Arc.
1.19
The Wicked Child of the Stepmother
It had been three years since Nian Zhen had been sent away to Country A after that fateful night.
He had since completed high school and was accepted into a top-performing arts university in Country A, with Xie Heng covering all his expenses.
However, on the day Meng Zhenzhen officially came of age, he declined any further support, determined to manage on his own.
Since then, he hadn’t seen Xie Yanjing, had no contact, and didn’t dare reach out.
Only Aunt Du maintained any connection, checking in on him regularly and sending money along with updates.
She’d given birth to a baby boy, whom Chairman Xie had named Xie Junheng.
Aunt Du often sent him pictures of his younger brother, trying to foster a sense of closeness between siblings.
It seemed that after Nian Zhen was sent away, Aunt Du had become more of a mother, channeling her energy into raising her youngest son with a calm restraint, aware of the dangers present within the Xie family.
Knowing that Nian Zhen was safe and well abroad was her one source of peace.
Aunt Du never dared ask why Xie Heng had sent her son away so suddenly, but she’d heard that Elder Xie had been furious that night.
Xie Heng had no ill intentions toward Meng Zhenzhen, who was just an innocent young boy.
The truth was, her son must have done something to offend Elder Xia.
What Xie Heng had done was protect her son from his own father.
Du Yao understood this well, so she didn’t want to make things more difficult for him.
How scary Elder Xie was, she knew that much herself.
What worried her more was the mental state of her youngest son, who had to be sent away to a foreign country, a different language.
That was why she tried to contact him as often as possible.
Every time she saw her youngest son, it reminded her of when Meng Zhenzhen was still a child.
He too was once so innocent, just like this.
Du Yao seemed to revive the love of a mother within her.
But it was Xie Yanjing who had transformed the most—he had become merciless, someone no one dared cross.
Nian Zhen was unaware of the situation on this side.
As he recovered both physically and emotionally, he resumed his life.
Language wasn’t an obstacle, and his prior acting experience had already ingrained linguistic skills in him.
As for regrets, he chose not to dwell on them.
The pain was too much, and to him, everything had ended that night.
Last year, Elder Xia’s health had worsened, and by early this year, he had become paralyzed, completely dependent on others.
Aunt Du had sent updates, never once mentioning Xie Yanjing’s name.
She’d only assured him that Xie Yanjing was well.
Chairman Xie continued sending him money each month, ignoring his refusals.
To Nian Zhen, it was only fair that the old man finally met his comeuppance.
After all the harm he’d done, karma had caught up with him.
That night, the old man’s cane had left nasty bruises on him, and if it weren’t for the alcohol clouding his mind and feeling sorrowful over his brother, he might have snatched the cane from the old man and retaliated.
You’re getting old yet acting like this.
It’s really annoying.
The system informed him that the mission was still ongoing and not yet a failure.
It turned out that the male lead had indeed embraced his darker side, but not due to the host’s influence—it was the Xie family’s doing.
Hearing this, Nian Zhen had to laugh.
He had tried so hard to play the villain, but it wasn’t until he left that Xie Yanjing had followed the plot’s path.
What a miserable mess.
Today, Nian Zhen had a photo shoot for a high-end clothing brand.
Last year, he had been spotted by a famous talent scout in the country as an exceptional acting student.
This led him to be cast as a minor villain’s henchman in a superhero film.
His screen time was less than ten seconds, playing a crazed lab scientist tasked with creating a world-ending virus under the villain’s command.
Nian Zhen had no lines, just a nod and a manic, bloodthirsty look behind his glasses.
However, people loved his role.
He gained a lot of attention on social media.
Even though he appeared for only a few seconds, he was memorable.
Perhaps he stood out as the only black-haired, black-eyed character in the film, but audiences remembered him for that role.
Afterward, Nian Zhen received offers for more roles, working his way from minor roles to supporting characters, then playing the protagonist’s friend, building up his resume until now, when he finally got the offer for a lead role.
Once the photoshoot wrapped up, Nian Zhen was scheduled to sign the contract for his first leading role in a film.
“Zhenzhen. Your skin is flawless; I’m in love. Now hurry up and get dressed.”
He had fluttery lashes, and a tall, big build but a playful demeanor.
He looked at Nian Zhen with almost motherly pride.
“Thank you, Michael,” Nian Zhen gave a sweet smile, his eyes sparkling, before heading to get changed.
This brand’s clothing was comfortable yet a little daring.
Once dressed, Nian Zhen was escorted to the set, where the photographer was all set to begin.
An innocent look with a hint of allure—Nian Zhen had mastered this expression.
It was the very essence of the white lotus image he embodied.
Since his mission hadn’t failed, Nian Zhen no longer wanted to return.
His plan was to make it as an actor here, earn money, travel, enjoy life, and read novels in peace.
Once the story wrapped up, he’d move on from this world.
A life well-balanced and free—that’s the dream.
Maybe he’d even fall in love with someone new.
Now that he was a popular actor with looks and money, there was bound to be a hot model or two who’d take an interest.
When that happened, Nian Zhen would start going on dates every weekend, just watch.
Hmph.
This was how Nian Zhen spent his days for another month, until he had to travel back to his home country for some scenes that had to be shot there.
Fine.
Seems like I can’t escape this.
However, Nian Zhen hadn’t told anyone, not even Aunt Du, about his travel plans.
He intended to fly in quietly, shoot his scenes, and leave just as discreetly.
But as soon as he disembarked, he found people from Chairman Xie waiting for him.
“Young Master Meng, Chairman Xie sent us to pick you up.”
So, that scoundrel father, Chairman Xia, knows all, huh?
Sending people to track me down?
Annoyed, Nian Zhen lowered his sunglasses, giving the group of tall bodyguards a pointed look before reluctantly agreeing to go with them.
They’d sent so many guards that even if he’d sprouted wings, there’d be no way to escape.
Only because the old man Xie was now powerless did he agree to go back.
The driver brought Nian Zhen back to the Xie family mansion.
While everything looked the same, something about the atmosphere felt off.
Nian Zhen stepped out of the car confidently, only to pause, eyebrows furrowing at the somber atmosphere filling the house.
Hopefully, it wasn’t another family feud brewing.
And he wasn’t keen on running into Xie Yanjing either.
However, the first person he encountered was, of course, still Xie Yanjing.
He was sitting on the guest room sofa, dressed entirely in black.
His pitch-black shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing his muscular chest, and his figure had become even more imposing, leaving Nian Zhen momentarily stunned.
The youthful look Xie Yanjing once had was completely gone; he was now every inch a full-grown man, exuding a powerful and oppressive aura that would intimidate anyone who crossed his path.
His handsome face was ice-cold, and his pitch-black eyes were deep, betraying no emotion.
He looked nothing like the brother Nian Zhen once knew.
Three years had passed, and it felt as if they had become strangers.
“Xiao Zhen, you’re back. Come over here.”
The deep, gravelly voice of a man called out, breaking Nian Zhen from his daze.
He looked at Xie Yanjing with a complicated expression, his heart pounding painfully.
In the end, he he chose to play along and put on a cheerful smile.
“Brother…”
He walked over and chose a seat on a distant sofa, keeping a considerable space between himself and Xie Yanjing.
The atmosphere felt unbearably tense.
“Where are Mother, my little brother, and Uncle Xia?”
This house was eerily silent.
Aunt Du should be coming out to play the doting mother role any minute now.
Then there was his younger brother, whom he hadn’t met yet, and the scoundrel father, Chairman Xia, who was probably waiting to remind him of some old debt.
“They aren’t here,” Xie Yanjing replied, his gaze never leaving Nian Zhen’s elegant face.
[…] The system couldn’t help but think that something felt strange about this.
Oh?
Then why did they call me back here?
Nian Zhen thought, his eyes wandering around, only to realize he didn’t recognize a single familiar face among the staff.
Has the male protagonist embraced his dark side and cleared out the entire Xie mansion?
So, why am I here?
“…Then, where are they?”
Finally, Nian Zhen could only ask.
A butler brought in a glass of water and set it down in front of him, but Nian Zhen hesitated to touch it.
“They’re where they need to be.”
“…”
Brother, you’ve really changed.
Where’s my son, Xiao Pangpang?
You didn’t turn him into a roast dinner or anything, did you?
Poor little guy.
If it weren’t for Old Man Xia, I would’ve taken that chubby Xiao Pangpang with me.
The atmosphere was utterly still, and Nian Zhen had no idea how to continue the conversation, fearing he might somehow set off Xie Yanjing’s temper.
Brother, why aren’t you saying anything?
You can’t just keep staring at me like that.
I know I look really good—I’m about to become a rising star—but don’t you hate me?
So stop looking at me already!!
Nian Zhen remained silent, rage surging inside him, and the smile faded from his face as he stared back at Xie Yanjing in frustration.
Forget the white lotus act.
Trying to talk to someone as bizarre as this, I probably won’t understand anything anyway.
“Are you hungry, Xiao Zhen?”
Yes!!
But I’d rather not eat with you.
Just looking at you is infuriating.
Why does someone as good-looking as me have to end up heartbroken?
“No, I’m not hungry.”
Speaking of which, where’s Old Man Xia?
The one reaping what he sowed right now.
As a certified villain, if I don’t get to be the bad guy and gloat over that old man’s downfall, it’s a missed opportunity.
I haven’t forgotten, you know—that cane swing hurt.
Thinking about it still makes me mad, really mad.
“Where should I place the little one, Chairman Xia?” A deferential voice interrupted Nian Zhen’s internal ranting about Old Man Xia.
A young man with a sturdy build entered, holding a medium-sized cage, but it wasn’t the man Nian Zhen was focused on.
Inside the cage was none other than Xiao Pangpang!!
My son, my dear Xiao Pangpang.
“Hand him over to me.”
Finally holding Xiao Pangpang in his arms, Nian Zhen felt satisfied.
The chubby bunny had gotten even chubbier, but seeing his son healthy and happy gave Nian Zhen peace of mind.
Brother, seeing as Xiao Pang is clearly well-fed and taken care of, I’ll let things slide this time.
But wait, what did that guy just call you?
Chairman Xia?
Nian Zhen didn’t dare let his mind go any further.
Both he and the system shivered in unison without needing to speak.
If Xie Yanjing is Chairman Xie now, then what about Xie Heng?
Where did he go?
And who was Aunt Du referring to all this time as Chairman Xia?
“Brother, I have a meeting with the director and producer soon, so I probably won’t be able to stay for dinner.
I should be going.”
“You really have a meeting?” Xie Yanjing asked, lifting a brow with a slight smirk.
Of course I don’t.
I just landed, where would I have scheduled anything?
Brother, if it weren’t for the fact that you look like you’re about to lure someone to their doom, I wouldn’t be making up some lame excuse.
And you’re still asking if I really have a meeting?
I was just trying to bow out politely.
You’re a company president now; can’t you tell a polite excuse when you hear one?
“Xiao Zhen, I’ve prepared all your favorite dishes. It’s been so long since we two brothers have seen each other…”
Who said I wanted to be your brother?
Brother, don’t start dredging up the past just to hurt me again.
[…] Maybe it should warn the host to be cautious…
“Xiao Zhen, just stay and have dinner with me, will you?
I’ve been eating alone for a long time.
I’ve missed you.”
“…”
When did he start playing the pitiful card like this?
And he thinks I’m going to fall for it?
Not a chance!!
“Fine, I’ll stay.”
[…]