It turns out he really was beaten by someone, it’s just that I don’t know who did it.

Dad isn’t exactly weak. Anyone who could land a punch right on his face must have either taken him completely by surprise, or Dad was in the wrong and felt too ashamed to dodge…

“It looks alright,” Zou Yang poured him some tea, “This kind of injury won’t even show in a couple of days.”

Speaking of the injury, Dad fell silent for a moment before opening his mouth: “How are those wounds on you doing?”

“They healed up completely a long time ago,” Zou Yang said, glancing at Fan Jun, “The shrapnel fragments in him have all been taken out too.”

Dad had barely asked about this matter at all, so when he heard the words “shrapnel fragments,” he was still a bit startled. However, he quickly leaned back again: “As long as you’re fine, that’s enough. I don’t care about other people’s injuries.”

“I care.” Zou Yang looked at him and said.

Dad gave a cold laugh: “One after another, it’s like you’ve all swallowed gunpowder. You’re already twenty, are you going through a rebellious phase too?!”

Zou Yang didn’t say anything and poured another cup of tea for Fan Jun.

The word “too” was very subtle. Zou Tianrui had always been very willful, throwing tantrums at the drop of a hat, but this was the first time Dad had used the phrase “rebellious phase.” It seemed he had been pushed to his limit recently…

But it probably wasn’t the author of that punch on Dad’s face. A young girl wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her own father. If Fan Jun hadn’t misjudged, and that woman just now really had something going on with Dad, then this punch was highly likely delivered by the young girl’s mother.

Tsk tsk tsk tsk.

“I gave your mom a call the other day,” Dad looked at him, “She said your classes are starting to wind down this semester?”

“Yeah,” Zou Yang nodded. When looking at Dad, he couldn’t help but keep glancing at that bruise, so he had to quickly lower his eyelids again and look at his cup, “Practical classes have increased.”

“Time flies pretty fast. Counting it up, you’ll be starting work next year,” Dad suddenly sighed with emotion, “In my memory, I always feel like you’re still in your teens.”

“Isn’t it the appearance of a primary school student?” Zou Yang glanced at Fan Jun’s cup and saw it was empty, so he poured him another cup of tea, “When I was in my teens, you weren’t home much anymore.”

“Can you still talk properly or not?” Dad frowned.

“I talked properly for nineteen years,” Zou Yang smiled, slowly brewing the tea, “It wasn’t of much use.”

Dad didn’t speak further, staring at him in silence.

Normally, at this point, he would take the money and leave. But today, in order to fish for information, he didn’t rush through the usual routine and patiently remained silent as well.

In passing, he filled Fan Jun’s cup up with tea again, which had emptied once more.

“Don’t pour anymore,” Fan Jun said in a low voice, “I can’t drink any more.”

“If you can’t drink any more, you can just stop drinking it,” Zou Yang said.

“…Is it alright to leave it after it’s been poured?” Fan Jun asked.

“Will I beat you if you don’t drink it?” Zou Yang smiled.

“I’m going to the restroom.” Fan Jun stood up.

Only the father and son were left at the table. Zou Yang could feel that Dad seemed a bit more relaxed than before; after all, having an extra person meant having to put up more of a front.

“Dad,” Zou Yang looked at his father, “Did you run into some trouble?”

Dad waited for a good long while before letting out a heavy sigh: “Family conflicts, don’t you get involved.”

Zou Yang frowned.

Who wants to get involved? The only reason I want to ask about your family conflicts is to watch the drama.

However, even though the words were unpleasant to hear, they still revealed information.

“Auntie’s personality…” Zou Yang rested his arm on the chair’s armrest, propping his fingers against his temple, his voice slowing down, “is just a bit impatient. Just don’t bicker with her.”

“It’s not a matter of bickering or not,” Dad waved his hand, “I’ve never bickered with her. She watches me from morning till night, suspecting this, suspecting that…”

“That’s understandable too,” the corners of Zou Yang’s mouth curved up, “However it was obtained, that’s exactly how they fear losing it.”

Dad fell silent, staring at him.

“Dad, you’re not young anymore,” Zou Yang said, “Settle down. At least you still have a family right now.”

Dad kept staring at him, seemingly unable to decipher the meaning behind his words for a moment, not knowing whether he should flare up or sigh with emotion. After a long while, he let out a cold laugh and nodded: “Zou Yang, you really are different now.”

“I’ve grown up,” Zou Yang said, “I’ll be starting work next year.”

Having probed this far, he could pretty much guess what the situation was. Zou Yang decided to end the conversation. Fan Jun hadn’t actually gone to the restroom just now; he had gone straight out of the teahouse to the outside, probably to make it convenient for him to fish for info.

“In another year, you won’t have to worry about giving me money every month like this anymore.” Zou Yang put the phone that was on the table into his pocket and drank the tea in his cup dry.

“Have some sense regarding your work and stuff,” Dad took out his phone, lowering his head to transfer money to him, “Your mom can’t help you much either. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me…”

Zou Yang cracked his knuckles with a sharp snap.

Dad glanced at him: “What’s that supposed to mean.”

“It doesn’t mean anything,” Zou Yang stood up upon hearing the phone notification sound, “My mom can give me a home.”

“Can the two of us, father and son, talk properly after all?!” Dad suppressed his voice.

Without saying a word, Zou Yang walked out of the teahouse.

Fan Jun walked out from a neighboring shop that sold coffee beans, holding an advertising brochure in his hand.

“All done?”

“Yeah,” Zou Yang took the brochure from his hand and flipped through it, “Didn’t buy any?”

“If you want to drink it, just buy it directly outside. Don’t bother making it ourselves,” Fan Jun said.

“I thought you wanted to buy some.” As Zou Yang finished speaking, he swept a glance inside the shop.

Suddenly, he discovered that the woman who had crossed the street with his dad earlier like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl was currently looking at him through the glass.

He didn’t avoid it either, meeting the woman’s gaze.

She was younger than Zou Tianrui’s mother, not particularly beautiful, and looking at her attire, she was currently at work. Eighty percent chance she was something like Dad’s assistant…

The woman turned her face away.

“Let’s go,” Zou Yang walked toward the car, “If this one really has something going on with my dad, then he has probably found someone he can have a spiritual resonance with.”

“Why?” Fan Jun asked.

“This one isn’t beautiful,” Zou Yang said.

“Your dad really is…” Fan Jun sighed softly.

“Zou Tianrui’s mom isn’t my mom,” Zou Yang said, “My dad is definitely going to have it rough this time. Landing this single punch is nothing; they might even find people to beat him up later.”

Fan Jun didn’t speak.

“My dad is also a fifty-year-old man, I don’t know if he still…” Midway through speaking, Zou Yang couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “…can take it…”

Fan Jun smiled, reaching out to put an arm around his shoulder and rubbing his arm: “Let’s not dwell on these things.”

Zou Yang’s smile slowly faded, and he finally let out a sigh.

“Back to school?” Fan Jun asked, sitting in the car.

“Yeah,” Zou Yang nodded, “Tomorrow morning I have to go to No. 7 High School. Morning self-study starts at 7:30. Tonight the teacher wants to talk to us about the precautions and stuff.”

“Then should I go to No. 7 High School tomorrow at noon to wait for you?” Fan Jun took out his phone to check the navigation.

“Can you get away?” Zou Yang asked, “There are quite a lot of people over there on Fridays, right? Or we can just go over to find you.”

“It’s fine,” Fan Jun said, “I can get away. It’s the weekend, so He Chuan is usually at the shop.”

“Are you taking me along when you go to Linjiadu?” Zou Yang started the car, but didn’t drive out. For safety’s sake, it wasn’t suitable for him to talk while driving at this stage.

“Don’t you have homework to write or something over the weekend?” Fan Jun asked.

“You really worry a lot,” Zou Yang laughed, “Just wait, there will be plenty to write later. We have school practicum for most of the next half month. By then, I’ll definitely be the one writing the group practicum report, and we also need to record a teaching video… This can be left for Li Zhiyue and Liu Wenrui to handle, but the teaching content will definitely be mine again…”

“Isn’t Zhang Chuanlong in your major?” Fan Jun couldn’t help but follow up with a question.

Zou Yang paused, laughing so hard he almost choked.

“I’m doing the chores,” Zhang Chuanlong said, “Running errands and stuff. Every small group needs to have someone doing logistics.”

“Exactly!” Li Zhiyue patted his shoulder.

“The bus is here, get on, get on.” Liu Wenrui pushed the few of them toward the large bus.

This bunch of classmates on the bus, who looked like they hadn’t quite woken up yet, would shortly be assigned in groups of four to several classes at No. 7 High School for their practicum—listening to lectures and assisting the teachers with classes…

Looking at their current state, it felt like they were more suited to cause trouble for the teachers.

“So your dad has a mistress number four now,” Liu Wenrui whispered in Zou Yang’s ear, “And then he got beaten by Zou Tianrui’s mom.”

“Yeah.” Zou Yang nodded.

“Zou Tianrui’s mom is not easy to deal with…” Liu Wenrui had a look of anticipation, “Be more proactive when asking for money next month.”

Zou Yang laughed: “Why are you joining in on the fun?”

“It’s not like I’ve only disliked your dad for a day or two. We’ve only met a few times in total, and every time we meet, he lectures me. Even my mom doesn’t lecture me like that, who does he think he is.” Liu Wenrui clicked his tongue.

“Your mom just beats you directly.” Zou Yang said.

“…True.” Liu Wenrui nodded.

There were many graduates from their university at No. 7 High School. Today, Teacher Zhou, whom their group was following, was an upperclassman from two cohorts ago, looking very serious.

“The class you are following is Senior One Class 3, forty students in total,” Teacher Zhou led them toward the classroom, “Let’s go visit the classroom first. It’s English morning self-study right now.”

Several people pulled out their small notebooks.

“Try to be as detailed as possible,” Zou Yang said, “So it’ll be easier for me to write the report.”

“Don’t worry.” Li Zhiyue said.

Walking to the classroom door, one could hear a neat reading voice. This commotion instantly brought people back to several years ago.

“It’s so good to be young…” Liu Wenrui said in a low voice, “Now when I play games and curse at people, I can’t even curse with such resounding force.”

“Quiet,” Teacher Zhou glanced at him, “Don’t affect the students’ class.”

Liu Wenrui hurriedly shut his mouth and lowered his head, scribbling in his notebook.

Teacher Zhou led them into the classroom through the back door, standing in the very last row.

Students kept turning around to look at them. With them propped up there in a single line, it was slightly awkward, so they could only continually pretend to note things down in their books.

The person leading the reading on the podium was a girl. She was very earnest. It wasn’t until they had been standing there for nearly a minute that she raised her head, tucked her hair behind her ear, and cast a glance toward their side.

The moment she raised her head, Zou Yang felt that this world was truly miraculous.

“Holy shit,” Liu Wenrui said.

Zou Tianrui was stunned on the podium for a long time, then she suddenly turned around, covered her face, and ran out of the classroom.

A low murmur of discussion instantly broke out in the classroom.

“You guys…” Teacher Zhou glanced at them while walking out of the classroom, “One of you go up and lead the reading.”

“Which one of us ‘you guys’?” Zhang Chuanlong asked.

“…One of the four of us has to die,” Liu Wenrui said.

“Li Zhiyue,” Zou Yang said, “You go die.”

“Tell my mom I’m no coward.” Li Zhiyue closed his notebook, walked to the front. Barely any students in the class were still reading; all of them turned their heads to look at them.

“Keep reading,” Li Zhiyue walked up to the podium and tapped on the table twice, “Where did we read up to?”

A boy in the second row said something, and he immediately pointed at that boy: “Alright, you come up and lead the reading.”

The boy hesitated for a moment, then stood up and took his place on the podium. Li Zhiyue stepped aside.

“Fuck, he’s already acting like a teacher.” Liu Wenrui said.

“He is the pride of our dorm.” Zou Yang said.

A few minutes later, Teacher Zhou returned to the classroom, casting a glance at Zou Yang, but he didn’t speak.

Until morning self-study ended, Zou Tianrui did not return to the classroom.

“Come take a look at our office. The first period is my class,” Teacher Zhou led them out, “You all will audit it.”

“Alright.” Zhang Chuanlong replied.

“The one who went up just now was Student Li Zhiyue, right?” Teacher Zhou said, “You did quite well.”

“Thank you, Teacher Zhou.” Li Zhiyue smiled.

In the office, Teacher Zhou let the few of them look at the PPT for this class on his computer first, and then called Zou Yang out into the corridor.

“I just asked Zou Tianrui about the situation,” Teacher Zhou looked at Zou Yang, “The two of you are…”

“Yeah.” Zou Yang nodded before Teacher Zhou could say the words “half-siblings.” He didn’t want to hear those four words; it inexplicably made him feel disgusted.

“She is the English class representative, and usually performs quite well. Just now her emotions were quite volatile…” Teacher Zhou said, “Of course, she might have some misunderstandings. The assignment of teachers for each group is completely random, without any special arrangement. I have already made this clear to her, and I also hope it won’t affect your emotions.”

“I’m fine,” Zou Yang smiled, “I’m used to it.”

Teacher Zhou didn’t speak, and only said after a moment: “Then go look at the PPT first to familiarize yourself, and listen to the lecture in a bit.”

Before class, the few of them brought chairs into the classroom and sat in the last row to listen to the lecture.

Zou Tianrui had already returned to the classroom, slumped on the table. Her desk-mate and the two girls in the row in front of her were talking to her. When Zou Yang walked into the classroom, the girl in front looked at him with a gaze that wasn’t very friendly.

Following that, Zou Tianrui also turned around and glared at him, her eyes red. Zou Yang didn’t avoid it either; he sat down, leaned back against the chair, and looked back at her.

Only when Teacher Zhou walked into the classroom did Zou Tianrui turn around and sit properly, lowering her head to wipe her eyes.

Zou Yang fished out his phone and changed the ringtone to vibration.

Zou Tianrui might have already called Dad, and who knows what she would say, but Dad could call to question him at any moment. He didn’t want his phone to suddenly ring during his practicum and lecture audit, affecting the classroom…

Teacher Zhou’s classroom atmosphere was quite good, relaxed and humorous. Liu Wenrui and the others buried their heads in taking notes, and Zou Yang also kept his head down, but to be honest, he didn’t note down much of anything; his mind was still somewhat in disarray.

And as expected, Dad’s phone call came through before the class even ended.

Zou Yang hung up the call.

Within two minutes, Dad called again.

Frowning, Zou Yang sent a message to Dad.

【Zou yang】Auditing a class, can’t pick up the phone

【That person】Call me back immediately after class!

Zou Yang put the phone back into his pocket.

While writing in his notebook, Liu Wenrui reached his hand behind Zou Yang’s back, patted him gently, and said in a low voice: “Calm down.”

He was pretty calm. Ever since he stopped being an actor, Dad’s words hadn’t been able to stir much of a ripple in him.

After class, the few of them walked out of the classroom to rest in the corridor, waiting for the next English class.

A few boys huddled over, and after asking Zhang Chuanlong a few questions, quickly entered a fiery chat state.

Zou Yang walked to the side and dialed Dad’s number.

As soon as the call connected, Dad’s somewhat displeased voice came out: “What is wrong with you? Why did you run to Tianrui’s class! She threw a huge tantrum with me here!”

Zou Yang wasn’t surprised by Dad’s attitude at all.

When encountering any matter, this person would never inquire or try to understand things from his perspective; he would always pre-establish a stance and directly interrogate him.

“Normal educational practicum for normal-school students,” Zou Yang was very calm, “Which school to go to, which class to go to, it’s not up to me.”

Dad fell silent for a moment before speaking: “Zou Yang, no matter how much of an issue you have with me, or with your auntie…”

“She is not my auntie.” Zou Yang said.

“Shut up!” Dad raised his voice, “Just do your practicum honestly! Don’t look for trouble out of nowhere!”

“I will definitely do my practicum honestly, and you listen carefully too,” Zou Yang’s voice remained steady as before, “You, or Zou Tianrui, don’t look for trouble out of nowhere either. If it affects my practicum credits, I won’t be polite either.”

“Threatening me?” Dad let out a cold laugh.

“Exactly, so you better listen well,” Zou Yang said, “If you really ache for your daughter, then let her attend her classes properly. The parents’ matters have nothing to do with her in the first place. Don’t force me to lose my mind; she still has to go to school here for another three years.”

After speaking, he didn’t wait for Dad’s reply and hung up the phone.

“How did it go?” Liu Wenrui had stood beside him at some point.

“How else could it go,” Zou Yang said, “I just hope to finish the practicum peacefully. If they don’t provoke me, I won’t even give them a second glance.”

“Your dad truly…” Liu Wenrui sighed, “They say fathers are close to their daughters and have a bad relationship with their sons, but the relationship between you two isn’t just bad anymore, it’s almost reached the level of a blood feud.”

“I’ve never been the kind of son he wanted, it must have cut him to the quick.” Zou Yang clicked his tongue, holding his phone and waiting for a bit. Dad’s phone call didn’t chase after him again.

It showed the threat had taken effect.

He put the phone back into his pocket with satisfaction.

Tomorrows practicum at No. 7 High School was done for the day. Fan Jun’s car was parked in a roadside parking space. From afar, he saw quite a few students walking over, presumably because school had let out.

He took out his phone.

After a while, Zou Yang’s call came in: “Where are you?”

“In the roadside parking space north of the school main gate,” Fan Jun said, “Are you guys out?”

“Yeah, we’re walking that way right now,” Zou Yang said, “Get out of the car and wait for me.”

“What’s wrong?” Fan Jun opened the car door and stepped out.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Zou Yang said, “I just want to see you at first glance.”

“I’m standing in the middle of the sidewalk then.” Fan Jun said.

“There’s no need to be that conspicuous,” Zou Yang laughed, “Are you crazy? There are people everywhere.”

“I’ve moved to the side,” Fan Jun asked in a low voice, “Zou Yang, what’s wrong with you?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Zou Yang smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I just suddenly missed you terribly.”

“Is there no one next to you?” Fan Jun asked.

“The few of them are up ahead, they’re excited.” Zou Yang said.

“Then hurry up, let’s have an affair.” Fan Jun said.

An older lady passing by him suddenly whipped her head around, looking at him with shock and disdain.

He cleared his throat, turning around to face the car door.

“What on earth?” Zou Yang was also quite shocked.

“Let’s secretly have a kiss.” Fan Jun said softly.

“…Is your idea of having an affair this pure?” Zou Yang laughed, “MUA~”

“MUA!” Fan Jun said.