The Fake Young Master Confessed to Me

[Fragile, aloof true young master bottom x devoted, stoic fake young master top]

Xie Lan is the second young master of the Xie family. He was separated from them as a child and wasn't found until he was fifteen.

Besides his parents and eldest brother, the family also has another "second young master," Xie Jingming.

On his first night back home, Xie Lan dreams that his life is the plot of a melodramatic novel.

The two leads in the book are Xie Jingming and his eldest brother, Xie Wen.

They fall deeply in love, overcome trial after trial, defeat the vicious antagonist, and end up together.

And yes, Xie Lan is that vicious antagonist.

In the book, Xie Lan is convinced that Xie Jingming is the reason it took so long for him to be brought home.

He believes Xie Jingming stole everything that should have been his.

So on the second day after returning, he demands that Xie Jingming be kicked out.

And that's not all. After Xie Jingming leaves, he targets him at every turn, breaks his legs, and ruins his life and career. When he discovers that Xie Jingming and his own eldest brother are involved, he exposes them in the newspapers, disgracing the family. Using his status as the Xie family's true second young master, he commits all kinds of deranged and illegal acts. In the end, everyone abandons him, and he dies in prison after a heart attack.

Though his personality in the dream was nothing like his real one, Xie Lan makes two resolutions after waking from the nightmare.

1. Never come between the male lead and his love interest.

2. Study hard, work diligently, and obey the law.

-

Because of that dream, Xie Lan wants only to stay away from the two leads and live out his life as an NPC.

But the more he tries to avoid them, the more they cling to him.

As Xie Lan ponders the exercises on his desk, the two walk in together.

His older brother says considerately, "I've hired the best tutor for you."

Xie Jingming hands him a neatly organized workbook. "If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me anytime."

Xie Lan politely declines. "I wouldn't want to trouble either of you."

When Xie Lan wants to go out for a walk, the two block the doorway.

His older brother says, "Where do you want to go? I'll drive you."

Xie Jingming says, "I'm heading out too. Want to come along?"

Xie Lan refuses coldly. "I just want to be alone for a while."

Watching the two show up together every time, he starts to figure things out.

Xie Lan: I get it. I'm a cover. I'm just a tool. I'm merely one part of your little game.

He thought the two of them had already gotten together, following the plot.

But one day, his older brother brings a girlfriend home.

Meanwhile, Xie Jingming acts as if nothing is wrong and devotes himself to arranging everything for Xie Lan, from his competitions to his hospital stays.

He even flies back from abroad overnight on Xie Lan's birthday, only to fly back the next morning, just so he can wish him a happy birthday in person.

Xie Lan: What? This doesn't make sense.

Xie Jingming was told at the age of eight that he wasn't really the Xie family's second young master. He was the child who had been switched at birth.

The real second young master was still missing.

To repay the Xie family for raising him, he excelled at everything and did his utmost in all things, bringing honor to the family.

Now that the real young master has returned, Xie Jingming is prepared for the Xie family to cast him aside.

At the dinner table, the Xie parents casually discuss whether Xie Jingming should stay.

Xie Lan, usually so quiet, speaks up for once. "Having one more person around makes the house livelier."

Thanks to those words, Xie Jingming is allowed to stay with the Xie family.

Xie Jingming thought Xie Lan would hate him. He never expected Xie Lan to stand up for him.

Without realizing it, his gaze is drawn to Xie Lan. Every word, every movement, every cough tugs at his heart.

For years, he occupied the place of the Xie family's second young master, and now he still foolishly wants to possess the real one.

Please note:

1. The bottom is physically frail and uses a wheelchair for a while early in the story.

2. The older brother and the bottom share only familial affection.

Premise: Stand on your own two feet