Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The fact that Chen Mo wanted to live on campus was met with unanimous opposition within the Yang family.

The couple put on a grand facade, "Living at home is always better than at school in terms of food and comfort. Your elder brother only started living on campus when he went to university. We're not comfortable with you moving there alone."

Yang Shule, arrogant and feeling humiliated, said, "If you're unhappy about sharing a car with me for school, I can take the bus every day. Who are you trying to show off to by living on campus? It makes it seem like I'm kicking you out."

Yang Zhi was the only one who didn't express an opinion.

Perhaps because Chen Mo had initially only informed him.

On Monday morning, the Yang family gathered around the dining table in the living room, a rare occurrence.

Yang Zhi sat there refreshing news articles, indifferent to the unusually quiet atmosphere. He simply stated, "If he wants to live there, let him." Sooner or later, he'll beg to come back.

"Big Brother," Yang Shule threw his spoon down, making a clinking sound against the bowl.

He looked displeased, "It's clear he wants to kick me out, but now he's the one living on campus. What will my classmates say about me?!"

Zhou Yaoqing consoled him, "Shule, among classmates, such things will be forgotten quickly if you don't pay attention. The most important thing for you right now is to focus on your studies."

Just then, Chen Mo, carrying his suitcase, came down from upstairs.

Reaching the last step, he casually handed his suitcase to the driver and walked to his seat at the dining table. Looking curious, he asked, "What are you talking about?"

"We're discussing your schooling," Zhou Yaoqing ladled a bowl of soup for Chen Mo and gently said, "Both of you are the same age and in the same class. Studying hard will help your elder brother in the future, who works so hard every day."

Yang Shule immediately responded, "I won't join the family company. I plan to make a name for myself through my own abilities."

Zhou Yaoqing smiled with evident satisfaction and turned to Chen Mo, "Xiao Mo, what about you?"

"I?" Chen Mo chuckled, "Grandpa said before that once we turn eighteen, we get a year-end bonus from the group. Then they can just put my name on the company payroll and send me my share annually."

Zhou Yaoqing's smile faltered for a moment before she continued, "Well, that's also good. Your elder brother wouldn't treat you unfairly."

Yang Zhi, who had been silent, suddenly glanced at Chen Mo, seemingly surprised yet unable to resist mocking him, "You really have ambition."

Chen Mo ignored him.

But Yang Qi'an, the head of the family, brought the conversation back.

"Do you really have to live on campus?"

Chen Mo replied smoothly, "It will help me focus more on my studies."

Chen Mo thought, since they had set up this image of a model student, they had no reason to refuse this excuse.

Yang Qi'an was silent for a few seconds before saying, "If you want to live there, go ahead. Let us know if you need money."

Seeing her husband agree, Zhou Yaoqing looked at Chen Mo and felt a twinge of belated guilt.

Chen Mo had only lived with them for a little over a month.

He was different from when he first arrived.

The hostility that once made her uneasy seemed to have vanished. High-end clothes fit him well, and his slow, graceful movements while drinking soup were almost pleasing to watch.

She couldn't help but wonder what this son would be like if he had been raised by her from childhood.

Thinking this, she called out, "Sister Zhang?"

"Yes, Madam," the maid named Sister Zhang emerged from the kitchen, wiping her apron.

"Please serve another bowl of soup for Xiao Mo," Zhou Yaoqing instructed, then turned to Chen Mo, "Drink more. The food at school isn't as good as here. This soup is light today; if you like it, I'll make it again when you come home on weekends."

Chen Mo put down his spoon, leaned back in his chair, and smiled, "Thank you, Mom."

Beside him, Yang Shule tightened his grip on the soup spoon, watching the scene unfold.

"Sister Zhang," at this moment, Sister Zhang spoke up.

She glanced at Yang Shule, whose lowered head revealed only the top of his hair, and felt a pang of sympathy. Her tone was less courteous, "This soup has been simmering for two hours. There's not much left. Didn't you say it was specially made to nourish Shule?"

Chen Mo almost laughed.

Zhou Yaoqing looked embarrassed and then annoyed, "There's still plenty left. How much can Shule drink?"

"It's okay, Sister Zhang," Yang Shule looked up and smiled at her, "I've been taking medicine recently and am almost fully recovered. I have to go to school today."

Sister Zhang opened her mouth.

"Smack!"

It was the sound of Yang Zhi throwing his spoon down. His tone was harsh, "Sister Zhang, you've been with our family for over a decade. When did we start fighting over a bowl of soup?"

Sister Zhang's face paled.

Without a word, she turned and headed back to the kitchen.

Soon, the clay pot containing the simmering soup was carried out wrapped in a cloth.

Chen Mo, who had been sitting with his legs crossed, got up to help, extending his hand, "Let me do it."

But in less than a second, there was another sudden "Smack!"

Chen Mo watched as the clay pot shattered on the floor, spilling ingredients like wolfberries, red dates, and black chicken, still steaming hot. In the dead silence, he said regretfully, "Sorry, it was too hot. I didn't hold it steady."

Sister Zhang's chest heaved.

He was clearly intentional, yet this insincere apology left her speechless.

She had originally thought he would at least receive some condemnation.

Instead, Yang Zhi frowned and said, "Still standing there? Can't you see how hot it is?"

Zhou Yaoqing: "Spilled is spilled."

Yang Qi'an: "Madam Zhang, find someone to clean it up."

Chen Mo casually picked up the backpack on the chair and said, "Seems I'm not destined to enjoy this soup. I'll be off now."

As he passed by Madam Zhang, he glanced at Yang Shule, who had lowered his eyes, making his expression unreadable.

"Shule, don't take it to heart. I wasn't targeting you," he said, taking another step back and looking at Madam Zhang. "Although this soup takes a long time to prepare, I'll have to trouble you to make another pot for my brother. Oh, and Madam Zhang, I need to remind you of something. During holidays, I inevitably have to come back as the Yang family's biological son to meet people. I hope you'll prepare more portions then. It doesn't matter to me, but if the entire Yang family's reputation is tarnished, I fear you might lose your job after working here for so many years. That would make me feel very guilty."

Madam Zhang trembled, her gaze finally showing fear.

The few servants who were secretly observing from a distance, especially those who had previously tried to trip Chen Mo, wished they could vanish right then, praying he wouldn't bring trouble their way.

Chen Mo no longer cared about the expressions or thoughts of those behind him.

The moment he stepped out the door.

Outside, the wind was gentle, and the sunlight warm.

The driver delivered Chen Mo to school, carrying his luggage with particular respect.

"If you need anything, just send me a message, and I'll bring it to you."

Chen Mo pulled the handle of his suitcase and said, "No worries, go ahead and do your work."

"Oh! Then I'll wait for you at the gate on Friday after school."

"No need to wait for me." In the driver's stunned gaze, Chen Mo said, "The weekend is short; I'll return during longer breaks. I'll call you then."

Ignoring the driver's troubled expression, Chen Mo dragged his suitcase toward the entrance.

On Monday morning, the entrance of Sui City High School was bustling.

Parents giving their children last-minute instructions, car horns honking, vendors selling breakfast shouting, and school leaders scolding students for not having their student IDs—all mixed into a cacophony.

Students in uniform lined up at the gate, entering one by one.

It wasn't the start of the term, so the sound of Chen Mo's suitcase rolling over the stone path drew many glances.

Chen Mo joined the queue.

In front of him were two girls who turned to look at him briefly before resuming their conversation.

"There was a racing competition on the South Hill last weekend. Heard someone from our school won first place."

"Are they crazy? People have died there. Who would dare risk their life like that?"

"I don't know. It's quite secretive. I heard it from a distant wealthy relative. Those who seek thrills there are mostly rich kids, and there are plenty of bad apples too."

"Speaking of wealth, I heard about the mix-up in the Yang family in Grade 10. The events of this weekend were quite interesting. Someone posted about it on the forum. You should check it out..."

The two girls huddled together, whispering while looking at their phones.

Something caught their attention, and they suddenly became excited.

Chen Mo faintly heard Xi Siyan's name. One girl exclaimed, "He was there too?"

"Not surprising, everyone says he's close to the Yang family's fake son," the other girl said more calmly but with a hint of admiration. "I heard when he moved up from junior high, the teachers suggested he skip a grade. Wonder why he didn't. And every year, he wins competitions, making top students from other schools nervous. Plus, he's good at sports, smart, handsome, and rich. This kind of person is beyond us mere mortals."

Girls' dreams always seem innocent and beautiful.

Through scattered information, they embellish their idol with numerous halos, as if he were their dream hero.

Chen Mo didn't want to dampen their spirits. The person they were discussing was also part of the group of "bad apples" they mentioned.

Chen Mo learned about Xi Siyan's love for racing unintentionally.

He knew that during his two years abroad, Xi Siyan obtained an international professional racing license and participated in several major races.

Abroad, no one cared about his surname, so he probably didn't mind shedding the facade of a gentleman to reveal his extreme desire for control.

Back in China, he continued to be the new darling of the Xi family, acting respectable in business circles. Old acquaintances still remembered him as the unreachable sun that made countless girls swoon in their school days.

The girls continued their conversation.

The topic suddenly shifted, and one lightly tapped the other, saying knowingly, "Wake up, he might not even like girls."

"Yeah, I've seen him play ball a few times. The guy waiting to give him water was that Yang, right?"

"That's him. I heard he hasn't been to school for a while. This week, at the Yang family gathering, they were seen together again."

"Do you think he didn't skip a grade just to stay with him?"

"If I were you, I'd post an analysis on the forum. It's a waste not to."

...

Just as Chen Mo was getting interested, it was his turn in the queue.

Today, the duty officer at the gate was the head of Grade 10, Lai Xianfu, who had scared Gou Yiyang and his gang like dogs chasing them on Friday.

Lai Xianfu was actually only in his forties, but he had thinning hair.

He recognized Chen Mo.

Director Lai managed to force a friendly expression on his stern face for someone who had seen his old records and the news articles that portrayed him as a model student. He said, "I’ve received your application to live on campus, Chen Mo. Your attitude towards studying is commendable. No matter how difficult your past conditions were, you must continue to work hard and study diligently here. You owe it to yourself and your alma mater in the future."

Such impassioned words.

Chen Mo was somewhat taken aback by the warmth.

His high school years here in his previous life had been oppressive and tense. Director Lai had genuinely worried about his ability to adapt and had told him not to mind what others at the school said.

In the years after graduation, Chen Mo visited the school several times and always treated Director Lai to a meal.

Despite aging considerably, he was still a grade director, looking at Chen Mo with evident relief, "Your college entrance exam results weren’t ideal, and I thought you might be completely discouraged. Fortunately, fortunately..."

During their last dinner, he expressed concern, "Chen Mo, you don’t look well. Have these years been hard on you? Sometimes, no matter how you live, it’s still a lifetime. Don’t push yourself too hard."

Chen Mo poured him a drink, "I’m doing fine. Thank you for worrying about me all these years."

Back to now.

Chen Mo stood casually, smiling, "Thank you, Director Lai. Next time, I’ll bring you something as a token of appreciation for your guidance."

Director Lai frowned and waved his hand, "Chen Mo, this habit of yours isn’t good..."

"It’s not expensive. It’s a black sesame paste I just discovered, all-natural with no additives." The surrounding students had stopped to watch, and they heard him say, "It nourishes the liver and kidneys, protects blood vessels, and... prevents hair loss."

First came stifled laughter, then an eruption of giggles.

A familiar teacher nearby joined in the jest, "Director Lai, these students know how to bribe now. At the very least, you should make them read a three-hundred-word self-criticism during the flag-raising ceremony."

Director Lai looked at the relaxed smile on the student’s face.

All his worries seemed to vanish.

With a half-hearted scolding, "Get inside already!"