"I’m here to do hard labor."

It rained again in Ning City this June—endless and soft, like lovers' hair that even a knife couldn't cut apart. The raindrops landed with a whispering sound, and the wind carried a deep dampness, making people feel refreshed. But before long, the sun's heat turned everything humid again.

This was Shen Mingjin's third day in the Jiangxia Road business district.

He let the wind straighten the hem of his shirt, exposing his pale, scarred waist. His unfocused gaze kept shifting between the honking traffic and the towering buildings. He reached into his pocket—empty. The few coins he had on WeChat and Alipay were already spent. If he didn't find a job soon, he'd starve to death.

To make things worse, he had lost his memory. His ID card, along with the last of his cash, had been swallowed by the ocean. He didn't even know his own name, let alone have any diplomas that could help him get a job.

He had a handsome face, and even in his faded T-shirt and old jeans, he turned heads on the street. But there was a large scar on his forehead—he had gone through a lot of trouble to remove it, yet a faint red mark still remained on his brow. From a distance, it looked a little like the torn wing of a swallowtail butterfly—strangely beautiful.

"Boss, one pack of cigarettes."

Shen Mingjin's stomach was empty, but he still leaned lazily against a small shop's counter. He clicked his tongue, tasting nothing but blandness. The way he moved—despite his cold and refined face—had a careless, almost playful charm.

"The cheapest one."

The shop owner, who had just thought she had a new customer: "......"

These days, a good face didn't mean wealth. But clothes? Clothes told you everything.

She scanned Shen Mingjin from head to toe, as if she could see the words "I am broke" written on his forehead. Clicking her tongue lightly, she rolled her eyes, then rummaged through the glass cabinet and pulled out a plain white pack. Tossing it to him, she waved her plastic fan and sat back down, turning her attention back to her TV drama.

"Just leave the money on the table."

Shen Mingjin didn't mind her attitude. He casually grabbed the pack and, with complete ease, pulled out a gold card.

"I have no money. Can I pay with this?"

The shop owner reluctantly tore her gaze from her melodrama. When she turned back to Shen Mingjin, her annoyed expression froze. Her eyes widened—bigger than brass gongs.

"Where did you get a gold card?!"

Even if she had never owned one herself, she had seen them on TV.

How could this kid—who looked like he was one step away from begging—have a gold card?

Did he steal it?!

Her suspicious eyes darted between the card and Shen Mingjin, wondering if she should call the police and have them check his identity. But before she could decide, he suddenly moved. Muttering to himself, he slid the card back into his pocket.

"Never mind, you don't have a card machine anyway."

Then, as if regretting it, he glanced at her with big, round, expressive eyes, filled with silent accusation.

The shop owner almost screamed.

"What's so weird about that?!"

A small shop not having a card machine—was that really so strange?!

Shen Mingjin tilted his head slightly, looking innocent, as if he truly didn't understand why she was mad.

Since losing his memory, one of his biggest strengths was ignoring people's anger. After a moment, he calmly put the card away and was about to leave when the shop owner suddenly spoke.

"Hey, kid."

Her voice held a rough edge, but maybe it was because of the lost and helpless look in his eyes—it reminded her of her own son, struggling to make a living far from home. Her gaze softened. She tossed him a small pack of orange-flavored candy.

"If you don't have money, don't go down the wrong path. There's a new development project ahead—they're hiring. Work honestly. That's the only way to survive."

"......"

Shen Mingjin looked down at the slightly dusty pack of candy in his hands. He lowered his head, hiding his expression. Slowly, he peeled open the wrapper and popped the half-melted candy into his mouth.

It tasted like artificial sweetener.

"I got it. Thanks, boss."

He didn't seem to mind. The moment he lifted his head again, the lazy attitude was gone. He smiled at her—a real, genuine smile.

"I'll go find a job now."

—

Yuanlong Impression Development Zone was a real estate project invested by Xu Gengshui, the richest man in Ning City. It had just started construction and was in desperate need of workers.

When Shen Mingjin wandered onto the construction site, the foreman was wearing a yellow hard hat, shouting instructions through a megaphone. Cement trucks and excavators were busy moving around, creating a chaotic but energetic scene.

His throat was hoarse from yelling, but when he turned around and saw Shen Mingjin standing there—hands behind his back, gazing thoughtfully at the high-rise buildings—the foreman's heart skipped a beat.

"Wait a minute… I heard some big shot was coming for an inspection today. Could it be… him?"

A trace of suspicion crept into his mind, and he couldn't help but take a second look at Shen Mingjin.

Look at him—his posture, his presence. Tall like a bamboo stalk, face like a polished jade. He had to be the Xu family's long-lost eldest son.

Still, rich people were weird. He clearly had money, yet he dressed so plainly.

But then again… if he had grown up struggling before the Xu family found him, then maybe this undercover inspection thing wasn't so strange after all.

The construction foreman, not wanting to seem disrespectful, quickly stepped forward, rubbing his hands together and smiling at Shen Mingjin.

"Young Master, it's really hot here. Please follow me."

Shen Mingjin slowly turned his head at those words.

"?"

Is this how they treat people applying to carry bricks here?

He was confused, his fingers slightly curling in unease before he tucked them into his palm. But after a brief hesitation, he chose to stay silent and followed the foreman.

Just as Shen Mingjin and the foreman walked away, a black Mercedes pulled up in front of the Yuánlǒng Impression Development Zone.

As the car window slowly rolled down, the reflection of the clouds vanished from the glass, revealing a young man's strikingly handsome face.

He had youthful features, looking no older than twenty, despite wearing an impeccably tailored white shirt. His deep, dark eyes carried an icy sharpness, his jawline tense and defined. He had the kind of cold presence that made people instinctively shudder—like an unmelting block of ice.

"Where's the person in charge of this development zone? Weren't they supposed to meet the Young Master here?"

A driver stepped out from the front seat and respectfully opened the door. Xu Duwan glanced down at the sandalwood prayer beads around his wrist, his expression unreadable.

It was only his second day after being brought back to the Xu family, and he was already impatient to take control of the most important project under his grandfather's name.

Some called him nothing but an ambitious opportunist, saying that the old man had let a wolf into his house. Others mocked him, claiming he was trying to handle something far beyond his ability. Praise and criticism flooded in from all sides, but Xu Duwan didn't care.

After all, he was now the rightful heir of the Xu family.

And for those who had stolen over twenty years of his life, he wasn't some saint who would forgive them.

One by one, he would take back everything that belonged to him.

And for those who had hurt him before—he wouldn't let them off, either.

A familiar face flashed through his mind. A youthful smile, yet the moment their eyes met, the warmth would turn to cold indifference.

Just thinking about that person made Xu Duwan's eyes darken. His temples throbbed, veins twitching under his skin. He wanted nothing more than to dig that man out from wherever he was hiding and humiliate him.

Shen Mingjin...

He wasn't the weak little duckling that could be trampled on anymore, was he?

You better hope I never find you.

Xu Duwan smirked, but there was no joy in his expression. His refined face twisted ever so slightly, consumed by a madness that bordered on obsession.

So, the person in charge of greeting him wasn't here. For someone as distrustful as Xu Duwan, it was hard not to suspect that this was intentional—a deliberate move to test him.

If they were already playing tricks at this stage, how could he possibly take over the entire Xu Corporation smoothly?

His thoughts shifted to the fake young master still prancing around in the Xu family home. Xu Duwan's face grew colder. The blazing sun overhead made the air thick with humidity and the scent of damp soil. Sweat beaded on his skin, his frustration mounting.

Annoyed, he tugged at his collar, revealing a sliver of his fair collarbone. His voice was low, pressed down like a fire smoldering beneath the surface.

"Where is the office of the person in charge? Take me there."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried undeniable authority. Even in the peak of summer, it sent a chill through those who heard it, filling them with an unexplainable sense of dread.

—

The construction foreman had never entertained a high-ranking visitor before. He was nervous, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

The person in charge hadn't arrived yet, so Shen Mingjin and the foreman were seated in a bright and tidy office. Shen Mingjin sipped from a small cup of water, looking completely at ease, while the foreman fidgeted as if he were the one being interviewed.

He stole glances at Shen Mingjin, watching as the young man closed his eyes, relishing the cool air conditioning. Unable to read his expression, the foreman hesitantly asked,

"Young Master, are you satisfied with the progress of our construction?"

Shen Mingjin thought, What does my opinion matter? I'm not the boss.

But after considering for a moment, he decided to be honest and nodded.

"It looks good."

The foreman was overjoyed, rubbing his hands together in excitement, just as hurried footsteps echoed from outside. A loud, apologetic voice accompanied them, growing closer and closer until it reached the door.

Shen Mingjin didn't recognize the person in charge, so he remained seated on the leather sofa. However, the foreman suddenly tensed, breaking into a nervous sweat. His stocky body seemed to shrink in on itself before he abruptly leaped to his feet, bowing deeply.

"Manager Cheng..."

Creak—

The door opened.

As the gap widened, Shen Mingjin finally got a clear look at the person outside.

Leading the group was a man in black sunglasses, revealing just half of his fair-skinned jaw. He wore a white dress shirt tucked into tailored slacks, his waist so slim it seemed like one hand could wrap around it. A faint silver chain glinted around his neck, the kind of cheap accessory found in street markets, yet on his wrist rested a string of luxurious sandalwood beads—two items that didn't match at all.

His face was shadowed, his expression cold and unreadable. Behind him stood over ten men who looked like bodyguards. To his side was a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, grinning obsequiously.

"Young Master, it's such an honor to have you here!"

Behind Shen Mingjin, the construction foreman froze, as if struck by lightning. His gaze flickered back and forth between the two young men, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

"What the hell?! You're not the real Young Master Xu?!"

Shen Mingjin didn't notice the foreman's reaction. He was too focused on the man in front of him.

His instincts told him that this man's identity was anything but simple.

Just as Shen Mingjin hesitated about whether to stand and greet him, the man suddenly removed his sunglasses.

His face was filled with shock and disbelief.

"Shen Mingjin?!"

"Uh... hello?" Caught off guard, Shen Mingjin reflexively took a step forward.

Under the foreman's dumbfounded gaze, he extended his hand toward Xu Duwan, his expression sincere.

"You know me?"

"..."

Xu Duwan's dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, casting shadows over his deep, unreadable eyes. He didn't respond immediately.

The moment Shen Mingjin's palm touched Xu Duwan's wrist, the expressions of those around them shifted from neutrality to sheer horror.

After all, everyone knew about Xu Duwan's temper.

At his homecoming banquet, a drunk man had once tried to touch his waist, saying he was "too good-looking to resist." Before his fingers even grazed Xu Duwan's shirt, the young master had smashed a glass bottle over his head—expressionless, ruthless.

And now, here was Shen Mingjin, grabbing him so casually.

As expected, in the next instant, Xu Duwan's expression darkened. His gaze dropped to Shen Mingjin's hand, where a strange sensation—like ants biting—spread through his skin.

The man who once recoiled in disgust from his touch was now the one reaching out first?

So money really does make the world go round.

A cruel, mocking smile curled Xu Duwan's lips. His hatred surged, twisting his emotions into something both bitter and unsteady.

"Shen Mingjin, what are you doing here?"

Shen Mingjin blinked, confused by the hostility. "I came to carry bricks."

"..."

Xu Duwan's eyes narrowed.

Before anyone could react, his hand shot out like lightning, gripping Shen Mingjin's throat and shoving him against the wall.

His breath was hot against Shen Mingjin's ear, but his voice was ice-cold, dripping with rage.

"Ten years, Shen Mingjin. If you're going to lie to me, at least put some effort into it."