Chapter 13: Cultivating Feelings

After dinner, Zuo Fang followed Yao Zuizui back to her bedroom.

Yao Zuizui’s bedroom was decorated in a minimalist, Euro-American style with only black, white, and gray tones—simple yet elegant.

But the original host, Zhai Zuozuo, didn’t like it.

She loved dolls, princess beds draped in sheer curtains, pink candies, and fluffy skirts.

But her mother never allowed her to touch any of these things.

She had never worn a dress or grown her hair long. Every girlish preference was strangled in the cradle by Zuo Fang.

Zhai Zuozuo sat on the bed while Zuo Fang looked down at her with a grave expression. “Zuozuo, your father has entrusted this business deal to you today, placing high hopes in you. You mustn’t disappoint him!”

“I know,” Yao Zuizui replied, mimicking Zhai Zuozuo’s usual perfunctory tone.

“Zuozuo… Mom knows you don’t like these things, but your brother doesn’t like business either. Tell me, who else can inherit the Zhai family’s vast fortune?” Zuo Fang sighed, visibly anxious.

Yao Zuizui lowered her head, mirroring Zhai Zuozuo’s past reactions to avoid arousing suspicion.

Zhai Zuozuo disliked business but forced herself to negotiate every deal and complete every order—all because Zhai Mo disliked business.

So, she shouldered the burden for him, letting him live freely.

Yet, Zhai Zuozuo had never heard Zhai Mo say he disliked business. Those words always came from their parents, and she had never questioned them.

“Mom, when can I go back to being a girl?” Yao Zuizui looked up at Zuo Fang with innocent confusion.

In the past, whenever Zhai Zuozuo asked why she had to pretend to be a boy, Zuo Fang would evade the question.

What if she phrased it differently?

Zuo Fang’s face paled instantly at Yao Zuizui’s question. Her heavily powdered face turned ghostly white.

She covered Yao Zuizui’s mouth and whispered urgently, “Oh, my dear! Keep your voice down!”

Yao Zuizui nodded and whispered back, “I know, Mom. Just answer me quickly~”

Zuo Fang straightened up, her expression stern. “Zuozuo, you can never return to being a girl. You must remain a boy until the day you die.”

“…” Yao Zuizui fell silent for a moment before asking, “Then… won’t I ever marry or have children?”

“Of course not.” Zuo Fang gently patted Yao Zuizui’s head. “Zuozuo, what’s so great about marriage and children? As the Zhai family’s heir, you’ll rule a business empire. Isn’t that better than being a worn-out housewife? Countless people would envy you!”

Zuo Fang lowered her eyes, her curled lashes fluttering.

Even she envied her own daughter.

It was a pity she hadn’t had a mother who cared for her so meticulously. That’s why she vowed to be the best mother—everything was for Zhai Zuozuo’s sake.

Back when she was still married to her ex-husband, she had used connections at the hospital and police station to change Zhai Zuozuo’s gender to male right after birth.

All to secure a share of her ex-husband’s fortune.

Her ex-husband was wealthy, and Zhai Zuozuo was his only “son.”

Zuo Fang received enough money to last several lifetimes. And if her ex-husband never had another son, Zhai Zuozuo might even inherit his fortune someday.

Later, Zuo Fang met Zhai Tianlin, also divorced, and they formed a new family.

Now, Zhai Zuozuo’s continued disguise as a boy was even more crucial.

Zhai Tianlin’s empire was ten times larger than her ex-husband’s, and he already disliked his biological son.

As long as Zhai Zuozuo remained obedient and capable, Zhai Tianlin was willing to pass the family business to her.

But these complexities were things Zuo Fang never wanted to explain to Zhai Zuozuo.

She wanted her daughter to live carefree, enjoying endless wealth without a single worry.

As for the darkness behind it all—she would handle it herself.

Yao Zuizui felt a pang of sorrow for Zhai Zuozuo.

Her mother genuinely wanted the best for her, showering her with everything she thought was good—without ever asking if it was what she truly wanted.

For Zhai Zuozuo, no mountain of gold could compare to the simple joy of walking down the street in a dress, holding a cotton candy.

But Zuo Fang would never understand.

Yao Zuizui lowered her head and muttered, “I know, Mom. It’s late—you should rest.”

“Zuozuo, don’t be upset. Mom’s been through it all. Trust me, with money, nothing else matters. Without it, life is miserable—worse than a pig’s.” Zuo Fang’s eyes darkened with painful memories.

“I know.” Yao Zuizui nodded, her mood subdued.

“And one more thing, Zuozuo—you must be careful around Zhai Mo. He’s not as simple as he seems. He’s been scheming to steal your position as heir!” Yao Zuizui silently mouthed the words along with Zuo Fang.

Zhai Zuozuo had heard this so many times her ears were calloused.

Sometimes, she found it contradictory—if Zhai Mo disliked business, why would he covet the heir’s position?

Sometimes, she wanted to scream at her mother—just let him have it! It was rightfully his anyway!

But Zhai Zuozuo was too soft-hearted to upset her mother. So she only whispered, “Don’t worry, Mom. Zhai Mo’s just an ordinary employee now, working under me. I keep an eye on him every day.”

“Good. Zuozuo, everything Mom does is for your own good. You’ll understand someday.” Satisfied, Zuo Fang ended with her usual “it’s for your own good” line and swept out like a noblewoman.

Yao Zuizui exhaled deeply and collapsed onto the bed.

——————

Zhai Mo sat at his desk in the dark.

He preferred the darkness—it felt like freedom, every inch of his body relaxing.

This was how he did his best thinking.

In pitch blackness so thick he couldn’t see his own hand.

Staring into the void, Zhai Mo began devising a feasible murder plan.

He had to kill Zhai Zuozuo as soon as possible—before she could reveal today’s events.

He hated Zhai Zuozuo.

Hated her squinty-eyed smile.

Hated her light, carefree steps.

Hated the way she sweet-talked their parents.

Hated everything about her.

His hatred stemmed from jealousy.

Zhai Zuozuo possessed everything he knew, even in his dreams, he could never have.

She had her parents’ love, their doting care.

But his parents would never like him, never smile at him, never care for him, never prioritize him.

Zhai Zuozuo had swarms of friends, always surrounded by flattering colleagues.

He had none. His aloofness kept everyone at arm’s length.

Zhai Zuozuo managed the company, destined to inherit a vast empire where she could realize grand ambitions.

He was just an ordinary employee—his colleagues didn’t even know his identity. His dreams of a business empire would never materialize.

Why did she have everything he lacked?

He was jealous—insanely so.

Jealous enough to kill her, to erase her existence.

Or to strip her of everything and watch her grovel at his feet.

——————

The next morning, Yao Zuizui shuffled to the dining table in slippers, drowsily grabbing a piece of toast.

Then she froze—Zhai Mo was sitting there?!

Her image!!!

She hastily smoothed her hair and sat down gracefully. “Good morning, Brother.”

But in Zhai Mo’s eyes, Zhai Zuozuo was just a spoiled, incompetent brat who only knew how to act obedient in front of their parents—a puppet following a preordained path.

So he ignored her, not even a hum of acknowledgment, silently drinking his milk.

“Brother! I’ve decided! Let’s organize a company-wide trip! Where should we go?” Yao Zuizui jiggled her leg, watching Zhai Mo.

Leg-jiggling was Zhai Zuozuo’s way of appearing more “masculine”—to avoid seeming effeminate.

Yao Zuizui had no choice but to inherit this charming habit.

As expected, Zhai Mo shot a disdainful glance at her bouncing leg and said nothing.

Unfazed, Yao Zuizui pressed on. A trip could strengthen their brotherly bond while boosting employee morale—win-win!

“Brother, any places you’d like to visit?” She took a big bite of toast, speaking loudly.

“…” Zhai Mo remained silent until he finished his milk. Then, in a low voice, he said, “Mountain climbing.”

“Great!” Yao Zuizui slapped her thigh. “Perfect! Healthy and uplifting! I’ll announce it at the office—this weekend, we’re climbing Mount Hua!”

Zhai Mo set down his glass expressionlessly and walked away.

But as he turned, a faint, imperceptible smile curled his lips.

Zhai Zuozuo, your time is up.