Transmigrated as the fake young master, I'll beat up the scumbags and b*tches Vol. 1 - Chapter 273 - Alone

Perhaps it was because they had been inford in advance—by the ti HuMing and the others arrived at the Xia family estate, several servants were already lined up outside the grand gates to welco them.

HuMing stepped out of the car, his gaze calmly sweeping over the surroundings.

There were no other neighbors nearby; the area was perfectly suited for quiet recuperation. It also made it easier to conceal Xia XiaoXi’s identity. Still, it was hard to imagine how Xia Chen had managed to live in such a secluded place for so many years without going stir-crazy.

Just as HuMing stepped through the front door, he spotted a tall, well-dressed man sitting on the sofa in the main hall, a newspaper unfolded in his hands. Though the man’s expression was unreadable, there was an undeniable air of authority about him.

Xia Chen casually handed his schoolbag to a nearby maid, then strode over to the man and greeted him.

“Dad, I’m back. HuMing’s here too.”

At the sound of Xia Chen’s voice, the man finally lifted his head, his sharp gaze settling on HuMing.

Gu YunZhou, standing beside HuMing, instinctively straightened under that gaze, feeling the sa kind of unease he felt in front of his own father.

This man was Xia GaoWu.

He sized HuMing up carefully. Though he’d often heard his daughter and son ntion HuMing’s na, this was his first ti seeing the boy in person.

But unlike Gu YunZhou, HuMing t Xia GaoWu’s eyes calmly, unflinching, as if entirely unaffected by the man’s imposing presence. Xia GaoWu found himself rather satisfied—his first impression of HuMing wasn’t bad at all.

“Have a sit. The chef is preparing dinner, it’ll be ready soon.”

The three of them took seats beside Xia GaoWu, making light conversation about trivial matters.

Oddly enough, Xia GaoWu never once asked Gu YunZhou about the Gu family, nor did he ntion them in passing. It seed he had no intention of bringing them up at all.

“YunZhou, it’s been quite so ti since the last banquet. I heard you and Xia Chen are classmates—getting along fine at school, I hope?”

“No trouble at all. Xia Chen’s a very good person. He’s active in class too.” Gu YunZhou replied politely.

But at those words, HuMing shot his cousin a strange look.

When had Xia Chen ever been active in class? As far as HuMing knew, the guy usually dozed off the mont class was over. And those few classmates who approached him always called him “Brother Chen” with a tone that made one wonder what kind of tricks Xia Chen had pulled to earn such respect.

“You’re all classmates. If there’s ever any trouble, don’t hesitate to speak up. There are things the older generation might not be able to handle, but sotis you kids can settle them yourselves.”

HuMing narrowed his eyes slightly, silently taking in Xia GaoWu’s words.

The conversation andered like this, household chatter mixed with subtle undertones. Strangely, Xia GaoWu barely ntioned HuMing’s na throughout, and HuMing had the distinct sense that the man intended to speak with him privately.

That, in itself, made HuMing curious. What kind of matter required such caution from Xia GaoWu, to the point of needing a private discussion?

He couldn’t figure it out, but he didn’t press the issue either—he rely waited, patient as ever.

Because of the guests, tonight’s dinner was especially lavish. Xia Chen, ever the opportunist, managed to sneak in a few photos of HuMing while snapping pictures of the spread, promptly packaging them up and sending them to Xia XiaoXi.

She responded with a sticker full of envy and dramatic despair.

Naturally, she wanted to pry into HuMing’s situation further, but Xia Chen honestly had no idea how far HuMing had gotten with his plans.

This earned him a round of silent disdain from his sister. She desperately wanted to know whether HuMing had uncovered any secrets within the Gu family.

Her theory was that HuMing’s true identity was likely the Gu family’s legitimate eldest son, while that Gu ZhaoChuan was rely a puppet installed in his place. More than once, she’d been tempted to return to the capital herself and expose the imposter—but doing so would risk derailing HuMing’s carefully laid plans.

It was exhausting, having her enemy so close yet unable to act.

She truly didn’t understand how HuMing managed to endure it all.

“YunXi, co look at HuMing!”

Han YunXi set down her milk tea. Beside her, countless shopping bags lay piled like small hills.

They’d been out shopping when Xia Chen ssaged Xia XiaoXi. Now, they’d found a spot to rest, and Xia XiaoXi was waving her phone excitedly.

Han YunXi took the phone and glanced at the photo. HuMing didn’t seem all that different from before—and for reasons she couldn’t quite na, she felt an odd sense of relief.

She had feared that once HuMing left, he’d return as a completely changed person. Just like last ti.

Han YunXi still rembered how, back then, HuMing had seed like an entirely different person—less brash, more mature in his actions.

People grew up when they were forced to. After what had happened with Han ShuYi, she often felt like her feelings toward HuMing had beco a little muddled. There were things she didn’t dare think too deeply about, afraid of what conclusions she might draw.

That’s why she made regular appointnts with a therapist—to keep herself grounded, to ease her mind.

“He looks like he’s gotten taller again,” she murmured absentmindedly, eyes still on the photo.

Next to her, Xia XiaoXi was happily licking her ice cream, swinging her legs from the chair.

“He’s not even an adult yet. It’s normal to keep growing. But YunXi, are you coming with to the capital this sumr?”

“Huh? HuMing didn’t tell you? He’s planning to leave town for a while over the break.”

Han YunXi’s tone carried a note of surprise. She had assud HuMing would have told Xia XiaoXi. But judging by the girl’s startled reaction, clearly, she hadn’t known.

“No idea…” Xia XiaoXi mumbled, visibly disheartened. She had thought she’d finally get to see HuMing this sumr.

Han YunXi smiled faintly, bringing her tea cup to her lips. She glanced down at her phone once more.

‘They don’t even know he’s going out with …’

…

After dinner, Xia Chen conveniently found an excuse to drag Gu YunZhou away, and though Gu YunZhou protested, he was still whisked off.

Sure, he could fight—but even he knew better than to throw punches inside the Xia family estate.

Once the servants cleared the dishes, the hall fell silent again, leaving only HuMing and Xia GaoWu behind.

“HuMing, forgive . I didn’t ntion you much earlier—it was impolite.”

“No need. I imagine you have sothing important to speak to about. It’s only wise to be cautious.”

“Let’s take a walk in the back garden. Helps with digestion after a big al.”

They rose and headed out together. But just as they rounded the corner, a shadow flickered and disappeared into the dark.

What the shadow didn’t realize was that HuMing had glanced precisely in that direction, catching sight of the figure.

Though the sumr air was warm, the gentle breeze that swept by felt pleasant.

Xia GaoWu walked with his hands clasped behind his back, HuMing keeping pace beside him.

“The Xia family and the Han family have always maintained a close friendship. Though we’ve been based in the capital for many years now, we originally started out elsewhere. I heard your na back then, you know.

“Your reputation at the ti… wasn’t exactly bright. Most people spoke of you as nothing more than a spoiled, useless brat.”

Xia GaoWu didn’t pause, his steps steady. HuMing simply walked alongside, listening patiently.

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