“Ning family and Ji family… marrying? Don’t tell me it’s that Ji family? As in our campus heartthrob Ji Zhilin’s family? The ‘Ji’ in his name?”
“The Ji family ranks number one on Jiangcheng’s rich list. Ji Zhilin’s elder brother, Ji Yucheng, was once a towering figure in the business world, someone so far above us that he could only be admired from a distance. Back then, the Ning family would have been climbing high by marrying into such a household. But isn’t it true that Ji Yucheng got into a car accident two years ago and has been lying in a coma ever since? A living vegetable!”
“Pfft! Then this means Ning Yuanqi’s luck has really run out. He’s being married off to a vegetable. Hah!”
Cao Nuo and Fang Dacheng couldn’t help the gloating tone in their voices, as if watching a good show unfold before their eyes.
The two of them shared a dorm room with Ning Sui. Usually, Ning Sui was the one who marked attendance for them in class, fetched food at night, and never minded doing small favors. Their relationship had always been good.
Three years ago, during a freshman-year blood donation event, an unbelievable truth was exposed, Ning Sui and Ning Yuanqi had been switched at birth.
Their poor roommate, Ning Sui, was actually the true blood son of the Ning family.
At that time, Cao Nuo and Fang Dacheng had thought their fortunes had arrived. They imagined following Ning Sui meant they would get to enjoy the glory and luxury of being around a real young master.
But reality slapped them hard. The Ning family never once showed any intent to bring Ning Sui back into their home.
In fact, almost no one in the school even knew of the baby-swap scandal. On the surface, Ning Yuanqi was still the radiant, pampered young master of the Ning family, with countless people revolving around him like stars around the moon.
The coffee on the table had already gone cold.
Ji Zhilin waved a hand, frowning in annoyance, dismissing the violinist playing nearby.
His mind wandered back to the image of his lover leaving earlier, struggling against the rain with a trembling umbrella, long lashes weighed down with droplets, those puppy-like eyes shimmering with mist as if tears would fall at any moment.
That fragile figure had pierced his heart with a sharp pang of pity.
Ning Sui… he must be so heartbroken.
And yet, even he, Ji Zhilin, had chosen to stand by Ning Yuanqi’s side at this crucial juncture. What else could he do?
He had known Ning Yuanqi since childhood, studied abroad with him, and experienced countless wonderful years together.
Ning Yuanqi had always been his white moonlight, the pure, untouchable existence in his heart. He could never simply stand by and watch Ning Yuanqi fall into ruin.
As for Ning Sui… he would compensate him.
When Ning Sui returned to the dorm, he quietly folded away his umbrella and slowly began drying his rain-soaked clothes with a towel.
His two roommates were huddled over the computer, staring wide-eyed at the news.
The atmosphere in dorm room 402 froze into dead silence.
“What? Ning Sui? The one who’s being married off to the vegetable is… Ning Sui?!”
The words hung in the air, heavy, suffocating, awkward.
It was too absurd. Could the Ning family really be so blind to how much Ning Sui had suffered all these years?
Born in a small town, working three part-time jobs after high school just to save enough tuition money, dragging his exhausted body through long nights.
When he had first met them, his hands had still been cracked and red from last winter’s chilblains. All of this hardship, thanks to the so-called mistake of Ning Yuanqi’s nanny mother, who had switched the babies.
But who knew if it had truly been a mistake or deliberate?
And yet, the Ning family showed no pity, no remorse. Instead, they once again chose Ning Yuanqi over him.
Perhaps in their eyes, Ning Sui was simply too used to suffering, so why not send him off to marry a half-dead vegetable?
Other than paying his tuition, the Ning family had not changed his fate in the slightest.
Ning Sui himself never complained, but as his roommates, they couldn’t help but feel anger on his behalf.
How could any family be so cruel? To abandon their real child for eighteen years, find him again, and still refuse to acknowledge him?
The dorm room door opened.
Cao Nuo turned, forcing a grin.
“Ah Sui, you must’ve known about this long ago, right? Why didn’t you tell us? Hah, looks like Ning Yuanqi’s finally in for a fall.. ”
Before he could finish, Fang Dacheng tugged sharply on his sleeve.
“What are you pulling me for?” Cao Nuo frowned.
But Fang Dacheng’s expression was strangely stiff.
Following his gaze, Cao Nuo’s eyes fell on the laptop screen.
The rest of the news article had just scrolled into view:
“Mr. Ji Yucheng and Mr. Ning Sui will hold their wedding at Lilan Hotel on the 1st of next month. A press conference will be announced separately…”
The two roommates slowly, almost fearfully, turned their gazes toward Ning Sui.
Ning Sui had skipped a grade, so he was a year younger than them. His figure was tall and slender, his skin pale, his features beautiful to the point of brilliance, no less popular among the school’s girls than Ji Zhilin himself.
He had an especially striking forehead, and he liked to keep his hair brushed up to show it, giving him an air of quiet mystery.
But now, his hair hung heavy and wet, plastered over his brows, droplets sliding down his long lashes, making him look heartbreakingly pitiful.
Both of their hearts clenched in pain.
Soaked to the skin like this, had he really gone running in the rain, driven mad by despair?
Ning Sui walked over, his calm gaze landing on Fang Dacheng’s laptop screen.
Ah, so it was already all over the internet, huh?
Fang Dacheng snapped the laptop shut with a “pa” and said carefully, almost nervously, “Ah Sui, don’t take it to heart. We were just gossiping…”
“It’s fine.” Ning Sui smiled faintly, his voice light. “Do you guys have a hairdryer?”
Fang Dacheng scrambled to hand it over. “Quick, dry yourself or you’ll catch a cold.”
When their fingers almost brushed, Ning Sui’s hand veered away deliberately, avoiding the touch.
Fang Dacheng froze for a moment, then recalled, of course. After three years together, they all knew Ning Sui’s habits.
He had severe cleanliness issues and never allowed physical contact.
“Mm. Thanks,” Ning Sui said softly.
They watched him walk into the bathroom with the hairdryer, casual as ever, his long pale fingers combing back his wet bangs with an elegance that seemed untouchable.
The two roommates exchanged helpless glances.
There’s no way he’s really fine.
He must be hurting terribly inside, only pretending calm so they wouldn’t worry.
The wedding date was the 1st of next month, only four days away.
The Ji family had invited a master to choose the auspicious time.
Old Master Ji was a decisive man, not tyrannical, but firm. The Ning family had originally been given the chance to refuse.
But unwilling to lose a connection to the richest family in Jiangcheng, and unwilling to let their pampered little darling Ning Yuanqi live as the widow of a vegetable, they had come up with this plan: send Ning Sui, who had been born on the exact same day and same hour as Ning Yuanqi, sharing the same eight characters of fate.
Ji Zhilin had “discussed”or more accurately, notified, Ning Sui of the arrangement. After that, the Ning family never contacted him again.
But to Ning Sui, it didn’t matter.
He knew clearly: once again, the family had collectively chosen to abandon him.
And yet, these past days, Ning Sui ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, showed no unusual behavior, and certainly no intent of running away.
The Ning family was relieved. But at the same time, a faint guilt pricked at them.
“After all, he’s still my own flesh and blood. Of course my heart aches.” Madam Ning rubbed her temples, her voice weary, “He hasn’t called even once in these days. He must hate us.”
She suddenly straightened, anxiety flashing across her face. “He won’t… he won’t sever ties with us over this, will he?”
Ning Chen soothed, “Mom, don’t overthink it. Ning Sui isn’t made of stone. He’ll be upset, of course, but to say he truly hates us? it’s impossible. Just wait for this to pass. In a few days, I’ll have him come back to see you. You’ll see.”
Unlike his flustered mother, Ning Chen was calm, calculating.
He remembered the first time Ning Sui had come home for dinner, eyes brimming with longing for familial warmth.
And besides, after a lifetime of hardship, could Ning Sui truly turn his back on wealth and privilege?
Even if they hadn’t formally acknowledged him, privately, he had always received the same allowance as Ning Yuanqi.
Would he really be stupid enough to throw that away?
The wedding day came swiftly.
The Ji family shut out the media. After all, this was hardly a glorious matter. The ceremony was simple, almost perfunctory, held in a hotel.
Naturally, the vegetative Ji eldest son could not attend.
Instead, all eyes fell on Ning Sui, thinner than ever, his frail frame wrapped in clothes that seemed to hang loosely off him.
Though the Ning family called him a distant relative, the truth of the baby swap was already whispered throughout the upper circles.
Everyone had come for the same thing: to watch a joke.
Their gazes were a mix of pity, disdain, and regret.
What hope was there of a vegetable waking up? Almost none.
Marrying him meant a lifetime of widowhood, with nothing to gain.
After the banquet, Ning Sui was escorted to the Ji family’s ancestral home.
Just before being led into Ji Yucheng’s quarters, Madam Ning reached out impulsively and grabbed his hand.
“You!”
Ning Chen frowned, eyes warning. Old Master Ji was watching. Now was not the time for sentimental blunders that might offend.
Thankfully, Madam Ning had some sense. She swallowed the words “It’s hard on you” and instead forced out, “Take good care of the young master.”
Ning Sui calmly pulled his hand away, his face expressionless.
“Mm.”
Across the room, Ji Zhilin, tipsy from the drinks forced on him, watched Ning Sui from afar.
Ning Sui, who usually dressed casually: sometimes like a sunny sports boy, sometimes soft and innocent, flashing his tiger teeth when he smiled, lashes drooping pitifully…
But today, in a plain white shirt, he looked haggard, unsuited, fragile.
He must not have slept at all these past days.
Ji Zhilin’s heart twisted in pain.
He watched Ning Sui’s lonely back disappear through the door, his figure radiating sorrow.
Ji Yucheng’s residence was a luxurious suite. An outer sitting room allowed nurses to rest, equipment rooms stood adjacent, and deep within lay the bedroom where the eldest young master slept.
Ning Sui took seven, eight deliberate steps toward that inner bedroom. His somber mask finally cracked. He nearly had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing aloud.
“System, we’ve struck gold! We’re rich!”
The system’s voice trembled with excitement yet tried to restrain him: “Damn it, Ah Sui, wipe that smug grin off your face! What if someone comes in?!”
Three years ago, Ning Sui had bound to a mysterious system.
The rules were simple: the longer and deeper his “contact” with powerful figures, whether physical, informational, or emotional, the more money he would receive.
Among these, physical contact yielded the fastest gains. Every time he leveled up, cash was directly deposited into his bank account.
The true apex of the city’s food chain had always been Ji Yucheng. But how could a mere freshman ever approach such a man, always surrounded by bodyguards?
So Ning Sui had settled for the younger brother, Ji Zhilin.
He had used the money to invest in a company.
But Ji Zhilin’s returns had plateau, daily hugs and touches were becoming suspicious.
Recently, Ning Sui had been fretting, his return on investment dropping lower and lower.
Who would have thought? A golden opportunity would drop into his lap: marrying Ji Yucheng himself!
And the best part, Ji Yucheng was a vegetable!
Which meant he could touch him however he pleased, as much as he pleased, legitimately, openly, without fear! Even if anyone walked in, no one would dare say a word!
Ning Sui grinned so widely his cheeks hurt. He had to rub at his jaw to stop himself from bursting into laughter.
They were rich. They were truly rich.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Coffee first. Existential crisis later.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
Next →
ChaptersChapter 1 · The WeddingChapter 2 · New Target!Chapter 3 · Moved OnChapter 4 · Personal Information of Ji YuchengChapter 5 · Liked Ji Yucheng for 3 Years?!Chapter 6 · Love Rival?!Chapter 7 · Domineering PossessivenessChapter 8 · Obviously Very CuteChapter 9 Part 1 · Can’t be SeperatedChapter 9 Part 2 · Can’t be SeperatedChapter 10 · A blonde Guy…Chapter 11 · Dangerously Close to love?Chapter 12 · Confrontation with Ji ZhilinChapter 13 · Accidental DiscoveryChapter 14 · System 009 upgradedChapter 15 · Battery charging!Chapter 16 · Young Master was MiserableChapter 17 · Did Ning Sui treat you like this before?Chapter 18 · Was this what happened last night before you went to bed?Chapter 19 · He really got to the bottom of thisChapter 20 Part 1 · Don’t look at him, he was shocked too!Chapter 20 Part 2 · Don’t look at him, he was shocked too!Chapter 21 · Because I like it so muchChapter 22 Part 1 · Pull up your pantsChapter 22 Part 2 · Pull up your pantsChapter 23 · Why does it sound like he’s jealousChapter 24 Part 1 · I will protect himChapter 24 Part 2 · I will protect himChapter 25 · He’s quite gentleChapter 26 · Young Master Ji suddenly started to stutterChapter 27 · Ning Sui’s timeChapter 28 Part 1 · They ran away as soon as they were scaredChapter 28 Part 2 · They ran away as soon as they were scaredChapter 29 Part 1 · Are you looking for death?Chapter 29 Part 2 · Are you looking for death?Chapter 30 · Hurry up and say your last wordsChapter 31 · Ji Yucheng collapsed into his armsChapter 32 · Mr. Ji, I never expected you to be such a good person.Chapter 33 · He’s so well-behaved when He sleeps…Chapter 34 · His expression was incredibly varied in an instantChapter 35 · How could it be Ning Sui?Chapter 36 · Does the young wife only like people in a vegetative state?Chapter 37 · State-based controlChapter 38 · The young master was so happy he dropped his phoneChapter 39 · You were 37 minutes lateChapter 40 · I don’t plan to get a divorce.Chapter 41 · Otherwise, would it be your turn?Chapter 42 · Both perverted and cuteChapter 43 · If they sneak away again, I’ll hold them even tighterChapter 44 · I sprained my ankle tooChapter 45 · A cat jumping on a lion’s head to play with fire.Chapter 46 · Your young master has fainted!Chapter 47 · Sui Sui, come downChapter 48 · Are you going to lock me in there?Chapter 49 Part 1 · I love you, Ning SuiChapter 49 Part 2 · I love you, Ning SuiChapter 50 · Give the snowman a heartChapter 51 · Miss you.Chapter 52 · To hold in one’s mouthChapter 53 · You are in the cloudsChapter 54 · Ning Sui hugged him for the first timeChapter 55 · Can you sit on my lap?Chapter 56 · It’s either you or it’s not.Chapter 57 · From this moment on, I am your vegetableChapter 58 · Young Ji YuchengChapter 59 · They kiss tirelessly.Chapter 60 · RipplingChapter 61 · You want to compare this?!Chapter 62 · It’s 001!Chapter 63 · I like everything about it.Chapter 64 · It seems to have been filled up a little more.Chapter 65 · Wedding rings should be exchanged between the couple.Chapter 66 · Love-struckChapter 67 · Why can’t we even be apart for a day?Chapter 68 · PerfectChapter 69 · A lifelong contract was madeChapter 70 · Extra 1Chapter 71 · Extra 2Chapter 72 · Extra 3Chapter 73 · Extra 4Chapter 74 · Extra 5Chapter 75 · Extra 6Chapter 76 · Extra 7Chapter 77 · Extra 8Chapter 78 · Extra 9Chapter 79 · Extra 10Chapter 80 · Extra 11Chapter 81 · Extra 12Chapter 82 · Extra 13Chapter 83 · Extra 14