wealthy couple I'm describing

00:13:00are her own parents or that I am the worthless insufferable brother she can't stand. She doesn't

00:13:04quite know what to say. After all, from where she's standing, she doesn't really have the standing to

00:13:08promise you much of anything. After a long pause, Lily takes a deep breath. Are you struggling right

00:13:12now? If you need help, I'm here. And please don't let that couple adopt you. You don't know some rich

00:13:16people are ruthless. Everything they do, they do for gain. You're way too good looking. If you actually

00:13:20became their son, wouldn't you just be theirs to control? I know. And I'm doing fine right now. I'm not

00:13:25short

00:13:25on money. I look at the worry written all over Lily's face and can't hold back a smile. Don't worry.

00:13:29I've made my position clear. Nothing they say will change my answer. Lily finally exhales. But her

00:13:33brow is still creased. People like that don't give up easily. Tell me who they are. My family isn't

00:13:38the wealthiest, but we have connections in Jinhai City. I can make a call and they won't bother you

00:13:41again. No need. Just treat them like the clowns they are. I shake my head. Talking to you actually

00:13:45helps. I feel a lot lighter. I take out my phone and finally let Lily add me. To become someone's

00:13:50ideal,

00:13:50the one they can't stop thinking about, it doesn't take much a face that stops them in their tracks

00:13:54is enough to start. But if you want them truly obsessed, unable to get you out of their head,

00:13:57you need to run hot and cold, push and pull. When the moment is right, let them glimpse something

00:14:01impressive about you, but stay mysterious. Reveal just enough to keep them wanting more.

00:14:05Take this coffee with Lily, for instance. Over coffee, I let it slip that I was fast-tracked

00:14:08into Qingbei University at 15. After a while, I make an excuse to leave. Where are you going?

00:14:12I'll walk you. Lily is clearly reluctant to part. The way she looks at me is almost desperate.

00:14:16I'm not taking her up on it. I have something to take care of. The place I bought hasn't been

00:14:19renovated yet. I need to find a good crew. Can we meet up to eat sometime? She wants to come

00:14:23with me, but my expression is just attached enough that she stops herself. We're not close enough yet.

00:14:26Being too eager will only push me away. I give her a small smile. Of course. Then it's settled.

00:14:31Lily watches my back as I go, standing there for a long moment before she snaps back to reality.

00:14:35Like someone in a daze, she pulls out her phone and stares at my profile picture.

00:14:38Simple name. A bare social feed with almost nothing on it. But the corners of Lily's mouth

00:14:43just keep curling up. She finally has my contact. And now she knows my name. Ethan Liu. What a great

00:14:48name. And he even shares her last name. Isn't. This fate? Isn't this them destined to be family?

00:14:52Lily takes a slow breath and heads home, walking on air. If Sheng Hong Group is the biggest name

00:14:56in real estate in Jin Hai City, then Golden Moon Jewelry is Jin Hai City's symbol of wealth.

00:15:00Only the powerful and the rich can afford what Golden Moon carries. Most ordinary people have

00:15:04never even heard of the brand. And I am Golden Moon Jewelry's largest shareholder. When I became

00:15:07a shareholder, I was only 13. A single piece of imperial green jade was enough to rescue the

00:15:11Mu family from the edge of bankruptcy. And that made me the greatest benefactor the Mu family had ever

00:15:15known. In return, I received 50% of Golden Moon Jewelry. Every year since then, I've made a trip to

00:15:20Myanmar and brought back exceptional raw stones to sell to the brand. Those stones are what built

00:15:24Golden Moon into Jin Hai City's undisputed leader in fine jewelry. The entire Mu family is deeply

00:15:28grateful to me, and they've told me to come to them whenever I need anything. But I don't trust

00:15:31anyone fully. In my experience, you never truly know what's in someone's heart. So even with all

00:15:35the investments I've made, I've never breathed a word to anyone about the Liu family or my plans

00:15:39for them. Not a single hint. I go about my life, studying hard, making friends, just like any regular

00:15:44young man. And the more ordinary I seem, the more mysterious I appear to those who know what I'm

00:15:47really worth. Marcus, from the Mu family, was the first real friend I ever made. Four years older than me,

00:15:52and after graduating, he came back to Jin Hai City to start a business, an interior renovation of

00:15:57all things. So I call Marcus and ask him to take a look at my new place and help me

00:16:00figure out the

00:16:00best design. Well, I never. Ethan finally bought himself a place? I thought you were going to live

00:16:04on campus forever. He's thrilled to hear from me. Where are you? I'm free right now. I'll head over.

00:16:08Marcus always drops everything for me. His office isn't far from Gianci Road, so barely a moment after

00:16:13I tell him where I am, Marcus shows up. He's easygoing and straightforward, no nonsense with

00:16:16people at all. That's what I like about him. What made you suddenly decide to buy a place? He jokes,

00:16:20but Marcus is clearly worried. Did something happen? Just felt like it. What have you been

00:16:23up to lately? I heard from your parents you're chasing someone. Caught feelings? Marcus's face

00:16:27goes red instantly. Come on, why do they have to tell everyone everything? It's really not a big

00:16:30deal. I like someone, so I'm going for it. Even if it doesn't work out, so what? You've got to

00:16:34take

00:16:34your shot when you're young. That goes for career. That goes for love. Someone who actually got your

00:16:38heart moving must be something special. Obviously. Marcus lifts his chin with pride. Just wait. Once I win

00:16:43her over, I'll bring her out so you can meet her. Looking forward to it, after parting ways with me,

00:16:47Lily drives straight home. But the moment she walks in, she senses something is off in the living room.

00:16:51Victor never expected that going himself would get him nowhere, and that was already hard enough to

00:16:54swallow. But having me point at his face and go off on him as he left? For a man who

00:16:58has spent his

00:16:58whole life above everyone else, that is unacceptable. He carries a stone-cold expression the whole way home,

00:17:03and when he gets back, he finally snaps. He kicks the vase in the corner of the living room and

00:17:07glares at

00:17:07Diana. What exactly were you there for today? To stand there like a statue? Not a single word.

00:17:11I'm a chairman, and I let some punk kid talk down to me while you just watched. Did you enjoy

00:17:15the show?

00:17:15At that, Diana's eyes go red with hurt. How could I enjoy it? Before going, she had told herself,

00:17:19this is still her son. No matter what he's like, no matter how rough around the edges,

00:17:22as long as he behaves himself, they would treat him well. She never imagined he would be this rude.

00:17:26What's the point of having a son like that, at least they made up a story so I still don't

00:17:29know

00:17:29I'm the true heir of the Lou family. Otherwise, the family would ever have a moment of peace.

00:17:33How was I supposed to know he'd be like that? He grew up on the outside. No manners at all.

00:17:37Faced with Victor's fury, Diana has lost any goodwill she had toward me. She dabs at the corner of her

00:17:41eye.

00:17:41He doesn't want to be adopted, then we don't adopt him. No good deed goes unpunished.

00:17:46I'm not going to pour my heart into something like this. And with his attitude, if he actually

00:17:50came here, he'd drive me to an early grave. Whatever happens to him after this, if he ends

00:17:54up struggling, then send him some money. Consider it settling whatever mother-son tie they have in

00:17:58this life. From now on, her only son is Tyler. Diana washes her hands of me completely.

00:18:02Victor too would rather let it go, but every time he thinks about what I could be worth to him,

00:18:06he softens. The Lou family may be Jinhai City's wealthiest, but on a national scale,

00:18:10they barely register. Strategic marriages are the standard move in elite circles,

00:18:13and the fastest way to connect with people who truly matter. With that in mind, Victor turns on

00:18:17Diana again. Easy for you to say. I don't want to deal with him either. But what if someone else

00:18:21finds out who he is and uses it against us? One wrong move, and the Lou family name is dragged

00:18:25through the mud. He has no discipline, so we bring him back and teach him. He doesn't know how to

00:18:28behave. Then we make him learn. You're afraid he'll stress you out, but aren't you more afraid of what

00:18:32people outside will say? The staff aren't in the living room, so Victor doesn't hold back.

00:18:36Women. Short-sighted as ever. You only see what's right in front of you, and you can't see

00:18:39the bigger stakes hidden behind all of this. Not knowing he exists. Fine. Knowing he exists

00:18:44means we have to bring him home. Victor's words sound reasonable, but after meeting me,

00:18:47Diana truly does not want me back. She sinks into the sofa, bitter and resentful. She's

00:18:51furious and miserable all at once. But he doesn't want to be adopted. We can't exactly tell him the

00:18:56truth. And if he comes back as a biological son, what happens to Tyler? Tyler has no blood tie to

00:19:00us,

00:19:00both is so good, so kind. Finding out the truth would destroy him. Which matters more?

00:19:04Tyler or the Lou family? Victor has no patience for this. And when did I say anything about

00:19:08telling him the truth? People, when they haven't been pushed to the edge, always talk tough.

00:19:12A cold glint flashes in Victor's eyes. Stay out of it. I'll find a way to bring him back.

00:19:16All you need to do is be ready to set him straight when he gets here. A proper young man

00:19:19should be

00:19:19calm and easy to manage. Not like that. Victor stands and heads upstairs. Diana has a fair idea

00:19:23of what he's planning. She knows I'll end up back here one way or another. Thinking of my attitude,

00:19:27she can only feel sorry for herself. Why does she always end up in messes like this? Why is fate

00:19:31so cruel

00:19:31to her? Diana Acri's tears of resentment. And that is exactly when Lily walks in.

00:19:35Seeing her mother like this, Lily's heart drops. Mom, what happened? Why are you crying? Where's

00:19:39dad? Didn't you two go to see that lowlife today? He didn't come back? Seeing her daughter,

00:19:43Diana only feels worse. She dabs her face with a handkerchief and walks Lily through everything

00:19:47that happened, making sure to highlight every word I said. Lily's blood boils. In her mind,

00:19:51this so-called brother is nothing but a lowlife, eh? Lowlife being offered a place in the Lou family

00:19:55should be on his knees with gratitude. Instead, not only is there no gratitude, he speaks to her

00:20:00mother like that. Who does he think he is? If it weren't for the blood tie, no one would give

00:20:03him a

00:20:03second glance. Absolute lowlife. For a moment, Lily forgets I even exist. Mom, stop crying. Dad's

00:20:08right. Someone like that needs to be brought back here. We can't have him out there embarrassing the

00:20:12Lou name. A cold, ruthless look flashes in Lily's eyes. There's a lot she plans to do once I'm under

00:20:17her roof. Right now, Lily has absolutely no idea that the lowlife she's raging about and the guy

00:20:21she fell for are the exact same person. Blinded by fury, she doesn't see the connection at all.

00:20:25All she wants is to teach me a serious lesson. She is not going to let me off the hook.

00:20:28Meanwhile, I take Marcus to see the place, grab a quick bite, and head back to school. My quarters on

00:20:32campus are a two-story private villa. The ground floor is where I live. The upper floor holds the

00:20:35equipment I use to work on the research project assigned to me by the system. For the past two

00:20:38years, my focus has been on bringing the spatial pouch into reality. The higher-ups take this project

00:20:42extremely seriously. They even assign four elite specialists to assist me, all in the name of

00:20:46keeping me safe. Now the project is almost done. I can finally free up my hands to deal with the

00:20:50Lou family. Back at the villa, I head straight upstairs. Even now, I still can't complete a fully

00:20:54functional spatial pouch. The system hasn't given me any new guidance. Everything has to be figured out

00:20:58on my own. I sit in the lab and think for a long time. Then my phone rings and pulls

00:21:01me back.

00:21:01I check the screen. It's Ms. Yun. Hey, Ethan. Have you gotten on someone's bad side recently?

00:21:05Someone has suffered twice the rent to take over the place you're in right now and they want you

00:21:08out within three days. I turned them down but then they offered four times the rent. I once did Ms.

00:21:12Yun

00:21:12a favor so we've stayed on good terms, but four times the rent is nothing to sneeze at. I already

00:21:16know what the Lou family's doing. I keep it short. Got it, Ms. Yun. I'll come by tomorrow to get

00:21:20my

00:21:20things. That's not what I meant. Ms. Yun sounds embarrassed. I'm just letting you know. I'm not renting to

00:21:24them. Go ahead and rent it. Four times the rent. Why would you turn that down? The Lou family has

00:21:28money to

00:21:29burn. Four times nothing to them. I can stay on campus anyway. Just please don't tell them

00:21:32anything about my situation. Ms. Yun agrees right away. Of course I won't, but why are they coming

00:21:36after you? Do you need help? I know some people. Ms. Yun keeps going, guilt pouring out of her. I

00:21:40give

00:21:41her a few easy replies and end the call. My eyes go cold. I knew Victor would make a move.

00:21:45I just

00:21:45didn't expect it this soon. Typical capitalist move. This is actually interesting. I raise an eyebrow

00:21:49and open my messages to find Lily has sent several messages. I think for a moment then casually

00:21:53reply to one of them. Then call my official academic advisor. Dr. Zhang, someone's messing with me.

00:21:58My official advisor is Dr. Zhang, who came here from the capital. That he's one of the four

00:22:02specialists assigned to me by the higher-ups. His background is not something anyone talks about

00:22:05openly. Every teacher at this school, including the principal, treats him with absolute deference.

00:22:09The mayor of Jinhai City has come to see him more than once practically overflowing with respect

00:22:13every time. With four powerhouses like these watching my back staying silent when someone wrongs

00:22:18me would just be stupid. Before the Lou family made their move, I had no reason to show my hand.

00:22:22But now that they have, everything falls into place naturally. My landlord called. I've got three

00:22:26days to leave. Apparently I've gotten on someone's bad side. My voice is completely calm. Mention the

00:22:30Lou family's adoption push in passing, keeping it light. But even that is enough to make Dr. Zhang

00:22:34furious. Because I'm not someone who causes scenes. I'm steady, low-key, disciplined. I developed the

00:22:38spatial pouch at this age, holding one of the most critical research projects in existence. And I've

00:22:42never let a single detail slip to the outside world. I never go looking for trouble. And I never let

00:22:46my abilities make me arrogant. More importantly, I'm not just his student. A critical research asset to the

00:22:50people at the top. And right at the final stretch of the project, the Lou family suddenly shows up

00:22:54wanting to claim me as their son. Could the Lou family be acting on someone else's orders? Do they

00:22:59know something? This is a serious question. Ethan, stay on campus. Don't go out unless you have to.

00:23:03I'll have someone look into this. Don't stress too much. The Lou family is small time. They can't

00:23:07cause real damage. It's just one apartment. When I have a free day, I'll take you out myself,

00:23:11wherever you want. Dr. Zhang says a few more reassuring words, then Hang Zupend immediately makes

00:23:15another call. Hey, you have one day to dig into the Lou family. Find out who they've been in contact

00:23:19with recently. If anything looks off, handle it. Listening to the dial tone on the other end,

00:23:23I let a quiet smile pull at my mouth. In my messages, Lily has already replied. She's asking

00:23:27if I'm free and says she happens to be near Qingbei University and wants to take me out for barbecue.

00:23:31I'm not about to say no, because in just a few days, if nothing goes sideways, Lily will find out

00:23:35who I really am. Before that happens, I need to quickly build up her feelings for me. I can't let

00:23:39her slip away too easily. When I get there and she sees me, Lily freezes for a second or two

00:23:43before

00:23:43catching herself. Her ears go warm. She shifts a little awkwardly. It's so late and I dragged you all the

00:23:48way out here. I'm really sorry. Compared to her nerves, I'm completely at ease. Don't be. I'm actually hungry.

00:23:52Weren't we going for barbecue? There's a great place near Qingbei University. Follow me. Lily nods,

00:23:57still a little dazed. The area around Qingbei University is packed with food stalls and barbecue

00:24:01places are everywhere. I pick the one with the best reviews and take her there. By now it's late.

00:24:04The place is nearly full and the whole restaurant is buzzing with noise from Qingbei University

00:24:08students out for a late meal. The moment I sit down, heads start turning. Several girls keep

00:24:12glancing over at me, but seeing Lily sitting across from me, they hold back and instead send Lily looks

00:24:16full of envy. Lily's pride soars in this moment. The way she looks at me turns noticeably warmer.

00:24:20I take it all in, quietly laughing inside. After ordering, I wave down the staff, hand back the menu,

00:24:24and drift into a blank stare. I go somewhere else in my head, with no intention of talking to Lily.

00:24:28I clearly don't look like I'm in a good mood. Lily shifts uncomfortably in her seat. She thinks hard

00:24:32and finally lands on the perfect opener. We ordered so much spicy stuff. Shouldn't we get something to

00:24:36drink? That pulls me back. Get whatever you like. What do you prefer? Milk tea? I can go grab some.

00:24:40Before Lily can finish, a cup of milk tea lands on our table. Lily blinks, looks up, and sees a

00:24:44strikingly beautiful girl smiling straight at me. Out again for a late night snack? Here, your favorite,

00:24:49jade green milk tea. The girl looks like she's in her early 20s, soft and delicate on the surface.

00:24:53Keyword, on the surface. Her very first line gives her away. Alarm bells go off in Lily's head

00:24:57instantly. I look up calmly. Chloe, you're here too. The girl's name is Chloe Gu. She's a finance

00:25:01student at Qingbei University, one year ahead of me, and one of the most talked about people on campus.

00:25:05Guys line up to chase her, but she fell for me at first sight. Too proud to admit it, though.

00:25:09Chloe never tells anyone she likes me, but whenever she has a free moment, no matter where I show up,

00:25:12she finds a way to appear. And any girl who gets too close to me, she finds a way to

00:25:15make back off.

00:25:16Tonight is no different. Her first line is a dig at Lily. Her second establishes familiarity with me.

00:25:20Any girl with a fragile ego would have retreated by now. But Lily is not that girl. She figures it

00:25:24out fast. This is her rival. Lily takes a breath and inside, the competitive fire roars to life.

00:25:29I'm out for a late meal too. Chloe pulls out the chair right next to me and sits down. And

00:25:32right

00:25:32behind her, three girls around the same age all pull up chairs and sit as well. Lily's expression

00:25:36darkens in an instant. The three are already cheerfully introducing themselves to me. Tiffany even

00:25:40puts on a serious face to apologize for crashing. The moment she says it, Monica chimes right in.

00:25:44But Chloe never stops talking about you, so we had to come see for ourselves. Ella adds,

00:25:48Exactly. She practically sings your praises. We thought she was exaggerating. But seeing you today,

00:25:52the legend clearly checks out. What are you all talking about? Chloe laws and cuts them off.

00:25:56Ethan ignore them. They love making things up. The four of them play right off each other,

00:25:59shutting Lily out completely. This is exactly the scene I wanted to see. I glance at Lily from the

00:26:03corner of my eye. Her expression has gone really bad, so I offer a polite smile. Chloe, everyone,

00:26:07this is my friend Lily. She's who I'm here with tonight. I can't let Lily be humiliated,

00:26:11at least not yet. Coming to her rescue in this moment will send her feelings for me straight up,

00:26:14a 10% boost, at minimum. Chloe's smile stalls for just a second. Then she turns to Lily smoothly.

00:26:19Oh, so you're Ethan's friend. So sorry, I didn't notice you earlier. Chloe's three friends also

00:26:23chime in. So, sorry about that. The apologies are hollow, but Lily lets out a long breath.

00:26:27She smiles with her mouth, but not her eyes. No worries at all. Any senior of Ethan's is a

00:26:31senior of mine, too. What would you all like to eat? Tonight's on me. Oh, we can't let you do

00:26:34that.

00:26:35Chloe is no pushover. You're not a Qingbei University student, right? You're a guest on our campus.

00:26:39We insist on treating. I'm paying. Well then, thank you. Lily turns to me with a grin.

00:26:43Ethan, since Chloe's treating tonight, I'll take you out another time. Look at that.

00:26:46Chloe's smile freezes again. Just for a moment, but I catch it clearly. I smile and nod. Chloe is

00:26:51not exactly a good person, liking someone but refusing to say it, hiding in the shadows to

00:26:55ward off every girl who gets close to home. I'm not looking for a relationship right now,

00:26:59but her little gayness exactly the kind of drama I enjoy watching. Lily is every bit aloo,

00:27:03one against four, and she holds her ground without breaking a sweat. By the end of the meal,

00:27:06she hasn't lost a single round. All four of them try to drink her under the table,

00:27:09but Lily puts every one of them flat out. That is the power-off female rivalry. When I see it's

00:27:13getting late, I suggest we head out. Lily delivers her finishing blow. She looks at Chloe,

00:27:17who is barely holding it together, and says, Chloe, Ethan, and I are heading out. Thanks for

00:27:20treating tonight. Next time I'm on campus, dinner is on me. What class? Chloe almost cracks trying to

00:27:25hold her composure, but she's too drunk to do anything. She has no choice but to watch as Lily and

00:27:28I

00:27:28walk out together. The night airs cool and smells of alcohol, which I find a little unpleasant.

00:27:32I glance at Lily, cheeks lightly flushed. Sorry about tonight, what a mess. What mess? It's just

00:27:36some drinks. That's what being young is about, isn't it? Drink hard, eat well? Lily is a little

00:27:40drunk now and her words are looser than usual. So do you drink often? My eyebrow goes up. No wonder

00:27:44you put all four of them on the floor. That snaps Lily right back to reality. No, not at all.

00:27:49My family

00:27:49just has a high tolerance. I hardly drink usually. Tonight Chloe and the others were so enthusiastic I

00:27:53didn't want to be rude. But alcohol, too much of it isn't good for you. Lily scrambles to cover her

00:27:57tracks, but the more she says, the worse it sounds. A flash of frustration crosses her face.

00:28:01Yeah, too much alcohol isn't good. I don't push the conversation. When someone's already off balance,

00:28:06one small nudge in the right direction followed by a shift in attitude is more than enough to make

00:28:10her spiral. I called you a car. I hold up my phone. You've had a lot to drink. Get home

00:28:14and rest.

00:28:14Lily panics a little. I can walk you back to campus. No need. You're the one who's drunk. I can

00:28:19get back

00:28:19on my own. Wait here a second. I'm going to grab something. I turn and walk away. Lily's heart sinks.

00:28:23She already messed up. Now he must think less of her. He probably thinks she's the kind of girl who

00:28:27lives at bars. That thought sobers her up instantly. She's flooded with anxiety and regret.

00:28:31He's so impressive he must have countless people chasing him, including plenty of wealthy,

00:28:35accomplished ones. Like Chloe just now. Annoying as she is, just from the way she speaks and

00:28:39carries herself, it's clear she comes from money. With Chloe's background, Ethan still kept her at

00:28:43arm's length. Even when Chloe and her friends took turns pushing drinks on him, he kept frowning,

00:28:47clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing. I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I just pretend to be more

00:28:50drunk? Maybe. Then Ethan would have walked me home. No. I have to do something to fix the impression

00:28:55I've made on Ethan. The more Lily thinks about it, the more her head hurts. And just as her mind

00:28:58is

00:28:58spinning, a small box suddenly appears in front of her. Here, these are hangover pills. Take them

00:29:03and you'll feel better. I press the box into Lily's hand. I know that to make someone truly fall for

00:29:06you, you have to keep pulling at their emotions, back and forth, until every single feeling they

00:29:10have is tied to your every move. That's when you know you've got them. So when Lily sends me a

00:29:14message to say she got home safe, I don't even glance at it. I finish what I need to do

00:29:18and go to

00:29:18sleep. The next morning I pick up my phone and to find over 20 messages from Lily. I'm home.

00:29:23Thank you for the hangover pills. After taking them, my head doesn't hurt at all. Did you make it back

00:29:26to campus okay? The messages come in roughly every half hour. At first, they are perfectly normal.

00:29:31But as the night wears on, Lily's texts start to shift. I can't quite explain it. I rarely drink.

00:29:36Tonight is a rare exception. The last message arrives at 2 in the morning. I stare at the

00:29:40panic bleeding through the screen and raise an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across my face.

00:29:44Type back one short line, sorry, I was exhausted last night and passed out the second I got home.

00:29:49Lily must not have slept at all, because the reply comes the instant my message lands.

00:29:53Oh, so you were asleep. I thought you were ignoring me. There is a little sad face emoji at

00:29:56the end. I find it almost funny. Before I can even respond, another message pops up.

00:30:00Are you free today? I know this amazing sushi place. I'm not free today. I'm moving.

00:30:04Lily immediately offers to come help. I don't agree outright. Just say I can manage. But she

00:30:08pushes. She says she is already at the front gate of Qingbei University, waiting for me right

00:30:11outside. Didn't sleep a wink, just as I thought. My mood lifts instantly. Fine, wait at the east

00:30:16gate. I'll be out soon. 8 in the morning, a busy airport. A fresh-faced young man strides through

00:30:20the terminal, a beautiful girl laughing beside him. Both of them are strikingly good-looking,

00:30:23turning heads everywhere they walk. Do you think mom and dad will be surprised that we're back this

00:30:27early? This young man is Tyler Liu, the youngest son of the Liu family. A month ago, Tyler was in

00:30:31a

00:30:31minor car accident on his way to school. His face was cut, leaving a faint scar. Tyler has always been

00:30:35obsessed with his looks. A scar on his face? Absolutely not. To get rid of it, he pulled his

00:30:40sister Serena, who studies in Shanghai, to travel with him to Country H for a skin restoration procedure.

00:30:44They are only returning today. Tyler's face is all wide-eyed innocence. Though Dot has probably already

00:30:48left for the office, he works so hard. When he gets home, I'm going to cook him a proper meal,

00:30:52a love-packed home dinner from his own son. Tyler has no idea he is not the Liu family's

00:30:56biological son. The Liu family loves him with all their hearts. When they first discovered there

00:31:00was no blood connection, their first instinct was to bury the truth. Their second was to suspect

00:31:04Diana of having an affair. But once they confirmed that Tyler and Diana show me a biological bond

00:31:08either, they knew something was wrong and started digging. But a boy who had been drifting alone for

00:31:1217 years, who hadn't even finished high school, how could he compare to Tyler, who had been by their

00:31:17side every single day? So the family talked it over and agreed unanimously to keep the truth

00:31:21buried. The true heir, the one lost to the outside world, would be brought back as an

00:31:25adopted son. They would give him a roof and meals and he should never dare dream of competing with

00:31:29Tyler. Tyler beams with pride. Serena glances over at him, her eyes full of warmth and affection.

00:31:33Tyler still doesn't know. But after this trip home, he will no longer be the only son in the Liu

00:31:37family.

00:31:37The thought settles over her and Serena draws a slow breath. A flicker of disgust crosses her eyes.

00:31:41She just hopes that boy knows his place. He should not reach for things that are not his,

00:31:44because if he does, even if he is her biological brother, she will not let it slide.

00:31:48Wait, you actually live in the villa complex here at Qingbei? After helping me move my things in,

00:31:53Lily starts to question everything she knows about the world. Because the only people who

00:31:56get a two-story villa on Qingbei's campus are at least full professors, or people who have made

00:32:00extraordinary contributions to the university. But I look so young, there is no way I am a professor.

00:32:04So that only leaves one answer, an extraordinary contribution. But the last student who did

00:32:08something like that, he took first place at the Global Robotics Championship. That was five years

00:32:12ago. Qingbei's name exploded across the country overnight. Back when the competition started,

00:32:16Lily had planted herself in front of the television to watch every round, and that senior student,

00:32:20Byron Bai, had naturally become her idol. Now, sitting on the villa sofa, Lily's fair face is

00:32:25flushed red. She looks almost dazed, unable to believe this boy in front of her, who looks so

00:32:29harmless, could possibly be in the same league as her idol. Yes, I did something, something significant,

00:32:33and Dr. Zhang applied for this villa on my behalf. Lily's eyes go wide. There is something

00:32:37endearingly lively about her in this moment. What did you do? I can't say, classified, but if things move

00:32:42quickly you should know within a few months. That sounds extraordinary. Lily's throat moves.

00:32:46Is it something impressive? I'd say so. What field? Can't tell you. I signed a non-disclosure

00:32:50agreement. Lily sucks in a sharp breath. But you look about my age. Does being young mean you can't

00:32:54achieve things? Age means nothing. Sunlight pours through the glass, gilding me in gold. I look

00:32:58effortlessly cool and just a little mysterious. Thanks for helping me move. Come on, I'll buy you

00:33:03lunch. I steer the conversation away. Lily's feelings are all over the place. She wants to keep

00:33:07pushing, but one look at my expression and she knows she will get nothing more out of me. Everything she

00:33:10wants to say collapses into five quiet words. You're really something else. Yes, I really am.

00:33:15If Lily was first drawn to me purely by looks, she is now completely, utterly captivated. There is no

00:33:19shortage of handsome, brilliant boys, and most of the guys chasing her are top students. But compared

00:33:23to me, they are not even in the same league. Before she met me, she never imagined a 17-year

00:33:27-old

00:33:27could be this extraordinary. In one afternoon, I have risen several levels in her heart. Right now,

00:33:31the way she looks at me holds not just burning admiration, but deep respect. Not bad. So lunch?

00:33:37Absolutely. The words barely leave her mouth before her phone rings. She checks it. It is Tyler.

00:33:40Normally. A call from Tyler would make her happy. But now she glances at me, sees my neutral

00:33:45expression, and only then picks up. Before she can get a word in, Tyler's voice bursts through.

00:33:49Lily, I'm back. Did you miss me? I missed you so much during this trip to City A. I'm heading

00:33:52home now. Are you at school or home? You didn't skip class today, did you? Tyler rattles on and on.

00:33:56Lily does not absorb a single word. Her mind is full of me. The more she thinks about it,

00:33:59the more she is convinced I am extraordinary. If she could have someone like me as a boyfriend,

00:34:03everyone would envy her. Her heart is racing. She cuts him off with barely concealed impatience.

00:34:07Okay, I'm busy right now. I'll talk to you tonight. Without waiting for a reply, she hangs up.

00:34:11On the other end, Tyler stares at his phone in blank disbelief as the dial tone plays.

00:34:15Serena, sitting beside him, asks,

00:34:16What's wrong? Nothing. Tyler snaps back to reality, his mood dropping fast.

00:34:20Lily actually hung up on him. He is genuinely annoyed. He draws a slow breath,

00:34:23forcing the irritation down. Lily's up to something hanging up on me like that.

00:34:27Victor and Diana had not told Serena about me refusing to come back to the family.

00:34:30They just said some things were still being sorted out. So the moment Serena hears this,

00:34:33she assumes it must be connected to their so-called new brother, and her brow furrows sharply.

00:34:37She ruffles Tyler's hair. I'll help you sort him out. That so-called brother is playing a deep

00:34:41game. It has barely been any time at all, and Lily is already hanging up on Tyler for his sake.

00:34:45Lucky she came back with Tyler this time. Otherwise, Tyler would not stand a chance against him.

00:34:49Serena lets out a slow breath, eyes narrowing slightly. After hanging up,

00:34:53Lily turns to me and explains that the call was from her brother. She says he had a small accident

00:34:56recently and was away for a while, only just getting back today. I press my lips together and smile.

00:35:00Back? In the country? And his first call is to you. You two must be close. We really are.

00:35:05He's the only brother I have. Lily says this, completely forgetting that her real brother

00:35:08is still out there somewhere. Don't let his age fool you, though. He acts like a little kid

00:35:12half the time. Oh, and he's the same age as you this year. If you two ever met, I bet

00:35:15you'd have

00:35:15loads to talk about. Lily chatters away about her family, clearly trying to close the distance

00:35:19between us. The moment she mentions Tyler being close to my age, her eyes light up. If Tyler could

00:35:23actually become friends with Ethan Liu, wouldn't her own chances go up? I should introduce you two

00:35:26sometime. Her face is bright with excitement, completely blind to the cold indifference buried in my eyes.

00:35:30Sure, I'd like that. The two of us head out for lunch at Japanese place near campus. Lily wanted

00:35:34to take me somewhere farther out, but I have already spent more than enough time on her today.

00:35:38I use needing to get back to school as my excuse. I'll reach out in a couple of days. I'll

00:35:41bring

00:35:41my brother along, you two can get to know each other. I give a small nod. Sounds good. Lily is

00:35:45thrilled. She is already mentally planning what gift to get Tyler, something to sweeten him up so he

00:35:49will help her win me over. After leaving campus, she swings by a luxury counter to pick up the latest

00:35:54designer bag, then drives straight home to the Liu estate. By the time Tyler gets back, Victor has already

00:35:58left for the office only Diana and the household staff, our home. Tyler does not mind. He hands

00:36:03out souvenirs from country H to the staff, then brings out the gift he carefully chose for Diana

00:36:07and fastens it around her neck himself, a Cartier ruby necklace worth somewhere around

00:36:11100,000 yuan. For an elite family matriarch like Diana, that price tag is nothing but the thought

00:36:15behind it warms her heart. With Serena also back, the cloud that has hung over the house these past few

00:36:20days finally begins to lift. Why are you spending money on me? Save it for yourself. Diana grabs

00:36:24Tyler's arm and refuses to let go. Tyler grins. I just saw it and thought it was perfect for you,

00:36:28so I bought it. Besides, what's wrong with getting mom a gift? Once I start earning my own money,

00:36:32I'll buy you something every single day. Tyler has a way with words, sweet as honey, and Diana cannot

00:36:36stop smiling. Just knowing you care is enough. Mom knows how devoted you are. Caring isn't enough if

00:36:41you don't back it up with action. Otherwise, you're just all talk and no follow through. I'm not that

00:36:44kind of person. When it comes to mom, I mean every word I say. I say it. I do it.

00:36:48Diana's smile spreads

00:36:49all the way across her face. Serena laughs. What do you mean all talk and no follow through? So in

00:36:53your mind, am I just all talk too? Of course not. You're different. But you didn't bring mom

00:36:57anything this time. She must be a little sad. Serena turns to Diana. Mom, I didn't bring you

00:37:01anything, but let me cook for you today. What do you feel like? I'll have the staff get the

00:37:04ingredients. Anything is fine. Diana watches her two children bicker and feels years younger.

00:37:09Tyler loves fish, makes some fish. Best mom ever. Tyler buries himself in Diana's arms again.

00:37:13The warmth of the moment eases something in Serena. She had expected to come home and walk straight

00:37:17into a face off with their so-called new brother, but he is not here. If he had been,

00:37:20Tyler would not be this happy right now. Better if he stays gone forever. She would even pay him

00:37:24a large sum to disappear. Too bad their parents would never agree. Seeing Tyler cocooned in family

00:37:29affection, his earlier irritation is already forgotten. Then Lily walks in with her new bag,

00:37:33her mood glowing. He is incredible, Tyler. So handsome. If you met him, you'd like him instantly.

00:37:37And if you two got close, my chances would go way up. Please, I really like him. You have to

00:37:41help me.

00:37:42Lily cycles through boyfriends at school like she is flipping pages, and every single one of them

00:37:46has tried to win Tyler over to get closer to her. This is the first time she's ever come to

00:37:49him

00:37:49needing help chasing someone, and on top of that, it sounds like she is the one doing the chasing.

00:37:53For someone who has always been the center of everyone's attention at home and at school,

00:37:57Tyler is deeply uncomfortable. His smile goes stiff, but he keeps his voice easy.

00:38:00All right, bring him out when the timing is right. I want to see exactly what kind of person has

00:38:03my

00:38:04sister this worked up. Lily lights up immediately. Thank you so much. You are the best. Lily starts

00:38:08plotting how to get me to agree to a meetup, but before she can even work out the timing,

00:38:11trouble hits the Lou family business first. The tax authorities show up at the company for an audit.

00:38:15Then, one after another, Lou Group's business partners start pulling out of their contracts,

00:38:19leaving their new projects dead in the water. The chain of disasters leaves Victor beside himself.

00:38:23He has spent years navigating the business world and knows exactly what this is.

00:38:26Somebody's deliberately targeting him. He spends a fortune reaching out to old contacts for

00:38:30information. At first, no one will talk, but seeing how desperate he is, they let a little slip.

00:38:34Sounds like you've crossed someone recently. Whoever is coming after you has serious weight

00:38:37behind them. We can't afford to say a word against them. The moment he hears this, Victor panics.

00:38:42He racks his brain and cannot figure out who he could have offended. With the tax audit pressing hard on

00:38:46top of

00:38:46everything else, the Lou family situation has become a desperate. No one they approach can help.

00:38:51The network of connections Victor spent years and a fortune building tells him not to panic too much.

00:38:55I've heard some vague things from people higher up. Apparently, you mistreated a person of national

00:38:59importance. This is just a warning. A person of national importance? How could I have possibly

00:39:03mistreated someone like that? I wouldn't even know how. Victor feels completely wronged. It does not

00:39:06even cross his mind to connect the contact's words to me. The contact size. A few days ago,

00:39:11did you rent out a small apartment at several times the market rate? Victor's gut reaction is to say,

00:39:15why would I rent a small apartment? But even as the words form, the memory crashes back in. The

00:39:19pressure tactic he used to try to force me to comply, and his stomach drops. Shock floods through

00:39:23him, chased immediately by disbelief. You mean, seeing that Victor has made the connection,

00:39:27the contact stops dancing around it. From what I hear, you were trying to bring that boy in as some

00:39:31kind of godson. His background is extraordinary. The people above initially flagged you as a potential spy.

00:39:37They investigated and cleared you, so this is just him sending you a simple message.

00:39:40Listen to me, don't bother pulling strings this time. It won't work. Pay back every yuan you owe,

00:39:45take the financial hit, and call it a lesson learned. As for those business partners,

00:39:49formal apologies are non-negotiable. The contact hangs up without another word. Victor stands there

00:39:53listening to the dial tone, his shock and confusion beyond words. He cannot move. Victor never once

00:39:57considered that the biological son he wrote off could be a person of national importance. After all,

00:40:01from everything he had heard, the boy was just a dropout with nothing to show for himself. A

00:40:05boy who could not even finish high school had no business being a son of the Lou family. He is

00:40:09a man

00:40:09who puts profit above all else. When he found out his biological son was such a disappointment,

00:40:13his first thought was to bring me in as an adopted son, give me a comfortable life and call it

00:40:16swear.

00:40:17He never expected that I was this capable, that someone my age had already become a priority to

00:40:21the state. He barely made one move against me, and he almost got flagged as a spy. For a moment,

00:40:25Victor is consumed by regret, but the regret does not last. It is quickly swallowed whole by pride and

00:40:29excitement off the purest kind. Of course, this is his flesh and blood. This is his son. Even raised

00:40:33outside this family, he turned out this exceptional. If that is the case,

00:40:36then Ethan Liu cannot come back as an adopted son. He must come back as the true heir,

00:40:39but if that happens, what becomes of Tyler? Diana has watched her husband unravel over these past

00:40:43few days, seeing every crack and worried quietly. She has run through every possible explanation,

00:40:47but she never once considered that the attacks on the company could have anything to do with the

00:40:51biological son she lost years ago. When Victor tells her the truth, she cannot believe it at first.

00:40:55It is only when he says he wants to bring me back as the true heir that she finally snaps

00:40:59back to

00:40:59reality. Tyler has been with us since he was small. If he finds out he is not our biological son,

00:41:03it will destroy him. Yes, Ethan is impressive, but we cannot just ignore how Tyler feels.

00:41:08Sentimentality. Victor's love for Tyler is real, but it has always been mixed with other things,

00:41:12never as pure as the rest of the families. He scoffs when Diana says this. Do you have any idea

00:41:17how exceptional this son of yours actually is? Barely lifted a finger and the Liu family nearly

00:41:21collapsed. If we actually try to hide his true identity, forget about whether he would even come

00:41:25back with us. The people above would never allow us to keep mistreating him, and that so-called

00:41:29life-saving benefactor story never even existed. Do you think any of this is hidden from the

00:41:33people above? Diana stares at her husband, shaken. Is he really that powerful? Then why is he renting

00:41:37a tiny one-bedroom apartment? And besides, everyone at his high school said he just dropped out. What

00:41:41do those kids know? Victor has thought about this too. If the state values him this highly,

00:41:45whatever he is working on must be classified. The state removed him quietly from school,

00:41:49and anyone who did not know the truth would naturally assume he dropped out. Not just the

00:41:52students, even the teachers probably have no idea. Victor takes a deep breath, his blood running hot.

00:41:57He is our biological son. If we bring him back, the Liu family rises with him. We all stand to

00:42:01gain.

00:42:01Seeing how worked up Victor is, Diana knows his mind is made up. Her brow knits tight.

00:42:06Then what about Tyler? There is nothing we can do, he will have to accept it. Though honestly,

00:42:09it is not really asking that much of him. He spent years living our son's life in comfort

00:42:13and privilege. If anyone has truly suffered, it is Ethan. Victor gives Diana's shoulder a firm pat.

00:42:18Go prepare some things the boy will like. I'm going to see him tomorrow and sort this out.

00:42:22That soon? Because of what happened before, Diana feels a deep reluctance to bring me back into

00:42:26this house. And of course, her deeper fear is that Tyler will not be able to handle it.

00:42:29But what do we do about Tyler? Just tell him the truth. Just tell him the truth.

00:42:32Diana lets out a heavy sigh. How is Tyler supposed to accept this so fast?

00:42:36She grabs Victor's sleeve. What if we say they are twins? They don't look alike,

00:42:39but fraternal twins exist. The more she thinks about it, the more possible it seems.

00:42:42Diana perks up. This way he comes back as the true heir, and Tyler does not have to feel so

00:42:47displaced. Tyler is so kind-hearted, he would even look out for Ethan. Before they had tried to

00:42:51deceive Ethan, the twin story could have been plausible. But now that everything is blown up,

00:42:55if they try to spin a twin story, Ethan will never buy it. Even after just one encounter,

00:42:59Victor can see clearly that I am not someone easily fooled, let alone with the state behind

00:43:02me. Tyler, barely home for a few days, is blindsided by the news. How can this be happening?

00:43:06How, mom? How, Ami, not your son? You have to be lying to me. At Victor's insistence,

00:43:10Diana tells Tyler everything. Tyler refuses to believe it. But Diana's face is completely serious,

00:43:15filled with worry. She places a paternity test report in front of him. Tyler falls apart inside.

00:43:20Tears pour down his face. It is like falling into a pit of ice,

00:43:22a cold that seeps from his head all the way to his feet. No matter how Diana tries to comfort

00:43:26him,

00:43:26he cannot accept any of it. Watching the son she treasures most cry like this,

00:43:30Diana cannot hold back her own tears. Mother and son collapse into each other,

00:43:33sobbing, and are quickly found by Lily and Serena. When the two sisters learn that their mother has

00:43:37actually told Tyler the truth, neither of them can accept it. They both demand to know why,

00:43:41since from the very beginning they agreed I would only be brought back as an adopted son.

00:43:45Diana does not want this either. So between her tears, she explains the reason to her daughters.

00:43:49She exaggerates the part where I was rude to them and glosses over everything Victor did.

00:43:53The version she tells paints me as someone with talent, yes, but someone with talent and

00:43:56absolutely no manners or basic decency. Serena is furious. But Lily listens and feels something

00:44:01is off. The whole thing is too coincidental. If her real brother had just been some low-level

00:44:05dropout, fine. But a person of national importance, someone the state actively protects,

00:44:09someone who was recently approached by a family that tried to claim him forced him to move?

00:44:12Why does all of that sound so familiar? On some instinct she cannot quite name.

00:44:15Lily speaks up. Mom, what is his name? Diana wipes her eyes.

00:44:18Ethan Liu. One more heart gets hit like a wrecking ball. Lily's face goes white in an instant.

00:44:22These past few days I have been living in the lab, pulling all-nighters back-to-back until

00:44:25I am running on fumes. Ethan, someone from your family is here. I have been in the lab for days

00:44:29now. Dr. Zhang and the other senior researchers have been alongside me the whole time, but age

00:44:33catches up with all of them. Their stamina has limits. They cannot match my pace. Days and nights

00:44:38without sleep. When they hit their limit, they head to the restroom for a few hours. They keep telling

00:44:42me not to rush, but I cannot help myself. I want to finish the spatial pouch research as soon as

00:44:46possible. Not for any other reason. I just want the warlock's final shard. To claim what the warlock

00:44:51left behind. Dr. Zhang and the others have no idea what I am actually after. They assume I am just

00:44:55fired up. After the whole Liu family situation, equal parts angry and anxious on my behalf, which

00:44:59is why the moment they hear the Liu family has shown up, they come rushing to tell me immediately.

00:45:03Go splash some water on your face and go see them. They are definitely here to apologize.

00:45:07These past few days I have been so buried in the spatial pouch research that I almost forgot the Liu

00:45:11family existed. They're here? So my little report actually worked. I perk up and scrub my face hard

00:45:16with both hands. Where are they? Waiting at the school gate. They brought bags full of stuff. Has

00:45:20to be an apology run. The Liu family is nothing. If anything happened to Ethan, 10 Liu families

00:45:24combined would not be enough to pay for it. Okay, let me wrap up what I'm doing and I'll head

00:45:27out.

00:45:27The warlock's legacy matters, yes, but I have been laying the groundwork for this moment for a long time.

00:45:32I am genuinely a little eager to see how they play it today. The Liu family shows up for this

00:45:35apology

00:45:35in full force. Everyone who is in the city is here. Tyler comes too, even though he does not have

00:45:39to.

00:45:39The whole family told him to stay home and take the time he needed. But after all the crying,

00:45:43Tyler says that the most innocent person in all of this is me. He has lived my life in luxury

00:45:47for

00:45:47years. This apology belongs to him too. Tyler's decency moves both Diana and Serena deeply,

00:45:51and their resentment toward me grows sharper. As for Lily, all she feels is dread and humiliation.

00:45:56There is no room for anything else. The coincidences are too perfect and they terrify her.

00:46:00What terrifies her even more is that her real brother goes to Qingbei University too.

00:46:04Holding on to one last thread of hope, she comes along with Victor and the others,

00:46:07waiting in the blazing sun for her real brother to appear.

00:46:09And when she actually sees that familiar figure step out, for one brief moment she wishes she

00:46:13could disappear entirely. You wanted to see me? What is it? I came straight from the lab. When I

00:46:17walked out I only splashed water on my face and did not even bother changing clothes. The more

00:46:21indifferent you appear to your enemies, the more power you project. Don't tell me you're here to

00:46:24pressure me into being your son again. The Liu family is dressed to impress today. Clearly they

00:46:28took this apology seriously. I spot them immediately through the crowd at the gate and of course I see

00:46:32Lily, standing among them like she just got struck by lightning. I narrow my eyes slightly, keep my face blank,

00:46:36and shift my gaze away. My eyes move over Tyler, whose color is off. His smile is painfully forced.

00:46:41Diana's eyes are full of displeasure. Serena is pure hostility. Only Victor wears a smile,

00:46:45though his eyes are all ambition and barely disguised pride.

00:46:47Excuse me, is that how you speak to people? Before Victor can even open his mouth,

00:46:51Serena fires up beside him. Is that the way you talk to your elders? Elders?

00:46:54I raise an eyebrow and let my gaze drift slowly across Victor's face.

00:46:57You. Mean the people who showed up out of nowhere wanting to claim me as a son? Then use pressure

00:47:02tactics when I said no? Serena's brow slams down. What did you just say? Enough. What did I tell you

00:47:06before we came? Serena does not even finish before Victor cuts her off shooting her a sharp look,

00:47:10then turning to me with his most practiced smile. Your name is Ethan, right? Last time I handled things

00:47:14badly. I came here today specifically to apologize. He signals Diana with a look. Diana steps forward

00:47:19immediately, holding out a gift bag, forcing a smile onto her face. Here, this is a small token from us.

00:47:23Please take it. No need. My refusal is clean and immediate. Renting out that apartment. At four

00:47:27times the market rate did not actually affect me at all. The school gave me a villa. That apartment

00:47:31is just somewhere I drop by occasionally, so I accept the apology, but I do not want the gift.

00:47:35That is not acceptable, Victor says. This was my fault from the start. My original intention was to

00:47:39buy you a place, but what you said that day got to me, and I wanted to give you a

00:47:42scare. A man my age

00:47:43hitting worked up over a young person that is entirely on me. Victor rehearsed every word of this

00:47:47before coming. It sounds too polished to be real. I do not move, do not even blink. I just watch

00:47:52him

00:47:52perform. Seeing this, Victor starts to lose momentum. He pauses. Actually, today I cannot just to

00:47:56apologize, but also because there is something I need to discuss. I've reserved a table at Enion

00:48:00restaurant. It is almost lunchtime. Why don't we talk over a meal? No need. Whatever you want to say,

00:48:04say it here. I refuse without hesitation. The moment I saw Tyler show up, I already knew exactly what

00:48:09Victor is after today. He sees I have made something of myself and now wants to bring me back as

00:48:13his real

00:48:13son. I wonder how Tyler is feeling about that. Those eyes definitely look like they have been crying.

00:48:17I feel good about this. Not a trace of it shows on my face. Victor has clearly come mentally

00:48:21prepared for rejection. He does not react with anger. He just keeps smiling. Come on,

00:48:25let's eat. Onion is close. But he does not even finish before he cut him off. No, I am pressed

00:48:29for

00:48:29time and have things to do after this. It is just lunch. It will not take long. I do not

00:48:33want to

00:48:33eat with you. Being turned down again and again, no matter how well Victor prepared himself starts

00:48:37to wear on him. The smile fades a little. He draws a slow breath and is about to say something

00:48:41when

00:48:41Serena cuts in. It is just a meal. What is your problem? You actually said you don't want to eat

00:48:45with us? Who do you think you are? She shouts at full volume, right there at the busy school gate.

00:48:49Heads turn immediately. I never said I was anything special, but I do have the right to say

00:48:53no to a meal with you. I finish speaking and walk away without looking back, giving the Lou family

00:48:57no chance to respond. I disappear into the crowd. Serena is seething. Victor is furious too, but with

00:49:01people streaming past on all sides this is clearly not the moment to make a scene. He forces the rage

00:49:06down and turns a vicious glare on Serena. After spending so many days in the lab I am genuinely tired,

00:49:10so I head back toward the dorms. On the way I run into Chloe Goo. The night Lily drank her

00:49:14under the

00:49:14table she stopped appearing in front of me, but only a few days have passed and here she is again,

00:49:17bold as ever. She smiles warmly. What? A coincidence. This is the way back to my dorm.

00:49:22I give her a casual glance. I know. I came here on purpose. Want to. Chloe is always like this.

00:49:27She orbits around me every word and every move drenched in suggestion, but she never actually

00:49:32confesses. She annoys me, but since she also keeps other would-be admirers away, I do not bother being

00:49:37harsh. Not interested. I'm not hungry. I want to rest. Clean. Direct. I walk past her and keep moving.

00:49:42Behind me Chloe's expression drops. Her fist slowly closes. Victor drives the whole family home in a

00:49:46black fury. The moment they are back he smashes several vases and tears into Serena. Did I not

00:49:51tell you to keep your mouth shut? You think being his biological sister makes you something? I told

00:49:54you, he is someone the state itself values. What exactly are you? And you dared to shout at him

00:49:59in front of all those people. Victor's fury fills every room in the villa. Tyler and Lily stand to the

00:50:03side, not daring to breathe. Diana tries to say a few words in response, but the moment she opens her

00:50:07mouth and says Ethan really does not show respect for his elders, Victor cuts her off. Not respect his

00:50:11elders? What elders? Sure, you are his biological mother, but have you spent a single day

00:50:15raising him? When you found out who he was, you should have brought him home immediately. Instead,

00:50:19you wanted to spare someone else's feelings and bring him in as an adopted son, and now

00:50:23look.completely backed into a corner. Victor is pushing all the blame onto Diana. The truth is,

00:50:27yes, Diana was the one who suggested the adopted son approach to bring me back quietly under that

00:50:32cover, but without Victor's sign-off, no one would have dared act on it. Back then, everyone agreed

00:50:36that a high school dropout had no business holding the title of True Lou heir, not to mention it would

00:50:40embarrass the whole family. More critically, the carefully cultivated image they had built around

00:50:44Tyler all these years would take a serious hit, but now everything is different. My real background

00:50:47is nothing like what he dug up. I am several times more accomplished than any of his children.

00:50:51Without question, give it a few more years and I could elevate the Lou family to heights they have

00:50:55never seen before. Of course, all of that depends on me actually coming back and feeling some good

00:50:58will toward them. But right now, I feel nothing toward them at all. The moment that thought lands,

00:51:02Victor's frustration sharpens into something bitter. He cannot even look at Diana right now.

00:51:06After he finishes berating everyone in the living room, he storms out of the villa. The moment he is gone,

00:51:10Tyler, who had been holding himself together by sheer will, finally breaks. Tears fall fast and

00:51:14heavy. He cannot understand any of it. He just went abroad for a little while. How did everything

00:51:18fall apart like this? How? Did he end up as the fake heir from some story? Why did his father

00:51:22turn

00:51:22on him so fast? Was the love he felt all these years not real? And why is Ethan Lou valued

00:51:26by the

00:51:27state? How is he this exceptional? Tyler clenches his fist. Thinking back on how I carried myself today,

00:51:31he bites down hard on his lip, refusing to let himself cry out loud. It is okay. It is okay.

00:51:36I am the fake

00:51:37heir who was switched at birth. Then let me set things right. As long as Ethan Lou is willing to

00:51:41come back to the Lou family, it does not matter if Tyler has to leave. Tyler holds onto that thought,

00:51:45draws a long breath, and his eyes go steady and sure. Neither Surinan or the others notice the

00:51:49look in Tyler's eyes. No one is in a good place right now. Especially Lily, whose dream guy just

00:51:53turned out to be her own brother. The blow to her is enormous. The whole Lou household is in absolute

00:51:58chaos. Knowing the Lou family is suffering, I feel great. After sending them packing, I go back to the

00:52:02dorm and sleep. When I wake up, there is a message from Lily waiting. Can we meet? I raise an

00:52:06eyebrow

00:52:06slowly and delete her contact. Lily notices almost immediately. Another layer of shadow

00:52:10settles over her already shattered heart. She is not completely falling apart, but she is far from

00:52:14okay. Lily shuts herself in her room, fighting the urge to cry, and then the door swings open.

00:52:18Serena walks in, faced like a storm. What are you doing hiding in here? Do you have any idea how

00:52:21upset Tyler is right now? What's wrong with Tyler? Lily lifts her head, dazed, and meets Serena's

00:52:26bloodshot eyes. Serena's fists are clenched tight. You're asking what's wrong with him? He's in his

00:52:29room right now, packing his things. He says he is leaving the Lou family. Mom and Eve tried everything.

00:52:33He won't listen. He says he wants to give everything back to Ethan Lou. Lily's face

00:52:37changes instantly. Tyler, what are you doing? You are ripping mom's heart out. You were just a baby

00:52:41when this happened. It is not your fault. Please don't go. What will mom do without you? Tyler has

00:52:45made up his mind to leave the Lou family. After Victor tore into everyone on my behalf, Tyler feels

00:52:49like there is no place for him here anymore. Maybe if he goes, everything can fall back into place.

00:52:53I could return to the Lou family and Victor's problems would dissolve. Being switched at birth truly was

00:52:57not Tyler's fault, but he has benefited. All these years, he has been living off someone else's

00:53:01resources and someone else's life. Even if that other person turned out a K, Tyler still feels

00:53:05like a thief. Mom, I will come back to visit you. Tyler's eyes are blurred with tears. I promise I

00:53:10will come back. Right now, the only way to fix this is if I go. Then Ethan can come back

00:53:13without any of

00:53:14this weighing on him and he won't hold any of this against you. He is your real son. Tyler grows

00:53:18more

00:53:18and more distraught as he speaks, until he can barely get the words out. Then, with a bang, the door

00:53:22flies open and Lily and Serena burst in. He may be a Lou by blood, but you are my brother.

00:53:27The two of them

00:53:27speak over each other. Their face is full of raw emotion. Tyler drops his head and cries even

00:53:31harder. Seeing this, Diana rushes forward and wraps her arms around him. Blood is not everything. In

00:53:35my heart, you are my real son. If you leave, what would become of me? If you won't do it

00:53:39for yourself,

00:53:39at least think of your mother. Serena adds, in my heart, you are the only brother I have. As for

00:53:43anyone else, no matter how impressive they are, they mean nothing to me. Serena cuts a warning glance

00:53:47at Lily out of the corner of her eye. Lily presses her lips together and lets out a long,

00:53:50heavy breath. In my heart, you are the only brother I have, Tyler. Please don't go. If you leave,

00:53:54this family falls apart. I do genuinely matter to Lily. Just moments ago, she was still thinking

00:53:59how much better it would have been if Ethan had been welcomed back as the true son from the start.

00:54:02But seeing Tyler cry like this, she cannot stop herself from standing by his side, wanting him

00:54:06to stay even if Ethan never comes back. After all, Ethan is doing just fine on his own, and Ethan

00:54:10Lou never seemed that eager to return anyway. Lily pushes down the unease and guilt rising inside her,

00:54:14watching the three of them. So completely sincere, Tyler does not know what to say. It takes a long

00:54:19moment before he manages to choke out a sound. But Dad wants him to come back, and if I stay,

00:54:23Ethan might refuse to return, and Dad will blame all of you for it. It's okay, he will come back.

00:54:27Lily takes a deep breath, her expression the kind you wear when you have nothing left to lose.

00:54:30If it comes to it, I'll go beg him. I'll go too, Diana says, wiping her eyes. I will tell

00:54:34him the

00:54:35truth about who he is. Beg him to come back. And if he refuses, I will get down on my

00:54:38knees.

00:54:39Either way, Tyler, you are not leaving. Even if Ethan never comes back, I cannot bear to lose you too.

00:54:44Tyler finally breaks completely. Mother and son hold each other and cry, and beside them,

00:54:48Serena and Lily finally let out a long, quiet breath of relief. Meanwhile, I wake up from my

00:54:52nap and start thinking through how to handle the Lou family. Right on schedule they should be coming

00:54:56back for me soon, and this time they should finally tell me the truth about who I am.

00:54:59Sure enough, barely one day passes before the Lou family shows up again. To be precise,

00:55:03it is Diana coming with all three of her children. She leads with the biggest card she has. She claims

00:55:07to be my biological mother and wants to talk. I laugh in her face. My biological mother.

00:55:11Last time you told me I was the son of your husband's life-saving benefactor. Now I'm suddenly

00:55:14your own son. My eyes are completely unmoved. My smile carries nothing but contempt. Diana presses

00:55:19her lips together. Before she can speak, Tyler steps forward, his voice heavy with regret.

00:55:23I'm sorry. The reason she said what she said, it was all because of me. Tyler draws a slow breath.

00:55:27It is a long story. If you don't mind, maybe we could find a cafe and sit down. I will

00:55:31walk you

00:55:31through everything from start to finish. What do you say? Tyler's expression is earnest. There is real

00:55:35sadness in it, and something that looks like resolve. I find the whole thing darkly funny. In my past

00:55:39life, every time he made that face, Serena and the others would humiliate me without a second

00:55:43thought tear me down, say I was not worthy. And it was not just Serena, Diana too. She always favored

00:55:47Tyler above everyone else. Whenever anything went wrong, it was always someone else's fault. But

00:55:50that was a different life. The life where I was as powerless as dust, trapped in the role of a

00:55:54supporting character. I glance over at Serena, catch the look on her face, furious but forced

00:55:58to hold it in, and let out a quiet breath. I'll give you half an hour. Sit down. Tell me

00:56:01what

00:56:01happened. I gesture at Tyler with a slight tilt of my chin. Tyler is on his feet but completely under

00:56:06my thumb. Serena, Diana and Lily all feel it, the quiet contempt I have for him. All three of them

00:56:10frown at once. Tyler lays it all out, steady and honest. The reason she wanted to bring you back

00:56:14as an adopted son was to ease you in first, then slowly reveal the truth over time, gradually restore

00:56:19your real identity. No one expected it to blow up like this. Even at the end, Tyler puts in a

00:56:23word

00:56:23for Victor. Dad, it did not mean any harm. He just could not stand the thought of you being out

00:56:28there

00:56:28on your own, afraid you would lose your way. Honestly, Tyler is genuinely good at this. Every word and

00:56:32gesture radiate sincerity. If my past life had not taught me exactly how badly this goes, I might

00:56:36actually be moved. He always wears innocence so naturally. Watching the emotion in Diana's eyes

00:56:41and in Serena's and Lily's, I raise an eyebrow. The way you tell it sounds like I should actually

00:56:45be thanking you. That is not what I mean, Tyler says immediately. What I am saying is none of this

00:56:49would have happened without me. If you are going to blame anyone, blame me. Don't blame mom and dad.

00:56:53They just love me too much. I know what they did was not fair to you. You are their real

00:56:56son.

00:56:57But mom and Dadari victims here too. They raised me as their own for over a decade. You cannot just

00:57:01cut

00:57:01through 10 years of love overnight. They could not let go of me, and they could not abandon you.

00:57:05So they told that lie. Diana has been crying since before Tyler even finished. With him framing it

00:57:09like this, she seems almost noble. Serena and Lily are both visibly moved. They have completely

00:57:13forgotten the contempt they had for me. A blood relative they had never even met. The country

00:57:17bumpkin comments. The low life insults. That he is not worthy. All of it buried under Tyler's

00:57:21carefully crafted cover story. I look at Tyler. Hearing you lay it out like that, I almost feel like

00:57:25I have no choice but to forgive you. Watching Tyler visibly relax, I let the tone shift. But let's set

00:57:30aside whether they are even my real parents. The moment they found out the wrong child had been

00:57:34raised here, their first instinct was not to find out how I had been living. It was to protect your

00:57:38feelings. Don't you find that laughable? My foster mother died when I was seven. If I hadn't been

00:57:42sharp enough and kept my grades up, where do you think I would be right now? I simply did not

00:57:46want

00:57:46to be brought in as your family's adopted son, and you tried to use pressure tactics to force me to

00:57:50comply. Now you dress it up as concern for my well-being, afraid I would lose my way. When a

00:57:54parent

00:57:55fears their own biological child might go off track, the answer is not to hide who they really are.

00:58:00It is not to cut off his options, crush his dignity, clip his wings, and force him back into

00:58:04your house as a second-class son. That is training a dog. Hit them with blow after blow and toss

00:58:09one

00:58:09small reward. Then expect the other person to fall on their knees with gratitude. If that is what you

00:58:13call not being able to let someone go, then the person your parents supposedly cannot let go of

00:58:17is pretty pathetic. Memory of my past life surfaces. My eyes go cold. I look at Tyler and stand up.

00:58:22You are quite date the performer. I must have had nothing better to dodo waste half an hour on

00:58:26people like you. I turn and walk away. A flash of panic crosses Tyler's face. He moves to reach

00:58:30for my arm, but I stop short, turn back, and look at them with eyes that carry a quiet warning.

00:58:35Do not

00:58:35come looking for me again, because if you do, I think I will have another chat with Dr. Zhang.

00:58:38And next time, I will not be this easy on you. I leave that line hanging like. A stone in

00:58:43the air

00:58:43and walk away without looking back. Watching me go, Tyler loses it completely. Tears flood down his

00:58:47face. How could he say that? I was so sincere. I genuinely wanted to give him back everything that

00:58:51belongs to him. Every word I said came from the heart. Mom, did I do something wrong? He turns to

00:58:56look at

00:58:56Diana and the others. Lily's expression is blank. Diana cannot hide her disappointment. And Serena

00:59:00stares in the direction I walked off with something vicious in her eyes. No, you did nothing wrong.

00:59:04She is petty and ungrateful. So what if she is brilliant? If her mentor knew what kind of person

00:59:08she really is, would he still go to bat for her? She said we crushed her dignity, clipped her wings.

00:59:13Then I will personally sever every path in front of her. I will make her crawl back to this family.

00:59:17I have no idea that Serena is already moving against me. And even if I did, I would not care.

00:59:22With my current resources and standing, crushing a family like the Leos would be trivial.

00:59:25The only reason I let them keep showing up is because watching them squirm is entertaining.

00:59:29That feeling of utter helplessness I spent too many years drowning in it in my past life.

00:59:33Now it is their turn. I want them to watch everything they love crumble, piece by piece,

00:59:37slipping through their fingers like sand, until there is nothing left. Thinking about the looks

00:59:41on Serena's and Tyler's faces just now, I am in a great mood. I pull out my phone and call

00:59:45Marcus.

00:59:45Marcus, are you free? I've got that place on Gianshi Road, Labs Clear this week. Of course I want to

00:59:49see it. It is the first property I've ever owned. My eyes carry a quiet warmth as I set up

00:59:53a time

00:59:53to meet with Marcus. When Diana came to find me with her three children, she did not tell Victor.

00:59:57She was afraid that if it did not work out, Victor would be furious. In hindsight, that was the right

01:00:01call. The sun is blazing overhead, but Diana's heart is ice cold. She cannot understand how she

01:00:06produced a sun like this. Everything was laid out so clearly, and yet he refuses to show a shred of

01:00:10understanding. At the end of the day, I am still his mother. Even if she never raised him, the pain

01:00:14of

01:00:15giving birth is something you carry forever. Lily, take everyone home. I still have something to take

01:00:19care of. Mid-grievance, Diana hears Serena's voice. She looks up and catches something cold

01:00:23and sharp in Serena's eyes. Her heart clenches. What are you going to do? Diana knows her daughter.

01:00:27Serena is nothing like the polished, graceful image she projects. In truth, she is cold by nature.

01:00:31She has no real respect for the law or for human life. Back when she was 15, Tyler got into

01:00:35a rough

01:00:36and tumble with a classmate, hit the back of his head against a wall, and not long after,

01:00:39that girl fell at school and shattered both her legs. The doctor said she would spend the rest of her

01:00:43life in a wheelchair, and that was far from an isolated incident. It was not until Victor found out

01:00:47and beat it out of her that she pulled back. But you cannot turn a wolf into a lamb by

01:00:50hitting it

01:00:51once. All you do is drive the hunger deeper. Serena smiles. I have things to take care of.

01:00:55Don't worry, mom. Everything Serena did back then the whole Lou family knew, except Tyler,

01:00:59including Lily. Lily's brow pulls tight. Don't do anything reckless. He is still your...

01:01:03Serena cuts her off before she can finish. She glances at Lily with an easy smile.

01:01:07You would do well to watch yourself. In Lily's heart, Tyler matters most. But I hold a real place

01:01:12there too. She does not want Tyler to leave, and she does not want me to get hurt either.

01:01:15Lily looks over at Tyler, sees only confusion and loss in his eyes, then grabs Serena by the arm

01:01:20and pulls her aside. She drops her voice low. He is a person of national importance. If you try

01:01:25anything against him, forget everything else. The state itself will come after you.

01:01:29Serena lets out a short, dry laugh. Listen to you. Sounds like you know this ungrateful guy

01:01:33personally. Funny because he does not seem to think about you at all. Lily's expression sours.

01:01:36I've said what I needed to say. Watch yourself. Don't come crying when it blows up in your face.

01:01:40Serena shoves her aside, gives Tyler and Diana a small wave, and walks off. Lily watches her go,

01:01:44mind drifting back to everything that has happened before, her brow creasing.

01:01:48Just as she is about to follow, Tyler's voice comes from behind her.

01:01:50Lily, what was Serena saying to you? Lily turns around, meets Tyler's clear open eyes.

01:01:54Nothing much. He is someone the state values. Even if Serena tries something,

01:01:57she probably won't go too far. And honestly, he has been a bit much lately.

01:02:00If I hadn't known him first, I might have wanted to put him in his place myself.

01:02:03Let me take everyone home. Lily sighs and pushes the unease and guilt down as far as it will go.

01:02:07The apartment is over a hundred square meters. Three bedrooms,

01:02:09one living area, two bathrooms. Marcus turned one of the secondary bedrooms into a walk-in

01:02:14closet and the other into a study. The layout suits me perfectly. I take Marcus out for lunch

01:02:18and hand the entire renovation over to him. In the afternoon, I head to the boxing gym.

01:02:22By the time I leave, it is dark. I grab something quick to eat and head back to campus,

01:02:25only to find Chloe waiting like she never left. She is dressed all in white,

01:02:29glowing under the streetlight. Just getting back. I'm in a decent mood, so I give a small nod.

01:02:32Yeah. Have you eaten? Already did. Want to grab some late night snacks together?

01:02:35No thanks. Okay. She seems to have expected exactly that. No disappointment on her face.

01:02:40She pauses. Then let me walk you back to the dorm. No need. I turn her down again. My brow

01:02:43is already

01:02:44furrowed. Anyone with basic awareness would see I am done with this conversation. She sees it too.

01:02:48But instead of taking the hint and leaving, she says something completely out of nowhere.

01:02:52Have you been running into any trouble lately? Is she keeping tabs on me? Or did the Lou family

01:02:55make another move? I tilt my head and look at her. What? Exactly do you mean by that?

01:02:58Well, today someone was asking around about you. Looked like they were from outside campus. From what I could

01:03:02tell they did not have good intentions. Just watch yourself. If you leave campus anytime soon,

01:03:07you can bring me along. What did they ask? My attention sharpens. In my past life,

01:03:11I spent enough time around the Lou family to know them well. Diana's favoritism toward Tyler

01:03:15runs bone deep. Victor puts profit above everything. Lily is selfish to her core.

01:03:19Serena is a viper who prefers to strike from the shadows. Thinking back on all of that,

01:03:22I clench my fist, then let it go. This is not that life anymore. The one moving against me this

01:03:27time

01:03:27has to be Serena. Lily, after everything I deliberately did to win her over,

01:03:31does have some genuine feelings for me. Those feelings are not enough to replace Tyler's

01:03:34place in her heart. But the fact that Lily has stayed silent this time means my efforts have

01:03:39not been wasted. Lily does care about me. So even if she steps back and watches,

01:03:42she will never move against me. The only one capable of this is Serena, with her viper's instincts.

01:03:47The only question is what tactics she will use. Given that I am a person of national importance,

01:03:50I am actually a little curious to see what she tries. My eyes drift, and a plan for getting back

01:03:54at

01:03:54the Lou family clicks into place. I laugh quietly to myself. Chloe is momentarily stunned,

01:03:58then pulls herself back together and walks me through everything that happened this afternoon,

01:04:02with plenty of filler along the way. The short version, three men showed up this afternoon

01:04:05asking questions. They wanted to know which dorm I live in, whether I have close friends on campus,

01:04:09where I usually spend my time, what my daily routine looks like. All three were from outside

01:04:12the university. They approached a friend of Chloe's, who knows how Chloe feels about me,

01:04:16and passed the information straight to her. At this point in the story, Chloe cannot resist showing

01:04:19off. I know at least half the people at Linnan University. Don't worry, Ethan,

01:04:23I won't let anyone hurt you. Thanks, Chloe. I do not believe she is telling me the full story.

01:04:26With my standing on campus, Serena would not make a reckless move until she fully understood the

01:04:30landscape, at least not this fast. The most likely scenario is that Chloe and Serena have

01:04:34struck a temporary deal, some kind of arrangement that cannot be spoken out loud. But it does not

01:04:38matter. Any scheme, no matter how clever, crumbles against overwhelming strength. Chloe offers again

01:04:43to walk me back to the dorm. Turn her down again. If Serena is already making moves, I need to

01:04:46play

01:04:47along. Let me figure out exactly what she's going for. What Chloe told me is probably a mix of truth

01:04:51and lies. Serena really did send people to investigate me. That part is the obvious layer.

01:04:55The partnership with Chloe is the hidden one. Chloe is two-faced. She has feelings for me but

01:04:58never says so directly, only stirs things up in the background. In that way, she and Serena are

01:05:02actually quite similar. So their arrangement is probably built around a classic rescue scenario.

01:05:06That is Chloe's angle. But Serena is more ruthless. She is not doing this just to help

01:05:10Chloe get me. She must have a play of her own to completely destroy my reputation, and she can use

01:05:13Chloe to keep her own hands clean. With that in mind, I have a pretty clear picture of what is

01:05:17going on.

01:05:17For the next three days, I stay on campus. Chloe asks me to eat with her every single day.

01:05:21I turn her down every time at first, until the third day, when she tells me they tracked down

01:05:24the three men who were asking about me. She wants to meet at the campus cafeteria. I agree.

01:05:28The cafeteria is crowded. Chloe picks a spot tucked away in a corner. She seems completely at ease,

01:05:33choosing a busy cafeteria for this kind of meeting. A public place with witnesses everywhere. Plus her

01:05:37looks, most people would probably take her at face value. The guys who were asking about you showed

01:05:41up again. They even paid me. Said they needed to get you off campus no matter what. My friend has

01:05:44already had them held. Do you want to go check it out? No rush though. It is getting late.

01:05:48You probably haven't eaten yet. We can grab a bite first and head over after. Find out together

01:05:52who is behind this. I smile. Sure. Let's eat first.

My Birth Parents Finally Found Me — Only to Discover Their Daughter Had Already Fallen for Me!

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