Lin Li wasn't the one being targeted by Yang Liang, but it wasn't even about him. Yang Liang had his sights set on his mom, and now he was trying to fish for information from Lin Li.
Lin Li felt a warm rush.
It wasn't that he couldn't accept his mom starting a new relationship. Honestly, it wasn't something he cared much about. Although he probably wouldn't accept calling the new guy "Dad," it was something he could tolerate without much resistance.
But what he couldn't accept was being kept in the dark from the start, not being consulted, and only being told about it when things were almost finalized—especially by the guy himself! That was disrespectful.
"I won't agree to whatever you two are planning!" Lin Li resented his lack of money.
If only he had some, he would slap a 500,000 yuan card in Yang Liang's face and coldly say, "500,000 yuan—leave my mom."
When the time comes, he'd regret not having enough money.
"No, no, no—" Yang Liang hesitated, then immediately panicked, sweating heavily.
"Little Lin, you've misunderstood. I don't even know your mom yet!"
Lin Li softened a little, calming down.
Come to think of it, when he talked to his mom on Friday, nothing seemed off. If there had been anything going on between them, it would have been more dramatic when he was caught during the raid on Friday.
So it seemed like Yang Liang must have noticed his mom's photo while checking his ID and developed some affection for her.
That wasn't completely unacceptable.
"So, you want to pursue my mom? Alright, that's ambitious," Lin Li gave Yang Liang a scrutinizing look and asked, "But have you thought about getting past me? What do you do for work? Do you have a car and house? Do you love dad or mom more? Do you like your tofu savory or sweet?"
Yang Liang looked down at himself. He was still wearing his uniform. Didn't Lin Li know what he did?
Lin Li seemed to be displaying his signature abstract style, but Yang Liang could see through it. He knew exactly what Lin Li was doing—hiding his inner turmoil behind these abstract words.
He took a deep breath and said, "No, Little Lin, I already have a family. I'm not pursuing your mom. I simply wanted to acknowledge you as my child, like an adopted son. I feel we really click. I've discussed this with my wife, and she has no objections. This could also help fill the void of your lost fatherly love."
Yang Liang's wife indeed had no objections. After hearing about his actions early Saturday morning, she gently suggested he drink some herbicide—since jumping off a building might hurt others, but the other option was his rightful end. She too thought Lin Li was a poor yet adorable kid.
Upon hearing this, Lin Li froze for a moment, then became hesitant and cautious.
Seeing Lin Li's reaction, Yang Liang's expression grew gentler. He realized that Lin Li's protective shell had been cracked, and he had exposed his most vulnerable emotions.
Yang Liang should be thankful he didn't have telepathy, or else he might have heard Lin Li's true thoughts: "Is Uncle Yang incapable, or is he infertile?"
After all, no offspring was likely.
At this moment, Lin Li thought that Yang Liang, seeing such an outstanding young man, was simply excited to have him inherit his legacy.
But such a thought would be too offensive for a grown man, so Lin Li hesitated and refrained from saying it aloud.
As for the fatherly love that Yang Liang wanted to "make up" for, Lin Li completely ignored it. There was no reason for it. They had barely interacted for a night, and he had never met Yang Liang's wife, who was supposedly willing to be his adoptive mother. If Yang Liang was suddenly feeling charitable, shouldn't all the single-parent families in Xiling Town be his responsibility too?
From a logical and emotional standpoint, Lin Li couldn't accept it.
"Thanks, Uncle Yang. I appreciate your kindness, but there's no need. Sorry," Lin Li said, bowing and showing his sincerity.
"Little Lin, I'm being sincere."
"Uncle, really, there's no need."
Yang Liang would make sure to treat Lin Li better from now on.
"Okay, then. Uncle doesn't have anything else to say. Go back to your class," Yang Liang said, noticing that Sun Ying had already finished with her task and was waiting for him.
The road to protect this kid was long, but Yang Liang had time.
"Alright, Uncle Yang. Goodbye."
They were now in the class session, but that wasn't a big issue since it was just an unrecognized English class.
The five of them separated at the office door, and Lin Li followed Xue Jian back to the classroom.
"Lin Li, what exactly are you... What are you doing?" Xue Jian, unable to hold back his curiosity, asked. But what he saw was Lin Li shoving the banner into his pants.
No wonder Lin Li could go undercover in a massage parlor; his actions and demeanor were quite... unique.
But then Xue Jian remembered the banner read "Anti-Vice Pioneer," and suddenly understood Lin Li's behavior.
However, if this banner was found, it wouldn't be easy to explain.
And Lin Li was wearing summer clothes, so hiding the banner was tough.
"Give me that banner," Xue Jian said.
"Sure, teacher, it doesn't have a name on it, so if you like it, I'll give it to you! I noticed you don't have a banner in your office anyway—thought it'd be a good addition," Lin Li happily handed the hot potato to Xue Jian.
"I meant you should take it home tonight and then bring it to the office!" Xue Jian immediately emphasized.
He didn't even want this banner for himself.
If parents saw it hanging in his office, they might think the class was some kind of vice den. And as for the "heroic young man," was there a youth like him in the class?
"Oh, oh," Lin Li nodded.
The two continued walking.
Suddenly, Xue Jian reacted: "Did you just say I don't have a banner?!"
Lin Li paused. "Uh..."
"No, no, you misunderstood, teacher. You just didn't hear it right," Lin Li quickly explained, glancing at Xue Jian's face, which seemed slightly off.
"Really?"
"Mm."
They continued walking.
Ten seconds passed.
"I do have a banner! It's just not hung up in the office! It's because if I put it up, parents might think the class is some... inappropriate place, and it wouldn't look good," Xue Jian stressed again.
Lin Li smiled awkwardly, laughing it off.
The more someone emphasizes something, the less likely it is that they actually have it.
"This is over now. Don't think about it too much. Go back to class. You were doing well with your ranking when you first entered school, but now you've dropped quite a bit, Lin Li," Xue Jian said as they reached the second floor, where Class 4 and the office were located.
The five had already agreed that the matter wouldn't be spread around school. No details would be posted on the bulletin board, just a simple letter of commendation.
Hearing this, the familiar and terrifying pressure of the middle-aged "Old Deng" came back to Lin Li.
"Okay, teacher," Lin Li nodded.
"I really have a banner…"
Lin Li had already turned and was heading back to class, walking a little faster now.
Bai Bufan and a few other students were standing in the hallway with their English books, probably waiting to be called to recite something.
They noticed Lin Li and were all curious, wondering where he had been.
"I'm back!" Lin Li opened his arms, feeling like he was Michael Jordan returning to the court, ready to make a big impression.
Bai Bufan responded, "Hello Back, my name is Bufan, nice to meet you!"
Lin Li: "?"
The mood instantly deflated. Where did that strange English come from?
At this moment, the English teacher happened to be passing by, overhearing their conversation, and her lips twitched slightly.
"Back, you stay too. Recite yesterday's passage."
Lin Li: "…"
Wasn't it Bai Bufan who was speaking that strange English? Why was he dragging himself into this mess?