After the cafeteria incident, everyone’s mood was somewhat dampened. As they left, Qi Lin couldn’t help but comment, “Old Xi doesn’t seem that angry.”
“Why would he be?” Jiang Xu, walking beside him, teased casually, “Young Master Mo just almost tore Li Rui’s mouth apart. Who would still be dumb enough to provoke Old Xi now?”
“It’s weird,” Qi Lin muttered, scratching his head.
Jiang Xu was puzzled. “What’s weird about it?”
Qi Lin rarely thought too deeply about these things, but he had a nagging feeling that something was off. He just couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. “Do you really think Xi Si is the kind of person who hides behind others and needs someone to stand up for him? I was about to step in, but he stopped me. And why did Chen Mo do that? He didn’t say a word from start to finish.”
Jiang Xu gave him a look of disdain.
“Are you as fierce as Brother Mo?”
“Old Xi was just afraid you’d get beaten up, idiot.”
Qi Lin frowned. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” Jiang Xu was sure of it.
They both turned their attention to the two people walking side by side ahead.
Chen Mo was still shaking the water off his hands, while Xi Siyan was on a phone call, occasionally responding with a nonchalant hum. Everything seemed normal. At a glance, they just looked like classmates with a good relationship—maybe even friends.
Qi Lin watched for a while and eventually shrugged off the thought.
The rumor that Chen Mo had taught Li Rui a lesson in the cafeteria that afternoon spread like wildfire throughout the second-year classes.
A school bully occasionally putting someone in their place wasn’t particularly shocking, but what drew even more attention was the sudden friendship between Yang Shule—the campus star—and someone like Li Rui.
Speculations swirled until, on the afternoon after the final exam, things took an even stranger turn.
It all started when a middle-aged man with a swollen face and a bruised nose showed up at the school gate, making a scene.
He loudly claimed he had been beaten by students from the school.
The security guard asked who did it.
He couldn’t give a name, but many students who had just finished their exams overheard his angry ranting:
“I’m telling you, I’m Yang Shule’s biological father! That little bastard must’ve hired someone to beat me up! He even threatened me, saying that if I dared to cause trouble for him again, he’d send me back to the countryside where I’d never see the sun again—bah!”
The man spat rudely on the ground.
Then he cursed again, “You little brats think you can mess with me? Listen up, if your school doesn’t give me an explanation today, I’ll take this to the Education Bureau! I’ll hang a banner and lie down in front of their office until the officials see how you educate your students!”
The man seemed to have come into some money recently.
His clothes weren’t as tattered as before, but his overall appearance remained rough and unkempt. His swollen face and disheveled state showed clear signs of the beating he had just taken.
A small crowd gathered at the school gate, whispering and pointing at him.
At that moment, Chen Mo was sitting in a black car parked at the roadside near the entrance.
It was the car the Yang family had sent to pick someone up.
Ever since Chen Mo started living on campus, he had only gone back to the Yang residence once—and that was when Yang Zhi had secretly driven him back late at night. Now that the semester was over and the new year was approaching, staying in the dorms was no longer an option. So, without hesitation, he got into the car.
The driver had been waiting for Yang Shule, who hadn’t come out yet. But now, even he was drawn to the commotion outside.
His expression became odd as he glanced at the calm young man in the back seat. Hesitantly, he said, “Young Master Mo, that man…”
“Chen Jianli,” Chen Mo said casually, his gaze flicking toward the scene outside the window. He wasn’t surprised that Yang Shule’s secrets had finally come to light. He remarked, “He’s hard to deal with. If you think it’s necessary, you might want to report this to your boss.”
The driver was momentarily stunned but didn’t move.
He wasn’t an idiot.
The Yang family had known about Chen Jianli’s presence in Suicheng for a while. Mrs. Yang had even hired bodyguards to protect Yang Shule, fearing that the man would come looking for trouble.
Yet judging by what was happening now, it was clear that Chen Jianli had been harassing Yang Shule for quite some time.
And Yang Shule had deliberately kept it hidden.
The dynamics in wealthy families were always complicated.
Especially in the Yang family, where relationships couldn’t be explained in just a few words.
This wasn’t something a mere driver should get involved in.
After watching for a bit longer, the driver suddenly said, “Looks like I won’t need to do anything. The school administrators are stepping in.”
Chen Mo glanced out.
Sure enough, a few authoritative-looking figures had arrived at the scene. They exchanged words with Chen Jianli, and before long, the man was led into the school, out of sight from the students.
Chen Mo wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
Forget the Education Bureau—if Chen Jianli really started making trouble, the school wouldn’t let it slide. Yang Shule was now their poster boy, their model student. No. 1 Middle School had no intention of letting a scandal ruin their shining example.
Chen Mo withdrew his gaze and said calmly, “Let’s go. Yang Shule won’t be coming out anytime soon.”
The driver didn’t hesitate. “Alright, I’ll take you home first, Young Master Mo.”
Halfway through the drive, the driver suddenly recalled something.
Lately, the eldest son of the Yang family, Yang Zhi, seemed to be wavering in his stance toward this young master in the back seat. And now, there was another young master who had clearly gotten himself into trouble thanks to his biological father.
The driver keenly sensed that the person sitting behind him was no longer the same Chen Mo that the Yang family’s servants used to gossip about.
He was calm. Too calm.
It was the kind of calmness that made it feel like everything was within his control.
Yet at the same time, it was distant—as if he wasn’t the least bit concerned with anyone’s opinions or the swirling rumors.
He hadn’t stepped into the Yang residence in months.
But now, simply sitting in the car, his presence was impossible to ignore.
After a moment of thought, the driver made small talk. “How did your finals go, Young Master Mo?”
“Good.”
“Haha, then Sir and Madam will surely be pleased.”
Chen Mo met the driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror and smiled faintly. “You think so?”
The driver immediately fell silent.
Everyone knew that Chen Mo wasn’t treated as well as Yang Shule in the Yang family. And recently, Yang Shule had been thriving—excelling in academics, winning awards, and even bringing prestige to the family through competitions and performances. Mrs. Yang had been boasting about her youngest son at every social event.
Looking at Chen Mo now, the driver hesitated.
There was something unsettling about how unfazed he seemed.
He wasn’t anxious, wasn’t bitter. He simply knew.
As if he was just sitting back, waiting to see how much chaos Yang Shule would cause for himself.
By the time Chen Mo arrived back at the Yang residence, it was nearly seven o’clock.
The servants in the villa had mixed expressions upon seeing him return alone.
But no one dared to ask any questions.
Chen Mo welcomed the peace and quiet, heading straight upstairs to take a shower and change into his pajamas.
When he came back down, he found that Yang Shule had already returned. He was sitting on the sofa, smiling brightly, holding onto Zhou Yaoqing’s arm, and leaning his head against his mother’s shoulder as he spoke in a soft, spoiled tone.
“Mom, it’s just an Outstanding Representative title,” he said, but the moment he noticed Chen Mo, he added, “But the school has asked me to represent No. 1 Middle School at the National Youth Commendation Conference next semester. I am feeling a little nervous about it.”
Zhou Yaoqing beamed with pride and comforted him, “That’s a great honor. There’s no need to be nervous. When your father and brother come home later, I’ll ask them to reward you properly.”
At the mention of Yang Qi’an and Yang Zhi, Yang Shule’s movements noticeably stiffened.
His eyes revealed a flicker of anxiety and unease.
Chen Mo observed this reaction clearly.
Yang Shule was afraid that today’s incident at school would reach his father and brother’s ears. After all, while Zhou Yaoqing, as a wealthy wife, was relatively disconnected from external affairs, the father and son—immersed in the business world—were far more aware of the latest news.
How they would react was what truly mattered.
At this moment, Zhou Yaoqing finally noticed Chen Mo. Perhaps because she was in an exceptionally good mood, she smiled and waved him over. “Xiao Mo, come and sit down.”
“Mom,” Chen Mo greeted, taking a seat on the far end of the sofa.
His obviously distant and indifferent attitude made Zhou Yaoqing’s smile falter slightly.
But she quickly regained her composure and said, “The New Year is coming soon. This will be your first New Year since coming home, and I want to celebrate it properly. I’ve invited all the relatives from both my side and your father’s side, as well as some of your father’s close business partners. We’ll also have someone come over to tailor two sets of new clothes for you.”
Yang Shule immediately chimed in, “Why only for us? What about Big Brother?”
“You always think of your big brother,” Zhou Yaoqing said, pretending to be helpless yet doting. “But he’s an adult now. He has his own stable girlfriend, so I don’t need to worry about him anymore.”
Yang Shule chuckled. “Then we must entertain our sister-in-law properly.”
Meanwhile, Chen Mo lazily examined his fingertips, still slightly wrinkled from soaking in the bath.
But his thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
In his past life, Zhou Yaoqing had also claimed this New Year’s celebration was meant to welcome his return.
Yet in reality, it had almost turned into a gathering where he was subtly mocked.
None of the Zhou family members showed up.
The Yang family relatives, delighted to watch the spectacle, whispered among themselves.
At that time, Chen Mo was already in a poor situation.
The cousins he barely knew gossiped about how he was an outcast at school, comparing him to the dazzling and beloved Yang Shule. The mockery behind his back was endless.
That New Year was miserable for him.
But since he suffered, he made sure no one else had a good time either.
Because that night, Chen Mo flipped the entire table.
The scene had turned particularly ugly.
The only person from that night who left a somewhat positive impression on him was Yang Zhi’s girlfriend.
Her surname was Su—Su Qianran.
She was the marriage partner that the Yang family had long arranged for Yang Zhi.
She was an unusual woman.
She didn’t seem to mind the idea of using marriage as a business transaction, nor did she expect any sparks of love to ignite between her and Yang Zhi. Dating, having meals together, even getting engaged—it was all just a task to be completed.
That New Year’s Eve, after the chaos of the overturned table, she was the first to look at Chen Mo with a smirk and say:
“That table flip was really impressive.”
In the years that followed, she was indeed Chen Mo’s nominal sister-in-law.
But her relationship with Yang Zhi remained distant.
She had her own business ventures, and during Chen Mo’s fight for shares in the Yang family, she had even secretly helped him multiple times.
Until the year he died.
Chen Mo had occasionally overheard arguments between her and Yang Zhi.
Yang Zhi had snapped at her, demanding, “Why do you always interfere in other people’s business?!”
And Su Qianran had scoffed, “Yang Zhi, you’ve been blind for so many years. Haven’t you had enough? Does it feel good to keep deceiving yourself? You’re so hypocritical.”
Chen Mo had never learned what caused that argument.
But he had always thought it was a waste for a woman like Su Qianran to have married Yang Zhi.
Now, hearing Yang Shule say that they must treat their sister-in-law well, Chen Mo knew his efforts would be futile.
Because Su Qianran hated Yang Shule.
In his past life, he had even suspected that the reason she helped him so many times was purely because she despised Yang Shule—and, by extension, the brother who always indulged him.
Not long after, Yang Qi’an and Yang Zhi returned from work.
The father and son entered one after the other, their faces revealing nothing of their thoughts.
But after Yang Shule enthusiastically called out, “Dad, Big Brother!” their responses were noticeably lukewarm.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, for the first time, Yang Qi’an looked at Chen Mo and said, “Come with me to the study.”
Chen Mo stood up.
Yang Shule bit his lip, watching with jealousy, while Yang Zhi, who had been silent, cast him a complicated look.
Chen Mo ignored both of them and followed Yang Qi’an into the study.
Inside, the room carried a faint scent of books.
Yang Qi’an might not have been particularly astute in business—certainly not as sharp as his eldest son—but in his youth, he had been known as a scholar. If not, Zhou Yaoqing wouldn’t have spent so many years suspecting him of having an affair.
“Sit down.” Yang Qi’an gestured to the sofa opposite him.
Chen Mo sat down calmly.
Yang Qi’an took off his coat, sat across from him, and fell into thought for a while before speaking.
“Your adoptive father didn’t go to the school to cause trouble for you, did he?”
Hearing this, Chen Mo immediately knew that Yang Qi’an had already learned about what happened today.
He shook his head. “No.”
“That’s good.” Yang Qi’an nodded.
But after saying that, he fell silent again.
He didn’t know how to bring up Chen Mo’s past.
Was it guilt?
Or regret?
It was hard to say.
When Yang Qi’an first found Chen Mo, he was immediately caught in a whirlwind of public opinion. He had been too busy handling external pressures, and when his wife spoke about how their youngest son—the one they had raised for years—was so ill that he could barely get out of bed, Yang Qi’an began to feel anxious.
It wasn’t that he was unaware of Chen Mo’s miserable past, or that Chen Jianli was a vile person.
He simply never thought to investigate further.
Moreover, from the moment Chen Mo returned, his temperament had been tough and unyielding.
Over time, people forgot to ask him: How have you been living these past seventeen years?
The real investigation into Chen Jianli only began when he made a scene at the company entrance.
Originally, the Yang family’s plan was simple—pay him off and get rid of him.
But Chen Jianli turned out to be like a persistent leech.
Now that the investigation was complete, they had just learned that he had been entangled with the very son they once thought was innocent and oblivious.
That wasn’t even the most shocking part.
As the details of Chen Jianli’s life unfolded, the father and son of the Yang family were confronted with a brutal reality.
These were the seventeen years no one had ever asked Chen Mo about.
The report was concise:
Chen Jianli had a son, but he always suspected the boy wasn’t biologically his. He tried multiple times to abandon him or orchestrate an “accident” to get rid of him.
Due to years of abuse, the relationship between father and son was extremely hostile. They had fought countless times, leading to eight recorded hospital visits at medical centers above the county level. The data for hospitals below that level was incomplete, making it impossible to count…
Had this report been available when Chen Mo was first found, Yang Qi’an might have ignored it altogether, overwhelmed by the chaos in his company.
But now, the timing was different.
The young man sitting before him was no longer the boy with cold eyes, stubbornly refusing to bend.
Instead, he lounged on the sofa, his entire posture lazy and relaxed, as if he had no bones in his body.
His phone vibrated occasionally. He would glance at the screen, type a few words in response, and then go back to idly scrolling.
At what point did he become like this?
He carried himself with the grace and confidence of someone who had been raised in wealth, his demeanor polished and untouchable. There wasn’t a single trace of his dark past left on him.
Some questions, once the opportunity passed, could never be asked again.
Yang Qi’an waited for a long time, but Chen Mo showed no curiosity about why he had been called in. Finally, Yang Qi’an broke the silence.
“Who are you texting? A classmate?”
Chen Mo didn’t even look up. “Yeah.”
At the same time, his fingers moved across his phone screen.
He was replying to a message in a group chat called Unknown Underground Organization.
The group was full of idiots—around ten people in total—most of them from the experimental class.
Right now, they were all discussing the incident from that afternoon.
Gou Yiyang: “Breaking news! Your dear old dad, Mo Mo, just made a fortune off the school.”
Jiang Xu: “Is this a new get-rich-quick scheme?”
Bai Cheng: “Isn’t the real issue that the guy is Yang Shule’s father? What does this have to do with our Master Mo?”
XX: “Exactly, nothing to do with Master Mo.”
XX: “Yang Shule really is the chosen one. I’ve never heard of a school paying off trouble like this before.”
Gou Yiyang: “Mo Mo, Mo Mo, Mo Mo, say something!”
Jiang Xu: “Did you get so mad you’re crying?”
Gou Yiyang: “Get lost! Brother Mo is a real man. He bleeds, but he doesn’t cry.”
As the chat continued to scroll, a new message popped up.
XSY: “@Silence is not golden, your grandfather—are you asleep?”
Silence is not golden, your grandfather: “No.”
The group chat went silent for three seconds.
Then, the screen was filled with ellipses:
……
