Bound to the system, returning to a wealthy family

After buying groceries, Yan Wen stepped lightly through the front door, but his mother, who usually waited there for him at this hour, was nowhere to be seen.

Yan Wen thought little of it, assuming she was busy preparing dinner. But the moment he entered, he realized something was off.

Besides his parents, there were two strangers in the house. One glance at their outfits told him they were wealthy.

Several beautifully packaged gift boxes sat beside the coffee table, looking anything but cheap.

But why were these two here? Were they his parents' friends?

The elegantly dressed woman rose when she saw Yan Wen and approached to take his hand, her eyes brimming with affection. "You must be Yan Wen. The resemblance... it's uncanny."

Yan Wen was bewildered. "Ma'am, may I ask who you are?"

His father coughed. "Xiao Wen, come sit down. Your mother and I have something to tell you."

As soon as Yan Wen sat down, his mother began wiping away tears. Flustered, he searched for tissues to dry her eyes. "Mom, what's wrong? What happened?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine. Let your father explain."

His father stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "Xiao Wen, these two are your biological parents."

"Huh?" It was too much to process at once. Looking at the two wealthy strangers gazing at him so affectionately, Yan Wen felt certain he was dreaming.

"Xiao Wen, your biological parents have been searching for you for sixteen years. It's time you went home with them."

"Wait, Dad, you and Mom aren't joking? I'm not your biological son?!"

His mother nodded. "Back then, I couldn't get pregnant. When I went to the hospital, the doctor said my chances of having a child were next to nothing. Just when I thought I'd never have a child of my own, you appeared. You were crying from hunger, and when we asked where you lived or what your name was, you didn't know. We couldn't find your parents, so I brought you home and raised you as my own son."

Yan Wen listened in a daze. This was far too much to take in!

The woman held his hand, her heart aching for him. "Come home with Mom, sweetheart. Let me make it up to you."

Yan Wen had no idea how to respond. The man patted the woman's shoulder, urging her not to rush. "How can he accept it if you suddenly ask him to leave with us? Give him some time. We'll come get him tomorrow."

Yan Wen was inwardly speechless. And one night was supposed to be enough for him to accept it?

After seeing the couple off, Yan Wen returned to the sofa. He deliberated for a long time but still couldn't find the words.

His father gently patted the back of his hand. "Just remember to visit us often after you go home."

Yan Wen was still in a daze when he returned to his room. He wasn't their biological son? Just like that, he had become the young master of a wealthy family? Even his dreams weren't this wild!

As his thoughts ran wild, a cartoon-like voice suddenly sounded in his mind: Gossip System successfully bound. System Xiao Qi at your service.

Yan Wen shot upright and nervously looked around. There was nothing there. Was he already hearing things at his age? Or had school been wearing him out lately?

Host, I'm inside your mind.

Yan Wen sat up, stared blankly for two seconds, then answered in his mind: Are you there?

Yes, host!

You're... a system?

Yes, host. I'm the Gossip System. There's no juicy gossip I can't uncover!

Why did you choose me?

I detected that you're about to return to a wealthy family, host. And when it comes to wealthy families, there's always an even juicier scandal. To meet my performance targets, I, System Xiao Qi, decided to bind myself to you.

Are wealthy families really that exciting? Tell me something.

Of course, host! I've detected some fresh gossip, and it involves you.

Come on, tell me!

Your biological family, the Mu Family, the wealthiest family in the world, is currently comforting their heartbroken fake young master.

What? A fake young master? This whole real-versus-fake young master drama is actually happening to me?

Yes, host. Two years after you went missing, the Mu Family adopted a boy: their current fake young master, Mu Huai'an. Right now, he's too upset to eat, and your older brothers and sister are all comforting him. Your third eldest sibling, your sister, even declared that Mu Huai'an would be the family's only young master!

The system grew more excited as it spoke, and Yan Wen's lips curled.

Now that you've told me that, I suddenly can't wait for morning. I want to see what this Mu Huai'an is like.

The system retrieved information on every member of the Mu Family: Mu Xingfeng, the head of the family's company, and his wife, Xie Yunshu, were Yan Wen's biological parents.

Mu Xu Ye, the Mu Family's eldest son, was twenty-six and the future head of the family's company.

Mu Xu Ci, the Mu Family's second son, was twenty-four and loved gaming. He had founded a game company at twenty-two, and in recent years, numerous CEOs had competed to work with him. His hobby was collecting figurines.

Mu Xu Xi, the Mu Family's third child and daughter, was twenty-one and nearing graduation at Jiangcheng's renowned Yunjiang University. She liked design and cute pets, and doted on Mu Huai'an more than anyone else in the family.

Listening to the system's report, Yan Wen drifted off without realizing it.

He didn't wake until his mother called him to breakfast the next morning. It was summer vacation, and he would be starting university when the new term began. Normally, he could have slept a little longer, but not today. He had to hurry and pack; someone would be coming to pick him up soon.

Sure enough, less than an hour after lunch, Mu Xingfeng and Xie Yunshu arrived by car.

Xie Yunshu sincerely thanked Yan Wen's parents. "Thank you for everything you've done over the years. I'll make sure Wen comes back to visit you often."

His mother was desperately reluctant to let him go, but she couldn't stop Yan Wen from returning to his biological parents and living the life that should have been his.

Yan Wen held her hand. "Mom, I'll come back often. This will always be my home."

"Good boy. I'll be waiting for you to visit."

The car traveled for nearly six hours, only stopping outside a villa late that night.

As soon as Yan Wen got out, the servants and bodyguards lined up neatly on either side of the entrance called in unison, "Welcome home, young master."

Xie Yunshu took Yan Wen's hand. "Your eldest and second brothers are busy at the company and haven't been home these past few days. It's just us, your older sister, and your fourth brother here."

Mu Xingfeng said, "Although your fourth brother is adopted, he's lived with us for over ten years. I'm sure you'll get along well."

Yan Wen kept his expression neutral but inwardly scoffed. If Mu Huai'an wanted to get along with me, he wouldn't be threatening to leave home.

Xiao Qi, where's that Mu Huai'an?

Host, once you go inside, you'll see someone crying his eyes out. That's Mu Huai'an.

Is this guy made of tears? He cried for so long yesterday, and he can still cry today?

Xie Yunshu was startled. Yan Wen clearly hadn't opened his mouth, so why could she hear him speaking? Could these be his thoughts?

She looked at Mu Xingfeng and found the same expression on his face. They exchanged a glance and immediately realized that they could both hear Yan Wen's thoughts.

Yan Wen was inwardly thrilled. Hurry, hurry, let's go in! I've never seen a boy cry that hard before!

Xie Yunshu smiled. "Xiao Wen, let's head inside."

Mu Xingfeng gave a couple of awkward chuckles beside them. "Yes, yes. It's hot out here. Let's go in first."

Here we go! Let the show begin!

No sooner had that thought crossed Yan Wen's mind than Mu Huai'an approached, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "Dad, Mom, now that my younger brother is back, I no longer have any right to stay in the Mu Family. Thank you for raising me all these years."

He was, after all, a child she had raised for over a decade. Hearing Mu Huai'an say he would leave made Xie Yunshu's heart ache. "Silly boy, you and Xiao Wen are both my children. How could I ever abandon you?"

"But I'm not really part of the Mu Family. Besides, I've taken Xiao Wen's place for so many years. He must hate me."

Yan Wen immediately stepped back. "Hold it. I haven't said a single word so far. What exactly made you decide I hate you?"

Mu Xu Xi hurried over to comfort Mu Huai'an. "No matter what happens, you'll always be a young master of the Mu Family. You're the only younger brother I'll ever acknowledge."

After saying that, Mu Xu Xi shot Yan Wen a fierce glare, and he glared right back without hesitation.

You think you're the only one who can glare? I haven't even agreed to acknowledge you as my sister. What are you getting so worked up about?

Xiao Qi suddenly piped up. Host, I've detected some fresh gossip!