IWHBDR Chapter 23

Rong Shu changed into a clean set of school uniforms and went to the classroom with Shen Huaixiu. When they entered together, the previously noisy classroom quieted down for a moment before someone asked, “Xu Shu, are you okay? I heard Ma Sen was bothering you again?”

Though the tone was concerned, it was full of gossip.

Rong Shu’s eyes showed surprise. “How did you know?”

“There’s an uncensored video on the forum of Ma Sen being carried onto an ambulance!” Tang Long, who had a loud voice, shouted. Rong Shu’s eyes curved into a smile, and the corners of his lips lifted. “That exciting, huh?”

After returning to his seat, Rong Shu took out his phone and scrolled through the forum. In just one afternoon, over ten pages had been added, showing how sensational the incident was.

After browsing through two pages, most of the comments were on his side.

Even though the video made Ma Sen look more like the victim, it didn’t change the fact that he had provoked someone first.

“They all say I was too harsh, but I clearly didn’t even have a chance to make a move this time.” Rong Shu leaned over to Shen Huaixiu’s side, pouting as he poked his arm.

Shen Huaixiu glanced at him. As soon as Rong Shu met his gaze, he quickly straightened up and said with a smile, “My deskmate is amazing—just your pheromones alone can send someone to the emergency room. Awesome!”

He even gave Shen Huaixiu a thumbs up.

Shen Huaixiu’s gaze darkened. Just when Rong Shu thought he wouldn’t say anything, he heard Shen Huaixiu ask, “Don’t you think… it smells bad?”

“You mean Ma Sen’s pheromones?” Rong Shu didn’t understand his meaning for a moment.

“No.” Shen Huaixiu frowned slightly, about to say never mind, but suddenly decided he didn’t want to know the answer. Before he could say anything, Rong Shu replied, “Your pheromone scent is actually quite special. Every time I smell it, I think it’s really cool!”

Shen Huaixiu saw the smile on his face, and the frustration that had been building up in his chest instantly disappeared. “You don’t find it unbearable?”

“Not at all. It’s a bloody scent full of mystery and danger. Once released, it carries a murderous intent. Didn’t you see that even Ma Sen couldn’t resist and ended up in the emergency room?”

Rong Shu’s beautiful peach blossom eyes were filled with admiration, and his sincere expression brought Shen Huaixiu a sense of joy.

“Thump, thump.” The desk was knocked on. Rong Shu looked over and met Chen Jing’s gaze. “Xiao Jing, what’s up?”

Chen Jing glanced at Shen Huaixiu before hesitantly speaking, “Ma Sen just got back, and now he’s in the hospital again. Don’t you two think you should start considering how to deal with the Ma family? They won’t just let this slide.”

No family would tolerate their child being sent to the hospital once, let alone twice.

Rong Shu tilted his head and looked at Shen Huaixiu. “Do you regret it now?”

The Ma family might not be an elite family, but they were still a significant force and not to be underestimated.

“If he dares next time, we’ll keep beating him up.” Shen Huaixiu’s voice was low and indifferent, devoid of much emotion as if he were simply stating a fact.

Hearing this, Rong Shu curled his lips into a smile, his eyes full of amusement. “I’ll help too.”

Chen Jing: “…”

I really am worrying for nothing!

*

As school was about to end, Zhang Zhicheng suddenly sent someone to call Rong Shu to the office.

This unexpected move made Shen Huaixiu frown, and Chen Jing looked back at him with concern. Rong Shu smiled reassuringly as he stood up. “It’s fine, don’t worry.”

When he arrived at Zhang Zhicheng’s office, he pushed the door open and saw a tall Alpha standing next to Zhang Zhicheng. “Teacher!”

“Xu Shu, you’re here. This is Ma Sen’s older brother, Ma Jinyan. He’s here today to apologize to you on behalf of Ma Sen,” Zhang Zhicheng said as he stood up and introduced Rong Shu. “This is Xu Shu.”

“Hello, I’m Ma Jinyan. I apologize for the trouble my brother has caused you. I’m sorry; it’s my fault for not disciplining him properly, which has led to unnecessary problems for you.”

As Ma Jinyan spoke, he extended his hand toward Rong Shu. His wrist, exposed from his sleeve, was covered in a layer of gray-green scales. Rong Shu withdrew his gaze without any intention of shaking hands. He looked up at Ma Jinyan, the corners of his lips slightly curved. “No need to apologize; I didn’t suffer any losses. You should just focus on taking better care of your younger brother. If there’s nothing else, Teacher, I’ll be heading back.”

Zhang Zhicheng nodded, signaling Rong Shu that he could leave, then turned to Ma Jinyan. “Since Xu Shu isn’t pursuing the matter, the school will follow the procedure and give Ma Sen a demerit. After all, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.”

In truth, Zhang Zhicheng didn’t quite understand why Ma Jinyan was specifically apologizing to Rong Shu this time. The last time something happened, the Ma family donated a building to the school to settle the matter. The school benefited, but Rong Shu was left feeling aggrieved, even though he wasn’t physically harmed. Zhang Zhicheng felt frustrated on behalf of his student. This time, he was determined to ensure that Ma Sen would face consequences.

“Let’s do as the teacher says. The Ma family has always been reasonable.”

Ma Jinyan withdrew his gaze from Rong Shu and nodded with a smile at Zhang Zhicheng.

When Rong Shu exited the office, he saw Shen Huaixiu standing at the door with a stack of workbooks in his arms. Their eyes met. Rong Shu smiled and walked toward him. “Why are you the one delivering the homework? Did Lin Xia twist her ankle again?”

Shen Huaixiu nodded. “Are you okay?”

“What could happen? He came to apologize.”

Rong Shu shrugged and pointed at the workbooks in Shen Huaixiu’s hands. “Are you going to deliver them, or should I help you?”

“No need, let’s go.” With that, Shen Huaixiu turned and started walking toward the classroom. Rong Shu blinked and followed, “You’re not delivering them?”

“Mm, it’s inconvenient with someone in the office.”

Surprised by his ability to come up with an excuse, Rong Shu nodded. “It is indeed inconvenient.”

After speaking, they exchanged a glance, both with smiles in their eyes.

After Ma Jinyan left Zhang Zhicheng’s office, he directly got into the car parked outside the school gate. As he opened the car door, Ma Sen, who was sitting inside, leaned out with a face full of nervousness and anticipation. “Is it true?”

Ma Jinyan closed the door and instructed the driver to start the car. “Are you sure he’s an Omega?”

“I smelled a floral scent. I couldn’t identify the specific flower, but I’m certain it wasn’t wrong. And every time I see him, I feel like I can’t control myself. There’s no way I’d react like this to an Alpha. He must be hiding something. You have to believe me!”

“I really want to believe you, but whether he’s from the Rong family or not isn’t something that can be confirmed just by what you say. I’ll have someone investigate.”

As Ma Jinyan spoke, he lightly furrowed his brows, recalling the moment he met Rong Shu. He did indeed feel a sense of amazement, but the bloody scent that belonged to another Alpha on Rong Shu made him feel disgusted.

And today, he also smelled that same bloody scent on Ma Sen.

“Is he close with the Alpha you mentioned?”

“That guy transferred from the North Campus. I heard he’s the leader over there. On his first day, Xu Shu actively chose to be his deskmate.”

Ma Sen said this while trying hard to suppress the jealousy welling up inside him.

“Becoming deskmates with someone from the slums—his judgment isn’t that great,” Ma Jinyan sneered. “The school will give you a demerit this time. There’s a limit to everything; don’t make this kind of low-level mistake again. And until the investigation is clear, don’t provoke him anymore. If he really is from the Rong family, the Ma family can’t afford to miss this opportunity.”

Although Ma Sen was unwilling, he could only nod, knowing that within the Ma family, his status was nowhere near that of Ma Jinyan, the future heir of the family.

But deep down, he was still resentful—it was he who discovered it first.

After Shen Huaixiu returned, he placed the workbooks back on Lin Xia’s desk. Lin Xia, looking puzzled, hummed in confusion as she watched Shen Huaixiu walk away. She wanted to ask why he brought the workbooks back when he was supposed to deliver them.

“Class monitor, the office was too crowded, so it’s better if you deliver them yourself later,” Rong Shu walked over and explained on behalf of the person in front. Hearing this, Lin Xia nodded, “Oh, okay.”

But after Rong Shu left, Lin Xia stared at the workbooks for a while, wondering if they were just using the homework delivery as an excuse.

 

Author’s note:

Rong Shu: Congratulations on guessing it right ^_^

---

Moonlit: Congratulations on guessing it right, Lin Xia~ HAHAHAHAHAH