Boyfriend Always Thinks I’m a Little Pitiful Chapter 26

When Xie Ci received the foot soak pack, he was completely bewildered.

"This is made by my mom. She said it has the effect of promoting blood circulation and sterilization, which is very helpful for treating athlete's foot."

Zhang Zhijie, afraid that Xie Ci wouldn't trust it, opened a pack and handed it to him, "Look, it's all herbs inside."

Zhang Ruochuan and a few others leaned over to take a look, picked up the foot soak pack, sniffed it, and put it back with disdain: "It smells like Chinese medicine."

"Of course, Chinese medicine smells like Chinese medicine. What, did you expect it to smell like stinky feet?"

After getting familiar with this group, Zhang Zhijie could now talk to them normally, unlike when he was timid at first.

Xie Ci, used to dealing with cunning people, had always been surrounded by schemers. Gu Yufeng was even worse, never doing anything decent since he was a kid. Suddenly tricking such an honest kid made Xie Ci feel a rare pang of guilt.

Xie Ci asked, "Did Auntie make these to sell?"

Zhang Zhijie replied, "No, I told her a few days ago that my roommate had athlete's foot that wouldn't heal, so she made these foot soak packs and sent them over, saying you have to soak for a week for it to be effective."

Xie Ci: "..."

It was actually made especially for him.

Facing Zhang Zhijie's clear eyes, Xie Ci really couldn't bring himself to tell the truth, so he reluctantly accepted it: "Thank Auntie for me."

He accepted the item, but it wouldn't make sense to just leave it unused.

Xie Ci was a bit troubled, and when he turned around, he saw Gu Yufeng coming in wearing a mask, looking listless and lacking energy, immediately wanting to lie on his bed.

Xie Ci grabbed him by the back of his collar and brought him over to sit on a chair: "This is my bed."

Gu Yufeng lifted his head and retorted in a hoarse voice, "It's not the first time. I've slept inside and out. Is there any place I haven't touched? What's wrong with letting me lie down for a bit?"

Xie Ci: "..."

What a scumbag line.

Zhang Ruochuan and the others were amused and laughed out loud.

Zhang Ruochuan, while collecting clothes on the balcony, added, "Old Gu, it's one thing to say that to a bed, but you can't say that to a girl in the future, or you'll get beaten up."

Jiang Chenyu, lying on his bed playing with his phone, shook his head and clicked his tongue, "Oh no, oh no, with Old Gu's face, how many girls will he ruin in the future?"

Xie Ci thought to himself, what future? Who knows how many he's already ruined.

From this perspective, taking in Gu Yufeng in his past life was like doing a good deed.

Gu Yufeng looked at Xie Ci, hinting, "It's always others who ruin me, rarely anyone worth me ruining."

Xie Ci didn't want to listen to his nonsense, so he said slowly, "The bed has been slept on by you, but the sheets and quilt cover are new. Go back to your top bunk and don't think about this bed again."

"You won't let me make a move on you, so I can only make a move on the bed."

Gu Yufeng waved him off and lunged for the bed.

Xie Ci pulled him back: "You're still not over your cold."

Gu Yufeng: "I didn't mind your athlete's foot, but you mind my cold?"

Xie Ci: "Old Zhang sent a foot soak pack for athlete's foot. You can soak with me."

"Soak feet?"

Gu Yufeng sneered, "Only old people soak their feet."

Xie Ci: "Fine, don't soak, but stay off my bed."

Gu Yufeng: "..."

Ten minutes later, Gu Yufeng sat by the bed soaking his feet. The basin he had despised since the first day he got it finally came in handy.

Gu Yufeng: "Didn't you say we'd soak together?"

"This is the only unused basin. You soak first, then I'll soak."

Xie Ci lied with his eyes closed, taking an enamel cup to pour him some hot water, even adding a few goji berries, which was met with disdain.

"I want ice water," Gu Yufeng protested with a sullen face.

Xie Ci: "The dorm conditions are tough, just make do."

Zhang Ruochuan and Jiang Chenyu laughed so hard they could die.

Old Gu, a handsome little foreigner, rolling up his pants to soak his feet, holding an enamel cup, with a foot soak pack floating in the basin, the scene was just too terrifying.

Jiang Chenyu took a photo, laughing as he whispered to Zhang Ruochuan, "Why do I feel like Old Xie is treating Old Gu like a doll?"

Zhang Ruochuan nodded in agreement.

Having known Xie Ci for two years, they had never seen him playfully mess with anyone like this.

Sometimes, he could vaguely feel that Xie Ci's attitude towards Gu Yufeng was subtly different from others.

In terms of distance, compared to them, Xie Ci and Gu Yufeng seemed more like old friends familiar with each other.

Gu Yufeng was coaxed by Xie Ci to soak his feet for three days. Whether the athlete's foot improved was unknown, but the cold was cured.

With only two days left until the monthly exam, Gu Yufeng suddenly took a long leave to return to Country D.

"How many days did he take off? He's not coming back, is he?" During the break, Jiang Chenyu asked Xie Ci for help with a problem, casually asking when he saw Gu Yufeng's empty seat.

Zhang Ruochuan: "How could he just leave like that?"

Fang Size, passing by with test papers, added, "It's not impossible. Old Gu's student status hasn't been transferred. Strictly speaking, he's just a visiting student."

Jiang Chenyu was startled: "Don't scare me."

"Wouldn't he at least tell us if he wasn't coming back?"

Zhang Ruochuan turned to ask Xie Ci, "Right, Old Xie?"

Xie Ci looked at the open math workbook in front of him, read the question once, forgot it, and read it again.

In his past life, Gu Yufeng never studied in the country. This time, something went wrong, perhaps the fate led by that day, causing Gu Yufeng's life trajectory to shift.

Returning to Country D was the path Gu Yufeng was originally supposed to take.

"He'll be back."

Xie Ci glanced at the desk on his left, where a foreign language book was still tucked among the stacked textbooks.

But how long he would stay after returning was uncertain.

On the day of the monthly exam, there was heavy fog, and the humidity made it feel colder, giving the illusion that winter had arrived early.

The students in the same exam room as Xie Ci couldn't help but frequently look up at the tall boy sitting in the first row by the window. He was slightly bowing his head, focused, and the pen in his hand hadn't stopped since the exam began.

Not long ago, he was the school bully everyone avoided, but now he was the rumored returning academic god.

This extreme contrast made it difficult for most people to adapt.

Recently, rumors had been circulating in the school that Xie Ci, who had entered as the top student, had "revived," and his test scores were even better than Fang Size, who was first in the grade.

But rumors were just rumors. It wasn't until they saw it with their own eyes that they finally felt it was real.

Xie Ci was indeed different from before.

After the monthly exam, Xie Ci barely had time to catch his breath before he had to start basketball training.

There was less than half a month left before the league started.

The long-missing school team power forward Wang Hao suddenly appeared on the court, exciting Zhang Ruochuan and the others, who rushed over to greet him.

"Where have you been lately?"

Zhang Ruochuan, with his arm around the boy with a buzz cut and rugged features, said, "I was really afraid you'd quit the team early, then the league would be over."

Wang Hao smiled, "Here I am, aren't I?"

Jiang Chenyu, hearing he didn't answer directly, asked again, "Are you done with your stuff? Can you train properly now?"

Wang Hao lowered his eyes to avoid Jiang Chenyu's gaze, forcing a smile, "Yeah, I should be able to."

"Alright, stop chatting."

Xie Ci clapped his hands, signaling them to prepare for the game, and looked at the newly arrived Wang Hao, "It's been too long since we trained together. Stay behind and play a solo game with me. I need to see your ability."

Wang Hao, a bit nervous, agreed, "Okay."

All the main players were gathered, but the training results were disappointing.

"No coordination, no morale!"

The PE teacher, who also served as the coach, had a stern face, "If you go into the league with this state, you'll be eliminated in the first group match!"

Zhang Ruochuan and the others exchanged glances, knowing where the problem lay.

Wang Hao, who had just returned, was playing absentmindedly, completely out of sync with the others.

After being scolded by the coach, Wang Hao raised his hand, feeling guilty, "Coach, it's my fault."

The coach frowned, looking serious, "I'm not blaming any one person. You're a team! Only when everyone plays their part can the team show its true strength!"

Wang Hao lowered his head, "I understand."

With twenty minutes left before evening self-study, the group dispersed back to the dormitory.

"Captain." Wang Hao called out to Xie Ci, who was about to leave.

Zhang Ruochuan and the others exchanged worried glances, taking a few steps back to inquire about Wang Hao's situation.

But Wang Hao said nothing.

Xie Ci saw that he wanted to talk to him alone, so he signaled Zhang Ruochuan and the others to leave first, then sat with Wang Hao on the steps of the stands, casually opening his water bottle.

"What's wrong with you?"

Wang Hao placed the basketball in front of him, turning it unconsciously. After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice, "You know a lot about part-time jobs. I wanted to ask where I could work to make more money."

Xie Ci paused his drinking, glancing at him.

"You want to work part-time?"

Seeing Wang Hao nod, Xie Ci pressed, "Part-time work isn't as easy as you think. With the heavy workload in senior year, are you planning to give up your grades?"

Wang Hao looked down at the basketball in front of him, "I know, but I have no choice. I can't help it."

Seeing his state was off, Xie Ci screwed the cap back on and placed the water bottle beside him, "Are you short on living expenses? Or is there something you want to buy?"

Wang Hao hesitated, not answering directly, then looked up and asked, "I heard working at a bar can earn over a hundred a night. Do you think they'd hire someone like me?"

Xie Ci studied him.

Wang Hao looked a bit haggard, as if he hadn't slept well for a long time. Xie Ci hadn't interacted with this kid for a while and had long forgotten anything related to him.

"Working in a place like that, if you're caught, you'll be expelled. Are you sure you want to go?" Xie Ci asked.

Wang Hao lowered his head again, unable to answer.

Xie Ci: "If you have any difficulties, you can tell me. Even if I can't solve them completely, I can help you think of a way."

Wang Hao forced a smile, "Thanks, Captain, but I'm fine. I was just curious."

The boy said this, got up from the steps, and left after saying goodbye.

He clearly had something going on.

On the way back to the dormitory, Xie Ci seriously thought about it.

In his past life, he almost got expelled for fighting with the sports school. Although Lao Xiang saved him, he was banned from participating in the basketball league. He vaguely remembered Wang Hao taking a leave of absence to join the army before the league.

To prevent any issues, Xie Ci called Fang Size after evening self-study, and the two walked out of the teaching building together.

Fang Size put away his glasses, rubbing his brow tiredly, "I think someone in his family is sick and hospitalized. For more specific details, you'd have to ask the class teacher of Class Three."

So that's why he's short on money? Xie Ci pondered.

If it's for treating a family member, the money earned from part-time work wouldn't be enough.

Fang Size: "I'll find some time to talk to him and let you know once I find out."

Xie Ci: "Okay."

On Friday afternoon after school, Xie Ci took the bus back to his dad's studio.

As soon as he got off the bus, he saw a few people arguing at the studio's entrance, one of whom was his little aunt, Ye Yurou.

"I already said, the teacher is busy and can't see you!"

Yang Le, unhappy, blocked the entrance, "What do you want by barging in? If you don't leave, I'll call the police!"

Chen Zhanpeng, sitting in a wheelchair, shouted, "He ruined our family, thinking he can hide and be fine?! Make him come out!"

Yang Le: "Watch your mouth!"

Chen Zhanpeng slapped the armrest, "Who do you think you are, daring to lecture me?!"

"And who do you think you are?"

Xie Ci walked over, his gaze sweeping over Ye Yurou and her son, telling Yang Le, "Call the police."

Yang Le was slightly stunned.

He had just said he'd call the police to scare them off, but Xie Ci seemed serious about it.

"Xie Ci! How dare you show up in front of me!"

Chen Zhanpeng, furious, stood up from his wheelchair, pointing at Xie Ci and cursing, "You stole my family's house, got my dad fired, and stopped me from attending private school?! You're a beast, and to think my mom raised you for so many years—ugh!"

Before he could finish, Xie Ci kicked him back into the wheelchair.

Chen Zhanpeng, whose leg injury hadn't healed, hit his wound again, crying out in pain.

"Is this what you call a beast?"

Xie Ci's tone was light and casual, "Next, your parents will go to jail, you'll never be able to take public exams, and you'll have to earn your own tuition and living expenses. Enjoy your good days while they last."

Chen Zhanpeng, terrified, widened his eyes, "What jail?! What nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Didn't they tell you?"

Xie Ci glanced at the silent Ye Yurou, a faint smile in his voice, "I've already hired a lawyer and am proceeding with the lawsuit."

"Xiao Ci, do you really have to be so ruthless?"

Ye Yurou's eyes reddened as she spoke, her voice tinged with tears, "You don't know how we've been living these days. Did you really get your uncle fired? Please let him go. If he loses his job, how will we live?"

"How will you live?"

Xie Ci seemed to hear something funny, "When your husband chased me to beat me, did you ask how I would live? When you used me to deceive my dad, worsening his condition, did you think about how he would live?"

Ye Yurou choked, "I'm just a housewife. How much power do I have? You can't blame everything on me."

"I'm just a minor, and my dad is a mental patient. We're both weaker than you."

Xie Ci was unmoved, "So don't bother begging. I've been lenient enough with you."

Ye Yurou was about to persuade further when she noticed a group of young people coming out from inside the gate. She suddenly knelt in front of Xie Ci, crying, "Xiao Ci, I'm sorry. Little Aunt is begging you! I really know I was wrong. Please let us go, at least keep your uncle's job. Pengpeng can't not go to school, wuwuwu..."

Yang Le was startled by this scene. He had never seen anything like it and was at a loss, only knowing to quickly pull Ye Yurou up: "Are you crazy?! You're an elder kneeling to a junior?!"

After scolding, Yang Le heard the students inside discussing, and his face turned ugly.

He couldn't let this mother and son into the studio, but blocking the entrance inevitably led to being watched.

Xie Ci glanced at the group inside the gate, signaling Yang Le to let go: "If she likes kneeling, let her kneel. Please wait here for the police."

After speaking, Xie Ci pretended to leave.

Of course, Ye Yurou wouldn't let him, moving over to hug his leg: "Xiao Ci, Little Aunt is begging you! No matter what, I raised you for ten years, wuwuwu..."

Xie Ci waited for her to finish her pity act, then turned around, looking down at her: "First, your husband was fired for domestic violence against a minor, which is illegal. Begging me is useless. Second, your son wants to attend a prestigious school that only recognizes money. As long as you throw enough money, there's no fear of not being able to attend."

Ye Yurou cried, "But your uncle lost his job. Where can we find so much money?"

"Since I was one year old and fostered at Grandma's house, my dad has been sending you twenty to thirty thousand a month for support."

Xie Ci's expression was indifferent, "Back then, an ordinary family's annual income was about that amount. The money you spent on me wasn't even a tenth of it. Where did the rest go?"

The students secretly watching calculated the account in their minds, and the amount was astonishingly large.

As long as they weren't extravagant, the money saved over the years was enough to live comfortably in Blue Sea City.

The teacher actually spent so much money on his son!

He must have given all his income to this woman kneeling on the ground, right?

"A favor of a liter of rice, a grudge of a bushel of rice. Taking so much and still coming to cry and make trouble, what kind of person is this?"

"The teacher is too miserable, giving all his income away, and his son can't come back, only endlessly supporting this family."

"No wonder the teacher's mental state hasn't been good these years. He's been tormented by this kind of scum."

Ye Yurou's face turned pale upon hearing the students' discussions.

"What, can't answer?"

Xie Ci pulled her hand away, turned around, and said coldly, "The money my dad gave you, meant for my care, was all lost by your husband in stock trading."

Ye Yurou's body stiffened.

Xie Ci continued, "You could have used that money to buy a better house and send your son to a better school. The one who ruined it all is your husband. Instead of solving the root of the problem, you come to my dad, bringing your disabled son to play the victim. Do you want my dad to clean up your mess?"

Ye Yurou bit her lip, "I just—"

Xie Ci: "He's your sister's husband, not yours. His responsibility is only to me, not to you."

Unexpectedly, Xie Ci spoke so bluntly, making Ye Yurou extremely embarrassed.

A commotion arose, and Ye Yurou turned to see Xie Qian approaching.

"Brother-in-law, you must help..."

"Ye Yurou."

Xie Qian stood in front of her, his voice unusually tired, "You've been asking me for money under various pretexts for years, but you didn't spend it on Xiao Ci. I'll sue you for fraud. See you in court."

Ye Yurou's eyes widened in disbelief. The gentle and elegant brother-in-law, who had always been at her mercy, actually said such harsh words.

Xie Qian paused for a moment, "Also, don't harass Xiao Ci anymore. Otherwise, I won't be so polite to you."

Soon, the police arrived.

Chen Zhanpeng, seeing the officers, finally felt fear, frantically calling out to Ye Yurou, but she continued crying and apologizing to Xie Qian, ignoring him.

Watching the officers take the mother and son away, Xie Ci, Yang Le, and Xie Qian returned to the studio.

On the way, Xie Qian, who had been silent for a long time, spoke, his voice low and filled with loss, "No wonder you won't forgive me. I deserve it."

Yang Le looked at Xie Qian, then at Xie Ci.

Worried that the father-son conversation would be too intense, worsening the teacher's condition.

"Yeah, you deserve it."

Xie Ci stopped, looking at the ginkgo tree in the distance, "Abandoning your biological son, casually leaving him with relatives, thinking throwing money would suffice. Because you didn't care, they became more unscrupulous, coming up with ideas they shouldn't have. You could say you're one of the main culprits for the current situation."

Yang Le was shocked, continuously waving his hand behind Xie Qian, signaling Xie Ci to stop talking.

Xie Qian's hand, hanging by his side, clenched, not even having the courage to look up at Xie Ci: "I'm sorry."

"But no matter how much you struggle with guilt, the facts can't be changed. I can't go back to being a baby for you to raise again."

Xie Ci slowly walked forward, "So, we should both learn to let go."

In his past life, he kept running away, missing many truths.

Even if he severed ties with everyone who hurt him, his heart knot remained unresolved, becoming a scar that couldn't heal or be forgotten. It would seize any moment to act, bleeding profusely at the slightest touch.

Some hatred is unsolvable. The more you cling to it, the deeper you sink.

This time, he wanted to face it properly, to look at the issues from a more mature perspective as an adult.

Not forcing himself to forgive anyone, nor clinging to hatred, but trying to let go, to free the self that was once deeply trapped.