Chapter Forty-Four: Let Father Teach You How to Be a Man (Part Four)

In the capital city Z, within its most prestigious school, a place steeped in history, the halls were filled with heirs of the city’s elite, children of influential families from every sphere of society. Yet even among such grandeur, Lu Yuehong could hardly contain her excitement as she prepared to welcome a new student today.

What did the capital’s wealthy families matter now? The one joining her class was the heir of the Chao family, one of the ten great houses—the very pinnacle of privilege and power. If she could establish a connection with this young master, win his favor, perhaps when he graduated, promotions and pay rises would no longer be mere dreams.

Yet when she thought of the Chao surname, Lu Yuehong couldn’t help but feel a touch of disdain. Previously, her class had another student with the same surname, but that Chao was a simple-minded fool. Not only did she lack intelligence, she was timid and withdrawn. No one knew how she’d obtained her admission certificate, and by some misfortune, she’d ended up in Lu Yuehong’s class, always dragging down the average grade—truly a blemish on an otherwise pristine record.

Moreover, she was repulsive: at the slightest trouble, she’d come running to Lu Yuehong, complaining incessantly—a useless waste of space! Flies do not swarm to flawless eggs; if there were no defects in her, those students wouldn’t have bullied her. Lu Yuehong wished nothing more than for such a useless person to leave, and so she never showed her a kind face. Fortunately, that little failure hadn’t come to school recently. Without her around, even Lu Yuehong’s view seemed brighter, cleaner.

As she was lost in thought, the office door was knocked upon with utmost politeness, three crisp taps. Then, a voice, poised perfectly between boy and girl, with a melodious lilt, rang out, “Excuse me, are you Teacher Lu? I’m here to register.”

There was only one person reporting to school today—the young master of the Chao family. Lu Yuehong’s excitement nearly made her lose her balance. Taking two seconds to compose herself, she greeted him with a blooming smile, “Ah, are you the young master Chao? I’m your homeroom teacher, you may call me Lu Yuehong, Teacher Lu…”

As she spoke, she opened the door, but the moment it swung wide, she was utterly stunned.

Standing opposite her, the young boy faced her against the light, the warm glow casting him in a hazy halo, dazzling and radiant. He exuded a languid, noble bearing, his deep, almond-shaped eyes curved in a smile that was astonishingly refined. Yet, for some reason, Lu Yuehong felt that those pitch-black eyes held not a trace of warmth.

On the contrary, they were filled with a chilling cold that could freeze a soul.

What surprised her even more was how much this boy resembled that simpleton from before! Though his expression, demeanor, and aura were worlds apart from that worthless wretch, his face was uncannily similar.

For a moment, Lu Yuehong almost mistook him for the bullied little failure.

But quickly, she dismissed the notion. That weak, pitiful nobody could never be connected to the Chao family heir. It must be her imagination!

Plastering on her most ingratiating smile, Lu Yuehong hurriedly ushered the youth in, “Come, please have a seat. Let me pour you some tea.”

Chao Xu’s gaze swept over Lu Yuehong’s sycophantic expression, his smile unwavering, eyes gently curved as he replied, “Thank you, Teacher.”

Lu Yuehong waved her hand frantically, “No need to thank me, it’s just a cup of tea, nothing easier. Please, just sit.”

Afraid to keep him waiting, she fetched her finest tea leaves from the bottom of her drawer, brewed a cup, and, holding the steaming cup, rushed over.

Chao Xu watched her flit about, as if she were a performing clown, finally leaning lazily against the back of his chair as she approached with the tea. He smiled, almost amused, “Ah, Teacher, I think I forgot to introduce myself. Allow me to do so now.”

“My name is Chao Si. I hope you remember this name in the days to come.”