When Chu Yuanxun came out of the room, there was a band-aid on his neck, perfectly covering his Adam’s apple and concealing the small mole there.
Wan Tong noticed it immediately and kept sneaking glances at it every so often, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but held back.
Had she… bitten him?
But she was sure she hadn’t used her teeth…
Her gaze was completely unrestrained. Chu Yuanxun lowered his eyes, stirring his takeout breakfast porridge absentmindedly. There was too much MSG in it, making him lose his appetite. He only felt a burning sensation at his throat.
So she really did have… some peculiar habits.
Jian Shiyu also noticed Wan Tong’s frequent glances. Under the table, he quietly kicked her.
Wan Tong tilted her head in confusion, only to see him slurping his noodles with an exaggeratedly serious expression.
The atmosphere felt a little strange. Wan Tong asked him, “Xiaoyu, shouldn’t you be heading back to school?”
“I took leave. Uncle called me last night and told me to take you to Brother Luoting’s today.”
“I got it. I’ll go in a bit,” Wan Tong replied.
Chu Yuanxun’s hand paused slightly, and he lifted his gaze to look at Wan Tong.
Jian Shiyu grinned innocently, flashing his teeth, but then deliberately threw a provocative glance at Chu Yuanxun.
After breakfast, Wan Tong sent Jian Shiyu away and lowered her voice to ask Chu Yuanxun, “Do you have something on your mind?”
At the age of five, Chu Yuanxun was abducted and sold multiple times before ending up in a remote mountain village with a widower. The widower lived alone and spent all his savings to buy a son, naturally treating him well.
From his memories, Chu Yuanxun only remembered his surname was Chu and that he had been kidnapped, but he knew escape was impossible, so he resigned himself to living there. When he started middle school in town, he was officially registered under the widower’s household, but he insisted on keeping the Chu surname and even picked his own name based on his hazy recollections.
The widower didn’t stop him. He only wanted someone to take care of him in his old age. As long as the child stayed, he could do as he pleased.
What the widower didn’t expect was that Chu Yuanxun was exceptionally bright. He studied his way out of the village and eventually settled in B City.
Even after gaining financial independence, Chu Yuanxun still sent money back but rarely visited. Last year, however, he returned to assist the police in busting a human trafficking ring, hoping to uncover his own origins. Unfortunately, after being sold so many times, there were no leads.
It wasn’t until he appeared on a TV program that the Chu family finally noticed him.
According to the plot, by now, the Chu family should have already reached out to him. But Wan Tong observed that he remained unusually calm, not at all like someone who had just found his family.
Chu Yuanxun didn’t understand why she was asking, his gaze steady as he replied blandly, “Aren’t you my biggest concern?”
Wan Tong : “……” Her heart took a direct hit.
But since he didn’t bring up the Chu family, she didn’t press further.
Could Yuan Qingqing have done something?
As if on cue, bad news arrived. Just after Wan Tong and Jian Shiyu left the apartment, she heard the system’s alert. Yuan Qingqing had used the system to conduct a paternity test, and now the Chu family had found their long-lost ‘heir’!
Wan Tong told Jian Shiyu to take her luggage ahead while she moved separately.
At the city hospital, she lingered on the first floor of the inpatient department for a while before spotting Yuan Qingqing stepping out of the elevator, dressed in a nurse’s coat and wearing a face mask.
Not wanting to be noticed, Wan Tong followed her briefly before returning to the elevator just as a group of people stepped out.
A middle-aged couple with reddened eyes, an elderly man with white hair, and a handsome young man pushing a wheelchair.
Seated in the wheelchair was a tall and slender man, pale-skinned and delicate-looking, with bandages wrapped around his head, appearing somewhat weak. From Wan Tong’s perspective, his features bore a slight resemblance to Chu Yuanxun, like a lower-quality version of him.
Behind them were an assistant and two bodyguards wearing dark sunglasses.
Wan Tong had kept up with the news, so she quickly recognized them as the Chu family.
“Don’t leak this to the reporters just yet,” the Chu family patriarch said in a deep voice, clutching the freshly printed test results tightly. “Let’s wait until A’Xùn1 has fully recovered. We don’t want any unnecessary rumors spreading.”
“Yes, yes, A’Xùn needs proper rest…” Madam Chu wiped her tears as she spoke.
The man in the wheelchair looked up at her but remained silent. Instead, he reached out stiffly and held her wrist, muttering in a hoarse voice, “Mom… don’t cry…”
Madam Chu became even more emotional and bent down to hug him.
Even Chu Zhiqiang, standing beside them, quickly grew misty-eyed.
They had spent over twenty years searching for their lost son, scouring the entire country. Now, they had finally found him. Although a car accident had left him with memory loss, the paternity test confirmed he was indeed their child, and even his features bore traces of familiarity.
This was their son—Chu Yuanxùn.
“I need to use the restroom for a moment,” Madam Chu said, realizing her emotional outburst, and excused herself.
Watching the crowd leave, Wan Tong also went to the restroom.
Madam Chu seemed to be an emotional person, still sobbing softly, wiping away tears that kept flowing despite her efforts.
Wan Tong suddenly felt a bit sorry for her—she was shedding tears for an imposter son.
Noticing a well-mannered and elegant young woman approaching, Madam Chu quickly turned away to wipe her eyes. When she turned back and saw Wan Tong still looking at her, offering a tissue, she hesitated before taking it, smiling apologetically.
“Sorry, I’m just too happy. Today, I finally got to see my son…”
Halfway through her sentence, she stopped abruptly, suddenly recalling that she was somewhat of a public figure, often appearing in the news with her husband. It was best not to speak too freely.
“I can see that you’re very happy. No matter the reason, I wish you well.” Wan Tong smiled gently, speaking in a soft voice.
Hearing her warm tone and sincere words, Madam Chu felt comforted and smiled back, nodding. As she was about to leave, she suddenly turned back and asked, “You look a bit familiar… Are you a celebrity in the entertainment industry?”
She rarely paid attention to such things, but occasionally attending banquets meant she had met some celebrities. This young woman was strikingly beautiful even without makeup, which was quite rare.
Wan Tong shook her head. “Madam, my mother is Zheng Wan. Two years ago, I had the honor of meeting you at the Grand Theater in G City.”
Her mother was also a guqin artist, and Madam Chu, being someone with refined taste, frequently attended concerts, she should recognize the name.
Wan Tong thought for a moment and remembered only one occasion where she might have encountered Madam Chu, though she hadn’t actually seen her at the time.
Madam Chu was briefly taken aback, her expression surprised. “Zheng Wan? The head of the Fengqiao National Music Ensemble?”
Wan Tong nodded. “That’s right, Madam. My name is Jian Wantong, and I recognized you just now.”
Madam Chu was thoughtful for a moment before studying Wan Tong again, her gaze now filled with admiration. “Now that you mention it, I do recall. It’s just been a long time since I last attended one of your mother’s performances. I heard she has stepped back from the stage and that her daughter has inherited her guqin skills, someone truly extraordinary. So that’s you…”
Wan Tong smiled modestly. “I wouldn’t dare call myself extraordinary. I’m still striving to reach my mother’s level.”
The more Madam Chu looked at her, the more she liked her. As she thought of her newly found son, a certain idea began to take shape in her mind.
“May I call you Tongtong? Are you in B City for work or just visiting? If you have time, how about joining me for a meal?”
Madam Chu’s tone was calm and warm, and Wan Tong responded politely, even agreeing to meet at a later date.
Finally, Wan Tong accompanied her to a car. A young man with sharp, hawk-like eyes stepped out, his gaze briefly scanning Wan Tong before settling on Madam Chu. “Aunt, who is this?”
The car window rolled down, revealing several people inside, their gazes also curiously directed at Wan Tong.
Madam Chu smiled, patting Wan Tong’s hand. “This is Tongtong, the daughter of a friend I just happened to run into.”
In truth, she had only met Zheng Wan a few times at major events and wouldn’t consider them close acquaintances, but… perhaps that could change in the future.
Wan Tong nodded in greeting to everyone, and Chu Yuanxùn, one of the men in the car, looked at her with a hint of admiration, though he only gave a polite nod in return.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xianchen, the one who had called Madam Chu ‘Aunt,’ remained expressionless, his gaze more scrutinizing than anything else.
After taking her leave, Wan Tong returned to the first floor of the hospital, walked through the corridor, and picked up some medicine for her throat.
It wasn’t until she left the hospital in a taxi that the bodyguards shadowing her disappeared.
After all, the Chu family was the most powerful in B City, they were naturally cautious.
Wan Tong’s cousin, Zheng Luoting, had recently inherited the family business. His real estate holdings spanned the country, and the house in B City was likely something he had only just remembered. By the time she arrived, it had already been cleaned, and Jian Shiyu was sitting alone in the living room, playing video games.
“Sister, where did you go?” Seeing her, he set the controller aside.
“I went to the hospital to pick up some medicine. My throat feels a little dry.” Wan Tong placed the medicine down, taking a moment to examine the house’s decor.
She only stayed in the villa for half a day. After dinner, she slung a small bag over her shoulder and quietly slipped out of the luxurious yet cold mansion.
Jian Shiyu caught her by the wrist, frowning. “Sister, this isn’t a good idea.”
He was responsible for keeping an eye on her. They had only just gotten her away from Chu Yuanxun, and now she was already trying to go back, and even wanted him to keep it a secret!
“Xiaoyu, as long as you don’t say anything, no one will know.” Wan Tong didn’t even pause, clearly confident that he would take her side.
Watching her retreating figure, Jian Shiyu sighed, taking off his cap in frustration. “Tongtong, be honest with me, what do you see in Chu Yuanxun?”
Wan Tong stopped, turned back to face him, and saw his serious expression, he was even putting on the act of a responsible older brother.
“Maybe… his good looks?” she replied.
Jian Shiyu was momentarily speechless. By the time he gathered himself, Wan Tong had already turned and walked ahead. With a resigned sigh, he pulled his cap down and followed her.
He had to keep an eye on her. As for the family… if he didn’t say anything, who would know?
At Chu Yuanxun’s apartment, Wan Tong unlocked the door with the key he had slipped her that morning.
Since he wasn’t home yet, she and Jian Shiyu made themselves comfortable as if they owned the place.
Downstairs, Chu Yuanxun had just parked his car when a woman with several large bags suddenly appeared in front of him.
“Yuanxun, it’s you!” Yuan Qingqing dropped her luggage and rushed toward him, arms outstretched as if to hug him.
Chu Yuanxun paused, then took a step to the side to avoid her.
Yuan Qingqing’s face stiffened awkwardly. She stopped in place, her eyes reddening slightly as she heard him ask, “What are you doing here?”
“I… didn’t I tell you last time? I’ve come to B City to develop my career. I rented an apartment here and just moved in today. I never expected to run into you here,” she said, her eyes growing moist as she looked at him with a hint of grievance.
She looked quite good, especially when she cried—so delicate and pitiful that few men could resist. Yet, Chu Yuanxun acted as if he didn’t see her at all.
“Oh.” He nodded, said nothing more, and continued walking forward, even picking up his pace a little.
Yuan Qingqing opened her mouth slightly in disbelief. Did he have no sense of chivalry at all?
She had deliberately carried so many things and staged this ‘coincidental’ encounter just to give him a chance to help her.
“Yuanxun, I… I have too much luggage. Can you help me carry some?” In the end, she had to ask outright.
Chu Yuanxun stopped, turned back to look at her, then at her suitcase and backpack. His expression remained unchanged as he stated flatly, “I’m busy right now. There are elevators in the apartments here. Even for a woman, this amount of luggage should be manageable.”
With that, he turned around and walked straight into the apartment building.
Just now, he had caught a glimpse of a light on in his apartment…
—She’s back.
Yuan Qingqing watched his retreating figure disappear in a hurry, so angry she felt like she was choking on flames.
“Chu Yuanxun, you damn straight man!” He always left her fuming.
As soon as Chu Yuanxun opened the door, he heard a pair of voices chatting. It sounded like they were discussing how to cast a phone screen onto the TV.
“You’re back. You’re a bit late tonight,” Wan Tong, lounging on the sofa, looked over. Only two wall lamps were on in the living room, casting a dim glow, but in that light, her eyes sparkled as if tiny stars had fallen into them.
He cleared his throat, suppressing the itch at the back of it. “Yeah, I’m back.”
Before Wan Tong could respond, Jian Shiyu grabbed her arm and pulled her back to his side. “Sister, help me figure out why I can’t cast the screen.”
Wan Tong had no interest in troubleshooting and turned to ask Chu Yuanxun, “Have you eaten?”
“I have.” Chu Yuanxun walked over and sat beside her, tilting his head slightly. “What about you?”
Wan Tong nodded briskly, lazily leaning back against the sofa, one hand idly rubbing her stomach like a sleepy kitten. “Mm, we ate before coming back.”
Jian Shiyu didn’t even glance at Chu Yuanxun, still frustratedly tapping on his phone. Suddenly, an eerie and sinister melody blared from the TV.
“Ah—!”
Wan Tong had been staring at the screen just as a giant, pale, bloodless face appeared. Startled, she jumped up and latched onto the nearest person!
Jian Shiyu was also terrified.
“What the f***!” He grabbed a cushion and covered his face, cursing under his breath.
He had been trying to cast the screen for ages with no success—why did it suddenly work now? And why did it have to be a horror movie? No warning at all!
Chu Yuanxun, too, was momentarily stunned by the ghastly face on the large screen. It was indeed terrifying, but somehow, it felt… perfectly timed. Even the creepy background music sounded almost romantic in his ears.
He lowered his head slightly, strands of her hair brushing against his chin—ticklish and inexplicably fragrant.
At this moment, Wan Tong had climbed onto his lap, clutching him tightly, burying her face into his chest. She was even trembling slightly as she pleaded, “Turn it off! Hurry, turn it off!”
Chu Yuanxun’s hand happened to be near the remote control, but for some reason, he pretended not to see it. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, lowering his head into her hair.
She seemed really scared.
In the end, it was Jian Shiyu, looking completely ridiculous, who fumbled with his phone and exited the casting screen in a panic. The creepy music stopped, and the TV switched to a shopping channel. He let out a long breath and slumped back onto the sofa.
Then, as he turned his head, he saw his sister curled up in Chu Yuanxun’s embrace like a little kitten!
F***!
Jian Shiyu shot up from the couch, yelling, “Sister!”
Wan Tong was startled again. She lifted her head from Chu Yuanxun’s chest and glared at him. “Why were you playing a horror movie?!”
Jian Shiyu, momentarily stunned by her rare outburst, weakly defended himself, “I couldn’t get the screen to cast, so I just randomly picked something… Who knew…”
As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of Chu Yuanxun, who still looked as calm as ever. Grinding his teeth, he realized: this guy had been completely unfazed the whole time!
Jian Shiyu’s face remained expressionless, but internally, he was fuming. He had just handed Chu Yuanxun a golden opportunity on a silver platter! What an idiot he was!
“Sister, come hug me. I’m scared too,” he pouted, collapsing dramatically back onto the sofa.
It was only then that Wan Tong realized she was still sitting on Chu Yuanxun’s lap. She quickly rolled to the side and ignored Jian Shiyu, instead turning to Chu Yuanxun. “You don’t watch horror movies either?”
“Mm.” Chu Yuanxun nodded solemnly, fingers absently rubbing his slightly itchy chin. With a sigh of regret, he looked at her and softly added, “I’m scared.”
Wan Tong patted his shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t be. It’s all Xiaoyu’s fault for clicking on a horror movie.”
Jian Shiyu stared at Chu Yuanxun, nearly rolling his eyes. “…What a damn actor.”
Wan Tong skipped over to switch on the ceiling light, instantly brightening the entire room. She then grabbed a vase from the cabinet and beamed at Chu Yuanxun like she was presenting a treasure. “Look! A vase I got for you. The flowers are in the bathroom, I’ll put them in now.”
“It looks nice,” Chu Yuanxun commented seriously as he stood up.
Jian Shiyu’s mouth twitched. Hesitating, he asked, “Don’t you think it’s a bit… old-fashioned?”
Wan Tong’s smile disappeared. She glared at him. “Xiaoyu, you’re getting less and less cute.”
With that, she carried the vase into the bathroom.
Jian Shiyu sheepishly rubbed his nose. He really just couldn’t appreciate those oversized peonies on the vase…
Chu Yuanxun said nothing and followed her into the bathroom.
Wan Tong was filling the vase with water when Chu Yuanxun reached out and took it from her. “It’s heavy. I’ll do it.”
Wan Tong didn’t actually think it was heavy, but since he wanted to help, she let him.
As she turned her head, she caught sight of the band-aid on his Adam’s apple. Unable to resist, she poked it. “Why are you wearing this? Did I… bite you?”
Chu Yuanxun’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but his expression betrayed nothing. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he murmured, “You can take it off and see for yourself.”
- Our ML’s name is 褚元勋 (Chǔ Yuánxūn) while the fake’s name is 褚原迅 (Chǔ Yuánxùn). I’ll use ‘xùn’ instead of ‘xun’ for the fake’s name to differ them. ↩︎