Chapter 16: Two Inherited “Ultra-Macho” Psychos…
The moment those words were spoken, the entire room fell into an awkward silence.
Shen Shan stared at his son in shock, unable to comprehend what madness had suddenly possessed him.
Gu Qingxu’s smile vanished as well. He looked at Gu Yang, who was sitting beside him, with disbelief.
Gu Yang, meanwhile, said nothing. He simply looked at Shen Mingjun.
Suddenly—
A loud slap shattered the silence.
Shen Shan swung his hand hard across Shen Mingjun’s face, knocking his son’s head sharply to the side.
And he wasn’t done.
Raising his other hand, Shen Shan delivered another slap, perfectly symmetrical.
“Wow. President Shen really believes in punishing his own kin for justice’s sake,” Gu Qingxu drawled coolly from the side.
“My son seems to have suffered a sudden lapse in sanity. I must apologize for the embarrassment,” Shen Shan said calmly. “As his father, failing to discipline him once is already negligence. Letting it happen twice would be inexcusable.”
He added evenly, “I originally came to visit President Gu. Since he isn’t here, we can’t discuss the matter for now.”
“Today, I mainly wished to convey my sincerity. When President Gu returns, please inform him. I’ll personally come to apologize.”
With that, Shen Shan grabbed the still-dazed Shen Mingjun and left.
The house finally quieted.
Gu Qingxu turned toward Gu Yang.
“Explain.”
Gu Yang lounged lazily against the sofa armrest. “Explain what?”
“Explain what?” Gu Qingxu sneered. “Explain how you lowered yourself to chase that scholarship student? And it’s a guy?”
At that, his expression turned even more complicated, his tone sharpening. “Gu Yang, you actually like men?”
Gu Yang had been replaying events in his head since earlier, trying to figure out what exactly he had done to make Shen Mingjun think he liked Song Yinxing.
All he had done was help him out once, run into him at a hotel, and visit his mother in the hospital.
If that counted as liking someone, wouldn’t the whole world be overrun with gay people?
And how did Shen Mingjun even know so much about his movements?
“You’re not talking?” Gu Qingxu took a deep breath, nodded once, and dropped a threat. “Fine. Just wait until Dad hears about this.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and went upstairs.
“That’s what happened.”
After finishing the recap, Gu Yang hugged a cushion and asked, “So how exactly did Shen Mingjun conclude that I like Song Yinxing?”
Yu Bai: “……”
Bro, Shen Mingjun just bought you a massive smear campaign and you’re not even mad—you’re hung up on this?
“I don’t think that’s the important part,” Yu Bai said sincerely. “But I can definitely join you in cursing that bastard Shen Mingjun.”
As for the question you’re concerned about—sorry, can’t help.
After all, you were the one who thought it yourself in your head. Every single one of us heard it.
“Forget it.” Seeing Gu Yang still fixated, Yu Bai quickly waved his hand to change the subject. “By the way, what did you guys get Nie Ying for his birthday?”
“To be honest, if the class monitor hadn’t suggested we all attend to celebrate this ‘most important moment of his life,’ someone like me wouldn’t even make it past the gate.”
“I didn’t expect him to be moved to tears over my gift or anything. I just bought a watch. What about you guys?”
Gu Yang: “A watch.”
He Ming’an: “A watch.”
The essence of humanity: a repeater machine.
Yu Bai: “Wow. I thought you’d at least get him limited-edition sneakers or something. He looks like the type who’d like that.”
“I don’t know his shoe size.”
“Or custom jewelry you designed yourself?” Yu Bai pressed.
Gu Yang frowned. “Does he deserve it?”
He Ming’an curved his lips slightly. “It’s just going through the motions anyway.”
“Whoa, first time I’ve seen the class monitor not playing neutral. Nie Ying really must’ve angered the heavens,” Yu Bai sighed.
Truth be told, he hadn’t wanted to come. Who willingly walks into Nie Ying’s bad side?
But Gu Yang’s inner thoughts had already foreshadowed it—this would be a major spectacle.
A melon-eater lives to eat melons. Yu Bai decided to risk it for live coverage.
Besides, with two great Buddhas like Gu Yang and He Ming’an present, his life should be safe… probably?
Too bad Ying Jiayi still couldn’t make it today.
Still, her mood had noticeably improved these past two days. When Yu Bai messaged her, she’d even replied asking for a real-time broadcast.
When they arrived, they got out of the car.
“A Yang,” He Ming’an asked softly, “did you get another ear piercing?”
“Mm.”
The piercing on the cartilage of his left ear hadn’t fully healed yet. He was wearing a transparent stud.
He Ming’an looked at him and reached out instinctively, but hesitated, afraid of hurting him. Instead, he asked pointlessly, “Doesn’t it hurt?”
“It’s fine. I don’t really feel much.” Gu Yang answered casually.
At the entrance, they ran into Xie Wu.
Yu Bai gaped. “It’s one thing for us to come, but you too, Old Xie? Didn’t you just fight with Nie Ying? His mom even forced him to apologize to you. Isn’t this awkward?”
“Why would I be awkward? He hit me, not the other way around. If he wants to cause a scene, that’s on him. It’s his house getting wrecked—I’m not the one who’ll feel bad.”
Xie Wu sounded carefree, though perhaps mindful of He Ming’an’s gaze, he laughed awkwardly and amended, “Besides, we’re classmates. No grudges overnight. Sleep it off and it’s forgotten.”
Yu Bai was deeply impressed by his magnanimity—then noticed what Xie Wu was holding.
“What’d you get him? Don’t tell me it’s a watch too.”
Xie Wu grinned. “Of course not. I got him a clock.”
Yu Bai: “……”
Be honest—did you come here to wreck the place today?
“Gifts are secondary,” Xie Wu slung an arm around Yu Bai and headed inside. “Aren’t we mainly here for the show?”
Nie Ying’s coming-of-age banquet was held at home. At the entrance, a designated assistant carefully inspected invitation letters.
Yu Bai had never seen anything like it. A man in a tailcoat and white gloves examined the invitation front to back, then even checked the watermark with a UV flashlight.
“Are they verifying banknotes or what?” Yu Bai muttered.
Xie Wu shook his head. “There are always gate-crashers. Last time I attended one of these, someone tried to pitch products the entire time. Security tried to drag him out—he kept screaming while demonstrating the product. In the end, he actually secured a deal.”
“That’s insane.”
After passing inspection, they entered.
It was an outdoor banquet. Father Nie stood in the garden chatting with someone. Upon seeing them, he greeted them warmly.
“Well, well. You boys finally decided to honor our A Ying with your presence.”
Though clearly teasing, He Ming’an responded seriously with a smile. “In previous years, we happened to be busy on Nie’s birthday. We felt bad about it, so this time we discussed it and came as a whole class to celebrate with him.”
Father Nie was visibly pleased. Just days ago, he’d been irritated over rumors about Nie Ying’s temper. He Ming’an’s words and presence were the best rebuttal.
“I won’t disturb you young people then. A Ying is over there. Enjoy yourselves—ask the kitchen for anything you want.”
—
[ I hadn’t paid much attention before, but Nie Runhua really looks like a model good husband. ]
[ Who would’ve thought that when his wife struggled with infertility, he constantly subjected her to cold violence at home—and more than once, after drinking too much, he hit her. ]
[ Like father, like son. Two inherited ultra-macho psychos. ]
