*Flashback continued*

The Old Madam said, "Whatever you feel, it's never going to happen. Weizhe is the eldest son and only he would become the Mafia King according to the traditions. You don't have to worry about his merits. He is doing a great job and has already got the handle of the Underworld."

He sneered. "Then why do I see Old Master still hitting him?"

Silence.

"Clearly, that means he is incapable and lacking somewhere. He is not meeting Old Master's expectations. But I know that I will. I have the full confidence that can outshine my brother."

She glared at him. "Weiyuan! Nobody has ever broken the tradition here and nobody ever will. Go ahead if you want to try, but the result won't change."

He balled his fists.

No, Old Madam. I will change the result! No matter, what I will change it!

And so he forcefully joined in the Mafia King training along with Weizhe. But Weizhe was extremely displeased. He was horrified to see Weiyuan.

"Weiyuan! What are you doing!? Why do you suddenly want to become the Mafia King!? Just stop this, okay?"

"Bro-"

"No, stop this!" Weizhe huffed and puffed as sweat trickled down his forehead. "There is no need for you to do this. It is my responsibility as the eldest son of this family. Stay out of it!" He gritted his teeth.

For the first time in a long while, Weiyuan finally saw him getting riled up. He was exhibiting emotions in his otherwise plain, monotonous self. There was a radical shift in his demeanor. He saw the anxiety and fear in his eyes.

Weizhe then realized that he didn't want his younger brother to have the same fate as him. It was a cruel world. The last door of that carefree life would be closed if he stepped into this dark world. He won't be able to handle it.

But his words strengthened Weiyuan's resolve even more instead of getting deterred. Weizhe could have used this chance to dump everything on him and escape this torturous training and life. He had a way out, yet he was pushing it away with his own hands because he incredibly cared for his brother.

And so did Weiyuan.

He shook off his hand and smirked. "Dream on, big brother. I will prove to you that I am the best choice. Everybody is blinded because you are the eldest son. But I will prove everyone wrong!"

"Wei-Weiyuan…" he tremblingly tried to reach him. "Don't do this."

Weiyuan turned and walked away, ignoring his brother's plea. He steeled his heart to act cold towards his brother.

As the training went on, Weiyuan realized that just learning all the things quickly wouldn't get him far. He had to do something to sabotage Weizhe's position so that Old Master would lose favor over him.

And so he tried numerous attempts to ruin his image and make people misunderstand his capabilities. The Old Master was naturally furious and he even got more beatings.

Weiyuan felt utterly horrible, but he consoled himself that this wouldn't be for long. The Old Master would soon give up on him in frustration and focus all his attention on Weiyuan.

One day, he heard some whispers that the Old Madam said about something related to considering Weiyuan as the Mafia King too. Of course, he was elated.

"If the Old Madam have started thinking about this now, then she would convince the Old Master too!" He was ecstatic.

Weiyuan started to work even harder for their approval. He took Xiurang to his side too and urged her to stand in his favor. If anybody asked her about the Mafia King's candidate, then she was supposed to say Weiyuan's name.

He never told her his real objective too because he didn't want her to spill it to anybody by accident. All his efforts of climbing his way up would go to waste. So, he told her to act cold and distant towards Weizhe.

Weiyuan needed all the support he could have to make the Old Master change his decision.

But that day never came.

It was the night of the official announcement of the next heir of the Underworld. A grand banquet was held and Weiyuan was confident of his win.

But contrary to his expectations, the Old Master officially declared in the banquet that Weizhe would be the next Mafia King.

"I hereby announce that Weizhe will be the Mafia King of the Underworld!" He smiled.

At that moment, Weiyuan saw everything crumble into pieces. His years of hard work, tears and feelings he poured into saving his brother - everything was crushed. He could see his big brother never getting back to how he was. He envisioned the lifeless future without his warm brother that always smiled at him.

"Old Master! Why...Why didn't you make me the Mafia King!?" He confronted him after the banquet.

He said in disdain. "Are you an idiot? Only the eldest son becomes the Mafia King?"

"But I worked so hard!"

"Of course, it won't go to waste. You are going to be the commander. Weizhe's right-hand man. So it's natural that you should know about the Underworld too. But you cannot get the reigns to handle it."

He bit his lip hard and tears rimmed in his eyes. "What the hell is kept in being the eldest son!? I want to become the Mafia King! You are wrong! K worked so hard! You have to make the Mafia King!"

*Slap*

"You dare challenge Jiang family's traditions!?" The Old Master roared at him. "Stay within your limits, Weiyuan!"

He was scolded and beaten up a lot for raising his voice against the Old Master. He kept Weiyuan kneeling the whole night but he felt no pain.

"Why wasn't I born as the eldest son?" His voice choked.

He blankly stared at the empty space ahead. More than his legs, he felt the pain of failure in his heart. He failed to protect his big brother. He failed to bring back his smile.

"I failed in saving big brother…"

*Flashback ends*