Chapter 13 After the soul swap, I switched back.
To prevent the news from spreading, the Si family instructed the school to delete all videos and related discussions from the campus network, and at the same time quickly held a celebration banquet, inviting school teachers and students as well as many partner companies to attend.
The students were abuzz with discussion about Si Ding's remarks on the day the results came out, as well as Si Nan's reaction. Si Qi's performance over the past month had been so outstanding—whether in interpersonal relationships, sports like equestrianism in PE class, or his results in the joint exam—that no one believed Si Qi was Si Ding, that gloomy and withdrawn guy.
Furthermore, given the Si family's reaction, it was not the kind of behavior one would expect after the roles of illegitimate child and heir had been switched. Everyone quickly concluded that it was just the ramblings of Si Ding in his madness, and that Si Nan had simply been deceived.
With this in mind, everyone came to the Si family villa, presenting carefully prepared gifts one by one, hoping to get closer to Si Qi.
Otherwise, after graduating from high school, it will become very difficult for them to have such a close conversation with Si Qi.
After all, the level of expertise is what it is.
The boys and girls excitedly surrounded Si Qi, talking to his father, their words filled with admiration for their president, Si Qi. Si Qi's father smiled broadly, nodding with satisfaction; anyone could see how pleased he was with Si Qi.
The two sides had a pleasant conversation. Many other business leaders who had heard the rumors and wanted to come and see what was going on saw Si's father's reaction and thought to themselves that the rumor was indeed just a rumor.
To her surprise, when she turned around, she saw that Si Qi's mother, who should have been by Si Qi's side listening to people praise her son, was now standing in the distance with a gloomy expression, with her illegitimate son, whom she used to hate, beside her.
Seeing Si's mother quietly inquire about the health of her illegitimate son, her demeanor clearly showing care and concern, many people turned to look, unable to help but ponder the truth of the rumors once again.
—Could something really be that absurd?
That's outrageous.
The idea that Si's father switched the two children back then, and that Si Ding was actually Si's mother's biological son, is more plausible than the two having their souls swapped.
Thinking this, Si's mother brought Si Ding to Si Qi and said to Si Qi with a displeased expression, "You've seen your mother, don't you even know how to greet her?"
The other students looked shocked.
The president's mother actually spoke to the president in that tone?!
They saw Si Ding, a well-dressed and distinguished man with a limp, standing beside Si's mother, and also saw Si Nan, who stood far away with her head down, not interacting with anyone. She looked dazed, not knowing what was going on with all this confusion.
Father Si rebuked him angrily, "If you're here to cause trouble, get out of here!"
Mrs. Si sneered, and seeing that Si Qi had no intention of paying attention to her, her dissatisfaction and resentment grew stronger.
Contrary to her outward appearance, she didn't actually harbor much hatred towards Si Qi. She had no grudge against him, only a few years of impatience and wariness. Now that Si Qi had returned to his body, if they got along well, she would definitely accept him, just like she had a month ago. But Si Qi was treating her coldly; how could she feel good? She couldn't bring herself to apologize to Si Qi, or even try to please him. After all, she was an elder, a superior accustomed to being flattered.
With Si Ding fanning the flames from the sidelines, showing his dependence on and respect for his mother, compared to Si Qi, she felt that Si Ding was indeed not as considerate as Si Qi. At least Si Ding would never make her lose face or talk back to her.
So she came over awkwardly, hoping that Si Qi would say a few words to soften his tone and express his apology, so that she could forgive Si Qi and cover up his lie, thus preventing people from speculating whether Si Qi was an illegitimate child.
But Si Qi didn't.
Si Qi's cold attitude stung her. She couldn't accept Si Qi's mocking gaze that treated her as if she were nothing. The more Si Qi treated her coldly, the more she felt that Si Qi shouldn't disrespect her like that.
Si Qi always gets along so well with others and can easily win everyone's favor. Why won't they say a few nice words to her? Isn't she more deserving of being flattered than those young lads?
Si's mother's delicate face contorted, her long red nails digging into her palms. She raised her hand, and amidst the incredulous gazes of the crowd, took Si Ding's arm and said to Si Qi, "You really are not as good as your older brother."
A collective gasp filled the air.
Veins bulged on Si's father's forehead. "Enough, you—"
Mrs. Si interrupted, "I won't hand over my shares and assets to an unfilial son! It's still hard to say who the future heir of the Si family will be!"
The surrounding whispers continued, and Si's father was furious, his face turning green. Some people secretly observed the reactions of Si Qi and his brother, Si Nan, and found that Si Ding looked humble, Si Nan looked conflicted, but Si Qi showed no reaction at all, as if he wasn't the one Si's mother was threatening at all.
"Could it be..." someone whispered to their companion, "that rumor might be..."
“What a joke, how could such a thing be possible?” another person said skeptically.
"But……"
But in the past, Si Nan was always the most attached to Si Qi, and Si's mother always called Si Qi her precious baby, and wouldn't allow anyone to say anything bad about Si Qi.
If Si Qi's identity is truly legitimate, why would the two women in the Si family react this way? It simply doesn't make sense.
And Siding was the same; he wasn't like this at all before, but today he came to the banquet with an air of nonchalance, behaving as if he were completely used to such occasions.
“His (Siding’s) expressions and movements really resemble the president’s…” one student said.
Si Qi's temperament is indeed outstanding, but he's just too outstanding; you can't tell he's only a high school student. Some people look at old photos of "Si Qi" and compare them with the current Si Qi, and they find that they are completely different people—twin brothers with the same appearance but completely different temperaments.
Mr. Si was furious. He beckoned the butler and ordered his men to take his wife and eldest son away. The other business tycoons were only concerned with whether the Si Qi who was cooperating with them and possessed the technology was the same Si Qi in front of them. After subtly confirming with Mr. Si's father, they were relieved.
Including the family that Si's mother belongs to.
They didn't care whether Si's mother's son was named Si Ding or Si Qi. As long as their current huge investment project didn't go wrong, it didn't matter whether Si Qi was an illegitimate child or not.
Si's father watched Si's mother leave with a livid face, and said to those around him in a solemn and serious tone: "Recently, some unfounded rumors have been circulating. I hope you will not believe or listen to them blindly."
Everyone exclaimed, "No, no!"
"I only have one son, Si Qi. The future of the Si family will be handed over to Si Qi." The company cannot do without Si Qi right now, so Si Qi's father had to say this to reassure everyone.
Those around exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what about Si Ding. Wasn't Si Ding nominally an adopted son but actually an illegitimate one? Previously, Madam Si had to grit her teeth and accept Si Ding out of consideration for Si's father, treating him with disdain. Now, the couple's attitudes had completely reversed; Si's father acted as if Si Ding didn't exist, while Madam Si protected him at every turn… Could it be that Si Ding was actually Madam Si's biological son, and Si Qi was an illegitimate child…?
The more people thought about it, the more wildly their imaginations ran. However, they dared not openly discuss Si Qi's affairs in this setting. Their desire to gossip grew stronger, and they were eager to know the truth.
One can imagine how wildly they'll discuss this matter after the banquet ends, and how widely it will spread through their gossipy mouths.
The situation was thus "controlled" by Si's father's tough stance, and no one dared to bring up anything related to Si Ding in front of him again.
After Si Qi had met everyone he was supposed to meet, his gaze swept around the room and, with Xiu Xiu's prompting, quickly locked onto a young man who looked quite unremarkable.
The young man was probably in his early thirties, dressed in simple, even somewhat plain, clothes, which seemed out of place in the glamorous social setting.
Si Qi slowly walked to his side. He looked up at the tycoon's son in front of him with surprise, and said carefully with a flattering expression, "Young Master Si, hello."
"Are you a member of the Federal Government?" Si Qi asked slowly.
“Yes.” The young man was full of flattery, his tone completely belittling himself: “I am the city’s sheriff, it’s an honor to meet you here. What are your orders? I…”
"No need for such pleasantries," Si Qi waved his hand. "Time is short, let's get straight to the point—are you willing to cooperate with me?"
The young man was surprised, thinking he had misheard. "What did you say?"
Si Qi glanced around to make sure no one could hear him, then said to the young man, "I have always respected you and the government behind you. I also regret the current social environment and am very dissatisfied with the current class divisions."
The young man was startled and uncertain. He quickly lowered his head to hide his expression and apologized repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Young Master Si, what did I do wrong? I apologize to you..."
“I’m not testing you, nor am I warning you.” Si Qi softened his tone. “I know you can’t trust me, that’s okay. Here’s a blueprint you can take.”
The young man looked at the pop-up window in front of him, feeling very suspicious.
"Take it back and take a look. If you find it useful, contact me again." Si Qi said, "I have many more things like this."
The young man's heart raced, and he vaguely sensed something. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, and mumbled, "Of course I will not disobey your orders."
After saying that, he pressed the receive button.
After receiving the documents and exchanging contact information with Si Qi, the young man left with a somewhat flustered air.
Si Qi was not surprised by the other party's reaction. In this era, publicly declaring one's loyalty to the federal government was a very thankless and difficult task.
"Smart" people, once they enter the system, will choose to collude with the tycoons and become useful tools in their hands; "stupid" people, on the other hand, will be loyal to their duties and then die a violent death because they are too conscientious.
Many young people from humble backgrounds enter the workforce full of enthusiasm and eager to change the terrible world with their own abilities. However, the first thing they are taught by their seniors is not to do what their profession requires.
Those who can stay in their positions for a long time without getting into trouble are mostly blind, deaf, and mute people who know in their hearts who the murderer is, but refuse to say anything to the crying and screaming family members of the deceased.
Because you wanted to punish criminals, you were framed as a murderer and sent to prison. It sounds like a dark joke, but it is actually reality.
The sheriff arrived at the Si family banquet with a fawning expression, seemingly choosing to join the corrupt. But anyone with discerning eyes could tell from his plain clothes, lack of interest in the fine wine and food, and quiet demeanor, not actively seeking out the powerful figures around him, but simply standing silently in a corner, that he was the kind of person who hadn't sided with the tycoons to commit arson, murder, looting, and other shady acts in exchange for their rewards.
At Si Qi's instruction, Xiu Xiu investigated the other party's account fund flow and confirmed that he was a clean official who was loyal to the government and cared for the people. Si Qi then took the initiative to come and contact him.
After all, Si Qi's purpose in coming to this world was not just to avenge the original owner of the body.
He wants to save more people who suffer the same fate as the original owner.
A note from the author:
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The occupational hazard of the Supreme God ww.
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