Chapter 86: The Scene of Social Death.

Chapter 86

After one night of indulgence, there would be a second, and a third.

Xiao Chen spent most nights at Huating One afterwards, leaving Qiao Rui alone at Yunwan Mansion, without even asking.

Sometimes when his conscience bothered him, he would come back perfunctorily to check on Qiao Rui.

Yet Qiao Rui was not at all lonely without his brother around. On the contrary, he was very happy.

He locked himself in his room and lay in bed playing games.

When he heard Xiao Chen coming back, he would immediately throw his phone under the blanket and pretend to be asleep.

Xiao Chen would just come in to take a look. Seeing the room dark and quiet, with Qiao Rui lying still with eyes closed, he would leave again.

This happened several times, until Qiao Rui noticed Xiao Chen's pattern of returns.

So he spent many late nights unrestrained in the luxury apartment, playing games to his heart's content.

Until the week before final exams, on Wednesday morning.

The first period that day was English.

Yu Na picked a question for group discussion. During that time she noticed Qiao Rui and Song Yan sitting in the last row. Their posture was the same - elbows on desks, heads drooping, half asleep and looking very uncomfortable.

By now the other students were discussing the question, but when they saw Yu Na walk down from the podium, their gaze also turned to her.

Yu Na went to Song Yan and Qiao Rui's desk.

Song Yan sat closer to the aisle while Qiao Rui sat inside, next to the window.

The class quieted down, waiting to watch the show.

Yu Na reached out and knocked on Song Yan's desk three times.

"......"

The eerie sound made them instantly alert.

Song Yan turned pale. "Ms...Ms. Yu."

Qiao Rui was still in a daze.

Yu Na didn't take up too much class time. After waking them up, she asked, "Didn't sleep well last night?"

The two immediately lied in unison -

Song Yan: "Teacher, my grandpa made me play chess with him last night. I couldn't say no, so I went to bed a little late."

There was soft laughter around the class. They thought this excuse was rather far-fetched.

Qiao Rui was equally shameless. "I had a nightmare last night. I woke up at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep."

The call was on speakerphone. They could hear the old lady was clearly flustered, thinking something had happened to her grandson. Her voice suddenly became anxious. "Ah? What's wrong with my grandson? Did something happen? Is he okay?"

Principal Qin reassured her, "He's fine, don't worry. But there is a situation I hope to understand by talking to you face to face."

Song Yan's grandma breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, I'll head over right now."

After notifying Song Yan's grandma, he got ready to call Qiao Rui's parents.

Qiao Rui said, "Principal, my brother is my current guardian."

"Your brother?" Principal Qin recalled there was such a person, who seemed very young but had a strong presence. He could also tell Qiao Rui was a little afraid of him.

"Fine, I'll contact your brother then. Your guardian must be present!"

Principal Qin emphasized the last four words.

Qiao Rui obediently reported Xiao Chen's number.

In a flash, Yu Na suddenly remembered - the contact name she had for Xiao Chen was "Big Pig Trotter".

She sucked in a breath, hair standing on end.

"Principal!"

Principal Qin was in the middle of typing in the number when the sudden shout made him jump.

Yu Na had a big smile plastered on. "Let me make the call instead. You sit and calm down first."

"Hmph. With those two students from your class, I'll never calm down!"

Though he said that, he did take an empty seat next to Yu Na, hands on his thighs. "Fine fine, you call, but I want to talk to Qiao Rui's brother personally."

He felt that while Yu Na was a good teacher who students liked, she lacked authority.

The students didn't fear her, and some parents didn't take the young new teacher seriously either.

So he wanted to speak personally.

Yu Na swiftly deleted the "Big Pig Trotter" contact name, then anxiously dialed the number.

She could only silently pray that Xiao Chen wouldn't say anything inappropriate. Please don't, please.

After three rings, the call connected. But Yu Na's prayers were futile.

The other end lazily and suggestively said, "What's up? Miss me?"

Principal Qin: ?

Yu Na: "............"

The other teachers in the office also turned to look. Only Qiao Rui was desperately trying not to laugh.