(Edited on 24 April, 2023)
Zhang Wei made his way down the grand staircase from his room to the opulent dining hall. As he entered, he couldn't help but notice that all eyes were fixed upon him, staring as if he were a spectacle on display.
The dining table was impeccably set for a grand feast of twelve people, but only four were present. Seated in the most prominent and central position was his father, Zhang Hun, an imposing figure with a towering stature, blonde hair, piercing brown eyes, and a distinct mustache. His countenance bore a cold and calculated smile, hinting at his shrewd nature. He was donning a tuxedo without its blazer, a symbol of his status and wealth.
To his father's right sat Sarah Kim, his stepmother and the primary wife of the household. She was his father's college sweetheart, and they tied the knot in their early teens. Her brown locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing a slim face that bore a kind smile. However, her seemingly gentle demeanor belied her ruthless nature. She detested Zhang Wei and was attired in a pristine white housewife gown, complemented with light makeup.
On the left of the table were his elder siblings, his brother Zhang Tao and sister Zhang Bei.
Zhang Tao was an exact replica of his father in every aspect, except for his brown hair inherited from his mother. He held a deep disdain for Zhang Wei, whom he considered to be a feeble-minded and weak-willed individual, incapable of upholding the family's honor.
Zhang Bei, on the other hand, was as beautiful as her mother, with her fair complexion and blonde tresses. She exuded intelligence, charm, and grace and possessed a slender waist and mature thighs, which made her the object of desire for many second-generation wealthy elites. However, she held little regard for Zhang Wei and hoped to avoid him as much as possible. She despised individuals who lacked self-assurance.
"Good morning, Father and Mother," Zhang Wei greeted, taking a seat at the far end of the table from his father.
The suddenness of his presence seemed to take them all aback, and they sensed something peculiar about Zhang Wei's demeanor.
"You appear different," his father remarked, prompting his mother and siblings to perk up and listen.
"Do I? I feel like I'm still the same old me," Zhang Wei replied, feigning nonchalance.
However, his father and stepmother picked up on something awry with him.
"Zhang Wei, you do seem different. Are you taking some medication or something? Don't turn to drugs just because your fiancée broke up with you," Sarah Kim quipped, hoping to elicit a response from him. But to her surprise, Zhang Wei had undergone a transformation.
"No, Mother, I'm doing fine. Regardless of what happened, I won't resort to drugs just because I was rejected. I know people dislike me because of my weight, and I've come to terms with it," Zhang Wei asserted confidently.
His mother coughed, taken aback by his sudden display of boldness. "When did he become so assertive?" she wondered.
Zhang Wei's father remained silent, continuing to enjoy his food. The atmosphere was charged with palpable tension, and Zhang Wei decided to ignore his manners and focus on the delectable cuisine before him. His predecessor had been overly cautious about his eating habits due to his obesity.
His siblings looked at him with a mixture of shame and pity, unable to reconcile with the fact that they shared blood ties with him. To them, he resembled a pig, and they couldn't accept him as their brother.
"You're looking good, Zhang Wei!" his father remarked, breaking the silence. "Does this mean you will be returning to high school?"
"H-high school?" Zhang Wei stammered, surprised by his father's question. He paused in the middle of slurping his noodles, with some still lingering in his mouth, as he considered his situation. The previous owner of his body had run away from school, and Zhang Wei had already been absent for a week.