Chapter 18: The Fallout
After Xiang Yang returned home, she felt a bit distracted while doing her homework. After dinner, while helping to clear the dining table, she asked Jiang Manxin, “Mom, did you go to Aunt Fu's house today?”
“No, why?”
“Oh, it's nothing, I was just asking.”
Jiang Manxin paused her actions and looked at her, tentatively asking, “Do you want to go?”
“Ah? Not really, but it would be nice to go… No, never mind, I won't go…”
Seeing her so conflicted, Jiang Manxin thought she might have some questions for Guanxian that she was too shy to ask, so she said, “It's okay, after I finish up, we can go together. I have something to bring to Aunt Fu.”
“Oh, in that case, I'll go take a look.”
Jiang Manxin looked at her and couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile, saying softly, “How cute!”
When Jiang Manxin and Xiang Yang arrived at the Fu family's house, they found that only Kong Yiyue was in the living room. Jiang Manxin asked in surprise, “Why are you the only one here?”
“There's a young master upstairs throwing a tantrum!” Kong Yiyue's tone made Xiang Yang feel that she was probably also annoyed by Fu Guanxian.
“What happened?” Jiang Manxin asked.
“I heard he engaged in a fight with some fellow students at school. He inflicted harm on an individual and failed to extend an apology. The homeroom teacher contacted me with a tone of displeasure, urging us as parents to instill proper values in his upbringing.”
After hearing this, Jiang Manxin spoke up for Fu Guanxian, “What was the reason for the fight? Guanxian isn't the kind of child who doesn't know how to weigh the situation.”
“If he knew how to weigh the situation, would he go and fight?” Kong Yiyue retorted.
“Kids are impulsive; it's normal. Don't be too upset,” Jiang Manxin comforted.
Kong Yiyue was still angry, “What frustrates me the most is that when I asked him about it, as soon as I brought up the fight, his temper flared up. He said those boys weren't his classmates and told me not to insult him, claiming he did nothing wrong and that he wouldn't write a reflection or apologize. If he won't say anything, how am I supposed to judge whether he was wrong or the others were?”
“Don't be so anxious!” This was the first time Jiang Manxin had seen her so worried about Fu Guanxian.
Kong Yiyue was indeed worried and anxious. She turned to Xiang Yang, “Xiang Yang, you're in the same school as him. Do you know what happened?”
Xiang Yang shook her head, but seeing the disappointment flash across Kong Yiyue's face, she immediately added, “Aunt, how about I go ask him and talk to him?”
“Sure!” Kong Yiyue was eager for that. This child was at that rebellious age, causing trouble for teachers and parents alike, and she worried about handling it improperly and making it worse.
When Fu Guanxian heard knocking on his door, he didn’t want to respond. However, the other party was persistent and knocked again. Fu Guanxian shouted, “Mom, let me be alone!”
Xiang Yang thought for a moment and replied, “It's me.”
After a while, Fu Guanxian actually opened the door, “What do you want?” His tone was very harsh.
Xiang Yang wanted to retreat but managed to hold her ground. She gathered her courage and said, “Aunt is worried about you and asked me to come check on you.”
“Haha, Xiang Yang, do you think I'm stupid? You're my mom's spy, aren't you?”
Xiang Yang looked up at him and said, “I just wanted to see how you're doing with your reflection…” As soon as she said this, she noticed Fu Guanxian's expression darken even more.
“So, you came to watch the show? Xiang Yang, you're overthinking it. I'm not the one who needs to reflect! I can't be bothered with her. She even wants me to write a reflection letter. I respected her as a teacher and didn't argue with her; they're just a bunch of idiots blinded by their foolishness!”
Xiang Yang smiled, “Well, you are the smartest in the world.”
Fu Guanxian fixed his gaze upon her, “Xiang Yang, why do I perceive a tinge of sarcasm in your words?”
“I'm just speaking the truth.”
Fu Guanxian did not believe her.
Xiang Yang continued, “Aunt is really worried about you. What are you going to do about this? Locking yourself in your room all day isn't a solution.”
“I'll do whatever I want; just go away and don't bother me!”
“Can I at least ask what Zhang Peng and the others said about me? This is related to me, and I have the right to know, right?”
Fu Guanxian slightly raised his chin and looked down at her, “Who told you?”
“You just tell me, no need to ask so much.”
“Haha, then don't waste your effort. This matter has nothing to do with you; I see they've been unhappy for a long time. Hitting them is just doing society a favor.”
Xiang Yang didn't know how to persuade him, who was being so stubborn.
Fu Guanxian didn't have the mood to continue talking to her and urged her to go back downstairs. Throughout the entire time, Xiang Yang didn't even take a step into his bedroom. This was the first time Xiang Yang couldn't even enter his room at his door.
Xiang Yang didn't know how Fu Guanxian planned to handle this situation, but after two or three days, Zhang Peng and his group got into trouble again.
Parents from other first-year classes brought their children and the homeroom teacher to the classroom, identifying Zhang Peng and a few others for maliciously surrounding students and forcing them to give up their pocket money, taking advantage of their numbers.
The homeroom teacher was furious and contacted Zhang Peng and the others' parents. It seemed like the issue took up the entire two class periods to resolve.
Xiang Yang glanced at the empty seats of Zhang Peng and his group, and she seemed to understand what Fu Guanxian meant when he said he was doing society a favor by beating them up.
It appeared that Fu Guanxian still hadn't come to class.
During lunch, Xiang Yang went to the cafeteria with Hou Xingrou. While they were in line, Lian Rui happened to be in the neighboring line. When Lian Rui saw her, he excitedly greeted her, “Xiang Yang!”
Xiang Yang smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Lian Rui continued, “That guy still hasn't come to class. But next week is the midterm exam, and I heard the homeroom teacher is going to personally call or visit his home to urge him to come back to class.”
“Oh.” Xiang Yang thought to herself that Fu Guanxian was really quite bold, daring to skip class for several days in a row.
Lian Rui went on, “It would be best if he came back soon; I'm getting sick of the cafeteria food.”
Xiang Yang suppressed a laugh and replied, “I think the cafeteria food is pretty good!”
Lian Rui shook his head repeatedly, “It's terrible!”
Hou Xingrou, seeing the two of them chatting animatedly, curiously asked, “Xiang Yang, who is he?”
“He's from the second year; I think his name is…”
“Lian Rui,” Lian Rui chimed in.
Xiang Yang felt a bit embarrassed, “Um, Lian Rui.”
Hou Xingrou was surprised, “You actually know someone from the second year?”
“Oh, that's because of last time…” Xiang Yang didn't know how to explain, “Anyway, it was a misunderstanding, and we got to know each other.”
Hou Xingrou smiled knowingly at her, saying meaningfully, “So that's how it is.”
Xiang Yang didn't think much of it, but Hou Xingrou kept glancing at Lian Rui with a smile.
During the midterm exams, Fu Guanxian actually came to participate. After the exams, which coincided with the weekend, Fu Guanxian and Lian Rui were playing basketball. When Xiang Yang and Hou Xingrou passed by the playground, Lian Rui whispered to Fu Guanxian with a smile, “Hey, Guanxian, there's your childhood sweetheart!”
Fu Guanxian, holding the ball, bumped it against Lian Rui, saying, “Shut up!” Then he subtly turned his head to glance at her. Seeing that she was not looking this way at all, he withdrew his gaze and continued playing basketball.
Author's Note:
Fireworks!
So happy that I can finally attract fans for Fu the Overlord!
O(∩_∩)O Haha!
Yes!! I'm a fan for Fu the Overlord!!! o7
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