Chapter Five: I Call the Shots at Home

“Ring ring ring~”

As the class bell rang, the once quiet County No. 1 High School suddenly burst into a lively bustle.

It was Saturday, and except for the graduating and repeat classes, whether boarding or day students, everyone was eager to rush home for dinner and family gatherings.

Lu Zixue slung his army-green satchel over his shoulder, left the classroom, crossed the playground, and headed toward the school’s bicycle shed.

It had rained through the night, leaving puddles on the playground. Lu Zixue carefully avoided them, not wanting to soil his white Warrior sneakers.

He treasured these shoes; once stained, their pristine white would be ruined.

“Let’s go together, Zixue! My mom said we’re making dumplings tonight. Come eat at my place!”

A familiar classmate caught up with him, warmly inviting him home.

They had been middle school classmates, both having passed the Liuqiao Township exam to enter County No. 1 High School. Their homes were nearby, and they had always gotten along well.

But Lu Zixue declined, “No thanks. My dad said the seat on my bike is delicate and can't bear too much weight, or it’ll break... You should ask your dad to get you a bike—like the Qianlima brand, it’s pretty good.”

“...”

Indeed, the rear seat on the 26-inch Phoenix bike was less sturdy than the 28-inch heavy-duty frame. But this classmate was small and light, even lighter than most girls—not exactly ‘too heavy.’

The enthusiastic classmate was taken aback for a while, then sheepishly lowered his head and walked away.

Lu Zixue paid him no mind.

County No. 1 High School was the best in the county, naturally attracting many diligent, bright students from township middle schools. Though they studied and joked together, there was always an intangible barrier dividing them into circles.

Lu Zixue had his army satchel, Warrior sneakers, and bicycle. Not just the kids from the county seat, even some teachers at the school might not have his kind of ‘style.’

So he believed that from now on, he shouldn’t hang out with those rural kids wearing coarse cloth clothes, layered-soled cloth shoes, and handmade cloth bags.

The well-dressed, confident, and proud city kids were the ones he considered his true peers.

Crossing the playground, Lu Zixue entered the bicycle shed and pushed out his standout 26-inch Phoenix bike.

He had quietly wiped it down with rainwater last night, so the bike gleamed, naturally drawing envious glances from classmates.

Pushing the bike slowly toward the school gate, his eyes scanned the crowd.

Then his gaze brightened as he quickened his pace toward a group of girls.

“Gao Xiaoyan, I can give you a ride home! My mom put a cushion on the backseat—it’s fast and steady.”

Gao Xiaoyan, lively and pretty, also wore Warrior sneakers and carried an army satchel but didn’t have a bike.

She looked surprised at Lu Zixue’s sudden invitation.

His home was in Liuqiao Township, southwest of the county town, while hers was in the meat processing plant dormitories northwest of town—not exactly on the way.

But she was polite and smiled, “We’re going to watch a movie now, not heading home yet!”

Lu Zixue felt awkward. “You’re going to watch a movie...”

The girls with Gao Xiaoyan liked to joke around, and one teasingly said, “Hey, do you want to come with Xiaoyan?”

“...”

“I... can’t. My family’s waiting for dinner!”

Lu Zixue forced a smile, lowered his head, and pushed his bike away.

As he walked, a sudden realization struck him. Looking up, he saw one of his rural classmates laughing at him.

A mocking, contemptuous laugh.

Anger flared in Lu Zixue’s heart.

He resented that he had only a few cents in his pocket—not enough even for a movie ticket.

He hated his stubborn sister for ending the engagement with the Li family so abruptly. Couldn’t she have waited just one more year until he got into university?

He recalled how foolish Li Ye used to be—making eight trips a month to Liuqiao Township, with plenty of pocket money and new clothes every season, nothing like the current hardship.

[What a fool—you never thought to beg me to say a good word for you in front of Dad? Don’t I call the shots at home?]

Lu Zixue cursed silently, then heard cheers ahead.

“The candy seller’s here! I knew he’d show up today!”

“Candy?”

Hearing this, Lu Zixue pushed forward eagerly.

He still had five cents, enough to buy some candy for himself, just to spite the classmate who mocked him.

But after pushing through only a dozen meters, he froze.

There stood Li Ye, looking right at him.

Lu Zixue’s heart twisted in turmoil.

[He must be here to make peace with me, to give me money or gifts. Probably money.]

[Sister said we must never accept favors from the Li family again—that all debts would be repaid... but now I’m being humiliated...]

[Dad said if this guy gets into university... then he won’t oppose their reconciliation. That would be a huge favor to Li Ye—because I’m the decision-maker at home.]

In less than two seconds, Lu Zixue devised a perfect plan to get benefits from Li Ye without owing him anything.

...

Li Ye stood at the entrance of County No. 1 High School, also drawing attention.

Tall and lanky, strikingly handsome, with a calm, unassuming demeanor—he caught secret glances even from the shyest girls.

Fortunately, girls in this era were still reserved. If he lived in later times, he’d really have to “protect himself when out in public.”

“Brother, he’s here.”

“Yeah, I see him.”

Li Dayong’s reminder was unnecessary—Li Ye had spotted Lu Zixue from afar.

Bicycles were scarce among the after-school crowd, and the 26-inch Phoenix was even more eye-catching.

Li Ye saw Lu Zixue briefly startled, then pushing his bike over and stopping in front of him, slightly lifting his chin for a cold stare.

Li Ye was puzzled. In that moment, he seemed to see the same insufferable intern supervisor from his past life—someone utterly clueless but always putting on airs in front of the interns.

Though everyone cursed him behind his back, he remained self-satisfied, believing everyone had to flatter and serve him.

Lu Zixue was performing that same pretentious act.

His acting was clumsy but earnest.

[He’s probably waiting for me to speak first.]

Li Ye had no interest in playing along with this immature kid. He reached out, grabbed the handlebar of the Phoenix bike, intending to pull it over and settle things.

Lu Zixue was caught off guard, saw his beloved Phoenix bike slipping away, and instinctively grabbed the rear seat.

Cold sweat soaked his back.

[Is he here to give me money? Or to steal my bike?]