Chapter 15: How could she attend the parent-teacher meeting?

Sang Miao had a look of disbelief on her face, as if she was questioning whether she had heard correctly.

Lin Yanzhou confirmed with his expression that she had not misheard, though he looked slightly helpless.

She couldn’t quite understand was not ranking first really such a big deal?

Could it be that Meng Peisheng was the type of parent who insisted his child had to be number one?

Wasn’t that a little too terrifying?!

“…Then who got first place?” Sang Miao asked.

Lin Yanzhou replied, “A special transfer student.”

Sang Miao understood now.

Since the student was a special admit, they must be exceptionally capable.

She suddenly remembered the classmate they had casually chatted about while eating hot pot the one who was both handsome and academically excellent.

That person didn’t seem like a mere background character.

So, out of curiosity, she asked, “That top student… their last name wouldn’t happen to be Jiang, would it?”

Uncle Zhou glanced at her with slight surprise, wondering how she knew.

But because of his job and status, he had trained himself not to be too curious, so he didn’t press further.

“Yes,” he replied, taking a sip of tea before sighing.

“Xici has always pursued perfection.

He has been number one since childhood, so this time might have been a bit of a blow for him.”

Sang Miao immediately understood.

Anyone who could beat the male lead was definitely no ordinary person.

From the looks of it, this rival was equally matched in both looks and grades.

A true formidable opponent his lifelong rival!

…

To Meng Xici, ranking second in the grade was indeed unacceptable.

It was, in a way, a blow to his pride.

But what concerned him more was that in two days, there would be a parent-teacher meeting…

Just the thought of his father attending the meeting with this result made him resistant to the idea.

Moreover, his father was currently on a business trip abroad.

In the past, Meng Xici had always hoped he would return for these meetings.

But now…

Failing to achieve the best results in his first semester of high school, he felt that making his father adjust his schedule to return was meaningless.

Would his father be disappointed?

Meng Xici wasn’t sure.

He could only guess that, outwardly, his father wouldn’t show any reaction at all.

He simply couldn’t understand his father.

Soon, it was lunchtime.

Sang Miao thought Meng Xici wouldn’t have the appetite to eat.

Fortunately, he still came downstairs obediently.

Today, Lin Yanzhou also stayed for lunch.

At the dining table, he said to Meng Xici, “I’ll mention the parent-teacher meeting to your father later.

His schedule is quite tight these days, so he’ll need to plan ahead.”

Without looking up, Meng Xici asked softly, “Is he very busy these next two days?”

Lin Yanzhou didn’t know what he was thinking, so he smiled reassuringly.

“Busy or not, he’ll definitely try to make it for your parent-teacher meeting.”

Meng Xici paused for a moment before saying, “…Actually, if he’s busy, he doesn’t need to come back specifically for it.”

“Oh?”

Lin Yanzhou was a little surprised.

Whether this was an insincere remark or his true feelings, Meng Xici had never said something like this before.

Wouldn’t he be happy if his father returned?

Afraid that Lin Yanzhou would misunderstand, Meng Xici deliberately added, “I really don’t mind.”

“Then…”

Lin Yanzhou was about to suggest, “Should I attend for you instead?”

But then, he suddenly realized there was another family member.

She had already been to school once before…

Since Meng Peisheng wasn’t around, Lin Yanzhou, as the elder, spoke in a consultative tone, “Then should your Aunt Sang attend for you?”

Sang Miao: ?

Uncle Zhou, have you lost your mind?

What does this have to do with her?

Even if others didn’t know, didn’t he?

She wasn’t even a proper stepmother in name!

How could Meng Xici possibly want her to attend?

Sang Miao glared at Lin Yanzhou, but he simply smiled at her as if what he had said was perfectly normal.

“…”

He was definitely doing this on purpose.

An old man causing trouble!

She turned to look at Meng Xici, intending to firmly express that she had no interest in attending.

Whoever was supposed to go should go this wasn’t her idea…

But to her surprise, Meng Xici was also looking at her.

He didn’t refute the suggestion, and his expression seemed to be seriously considering it almost as if he were asking for her opinion.

What did that mean?

Was he seriously letting her go…?

In fact, Meng Xici found it to be a feasible idea.

She had already been called to school once before, so going again wouldn’t be unfamiliar to her.

So, he asked earnestly, “The parent-teacher meeting is at 7 PM the day after tomorrow.

Do you have time?”

He was actually asking if she was free

She

…Was completely free.

As an unemployed individual, she couldn’t even come up with a fake excuse for being busy.

She had let her guard down…

It seemed that one shouldn’t live too much like a slacker.

In the long silence where she failed to respond, Meng Xici subconsciously gave her a pleading look.

Though it wasn’t very obvious, Sang Miao still caught it.

He actually wanted her to go…

Sang Miao reconsidered.

A parent-teacher meeting it sounded interesting.

She figured this was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her!

That’s right.

In her life, she had already ruled out the idea of marriage and children the real kind of marriage and children.

The last time she experienced a parent-teacher meeting, she had been the student, not the parent.

Now, getting to switch roles seemed like an interesting experience…

Life was about trying new things.

“I can go, but let’s be clear you have to tell your dad yourself.”

Sang Miao hadn’t forgotten that she was playing the role of the “vicious stepmother.”

If the male lead’s father mistakenly thought she had some ulterior motive, who knew what kind of butterfly effect that might create in the story?

Naturally, Meng Xici had no choice.

“…Okay.”

After dinner, Lin Yanzhou called Meng Peisheng to report on the events of the day.

After exchanging a few words, Meng Peisheng mentioned something that made Uncle Zhou hesitate for a rare moment.

“Young Master is here.

Would you like to speak with him directly?”

Sang Miao could tell that this old man, despite his respectful demeanor, was actually enjoying the drama.

Meng Xici took the phone and heard his father say, “I’ll make time to attend the parent-teacher meeting the night after tomorrow.”

Without thinking, he blurted out, “It’s okay.

If you’re too busy, you don’t have to make a special trip back.”

Meng Peisheng paused slightly.

This was the first time he had ever heard those words from his son.

In the past, he would always ask if his father had time to attend.

Even though he tried to hide it, his anticipation was always obvious in his tone.

Who was Meng Peisheng?

A master at reading people’s hearts.

A child’s thoughts were as transparent as a blank page before him.

But this time, he was certain that there was no hint of reluctance in his son’s voice.

It was indeed unusual…

However, what came next was even more surprising.

Over the phone, the teenager hesitated before saying, “Actually… someone else could go instead…”

He faltered.

He suddenly realized he didn’t know how to refer to Sang Miao.

After considering it for a moment, he gave up no matter how he addressed her, it would sound off.

“Someone at home can attend.

The school called her in last time too, didn’t they?”

Meng Peisheng was sure he hadn’t misheard.

“Sang Miao?”

“Yeah.

I just asked her she’s free.”

Meng Xici even remembered to take responsibility for the decision.

Meng Peisheng couldn’t recall the last time something had truly caught him off guard.

Maybe the shooting range incident had been a small surprise.

But even if he felt a ripple of emotion, he was too used to maintaining a composed exterior.

His voice remained as calm and detached as always.

“Alright.

We’ll go with what you decided.”

At the Sang family home, it was dinnertime.

Sang Yichen had been extremely busy these days.

Some of the investments had already been secured, the market trends were improving, and he had to make decisions on all the big and small matters.

Working late into the night had become routine.

Tonight was the first time in weeks that he had been home for dinner at a normal hour.

At the dining table, it was just him, Sang Jinglin, and Sang Rui.

Seeing Sang Rui looking pleased with herself, Sang Yichen recalled what his assistant had reported to him.

He asked in a cold voice, “I heard you took someone’s role recently?”

Right now, everything was under scrutiny.

Sang Rui was in the entertainment industry, where even the smallest action could become a trending topic.

He had no choice but to keep an eye on things.

Sang Rui was in the middle of having a shrimp peeled for her when she heard his words.

She flinched instinctively.

How did he find out so fast?

But she quickly regained her composure.

“What do you mean ‘took a role’?

The production team hadn’t signed a contract with anyone.

I went for the audition, and the director thought I was more suitable that’s all.”

Then, she added indignantly, “Cousin, why are you scolding me the moment you get home?”

Sang Rui had memories of her past life.

Although she hadn’t paid much attention to the entertainment industry back then, she remembered which dramas had become hits and which roles had skyrocketed in popularity.

How could she not seize this opportunity?

Thinking of her past life, she softened her tone.

“You’ve been so busy lately, Cousin.

You don’t need to worry about me.”

She then tentatively asked, “How is the company doing now?”

Sang Yichen replied indifferently, “Since when did you start caring about the company?”

“Rui Rui is just being thoughtful and looking out for you,” Sang Jinglin said.

He had always been indulgent toward his sister’s two children.

Seeing the three of them gathered, he suddenly thought of Sang Miao.

“Miao Miao hasn’t been home for a while.

I wonder how she’s doing lately.”

“Your aunt mentioned this afternoon that they’re coming over for dinner the day after tomorrow.

Rui Rui, why don’t you ask your sister if she’s free to join us?

Maybe she and Peisheng can come together.”

“Oh.”

Sang Rui pulled out her phone.

She had been so busy with her career that she hadn’t checked in on her sister.

Besides, her time at the Meng family home had been short.

With Meng Peisheng rarely around, she barely saw him.

Nothing much had happened during that period anyway.

But asking would be pointless.

Even if her sister was free, Meng Peisheng wouldn’t come.

She called Sang Miao.

“Sis, Uncle wants to know if you’re free to come home for dinner the day after tomorrow.”

“Aunt and the others will be there too.

They also asked if your husband wanted to come.”

The next second, Sang Miao’s voice came through the phone, calm and unhurried.

“Tell Uncle that Meng Peisheng is on a business trip these days.

I have to attend a parent-teacher meeting the day after tomorrow, so I won’t be able to make it.

I’ll visit another day.”

Sang Rui froze.

“?”

A parent-teacher meeting?

For whom?

Meng Xici’s???

She…

How could she be attending a parent-teacher meeting?