Chapter 22

He Shanglu dragged Ruan Miao for a long way, hurting his wrist. Even his usual good temper couldn't hold back anymore. He angrily shook off He Shanglu's hand and demanded, "What's your problem? I didn't do anything wrong!"

"You didn't do anything wrong? You were hugging Jian Fanyu!" He Shanglu yelled back. "Do you even know what propriety means?"

"Watch your mouth!" Ruan Miao shouted back. "I'm a guy! And even if I were a girl, you shouldn't use those words! There's nothing between me and him. Even if there was, it would be a legal relationship. How does that have anything to do with propriety?"

He Shanglu was taken aback by Ruan Miao's outburst. This was the first time he had seen him so angry. Usually, Ruan Miao's anger was subtle and vindictive, but since his personality change over the past few months, he had become extremely good-natured. Now, he was openly defiant.

He quickly regained his composure and said self-righteously, "Do you even know what people say about you? You shouldn't be dating at all! Why did you stop pestering Yan Yang only to start with Jian Fanyu?"

"Do you just love being a homewrecker?"

Ruan Miao was so furious he was about to explode. "When was I ever a homewrecker? Jian Fanyu was just helping me find tutoring classes. We're just classmates! Classmates!"

"I saw it with my own eyes! It's not proper! Dating!"

"You old-fashioned fool!" Ruan Miao jumped up, enraged. "I'm not a homewrecker! Say that again and see what happens!"

He Shanglu laughed out of anger, "Who are you calling a feudal-minded hooligan? Even if you're not a homewrecker, you shouldn't be dating early!"

"You hooligan!" Ruan Miao couldn't stand it anymore and charged at He Shanglu, engaging in a scuffle.

Given that Ruan Miao's small frame was no match for the taller, stronger, and more experienced He Shanglu, it didn't take long for him to be subdued. He Shanglu, with a triumphant eyebrow raise, asked, "Well, do you give in?"

"Never!" Ruan Miao, in the heat of the moment, couldn't remain calm while being accused of being a homewrecker. Usually as docile as a rabbit, his stubborn streak was now evident. The more he was beaten, the more determined he became, refusing to yield even in the face of defeat.

Pinned to the ground by He Shanglu, Ruan Miao could still move his head. In a fit of anger, he decided to headbutt He Shanglu, aiming for mutual destruction.

He Shanglu, caught off guard by Ruan Miao's reckless move, couldn't dodge in time and took the hit head-on. Both of them saw stars and retreated to opposite sides, clutching their heads. He Shanglu cursed, "Are you crazy?"

"Serves you right," Ruan Miao said, rubbing his head, feeling satisfied, "You should learn to respect others."

He Shanglu, equally angry now, hadn't expected anyone to dare touch his noble head. Initially holding back in the fight, he now turned fully aggressive, ready to pummel Ruan Miao.

Teenage boys, full of hormones and unaccustomed to the silent battles of adulthood, often resorted to physical fights at the slightest provocation. Their logic was simple: if words failed, fists would do the talking.

Ruan Miao, outmatched in a fight, could at least dodge. Using the many street poles to his advantage, the two boys, both good-looking even in their rage, ended up running circles around the poles, occasionally clashing.

Ruan Miao used every dirty trick he could think of—scratching, biting, tearing. Despite his upper hand, He Shanglu mentally cursed Ruan Miao countless times.

Who would have thought this seemingly gentle and soft boy could be so difficult to handle? My face is all scratched up.

Curious passersby on bicycles glanced at the scene, only to be harshly rebuked by He Shanglu, "What are you looking at? Got a problem with your eyes!?"

Must be some bully picking on someone!

Indignant, the passersby pedaled away quickly, planning to share their disapproval of such uncivilized behavior on social media later.

———

He Shangye came downstairs from his study, casually glancing at the wall clock. It was half past ten. Normally, Ruan Miao would be home by now. For the past few months, he hadn't been out playing like he used to. Why was he late today?

He Shangzhi was reading in the living room. Hearing the noise, she looked up briefly before returning to his book, seemingly uninterested in making conversation.

The door opened from the outside, and the housemaid entered with a complicated expression.

"What happened?" He Shangye, seated on the sofa, asked indifferently.

Before the maid could respond, two wild-looking boys, dressed in tattered clothes and covered in dirt, walked in. It was almost hard to tell who was who.

He Shangzhi put down her book, her large eyes filled with surprise.

"What happened?" He Shangye, arms crossed, watched them from the sofa, also surprised. "Got mugged?"

He Shanglu's face was bruised and scratched, and Ruan Miao didn't look much better. They exchanged glances before looking away, neither willing to speak.

"Explain," He Shangye sighed, "You come home looking like this, I deserve to know why. Or should I have someone investigate?"

He Shanglu, in a mocking tone, said, "Ask him."

Ruan Miao, in a muffled voice, admitted, "I started it."

He Shangye was more than a little surprised. He had assumed He Shanglu had been the instigator. Who knew it was the usually docile Ruan Miao? "What happened?"

"He insulted me," Ruan Miao said, like a child complaining to a parent. "He called me a homewrecker."

He Shangzhi stared directly at her twin brother.

"He is trying to be a homewrecker!" He Shanglu fumed. "I saw him hugging Jian Fanyu in public! You know how Jian Fanyu and Yan Yang are involved. Ruan Miao was entangled with Yan Yang before, and now he's with Jian Fanyu. Does he have any respect for our family?"

"You're lying!" Ruan Miao retorted. "I wasn't hugging him! He was just emotionally distressed, and I was comforting him. Besides, what could happen between two men?"

He Shangye interjected meaningfully, "There are many things that can happen between two men."

Ruan Miao's face reddened, "That's not what I meant. But I really wasn't doing anything with Jian Fanyu. He Shanglu just came up and started questioning me, saying all sorts of nasty things, so I hit him first."

"Hmph," He Shanglu scoffed, "You were all over me, scratching and biting. You act all tough now, but why didn't you stand up to Ye Ling like this last time?"

Ruan Miao did feel some regret for his actions. Thinking about it, He Shanglu's sharp tongue wasn't new; he had been enduring it for a long time. Today, he just lost his temper. Given his already difficult situation, fighting He Shanglu, He Shangye's brother, could make things worse.

But he couldn't stand being wronged anymore. Why was he always misunderstood and accused of things he hadn't done?

"Sorry," Ruan Miao apologized dejectedly. "I shouldn't have hit you."

He Shanglu was stunned, "Are you trying to act all innocent in front of Big Brother so he'll back you up? You were so fierce on the street just now!"

Ruan Miao ignored him.

He Shangye, observing them, tapped the sofa armrest with his fingers. After a long silence, he softly said, "As an older brother, using your strength to bully the younger, you really are something, He Shanglu."

He Shanglu: "???"

"Big brother, what's your problem? He hit me first!"

"If you hadn't been mouthing off, I don't think he would have reacted that way," He Shangye's face remained impassive, though his tone softened slightly. "Even if he hit you first, do you two have the same strength? You only have some superficial wounds, but can you see what you did to Miao Miao's face?"

He Shanglu turned to look at Ruan Miao's face, now swollen and bruised. The streetlights had been too dim for him to see clearly, and in the heat of the fight, he hadn't held back. Ruan Miao hadn't made a sound despite the pain, leading He Shanglu to assume it didn't hurt.

"Well, um..." He Shanglu was at a loss for words. It was clear that he had been much rougher.

"Go to your room and reflect on your actions. Your allowance will be halved this month," He Shangye, ever the competent head of the household, adeptly handled the situation. "And apologize to Miao Miao."

"Why should I?" He Shanglu protested, "He's the one who..."

"He Shanglu," He Shangye interrupted, his face expressionless, "Never initiate an attack, even verbally. Until you know the full truth, everything you say is meaningless."

"Understand?"

He Shanglu lowered his head, unclear if he truly grasped the lesson or if He Shangye's perceived favoritism angered him. Spoiled as he was, he refused to listen, "I'm not apologizing! He's the one who brought shame to our family!"

With that, he stormed upstairs, tripping and falling at the stairwell's turn, swearing as he continued up.

With He Shanglu dealt with, only Ruan Miao remained. He wasn't afraid of writing an apology letter, but he dreaded the possibility of losing half his allowance, which would make it impossible to pay next month's fees. His regret for his impulsiveness deepened.

Surprisingly, He Shangye didn't pursue further punishment. "This wasn't your fault. Go change your clothes."

"Oh..." Ruan Miao nodded dazedly, testing the waters by lightly stepping on the living room floor. When He Shangye didn't say anything further, he felt relieved and took a few steps towards the stairs. Just before going up, he remembered something and ran back.

"Big brother, I'm sorry."

He Shangye, resting his chin on his hand, seemed puzzled. "Why?"

"I shouldn't have hit him, shouldn't have fought with Second Brother in public," Ruan Miao sincerely apologized, "Please don't be angry."

He Shangye smiled, his first open smile towards Ruan Miao. He gently patted Ruan Miao's soft head, "It's good that you realize your mistake."

"Big brother, I really didn't do anything with Jian Fanyu, and I never intended to embarrass the family," Ruan Miao added, "And I'm not a homewrecker."

"I know," He Shangye cut him off, speaking gently. "I know a bit about their situation."

"I believe you."

In that moment, Ruan Miao's nose tingled with emotion. Even if he knew He Shangye's words might not be entirely sincere, it was the first time anyone had spoken to him like this since he arrived in this world.

Even if it's a lie, it sounds nice.