Chapter 3Punk Prince of the Sterling Empire

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and saw a dozen messages popping up in the "Happy Family" WeChat group.

Clicking into the chat, the latest was from Chase:

[ @Charlie Did you see the fake son? Remember, don't be like those vicious supporting characters in novels. We need to be independent men! ]

I couldn't help laughing.

This kid watches too much TV.

Then Cherry sent an eye-roll emoji:

[ @Charlie, if you can't survive there, come back. We're having pickles tonight, won't starve you anyway. ]

Then she @'d our parents:

[ @Mom @Dad When are you taking Chase and me to find our rich parents? ]

[ We want to experience the high life too. ]

Just as I was about to reply, Mom sent a voice message.

I clicked it, and her loud voice filled the corridor.

"You silly child, what rich parents! Look at those eyelids, those cheeks, exactly like mine! Obviously biological! Need to find who?"

Zack tilted his head curiously, surprised.

"Is that Second Brother's family?"

I nodded, a bit proud.

My adoptive parents always treated me well. Sometimes, things Cherry didn't have, Chase and I would definitely have.

Cherry sent a disappointed emoji.

Chase followed immediately.

"What about me? I'm so handsome, Dad's genes can't be this good?"

Mom sent another voice message. I could imagine her rolling her eyes.

"Getting cocky? Look in the mirror. One takes after me, one takes after your stupid dad! Only Charlie is tall and fair. He was the face of our family, now only the ugly ones are left, can't even show you off."

I burst out laughing, then felt my eyes heat up.

This was the familiar family atmosphere.

Roasting each other, yet indescribably intimate.

I typed a reply.

[ Mom, Sis and Bro will be sad if you say that. ]

Cherry: [ The path to riches is broken! @Charlie, introduce me to a rich heir later. I'll eat soft rice with my own ability! ]

Mom: [ Rebellious daughter! Executed! ]

Chase: [ Sis, take me with you. My teeth are bad too, can't eat hard rice. By the way! Second Brother, how is it there? Really no fake son? ]

I hesitated: [ Really none, just a five-year-old little brother. ]

Cherry: [ Done for, so you're inheriting the fortune? Don't forget us! ]

Dad suddenly popped up: [ @Charlie How do they treat you? ]

How do they treat me?

I don't know either; the Sterling couple is still on the plane.

So far, seems okay.

Finally, I just replied: "Okay."

Cherry was relentless: [ What does okay mean? Gave money? How much? ]

I rolled my eyes.

[ Sis, can you have some ambition? ]

Chase interjected: [ Second Brother, if they bully you, come back! ]

Just as I wanted to reply, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Sarah stood at my door, handing over a phone.

"Charlie, put your number in."

I raised an eyebrow and took the phone.

The screen was unlocked, open to the new contact page.

I deliberately typed my number slowly, putting "Big Bro Charlie" as the name.

Sarah took the phone back, saw the name, and the corner of her mouth twitched imperceptibly.

She calmly deleted it and re-entered "Charlie" to save.

Then she pulled a card from her inner jacket pocket.

Black matte texture, gold lettering shining under the light.

My eyes went straight.