Part 1: The Unexpected Family Visit
The late afternoon sun painted the school's grounds in a warm glow as Xiǎo Hǎiyáng approached his modest two-story house. His mind lingered on the events of the day, but his focus snapped back as he saw BǎoBǎo waiting at the door.
"You're back," BǎoBǎo said, his towering figure leaning casually against the frame.
"You're quick," Hǎiyáng remarked. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon."
"Commanding an entire city of beasts doesn't take as long as one might think," BǎoBǎo replied with a faint smirk.
Hǎiyáng stopped a few steps short of the entrance. Something about BǎoBǎo's tone made his chest tighten. "What's going on?" he asked, his expression hardening.
"They're inside," BǎoBǎo said, his voice now calm and serious.
"Who's 'they'?"
"Your family," BǎoBǎo answered. "Your oldest uncle, Xiǎo Fóng, your second uncle, Xiǎo Zhì, and your first aunt, Xiǎo Huìlàn."
Hǎiyáng's face twisted in disgust. "They are not my family," he snapped, his fists clenching at his sides.
"They insist they are," BǎoBǎo said with a slight shrug. "And they're waiting upstairs."
A wave of anger and frustration swept over Hǎiyáng. These were the people who had cast him out when he needed them most, leaving him to fend for himself with nothing. Now, they dared to call themselves his family?
"BǎoBǎo," he said firmly, his voice cold and sharp. "Go to Xuě Jīnyú and Xuě Jīn Mán. Tell them strangers are trespassing on their territory and in my house."
"As you wish, Master," BǎoBǎo said with a slight bow before heading toward the Xuě family residence.
At the Xuě family residence, Xuě Jīnyú and Xuě Jīn Mán were seated in the main hall, discussing administrative matters over a pot of freshly brewed tea. The room was filled with a serene atmosphere, the faint clinking of teacups the only sound.
The quiet was interrupted by the heavy footsteps of BǎoBǎo entering the hall. His presence instantly drew their attention.
"BǎoBǎo," Xuě Jīn Mán greeted, his voice calm but curious. "What brings you here?"
"My master sends a message," BǎoBǎo said, bowing respectfully. "He reports that strangers are trespassing on your territory and in his home."
The two Xuě elders exchanged puzzled glances. "Strangers?" Jīnyú asked. "Who would dare to trespass on Xuě territory?"
"They claim to be his family," BǎoBǎo explained. "Xiǎo Fóng, Xiǎo Zhì, and Xiǎo Huìlàn."
Understanding dawned on their faces, their expressions darkening.
"They've come because of his achievements," Xuě Jīnyú said bitterly. "When he had nothing, they abandoned him. And now that he's the city's top student, they want to claim him as their own."
"Master Hǎiyáng also asked me to remind you," BǎoBǎo continued, "that no student here is registered under the name Xiǎo Hǎiyáng. His official name is Hóng Hǎiyáng, after his mother's family."
Jīnyú sighed, her eyes clouded with regret. "Please tell your master," she said, "that we will handle this. But after this incident, he owes us a visit."
BǎoBǎo bowed once more. "I will deliver your message."
Part 2: The Marquis's Son-in-Law
Chaos erupted on the school grounds as the Xiǎo family was forcibly removed.
"How dare you treat us this way?!" Xiǎo Fóng bellowed, his face red with fury.
"This is cruel and unfair!" Xiǎo Huìlàn shrieked, clutching at a guard's arm. "We are his family! You have no right!"
Xuě Jīn Mán stood tall and unyielding. His voice rang out like a bell, silencing the crowd. "Xiǎo Hǎiyáng is under the protection of the Xuě family. He is no longer yours to claim. Leave this place at once."
"This is ridiculous!" Xiǎo Zhì shouted, his voice trembling with indignation. "The Xuě family is trying to steal him for their own benefit!"
The accusation struck a nerve. Without thinking, Jīn Mán retorted, "Steal him? Everyone in the city know what you did to Xiǎo Hǎiyáng. You prohibit him to carry the lineage name of Xiǎo.You kicked him out from the family. Therefore, no student has a name of Xiǎo Hǎiyáng now.
The only student with name Hǎiyáng in our school is the future son-in-law of Xuě Shā, Hóng Hǎiyáng!"
The crowd froze.
Inside the library, Hǎiyáng sat at a second-floor desk, his legs propped lazily on a chair. The headmaster's words reached his ears loud and clear.
"WHAT ?"
he shouted, jerking upright and sending his chair tumbling backward.
Around him, students erupted into gasps and whispers.
"The son-in-law of the marquis?" one murmured.
"Xiǎo Hǎiyáng? That orphan?" another exclaimed in disbelief.
Even Hǎiyáng couldn't believe what he'd heard. His face burned with embarrassment as he waved his hands frantically, trying to signal his denial to the onlookers. "No!" he mouthed, his gestures growing increasingly frantic.
The absurdity of the situation spread like wildfire. Everywhere he turned, wide-eyed students stared at him, whispering furiously.
Part 3: The Aftermath
The chaos continued to ripple through the school long after the Xiǎo family had been escorted off the premises.
As Hǎiyáng made his way back to his house, he kept his head low, avoiding the piercing stares of his peers. The male students, many of whom were admirers of Xuě Fù Fèn, glared at him with open hostility.
"Unbelievable," one muttered under his breath.
The female students, meanwhile, avoided him entirely, their expressions filled with disdain and disgust.
"An orphan trying to climb the ranks by marrying up," one girl whispered loudly enough for him to hear.
Hǎiyáng's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. But he said nothing, forcing himself to keep walking.
By the time he reached the safety of his house, his face was flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Without a word, he slipped inside and headed straight for the second floor, avoiding any interaction.
As he disappeared upstairs, a soft chuckle broke the silence. Xuě Jīnyú, standing near the window, couldn't help but laugh intermittently.
"Xuě Fù Fèn," she said between giggles, "you're locked now! Hahaha…"
Hǎiyáng groaned, pulling the door shut behind him.
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