Bab 40: Chapter 40: The Traditional Mother: Even Small Trees Can Bear Heavy Fruit
Jiang Xian's chest heaved slightly with her breathing, her 36D curves drawing subtle waves under her crisp white blouse.
Though Li Zhiyan's words were plain, they carried a weight that lingered in her mind.
Opening an internet café wasn't something particularly impressive to someone as worldly as Jiang Xian, but the fact that an 18-year-old managed to accomplish this—it was astonishing.
It seemed she had severely underestimated him.
"I'll have to visit more often to chat with you, Zhiyan. I'm always patrolling the nearby cafés anyway," Jiang Xian said with a soft smile.
"Of course, Shimu," Li Zhiyan responded earnestly. "Whenever you're here, I'll make time to talk to you. You've always been an important elder to me."
Hearing his words and seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Jiang Xian couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth in her heart.
After taking another look around the café, she finally said her goodbyes and left. But her thoughts remained fixated on the incredible fact that this young man had become a café owner at just 18.
Meanwhile, Li Siyu stood by, his expression darkening. Memories of their strict class teacher, Yan Zhengjin, flooded his mind, stirring up a mix of resentment and jealousy.
"Shimu is so beautiful. That old dog Yan Zhengjin doesn't deserve her!" he muttered bitterly before turning to Li Zhiyan with a grin.
"Zhiyan, you should totally go after Shimu!"
"Don't talk nonsense," Li Zhiyan replied, his tone calm yet firm. "She's a married woman. Doing something like that would be immoral. You should know better."
Li Siyu smirked. "And wouldn't that make it all the more thrilling?"
"Besides, if you made a move, Shimu would definitely fall for you. That'd be the ultimate way to get back at Yan Zhengjin."
Li Zhiyan didn't dignify his comment with a response, but inwardly, he couldn't deny the flicker of temptation.
No. That kind of thing is wrong. Absolutely wrong…
---
Later that afternoon, Li Zhiyan found himself standing in front of the Xinli Company building. His goal was clear: resolve Fang Zhiya's predicament and earn the promised 50,000 yuan reward.
But as his gaze fell upon the scene before him, he paused.
A woman, a vision of gentle beauty despite her visible distress, stood near the entrance holding a banner. Her fair complexion seemed to glow even under the harsh sunlight, and her delicate features radiated a quiet elegance.
It was Fang Zhiya, the class monitor's mother.
Li Siyu hadn't exaggerated when he said she was beautiful, but the reality far exceeded his expectations. Despite being in her forties, her skin remained smooth and radiant, her demeanor soft and serene. Her every movement exuded a fragile charm that tugged at the heartstrings.
Beside her stood Liu Yaolong, the class monitor himself.
"Mom! Stop embarrassing me!" Liu Yaolong snapped, his frustration evident. "It's just 5,000 yuan! Why make a scene over something so trivial? Everyone's going to laugh at you!"
Fang Zhiya's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling as she tried to explain. "Son, we really need this money…"
Before she could finish, Liu Yaolong tore the banner from her hands and ripped it in half.
"You're a disgrace!" he spat, stomping on the pieces before storming off with a group of classmates.
Fang Zhiya sank to the ground, her face a mixture of despair and humiliation.
Watching the scene unfold, Li Zhiyan clenched his fists. He despised ungrateful sons who treated their mothers with such disrespect. It took all his self-control not to march over and give Liu Yaolong the beating he deserved.
If you won't take care of your mother, then I will.
Taking a deep breath, he approached Fang Zhiya and knelt beside her.
"Auntie Fang," he said gently, extending a hand to help her up.
But as his fingers brushed her arm, her entire body seemed to lose strength, and she slumped against him.
"P-please let go…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Startled, Li Zhiyan quickly released her. Her reaction wasn't just one of exhaustion—it was as if his touch had sent a shock through her entire being.
Offering her a tissue, he said softly, "Here, wipe your tears."
Fang Zhiya hesitated but accepted the tissue, dabbing at her face before managing to stand.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Our family's going through a tough time right now. You're one of Yaolong's classmates, aren't you?"
Li Zhiyan nodded. "Yes, Auntie. But I never imagined he'd act like this."
She gave a weak smile, her gaze filled with a mix of sadness and gratitude. "You're kind, but this isn't something a child like you should worry about."
As she sipped the bottle of water he handed her, Li Zhiyan noticed how tightly her blouse was wrapped around her chest, binding her figure. It was an old-fashioned practice, but it seemed she was self-conscious about drawing attention to herself.
Her modesty only made her beauty all the more striking.
"Auntie Fang, what exactly happened?" he asked gently.
With a sigh, she began to explain. "Your uncle ran into some trouble with the law. He's… in prison now."
Her voice wavered as she continued. "Without him, I've become an easy target. My supervisor refuses to pay me, using any excuse he can think of. I've tried everything—calling hotlines, filing complaints—but nothing works."
Li Zhiyan could tell she was holding something back.
"And this supervisor of yours… what's his name?"
"Zhang Si." Her voice grew even quieter as she added, "He was once your uncle's friend."
The pain in her eyes was evident. Zhang Si had not only betrayed their friendship but had also tried to take advantage of her vulnerable situation.
"Auntie Fang," Li Zhiyan said firmly, "let me handle this for you."
She shook her head, her expression one of resignation. "This isn't something you can fix. I don't want you to get involved and make things worse for yourself."
"Auntie, you're not alone in this. Please, trust me."
Reluctantly, she allowed him to guide her to a shaded bench.
A few minutes later, a bald man in a cheap suit came rushing out of the building. Fang Zhiya's eyes widened in shock—it was Zhang Si.
"Mr. Li! I-I'm so sorry!" Zhang Si stammered, bowing repeatedly. "I had no idea Ms. Fang was your friend. Please accept this—1,000 yuan as compensation for the trouble."
"Make that 10,000," Li Zhiyan said coldly.
Zhang Si flinched, but he quickly pulled out a thick envelope and handed it over.
"Thank you, Mr. Li. I'll ensure she receives her full salary moving forward."
Watching the interaction, Fang Zhiya was utterly dumbfounded.
Moments ago, she'd thought Li Zhiyan's phone call was just a child's attempt at make-believe. Now, the truth was undeniable: this "classmate" of her son's wasn't just a regular student.
"Auntie Fang," Li Zhiyan said with a smile, handing her the envelope. "Here's your salary—and a little extra for the trouble."
Her hands trembled as she accepted the money. "Zhiyan… who are you, really?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone