No sooner had he finished speaking than the young man, with his androgynously delicate and pretty face, slammed the phone down hard and tossed it onto the sofa, pacing angrily around the room.
If it weren’t for… who would have the time to waste on those two idiots—playing along with their nonsense!
After circling the sofa twice in frustration, the boy threw himself onto the cushions, breathing heavily as he tried to suppress his boiling temper. To achieve his goal, no matter how unwilling he was now, he had to endure it. Otherwise, all his efforts would go to waste—and that would be the best-case scenario.
That idiot was a moron, but the man behind him had weathered the storms of the business world for years, far beyond what this barely adult boy could contend with.
The boy shook his head violently. “Forget it. I’ve endured so much over the years—why lose patience now? It’s just acting along with a fool. I’m not afraid of him!”
Yet despite his thoughts, anger still churned inside him. He punched the sofa cushion hard, stormed into his room, turned on his computer, logged into the game, and resumed entertaining that idiot. Thankfully, this was just an online game. If it were real life, facing that hopelessly chauvinistic moron, he’d have smashed his head in long ago!
**[Friend] [Yaoyao]:** Darling Hanguang, where are you right now? I have a little quest I can’t seem to finish. Could you help me out?
Glancing at the overly sweet tone in the chat box, the boy made a disgusted gagging expression. He really just wanted to… smash his head in.
**[Friend] [Yijian Hanguang]:** Of course, sweet Yaoyao. What’s our relationship? Since you’re asking so sincerely, how could I refuse?
**[Friend] [Yaoyao]:** Wow! Hanguang, you’re the best! Thank you so much! You’re truly my hero!
**[Friend] [Yijian Hanguang]:** Ah, it’s nothing. As long as Yaoyao remembers my kindness and all the good I’ve done for you, that’s enough.
Flattered by Yaoyao’s praise, Yijian Hanguang was always in a better mood. Indeed, someone like Yaoyao was perfect—someone who could both ignite his protective instincts and satisfy his desire for conquest.
As for that capricious, unruly Wuxin Zui? Well, his mother had already said their next step was to use Wuxin Zui to draw a clear line and push things forward. Now was the best time to shake off that troublesome woman. And for Yijian Hanguang, raised single-handedly by his mother, her words were absolute truth. Whatever she said, went.
Naturally, whatever his mother planned next, Yijian Hanguang would obediently follow.
So no matter how much Wuxin Zui kicked up a fuss, Yijian Hanguang had no intention of reconciling with that wretched woman. In fact, just remembering how she used to boss him around during their ambiguous past—dictating his every move, treating him like a dog—filled him with rage. He desperately wanted to take it all out on her.
The thought of someday crushing Wuxin Zui into the mud, reducing her to a meek, obedient dog who’d do anything he wanted, filled him with deep satisfaction.
Yet in reality, Wuxin Zui had been working hard to pave the way for Yijian Hanguang, hoping to smooth his path forward.
After all, Yijian Hanguang was a bastard child. No matter how much Wuxin Zui liked him, the fact that his mother was a mistress couldn’t be changed. And Wuxin Zui had never intended to support his mother’s attempt to usurp the main wife’s position—that was her principle.
Still, if Yijian Hanguang behaved well, leveraging her family’s influence to secure a decent future for himself wasn’t impossible. As long as he showed no ambition toward the main family and posed no threat, Wuxin Zui knew they wouldn’t mind turning a blind eye and helping him along.
Balancing “capable enough to stand out” and “capable but non-threatening” was crucial. And Wuxin Zui had been working hard to help Yijian Hanguang find that balance.
But as a bastard, Yijian Hanguang’s upbringing was vastly different from Wuxin Zui’s privileged education. He simply lacked her finesse in these matters.
Maintaining that balance wasn’t easy, so to prevent Yijian Hanguang from making reckless mistakes, Wuxin Zui had to be strict with some of his decisions. Her intentions were good—she truly wanted the best for him. Unfortunately, Yijian Hanguang didn’t see it that way.
After all, Wuxin Zui’s refusal to support his mother’s ambitions clashed directly with their desires. Yijian Hanguang and his mother dreamed of overthrowing the main wife and seizing that luxurious life for themselves.
So Wuxin Zui’s kindness was destined to be wasted on ungrateful wolves—creatures who only remembered grievances, never favors.
Meanwhile, the boy playing Yaoyao was suppressing the urge to vomit as he humored Yijian Hanguang (not that Yijian Hanguang could tell). On the other end, the gloomy, violent man who had just spoken to Yaoyao pulled out a photo—clearly taken from a sneaky angle.
In the picture was a delicate, pretty-faced boy, soft and sweet, with an innocent yet spirited charm. He looked like a warm little sun, a cute little angel, the kind you just wanted to cradle in your hands and cherish.
Yet the man’s expression twisted with hatred. “Shen Mufan, one day, I’ll make sure you have nothing left!”
Even though Shen Mufan was now a shut-in, obsessed with online games, the man wasn’t satisfied. After all, Shen Mufan still had his family’s massive inheritance, enough to live comfortably for life. What the man wanted was for Shen Mufan to lose everything, to struggle at the bottom of society, sinking deeper into the mud.
This wasn’t enough—not yet.
In a top-floor duplex apartment, Shen Mufan finished breakfast, got dressed, and stared hesitantly at the front door. A-Jing had advised him to go out more—even if he didn’t interact with people, just seeing the outside world, breathing fresh air, and soaking up sunlight would do him good.
Shen Mufan didn’t want to ignore Xie Jinghong’s suggestion. After some hesitation, he put on a baseball cap, covering half his face, and stepped outside.
**Shen Mufan:** Hmm… this time of day, most people are at work or school. The neighborhood should be quiet, and the greenery is nice. A walk… might actually be good?
The Shen family used to own a villa, but with only Shen Mufan left, living in such a big, empty space felt too lonely. He didn’t want to dwell on that hollowness, so he moved here instead—a top-floor duplex his parents had bought as his coming-of-age gift. The view was great, transportation convenient, amenities complete, and most importantly, peaceful.
Shen Mufan had chosen this place for its tranquility and comfort. Going out now… wouldn’t be too unbearable.
Once decided, Shen Mufan didn’t hesitate further. Grabbing what he needed, he left the apartment, ready for an aimless stroll.
But the moment he stepped out, he noticed the opposite duplex had been sold. Movers were hauling in boxes while a man directed cleaners inside.
Shen Mufan nodded politely at the man overseeing the move before heading to the elevator.
**Shen Mufan:** “So I’ll have a neighbor now. Wonder what they’re like? Hope they’re easy to get along with.”
The complex was popular due to its prime location and amenities, but for some reason, the top-floor duplexes never sold well. Fortunately, the rest of the building thrived, so it wasn’t a big issue.
Still, it meant that after three or four years, Shen Mufan was only now getting a neighbor.
Lost in thoughts about his new neighbor, A-Jing’s concern online, and other random things, Shen Mufan wandered around the neighborhood—until he accidentally bumped into someone.
**Shen Mufan:** “Sorry!”
The man was tall, handsome, dressed in casual but clearly expensive clothes. From their brief contact, Shen Mufan could tell he had a lean but muscular build.
With a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and a gentle smile, the man exuded warmth despite his strong features.
The stranger steadied Shen Mufan with a smile. “No problem, kid. Just watch where you’re going next time.”
Shen Mufan blushed and nodded.
**To all the little angels out there—Happy Minor New Year! =￣ω￣=**
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