078 Surprised or Not?
If it were a strange brat who had led their precious daughter astray, then Pei’s father and mother would never have agreed to let the two of them continue to hang out together.
But the problem was, their own daughter was really disobedient. Scolding and even hitting her was useless. It had even reached the point of running away from home… What else could parents do? They couldn’t send her to Professor Yang’s electric shock center, could they?
(T/n: Professor Yang’s electric shock center (羊教授电击中心): This is a reference to Yang Yongxin, a controversial figure in China known for using electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat internet addiction in teenagers at his clinic. The name has become a dark joke or a symbol of extreme and abusive parental control)
When they arrived in Rongdu and first saw a boy by their daughter’s side, Pei’s father and mother were very anxious. But from what they had heard from the landlord and neighbors, and from their own silent investigation at the bar, this boy was a perfect gentleman. He provided help, helped their daughter get on her feet in Rongdu, and probably even lent her a lot of money, all while maintaining a considerable distance and not taking advantage of her situation.
The key was that he was also a student at the University of Electronic Science and Technology, having gotten in through the proper college entrance exam. Such a well-behaved and high-quality boy was too rare, wasn’t he?
Seeing him up close tonight, Pei’s father didn’t feel much, but Pei’s mother felt even more that this child was not only outstanding but also handsome and gentle…
She asked tentatively, “Then what if we’re not reassured about you, not reassured about Little Le, and insist on taking her back?”
Wang Heng said firmly, “I think that would be the best for her. Things like singing and posting videos can also be done at home.”
Pei Ningle immediately protested, “Hey, you promised to be my manager!”
Wang Heng: “I’ll still be your manager. I can help you through the internet.”
From the moment she entered the door, Pei’s mother’s expression had been tense. At this moment, it finally relaxed, and she said with a smile, “To be honest, if it were someone else, I would definitely not be reassured. But Little Wang, one look at you and I can tell you’re a good kid. With you helping to look after her, it’s much better than her causing trouble on her own.”
Pei’s father, however, did not smile, his face still full of helplessness. “It’s a little better knowing you’re in Rongdu and we know the address. If this girl runs away from home again, then we really… we won’t even know where to find her next time.”
Are you guys really parents? You have no authority at all!
Wang Heng was heartbroken. “Uncle, Auntie, it’s not my place to say, but you’re both professional teachers. You can’t be soft when it’s time to educate her…”
Pei Ningle: “Hey, whose side are you on!”
Pei’s mother glared at her daughter, her expression changing. “If Little Wang weren’t so sensible, would I be reassured to let him take care of you? Just you wait. In a year, I’ll make you go back to school. Let’s see what excuses you have then!”
**
Wang Heng left the bar alone and walked back to the campus.
Pei Ningle, accompanied by her parents, returned to her own rental apartment. Tomorrow, her parents would leave here and go back to work.
“You’re quite comfortable living here alone…” After entering the door, Pei’s father looked around. “The rent in Rongdu is a little cheaper than I thought.”
Pei’s mother pulled her daughter to sit on the sofa and asked in a serious tone, “What’s your relationship with Little Wang now?”
Pei Ningle was at a loss. “What relationship… he’s my manager.”
Pei’s mother sneered. “Give me a break. Managers are all after money. Think about it carefully. He’s helped you so much. What has he gotten in return?”
The girl continued to be stubborn. “The money I borrowed from him, I paid interest when I paid it back! And if I become famous in the future, all the money I earn will be split fifty-fifty with him, fifty percent!”
Pei’s mother frowned, realizing that things were not so simple.
“Fifty-fifty? Isn’t that how a couple’s joint property is divided?”
Hearing her mother say this, Pei Ningle’s hair stood on end, and she stood up. “I just have a normal relationship with him. What are you thinking!”
Mother and daughter glared at each other. At this moment, Pei’s father, having finished inspecting the bedroom and bathroom inside, returned to the living room.
“Don’t you two argue,” Pei’s father persuaded. “Little Le, your mother’s meaning isn’t that she won’t let you date. You’ve already graduated from high school, so it’s not puppy love. And your grades are so bad, it doesn’t make much of a difference whether you’re in a relationship or not…”
“Dad!”
Pei’s father waved his hand. “Don’t be anxious. I’m just saying. Anyway, we won’t stop you from dating, as long as the person is suitable. Just take this Little Wang. We’ve been observing him for many days, and he seems pretty good…”
“Dad!” The girl’s cheeks were red with anxiety. “I already said, I’m just ordinary friends with him!”
Pei’s father and Pei’s mother looked at their daughter and smiled without saying a word, with a look that said, ‘You can fool yourself, but it’s impossible to fool us elders.’
**
When Wang Heng returned to his dormitory, the first thing he did was to pick up the hamster cage, walk out of the dorm again, and go to the empty window at the end of the corridor.
Then he looked down and asked the Spacetime Administrator, who was busy gnawing on a melon seed, “How long have Pei Ningle’s parents been in Rongdu?”
The little hamster swallowed the melon seed, looked up, thought for a moment, and replied, “About half a month.”
Wang Heng: “School has already started. Don’t they need to work!”
The hamster: “If your daughter ran away from home, would you still have the heart to work? Of course, you’d have to come and see. By the way, if a boy appeared by your daughter’s side, you’d definitely have to investigate him thoroughly…”
Wang Heng gritted his teeth and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
The hamster shrugged. “You didn’t ask me!”
Wang Heng: “So, those two have been watching me and Pei Ningle in the dark and secretly investigating me?”
The hamster: “That’s right. You can ask Sun Xingsi.”
Ask Class President Sun? Why ask him?
Wang Heng carried the hamster cage, walked quickly to the door of the next dorm, and knocked.
Then, he stared at Sun Xingsi, who was reading a book, and asked, “Has anyone asked you about me recently?”
Sun Xingsi thought for a moment and slapped his head. “Oh right. It must have been your elders. They asked me about your situation.”
Wang Heng: “There really was? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sun Xingsi: “Because they just asked some basic questions, nothing involving privacy. And I only said good things, like you were valued by Penguin Company, had a great future, and your usual performance was also very outstanding…”
Wang Heng glared at Class President Sun, feeling very heartbroken.
So that’s why that couple had such a good impression of me. It was your backstabbing, you brat!
Sun Xingsi asked again, “What’s wrong? Are there any other problems?”
Wang Heng waved his hand weakly. “Nothing. Just please be sure to tell me if something like this happens again in the future…”
“Oh, okay.”
Sun Xingsi’s attitude was very good, and he even had a smile on his face, which made it impossible for Wang Heng to find a reason to provoke a fight with him.
Wang Heng closed the door and went back to the window at the end of the corridor.
He said solemnly to the hamster, “If anyone secretly monitors or investigates me again in the future, you must tell me, okay?”
The hamster: “Oh, then let me inform you. Besides Pei Ningle’s parents, someone else has been following you for a while.”
Wang Heng was shocked. “Who else!”
The hamster: “I can’t tell you that.”
Wang Heng thought carefully, and a familiar girlish face suddenly flashed in his mind.
“Is it Han Yixuan?”
The hamster tilted its little head, seemingly not expecting him to guess the real answer so quickly.
Seeing its reaction, Wang Heng immediately realized that he might have guessed correctly.
“Holy shit, it’s really her?”
The little hamster shrugged again. “What do you think? Surprised or not? Isn’t it a surprise?”
