Chapter 35 Bullying

Chapter 35: Bullying

No one had thought of arranging a car for Yan Zhoubai in the underground garage.

Bai Rong, who had just been basking in the joy of reuniting with her biological son, was immediately struck by the realization of how much she had neglected the other son she had watched grow up.

"'Xiao Bai' hasn't taken his driver's test yet, just like you. Once he gets his license, he'll naturally have a car. He can choose whatever car he likes then," Yan Ren answered Bu Qiran's question for Bai Rong.

"Ah, right. You've been away for so many years, and I couldn't help but buy you a car first out of pain and guilt," Bai Rong knew her husband was giving her an out, so she went along with it.

"I see," Bu Qiran nodded. "Then let 'Xiao Bai' and I take the driver's test together after he finishes preparing for the entrance exam."

"Master, your biological parents are truly too good to you. Although that impostor took your place, he's really not valued much in this family, is he?"

The system's voice was brimming with schadenfreude; it had witnessed Bai Rong's panic and Yan Ren's attempts to cover up. It felt that its host was actually in a better position than in the original plot, which was perfect for achieving their ultimate goal.

"Yeah, he really isn't valued much in this family," Bu Qiran's voice betrayed no emotion.

"Whatever makes you happy," Bai Rong never hesitated to display her doting affection for her newly returned biological son.

*Yan Zhoubai, have you been living too insignificantly in the Yan family? I gave you my identity for eighteen years, and you ended up making yourself so invisible?*

Bu Qiran looked at his mother's happy, smiling face but thought of Yan Zhoubai.

...

Yan Zhoubai was utterly shocked when he saw the news on his social media.

So, the news about Ji Yangwen and the other two that Zhan Jiayu said would interest him was this. And indeed, he was very interested.

Lixing High School, the best private school in Jing City. Almost all children from wealthy families in Jing City attended here for middle and high school unless they were certain about studying abroad. Yan Zhoubai was no exception.

As a high-tuition private school with strong teaching staff and a concentration of students from wealthy families, Lixing High School had always been at the center of attention. Any minor incident would draw widespread scrutiny.

And today, Lixing High School was rocked by multiple severe cases of school bullying, involving dozens of main perpetrators, all from top wealthy families in Jing City. The names Ji Yangwen, Dai Jian, and Rong Qian were listed prominently.

"Well? I thought you'd be very interested in this news. It'll probably spread online by tomorrow morning or even late tonight."

Zhan Jiayu's timing was perfect. Yan Zhoubai had just opened his social media and saw the news. Such explosive news would first circulate within the circles of these second- and third-generation rich kids before reaching the internet and media.

"How did this happen?"

Yan Zhoubai hadn't expected Zhan Jiayu's news to be this significant.

Wealthy families value their reputations. If such incidents aren't exposed on a large scale, even if someone speaks out, few pay attention. But once exposed, it becomes blatantly explosive news and leverage against the families. If exploited by malicious individuals or business competitors, it could deal a severe blow to each family involved.

"Babe, this wasn't in the original plot. Logically, this should be a significant plot point," the system was also surprised.

"And isn't this what we were planning to do? Did someone do it first? Was it the villain boss?"

All clues pointed to Zhan Jiayu being involved. He had specifically asked Yan Zhoubai to meet today and told him this news, which clearly hadn't spread yet.

If he wasn't the one who did it, he at least knew about it in advance.

"Lixing High School is such a big target. Anyone who wants to investigate these things can easily find them; it's just that no one wanted to or dared to."

Zhan Jiayu's tone sounded indifferent, even though he knew this incident might cause an uproar in Jing City's wealthy circles.

Zhan Jiayu glanced at a message from Assistant Chen on his phone and continued, "As for the three lying in the hospital, Rong Qian and Dai Jian, with lighter injuries, have been summoned home by their families for questioning. As for Ji Yangwen, the Ji family has probably already arrived at Central Hospital."

Yan Zhoubai had been stunned since learning the news. While Zhan Jiayu was speaking, he kept his head slightly lowered. After a while, he looked up, as if having made up his mind, and asked:

"Was this your doing?"

"What do you think?" Zhan Jiayu shot back.

Yan Zhoubai felt that Zhan Jiayu's gaze seemed to carry a hidden meaning, but he couldn't quite decipher what it was.

Zhan Jiayu's counter-question basically amounted to an admission.

The villain boss is indeed the villain boss. Once he makes a move, he stirs up trouble.

"Can I ask why you did this? You shouldn't have any beef with Ji Yangwen and the other two, right?" Urged by the system, Yan Zhoubai asked this question.

"Didn't they bully you?"

Yan Zhoubai had kind of hoped for this answer, but when it actually came, he found it hard to believe.

"Babe, stop zoning out! Quick, suck up to him! The villain boss is a real bro—he had your back just like that! My plan to have you build a good relationship with him was simply genius!"

The system's voice sounded even more excited than Yan Zhoubai felt. It was increasingly convinced of its own good judgment of people.

"Villain boss, can I become your little brother?"

Yan Zhoubai certainly agreed with the system. If they weren't sitting at a dining table, he might have literally "hugged Zhan Jiayu's thigh" right then and there.

Zhan Jiayu never expected that after helping Yan Zhoubai deal with those jerks, Yan Zhoubai's reaction would be this.

Villain boss? Hugging thighs? Is this what he wanted?

Although he hadn't intended to pressure Yan Zhoubai into doing anything in return—he simply wanted to settle past scores for Yan Zhoubai—he had hoped this would make Yan Zhoubai realize his feelings to some extent. But given Yan Zhoubai's somewhat cluelessness, he probably wouldn't get it.

At the very least, he had imagined Yan Zhoubai would thank him, not ask to be his subordinate.

What kind of response is this?

He returned to the country to do legitimate business; why did it suddenly feel like some mafia movie scene?

"Why do you want to call me your boss?" Zhan Jiayu asked.

"Because you're amazing! You handled all three of them in one go. I could never do that, so I want to call you my big brother," Yan Zhoubai answered honestly.

"You want to call me your big brother just for that?" Zhan Jiayu's voice suddenly lowered, actually a sign he was somewhat unhappy.

If Yan Zhoubai wanted to call him his big brother just for this, would he call anyone who dealt with Ji Yangwen and the other two his big brother?

Dealing with those guys wasn't even that hard. Couldn't his nosy, do-gooder half-brother do the same? It's just that he never cared about Yan Zhoubai before.

Oh, wait, he doesn't need to acknowledge that one—that's already his big brother.

Thinking this, Zhan Jiayu felt even worse. So, he's just on the same level as Yan Anxuan?

"Not just that. I wanted to call you my big brother before, but I never got the chance," Yan Zhoubai suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. "It's just... I've heard a little about you. The fact that you managed to make your mark in the Zhan family is really impressive. You're practically my idol."

Compared to his somewhat shy tone, Yan Zhoubai's eyes were much more direct, completely full of admiration.

Zhan Jiayu saw it and couldn't help but smirk. Then he asked, "But wanting to be my subordinate comes with conditions. It's not just because you want to that you can."

"I'll agree to any condition!" Yan Zhoubai replied quickly, but after answering, he seemed to remember something and added, "Although I don't know how to do anything, I can learn."

What Yan Zhoubai meant by "not knowing how to do anything" was that he had never been involved in the kind of gray—or even black-market—operations that Zhan Jiayu and his associates engaged in. He was afraid he wouldn't measure up as a proper underling—no, a proper henchman.

Somehow, Zhan Jiayu seemed to read this underlying meaning from Yan Zhoubai's eyes—and he was genuinely annoyed.

But he did confirm one thing: Yan Zhoubai had some idea of what the Zhan family did in Country A, which was why he had always treated him this way.

Ah well—it didn't matter if he knew. He would find out sooner or later anyway, and it wasn't exactly a secret. He'd been worried about scaring him before, but it seemed he'd overthought it.

"To be my henchman, you'd at least have to stick with me all the time, right? If you're always keeping your distance, how would anyone know you're my henchman?" Zhan Jiayu leaned back in his chair with an air of calm authority.

Now it was Yan Zhoubai's turn to hesitate. This was one condition he really couldn't agree to—at least not for now.

"But I need to study for the college entrance exams soon. If I don't review, I might not get into university. I don't think you'd want a henchman with only a middle school education, right?"

Yan Zhoubai tried to argue his case. After all, as much as he wanted to cling to the villainous boss, he also really wanted to go to college.

"Then come with me. I can get you the best tutors to make sure you get into a university in Jing City. How about that?"

Zhan Jiayu leaned forward, his eyebrows slightly lowered, and an aura of authority instantly radiated from him.

"Isn't Mr. Zhan being a bit excessive? Why are you always so interested in other people's younger brothers?"

The door to the private room suddenly swung open, and Yan Anxuan stood at the entrance.

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Author’s Note: Here it is—slightly late. Sorry, sorry!

More tomorrow. This week there’s a ranking list. [Let me see.]

If the new chapter hasn’t appeared, dear readers, you may need to clear your cache. Mwah! [Heart]