After Transmigrating for the Third Time, the Real Young Master Decides to Slouch - Chapter 1

When Jiang Zao opened his eyes, his first reaction was: My bangs are way too long.

He twirled a strand of hair that dangled in front of his eyes, wondering how long it had been since his last haircut. He could barely see what was in front of him.

He brushed the bangs aside, clearing his vision, and quietly surveyed his surroundings. He clicked his tongue softly. Old place, familiar faces—excellent, he had transmigrated back again.

If there were a question like, “What is it like to transmigrate into the same book three times?” Jiang Zao felt he would be the perfect candidate to answer.

One second, he had been lingering in a classroom past the bell despite his students’ resentment; the next, he was back in the book he’d already inhabited twice. Jiang Zao thought wryly that this was probably karma for holding his university students late. I promise I won’t be a “grinder” anymore, just let me go back.

Of course, such a promise was useless. A minute passed, and Jiang Zao remained firmly seated on the “cold bench” in a corner of the banquet hall.

Curling his lip, Jiang Zao reached out and picked up the cup in front of him. It contained tea, looking completely out of place in a banquet setting. He had no intention of fitting in anyway—after all, he was just an unlikable cannon fodder character.

Jiang Zao took a sip of tea. It had been a while; he needed to review the backstory.

This was a “Real vs. Fake Young Master” novel. He had transmigrated as the Real Young Master. Born to be at the top of the social ladder, the Real Young Master had been switched at birth and spent his entire childhood and youth in poverty. Coupled with foster parents who were too busy surviving to show him much affection, he had grown into a gloomy, dull, and unlikable person. His only redeeming quality was his grades.

In his third year of middle school, the Real Young Master was recognized by his biological parents. Upon returning to the fold, he met the other child who had been swapped—the protagonist of the book, the Fake Young Master, Lin Ran.

This Fake Young Master was far luckier. He grew up pampered in the Lin family, getting anything he desired. He was also talented, a skilled violinist, and a “proud son of heaven” envied by everyone. Because they had raised him since infancy, the Lin couple couldn’t bear to let the Fake Young Master return to his biological parents to suffer, so they kept him by their side.

When you put two children raised in such different environments together, the difference was like clouds and mud. The Fake Young Master was cheerful and generous, getting along with everyone. The Real Young Master, however, had a narrow perspective and a small mindset; aside from studying, he was useless. Initially, the Lin couple could ignore these flaws out of guilt and pity, but over time, they inevitably grew annoyed. The Lin family was a prominent wealthy clan in the capital; they found it embarrassing to have such an unpresentable heir. Gradually, they grew cold toward their biological son and focused all their attention on the foster son who delighted them.

Sensing his parents’ attitude, the Real Young Master studied even harder to gain their approval. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the Lin couple, he was just a nerd who did nothing but solve problems, making him even more of a misfit. In this vicious cycle, the Real Young Master became increasingly gloomy and withdrawn.

Jiang Zao rubbed his forehead and gave a self-deprecating laugh. He only learned all of this later.

During his first transmigration, Jiang Zao—who knew nothing of the plot—only felt the original body’s intense desire to study. He immediately felt a sense of kinship, as if he had found a kindred spirit. With the mindset that “a true friend is hard to find,” he decided to “grind” for the original body!

He slaved away for three years. Jiang Zao was confident he would take the top spot in the College Entrance Exam, but on the day before the exam, he was pulled back to reality.

All that effort with no reward made Jiang Zao fly into a silent rage. But once the anger passed, he could only move on and fill out his own college applications. He had his own life to live; he didn’t have time to obsess over such a bizarre experience.

Just as he was about to forget the incident, the second transmigration came out of nowhere.

The timeline had jumped three years. The original body was now a junior in college, preparing for postgraduate exams. Since Jiang Zao was also preparing for grad school in reality, he figured it didn’t matter where he studied—so he started grinding again.

Another year of working himself to death, and once again, he was pulled back the day before the exam.

This time, Jiang Zao remained calm. In reality, he composedly took his exams. After finishing, he went home and hunted down the original novel, patiently reading it from beginning to end. After finishing, he had only one thought: Great, I’m just a study-tool character.

Jiang Zao actually had a hunch there would be a third time. After all, things happen in threes. Now that the third time had arrived as scheduled, he wasn’t surprised. His guess had been right: this time, the original body was supposed to take the National Civil Service Exam in three months, so he was summoned back.

But so what? Jiang Zao smiled faintly. He was prepared. This time, there was no way he would obediently act as a tool.

As for the plot? Whoever wanted to follow it could go right ahead. He wasn’t participating.

“Jiang Zao.”

A gentle, pleasant voice sounded in his ear. Jiang Zao turned his head. A handsome young man with a beautiful smile walked toward him. “Why are you sitting here all by yourself?”

The person’s appearance differed slightly from his memory, but overall hadn’t changed much. Jiang Zao recognized him without much effort: the Fake Young Master, Lin Ran.

In the original book, the Real Young Master’s feelings for Lin Ran were complex. On one hand, he envied the love Lin Ran received from their parents; on the other, he was deeply attracted by Lin Ran’s cheerfulness and excellence. In short, it was love-hate. However, for Jiang Zao, those feelings didn’t exist. He had no interest in this “beloved-by-all” protagonist. In fact, he had no interest in anyone here.

Since the other party had taken the initiative to speak, Jiang Zao couldn’t pretend he didn’t hear. He gave a casual nod as a greeting. “It’s quieter here.”

Lin Ran sat down across from him and said understandingly, “I forgot, you’re afraid of noise—by the way, how is your exam preparation going? I heard the National Exam is very difficult. Are you confident?”

With the caring words and worried expression, anyone could see the sincerity in his face.

Jiang Zao lowered his head to drink his tea.

Receiving no answer, a flash of awkwardness crossed Lin Ran’s face, but he quickly smiled again. “Did I ask something I shouldn’t have? Haha, I guess so. Today is our birthday, after all. Talking about such things on such a happy day is a mood-killer.”

Lin Ran paused. Seeing that Jiang Zao was still indifferently drinking tea, he continued: “I know you might be under a lot of pressure right now, but you must not push yourself too hard. If it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always next time—ah, I’m not cursing you to fail! I want you to succeed more than anyone. Jiang Zao, you’re so talented, you’ll definitely make it. I believe in you!”

Jiang Zao suddenly asked, “Do you want some tea?”

“Eh?” Lin Ran froze. His emotional flow was fractured by the sudden interruption, and his smile became unnatural.

The corners of Jiang Zao’s mouth curled slightly. “You’ve said so much. Aren’t you thirsty?”

Lin Ran recovered his composure and shook his head with a smile. “Thank you, I’m not thirsty yet.”

“Oh.” Jiang Zao refilled his own cup and continued drinking.

Lin Ran suddenly felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. This was the first time he didn’t know what to say to Jiang Zao. This had never happened before; today’s Jiang Zao felt a bit different.

But…

Lin Ran secretly observed the person across from him. He couldn’t see anything different. Just like usual, Jiang Zao was a loner; he didn’t want to talk to others, and others didn’t want to talk to him. Though, his bangs seemed longer than the last time they met, covering his eyes entirely and making him look even gloomier.

Nothing is different, Lin Ran concluded.

He began to smile, and just as he was about to say goodbye, another lively voice chimed in: “Brother!”

Jiang Zao and Lin Ran turned at the same time.

The voice belonged to a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. Seeing Jiang Zao look at him, the boy immediately looked displeased. “I was calling Brother Lin Ran, not you. Don’t be so full of yourself.”

The boy’s attitude was truly terrible. Lin Ran looked a bit embarrassed and said disapprovingly, “Xiao Tang, Jiang Zao is your biological brother. How can you speak to him like that? Apologize, quickly.”

The thing Lin Tang hated hearing most was that—even if it came from the Lin Ran he always liked and respected. His tone didn’t improve. “So what if he’s my biological brother? We’ve never lived together, and there’s no affection. What does a mere blood relation count for? A mosquito sucks my blood, so I have a blood relation with it too—do I have to call the mosquito ‘Brother’?”

Lin Tang spoke with conviction. Lin Ran frowned, his voice turning sharper. “Xiao Tang, if you keep this up, I’m going to get angry.”

Lin Tang reluctantly shut his mouth.

Lin Ran turned to Jiang Zao, apologizing guiltily. “Jiang Zao, are you angry? Don’t take those words to heart. Xiao Tang is still young and doesn’t know any better. You’re his older brother, so don’t lower yourself to his level.”

Jiang Zao had been watching their performance of “brotherly love.” Suddenly being called upon, he had no choice but to participate. He smiled. “I won’t. Like you said, he’s young and doesn’t know better. I’m his brother; how could I hold a grudge?”

This was essentially repeating Lin Ran’s words back to him. Lin Ran’s frown deepened. Something was definitely off.

Before he could figure out what, Jiang Zao put down his teacup. “I’m going to the restroom.”

He stood up and left.

“Hmph.”

Lin Tang snorted disdainfully. He didn’t care to hide it, so he didn’t lower his voice. His words reached Jiang Zao’s ears clearly.

“Good that he’s gone. I get annoyed just looking at that rustic appearance. Does he have no self-awareness? He actually thinks this birthday party is for him. He should think about whether he’s even worthy. If it weren’t for the fact that you share a birthday, they wouldn’t have even bothered to bring him along.” Lin Tang grew more indignant as he spoke. “In what way does he look like a member of our Lin family? From looks to temperament, nothing matches! I seriously doubt he was actually switched at birth—maybe that family of paupers is just trying to scam us.”

Lin Ran advised gently, “Xiao Tang, don’t say that. The paternity test was done. We really were switched.”

His voice grew low, and he bowed his head. “I’m the one who took Jiang Zao’s identity and made him suffer so much. That suffering should have been mine. I’ve wronged him.”

Lin Tang scrambled to comfort him. “Brother, don’t think like that! Maybe even Heaven felt he wasn’t worthy of being a Lin, so it intentionally arranged the swap to send you to us. I don’t care—in my eyes, only you are my brother. Me, you, Dad, and Mom—we are the family!”

Lin Ran’s eyes turned red. He took Lin Tang’s hand emotionally. “Thank you, Xiao Tang. I’m so happy to hear you say that.”

Jiang Zao quickened his pace. He had drunk too much tea; he felt like throwing up.