MCFEM C33

Chapter 33 – What on Earth Do You Have in That Head of Yours?

The Lu couple exchanged an awkward glance. Madam Lu, afraid of triggering another asthma attack, quickly softened her tone to coax him.

Lu Ran’s overly intense reaction made Lu Ji glance at him again.

He knew this person had always rejected him.

But just now… something was different.

It wasn’t disgust. It looked more like fear.

Why would Lu Ran be afraid? Was he afraid that once he entered Class Eleven, he would steal his place?

That alone shouldn’t warrant such terror.

Or was it that something—or someone—in Class Eleven was what Lu Ran didn’t want him near?

Lu Ji lowered his gaze, hiding the shadow that flickered in his eyes.

Lu Ran found him an eyesore. But he found Lu Ran even more unbearable.

This was his life, his family. Hadn’t Lu Ran occupied them for eighteen years already—wasn’t that enough?

If he had any sense, he’d step aside.

Lu Ji’s nails dug hard into the flesh of his palm.

But in these past days, he had seen clearly Lu Ran’s position in the family.

He didn’t want to see his mother sad—the mother who treated him with such gentleness.

For the first time in his life, he felt what family affection was.

So, even though he disliked Lu Ran, he had been trying to get him to stop making trouble and at least coexist peacefully.

It seemed the breakthrough lay in Class Eleven.

He had to find out why Lu Ran had reacted so violently just now, and maybe even seize a hold over him.

Lu Ji no longer wanted to sit through their farce of family harmony, so he found an excuse to leave.

The moment he stepped out, he ran straight into someone he didn’t want to see.

“I just saw you,” Lin Chunmei fixed her gaze on him. The corners of her mouth naturally drooped, making her look perpetually bitter-faced. “You’re certainly living comfortably in your new home.”

Lu Ji frowned in distaste, attempting to skirt past her.

But Lin Chunmei blocked him again, her eyes never leaving his face. “So you’ve got a new mother now and forgot the old one? Heartless thing. I raised you for all those years, and you can’t even greet me when we meet?”

Unable to escape, Lu Ji halted, coldly facing the woman he had called “mother” for over a decade.

“I’m just worried about you. Why do you give me that look?” Lin Chunmei softened her voice, forcing out a strained smile for this cheap son. “How’s that family treating you?”

“That woman not only wanted to take you away, she wouldn’t even give me back hers. If she clung so tightly, your days there must be hard, right?”

“What does it matter to you if they are or not?” Lu Ji’s tone was icy. “Your biological son is in there. Why don’t you go see him?”

“I—I’m not here for him.” Lin Chunmei’s eyes flickered as she continued, “Of course, not being raised by me, there’s something missing. My real son’s the same—no conscience at all, won’t even come back to see me.

“And don’t look down on us for being poor. No matter what, I raised you for years. At least we’re on your side. Those rich people aren’t easy to get along with. Who knows how much they secretly despise you for being uncultured.

“But no feelings? That’s fine. The important thing is to get what you can. How much pocket money do they give you every month?”

At that, Lu Ji instantly understood why she had come.

His reply left no room for maneuver: “Forget it. I won’t give you a single cent anymore.”

Lin Chunmei’s eyes flew wide. “You—!”

It looked like she was about to curse him, but she swallowed it back. “You can’t just abandon your old family now that you’ve made it.

“Even if you don’t care about us old folks, what about your brother? Are you really willing to let him spend his whole life as a mute cripple, unable to marry? When we’re gone, who will take care of him, huh?”

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, even shoving at him.

Lu Ji seized her arm in a vise grip. Looking at the woman before him, he suppressed the grief and bitterness rising within.

He had once held expectations.

That was why, when his father went crazy demanding money, he had shielded Lin Chunmei, standing in front of her no matter how badly he was beaten.

That was why, even when she favored his brother again and again, he had consoled himself—the disabled do need more care.

…But he had been deceiving himself.

No mother would remain indifferent when one child shielded her and was beaten to a pulp.

And no matter how much care a disabled child required, no mother would be so biased as to force the other, still in school, to work to pay medical bills.

Lin Chunmei had always harbored a faint malice toward him. At best, it was suppression. At worst, it was sheer resentment of his existence.

After his middle school exams, he had received a call from Guanli High’s admissions office.

He had thought it was his chance—a way to change his fate.

Guanli offered not only school-level scholarships but also numerous corporate ones, quite generous. As long as he studied hard, he could improve his family’s situation.

On the day of the online interview, he had asked for quiet. Everyone was to stay out.

Even his foolish brother understood. But Lin Chunmei kept knocking, asking trivial questions, speaking loudly outside. Later, she barged straight in and sat silently beside him.

It had been just a formality, yet in the end, he lost his qualification.

At the time, he hadn’t understood. But the day he learned of his true identity, he suddenly suspected.

Lu Ji fixed her with a stare, asking each word deliberately: “You knew all along, didn’t you?

“…Or was it you who switched us back then?”

Lin Chunmei’s face drained of color. She yanked her arm free. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Then, eyes darting with panic, she demanded, “Where did you hear that? Who told you?”

If it were from the Lu couple—she was finished.

Lu Ji gave no answer, letting her stew in her own fear.

Not daring to linger lest the Lu family emerge and confront her, Lin Chunmei fled in haste, even stumbling as she left.

From her reaction, Lu Ji was almost certain of his suspicion.

He set his hand on the doorknob, hesitating long. In the end, he didn’t turn it.

He couldn’t tell the Lu couple yet.

It was still just conjecture, with no proof. If he confronted her again, she would deny to the death.

And besides… his bond with that family was still too shallow. He didn’t know how to bring it up, nor could he bear to imagine their reaction.

Take it slow.

Lu Ji slowly released the handle, closing his eyes. He told himself:

Things will get better. They must.

—

“Song Senior—” Zheng Ying leaned against the window, her tone dragging in sorrow. “Why isn’t Senior Xia here again today?”

Song Yinxing returned to himself, glancing at the girl outside.

It took him a moment to realize which “Senior Xia” she meant.

“You’re here again,” his deskmate teased. He and Zheng Ying were old acquaintances. “Chasing after the same girl every day—what are you doing?”

“Mind your own business.” Zheng Ying huffed. “Senior Xia isn’t just pretty—she’s top of the class. If I don’t chase someone that amazing, should I chase you?”

“Ha.” The deskmate laughed. “Top of the class? Hasn’t she always been middle-ranked? Don’t filter her too hard.”

“She’s a special admit. Her foundation must’ve been solid. Now she’s just too busy working part-time.”

“If she’s short on money, why not study properly and earn more scholarships? When did our school become a gilding ground for influencers?”

“You—!” Zheng Ying’s face flushed, her voice catching in anger.

“Fine, fine, I won’t talk about her.” The deskmate made a show of surrender, changing the subject. “Did you hear about the Lu family?”

“The Lu family?” Zheng Ying frowned. “You mean the real-and-fake young master thing?”

“So it’s true?” The deskmate brightened. “I thought it was just a rumor. But if you say so, with your family close to theirs, it must be real.”

“No, no—don’t spread rumors. I only heard it from someone else.” Zheng Ying crossed her arms in denial.

“What real-and-fake young masters?” Song Yinxing asked.

“Well, well. Our studious genius, deaf to all but books, suddenly curious?”

The deskmate kindly explained: “The Lu family runs an entertainment company with tons of top stars. Cheng Zishi, who’s huge right now, is one of theirs.

“They recently brought back a child, claiming he was the twin brother of their second son. But in reality, he’s their biological son—and the second son they raised was a fake, switched at the hospital years ago.”

Different again, Song Yinxing thought.

“Where did you hear this?” he asked.

“From Class Eleven, of course. Their own classmates. Makes sense they’d know. Hey, what’s with you today, asking so much?”

Class Eleven.

That was where Gu Yang was.

After school, Song Yinxing went to find him.

Through the glass, he watched.

That thin, frail back. Someone called his name, he turned slightly, his pale, delicate profile freezing mid-sentence. His smile, sharp-edged, made the person opposite instantly flustered.

In his past life, they had met once. Or rather—he had seen Gu Yang once.

At a KTV gathering. He had been working a temp job. Nie Ying was there, causing trouble, knocking over a bottle of liquor, ordering him to kneel and pick up the shards with his bare hands.

The cronies jeered, saying the liquor was expensive, he should lick it clean.

Their voices grew louder, pressing him to comply.

The duty manager dared not offend these patrons, feigning ignorance.

Then the door opened.

But the rowdy crowd, caught up in their taunting, didn’t notice. One had already grabbed his hair, forcing him to kneel.

Until a voice rang out: “What is this place you brought me to? An SM club?”

The voice was lazy, careless. But the words—explosive.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

The crony released him in shock.

Instinctively, he looked up.

A breathtaking youth stood there, tall and languid, draped in a wide-collared coat.

Beside him was Gu Qingxu, whose usually proud face wore a peculiar look.

“Just passing the time,” Nie Ying said smoothly. “Why make it sound so dirty?”

At this, the youth suddenly laughed. His aura was shadowy, detached. Even smiling, there was a coldness that couldn’t be named.

“Only the filthy see filth everywhere, Nie Ying.”

What happened after, he didn’t know. The manager had gestured for him to leave quickly.

That was the first time he saw someone dare to talk back to Nie Ying.

Not from confidence, but from a kind of indifference—whatever happens, happens.

Inside the classroom now, Gu Yang spotted him and came straight out.

“What do you want from me?”

Compared to the grown-up face of his later years, Song Yinxing actually saw a trace of youth in him now.

“I said before, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me recently.” Song Yinxing met his eyes. “I’ve made up my mind.”

Gu Yang’s interest piqued immediately.

Because Song Yinxing was poor, whatever he offered wouldn’t be bought with money.

That only made it more intriguing.

After school, Song Yinxing led him to a building.

Inside, Gu Yang looked around and asked, “What is this, some kind of immersive role-play love hotel?”

Song Yinxing nearly dropped the card in his hand. He gave Gu Yang a blank look, baffled at what on earth filled his head.

“…It’s a 24-hour self-service study hall.”

For the first time in his life, Gu Yang set foot in such a place.

Song Yinxing pulled out a chair for him, then sat beside him.

Gu Yang’s curiosity climbed to its peak.

Song Yinxing set down his backpack, rummaged inside, and slowly pulled out a book, placing it in front of him.

On the cover, the title read:

Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests.