Chapter 144: This Old Rascal is Extremely Wicked

Zhang Shen picked up his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and felt a slight surge of surprise. He had never seen this number before. A mischievous suspicion grew stronger in his mind.

However, since whoever was calling had reached out so early, it was evident they were exceptionally dedicated. Yet, Zhang Shen deliberately kept his phone on silent.

In this way, he could maintain a blissful ignorance of the world outside his window.

After Zhang Shen and Meng Ran finished washing up, they headed straight downstairs to the classroom. Wang Ying and Ye Qiong, however, had arrived long before the two lazybones. The moment she caught sight of Zhang Shen, Wang Ying could not help asking, "How is Jiang Muyun doing since last night?"

Observing Wang Ying's anxious expression, Zhang Shen realized that Meng Ran had not yet revealed the specific details of the previous night's events to her. Accordingly, Zhang Shen replied evasively, "Actually, she's fine. It was just her old condition acting up."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ying simply let out a brief "Oh." Yet, after pondering for a long while, she finally could not resist voicing what was truly on her mind.

"Um, there's something I want to ask you!"

Given Wang Ying's somewhat timid demeanor, Zhang Shen actually felt a bit unaccustomed to it. Nonetheless, ignoring her unusual attitude for the moment, he responded, "Go ahead, tell me."

"That matter regarding the Panlong Restaurant and Long Si you visited last time... is there still no news yet? I..."

Wang Ying's voice trailed off halfway through, leaving the sentence unfinished. Zhang Shen naturally understood that although several days had passed since the incident involving her father's poisoning, and despite the fact that Elder Wang had already initially recovered, Wang Ying still wished to pursue the mastermind behind the scenes.

However, Zhang Shen himself did not have the slightest clue. Just as he was preparing to offer some kind words of comfort—pointing out that exams were fast approaching and her primary focus should be on the upcoming graduation tests—a stern voice suddenly rang out from the doorway of the classroom.

"Zhang Shen, get out here!"

At that instant, the eyes of the entire class turned toward the doorway in unison, and then snapped back to look at Zhang Shen.

Zhang Shen himself felt rather baffled. He thought to himself that this old man had been getting along splendidly with him just last night; how could he have changed completely overnight?

"Principal, what is it?"

Zhang Shen had not expected Principal Chen Rong to come looking for him in the classroom during the very first class of the early morning, which caught him somewhat off guard.

"I called you this morning. Why didn't you answer?"

Listening to Chen Rong's words, Zhang Shen finally realized that the call he had dismissed as a nuisance earlier that morning was actually from the principal. Yet, a second thought crossed Zhang Shen's mind: wasn't this old man being a bit foolish? Couldn't he have just had Hao Lei make a call instead of making such a grand fuss and shouting from the doorway?

Of course, faced with Chen Rong's inquiry, Zhang Shen certainly could not tell him that he had assumed it was some clueless young girl calling and had therefore ignored it, even putting the phone on silent.

Without waiting for Zhang Shen's reply, Chen Rong continued, "Get out here!"

"Out?"

Zhang Shen sensed there must be a story behind this. Yet, whether because he actually liked attending classes or because a wire had somehow crossed in his brain, he bluntly replied, "I still have class!"

"I've already spoken with your head teacher. You don't need to attend classes today!"

As every student knows, hearing those words is infinitely more thrilling than getting a perfect score on an exam. At that moment, Zhang Shen could clearly perceive the looks of burning envy radiating from his classmates.

Still, since the principal had spoken in front of the entire class, he had nothing left to fear. Resigned to his fate, he walked over to Chen Rong, and the two of them vanished from the gaze of the crowd.

It wasn't until they reached the school gates that Zhang Shen could no longer hold back his curiosity and asked, "Principal, where on earth are we going? Can you give me a straight answer now?"

Chen Rong merely smiled and remained silent, an expression that stood in stark contrast to his previous sternness.

"You'll see when we get there!"

Chen Rong's words were essentially a bowl of bewitching broth poured down Zhang Shen's throat. But since the principal had already put it that way, asking any further questions would be utterly pointless.

Arriving at the entrance, the two of them found a business-class Mercedes-Benz waiting for them.

Chen Rong said to Zhang Shen, "Get in."

Though clueless about the implications, Zhang Shen saw that Chen Rong had already climbed inside, leaving him with no way to back out even if he wanted to. With no other choice, he steeled himself and boarded the vehicle.

Luxury business vehicles were indeed different, especially to Zhang Shen, who had never experienced anything beyond luxury sedans; riding in a business van was a first for him.

As Zhang Shen inspected the amenities inside the cabin, his first thought was that once again, some high-ranking official or wealthy notable must have sought out Chen Rong, who in turn had enlisted him to provide medical treatment.

At the moment, he could only think of this single possibility, since in his view, this was his only unique skill. Surely they couldn't be doing this purely to let him experience what it felt like to ride in a luxury car!

Nevertheless, Zhang Shen deliberately kept his guard up as he observed Chen Rong. The old man, however, seemed entirely unconcerned, simply resting his eyes in quiet contemplation.

The car traveled entirely along routes unfamiliar to Zhang Shen, leaving him with no idea how much longer it would take to reach their destination. Eventually, he simply decided to close his eyes as well.

...

He had no idea how much time had passed; he only sensed some murmuring near his ears. When he groggily opened his eyes again, he found Chen Rong leaning close to him.

"Principal..."

"We've arrived. Time to get out!"

With that, Chen Rong turned and stepped out of the vehicle, and Zhang Shen quickly followed behind him.

The moment he stepped out, Zhang Shen could hardly believe the estate before his eyes. Mountains and waters blended seamlessly, making him feel as though he had stepped right into a landscape painting. Just as Zhang Shen was still admiring the scenery of the estate, Chen Rong had already greeted someone behind him.

"Sister-in-law!"

"Principal Chen, why did it take you so long?"

Hearing this simple exchange of greetings, Zhang Shen's immediate impression was that the voice sounded utterly familiar. Just as he was about to turn around, he realized that the person standing right before him was none other than Tian Rong.

"Isn't this..."

Hearing Zhang Shen's half-spoken words, Chen Rong interjected, "This is Tian Rong, the wife of Tao Yang from Ankang Hospital. You just met her last night."

"Then where is this?"

"Naturally, it's where they live."

Faced with Chen Rong's words and looking at Tian Rong standing right in front of him, Zhang Shen knew this must be the truth. Yet why hadn't Chen Rong told him the truth on the way here? This old man certainly had a rather peculiar way of thinking.

Right then, only a single thought echoed in Zhang Shen's mind: Chen Rong, that old rascal, was truly wicked, and was undoubtedly playing some new trick in his heart.

Still, since he had already arrived, he had no choice but to take things as they came and make the best of it!