After Helping the Protagonist Escape From a Madman, I Became His Target [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 21.2

The day before the National Day holiday, Shen Luyang sat in the office, mulling over what homework to assign.

Some problems on the school-issued worksheets were honestly useless. He did every sheet himself first, crossing out anything particularly obscure or eccentric. It had been two days since the last sudden mission failure. Shen Luyang had questioned the system extensively about whether there had been any change in the emotional status between Xie Weihan and Shi Fan.

The system offered him a round of exuberant praise.

[Teacher Xie’s state is very composed. He hasn’t developed a single shred of feeling for Shi Fan. You need to keep at it, Luyang—strive to win Teacher Xie over once and for all!]

Shen Luyang criticized it solemnly: What effort am I supposed to put in? If I try any harder, I’m finished. Tongtong, what kind of bizarre punishment is this? That’s the third time! Teacher Xie and I are two perfectly decent, innocent people; behaving like this all the time is simply scandalous!

[Eeeeek~ Luyang, don’t you lust after Teacher Xie’s body?]

Shen Luyang was logically inconsistent but spoke with conviction: Of course I do. I lust after anyone who looks that good.

[Luyang, don’t you like Teacher Xie?]

Shen Luyang: That’s called admiration!

[ . ]

*******

Come the fifth period, Shen Luyang packed his things and headed for his last class before the holiday. Fifth period was Physics, sixth was Math, and after two periods of self-study, the holiday would officially begin.

The classroom felt like a pressure cooker ready to burst, buzzing with restless energy. The moment Shen Luyang stepped through the door, someone led the charge, and a crowd of students shouted in unison: “Happy holidays, Teacher Shen!”

Shen Luyang was startled. He leaned against the doorframe, looking at them with a grin. “With a greeting like that, I’m almost too embarrassed to come inside. Why don’t we just start the holiday right now?”

Xiang Lei chimed in from below: “Works for me, Teacher!”

“Alright!” Shen Luyang thought for two seconds and gave a grand wave of his hand. “Come on then! Student Xiang Lei, stand up and set an example for us. Start walking out right now! One, two, one!”

Hearing the words “stand up,” Xiang Lei bolted upright with a smile like a startled deer. But hearing the booming “one, two, one,” he sat back down awkwardly.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Luyang looked at him with exaggerated concern. “Does this student not like holidays?”

Xiang Lei tried to hide behind Peng Jun, but Peng Jun shoved a hand in his face. Xiang Lei muffled his voice: “I think I’d still rather listen to Teacher Shen’s lecture.”

Shen Luyang walked to the podium, took out the exercise book, and leaned back with a smile. “I know your hearts have already flown out the window. Just bear with me and cooperate. If I’m happy by the end of this last class, I might just ‘forget’ to assign homework.”

A cheer erupted from below, as if they could already see a homework-free seven-day break. The lure of “no homework” was too powerful; even the number of hands raised during questioning increased. With ten minutes left, the lesson objectives were already fully covered.

He closed his book and looked at the still-excited students, wanting to chat. “So, do you guys have plans for the break?”

“Yeah, traveling!”

“Gaming!”

“Doing homework!”

Looking at this group of teenagers, Shen Luyang suddenly felt like an old father. He cautioned them, “Don’t play too wild. There are plenty of bad people on the streets these days. Omegas, be careful not to stay out too late. Alphas, don’t get drunk and lose control. If anything happens, contact your parents or teachers immediately.”

He held up his phone and said lightheartedly, “Don’t forget me. Even on holiday, I’m still your teacher. If there’s an emergency, call me anytime. Your teacher will come rescue you in his Porsche.”

Zhan Jingmiao, still brooding over missing out on a ride last time, asked, “Can we call if it’s not an emergency?”

Shen Luyang laughed. “No way. I finally get a break; I just want to lie down.”

With two or three minutes left until the bell, Shen Luyang tapped the desk with a piece of chalk. “Homework. Class rep, come to my office later to collect it.”

Those words felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. The atmosphere in the room turned solemn instantly; it became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Shen Luyang picked up a stack of papers and pulled one out. “Physics quiz.”

The class watched expectantly.

Shen Luyang pulled a second sheet. “Specialized training.”

The class sensed something was wrong.

Shen Luyang picked up a third. “Mock exam set from the Experimental High School next door.”

The class began to frown.

Shen Luyang picked up a fourth. “Comprehensive review set from the science department physics teachers.”

Finally, someone couldn’t take it and shouted, “No way, Teacher! Weren’t you happy with this class?”

Shen Luyang looked up and grinned. “I was very happy.”

“Then why is there so much homework!”

Shen Luyang arched an eyebrow. “Who said this was homework?” He tossed the four sheets aside and picked up a single, brand-new page. “This is the homework. One sheet of Teacher Shen’s distilled hard work.”

Peng Jun froze, his brow furrowed. “Just one?”

Shen Luyang: “What, are you overwhelmed by my favor, Jun-jun?”

Peng Jun: “…”

The whole class was indeed overwhelmed. After an entire morning of every subject teacher handing out stacks of papers, Teacher Shen’s face seemed to glow with a saintly radiance! Teacher Shen was officially the GOAT!

“Hey, hey, don’t start cheering yet,” Shen Luyang held up the paper with one hand and pointed a pen at it with a suave gesture. “Look closely. Any problem with a ‘cross’ next to it—you don’t have to do it!”

“Holy crap!” a student blurted out. “Teacher Shen is a legend!”

The deafening applause drowned out the bell. A group of teenagers banged on desks and kicked chairs, as excited as if it were New Year’s Eve.

“Teacher Shen, you have my heart!”

“Teacher Shen, you’re the best!”

Shen Luyang laughed along. “Alright, alright. I wish you all a happy National Day! Have fun!”

******

His lips were still curled in a smile as he walked back to the office, feeling the pride of a father whose children were happy. Truthfully, the small amount of homework wasn’t because he was being lazy; he had simply integrated those other problems into their previous assignments in batches. He’d been subtle about it, and the silly kids hadn’t noticed.

Teacher Shen is resourceful.

Shen Luyang had planned to buy groceries after work, but the moment he started the car, the version of him that had worked fifteen days straight changed his mind. Groceries? He just wanted to lie down and sleep until noon tomorrow!

There were still two eggs in the fridge. He hesitated for a few seconds before pulling out his phone to order delivery. Cooking? That’s no way to treat the National Day holiday!

Slumped in his newly purchased beanbag chair, Shen Luyang scrolled through his phone like a lord, planning in his head: Day one, sleep. Day two, check out a tourist spot in the next city. Day three, movies and food. Day four…

He suddenly realized he didn’t actually have any friends here to hang out with. He had deleted all of the original owner’s “fair-weather friends.” Now his phone only contained contacts for students’ parents and fellow teachers. But listening to the teachers chat, it seemed they all had plans…

Except for… Teacher Xie.

Shen Luyang rubbed his chin. Teacher Xie hadn’t mentioned if he was busy or not. He thought about it and sent a WeChat message to Xie Weihan.

[Teacher Xie, are you free during the holiday?]

[Want to see a movie?]

Xie Weihan might have been busy; he didn’t reply immediately. Just as Shen Luyang was about to put his phone down, it rang. The caller ID read: “Mom.”

He answered: “Mom?”

Ning Wanshu’s gentle voice came through the line. “Baby, any plans for the holiday?”

Shen Luyang leaned back, burying himself in the beanbag. “Thinking of going to see a movie. Why, Mom?”

Ning Wanshu’s voice suddenly spiked with ill-concealed delight. “Are you seeing someone?”

Shen Luyang was stunned by the question before realizing the movie was with Xie Weihan. He quickly explained, “No, Mom, what are you thinking? It’s an Alpha, a colleague from my school.”

There was a silence for a few seconds on the other end. Finally, Ning Wanshu spoke with a tone of resolve: “An Alpha… isn’t out of the question. We could adopt a child if you want one, or if you don’t… I’m fine with it. I’ll talk to your father. Your brother—”

Hearing her get increasingly carried away, Shen Luyang cut her off. “Mom! No, it’s really not like that! Teacher Xie and I are just ordinary colleagues.” Fearing she’d say something even more shocking, he added, “Teacher Xie has a partner. Yes, he’s taken!”

Only then did she drop it, sounding quite regretful. “And here I thought my baby’s destiny had arrived.”

Shen Luyang couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s the rush, Mom? I’m only making 2,000 a month, and I don’t even have a permanent contract yet. I’m not exactly a catch. Anyway, why did you call?”

Ning Wanshu paused, then said tentatively, “Your father and I are taking two days off ourselves. Which day are you free to come home for dinner?”

Shen Luyang had thought it was something major. “Any day is fine; I don’t have much planned.”

“How about the 4th? I’ll have the driver pick you up,” Ning Wanshu said, sounding thrilled. “By the way, baby, don’t drive your new car. Your father is still a bit upset.”

“The 4th works,” Shen Luyang replied. His parents were usually too busy at the company to rest, so they’d only be free after handling business. Being a man of leisure, any time was fine for him. “I’ll drive myself. I won’t take that one.”

Ning Wanshu didn’t push it; she was just happy her son was coming. She cautioned him, “The weather forecast says the temperature is going to drop again, and there might be rain. Dress warmly and don’t catch a cold. Don’t rush when you’re driving; nothing is more important than safety. Do you have enough money? I put another 200,000 into that card today. Go out and have some fun during the holiday; buy yourself something you like…”

200,000.

Shen Luyang nearly shouted, “A mother’s love is the greatest thing on earth!”

After hanging up, WeChat showed a new message.

[Apologies, I have some things to attend to during the holiday.]

Shen Luyang stared at those words and muttered, “Teacher Xie is so polite.”

[OK]

[Let’s go another time when there’s a chance.]

*******

On the fourth day of the National Day holiday, Shen Luyang woke up early. He combed his hair into a more “adult” style and put on a sharp suit, trying his best not to look like a slacker. He looked so formal he could have been going to a government interview.

He had to. His father, the man who had brandished a meat cleaver to chase his son out of the house, couldn’t stand the sight of him looking “reckless.” Recalling the original owner’s memories, every visit home resulted in a massive shouting match. Because the son was a disappointment, the father found fault with everything from which foot he used to step into the house to his flashy pants.

Before leaving, Shen Luyang checked the mirror again, ensuring his appearance was respectable and disciplined. He tousled his hair slightly and admired the result. He concluded that he had good proportions and a solid frame; he looked good in a suit.

In the garage, aside from the ostentatiously colored Porsche he usually drove, there was a relatively low-key Ferrari. Shen Luyang chose that one and drove home.

His current apartment was diagonally across the city from his parents’ house. Due to National Day traffic, it was nearly 10:00 AM by the time he arrived. The maid, Auntie Guo, led him inside, whispering warnings all the way.

“Your father is in a bad mood today. Be on your best behavior when you go in. Don’t get scolded. And why did you drive this car? Your father will definitely get angry if he sees it.”

Shen Luyang jiggled the car keys, curious. “I didn’t drive the new one. Why would he be upset?”

Auntie Guo shot him a look of disappointment. “Did you already forget the time your father chased you around the villa with a belt because you bought this car?”

Shen Luyang: “…”

Truly, every car comes with its own spectacular backstory.

It was a miracle the father and son hadn’t killed each other yet. If either side had slipped up, one would be in jail and the other in a grave.

*******

Inside the villa, Ning Wanshu was telling her husband for the umpteenth time, “When Luyang gets back, don’t put on that sour face. The boy finally comes home, and you act like this. Aren’t you tired of it?”

Shen Tangping snorted. “If he did even one thing right, I wouldn’t get angry just looking at him!”

Shen Zhenzhe poured a cup of tea for his father. His face, visible behind his glasses, shared about fifty percent of Shen Luyang’s features, though it held a layer of coldness and severity. “Dad, don’t let it affect your health. If there’s anything to be said, I’ll speak to him.”

Ning Wanshu wasn’t having it. “Don’t you two be like that. Luyang is coming home for the holiday. Everyone, be happy!”

Shen Zhenzhe agreed on the surface. Although his mother had emphasized many times that his “younger brother had become very ambitious,” he held no hope for the sibling who had been a disappointment since his rebellious teenage years. To him, this “ambition” was just a tactic to trick the soft-hearted Ning Wanshu into trusting him, only to squeeze more money out of her later. He was like a piece of gum stuck to a shoe; disgusting and impossible to shake off.

Shen Luyang was led to the dining room, where he saw Ning Wanshu preparing breakfast in the kitchen with the maid. He called out, “Mom!”

Ning Wanshu turned around, her joy impossible to hide. “My baby is home! Come here, let Mom look at you.”

Shen Luyang obediently walked over and let her poke and prod him for a long time. Eventually, she reached the conclusion that “Luyang has gotten thin”, ,even though he’d weighed himself yesterday and found he’d gained two pounds. Truly, there is no thinness like the thinness a mother perceives.

He chatted with her for a while but was shooed out the moment he tried to help. “Go watch some TV. Oh, your brother brought me a kitten; it’s adorable. Go play with it for a bit; I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”

Shen Luyang had wanted to show off his cooking skills, but now he had to go face the storm.

Shen Tangping was sitting imperiously on the sofa, watching a patriotic war drama. Shen Zhenzhe sat on another sofa. They were commenting on the plot with such seriousness it felt less like watching TV and more like reviewing a legal document.

Shen Luyang immediately wanted to flee back to the kitchen to wash vegetables for his mother, but it was too late. Shen Zhenzhe looked up and saw him, a flash of disdain in his eyes. “Luyang, why didn’t you greet Dad first? You see us, and you want to leave?”

Whoa.

Shen Luyang’s brow quirked. That was quite the instigation. Is this really my brother?

As if to prove he wasn’t, Shen Zhenzhe frowned. Taking on the role of the eldest brother-as-father, he barked, “Luyang, can’t you hear me talking to you?”

The actual father hadn’t even spoken yet, but the “acting” father had already finished two rounds of scolding. Shen Luyang walked over and plopped down right next to Shen Tangping, greeting his biological father with enthusiasm. “Dad!”

Shen Tangping was stunned for a few seconds. It had been a long time since he’d seen his son; to say he didn’t miss him would be a lie. But the memory of brandishing a meat cleaver was still vivid, and he couldn’t quite find a way to let it go.

Shen Luyang realized his father was quite the “tsundere.”

Before Shen Zhenzhe could start more trouble, Shen Luyang cut him off: “Brother, I saw Mom busy in the kitchen, so I went to help. Why are you just sitting here? Mom was short-handed just now; you should have checked on her.”

Shen Zhenzhe choked. He wanted to say, “Alphas don’t cook; that’s an Omega’s job,” but in front of Shen Tangping, he had to swallow his words. He pivoted to something more annoying: “I heard about what happened at school. Fighting with the Duan family’s youngest son?”

Shen Luyang hadn’t even warmed his seat before getting a lecture. He wanted to laugh. Even if the original owner had been a saint, he wouldn’t have been able to stand his brother’s rapid-fire barrage of snide remarks.

He popped a strawberry into his mouth, acting as if he didn’t catch the subtext. “Brother, do you have business dealings with the Duans?”

Shen Zhenzhe: “We have some collaborations. We’re currently in negotiations.”

Shen Luyang: “That won’t do, Brother. Their youngest son has a character issue.”

Shen Zhenzhe’s brow furrowed. The company was very concerned with image. Setting aside his disdain for Shen Luyang, he asked, “What kind of issue?”

Shen Luyang sat up straight with a solemn face. “This involves a lot, so I can’t give you the details. In short, his character is very problematic. The evidence is clear, and the impact is exceptionally negative. Everyone who needs to know already knows; someone in your position should know too. I can’t say more, but with your resources, you can surely find out.”

Shen Zhenzhe: “…”

What is the difference between saying all that and saying nothing at all? Now he had to waste effort investigating!

Shen Tangping looked his younger son up and down. Perhaps the adult suit was working, because his tone softened slightly. “How are things at school?”

Shen Luyang sat at attention. “Very good. I really like the atmosphere there. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

Like Teacher Xie.

Shen Tangping nodded and said no more. Sending Shen Luyang to the school had been based on the thought that even if he acted out, those around him wouldn’t give him the chance. If he could make a few decent friends, that would be even better.

******

At the dinner table, Ning Wanshu kept piling food onto Shen Luyang’s plate, trying to find topics to chat about his life. He played along. He had originally intended to stay the night, but unexpectedly, Ning Wanshu received a call from the company right after eating and had to leave in a hurry with Shen Tangping.

By the time Shen Luyang left the house, it was only 3:00 PM. Teacher Jiang had mentioned a good roast duck place nearby, so he turned the wheel and decided to check it out. To his surprise, the shop was in a rather secluded area. The alley was too narrow, and fearing he’d scratch the car, he decided to walk the rest of the way.

The alley was small, narrow, and poorly maintained, with trash everywhere. Just as he picked up a plastic bottle to throw it into a bin, he stumbled upon an extortion in progress.

A boy wearing the Lanjiang Fifth High school uniform was pinned against a wall by his throat. He looked pathetic and was struggling to breathe, yet he still managed to choke out: “Dumbass.”

Shen Luyang squinted. His brow furrowed instantly.

Peng Jun?

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