Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Everyone standing outside felt a chill in their hearts.

For some reason, despite being around the same age, whether they had met him in person or heard about him, the Chen Mo they had imagined should not be the one who could scare others into not moving an inch with just a single word.

"Chen Mo, what do you want?" Yang Shule's hand gripping the door frame turned pale from the force.

His voice could no longer hide its tremor.

It was both out of anger and embarrassment.

Those glaring eyes felt like countless slaps to his face.

Just then.

"What's all this commotion?" A voice came from behind.

It was Yang Zhi.

The elder brother of the Yang family, who had not been home, appeared, and the crowd naturally parted. Everyone realized he had been back for a while. He was accompanied by Xi Siyan, and the two seemed familiar with each other, having been chatting before the disturbance interrupted them.

Despite the age difference of several years, there was no awkwardness between them.

One had a furrowed brow, while the other remained indifferent.

"Brother," Yang Shule called softly.

His gaze swept over to the person beside Yang Zhi, suppressing his resentment as he explained, "My classmate wanted to play in the pool, but the housekeeper wouldn't let him in."

He didn't mention Chen Mo by name, but anyone with eyes could tell who was preventing entry.

Seeing Yang Shule struggling to hold back tears, Yang Zhi's gaze toward Chen Mo carried displeasure. Just as he was about to speak, he looked up and saw Chen Mo. The distant figure seemed too cold.

Meeting his gaze, he found it devoid of any emotion or ripple.

He had always felt nothing toward Chen Mo, his so-called blood-related younger brother. From the first moment he found him in the countryside, he knew that they shared something deep within their bones. And his brother should be someone like Shule—smart, unruly at home, adored by everyone outside, and well-mannered.

Shule's cleverness could be used to vie for parental affection and to show off to outsiders. He was talented enough to be the shining youngest son of the Yang family, considerate to his family.

But his intelligence would never be used to vie for power or challenge the authority of a large family.

Chen Mo was different.

In that scene that was a huge upheaval for everyone, amid the pouring rain, Yang Zhi could clearly see shock, confusion, and finally anger mixed with resentment in his younger brother's eyes.

So Chen Mo was destined not to receive the same treatment as Shule.

But something went wrong. Since Chen Mo did not return home on Friday night, things began to change, to be lost, and to disappear.

Today, the company was very busy, with many matters awaiting the future successor of the Yang family.

Still, during lunch break, he made time to come back.

When his assistant asked, he simply said that Xiao Le had a classmate gathering today and might need help. At the time, he thought it was true.

But somehow, when entering the house, he subconsciously searched for another person.

Hearing the noise, he ignored the relief beneath his irritation, feeling as if a weight had lifted. He thought, yes, this brother is just such a troublemaker; he wouldn't be Chen Mo if he didn't cause a scene in this situation.

Yet, meeting his gaze, it was different from what he had imagined.

Yang Zhi maintained the dignity of the eldest son of the Yang family, frowning visibly in displeasure. Unfortunately, before he could speak, Qi Li, beside Yang Shule, jumped in.

Standing where Yang Zhi could clearly see him, his face showed mockery. "Chen Mo, you're being too domineering. Today, Shule specially invited so many classmates to our house, and you're doing this? It's fine to target Shule normally because he's not as strong-willed as you, has more friends, and better relationships with classmates. But with so many classmates watching and Brother here, don't think you can get away with it!"

While Qi Li was loudly condemning Chen Mo, everyone watched as Chen Mo did several things without a care.

He casually draped a bathrobe from the chair over his shoulders.

He shook his hair and wiped it with a towel.

Then, he turned and reached into the pool, pulling out a stunned acquaintance.

He said nothing.

The ridicule was already at its peak.

The boy named Qi Li, initially smug, gradually lowered his voice, his cheeks flushing red from the emotional turmoil until he was embarrassed.

"Let's go," Chen Mo threw another towel to Gou Yiyang. "Next time, we'll come after the water is changed."

Gou Yiyang was utterly impressed.

Whispering in his ear, "Damn! This is the first time I've been naked in front of so many people. I'm not clean anymore."

Chen Mo glanced down, "Naked?"

"Isn't wearing this illegal, Brother?"

Chen Mo chuckled, not responding further.

Regardless of whether he stayed or left today, he didn't mind, but with Gou Yiyang present, he didn't want to involve him.

Leading him towards the door, just as they were about to pass through the crowd, Qi Li, who had lost face, suddenly turned his anger on Lao Gou, saying, "Gou Yiyang, what's your problem?!"

Gou Yiyang was taken aback, then laughed.

"Qi Li, can you stop embarrassing our experimental class? You said so many classmates are here; anyone who doesn't know better would think our class is full of people like you."

Qi Li was furious, shouting shrilly, "What kind of person am I?!"

"Talkative, like a squawking hen, speaking so filthy that even I can't stand it. Do you want to hear more?"

Chen Mo stood with his arms crossed, waiting on the side.

Gou Yiyang's combativeness Chen Mo never doubted; there had been several instances of medical disputes where the scenes were akin to a battle of wits.

Qi Li panted heavily, thinking that he had clearly tried to help Yang Shule, yet at this moment, he seemed to be the culprit. He looked at Yang Shule but only saw him avoiding his gaze.

He couldn't let today end like this; otherwise, how could he stay in school?

So he finally sneered and said, "Gou Yiyang, though your surname is Gou, I didn't know you'd become a biting dog for him, Chen Mo... Ah!"

Others only felt a shadow flash by.

Suddenly, they saw Chen Mo kick Qi Li's shinbone barefoot, making a sharp sound that sent shivers down their spines. Qi Li's scream barely reached his throat when Chen Mo grabbed his hair and slammed him against the door with a loud thud.

As Qi Li weakly cried out in pain, he slid down along the door.

Chen Mo stood still and kindly said, "Don't worry, you won't die. I just think you lack basic manners when visiting someone's home, so I'm teaching you a lesson. Remember this pain; if I hear another word, I'll have an ambulance take you home."

Chen Mo then coldly glanced at Yang Shule beside him.

In the wide-eyed, genuinely fearful gaze of Yang Shule, Chen Mo turned towards Yang Zhi.

Facing each other.

Yang Zhi recalled his decisive action earlier, and his words turned into, "You really don't know your limits."

"No need for you to worry."

Chen Mo still held the paper he had casually picked up, wiping his fingers as if he had touched something dirty.

Yang Zhi's veins bulged on his forehead.

The Chen family had indeed cultivated Chen Mo's violent and ruthless personality, making him incapable of taking any loss.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw the person before him suddenly turn his gaze aside.

"Class President."

Chen Mo curled his lips, his smile not reaching his eyes, "You wouldn't be interested in others' dirty secrets, would you?"

This was a clear dismissal.

Yang Zhi's face stiffened, "Chen Mo..."

"It's fine." Xi Siyan interrupted, looking at Chen Mo with a genuine smile, "Today's incident happened off-campus, so I won't report it as fighting. However, if the other party reports it to the school, I'll have to tell what I saw. You have no objections, right?"

"Of course, it's your duty as class president."

Xi Siyan handed the folder in his hand to Yang Zhi, smiling, "Brother, give this to Shule and have him bring it to school on Monday. I have a match scheduled, so I'll leave now."

"What match?" Yang Zhi tried to keep him, "Why don't you stay for dinner?"

The other did not answer, only saying, "Next time, definitely."

Chen Mo watched him wave and leave with a few people who might have been pre-arranged.

A boy asked, "Boss Yan, can we really get into that venue?"

"Yes."

"Damn, we'll crush those bastards today!"

...

Their voices gradually faded away as Yang Shule pushed through the crowd to chase after them.

Yang Zhi retracted his gaze, looked around, and said in a low voice, "Do you know how important our business with the Xi family is? Speaking so rudely to him, offending him, the consequences are beyond your control!"

Chen Mo showed no intention of responding.

Yang Zhi's tone softened slightly, "Since you don't know who he is, let's forget it this time."

Chen Mo sneered lightly, how could he not know?

He even knew that one day, they might become a family.

Unfortunately, Chen Mo didn't intend to continue this topic.

He suddenly said, "Starting next week, I'll live on campus."

"On campus?" Yang Zhi frowned, "What's good about living on campus? The driver takes you to school every day, isn't that better than the school conditions?"

Chen Mo smiled mockingly, "Living on campus is already my greatest kindness, Yang Zhi."

He didn't even call him brother.

Yang Zhi's face darkened, and Chen Mo continued, "If you don't want me to expose the Chen family's child swap, and your deception for profit and Yang Shule's lies to the public, it's best we all live peacefully. I want a normal, quiet life, and you want a facade of a harmonious family. We both get what we need. Please inform Mom and Dad about me living on campus."

Chen Mo didn't bother to look at Yang Zhi's expression and left on his own.

After what had just happened, everyone present looked at Chen Mo with fear.

Qi Li had already been helped away.

Gou Yiyang followed him.

"Gou Yiyang asked, 'What did you just say to your brother?'"

Chen Mo: "We talked about staying in the dorm."

Gou Yiyang was surprised. "You're going to stay in the dorm?"

"Hmm. Is there a problem?"

"Staying in the dorm isn't a problem, but I should warn you that although our school is a key high school, the dorm conditions are really quite basic—six people per room. If you can handle living with stinky socks and instant noodle cups, then never mind what I said."

Chen Mo chuckled. "That kind of life sounds pretty good."

He actually knew what Gou Yiyang was truly trying to remind him of.

Given his current situation, dormitory life might not be suitable for him.

But Chen Mo didn't tell him that if he stayed at the Yang family's house any longer, he feared he might set the house on fire after a few more incidents like today. Then his retirement would indeed continue in prison.

As Chen Mo stepped onto the stairs, he suddenly paused.

"Help me," Chen Mo said.

Gou Yiyang was momentarily confused. "What?"

Chen Mo placed his left hand on the stair railing and repeated, "Give me a hand."

Gou Yiyang then noticed something odd about his right foot.

"What's wrong?" He grabbed Chen Mo's arm as he asked, "What happened? Cramp? Or did you hurt yourself kicking someone?"

Chen Mo slowly applied pressure, enduring the sharp pain.

"Arthritis."

Lao Gou was speechless. "...If you really feel embarrassed about hurting yourself while kicking someone, you don't need to make excuses."