C16 A Small Cat Whose Claws Were Ground away

"Why bring him up out of the blue? It's such a buzzkill."

Thinking of Leng Huaiqing's stern and merciless demeanor made Huo Mengmeng's mood sour.

After a brief complaint, she swiftly changed the subject: "Oh, there's going to be some juicy drama after the flag-raising ceremony next Monday. Just giving you a heads-up, hehe."

Zhao Xi could easily read between the lines of her best friend's words.

Recalling her dormmates mentioning that Huo Mengmeng's parents had been called in, she surmised that this issue was far from over.

Zhao Xi had made the call partly out of curiosity about whether Huo Mengmeng's long-concealed identity as the 'young mistress of the Leng family' was about to be exposed.

She inquired, "The Vice Principal and Mrs. Su must be aware of your identity by now, right? Did Mrs. Su turn as white as a sheet?"

Mrs. Su was the moniker the schoolgirls had for Chair Su from the discipline office, known for her temperamental outbursts, reminiscent of a woman going through menopause.

Huo Mengmeng laughed lightly, "Not only did Mrs. Su go pale, but she was so flustered she started stuttering. What did you expect?"

"That makes sense. Who else is Mrs. Su dealing with but the formidable Master Leng?" Zhao Xi couldn't resist complimenting Leng Huaiqing, "He's the one people and even ghosts bow down to in fear!"

"Hey, hey, hey, whose side are you on?" Huo Mengmeng couldn't help but cut in, "Are you his best friend? Why are you singing his praises?"

Zhao Xi chuckled, "My dear, I'm praising your brother. Shouldn't you feel a sense of pride and honor?"

"Absolutely not!" Huo Mengmeng vehemently disagreed.

Even though Leng Huaiqing was her 'brother' in name, and she did enjoy certain perks due to his status, just the thought of his perpetual scowl, as if he expected the whole world to obey him, made her instinctively want to rebel.

Yet, in reality, Huo Mengmeng only dared to entertain such thoughts privately, never daring to outwardly defy Leng Huaiqing.

In the presence of Leng Huaiqing's piercing gaze, she felt like a declawed kitten.

Zhao Xi was well aware of her best friend's temperament and wouldn't dream of taking her too seriously.

After planning to hit the mall together the next day to shop for clothes, they wrapped up their conversation.

The following morning, Huo Mengmeng rose bright and early.

A good night's sleep had fully recharged her, and she was brimming with energy.

She had just finished breakfast and was humming a tune on her way out when Leng Huaiqing's voice halted her, "Where are you off to?"

Huo Mengmeng's step faltered, nearly causing her to take a tumble, but she quickly recovered and flashed a radiant smile over her shoulder.

"Brother, good morning. I've had my breakfast, and Xi has invited me to go shopping."

"Did I say you could go out?" Leng Huaiqing gave Huo Mengmeng a cool, appraising look.

His tone, subtly authoritative, sent an involuntary shiver down Huo Mengmeng's spine.

Sensing Leng Huaiqing's disapproval of her outing, Huo Mengmeng hastily pleaded, "Brother, Xi and I have plans. We'll shop, grab lunch, and I'll be right back home. You wouldn't want her waiting for me at the mall for nothing, would you?"

She cast an anxious glance at the man who had just taken a seat, dreading a "No" that would confine her to another day of 'rest' at home.

To her relief, Leng Huaiqing didn't refuse. Instead, he replied with detached practicality, "It's early yet. I'll have Chu Jie drive you."

But this wasn't about Chu Jie giving her a lift.

It was clear he was meant to keep an eye on her!