Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 73

After ordering the food, Lu Tang casually turned his head and, as if by coincidence, saw the father and son at the neighboring table. He smiled at the father, “You’re here too?”

The father collected himself and raised his wine glass in a toast to Lu Tang, returning a smile, “They say the food here is good.”

Lu Tang smiled back across the table, “Yes, it is.”

After scanning the students at that table, he said no more and turned back to chat with his friends.

The greeting ended there.

Xue Tian sat there, pale-faced.

He thought Lu Tang would at least greet him since they knew each other and Lu Tang was aware he had been looking for Liang Cheng these past few days. He had even prepared his own greeting, but nothing happened. Why? Why didn’t Lu Tang greet him? Was his seat not visible enough?

Today, he was the star of his table!

Did rich young masters have to look down on people?

What should have been a pleasant meal left Xue Tian fuming inside. His anger lingered until the meal ended and he arranged to meet the father and son at Qiao Family Inn the next morning to set off together. Only then did some of his frustration dissipate.

After they parted ways, Xue Tian glanced back at the main hall of Si Feng Restaurant.

At Lu Tang’s table, dishes were piled high, and the three were laughing heartily, slapping the table in amusement.

The scene stung Xue Tian’s eyes. Clenching his fists tightly, he walked away.

One day, he would return in glory and make these people kneel at his feet and cry!

Gu Yunhe had given Xue Tian a considerable amount of silver, all of which he kept for himself without leaving any for his mother.

After buying some travel necessities, Xue Tian returned home with his bags, only to be greeted by a flying broom as soon as he entered the courtyard.

His mother stood in the middle of the yard, hands on her hips, shouting angrily, “So, your wings have grown strong, and you think you can kick your old mother away? The whole town knows you’ve struck it lucky, getting in with Lord Gu. He’s sending you to the capital, and your poor mother knew nothing about it! You little brat, are you planning to go to the capital and leave your old mother here? Let me tell you, stop dreaming!”

Xue Tian was already irritated, and seeing his mother making a scene made him even more furious.

“Why do you need to go to the capital? I’m going there to study and will stay at the academy. Where will you stay? We don’t have the money to rent a place.”

From the start, he had never intended to take his mother with him.

He only wanted to escape.

Escape from Sihe Town, escape from Qingshui County.

“I have my own place to stay!” his mother snorted. “You may be heartless, but there are still kind people in the world.”

Something about her words felt off, and Xue Tian’s heart sank, “Did Xue Min find you?”

The mention of Xue Min made his mother’s face change, her eyes turning red with fury as she glared at Xue Tian like a vengeful wolf. After a long silence, she laughed.

“You wish Xue Min would find me so you could bask in her glory. Let me tell you, you’ll never get a chance to benefit from Xue Min.”

Xue Tian frowned.

If not Xue Min, then who?

“Someone from the Liang family came,” his mother sneered.

Those words made Xue Tian freeze as if he had been struck by lightning.

His mother seemed to enjoy his reaction, watching him for a while before continuing, “Back then, the engagement between Xue Min and Liang Cheng didn’t work out, but Liang Cheng is still kind-hearted.”

Before she could finish, Xue Tian, like a trapped animal, lunged at her, grabbing her wrist and shaking her violently.

“Someone from the Liang family came? They gave you money? The Liang family ignored us for so many years, and now they suddenly give you money?”

His mother tried to shake him off, but Xue Tian was too strong. Glaring at him, she spat, “They gave it to me because of Xue Min.”

“Rubbish! Xue Min has been gone for years, and the Liang family never visited. Why would they give you money now? To them, Xue Min is already dead!”

Xue Tian felt like he was losing his mind.

Breathing heavily, he stared at her, “Who from the Liang family came, and what did they say?”

“If it weren’t for them, I’d still be in the dark! Even the Liang family knows you’re going to the capital to study, but I was kept in the dark. Whatever they gave, it’s none of your business. It’s for Xue Min. I won’t spend your money to go to the capital!”

Xue Tian knew his mother’s nature. Ever since their family fell into ruin, she clung to money tightly. She wouldn’t part with a coin unless necessary.

Today, whatever the Liang family brought, she wouldn’t let it go.

Sighing heavily, Xue Tian released her wrist and softened his tone, “It’s not that I don’t want to take you. We don’t have money, and you’ll suffer without food and shelter. Since the Liang family gave us money, it’s great that you can come with me. You can take care of me, and I won’t have to worry.”

His softened tone made his mother’s face relax.

After a moment, Xue Tian asked, “What else did the Liang family say? I should thank them before we leave.”

“They didn’t say much, just took the trinkets you had collected.”

Xue Tian felt as if struck by lightning again.

“What did you say?”

Seeing his reaction, his mother sneered, “Didn’t expect your fake mementos for Xue Min to bring real silver.”

If the person before him wasn’t his mother and killing wasn’t illegal, Xue Tian would have strangled her.

“You gave them those things?”

“What’s the point of keeping junk? Did you expect to keep fooling Liang Cheng with them? Take advantage of their gratitude while it lasts and convert it into money. Or do you want to leave it for rats?”

A wave of anger surged through Xue Tian, making it hard to breathe.

He had painstakingly kept those items for so long, waiting for the right moment to use them, only for his mother to give them away for some silver?

Unable to say another word, Xue Tian stormed into his room.

After a frenzied search, he found that all his paper boats were gone.

Suddenly, he thought of that noon’s meal.

No wonder Lu Tang and his friends went to eat, and Liang Cheng didn’t show up.

They must have done it on purpose!

Lu Tang and his friends distracted him at Si Feng Restaurant while Liang Cheng sent someone to retrieve the items!

Consumed by rage, Xue Tian grabbed whatever was at hand and hurled it across the room.

They thought he was finished without those items?

They underestimated Xue Tian!