MCFEM C29

Chapter 29 – Anyway, You’re the Maid’s Son…

When Gu Qingxu pushed open the door to the lounge, the smoke inside made him cough several times.

He waved his hand to clear the haze in front of him, brows faintly furrowing, though the smile on his face didn’t waver.

“I remember this place is non-smoking, isn’t it? If He Ming’an finds out, he’ll nitpick you again.”

Nie Ying let out a cold laugh, crushing his cigarette into the coffee table. “He really thinks this school belongs to him? Maybe he should deal with his own family mess before acting like he’s in charge here.”

Gu Qingxu kept smiling without replying.

He wasn’t particularly fond of He Ming’an either, but sometimes you had to give others a little face.

Nie Ying didn’t linger on the topic—he hadn’t called Gu Qingxu here to complain about He Ming’an anyway.

Gu Qingxu sat on the sofa beside him, picked up the cloisonné lighter on the table, and played with it idly. But when Nie Ying offered him a cigarette, he refused.

“I don’t smoke,” Gu Qingxu said with a smile. “And didn’t your dad forbid you too? What, things not going well at home so you sneak into school to do it?”

At that, Nie Ying’s face darkened even more.

These days, any contact with others circled back to the same issue. He hadn’t even set foot in his own classroom.

“Why put on that act? Everyone already knows your business. We’ve known each other for years—why keep pretending? Makes it impossible to talk properly.”

After the scandal his stepmother caused at the birthday party, word had spread quickly, making an already disgraceful matter even more humiliating.

It was said the fallout even affected Nie Yunhua’s position in the company.

The old master of the Nie family was still strong and firmly held the reins of the Nie Group. Normally, the eldest, Nie Yunhua, inheriting would have been a sure thing. But now, with such a disgrace, the family had become a laughingstock.

That gave the second branch, with its steady reputation, an opportunity. Many who had once clung to Nie Yunhua were beginning to switch sides. Even Nie Ying’s hangers-on had largely scattered.

Still, Gu Qingxu hadn’t cut ties yet. When Nie Ying sought him out, he hadn’t refused.

The second uncle’s sons were more than ten years older, and they rarely interacted. No need to force anything now.

Besides, he rather enjoyed watching the arrogant Nie Ying finally humbled.

“…Gu Yang.”

After a long silence, Nie Ying finally spat the name through clenched teeth.

Gu Qingxu lifted his head, brows raised in surprise.

“All of this—Gu Yang is the one pulling strings. If not for him, I wouldn’t be a laughingstock now.”

“Gu Yang?” Gu Qingxu chuckled. “You must be mistaken. Since when does he have that kind of ability?”

From his reaction, Nie Ying instantly knew—Gu Qingxu couldn’t hear Gu Yang’s thoughts. He sneered.

“What? Planning to protect him?”

“Go ahead, pick on him. Best if you push him to desperation and have him come begging me—I’d thank you for it.” Gu Qingxu dismissed him easily, seeing him as venting misdirected rage. After all, the debacle had been entirely Nie Madam’s doing.

“But really, what’s the point of targeting Gu Yang? He’s odd, sure, and my dad still shields him.” Gu Qingxu’s expression grew amused. “Though… he does have a new sweetheart lately. You might get somewhere through him.”

“Who?”

“A boy named Song Yinxing, from Class Ten, one of the special admits. You’ve heard of him, right?”

Song Yinxing.

Of course Nie Ying remembered.

A pauper who got in only by a tuition waiver. Instead of keeping his head down, he’d meddled, called the police, and landed him in a station—only to be picked up by that woman with a face full of disgust.

“He’s really got tricks, huh? Don’t know what he did, but my brother seems to care a lot about him,” Gu Qingxu said, smiling as something occurred to him. “Oh right, his mother used to be a maid. Maybe you two have something in common.”

“Ah, look at your face.” Seeing Nie Ying’s expression sour as though he’d swallowed filth, Gu Qingxu laughed heartily. “The wheel turns. Give it time—no one will even remember this. Why take it so hard?”

Nie Ying glared coldly at him.

But Gu Qingxu didn’t flinch. He’d never feared Nie Ying—least of all now. He knew Nie Ying couldn’t afford to act rashly against him.

Otherwise, his position in the Nie family would only worsen.

“Come on, look at it differently. At least you’re not Nie Madam’s son. You’re your father’s, and that’s enough. And your dad’s not exactly a stud, so no illegitimate siblings to compete with—what a relief.” Gu Qingxu nearly laughed as he spoke.

For an instant, Nie Ying’s face shifted. He gave a strange smile.

“The wheel really does turn. I heard when you first came to the Gu family, you were like a quail, hiding behind Gu Yang at every banquet your uncle dragged you to. Looks like you’ve grown some backbone over the years.”

This time, it was Gu Qingxu whose expression soured. He flicked the lighter casually—blue and red flame leapt up.

The air chilled.

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be sure to use it.” Finally venting some of his frustration, Nie Ying rose. “Don’t pull that face. Anyway, I’ll take care of Song Yinxing. You’ll enjoy the outcome too.”

“Let’s do this again sometime.”

When Nie Ying’s footsteps faded, Gu Qingxu tossed the lighter aside.

He didn’t know how long passed before there came a soft, cautious knock at the door.

“Come in.”

He said impatiently. Looking up at the newcomer, his tone turned cold. “Who are you?”

“Brother Gu, it’s me—Ding Ziyu. I treated you at Tianding Pavilion last time, remember? My father is Ding Ren, a partner under the Gu Group.”

Ding Ziyu stammered respectfully, though inwardly he cursed.

The Gu family—none of them ever remembered his name. Was he really that unworthy of notice?

“Ah, I remember.” Gu Qingxu leaned on his hand, showing a trace of interest. “So you’re a senior, huh.”

Ding Ziyu didn’t dare own the title. He bowed quickly. “Brother Gu, I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I really have no choice.”

Gu Qingxu only watched him, waiting.

Last time, he’d wanted Gu Qingxu’s help in meeting Gu Yang to apologize.

But just days later, Gu Yang had accused him of bullying and extortion. When the call reached the Gu family, Gu Qingxu had nearly laughed out loud.

Did Ding Ziyu think Gu Yang was helpless? With He Ming’an always by his side, how could anyone touch him under their watch?

“The notice for your expulsion’s already out. What use is coming to me now?”

Nie Yunhua’s late-born son had grown spoiled and reckless, but even then, Gu Qingxu disdained bullying. He tolerated Nie Ying for mutual benefit, but trash like Ding Ziyu—he couldn’t even be bothered.

His blunt dismissal drained the color from Ding Ziyu’s face, leaving only despair.

If he was expelled from Guanli Middle School, he’d have no value left at home.

“It’s Song Yinxing. It has to be because of him.” Ding Ziyu muttered. “Just because I picked on him once—he already punished me. Why won’t he let it go?”

Then a spark lit in his eyes. He rushed out.

Song Yinxing again, Gu Qingxu thought.

That name really was cropping up a lot lately.

—

In Class Eleven’s room, the air was oppressively heavy.

Their minds still reeled from what they’d heard.

The Gu family went bankrupt? Gu Yang committed suicide?

Setting aside how a colossal empire like the Gu Group could collapse, how had Gu Yang ended up like that?

Unlike the previous gossip—mere rich-family melodrama—this revelation weighed dark and grim.

Yu Bai’s face grew grave.

He remembered Gu Yang’s words on the rooftop: Why don’t we jump together?

So it hadn’t been a joke?

【So Nie Ying had someone kill Gu Qingxu, and while the Gu Group floundered leaderless, he seized it?】

【What kind of brain-dead plotline is that…】

Uh—

Such a crude, simple corporate battle.

Everyone was stunned.

Wait—Nie Ying, again?

By that logic, wasn’t he the one who’d killed Gu Yang too?

【Nie Ying really is a rat’s turd. He ruined Song Yinxing’s life as well. And that real young master of the Lu family—he had someone cripple his leg just to pay Lu Ran’s debt.】

At that, Lu Ran’s face changed.

Even if it hadn’t happened, it was exactly the sort of thing he would have done.

Several classmates glanced at him.

Before, they might not have thought much—just annoyed at a bastard parading around, looking to teach him a lesson.

But now they knew the truth. The illegitimate one wasn’t Lu Ji—it was Lu Ran.

The Lu family’s scheming was clear as day.

Their real son had lived eighteen years without his rightful name.

【Ha.】

Gu Yang gave a soft laugh. Lu Ran immediately felt dread.

【And in the end, those two actually ended up together. The victim and the beneficiary. What a sight.】

【Lu Ji must be a masochist—after all that, he still stuck around.】

【Which chapter was their confession? I’ll have to watch for it. Maybe I’ll even see them come out.】

Me and Lu Ji… together?

Nausea churned. Lu Ran nearly gagged.

Not just because he was straight, but because he loathed Lu Ji.

Lu Ji was the single obstacle in his once-smooth life. Because of him, he could never again hold his head high as the Lu family’s young master.

If he could, he’d erase Lu Ji from existence entirely.

The blow struck harder than when his class had learned he was a fake.

Dizziness swept him. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed again.

“Ah—Lu Ran fainted again,” Yu Bai cried.

Gu Yang was closest. As Lu Ran toppled toward him, he leaned back, letting him fall past.

“Another asthma attack?” Gu Yang arched a brow.

Xie Wu hurried over, catching Lu Ran’s arm. “I’ll take him to the hospital.”

Seeing Gu Yang’s detached gaze, he quickly added, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t overthink it.”

“Why would I?” Gu Yang looked baffled, disdain flickering on his face. “It’s not like I did anything to him.”

Xie Wu: “…”

Technically, you did. Twice.

He’d just overheard Gu Yang’s inner voice and didn’t know how to react. The boy was far too young to be talking about death like that.

But it wasn’t the time. He held back his words and left with Lu Ran.

The rest of the day passed without further incident.

After school, Gu Yang and He Ming’an left together.

Yu Bai watched, biting back words. He Ming’an caught the hesitation and gave him a reassuring smile.

Yu Bai understood—I’ve got this. He sighed and nodded.

On the way to the gate, silence stretched between them.

Gu Yang never initiated conversation. Unless the subject interested him, he stayed sparing with words.

So He Ming’an filled the space with small talk, avoiding heavier topics.

Then suddenly, someone darted out to block their path, face pale with panic.

Gu Yang stared blankly, unable to place him. “Who are you?”

He Ming’an, however, recognized him immediately and smiled. “Why, it’s Liu Hua. I heard you returned to class. Your quiz scores lately have been impressive too.”

Liu Hua blinked at Gu Yang, stunned. His savior, who’d rescued him only days ago, didn’t even remember his face.

But He Ming’an’s recognition left him touched—he hadn’t expected this young master to know his name, much less his scores.

Quickly, he remembered his purpose. “Yinxing’s been cornered in the alley by the school gates—by Nie Ying. He brought a bunch of people!”

The thugs had been menacing. Terrified, Liu Hua had rushed back for help.

When they arrived, Nie Ying already had hands on him.

Song Yinxing was backed against a wall, blood trickling from his lip, dust on his face, glaring up at Nie Ying and his gang.

Nie Ying loomed above him, watching with lazy disdain.

But when their eyes locked, compared to his former restraint, Nie Ying now carried a strange, vicious edge.

The realization unsettled Nie Ying, but he refused to get his hands dirty.

He waved, signaling his lackeys forward.

Even diminished, summoning a few dogs was easy.

“Nie Ying.”

He Ming’an’s voice cut through as he stepped forward.

Nie Ying clicked his tongue, glancing back. “Why are you everywhere?”

“School rules forbid fighting.”

“And which eye of yours sees me fighting?” Nie Ying sneered, pointing at his lackeys. “I’m just watching. Right, boys?”

“Class One’s Liu Yu, Class Nine’s Zhou Bei, Class Four’s Cao Fang.” He Ming’an swept his gaze across them, naming each one. “What are you doing here? Say it yourselves.”

Faces drained of color. Out of hundreds of students, how could he possibly know their names?

They stammered, terrified of punishment.

Nie Ying scowled at their cowardice. “He Ming’an, I really don’t get you. I rough up a pauper, and you still have to interfere? Do you plan to stick your nose in everything?”

Then Gu Yang’s voice came, calm and cutting: “And aren’t you a maid’s son yourself? How dare you insult others?”

Nie Ying’s face changed. His lackeys paled too—they hadn’t expected anyone to say it outright.

“How amusing. Each of you—have you cleaned up your own family messes? Don’t act like anyone’s above reproach.” Nie Ying sneered.

“Our business aside, you’re still the maid’s son.”

His composure cracked. “Gu Yang—what do you gain from defending that special admit?”

“Gains or not, doesn’t matter. But you’re the maid’s son.”

Nie Ying’s laughter turned hollow. “Think I forgot what you did? Think it’s over?”

“Over or not, doesn’t matter. But you’re the maid’s son.”

Nie Ying: “…”

Lackeys: A warrior…!