---

---

It’s most likely the latter. After all, he’s the man destined to dominate the world. This little humiliation will be repaid tenfold in the future.

---

5

I didn’t catch a word of what the teacher said.

My mind was racing, realizing that things were urgent.

After being the young master of the Gu family for so many years, I can only say that living as a rich, spoiled brat feels amazing!

I’ve lived in luxury and indulged in bad behavior for years, so there’s no way I’m giving this identity back to Chen Zhou.

The only option is to stop Chen Zhou’s true identity from being revealed.

The turning point in the book is on Chen Zhou’s birthday, when his adoptive parents want to buy him a cake to celebrate and end up waiting near the Gu family home. They see the head of the Gu family and realize that the jade pendant he’s wearing looks a lot like the half pendant Shen Zhou had when they found him.

Then, in just a few words, they reveal Chen Zhou’s identity.

After that, everything unfolds smoothly.

The Gu family finishes investigating in three days.

And it just so happens that they reveal the truth at my birthday party. That’s when they strike me down from my place as the fake young master, plunging me into the abyss.

So, the most urgent task now is to stop Chen Zhou’s adoptive parents from going to the Gu family!

Although I don’t know Chen Zhou’s birthday, I do know mine. Backtracking from that…

Tomorrow!

Crap!

I shot up from my chair, causing a loud screech as it dragged across the floor.

The teacher gave me a look of frustration mixed with resignation, barely holding back his anger. “What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?”

I took the opportunity to play along. “Yes, I feel a bit dizzy. Teacher, I need to go to the infirmary.”

The whole class was stunned.

After all, whenever I wanted to skip class before, I’d just grab my bag and leave, all rebellious and unrestrained. Now I was actually reporting to the teacher first, even if it was a flimsy excuse.

As soon as I stood up to leave, Chen Zhou followed silently behind me.

Su Yao whistled, making no effort to hide his teasing. “What a good dog. Always following wherever you go.”

Chen Zhou hesitated for a moment, but I shot him a sideways glance. “What are you waiting for? Come on.”

---

6

Chen Zhou followed me to the infirmary.

I paused for a moment, then casually said, “Oh, I just remembered, tomorrow is your birthday. I’ll take you out.”

Chen Zhou was stunned, not saying anything for a while.

I was starting to get anxious. “What, cat got your tongue? You can choose wherever you want to go, I’ve got plenty of money.”

Chen Zhou stood at the foot of the bed, his gaze lowered, making it hard to read his expression. After a moment, he let out a low chuckle. “I didn’t expect the young master to remember my birthday.”

I felt a bit guilty, but I shrugged it off. “Oh, and tell your parents you won’t be going back tomorrow. Let them know you’ll be with me so they can stay home and not wander around.”

That should keep his adoptive parents from bumping into the head of the Gu family.

“Alright.” Chen Zhou looked up and smiled at me, his handsome features lighting up. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. “Thank you, young master.”

I turned my head away, lying down on the infirmary bed and covering half of my face. “Hmph, just remember that I treat you well. Ever heard the saying, ‘A drop of water should be repaid with a fountain of gratitude’?”

Chen Zhou nodded, standing obediently beside me with a humble look on his face, making me feel oddly satisfied.

---

7

I spoke seriously, “I’ve treated you pretty well over the years. Just keep that in mind.”

Chen Zhou nodded again, replying softly, “I remember. If it weren’t for the young master, I wouldn’t have gotten into this elite school or lived in such a big mansion…”

The more he spoke, the guiltier I felt.

If our identities hadn’t been switched, the one enjoying the privileges of the elite school and the best room in the mansion would have been him…

Feeling flustered, I waved him off. “Alright, as long as you remember. Now stand over there, don’t disturb my nap.”

Half asleep, I felt someone lean in close. Hot breath, restrained but audacious, brushed against my cheek and lips.

A low voice, filled with laughter and a hint of coldness, seemed to come from deep within a chest:

“The thing I’m most grateful for is meeting the young master.”

In my daze, I felt like a snake had wrapped around my wrist, tightening its grip. Something soft and hot brushed against the back of my hand, as if it was trying to swallow my fingers whole…

I shuddered and snapped my eyes open, locking onto Chen Zhou’s dark pupils.

I instinctively raised my hand, slapping him hard across the face. “What are you doing?”

Chen Zhou lowered his gaze. “It seemed like the young master was calling for me…”

Could it be that I’d been dreaming about the next part of the plot again?

I quickly covered my mouth and didn’t ask further.

---

8

When Su Yao heard I was taking Chen Zhou on a trip to the sea, he insisted on coming too.

I found him annoying and didn’t want to bring him, but at the same time, I didn’t want to face Chen Zhou alone. I always had this nagging feeling that I couldn’t handle him.

After hesitating for a moment, I reluctantly agreed.

However, the moment Chen Zhou saw Su Yao, the faint smile on his face disappeared.

He looked at me.

Although he remained silent, the pressure was palpable. For some reason, meeting his gaze made me feel uneasy. “Uh… well, the more the merrier, right?”

“Friends?” Chen Zhou scoffed, glancing at Su Yao, who stood with a scowl. “Do you really think he’s here to sincerely celebrate my birthday?”

I was about to say, “I’m not sincere either,” but Chen Zhou quickly let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“This is the first time anyone has celebrated my birthday. Am I being too greedy, young master?”

Seeing the loneliness on his face, I instinctively clutched my chest.

Oh no, I think my conscience just hurt a little.

I thought I had long since become heartless from being so arrogant and domineering all these years. But now…

I lowered my voice. “Fine. I’ll make it up to you later tonight.”

I’d planned to take him to see the fireworks, but as soon as he heard my words, Chen Zhou turned away, his voice softening. “Alright, young master.”