Live For Myself

The day I was sentenced to death, my parents were busy organizing a press conference to announce that their adopted son, Zhou Zhe, was the new heir to the company.

My sister and Zhou Zhe were engaged, officially making them a family.

Meanwhile, I, the one who exposed Zhou Zhe's deceptive and ruthless ambitions, was disowned and labeled as a traitor to the family.

After my death, I was reborn.

I no longer yearned for their love.

I decided to live for myself.

I was given a second chance at life, transported back to the day Zhou Zhe was first adopted into our family.

I never imagined fate would grant me the opportunity to start over.

Zhou Zhe was the child of my father's old friend and a renowned child prodigy in our city. Unfortunately, his parents died in a car accident, and when they were found, Zhou Zhe had already been kidnapped.

My father spared no effort in retrieving Zhou Zhe, moved by his tragic fate at such a young age, and resolved to raise him as his own son.

The moment my mother saw Zhou Zhe, she burst into tears, hugging him tightly and sobbing, "Poor child, you've suffered so much."

My sister wiped her eyes beside them, while I watched Zhou Zhe coldly, aware of the malice beneath his innocent facade.

My mother urged Zhou Zhe to sit down and rest, but he blushed and whispered, "I'm dirty; I don't want to soil Uncle and Auntie's sofa."

His considerate demeanor further endeared him to my family, who were already overwhelmed by their nurturing instincts.

Even my father, who often preached that men aren't supposed to show tears easily, had tears in his eyes. He patted Zhou Zhe's head and said, "Silly boy, from now on, this is your home. You should call us Mom and Dad... "

Zhou Zhe nodded shyly, then noticed my sister's unfinished homework on the table. With just a glance, he solved a complex math problem that had stumped her all night.

Instantly, my sister, Zhou Yan, became his biggest fan, constantly praising him as a true genius. My parents exchanged smiles, convinced that Zhou Zhe's presence would only improve our family.

Throughout the entire process, no one sought my opinion. It seemed that with the arrival of this adopted son, I, their biological son, had become irrelevant.

I simply waited patiently, knowing all too well what kind of person Zhou Zhe was.

As expected, just like in my previous life, Zhou Zhe quickly asserted his dominance.

He suddenly looked at me with teary eyes and asked, "Brother Qing Ci, why are you glaring at me?" He lowered his head, appearing deeply saddened, "I'm sorry, I never intended to take anyone's parents away. If you don't like me, I can leave." Despite his words, he remained firmly seated on the sofa.

My father looked at me sternly, "Qing Ci, from now on, you're Zhou Zhe's brother, and you need to get along with him, understand?"

Zhou Yan sneered, "Qing Ci must be jealous that Ah Zhe is smarter than him and can't stand it. Ah Zhe's intelligence is on a whole different level; he's a famous child prodigy."

Zhou Zhe's face turned pale, and he hid behind my mother, trembling. "I never wanted to steal my brother's spotlight. It's all my fault."

My mother hurriedly embraced Zhou Zhe, comforting him while casting a disapproving glance at me. "Qing Ci, I've always taught you to be humble. How can you be so envious?"

My father hastily added, "Apologize to Ah Zhe!"

From my mother's arms, Zhou Zhe lifted his head, deliberately showing me a provocative expression only I could see.

I bit my lip, memories of my previous life flashing through my mind.

My parents and sister had been just as overbearingly assertive, insisting that Zhou Zhe was their true family, and severing all ties with me without hesitation. They even helped frame me when Zhou Zhe had me imprisoned, watching as I was led to the execution ground.

I should have realized it sooner. From the moment Zhou Zhe stepped into our home, my family was no longer mine.

It was as if they were entranced by his manipulation, unwaveringly siding with him, even as he siphoned away the family's assets without remorse.

I genuinely wanted to wake them up, but instead, I was branded as envious, incompetent, and petty, becoming the most ridiculed member of the Zhou family.

The Zhou family willingly walked toward the hell Zhou Zhe had laid out for them, but I was different.

This time, I would live for myself.