“Whatever.”
I could see he said he wouldn’t play the heir game, but he still wanted to fight for it.
Fight for what?
Wealth?
I wasn’t interested.
I really wanted to tell him I didn’t care about money.
But I knew he wouldn’t believe me — normal people wouldn’t — so I didn’t bother explaining.
Sophia sat down beside me and said, “Mom and Dad said they’re going abroad for a few days. When they get back they’ll make it up to you. Please don’t think too much about it.”
“Oh.”
I nodded, in a state where my soul felt ready to float out through the top of my head.
Sophia seemed helpless, then looked at Liam and asked, “Is the room ready?”
“We’re still preparing it, but I care about our brother a lot, so I’m making many preparations.”
“Sis, why don’t we let Brother stay in the guest room tonight?” Liam said, sounding conflicted.
Sophia frowned, as if she’d seen through Liam’s little scheme: “He just got back. He shouldn’t stay in the guest room — he’s family, not a guest!”
“Got it, sis. In this house, I’m the outsider…”
Liam said, then suddenly burst into tears.
I saw Sophia roll her eyes; I wanted to roll mine too, but I was too lazy.
“I’ll sleep anywhere as long as there’s a window and ventilation,” I said casually.
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly glad the rightful son wasn’t hard to please: “Then pick any room except Mom and Dad’s. I’ll personally arrange your room tomorrow.”
Liam complained in a wronged voice: “Sis, I can arrange a room for Brother too.”
Sophia ignored him and instead said to me, “I have a meeting at the office this afternoon. If anything comes up we can talk after I get back tonight.”
“Oh.”
I answered and went back to lying like a corpse on the sofa.
Sophia shook her head, a little exasperated at my laziness. She left quickly — her position at the company seemed important.
After she left, Liam said to me, “Brother, I’ll take you to a good room. You’ll like it.”
“Fine.”
Reluctantly I got up.
If I could have stripped down and stayed dead on the living room sofa, I would have. I was that lazy.
As for Liam’s flattering, I knew he had tricks, but I didn’t care.
Sure enough, he brought me to a room on the second floor.
The room smelled nice, there was a vanity full of skincare products, and a big bed with pale pink bedding.
On the vanity was even a photo of Sophia.
I looked at Liam helplessly, thinking, Are you really so dumb? Can’t you see this is Sophia’s room?
Liam, as if he hadn’t noticed, smiled at me: “Brother, if you like it here, rest.”
“Okay.”
I nodded.
Though I knew he was setting me up, I was too lazy to pick another room.
I wanted nothing more than a shower and then to lie dead on the bed.
Liam couldn’t help but grin, then rushed out as if afraid I’d change my mind.
I took a shower and then went to lie still.
That night I was woken by a soft cough — it was Sophia.
She stood at the bedside in a black professional skirt, her face cold, as if waiting for me to explain.
Liam murmured beside her, “Sis, I couldn’t help it — Ethan insisted on this room. I told him you were picky, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Is it comfortable?”
