He realized he was in a different body now,he wasn't Chen Wei anymore but Li Jian, the firstborn of the Li family, one of the most powerful and influential families in the city.
That was what he had managed to figure out so far, though nothing beyond that. For the past few days, he had been confined to bed, and no family members had visited him—not even once. The only people he saw were nurses and doctors who came to check on him and clean him up. Thankfully, the nurse had assured him he wasn't bedridden forever and would regain the ability to walk soon.
"Thank God I'm not some paralyzed young master," he muttered with a wry smile, trying to find something positive about his new life.
Still, his thoughts often drifted to his old life. How was his little sister doing? Was his mother managing her health, or had it worsened? His heart ached as he sighed and adjusted himself to sit more upright in bed. He was recovering faster than he'd expected. Soon, he'd be able to walk and uncover more about the body he now inhabited.
As he settled into a more comfortable position, a sharp knock broke through his thoughts.
"Come in," he called out, still adjusting to the unfamiliar voice that didn't feel like his own.
The door opened, and a nurse stepped in, followed by a man in a pristine suit. The man's face was stern, polished, and exuded an air of authority. Chen Wei's—or rather, Li Jian's—eyes narrowed as he tried to assess whether this man was a family member.
The nurse gave a small bow and quickly left, leaving Li Jian alone with the man.
The man inclined his head slightly in greeting, a bow that seemed formal yet distant.
Chen Wei, attempting to embody Li Jian's demeanor, gave a lazy nod, trying to act indifferent. He didn't want to arouse suspicion just yet.
"I've been sent by your father," the man said, his voice carefully measured.
The word father immediately piqued Chen Wei's interest. Finally, someone cared—or so he thought.
"He sent me to inform you that your hospital bills have been settled."
Chen Wei's brow furrowed slightly. That seemed... decent enough.
"And," the man continued, his voice faltering slightly, "he also wanted me to tell you that you are no longer welcome in the Li household. You are not to return."
Chen Wei's breath hitched. He barely had time to process the words before the man added, "He doesn't want you anywhere near the family again."
For a moment, the room felt deathly silent.
Chen Wei, now inhabiting Li Jian's body, had overheard some gossip from the nurses during his supposed "sleep." He already knew that Li Jian was the hated firstborn, despised by his parents and overshadowed by his younger siblings. But to hear it directly, in such harsh terms, was another matter entirely.
The old Li Jian might have thrown a tantrum or made a snide remark. But Chen Wei, still adjusting to this life, found himself panicking instead. If they truly threw him out, where would he go? What would he do?
The man gave a final bow, visibly uncomfortable with the lack of response. He turned on his heel, eager to escape the tense atmosphere.
"Wait!"
The sharpness in Li Jian's tone made the man freeze mid-step, his shoulders tensing. Slowly, he turned back, his face pale and wary.
"Y-yes, sir?" he stammered, clearly bracing for a tirade.
Li Jian stared at the man, his mind racing. He couldn't let anyone suspect something was wrong. He needed to act like the arrogant, hot-headed young master everyone believed him to be. He forced his gaze into an intense glare, adopting a cold, imperious tone.
"You're just going to walk out like that after delivering such a message?" he sneered, leaning back against the bed with an air of mock indifference. "What kind of dog delivers his master's orders so spinelessly?"
The man flinched, his hands twitching slightly at his sides.
"You'll go back and tell my father that I don't need him—or his money." Li Jian's voice dripped with disdain as he folded his arms. "Tell him I'll manage just fine on my own."
The man's expression shifted slightly, confusion and suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Y-yes, sir. I'll relay your words," he stuttered, his voice shaky. But as he bowed again, he couldn't help but glance at Li Jian with a puzzled look. This version of Li Jian was... different. Less fiery, yet oddly composed.
Chen Wei held his stare until the man finally left the room. Only then did he let out a deep breath, his heart pounding. Acting arrogant wasn't exactly his strong suit, but it seemed to have worked—for now.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that the man had seen through him, even if just a little. The thought sent a chill down his spine. He needed to learn more about Li Jian and this family fast.
...
Chen Wei knew the perfect plan to learn more about his new life. First, he needed to get his belongings something that could give him a glimpse into who he was. Secondly, hospital records could be his next option.
He was almost fully healed now and would be discharged in a few days. Sitting upright on the side of the bed, his legs hung loosely over the edge. He had just asked the attending nurse for his belongings, which she assured him were kept safe. As he waited, he glanced out of the window, reminiscing about his old life and wondering what the future held in this new one.
The weather was nice a beautiful day to go outside. He sighed almost immediately.
"I should probably visit my mom when I'm released," he said out loud, his voice carrying a mix of longing and determination.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called out.
The nurse entered, carrying a small bag. "Here are your belongings, sir" she said with a polite smile, placing the bag on the bedside table.
"" Li Jian replied, maintaining an air of indifference.
As soon as the nurse left, he reached for the bag and opened it eagerly. Inside, he found a sleek wallet, a smartphone, an ID card, and a few other personal items, including a luxury watch and a set of car keys.
He picked up the phone and pressed the power button. The screen lit up, and to his relief, Face ID worked instantly.
"Convenient," he muttered, scanning through the device.
The first thing he noticed was the wallpaper a picture of a sleek sports car with him posing arrogantly in front of it. The image screamed vanity.
Moving to the photo gallery, he found countless pictures of extravagant parties, clubs, and gatherings with various women clinging to him. In some images, he was holding expensive drinks or throwing money around.
"Wow," Li Jian whispered, raising an eyebrow. "This guy really lived the high life."
Scrolling further, he found screenshots of heated arguments with people, payment receipts for ridiculously expensive items, and even a few threatening messages directed at him.
The reckless lifestyle was undeniable. He couldn't help but shake his head.
"So, this is the life I inherited," he murmured, placing the phone down and rubbing his temples. "No wonder everyone hates this guy."
For now, he decided to focus on piecing everything together—his new identity, relationships, and the mess left behind by Li Jian's arrogance. He knew he would need to act carefully if he wanted to navigate this new world without attracting suspicion.