Arc. 1.4 

The Wicked Child of the Stepmother

One of the core strategies of being a white lotus is to appear good-natured and harmless—something Nian Zhen had committed to memory. Now, he was dressed in his high school uniform: a crisp, short-sleeved white shirt, red shorts, white socks, and black shoes. He was adjusting his tie, looking prim and proper from head to toe.

After checking himself in the mirror, Nian Zhen smiled innocently, fully slipping into his role as Meng Zhenzhen, grabbed his bag, and stepped out of his room.

Originally, he planned to head to the dining room for breakfast, but Uncle Liu, the driver, intercepted him.

“Young Master, please hurry to the car. The Young Master is already waiting.”

"..."

Is the male protagonist already showing his true colors? Not even letting me eat breakfast? And I even got up an hour earlier than necessary for school. Nian Zhen gritted his teeth inwardly, cursing dozens of times in his heart, but outwardly, he obediently nodded.

He got into the car, sitting in the back seat, just like Xie Yanjing. However, they sat on opposite ends, with considerable distance between them.

“Brother…”

Uncle Liu started the car. Nian Zhen greeted the male protagonist in the manner of a white lotus, friendly yet visibly a little nervous, with a hint of timidity, as though afraid to say too much.

To the male protagonist, however, this behavior was transparently fake. Nian Zhen stole a glance at the protagonist, who was dressed in a similar school uniform, though in navy blue. His simmering annoyance melted slightly.

I’ll forgive you this time, since you’re so handsome. Ignore me all you like, because one day, no matter how much you want to, you won’t be able to. Just seeing me will annoy you so much you’ll want to tear away my good boy mask.

The more Nian Zhen anticipated his future schemes, the sweeter his smile became.

Yet he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration and jealousy. Xie Yanjing was the perfect male lead. Back then, he hadn’t had the chance to observe him closely, but today, he could see the difference. So this is what it means to radiate the aura of a protagonist. Xie Yanjing was strikingly handsome, with sharply defined brows, a high-bridged nose, deep-set eyes, and full lips. Each feature was finely crafted, with fair, smooth skin, and he was significantly taller than Nian Zhen, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Even in his school uniform, it was clear he had a well-built, muscular figure underneath.

Suddenly, Nian Zhen felt a jolt of danger. That day, the male protagonist had sat hunched over, gloomy and withdrawn, but now he seemed nothing like that person at all.

In front of Nian Zhen, the male protagonist made no effort to hide his true aura, unlike when he was with his father, Xie Heng.

Nian Zhen snuck another glance at the male lead, but this time nearly jumped when he caught the male protagonist looking right back at him, his sharp gaze piercing straight through him. Quickly, Nian Zhen flashed a sweet smile and turned away, chanting inwardly, Stay calm, stay calm!!

This male protagonist is terrifying. Nian Zhen felt as though he was acting out his white lotus role for nothing. How could someone so handsome exude such an intimidating vibe? Despite being a skilled actor, Nian Zhen was actually quite timid, afraid of pain and especially wary of people bigger than him, fearing he’d be crushed. He could go all-in on his white lotus act because he knew the plot in advance, and he was confident that a character like the male protagonist wouldn’t just haul off and punch him. But faced with the oppressive, threatening aura around Xie Yanjing, Nian Zhen couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Who’s calling this high school boy troubled? He looks more like a mob boss. He’s even scarier than Xie Heng.

[Don’t worry, Host. The male protagonist just acts this way; he’s never actually hurt anyone.]

I might be the first person he wants to hit, Nian Zhen thought. He made a mental note to ensure that every time he antagonized the male protagonist, there would be plenty of people around. No way would he risk being alone with him—who would save him then?

At last, they arrived at school, and Nian Zhen felt like he’d been pardoned. He quickly got out of the car and slipped away from the male protagonist. The headmaster was waiting to greet him personally, as he had been recommended by none other than Chairman Xia. The headmaster was friendly and took him on a short tour of the school before escorting him to his classroom.

Nian Zhen was transferring mid-semester, but that wasn’t an issue—Chairman Xie was his guardian, after all. Thanks to his appearance and a few well-placed words, “white lotus” Meng Zhenzhen was able to fit in with his classmates right away.

He was in Class 1 of Year 11, where several young masters from prominent families also studied. Those boys didn’t think much of Nian Zhen and even looked down on him a bit, aware that he was only the son of Chairman Xia’s new wife, without any real connection to the Xie family.

Nian Zhen had no intention of ingratiating himself with these prominent young masters. They were outside the male protagonist’s sphere of influence—mere background characters who didn’t even have names in the story. All he needed to do was maintain a façade of kindness toward them. Instead, he chose to associate with people from mid-level families, avoiding any deliberate attempts to get close to the prominent young masters. The ones Nian Zhen truly needed to flatter were those in Xie Yanjing’s inner circle; he needed to build an image as Xie Yanjing’s gentle, weak, but good-natured younger brother. He’d work on isolating everyone from the male protagonist, saving his energy for currying favor with other brothers instead.

Because Nian Zhen kept to himself in this way, his classmates’ opinion of him improved. Had he tried to ingratiate himself with everyone, he would likely have been mocked.

Many now believed he was genuinely innocent, as Nian Zhen simply smiled, seeming unaware when others made barbed comments. Luckily, his good looks shielded him somewhat; while some disliked his background, it didn’t escalate to open bullying.

During lunch, Nian Zhen joined a group of classmates, wearing a friendly smile that radiated sincerity. Several girls in the class were already quite fond of him, so he blended in smoothly, with no issues in getting along.

“Brother…”

With others around, Nian Zhen had nothing to fear. He flashed a sweet smile and, though genuinely hungry from skipping breakfast, walked over to greet the male protagonist, who was seated among his friends.

Xie Yanjing looked up at Nian Zhen with his usual icy, distant expression, while his friends showed much more interest.

“Young Master Xia, is this your new little brother?”

One of them said. Naturally, everyone knew that Xie Yanjing was the only child of Chairman Xie and that Chairman Xie had recently remarried a widow with a son.

So, this new little brother was the son of his stepmother.

“…”

Xie Yanjing didn’t respond, instead focusing on his food as if Meng Zhenzhen didn’t exist. The air grew tense, and the boy who’d asked looked visibly annoyed at being ignored. Nian Zhen’s smile faded slightly, and a faint trace of discomfort appeared in his eyes, as if uncertain how to handle the situation. At last, he introduced himself.

“My name is Meng Zhenzhen,” he introduced himself simply, as if unsure of what else to add.

Despite being slighted, Meng Zhenzhen tried to ease the awkwardness. The boy whom Xie Yanjing had ignored softened a bit and introduced himself and the others.

“I’m Chun Long, and these are Zhou Han, Feng Lang, Yu Heng, and Jin Hai,” he said, introducing himself and others.

“Nice to meet you all.” Nian Zhen smiled gently, meeting each of their gazes before excusing himself.

After Meng Zhenzhen left, the group turned to look at Xie Yanjing, who continued eating in silence. Deciding to let the moment pass, they switched to other topics. However, inwardly, each felt that Xie Yanjing was far too arrogant. He had openly ignored Chun Long’s question, embarrassing him in front of everyone. Despite being friends for years, it was clear they were not truly close. They thought Xie Yanjing was arrogant, looking down on everyone. Despite their social status being not much different from his, they were still treated this way. While Chun Long let it go, but deep down, he couldn’t help but hold onto his resentment.

As for his stepbrother, he had simply come over to greet him politely, looking quite timid, without any trace of guile. Yet Xie Yanjing had still dismissed him. If he weren’t Chairman Xia’s son, many of his friends wouldn’t have bothered with someone so cold and detached.

In this small incident, the white lotus, Nian Zhen, had dug yet another little pitfall for the male protagonist.

He was starving, but for the sake of his mission, he’d willingly thrown himself at the male protagonist’s mercy, risking humiliation in front of others. Nian Zhen was certainly giving it his all in his role as the white lotus. He ordered a meal and ate with his friends, managing to keep his elegant demeanor despite eating a rather substantial amount.

At the end of the day, Nian Zhen just wanted to head back to his room, but he endured the car ride home with the male protagonist, calling his name sweetly. The moment they arrived, however, he was summoned by Du Yao for a talk.

Damn it. It’s just the first day of school, and I’m already at my limit dealing with this woman.

Luckily, they were in the dining room this time, so while Du Yao grilled him with questions, Nian Zhen occupied himself by eating cake. Chairman Xie wasn’t back from work yet, and Xie Yanjing had already gone up to his room.

“So, how was your day?”

Du Yao asked while sipping tea with a practiced elegance. Nian Zhen found her pretentious manner insufferable. Then again, if there was anyone more adept at pretending than anyone else, it was him.

“It was good, Mother. The school’s environment is great, and the students are all very nice.”

Nian Zhen answered as though oblivious to her real intentions, his face full of sincere innocence, as if he thought Mother was simply asking out of concern.

Du Yao shot a sharp glance at her stepson, then softened it with a sweet smile.

“Good to hear that you’re adjusting. Now I won’t have to worry.”

She pushed a plate of cake in front of Nian Zhen.

“Eat up.”

This woman must think I’m full and is trying to force me to eat until I can’t take it anymore.

Nian Zhen thought to himself. You don’t know me at all. I’ve got a sweet tooth twice as big as my appetite for regular food. Bring me ten more pieces, and I’d still be good.

But he couldn’t let her see that. He pretended to eat reluctantly, acting slightly pained, hoping to make her feel triumphant.

Seeing him eat without protest, even though he was clearly full, Du Yao’s mouth quirked up in satisfaction. This son of hers might be a bit slow, but at least he knew not to disobey her orders.

But if she didn’t speak plainly, this kid would probably be clueless. With that, she lowered her voice slightly and said.

“So, what was Xie Yanjing like at school?”

Ah, she’s showing her hand already? Just because we’re alone as mother and son, huh?

Nian Zhen sneered inwardly. Don’t think you’ll get any useful information out of me that easily, wicked aunt.

“Big Brother… he’s very nice.”

Nian Zhen replied, putting on a shy, uncertain expression. Du Yao’s face darkened. This idiot, what does “very nice” even mean? Couldn’t he give a proper answer?

“What exactly do you mean by ‘very nice’?” Du Yao pressed, refusing to let it go.

Blinking innocently, Nian Zhen elaborated in a tone of admiration.

“Big Brother is very good-looking.”

“What did you just say?”

Du Yao felt that her temple pulse in frustration. She’d never once left a conversation with this boy without feeling infuriated.

Feigning confusion, Nian Zhen spouted nonsensical remarks without even blinking.

“No one at school is as good-looking as Big Brother.”

“You…Get out.”

Unable to maintain her forced smile, Du Yao dismissed Nian Zhen at once. Nian Zhen, pretending not to understand what he’d done wrong, quickly left the dining room with a look of frightened bewilderment.

Inwardly, Nian Zhen couldn’t stop laughing. Look at that auntie Du Yao’s face. She wanted to scold him but couldn’t, fearful of giving away her malicious intentions, so her expression twisted in repressed frustration.

While Du Yao’s mood soured, Meng Zhenzhen’s spirits lifted. The bad mood he’d had all day completely vanished. Alright, then. If Xie Yanjing makes me uncomfortable, I’ll take it out on this annoying woman instead.

Playing dumb in front of his biological mother, who acted more like a stepmother, Nian Zhen was sure that, eventually, Du Yao would be driven to her wits' end, constantly dreading when her son might do something stupid again.