Chapter 609: Chapter 609: Scum
Li Yufei’s expression grew increasingly somber.
If Junjun really knew a student from over there, this would be a huge deal.
The secretary noticed her mood and carefully asked, “President Li, shall I go check it out for you?”
“No need, I will go personally, you can go back.”
“Yes.”
Li Yufei put all the documents back into her handbag, staring blankly at the newly framed photo on the table.
If Junjun really went to West Street and got to know students from that school, regardless of gender, she would demand he sever ties.
But how should she talk to Junjun about it?
If this incident causes a rift between her and Junjun, that would be a loss, so she decided to visit the school first, understand this student’s situation, and then have a chat with Junjun depending on the circumstances.
Thinking of this, Li Yufei immediately picked up her handbag and headed downstairs.
She had to make a trip to this school.
…
The afternoon on West Street saw almost no sunlight.
The sun was blocked by the towering buildings. Though West Street was situated in the west, ironically, it couldn’t see the most beautiful sunset.
Li Yufei parked her car across from the entrance of “West Street Experimental Primary School” as per the address.
At this time, the younger kids had already finished class. They walked home in small groups, playing and bantering along the way.
She intentionally observed and found that these kids were indeed different from those she had encountered before. Especially the boys, who were more cocky and reckless, didn’t even bother to dodge when a car approached but rather playfully attempted to stop cars.
Some kids even used water guns to spray at the cars.
If she had parked at the school gate earlier, these kids would surely have sprayed water on her car.
Li Yufei got out of the car with her handbag, observing the passing children. Some kids were quite polite, obediently walking on the sidewalk without causing trouble or talking, looking rather out of place.
She felt slightly relieved, realizing not all kids from West Street were bad.
Li Yufei approached the school gate, intending to speak to the guard, register, and then enter the school. However, the guard didn’t even glance at her, engrossed in watching TV and eating seeds, not caring if any stranger entered the school.
A little girl, eyes bright, said to her, “Auntie, your clothes are so pretty.”
“Hello, little girl.” Li Yufei had bought some candies on the way to connect and chat with these kids. Now she took one out and handed it to her, “Do you know where Class 2 of Grade 3 is?”
“Oh, you’re going to Class 2? I’ll take you there! I’m from Class 1, right next to them.”
“Really, then I’m bothering you.”
“No bother at all. Hmm… are you someone’s mom?” the girl asked cautiously.
Li Yufei replied succinctly, “I’m looking for a student named ‘Xiaoyi’.”
The little girl nodded and led the way ahead.
Li Yufei noticed her clothes faded from washing and glanced around.
The school’s students seemed to be in poor condition.
Most of the students came from ordinary families.
Students wearing faded uniforms were everywhere.
Could this have been the school Junjun attended?
Soon enough.
The two of them arrived at the entrance of Class 2 of Grade 3.
A girl, with sparse, dull hair, so skinny and emaciated that her yellowish face showed no trace of flesh, as if just skin clung to bones, stood punished outside the classroom door.
The kids inside were messing about noisily, the teacher didn’t seem to care, yet she stood pitifully outside.
What mistake could such a child make?
She probably didn’t even have the strength to talk, let alone create trouble like those kids inside. Why was she being punished to stand outside?
Li Yufei walked over to the child, offering the candy to her palm, “Little one, do you know ‘Xiaoyi’?”
The girl raised her head.
This woman was so beautiful, more beautiful than any woman she had ever seen.
She had a strong yet gentle aura, making one want to be close to her, to hug her, even though she didn’t seem easy to approach.
“I’m ‘Xiaoyi’, Rong Xiaoyi.” The girl’s voice was small, trembling.
She wasn’t scared, just underdeveloped, struggling even to speak.
Rong Xiaoyi?
Li Yufei took out the handbag to show her, “Do you recognize this?”
Rong Xiaoyi nodded slowly, “This is my brother’s thing.”
Rong Ling, Rong Xiaoyi.
Li Yufei immediately understood.
She had gotten it wrong.
Junjun didn’t know any student from West Street; this handbag was something forgotten in her car by a boy named Rong Ling yesterday.
She examined the little girl in front of her. Despite her lack of good feelings toward her brother, this child looked too frail and pitiable.
As a mother herself, she felt a sudden wave of compassion.
Li Yufei said, “I see. Isn’t it class time now? Why aren’t you in class?”
Rong Xiaoyi was a bit aggrieved, “My homework is all in this bag. My brother said he accidentally lost my handbag. I explained it to the teacher, but the teacher insisted I was making excuses for not doing my homework, so I’m being punished to stand outside the classroom.”
After saying this, she gently lowered her head, nervously fidgeting with her fingers, suddenly thinking of something, she asked, “Are you a friend of my brother?”
She only knew her brother had no friends.
This woman was so beautiful, and her scent was so pleasant, surely she must be amazing, maybe a new friend of her brother.
“I’m not really acquainted with him. He just left something in my car.” Li Yufei paused, frowning tightly, “You must explain it clearly to the teacher.”
“Yes, once class is over, I’ll find the teacher to explain.” Rong Xiaoyi gently squeezed her hand, looking at her seriously, “Thank you, Auntie.”
Li Yufei stared at the emaciated, sallow-faced little girl in front of her…
She couldn’t understand, how could a family raise their daughter like this?
Could it be, that boy named Rong Ling secretly mistreats his sister?
It could also be due to poor family conditions.
This sort of poverty, this sort of hardship, was an area she had never explored.
Ultimately, she took out all the candies, placed them in the handbag, and handed it to Rong Xiaoyi.
She instructed, “This is something your brother forgot to take. Remember to give it to him when you get home.”
Rong Xiaoyi nodded, “Okay, I will. Thank you, Auntie.”
Li Yufei was supposed to leave.
But having just descended the stairs, the image of Rong Xiaoyi’s thin, haggard figure popped into her mind.
She suddenly felt that this girl was quite pitiful.
Growing up in such a family, with such a delinquent for a brother, was unlucky for her.
However, she had no extra energy to care for someone else’s child.
Rong Ling’s stuff, which was left in her car, she had now returned to its owner.
Li Yufei left the school without looking back.