Chapter Twenty-Eight: Impropriety and Being Improperly Treated

Since establishing a relationship with Lan Qian, Zhuo Nan had been coming home less frequently at night. After all, it was quite normal for a couple to live together, and Lan Qian’s family had no objections. What could Zhuo Nan’s family say? Moreover, his academic performance hadn’t declined, so Wang Liru simply went with the flow.

Upon entering the house, Zhuo Nan found Lan Lan doing her homework in her room. Noticing that Zhuo Wengang was home, she quickly asked, “Dad, why aren’t you working tonight?”

Zhuo Wengang sighed deeply. “Work? The factory’s profits are getting worse. I heard it’ll be bought out soon.” Zhuo Nan then recalled that the steel mill in his previous life had been bought out at the end of this year, possibly earlier due to Wang Zhenguo’s arrest.

According to the future trajectory, Zhuo Wengang was supposed to use the buyout money to start a steel business but would be swindled. Zhuo Nan clearly wouldn’t let him repeat the same mistake. He pondered and asked, “Dad, have you thought about starting some kind of business?”

Zhuo Wengang nodded. “Your mother and I have discussed it. After the buyout, we’ll use the money to trade in steel. We’ve worked at the mill for half our lives and know a bit about steel. You and Lan Lan are still young, and there will be many expenses in the future.”

At that moment, Wang Liru came out from the inner room, saying, “Yes, Nan Nan, your father and I have agreed to rent a storefront in the building materials market.”

Zhuo Nan thought to himself, “With you two, it’d be a miracle if you don’t get scammed.” He smiled and said, “That sounds good, but will the buyout money be enough?”

Zhuo Wengang smiled and replied, “I’ve found some old colleagues to partner with. If everyone pitches in, it won’t be a big problem.” His eyes gleamed with hope for the future. Zhuo Nan saw this expression and didn’t want to discourage him; after all, it had been this very circle of old colleagues who had cheated him out of his money before, flooding the market with substandard steel and causing his uncle to lose everything.

“Dad, I’ll wish you success in advance—may fortune roll in like a river,” Zhuo Nan joked, cupping his hands in a playful salute.

Wang Liru laughed and scolded, “Enough with the jokes, you haven’t even started yet. Nan Nan, I want to ask you something.”

Sensing that Wang Liru had something on her mind, Zhuo Nan immediately put on a serious face and stood obediently. “Mom, tell me.”

“Did you sleep over at Lan Qian’s place again last night?” Wang Liru asked seriously.

Zhuo Nan thought, “Of course I can’t say I spent the night at my teacher’s house,” so he nodded and answered, “Yes, I slept there last night.”

Wang Liru frowned. “Nan Nan, school just started a few days ago. You’ve barely come home, and it seems you’ve forgotten this family.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Nan was puzzled. Wasn’t his mother supportive of this? It had been his father who was opposed. “Mom, didn’t you say you’re okay with it?”

“I’m not against it, but…” Wang Liru glanced at Zhuo Wengang, signaling him. However, he seemed oblivious and said, “I’m going to watch TV,” then patted his belly and left.

Wang Liru stomped in frustration. Zhuo Nan was confused about what they both wanted, so he turned back to her.

With a sigh, Wang Liru said, “Nan Nan, I’m not against your relationship, but being together all the time like this isn’t quite right.”

Zhuo Nan was even more confused. “Isn’t being together the point of dating?”

Seeing that Zhuo Nan didn’t understand her meaning, Wang Liru gritted her teeth. “Nan Nan, you’re only 15, turning 16 soon. You’re still growing, and Lan Qian is already a grown woman. She may not care, but you should think about your health.” Her cheeks flushed red.

It was embarrassing for her to say this to her son, but if he didn’t get it now, there was no hope.

Zhuo Nan burst into laughter, leaning back and forth. Wang Liru glared at him, fuming. “What’s so funny? I’m only worried about you.”

Seeing her mad, Zhuo Nan stopped laughing and said, “Mom, don’t worry. I’m very healthy. Sister always cooks delicious food for me.”

Wang Liru snorted. “I think you’re getting married and forgetting your mother…”

“Mom…” Zhuo Nan hurriedly took her hand. “No way! No matter how many wives I have, I will never forget you.”

“You’ve got such a sweet tongue.” Wang Liru poked his forehead, then said, “Go wash up. Soup will be ready soon.”

“What soup?” Zhuo Nan asked curiously.

Wang Liru said mysteriously, “Your dad wanted to drink more, but I didn’t let him. It’s all for you.”

Zhuo Nan immediately understood—it must be some kind of tonic soup. “Mom, you’re exaggerating. Why drink that?”

“Tsk. You’re just a kid. Drinking more won’t hurt. Go wash up and come drink,” she said, turning toward the kitchen.

Zhuo Nan sighed and obediently went to wash up, preparing to endure the tonic soup. Recently, he had been practicing the super brain cultivation method, which was exhausting; that morning, he’d even had a nosebleed. Now he had to supplement, which was tough.

The night passed without incident, but Zhuo Nan’s sleep was restless. It was as if he was carrying a stick on his body. Fortunately, Lan Lan was too young to understand; otherwise, Zhuo Nan would have been utterly embarrassed. Luckily, by morning, everything returned to normal, allowing Zhuo Nan to breathe a sigh of relief. If the tonic soup made him unable to go out, the blame would be on his mother.

As for transferring schools, Zhuo Nan didn’t yet know how to broach the subject with his parents. For now, he had to grit his teeth and go to school. Xia Qianrou would return to work after a two-day break, so he needed to settle matters during this time.

Just as Zhuo Nan reached the school gate, a loud engine roar approached. Turning, he saw a red-and-black superbike drifting expertly and stopping right before him. The rider took off her helmet, flicked her hair, and it was none other than Lin Ruyi’s pretty face.

The little rebel raised an eyebrow, speaking with a tone of disdain. “Zhuo Nan, I heard you hit a teacher. Impressive. Our Class Six students wouldn’t dare. Didn’t expect a good student from Class One to beat a teacher until they foam at the mouth. Not bad. I’m rooting for you…”

This matter would eventually spread, but Zhuo Nan didn’t care. He had already dealt with the school and the parties involved. Even if it spread, so what? Tired of the rebel’s chatter, he looked at her with a lethargic expression, said nothing, and turned to walk into school.

The rebel, ignored, immediately flared up and tried to chase him. She couldn’t leave the bike at the gate, so she started it and shifted into first gear, following slowly beside Zhuo Nan. Tilting her head with a displeased look, she said, “Zhuo Nan, what’s your problem? I’m talking to you, and you ignore me.”

Zhuo Nan kept walking, eyes forward, ignoring her. Seeing his aloofness, the rebel was furious and shouted, “Zhuo Nan, what exactly do you want?”

Her shout drew the attention of nearby students. Zhuo Nan glanced around helplessly. “Miss, what’s there to talk about between us?”

The rebel was furious, nearly seeing red. If she could transform, she’d surely become a Super Saiyan and tear Zhuo Nan to pieces. How dare he not take her seriously? After all, the boys chasing her at school could fill a train station…

Suddenly, the rebel’s eyes darted around, and she leapt off her bike, lunging at Zhuo Nan and shouting, “Molestation! Molestation!”

Zhuo Nan had been too relaxed just now and was caught off guard. Seeing the expressions of other students, he realized this was trouble.

His eyes wide, he shouted at her, “Let go! What the hell are you doing?”

Although Lin Ruyi called out “molestation,” implying Zhuo Nan was harassing her, their posture—with her holding him—looked more like she was the one harassing him. But the onlookers didn’t see it that way; usually, people assume the man is the aggressor.

At that moment, a righteous male teacher hurried over, sternly demanding, “Let go! What are you doing at school? Don’t you care about the impression you make? Explain what’s going on.”

Lin Ruyi immediately put on a pitiful, tearful expression. “Teacher, he molested me.”

The teacher’s eyes widened, glaring at Zhuo Nan. “Is that true?”

Zhuo Nan explained, “Teacher, she’s making a fuss. None of this is true.”

The teacher studied Zhuo Nan’s sincere expression and then looked at Lin Ruyi’s outfit. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Which classes are you from?”

Lin Ruyi quickly replied, “Grade 10, Class 6.”

“I’m Grade 10, Class 1,” Zhuo Nan answered.

The teacher’s mind weighed the situation: a model student from Class 1 versus a Class 6 student who likely paid for sponsorship. The balance tipped slightly toward Zhuo Nan. But since this involved the girl’s reputation, he dared not decide hastily. “Alright, come with me to the disciplinary office. I’ll notify your homeroom teachers, and they’ll handle it.”

Lin Ruyi stood sobbing quietly, pleading, “Teacher, please stand up for me.”

Zhuo Nan wanted to slap her twice. He hadn’t provoked her; she was the one causing trouble. If there weren’t so many people around, he would’ve dragged her into a small grove and shown her what harassment really was—stinky brat.

He snorted coldly and said to the teacher, “Fine, let’s go now. I’m not afraid, no matter where this goes.”

The teacher nodded and led the way. Lin Ruyi lifted her chin defiantly, eyebrow raised at Zhuo Nan, then hurried after the teacher, abandoning her bike. To her, this was far more important than her motorcycle.

Zhuo Nan looked at her annoying expression and thought, “Damn it. Since Xia Qianrou is on leave, and Old Wang in the disciplinary office charged me a fortune, you want to make trouble? You’re a bit lazy about it. I’ll deal with you sooner or later.”