Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The atmosphere grew tense.

A conflict was imminent.

Little Mushroom’s face was stiff as he turned his head, scanning the room.

The people opposite him also wore strained expressions.

They looked a little guilty.

“We—”

“This is the class monitor’s seat, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

Shen Ju looked down, confirming his surroundings, then mumbled, “It should be right here.”

He didn’t wait for Tang Yuexin to catch up; he was in a hurry to leave.

Otherwise…

“Shen Ju, why are you still in the classroom?”

“Perfect timing, let’s head out together.”

Guan Mulin came over from the next class and happened to spot Shen Ju.

Compared to Shen Ju’s delicate, pretty features, Guan Mulin’s were gentler, refined and elegant, like a skillfully composed ink wash painting with just the right amount of blank space—strikingly graceful.

Though similar in height, the two stood together with distinctly different styles.

After speaking, Guan Mulin looked at Shen Ju, a smile almost playing on his lips.

It had only been a few days since Shen Ju transferred, and in that time, he hadn’t managed to run into Shen Ju even once.

“Looks like we can share a ride home today.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy across from him pouted and mumbled, “Who wants to ride home with you?”

“You’re here to see me embarrassed too, aren’t you, Guan Mulin? Because I didn’t do well on the exam.”

“Too?”

Guan Mulin paused. “Who else is watching you make a fool of yourself?”

“See, I knew it!”

The boy seemed to be acting a bit unreasonable. “You’re just here to enjoy my shame!”

As he spoke, his face flushed.

It was especially noticeable against his fair skin, seemingly out of anger.

But Shen Ju blinked, his gaze darting around uncontrollably, his fingers picking at the bottom drawstring toggle until it was nearly frayed.

Before Guan Mulin could respond, the two standing silently beside him couldn’t hold back any longer:

“Guan Shenju, use some logic. You know perfectly well Mu Lin is the class monitor. He always leaves a few minutes late after school, okay?”

The one on Guan Mulin’s left was tall with broad shoulders and long legs, handsome and striking, with short hair that highlighted his sharp features and well-defined facial structure. He had a bit of a rebellious vibe about him. Crossing his arms, he tsked before continuing, “Meanwhile, you’re always the first to dash off after school. Your family even sends two cars to pick you up.”

“Guan Shenju, you sure like to show off.”

The one on Guan Mulin’s right, Ke Cheng, was also quite good-looking. He nodded in agreement. “Exactly. You’re clearly the one who stayed late today. Why are you blaming Mu Lin?”

“Wait, could it be you did this on purpose?”

Ke Cheng narrowed his eyes. “Left late on purpose so you could pin it on Mu Lin for coming to laugh at you—”

Guan Mulin frowned, about to interject.

“Um, excuse me, sorry to interrupt.”

Tang Yuexin, who had been standing nearby, finally stepped forward to cut off the two speakers. “Guan Shenju didn’t leave late. He came back to help me move a desk.”

As she spoke, Tang Yuexin pointed toward the new desk that had just been moved into the classroom.

“Right there.”

“I wanted to thank Guan Shenju, but I waited here since you were talking to him.”

Tang Yuexin gave an annoyed glance at Ke Cheng, then at Pei Haochuan on Guan Mulin’s left. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask the other students in our class.”

The two: “…………”

Tang Yuexin’s deskmate raised her hand. “I can vouch for that.”

Her tone was full of indignation.

After all, Shen Ju had just helped them, and now he was being unfairly accused.

Tsk, who’s framing whom here?

Looking at Shen Ju’s adorably sulky expression, it was hard not to feel sympathy for him.

With that thought, the deskmate couldn’t help but shoot a dirty look at Ke Cheng and mutter under her breath, “Honestly, next time can you check your facts before speaking?”

“…………”

Ke Cheng’s expression suddenly turned awkward, and he couldn’t help but rub the tip of his nose.

Pei Haochuan crossed his arms. “But it’s true that you always use two cars to get home.”

Guan Mulin nudged Pei Haochuan. “Enough. It’s not fair to expect Shen Ju to wait for me every time.”

“Both of you, cut it out.”

Guan Mulin sighed, feeling somewhat conflicted.

He knew that as friends, Pei Haochuan and Ke Cheng were concerned about him. After all, his current situation was awkward, and they worried he might be mistreated.

Besides, Shen Ju’s attitude toward him was indeed cold and distant.

Guan Mulin thought that Shen Ju probably disliked and resented him—which wasn’t surprising. After all, he had taken Shen Ju’s place in the family for over a decade. No one could remain completely unaffected or without some hard feelings.

And even after Shen Ju was acknowledged and welcomed back, Guan Mulin remained with the Guan family… If anyone had more reason to feel wronged, it was probably Shen Ju, not him.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to leave—it was that he had nowhere else to go.

The Guan family had raised him all these years—it wasn’t realistic to simply cast him out or sever ties abruptly.

So, it was inevitable that he and Shen Ju would share the same living space.

Guan Mulin believed it was his responsibility to take the initiative—even if Shen Ju hated and rejected him.

“Let’s go. We’re heading home.”

Guan Mulin smiled at Shen Ju and said, “Let’s get back early. We have to return to the ancestral residence tomorrow.”

The place they were returning to now was Yujin Mansion—a villa purchased to accommodate the children’s schooling. It wasn’t far from Qichen International High School, boasted an excellent location, and ranked among the neighborhood’s showcase properties. Aside from the adjacent showcase home, the entire area offered stunning views. Yujin Mansion also featured an internal small park with fully equipped amenities. Though prices were steep, properties there remained highly coveted.

As the car approached the courtyard gate, another vehicle came from the opposite direction—it seemed the neighbor was returning home as well.

“Hey—is that the Guan family’s car?”

Pei Yan glanced over and grunted noncommittally.

Gao Chuanbai leaned forward for a closer look: “The Guans have been making quite a stir lately… Have you seen the child they just brought back? What’s he like?”

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow, recalling the two cars returning one after another over the past few days—but remained noncommittal.

Verbally, however, he replied, “Haven’t seen him.”

Gao Chuanbai understood—this meant Pei Yan wasn’t interested.

Yet his curiosity wasn’t so easily quelled: “You live right next door to the Guans. Haven’t you had any contact with that child at all?”

The car stopped. Pei Yan turned to Gao Chuanbai: “If you’re so curious, why don’t you drop by?”

Gao Chuanbai, clutching a stack of documents, grimaced: “I still have a pile of work to discuss. If you weren’t so dead-set against working overtime at the office, I wouldn’t have had to follow you home.”

“I have a dog to feed.”

“What’s so special about your dog? Can’t you just use an automatic feeder?”

Gao Chuanbai’s tone grew exasperated: “You even come home at noon to feed it! Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re raising a starving infant!”

“Pretty much,” he said.

Pei Yan stepped out of the car and walked ahead, adding, “It won’t eat from an automatic feeder.”

“It can tell the difference?!”

“It’s smarter than you.”

“…………”

On the other side.

As Shen Ju stepped out of the car, he heard a dog bark again.

He couldn’t help but glance toward the neighbor’s wall—though he saw nothing. A faint disappointment flickered, and he wondered what breed the dog was.

Walking into the villa with Guan Mulin, they found Qin Suxi seated in the living room, streaming a short drama onto the screen.

“Su Nian! I’m telling you today—Weiwei has been raised by me since she was a child. Don’t I know what she’s like?! So what if Weiwei likes this mermaid-style evening gown? Can’t you just let her have it?! It’s just a dress—is it that serious?! I know you’ve suffered a lot outside, but that doesn’t mean you should come back and make Weiwei feel like she has no place here!”

“Mom, don’t blame my sister. It’s my fault. I’ll give the dress to Weiwei. I don’t mind.”

“Lin Wei, stop pretending! You took the evening gown I picked first—how dare you act like you’re in the right?”

*Internal monologue: In my past life, I always gave in and backed down—but what did I get in the end?! Nothing but even worse bullying and humiliation! Now that I’ve been reborn, what’s mine, I won’t yield an inch! What isn’t mine, I’ll fight to take it! In short—I won’t let these people gain even the slightest advantage!*

Clearly, it was a drama about a real and fake heiress.

Shen Ju: “……”

Guan Mulin: “……”

Guan Mulin couldn’t help but clear his throat lightly: “Mom—”

Qin Suxi jumped, quickly turned around, and—seeing Shen Ju and Guan Mulin—flushed slightly before swiftly shutting off the projection.

“Mom was just… taking notes from their mistakes.”

She swore it was true.

But the drama really *was* entertaining—and she genuinely couldn’t tear herself away. Before she knew it, the two children had already returned from school.

Qin Suxi instinctively changed the subject: “By the way, I saw in the parents’ group chat that the end-of-term exam results are out. They said you should spend some time during the break reviewing what you got wrong—”

Guan Mulin immediately shot Qin Suxi a warning look.

“Um… your exam results…”

Shen Ju frowned. He tugged at both straps of his small backpack, turned, and bolted upstairs, head down: “I’m going to my room first!”

“…………”

Qin Suxi looked at Guan Mulin and whispered, “Did he not do well?”

Guan Mulin sighed helplessly: “Mom, next time you binge-watch short dramas, remember to check your phone occasionally.”

“I *did* check it.”

“Check it more thoroughly.”

“……”

Qin Suxi pulled out her phone, opened the transcript shared in the group chat—and nearly fainted: “I really said the wrong thing this time… But just how many mistakes did this child make?”

“He must be tired of me being his mother.”

Qin Suxi tossed her phone aside and collapsed onto the sofa.

Guan Mulin hesitated a moment—but couldn’t resist asking: “Did you watch a period drama today too?”

“Yes, son. How did you know?”

“…………”

Probably something like *this*.

On the other side, Shen Ju returned to his room, dropped his backpack, and flung himself onto the bed.

He couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly: “Bro 996—didn’t I do a pretty good job playing my role today? So my quest energy meter must’ve increased quite a bit, right?”

Author’s Note: