Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 585: Chapter 586: Annoying Zhenxiu

As Yang Chen was driving Zhenxiu to school, he had no idea that his mother-in-law had unexpectedly met his mother early on and that they had both mistakenly talked about him, thinking he was someone else. If Yang Chen had witnessed the scene, he would have either laughed himself to tears or felt utterly embarrassed.

Since it was the weekend, the traffic wasn't as heavy as during rush hour. Yang Chen leisurely steered the car, chatting with Zhenxiu about various topics.

In recent days, he had been running around and hadn't had much time to check in on this little sister-like figure, who was now repeating a year of school. Previously, his concern was mainly about her studies and daily life. Now, he also had to consider Zhenxiu's family background in South Korea.

It was no longer in doubt that Zhenxiu was the legitimate heir to South Korea's Star Moon Group. Park Jung-hoon was not an ordinary person, and it was impossible for him to have made a mistake.

Despite Zhenxiu's refusal to return to South Korea and her insistence on staying in Zhonghai, the family understood and sympathized with her, so they hardly mentioned the matter in front of her.

Yang Chen had a premonition that Zhenxiu would eventually have to return to South Korea. After all, that was where her real family was. Even though her parents had eloped to China against their family's wishes and had since passed away, the blood ties couldn't be severed.

Moreover, Zhenxiu had been designated by the chairman of Star Moon Group, her grandfather, as the heir to a vast business empire. If it wasn't essential for Zhenxiu to take over, why would Park Jung-hoon come all the way to Zhonghai to find her?

Yang Chen could imagine the internal power struggles within such a large family, revolving around nothing but power and money. However, he didn't want Zhenxiu to bear too much of that unnecessary pressure.

What he could do was to ensure that whatever choice Zhenxiu made, she would live the life she wanted, safe and happy.

On the way, Yang Chen casually asked about her school life and how her exam preparations were going. He joked that if she didn't understand something, she should bother her sister, Ruoxi, to distract her from always targeting him.

Zhenxiu, who had been playful and teasing last night, was now sweet and well-behaved, chatting and laughing without causing trouble.

"Zhenxiu, has Liu Minghao bothered you recently?" Yang Chen suddenly remembered his little brother-in-law.

At the mention of Liu Minghao, Zhenxiu's eyebrows furrowed, and she pouted angrily. "Brother Yang, don't bring him up. Just thinking about him makes me upset."

"Is he still pestering you at school?" Yang Chen asked with a smile.

"No, he's already dropped out," Zhenxiu replied, rolling her eyes cutely.

"Dropped out?" Yang Chen was puzzled. "Was he expelled? Did he get in trouble with the school authorities?"

"The school leaders are too scared to mess with Liu Minghao. The principal avoids him whenever he can," Zhenxiu pouted. "He dropped out because he felt school wasn't for him. Apparently, with his father's consent, he went to work for the gang and quit studying."

Yang Chen hadn't expected this turn of events. Liu Qinghan must have realized his son wasn't cut out for studying and decided to let him gain some practical experience, at least not wasting his youth.

But something didn't add up. Yang Chen asked, "Since Liu Minghao dropped out, shouldn't it be good for you? No one is bothering you now. Why do you still look like someone owes you a lot of money?"

Zhenxiu's eyes suddenly seemed evasive. She looked out the car window and said softly, "Even though he dropped out, he left a bad impression. I just really dislike him."

Seeing that Zhenxiu didn't want to talk about it, Yang Chen figured that every girl had her own secrets and decided not to press her further.

After sending Zhenxiu to school, Yang Chen didn't linger. A young man dropping off a high school girl in a BMW could easily attract unwanted attention and speculation. Having been back in the country for some time, Yang Chen had become more mindful of such matters, especially when they involved an ordinary girl like Zhenxiu.

Even just stopping briefly at the school gate drew a lot of attention. As the car drove away, Zhenxiu pursed her thin lips and smiled slightly, feeling an inexplicable joy from being dropped off by Yang Chen. Just as she was about to turn and walk through the school gate, she heard a woman's mocking voice from the side.

"I was wondering who had hooked up with a rich guy and got a ride to school in a BMW so early in the morning. Turns out it's our school belle, Xu Zhenxiu. How enviable."

A tall girl with bright makeup, dyed blonde hair, and flamboyant attire appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by two similarly tall girls wearing earrings, circling around Zhenxiu.

Upon hearing this voice, Zhenxiu's eyes flashed with a hint of anger. She tried to pretend she hadn't heard it and continued walking towards the school gate. However, before she could take a step, the two girls had already blocked her way, looking at her mockingly.

"Jiao Yanyan, what do you mean by this?" Zhenxiu glared at the blonde girl, trying to suppress her anger.

Jiao Yanyan twisted a strand of her hair, tilted her head, and sneered, "Back when Liu Minghao was still in school, you put on that pure and innocent act. I could see right through it. Today, you've finally shown your true colors. Only that fool Liu Minghao would be so infatuated with you. Hmph, you're just a pretentious little fox."

Hearing Jiao Yanyan's ridicule, the two girls beside her burst into laughter. Many of the surrounding students recognized both Jiao Yanyan and Zhenxiu, understanding that Jiao Yanyan was targeting Zhenxiu. Some watched with amusement, while others felt sorry for Zhenxiu.

Zhenxiu tried to avoid looking at Jiao Yanyan's contemptuous gaze and said, "Who Liu Minghao likes is his business. I never wanted him to pursue me, and I've said this many times. If you're unhappy with Liu Minghao, take it up with him. It's not my fault he didn't choose you. I'm just here to attend classes; I don't want to deal with anything else."

"Xu Zhenxiu, do you know what I find most infuriating about you?" Jiao Yanyan, hitting a sore spot, became even more displeased, her face turning cold. "I hate your indifferent attitude the most! Do you really think those dumb boys who find you pretty have made you the school belle? Let me tell you, I, Jiao Yanyan, can't stand pretentious women like you. Today, you've hooked up with some rich guy driving a BMW, and everyone saw it. If you don't admit you're just a flirtatious fox, I won't mind giving you a lesson."

Zhenxiu gritted her teeth. She knew it was futile to argue. Jiao Yanyan had liked Liu Minghao, but because Liu Minghao had always followed her around when he was still at school, it had deeply upset Jiao Yanyan. When Liu Minghao was around, he shielded her from everything, but ever since he left school, Jiao Yanyan had become increasingly brazen.

Zhenxiu had heard from classmates that Jiao Yanyan's family had connections with a gang, albeit from another province, but they were not people to be trifled with. Zhenxiu, of course, preferred to avoid trouble whenever possible. With about two months left until the college entrance exams, Zhenxiu didn't want to stir up any unnecessary issues.

Just as Jiao Yanyan was about to have her two lackeys teach Zhenxiu a lesson, two tall security guards from the school's security office rushed out, dispersing the surrounding students and shouting loudly.

"What are you doing?! No causing trouble during school hours!"

Although Jiao Yanyan was arrogant and had a gang background, her influence wasn't strong in Zhonghai. She didn't dare to be too provocative, especially with the security guards present. Seeing them approach, she could only snort angrily and signal her lackeys to back off.

"Hmph, you're lucky this time, but you'll get what's coming to you sooner or later!" Leaving a threatening remark, Jiao Yanyan crossed her arms and strutted into the school with her two lackeys, parting the crowd.

Soon after, the group of students finally made their way into the school smoothly, though many continued to whisper about whether Jiao Yanyan would trouble Zhenxiu again.

Zhenxiu's previously bright mood darkened once more. She had no idea how she would deal with Jiao Yanyan in the future. She could only curse Liu Minghao, who had left her to deal with this mess. He had left, but the trouble he caused remained, leaving her to face it alone.