Chapter 1: Rebirth

City A.

Early winter.

It was the tenth day after Jiang Suifeng’s rebirth.

Because a gust of wind had picked up in the late afternoon, the small path that had been swept clean only this morning was covered once more in a thin layer of plane tree leaves.

This was a scene unique to City A, desolate yet clear and bright—the only place among the many he had stayed in that felt truly like home.

He took a deep breath of the icy air, pulled up his hoodie’s cap, and lowered his head as he merged into the crowd of students leaving school.

“Wow, look! So handsome!”

“Who is that guy? How come I haven’t seen him before?”

“Do you think he’s some idol in the entertainment industry you can see whenever you want?”

“That’s the young master of the Lu family, right? The one from Lu’s Pharmaceutical. I’ve only seen blurry secret photos before.”

“I know, I know! My mom swears by their cold medicine, saying it has the fewest side effects.”

The dead leaves underfoot made an extremely faint crunching sound as Jiang Suifeng raised his head amidst the quiet chatter around him.

On a tall building several streets away from the school, a massive electronic screen was playing an interview segment from the year’s second medical insurance negotiation.

At this moment, the person being interviewed was a young man in his early twenties, upright like a young bamboo, with remarkably handsome features.

Because of the distance, the face on the screen was not particularly clear, but Jiang Suifeng could still “see” every subtle expression on his face without the slightest hindrance.

After all, this was the person he had secretly loved for so many years in his past life.

He could easily picture that face—it was undoubtedly calm, confident, elegant, and soft, with eyes that often carried a very shallow smile that appeared extremely warm and approachable, yet held something undefinable that made people hesitate to draw near.

The surrounding noise gradually faded away, and the distant, blurry sound from the screen was slowly captured.

The reporter held up a microphone: “May I ask if Lu’s newest immunotherapy medication will also consider collaborating with the national health insurance?”

“Of course,” Lu Xiye’s voice came through, exceptionally steady. “Immunotherapy is the future trend. It can bring vitality and hope to more terminally ill patients. As one of the very few pharmaceutical companies with the capacity for innovative drug research and development, Lu’s Pharmaceutical carries an extraordinary social responsibility. Returning new and good medicines to society is both our wish and our duty.”

“For the majority of patients, this is indeed encouraging news,” the reporter’s voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of excitement. “Then we would also like to confirm another piece of good news. Recently, there have been rumors outside that Lu’s is about to initiate research and development for new drugs targeting rare genetic diseases. Is this true?”

“There is indeed such a plan,” Lu Xiye smiled.

“Could you introduce us to the main research direction and principles?” The reporter pressed further.

“Next time,” Lu Xiye smiled again, his gaze shifting toward someone off-camera. “I think it is necessary right now to leave some time for other colleagues in the industry.”

“Mr. Lu, please wait a moment, just one last question,” the reporter hastened two steps forward to keep asking. “Is Mr. Lu’s appearance here today a signal that the leadership of Lu’s is about to undergo a generational shift? Being so young, will Mr. Lu lead Lu’s toward a more aggressive direction in research and development in the future?”

“Those are two questions,” Lu Xiye paused in his tracks, his gaze remaining gentle and polite. “But I can answer both for you. First, my father is still very young, so talking about a generational transition is premature. My appearance here today is merely as a junior accompanying the team to learn.”

“Second,” his expression grew slightly more solemn. “Medicine is never aggressive—there is only necessity. Thank you.”

The screen switched to another broadcast, and the sounds of the outside world gradually flooded back.

This person, he really was…

Jiang Suifeng gave a slight, subtle smile; even when turning people down, he could manage to be polite and flawless.

—Except when facing him.

In his memory, every single sharp emotion Lu Xiye ever displayed seemed to have been directed at him.

Jiang Suifeng’s hands tightened inside his coat pockets. He hadn’t lived a good life in his past existence, so he couldn’t repeat the same mistakes in this one.

He wouldn’t let fate force him back to the Qin family, nor would he ever approach Lu Xiye again.

He would never give him the chance to reject him ever again.

Midnight was the liveliest time at the Sanjiu Bar.

Amidst the blinding, dizzying rainbow lights and deafening music, Jiang Suifeng threw aside his sweat-soaked drumsticks, preparing to leave.

He put on his coat, and just as he slipped on one glove, the bar manager walked over and said to him, “Fourteen-ge wants you to come over for a moment.”

Jiang Suifeng nodded, stepped forward, and went up to the third floor.

Inside the manager’s office, besides Jiang Fourteen, sat his master, Lin Fang.

Lin Fang had a cigarette between his teeth, his expression looking rather displeased, while Jiang Fourteen wore his usual beaming smile.

“Fourteen-ge,” Jiang Suifeng greeted. “Looking for me?”

Jiang Fourteen saw the coat draped over his arm and asked with a smile, “Heading back?”

“Mm,” Jiang Suifeng replied. “I still have classes tomorrow.”

Jiang Fourteen nodded.

This youth had always been a person of few words, so Jiang Fourteen didn’t mind his coldness much, simply studying him very carefully.

Jiang Suifeng had followed Lin Fang here a few times before, but back then his hair had been long, covering his eyebrows and eyes so that his features couldn’t be clearly seen.

One could only tell that he was very pale, very thin, with a chin that tapered into a delicate point with a lovely contour—a born beauty.

It was only recently, when he began coming over to play the drums, that Jiang Fourteen saw his face clearly for the first time.

That dark hair had been cut short, looking quite soft and smooth, but his eyes were sharp and cold, so much so that even Jiang Fourteen, who was accustomed to seeing beauties, couldn’t help but feel his heart tremble at first glance.

No wonder Sanjiu Bar’s popularity had surged recently, even drawing in a few prominent figures.

“I need to delay you for a short while today. I’ll have a driver take you back later,” Jiang Fourteen tapped his hand holding the cigarette against the ashtray and said, “In Booth No. 2, a friend’s younger brother is celebrating his birthday and wants you to go over and say a few words.”

“Say what words?” Jiang Suifeng asked.

Jiang Fourteen smiled, looking a bit troubled.

Lin Fang pinched out his cigarette: “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. How about Master accompanies you?”

“What are you going for?” Jiang Fourteen remarked. “Who wants to look at your old face?”

“I am an old face,” Lin Fang sneered. “An old face is still much better than your black-hearted gut.”

Jiang Fourteen didn’t reply to Lin Fang, turning back to Jiang Suifeng with a lowered posture: “Just consider it giving me some face.”

“Fine,” Jiang Suifeng lowered his head to check the time: October 30th, 00:12 AM.

October 30th—it turned out it was already October 30th… This day was actually his real birthday.

Not the birthday deliberately altered on his ID card or household register, but the day he was actually born.

“Fine,” he spoke again, his voice dropping slightly lower. “I will only say two sentences. I won’t drink, nor will I keep anyone company for anything else. I am short on money, but I don’t want to make it this way.”

Jiang Fourteen nodded, not expecting this kid to be so cold and leave no room for diplomacy. He gave a slight smile: “Just ten minutes, don’t worry.”

In Booth No. 2, a celebration had just begun past midnight.

Qin Moxun was surrounded by the crowd like stars surrounding the moon, already slightly tipsy.

Today was his eighteenth birthday, and it was a rare occasion where he had begged Qin Moyang to let him celebrate openly at a bar with his classmates and friends.

This venue had been chosen by Chen Bing. He had originally looked down on it, but after seeing a photo Chen Bing took, he couldn’t help but change his mind.

Coincidentally, his older brother happened to know the owner of this establishment, so the reservation went smoothly.

Just as a small climax passed, Qin Moxun’s face carried a look of pride and satisfaction mixed with a bit of unwillingness, grumbling: “I don’t believe it. Whose influence could possibly be bigger than my brother’s to take Booth No. 1?”

Booth No. 1 was the prime booth of this bar and had the best view. Though Sanjiu Bar wasn’t the absolute top establishment, reserving Booth No. 1 was by no means simple.

Hearing this, Sun Chenle, fearing the world wouldn’t be chaotic enough, chimed in: “Ge, how about I go kick them out?”

“Lele!” Sun Lihuan spoke up. “If Eldest Cousin finds out, will we ever be allowed out again?”

Sun Chenle rolled his eyes, his face full of disdain, but he puffed his cheeks and shut his mouth.

Qin Moxun looked outside irritably: “Why hasn’t that drummer come up yet?”

This was his main event today. If not for him, he wouldn’t have come to such a small bar—wouldn’t “Budu” be much better?

“Soon, soon,” Chen Bing said servilely. “He’ll be here right away. Today is our Second Young Master Qin’s coming-of-age ceremony; I’ve even prepared the room.”

“Do you think we’re still in ancient times?” Qin Moxun cursed with a laugh. “Who hasn’t seen fresh goods before?”

Though he said this, his expression noticeably brightened.

“The bar staff said he’s only coming over for ten minutes,” Sun Lihuan reminded.

Qin Moxun let out a cold laugh, not bothering to waste words with his cheap cousin.

Chen Bing smirked: “Before he arrives, it’s ten minutes. After he arrives, we’re the ones in charge.”

Sun Lihuan’s brows creased slightly: “What if Cousin…”

Qin Moxun’s face darkened: “Even if my brother says something, my mother will protect me. These matters are not your place to worry about.”

The room fell quiet for a moment before a clear knock on the door came through. Chen Bing hurried to smooth things over, winking at everyone: “See? What did I say? Here he is.”

The youth who played the drums entered the booth sideways, clad in black clothes and black pants, with dark hair and dark eyes that only made his pale face stand out even more.

Unlike the quiet and distant stunning impression from a distance, the moment this person stepped inside, the entire room seemed to light up.

“Come here.” Qin Moxun felt a burst of joy in his heart, waving at him as his young master air diminished a bit.

Jiang Suifeng walked toward him, looking down at him with a focused gaze.

He never dreamed in his wildest thoughts that the person waiting here would be Qin Moxun.

It was simply… too ridiculous.

This person had stolen his birthday, stolen his life, and now sat here looking at him haughtily.

“What’s your name?” Qin Moxun asked with a smile, reaching out his hand to pull him over.

Hearing this question, Jiang Suifeng suddenly curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a sliver of a smile.

In his past life, after learning the truth, he had always loathed the name Jiang Suifeng, but now, he suddenly found it quite interesting.

“Jiang Suifeng,” he said.

Qin Moxun’s reaching hand paused as expected. He closely resembled their father, with refined brows and eyes that carried a hint of frivolousness, yet he was handsome enough.

Only at this moment, those lively, smiling eyes slowly froze.

It was so f*cking unlucky—he had the exact same name as his father’s illegitimate son on the outside.

Furthermore, for some reason, the slight smile on Jiang Suifeng’s face gave him a feeling of malicious joy and wicked spite.

It was as if their positions had reversed in that fleeting smile of his, making the other party the high and mighty young master, looking down on him from above…

With a cold face, he lowered his head, poured a glass of liquor, slowly pushed it in front of Jiang Suifeng, and asked casually, “Where are you from?”

“My parents are both from City A, so I suppose I count as someone from City A too?” Fortunately, Jiang Suifeng was exceptionally cooperative, answering whatever was asked.

From City A? Then it wasn’t him.

Qin Moxun finally let out a sigh of relief, tapping his finger against the glass: “Sit down and have a drink together?”

“I don’t drink,” Jiang Suifeng said calmly. “And time is up. I should go back.”

“What do you mean time is up?” Chen Bing and Sun Chenle stood up at the right time—one blocking the exit, while the other moved to press down on Jiang Suifeng’s shoulder. “We’re all the same age. What’s wrong with sitting down to hang out for a bit?”

Jiang Suifeng turned his body slightly, dodging Chen Bing’s palm, then turned back to pick up the wine glass and looked at Qin Moxun: “What is the meaning of this?”

“No meaning,” Qin Moxun said, then asked, “How much do you make a month playing drums?”

“What does that have to do with you?” Jiang Suifeng retorted.

“F*ck, you really don’t know what’s good for you.” Chen Bing laughed out of anger. “Do you know who is sitting opposite you? Saying it out loud would scare your dog courage out of you.”

Jiang Suifeng’s brows furrowed slightly as he threw the glass of red wine right out. Being so close, Chen Bing got splashed entirely over his head and face without missing an inch.

“F*ck!” Chen Bing leaped up fiercely.

This person was brought out by him to curry favor with Qin Moxun. If he couldn’t tame him today, wouldn’t he be laughed to death when he went back?

Before he could touch even a corner of the other’s clothes, a sharp pain shot through his chest.

The bright red blood merged with the light-colored wine. The cross-shaped pendant hanging from his neck had its sharp tip pierced right into his own chest.

The only fortunate thing was that the cross pendant was extremely small, not enough to cause substantial injury.

Even so, Chen Bing stood stunned. Not only him, but even Qin Moxun and Sun Chenle were frozen in place.

They were mostly accustomed to being flattered, and usually, they were the ones picking on others—when had they ever suffered such treatment?

Jiang Suifeng bent down, steadily placed the wine glass on the table, and raised his eyes to look at Qin Moxun: “May I leave now?”

“You still think you can leave!” Chen Bing hissed. “You…”

“What happened?” The room door was pushed open from the outside, and a person stepped in behind Sun Chenle.

Jiang Suifeng’s heart, which had been unruffled from start to finish, suddenly leaped violently because of those two words.

The person on the big screen after school had now truly stepped right in front of him.

Lu Xiye stood at the doorway, glanced inside, and said, “Yo.”

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