MCFEM C38

Chapter 38 – Anyway, No One Is Allowed to Have It Easy…

The math teacher broke the stifling atmosphere.

“Lu, you can sit in the middle seat of the second row.”

He meant to ease the tension, but the new student stood frozen as if he hadn’t heard a word.

The teacher tried following his line of sight.

What he saw was Gu Yang, radiating his usual gloomy aura of half-dead lethargy.

!

The teacher nearly leapt in fright, haunted once again by countless painful memories.

No, no—this one must never be provoked!

He quickly coughed into his fist, motioning to another student to take the seat instead.

Only then did Lu Ji snap out of it. He almost moved with his arms and legs together, and coming down the podium, he even tripped over the step.

A boy in the front row caught him with a smile. “Careful.”

Lu Ji’s gaze was still stiff, but Ye Chen paid no mind to his indifference.

Only after sitting down did Lu Ji finally come back to himself a little.

He couldn’t help glancing back again.

The voice had come from there. He remembered it now.

That person’s name was Gu Yang.

But why? He had definitely heard a voice, yet the mouth hadn’t moved.

Was he… the only one who could hear it?

And it had been speaking human words?

He and Lu Ran? A couple?

Lu Ji’s brows furrowed low. His features were sharp, with thick brows and deep-set eyes—when his expression soured, he carried a dangerous edge.

Ye Chen poked Yu Bai beside him with his pen, signaling him to look back.

“So fierce,” he said, with a tone that suggested he enjoyed the spectacle.

Yu Bai gave an awkward smile.

Sometimes, he really admired Ye Chen—his own mess wasn’t cleaned up, yet he still had the energy to laugh at others.

But the one being stared at remained oblivious, absently poking his pen against the paper.

Lu Ji’s frown deepened, but before he could figure anything out, He Ming’an in front leaned slightly, blocking his view, smiling brightly.

Lu Ji’s heart sank. The invitation to transfer to Class Eleven had been strange to begin with—it couldn’t possibly have been arranged by the Lu family.

Could it have been this person?

“I’d advise you not to stare so openly.” The boy in front leaned back, his voice low. “Even the slowest person can feel when they’re being watched.”

“Let’s get acquainted. I’m Ye Chen. We’ll be classmates from now on.”

Lu Ji coldly stared at the outstretched hand, refusing the gesture.

He could sense the frivolity and malice in this person.

Ye Chen withdrew his hand without care and continued, “You’re new—it’s normal you don’t know. But if you offend Gu Yang, who knows how he might portray you in his head? Then your embarrassing secrets will be broadcast for everyone to hear. That’d be awkward.”

“You can hear that too?” Lu Ji blurted, his expression shifting. “You all can hear it?”

He realized he might have stumbled on something monumental.

Ye Chen only curved his lips in a smile, hinting without confirming, leaving Lu Ji to piece it together.

Things were about to get interesting. With Lu Ji’s addition, Lu Ran’s days ahead would surely grow miserable.

Lu Ji began to think.

If everyone in this class could hear, then Lu Ran must also hear.

Wait—that was why Lu Ran hadn’t wanted him here, wasn’t it?

Lu Ji felt he had understood something.

But he still didn’t understand why Gu Yang had said he and Lu Ran were…

Cou-ples.

He needed a chance to approach Gu Yang privately.

After class, he didn’t act immediately, only sat and observed.

A few classmates did come by to chat.

But their words were filled with probing.

After all, everyone was fascinated by this real-life drama of swapped heirs—like a novel come true.

And they were curious what kind of person this true young master from the slums really was.

“A transfer student halfway through the term—scared me half to death. I thought it was some celestial being,” Xie Wu teased.

“Right? But it’s Lu Ran who’s really out of line.” Ye Chen grinned. “Your twin brother shows up in class and you don’t even give us a heads-up to welcome him?”

“How’s it twins again? Wasn’t it you who said—” Xu Qingfeng’s brain lagged behind, blurting in confusion.

Ye Chen almost wanted to thank him for the assist. With a feigned epiphany, he said, “Oh right, I almost forgot until you mentioned it…”

Then, with open malice, he sneered: “Of course, the counterfeit dreads meeting the real thing.”

Lu Ran’s face went pale.

Lu Ji watched the scene with mixed feelings.

He hadn’t expected Lu Ran’s treatment here to be so much worse than he thought.

He had worried that Lu Ran would form cliques to suppress him, just like at home.

But maybe things weren’t that bad.

Still… what was with the vibe of this class?

How had he walked right into a catfight his very first day?

Their quarrel finally caught Gu Yang’s attention. He lifted his head.

At once, a chill swept over them.

Xie Wu hastily turned away. Lu Ran stiffly slumped back into his seat.

Even Ye Chen shut his mouth tight.

He almost regretted his reckless jab—what if he really drew the ancestor’s attention?

Luckily, just then someone came to fetch Gu Yang.

When he walked out, Ye Chen let out a silent sigh of relief.

The tension that had almost erupted dissipated. Everyone ducked their heads into their own work.

As if terrified Gu Yang might return suddenly and pick someone out for a thrashing.

Lu Ji sat in silence, glancing back. He Ming’an had taken a call and stepped out after class, still not returned.

Rising, Lu Ji followed the corridor. Gu Yang had just disappeared around a corner at the far end.

He hurried after.

“Was it necessary to go this far? We’re practically out of the school. Are your issues dragging me into skipping class too?”

Gu Yang stopped, his eyes languid.

His words were cryptic, leaving Lu Ji wondering if he shouldn’t have followed.

The two boys who had called him out exchanged a glance. One spoke up: “Actually, it’s one of our classmates. She… kind of likes you.”

“She’s shy, so she wanted to meet you outside the school at the dessert shop to confess.”

Gu Yang stared blankly, expressionless. He said flatly, “I don’t date early,” and turned to leave.

The boy hastily blocked him, nearly begging on his knees. “Please—she likes you so much she can’t eat or sleep, she’s wasted away. At least reject her in person. Think of it as saving her.”

The words tumbled out in a rush, while his companion shot him warning glances—he was overacting.

But when Gu Yang heard that, his gaze dropped.

His long lashes trembled, his expression withdrawn and quiet, as if lost in thought. At last, he gave the slightest nod.

The boys sighed with relief.

Once they left the school gates and walked toward the dessert shop, their pace slowed, then halted completely.

Gu Yang hadn’t yet reacted when several hoodlums swaggered over, clearly targeting him.

The leader tapped an iron rod against his palm, trying to intimidate.

The boy who had lured him out stammered an apology before bolting.

“Well, well. A young master.” The blond leader clicked his tongue with a smirk. “Someone paid me to teach you a lesson. Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“But with skin that tender, you probably won’t last long.”

His tone was mocking, toying like a cat with a mouse.

They had numbers on their side. The pampered student before them surely had never lifted a finger in his life—probably couldn’t even peel an apple. He’d be easy prey.

Gu Yang, however, was staring at the blond’s messy hair, where black roots were already showing—an eyesore that made his obsessive streak itch.

The blond, seeing no fear, felt a flicker of irritation.

He’d dropped out before finishing junior high. Resentful of the rich, he despised these pampered brats from elite schools.

He resolved to leave this one scarred for life.

Grinning darkly, he signaled his lackeys. “Go on, brothers, give this young master a good time.”

The thugs glanced at each other before one stepped forward.

His fleshy face twisted in a sinister grin as he reached out. Gu Yang recoiled at the sight of his filthy fingernails.

But before the hand could touch, another hand seized the thug’s arm from behind.

The thug turned angrily—only to be met with a fist crashing into his face.

He staggered back, nose bleeding profusely.

Lu Ji stood before Gu Yang, expression cold, blocking him from view.

“Hey! Who the hell are you? Mind your own business!” another thug shouted, rushing up.

Lu Ji grabbed his collar and smashed a fist into his face, flooring him.

The rest finally realized the danger, looking at each other in uncertainty.

Even the blond hesitated.

He’d only been paid to rough up one person.

Anything extra cost more.

But before they could act, Lu Ji had already charged in.

Years on the street told them he wasn’t easy prey. But with the fight already started, they had no choice but to throw themselves in.

Lu Ji’s fighting had no finesse—only raw, reckless fury. Blood flew within moments.

Even the blond was secretly unnerved. Since when did rich kids fight like madmen?

He quickly signaled for someone to go deal with Gu Yang.

Already battered, Lu Ji dragged another thug by the hair, slamming him against the wall.

He turned just in time to see Gu Yang rolling up his sleeves and calmly dispatching the thug coming at him.

He saw it clearly—that frail frame, arms slim without a hint of muscle, only veins standing out with effort. Yet he subdued the thug effortlessly.

…Unscientific.

While he stared, the blond himself charged, swinging the iron rod at Gu Yang’s back.

Lu Ji’s heart sank. He lunged, taking the blow on his shoulder. Gritting through the pain, he kicked the blond flying.

“You alright?” Lu Ji asked, face pale.

Gu Yang’s gaze fell on his shoulder. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“We’re not even that close. Why block a hit for me?”

Lu Ji faltered. He hadn’t expected to be scolded after saving someone.

But he’d followed—seen enough. Those thugs were clearly bad news. He couldn’t just stand by.

Clenching his teeth, he muttered, “Shouldn’t you at least say thank you?”

“True.” Gu Yang seemed to come back to himself.

Lu Ji watched the faint curve of his lips. But his misty eyes held no trace of mirth. His thanks floated out, light as air.

Lu Ji felt deflated, as if punching into cotton.

Ahead was the dessert shop. Through the glass, it was empty—still school and work hours.

Following his gaze, Lu Ji asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I came because someone said they wanted to confess to me. Claimed she couldn’t even eat.” Gu Yang’s voice was still airy.

“That’s obviously just a lie to lure you.” Lu Ji was incredulous. He’d heard it earlier—it had been nonsense. That Gu Yang was still dwelling on it was unexpected.

Naïve, almost?

“Fine,” Gu Yang said calmly. “I just thought—what if? Consider it saving a life.”

As they spoke, Lu Ji realized Gu Yang wasn’t quite as strange as he had thought.

People really couldn’t be judged by appearances. He might actually be… a good person.

Gu Yang abruptly switched topics. “How’s your shoulder?”

Lu Ji tested a turn. “It’s fine. A few days’ rest will do.”

Luckily, the blond had been more bark than bite. Otherwise, one hit like that and he’d be in a cast.

“Let me check.”

It sounded like a question, but Gu Yang’s hand was already reaching.

Lu Ji froze, rigid.

Yet the pain he’d braced for never came. Instead, he was surprised—Gu Yang’s touch felt almost professional.

“Are your parents doctors?” he asked.

“No.” Gu Yang’s profile was serene. “I was lively as a child, always getting hurt. The family doctor treated me often—I remembered a bit.”

Lu Ji stared at his calm face, struggling to connect “lively” with him. Was it some kind of dry joke?

Still, the atmosphere wasn’t bad.

Lu Ji thought to take the chance—ask about him and Lu Ran.

But before he could phrase it, Gu Yang’s voice sounded again.

【Clearly his combat ability isn’t bad. How did he end up like this?】

The voice rang, lips unmoving. Lu Ji’s eyes widened.

【But it’s not Lu Ji’s fault. Lu Ran’s mother, for the sake of her son, drove a car straight into Lu Ji—without realizing her own child was inside.】

【Lu Ji escaped with minor injuries, but Lu Ran lost a kidney. Afterward, his mother, before dying, slandered Lu Ji—claiming he had ordered her to kill Lu Ran.】

【What followed was a hundred chapters of torment. In the end, under unbearable pressure, Lu Ji gave Lu Ran his kidney and promised to care for him forever. It was a half-open ending.】

Lu Ji listened, dumbstruck.

What was this? Was it talking about… him?

Before he could react, Gu Yang’s thoughts rolled on.

【Honestly, Lu Ji was far too lenient with those idiots.】

【From the look of things, the Lus only cared about face and profit. He should never have covered up the truth of the swapped heirs.】

【He should’ve printed the paternity report and revealed it at a grand banquet, giving everyone undeniable proof.】

【If Lu Ran feigned an asthma attack, he should’ve jumped off a building in front of everyone—let them see how the Lus drove their true son to death for the fake.】

【Later, Lu Ran’s mother’s family, short on money, got bought off to target Lu Ji.】

【He could’ve struck first—when Lu Ran’s gambling father was in debt, bribe him to testify that it was Lu Ran’s mother who switched the babies out of spite. That scum wouldn’t care if his wife died.】

【Once the Lus realized they’d been raising another man’s child all these years, their attitude toward Lu Ran would flip completely.】

【After paying him, throw in extortion charges—get a lawyer to send that gambling dog straight to prison.】

【Anyway, no one should have it easy.】

With every thought voiced, Lu Ji’s cold eyes grew clearer.

By the end, it was as if a fog had lifted.

So… it could be like this?