Ch 37 (Part 2): Rebirth of the Tool Man in a Pampered Protagonist Novel

The second branch wanted to rise to power and had to resort to extreme measures.

For example, preventing Xie Zheng from getting married, or forcing Xie Wenxu, who was only nine years younger, to be his “son” and take over in case of an “accident.”

Xie Zheng had long been tired of this decaying family and was planning to break away from it.

It’s true, everyone thought Xie Zheng stood at the pinnacle of high society, enjoying endless glory and power. But no one knew the dangers and experiences behind it.

Thinking back, Xie Zheng’s car accident in his past life was probably not a simple accident either.

Besides being old-fashioned, Xie Zheng didn’t have many other flaws. In fact, Xie Zheng was a person of integrity, with proper values.

Although he was so innocent, it was almost unbearable to look at, making one want to protect such a pure flower.

But for the sake of his brother, Fang Ziyang decided not to dislike this guy in the future. After all, they were on the same side now, weren’t they?

…

When Fang Ziyang saw Rick, he suddenly remembered the storyline from the golden book where a foreign tycoon, said to be his one-night stand, helped him get revenge. If nothing went wrong, it was probably Rick.

In the story, Rick was not avenging him but using his name to avenge his brother.

He didn’t know why Rick was spreading such rumors, but this bastard had no principles, being a foreigner who didn’t understand their customs, and slandering his reputation. It was too much…

Even though Fang Ziyang himself didn’t have much more principle, he decided to mark this down.

If this guy wanted to pursue his brother, he’d have to see about that. He would be the unreasonable little brother, no discussion.

…

Due to the sudden appearance of an illegitimate child, Fang Yandong hadn’t had time to pay attention to his younger son’s movements these past few days. He had been busy preparing household registration and the recognition banquet for Yan Tong.

Actually, Fang Yandong never really cared about an illegitimate child.

Especially not one produced by Zhen Yating, whom he detested like a leech. He despised her so much that he couldn’t possibly like the child she bore.

However, if this illegitimate child could bring him substantial benefits, everything would be different.

Although Yan Tong said he could help reclaim the shares and inheritance held by his younger son, Fang Yandong was skeptical. After all, he had been planning for years without success; how could Yan Tong accomplish it? It seemed like a joke.

But when Yan Tong mentioned that Xie Wenxu liked him and that they could change the marriage partner to him, Fang Yandong was very tempted.

He cared about the Xie family, not his younger son’s relationship with Xie Wenxu. Since Xie Wenxu had fallen for Yan Tong and Yan Tong was also his “son,” changing the marriage partner resolved the issue perfectly!

To ensure this idea went smoothly, he had to show that he valued Yan Tong.

Otherwise, using an unfavored son as a substitute, what would the Xie family think?

Regarding Yan Tong’s paternity test, Zhen Yating had already prepared. Fang Yandong was naturally deceived in the short term.

Soon, with Fang Yandong deliberately spreading the news, the entire Jiang City knew that the Fang family had an illegitimate child whom Fang Yandong highly valued, and a grand recognition banquet was being prepared to formally introduce him.

This news caused an uproar.

Everyone in Jiang City knew Fang Yandong was famously a good father and husband. His wife had been deceased for many years, and he hadn’t remarried or kept any mistresses, earning him the reputation of a good man.

Even other men had to admit he was truly virtuous!

But now, to say Fang Yandong had an illegitimate child around the same age as his younger son?

This implied he had cheated while Mrs. Fang was still alive!

Suddenly, everyone’s opinion of Fang Yandong became nuanced.

But who was Fang Yandong? A face-loving, selfish person. He couldn’t let his long-standing good image crumble.

Soon, people learned the “truth” about the Fang family’s illegitimate child. Apparently, he was the product of that crazy woman, Zhen Yating, who had pursued Fang Yandong relentlessly!

It wasn’t that Mr. Fang had cheated; it was this crazy woman who selfishly went through artificial insemination. Mr. Fang was truly unlucky to be entangled with such a woman. However, feeling pity for the innocent child, he decided to take him in…

Fang Yandong utterly detested Zhen Yating for always pestering him, not feeling an ounce of guilt for badmouthing her.

Zhen Yating, on the other hand, was obsessed to the point of madness, her love for Fang Yandong becoming a disease. She didn’t care about any of this; as long as she had the chance to marry him, she would do anything, which was simply irrational.

Although Fang Ziyang knew Zhen Yating had been robbed of credit by her sister and was unlucky, he didn’t sympathize with her.

After all, a woman who could give up her dignity and morals, resorting to artificial insemination to use a child as a tool to trap a man, was despicable.

The Zhen sisters were equally contemptible.

Under Fang Yandong’s arrangement, the recognition banquet proceeded smoothly.

Yan Tong quickly adapted to his role as the illegitimate son in the Fang family, not at all self-conscious about being a young master.

As a transmigrator, he had a natural sense of superiority over the people in this world.

Being a young master of the Fang family was nothing to be embarrassed about, and his poised demeanor even made the servants who wanted to trouble him look at him differently.

He quickly won over Fang Qianhao.

With his eloquence, even though Fang Qianhao felt terrible, he had to accept the reality of his beloved becoming his brother and continued to fawn over Yan Tong as a doting servant.

Yan Tong had always been good at winning over men.

With Fang Qianhao’s unconditional support, he became confident in the Fang family, gradually revealing his true nature.

Having been humiliated by Fang Ziyang several times, Yan Tong had long harbored a grudge. Now that he had the chance, he wasn’t one to hold back.

In public, he acted like a weak, pitiable little rabbit whenever he saw Fang Ziyang, always looking teary-eyed, making it seem like Fang Ziyang had bullied him.

However, when alone with Fang Ziyang, Yan Tong’s demeanor completely changed.

He looked at Fang Ziyang with disdain, like a high and mighty person looking down on an ant.

“Fang Ziyang, you used to be slightly better off than me, but now I’m also a son of the Fang family, and Dad likes me a lot. You can’t compete with me in studies, looks, popularity, and now even status. What reason do you have to live as a useless person?”

Yan Tong’s sneering provocation seemed to be aimed at angering and belittling Fang Ziyang, whom he once looked up to.

He did this purely out of spite.

Although his public pretense caused people to distance themselves from Fang Ziyang, it was tiring and frustrating for him.

Especially after the viral video, Fang Ziyang seemed to have been provoked and no longer maintained his usual composure. Now, Fang Ziyang retaliated harshly, making Yan Tong suffer humiliations.

Finally having the chance, Yan Tong intended to vent his frustration thoroughly.

Fang Ziyang had once revered his father the most. Now that Yan Tong had become a son of the Fang family, it would surely enrage Fang Ziyang.

Privately, Yan Tong didn’t bother to hide his glee and openly mocked Fang Ziyang.

“Fang Ziyang, don’t think you’re so great. Just wait; soon, I’ll make Dad love me the most, and you’ll no longer be the favored young master. You’ll be a despised, useless person, eventually kicked out.”

“Dad is preparing a grand recognition banquet for me, introducing me to all the important figures in Jiang City and giving me a secondary card to spend as I please…”

“Fang Ziyang, now that I’ve just joined the family and Dad already treats me so well, how much longer do you think you’ll be favored?”

Before his transmigration, Yan Tong wasn’t anyone significant, just an ordinary person who resented life.

So when someone like him gains power, he tends to become arrogant and petty.

In his previous life, Fang Ziyang had witnessed this side of Yan Tong countless times. Initially, he would get angry, but eventually, he saw through it and stopped reacting.

In a way, he should “thank” Yan Tong for making him see through all the people around him, teaching him who to cherish and protect in this life.

Unwilling to waste words on him, Fang Ziyang directly pushed Yan Tong aside and walked towards his room.

In front of all the servants, he kicked open the door and trashed the place, throwing all the clothes and shoes prepared for Yan Tong’s banquet into the pool outside.

This immediately infuriated Yan Tong, who had been gloating just moments ago.

“Fang Ziyang, what are you doing! Those are the clothes I need for the banquet tomorrow!”

Yan Tong hadn’t expected Fang Ziyang to be so brazen, destroying his room in front of everyone.

All he did was say a few words, and Fang Ziyang retaliated by throwing his clothes into the pool!

The banquet clothes were specially tailored. Now that Fang Ziyang had ruined them, what would he wear tomorrow? If he didn’t dress well enough, the high society in Jiang City would think he was unfavored and ostracized in the Fang family!

“Fang Ziyang, you’re going too far!”

Yan Tong gritted his teeth in anger, not realizing it was his provocation that led to this.

Fang Ziyang didn’t expect Yan Tong to reflect on his mistakes. With Yan Tong’s twisted worldview, he believed the whole world was against him.

In Yan Tong’s eyes, Fang Ziyang was a stupid and vicious cannon fodder. If he didn’t act a bit malicious, he wouldn’t live up to that label.

“Going too far? If you know I’m going too far, why provoke me? If you have the guts, go tell Dad and see if he punishes me or tells you to tolerate it.”

Fang Ziyang smirked contemptuously.

Without needing to do anything special, his demeanor naturally exuded superiority, making Yan Tong increasingly furious and envious.

Fang Ziyang’s innate arrogance was something Yan Tong could never replicate. It was as if Fang Ziyang was destined to stand out and shine.

But why Fang Ziyang? Despite falling from grace, Fang Ziyang still exuded such an aura.

The more Yan Tong looked, the more he resented him. He leaned closer, speaking only for them to hear, filled with malice.

“Fang Ziyang, laugh while you can. By tomorrow night, the man you love the most will publicly abandon you and propose to me.”

Yan Tong’s face lit up with malicious glee.

However, Fang Ziyang didn’t get angry, smiling instead. “We’ll see about that.”

He hoped they would enjoy the “surprise” he had prepared for tomorrow night.

It was time for them to start repaying their debts.

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