Xie Heng looked at her in surprise. “You’re going to my school… for what?”
Lu Xi replied casually, “Nothing much, just handling some business.”
Xie Heng frowned uncomfortably.
What could she possibly be doing at his school? There wasn’t a parent-teacher conference, nor was there a school event. The only thing he could think of was… those recent rumors about him.
Lu Xi paid no mind to his expression. She set down her chopsticks, went upstairs to change, and came back down a few minutes later. Patting Xie Heng on the shoulder, she said, “Let’s go, don’t be late.”
…But he was already late.
Last night, Xie Heng had stayed up until midnight doing homework. Then he couldn’t resist playing a round of games, which dragged on until past one. This morning, he had accidentally overslept.
The butler had taken leave to visit family, so there was no one to wake him up.
Xie Heng didn’t know what to say, so he just followed along in silence.
They shared a car ride to school.
Sitting in the back seat with her, Xie Heng absentmindedly played with his phone, but he couldn’t focus on anything.
It felt just like their first meeting—that night when she had dragged him out of the bar and flicked his forehead. He had sat in the car, repeatedly questioning his life choices.
Honestly, Xie Heng was feeling incredibly conflicted right now.
Lu Xi standing up for him… It would be a lie to say he wasn’t touched, even if he didn’t really care what his classmates thought of him.
But she cared.
At the same time, he was worried.
Those idiots hadn’t just badmouthed him; they had also insulted her. Even though the posts had been deleted, she had probably already seen them.
Xie Heng had known for a while that Lu Xi browsed Mingli High’s forum.
He clenched his jaw.
Whatever happens, he just needed to get through today. But once he found out who made that post, he definitely wouldn’t let them off easy!
Lu Xi, however, had no idea what kind of complicated emotions her dear silly goose was experiencing.
Her trip to the school had nothing to do with him.
A couple of days ago, while browsing the Mingli forum, she had come across an official pinned post.
Mingli High’s 30th anniversary celebration was happening in mid-November, and the school was planning to introduce a new uniform design. They were currently recruiting designers.
Unlike previous years, this time the school wasn’t hiring a famous designer—even though they could easily afford it. Since this was a special occasion, they had decided that parents of current students would compete for the opportunity to design the uniform, making the event more meaningful.
Any parent, regardless of their profession, could sign up.
The final design would be chosen through a school-wide vote, with teachers, students, and parents all participating. The winning designer would receive a prize of 200,000 yuan.
Lu Xi found this move quite clever.
Two hundred thousand yuan was nothing to an elite private school—just about the cost of one student’s tuition for a year. Hiring a renowned designer from outside would have cost them much more.
Moreover, this approach was both engaging and strategic. It gave the new uniforms a special significance while also rallying enthusiasm from the entire school community.
Lu Xi could already predict fierce competition.
Mingli was a school for the wealthy, but its parents weren’t just rich—they included scholars and top professionals in various fields. There were bound to be quite a few designers among them.
In fact, some forum users had already commented that their parents were fashion designers and planned to participate.
The tougher the competition, the more motivated Lu Xi felt.
She also wanted to design the high school uniforms. Just imagining having her own son wear the uniforms she designed, she felt such a sense of accomplishment.
Even if she doesn’t get selected, at least it’s about participating.
Her mindset was good on this, as the studio was just starting out, and she needed some practical experience. This opportunity was perfect for her to practice.
The car quickly entered the school.
This was Lu Xi’s second time at Mingli, and this time it was during the day. The campus looked completely different under the bright sunlight compared to that night.
Rows of camphor trees lined the road, and the autumn wind carried the faint fragrance of osmanthus. On the playground, warm sunlight bathed the running boys and girls, filling the air with a beautiful, youthful energy.
Lu Xi couldn’t help but feel a little envious as she looked at the campus scenery through the car window, feeling a few years younger.
Xie Heng, however, saw it every day and didn’t feel a thing.
To him, school was just a place to clock in. He was used to passing the time and didn’t like school. The school probably didn’t like him either.
The car stopped in front of Teaching Building A.
Connected to Building A was the administrative office building, forming an L-shaped structure. It looked very grand and beautiful, well worth the tuition they paid.
Lu Xi got out of the car, and Xie Heng got out from the other side.
He glanced at her and was about to say something when he saw her take out her phone, frowning and focusing intently on the screen. He opened his mouth but closed it again.
Lu Xi walked toward the administrative building.
Xie Heng glanced at the stairs next to him. Walking this way was closer to the classrooms, but he followed behind Lu Xi, walking toward the other side.
The school broadcast suddenly played the melodious bell for the end of class.
He looked at his phone. It was 9:30, the second class had just finished.
Lu Xi put away her phone and glanced at him, with a bit of sarcasm : “You might as well come back in the afternoon.”
Xie Heng : “……”
He kept his face neutral, walking leisurely beside her, his voice a bit frustrated : “What exactly are you here for? Can’t you tell me?”
Lu Xi didn’t look at him : “I’m doing my business, you’re going to your classes. Why are you so nosy?”
Xie Heng paused.
He knew that Ms. Lu was the type who didn’t respond well to direct pressure; you had to approach her carefully.
Suddenly, he thought of a famous troublemaker in the villa area who often threw tantrums, lying on the ground crying and begging for ice cream, his mother always giving in.
*Cough*—
Rolling on the floor was not an option, crying wouldn’t work either, so the only choice was…
The boy awkwardly scratched his ear, his face awkward, hands nervously curling into his pockets. He spoke quietly : “What are you here for? Just tell me… I’m not, I’m not an outsider.”
Lu Xi : ?
She looked at him in confusion.
What’s wrong with this kid? Did he take some wrong medicine?
Come to think of it, his face and ears were slightly flushed, and recalling his odd comment earlier, maybe he really had a fever.
Lu Xi furrowed her brow, stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and placed the back of her hand on his forehead.
It didn’t feel feverish.
Xie Heng : “……”
He tightly pressed his lips together, his brow furrowed so much it looked like it was about to snap, hearing the noises from the surrounding teaching buildings and feeling many eyes on him.
Social death was coming too quickly.
He felt his temples throbbing, his toes digging into the floor, yet he couldn’t push this person’s hand away.
Though it was a bit embarrassing, it was soft and warm.
If he really had a fever, having such a hand beside him would be quite comforting.
“I’m fine,” the boy whispered, as if afraid that his words might upset her.
Lu Xi responded with a soft “Mm,” her gaze briefly falling on his face before she turned and continued toward the office building.
During the break, more and more students gathered in the corridors of both teaching buildings.
Some students from the classrooms came out to see what was going on because of the noise in the hallways.
The largest crowd was gathered around the two lowest floors where the first-year classes were.
Xie Heng was usually quite fierce, and not many people dared to mess with him.
But now, everyone was watching!
Song Siyang had just exited the boys’ bathroom when he overheard people talking about Xie Heng and mentioning his stepmother. His curiosity piqued, he pushed through the crowd and squeezed forward, narrowing his eyes as he looked closely.
Holy crap, that really is his stepmother!
Since everyone knew he was close with Xie Heng, they curiously asked him, “Is she really his stepmother, or is she his sister?”
If she’s a stepmother, she’s way too young! She doesn’t look much older than them.
If she dressed a bit younger, she could easily pass as a high school student!
What was even more unbelievable was that if she were his stepmother, how was the atmosphere so comfortable between them? The woman even touched his forehead, and the school tyrant just stood there obediently, like a confused puppy!
Song Siyang didn’t bother with them. He squeezed out of the crowd and ran toward the stairway connecting the teaching building and the office building.
He had to hurry!
There was something important he needed to tell Brother Heng!
Just then, someone ran past him from upstairs, faster than him, like a gust of wind brushing by.
Song Siyang : ?
It looked like Xu Jiaming!
Why was he running so fast? He was as graceful as a poised maiden, yet swift as a rabbit… Could it be that he knew something too?
Xu Jiaming almost collided with Song Siyang but didn’t have time to stop and greet him.
He continued to sprint downstairs, managing to intercept Xie Heng at the entrance.
“Aunt, you’re here,” Xu Jiaming said, slightly out of breath from running, pointing upstairs with one finger. He spoke seriously to Xie Heng, “Be careful. Ruan Tian’s Dad is pretty agitated.”
Xie Heng looked confused. “What does Ruan Tian’s Dad have to do with me?”
Xu Jiaming was taken aback. “Aren’t you here for Ruan Tian?”
Xie Heng froze for a moment. When he realized something, his face quickly darkened, his fists clenched tightly, veins standing out on the back of his hands.
Seeing him about to explode, Lu Xi patted his arm and spoke calmly, “Calm down.”
She then pulled Xu Jiaming aside to clarify the situation.
Xu Jiaming spoke clearly and logically, quickly getting to the point and explaining everything in just a few sentences.
During morning self-study, Ruan Tian was brought here by her Dad. She said she wanted to drop out, and both her Dad and the teacher tried to persuade her, but she kept crying. Now, her Dad thinks it’s because Xie Heng dumped her and wants the school to contact Xie Heng’s parents to clear things up.
Lu Xi furrowed her pretty brows.
Ruan Tian, again…
After the scene at home last time, she had already figured it out. That girl was not Xie Heng’s girlfriend. The Young Master couldn’t hide anything in his heart, so if she were his girlfriend, his attitude toward her wouldn’t be like that.
Thinking of this, Lu Xi cast a faint glance at Xie Heng.
Xie Heng was a little anxious, frustrated and angry. “What are you looking at? I’m really not her boyfriend! Who would dump her?!”
Lu Xi mimicked Xu Jiaming’s earlier gesture, pointing upstairs. “Don’t talk to me, go tell them.”
Xie Heng froze for a moment. “What, weren’t you here to help me today?”
Lu Xi adjusted her checkered blazer. She had dressed slightly more formally for school today—blazer, tight jeans, and combat boots, unlike her usual delicate and alluring outfit.
A breeze blew, lifting her long hair. Her face was radiant, with an aloof beauty, like frost surpassing snow, but it made others hesitant to look directly at her.
She raised an eyebrow and spoke indifferently, “I told you, I’m here to handle my own business today. Your matters are for you to resolve.”
Hearing her indifferent words, Xie Heng suddenly felt a pang in his chest.
So she wasn’t here for him after all…
Had she believed those ridiculous rumors and was disappointed in him?
But she was clearly his… how could she be so cold and indifferent toward him? Was she going to ignore him like his Dad did?
Xie Heng’s heart seemed to be weighed down by a heavy stone, and he found it hard to breathe, overwhelmed by a deep sense of unwillingness and grievance.
He stared at Lu Xi, no longer with sharpness in his eyes. They were slightly red, like an injured young wolf.
“So you’re not going to care about me? Are you disappointed in me too?”
His throat tightened, suddenly getting angry. “Forget it! Let them say whatever they want, I don’t care anymore, I’ll drop out if they want!”
He turned to leave.
“Stop.” The woman’s voice was low and soft, not forceful, but carrying an undeniable strength.
She grabbed his arm.
“I’m not ignoring you. On the contrary, I’ll stand by your side and watch you resolve this yourself.”
The boy’s amber eyes widened slightly. He didn’t turn around, but his ears twitched.
Lu Xi continued, “Whether I’m your biological mother or not, and even your Dad, neither of us can solve everything for you forever. You have hands, feet, and a mouth. If you feel wronged, speak up for yourself. Learn to fight for yourself, don’t just give up and throw in the towel. Once, it’s fine. Twice?
“Remember, as long as you’re alive in this world, you’ll face rumors and gossip. You can throw a tantrum and walk away, but deep down, you care, right?”
The boy fell silent, not rebutting her.
Did he care?
Those irrelevant people, how they saw him, what they said behind his back, did it really matter to him?
Maybe…
Lu Xi gently tugged on him again. This time, Xie Heng didn’t resist and obediently turned around to face her.
Though he had grown so tall, his eyes showed a childlike confusion and fragility.
Seeing him like this, Lu Xi softened her tone, “Have you ever watched ‘The Stranger1‘?”
The boy shook his head.
She gently took a breath. “Rumors can kill. If you don’t care about other people’s opinions of you and let it go unchecked, such things will happen countless times in the future.”
Xie Heng’s mind stirred.
He felt his throat grow hoarse, rolling around before finally lowering his head in submission, quietly saying, “I understand now. I know what to do.”
He pressed his lips together, took a deep breath, and prepared to head upstairs.
“Wait a moment.” Lu Xi took out her phone, dialed a number, and her gaze remained calm. “I’ll call your Dad. He has no reason to be absent such an occasion.”
Xie Heng actually felt it wasn’t necessary.
But she must have her reasons for doing this. But if his Dad came, his Dad might not necessarily stand on his side.
But it didn’t matter. He would prove himself.
The atmosphere in the vice-principal’s office was solemn.
Principal Chen was accompanied by the head of the teaching department, and both Xie Heng’s and Ruan Tian’s homeroom teachers, simply because this matter involved Xie Heng and the powerful Xie Yizhao behind him.
Whether it was a light or heavy matter, they feared it might not be resolved properly.
Since Mrs. Xie and Xie Heng arrived in the office, the tension had only intensified.
They sat on one side, while Ruan Tian and her Dad sat on the other, like two armies facing off across the River Chu, with a battle waiting to erupt.
Mrs. Xie remained incredibly calm. After entering, she took the tea the vice-principal personally poured for her, sat down, and drank it slowly, commenting that the tea was too strong and made her throat bitter.
The teachers immediately knew she wasn’t someone to be trifled with!
Was she talking about the tea, or was she referring to something, or someone, else?
Father Ruan, who also ran a construction company and was an important figure, wasn’t the type to make a scene in the office.
He had thought it through. As long as Xie Heng clarified things, apologized to his daughter, and transferred schools, he wouldn’t pursue the matter further.
But ever since they arrived, not a word had been spoken, and they acted as if they were debt collectors. Was this supposed to be an apology?
Father Ruan could no longer sit still. He stood up and glared at Xie Heng. “What do you mean? Are we talking or not?”
Lu Xi raised her gaze, shooting him a glance that was neither warm nor cold. “We’ll talk after Xiao Heng’s Dad arrives.”
Father Ruan father grew angrier, impatiently slamming his hand on the table. “Who is his dad? Why is he so impressive? How long do I have to wait?”
The vice-principal quickly intervened, “Mr. Ruan, it’s like this, Xie Heng’s father is…”
Lu Xi interrupted him.
She looked at Xie Heng and softly said, “Xiao Heng, tell this gentleman who your Dad is.”
“…”
Forget the others, even Xie Heng himself was stunned for a second.
Huh?
Didn’t Lu Xi just mean for him to flaunt his Dad?
Wasn’t she supposed to let him be independent, grow up, and solve problems on his own without relying on his parents?
Lu Xi smiled at his innocent and confused look, leaning closer to his ear and lowering her voice. “Being independent doesn’t mean being a stray dog. You need to know, we’re your support. Not just any bastard can bully you.”
Her words were soft, but not quiet enough to be unheard. The office was as silent as water, and everyone heard it.
Father Ruan nearly rolled his eyes in anger.
‘Bastard’? What was she talking about? He was a person with status. Even the principal had to give him some respect. What could Xie Heng’s father possibly be?
Ruan Tian was already starting to panic.
Her father didn’t know, but she knew…
She tugged at his sleeve: “Dad, it’s fine… Please stop talking.”
Father Ruan quickly reassured her: “Tiantian, don’t be scared. I’m here, no one will bully you.”
Then, he glared fiercely at Xie Heng and Lu Xi : “What kind of upbringing does your Xie family have? You teach your son to play with feelings and be a scumbag? No matter who your Dad is, you must apologize today, or I won’t let you off!”
At that moment, there was a knock on the office door, slow and steady.
The closest teacher hurriedly opened the door.
It was Xie Yizhao.
He had a cold expression, as if ignoring the presence of everyone else in the office, and walked directly towards Lu Xi and Xie Heng.
From the moment he appeared, Father Ruan was stunned, his face changing drastically!
Xie, Xie Yizhao?
No way, this kid’s Dad is actually Xie Yizhao?!
He had been in the office for over an hour, how come no one told him?
Xie Yizhao noticed that neither Lu Xi nor Xie Heng looked upset, and seemed somewhat relaxed. His heart eased a bit. He took Lu Xi’s hand and gently grasped it.
Only then did he give a fleeting look to Father Ruan.
His tone was calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority: “I am Xie Yizhao, Xie Heng’s father. Not some deity, but I did hear someone just now threatening my wife and son. Was it you?”
- The Stranger, also published in English as The Outsider, is a novella written by French author Albert Camus that explores themes of alienation, indifference, and societal judgment. It was about the main character who killed a person who tried to stab him and was put on a trial. He was supposed to be punished lightly, but just because he couldn’t shed tears at his mother’s funeral (which was due to him being emotionally detached to his environment), he was judged as a monster and was sentenced to decapitation. ↩︎
rokumi’s note : the explanation about ‘The Stranger’ above is inferred from Wikipedia. I haven’t read the book myself.