Chapter 192 Day 24 of Transmigrating into a True and False Young Master Novel

Chapter 192: Day 24 in a 'Real vs. Fake Heir' Story

Time slipped quietly into midsummer, cicadas droning loudly, the scorching sun blazing.

Inside the Song Group's headquarters building.

Song Chengye sat behind the spacious desk, holding a formal document submitted by the Human Resources Department and the Project Management Department.

It was a report recommending early termination of An Yi's probation period and requesting the board's approval for his promotion to General Manager of Project Division One.

Attached to the report were An Yi's performance evaluations for nearly a year since joining the company, completion reports for the projects he led, and profit analysis—the data was impressively flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

He carefully flipped through the pages, his fingertips tracing the paper, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

Pride, relief, shock, and a hint of indescribable complexity intertwined.

He knew An Yi was exceptionally capable, but he hadn't expected him to establish himself so quickly, even achieving results far beyond expectations.

He thought back to the carefully planned, step-by-step path he had once envisioned for Song Xinghai upon joining the group. Comparing it to An Yi's almost "brutal" growth speed, this made him let out a deep sigh.

That boy Xinghai will need a new plan.

Given An Yi's momentum and ability, even if he forced Xinghai into the Song Group under pressure, Xinghai would definitely not have an easy time under An Yi's watch.

Moreover, if he later insisted on distributing shares to Xinghai, with An Yi's strictly territorial personality, he probably had a hundred ways to make Xinghai willingly give them back.

Forget it... Song Chengye leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Setting clear boundaries from the start is actually better for everyone.

He signed his name on the report, approving the promotion request.

----------

Two weeks later, An Yi and Song Xinghai's birthday arrived.

In the living room of the Song family villa, Lin Wan's face lit up with hope, and she made a suggestion: "Xiao Yi, Xinghai, your birthdays are in a few days. Mom was thinking, how about we throw a small birthday party at home? Just invite a few of your close friends, have a good time, and also properly celebrate your college graduation. What do you think?"

Song Xinghai instinctively smiled obediently and was about to agree.

Being able to celebrate his birthday with An Yi might help ease the tension...

But before his smile fully formed, he caught sight of An Yi's uninterested expression beside him, and the word "Sure" stuck in his throat, and he swallowed it back down.

He silently lowered his head and picked at the sofa fabric.

An Yi waited for Lin Wan to finish building up her hopeful proposal, then directly refused: "No need, it's no fun."

Especially Lin Wan's habit of forcing him into a show of brotherly love with Song Xinghai—that was particularly irritating. He never played along, but those two never got tired of that act.

Lin Wan's smile instantly froze and cracked.

Her eyes instantly reddened, her lips trembling as if to say something, like "Mom just wants you two to get along well" or "What's wrong with a family gathering?" But looking at An Yi's calm, unreadable eyes, those words lodged in her throat, unable to come out.

She had tried before to soften An Yi with family affection and tears, but each time, he shot back a sharp retort that embarrassed her even more.

Song Xinghai's head drooped even lower, his heart full of bitterness and unable to speak.

He had gotten his hopes up again...

He had assumed that over the past year, An Yi had stopped deliberately causing trouble, and that their peaceful coexistence was a tacit acceptance and gradual reconciliation.

But it turned out that wasn't the case...

An Yi couldn't stand to watch Lin Wan's teary act or Song Xinghai's martyred look any longer. He stood up, tossed off a "I'm going to my room," and headed straight upstairs, leaving the heavy atmosphere behind him.

Song Chengye watched An Yi's figure disappear up the stairs and let out a heavy sigh.

He gestured for Lin Wan, still frozen, and for Song Xinghai, who kept his head down, to come sit on the sofa.

He patted Song Xinghai's hand, trying to keep his tone gentle: "Xinghai."

Song Xinghai looked up, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Dad."

"How's the new company? Everything going okay?" Song Chengye asked with concern.

Song Xinghai bit his lip, his eyes darting away, his voice dropping: "It's... okay."

Song Chengye could tell from his expression that it probably wasn't going well.

That was expected. Even with a polished resume, without the Song family's prestige and direct backing, entering another company meant starting from the bottom.

A newcomer, especially one with a slightly special background, is bound to face some exclusion from colleagues, harsh supervisors, and work pressure.

Song Chengye had considered secretly helping Song Xinghai, smoothing the way at his new company to make things easier.

But every time he had that thought, his mind involuntarily called up An Yi's calm but piercing eyes, along with his question from a year ago—"What position did you prepare for Song Xinghai?"

He felt that if he actually extended a helping hand to Xinghai, even just a little, it would be like challenging the invisible boundary An Yi had drawn, potentially leading to consequences he couldn't foresee and absolutely didn't want.

It might not be good for Xinghai, for An Yi, or even for the entire Song family.

Only now, seeing Song Xinghai's forced smile, and comparing it to An Yi's thriving career at the group—even about to be promoted to General Manager—did Song Chengye finally and fully realize his past bias.

He had planned to put An Yi in a low-level position, while arranging a deputy manager position for Song Xinghai...

Out of habit, he had subconsciously prioritized Song Xinghai's situation and feelings, worried he would suffer, while ignoring the awkwardness and scrutiny his own biological son, An Yi, might face.

A "true heir" parachuting in, if placed in an insignificant position while the adopted son was heavily favored—how would those in the know view An Yi?

Would they secretly look down on him?

A belated, powerful wave of guilt washed over Song Chengye.

No wonder... no wonder Xiao Yi had only maintained a superficial harmony with them; the barrier between them was like an ice wall that never truly melted.

He took a deep breath, his gaze hardening as he looked at Song Xinghai and spoke earnestly:

"Xinghai, at your company, you still need to depend on yourself, work hard, and stay grounded. You've been excellent since childhood, and Dad believes your own abilities will let you make a name for yourself in the company."

He paused: "Also, Dad thinks what Xiao Yi said a year ago was right."

Song Xinghai's head shot up, his face instantly turning pale, disbelief flooding his eyes.

Song Chengye held his gaze and continued: "So, Dad is telling you officially: from now on, I won't arrange a position for you in the Song Group, and I won't give you any Song Group shares. This will not change."

"Honey! What are you saying?!" Lin Wan grabbed Song Chengye's arm, agitated.

Song Xinghai's body swayed, his lips trembling. He looked at Song Chengye's unwavering eyes, and his heart slowly sank.

He barely managed to speak, his voice dry and strained: "Dad... I, I really didn't want these things..."

There was a hint of insincerity in his words, mixed with grievance and disappointment.

Song Chengye patted his shoulder: "It's good that you can understand."

"Mom..." Song Xinghai looked at the sobbing Lin Wan, his voice pleading: "Please don't be like this... I understand Dad's choice... Don't be angry..."

But Lin Wan only sobbed harder.