Chapter 115: Two People, Pushed to the Limit

The parent-teacher meeting was uneventful, and when it ended, he made his way to the school gate.

As soon as Cheng Yao stepped out, a shrill voice pierced the air: "I don't know who drove that here. Isn't this just setting a bad example for the students? Honestly..."

The snide remark came from a middle-aged woman named Dong Shufen, according to her name tag.

Cheng Yao didn't need to guess—wasn't this the same woman he'd sparred with in the group chat, Dong Bin's mother?

He had no intention of engaging her, but seeing her standing right in front of his car, openly making comments, he couldn't help himself and strode over.

"Well, if it isn't Dong Bin's mother. About that topic we discussed in the group—the idea of buying a house for the teacher—have you given it any more thought?"

"You—"

Dong Shufen's expression soured as soon as she saw Cheng Yao, especially after hearing his sarcastic tone.

Cheng Yao opened his car door, resting a hand on it as he continued with a mocking smile, "Teachers do work hard, after all. Why don't you organize something in the group? This time, I won't object, since the teacher truly is hardworking. Maybe we could buy a car, too. Riding a bicycle isn't exactly convenient in the rain."

At that, the other parents around them began to react.

"Why are you being so sarcastic..." Dong Shufen's face flushed red with anger, her whole body trembling.

"Well, talking to someone as insincere as you, I have to speak this way, otherwise I doubt you'd understand."

Cheng Yao showed no mercy, openly confronting her.

"Now, Dong Bin's mother, that's just not right. What does it matter to you what kind of car someone drives? The road doesn't belong to your family—you're being a bit nosy," Jiang Dezhu chimed in, siding with Cheng Yao.

Dong Bin's mother grew even more disgruntled. "Oh, come on! I never said anything about buying cars or houses. Why are you grown men picking on a woman like me..."

Cheng Yao raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you making all these veiled comments? You were the one who suggested buying gifts, and now you're stirring up trouble. Are you just looking for something to complain about, or what? You sure are skilled at moral coercion—what a character you are..."

"Exactly. Now that schools don't allow gift-giving, will you take responsibility if something goes wrong?"

"Why give gifts at all! It's people like you who spoil the atmosphere, making it hard on the rest of us parents. If we had to give expensive things, who could afford it..."

"If your family's well off and you want to give something, that's your business, but don't drag us into everything."

The parents around her were growing impatient, clearly fed up with Dong Shufen.

She was so angry that she began to shake, her eyes filling with tears. "You... you..."

In the group chat, none of you acted like this!!!

The crowd, eager for drama, had all turned against her, like reeds swaying in the wind. Dong Shufen was on the verge of tears, cheeks flushed and eyes watery.

Cheng Yao didn't linger. He got in his car and drove off.

Soon after, Dong Bin's mother left the parent group chat altogether.

The teacher was left bewildered, and only after asking around did they piece together what had happened, sighing as they tried to smooth things over.

That afternoon, Cheng Yao arrived at Lanxi Village.

...

The parent-teacher meeting was just a minor episode, nothing Cheng Yao took to heart.

Forty minutes later, he finally found Lanxi Village.

Parking in the lot, he drew a few curious glances. After asking a few questions, he learned that the villagers had a strong impression of Tang Shaobin—apparently, his high school grades hadn't been stellar, but he'd improved remarkably over time.

Soon, Cheng Yao found a rundown house at the edge of the village, home to a family of five.

Twenty-six-year-old Tang Shaobin was bewildered when he heard Cheng Yao's reason for visiting, a look of confusion crossing his face.

"You want to sponsor me to go to school?"

"Your father's treatment costs money, and I'm sure you don't want your parents to work themselves to the bone. I'll help with the medical bills so you can focus on your exams. You're twenty-five this year, right?"

"Mm..."

Tang Shaobin asked, "What do I need to give in return?"

He knew there was no such thing as kindness without reason. Those who donated online often did so out of pity, but he had no other options. If he had the choice, he'd rather rely on himself.

He was certain he'd have to give something back.

Cheng Yao smiled. "I'll sponsor you for a year. I'll cover your tuition and your father's medical bills, but after you graduate, you'll work for me."

"What kind of work?"

"At a technology and intelligence company, researching smart technology. It's just an option—no need for you to sign any guarantees."

Cheng Yao had no use for empty formalities. If someone needed that kind of assurance, he wouldn't trust them anyway.

Investing always comes with risk, and he wasn't worried about the money; he considered it an act of charity.

For someone whose high school grades had once been mediocre, to score so highly on repeated college entrance exams showed real talent.

He was applying to the National University of Science and Technology—a sign of ambition.

Cheng Yao could see that Tang Shaobin had pride, and plenty of it, but pride doesn't pay the bills.

If it were him, he'd accept someone else's help rather than gamble his future on uncertainty.

After exchanging contact information, Cheng Yao got in touch with Wang Yiming, asking him to handle Tang Shaobin's father's medical expenses under the company's name, in addition to providing a scholarship for a year.

Tang Shaobin's father had cancer; with the right mindset, he might live a few more years.

This wasn't something Cheng Yao intended to monitor closely. Who could predict the future?

After all, he had his own company now, and didn't need to handle everything personally.

By the time he returned to campus, it was already afternoon.

Lunch had been a hasty affair. When Cheng Yao wasn't with Lu Mengyao or Lin Ketong, he didn't bother with ceremony, favoring the rice noodles and hand-pulled noodles from the little shops near the school.

Ever since he'd eaten there with Liu Hanyue and Wang Churuo, he'd become a regular—the taste was truly authentic.

As he entered the school, the gazes of those around him naturally gathered on him—his aura, attire, and looks all drawing attention.

Just as he reached the teaching building, he ran into a familiar face.

"Hello."

"Were you waiting here for me on purpose, senior?" Cheng Yao teased.

Wang Yuting rolled her eyes. "You could say that. Cheng Yao, do you play piano?"

"I do."

"My younger brother needs a piano tutor. Could you spare some time this Saturday to give him a lesson?"

"You have a younger brother?"

"Yeah, why?"

Cheng Yao's expression grew serious. "Repeat what you just said."

"My brother needs—"

"No, not that. The sentence before."

"..."

Wang Yuting was confused. Was this some new game? "Cheng Yao, do you play piano?"

"Nope. Sorry, you'll have to find someone else!"

With that, Cheng Yao turned to leave, his answer swift and final.

"..."

Wang Yuting was momentarily stunned, quickly reaching out to stop him. "I know you don't need the money, but you're so talented. Let me at least treat you to a meal..."

Music teachers all agreed that Cheng Yao's skill would be impressive even at the top conservatories. Who knew why he'd chosen to study finance?

If that weren't the case, she'd have just found any regular teacher.

"Senior, I really don't enjoy teaching others. Unless your brother is some kind of prodigy, just find a regular teacher. It's just a hobby anyway—you aren't expecting him to become some great musician, are you?"

"Of course not..."

"Well then, that's settled."

Cheng Yao smiled. "My little sister plays piano too, and I just hired her a regular teacher. Anyway, I'm heading up—let's skip the meal."

In truth, Cheng Yao couldn't be bothered to debate the matter any further.

Having too many girls around got tiresome; all the coming and going led to nowhere. He didn't care enough to even brush them off properly, content to let them think whatever they pleased.

Besides, just because she wanted him to go, did that mean he had to?

Wang Yuting let go, staring after him in silence for a moment, then sighing and turning away.

Maybe Cheng Yao was right.

"Cheng Yao, Cheng Yao, are you free tonight?"

As soon as he walked in, Wang Churuo bounded over, beaming.

This silly girl was someone Cheng Yao genuinely liked. "What's up? Where do you want to eat? We've had a lot of hot pot lately."

She and Liu Hanyue were always either out eating or playing—probably another hot pot plan.

Wang Churuo puffed out her cheeks, looking like a bun. "Do you really think all I do is eat?"

"We're going to the haunted house in Xinjiekou tonight. Are you coming?" Liu Hanyue interrupted, eyes shining with anticipation.

She glanced at Wang Churuo, already picturing her friend's terrified reaction. But if it were just the two of them, she wouldn't dare go alone.

Having a guy along brought a sense of security.

And among the boys she knew and got along with, Cheng Yao was the only one.

"Haunted house, huh? Sure, let's go!"

Cheng Yao was interested, too. He had a movie date with Lu Mengyao at ten anyway.

Lin Ketong was also meeting him for the same movie, but the day after.

Zhang Ya was talking about the movie too—if she hadn't been in Shanghai, Cheng Yao might have ended up seeing the same film three times in a row.

Liu Hanyue blinked her wide, cartoonish eyes. "It's settled, then. Oh, by the way, Wang Yuting was looking for you earlier. She sure comes around a lot these days. You two aren't getting close, are you?"

"With such a pretty girl right beside me, why would I chase after her? I'm not stupid..."

Liu Hanyue's cheeks flushed as she turned away, her twin ponytails swaying.

Cheng Yao, sitting behind her, reached out and tugged one. "How's it going lately?"

"Great! My follower count is skyrocketing. We're the same age—how do you come up with so many ideas? And now you've started a company..."

Liu Hanyue genuinely enjoyed spending time with Cheng Yao. Sometimes he seemed more mature than his peers, yet most of the time he acted reserved and awkward.

Only she knew that Cheng Yao was actually quite a character beneath the surface.

As for Wang Churuo, she was so easily charmed by filters that Cheng Yao had become her idol.

Cheng Yao replied mysteriously, "I have a mentor."

"Stop messing with my hair—you're making a mess of it. You really do have a thing for hair, don't you? Pervert!"

She muttered a low insult, but Cheng Yao just grinned and kept at it.

Afternoon classes ended quickly, and Wang Wenbo was the first to leave.

Cheng Yao, along with Liu Hanyue and Wang Churuo, boarded the subway to Xinjiekou, heading straight for the haunted house.

His mind was already racing—he could imagine the two girls trembling with fright, and he found himself looking forward to it with a hint of mischief.

He couldn't explain it, but he just wanted to see them scared out of their wits.

Perhaps he truly did have a twisted sense of humor?

But wasn't the whole point of a haunted house to see your friends make fools of themselves?

...