Chapter 57
Zhan Mu waited for a few days, feeling anxious, but he still didn't get any news from the school. He even followed the official website and public account of No. 2 Middle School, but there was no news.
He was still a little panicked. After all, the longer things were delayed, the more disadvantageous it would be for the current situation. Zhan Mu also observed life carefully and discovered many subtle things. For example, he seemed to be really famous in the town, and the business of his own printing shop was not very good, but it was gradually stabilizing.
It even seemed as if he didn't need to use that method at all.
It was late afternoon.
"Your third uncle and your grandmother are here." Lu Chao nodded to Zhan Mu, who was lying on the recliner scrolling through his phone, reminding him that the man had been paralyzed for almost the entire day, with a sullen attitude, as if he was half dead and had nothing to worry about.
Zhan Mu hadn't moved yet when his grandmother started to attack him: "Can't you get up? You're such a grown-up and you're lying on the side of the road. You didn't even get up to say hello when I came."
"Hello, Grandma." Zhan Mu stood up instantly, put on his flip-flops, and put the recliner on the side of the road. Coincidentally, he caught a glimpse of his third father walking towards him.
"Oh, you're doing okay after not being here for a few days." His third father stepped in and asked, "How are you doing lately? Have you gotten your life back on track? How's your business?"
Wow, you really care about me.
Zhan Mu was so impressed that he was about to smile again when Lu Chao stepped forward, handed him the car keys, and said, "I just remembered that my electric scooter is out of battery. Go charge it. Didn't you say you wanted to eat snail noodles later?"
That's not the case. Zhan Mu turned around, but before he could frown, he understood Lu Chao's micro-expression. He said "oh" with a smile in his eyes, and immediately took the key and left.
"Third Dad, Grandma, I have something to do, so I'll leave first." Zhan Mu immediately took the opportunity and wanted to leave, but his grandmother stopped him and said, "You won't listen to me even if I say half a word to you, right? Hey!"
Zhan Mu was about to leave again, but was pulled back by an arm. She lowered her voice and said, "What's your connection with that Li Lizhen? She's from a very poor family and she's not a clean person. You're not the type to talk too much?"
No, this town is so small. We just took a walk together a few days ago. How could it become like this in their eyes?
Zhan Mu immediately felt unhappy and said, "I was just chatting with my little sister."
Lu Chao's face suddenly darkened. Zhan Sanba passed by, tutted twice, and looked over at the other person, carefully examining the data person's skin texture. Lu Chao was both displeased and disdainful, his superiority subtly revealed.
——It makes people angry just looking at it.
Zhan Sanba glanced at Zhan Mu again, and saw the same expression on his face, with the corners of his mouth turned down, and that kind of subtle contempt, exactly the same as the cyber data man he raised, they were simply the same kind of people.
This kind of person only has interests in his heart and desires in his conversation. His words and actions are all tested and measured. Even if others show a little kindness to him, he is still calculating whether they will harm him.
It's true that birds of a feather flock together.
"Did you buy a car?" Zhan San's father glanced at the car keys in Zhan Mu's hand and said, "It's OK. I thought it was a four-wheeled vehicle. Why are you so lazy? Really, after observing you for so long, I found that you are not diligent at all. Are you going to buy an electronic data person to help you with chores?"
"..." Lu Chao's expression suddenly became more vivid.
"I still take good care of others." Zhan Mu waved his hand, suggesting that Lu Chao should change back soon. Lu Chao glanced away with obvious displeasure between his eyebrows, but he still obeyed and returned to the store and immediately returned to his original state.
"They really did hire a nanny." Seeing this, Grandma Zhan seemed to find it novel and said casually, "Landlord life."
Zhan Mu closed his eyes, as if speechless, and then he said, "Electronic data people, not people, okay?"
“…” I wonder what Lu Chao felt when he turned back into a normal person.
Just as Zhan Mu was thinking for a moment, about to use his eloquence to argue with his relatives again, suddenly, when he was not expecting it at all, a motorcycle came speeding towards him, with a yellow-haired man on it, moving incredibly fast, and swung it towards him!
It was like a plastic bag, emitting a foul smell and making a clanging sound!
It just happened to hit the printer in front of Master Zhan's shop. Along with the sound of glass jars breaking, Zhan Mu saw clearly that there was blood, garbage, and a lonely cat head.
Provocative and horrific.
Zhan Mu looked at it coldly, turned around, and then he remembered that he seemed to have not seen his little gray cat for a few days. It turned out that someone had killed it, and the cat's head was specially sent back.
He felt a chill down his spine, but for the sake of face, with so many people watching, he had to keep quiet and pretend nothing had happened.
"What's going on?!" Grandma Zhan exclaimed. Everyone looked at the yellow-haired man, who drove away in front of them without a helmet or a hood.
Uncle Guo, who was watching TV in the house, also popped his head out with a horrified expression. He said nothing and waved the fan in his hand vigorously.
Zhan Sanba's face suddenly changed, and he asked Zhan Mu: "What did you do wrong? Who did you offend?"
"Maybe he's a rich man." Zhan Mu concealed the cold trembling in his eyes. His mouth was crooked with a smile. Although he didn't roll his eyes, his facial features were distorted and he really deserved a beating.
-
Once this happened, the whole town seemed to know about it. Zhan Mu also noticed that even when he went back to his rental house to use the restroom, he could see people glancing at him and commenting on him.
Zhan Nai broke down on the spot and cursed the yellow-haired man's ancestors. The man was a bad boy from the next town. Zhan Mu repeatedly emphasized that he didn't know him, but he was still scolded and forced to explain whether he had offended anyone.
Zhan Mu turned a blind eye. After all, he took out his mobile phone and saw the news of Hongchang Printing Factory's negative information being exposed on the hot list of the same city. It seemed that it was the information he provided to Yu Wenfei that played a role.
This thing is done.
Along the way, Zhan Mu couldn't laugh because he didn't dare, and couldn't. Just as he was making up an excuse to disappear and go back to the bathroom in his rental apartment, Liu Gang, as expected, also sent him a screenshot and a series of question marks.
Liu Gang: (Screenshot)
Liu Gang: Have you been online? You're shocking me about domestic violence!
Zhan Mu narrowed his eyes and wanted to reply, but deleted it to show off, so he pretended not to see it.
After adjusting his expression, Zhan Mu continued to act as a chameleon. When he returned to the shop, he saw the originally furious Grandma Zhan wiping away her tears, and was accompanied by several familiar old ladies who said words of comfort.
Zhan San's father was very enthusiastic. He was on the phone with Zhan Mu's parents. His words were firm and complex, full of momentum and deep fear. He said, "Well, I don't know what he did, but he won't say. Really, they just took the garbage and threw it in front of the store! The cat is dead... Yeah, yes, he's fine, very calm. Are you guys coming? Tonight? Yes, yes, I'll wait for you."
"Tell grandma if you have borrowed money from others outside. Pay it back quickly, otherwise they will kill you!" When Grandma Zhan saw Zhan Mu coming, her eyes were filled with tears, and she tried to stir up Zhan Mu's conscience.
He softly explained, "It's okay, grandma. It's probably business. I don't recognize that yellow-haired guy. I don't know. I don't owe anyone any usury, really."
Zhan Mu looked at the door of the store and saw the pool of blood still there. He didn't know which kind-hearted person had cleaned it up. However, the neighbors were very noisy and talked about him. The cat head and other disgusting things were in the trash can. Zhan Sanba didn't leave either, and was chatting with Grandpa Guo.
Zhan Mu walked over very slowly. Although he was being teased by a stranger, he didn't care. He felt relaxed and comfortable because he knew that if nothing unexpected happened, the business of No. 2 Middle School would be diverted to his place.
The traffic has been generated, the ability has been proven, and the store's popularity has increased. Zhan Mu put one hand in his pocket, looking at the mess, and silently told himself that it was just a matter of time.
"You're just not afraid of anything?" Zhan Mu went over, and perhaps because his expression was too rebellious, his third father suddenly whispered something in his ear as a reminder.
"..." Zhan Mu didn't answer, but restrained his expression, then forced a hearty smile and said, "What is it, Third Dad?"
"Just act like an idiot." His third father muttered in a low voice, his expression was moved and his emotions were complicated. It seemed that he also noticed the huge ambition hidden in his silence. It was rare for him to complain about such a catchphrase of a young person.
It was already quite late when Zhan Mu finally arrived at the door to find his parents with serious expressions. Their attitude was definitely not one of appreciation, let alone worry. Zhan Mu understood almost the moment he saw their faces: this was a shame for them.
And his parents will not stand on his side.
"What do you want?" Zhan's father said in a low voice, "Your sister just jumped off the building, and you think our family doesn't have enough troubles? You want to go out of your way to offend others?!"
"What happened?" Zhan's mother also looked worried and said, "Tell me, what did you do wrong? Tell me and your parents will solve it together with you. Why are you so obsessed with seeking death?"
Zhan Mu's expression changed. He looked at his parents, who often said "I'm doing this for your own good," and found it both funny and ironic. Then he told them everything, "My sister was just one step away from death. I'm...tsk, you don't understand. I'm just afraid of becoming her, so I try harder, that's all."
Some things cannot be said openly, even though everyone knows that they are unpleasant to the ear, explicit, and painful. Once this thin veil of obedience is pierced through—
Then he is a traitor to everyone around him.
Zhan Mu's parents had actually seen through it a long time ago. He hated and resented being poor, and was disgusted with being stupid and ignorant. This son had long since become a complete overworked ghost through the baptism and trials of the social university.
Only money can feed people like him.
"Snap—" Zhan Mu's pupils contracted, as if he couldn't believe it.
He was unexpectedly slapped in the face by his mother in front of everyone, and then he roared hysterically: "Who the hell are you?! What on earth do you want us to do?! Money! It's that money, it's that money from morning to night! No matter what I tell you, you won't listen now..."
"Besides food and clothing, what else have you provided me?!" Zhan Mu roared.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he suddenly recalled many years ago. When he was a child, he made a so-called study schedule for himself: memorize words at 7 o'clock, read extracurricular books at 8 o'clock, do something at 9 o'clock and something at 10 o'clock...
As a parent, you're all about giving orders. When I get home, you tell me I'm so tired and miserable, why are your grades so bad, why am I working so hard all day while you're watching TV! You know I'm getting scolded for trying to make a few bucks out there, but do you know me?!
"Oh, sorry I said too much." Zhan Mu held his head, tears falling, not wanting them to see. He replied in a deep voice: "That's enough, really, that's enough. Foreigners are kicked out of their homes at the age of 18 and become self-reliant. I can't do that because I'm not capable enough. I'm not working hard enough. I should..."
Zhan Mu raised his eyes, his face full of stubbornness and determination: "I should start from scratch! Earn a million dollars a year! Then return home in glory! And finally bring honor to my family!"
Everyone was speechless and watched him go crazy in silence.
Zhan Mu wiped his eyelids, then raised his eyes again. He smiled, his expression almost friendly and gentle. With a meaningful smile, he replied, "Okay, I'll be frank. I really didn't recognize the yellow-haired guy today. But - I definitely stole someone else's business."
Zhan's father looked at him with a twitching expression. His eyes seemed unfamiliar, but also contained a hint of indescribable relief and admiration.
"I deserve it, and I'm satisfied. That's all for today! Everyone, go home. There won't be anything exciting to watch next." After Zhan Mu finished speaking, he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Although his hands were shaking slightly, he still lit it.
He took a deep breath, as if using nicotine to stimulate his brain, pretended to clean up the shop at a normal speed, put the liquid in his pocket and left. At the same time, he picked up the dead cat head in the bucket at the door and threw it into the garbage station not far away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
