Chapter 72: Saving the Bullied Top Student (20)

Zhou Chenglong, eavesdropping outside the door, heard that he was going to become the Heir. He couldn’t help but laugh and cheer in the living room. It was indeed the right move to have the Old Madam call and curse Zhou Qian. What right did a girl have to any inheritance?

He, he was the true Heir of the Zhou Family!

Zhou Yi was going to retire and give him his position. He would become a man of status, and he would trample Tang Qi and Luo Xun ruthlessly under his feet.

Zhou Yi’s mouth was full of bitterness. The Zhou Family was his lifelong effort, and he was certainly reluctant to let it go. He could withstand his mother’s pressure, but he never imagined she would call and verbally abuse Zhou Qian like that.

When Zhou Qian played him the recording, he truly never thought such vicious words could come from his mother’s mouth. Obscene insults, vile curses.

He had never heard such filthy language in his entire life!

The story of the monthly exam bet spread around the school. Zhou Chenglong’s reneging on his promise caused his already scant reputation to plummet further. Everyone thought he would continue hiding at home, but unexpectedly, he showed up at school the very next day.

His clothes were even more flamboyant, dazzling designer brands, a custom watch on his wrist that sparkled in the sunlight.

He announced to everyone that he was about to become the Heir. Shops that had previously refused him now opened their doors to him. It seemed that suddenly, many sycophants surrounded him.

Zhou Chenglong was extremely satisfied. What was so great about Tang Qi just being an heir? Once he came of age, the Zhou Family would be his. Any action would then just be a matter of a single word from him!

He handed out invitations to his classmates. In half a month, at the best hotel in Haishi, the Zhou Family would hold a banquet to announce this.

Tang Qi and Luo Xun also received invitations. No matter who they were at the school, Zhou Chenglong welcomed everyone to attend his banquet.

“What does studying count for? What’s the use? I don’t study, and I can still reach the peak of life.” Zhou Chenglong was utterly self-satisfied. He even started frequenting various venues to show off his “economic power.”

Luo Xun ignored him, focusing solely on her own studies. She never believed in pies falling from the sky. She only believed in her own hands and diligence. Even though she had Tang Qi now, she wouldn’t allow herself to rely entirely on her.

Everything she had now, she would repay Tang Qi in the future. She would also, in the future, give Tang Qi everything she wanted!

After a few days of carousing, Zhou Yi, who had already given up on him, suddenly appeared and told Zhou Chenglong to go for a physical examination. It turned out that someone at a venue Zhou Chenglong had visited earlier had tested positive for a nasty disease.

Zhou Yi even secretly hoped Zhou Chenglong had contracted it. However, Zhou Chenglong was not afraid. He hadn’t gone that far with those people.

It wasn’t that he was virtuous, but he looked down on the women in those establishments. He felt he deserved the very best.

Still, under Zhou Yi’s demand, he went to the hospital for a full body check-up. On the day he was waiting for the test results, the time for the Zhou Family banquet arrived.

Tang Jiu had also come to Haishi because of the Zhou Family matter. Tang Qi and Luo Xun were getting ready with their evening attire when Tang Jiu appeared with his bodyguards. His gaze lingered on Luo Xun for a long time, causing her to stiffen her back in fright.

“I heard you’re my granddaughter’s… classmate…” Tang Jiu placed heavy emphasis on the word “classmate,” rapping his cane on the floor, making Luo Xun jump.

Tang Qi stepped in front of Luo Xun. “Grandpa!” She had never expected to keep it hidden from Tang Jiu forever.

Tang Jiu glared at Tang Qi, then turned his gaze to Luo Xun. “How are your grades?” Sure enough, the first thing a parent of their generation cared about was grades.

Luo Xun stood ramrod straight, like a soldier facing judgment. Loudly and with clear enunciation, she reported her scores in detail. Tang Jiu nodded with a modicum of satisfaction. “I hear everything you have now was bought by my granddaughter. Even your mother’s medical expenses are paid for by my granddaughter?”

“Grandpa!” Tang Qi’s voice grew heavy.

Luo Xun grabbed Tang Qi’s hand and shook her head gently. Her mother had been admitted to the hospital a few days ago for treatment. Tang Qi said her mother’s paralysis was caused by a fall, and that with treatment, she might recover.

Tang Qi was handling all the medical expenses.

She ate Tang Qi’s food, wore what Tang Qi bought. What was so wrong about being questioned by the elder in her family? Wasn’t it entirely normal?

Luo Xun didn’t feel Tang Jiu was looking down on her. Instead, she felt he was caring about Tang Qi. She pulled out a notebook. “Grandpa Tang, this is where I’ve recorded my expenses. Every day, every single sum, I’ve noted it down. I never planned for Little Seven to pay for everything forever.”

Tang Jiu took the notebook. Luo Xun’s handwriting was very neat, like her person – soft-looking, but with an inner strength.

The notebook was marked clearly, down to how many eggs or dumplings she had eaten.

Even the rent and utilities for living here, she had calculated and written them down. A look of emotion flickered in Tang Jiu’s eyes. He could see that although Luo Xun was afraid, she still tried her best to prove herself. “What’s this? A record, and then what?”

Tang Jiu put the notebook aside. Tang Qi picked it up, looked it over, and sighed.

Living with her every day, she hadn’t known Luo Xun had been keeping track all along. Her Luoluo, ah!

“I… I will study hard, get into a good university, find a good job, and return all of this to Little Seven. I will…” Luo Xun glanced at Tang Qi, her voice lowering. “I will work hard to stand by her side.”

“Do you know how much your mother’s medical treatment costs? How many years would it take an ordinary person like you to earn that much?” Tang Jiu felt he was being led astray by Luo Xun. He was here to break them up, not to quibble over this small sum of money.

Luo Xun lowered her head further. “I believe I can. If not one year, then two. If not two, then three, or ten. After I start working, I’ll give all my money to Little Seven to manage. I will work hard.”

Tang Qi closed her eyes, suppressing the stinging in her nose.

Luoluo was always like this, passionate and persistent, just like in their first life! Even without her memories, she always trusted Tang Qi quickly, always fell in love with her quickly.

“I’ll give you ten million. No, one hundred million. Leave my granddaughter.” Tang Jiu brought out the classic villainous elder routine. Luo Xun shook her head, her eyes reddening. “I don’t want money. I don’t want to leave Little Seven. If you’re dissatisfied with something about me, I can change!”

“I’m dissatisfied that you’re a girl,” Tang Jiu said, his voice cold. Inwardly, he sighed. If Luo Xun were a boy, he would indeed be very satisfied.

Neither servile nor overbearing, she didn’t see his offer of money as an insult, nor did she feel inferior for accepting Tang Qi’s money. He liked her character and temperament.

Such a pity!

“Grandpa, you should know it was my initiative,” Tang Qi said, displeased. “If you keep this up, I’ll get angry!”

Tang Jiu’s beard quivered. He silently shut his mouth. Tang Qi pulled Luo Xun to sit down. “It’s okay, don’t cry.”

Luo Xun held back her tears. Tang Qi turned to look at Tang Jiu. “Grandpa, in this life, I’m set on Luoluo. If you don’t approve, then expel me from the Tang Family.”

“You…” Tang Jiu was shaking with anger. Tang Qi looked at him nervously, afraid he’d get sick from rage.

Seeing Tang Qi’s worry, Tang Jiu’s anger subsided somewhat. “You two can’t have children. What about the Tang Family’s future?”

“Little Uncle Tang Mu agreed to let me adopt one of his future children into my line,” Tang Qi stated her plan. Tang Jiu huffed and glared, finally standing up and banging his cane hard on the floor before leaving!

That evening, Tang Jiu still brought Tang Qi and Luo Xun to the Zhou Family’s banquet. The Zhou Family had lavishly booked an entire floor, and many political and business celebrities attended.

Zhou Chenglong, dressed in a haute couture suit, stood properly at the entrance with Zhou Yi to welcome the guests. Zhou Yi had lost much weight and looked bitter.

He truly never imagined that a brief fling in his youth would have such enormous consequences.

Zhou Chenglong, however, was in high spirits, greeting everyone he saw with a smiling face.

Zhou Qian and Tang Mu also arrived at the venue. The two were drinking in a corner. Zhou Qian looked at Tang Mu. “Are you really decided?”

Tang Mu grinned cheekily. “Of course, it’s my honor.” Zhou Qian’s eyes reddened slightly. Tang Mu put his arm around her. “Don’t cry. Marrying you is the happiest thing for me.”

For some reason, he always had a feeling he might lose her. This feeling made him jittery, so he had agreed immediately when Tang Qi proposed it.

Amidst the toasts and chatter, the whole hall was a picture of harmony. Zhou Chenglong was also somewhat less arrogant than usual.

Soon it was time to announce the decision. Zhou Yi took Zhou Chenglong onto the stage. Looking at the sea of people below, his eyes were full of despair.

Why… why did it have to come to this?

“Thank you all for coming to my… my son Zhou Chenglong’s succession banquet. I want to say…” Zhou Yi’s phone suddenly rang. The jarring ringtone was broadcast throughout the venue by the microphone.

But he was sure he had turned it off? Zhou Yi frowned.

He picked up the phone and saw the call was from the hospital’s health examination center.

Could it be?

Zhou Yi quickly answered the call. Zhou Chenglong didn’t see the caller ID. Annoyed that Zhou Yi hadn’t hung up, his face darkened on stage.

Since he was very close to the microphone, the voice on the phone was transmitted to everyone’s ears.

“Hello, is this Mr. Zhou? This is the physical examination department at Haishi Hospital.” The person on the other end identified themselves. Zhou Chenglong’s brow twitched, a bad premonition rising in him.

Zhou Yi swallowed. “Speaking!”

“Well, Young Master Zhou’s body is very healthy, with no diseases.”

Zhou Chenglong raised an eyebrow, a smile appearing. But the smile quickly vanished.

“However… I must be blunt. Although Young Master Zhou has no diseases, the examination found… he has no viable sperm. It can be said he cannot… cannot reproduce.” The person on the phone spoke very quietly.

But through the microphone, everyone heard it. In an instant, everyone’s gazes fell on the faces of the Zhou Family members.

Wow, what big news! The illegitimate son the Zhou Family brought back is sterile! Then he’s worse than a daughter; at least a daughter’s children would still carry the Zhou Family bloodline!

Zhou Chenglong was stunned. Zhou Yi’s fingers trembled with happiness. “What did you say?”

“I said he has no live sperm; they are all dead. You can come to the hospital to pick up the physical examination report tomorrow.” The person finished in one breath and immediately hung up.

“Impossible! It can’t be! I…” Zhou Chenglong grabbed at Zhou Yi’s sleeve. Old Madam Zhou was dumbfounded. What was her purpose in bringing Zhou Chenglong back? In that split second, she didn’t know if she felt relief or sorrow.

Zhou Chenglong turned to the crowd. Just moments ago, these people were fawning over him, and now they were all shrinking back their heads, laughing at him!

And his classmates—they all heard it. Everyone knew!

“Wow, what a pity indeed!” Tang Qi’s voice wasn’t loud, but it broke the silence. Several people giggled. The Zhou Family was truly a huge joke. To give up the Heir they had been grooming, all for the sake of a male… only to find out the male was a dud!