275 275— Han Leifeng Visits City M

When everyone left, Gao Zhipeng heaved a sigh and returned to his desk. He felt bone weary from today's events and just wanted to keep his problems aside for the moment, but it felt impossible.

Gao Tinghua looked at him before turning to leave, but was stopped by his father's voice.

"Tinghua, I know you're disappointed in me, but when you sit in my position someday, you would understand that I'm doing all I can. When duty clashes with family, a man has to do his duty first."

Gao Tinghua paused before turning to his father, "I don't agree, Father. A true man would not give duty the chance to clash with matters of his family, and even if it does, family will always be the most important. After all, can a man with his family in shambles still be called a man?"

Seeing his father's pale face, he decided to leave, but not before dropping his final words.

"And you're wrong, I'm not disappointed in you. One has to have an expectation for there to be disappointment. I haven't had expectations of you for as long as I can remember."

Ignoring the way his father stiffened even further, he said as he walked forward.

"All I can say is that you should not disappoint Mother. If you still have the slightest wish to keep this family — not that I can understand why— you should not disappoint the only person that still has the slightest expectation of you any further."

Done speaking, he strode out of the study, leaving Gao Zhipeng to ponder on his words.

*****

School had resumed in earnest, and for the students of Anping First Middle School, that meant more classwork, study sessions, competitions and good food.

As expected, the only part that Li Yuchen enjoyed was just the good food. He was sure that if it wasn't because Teacher Long always made him code for hours everyday, his cheeks would have tripled in size.

It was at times like this that he felt conflicted. It meant that Teacher Long was doing him a lot of good, but he was tired of the work too!

Han Yichen for his part, took to the schedule like fish to water. He studied, wrote and ate like usual. No member of the elite class had ever seen him look hurried or flustered before.

He was always calm. Too calm infact.

As Liu Shou looked at him from his seat at the far right, he marveled again at the similarities he found. He wondered what the backstory was. If this was his cousin, how come he was unknown to his Aunt?

By his side, Li Yuchen complained in a low voice, "Brother, when will we go on holidays?"

Han Yichen took his eyes off the book he was reading for a few moments, "???"

They just came back from one holiday. What was he talking about?

"I'm tired of school already!"

Han Yichen shook his head, "I'm sorry I can't help you. Or maybe I should tell Teacher Long on your behalf?"

Li Yuchen suddenly changed his face, "Oh, there's no need for that at all, I was just joking."

If Teacher Long heard that, he would be sentenced to coding prison forever! He shuddered to even think about it.

Shortly after, it was time for lunch, making Li Yuchen perk up. He chattered almost noisily as they walked to the dining hall. Han Yichen was saved from having to respond when Tian Jue joined them. He only listened as both of them chatted about Lord level kingdoms and school woes.

Lunch was great as usual, nothing to complain about at all. After the first few days at school, Han Yichen went back to eating his typical amount of food, while Li Yuchen confidently said that he didn't have such self-discipline. In front of good food, nothing else mattered!

Liu Shou and Jiu Renxin didn't sit at the same table with the three of them, but they had chosen a table that was very close by. In this way, the five of them had been eating "together".

Since their return from the holidays, Jiu Renxin had stopped being antagonistic to the boys. He wasn't exactly friendly, but he didn't make any more snide remarks either.

Li Yuchen missed roasting him with words, while Han Yichen was just grateful for the peace and quiet.

Finished eating, they made their way to the computer library for a scheduled study session.

As he walked with the others, Han Yichen couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. Not that he was overly sensitive, but because this stare felt very blatant, as if someone was trying to drill holes into his back.

When Han Yichen turned back the second time, Li Yuchen noticed and asked, "What's happening?"

"Nothing. I just feel like someone is staring at me."

"In that case, almost half of the school are suspects. You're very popular you know?"

Even right now, Li Yuchen could still see a few schoolmates looking their way.

Han Yichen nodded but didn't reply. This felt different somehow.

Li Yuchen was still talking, "Brother, when we get to the library, why don't we play some games. I just found a new computer game recently that I would want you to try."

Distracted, Han Yichen shook his head in resigned amusement, "The computer session is for studying, not playing."

Li Yuchen nonchalantly responded, "Is it not all the same? How can I study without playing? Besides, playing games is a form of studying!"

Han Yichen gave up reasoning with this game addict.

Normally, it wouldn't even be possible to play games on the school computers because they were usually programmed to ban non-educational sites, but one could only wonder how Li Yuchen hacked it.

It was truly a case of using your talents in the wrong place.

Han Leifeng watched as the boy with darker hair spoke and gesticulated excitedly to his much calmer friend as they walked away.

He knew immediately he saw that light hair and self-assured carriage. Not just that, he also had the shape and color of Pei Yueran's eyes.

This was most definitely his son.

He almost broke down in tears on the spot. His son had really grown up well.

So immersed was he in his emotions that he didn't even think of the fact that the other boy had called Han Yichen "Brother."

But even if he had noticed, he wouldn't have thought too much. It was a common form of address after all.

In his opinion, he just had to take complete control of the Han corporation quickly and then go and bring his family home.

As he strode away purposefully, his mind spun as he planned his next course of action.