"Yes, I've heard about that." Ms. Zheng raised her hand to interrupt me, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "I'll talk to Wang Xiong later. If there's nothing else, you can go home now."
"Ms. Zheng!" I wanted to say something, but something seemed to choke me.
But she had already stood up, clearly indicating that I should leave: "I'm locking up here too..."
Leaving the office, I felt utterly hopeless. Looking back now, asking Ms. Zheng for help was a mistake. As a teacher, how could she possibly stand up for me in something like this?
After all, Wang Xiong's father was that "Wang Datao"...
Although Wang Xiong was short, barely reaching my mother's chest when standing, he was a tyrant at school. Every time I saw his arrogant demeanor, I couldn't help but think of his father—the biggest hoodlum in our area.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew Wang Datao. That fat guy who always wore floral shirts and a thick gold chain that swayed with his fat as he walked. He made his fortune in casinos and arcades in his early years, and he was still involved in shady businesses.
I often saw him and our refined-looking principal, Zhang Yazheng, arm in arm, chatting and laughing at the school gate. The principal's fawning manner was nauseating.
Although my mother was the prestigious president of the Lingya Fashion Group, here, Wang Datao was the one who truly held sway.
For that reason alone, why would Teacher Zheng offend Wang Xiong for my sake?
Thinking of this, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up inside me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, yet I felt no pain. In this dog-eat-dog world, even teachers have to bow their heads; what could I do?
What tormented me even more was that every time I saw Wang Xiong's smug face, I thought of my mother. That usually noble and elegant woman, in Wang Xiong's words, had become his girlfriend, his plaything.
This feeling of helplessness was more unbearable than any other pain.
…
When I returned home, it was completely dark.
Pushing open the villa's door, I was greeted by the soft lighting in the high-ceilinged living room. A crystal chandelier cast a warm glow, illuminating the Italian-imported leather sofa, where my mother sat, quietly flipping through a stack of documents.
She was wearing her black work suit, her long legs encased in straight trousers. A sheer black pantyhose peeked through her ankles, extending into her simple slippers. Even at home, Mom maintained her usual elegance and composure—as always, she wore black pantyhose under her trousers.
Looking at Mom's focused profile, I hesitated for a long time.
Under the light of the crystal chandelier, her slender fingers lightly traced the pages of her documents, the pages clicking crisply as she turned them. Mom was completely absorbed in her work.
But I finally spoke: "Mom..."
She looked up, her exquisite makeup highlighting a beautiful yet slightly tired face. She smiled slightly, her voice gentle: "Xiaowei's back? How was school today?"
I bit my lip, a lump in my throat, unable to speak. Tears welled in my eyes, but my voice was barely audible: "Wang Xiong...he..."
Upon hearing the name "Wang Xiong," Mom put down the documents and gracefully crossed her legs. The black stockings beneath her trousers gleamed faintly under the light, appearing exceptionally alluring.
"What happened to him?" she asked calmly, but a hint of coldness flickered in her eyes.
"He spread rumors at school..." My voice trailed off, as if something was suffocating me, "He said you were conquered by him, that you became his girlfriend... He also said you wore those black stockings for him, that you seem aloof on the surface, but are incredibly obedient in front of him..."
My mother frowned slightly, then gave a cold laugh. She leaned back against the sofa, a mocking glint in her eyes: "Looks like that slap yesterday didn't teach him a lesson. First he tried to extort protection money from my son, and now he's setting his sights on me?"
"Mom, aren't you angry?" I couldn't help but ask, my voice trembling slightly, "What he said..."
"A little brat who hasn't even grown his first hair..." My mother stood up, her slippers making a soft sound on the carpet. She walked to the French windows, her gaze falling on the fountain in the yard. A hint of disdain crossed her voice. "This kind of low-level vulgarity, is it even worth my attention?"
Her tone was nonchalant, but I noticed a flicker of disgust in her eyes.
How could she not feel disgusted to be so defiled by a thug?
The black pantyhose beneath her trousers, once a playful pastime between her and her father, were now being twisted into obscene language by Wang Xiong.
"Let me handle this Wang Xiong," she suddenly turned, her gaze icy, her tone carrying an undeniable authority. "I'll call the company's legal department right now and teach him a lesson. I, Xia Ling, have some influence in this city."
"No need, Mom!" I hurriedly interrupted her, my voice trembling with panic. "I... I can handle it."
I knew my mother wielded considerable influence in the business world, but Wang Xiong's father, Wang Datao, was a different kind of power.
As a gangster, his henchmen were everywhere in the city; even the school principal treated him with deference. If it weren't for this, how could the short and stocky Wang Xiong so brazenly collect protection money from his classmates at school?
If Mom intervened, it would only embolden Wang Xiong to retaliate even more fiercely.
"Really?" Mom raised an eyebrow slightly, turning around. Her slippers under her trousers made a soft rustling sound on the carpet. "Are you sure you don't need Mom's help?"
I nodded vigorously: "I can manage!"
Mom looked at me for a moment, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
She walked up to me, gently stroking my hair, her voice tender: "My son has grown up. He knows how to handle trouble now. Good for him. Then Mom won't interfere. I'm going upstairs to handle some work documents."
Watching Mom turn and gracefully walk up the stairs, her back still exuding nobility and composure, I stood there, clenching my fists, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.
My mother, usually so dignified, is now being so brazenly slandered by a thug, and I can only watch helplessly as it unfolds.
Only I know that it all stems from the cowardice deep within me.
I'm afraid Wang Xiong will escalate his actions, afraid he'll do something even worse to my mother. Recalling yesterday, Wang Xiong's lustful eyes scanning my mother, from her beautiful face to her high, firm breasts, from her straight, shapely legs to her feet encased in black stockings, I feel a wave of nausea.
Right now he's just spreading rumors, but what if later…? I dare not think further.
Tears blur my vision, and I can only stand there, letting the overwhelming sense of powerlessness in my chest engulf me.