Chapter 109 The substitute brother becomes the real big brother?
Duan Anluo's mouth twitched when he saw Han Xiaoqian's reaction. This little thing is really flexible.
He stretched out his hand and grabbed his ear, his tone still smiling, but his words were not light: "Look at you, your fate is as good as your senior brother, why don't you make progress?
Your fate is similar to your senior brother's, both of you are orphans, but his is even worse off than yours. Your parents at least left you some money, but he has nothing. He picks up scraps, feeds sheep, and takes care of crazy old men, yet he still studies better than you.
What's wrong with you? What do you think about every day? Do you think about raising insects? Do you think about your little skirt? Or do you think about your parents, your grandfather, or your sister? Are you immersed in the past and can't get out of it?
"I……"
"What do you mean by 'you'?" Duan Anluo said, exerting force on his hands. "Master hasn't finished speaking yet, why are you opening your mouth?"
Han Xiaoqian gritted his teeth in pain and hugged Duan Anluo's legs, "Master, it hurts, it hurts, I know I was wrong, I will definitely learn well!"
Duan Anluo finally let him go. "I don't care what you were like before, you must study hard now. If you don't study, you won't know propriety, righteousness, integrity, or the righteousness of your country, and you won't be able to support yourself. You still expect me to support you when I'm old? What the hell are you dreaming of!"
Han Xiaoqian lowered his head, not daring to speak, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Duan Anluo poked him on the forehead. "Your senior brother and junior brother are working hard. Your junior brother was so young, he was raised like a dog and couldn't even count to ten, but now he is studying hard. What about you? Still thinking about the past? Can't you move on? When you die, will you let your parents see how decadent you are? Your parents won't even recognize you when they see you, for fear of embarrassing you!"
Duan Anluo's tone slowed down. "From now on, your food, clothing, and daily expenses will be the same as theirs. I only ask one thing: within a month, you get into your senior's school; by the end of the year, you get into the key class."
Han Xiaoqian thought to himself: Aren't these two points? Each one is very fatal.
Duan Anluo didn't even give him a chance to refuse. He slapped him in the face and offered him a date. "As long as your grades are good, Master will give you whatever you want. Don't even think about using your clever tricks. You're not allowed to use those Gu or insects."
He lowered his head and told Han Xiaoqian clearly, "If I find out and you use external force, I will break your legs!"
Han Xiaoqian: “…”
Duan Anluo paused for a moment, and found that the boy lowered his head, pretending to be dead, and asked unhappily, "Why don't you speak?"
"...You, you won't let me speak."
Duan Anluo was pretending to be angry just now, just to scare him, "Okay, you can tell me now."
"Do you really believe that I can pass the exam?"
"Yes." Duan Anluo looked at him and said, "I've read your fortune. You're very smart. I know you want to study medicine. Master can make money and support you. You can even study abroad if you want. Do you know what the word 'Master' means? I'm both a teacher and a father. I'm your father! I want to raise you, see you get married and have children, and see you succeed in life."
Duan Anluo's tone softened. "Even if you really aren't cut out for it, I will still plan a good path for you. Parents who love their children plan for them in the long run. If I could live to see that day, I hope to see you have many children and grandchildren, and have someone to rely on in your old age, without suffering or disaster."
Han Xiaoqian's eyes turned slightly red, and he finally responded solemnly in a low voice: "Master, I will learn."
Duan Anluo was satisfied. "When your senior brother comes back this weekend, I will hold a disciple ceremony for you and Xun Xiao, and officially register you as members of Xuanmen. Don't bring shame to Xuanmen."
Han Xiaoqian silently memorized the word "Xuanmen" in his heart.
"Get up, I'll find you a tutor and help you catch up in a month. I know you can do it. You're really smart."
Han Xiaoqian lowered his head, his voice a little heavy: "I remember, Master."
This was the first time since his parents passed away that someone had spoken so much to him and seriously planned for his future.
He is not an ungrateful person.
He was just angry at himself, wondering why he hadn't studied hard before and had wasted so much time.
If he doesn't study hard, will his parents really not want to recognize him after he dies, fearing that he will bring shame to the family?
When Duan Anluo went to look for Assistant Fang again, Assistant Fang shook the folder in his hand and said, "I've read the file of your new apprentice, but he's not as well behaved as the first two."
Duan Anluo raised his eyebrows: "What do you mean?"
"His elementary school principal was so happy on his graduation day that he almost set off firecrackers to celebrate."
"Did he break the rules? Or was he bullying?"
"No, it was someone else who violated the rules." Assistant Fang smiled, his tone subtle. "He didn't violate the rules, but he was quite shady and even cast a spell. A few school bullies took advantage of him because he was an orphan and deliberately bullied him. When he was leaving school, he stopped the principal's car and cried miserably."
Assistant Fang put the information down. "Those students' families all had some power, but he forced the principal to deal with them. Even worse, he then poisoned them with a curse, causing them to have diarrhea during class, just like Splatoon, specifically pooping in their trouser pockets during class. This lasted for two months, and forced them to transfer schools."
Duan Anluo cursed with a smile: "This bastard, he still looks innocent, except for those students, no one else knows he did it, even the parents of those students don't believe he did it?"
"Right," Assistant Fang said admiringly, "For someone who's good at pretending and acting, it's a shame not to enter the entertainment industry. This is just one example. Look, there are several more. This kid looks so good, but he's really evil."
Duan Anluo laughed instead, "There's always a jerk in a sect. Those who are all honest kids are easily taken advantage of and die early."
"You're quite open-minded."
"It's okay, I just scolded him." Duan Anluo said firmly, "As long as his values are good, he knows who treats him well."
He turned around and patted Assistant Fang on the shoulder: "I have to go home in the next few days, so I'll leave Xiao Laoliu to you."
"ah?"
"Keep him at your house for a few days. I'll pay for his tutoring and pick him up on weekends. He'll learn well if he's around people who study well." Duan Anluo transferred money to Assistant Fang. "The rest is for boarding fees. Thank you for your hard work."
Assistant Fang saw the number and laughed, "You're really good at being a hands-off manager!"
"Then you're still here." Duan Anluo said as a matter of course. After he finished speaking, he paused and said, "Tell me before the guild sends a notice."
Duan Anluo brought Si Cang back to the Duan family. As soon as the car stopped, Lin Wanqiu came up to them with a smile on her face, her voice full of joy: "Dad! Come on, the kids are back!"
Si Cang had just gotten out of the car and before he could even say "Auntie" two thick red envelopes were stuffed into his hands. He was slightly startled, and even Duan Anluo, who was standing beside him, was a little jealous. The thickness of the red envelopes was so thick.
He couldn't help but mutter: "What does this mean? Where is mine?"
Lin Wanqiu explained with a smile: "This is the fee for changing your statement."
Duan Anluo was confused: "Change of heart fee? What does that mean?"
Si Cang raised the corners of his lips slightly and said naturally: "Thank you, Mom."
Lin Wanqiu's cheeks flushed red when she heard the word "Mom". She couldn't help laughing. Originally, she liked the child because her son liked her. But when Si Cang called her "Mom", she began to like the child from the bottom of her heart!
She enthusiastically asked the two of them to hurry into the house, "Come in quickly, your dad has been waiting for you for a long time."
Duan Anluo was still stunned where he was, with a look of disbelief on his face: "This... can it be like this?"
He stretched out his hand towards Si Cang, "How about I hold it for you? I'm afraid you might lose it."
Si Cang casually put the red envelope into Duan Anluo's hand.
Duan Anluo opened it curiously and immediately his eyes widened, becoming even more envious.
There was not only a thick stack of cash inside, but also a gold lock and a jade ornament.
He couldn't help but exclaim: "Is the fee for changing your statement so expensive?"
For a moment, he even wanted to ask Si Cang: How many mothers do you have? I can call them from one end of the street to the other.
Si Cang seemed to see through his thoughts. He gently pulled his wrist and chuckled softly, "Don't even think about it. I won't let you meet. If she opens her mouth, you won't be able to resist and kill her."
Duan Anluo was shocked. Is your mother so vicious?
Si Cang smiled and said nothing.
This made Duan Anluo feel distressed. He held Si Cang's hand tightly and said, "It's okay. You have me."
Duan Duohai, who was standing at the door, watched the two of them walk in tugging at each other and forced a smile.
Since the two children had already obtained the marriage certificate, what else could he say? He could only make them happy and live a good life.
Anyway, he has less and less say at home.
Duan Anluo called out indifferently, "Dad."
Then he asked, “Where’s my brother?”
Duan Duohai's smile froze. What kind of bastard kid is this?
Duan Antang, dressed in a white shirt and well-tailored suit trousers, walked calmly down the stairs. One hand was casually tucked into his pocket, the other holding two briefcases. He stood tall and straight, his demeanor gentle as jade, like a modest gentleman straight out of an old painting.
Duan Anluo walked over happily, "Brother, you came back really early today."
Duan Antang raised the corner of his mouth and said meaningfully, "Well, thank you sister-in-law for giving me the day off."
Duan Anluo: “Ah?”
Si Cang has already replied: "Brother, you are joking."
Duan Anjian raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone tinged with joking, "That's a nice catch, but I don't have any money to change my name."
Si Cang's expression remained gentle: "It's okay, as long as you agree."
Duan Anlang looked at the two of them standing together. He saw his brother's heartless appearance. He remained calm on the surface, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Although he accepted the fact that his brother was taken advantage of by a pig, he still felt upset.
After the greetings, Duan Duohai coughed lightly and looked at Si Cang and Duan Anluo with a slightly serious expression: "Shouldn't you two also be honest with your families? Si Cang, what does your family do? When can we meet our in-laws?"
Lin Wanqiu immediately slapped him in an angry tone: "The child just got home, what are you doing?"
Duan Anluo also muttered quietly: "Why are you still asking?"
Si Cang, however, remained calm as he met Duan Duohai's gaze, his tone steady: "I am from the Si family. Most of my family members are engaged in business. My parents are far away in their hometown and are seriously ill. It is not convenient for them to meet people."
Duan Duohai had actually long vaguely guessed that he was related to the "Si family".
Without a strong family background, how could one develop Si Cang's temperament at this age?
He could see that Si Cang had become much more restrained during his recent visits. Only when they first met did his aura feel oppressive.
Si Cang added calmly: "I am from the master's family."
Duan Duohai was obviously startled: "Master... there aren't many people, right?"
Si Cang: "I'm the only one my age."
Duan Duohai frowned and lowered his voice, a little flustered, "I heard that the head of the family is... in his forties?"
Si Cang shook his head gently: "Not that old, only one year older than An Luo."
Duan Duohai was speechless for a moment, and after a while he spoke with difficulty: "You...can't be...this..."
No, his chest hurts so much. He is old and can’t be stimulated.
Not feeling that this was exciting enough, Si Cang admitted expressionlessly, "I am the legendary Si family patriarch who kills without blinking an eye."
Duan Duohai covered his chest with his hands. No, he needed to slow down.
Legend has it that the head of the Si family is ruthless and merciless, killing people without mercy, and not recognizing any relatives. With the law in place now, his actions shouldn't be as exaggerated as the rumors suggest, but his ruthlessness is certainly true.
Without some skill, it is impossible for such a large family to be obedient.
Looking at Si Cang's innocent face again, Duan Duohai was puzzled. He hadn't looked like this the first time he came. How could his expression be so similar to his own son's? Why did he look so well-behaved?
Could it be that the rumors were really too different and he was misunderstood?
Duan Anluo protected his wife, "He certainly has his reasons for doing this. If I were him, I might be even more cruel than him."
Duan Duohai's mouth twitched, "Do you know what he did?"
Do you also want to send your father and me to become a caveman?
Duan Anluo answered without hesitation: "I don't need to know. As long as others wrong him, it is their fault."
Duan Duohai looked at his son's self-righteous look and was speechless for a moment. He didn't realize that his son was so love-brained. Who did he take after him?
At this time, Duan Anjian took out the documents slowly and said, "I have carefully reviewed the betrothal gift from the Si family."
Duan Anluo was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously asked, "Isn't it a dowry?"
Duan Anjian glanced at him indifferently, his eyes seemed to say: Don’t you have any idea in your mind?
Si Cang was calm and said with a slight smile: "He has the final say, I don't care."
Duan Duohai took the document and flipped through it. The more he read, the more shocked he became: "So many?"
He subconsciously looked at his son. Is his son so valuable?
Si Cang took out half of the Si family's property and put it under Duan Anluo's personal name. Even Duan Duohai was suspicious. Isn't Si Cang afraid that his son will run away?
Duan Anluo was also stunned. He turned to look at Si Cang and said in a softer voice, "Are you really going to give it to me?"
Si Cang stared at him and said seriously, "I'm not kidding you."
Duan Antang then pushed over another document and said in a steady voice, "This is the ten percent stake that the Duan family has added for An Luo."
He paused briefly and continued to explain, "Although the current income is far less than one-tenth of what the Si family gives, it is enough for him to have food and clothing for the rest of his life."
Since the Duan family was handed over to Duan Antang, its assets have doubled year after year. Today, this ten percent stake may not be much compared to the Si family, but no one can predict its future value.
Duan Anluo shook his head: "I don't want any of them. I don't need them."
Duan Antang said firmly, "This is for your protection."
Duan Anluo still refused: "It's not necessary. These things would be a burden to me. Si Cang will not betray me."
Duan Duohai couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "This kid, he speaks so bluntly..." He tried to make amends, "That's not what we meant. We just thought that in case you two need money in the future..."
Duan Anluo understood that his family was ultimately afraid that he would suffer. He spoke in a normal tone, but each word was clear: "There's no such thing as a one-time event."
He raised his eyes to look at his family and said firmly: "If he dares to betray me, I will kill him."
The whole family fell silent. Duan Duohai was a little bewildered: "You, what are you talking about?!"
Si Cang, standing by, chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with joy. Duan Anluo's words proved how much he cared about him. He was delighted, even happier than when they got the marriage certificate.
The Duan family was speechless. "You two, are you both crazy? Why don't you go and see it?"
Even Lin Wanqiu was at a loss for words. What the hell was going on?
Duan Anjian pushed the document forward again, his tone brooking no refusal: "Take it. You don't have to spend it, but you must hold it in your own hands."
Duan Anluo still refused to accept it.
For him, too much wealth is a constraint.
He prefers to spend whatever he has and not earn more. He wants to save some money before he gets old, just enough for him to spend.
Besides, having too much money can easily cause trouble. I don’t want his disciples to fight over his inheritance.
Human nature is the thing that cannot stand the test of the most. He does not want to test human nature and cannot afford to take the risk.
After a moment of silence, he stood up and said, "I want to talk to my brother alone."
He looked at Si Cang with encouragement in his eyes: Don't be afraid, I will be back soon.
Then he turned to Duan Duohai and said, "Dad, don't make things difficult for him."
Duan Duohai was speechless for a moment. Was it impossible to change the image he had in his son's heart? Watching the two brothers walk up the stairs one after the other, he felt very complicated.
Duan Anluo followed his elder brother into the study, and the door closed gently. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Brother, do you feel... that I'm a little different than before?"
Duan Anjian looked normal, and said calmly, "It's the same."
Duan Anluo reminded him: "Why don't you feel it again? I've already joined that guild. Don't you think I'm different now? Don't you have anything to ask me?"
Duan Anjian said disdainfully, "You're still not home. You like to run around and hang out with strange things. Just like when you were a kid, you didn't like playing with your peers and liked to squat by the pond and chat with the fish."
Duan Anluo's heart skipped a beat: "What?"
He suddenly felt that something was wrong, something was very wrong!
His brother's expression and tone, coupled with a face that was exactly the same as in his memory, gave him a ridiculous yet strong premonition. His voice trembled slightly, "Brother, you...are you really...my brother?"
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