Volume One, Chapter 26: Hush, Be Good

Huo Cong had been sulking for several days. In the morning, he didn't want to go to school and was even scolded by Huo Mingting: "All this fuss just over a hat, is it really necessary?"

It was necessary! Absolutely necessary!

Why did the new son get a hat and not him? They were both sons—how was that fair?

Huo Cong couldn't help but think of his classmates who now had younger siblings. Whenever a new child arrived, the older one would lose half the love they once had. But why? Why wasn't one child enough—why did adults insist on having another? Why were grown-ups so obsessed with having kids, only to neglect them once they were born?

He hated it!

The more Huo Cong thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt. He couldn't hold back his tears on the way to school.

He prided himself on being a man, never crying easily.

Seeing his son in tears, Huo Mingting's heart softened. He gently wiped away his son's tears and asked, "Cong'er, be honest, do you miss your mother?"

"I don't miss her at all!"

Huo Cong reacted fiercely: "She doesn't love me or miss me, so why should I miss her?"

This was something his aunt often told him, and it slipped right out of his mouth.

"Don't talk like that!"

Tears welled up in Huo Cong's eyes again. Huo Mingting wiped them away, coaxing him, "Your mother still loves you, it's just..."

"It's just that she loves her new son more, right?" Huo Cong sneered coldly, feeling his heart turn icy. "Dad, why did you ever marry her? If you hadn't married her and had a child with her, I wouldn't even exist. Wouldn't it have been better if Aunt Minshu was my mother? Why couldn't she be my real mom?"

"Cong'er!" Huo Mingting's face darkened.

Huo Cong slung his backpack over his shoulders and got out of the car. He was still crying as he ran into the school.

Perhaps he'd cried too hard that morning, because now he felt utterly deflated and wanted nothing to do with anyone.

After all, there was no one beside him. At his double desk, he sat alone. He didn't need a seatmate—he disliked those kids who did nothing but giggle all day long. If one came near, he'd scare them off.

Everyone knew he wasn't to be messed with, so no one tried to talk to him.

"Class!"

Just as the bell rang, the homeroom teacher, Mr. Cheng, walked in with a little boy. The students quickly settled down, turning to look at the unfamiliar but handsome child—as though a new animal had arrived at the zoo.

Huo Cong sat in the fourth row by the window, lying on his desk, utterly disinterested.

Mr. Cheng announced, "Today, we have a new student joining our class. From now on, he's one of us, so let's get along with him. Xiaobei, come and greet your classmates."

Standing on the podium, Huo Xiaobei appeared mature and confident, his voice sweet and clear as he said, "Hello everyone, my name is Huo Xiaobei. Please take care of me."

Huo Cong, who had been slumped over his desk, suddenly sat bolt upright.

He blinked.

Huo Xiaobei!

Was he dreaming?

Huo Xiaobei saw him too and winked playfully—a secret code between friends: Hi, I'm here.

Realizing this was no dream, Huo Cong shot to his feet, his face a mixture of surprise and panic. "Why are you here?"

He couldn't help but glance out the window, searching for that woman.

He didn't see Ye Sheng, only a tall man outside who raised an eyebrow at him—just like Huo Xiaobei!

That was Huo Xiaobei’s father, the woman’s new husband—he knew!

Frowning, Huo Cong turned his head back.

When he looked again, Huo Xiaobei was already beside him. Before he could react, Mr. Cheng announced, "From now on, Huo Xiaobei will be your desk mate, Huo Cong. Take good care of the new student, and no fighting."

Desk mate?

"I don't—" Huo Cong was about to refuse, but Huo Xiaobei sat down and tugged him into his seat. "Class is starting. Shh, be good."

Be good?

Huo Cong stared wide-eyed, incredulous at how easily Huo Xiaobei had invaded his territory.

He just sat down, bright and lively, as if he belonged there.