Chapter Twenty-Three: Do I Look Like a Scoundrel?

Jiang Xiwen glanced at his attire—plain, perhaps, but still far from being an eyesore in the city. He had never been one of those people who swagger into upscale places in slippers just to provoke doormen for amusement, for he understood that these gatekeepers were pitiable souls at the bottom rung of urban life. When they occasionally looked down on others, it was either to curry favor with wealthy patrons for a living, or to briefly lord it over someone, balancing out the long-standing indignities they themselves endured.

Jiang Xiwen felt that if you truly had the ability, you should direct your mischief at the bosses of these doormen, not at the doormen themselves just to feel superior—such antics weren’t even worthy of the most trivial daydreams.

Thus, he paid the attendant no mind and looked around. A black Audi pulled up, and from it stepped a familiar figure—a petite young girl whose smile was as bright as a flower. Yet the moment she saw Jiang Xiwen, her expression turned cold and disdainful.

“Xiaoya, after we eat, I’ll take you to buy some clothes,” said a well-dressed middle-aged woman—the girl’s mother—as she too alighted from the car.

“Hey, kid, what are you staring at?” The attendant snapped at Jiang Xiwen, urging him to move aside.

The middle-aged woman followed the attendant’s gaze. Upon seeing Jiang Xiwen, her eyes grew just as cold and contemptuous; in her mind, anyone being scolded by an attendant was no different from a beggar.

Like mother, like daughter. That look from the woman convinced Jiang Xiwen to fulfill an obligation: to teach Zhang Ya and her arrogant mother a lesson—that in this world, most things do not go as one wishes, and the more you resist, the more you invite what you dislike.

That little rascal—don’t you dare come over here, please don’t. Zhang Ya silently pleaded, her brows knitted tighter with each passing second.

“Xiaoya, what’s wrong? Why are you just standing there? Are you feeling unwell?” her mother asked.

Zhang Ya quickly forced a smile. “No… It’s nothing.”

“Hey, class leader beauty, what a coincidence! You here for tea too?” Jiang Xiwen greeted her brightly, his tone teasing.

Zhang Ya’s mind buzzed; the very thing she dreaded had happened. And must he greet her in such a glib manner? This was a disaster—she would surely be scolded by her mother later.

The attendant was about to scold Jiang Xiwen again but, seeing him converse with the girl from the Audi, swallowed his words.

“Xiaoya? A friend of yours?” The mother’s face darkened instantly. She didn’t spare Jiang Xiwen a glance, her tone sharp and interrogative.

Zhang Ya hesitated, her frown deepening, unable to speak.

The attendant, sensing something amiss, interjected, “You little brat, stop pretending. How could this lovely young lady possibly know you?”

Jiang Xiwen ignored him, keeping up his cheerful tone. “Come on, class leader beauty, it’s only been a few days since I skipped class and you already don’t recognize me? Didn’t the teacher say good students should help those who are struggling? How can you be a good class leader like this?”

“You little rascal, don’t spout nonsense here! How could my daughter have a classmate like you?” The mother’s anger flared at his mention of skipping class—clearly thinking he was a delinquent. She would never let her daughter suffer such humiliation.

“Zhang Ya, that’s not fair of you.” Dropping his playful air, Jiang Xiwen spoke earnestly. “Auntie, I understand why you’re angry—you don’t know me. But your daughter is really out of line. I’m Jiang Xiwen from Class Four, ninth grade, her deskmate.”

“What? Jiang Xiwen!” The woman was taken aback, giving Jiang Xiwen a once-over before sneering. “Nonsense! How did you even find out Xiaoya’s class? My daughter could never have a deskmate like you—unless Mr. Tan has lost his mind. Jiang Xiwen is a top student set to represent No. 2 Middle School in the computer competition. Xiaoya’s told me herself—he’s honest and bright. Where did you crawl out from, you little thug? Move aside or I’m calling the police.”

“Honest and bright? Class leader beauty, so you praise me like that in front of your mom? I’m flattered. But Auntie, while I admit I’m honest, my grades are another matter. Haven’t you ever attended a parent meeting? How could you not know my academic standing?”

The mother, noticing Jiang Xiwen’s sincerity but trusting her daughter’s word more, was about to call for the attendant to remove him when she saw her daughter shoot Jiang Xiwen a fierce glare and then quietly confess, “Mom, he is Jiang Xiwen. I lied to you before—his grades aren’t good, but he really is representing the school in the computer competition. I…”

“What!” The mother’s face changed dramatically. “Xiaoya, when did you learn to lie? You’ve been corrupted by this little delinquent. Eat upstairs, and when we get home, you’ll explain everything.”

“Auntie, if a daughter isn’t taught well, the mother is to blame. How can you push the responsibility onto a child like me? Ah, such a lack of morals,” Jiang Xiwen said, shaking his head in imitation of Tan Yu Tou’s mannerisms.

“You!” The mother forced down her anger. “Someone like you, taking part in a computer competition? I’ll be speaking to your principal about this!” With that, she pulled Zhang Ya past Jiang Xiwen and into Zhenxing Teahouse. The attendant hurried to open the door for them, bowing and scraping.

So much for that, how dull, Jiang Xiwen muttered as he watched the mother and daughter’s retreating figures. “I’d have more fun hanging out with Fan Qiang.” With that, he strode into the teahouse.

“Hey, you sure are shameless! I told you not to go in and…” The attendant’s words trailed off as Jiang Xiwen gestured behind him. Turning around, the attendant saw a young man in a suit approaching from within the teahouse.

“He’s my student. I invited him!” The suited young man was none other than Fan Qiang, who glared at the attendant.

“Principal Fan, I’m so sorry!” The attendant apologized repeatedly. Jiang Xiwen tapped him on the shoulder, and the attendant, now all smiles, quickly opened the door.

Clearly, Fan Qiang was a regular at this teahouse.

Without so much as a glance at Fan Qiang, Jiang Xiwen swaggered inside.

“Xiwen, I’m really sorry. I told you not to be late. That damned doorman…” Fan Qiang hurried after him with an apologetic smile.

“Principal Fan, you’ve got it wrong. I’m twenty minutes late; that doorman only held me up for five,” Jiang Xiwen replied, giving Fan Qiang no face at all. He wanted to make it very clear who was in charge—this would make it easier to cut Fan Qiang out and negotiate directly with the department store manager later.

Now was the time to see if Fan Qiang could adapt to his new role as sidekick. If things changed too abruptly later and the branch principal failed to cooperate, it would be troublesome.

“Uh…” Fan Qiang was clearly surprised by Jiang Xiwen’s change in attitude, but he was well-practiced at swallowing his pride. He forced an awkward smile and changed the subject. “The private room is upstairs. Manager Chen is waiting for us.”

Jiang Xiwen chuckled inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he walked straight toward the private room, ignoring Fan Qiang.