Chapter 2: Never Like Him Again

Chapter 2: I Don't Like Him Anymore

Chi Xingcun not coming to see him for three days was already surprising enough, but now a whole month had passed without him showing his face.

He had thought the guy would definitely come to find him tonight, after all, he had seen him in the audience while on stage.

So he'd been overthinking it?

Still angry? Fu Chenzhan thought, this guy's temper just gets worse every year.

His friend Qin Liyi, always eager to stir the pot, came over and draped an arm around Fu Chenzhan's shoulder.

"Come on, what's the harm in just giving him a gift? He hasn't come around in all this time, and next month is your birthday—he wouldn't skip it, would he? If your grandfather finds out, he'll give you another lecture."

Fu Chenzhan got Chi Xingcun a gift every year. This year was the first time he deliberately skipped it, precisely because he didn't want Chi Xingcun at his birthday party.

His birthday party would attract a large crowd, and every year Chi Xingcun would buzz around like a busy bee, schmoozing with everyone and telling everyone about his relationship with him.

Fu Chenzhan had asked him why he always had to get chummy with those people.

Chi Xingcun said that since he was going to marry him, he naturally had to get used to this kind of networking early.

Chi Xingcun's behavior had completely taken away his freedom. He hated it, and of course... he didn't want to see Chi Xingcun either.

Fu Chenzhan pushed Qin Liyi away and left the venue without a word.

In the car, he thought it was weird that Chi Xingcun had been staying in the dormitory for the past month.

Chi Xingcun was incredibly pampered—hot-tempered, a clean freak, couldn't stand any grievance or hardship.

Even if he was angry at him, he should just avoid coming to see him, not stop going back to his family's house altogether.

What's he thinking now, this guy?

Fu Chenzhan had never met anyone he couldn't figure out like Chi Xingcun.

He ran a hand through his hair in mild irritation, slumping back wearily against the seat.

The black Cullinan drove toward the Fu family home.

......

As night fell, Chi Xingcun returned home. His mother, Xue Xue, heard the commotion and came downstairs from the second floor.

"Finally decided to come home? Son? You silly boy, is Fu Chenzhan really that great? You'd go through all this for him?"

Chi Xingcun looked up, and his mother's chiseled, delicate face appeared before him.

He had almost forgotten the way she pretended to be angry while her eyes were full of adoration.

In his past life, after his identity was revealed, all he faced from them was confusion, then disgust, and finally indifference.

It turned out they had doted on him only because of family ties.

The truth was, Chi Xingcun just wasn't likable.

"Mom." Chi Xingcun said softly.

It had been so, so long since he'd said those two words.

His mother glanced at him and said with a helpless sigh, "Why are you just standing there? Come upstairs and sleep. The housekeeper cleans your room every day."

"Mm."

Chi Xingcun gave a small smile and headed upstairs.

When he reached his mother, she messed up his hair, her eyes full of concern: "Can you take care of yourself alone at school? If you do something stupid for Fu Chenzhan again, I won't be able to handle you—we'll have to call off your engagement."

Chi Xingcun let out a goofy laugh: "I know. I'll be good from now on."

His mother felt something was off. Since when was her son this obedient? Especially when it came to Fu Chenzhan.

They had tried to pull him back before, but nothing could stop him.

At times like this, her son should be clinging to her, throwing a tantrum and complaining about everything.

"Never mind, go to sleep first. We can talk tomorrow."

"Mm."

Chi Xingcun returned to his room, and the moment the door closed, the smile disappeared from his face.

He didn't actually want to smile, but if he didn't, he wouldn't feel like himself anymore.

......

Chi Xingcun lay on the familiar yet unfamiliar bed, staring at his phone. Since his rebirth, the only messages he'd received were from the class monitor and the academic committee member urging him to attend class.

That showed how much of a failure his past life was.

In this life, he didn't want to fight for anything. He only wanted to respectfully welcome the real young master back and watch them get engaged. Once that was done, he would leave for a place where no one knew him.

He turned off his phone and slept restlessly that night.

The next morning, the housekeeper woke Chi Xingcun for breakfast.

He quickly washed up, changed, and went downstairs.

At the table, his mother sat across from him, while his father was still away on a business trip.

"I had the housekeeper make all your favorite dishes. If you eat them, you're not allowed to go see Fu Chenzhan for at least a week, got it?"

Chi Xingcun paused slightly at that, then put on a sulky expression: "I'm not going to see him anyway. I don't like him anymore!"

Xue Xue let out a soft sigh, a smile on her face. So last night had just been her imagination.

Her son was still her son.

She naturally assumed Chi Xingcun was just pouting.

After all, he had thrown tantrums like this more than once.

"You'd better remember what you said." She pretended to be stern, reaching out to pinch her son's soft, tender cheek.

She and her husband were both decisive, sharp-edged people, yet their son had inherited the rarest, softest side of them.

Not only was he as delicate and cute as a doll, but his personality was also gentle and pampered.

They had no plans for a second child, but they knew full well that with their son's temperament, if he ever took over their company, it would probably go bankrupt within ten years.

If not for the sheer size of their business, it might not even last two.

That was precisely why they were both very satisfied with the marriage alliance with the Fu family.

First, the Fu family's standing was on par with theirs. Additionally, the son they wanted their son to marry was their only child, Fu Chenzhan.

Fu Chenzhan was the poster child for "other people's kids." He'd inherited all the best genes from his family line and was even more impressive than his own parents.

He'd been at the top of his class since elementary school, no exceptions. If he hadn't spent two years studying overseas in middle school and again in high school, he'd have already graduated college by now.

Not only that, but starting in middle school, he juggled school while shadowing his dad to learn the company's ins and outs—a textbook-perfect heir.

They were more than happy to have someone like him as their son-in-law.

The only problem? He didn't like their son.

If they were to marry, Fu Chenzhan might be able to help their son manage the company's affairs, but... he might not treat their son well.

If that were the case, she would not agree to them being together.

Her husband would not agree either.

Xue Xue was letting Chi Xingcun do his thing for now because he was still young. In her heart, she had set a timeline for this fated bond. When Chi Xingcun turned twenty-three, if he still harbored feelings for Fu Chenzhan, but Fu Chenzhan stayed as cold and distant as ever, Xue Xue would directly sever this relationship and seek a better match for her son.

......