Chapter 13

Seeing his subtle reaction, Yan Yang scratched his head, realizing he might have said something wrong. He quickly added, "Actually, you haven't gained much. You were too thin before. Gaining a bit of weight doesn't show."

"Oh..." Ruan Miao didn't really mind. As a man, he thought, gaining or losing weight was normal. He was still growing, so gaining some weight wasn't a big deal. He believed it wouldn't hide his masculine charm.

With nothing else to say to Yan Yang, Ruan Miao was ready to leave.

Yan Yang instinctively grabbed his sleeve. His teammates exchanged knowing smirks and ran off, leaving the two of them alone in the hallway. Ruan Miao sighed deeply, pulling his sleeve free from Yan Yang's grasp. "What is it now? We're not close enough for this kind of contact."

"Sorry," Yan Yang retracted his hand awkwardly. He hadn't meant anything by it; it was just a reflex. Being the most pampered young master, he was also prone to anger after Ruan Miao's repeated cold shoulders, although he still didn't understand why.

"Why did you suddenly stop talking to me?" Yan Yang asked, a bit melancholic. "You used to rely on me, always coming to me first when you had problems. I heard you got beaten up in the bathroom a few days ago. Why didn't you come to me?"

"Why would I?" Ruan Miao looked at him curiously. "In the past… I admit I was wrong. My intentions were impure, but I've changed now. I apologize for my previous behavior and for misleading you."

Yan Yang blinked. At seventeen or eighteen, such a gesture might seem childish, especially for someone over six feet tall. But on him, it appeared quite natural, reflecting a bit of youthful innocence.

Despite both being overly pampered, Ruan Miao felt that he and Yan Yang were completely different. Yan Yang seemed like a "princess" protected in a castle, unaware of the hardships of the real world. He didn't understand why people got angry, sad, or upset.

Ruan Miao thought this was why Yan Yang became a jerk. Falling for someone perpetually naive like him, no wonder Jian Fanyu suffered. Yan Yang would never understand human emotions and had no empathy, severely lacking in emotional intelligence.

"But why not continue now?" Yan Yang asked, holding the basketball, staring at him directly. "I don't mind your impure motives."

Ruan Miao felt a headache coming on. "Because I don't want to continue. Is that okay? Now, move aside, class is about to start."

He walked past Yan Yang, not wanting to look back. Determined to lead his own life, Ruan Miao didn't want any shortcuts, no matter how influential Yan Yang's family was. Besides, why should high school students be entangled in romantic relationships? Wouldn't it be better to focus on studies?

In Ruan Miao's eyes, ten Yan Yangs couldn't compare to the allure of a single practice test paper.

The test three days later was just a monthly school exam. Most students didn't take it seriously, but Ruan Miao did. He spent three days going through the practice tests, making fewer mistakes than before. He was gradually recalling knowledge, and even a bit of progress was worth celebrating.

After the test, it was New Year's Day, and the school had a three-day break. The results would come out after the holidays. Ruan Miao planned to rest a bit and borrow some essay materials to study. He felt clueless facing high school argumentative essays during exams, with nothing substantial coming to mind.

However, He Shangye informed him they would attend a banquet on New Year's Day. Every year, families with close ties would gather to celebrate, especially the younger ones who enjoyed partying together. This year was no exception.

Ruan Miao hesitated to refuse, remembering the upcoming plot in the book. At this banquet, most key characters, like Yan Yang, Jian Fanyu, Yu Shanjing, Xi You, and Xi Li, would be present. The original Ruan Miao wasn't well-liked at such events.

Being a bastard child wasn't the main issue. In high society, scandals were common, and a well-favored bastard child wouldn't be looked down upon. However, Ruan Miao wasn't favored, unloved by both parents, and He Shangye didn't value him. His own lack of ambition made things worse.

Ruan Miao could imagine the awkwardness he'd face if he went. Even if he didn't try to provoke Yan Yang and Jian Fanyu, as the original Ruan Miao did by pretending to sprain his ankle to get Yan Yang to carry him upstairs, he wouldn't receive any warm welcomes.

"Not going?" He Shangye raised an eyebrow at him, looking puzzled. "You insisted on going before."

Ruan Miao cautiously replied, "I was immature before. Now I want to stay home."

He Shangye, supporting his head with his left hand, looked at him calmly, emotionless. After considering for a while, he flatly refused Ruan Miao's request. "Not going is inappropriate. I've already promised them. Besides, it's not good to stay home alone when the whole family goes."

In a family like the Hes, every move was scrutinized. Ruan Miao's existence as a bastard was no secret. If he suddenly didn't attend, people would gossip. He Shangye didn't explain all this; his tone was calm but carried an undeniable command. Ruan Miao dared not disobey and retreated to his room.