FOD Chap 1.11

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Chapter 1.11

Du Xu Lang was only one when his mother threw him at the door of an orphanage. At that time, he was still small, so his memory was limited, he didn’t even remember the woman’s appearance. He didn’t know who his father was, the only things the woman left him was a name and a black raven tattoo on his left shoulder.

Later he found out that this raven was the symbol for J Country’s largest underworld organization, Du Conglomerate.

The orphanage wasn’t a good place. There wasn’t enough food, but there was a constant increase in abandoned children crying piteously for food. Usually, in order to compete for a cold steamed bun, they could break each other’s bones. From age one to age five, his body was always scarred, his stomach was always rumbling, and his heart was always hazy.

But in that amoral place, there was on ray of sunshine illuminating him, allowing him to grit his teeth and support each day. That person was named Fang Nian You, she was ten years older than him, and always meticulously cared for him. Even though she was also starving, she would leave him her last bit of food. Du Xu Lang didn’t know how warm a mother’s love felt, but with Fang Nian You there, he felt like he’d already experienced it.

In his last year at the orphanage, a woman named Lady Yang donated a lot of money, and sent new clothes and toys to all the orphans on New Year’s Eve. Fang Nian You got a pink jacket, she wore it in front of him and spun around, saying how grateful she was to Lady Yang.

He got a Transformers, something he’d always wanted. He’d even thought to steal money from the dean’s office to buy it. Now that someone had sent it to him, he was naturally very happy, almost every night, he slept with it in his arms.

Not long after, Du family sent someone to find him. Du Xu Lang happily followed them to J Country. He’d thought that this was the beginning of his happy life, but he’d unknowingly stepped into hell. Du family children with no ability had only one way out, death. His brothers tore into each other like mad dogs, like insect larvae fighting for the sole opportunity to live.

On those countless, ice-cold, reeking of blood nights, Fang Nian You’s smile grew more and more vibrant, and his only toy had long been forgotten in the corner.

When he finally secured the position of Du family’s head, he at last had a chance to breathe. So, he decided to put down all official business and travel to C Country to find his loved ones.

What he found was Fang Nian You’s son, Zhou Wenjing, in a small messy clinic. He was beaten up, his nose was broken, and his pair of dark eyes were cloudy, not a trace of sunshine.

Fang Nian You was the kind woman who laughed even when facing adversity, why did her son become like this? Du Xu Lang was angry, and with Zhou Wenjing’s recount, his anger turned into overwhelming hostility.

He didn’t expect that Fang Nian You hadn’t committed suicide because she was suffering from depression, in fact, she was harassed to death, dying in that harasser’s bathtub. He didn’t have to personally witness it, he could imagine that red and tragic scene.

The Zhou family was truly wicked!

He didn’t try to persuade his nephew to leave with him. Since Zhou family treated his nephew so cruelly, he’d decided to help his nephew take over all of Zhou family. With a malicious, but also mocking mind, he concealed his identity and accepted a job at Zhou Clan, and soon won Zhou Hao’s trust.

As a personal assistant, he had the qualifications to enter and leave the Zhou family house. He began to secretly observe the other two Zhou family sons. Zhou Yun Sheng was the eldest son, his character appeared very calm, and his studies was always ranked among the best. Zhou Wenang was two months younger than Wenjing, the youngest, had a lively and cheerful personality, was the most liked by Zhou Hao.

Wenjing and Zhou Wenang had an okay relationship, but with Zhou Yun Sheng, it was like fire and water. But in Du Xu Lang’s view, Zhou family’s two children were not worthy, one’s methods were clumsy, and the other was honey mouthed but black hearted, they both had some smarts, but no wisdom. On the contrary, Wenjing had a strong, forbearing character, and a clever and sober mind, a foundation for something great.

Du Xu Lang decided to take this lump of unpolished jade and sculpt it into a dazzling work of art. In the process of teaching, Zhou Yun Sheng’s frequently bulling made him very angry, making him want to teach the child a little lesson.

But conversely, that child resolutely gave him a wake-up slap. If he hadn’t harshly criticized him, if he hadn’t shown his deep-seated hatred, maybe he would’ve never thought that Fang Nian You’s suicide wasn’t a retaliation, but an atonement. His impression of Fang Nian You’s every moment was with a gentle smile, she was virtuous and beautiful. How could she be a bloodied, malicious spirit filled with bottomless hatred?

He seemed to be wrong about the cause and effect, and also gravely mistaken. Until that moment, he’d never linked the Lady Yang who gave him a New Year’s gift to Zhou Yun Sheng’s mother. He’d investigated Zhou family, he should’ve realized, but it was as if a layer of fog was blinding his eyes, causing him to not see anything besides hate.

But as Zhou Yun Sheng said, did he and Wenjing have the qualifications to hate? The one who should hate was him all along.

Perhaps out of guilt, perhaps out of compensation, from that moment, he started wholeheartedly taking care of Zhou Yun Sheng, and secretly followed all his actions. Slowly, he learned that Zhou Yun Sheng hated eating carrots, and when bored, he’d caress his wrist. He was very proficient with a computer, and every day before going to bed, he’d drink a glass of milk……

He knew every little detail and small habit about his life, but he ignored the consequences such excessive concern could bring.

In the end, Zhou Wenang acted against Wenjing, but Wenjing poured his hatred and rage on Yun Sheng’s head instead. Because of this, Du Xu Lang was very displeased. The more he paid attention to Yun Sheng, the more he understood the forbearance and strength hidden under his impulsive character. Compared to him, Wenjing seemed pretty mediocre. He couldn’t even find his real enemy; in the future, how could he move forward alone?

Du Xu Lang didn’t alert him, only people who have stumbled could learn to step over obstacles. He left Wenjing’s room, and inexplicably arrived at Yun Sheng’s room door. They were separating soon; he unexpectedly felt some reluctance to part.

Whenever Du Xu Lang thought he understood enough about the boy, he’d always bring him a greater surprise. He’d found out his strong cover up, and discovered the relationship between Wenjing’s mother and himself. He also indirectly showed him his outstanding means, and impartial attitude.

Compared to Wenjing who was still waiting to be sculpted, he was a ray of light already ready to blossom. Du Xu Lang was brimming with expectations for his future, and it was more intense than his expectations for the fully cultivated Wenjing.

He sent several bodyguards to secretly protect him, making them send back his movements and photos every other week. His concern for him gradually formed into a type of habit. On his birthday, he came back to his empty, quiet room, reeking of cologne and booze, and accidentally opened an e-mail with a photo of Yun Sheng.

The boy was holding a chocolate ice-cream cone, he’d stretched the tip of his tongue out to lick up a bead of sweetness. He seemed to have sensed that someone was secretly taking a photo of him, his long and narrow, peach blossom eyes casting a sidelong glance, his lazy gaze containing hidden vigilance. That charming look, hooking heart and soul, passed through the computer screen to pierce Du Xu Lang’s heart, his breath quickening.

He foolishly stared at the screen for a long time, then he finally called the boy.

“Are you free? Can we video chat?” He requested, eager to see his face.

The youth agreed.

Hearing that today was his birthday, the youth thought about it, then opened up the music box on his desk. Using many rivets and screws, he assembled it into a Transformers, only taking about half an hour.

His expression was focused, his flexible fingers seemed as if they were creating another wonderful, brilliant world. Du Xu Lang unknowingly gawked too long, so the screen went into sleep mode, and only then did he snap out of the intense throbbing.

The youth was very attentive, apparently noticing how much Du Xu Lang liked this gift. The next day, he sent an express package to the company. After opening the package, Du Xu Lang couldn’t help but laugh, he played with it for a long time before carefully placing it on his desk. Then before leaving work, he carefully packed it into his briefcase to bring it back home. He first put it on a bookshelf, but felt that he couldn’t see it at a glance, so he put it on his desk again. Then before going to bed, he thought about it again, and finally placed it on his bedside table.

That was the second toy he’d received in his life, and it was his first birthday gift. He loved it.

His contact with the juvenile gradually increased, as long as he was free, he would video call him, anxiously waiting for the youth’s handsome face to appear at the other end. The boy was very busy, even when on the phone, he was still writing programs. If Du Xu Lang didn’t speak, he would be immersed in his own world, forgetting everything around him.

In order to watch him longer, Du Xu Lang frequently, deliberately remained silent, then fascinatedly stared at the boy’s earnest profile. He could watch him for hours without getting bored. His gazing was occasionally interrupted by an assistant or a secretary, but when he came back after dealing with work, he’d find the boy still quietly sitting in the same position, his flexible fingers tapping the keyboard.

It seemed like he would always be there, waiting for him to return. Du Xu Lang’s heart jumped at that sudden idea.

But gradually, things went beyond his control. After inadvertently getting a glimpse of a flexible waist, slender, straight legs, and a vague outline of a back, he would unexpectedly toss and turn in his sleep. After falling asleep with great difficulty, he’d wake up to the thrill of bone eroding ecstasy. The throbbing in his body and heart couldn’t fool anyone.

After looking through the photos he’d collected over the years, he started the chase with almost no hesitation. Initially with a ‘give it a try’ attitude, soon with cautiousness and earnestness, then, only he could take care of him. He’d sunk into a quagmire of love, and he couldn’t escape, but he was suffering gladly.

——————–

C Country Federal Prison

Zhou Wenjing was sitting in front of the visiting window, anxiously smoking, when a patrolling prison guard came over and snapped at him to snuff it out. He thought of Zhou Yun Sheng, who was always fond of ordering his uncle to put out his cigarettes. Uncle would always compromise, with a slightly helpless and joyful expression.

He obviously enjoyed being ordered around by Zhou Yun Sheng.

Zhou Wenjing pinched off his cigarette with a sneer.

At this time, a skinny, bleak faced man was escorted by prison guards to the seated, if it wasn’t for his tag reading ‘Zhou Wenang’, Zhou Wenjing would’ve almost not recognized that this person was the once high-spirited Zhou family third son.

“How are you doing?” Zhou Wenjing dully asked, but the other side didn’t answer. He continued speaking, “Today, Zhou Yun Sheng and Du Xu Lang are getting married. In a few days, you should be able to see the news reports on the television.”

This finally got a reaction, weeping bitter tears, he yelled, “Wenjing, please speak to big brother for me, let him get me out! I know I was wrong, as long as he’s willing to get me out, even if he wants me to be his slave, I’d do it! Wenjing, please help me, I can’t stand it anymore, these people are simply not human, they’ve exhausted every means to torture me … …”

Zhou Wenjing didn’t have the patience to listen any longer, he growled in dissatisfaction, “You want to compromise like this? You want to give up like this? Zhou Wenang, you’re really fucking useless!”

Throwing away the handset, Zhou Wenjing strode out of the prison, his stuffy chest not only didn’t ease up, it actually became heavier. Over the years, his sailing hasn’t been very smooth, without Du Xu Lang’s protection, he no longer felt omnipotent in the business world. Instead, because of his hostility with Zhou Yun Sheng, he was ridiculed by everyone, and often crowded out and suppressed.

He’d thought about fighting back, but clashing with Noah Group, that colossus, was tantamount to striking a stone with an egg, not to mention that the other side had Du Conglomerate’s backing. A few days ago, he’d tried to bid for a project with a Noah subsidiary company, but before the bidding opened, his secretary sold it at base price to a company that was hostile to him. Before the war started, he had already suffered a crushing defeat.

He never felt so small, so helpless. Those words he’d said wasn’t scolding Zhou Wenang, he was scolding himself. In this life, he would never be able to catch up to Zhou Yun Sheng.

Deep inside, he had a feeling – he wasn’t supposed to be so useless. Zhou Yun Sheng’s current position should’ve been his. He wondered what made the world get so defective.

====================================

T/N:

And so ends the first world. 14 more to go…..

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Jurianne
Jurianne
5 years ago

I just found out about this story today. I have to admit that I was reluctant to read it at first somehow. But boy I’m glad i gave it a try because i really like the format. And i like your translation style. Thank you Kez for your hardwork.

TheNaughtyCuteLittleDevi
TheNaughtyCuteLittleDevi
5 years ago
Reply to  Jurianne

lol its first time seeing someone who actualy read this for first time xD whenever i chek commends i see ppl who did are Rereading it xD I personaly did read it more than 20 times after that stop counting xD

Welcome to family xD

patchuuu
patchuuu
6 years ago

I love this already so much. ZYS and DXL are so cute.?

Toots
Toots
6 years ago

I’ve started reading this and it took a while for me to fall in love with the story or understand the hype but now I get it. I think my heart finally started to feel attached to the story near the end of the first arc or world. The part of the ml made my heart tremble with and melt. It was just so sweet and sad, the image of a small boy with a harsh life getting a toy he’s always wanted and hugging it in his sleep. My heart teared up even more at the fact that the mc’s gift to him was his second gift in his life, and his first birthday gift ever. I think I understand there’s another layer to all the gifts the ml gives to mc. It wasn’t just to woe him, but all the gifts pale in comparison to what the mc has given him.

On the other note I’m wondering, if the mc is done with this world…does this mean when he moves onto the next, his existence in that world disappear or…? I was bracing myself for the bitter sweet tears if that would happen, rather I expected it, but it didn’t happen.

sevfulmine
sevfulmine
6 years ago

I’m re-reading this again (and I already finished the whole novel itself gah~ mtl is hard ) so earlier I posted a reply about the possibility of Yang Xi being pregnant again but reading this again and finding out that Wenang is only two months behind…. How the hell they did not notice it!? Especially Yang Xi because she’s supposed to be the mother. Is it one of the rare cases of supposed twins?! One is born earlier (7 months baby ) and one is born nine months?! Because that’s the only thing that I can think of, the reason that Yang Xi didn’t noticed earlier that Wenang isn’t her child and only learned about it later.

Saphire Sheer
Saphire Sheer
6 years ago
Reply to  sevfulmine

No. Both Wenang and Wenjing are a year behind Yun Sheng. Wenang is 2 month behind Wenjing, he’s the youngest of the three.

This is my third time reading this first arc and I think I made a connection with contents of chapter 2; when ZYS was going through the world’s data where he said that the original’s real younger brother died soon after he was born due to some kind of disease.

What I think is that after the baby died, Zhou father switched the dead infant and Wenang without Yang Xi knowing and she only found out about it years later and wanted to change her will which led to Zhou father offing her under the guise of suicide to ensure smooth sailing for the only one out of his three children he ever really loved, Wenang.

On that note, I think it was highly possible that Zhou Huo’s marriage with Yang Xi was one of convenience and they weren’t really in love which was also why it was easy for Wenjing’s mother to seduce him and the reason that Zhou Huo loved Wenang the most was because his mother may have been the woman he was truly in love with.

Well, that’s all just speculation. XP

sevfulmine
sevfulmine
6 years ago
Reply to  Saphire Sheer

Yup, you’re right. Haha, that’s why I’m confused at first. I reread it again and I saw the passage you were talking about.

[Zhou Yunsheng’s true brother died when he was born because of hypoplasia of the heart.]

So much excitement that I missed the details.

Pk
Pk
6 years ago

Wow ? now I feel like ” what was I doing before this?” Like seriously. Thanks a lot dear translator.?

Myu
Myu
6 years ago

I really love how this arc ends. MC is definitely clever and witty. He uses his own strength to change the storyline. I really appreciate your translations. Thank you! ?

gasanechi
gasanechi
6 years ago

I really love this arc!

kayue
kayue
6 years ago

So he gets his HEA?! *fangirling madly*
Thanks again! ❤️

Bookworm16
Bookworm16
6 years ago

I can’t believe I’m rereading this again. I have completely lost interest in all of my other stories except Doomed to be a Cannon Fodder. I absolutely adore the little epilogues from a different character’s view. It adds a more complexity and makes the entire story seem closer to reality

FirstPersonNarrator
FirstPersonNarrator
6 years ago

I stumbled upon this yesterday and started reading <3<3<3
It's so interesting and fun, I just finished reading this first story and I'm so happy right now ^^

Thank you so much for translating this!!
(A new fan)

GadisBusuk
GadisBusuk
6 years ago

I bet ZYS do those kind of things in front of DXL to seduce him XD
Well, the first universe already ended, start reading the second universe

Pssst….can’t wait for your translation in 10th universe *laughingmadly*

otakukelly
otakukelly
6 years ago

Thank you very much! <3

sevfulmine
sevfulmine
6 years ago

Rereading this again~
Lol. Reading this again made me notice this. This here made me think is a hint as to why DXL is seemingly following the MC across the worlds.

[He felt that he should always be here, waiting for him to return. Du Xu Lang’s heart jumped at that sudden idea.]

GirlyNovels
GirlyNovels
6 years ago

I admit I was expecting some tragic outcome, but I’m so happy and fulfilled right now~ I loved it. Looking forward to the other arcs <333

sangti
sangti
6 years ago

Wonderful first arc. My expectations for this novel has blown past the top 100% and I love you for translating this magical piece of work!

Water
Water
6 years ago

I swear I was squeamish the whole story! All this time I was so nervous that the brothers would come back and kill Yun Sheng thus leading to his second life. Thank god my dramatic imagination never happened.
P.S. Today is my birthday, and discovering this story is the best present ever! Now I’m off to read the next story. ?

Chibi ~Stalking Since 2009
Chibi ~Stalking Since 2009
6 years ago

Wao~
That was nice!
At first I was think it would go in a germanic orthopedic way, but it was better than I thought~!

sangti
sangti
6 years ago

LOL ? it would have been interesting though if it went the German orthopaedic way. Nevertheless, DXL ❤️

YanGP
YanGP
6 years ago

Yay! A glimps of Du Xu Lang’s life! He’s such a romantic guy hehe xD. On the other hand… The 2 bros are too pitiful lol.

SquadCammander354
SquadCammander354
6 years ago
Reply to  YanGP

Story 4’s ending was even more depressing for the antagonist.

Erika Tomikawa
Erika Tomikawa
6 years ago

Thank you for your hard work. It was a great ending for this arc or story n.n

SquadCammander354
SquadCammander354
6 years ago
Reply to  Keztrans

It may be one of the weakest of them all, but in my opinion, it was what made a solid foundation for the series.

Pijon
Pijon
6 years ago

I just binge read the massive amount of updates, screaming at my screen the whole time! What a charming little story~ I like how, even when ZYS cheats the system, he does so with his own skills. He’s a smart little cookie, his arrogance quickly becomes justified, and I can’t help but root for him the whole time. His suffering from the previous timelines makes it so much more satisfying that he finally could indulge in and appreciate his romance with DXL. I also loved that the 1% remaining completion was out of ZYS’s hands entirely, soley dependant on DXL’s change in attitude and growth as a person. >u< There's just something so sweet about this, like it confirms his lover's importance in his destiny (unlike ZWJ's reliance of DXL in the previous timeline) XD I bet DXL is way happier with this ending too

;u; Thank you so very much for all your hard work ❤

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