Chapter 8: Specializing in Curing Stubbornness

After such a commotion, the Class Teacher had no choice but to temporarily ask the subject teachers to go to the classroom to stabilize the situation while she took the troublemakers back to the office.

Lu Yingchi walked at the back with his hands in his pockets, appearing arrogant but actually glancing around, thinking about where to escape faster, because the teacher had called Qiao Wu right in front of him.

He came to attend the parent-teacher meeting for the child, but now he was the one being called in as the parent.

The anger from earlier hadn’t subsided, and now a strong sense of shame emerged.

Tsk.

Taking two long strides forward, he tried to negotiate using his usual direct approach to solving problems. He pulled out a card: “Teacher, I am Lu Ning’s guardian. Just tell me how much I need to compensate.”

Hearing the word “compensation,” the other parents instinctively trembled: “No money! No money!”

The money hadn’t even warmed their hands before the lawyer’s letter arrived.

Lu Yingchi: “?”

They don’t want money? What’s wrong with them?

He stood at the office door, refusing to go in, or else it would really look like he was being called in as a parent! What about his dignity?!

“Let me make it clear, I won’t apologize,” he said, holding the card between his fingers, looking utterly unrepentant. “Blame yourselves for not teaching these little brats properly. At such a young age, they’re already spewing filth. Since you don’t have time to discipline them, I’ll reluctantly do it for you. No need to thank me too much.”

“As for the money, take it or leave it. If you don’t take it now, don’t come bothering me later. My patience is…”

Before he could finish, he felt a kick on his calf.

“Damn it!” Lu Yingchi turned around furiously, “Who was that?!”

“Me,” Qiao Wu stood with her arms crossed, ready to kick again, “Get inside.”

It would take at least an hour to get here from the Lu Residence. Lu Yingchi had planned to handle things quickly and leave. It had only been a few minutes, just the time it took to walk from the school gate.

For a moment, he forgot about the kick. Seeing her move, he instinctively stepped aside to let her in: “How did you get here so fast?!”

Qiao Wu didn’t bother answering. She walked into the office, glanced around, and smiled: “Familiar faces.”

The parents of the accused: “…”

“Miss Qiao, it’s really not a big deal. We didn’t mean to trouble you,” the parents were all terrified.

They were ordinary people, and after witnessing Qiao Wu’s methods, they didn’t dare to challenge her.

“It’s just a small conflict between the kids. Money isn’t important. Today, since we’re all here, maybe we can have the kids shake hands and make up, get along well in the future. After all, they’ll be classmates for over a year. It’s better to be friends.”

They had heard that rich people buy insurance for themselves worth tens of millions. If something happened in the future, like a bump or a scratch, they could afford to compensate, but these parents couldn’t.

Moreover, if they could establish some kind of relationship, even the small favors from the rich could sustain them for a year.

With that, the parents quickly made their children apologize to Lu Ning.

Lu Yingchi had seen this kind of scene many times. In his eyes, this kind of attitude from others was normal.

Satisfied, he pulled out a chair, ready to sit down and put on airs. But before his butt could touch the seat, the chair was snatched away by a slender hand. If he hadn’t reacted quickly and grabbed the desk, he would have fallen to the ground.

He glared at the culprit: “Are you trying to kill me?!”

“Stand properly.” Qiao Wu pulled over a chair and sat down herself. “Haven’t you ever had your parents called in? Do you understand the rules?”

Lu Yingchi wanted to ask the same thing.

Haven’t you ever been a housekeeper? Who’s the young master here? Do you understand the rules!

He knew it, Qiao Wu would definitely push her luck!

Wait a minute, last time on the yacht, it clearly wasn’t his fault, yet Qiao Wu had poured wine all over him.

This time, she wouldn’t follow suit and slap him in front of so many people, would she?

Lu Yingchi immediately distanced himself from her by a mile, setting down his harsh words first: “I’m telling you, if you lay a hand on me this time, I’ll definitely fight back!”

Little did he know that after Qiao Wu sat down, the chair directly turned towards the other parents, not even glancing at him: “Lu Ning, come here.”

At this moment, every step Lu Ning took felt like she was walking on air. The cool breeze from the air conditioner blew against her forehead, making her head buzz. As she walked, she tugged at her hair.

Why hadn’t they fought with Lu Yingchi yet, but now they were actually teaming up against others? And even had their parents called in together.

Good heavens!

Then she was gently tugged, warm breath falling by her ear, the voice very soft: “Want to hear an apology? Still want to be friends with them?”

Lu Ning’s back stiffened.

Just talk, why get so close!

Making it seem like they were close!

Not hearing a response, Qiao Wu’s voice rose at the end: “Hmm?”

Lu Ning pulled her hand away, lowering her eyes: “Who wants to be friends with them.”

“Then forget it.” Qiao Wu ruffled her hair, looking towards the other parents. “No need for apologies, it’s annoying to repeat. We don’t have the hobby of disciplining other people’s children. Since you’re unwilling to teach, there will be plenty of people to educate them for you in the future. If there’s nothing else, let’s not waste the teacher’s time.”

The parents’ faces turned green then white, but they couldn’t keep forcing their warmth on someone else’s cold shoulder, so they left with their children.

The Class Teacher tried to mediate with some difficulty: “Miss Qiao, although they were at fault first, they do have a point. The children still have over a year left in school. Your and Lu Ning’s attitude might not be beneficial for Lu Ning’s future interactions with her classmates.”

Now everyone knows Lu Ning’s family background is formidable, with drivers and bodyguards in tow, which already creates a sense of distance. But with Miss Qiao speaking like this, it will make other children afraid of Lu Ning in the future.

“Lu Ning’s social interactions in class are already somewhat difficult.”

She stopped at that.

Lu Ning pinched her fingers, coldly stating: “So what, I don’t need friends, I’m the one isolating them!”

Brave and independent people don’t need friends.

“Tch.” Lu Yingchi mocked, “Your mouth is harder than a goose’s.”

Lu Ning glared at him: “You have friends, friends who spend your money, live in your villa, and sail your yacht. You’re so great.”

Lu Yingchi, hit where it hurts, clenched his fists until they creaked: “Now you’re tough, daring to challenge me, what were you doing earlier?”

Qiao Wu stood up and positioned herself between the two, asking helplessly: “Should I set up a ring for you two to fight again? Can you distinguish the current situation?”

Both turned their heads away, snorting heavily through their noses.

Qiao Wu had already figured out the ins and outs of the matter. She turned to the teacher and said gently, “Teacher, you’ve misunderstood. If they end up being afraid and isolated because I found a lawyer for Lu Ning to make them take responsibility and apologize for their mistakes, then that’s their fault. What does it have to do with Lu Ning’s attitude? Why would Lu Ning need friends like that?”

“What’s wrong with finding a lawyer?” Lu Yingchi actually thought finding a lawyer was a hassle. “Finding a lawyer is to protect them. Anyone who offends me, if they don’t have a lawyer, I’ll definitely make them pay!”

After saying this, he deliberately glanced at Qiao Wu, his eyes full of threat.

Unfortunately, Qiao Wu hadn’t even looked at him properly today, so he turned his gaze elsewhere, feeling disgruntled.

The Class Teacher: “…”

What kind of family is this?

She said, “But children are easily influenced by those around them. I’m worried that Lu Ning might be ostracized in class.”

“It’s fine.” Qiao Wu shook her head indifferently. “There are so many people in the world, and your class is just a handful. If Lu Ning doesn’t like it, we can just change schools for her. She’ll eventually find friends she likes.”

Lu Ning suddenly looked up.

Even the Class Teacher was surprised by how naturally Qiao Wu had said that.

Is changing schools really that simple?

Oh, right, Lu Ning’s family is wealthy.

“Changing schools isn’t for fun. Lu Ning’s academic performance is already lagging behind.” She couldn’t help but take out Lu Ning’s report card. “You’ll spoil the child like this.”

Lu Ning’s expression turned a bit strange.

Spoil her?

Did the teacher know how Qiao Wu forced her to go to school every morning?

Qiao Wu suddenly smiled, but the Class Teacher inexplicably felt that there was no warmth in her eyes, and her presence became even more imposing.

“Teacher, I don’t think teaching Lu Ning to distance herself from children with problematic values will spoil her,” she said. “On the contrary, I’ve come to realize that Lu Ning might not be suited to study with you.”

She reached out and took the items. “Thank you for your guidance over the past year. To avoid wasting your time, we’ll take our leave now.”

As they walked out of the office, Lu Ning still felt like it wasn’t real.

She really didn’t like this school, nor did she like her classmates.

But to avoid troubling her grandfather and to be independent, she had gotten used to not telling her family about many things. She thought it would always be like this.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Wu had said they would change schools for her.

Seeing Qiao Wu looking at her report card, she asked, “I came in last place, and you still want to transfer me to another school for fun?”

“Last place?” Lu Yingchi snatched the report card and flipped through it several times, unable to believe his eyes. He really wanted to open her head and see what was inside. “Have you really evolved into a human? Is this the kind of score a person with normal intelligence can get?!”

Lu Ning stood on her tiptoes trying to grab it back, but she wasn’t tall enough and could only stomp her feet in frustration. “You, who jumped off a building to avoid studying, have the nerve to criticize me?”

“I still got into college even after breaking my leg!”

“Don’t think I don’t know how many walnuts the servants cracked for you to boost your brain!”

“At least I knew to eat walnuts. You couldn’t even think of that method!”

Qiao Wu stood by the car door and watched for a while, finding it amusing. “So proud, should we give each of you an award?”

Lu Ning didn’t say anything. As soon as the car door unlocked, she opened it and climbed in.

She knew her academic performance was poor, and now even Lu Yingchi looked down on her. How infuriating.

But Qiao Wu opened the car door a crack and smiled, “Every school has someone at the bottom of the class. If it’s not you, it would be someone else. What’s so strange about that?”

Lu Yingchi looked at her as if she were a ghost, his tone sarcastic, “You weren’t saying that when you were using your GPA to humiliate me!”

“That’s different,” Qiao Wu rested her elbow on the car door. “Being healthy and happy is the most important thing. If you don’t want to stay here anymore, I’ll find a way to transfer you to another school. Once you feel comfortable there, we can think about your studies again. How does that sound?”

Lu Ning was tempted, but she said, “What a hassle.”

“You’re the youngest in the family. These are things that should be done. You still have your Grandfather and Uncle, and if all else fails, there’s me. So you can always voice your needs. Didn’t you see how Uncle stood up for you today when he heard someone badmouthing you?”

Mentioning this, Lu Ning felt strange. The title “Uncle” was also awkward for her. She looked up at Lu Yingchi, “Why are you here?”

“Who knows,” Lu Yingchi quipped, “The lousy navigation led me here for lunch. I had no idea what kind of place this was. The school gate isn’t even as big as my car’s rear end.”

Lu Ning gritted her teeth, “…Do I look brainless to you?”

“If you had a brain, would you ask such a question?” Lu Yingchi retorted sharply, “Otherwise, why would I come here for a drive?”

Suppressing the urge to slap Lu Yingchi, Lu Ning fumed silently.

Lu Yingchi had come to attend her parent-teacher meeting, and it was Qiao Wu who had called him.

Judging by how quickly Qiao Wu had arrived at the office, she must have come to the school too.

“Why?” she whispered, “I didn’t ask you to come.”

“Because he’s your uncle, that’s why,” Qiao Wu closed the car door and said to Lu Yingchi, “Let’s go, drive your car, and head home for dinner.”

Finally, Lu Yingchi realized he had been tricked.

Today was the parent-teacher meeting, and the parking spots near the school were almost all full. When he arrived, he had searched everywhere and could only park in a corner.

“You played me? You were already here, why did you call me?”

Qiao Wu blinked at him, giving the same answer, “Because you’re her uncle.”

Before Lu Yingchi could get angry, he heard Qiao Wu sigh.

“Lu Yingchi, you said those things to the kids too,” she said softly, not letting the child in the car hear, “Would you want others to tell Lu Ning in the future that they need to discipline her on behalf of her family?”

Lu Yingchi was taken aback.

In his world, no one had ever mentioned the concept of family to him.

“You’re her uncle, and you don’t have any deep-seated grudges against her. So you have the right to know her current situation before deciding whether to really cut ties with her.”

“I saw the surveillance,” Qiao Wu gave him a thumbs-up, her eyes filled with a smile, “Lu Yingchi, the way you stood up for her today was really handsome.”

Having known Qiao Wu for a while, this was the first time Lu Yingchi saw such a relaxed, sincere, and appreciative smile on her face.

In an instant, his entire being felt aflame.

Uncomfortable, he turned his head away and stiffly walked towards where he had parked his car, “As if I needed you to tell me.”

By the time they got home, dinner was already prepared. The uncle and niece rarely sat together for a meal, and though they were still far apart, it was unusually quiet.

Lu Yingchi was in a hurry to finish his meal so he could return to his room to play games. Just then, he noticed the lazy Susan on the dining table moving.

There weren’t many dishes on the table, and since both of them were eating without much fuss, the chef hadn’t used the lazy Susan. Instead, the dishes were placed directly in front of them.

But now, a plate of meticulously picked crab meat slowly rotated into his view.

“Hey.” Lu Ning’s awkward voice came from across the table, barely audible. “Thanks for today.”

“What’s that? Speak up.” Lu Yingchi teased, his tone playful. “Didn’t you eat?”

Lu Ning gritted his teeth and forced out, “I said thank you!”

“Alright.” Lu Yingchi waved his phone triumphantly. “I’ll set the Morning Alarm’s music to this tonight. I’ll definitely wake up on time tomorrow.”

Lu Ning’s face instantly turned red, and he lunged forward, ready to smash the crab shells onto Lu Yingchi’s forehead.

At that moment, Qiao Wu pushed open the dining room door. “Can’t even eat in peace? Did you finish watching the news broadcast?”

“…”

Who the hell watches the news broadcast while eating?!

He’s eighteen, not eighty!

“What’s that you’re holding?” Lu Ning asked.

“A gift. You both did well today.” Qiao Wu placed the box on the table nearby. “Want to open it?”

One gift for both of them?

In an instant, the two of them rushed over, each trying to get to it first.

But when the box was opened, they were met with a massive object that had what looked like two arms.

“A robot? What’s it for?”

“A toy.” Qiao Wu smiled as she turned it on for them. “But it’s meant for two people to play together. Want to give it a try?”

What kind of crappy toy is this?

Lu Ning complained verbally, but his body betrayed him as he stood at one end and put on the equipment.

Boys do love electronic toys, and Lu Yingchi, surprisingly cooperative, stood on the other side.

A line of text appeared on the electronic screen in front of them: “What is this person to you?”

“An enemy.”

“An enemy.”

They answered in unison.

The robot paused for two seconds, then slowly raised its mechanical arms.

Under their foolishly expectant gazes, it delivered a resounding slap to each of their buttocks, the sound echoing through the room.

“Wrong answer!”

“???”

“!!!”

This thing hits really damn hard!

Lu Yingchi’s face turned red. It was the first time in his life he’d been spanked on the butt. He glared at the culprit, both humiliated and furious, one hand clutching his butt and the other trembling slightly. “You… you…”

“Custom-made just for you.” Qiao Wu walked to the dining room door and smiled softly before closing it. “Specialized in curing all kinds of stubbornness.”