Xiao Changyan's top-student brain lost its ability to think for the first time due to such unreasonable and provocative insults. Meanwhile, Zhuge Ming, who had rushed over, had already sized him up from head to toe.
The fifteen-year-old boy had grown as tall and straight as a poplar tree. Since it was a holiday, he wasn't wearing his school uniform. Instead, he had on a simple white shirt and black pants, paired with that handsome, sharp face. He was indeed very good-looking. Now, with his brown eyes filled with surprise and a hint of questioning, he calmly stared at Zhuge Ming, making Zhuge Ming feel inexplicably guilty.
But as soon as Zhuge Ming remembered that this guy had gotten into his mother's luxury car—choosing to take a crooked path instead of walking the straight and narrow at such a young age—he regained his confidence and confronted Xiao Changyan again.
"That's right! I'm talking about you! You have the nerve to do such shameful things but not the guts to admit it, right? How come you didn't pretend not to know my mom when you got into her luxury car? Now you're putting on an act?"
Zhuge Ming spoke sarcastically. As soon as he said this, Xiao Changyan quickly realized—oh, this boy in front of him was actually Aunt Zhuge's son, and he seemed to be around the same age as him.
Wait! Aunt Zhuge was about to marry his dad, so why hadn't she told her son?
"I—"
He was about to say something, but Zhuge Ming cut him off, raising a hand to stop him while scanning Xiao Changyan from head to toe again.
"Although you are really good-looking, as a man, instead of working hard and making something of yourself, you only know how to seduce rich women. Do you think that makes you impressive?"
Even while provoking Xiao Changyan, Zhuge Ming couldn't help but acknowledge his looks. He silently compared his own father to Xiao Changyan, who looked like the school heartthrob, and had to admit—his dad lost.
Dad was probably quite handsome when he was young, but now he was in his forties, no match for this young, fresh-faced boy. So maybe… it was understandable that Mom was attracted to him?
After all, older men liked young girls, so it was normal for Mom, as an older woman, to like young boys too.
He silently defended his mother in his heart, but the thought of this guy becoming his stepdad at such a young age made Zhuge Ming lose his temper again.
"I will never accept you into our Zhuge family. Someone like you, aside from being young and good-looking, is completely unworthy of my mom. If you know what's good for you, don't even think about marrying into our family. Just stay outside and be my mom's lover, and I can turn a blind eye."
Yes! Zhuge Ming puffed out his chest again, standing tall as he tried to persuade this misguided young man. Only, his words took a turn at the end, suggesting that the other become his mother's lover.
After all, in wealthy families like theirs, it was normal for classmates' parents to keep a few lovers. Mom had never kept one before for Dad's sake, so keeping one now wasn't shameful.
"Huh?"
Xiao Changyan was so shocked he didn't know what to say. His gaze fell on the incredibly serious boy in front of him, and he finally understood—this guy actually thought he was someone Aunt Zhuge liked. Good heavens, do I look that old?
Shen Jiaren, meanwhile, quietly clung to her brother's arm, cautiously looking at this boy who was "full of aggression" but had "zero lethality." She also guessed that he was Aunt Zhuge's son.
It seems Aunt Zhuge's son doesn't want his father to marry her mother—what should be done about this?
Cao Ziming, who was just watching the drama unfold, was utterly dumbfounded. If he hadn't already known that Uncle Xiao was marrying into a wealthy family, he would have been shocked beyond words at this moment.
Seeing that Xiao Changyan remained silent, Zhuge Ming thought he had intimidated the other party and felt particularly satisfied. He glanced at him with a hint of smugness and scrutiny.
As long as this person didn't marry his mother, he could still accept him as a lover.
Thinking this, Zhuge Ming felt he could go back and tell his mother that he could accept Xiao Changyan, so she wouldn't be angry with him anymore.
In a split second, his thoughts raced. Just as Zhuge Ming was about to say a few more words to lecture his mother's lover, his eyes fell on the girl standing beside Xiao Changyan.
Shen Jiaren was wearing a pink tracksuit today, her hair casually draped over her shoulders. Though not heavily made up, she looked naturally beautiful, like a lotus emerging from clear water. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from chasing her brother while running earlier, resembling ripe peaches, and her curious eyes were fixed on him.
Zhuge Ming was momentarily stunned by her gaze, but then he saw Shen Jiaren wrap her arm around Xiao Changyan's. Instantly, anger surged within him. Pointing at Xiao Changyan's arm, he spat out hatefully:
"Are you mute? Not saying anything?"
"And who is this beside you? How dare you date another girl behind my mother's back? You gold-digger, playing two sides? Greedy for my mother's money while coveting this girl's youth and beauty?"
His hands clenched into fists, as if ready to strike the moment Xiao Changyan admitted it. Xiao Changyan, already exasperated by this absurd situation, had gone from slightly surprised to completely expressionless, exuding an icy aura that kept others at a distance.
"You've mistaken me for someone else."
He spoke coldly, his clear voice tinged with irritation, which only infuriated Zhuge Ming further!
He didn'tt like this gold-digger, that was true! But how could this pretty boy betray his mother?
"Hmph! The video of you being escorted into my mother's car by her bodyguards last night is everywhere. How could I mistake you? Let me tell you! I'm Zhuge Ming! Zhuge Rui's son! If you dare betray my mother, I'll have someone take care of you!!"
…
Xiao Changyan fell silent this time. He really wanted to roll his eyes, but since they were outside, he had to maintain his composure. Still, dealing with someone so brainless was something he couldn't be bothered with.
Aunt Zhuge was such a good person—how did her son end up acting like an idiot?
Sensing her brother's exasperation, Shen Jiaren, with a tacit understanding…
She was the type who looked absolutely sweet when she smiled, but there was a charming playfulness between her brows and eyes, clearly indicating she had been raised with immense indulgence. Now, softly coquettish, she left Zhuge Ming utterly stunned. Just listening to her speak made his ears flush red and his neck grow warm.
"…Y-you're calling me?"
As the younger brother in his family, Zhuge Ming had never been addressed like this before. "Ming-gege"—her voice was so sweet, her smile so beautiful, her eyes so lovely, her cheeks so small, her lips so tiny…
He was practically staring dumbfounded at Zhuge Ming, which made Xiao Changyan frown deeply upon noticing. He wanted to step forward to block the other's view of his sister, but she tugged at his arm.
"Yes, Ming-gege. My dad is going to marry your mom, so we might become family in the future. That's why I took the liberty of calling you Ming-gege. This isn't really the place to talk—how about we go to the café next door to chat?"
Shen Jiaren didn't want to put her father in a difficult position. Since her dad was marrying into a wealthy family, of course she wanted to help. No one could stand in the way.
"…Okay." Zhuge Ming agreed, his ears still flushed red.
Cao Ziming secretly gave Shen Jiaren a thumbs-up behind her back. This good sister of his usually acted like a bookworm at school, but once they were out, whenever she wanted to strike up a conversation with someone, no one could refuse.
Jiaren, Jiaren—who could refuse such a beautiful girl?
The four of them reluctantly ended up at the café on the next street. This café had just opened recently and was quite a distance from Xiao Changyan's Diyi Shiyan Gaozhong, but word had it that the desserts and coffee there were expensive, though the pastries were especially delicious.
The café had already opened by nine o'clock, and the four of them were ushered inside. A waiter brought over the menu—entirely in English, with a string of numbers listed beside each item. Even the most ordinary cup of coffee cost 128 yuan, making Cao Ziming gasp in shock.
Shen Jiaren had already tried pastries from this shop before, brought home by her brother, so she unhesitatingly ordered several now. Even though they had just finished breakfast, how could any girl resist desserts? If she couldn't finish them, she could always take them home~
Cao Ziming also ordered several pretty pastries and outrageously expensive coffee. After the waiter left, the four of them remained silent.
"Ming-gege, you really did mistake someone for me earlier outside. My dad, Xiao Guanyun, is indeed dating your mom and they're considering marriage, but my brother and I only found out about it yesterday. This is my brother, Xiao Changyan—he's also been really troubled by this whole thing~"
With just a few words, Shen Jiaren aligned their perspectives as children on the same side. Zhuge Ming belatedly realized he had mistaken someone for her, his cheeks flushing even redder in embarrassment.
He fidgeted uncomfortably, but Shen Jiaren was even more considerate, speaking softly.
"But my brother really is handsome, so it's understandable that Ming-gege mistook someone for him. Yesterday, when I saw Aunt Zhuge, I thought her demeanor was extraordinary, and today, seeing Ming-gege, I also think you're exceptionally good-looking, dignified in both appearance and character. And your taste is really great—Ming-gege's earring is so pretty~"
She skillfully shifted the topic, guiding the other's train of thought. Zhuge Ming listened attentively to her, and as soon as Shen Jiaren praised his earring, he immediately reached up to gently touch his black diamond stud, a smile spreading across his face at the compliment.
"Is that so? My mom also said it's not good for a boy to wear earrings. This diamond earring was designed by me personally, made from a black diamond I handpicked myself. Do you like diamonds? If you do, I can draw the design myself and make a pair for you too."
He instantly shed his earlier unfamiliarity, showing a touch of enthusiasm. Before Shen Jiaren could respond, the server arrived with their order.
Delicate pastries were placed on the table, along with coffee so expensive that ordinary students could hardly afford it, immediately capturing Cao Ziming's attention. He began sneaking bites.
Xiao Changyan and Shen Jiaren, the siblings, gently stirred their coffee with spoons. Both were good-looking, and their every movement was exceptionally elegant, which made Zhuge Ming drop his earlier confrontational attitude.
The atmosphere seemed to ease slightly. Only then did Zhuge Ming turn his gaze to the silent Xiao Changyan, his expression earnest.
"Xiao Changyan, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you. I thought my mom liked you. I apologize for saying those things earlier. I didn't realize my mom was going to marry your dad."
"But aren't you unhappy about it too? You must not want your dad to marry my mom either, right?"
His eyes lit up with a sudden, mischievous idea, and he raised five fingers.
"Five million! I'll give you five million. Help me ruin your dad and my mom's plans. How about it?"
Author's Note:
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