CHAPTER 25: STAND UP AND APOLOGIZE

Seeing their eager, flattering faces, Rong Zhihao didn’t say anything, but deep down, he enjoyed it.

He curved his lips slightly and shook his head. "You really shouldn’t say such things. Rong Xingyu doesn’t even know who his real parents are now. He’s already pitiful enough."

"He’s probably just trying to get people’s attention," Rong Zhihao continued gently. "But the monthly exam is coming soon... I’m a little worried about him. What if he..."

He didn’t finish his sentence and only sighed softly as if he truly cared.

But the others immediately understood the rest.

That’s right, the monthly exam was coming up. Once Rong Xingyu took the test, wouldn’t his true ability be exposed again?

Wait... the monthly exam?!

"Ahhh! How’s your revision going?"

"It’s over, I’m dead this time. If I fail again, my dad will kill me!"

"Don’t panic! Isn’t our top student, Young Master Rong, right here? Let him predict the key points for us!"

"Perfect! Young Master Rong is ranked number one, his guesses must be accurate!"

Rong Zhihao: "..."

A flicker of impatience crossed his face, but no one noticed. He forced a polite smile and said, "Sure."

...

"These are all the key points you marked yourself? Wow, and you even helped me organize my notes..."

Qian Zhijun clutched the notebook and textbook that Rong Xingyu had just handed him, his eyes almost tearing up. "Xiaoyu, you’re too good to me!"

Rong Xingyu smiled softly.

According to Qian Zhijun, his family had a strong and capable older sister who would inherit the family business, so there was no pressure on him at all.

Besides, Qian Zhijun never liked studying, he always said he was fine being a carefree, happy "little bum" who just ate and played every day.

These past few days, after seeing how seriously Rong Xingyu studied, Qian Zhijun couldn’t seem to control himself either, his hands always itched to pull out his own textbooks.

...Then he would just stare blankly at the pages.

Rong Xingyu really couldn’t stand watching him like that anymore, so he helped Qian Zhijun organize the most basic points of knowledge.

After briefly explaining everything, Qian Zhijun looked at Rong Xingyu with wide admiring eyes.

So amazing!

Rong Xingyu’s thoughts were clear and his explanations were simple and easy to understand. Qian Zhijun was shocked that he could actually follow along!

For the first time, Qian Zhijun had a strong feeling, maybe this monthly exam wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Rong Xingyu even predicted a few of the big questions that might appear on the test.

Qian Zhijun felt touched to the point of tears. How lucky was he to have the world’s best deskmate!

He hugged the notebook and book tightly against his chest, cherishing them like treasures, and walked beside Rong Xingyu while chatting and laughing as they headed back to class.

As they turned a corner, a few students were chatting in the hallway.

Just as they passed by, one of them suddenly said in a mocking tone, "Birds of a feather flock together. Looks like the fake young master can only hang out with the illegitimate son. Hahaha."

The voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for Rong Xingyu and Qian Zhijun to hear.

At the words illegitimate son, Qian Zhijun’s cheerful expression instantly disappeared.

His fists clenched tightly, his face flushed red and his whole body trembled with anger.

He looked like a balloon filled too full and about to burst any second.

Rong Xingyu stepped forward and placing a protective hand in front of Qian Zhijun.

The usual gentle smile on his face was gone. In that moment, Rong Xingyu gave off a cold distant aura that warned others to stay away.

He frowned slightly while meeting the boy’s eyes and said in a low firm voice, "Apologize."

"I said," Rong Xingyu repeated coldly, "apologize."

His usually soft apricot eyes were now void of any warmth. His long eyelashes lifted at a sharp angle and with his light colored pupils, he looked clear and striking breathtakingly beautiful.

The boy was startled by Rong Xingyu’s sudden coldness.

He swallowed hard his saliva and raising his voice defiantly. "W-What did I say wrong? Aren’t you two just a fake and an illegitimate son born from a mistress?!"

"Xuaoyu is amazing! You’re not allowed to talk about him like that!" Qian Zhijun exploded while glaring at the boy so fiercely it seemed like he could bite him. "And I’m not an illegitimate son, my mother is not a mistress!"

Rong Xingyu wasn’t someone who liked to cause trouble, but he was never afraid of it either.

In his previous life, many people had tried to pick fights with him because of his looks, but every single one of them had been beaten by him after he rolled up his sleeves.

He couldn’t stand to see someone around him being bullied for no reason.

Rong Xingyu patted Qian Zhijun’s shoulder and stepped forward again. His voice was calm but sharp as he said, "That doesn’t give you the right to insult others behind their backs. I’ll say it one last time, apologize to Qian Zhijun."

The boy stumbled a step backward after feeling intimidated by Rong Xingyu’s presence. His face twisted with anger and shame.

However, knowing this area was a blind spot for the security cameras, the boy suddenly raised his hand, clearly about to hit Rong Xingyu and Qian Zhijun.

A flash of cold light passed through Rong Xingyu’s eyes and just as he was about to fight back, the boy’s movements suddenly froze.

His expression changed and he shouted excitedly to the side, "Young Master Ding!"

Rong Xingyu turned his head and saw a tall and strikingly handsome young man standing nearby.

The young man have one of his hand tucked in his pocket and his face carried a dark and cold expression.

It was impossible to tell how long he had been there watching.

The boy immediately rushed forward with a fawning smile. "Young Master Ding, you saw it, right? It was all Rong Xingyu and his friend..."