On weekends, most students would laze at home glued to their phones, so the message was seen by many as soon as it was sent.
Chen Xunliang was one of them.
However, upon seeing who sent the message, he didn’t even bother opening the photo: [Oh, it’s just Bigmouth Wang. Never mind. Last time you said the Jianbing stall owner was good-looking, but when I went there, I found out she was around my mom’s age.]
[Hahaha, dying of laughter]
[Bro Bigmouth, could you please stop polluting our eyes with your taste?]
[Exactly! That beauty should sue you for violating her portrait rights!]
Bigmouth Wang got anxious: [This time it’s for real! She’s even prettier than celebrities in the entertainment industry! If I’m lying, may I never find a seasoning packet in my instant noodles again!]
Everyone: …
What a vicious oath.
Bigmouth Wang was so earnest, even resorting to a solemn vow, that he genuinely piqued everyone’s curiosity.
Chen Xunliang snorted. Just then, his mom came over with snacks. As he took the drink, he clicked open the photo, ready to offer some sharp criticism.
The next second—Pfft!
The drink in his mouth sprayed all over his mom like a shower of blossoms.
His mom was furious. She raised her arm and smacked him twice: You little brat, looks like you’re itching for a beating!
Chen Xunliang nearly coughed up blood from his mom’s “Buddha’s Palm” strikes and cried out, I’ve been wronged!
Who would have thought the beauty Bigmouth Wang secretly photographed was Brother Li’s stepmom?
Wait, why was Brother Li’s stepmom at the school?!
Belatedly realizing something was off, Chen Xunliang ignored his “internal injuries” and hurriedly notified Jiang Xuli.
[Bad news, Brother Li!
Your stepmom is at the school AGAIN!]
…
There were two people at the Jiang family dining table today.
But the butler felt it was even less lively than when the Madam dined alone.
The Madam clearly loved life. She was very enthusiastic about her three daily meals, treating them as if they were grand, important events.
And indeed they were.
Every time she ate, she would savor the dishes on the table seriously, her eyes sparkling like stars, and she would enthusiastically praise the wonderful flavors of the food.
If she encountered an unfamiliar dish, she would even discuss and learn about it from the chef. Her clear voice would resonate around, adding much liveliness to the villa.
At this moment, father and son sat at opposite ends of the dining table, yet the atmosphere was so quiet it was nearly stagnant.
Even the servants bringing the dishes sensed something was amiss, moving cautiously, afraid of displeasing their employers.
The two central figures of this situation seemed completely unaffected, each eating their own portions in silence.
Suddenly, a phone on the table chimed.
Both looked up. Jiang Xuli paused, realizing it was his phone, and picked it up right in front of his father.
[Bad news, Brother Li! Your stepmom is at the school AGAIN!]
The use of the word “again” was quite fitting.
A thoroughly confused Jiang Xuli sent back a: [?]
Chen Xunliang: [For real! Someone took a photo of your stepmom at school! It was posted in the freshman group chat, and everyone’s discussing who she is right now!
Uncle Jiang just got back from abroad. Instead of keeping him company, why did she suddenly come to the school?
Oh no, oh no! If people find out she’s your stepmom, it’ll be terrible!]
Amid Chen Xunliang’s incessant chatter, Jiang Xuli finally understood what had happened. And then, he grew even more bewildered.
She got up so early today just to go to his school?
Jiang Xuli’s features contorted, his expression as if he’d eaten a sour apricot. He thought for a moment, exited the chat, and opened his friend list.
Although he didn’t frequent group chats, he vaguely remembered being added to several by Chen Xunliang right after school started.
Sure enough, Jiang Xuli soon found a chat group named “Wencheng Freshmen 101” in his list. He clicked in, and the conversation was in full swing.
Teenagers were full of energy. Having rarely seen such a stunning beauty, the girls were curious, and the boys could barely contain themselves.
By now, they had moved from discussing the beauty’s looks to speculating about her identity.
[…After all this talk, does anyone actually know her? I’m willing to pay good money for the beauty’s contact info!]
[Willing to pay good money +1]
[Um… have any of you considered that someone not wearing a school uniform on campus might be a parent or a teacher? (sweat)]
[Judging by her attire, she’s probably a teacher. But I haven’t seen her with the freshmen, so she’s most likely a teacher for sophomores or juniors.]
Unexpectedly, this only made everyone more excited: [Damn! That’s way too lucky! If a beautiful teacher like that taught me, I’d definitely study hard and make progress every day!]
[Ahem, actually, a relationship with an older woman isn’t entirely out of the question…]
As the discussion grew increasingly outrageous, Jiang Xuli’s eyebrows gradually furrowed toward the center.
How had he never noticed before how boring these people were?
No one knew Jin Ran’s identity better than he did.
And he could probably guess why she went to the school.
Two weeks ago, Jiang Mingzuo went on a business trip. Jin Ran, asserting her role as stepmother, began interfering in every aspect of his life under the guise of concern.
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly, drink water at a lukewarm 40 degrees, be in bed by 10 p.m.—and even when he just wanted to relax by playing games, she would look on with clear disapproval and stop him.
“You’re a student. Your task right now is to study hard. You can’t let entertainment distract you from your goals.”
After a few times, Jiang Xuli couldn’t take it anymore and directly used an excuse to move into the school dormitory.
His thinking was: since you don’t want to see me, I’ll just stay out of your way.
Sure enough, Jin Ran didn’t look for him again after that.
But now, she was acting out of character, suddenly getting up early to go to the school—it seemed his father probably didn’t know either. It was most likely because she saw his father was back, afraid her image as the “considerate stepmother” would crumble, and she wanted him to move back home.
Jiang Xuli felt he had figured out the truth.
He wasn’t exactly angry. Perhaps having witnessed her “difficult situation” last night, the resentment he felt towards Jin Ran had lessened considerably.
People only resent powerful invaders. Towards someone perceived as weak, there’s only pity and dismissal.
Of course, there weren’t any extra emotions beyond that. Jiang Xuli couldn’t be bothered to have extra feelings towards a stepmother anyway.
The group chat was still buzzing with discussion when a new message suddenly popped up.
Jiang Xuli: [She’s not a teacher.]
The chat went dead silent for a full three seconds.
Then, it erupted again.
[Am I seeing things?!! It’s School Hunk Jiang?!! The school hunk actually spoke!!]
[What school hunk? I don’t acknowledge that.
Get lost!]
[School Hunk, do you know the pretty lady? Why do you say she’s not a teacher?]
But no matter how much they probed, Jiang Xuli never replied again.
…
Back at the dining table, Jiang Mingzuo, being the astute man he was, had noticed his son glancing at him repeatedly from across the table.
He had caught the boy’s unusual behavior earlier, when halfway through his meal, Jiang Xuli had started typing on his phone.
He hadn’t wanted to pay it any mind initially, but now he put down his knife and fork and asked calmly, “Is there something?”
Jiang Xuli paused. “A few days ago, I moved out.”
“Hmm, I heard Assistant Wang mention it.” Jiang Mingzuo’s expression remained unchanged, as if nothing could stir his emotions. “I’m not clear on the details inside the house. That matter is for you to consider.”
Jiang Xuli nodded.
He didn’t need his father to say it; he was planning to move back anyway.
The pampered young master really couldn’t get used to school dorm life. The smelly feet and snoring in the boys’ dorm often forced him to stay up late against his will.
Besides, with his father home now, shouldn’t Jin Ran’s attention shift elsewhere?
Jiang Mingzuo felt Jiang Xuli’s expression was growing increasingly strange.
He guessed the boy must have seen something on his phone to become this odd.
But what no one expected was what came next—something even more bizarre.
After a long pause, Jiang Xuli suddenly spoke again: “I saw her crying last night.”
Her? Who?
Jin Ran?
Jiang Mingzuo’s brows furrowed slightly. He couldn’t help but recall last night’s scene—the woman’s attempt to feign composure after being called out by him, and her eventual tactic of playing dumb and leaving. He began pondering the meaning behind this new piece of information.
Jiang Xuli, however, didn’t notice his father’s bewilderment. Or perhaps he simply didn’t look up, just continuing his own train of thought: “Everyone says I look like you.”
He had heard similar words countless times since childhood.
As the son, he could never measure up to the man before him. No matter what he did, he was criticized, ignored. But this time, he suddenly realized there was one area where he might actually surpass his father.
Mocking himself inwardly, Jiang Xuli declared with conviction, “If I liked someone, I would absolutely never make her feel bad!”
Jiang Mingzuo, who had just snapped back to attention: “?”
Feel bad about what?
…
Having eaten lunch out and purposefully stalling for quite a while, Jin Ran finally took a taxi back to the villa.
She had been nervous on the way back, but upon arrival, she found she was the only one home.
“After lunch, Sir went to the company,” the butler informed her.
Jin Ran was taken aback. His arm was still in a sling yesterday, and today he was going to work? If she remembered correctly, it was his right arm that was injured, wasn’t it?
Then again, Jiang Mingzuo was the company’s CEO. At his level, there were plenty of people below him eager to work for him. He probably didn’t need to use his own arm for much.
What made her even happier was that he seemed to have forgotten about yesterday’s incident and wasn’t pursuing it further.
That’s a tycoon for you—so broad-minded!
Jin Ran wished she could praise Jiang Mingzuo with ten thousand beautiful words. Of course, praising from afar was enough; she had no desire to appear before him anytime soon. A slight smile touched her lips as she casually asked, “And where’s Jiang Xuli?”
That’s when she saw the butler’s expression turn troubled.
Jin Ran wondered if the father and son had argued again while she was out?
She regretted asking immediately. This kind of conflict between biological father and son wasn’t something a stepmother like her should get too involved in. She shouldn’t have brought it up.
As it turned out, she had overthought it. The truth wasn’t an argument, but something even more surprising. The butler looked like a helpless elder facing a rebellious teenager, his brows knitted in worry. “The Young Master… it seems he’s… involved with someone.”
Jin Ran: “???”
Her eyes widened slightly. The first thought that popped into her head was: Is a fifteen-year-old having a crush considered puppy love?