Chapter 30 - 29: A Book Worth 80,000, Pay Up
Chapter 30: Chapter 29: A Book Worth 80,000, Pay Up
"..."
A dead silence fell over the entire living room.
Shi Changying, worried that they might be hard of hearing, played the recording three more times.
Meng Shuyan’s expression completely shattered. "You recorded me?!" he demanded in disbelief.
He had only gone to look for Shi Changying on a whim that day. It was a completely spontaneous event. Why on earth did she think to record it?
Shi Changying narrowed her eyes as she gnawed on her chicken drumstick, completely ignoring him. She didn’t like studying, but she understood the concept of applying what she had learned in practice. Any new skill had to be put to use; otherwise, wasn’t learning it a waste of time?
Xu Zhao Yu’s gaze shifted slightly. Before she could say a word, a loud slam erupted in their ears.
"Meng Shuyan, Changying getting into Jianghuai High School has absolutely nothing to do with your grandfather and grandmother!" Xu Yunfan’s face darkened as he slammed his hand heavily on the table. "It’s because Chengli knows Principal Ning. What kind of nonsense have you been spouting at school?"
Meng Shuyan stood frozen in place. "He knows the principal?"
Who? Ming Chengli? How could an archaeologist with zero background possibly cross paths with Principal Ning? Meng Shuyan’s mind was in a tangled mess.
"The Xu family didn’t donate any money to Jianghuai High School, nor did we pull any strings!" Xu Yunfan grew even more furious, raising his voice. "By saying these things, are you expressing dissatisfaction with your grandparents and your uncles? Huh?!"
Aside from Meng Baizhou, Meng Shuyan was most afraid of this military uncle of his. He opened his mouth, his face flushing hot with panic. "Uncle... Uncle Yunfan, I-I didn’t know. I thought..."
"You thought what? What kind of talk is that?" Consumed by rage, Xu Yunfan stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar. "You’re well aware that you have no blood relation to the Xu family, aren’t you? Or do you think we are cold-blooded people who completely disregard all our years of affection for you?"
Even though Xu Yunfan was already fifty, he was strongly built and incredibly powerful. His muscles weren’t just for show, leaving Meng Shuyan utterly powerless to resist.
Xu Zhao Yu’s expression changed at these words. She hurriedly took all the blame onto herself. "Yunfan, this is all my fault. I didn’t think to explain things to Shuyan, which led to his misunderstanding."
"Zhao Yu, it’s not your fault. It’s his fault for even harboring such thoughts." Xu Yunfan’s anger hadn’t completely subsided. "Besides, taking a step back, even if the Xu family really did pull strings to squeeze Changying into Jianghuai High School, would that be wrong? No matter what anyone says, she is still a member of the Xu family."
Although Old Sir Xu didn’t like Shi Changying, he agreed with this sentiment. "Yunfan is right."
Xu Zhao Yu’s hands stiffened imperceptibly. Hidden within her sleeves, no one noticed a thing.
Xu Yunfan scoffed coldly and released his grip. Meng Shuyan’s body slumped onto the sofa, his face deathly pale.
Meng Baizhou finally spoke up, his tone frigid. "Meng Shuyan, apologize for maliciously speculating about others."
"I-I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I shouldn’t have said that before figuring out the facts." Meng Shuyan gritted his teeth, feeling utterly humiliated. "But Dad, my poster really was torn up by her!"
Having heard the recording, Xu Yunfan no longer showed him any patience. "How did she tear it? You said it yourself—there was no one else on the surveillance footage but you!"
Shi Changying pulled out another chicken drumstick and took a bite. CRUNCH. Looking completely unbothered, she said, "Then call the police."
"Call what police? Making such a fuss late at night—is this proper?" Old Sir Xu suppressed his rising anger and asked, "Why hasn’t Chengli returned yet?"
"Dad, I already called Chengli," Xu Yunfan said. "He said he was already—"
"Changying!"
Before he could finish, Ming Chengli rushed in, looking frantic. As if completely oblivious to everyone else in the room, he grabbed Shi Changying by the shoulders and meticulously inspected her from head to toe.
Only after confirming that she hadn’t lost a single hair did Ming Chengli let out a sigh of relief. "Kiddo, is one bucket of fried chicken enough for you?"
Shi Changying stared at the very last drumstick. "No."
"TA-DA!" Ming Chengli immediately pulled out a bag, looking triumphant. "Look what your old man brought you! Pork buns from your favorite spot. I specifically asked the boss to save some for me."
Shi Changying gestured for him to place the buns into her fried chicken bucket.
Ming Chengli did as told, and only then did he notice the Xu family members gathered in the living room. He blinked in surprise. "What’s going on? Why is everyone gathered here so late at night?"
When Xu Yunfan called, he had only asked when he would be back, without explaining the situation.
"Chengli, I’m so sorry for making you rush back this late," Xu Zhao Yu was the first to apologize. "Shuyan tore up three of your history books. I will compensate you for them."
Ming Chengli frowned. "History books?"
Aside from Shi Changying, the only thing he valued most in the world was history.
Xu Zhao Yu lowered her posture as much as possible. "Chengli, I know those history books are your treasures. I am truly so sorry. I will definitely teach Shuyan a lesson when we get back. I promise I will never let something like this happen again."
Ming Chengli didn’t say a word, but the air pressure around him seemingly dropped, bringing with it an unexpected sense of oppression. Among the Xu family members present, only Xu Yunfan keenly sensed it. He paused in slight surprise.
How did his typically gentle and refined younger brother suddenly possess such an aura?
"Alright, Chengli. It’s just a misunderstanding, a family matter. Let’s just leave it at that." Old Sir Xu made the final decision. "Shuyan, apologize to Chengli and compensate him for the books. Changying, go buy Shuyan an identical poster."
On the surface, he was punishing both sides equally, but in reality, he was still biased toward Meng Shuyan. To any normal person, no matter how expensive a book was, it couldn’t possibly cost more than a signed poster.
Meng Shuyan scoffed. "Fine. Out of respect for Grandpa, I’ll let it slide."
Shi Changying finally finished her fried chicken. She slowly raised her eyes and said unhurriedly, "I never said I was letting it slide."
"..."
Her words brought about another bout of dead silence.
"What a joke." Shi Changying swept her indifferent gaze across the room. "Why should I buy him an identical poster? Just because he barks the loudest? Or because you people are blind and deliberately obtuse?"
Old Madam Xu instantly flared up in anger. "Listen to the things you’re saying! Utterly vulgar and offensive to the ears! Chengli, how on earth did you raise her?"
With a hint of smugness, Meng Shuyan lifted his chin toward Shi Changying. Xu Zhao Yu remained silent, quietly observing the scene.
"How my dad raised me is none of your business, nor does it have anything to do with you. As for today’s matter, until I say it’s settled, no one gets to settle it." Shi Changying pulled out the folder containing the torn book fragments and handed it to Ming Chengli. Tilting her chin up, she asked, "Dad, take a look. How much were these three books of yours worth?"
"How much could a few books possibly be worth? Do you think they’re antiques? Even if I compensate you tenfold, it wouldn’t even cross the five-thousand yuan mark!" Meng Shuyan looked disdainful. "If you really want to be petty about this, you’re the ones who will lose out!"
Ming Chengli did some quick mental calculations and said uncertainly, "These books are already out of print. Their current price on the secondhand market is around seventy to eighty thousand yuan, I suppose."