Chapter four

"Let me borrow some cash," Li Jian said firmly, seeing that Qiao Yu was still taking him as a joke.

Qiao Yu chuckled again, shaking his head at what he perceived as his friend's delusions. The confession about being someone else had to be a result of the accident—perhaps Li Jian had hit his head harder than anyone thought.

"You really need some rest, bro," Qiao Yu said calmly, placing a reassuring hand on Li Jian's shoulder. "No need to stress yourself. We'll figure this out later."

Li Jian scowled, his patience thinning. "I'll pay you back when I get back on my feet," he said, irritation creeping into his voice. "I just need a little help right now."

"Relax, alright?" Qiao Yu replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Why don't you crash at my place tonight? Maybe tomorrow, we can go get you checked out. You know"—he circled his finger near his head—"just in case."

Li Jian scoffed, his temper flaring. "You're unbelievable," he muttered. Qiao Yu's lack of seriousness only added fuel to the fire. He clenched his fists, debating whether to keep pushing or just walk away.

Qiao Yu sighed, noticing his friend's growing frustration. "Fine, fine. You win." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wad of cash, and handed it over. "Here. Don't say I never help you."

Li Jian snatched the money without a word, shoving it into his coat pocket. "Thanks," he muttered, his tone curt.

As he walked out of the club, the chilly night air hit his face. The streets were dimly lit, and he had no clue where to go. After a moment of hesitation, he hailed a passing taxi.

"Take me to a cheap motel nearby," he said, leaning back in the seat.

The driver nodded and began navigating through the quiet streets. Li Jian stared out the window, the city lights blurring into streaks as the taxi sped along. His mind buzzed with thoughts—about his strange situation, Qiao Yu's reaction, and what his next move should be.

Within minutes, the taxi pulled up to a modest-looking motel with a flickering neon sign that read "EconoStay."

"That'll be 30 yuan," the driver said.

Li Jian handed over the fare and stepped out of the car. The motel looked run-down but functional—a place where he could at least rest and gather his thoughts.

...

Qiao Yu chuckled as he pressed the phone against his ear, his other hand gripping the steering wheel tightly. He took a sharp turn with ease, his car weaving through the dimly lit streets.

"Bro, if I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it," he said, laughing as he recalled Li Jian's bizarre behavior. "The oh-so-mighty son of the Li family is losing it! He doesn't even know who he is anymore."

The person on the other end erupted into laughter. "No way! You're serious? Li Jian—the arrogant, untouchable Li Jian—has gone mad? That's priceless!"

Qiao Yu grinned, his laughter mingling with the other man's. "You should've seen him earlier. He was so out of it. Looked like he didn't even know which way was up."

"Man, I can't wait to tell the others. This is gold!"

"Not yet," Qiao Yu interrupted, his tone laced with mischief. "I want to have some fun with him first. Maybe dig up his secret stash accounts. Or better yet, sell his condo—it's worth millions of yuan. That would really teach him."

"You're pure evil, Qiao Yu," the other man said, his voice tinged with admiration.

"Can you blame me?" Qiao Yu smirked, taking another turn. "He treated us like dirt. Always walking all over me like I was nothing. Now that I've got the upper hand, I'm not wasting it."

"You're right," the man on the phone agreed. "You suffered enough under that guy. Do what you have to."

Qiao Yu opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when a figure suddenly appeared in his headlights—a frail old man riding a bicycle, wobbling dangerously close to the car.

"Damn it!" Qiao Yu yelled, slamming on the brakes just in time to avoid a collision. The car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing the man, who fell off his bike in shock.

Qiao Yu threw his phone onto the passenger seat and stepped out of the car, his face twisted in annoyance. "Are you blind, old man? What the hell are you doing in the middle of the road?"

The old man, trembling and trying to get up, stammered, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see you—"

"Didn't see me? That's your excuse?" Qiao Yu snapped, his voice dripping with disdain. "Maybe it's time you stopped riding that rust bucket if you can't handle it."

The old man bowed his head apologetically, but Qiao Yu wasn't interested. Muttering under his breath, he got back into the car and slammed the door.

"What was that about?" the voice on the phone asked, chuckling lightly.

"Some idiot old man on a bike," Qiao Yu said, picking up his phone again. "Almost scratched my car. I gave him a piece of my mind, though."

The other man snickered. "You really don't change, do you? Always the tough guy."

"Someone's got to teach people a lesson," Qiao Yu said smugly, pulling back onto the road. "Just like I'll teach Li Jian. He won't even see it coming."

...

Even though his past seemed important, it felt like he was getting nowhere with it. Maybe it was time to throw the past behind him and focus on the future.

This time, he truly was the prodigal son. Perhaps going back home was better than rotting away in one-star motels, he thought to himself as he stood in front of the grand Li family mansion.

Standing in front of the sprawling Li family estate, Chen Wei—now Li Jian—shifted uncomfortably, staring at the massive wrought-iron gates that screamed wealth and power. A sleek intercom system was mounted on one side, its glossy surface reflecting his uneasy expression.

He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering to himself, "Alright… just act like you own the place. Because you do… kind of."

He hesitated for a second before jabbing the intercom button a little too hard. A sharp buzz echoed, followed by a polite but cold voice.

"Who is it?"

"It's me," he said, trying to sound authoritative, though the words came out awkward and unsure. He cleared his throat and tried again, louder this time. "It's Li Jian. Open the gate already!"

There was a pause before the gate slowly swung open. Chen Wei walked in, his steps deliberately heavy to mask his nerves. The mansion was as intimidating up close as it was from the gate. The modern architecture, sleek glass windows, and manicured gardens screamed rich people problems.

As he approached the main entrance, he noticed a security guard standing stiffly by the door. The man gave him a curious glance before stepping forward to open it.

"Young Master Li," the guard greeted, his tone neutral but respectful.

Chen Wei nodded curtly, trying to emulate Li Jian's arrogance. "Took you long enough," he snapped, though his voice wavered slightly. He quickly coughed to cover up his slip.

The guard bowed slightly and stepped aside. Chen Wei strode into the grand foyer, his eyes widening for a moment before he forced himself to look unimpressed. The interior was even more extravagant than he had imagined—polished marble floors, a grand chandelier hanging from the double-height ceiling, and tasteful modern art adorning the walls.

He barely had time to take it all in before the click of heels on the staircase drew his attention. A woman in her early 20s descended the stairs, her sharp features softened slightly by the casual elegance of her outfit. She wore a fitted blouse and tailored slacks, her long black hair cascading over one shoulder.

"Li Jian," she said, her tone icy as she reached the bottom step. "Look who finally decided to show up. Did the party scene finally bore you?"

Chen Wei stuttered, caught off guard by her presence and the sharpness of her words. "Uh… no, I mean, I just… felt like coming home for a bit."

She crossed her arms, a brow arching in disbelief. "Home? You haven't set foot here in months, and now you suddenly feel nostalgic?"

Chen Wei cleared his throat, trying to channel Li Jian's trademark arrogance. "Do I need a reason to come back? Last I checked, this is still my home."

She scoffed, walking past him toward the living room. "Right. You'd better not cause any trouble while you're here. The last thing I need is to deal with another one of your messes."

"Trouble? Me?" he said, forcing a smirk and following her. "You must be confusing me with someone else."

She ignored him, picking up her tablet from the coffee table and sitting down on one of the plush couches. "If you're staying, don't expect me to babysit you. Your room is still where you left it."

He turned to one of the maids standing nearby, a petite woman who seemed startled by his sudden attention. "You," he barked, though his voice cracked slightly. He coughed again, regaining his composure. "Take me to my room."

"Yes, Young Master," the maid said quickly, bowing before leading him toward the grand staircase.

As he climbed the steps,He didn't even know the woman he had a conversation with was,his life seemed like a mess.

Chen Wei couldn't help but feel a strange feel of unease. He had managed to play the part so far, but being in this world of wealth and cold indifference was more alien to him than he had anticipated.

Still, he thought, if I'm going to survive as Li Jian, I'd better get used to it.