Chapter 44

Winter break flew by quickly, spanning just twenty days. As an exemplary student, Ruan Miao diligently completed his holiday homework ahead of schedule, even finishing the additional assignments given by Yu Wenyan. His efforts paid off, and he was finally catching up with his studies.

However, just two days before the new term began, he received an unexpected call while organizing his new stationery and backpack. The security guard at the gate informed him that someone was at the entrance claiming to know him and requested permission to enter.

Confused, Ruan Miao took the phone from He Shangye, hearing a cheerful, youthful voice on the other end. The speaker had a heavy accent and sounded young. "Miao Miao gege! I finally came to see you!"

Ruan Miao hesitated, unsure of the caller's identity. "You are...?"

"Don't you remember me, Miao Miao gege? I'm Xiao Lu!" The boy sounded excited. "Can you let the security guard know? It took me a lot of effort to find this place!"

Ruan Miao had no recollection of Xiao Lu and was naturally anxious. With no information on this person in his phone, he decided to allow entry and anxiously waited at home.

He meticulously searched his phone's contacts but found no trace of this boy. How would he handle the upcoming conversation?

Biting his lip, brows furrowed, Ruan Miao was tense. He Shangye, reading a magazine on the adjacent sofa, casually remarked, "Isn't he your best friend from the countryside? You two were quite close, and he's just two years younger than you."

"Maybe he was worried since you haven't visited much these past few years, so he came to find you," He Shangye added.

Ruan Miao nodded hastily to mask his ignorance. "Oh, right! It's been years. I barely remember his voice."

He Shangye didn't respond, turning another page. He sighed quietly. If Miao Miao's awkward acting wasn't so evident, he would be hopeless as an undercover agent. Luckily, He Shangye was there to cover for him. At least he could fool He Shanglu, who wasn't the sharpest.

Ten minutes later, a knock on the door signaled the arrival. A servant opened the door and led in a boy about fifteen or sixteen. Ruan Miao stood up to greet him, but the boy rushed forward, hugging him tightly and joyfully.

"Miao Miao gege! I finally found you!"

Uncomfortable with the sudden embrace, Ruan Miao awkwardly steadied himself. "Long time no see. Why don't we sit and talk?"

Xiao Lu released him, beaming with excitement, his eyes wide with joy. Ruan Miao finally got a clear look at him.

The boy had a sunny, handsome face with healthy, tanned skin, thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a charming smile revealing a set of white teeth. Despite his shabby clothes—an over-washed black down jacket leaking feathers, worn-out shoes, and a frayed sweater—his good looks shone through. He was sure to grow into a striking man.

"Miao Miao gege, your place is huge! It's several times bigger than my family's hall!" Xiao Lu marveled, gazing around in awe. "I've only seen houses this nice on TV."

Ruan Miao nodded, fetched him a glass of milk and some chocolate. "Would you like something to warm you up? It's cold outside."

Xiao Lu's eyes lit up, and he scratched his head sheepishly. "You remember I love milk?"

"Uh, yes." Ruan Miao replied quietly, surprised at his lucky guess.

Xiao Lu was about to sit down but hesitated, looking at the pristine white leather sofa and then at the muddy snow on his pants. "I'm too dirty. I'll just stand so I don't mess up your home."

Ruan Miao glanced at He Shangye, aware this was his house. Though he didn't mind Xiao Lu sitting, he didn't want to overstep.

"Sit," He Shangye said coolly, placing his magazine on the coffee table. He checked the time and told Ruan Miao, "I need to go upstairs for a video conference. I won't interrupt your reunion."

With that, He Shangye went upstairs, sending the servants away and leaving Ruan Miao and Xiao Lu alone.

Ruan Miao admired He Shangye even more for his thoughtfulness.

Without He Shangye, Xiao Lu relaxed significantly. He carefully placed a handkerchief on the sofa before sitting, then sighed contentedly. "Your big brother is just as you said—stern and cold, like someone owes him money."

"He's not mean," Ruan Miao instinctively defended He Shangye. "He's just not used to being close to people, but he's actually very kind."

Xiao Lu looked skeptical. "But you told me he was cold-hearted and ignored you."

Ruan Miao couldn't explain the details. From what he had gathered in the past few months, He Shangye wasn't actually bad to the original Ruan Miao.

First, let's talk about basic necessities. An allowance of ten thousand yuan a month is not insignificant for any family, and this doesn't even include other living expenses like seasonal clothing, transportation, and the abundant meals provided at home. The original Ruan Miao was certainly not mistreated; his own excessive spending habits led to his financial difficulties.

Regarding other aspects, He Shangye was cold towards the original Ruan Miao, but he had the same attitude towards He Shanglu and He Shangzhi, the two siblings he had raised. He wasn't particularly biased and remained objective, which is his nature. He doesn't like getting close to people, but this can't be considered abusive.

Furthermore, He Shangye surely knew there was no blood relation between them. Ruan Miao is the illegitimate child of his father, who married into the family, so they aren't even brothers. He had no obligation to take care of or shelter Ruan Miao. Yet, not only did he take in this half-brother, but he also sent him to the best private school, attending alongside his own siblings. With an annual tuition of two hundred thousand yuan, He Shangye's generosity is remarkable.

At least, Ruan Miao introspectively admits he couldn't be as magnanimous as He Shangye.

However, the original Ruan Miao was unworthy of this kindness. After entering school, he didn't focus on his studies and committed numerous actions that garnered disdain, leading to his ultimate downfall.

Therefore, from an outsider's perspective, Ruan Miao supports He Shangye.

Xiao Lu, surprised at his defense of He Shangye, sipped his milk and muttered softly, "If you don't want to talk about it, fine. Why so serious?"

Seeing Xiao Lu's guilty expression, Ruan Miao softened his tone, "I'm sorry, I was being too serious."

Xiao Lu looked up, astonished, "You're actually apologizing to me? You'd rather fight until we both bled than admit defeat when we were kids!"

Ruan Miao sighed and replied helplessly, "I've been through life's hard lessons and learned to be humble."

Xiao Lu laughed, revealing small dimples, "I don't want your apology. You used to bully me so much. Who knows what tricks you might have up your sleeve now!"

"By the way, why haven't you contacted me for the past six months?"

Ruan Miao froze. His phone didn't have Xiao Lu's number or WeChat contact, so how could he have reached him?

He stayed silent, and Xiao Lu continued, "I know you don't want me to repay the money, but that's no reason to avoid me."

"What do you mean?" Ruan Miao asked, puzzled.

"My dad's much better now. After more than a year of recovery, he can work again. He said once our harvest improves, we can start repaying the money you lent us."

"I know you've had a tough time at the He family's, and three thousand yuan might not be much for them, but it's significant for you. So, after failing to contact you, I asked around and finally took a bus from the countryside to find you."

"I've also decided that after graduating from middle school this year, I'll quit and start working in the city. It'll make things easier for my family."

Xiao Lu rambled on, noticing Ruan Miao hadn't spoken much, then stopped, sheepishly asking, "Am I annoying you?"

"No…" Ruan Miao snapped back to reality, his expression complex.

He had assumed the original Ruan Miao lacked compassion, yet here was proof of a generous act. Three thousand yuan was no small sum. Perhaps some of the debts he accrued stemmed from this.

Ruan Miao felt a newfound respect for the original Ruan Miao.

"If I said you don't need to repay it, then you don't," Ruan Miao said earnestly. "You should focus on finishing middle school. Working isn't easy."

"It doesn't matter," Xiao Lu shrugged. "You know my grades are terrible. I won't even pass the high school entrance exams. Better to start working early. Didn't you always say studying is useless, and I should fix myself up to marry a rich woman, even if I have to hang around her doorstep?"

Ruan Miao: "…"

The original Ruan Miao's skewed worldview not only lacked self-discipline but also corrupted children. He deserved a good scolding.