The Yang family made an unusually extravagant reunion for what should have been a small class reunion. However, perhaps because the old man had come yesterday, the Yang couple left early today, instead of staying home as usual to show their respect. 　　As it approached nine o'clock, several cars were already parked outside the villa. 　　Those who could befriend Yang Shule generally came from relatively well-off families. But because he was so popular, he invited quite a few ordinary classmates who couldn't help but marvel upon entering. 　　A wide variety of juices and desserts. 　　A huge crystal chandelier in the living room. 　　The butler waited patiently, while the servants bustled in and out. 　　"Shule, are you feeling better?" Five or six young men surrounded Yang Shule, asking with concern as they walked. "Don't worry, we've divided up all the class notes we've taken and made two copies. We brought them to you today." 　　"Yeah, you have no idea how bored we were without you." 　　“When you get back, let’s go to the movies together. A new escape room just opened in the south of the city. You’re so smart, you have to help us complete it.” 　　Today, Yang Shule specially wore the formal attire his mother had prepared for him. 　　He wore a suit and bow tie, and his styled hair was as elaborate as it was for his birthday every year. 　　Hearing these words, he finally calmed down from his anxiety and smiled. 　　Before today, he feared no one would come, that they would look down on him, and even more so, that people would point fingers at him. But as it turned out, he wasn't the biological son of the Chen family living in Yuhuai Village; all those extracurricular classes and tutoring programs he'd attended since childhood hadn't been in vain. Even if some wealthy children had previously befriended him and followed his lead, it was only because of his family background. His parents' doting was real; he still bore the surname Yang, and he still stayed here—that was the truth. 　　She said she was leaving in a huff, and told Chen Mo she didn't need any charity, but it was only because she was afraid that her parents' love would fade and that she would lose everything one day. 　　He didn't even bother to hide his hostility towards Chen Mo. 　　What can Chen Mo possibly gain from a family like the Yang family, with his reckless and headstrong behavior? Let him grab and fight as he pleases; in a situation like today, any move he makes will inevitably make him the target of everyone's criticism. 　　Yang Shule looked around but didn't see him, then looked away and nodded to her classmate, saying, "I'm almost fully recovered and will be back at school soon." 　　"That's great." Qi Li, who has a baby face, comes from a family that runs a restaurant business. Compared to the Yang family, which is much bigger and more established, he seems to be closest to Yang Shule. He looked around at the door with a hint of envy in his voice and said, "Shule, your parents are so good to you. By the way, should we go and say hello to your parents?" 　　At this point, Yang Shule's expression suddenly stiffened. 　　He couldn't admit to anyone that the parents who were supposed to host his classmate at home weren't there at all today. 　　Yang Shule showed no sign of discomfort and casually said, "My parents said they won't participate in the children's gatherings, otherwise they're afraid everyone will feel uncomfortable. They're busy with the family business, so they're not here today." 　　"Oh, that's alright." Qi Li changed the subject and asked again, "Where's your older brother?" 　　Yang Shule felt somewhat disapproving of Qi Li's demeanor. 　　He visited the Yang family several times, and each time he inquired about his elder brother's affairs, both openly and secretly. 　　The eldest brother's marriage is not his own decision at all, and he already has a regular female partner. How could he possibly have any involvement with a male high school student? 　　But he didn't seem to mind, saying, "My older brother isn't here either." 　　"He's not here." Qi Li's face showed disappointment for a moment, but she quickly smiled again. "Then you can have your brother come to the next gathering. When we had gatherings before, he paid for many guests to take care of you. You can't find a brother like that even with a lantern." 　　Others chimed in. 　　Yang Shule felt a little proud upon hearing this, so she didn't refuse verbally. 　　More and more people arrived one after another. 　　Yang Shule stood stubbornly outside, glancing towards the door every now and then, as if waiting for something. 　　The two or three people accompanying him smiled knowingly. 　　Qi Li bluntly stated, "Waiting for the class monitor?" 　　“Don’t talk nonsense,” Yang Shule said. “The Xi family and our family only have some business dealings. Ayan and I only met a few times when we were little. Last year during the Spring Festival, the two families found out that we were in the same class. You know that I am prone to allergies and colds every year when the seasons change, so my parents asked him to take extra care of me at school.” 　　"Oh~ Ah Yan!" someone egged on, deliberately asking others, "Has anyone else at school heard them call out 'Ah Yan'?" 　　Yang Shule pretended to hit someone: "That's what everyone in his family calls him, it's not just me." 　　"Yes, that's what family members call me." 　　“Ah Yan, Ah Yan, Ah Yan, that’s Xi Siyan. He’s so tall that I’m almost afraid to breathe every time he passes by me.” 　　"Isn't it a bit exaggerated? The students in the experimental class often ask him for help with their problems, and the basketball and track and field students, both boys and girls, all say that he has a good personality and is a nice person." 　　"He's alright, but you haven't seen his cold face. He's like the King of Hell. When he sits on the podium during self-study, the class is like a graveyard. It's completely silent." 　　"Shule isn't afraid of him, right?" 　　Yang Shule thought to herself, "There is still pressure." 　　Although Xi Siyan never gave her the cold shoulder, their relationship wasn't as close as other classmates described, and it wasn't even considered special. 　　Yang Shule took every exam so seriously, never allowing himself to fall below the top three in the grade, all so that his name could appear on the grade's honor roll alongside Xi's. Every time someone asked him a question, or even twice when he hitched a ride home from the Xi family under the pretense of the driver being busy, and received a simple reply to his long holiday greetings, it was enough to make his heart flutter for a long time. 　　If it weren't for the incident that happened more than a month ago, he could have had many more opportunities to see him. 　　Someone asked, "Is he coming today?" 　　“Come on.” Yang Shule’s smile was genuine as she said this. “When I sent him the invitation, he said his homeroom teacher asked him to get me a competition interest form to fill out, so he will come.”

Chapter 13