Chapter 903

Chu Xuan left halfway through her class and returned home, naturally surprising Mrs. Chu. She hurriedly approached Chu Xuan, grabbing her hands and examining her up and down with an anxious tone, “Xuanxuan, why are you back? Are you feeling unwell?”

Chu Xuan burst into tears before she could even speak, “Mom, sister… she has been speaking ill of us to others. I’m sorry, at first, I thought she was talking about me, so I didn’t inquire further. It was only today that I found out she was also talking about you. Now our classmates are saying that we mistreat her, claiming that the Chu family has wronged her.”

“What?” Mrs. Chu’s eyes widened in astonishment. “I took her back and provided her with good food and care. I even sent her to such a good school. How could we mistreat her? She’s the one who engages in underhanded tactics, always scheming and calculating. I haven’t even reprimanded her yet, and she dares to spread rumors?”

Chu Xuan said in distress, “Perhaps there were more people spreading rumors where she used to live, so she developed this kind of character. She doesn’t know that people with status need to be mindful of their words and actions. These past few days, I’ve been feeling like many people are watching me at school, giving me strange looks. After asking around, I found out that they all say I’m greedy for money and that I drove her out of the house. Mom, I’ve been defending her at school, afraid that others might misunderstand her. I’ve been speaking up for her in front of our classmates, but she never appreciates it. She claims that I’m accusing her of everything. I can’t continue staying at that school anymore.”

Chu Xuan continued, crying with a particularly aggrieved expression. “Mom, it was actually me who suggested boarding at school first. I don’t know why she rushed to apply for it ahead of me. Now she accuses me of monopolizing the family, and it hurts. I’ve been keeping so many things from you, not telling you, but now she’s causing such a commotion that I can’t bear to stay at school anymore. Mom, what should I do…”

Mrs. Chu felt a throbbing sensation in her temples, and anger surged within her heart. “Xuanxuan, stop crying. I’ll go and find her to see what she’s up to. This is outrageous! It’s only been three months, and she’s revealing her true nature. Is she so reckless and thoughtless? Has she ever considered our family name? Others will mock us, and she’ll be mocked along with us!”

Chu Xuan tried to stop her, “Mom, please don’t go to the school. Everyone in the whole school is saying that you’re biased and unworthy of being a mother. If you go, you’ll definitely face criticism. Please don’t go.”

Mrs. Chu was taken aback, “Everyone in the whole school is saying that I’m biased?”

Chu Xuan nodded, “Mom, when you froze Chu Xiang’s card and wanted her to come back home, she’s been eating steamed buns in the school cafeteria every day. I gave her the card, but she refused it and even scolded me, telling me to stay away from her in the future. I feel terrible. I bring my meals to eat in the classroom every day. Today, I found out that many people are saying you only care about me and don’t care about Chu Xiang, forcing her to eat poorly. Chu Xiang also said she doesn’t dare to come back home, fearing that she’ll be confined and denied meals by you.”

What’s the difference between eating steamed buns in front of so many people at school and eating poor-quality food? Mrs. Chu’s face turned red with anger. “She did it on purpose! We have always eaten the same food at home. Now she’s tarnishing our family’s reputation outside. This foolish girl! You stay at home; I’ll go find your homeroom teacher and bring her back directly.”

Chu Xuan held her back, looking at her with a troubled expression as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Mrs. Chu knew that it couldn’t be anything good. She looked at her sternly and said, “What else has she done? Xuanxuan, if you don’t want to make me angry, don’t hide things from me. If you had told me about the school situation earlier, how could she have been causing trouble for so long?”

Chu Xuan whispered, “Mom, I’ve noticed that Chu Xiang has been buying expensive things lately, but she hasn’t been working. Recently, she’s been hanging out with some rich guys quite frequently. I talked to her and told her not to accept gifts from others so casually, but she told me not to meddle in her business.”

Mrs. Chu’s vision darkened, and she raised her hand to press against her forehead, taking a moment to calm herself. She was so angry that she trembled. “What’s the difference between her and being kept by someone? She’s disgracing the Chu family! She has no shame, but the Chu family still does!”

“Mom! Mom, are you okay? Quickly, sit down on the sofa,” Chu Xuan supported her and helped her sit down. She worriedly handed her some water, her face filled with concern. “Mom, don’t get angry. Your health is not good, and I shouldn’t have told you all this.”

“Tell me! What else do you know? I thought she would behave better at school, but she’s causing so many problems. Chu Xuan, you should know what matters and what doesn’t. I don’t know what she’s been up to, so how can I manage her?” Mrs. Chu was even angry with Chu Xuan. “We let you stay because we like you. You don’t owe Chu Xiang anything. If you’re helping her hide things out of guilt, you’re harming her and the Chu family.”

Chu Xuan lowered her head and bit her lip. “Mom, there’s really nothing much. She was like she usually is at home, not talking to anyone, nothing special. It was just that after she fell into the water, I don’t know why, but she changed completely. She… she actually went to the locker room and cut my school uniform into pieces. She even scribbled on my face with a pen.”