Chapter 83: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
This sudden scene left the three people outside the door completely dumbfounded.
"You scored such pathetic grades, and you still have the nerve to come back, you little brat?!"
Accompanied by a roar like that of a raging lioness, a stout and portly middle-aged woman appeared before the three of them.
That’s right!
The newcomer was none other than Wang Zibo’s mom—He Shuqin!
A woman whose name was the polar opposite of her appearance!
"Er..."
Just as she was about to swing, she suddenly realized Wang Zibo wasn’t alone.
Her hand froze mid-air. She squinted, getting a clear look at the visitors.
"Hello, Auntie~"
Gu Yifan quickly piped up with a greeting.
"Ahem~"
He Shuqin’s face flushed, and she said, a bit embarrassed, "Oh, Yifan, you’re here!"
"Quick, come in and sit down!"
Then, as if snapping out of it, she tossed the feather duster in her hand onto the shoe cabinet by the entrance, shot a glare at Wang Zibo, and said, "You little stinker, Gu Yifan was coming over today! Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?!"
Gu Yifan: "???"
He turned to glance at Wang Zibo, his eyes clearly saying, ’You useless bastard, didn’t you tell me you already let your mom know I was coming for dinner? What the hell is going on?!’
At that moment, Wang Zibo was also completely dumbfounded. He was sure he had texted his mom about this!
He thought for a moment, then hurriedly pulled his phone from his pocket, opened his messages, and took a look.
A big red exclamation mark was displayed on the screen!
Wang Zibo: "...-_-||"
’Shit!’
’I didn’t notice. The text never sent!’
’Looks like my phone bill is overdue...’
"My... My service was cut off..."
Wang Zibo’s chubby face turned beet red as he whispered to Gu Yifan in embarrassment.
Gu Yifan: "..."
’This fucking idiot!’
’You really are better at screwing things up than getting them done!’
’Well, great.’
’Looks like dinner is off the table.’
he thought, feeling both speechless and helpless.
He glanced over at Su Qinghe and saw that she still looked completely lost, with no idea what had just happened.
When Su Qinghe saw Gu Yifan looking at her, she glanced back, her eyes filled with a pristine sort of foolishness.
Gu Yifan felt even more helpless.
...
On the living room sofa, Gu Yifan tactfully explained his reason for being there. Then, relying on his silver tongue and masterful speaking skills, he launched into a verbal torrent directed at Wang Zibo’s mom.
Wang Zibo, sitting nearby, would also chime in from time to time.
Under this two-pronged assault of sweet-talking from Gu Yifan and Wang Zibo, He Shuqin gradually abandoned the idea of giving Wang Zibo a thorough beating.
"Auntie, to be fair, Zibo really has made progress this time. As long as he reinforces his weaker points in Comprehensive Science, he should have no problem reaching the cutoff for a second-tier university in the college entrance exams!"
Seeing He Shuqin’s stance soften, Gu Yifan pressed his advantage.
"Well..."
He Shuqin hesitated, still feeling a little suspicious.
"Oh, right, Su Hanhan," Gu Yifan said, seeing his chance and suddenly turning to Su Qinghe, who was sitting quietly beside him. "You’re a top student, so you should have the most say. Zibo has been studying with us lately—hasn’t he made a lot of progress?"
"Ah?"
Put on the spot so suddenly, Su Qinghe was stunned for a moment.
But after meeting Gu Yifan’s gaze, she understood what he was asking. She nodded lightly and said, "Um... Auntie, Classmate Wang Zibo’s grades really have improved a lot. The points he lost on the Comprehensive Science exam were probably due to carelessness. As long as he’s more careful in the future, he should be able to get an even higher score next time!"
"Er... (⊙o⊙)..."
He Shuqin looked at the two of them, their expressions so serious it didn’t seem like they were joking, and was left utterly stunned by their words!
"Alright!"
After a moment of thought, she beamed at Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe. "Yifan, seeing as you and this... young lady..."
"Su Qinghe!"
Gu Yifan interjected.
"Mhm... seeing as you and Classmate Su have both spoken up for this little stinker, I’ll forgive him for now!"
He Shuqin said.
"Phew..."
Hearing his mom’s words, Wang Zibo secretly let out a sigh of relief. A huge weight had finally been lifted from his chest.
He couldn’t help but shoot a grateful glance toward Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe.
However, his mother’s next sentence sent his spirits plummeting back to rock bottom.
"However!"
"He might be spared a death sentence, but he can’t escape a living punishment!"
"He still needs a good beating, or I won’t be able to let this go!"
He Shuqin shot him a glare, her tone deceptively casual.
Wang Zibo: "..."
"Er... (⊙o⊙)..."
Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe exchanged a look, both at a loss.
’Spare the rod and spoil the child, huh?’
’As expected!’
’Wang Zibo’s mom is still a big fan of corporal punishment. I wonder if she enjoys a good "rod-based education" herself!’
The thought suddenly popped into Gu Yifan’s mind.
After a few more moments of small talk.
Without hesitation, Gu Yifan stood up and said to He Shuqin, "Um... Auntie, it’s getting late. We should get going and not disturb you any further!"
"Oh, you’re leaving already?"
"Why don’t you stay for dinner!"
He Shuqin also stood, speaking quickly.
"Auntie, please don’t go to the trouble!"
"We’ll just eat at home. My mom has already cooked and is waiting for Su Qinghe and me to get back, haha..."
Gu Yifan tactfully declined.
’Hell no!’
’The volcano’s about to erupt. If not now, when?!’
"Oh... I see!"
Hearing this, He Shuqin could only nod. "Alright then. You two should hurry back. Don’t keep your mom waiting."
"Okay, Auntie, we’ll get going now!"
Gu Yifan nodded and gestured for Su Qinghe to get ready to leave.
Seeing this, Wang Zibo, who was standing nearby, started to panic.
He frantically shot glances at Gu Yifan, trying to get him to stay!
However, Gu Yifan merely glanced at him before pretending he hadn’t seen a thing.
’You useless bastard. It’s your own damn fault for not calling ahead. Who would have the gall to stay for a free meal now!’
’You’re on your own! Good luck!’
"Yifan, Classmate Su, come visit again when you have time!"
"Next time you’re here, Auntie will cook you a feast!"
At the door, He Shuqin said to Gu Yifan and Su Qinghe with a wide smile.
"Okay, Auntie!"
"We’ll be going now. Goodbye~"
Gu Yifan replied with a smile.
"Goodbye, Auntie~"
Su Qinghe also said softly.
"Okay, okay, take care now!"
He Shuqin said, nodding and smiling again.
Gu Yifan nodded without another word, then took Su Qinghe and turned toward the elevator.
The instant the door clicked shut, Gu Yifan faintly heard a blood-curdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered, coming from inside. It was Wang Zibo.
"Hiss..."
Gu Yifan couldn’t help but shiver. He grabbed Su Qinghe’s hand, and his pace involuntarily quickened...