Xu Qiushan's thinking was, if thirty thousand wasn't enough, he'd just keep throwing money at it—after all, he wasn't short of cash these days.
According to the system's feedback, following the pace of the students at school seemed to be the fastest way to boost his "Scholar Index." Maybe he could even unlock some new features.
After all, the system was called "There is gold in books!"
So naturally, he had to put himself in an environment with endless books and mountains of worksheets.
Besides, the reasons he gave to Xu Decai weren't all nonsense. If he could go to school as a guest student, he really could keep an eye on his unreliable son and his not-so-hardworking daughter.
In the corridor.
Chen Xiangyu, Zhang Xia, and the "in-laws" hadn't left yet.
When Xu Qiushan walked out of the office, Chen Xiangyu immediately came up to him, asking with concern, "How did it go?"
"Major demerit, public criticism across the whole school."
"Really??"
"That's great!!"
Chen Xiangyu was overjoyed, and also a little surprised. She knew Xu Decai well; when he called her earlier, he made it clear this time he wanted to "make an example out of them."
Meaning, most likely, both kids would be asked to leave.
At the very least, the "ringleader" Shen Yixiao would have to leave!
Yet Xu Qiushan had only talked for ten minutes.
Xu Decai actually changed his mind—maybe those two cartons of cigarettes worked?
Maybe!
Chen Xiangyu didn't delve into it now, figuring she'd ask in detail next time they played mahjong.
"What about our Yaoyao?"
"Is it the same for her?"
Luo Yao's mother squeezed closer, asking with pleasant surprise.
Earlier, when she talked to Xu Decai, his attitude was pretty tough, saying both kids had to leave. That's why when Xu Qiushan came, she tried so hard to shift the blame, hoping to save her own kid.
"Yep, same, treated equally!"
Xu Qiushan nodded.
"Really!"
"That's wonderful!"
Luo Yao's mother lit up with a smile. Compared to expulsion, a demerit or public censure was nothing.
As long as it didn't affect the college entrance exam.
Her daughter, Luo Yao, was on the art track. Her grades were pretty average, but for arts colleges, she still had a solid shot at a bachelor's degree.
"Since it's settled..."
"You two hurry back to class, and don't forget your self-criticisms!"
Chen Xiangyu waved at Shen Yixiao and Luo Yao, who were still standing in the hallway as punishment.
Hearing this, both let out a relieved sigh and were ready to bolt.
"Wait a sec."
"I still don't get what happened!"
"Shen Yixiao's dad, don't you have something to say?"
Luo Yao's mother stopped the two kids as they were about to leave.
"Yeah, we should figure it out,"
Xu Qiushan nodded in agreement.
"Teacher Zhang, can I take Yaoyao downstairs first?"
Luo Yao's mother turned to ask Zhang Xia, her daughter's homeroom teacher.
"Sure, just send her back to class when you're done talking."
With parents all there, Zhang Xia couldn't really say much.
"Thank you, Teacher Zhang!"
Luo Yao's mother said politely, then grabbed her daughter's arm. "Come on, let's go downstairs and talk it out!"
Xu Qiushan winked at his son Shen Yixiao. "Go on, follow along."
So the two parents "escorted" the kids out of the office building.
On the way downstairs, Luo Yao's mother and Xu Qiushan introduced themselves.
From Luo Yao's mother, he learned her name was Luo Meimei, and she worked in a beauty salon.
No wonder she was so stylish—the job was at the cutting edge of fashion. These days, the aesthetics industry was booming in China. Lots of young girls even take out loans for cosmetic surgery.
"So, tell me, how long have you two been together?"
Once they reached a deserted spot downstairs, Luo Meimei pulled a serious face and began to interrogate.
"Auntie, Yaoyao and I have been together less than a month."
Shen Yixiao jumped in to answer.
"Really?"
Luo Meimei clearly didn't buy it, turning to her own daughter.
"Yeah, 26 days."
Luo Yao nodded lightly.
Hearing that, Luo Meimei got even more pissed. "Wow! You even remember the exact number of days!"
She reached out to pinch Luo Yao's arm.
Seeing this, Xu Qiushan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Sister Meimei, don't get worked up. Just means the girl's careful—good quality!"
"Who you calling sister?"
"I'm born in '84, you're from the 70s, right?!"
Xu Qiushan's "Sister Meimei" triggered her, and she turned her anger on him.
"I'm born in '87."
"But Sister Meimei, you do look younger than me!"
Xu Qiushan replied with a grin. His skin was dark from years of delivery work, so he looked older.
"You're saying you're '87? You know the zodiac for that year?"
Luo Meimei rolled her eyes, clearly doubting this weathered, tanned man was three years younger than her.
"'87 is the year of the rabbit."
"Born with the 'hearth fire' destiny!"
Xu Qiushan shot back instantly.
He answered so matter-of-factly it didn't seem fake. Luo Meimei was surprised, "You really were born in '87. I thought you were '78!"
"Just looks a bit rushed."
"Not like Sister Meimei, you could say you're a 90s kid and no one'd doubt it." Xu Qiushan added with a flattering remark.
Luo Meimei gave him a look. "I get how your kid snagged my daughter—the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"
"Such a smooth talker!!"
"Just stating facts!"
"Ask Xiaoxiao if you don't believe me!" Xu Qiushan gave his son a nudge.
Shen Yixiao immediately chimed in, "Right, right, the first time I saw Auntie, I thought you were Yaoyao's big sister!"
Poof!
Luo Meimei couldn't help it, and burst out laughing.
What woman doesn't like being told she looks young—especially with father and son teaming up.
"Now I get what 'like father, like son' means!"
"Alright, let's leave it at that today!"
"You two, get back to class!"
Seeing the perfect duo of Xu Qiushan and his son, Luo Meimei figured she wouldn't get anything useful here, so she decided to stop the interrogation and save her own daughter for a private chat at home later.
Maybe she'd get the real story that way.
"Mom, I'm heading back then."
Luo Yao, finally relieved, called out and dashed back to the teaching building.
"Dad, Aunt Luo, I'm going too."
Shen Yixiao gave a quick heads-up and hurried after her.
"Wait, you two..."
Seeing the two about to stick together again, Luo Meimei panicked and was about to call them back, but Xu Qiushan interrupted, "Sister Meimei, we've all been through this as kids—the more you try to stop them, the more rebellious they get."
"If you just leave them be, maybe they'll break up on their own after a while. Kids, they're fickle..."
Hearing that, Luo Meimei disagreed, "Easy for you to say, yours isn't a daughter!"
"What if they cross the line?"
"If anyone gets hurt, it's our Yaoyao who'll pay the price!"