无敌智能

Chapter 001: The Illegitimate Child of the Du Family

"Du Cheng, here's your pay for these three days. You don't need to come in tomorrow."

Three days, yet another three days. As the owner of the snack shop handed Du Cheng a hundred yuan bill, a faint smile of resignation appeared on Du Cheng's face. He didn't ask why. Taking the money, he limped out of the snack shop.

Du Cheng's disability, resulting from a car accident, could have been treated, but the high medical expenses were beyond his means. Over time, he became a crippled man scorned by others.

Just as Du Cheng exited the snack shop, he spotted a red Ferrari parked in front of the somewhat dilapidated establishment.

A young man leaned casually against the car door, playing with a finely crafted golden lighter. His eyes fell upon Du Cheng as he emerged from the snack shop.

The young man, not much older than twenty-one or twenty-two, was handsome and well-built. Clad in a Versace casual outfit, he exuded the air of a privileged gentleman, especially with the faint arrogance in his demeanor, giving off an air of superiority.

"What's the matter, my dear Fourth Young Master Du? Got fired again? Useless fellow, only capable of bringing disgrace to our Du family." The young man greeted Du Cheng with a slight smile, tinged with added arrogance and disdain.

Du Cheng paid no heed to the young man's mockery, walking past without a change in his indifferent expression, as if the young man were a stranger.

"What's with the attitude? Don't forget, I'm your third brother." Seeing Du Cheng ignore him, the young man's smile vanished, his tone turning cold.

Still, Du Cheng remained unfazed, showing no change in his indifferent demeanor, and continued on his way towards the direction of the school.

Du Cheng was dressed in cheap shirts and jeans, the jeans so worn they were almost white. On his feet were a pair of sneakers worth thirty to forty yuan, purchased from a roadside stall. The total cost of his outfit probably wouldn't even buy a small piece of fabric from the young man's clothes.

However, as the young man had mentioned, they were indeed brothers.

The young man's name was Du Yunlong, the third heir of the Du family, a prominent and influential family in F City. Established three decades ago, the Du family had amassed assets exceeding three billion yuan three years prior.

Du Cheng and Du Yunlong were of the same age, with only three months' difference in birth. Typically, if a woman conceived a second child, it would be at least a year later. Consequently, if Du Cheng were younger than Du Yunlong, he would be at least a year apart, rather than just three months.

The reason was simple: Du Cheng was an illegitimate child.

Although he had acquired a name, he had no inheritance rights and had to endure the disdain and neglect from both the Du family and outsiders.

"What's the matter, Du Cheng? Cat got your tongue? You don't think it's because of me that you got fired, do you? You're a Du, how could you possibly work in such a shabby place? If anyone finds out, it would be a disgrace to our Du family." Du Yunlong seemed to enjoy taunting Du Cheng. Since childhood, he had always enjoyed making things difficult for Du Cheng, sabotaging him in every possible way. Since high school, for over four years, Du Cheng hadn't been able to hold a job for more than three days, all thanks to Du Yunlong's interference.

Initially, Du Cheng would get angry, but now, he chose silence because he knew it was futile. The only reason he spoke now was to prevent Du Yunlong from bothering him at school, where they both attended.

"What's wrong, Du Cheng? Lost your voice? You should remember, your last name is Du, you're one of the Du family. You can starve, but you can't disgrace the Du family." Du Yunlong's tone turned cold, but Du Cheng still paid him no mind, his expression remaining unchanged as he continued walking towards the school gate.

Du Cheng's silence seemed to dampen Du Yunlong's enthusiasm. He stepped on the brake, his expression turning disdainful. "What are you talking about, playing innocent? You should remember, you're a Du. You might starve, but you can't bring shame to the Du family."

"Don't worry, as long as you keep quiet, no one will know I'm from the Du family, and no one will believe I am." To Du Cheng, so-called prestigious families were nothing but trash, unworthy of pride.

After saying this, Du Cheng resumed his stride towards the school gate, unaffected by Du Yunlong's remarks.

"Du Yunlong, what nonsense are you spouting?" Even as she heard Du Yunlong's words, Gu Sixin, who was standing nearby, couldn't believe her ears.

Du Yunlong acted as if nothing had happened, waving his hand dismissively. "Forget it. If you go, it'll only bring further disgrace to the Du family."

Du Cheng knew exactly what Du Yunlong meant. Events like birthday banquets often devolved into showcases for wealthy people to flaunt their riches, and he simply wasn't qualified to attend.

"Du Yunlong, what are you saying?" Gu Sixin heard Du Yunlong's words and couldn't help but show a hint of anger on her delicate face.

Du Yunlong's face betrayed his annoyance, but once Gu Sixin's figure disappeared at the entrance of the building, he muttered bitterly, "Pretending to be pure. Wait till I have you pinned down on a bed and see how you'll act then."