Noble Substitute Bride: Rebirth of the Ace Tycoon

In the Jiang Cheng. A magnificent living room. The dazzling light from the crystal chandeliers and the refracted light from the marble floor create a mesmerizing spectacle. An elderly person with white hair sits reservedly on the sofa. Her plain attire contrasts with the opulence around her. Her voice is somewhat low as she speaks, "Your mother has passed away, and Huo Huo is ill again. Regardless, Huo Huo is still your daughter..." Sitting in front of the elderly person is a glamorous lady. Wearing a limited edition Chanel jacket, a black pencil skirt accentuates her perfect figure, while her feet are adorned with a pair of limited edition Chanel leather shoes. Her entire being exudes nobility and elegance, without a hint that she is already a mother to an 18-year-old child. The elderly person carefully chooses her words in her mind and continues, "Zhou Lei, before your mother passed away, she hoped that you and your spouse could bring Huo Huo back. She is critically ill now, and we can't just let her languish and die in the countryside..." Upon hearing this, Zhou Lei's expression remains gentle, but her words are as sharp as a knife, "Bring her back? And what about Bao Yi? Auntie San, don't forget that Bao Yi is my biological daughter, my mother's own granddaughter!" The lady emphasizes the word "biological." Expecting her to raise someone else's child? That's a wild idea! The elderly person sighs, clearly having anticipated this outcome long ago, "Although Huo Huo has no blood relation to you and your spouse, from the moment you adopted her from the orphanage, you became her biological parents!" "Over these years, Huo Huo has endured a lot of hardships in her hometown! Your mother specifically instructed me before her passing to tell you to treat Huo Huo well in the future. What Bao Yi has, she can have too." "What qualifies her to have the same things as Bao Yi?" Zhou Lei couldn't believe it and stood up, almost screaming. She had been a wealthy lady for many years and hadn't lost control like this in a long time. She tried to lower her voice as much as possible. "I already said back then to send her back to the orphanage. It was my mother who insisted on playing the saint!" "If she wants to play the saint, I won't stop her!" Zhou Lei said angrily. "Now she wants to throw garbage into our house. Does she think our home is a trash can?" Upon hearing this, the elderly person got so angry that she stood up directly. "If it weren't for Huo Huo's good fortune, would you have Bao Yi? If it weren't for Huo Huo donating part of her liver to save Bao Yi, Bao Yi would have died long ago! You are ungrateful!" The liver donation incident dates back eighteen years. Eighteen years ago, Zhou Lei and her husband, Song Da Long, had been unable to conceive since their marriage, despite medical examinations showing everything was normal. Their bodies were healthy, yet they couldn't conceive. So, upon the recommendation of an influential fortune teller they knew, the couple decided to adopt a child from an orphanage. According to the fortune teller, Song Da Long and Zhou Lei were destined to have no children of their own. If they wanted to change their fate, they had to adopt a child who was destined to have siblings and alter their own destiny. Afraid that an older child they adopted would have memories they couldn't bond with, the couple chose Song Huo, who was only about ten days old at the time. Coincidentally, just half a month after bringing Song Huo home, Zhou Lei discovered she was pregnant. Nine and a half months later, their biological child was born. The couple was overjoyed and named their child Song Bao Yi. Love as precious as a treasure, the arrival of a phoenix. In their eyes, Song Bao Yi was a cherished treasure, a phoenix soaring in the sky. But when Song Bao Yi reached the age of seven, she was suddenly diagnosed with liver failure, and her life was only a few months away from its end. This blow was like a bolt from the blue sky! Song Huo's life took a turning point at this time. Since then, Zhou Lei couldn't stand the sight of the healthy and lively Song Huo. Why should her own daughter, at such a young age, suffer from illness, while this wild child they brought back from the orphanage enjoys a life of luxury and abundance? Zhou Lei blamed Song Huo for taking away what belonged to Song Baoyi. This illness should have been Song Huo's! Although Song Huo was young, she could sense her parents' change in attitude. At such a tender age, she suppressed her innocence and smiles. But even so, Zhou Lei still looked down on her. When Song Huo didn't smile, Zhou Lei would say she had a dead face, like a jinx. When Song Huo put on a smiling face to please her, Zhou Lei accused her of taking pleasure in others' misfortune, that her own sister was dying, and yet she could still laugh without a shred of conscience! During those difficult years, every breath Song Huo took seemed wrong. How could a seven-year-old child know what she had done wrong? She tried to make herself better, hoping to earn her parents' love, but what she received was not their affection, but disdain, insults, and beatings... It was during this time that Song Huo was found to be a liver match for Song Baoyi, with a transplant success rate of ninety percent! One month later, Song Huo and Song Baoyi were both wheeled into the operating room. Song Huo believed that after the liver transplant, the family would finally live happily together. Little did she know that before she could recover, Song Dalong and Zhou Lei used the excuse of her being a jinx to send her back to the orphanage. But fearing gossip at the orphanage, Song Dalong intentionally let his stepmother Wei Cuihua know about this. Having been a devout Buddhist for many years, Wei Cuihua would surely stop them. As expected, Wei Cuihua, who had been devoted to Buddhism for many years, came and took Song Huo back. Due to the liver transplant, Song Huo's health had been poor all these years, suffering from frequent illnesses. Despite Wei Cuihua's efforts, Song Huo's condition didn't improve. Upon hearing Aunt San accusing her of ingratitude, Zhou Lei became furious. "Ingratitude? Master Wu himself said it was because of that jinx that our Baoyi fell ill at such a young age! Baoyi's health has been poor all these years! It's all because of that jinx! Have we ever blamed her? Every time my mom brought her over, didn't I wait on her and give her good food and drink? And now she dares to think she can enjoy the same treatment as Baoyi! Who does she think she is? Besides, if it wasn't for us bringing her back from the orphanage, she might have died long ago! She's the one who's ungrateful!" Wei Cuihua didn't like having a biological granddaughter and still thought about an outsider. No wonder she had a short life! It's retribution! Aunt San was angered and her heart ached from these twisted words. "Huohuo is not a jinx! She is the lucky star of your family! It was her who brought Baoyi into our lives, and it was her who saved Baoyi!" Because Song Huo had siblings in her fate, Song Dalong and Zhou Lei had Song Baoyi. And it was because Song Huo's liver happened to be a perfect match for Song Baoyi that Baoyi could overcome her critical condition. But now, Zhou Lei not only fails to show gratitude but also blames everything on Song Huo. As Aunt San spoke, her voice trembled with tears, "Do you know, Huohuo is dying! I beg you to save her, it's your mother's only wish..." Zhou Lei remained unmoved, "Such a jinx should die early and be reincarnated, sparing the world from her trouble." Aunt San looked up at Zhou Lei. Over the years, Wei Cuihua, who had already passed away, often brought Song Huo home for short stays, hoping to foster a closer bond between Song Huo and Zhou Lei. Although Zhou Lei always ignored Song Huo, Aunt San believed that there was still a mother-daughter connection between them. But she never expected Zhou Lei to be so heartless. ... After Aunt San left. Song Baoyi descended from the spiral staircase and glanced at the entrance. "Mom, who just came?" "Who else could it be?" Zhou Lei's eyes were filled with contempt. "Some relatives from the countryside?" Song Baoyi asked tentatively. Zhou Lei nodded. As expected. Song Baoyi squinted her eyes. "What did they come for?" Zhou Lei still felt angry. "That old woman has lost her mind. She wants us to bring back that jinx before she dies! What bad luck!" Song Baoyi narrowed her eyes. "Mom, did you agree to let her come back?" Zhou Lei replied, "Of course not!" Song Baoyi gently held Zhou Lei's arm and spoke softly, "Actually, you should agree." "Baoyi!" Zhou Lei turned to look at Song Baoyi. "I know you're a kind-hearted good child! But you have to understand, good people are taken advantage of! What right does that illegitimate child have to live under the same roof as you? She's not even worthy of serving you tea!" Song Baoyi clung to Zhou Lei's arm and started acting coquettish. "Mom, please let her come back! Now that Grandma is gone, Huohuo will be all alone." Song Baoyi affectionately called her "sister" with every word. "No, it's not happening." Zhou Lei's tone was firm. "Baoyi, I can agree to almost anything else, but not this! And she's not your sister!" How could a lowly illegitimate child, a jinx, have the qualifications to be Song Baoyi's sister? "She is my sister." Song Baoyi paused. "And, sister has an engagement with the Yu family! If she doesn't come back, how will we explain it to the Yu family?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Lei looked surprised and turned her gaze. "Are you saying... you want that jinx to marry into the Yu family instead of you?" Song Baoyi shook her head. "Not replacing, Mom, don't you remember? The eldest daughter of the family was the one who had the engagement with Yu Tingzhi." Song Huo was more than ten months older than Song Baoyi, wasn't she the eldest daughter of the Song family? Zhou Lei immediately understood the implication behind Song Baoyi's words. "Baoyi, you're right! The engagement with the Yu family has nothing to do with you! That jinx has always been the one engaged to that useless person!" Yu Tingzhi, the third son of the Yu family, was a young prodigy. At the age of ten, he could compose poems and paint. By the time he was eleven, one of his paintings could sell for nearly a million. Otherwise, the Song family wouldn't have made such efforts to become in-laws with the Yu family. Unfortunately, everything came to an abrupt end when Yu Tingzhi turned thirteen. At the age of thirteen, a car accident not only left Yu Tingzhi disabled but also caused brain damage. His extraordinary talent vanished, turning Yu Tingzhi from a prodigy into a waste. During the high school entrance examination, Yu Tingzhi scored only 8 points, not even enough for an ordinary vocational high school. He became a laughingstock. The children of the Yu family all graduated from prestigious universities. How could the old master of the Yu family watch his beloved grandson fail to receive an education? So, the old master of the Yu family spent money to get him into the best high school in the city. But a fallen prince couldn't rise again. Despite attending the top high school, Yu Tingzhi consistently ranked last in his class. He couldn't even solve elementary school math problems and was mocked even by his younger cousins, who looked down on him. Later on, the old master of the Yu family stopped forcing him to study and arranged for him to work in the family business. But Yu Tingzhi, not only couldn't understand financial statements, but also fell victim to schemes. In the end, he was expelled by the company's board of directors. It was truly a miserable situation! Nowadays, Yu Tingzhi not only lost his talent but also became a disabled person who needs a wheelchair for even a short distance. Song Baoyi, an outstanding individual in various fields despite being a high school student, naturally wouldn't be interested in someone like him. Song Baoyi had already achieved success in multiple areas, with numerous awards and recognition. Her life had many possibilities, and she wouldn't settle for Yu Tingzhi. She was a renowned talented woman in Jiangcheng. It wouldn't be wise for her to proactively break off the engagement. After much thought, she came up with this plan. Most importantly, Song Huo was originally the eldest daughter of the Song family. If people started discussing it, they would realize that this marriage should have belonged to Song Huo, but it wouldn't affect her reputation. Moreover, the countryside girl wouldn't pose any threat to her. Furthermore, with such a countryside girl by her side, Song Baoyi would shine even more like a swan. Zhou Lei frowned, "What if that jinx comes back and causes trouble for you?" Song Baoyi was her lifeline, and she couldn't afford to let anything go wrong with her. "It won't happen, Mom! Master Wu said that once I turn eighteen, no one can harm me," Song Baoyi reassured her. Zhou Lei had great trust in Master Wu. Without him, they wouldn't have the present Song Baoyi. "Then let's discuss it with your father when he comes back tonight." In the evening, Song Dalong returned home, and Zhou Lei told him about the matter. Upon hearing it, Song Dalong burst into laughter. "Indeed, a tiger father begets a talented daughter!" It had to be said that Song Baoyi's plan was truly excellent! Although Yu Tingzhi was a widely known disabled person, the engagement between their families was already public knowledge. If they were to break it off now, it would undoubtedly affect the reputation of the Song family. Prominent families valued such matters greatly. "What if the people from the countryside don't agree?" Zhou Lei expressed some concern. Although Song Dalong's stepmother had passed away, there were still some poor relatives in the countryside, and poor people tended to make trouble. "If she can marry into the Yu family, it's the good fortune that the jinx has accumulated over three lifetimes!" Song Dalong's voice was filled with anger. "They have no right to disagree!" Those distant relatives who had nothing to do with the Song family had no authority to dictate terms to them. "You're right," Zhou Lei nodded. Even if Yu Tingzhi had fallen into such a state, he was still a prominent family's offspring. This marriage was undoubtedly a social climb for Song Huo. In an old tiled house that had seen better days, a dim light illuminated the room. An elderly person approached the bed, holding a bowl of herbal medicine, and looked at the girl lying there. "Huohuo, once you finish the medicine, you'll feel better." Song Huo looked at the old person in front of her, feeling bewildered for a moment. Then, something exploded in her mind like a firework. She died. And now she's alive again. This girl's name is also Song Huo. She turned eighteen this year and has had a tumultuous life. She has been an orphan since childhood, longing for a home but repeatedly abandoned by her family... Thinking about this, Song Huo let out a soft sigh. Silly girl, why not rely on yourself? Why place your hopes on others? Seeing her sigh, the old person asked with concern, "Huohuo, are you still feeling uncomfortable?" "Grandma San." Her voice was somewhat hoarse, and she took the bowl handed to her by Grandma San, drinking a sip of the medicine. "I'm much better now, you don't need to worry." Grandma San continued, "Your mother called yesterday. She found a doctor for you and said she would come to pick you up once you wake up." It was strange. Zhou Lei had shown nothing but disdain for Song Huo before, but in just two days, she seemed like a different person. Go home? In the memories of the original owner, Song Huo had always yearned for her parents to take her back home. Hearing Grandma San's words, Song Huo couldn't suppress the overwhelming feeling of joy welling up from within her. It was the lingering belief of the original owner. In her last moments, the original owner dreamed of a family reunion. Seeing that Song Huo's complexion was still decent, Grandma San continued, "I'll make a call to your mother." "Okay." Song Huo nodded slightly, watching Grandma San's figure and her eyes slightly darkened. She had a feeling that going home wouldn't be as simple as it seemed. Xiushui Village is a picturesque fishing village surrounded by the sea on all sides, known for its beautiful scenery. The village has a simple and pure folk culture and has preserved the tradition of earth burials since there are no cremation facilities in the area. The mountain scenery is particularly beautiful, especially after the light rain last night. The misty white fog in the mountains creates a fairyland-like atmosphere. At this moment, two figures are walking up the mountain. The slightly shorter man turns to the tall and well-built man beside him and asks, "Third Brother, why did we come here?" "To have some fun," the man in black work pants and a black T-shirt responds. His face is mostly covered by dark sunglasses, revealing only a well-defined jawline. He exudes a cool and aloof aura, with a wild and unruly nature. This is none other than Yu Tingzhi, the well-known "cripple" in the eyes of the people of Jiangcheng. Standing beside Yu Tingzhi is Wang Dengfeng, the eldest son of the Wang family group. Wang Dengfeng squints his eyes and looks at Yu Tingzhi. "Third Brother, are you serious? What fun is there in this wilderness?" Yu Tingzhi purses his lips without explaining, stepping over the thorns under his feet and continues walking forward. "By the way, I heard that your fiancée's hometown is in Xiu Shui Village," Wang Dengfeng continues, "Should we take a look? I heard she has an older sister who grew up in the countryside." "When you say it," Yu Tingzhi pauses for a moment, "Song Jin Feng?" "What Jin Feng! She's called Bao Yi!" "Oh." Yu Tingzhi's expression remains indifferent. "Third Brother, how can you not even remember your fiancée's name?" Wang Dengfeng remarks. Upon hearing this, a faint curve appears on Yu Tingzhi's thin and cold lips, intriguingly. In a low voice with a hint of tobacco, he retorts, "So what?" So what? How could there be someone like Yu Tingzhi in the world, oblivious to the blessings around him? Wang Dengfeng was speechless. "Third Brother, who in Jiangcheng wouldn't envy you for having a good fiancée? And yet, you act so indifferent, you can't even remember her name!" If this were to spread, the people in Jiangcheng who admire Song Baoyi would drown Yu Tingzhi in their spit. Song Baoyi is not only a renowned talented woman in Jiangcheng, but also a beauty like a celestial being. Despite having an engagement, she still has countless pursuers. In comparison, Yu Tingzhi is just a waste. He has a leg disability, a bad temper, no education, and most importantly, he lacks any business talent. Yu Tingzhi seemed to have ignored Wang Dengfeng's words and looked towards another direction. "What are you looking at, Third Brother?" Wang Dengfeng followed his gaze curiously. At that moment, they both were slightly stunned. They saw a slender figure walking among the mountains, carrying a bamboo basket. The young girl was dressed in a simple burgundy dress, with a fitted silhouette that accentuated her slender waist. The mountain breeze gently blew, causing the red hem of her dress to dance in the wind as if it could fly away at any moment. Surrounded by a hazy mist, she appeared ethereal and unreal, like a celestial being descending from the heavens. Her beauty was somewhat unreal. Although they couldn't see her face clearly, her aura was incomparable, even compared to the famous Song Baoyi in the capital city. Just then, she suddenly bent down and reached out to pick a brightly colored wildflower nearby. With this movement, her red collar slightly lowered, revealing a glimpse of snow-white skin, like a patch of white snow amidst blooming red plums. Her jade-like bones and icy skin were extremely eye-catching. Yu Tingzhi leaned forward and placed his hand over Wang Dengfeng's eyes. "Don't look if it's inappropriate."