BOTM: Chapter 1 - Fall
June. San Francisco, Joseph Academy.
"Lusian, I heard your brother is coming back. Did you know?"
"Dumb question." Hearing the inquiry from the person beside him, the Asian boy with a lollipop in his mouth snorted coldly, leaning forward to lock his dark eyes on a pool ball as if aiming a shotgun at prey.
How could he not know? He had learned about Chen Yin's return to the U.S. earlier than anyone else – probably the first in the entire Chen Family to catch wind of it. Straightening up, he glanced toward the blond boy sitting on the sofa. "An Kexia, has that freshman I invited arrived yet?"
"Almost there." An Kexia smiled, checking his wristwatch. "What exactly do you want with a freshman from a family with no real background?"
Chen Ye sank a ball with a clean shot.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Ding– the brass bell at the entrance chimed.
When he was blindfolded and pushed into the basement, the newly enrolled freshman was already on edge. Even though he was skilled in fighting and could easily take down the two senior students gripping his arms, he dared not move a muscle. The fraternity at Joseph Academy was a social club reserved for the children of influential families. Extending an olive branch to someone from a middle-class background like him was an immense honor. Conversely, if he accidentally offended a fraternity member, his days at school would likely become very difficult.
"The person you asked for is here, Lucian," someone in the room said with a laugh.
–Lucian. The freshman held his breath.
He had heard the name of the fraternity's vice president soon after enrolling. Rumor had it that the guy had an angelically handsome appearance but was the embodiment of Satan, just as his English name suggested – a complete little devil, exceptionally skilled at playing pranks on others. Shortly after joining the fraternity, he had ousted the previous vice president, and those who opposed him had been thoroughly tormented.
Why would someone like that extend an invitation to him? Had he done something out of line? Was the fraternity planning to make trouble for him? As the freshman pondered this, he heard the sound of a pool ball dropping into a pocket.
"You're the freshman with excellent athletic performance, right?"
Along with a youthful voice, a hard object brushed against his cheek, lifting the black cloth that covered his eyes. The moment he opened his eyes, the freshman couldn't help but widen them.
–Anyone would find it hard to believe that at a prestigious all-boys school like Joseph Academy, someone standing at the pinnacle of the power pyramid could be an Asian-American boy who looked as young as a freshman.
Wearing the same spring uniform, he sat on the pool table, arms crossed, his legs – clad in socks secured by garters under his shorts – crossed at the ankles. Beneath his messy, curly bangs, a pair of obsidian-like eyes gazed down at him, their expression reminiscent of a small predator observing livestock on a farm.
"Yes." Following protocol, he knelt halfway. Noticing the small leather Martin boots the Asian boy swung before his eyes, the freshman recalled the sensation on his cheek earlier, feeling a twinge of humiliation.
He was certain that was what had lifted his blindfold, but he dared not show the slightest disrespect. After all, San Francisco was home to a prominent Chinese family, rumored to own shops throughout Chinatown. The consequences of crossing them were said to be even more severe than angering local gangs.
"Want to join the fraternity?" The Asian boy picked up a pool ball, tossing it a few times before offering it to him, as if simply inviting him to play pool.
The nearby dark eyes with upturned corners seemed to possess a magical pull. The freshman couldn't help but reach out and take the pool ball. Number 6. Seeing that symbol of Satan, he shuddered but still nodded. "Of course."
"Then you must have heard the rules, right? To join, you have to pass the warrior test. In our Chinese way, it's called the Welcoming Gift." The Asian boy placed one foot on his shoulder, leaning close to his ear with a light laugh. "So, new guy, you have to do something for me. It might be a bit risky, but I promise you won't get into any trouble – I give you my word as the Young Master of the Chen Family."
Watching the sturdy figure walk out of the school gate, Chen Ye jumped down from the table. His feet were a bit numb, and he stumbled. The person beside him immediately grabbed his arm and helped him to the sofa chair.
"Lusian, do you really believe that dumb bear has the guts to crash into your brother's car?" The blond boy leaned against the armrest, almost enveloping him in his embrace.
Their noses were nearly touching. Chen Ye leaned back slightly to create some distance, flashing a grin.
An Kexia's gaze locked onto him.
"If you lose, you go on a date with me."
"No, dear An Kexia," Chen Ye shook his head, taking the lollipop out of his mouth and offering it to the other's lips. "That only happens if I win."
An Kexia lowered his head, taking the wet lollipop like a big dog accepting a bone, his blue eyes fixed intently on Chen Ye's face, burning with intensity.
"Sweet?" Chen Ye asked with a smile.
"Wildberry flavor, just like you." An Kexia stared at the Asian boy's lips, leaning closer.
Chen Ye ducked down, slipping out from under the arm of the boy trying to kiss him. He grabbed his backpack and quickly walked out of the basement.
As someone who only had the title of Young Master and could barely use the Chen Family's reputation to save face – an overlooked second son – what other way was there to deal with Chen Yin, the eldest son, besides using others to do the dirty work?
The newcomer was just bait he'd set. An Kexia, the Boss of the fraternity, was the fisherman he'd enlisted to deal with Chen Yin. As for how to ensure his victory and handle the aftermath, those were An Kexia's problems to worry about.
"Not coming to the racing club after school today?" Just as he expected, An Kexia caught up to him. "Lusian, I promise, you'll win."
"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see. But I have a family gathering tonight. Let's meet up after the graduation ceremony this weekend." He blew a kiss over his shoulder to the boy behind him, then hurried out of the school gate and got into the Porsche waiting to pick him up.
This wasn't just any ordinary family gathering... It was the funeral of the man he nominally called his father. This funeral was crucial for him, determining whether his future would be comfortable or not. Chen Zhe Xiong had died suddenly from a myocardial infarction, without even having time to write a will. And Chen Yin, his never-before-met elder brother, who had gone to study in Russia as a teenager and hadn't returned to the Chen Family once in over a decade, had rushed back at this critical moment. His purpose was obvious. There was no other possibility besides fighting for the inheritance.
No matter what, he couldn't let Chen Yin appear at the funeral. Even if he was Chen Zhe Xiong's cherished eldest son and the family's pride, if he didn't even attend his father's funeral, the label of unfilial would be firmly pinned on him. Grandfather valued Chinese traditions the most – wouldn't the scales in his heart naturally tip in favor of him and his mother?
Chen Ye pondered silently, gazing out the car window.
San Francisco had just experienced a rain shower. Raindrops on the glass blurred the neon lights and bustling scenes of Chinatown. Buildings with upturned eaves and intricate architecture stood row upon row, while traditional Chinese character signs intertwined in a chaotic yet orderly fashion. As the car drove in, it felt like stepping into a nostalgic dream from the last century.
Thump, thump. Suddenly, a homeless man knocked on the window. Chen Ye reached into his pocket and found some leftover change from playing poker in the afternoon. He stretched out a hand and tossed a few coins into the man's hat, sending him on his way.
"Young Master is truly kind-hearted," the driver praised.
Chen Ye's lips curled slightly, but he didn't respond. The persona he had built within the Chen Family was that of a kind, gentle, and obedient child – everyone saw him that way, all thanks to his mother's excellent teachings. Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
💬: ⦋Xiao Ye, come back quickly! Don't let Chen Yin get ahead of you.⦌
It was a message from his mother.
💬: ⦋He won't make it back in time, don't worry.⦌
After replying, Chen Ye leaned back into the seat, trying to muster up some emotions. But after a while, he still couldn't squeeze out any tears. He sighed helplessly, pulled out the eye drops he had bought earlier, and squeezed a few drops into his eyes.
It wasn't his fault he couldn't cry. From a young age, he knew he wasn't Chen Zhe Xiong's biological son. He was just a bastard whose biological father was unknown, only able to enter the Chen Family with his mother thanks to a forged paternity test when he was a few years old. His mother was an undocumented immigrant who, relying on her looks and cunning, became a socialite and climbed into San Francisco's upper-class circles to latch onto Chen Zhe Xiong.
Her background wasn't respectable, so although Chen Zhe Xiong doted on him to some extent, his affection was like that for a pet cat or dog –generous with pocket money but never expressing any expectations for his future. It was fundamentally different from genuine regard, so naturally, Chen Ye couldn't feel close to this father.
But closeness aside, he still had to fight for the old man's inheritance. After all, his mother had served the old man for over a decade, and he had played the role of the obedient child for years. If calculated like movie royalties, he deserved a hefty sum.
Although the Chen Family relatives weren't pushovers, as long as Grandfather stood on their side... The car suddenly jolted violently, jostling him upright. In an instant, he saw glaring lights from behind – a car had actually rear-ended them.
Who had the audacity to do this on the winding roads of Nob Hill... As this thought flashed through his mind, a streak of light caught the corner of his eye. Glancing sideways, the burly figure speeding away on a motorcycle looked all too familiar.
That seemed to be... the high school freshman he had invited today?! Then, could this car be...?
Chen Ye focused his gaze on the car behind. It was a silver-gray Aston Martin. Unfortunately, the license plate number matched the one he had found out would be picking up Chen Yin.
–That idiot freshman, why did he choose to crash into Chen Yin's car here? It was like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot!
Amid his anger, he saw the Aston Martin's driver step out – a middle-aged man with a thick beard.
This definitely wasn't Chen Yin. Chen Ye's gaze swept past him, craning half his head to peer into the back seat of the Aston Martin. Through the misty rain and at this distance, he could only vaguely make out the silhouette of a man in the back seat – broad-shouldered, with long hair and glasses, the lenses glowing with an eerie blue light in the darkness. For a moment, he felt as though he was being watched in return, even seen through.
Suddenly feeling guilty, every hair on his body stood on end. He pulled his head back and barked sharply, "Never mind, let's go first. Father's funeral is what matters!"
But when he looked back, the car didn't immediately give chase as he'd expected. Instead, it began moving only after several seconds, maintaining a leisurely, steady pace and keeping a considerable, safe distance behind him, as if adhering to the etiquette of first come, first served.
Chen Ye stared at the distant taillight, grinding his canine teeth.
Yes, unlike him, Chen Yin had no reason to be nervous. He was the eldest son of the Chen Family, with a mother of noble Russian descent, a renowned astronomy professor, and the pride of the Chen Family. In Chen Yin's eyes, his younger brother still in school probably didn't even qualify as a competitor for the inheritance – just a small pebble underfoot, not worth a second glance, something to simply step over.
By the time they reached the Chen Manor at the mountaintop, Chen Ye's eyes had grown dry from staring at the car behind them. He had to add a few more drops of eye drops, rub his eyes fiercely, and step out of the car with red-rimmed eyes and a face streaked with 'tears.'
"Xiao Ye!" As soon as he entered the main gate, his mother rushed forward to greet him.
With relatives watching nearby, he pursed his lips, threw himself into his mother's embrace, and instantly transformed into a drama queen, beginning to sob.
"Let's go inside and say a proper goodbye to your father."
As he had expected, the two rows of seats in the castle hall were now filled with members of the Chen Clan. The moment they stepped inside, almost everyone turned to look, their gazes fixed on them. Their eyes were like vultures waiting to feast on a carcass, spotting a hyena trying to steal their meal – especially his cousin Chen Mu, whose murderous intent was barely concealed.
But no matter how much these vultures wanted a share of the spoils, they would have to wait until he, the youngest son, had taken his portion first.
With this thought, he lowered his eyelids and walked toward Chen Zhe Xiong's coffin. The funeral was Western-style, with the coffin lid open, revealing Chen Zhe Xiong's face. It had been meticulously restored by the mortician, seemingly to appear serene, with even the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, which instead gave it a somewhat eerie quality.
His throat felt as though an invisible collar were tightening around it. He couldn't help but touch his neck and avert his gaze. If he looked any longer, he wouldn't even be able to keep up the act. Grandfather hadn't arrived yet, but he should be coming soon.
Pursing his lips, Chen Ye began to wail loudly, "Wah, Daddy, you promised to celebrate my birthday with me. Won't you please wake up...?"
The hall had been relatively quiet, with only a few people crying and low murmurs of discussion. But with his lead, whether willingly or forced, several younger family members began to sob one after another, and the adults soon followed suit. Despite it being a Western-style funeral, the scene somehow took on the grand, mournful atmosphere of an emperor's passing. Even before stepping out of the car upon arrival, Chen Yin could hear the wailing and howling echoing from the castle.
He frowned, wondering if he had taken a wrong turn and ended up at some grand theater, listening to a rehearsal of a hundred-person choir. But upon closer listening, the people inside were indeed crying, with one young voice standing out particularly loud, as if professionally trained in singing – loud enough to wake the dead from their coffins.
For no apparent reason, his mind flashed back to the "minor incident" he had just encountered – the face of the boy who had leaned out of the car ahead to look at him, and those eyes that resembled those of some cave-dwelling creature. He had a hunch that the loudest crier at this moment was likely that very child. Those eyes and this crying were a perfect match.
"Young Master, you've returned," the umbrella-holding servant opened the car door for him.
Chen Yin stood up and gazed toward the home he had left years ago. The century-old castle where he had spent his youth remained unchanged, except for the tree beside the fountain at the entrance, which had withered, leaving only pale, barren branches. His eyes lingered on a trembling, withered leaf for a few seconds before he shifted his gaze and walked inside.
When the sound of the door opening echoed from behind, the castle hall suddenly fell silent. With the crying gone, Chen Ye turned his head and caught sight of the long-haired man entering. His pupils dilated slightly.
That was Chen Yin, without a doubt.
Perhaps due to the dominance of his Russian mother's genes and his albinism, Chen Yin looked more like a pure-blooded Slav than a half-Chinese mixed-race individual – with noble platinum-blond hair, a high nose, deep-set eyes, and facial features so sharply defined they seemed carved by a classical master artist. Despite his pale hair and eye color, he possessed striking, intense beauty, with broad shoulders, long legs, and a perfect nine-heads-tall figure. Even dressed in a plain black trench coat, fitting for a funeral, he stood out like a radiant, saintly figure from an oil painting, glowing in the dim surroundings.
Chen Ye narrowed his eyes, feeling a faint, burning ache in them.
How unfortunate. Not only had Chen Yin made it to the funeral, but he had also arrived just before Great Master Chen. The accusation of unfilial conduct could no longer be pinned on him.
Staring at the approaching man, Chen Ye instinctively gripped the edge of the coffin, as if clinging to a life-saving raft. But while he was on high alert, Chen Yin merely glanced at him before shifting his gaze to the coffin.
At such close range, the man's beauty became even more apparent. Behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes had a unique hue –the grayish-purple characteristic of albinism. His eyelashes, like his hair, were white, as if dusted with golden eyeshadow around his eyes. A teardrop mole at the outer corner of his left eye gave his gaze a breathtaking, almost magical quality.
Because he was so good-looking, he was all the more detestable. Even though they had just met, Chen Ye already despised this older brother. Biting his lip, Chen Ye let out a loud sob.
The biological father had passed away. Between the two sons, one was weeping bitterly while the other remained expressionless and unmoved. Who was filial and who was not – wasn’t the contrast immediately clear?
As he was calculating this, he noticed the man’s eyelashes flutter slightly. The gaze that had been fixed on Chen Zhe Xiong finally shifted back to him. Chen Ye blinked, staring back at him defiantly. After a moment of silence, he heard Chen Yin speak.
“Stop crying. You’ll disturb his peace.”
The man’s tone was gentle, but it was clearly spoken in the manner of an elder addressing a younger, as if reprimanding an unruly child.
Chen Ye felt a surge of irritation and pressed his lips together, wanting to retort. Yet his mind went blank for several seconds, unable to come up with a response. Before he could, he heard his mother, her voice choked with tears, speak up beside him: “His biological father has passed away. What’s wrong with a son shedding a few tears? Do you think Xiao Ye is as cold-blooded as you, not returning for over a decade, and not shedding a single tear even at his own father’s funeral…”
Chen Yin studied the child born of his father’s mistress, a flicker of mockery passing through his eyes.
Echoing the woman’s accusations, the boy stared at him unblinkingly, putting on an even more exaggerated performance than before. His dark, cave-dwelling creature-like eyes were brimming with tears, yet there was not a trace of sorrow in his gaze – instead, a hint of cunning shone through.
–A bit clever, but not by much.
The “minor accident” he had encountered on the way here likely served as the prelude to this little act. Unwilling to continue watching the clumsy duet performance of this mother and son, the man took a step back and seated himself in an empty spot.
But the woman did not know when to stop, continuing her tearful accusations: “Zhe Xiong, look at your eldest son…”
“Enough, Su Lili. An outsider like you has no right to speak here!” An elderly woman’s voice came from outside the door.
Chen Ye’s heart sank. The great-grandfather hadn’t attended the funeral, but his eldest aunt, Chen Yan, had come. This old witch was said to have been very close to Chen Yin’s deceased Russian mother, so ever since he and his mother had entered the Chen Family, she had never shown them any kindness.
Looking up, he saw a woman with her hair in a bun, dressed in a black cheongsam, walk in gracefully and take a seat in the front row. Her well-maintained face was as cold as ice. Without even glancing at them, her gaze fell on Chen Yin: “Ah-Yin, although your father passed away suddenly and couldn’t settle many matters, fortunately, he made a will twelve years ago. Your great-grandfather is ill, so I’ll oversee this funeral to prevent any restless parasites from causing trouble.”
As she spoke, she handed a piece of paper to a man in a suit waiting nearby. “Attorney Wen, please read the will.”
Twelve years ago? Chen Ye froze in place, his mind reeling.
He had only entered the Chen Family ten years ago. Twelve years ago, his mother was still being kept outside by the old man, and they hadn’t yet entered the Chen Family. If the will had been made back then…
Even if they hadn’t entered the Chen Family at that time, the old man shouldn’t have completely ignored the existence of his youngest son. Clinging to a sliver of hope, he thought this, but the lawyer’s voice rang out as he began to read the will. In the quiet hall, every word echoed clearly, like successive thunderclaps exploding over his head, shattering his entire world.
He had stayed by the old man’s side for ten years. Why hadn’t the old man revised this twelve-year-old will to include his and his mother’s names?
Nothing at all... Not a single property, car, or shares in the Chen Group, not even a bit of tuition or pocket money – not a single dollar was left for him. The old man left all his inheritance to Chen Yin.
He turned his head to look at Chen Yin. This time, there was no need to act at all – tears welled up effortlessly, and he felt an impulse to rush forward and bite the other to death. But the man was merely gazing thoughtfully at the coffin. Instead, it was Chen Yan beside him who turned her gaze toward him. Even the black veil beneath the brim of her hat could not conceal the intense disgust in her eyes: "You and your mother have both heard it clearly. This estate also belongs to Ah-Yin. You have no share in it."
Chen Ye was startled, unable to believe his ears. His mother screamed, "Elder Sister, Zhe Xiong has just passed away, and you're already trying to drive us away?"
"Yes, you heard correctly," the woman who controlled half of the Chen Group said coldly. "A mistress without a name or status, living in luxury all these years by occupying another's nest – are you still not satisfied? There are some things I don’t want to say outright. I hope you know your place. If you insist on staying here shamelessly and disrupt Zhe Xiong’s dignified departure, then I’m afraid it won’t just be this estate that can’t accommodate you – it will be all of San Francisco."
Things she didn’t want to say outright? What things? Chen Ye’s heart sank.
A terrible suspicion flashed through his mind. He wasn’t sure, but when he glanced at his mother, he saw her face turn deathly pale. Her lips trembled, but she said nothing. This reaction was enough to confirm his suspicion.
Chen Yan might... very likely knew their secret. Not saying it outright was perhaps to avoid airing the family’s dirty laundry, preventing the media from catching wind of it and damaging the old man’s reputation and the Chen Group’s stock price.
When did she find out? Did the old man know before he died? Did everyone present also know? His mind was a mess. He looked around and saw people in the two rows of seats whispering to each other, watching them with varied expressions – some disdainful, some shocked, but most of them gloating.
But dwelling on this seemed pointless now. Whether they knew or not, the will had already delivered a guillotine-like verdict on their fate.
As he was driven out of the castle hall by the servants who once attended to him, Chen Ye was still in a daze, wondering if everything that had happened was just a nightmare. But the feeling of rain soaking his clothes was all too real, and he couldn’t deceive himself. Not only had he not received a single cent, but he had also been expelled from the Chen Family.
"Xiao Ye, go, gather my clothes and jewelry. You’re a child –they won’t stop you..." His mother grabbed his arm beside him, her nails digging into his flesh. He jolted awake.
Right, his mother’s jewelry, and all those branded items the old man had given him – they were worth a fortune. Thinking of this, he glanced back. Two tall servants with unfamiliar faces stood guard at the door like two door gods.
"Get out of the way, Jane! I’m going back to my room!" He instinctively put on the airs of a Young Master, shouting at the young male servant who dressed him every day. But clearly, Jane had heard everything that had just happened. His face remained expressionless and unmoved. When Chen Ye tried to force his way inside, Jane shoved him hard, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"The one who should get out is you."
The door swung open, and a voice sneered.
He lifted his eyelids to see a boy about his own age standing at the door, looking down at him. The broken eyebrow on the left side arched high along with the corner of his mouth, his face full of gloating.
“No wonder Uncle didn’t add your name to the family registry during the ancestral worship ceremony earlier – turns out you’re a bastard! Chen Ye, that name really suits you.” The boy patted his shoulder, leaned down, and whispered hatefully into his ear, “Just wait. Your good days are only just beginning.”
After saying this, the boy stepped over him and walked away. The rain grew heavier, the icy downpour soaking him through.
Chen Ye looked up at the window of his own room above him. Before anger could fully take hold, a panic with no bottom to it wrapped around his heart. If he couldn’t even take those things with him, what would he do from now on?
Kicked out of this estate, where would he and his mother live? He was graduating next week – where would he go for university? And what about the tuition?
Even if his grades weren’t good enough, as long as the old man was willing to pay, he could have entered an Ivy League school through Joseph Academy’s pre-college summer program right after high school. Now it was all ruined.
And soon, what happened tonight would spread through San Francisco’s upper-class circles. It was only a matter of time before the Young Masters in the fraternity heard the news. Their attitude toward him would never be the same as before. He would have nothing, falling into an abyss.
“Ah-Yin, are you leaving? Aren’t you staying tonight to keep vigil for your father?”
Just then, the old witch’s voice sounded from inside again.
“No, I have a meeting tonight. I need to go to Silicon Valley.”
“What meeting? Is it more important than your father’s funeral?”
“Sorry, Aunt. The main reason I came back this time is for work.”
What the hell? Not even bothering to pretend – how arrogant is that? He rolled his eyes, hearing Chen Yan raise her voice inside: “What work? You can’t leave, Ah-Yin. Tomorrow morning you have to come with me to the company for the shareholders’ meeting to decide your position. You’re supposed to take over your father’s role–”
“My major isn’t finance,” the man’s voice cut her off, his tone indifferent. “There’s no suitable position for me at Chen Corporation. You don’t need to worry about my position anymore.”
“Ah-Yin, you are not allowed to leave like this!”
Footsteps approached the door. Chen Ye took a step back, but before he could hide, the door swung open. Caught off guard, he met the man’s eyes behind his glasses. The drenched boy stiffened, feeling a burning wave of humiliation.
But the man didn’t scrutinize his current drowned-rat appearance for long. His gaze lingered on his face for only a moment before shifting away as he stepped out.
As they passed each other, a faint tickle brushed Chen Ye’s cheek, and a flash caught the corner of his eye. Glancing sideways, he happened to see the man’s earring come loose from among his platinum hair, falling right before his eyes. Like a shooting star. Instinctively, he opened his hand and caught it.
By the time he came to his senses, Chen Yin had already walked out of the estate gates.
Looking down, lying in his palm was a pale gray stone of unknown material, its surface rough and shimmering faintly. It still held the man’s body warmth, still slightly hot. Remembering how the man had found him noisy earlier, he pursed his lips and raised his hand to throw it away, but his wrist was caught by his mother.
"Don't throw it away, it still has its uses," his mother said softly, and then she actually smiled, her eyes following the car carrying Chen Yin into the distance with a strange expression.
"What use could it have?" he asked, puzzled.
His mother glanced inside the door. "Let's leave this place first, and then I'll tell you."
But where could they go? Chen Ye took out his phone and opened Uber, unsure where to set the destination. They were already homeless.
"A hotel," his mother said, her face darkening again as if she had thought of something. She added, "Nothing too expensive. I don't have much of my own savings left."
After calculating his remaining pocket money, Chen Ye hesitated for a long time, weighing his options, and finally booked a hotel that wasn't too expensive and looked decent in the pictures. Having slept in a castle every day before, he couldn't bear the thought of staying somewhere too shabby, and his mother likely felt the same.
"Mom, I plan to drop out of school and find a job," he told his mother in the car, revealing the difficult decision he had just made.
Once tonight's events spread, his days at Joseph Academy wouldn't be pleasant. It would be better not to go at all. He was good at pool and decent at racing – he could find part-time work at a club or a bar...
"Xiao Ye," his mother called softly, her hands gently cupping his cheeks. "Your father mentioned several times that he wanted you to inherit part of the business. He must have made a new will, but he just didn't have time to announce it. Your father wouldn't be so cruel as to leave us with nothing."
Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat. That was right – if the old man had known long ago that he wasn't his biological son, he would have kicked them out long before. If he had died without knowing, a new version of the will could very well exist.
But even if it did exist, how could they get their hands on it? The inheritance had already fallen into Chen Yin's pocket. Would he really give it up?
"Do you have a plan, Mom?" he asked.
"Mom just remembered something. There might be a way to get the money we deserve, even if we can't get our hands on that will. Would you like to try?"
He nodded without hesitation. If there was any way to return to his former life as a Young Master, he would be willing to try anything, no matter how difficult.
His mother didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gazed at him, her fingers tracing the contours of his eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose as if studying a work of art. After a long while, she smiled, her expression gentle.
"What is it, Mom?" he asked, somewhat confused.
His mother leaned close to his ear.
"Mom once heard from an old servant at home that Chen Yin not only has albinism but is also a dead homosexual."