Chapter 40

Chapter 40

After this incident, everyone's mood was largely ruined. As they left the cafeteria, Qi Lin noticed something and said, "Old Xi doesn't seem too angry."

"What does he have to be angry about?" Jiang Xu, walking beside him, commented casually, "With Young Master Mo’s attitude, he almost tore that bastard Li Rui apart. Who would dare to provoke Old Xi again?"

"Something feels off," Qi Lin muttered, scratching his head.

Jiang Xu looked at him in confusion. "What's off?"

Qi Lin, who rarely thought deeply about such matters, suddenly felt something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it. He said, "Do you think the old Xi Siyan would be the type to hide behind others and need someone else to stand up for him? I was about to rush over, but he stopped me. Why didn’t he say anything when Chen Mo did what he did?"

Jiang Xu gave him a look of disdain.

"Are you as fierce as Brother Mo?"

"Old Xi was worried you'd get beaten up, idiot."

Qi Lin frowned. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely," Jiang Xu affirmed.

They both looked ahead at the two people walking side by side.

Chen Mo was still shaking the water off his hands, while Xi Siyan, who was on the phone, occasionally responded with an "mm-hm," appearing somewhat aloof. Everything seemed normal; at first glance, they appeared to be good classmates or friends.

After watching for a while, Qi Lin no longer dwelled on the oddity.

By that afternoon, the rumor that Chen Mo had taught Li Rui a lesson in the cafeteria had spread throughout the sophomore year.

It wasn’t surprising for a school bully to occasionally discipline someone. However, many were also speculating why Yang Shule, a campus star, had suddenly become close to someone like Li Rui.

This speculation seemed to find a clue on the afternoon after the final exams.

The cause was a middle-aged man with a bruised face who appeared at the school gate and started causing a commotion.

He claimed he had been beaten by someone from the school.

When the security guard asked who had beaten him, he couldn’t name anyone. But many students leaving the school heard him yelling, "I’ll have you know, I’m Yang Shule’s father! That little brat must have sent someone to beat me up and threatened me, saying if I cause trouble for that little punk again, I’ll be forced to go back to the countryside and never see the sun again. Pah!"

The man spat rudely on the ground.

He continued cursing, "A bunch of little bastards, daring to mess with me. If your school doesn’t give me an explanation today, I’ll hang a banner outside the Education Bureau tomorrow and let the leaders know how your school educates its students!"

The middle-aged man seemed to have some money recently.

His clothes weren’t as shabby, but his crude and violent demeanor remained unchanged, especially after being beaten up, making him look quite disheveled.

Many people gathered around the school gate, pointing and whispering.

At that moment, Chen Mo was actually sitting in a black car by the roadside outside the school gate.

It was a car sent by the Yang family.

Since moving into the dorms, Chen Mo had only returned to the Yang residence once, which was when Yang Zhi drove back late one night without his notice. Now that the semester was ending and the New Year was approaching, staying in the dorms was no longer practical, so Chen Mo naturally got into the car.

The driver, who was originally sending a message to Yang Shule, who hadn’t come out yet, was distracted by the commotion at the gate.

After watching for a while, he looked puzzled.

He turned to look at the calm young man in the back seat and hesitated, "Young Master Mo, that man..."

"Chen Jianli," Chen Mo glanced out the window casually. He didn’t expect Yang Shule’s small tricks to remain hidden for long. He said, "He’s very troublesome. If you think it’s necessary, report it to your boss."

The driver was taken aback but hesitated to act.

The driver wasn’t stupid.

The Yang family knew Chen Jianli had come to Sui City early on. Even Mrs. Yang had hired bodyguards for Yang Shule, fearing he might cause trouble.

But the current situation suggested that Chen Jianli had been bothering Yang Shule for some time.

Yang Shule had never asked the Yang family for help and managed to avoid the bodyguards, indicating he didn’t want anyone to know.

Rich families are complicated, especially the Yang family, whose relationships are not easily explained.

This wasn’t something a mere driver should involve himself in.

The driver looked at the gate and suddenly said, "Looks like I won’t be needed. The school leaders are coming out."

Chen Mo looked out.

Indeed, several school officials appeared and spoke to Chen Jianli. Soon, he was escorted into the school, away from the commotion at the gate.

Chen Mo wasn’t surprised.

Given Chen Jianli’s threat to cause a scene at the Education Bureau, and Yang Shule’s rising popularity as the face of the school, the school wouldn’t easily abandon him. They would naturally try to suppress any issues.

Chen Mo withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Let’s go. Yang Shule probably won’t come out for now."

The driver didn’t hesitate. "Alright, I’ll take you back first."

Halfway through the journey,

the driver recalled the fluctuating attitude of the Yang family’s eldest son towards the real heir and thought of another young master entangled with his biological father. He sensed that the person sitting in the backseat was no longer the Chen Mo who could be manipulated by any servant of the Yang family.

He was too composed, giving people the impression that he had everything under control.

Yet he was also indifferent, as if unaffected by any external opinions or gossip.

He barely appeared at the Yang residence for months.

But even just sitting in the car, he commanded attention.

The driver tried to make small talk, "Young Master Xiao Mo, how did your final exams go?"

"Fine."

"Haha, Mr. and Mrs. Chen must be very happy."

Chen Mo met the driver's gaze in the rearview mirror with a half-smile, "Are they?"

The driver promptly fell silent.

Everyone knew that Chen Mo was far less valued in the Yang family compared to Yang Shule. Moreover, it was said that Yang Shule had been performing exceptionally well recently. Not only was he receiving special training at school, but he had also brought great prestige to the Yang family through various competitions and performances. Recently, whenever Mrs. Yang attended social gatherings, she would proudly praise her younger son.

Noticing the driver's cautious and somewhat sympathetic look, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

He knew why the driver had this attitude.

However, he was more interested in seeing Yang Shule's reaction when he realized that his alliance with a fool had inadvertently brought Chen Jianli openly into their home.

Returning to the Yang residence, it was nearly seven o'clock.

Seeing him come back alone, the servants in the villa had varied expressions.

But none dared to ask.

Chen Mo enjoyed the quiet and went upstairs to take a shower, changing into comfortable pajamas.

When he came downstairs again, he found that Yang Shule had returned and was sitting on the sofa, smiling brightly. He had his arm around Zhou Yaoqing, resting his head on her shoulder, and was playfully saying, "Mom, it's just an outstanding representative title." The moment he saw Chen Mo, he added, "But the school asked me to represent No. 1 High School at the national youth commendation conference next semester. I am a bit nervous."

Zhou Yaoqing smiled warmly and comforted him, "It's a good thing. What's there to be nervous about? When your father and brother get back, I'll have them give you a reward."

Mentioning Yang Qi'an and Yang Zhi, Yang Shule visibly stiffened.

His eyes betrayed his unease and anxiety.

Chen Mo noticed clearly; it seemed Yang Shule was afraid that today's events at school might reach the ears of these two. After all, the father-son duo were deeply involved in business and wouldn't be as isolated from information as the wealthy Mrs. Zhou Yaoqing.

It all depended on their attitude.

At this moment, Zhou Yaoqing noticed Chen Mo and, perhaps because she was in such a good mood, waved him over with a smile, "Xiao Mo, come sit here."

"Mom," Chen Mo called out, sitting down on the sofa diagonally opposite.

His obvious distance and lack of warmth made Zhou Yaoqing's expression soften slightly.

But she quickly smiled again, "The New Year is approaching. This is your first year back, so Mom thought we should celebrate properly. I've invited all our relatives from both sides of the family, as well as some of your father's close business partners, to join us. They will come to tailor new clothes for everyone."

Yang Shule immediately said, "How can you only make clothes for us? What about my older brother?"

"You, always thinking of your older brother," Zhou Yaoqing said, seemingly indulgently, "Your older brother is already grown up. I can't manage him, and besides, he has a steady girlfriend. It's not my place to interfere."

Yang Shule chuckled, "Sister-in-law, then we must treat her well."

Chen Mo lazily looked at his wrinkled fingertips from soaking in the bathtub.

His mind wandered.

In his previous life, during this New Year, Zhou Yaoqing had also said it was a celebration of his return. But it turned into a covert mockery and criticism session.

No one from the Zhou family came.

The other branches of the Yang family were more than happy to see their branch ridiculed.

Moreover, Chen Mo's situation back then was dire. Not only were unfamiliar cousins spreading rumors about his solitary behavior at school and comparing him unfavorably to Yang Shule, but behind closed doors, the whispers were even worse.

That New Year was terrible for Chen Mo, and naturally, it wasn't good for anyone else either.

Because Chen Mo overturned the table.

Making the scene particularly awkward.

The only person who left a somewhat positive impression on him was Yang Zhi's girlfriend.

Her surname was Su, Su Qianran, whom the Yang family had chosen as a suitable match for Yang Zhi.

This girl had a unique personality. She didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with using marriage as a bargaining chip and didn't expect any romantic spark with Yang Zhi. Their dates, meals, and even their engagement, were treated like tasks to be completed.

On that New Year's Eve, she was the first to smile at Chen Mo and say, "Flipping the table was pretty cool."

In the years that followed, she was indeed Chen Mo's nominal sister-in-law.

However, her relationship with Yang Zhi remained distant. She had her own business and even helped Chen Mo several times during his battle for the Yang family's equity.

Until the year Chen Mo died.

Once, Chen Mo overheard her arguing with Yang Zhi.

Yang Zhi questioned her, "Why do you keep meddling?!"

Su Qianran laughed coldly, "Yang Zhi, haven't you been blind and heartless for long enough? Isn't it nice to deceive yourself? How hypocritical are you!"

Chen Mo didn't know what triggered the argument, but he felt that this sister-in-law was truly a free spirit, marrying Yang Zhi was a waste.

And now that Yang Shule said he wanted to treat this sister-in-law well, Chen Mo knew he was going to be doing all the work for nothing.

Because Su Qianran intensely disliked Yang Shule.

Chen Mo had even suspected before that her repeated help might be because she disliked Yang Shule and thus also disliked Yang Zhi, who always indulged him.

Soon, Yang Qi'an and Yang Zhi returned from work.

Father and son entered one after the other, their faces revealing no particular expression.

However, after Yang Shule enthusiastically called out "Dad" and "Big Brother," their responses seemed rather lukewarm.

After some brief pleasantries,

Yang Qi'an surprisingly asked Chen Mo to follow him to his study.

Chen Mo, under Yang Shule's envious glare, got up, passed by Yang Zhi, who looked at him with mixed emotions, and followed Yang Qi'an.

Yang Qi'an's study exuded an air of scholarly elegance.

Despite not having much business acumen and being less decisive than his eldest son, he was once a young man who fancied himself as talented, which is why Zhou Yaoqing always suspected he had someone else on the side.

"Sit." Yang Qi'an pointed to the sofa opposite him as he entered.

Chen Mo sat down calmly.

Yang Qi'an took off his jacket and sat down on the other end of the sofa.

After what seemed like a long deliberation, he finally spoke, "Has your adoptive father caused any trouble at school?"

Hearing this, Chen Mo knew he must have found out about today's incident at school.

Chen Mo shook his head, "No."

"That's good." Yang Qi'an nodded.

But then, he didn't know how to inquire about Chen Mo's past.

Was it guilt or regret?

He couldn't tell.

When they first found Chen Mo, the Yang family was immediately embroiled in public scrutiny. He was busy dealing with various issues, listening to his wife constantly talk about how their adopted son was too ill to get out of bed. He started feeling anxious too, though he knew Chen Mo's past life had been terrible and that Chen Jianli wasn't a good person. But he never thought to thoroughly investigate or delve deeper.

Plus, when Chen Mo returned, he showed a very strong personality.

Over time, people forgot to ask, "How were your seventeen years?"

The serious investigation into Chen Jianli began only after he caused a scene at the company gate.

Initially, they just wanted to pay him off, but he turned out to be a persistent nuisance. Now, the investigation results are out, and they've just learned that Chen Jianli has been involved with his supposedly innocent, naive son for quite some time.

That's not all.

As Chen Jianli's life history unfolded, the Yang family faced stark reality and truth.

Seventeen years of Chen Mo's unasked-about life.

The text was simple.

Chen Jianli had a son, whom he suspected wasn't his own, and tried multiple times to get rid of him or cause an accidental death.

Due to years of abuse, their relationship was strained, leading to frequent physical altercations. There were eight documented hospital visits at county-level hospitals, with incomplete records below that level...

If these documents had come out when Chen Mo was first found, Yang Qi'an might have completely overlooked them due to the chaos at the company.

But it happened now.

The son in front of him was not the stubborn, cold-eyed teenager he remembered.

He slumped on the sofa, seemingly boneless.

Someone was messaging him on his phone, and he occasionally glanced at it, responding briefly.

When did he become like this?

Proud and noble, as if raised in luxury, showing no signs of any darkness.

So some questions, once missed, can never be asked again.

Yang Qi'an waited for a while, realizing he genuinely didn't care why he was called here, so he asked, "Who are you messaging? Classmates?"

Chen Mo didn't look up, "Yeah."

At that moment, he tapped a few buttons on his phone.

He replied to a group called "Unknown Underground Organization," which Lao Gou had created. It had about ten members, mostly from the experimental class.

The group was discussing the incident from the afternoon.

Gou Yiyang: "Latest intel: Your 'great dad' raked in a fortune from the school."

Jiang Xu: "Is this a new way to get rich?"

Bai Cheng: "Isn't the point that the guy is Yang Shule's dad? What does it have to do with our Young Master Mo?"

XX: "Exactly, what does it have to do with our Young Master Mo?"

XX: "Yang Shule truly is the chosen one. The school actually paid to settle, unheard of."

Gou Yiyang: "Mo Mo, Mo Mo, Mo Mo, say something?"

Jiang Xu: "Did you get so angry that you cried?"

Gou Yiyang: "Get lost! Brother Mo is straight as an arrow, he bleeds but doesn’t cry."

A new message popped up amidst the continuously scrolling messages.

XSY: "@SilenceIsNotGoldButYourGrandpa, are you asleep?"

SilenceIsNotGoldButYourGrandpa: "No."

The group was silent for three seconds.

Ellipses started spreading across the screen...