With Xie Yizhao’s arrival, the atmosphere became even more tense than before.
The smell of gunpowder hadn’t dissipated; it had just become a more intense presence.
On Xie Yizhao’s side, there was an overwhelming sense of oppression, but on Father Ruan’s side, although the momentum was weaker, it seemed he had no intention of letting things go easily.
Father Ruan’s initial panic gradually faded, and he took several deep breaths to calm himself down.
Of course, he knew who Xie Yizhao was. If he didn’t even have this basic knowledge, it would be pointless for him to have spent so many years in the business world.
He glanced at his daughter, who looked a bit pale, nervously shrinking beside him.
“…” As a father, seeing his precious daughter, whom he had cherished since childhood, so nervous, he naturally felt heartache. His paternal instincts overtook his fear of Xie Yizhao.
He straightened his back, his gaze no longer as firm as before, and said, “Mr. Xie, you are also a father. I mean no offense; I just want to seek justice for my daughter.”
Lu Xi cleared her throat.
She didn’t speak, merely casting a casual glance at the father-daughter pair across from her before letting go of Xie Yizhao’s hand and sitting down as if nothing had happened.
The vice-principal was so anxious he was nearly sweating, wanting to step forward to mediate, but he himself didn’t fully understand the situation!
Wait a minute, wasn’t she Xie Heng’s stepmother? In this kind of situation, shouldn’t she at least show some appeal in front of her husband and stepson? Yet here she was, sitting down and watching the drama unfold, leaving it for Mr. Xie to resolve the issue.
But, as the forum posts had said, she was indeed quite favored in front of Mr. Xie.
If Lu Xi could hear his inner thoughts, she would certainly laugh at him.
What appeal of being a stepmother? Don’t even talk about her being Xie Heng’s real mother; even if she weren’t, Xie Heng’s real father was here, so it was just not just her responsibility.
Besides, if Xie Yizhao couldn’t handle this, he shouldn’t be Xie Heng’s Dad.
It wasn’t that bad of situation.
Lu Xi could just relax and watch the show.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yizhao furrowed his brows and cast a subtle glance at the girl hiding behind Father Ruan, wiping her tears.
He couldn’t immediately recall who she was but thought her crying sounded eerily familiar, like the same annoying sound he had heard not long ago.
“It’s you… You were the one who came to my house and caused trouble that day. My wife was so disturbed by you that she fainted.” Xie Yizhao suddenly remembered.
Ruan Tian choked up, and the others were all stunned.
No way, she actually dared to cause trouble at Xie Yizhao’s house? The girl seemed so shy, yet she was bold enough to act like that.
Father Ruan’s face immediately darkened. “Tiantian, is this true?”
Ruan Tian felt wronged. “I didn’t…” She had cried, but it was because Xie Heng had upset her. How could that be considered causing trouble?
But in front of Xie Heng’s Dad, she inexplicably felt a bit guilty.
That day, after being publicly rejected by Xie Heng, she went home, saw posts on the forum, and the next day at school, there were people whispering about her, saying things like ‘the school flower is nothing, Xie Heng doesn’t even give her face,’ which made her so angry that she took the day off and went home.
She had always been pampered; how could she have ever suffered such humiliation?
That evening, when Father Ruan returned from his business trip, Ruan Tian cried and told him she wanted to transfer schools.
Father Ruan was shocked and asked her many questions. But Ruan Tian couldn’t bring herself to say the truth, so Father Ruan had to call girls who were close to Ruan Tian to find out that she had been dating but was dumped by the guy and publicly humiliated.
He was absolutely furious!
Though the Ruan family isn’t a top-tier rich family, they’re not pushovers either. They won’t just stand by and watch their daughter get bullied without doing anything.
“Tiantian, tell Daddy, is it true what your friend said? If someone is really bullying you, Daddy won’t let them off the hook!”
Ruan Tian could only sob, “Don’t ask, I don’t want to say…”
Seeing how heartbroken she was, Father Ruan feared that if he pressed her further, it would cause more harm. With so many people these days who are so overwhelmed they jump off buildings, and she wasn’t talking anyway.
Seeing that Father Ruan was about to lose his temper, Xie Yizhao raised his hand, interrupting him, and asked Ruan Tian, “Don’t cry yet. Just clarify, did Xie Heng hit you, or did he scold you?”
“…”
Father Ruan seriously suspected the focus was being blurred. With a dark face, he countered, “Hit or scold? Just look at them—they clearly seem to be in a relationship. Now your son is having second thoughts and wants to break up with my daughter. Are you, as his father, going to help him bully her too?”
Xie Yizhao glanced at Ruan Tian and then at his own son.
“I don’t see them in a relationship,” he said to Xie Heng. “You tell us, what’s your relationship with this female student?”
Father Ruan was furious. What do you mean, you don’t see it?
The Xie family may be wealthy, but what’s wrong with his daughter? Countless boys were after her, how could she not be good enough for their son?
These two were really working together to bully people!
At that moment, Xie Heng scoffed, raising an eyebrow coldly. “Me and Ruan Tian? In a relationship? You must be joking. The school bans early relationships, didn’t you know?”
Vice-principal : “…”
Ruan Tian’s homeroom teacher : “…”
—The school also forbids skipping classes and fighting. Young Master, hasn’t you violated every one of those rules?
Now he’s using the school regulations as a reason… really?
Even Xie Yizhao and Lu Xi looked at him in surprise, their faces showing expressions that said they had no words to respond.
But Xie Heng raised his chin, looking quite confident in his stance.
If they weren’t in a relationship, then they weren’t. What’s the big deal? From now on, he would be a good student who followed the school rules, is that a problem?
After all, he had someone backing him.
He wasn’t some stray dog that no one wanted…
Xie Yizhao lightly pressed his lips together, gave a slight pinch on Xie Heng’s shoulder, then sat down next to Lu Xi, speaking in a low voice: “Your own business, explain it clearly.”
He paused for a moment, his gaze indifferent yet commanding, sweeping over everyone present with an undeniable sense of authority.
“Don’t worry, we’re here. No one will wrong you for something you didn’t do.”
The vice-principal didn’t dare make a sound.
He had originally planned to persuade Father Ruan and diffuse the situation, but never expected Xie Heng, this little troublemaker, to arrive with his stepmother.
From the moment Xie Yizhao walked through the door, he knew that no matter what, today’s incident would not end easily.
It had to be resolved immediately, and the two children needed to clarify things so that no one would be wronged.
The principal was at a meeting at the education bureau today, and the vice-principal wiped his forehead. He had to step up.
“Mr. Ruan, Mr. Xie, please don’t get angry. Let’s hear what the kids have to say.”
Ruan Tian’s homeroom teacher moved to her side, comforting her: “It’s okay, don’t cry. Let the teacher ask you, were you and Xie Heng in a relationship?”
Ruan Tian stopped wiping her tears for a moment, her eyes flickering uneasily.
But she still refused to speak.
Xie Heng couldn’t hold back any longer, crying, “Why can’t you just speak clearly?”
He coldly tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Who’s dating her? I’m a single nobleman. Do you have evidence to accuse me?”
His tone was so indifferent, as if he were disgusted.
Ruan Tian widened her eyes, as if his words had hurt her. Tears rolled in her eyes, and the suppressed grievance couldn’t be held back any longer as she cried and was about to accuse him.
Xie Heng raised his hand to interrupt her. “Don’t cry. Show evidence—chat records, photos, gifts… Whoever claims it, whoever presents the evidence. Just because someone cries doesn’t make them right.”
Lu Xi raised an eyebrow.
What a kid, he even knows the principle of ‘who claims it, who proves it?’
A strange sense of pride arose in her heart.
Ruan Tian said, “I…”
Father Ruan eyes lit up and quickly urged her, “That’s right, Tian Tian, show the evidence. Don’t be afraid, Daddy won’t blame you for falling in love early…”
Her heart ached.
No one knew better than her that she hadn’t even confirmed the relationship yet. She had added him on WeChat, but after leaving the Xie’s that day, she deleted him in anger and hadn’t added him back since.
Where would she get any evidence?
She bit her lip, vaguely saying, “It’s gone… I… deleted everything…”
The homeroom teacher was taken aback. “You deleted everything? Not a single trace? Don’t you have a backup on your phone?”
“No…”
At this moment, not only the vice-principal but also Xie Heng’s homeroom teacher sensed something was wrong. He quickly walked up to Xie Heng, glaring at Ruan Tian’s homeroom teacher with displeasure. “I believe Xie Heng. If he says it’s not true, it’s not.”
What a joke! Even though Xie Heng was usually quite rebellious, he was still his student. No one could just slander him.
Xie Heng was a bit surprised.
He knew how much his homeroom teacher disliked him. If it weren’t for his Dad’s influence, the teacher would have kicked him out of the class long ago.
Now, to defend him… Could it be because his Dad was here?
Xie Heng furrowed his brow.
Regardless, he had had enough and just wanted this whole farce to end.
“You have no evidence, right? Fine, I have some,” Xie Heng lowered his head, took out his phone, typed out a few messages, and arrogantly raised an eyebrow. “Wait for it. I called someone. They’ll be here soon.”
The vice-principal : “…”
Called someone? What’s this? Is the school bully going to show off and send someone to smash his office?
A few teachers were uneasy, and Ruan Tian and her father weren’t doing any better.
Father Ruan vaguely felt something was wrong…
Things seemed to be spiraling out of control.
The calmest of them all was the Xie couple.
Lu Xi put down her tea, moved closer to Xie Yizhao, tugging at his sleeve to check the time on his wristwatch, and displeasedly pouted, “Such a waste of time, I’m hungry now.”
The vice-principal quickly and politely offered, “We have some snacks here…”
“Thanks, but no need. It’s just more coffee,” Lu Xi gave him a faint sideways glance, “I’m not in the mood.”
“…”
The vice-principal frowned.
Why did he feel like she was more laid-back than anyone else? As a stepmother, she had more authority than even a real mother.
At this moment, Xie Yizhao spoke up, “Once this is over, I’ll take you to lunch.”
Lu Xi’s expression softened slightly.
Xie Heng’s ears moved slightly.
He tugged at the corner of his lips, displeased.
Great, now those two were going off to eat alone, leaving him out.
The people he called over soon entered the office.
These were all familiar faces who often came to the office to drink tea, all members of the school’s basketball team. They were usually seen hanging out with Xie Heng, skipping classes to play basketball and fight… causing trouble wherever they went.
In short, they were all troublemakers.
“Brother Heng, why did you call us here?” One of them looked around. There were teachers, parents, and Ruan Tian too, so he was a bit unsure of the situation.
Xie Heng tilted his chin toward Ruan Tian’s direction, as if even mentioning her name was annoying. “She, keeps saying I dumped her, calling me a scumbag. Have you ever seen me dating her?”
Ruan Tian’s Dad found this absurd and pointed at the several students who looked like delinquents. “What do they know? Can anything they say be taken seriously?”
The vice principal waved his hand. “They hang out with Xie Heng all the time, why wouldn’t they know?”
There were plenty of students in the school involved in early relationships, and as long as nothing major happened, teachers turned a blind eye. It wasn’t unusual for students to have secret relationships.
Not to mention, a student as arrogant as Xie Heng?
If he were secretly dating, even the teachers wouldn’t believe it.
Boy A: “I never heard they were dating. Xie Heng’s been in relationships? Isn’t he like us, single?”
Boy B: “Don’t lump me in. I have a girlfriend, I’m different from you guys.”
Boy C: “Didn’t Xie Heng say he doesn’t even want to talk about love? He’d rather spend the time playing more games…”
Boy D: “With his temperament, which girl would want to date him? Wouldn’t she be angry every day? Right? Huh?”
Xie Heng twitched his mouth, clenched his fist, and snapped impatiently, “Alright! Shut up!”
Are they helping him or blackening his name?
Lu Xi sighed softly.
Such a fool… When will he ever get a clue?
Xie Heng’s homeroom teacher suppressed a laugh, clenched his fist and coughed twice into his hand, putting on a serious face. “In that case, the truth is clear. It seems Ruan Tian misunderstood something.”
Ruan Tian’s Dad widened his eyes, his face turning as dark as a pot bottom. “They’re Xie Heng’s friends, of course, they’re going to speak up for him! They must have planned this!”
Xie Heng smiled. “So, what do you want to do, uncle?”
Ruan Tian’s father suddenly gained some confidence. “We have witnesses too. Tiantian, call your friends over!”
Ruan Tian shrank back slightly, hesitantly saying, “They’re in class, why would you want them to come here…”
“To testify for you! They told me they’ve seen Xie Heng speaking up for you during exams, even bringing you breakfast, and when boys from other schools harassed you, he even fought for you. Is this just a regular schoolmate? If he’s not your boyfriend, why would he help you?”
Ruan Tian’s Dad was getting worked up as he spoke.
At this moment, Lu Xi couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She had been silent up to this point and then lazily lifted her eyelids, glancing at Ruan Tian’s Dad with a cold, indifferent gaze, as though she were looking at a complete fool.
She asked, “Since when did helping a schoolmate require an explanation?”
“….”
Her words hit the mark perfectly.
Several of the teachers paused for a moment, then gradually realized the situation and the more they thought about it, the more it made sense.
“Yeah, we’re all from the same school. If we don’t help, would it really make sense to turn a blind eye? What kind of unreasonable question is that from Mr. Ruan?”
Even the head teacher who had spoken up for Ruan Tian just a moment ago fell silent, his face awkward.
Xie Yizhao glanced at Xie Heng, quickly picking up on the key point and asking him, “Did you bring breakfast to this student?”
Xie Heng snorted, replying as if it were obvious, “Of course not! That day, I specifically bought the most famous Shengjianbao from the west gate of the school, the last batch. I was starving! If I gave it to her, what would I eat?”
The vice principal mumbled, “That Shengjianbao is really famous…”
A few of the boys looked at Xie Heng with admiration in their eyes.
“Xie Heng, you really are something!”
“I can vouch for this! Xie Heng loves those Shengjianbao. Last time I stole one, and he almost kicked me!”
Xie Heng : “…”
These are such treacherous friends. What’s so proud about revealing this embarrassing history?
He impatiently tugged at his lips, getting back to the point. His eyes, fierce and determined like a hunting dog’s, locked onto Father Ruan as he said, “And as for the exam, the invigilator suspected she was cheating and asked me if I saw anything. I was sleeping and didn’t see anything. Should I have said I did? Is that speaking up for her?”
“As for fighting for her, that’s nonsense. If it were anyone else in the school, I’d still step in. According to your logic, does that mean everyone in the school is my girlfriend?”
Father Ruan : “…”
Xie Heng’s words hit deep.
He was so arrogant, disregarding everyone, his blue hair symbolizing rebellion. He was downright rude, yet Father Ruan couldn’t refute him.
Could it be…?
Father Ruan’s expression stiffened.
If what Xie Heng said was true, then could it be that he had misunderstood? He and Ruan Tian weren’t in that kind of relationship?
“Tiantian, tell me, tell me the truth, what’s going on!”
Ruan Tian could no longer hold back.
Seeing her usually indulgent Dad suddenly so serious, she realized she was in deep trouble.
Everyone in the office frowned.
She suddenly realized that crying wouldn’t solve the problem today. If she didn’t clear things up, it wasn’t just her but even her Dad who would face huge trouble…
Ruan Tian, tearful and voice breaking, ran into her Dad’s embrace, deeply regretting it in her heart.
“I… I never said Xie Heng was my boyfriend. It’s all a misunderstanding. It’s not my fault!”
Father Ruan was stunned into silence. So, this meant he had wronged Xie Heng… Xie Yizhao’s son?
He realized he had made a huge mistake and paled. “Ah, you really are…”
Now he had offended Xie Yizhao, and what’s worse, he was in the wrong.
Earlier, in his attempt to stand up for his daughter, he hadn’t considered the consequences. The more he thought about it, the more scared he became. His body even swayed, and he no longer looked as imposing as he had before.
He forced a smile. “Mr. Xie, I really apologize… It’s just a misunderstanding between the two kids. I’m sorry for troubling you. How about this: we can treat this as an accidental meeting. Let’s have a meal together and let this matter go. After all, the kids will still be in the same school.”
Xie Yizhao looked at him, his expression not surprised.
Businesspeople have to know how to handle things tactfully, speaking one way to people, another to others. But today was different.
Xie Yizhao gently touched his watch strap and spoke coldly, “I don’t need an apology. My son does.”
Father Ruan father was stunned for a moment, then snapped back to reality. He hurriedly said to Xie Heng, “Right, it’s me who should apologize to Student Xie. Look, you and my daughter are schoolmates, so don’t hold a grudge, alright? Come on, Tiantian, apologize to Student Xie.”
“……” Ruan Tian felt like her face had been slapped. Now, having to apologize, she simply couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She pitifully pouted at her father: “I don’t want to. It’s not all my fault. Those people said Xie Heng was my boyfriend, but he didn’t clear it up either!”
Xie Heng shot her a glare: “I didn’t clear anything up, I didn’t even know!”
First, he didn’t even read the forum, so he had no idea he had become the center of attention.
Second, there were rumors spreading around the school, but who would dare say anything in front of him? That would be asking for trouble.
Xie Heng found them annoying. He had already cleared things up for himself, so he couldn’t be bothered to argue further and waved his hand: “Forget it, forget it. Just don’t bother me anymore…”
At this moment, Lu Xi furrowed her brows disapprovingly, interrupting his words: “Why forget it?”
Xie Heng blinked and immediately shut up.
He knew that his Ms. Lu, was about to get serious.
Lu Xi looked at him: “Remember this. Don’t accept any dirty water thrown at us, but if anyone owes us an apology, they better give it, or you make sure they regret it.”
Father Ruan’s expression changed slightly.
This woman again… Xie Heng didn’t say anything, but she, as a stepmother, kept sticking her nose into it? Was she in charge?
Lu Xi pressed her lips together and glanced at the vice principal, “You’re the vice principal, right?”
He quickly nodded.
Lu Xi : “Good. As Xiao Heng’s guardian, I’ll make it clear. We not only want an apology, but we also need Ruan Tian to apologize publicly. If that’s not possible, then one of them has to leave this school.”
The vice principal’s heart skipped a beat. He knew it…
But was Mrs. Xie wrong? No! Xie Heng was the victim here. It wasn’t unreasonable for him to demand an apology.
Normally, when Xie Heng made a mistake, the school would ask him to publicly apologize during the flag-raising ceremony, and every student should be treated equally.
The vice principal immediately made a decision, his tone turning serious: “Ruan Tian, you are to apologize to Xie Heng publicly in front of the whole school next Monday.”
Ruan Tian bit her lip, feeling dizzy.
Father Ruan could no longer smile. His face darkened, and he incredulously turned to Xie Yizhao: “No way, Mr. Xie, your wife is being too aggressive. My daughter is still a child, do you really have to make things this difficult for her?”
Before he could finish, Xie Heng immediately spoke up, his tone quite innocent: “Uncle, I’m just a kid too. I’m only sixteen.”
Father Ruan : “……”
He grew this tall, and now he looked like someone who could take on five people? He had no idea what kind of food he ate to grow so big.
Xie Yizhao stood up, casually holding Lu Xi’s small bag, and said coldly, “In my family, my wife makes the decisions. Outsiders should mind their own business.”
“……”
The few teachers were stunned.
Sorry, Mr. Xie treated his wife so well that they felt a little jealous.
Lu Xi also stood up, as if none of the disputes concerned her. She glanced at Xie Heng with an air of noble superiority, “Xiao Heng, I’m hungry. Where’s the place with those pan-fried buns?”
Xie Heng’s eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically, his blue hair shaking with excitement.
“It’s at the West Gate, let’s go, I’ll buy them for you!”
He said, eager to take the lead.
Lu Xi walked up beside him and reached out to tap his forehead: “No need for you to lead. Just tell me the place, and you go back to class obediently.”
Xie Heng : “……”
He lowered his head, feeling somewhat deflated. He wasn’t happy about it, but still obediently said, “Okay.”
The teachers were all stunned.
How… How was it that the school tyrant who ruled the school was so obedient to his stepmother?