Chapter 77: The Cover Blown
Shen Lu stood not far away, having heard everything loud and clear—and he was furious.
“Did you hear the nonsense he just said?!”
Shen Shuyi, cheeks flushed, walked over. His brother’s face was red too, though obviously from anger.
“He even dared to ask when you’re divorcing your husband! Listen to that! Seriously, who the hell talks like that? Does he even realize his own social position?!”
Still wrapped in sweetness, Shen Shuyi gave a helpless little sigh.
“Oh, come on, bro. You’ve never been in love—you should find someone and try it! Don’t you know what flirting is?”
At last, Shen Shuyi was the one with more experience. In his life, this was finally one thing he’d done ahead of Shen Lu. He was already at the next level.
“He was flirting with you?” Shen Lu let out a short laugh through gritted teeth. “That didn’t sound like flirting to me—it sounded like a declaration of war! Like he was staging a coup!”
Shen Shuyi said nothing. (Well, a coup is fine. I’ll happily let him overthrow the empress and favor the concubine.)
——
In the sunlit glass conservatory, “First Wife” Zhao Ci sneezed.
“Ah-choo! Who keeps talking about me today?”
He rubbed the tip of his nose and stared at the wall of flowers.
“Is this… pollen allergy?”
As he spoke, he sent a photo of Shen Shuyi to his assistant Chen Fang.
Zhao Ci: “Fang, do me a favor—find me a pretty little celebrity or influencer who looks like this photo. Face needs to match Shen Shuyi’s features.”
After a moment, Chen Fang replied:
Chen Fang: “Second Young Master, why are you looking for a celebrity who looks like Third Young Master?”
Zhao Ci: “Don’t ask, just find one. I want results in three days!”
Three days? To find a celebrity as good-looking as Shen Shuyi?
Chen Fang stared at his phone in silence. Is Second Young Master hinting that I should resign?
No—think of the year-end bonus. I can still hang on.
Still, what was he looking for a Shen Shuyi-lookalike for? Unless…
Chen Fang’s pupils trembled violently. Unless he’s already discovered the relationship between Third Young Master and Eldest Young Master, and now he’s heartbroken and wants to find a substitute?!
Heavens above—this rich family drama is way too messy!
Wait—why do I suddenly know so many secrets?!
Then Zhao Ci sent another message—complete with a smirking emoji:
Zhao Ci: “Don’t worry, as long as you help me with this, I won’t tell Little Shu about your relationship with my brother ??”
This again?!
Maybe I really should start drafting that resignation letter…
Chen Fang sank onto the sofa, slowly buried his head in his hands, and despaired.
——
Back in the hallway, Shen Lu looked at his love-struck brother—practically surrounded by floating pink bubbles—and felt a headache coming on. He dragged Shen Shuyi toward the other end of the corridor.
By the time Shen Shuyi came back to himself, they were standing by an arched floor-to-ceiling window leading to a small semicircular balcony—perfect for “talks.”
“What are you thinking?” Shen Lu asked sternly.
“Thinking? About what?”
“About Zhao Yuheng.”
“Why is he here?”
Shen Lu didn’t even need to think—it wasn’t hard to guess. From what he knew two years ago, Zhao Yuheng was the kind who never gave up. He had hoped time would wear down the man’s obsession with Shen Shuyi—but clearly, from the look earlier, it had only gotten worse.
Two years ago, that reckless man had broken rules and risked everything just to find Shen Shuyi. Two years later, once he knew Shen Shuyi had returned to the country, sneaking into the Zhao family’s mountain villa would be child’s play for him.
Shen Shuyi was just about to explain Zhao Yuheng’s identity. The real-versus-fake son situation apparently hadn’t reached Hong Kong yet.
“Bro—”
He’d barely started when Shen Lu cut him off.
“Forget it. I don’t want to hear how he got in. I want to hear what you think. From the way you two looked just now, it’s obvious this isn’t your first meeting.”
Shen Shuyi rubbed his nose and nodded. He couldn’t deny that.
“When did you two reconnect?”
“…The first day I came back.”
Shen Lu inhaled sharply. The first day?! Good grief—zero-frame start, instant ambush!
“The first day? Did he camp out at the airport waiting for you?” Shen Lu’s piercing gaze was practically accusing Xiaobaicai Fang of leaking intel to the enemy. Guard against all enemies, but you can’t guard against your own cat.
“Why are you looking at me like that? What’s with that suspicious stare! I kept my promise—I haven’t contacted Zhao Yuheng at all in the past two years!”
“We met at Uncle Zhao’s banquet. I was shocked too!”
Ex-boyfriend turns out to be your current fiancé’s older brother—who wouldn’t be shocked?!
He must have used connections to sneak in.
Shen Lu immediately reached a conclusion: Someone like Zhao Yuheng, who could infiltrate a West Highland estate, could obviously blend into a banquet hall with ease.
He was lost in his own analysis, while Shen Shuyi tried several times to interrupt—to no avail.
“So, Little Shu,” Shen Lu frowned, “what are you planning to do? Do you still want to be with Zhao Yuheng?”
Two years ago, Shen Shuyi might have hesitated. But now, he’d found his courage.
He nodded. “I do.”
Shen Lu’s heart tightened.
“This is a disaster…”
He sighed deeply.
“And what about your fiancé, Zhao Ci? Didn’t you hear what Zhao Yuheng said? He doesn’t want to be your secret lover anymore. He wants recognition—an official title.”
Two years had passed, and Zhao Yuheng’s appetite had only grown. Shen Lu remembered—back then, he’d been content just to be a hidden lover.
“Then I’ll give it to him…” Shen Shuyi muttered.
Shen Lu looked at him as though he’d gone mad.
“Are you insane?”
Shen Shuyi blinked. Huh?
Then he realized his brother hadn’t let him explain the truth at all!
“Bro, listen, it’s complicated. But I swear, it’s not what you think between me and Zhao Yuheng. And as for Zhao Ci… ugh, just let me explain!”
He decided to appeal to logic.
“You know that saying, right? ‘Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains—however improbable—must be the truth.’”
“What are you even talking about?”
“Actually, Zhao Yuheng is the Zhao family’s long-lost biological son.” He said it in 0.1 seconds, watching Shen Lu’s face closely.
“So my real fiancé isn’t Zhao Ci, but Zhao Yuheng! Which means, technically, I didn’t pick the wrong guy two years ago!”
He blurted it all out in one breath and stared nervously at his brother.
Silence.
Utter, absolute silence.
As though someone had hit the “pause” button on the entire corridor.
After a long pause, Shen Lu chuckled softly.
“You thought this up just now? Such a ridiculous soap-opera plot—and you think I’ll believe it?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Delete your web-novel apps right now.”
“I don’t even have any! I’m not lying—this is real!”
Shen Lu frowned, placing a hand on his brother’s forehead.
“No fever. So why are you talking nonsense?”
Shen Shuyi couldn’t help laughing and crying at once.
But honestly, he’d expected this.
Because really—who would believe such a melodramatic ‘lost-heir’ plot outside of fiction?
If he hadn’t seen it himself at the Zhao family banquet—with Uncle Zhao personally confirming Zhao Yuheng’s identity—he wouldn’t have believed it either.
Just then, Zhao Qing appeared down the hall, calling out:
“Xiao Lu.”
By seniority, he was Shen Lu’s elder, so even though they were business equals, the form of address was fitting.
“Uncle Zhao,” Shen Lu greeted warmly.
As expected, Zhao Qing beamed at the polite address—clearly pleased by the effort to draw the families closer.
“I waited for a while and thought something had happened. Didn’t expect you brothers to be catching up.”
“Uncle Zhao.” Shen Shuyi also greeted obediently.
“Xiao Shu’s been staying at our place these days. I hope he hasn’t caused any trouble,” Shen Lu said courteously.
“Not at all,” Zhao Qing replied. “He’s lively and delightful—I’d have him stay longer if I could!”
They both smiled.
“This isn’t the place to talk. I’ve had the study prepared with afternoon tea—why don’t we continue there?”
Shen Lu nodded and followed.
They’d barely taken two steps when the door to a nearby lounge opened.
Shen Lu froze.
That room looked familiar… wasn’t that—
Zhao Yuheng stepped out. Right into their path.
Four pairs of eyes met.
Even Shen Lu, who’d weathered countless storms, had to admit—this was top-three in terms of crisis level.
He instantly shot a warning glare at Shen Shuyi: Don’t you dare interact with him right now! If their affair were exposed in front of Zhao Qing… Shen Lu didn’t want to imagine the scandal hitting Beijing.
He was about to stride past when Zhao Qing suddenly said,
“Ah Heng?”
“I just brought Little Shu for a check-up,” Zhao Yuheng explained calmly. “Dr. Yang just left. I was going to take him upstairs in a bit, but I ran into Mr. Shen here.”
Zhao Qing, remembering the earlier chaos between Zhao Ci and Shen Shuyi, nodded awkwardly.
“Little Lu, this is Zhao Yuheng—just call him Ah Heng,” Zhao Qing said, hesitating a moment before continuing.
“I don’t know if Little Shu’s mentioned him, but since we’ll all be family soon, I won’t hide it. He’s my ex-wife’s son—lost for over ten years, and only recently found.”
“Ah Heng, come here. This is Little Shu’s older brother, Shen Lu—President Shen. It’s your first meeting, I think. He’s an outstanding young man, one you can learn from.”
Zhao Yuheng looked at Shen Lu, extended his hand, and smiled faintly.
“President Shen. A pleasure.”
Shen Lu: “…”
Pleasure? Not remotely.
——
The ensuing “study conversation” was pure torture.
For Shen Shuyi, and probably even more for Shen Lu— Because he already knew Zhao Yuheng, had seen him countless times— And now had to pretend they were strangers.
Both of them acted flawlessly—Oscar-level performances! Honestly, with talent like this, why weren’t they both in showbiz?
Shen Lu—Chairman of Yinghua Group. Truly unflappable.
When Zhao Ci learned his ex-boyfriend was his older brother’s fiancée, he’d screamed loud enough to shake the ceiling. But Shen Lu? Calm as Mount Tai. When Zhao Yuheng introduced himself just now, Shen Lu had only paused for a second—then smiled politely.
“What a fine young man. Truly impressive.”
Afterward, as soon as they left the study, Shen Lu shot him a death glare.
Shen Shuyi looked innocent, shrugging as if to say: See? I told you Zhao Yuheng’s the real Zhao heir. You didn’t believe me!
Shen Lu looked away.
“Little Lu,” Zhao Qing said, “I had your luggage placed in your room. Why don’t you relax here at West Highland for a few days? It’s nearly New Year—take a break. Don’t spend all your time on work. Enjoy the scenery, spend time with people who matter.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zhao,” Shen Lu replied with a smile. “But there’s no need for another room. I’ll stay with Little Shu.”
Shen Shuyi, typing a message on his phone, froze.
“Huh?”
He stammered,
“Th-that’s… not a good idea, right?”
“What’s wrong with it?” Shen Lu smiled warmly. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Don’t you miss your brother?”
I do… but I’d rather go on a date with my boyfriend tonight!!!
He glanced down at his phone—the message he’d just sent Zhao Yuheng:
[Hehe, let’s go watch the snow tonight (cute)]
TUT!
Maybe there was still hope!
“Bro…” he tried, “I think I’m catching a cold. You shouldn’t share a room with me—you might get sick! I’m just thinking of your health!”
Shen Lu gave a razor-edged smile.
“When did you catch a cold? Funny, I didn’t notice.”
“Little Shu’s sick?” Zhao Qing asked in surprise. “Why didn’t you say something earlier? Did Dr. Yang not give you medicine? I’ll call him back right now.”
“No no no—no need!” Shen Shuyi waved frantically. Of course he wasn’t sick—he was lying!
“I’m… fine now. I might get sick later… tonight.”
Shen Lu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Oh? Funny coincidence—Zhao Yuheng might catch a cold tonight too, hmm?”
Shen Shuyi: “…”
“Listen to yourself,” Shen Lu said coldly. “Even I’m embarrassed for you.”
“……”
[Snow-watching date: CANCELED!]
[Crying cat meme]
Shen Shuyi mournfully texted Zhao Yuheng.
A short distance away, Zhao Yuheng’s phone lit up.
He looked down, chuckled quietly, and began typing.
Shen Lu: “……”
Could you two be any more obvious?!
A few seconds later, Shen Shuyi’s phone buzzed again.
[No need.]
[Leave your window open. I’ll climb in tonight. ?]
Shen Shuyi: “…”
Damn it… why does this really feel like we’re having an affair?!
![[Sports] I Really Am Just a Substitute](https://i2.wp.com/panda-translations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20231215185420_300_420.jpg?resize=151,215 "[Sports] I Really Am Just a Substitute")
