Chapter 988: To Protect You

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

As soon as the aunties returned to the shared housing complex, they were greeted by a cacophony of children’s voices chanting a mocking tune about the Su family:

“Pig vaccine is here, Su’s reign is done! Poor little Su, cast out and shunned! Back to the village, they’ll have to go, Plowing fields, fetching water—oh, what a show!”

The aunties nearly fainted from anger. Regret surged through them like a tidal wave—why had they badmouthed the Su family in front of their children? Now the kids had not only internalized the gossip but turned it into a sing-song taunt.

Worse yet, this tune had likely reached the ears of the Su family. No wonder Su Shen had been so livid! Those little rascals had practically signed their own death warrants!

Fuming, the aunties charged forward and grabbed their respective children by the collars, unleashing a storm of scolding. “What nonsense are you singing? Do you want to tear the neighborhood apart? Go home this instant, prepare an apology, and make sure you play nicely with Su Li from now on. If he asks you to fetch something, you fetch it. If he tells you to do something, you do it. Understand?”

The children, bewildered and teary-eyed, were dragged home in a flurry of reprimands. Sitting on their beds, they were still processing the abrupt shift.

Just yesterday, their parents had joined in badmouthing the Su family and hadn’t stopped them from singing the very same tune. Today, it was all about apologizing to Su Li. “Adults are so fickle!” one child muttered, wiping their eyes.

Meanwhile, Gu Zi had an entirely different morning. She had entrusted Su Le to Grandma Gao’s care and set off for Renhe Middle School to attend a critical lecture. The homeroom teacher had specifically called to stress the lecture’s importance, urging her not to miss it.

This was Gu Zi’s first time attending a class at school. As she walked, she rehearsed how she would introduce herself to her classmates, trying to sound approachable yet confident.

But as soon as she arrived at the school gates, the Chinese teacher intercepted her and led her straight to the faculty office. She didn’t even make it to the classroom.

Puzzled, Gu Zi watched as the teacher opened a textbook and pointed to the syllabus. “Given your situation, we’ve decided not to send you to the classroom. Instead, the subject teachers will take turns giving you private lessons here in the office. We’ll highlight key points and exam content for you to review at home.”

Gu Zi nodded politely, but a subtle unease crept in.

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It was convenient, sure, but it also felt as though the school was deliberately isolating her. Were they ashamed to have a married, child-rearing student in their classrooms? Did they think she’d bring shame to their reputation?

After the last session, Gu Zi couldn’t hold back her doubts any longer. Addressing the foreign language teacher, she asked bluntly, “Do you think it’s inappropriate for someone like me—married and with a child—to attend classes with the others?”

The teacher didn’t flinch, responding calmly, “Not at all, Gu Zi. On the contrary, we’re very proud of you. If you’re willing, we’d even like to invite you to give a talk to the class about your experiences. The decision to teach you privately was made to protect you.”

Hearing this, the math teacher chimed in, “Exactly. There have been some ugly rumors circulating about you in the school. While we’ve banned any discussions about it, you know how people are. If they want to gossip, they’ll find a way. The principal is already investigating the source of these rumors—it seems they originated from your previous school, Guangwai.”

Gu Zi was taken aback. The school’s efforts to shield her moved her deeply. Renhe Middle School, despite not having Guangwai’s prestige, clearly valued its students’ well-being.

A warmth spread through her chest, though her mind quickly zeroed in on a likely culprit—Lin Miao, ever the troublemaker.

“Can you tell me what these rumors are saying?” Gu Zi asked.

The foreign language teacher hesitated but eventually relayed the gist. “They’re saying that you abandoned the foster parents who raised you for over a decade, causing their marriage to fall apart. They also claim that, at such a young age, you chose to become someone’s stepmother for ulterior motives. It’s all slander, of course. We don’t believe a word of it. While your classmates may be easily influenced, we teachers are not.”

Gu Zi nodded solemnly, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you for your trust, and please convey my thanks to the principal. I’ll personally uncover the person behind these rumors.”

Leaving the faculty office, Gu Zi found herself crossing paths with students spilling out of their classrooms for a break. A group of boys, hair tousled and brows rebellious, stopped in their tracks the moment they saw her.

Despite her low-profile look—her hair tied into a simple high ponytail, her face bare of makeup—Gu Zi exuded an effortless charm. Her skin was porcelain-like, glowing even under the harsh sunlight. She wore a plain white T-shirt tucked into light-wash denim jeans, paired with white sneakers. Her legs were long and graceful, her figure both slender and slightly curvaceous, a perfect blend of youth and allure.

As she walked past, a soft floral scent lingered in the air, leaving the boys frozen in place, staring after her as if she were a vision straight out of a painting.