Chapter 049: Call Your Mother

At this moment, inside the car parked in the lot, Lin Le and Lin Xueling sat side by side. Lin Xueling’s figure was remarkably tall; even in such a spacious vehicle, it seemed barely enough to accommodate her graceful form.

“Where did you get this car?” Lin Xueling demanded as soon as she got in.

“Someone gave it to me,” Lin Le replied truthfully.

“Someone gave it to you? Don’t think I don’t know, this car is worth nearly two million! Who would be so generous as to give you such an expensive car?” Lin Xueling clearly didn’t believe him.

“That’s none of your concern.” If not for the fact that Lin Xueling’s actions came from a place of genuine care, Lin Le would have had no patience for this obstinate woman.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Tell me honestly—have you gotten involved with the underworld?” Lin Xueling went straight to her suspicion.

“Are you working for Guan Tianxiong? Otherwise, how do you know Fire Ox from the Tianxiong Gang? And this car—Fire Ox said Guan Tianxiong wanted to treat you to dinner. Was this car a gift from him?” Lin Xueling laid out all her guesses in one breath.

“What?” Lin Le let out a bitter laugh, utterly impressed by his cousin’s imagination. No wonder she worked in media; her ability to piece together information was truly impressive, though not a single one of her conclusions hit the mark.

“Lin Le, I know your family is struggling financially, and I know you want others to respect you, but that’s no reason to throw away your integrity!” Lin Xueling admonished earnestly.

“Your uncle sent you to the army so you’d become a respectable man, but instead you learned how to fight and use it for the wrong purposes, acting like a thug!” she continued sternly.

“I really don’t have the energy to explain. Even if I did become a thug, what does it have to do with you? You and your parents have always looked down on us. I don’t need you meddling in my affairs!” What Lin Le couldn’t stand most was Lin Xueling’s self-righteous attitude, as if she saw through everything from a lofty perch.

“I don’t understand—when Lin Kai said he knew people from the Tianxiong Gang, you thought he was impressive. But now that I know them, you say I’ve fallen into disgrace?” Lin Le found her snobbery all too obvious.

Lin Xueling was momentarily stunned by his words.

Indeed, she hadn’t noticed this contradiction herself.

Was it just her bias against Lin Le, or did she hold him to a higher standard in her heart?

Lin Xueling didn’t bother to ponder it further. She knew only that, as Lin Le’s cousin, she absolutely couldn’t let him stray from the right path.

“So, you’re determined to go down this dark road?” Lin Xueling said coldly.

“I don’t care to explain. My business doesn’t need your interference!” Lin Le was exasperated; he didn’t want to waste another second arguing with this muddleheaded woman.

“Fine, then I’ll call your mother and let her handle you.”

Lin Xueling’s words were light, but she promptly opened the car door to leave.

“Cousin! I was wrong!” Lin Le hurriedly grabbed her hand, pulling her back into the car.

Now, Lin Xueling sat with her arms crossed, her expression proud and unyielding.

Lin Le had always feared his mother most. This tactic of Lin Xueling’s never failed; whenever he couldn’t resolve something, bringing up his mother always settled it.

“Do you admit you were wrong?” Lin Xueling asked coolly.

“Yes, I really was wrong.” Lin Le felt utterly aggrieved—he, the renowned Lin scion, whom even the Gu family of Haizhou sought to befriend, was forced to bow his head and confess fault to her.

“And what will you do from now on?” she pressed.

“I’ll keep my distance from the Tianxiong Gang and won’t get involved with them again.” Lin Le didn’t bother to explain further; he just hoped she would stop pestering him.

“Good. I’ll remember your words. If I see you associating with those thugs again, I’ll tell your mother immediately.”

With that, Lin Xueling left the car without another word.

Lin Le muttered a few complaints under his breath, got out, and trudged toward the classroom, thoroughly dejected.

As he entered, everyone in Class Eight, Grade Twelve, looked at him with awe.

The incident two days ago had spread throughout the class. Everyone knew this former fallen heir was now on the rise, with even the Tianxiong Gang connected to him. They regarded Lin Le with newfound respect.

Pan Hao and the basketball team members were more timid than ever when they saw him now. Since Lin Le’s arrival, Pan Hao and his crowd had kept a low profile, careful not to provoke him again.

Lu Hongzhe, seeing Lin Le, grinned widely. With Lin Le’s protection, Pan Hao and the others dared not bully him anymore.

“By the way, Brother Le, yesterday I saw the Battle Queen come to the classroom looking for you, but you were on leave,” Lu Hongzhe recalled during their chat.

“Battle Queen?” Lin Le was puzzled.

“The Director Ji from the discipline office—her nickname is Battle Queen. She’s Zhao Hu’s mother!” Lu Hongzhe explained.

“The Battle Queen is famous for being tough. I think she’s targeting you, Brother Le. You better be prepared,” Lu Hongzhe cautioned.

“I see.”

Lin Le had thought that after everything two days ago, Zhao Hu would finally behave. He hadn’t expected Zhao Hu’s mother to get involved—it seemed the trouble would never end.

Yet, the entire day passed without the Battle Queen coming to stir up trouble.

The day flew by, and Lin Le spent the afternoon admiring the goddess-teacher He Ruolan, prompted by Lu Hongzhe’s constant chatter.

He Ruolan’s appearance and demeanor were undeniably outstanding. She possessed a mature, intellectual charm that was truly eye-catching. Her elegant professional attire only amplified her irresistible allure, even Lin Le found her rare and captivating.

Lin Le thought to himself, in terms of looks and temperament, He Ruolan was no less than Tang Nianchen. Yet, Tang Nianchen hailed from Haizhou’s richest family and carried a proud air in her bones. Compared to her, He Ruolan, with her similarly cool and graceful demeanor, seemed much more approachable—at least she didn’t intimidate others.

If Lin Le had to choose, he would much prefer a woman like He Ruolan.

The day slipped by quickly.

By the last period, Lin Le had packed his things, planning to head to the Longxi Mountain villa, as he’d arranged with Gu Ya earlier that morning.

Just then, a stern voice sounded from the classroom door.

“Where’s Lin Le from your class? Tell him to come out!”

The speaker was a stout, middle-aged woman whose face made it clear she was not to be trifled with.

The moment she appeared, all the students fell silent, obviously fearful of her.

“That’s the Battle Queen, Zhao Hu’s mother! Brother Le, you’re in real trouble now!” Lu Hongzhe’s worst fears had come true.

Lin Le snorted inwardly. Clearly, after he embarrassed Zhao Hu, his mother was here for revenge, to hold him accountable.

First Zhao Mingyi, then Zhao Hu, and now even his mother had appeared. Well, let’s see just how outrageous the Zhao family can get!

As Lin Le walked out, the class whispered among themselves.

Everyone knew Director Ji was notorious for protecting her own. Lin Le had injured her son Zhao Hu and humiliated him in front of the entire student body. Director Ji would never let him off easily—this time, Lin Le’s prospects looked grim.

Pan Hao and his friends were secretly pleased. Zhao Hu had already said yesterday that his mother would take care of Lin Le, and now she had arrived.

No matter how formidable Lin Le was, no matter what backing he had from the Tianxiong Gang, this was still a school. He couldn’t hope to outmatch the discipline director here! They’d make sure he couldn’t stay in school—no gang could save him!

As Lin Le stepped out, he saw the short, stout Battle Queen, Ji Guihua, standing there, glaring at him with stern authority.

“I’m officially notifying you—you’re expelled. Go pack your things and get out of this school immediately!” Ji Guihua barked, leaving no room for argument.