Chapter 2: A Dog Can't Stop Eating Sh*t, But I Can
"Do you feel like eating anything right now, young master?" the butler asked with a slight bow, his tone gentle and earnest. "The doctor said you have a mild concussion. Feeling dizzy and nauseous is normal. You can start with something light. You won't last if you keep skipping meals."
Zhou Mo leaned against the hospital bed. The oversized patient gown hung loosely on him, like a sack draped over a stick. His eyes were faintly red as he stared at the butler in silence for a long while.
Seeing this, Butler Lin felt a pang in his chest and tried to comfort him. "There's no need to feel too upset. Sir and Madam are overseas and unaware of the situation. Eldest Young Master just finished a meeting and is on his way here. Someone will be here to accompany you soon."
Zhou Mo knew very well what kind of position the original owner held in that family. He simply nodded. "Mm. I'm not upset."
"How about I go get you something light to eat?"
"I've got a concussion, no appetite," Zhou Mo said seriously. "Just get me twenty skewers of beef. Don't overcook them—I won't be able to chew. And add ten skewers of grilled kidneys and a plate of fried rice noodles. No chili."
Butler Lin: "...Huh?"
"Oh, and an ice-cold can of beer would be perfect." Zhou Mo looked at him with bright, dark eyes. "Is that okay, Uncle Lin?"
"…Of course."
The butler was incredibly efficient. In less than half an hour, fragrant skewers were delivered to the ward. A small table was set up in front of Zhou Mo. He struggled to sit up, wiped his hands with a wet wipe, and immediately dug in.
The skewers were wrapped in foil, still sizzling with oil. Zhou Mo devoured half a skewer in one bite, eating with great enthusiasm. He even stuffed one into Butler Lin's hand. His appetite was nothing like that of a patient.
Yet despite sitting on the bed, not a single drop of oil stained the sheets. He ate fast, but clean. Butler Lin, watching him, actually started to feel hungry.
Knock, knock.
Two soft taps sounded on the door. Zhou Mo assumed it was a nurse and called out between bites, "Come in."
The person who entered was a tall, well-dressed young man. He had refined features and wore a pair of glasses that gleamed under the light. He wrinkled his nose slightly.
"You just woke up and you're already eating something so greasy?"
Zhou Mo blinked. "Ah."
"What trouble did you cause this time?" Zhou Yunning sat beside him, frowning at the oily table. The gentleness in his expression faded, replaced by impatience. "How many times have I told you to stop causing trouble? Do you think I have nothing better to do?"
"Sorry."
"Oh, now you know how to apologize? Then stop making trouble. What happened this time?"
No way was he telling the truth. If he did, he'd be taking the blame for the original owner—and possibly getting beaten up for it.
Zhou Mo clutched his beer can and said in a world-weary tone, "Things from the underworld… best not to ask."
He clearly saw a vein twitch on Zhou Yunning's forehead. Zhou Mo swallowed and subtly scooted back. The man might look gentle, but he was huge—one punch from him and Zhou Mo might as well prepare for the afterlife.
"Don't think I don't know," Zhou Yunning said coldly. "You've been chasing after that brat from the Fu family for a long time."
Zhou Mo nearly buried his head in the ground. "You… knew?"
"What, you thought I wouldn't? Because of your nonsense, I can't even hold my head up in front of Fu Yanzhi. You're a member of the Zhou family—how did you manage to degrade yourself like that?"
"Well… thank you, big brother?"
"Just stop causing me trouble—that's thanks enough!" Zhou Yunning stood up to leave. "This is the last time I'm warning you. Next time, I won't protect you."
"I won't do it again! I swear! I've turned over a new leaf!"
"You said the same thing last time after sending a truckload of roses to Fu Youwu and getting scolded. And what happened?" Zhou Yunning sneered. "A dog can't stop eating shit."
"The dog can't—but I can!" Zhou Mo immediately raised three fingers in oath. "I swear, I'll behave from now on. No more trouble for you, big brother!"
Zhou Yunning ignored him and walked out. "You'll be discharged soon. You'd better keep your word."
Before leaving, he glanced at the food on the table, snatched it away, and said, "You're hospitalized and still eating this greasy junk? A man who can't control his mouth can't control anything else either."
Zhou Mo: "…" What kind of logic is that?!
"The company's busy lately. Don't make things worse." Zhou Yunning pointed at him as a warning.
"Got it, got it! Don't worry, big brother!" Zhou Mo watched him leave, calling out cheerfully, "Take care!"
—
Zhou Mo only stayed in the hospital for one night. The moment he saw the long list of charges, he insisted on being discharged. The butler had no choice but to comply.
The next day, under bright sunshine, Zhou Mo stepped out of the car with a pale face from motion sickness. But the moment he saw the Zhou family's mansion, even his nausea was suppressed.
What kind of family is this?! There's even a fountain outside. Perfect for raising fish.
"Am I the only one living here?" Zhou Mo asked excitedly after touring the place. "Even if it's just temporary, it's worth it!"
[Host, acting too clueless will make people suspicious.]
Zhou Mo rolled around on his huge, soft bed, then wandered into the walk-in closet, then into the bathroom to inspect the toiletries. But when he saw the toothbrush and personal items on the sink, he paused.
"System… is the original owner still alive?"
[Why are you asking that?]
"I suddenly feel like I've taken over someone else's nest. I've read the novel—he wasn't exactly likable, but he wasn't evil either."
[We're very humane. The original owner isn't dead. He's just gone to another world.]
"…I hope someone likes him there." Zhou Mo sighed and quietly put away the original owner's belongings. Thank you. I hope you'll be happy in that world.
The Zhou family's staff lived in separate quarters behind the garden, so Zhou Mo spent the entire day exploring the mansion alone, fascinated by everything.
[Host, you look like a dog marking its territory.]
Zhou Mo nearly dropped the bottle of Romanée-Conti in his hand. "Wow, you really know how to talk."
[Don't act too clueless. You'll get exposed.]
"Yeah, yeah." Zhou Mo carefully put the wine back and retreated from the cellar. "That bottle was worth over sixty thousand. If I broke it, I'd have to sell myself to pay for it."
[They wouldn't make you pay.]
"You're naive," Zhou Mo sighed, collapsing onto the sofa. "We're not family. I can't owe them anything. Being able to eat and live here is already a blessing… Oh right, show me the novel and the comments."
The system complied. The latest chapters appeared on his phone.
After flipping through them, Zhou Mo realized not everything about him appeared in the story. After all, the protagonists were Fu Youwu and Pei Ji. Since he hadn't shown up around them lately, he barely had any screen time—just occasional mentions.
Good. The fewer people talked about him, the better. Let them forget him so he could live peacefully.
But…
Zhou Mo frowned at a name.
Fu Yanzhi.
Fu Youwu's older brother, seven years his senior. The same age as Zhou Yunning. A legendary "overachiever" in the original novel—so intense he practically rewrote evolution itself.
In kindergarten, he made other kids cry from competition. In school, he dominated academics. At work, he crushed performance metrics. Twenty-eight years undefeated. While others dated in high school, he studied calculus. While others pulled all-nighters gaming, he learned stock trading.
A true nightmare: the ultimate "other people's child."
Even Pei Ji—the rebellious, fearless type—felt intimidated around him.
In the original story, he was basically the villainous "evil mother-in-law," trying to break up the main couple. When Fu Youwu rebelled, he was effortlessly crushed.
His methods weren't even complicated—just cutting off Fu Youwu's credit card during his elopement. The enemy collapsed instantly.
Zhou Mo had always suspected the author nerfed him. Otherwise, Pei Ji might've disappeared without a trace.
That's how terrifying he was.
And he was also the one who drove the original owner out of the city.
Zhou Mo read the latest chapter, brows furrowing deeply.
…
"You're already a junior in college. Can't you handle something this simple?" Fu Yanzhi pushed the proposal back. "The amusement park isn't even open yet. Did you do proper market research? You think investing in AI guarantees returns? What about promotion strategies? Traffic? Influencers? If one isn't enough, hire more. Or rent out the venue for variety shows—generate exposure."
Fu Youwu lowered his head, too scared to speak. "I… I wrote that in the proposal."
"There are a few decent points," Fu Yanzhi said calmly. "But overall, it's too rough. Go learn from Dai Ran. Then come back and tell me what you've learned."
"…Okay." Fu Youwu looked dejected. "Brother… am I just not cut out for business?"
"Why ask that now?"
"Because I can't do anything right. You wouldn't even hire someone like me as an intern, would you?"
"If even you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else?" Fu Yanzhi replied coolly. "Instead of seeking validation from me, spend that time improving your work."
"…Got it."
As Fu Youwu turned to leave, he was stopped.
"I heard you sent Zhou's youngest son to the hospital?"
Fu Youwu stiffened. "…Yes. I did."
"I won't interfere in your matters," Fu Yanzhi said lightly, not even looking up. "But the Zhou and Fu families are old friends. If you go too far, it won't look good."
"But he—"
"There are many ways to teach someone a lesson without making it obvious. No need to choose the most conspicuous method." His tone was casual, as if discussing dinner. "Don't go too far. Zhou Yunning won't be easy to deal with."
"…I understand."
—
Zhou Mo bared his teeth and tossed his phone aside.
Too scary. Way too scary.
Better stay far, far away from these people.