Chapter Sixteen: The Relationship Between Wen Mubai and Mu Ziye

“I think Jiang Wuyang has lost her mind. Does she really believe flattering them will get her anywhere?!”
“When she encounters something she doesn’t understand, isn’t it us who have to tutor her?!”

Wen Mubai spoke with indignation, a rare spark of emotion flashing across his usually aloof and indifferent face. Up until now, he had always maintained a calm and distant demeanor.

Hearing Wen Mubai’s words, Ruan An’an pursed her lips tightly, struggling not to laugh as she recalled all the painful memories in her mind. Wen Mubai tutoring? Relying on that handwritten vocabulary notebook as tutoring?

Yet Jiang Yiran clearly hadn’t overthought it; Wen Mubai’s words struck a chord deep within him.

Since childhood, their father had been busy with work, and Jiang Wuyang was raised personally by Jiang Yiran, who had cared for her from her earliest babbling days until she grew into adulthood. He had even delayed his own schooling by two years just to attend the same school as her.

He never imagined that now she would stoop to flattering others like this—it was truly heartfelt kindness fed to the dogs.

Ruan An’an glanced at the two of them, their faces full of righteous anger, and a proud smile curled upon her lips.

Jiang Wuyang, look at this—that’s the family and friendship you painstakingly tried to maintain? Fragile to the point of shattering with the slightest touch.

Duan Jinyan noticed her slight expression and immediately saw through her intent. But he only smiled indulgently and served her another dish from his plate.

“Eat more vegetables.”

Ruan An’an smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Brother Jinyan!”

Duan Jinyan patted her head gently.

Anger simmered in the group, and their pace of eating quickened considerably.

After finishing their meal, they gathered their empty plates to place on the conveyor belt.

Passing near Jiang Wuyang, Jiang Yiran couldn’t hold back and spoke with a sarcastic tone, “Some people really are ungrateful wolves—barely out the door and already scrambling to please new masters.”

Wen Mubai, standing beside him, was momentarily stunned. Jiang Yiran’s words were shockingly harsh.

In fact, the moment after he spoke, Jiang Yiran regretted it. But the arrow had been loosed; the words were out, and there was no turning back.

Though regretful, Jiang Yiran secretly awaited Jiang Wuyang’s reaction, even if it were anger.

Everyone’s eyes instinctively fell on Jiang Wuyang.

Unexpectedly, she didn’t even lift her eyelids.

“Exit the door, turn left, walk two hundred meters straight, then turn right and walk fifty meters.”

The group was momentarily stunned, failing to grasp the meaning.

Mu Ziye leaned back against the chair at the table.

“Didn’t understand, you fool? She’s telling you to go to the school clinic to see a doctor.”

“If you can’t even understand that, your IQ really does need checking,” he muttered under his breath.

Jiang Yiran’s expression darkened, and even Wen Mubai’s usually indifferent eyes stirred with emotion.

“Mu Ziye, shut up. Since when did you get to talk?”

“Do you really think anyone likes a guy who goes around fighting all the time?”

Mu Ziye showed no reaction but a mocking glint in his deep peach blossom eyes.

He raised his head and stared fearlessly at Wen Mubai. “And who the hell are you? Since when do you get to say these things?” He paused, then glanced at the tray in Wen Mubai’s hand and sneered, “This meal must have tasted pretty bitter, huh?”

Wen Mubai and Mu Ziye are half-brothers, sharing the same father but different mothers.

Wen Mubai’s mother had married their father, and the two met only halfway through their childhood.

When their father brought Auntie and Wen Mubai home, although he didn’t show it externally, Mu Ziye welcomed having another companion to play with.

At first, he treated Wen Mubai like a brother, but he never expected Wen Mubai to plot behind his back.

When he invited Wen Mubai to play, Wen Mubai refused and immediately reported to their father, earnestly putting on a show in front of him.

This caused Mu Ziye to be scolded by their father.

Desperate to win their father’s attention, Wen Mubai wore his clothes until they were faded, refused a penny from home, insisting he could earn money tutoring classmates.

Because of all this, their father’s bias against Mu Ziye grew deeper.

And with his mother whispering sweet nothings in his father’s ear, their father became increasingly confused.

Though their father remained clear-headed for now, it was uncertain how long that would last. If he grew more muddle-headed, the family fortune might end up in outsiders’ hands.

Now, when he saw Wen Mubai again, he could no longer offer him a kind face.

Wen Mubai, stung by the words, felt a flush rise to his usually expressionless face. He frowned, struggling to keep his voice steady.

“I’m your brother! Shouldn’t you speak with some respect?!”

Mu Ziye ignored him, coolly tossing out three words: “Triggered, bro.”

Even Jiang Wuyang, who was eating, couldn’t help but laugh, almost choking on her food.

Wen Mubai lost face, his complexion reddening further.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn’t stay any longer and strode away.

Ruan An’an followed closely behind him.

She looked back at Jiang Wuyang with disappointment. “Sister Yangyang, Brother Mubai tutored you, whether or not it was effective, it was still effort. You shouldn’t let your friends insult him like that.”

Without waiting for Jiang Wuyang’s reply, she hurried after Wen Mubai.

Jiang Wuyang sluggishly lifted her head from the meal, staring blankly at Ruan An’an’s retreating figure. No, is she insane?

“Brother Mubai, don’t be angry. Those are Sister Yangyang’s friends. I believe next time if something like this happens again, Sister Yangyang will stop it just like before.”

Ruan An’an tugged at Wen Mubai’s sleeve, her voice soft and soothing as they all left the cafeteria together.

Wen Mubai’s heart turned colder still.

Indeed, if someone had insulted him like this before, Jiang Wuyang would have already stepped forward and smashed their head.

He would never have endured such humiliation.

Ultimately, it was Jiang Wuyang’s indulgence and inaction that had led to this situation.

Otherwise, how could a useless nobody like Mu Ziye dare to challenge him so brazenly?

Wen Mubai clenched his fists tightly, his eyes burning red with fury.

Jiang Wuyang, you are truly something else!

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the storm inside.

A gentleman’s revenge need not be swift; a decade is not too late.

Once he inherits the Mu family fortune, there will be no mercy for Mu Ziye!

A thousand thoughts flashed through Wen Mubai’s mind in a second, but he forced himself back to calmness.

In the cafeteria, Jiang Wuyang and the others finished their meal.

Back in the classroom, only a few scattered students remained, all resting their heads on their desks, preparing for a nap.

Only Yan Shu sat upright in her chair.

Though the weather was turning cooler, autumn still held a lingering warmth.

Yan Shu had zipped her school uniform jacket tightly to the top.

Her posture was impeccable, sitting straight and rigid. Though in her own class, she seemed unusually tense.

Her black-framed glasses covered much of her features, and long bangs obscured her expressions.

Having lived through a previous life, Jiang Wuyang’s instincts screamed: this person is dangerous—very dangerous! Avoid her as much as possible!