My Poor Sucker of a Second Brother

Fang Qingyan was about to charge over in a fury when a slap landed on his face.

"Dad? Why did you hit me?"

Fang Ming's finger nearly jabbed Fang Qingyan in the nose. "How did our Fang Family produce an idiot like you? Come home with me! Stop embarrassing yourself here!"

"Dad, that Yan Wen was clearly bullying Xiao An..."

"What business do you have meddling in the Mu Family's affairs? Why did I choose an idiot like you as my heir?"

Fang Ming stormed out, and Fang Qingyan hurried after him in a panic, leaving Mu Huai'an all alone.

Yan Wen asked, "Xiao Qi, why did Fang Qingyan suddenly leave? Isn't he staying to stand up for Mu Huai'an?"

"Maybe he's afraid his father will revoke his position as the Fang Family's heir."

"That can be revoked? Looks like Fang Qingyan isn't all that impressive."

"The Fang Family has three sons in this generation, and every one of them is outstanding. Chairman Fang had been struggling to decide which son to choose as his heir. All three are capable and ambitious. Old Madam Fang suggested letting the eldest, Fang Qingyan, inherit, and Chairman Fang agreed. That's how Fang Qingyan was chosen."

"So that's it. I thought Fang Qingyan had been chosen because he had some exceptional quality. Did what his father just said mean he wants to revoke his position as heir?"

"Possibly. After all, Fang Qingyan is so hopelessly lovesick that if he inherited the family fortune, he might pour all of it into Mu Huai'an."

Yan Wen laughed inwardly. "Looks like Mu Huai'an still isn't as important as the family fortune. Fang Qingyan abandoned him and ran off."

Mu Xingfeng shook his head in disappointment. "My apologies, everyone. There was a minor incident. The banquet will now continue."

Mu Xingfeng and Xie Yunshu went up onto the stage, then called Yan Wen up as well.

With affection in her eyes, Xie Yunshu took Yan Wen's arm as Mu Xingfeng introduced him to everyone present. "Everyone, I've just been reunited with my biological son, and today's banquet was held for him. From now on, Yan Wen will be named Mu Yanwen. He is the Mu Family's fourth young master."

The guests applauded while whispering among themselves.

"Fourth young master? The Mu Family is still keeping that adopted son?"

"They raised him for so many years, just like their own child. Of course they're attached to him."

"That adopted son really ought to repay the Mu Family properly in the future."

Everyone except Mu Huai'an applauded and offered congratulations, celebrating the Mu Family's reunion with their biological son.

A voice suddenly rang out. "I object!"

The newcomer stood six feet tall and wore casual clothes, a black stud in his left ear, and a cross necklace around his neck. His light gray hair was styled with a side part.

Xiao Qi grew excited. "Host, that's Mu Xu Ci!"

"Mu Huai'an's second supporter has shown up too. He's a little more handsome in person than in his photos. No wonder his admirers could circle the globe twice."

Mu Xu Ci looked displeased. "Dad, why didn't you discuss something this important with us?"

Mu Xingfeng gave a heavy snort. "Do I need to consult you before acknowledging my own biological son?"

"Dad, how can you be so reckless about something like this? Mom!"

Xie Yunshu's brows drew together almost imperceptibly. "Ci, I finally found your younger brother after so much trouble. I hope you can understand how I feel. Don't be unreasonable."

"I'm being unreasonable? How can you be sure he hasn't deceived you? And aren't you afraid you'll hurt Xiao An's feelings by doing this?"

Xie Yunshu said, "You don't need to worry about that. We had a paternity test done the day Wen came back. Wen is my son. As for Xiao An, we'll always treat him as our own son. We won't mistreat him."

Mu Xingfeng raised his glass. "Everyone, thank you for honoring us with your presence at today's banquet. I hope the Mu Family will have many more opportunities to work with all of you."

Once the guests had left, only the Mu Family remained at the banquet.

Mu Xu Ci stood beside Mu Huai'an, glaring viciously at Yan Wen as though Yan Wen had bullied Mu Huai'an.

Yan Wen rolled his eyes helplessly. "If you care so much about your precious little brother Xiao An, why don't you strap him to your waist?"

The system, Xiao Qi, spoke up. "Host, I've detected some gossip about Mu Xu Ci."

"Tell me, tell me!"

"Mu Xu Ci is going to be a father!"

"What?! Didn't you say Mu Xu Ci was single? Is he not what everyone thinks he is? Is he actually a scumbag who plays with girls' feelings?"

Mu Xu Ci roared, "How dare you insult me?"

Yan Wen took two steps back. "If there's something wrong with your head, go to the hospital."

Mu Xu Ci nearly exploded with rage, but Mu Xu Xi and Xie Yunshu held him back, one on either side. The gossip was getting good. Nobody was allowed to interrupt.

"Xiao Qi, give me the details."

"Three months ago, Mu Xu Ci went drinking at a bar with his good friend Gao Zhen. That friend of his is no saint. He drugged Mu Xu Ci's drink and paid a girl to frame him in a sex scandal. Before long, that girl will come to Mu Xu Ci with photos taken at the hotel and a pregnancy test report to extort a huge sum from him. If Mu Xu Ci refuses, he can kiss his reputation goodbye."

"Tsk, just how unlucky can a person get? But what if I don't want to help him? He really rubs me the wrong way."

"Life and death are governed by fate; wealth and honor are in heaven's hands. If you don't want to help, Host, we'll just pretend we don't know anything about it."

Panic gradually crept into Mu Xu Ci's eyes. Three months ago, he really had gone drinking at a bar with his good friend Gao Zhen. But when he woke up, he had been alone in the room. There had been no girl. Was Yan Wen spouting nonsense, or was this true?

Mu Xu Xi leaned close to her second brother's ear. "Second Brother, remember what I told you about Yan Wen saying my ex-boyfriend cheated on me? It was true. Everything else he said before came true too, so this is almost certainly true as well."

Mu Xu Ci's knees nearly buckled, and Mu Xu Xi and Xie Yunshu had to hold him firmly to keep him standing.

Mu Xingfeng pressed a hand to his forehead. His third child had just been deceived by a man, and now it was his second child's turn to be deceived by a woman. Only his youngest son could save his second son now, but his youngest had said he didn't want to help. What was he supposed to do?

Xie Yunshu asked tentatively, "Ci, you're not getting any younger. Is there a girl you like?"

Picking up on Xie Yunshu's words, Yan Wen continued digging into the gossip. "A girl he likes? He'll be a dad in a few days. But Xiao Qi, that girl didn't do anything with Mu Xu Ci. Won't her fake pregnancy be exposed eventually?"

"It's true that she didn't sleep with Mu Xu Ci, but there's still his good friend Gao Zhen."

"So that's how it is? What terrible sins did Mu Xu Ci commit in his past life to end up with a friend like that in this one?"

"I don't know either."

"Can you find information on that girl?"

"That's no challenge for me. Just a moment, Host... Found it! Her name is Bai Qianqian. She got together with Gao Zhen a year ago. Gao Zhen acts like Mu Xu Ci's brother in public, but behind his back, he wishes he could kill him. Gao Zhen promised Bai Qianqian that if she helped him bring Mu Xu Ci down, he would marry her into the Gao Family. That's why Bai Qianqian used her body to frame Mu Xu Ci."

"He's so unlucky I'm starting to feel sorry for him. What a colossal sucker!"

Mu Xu Ci finally lost his composure and collapsed onto the sofa, his face filled with despair.

Yan Wen looked puzzled. "What's wrong with him?"

Mu Xu Xi gave an awkward laugh. "Nothing, nothing. Second Brother spent all day traveling back. He's tired."

"Oh, I see. The banquet's almost over anyway. Shall we go home?"

"Yes, yes, let's go home."