The Master s Mask Unveiled Again

Chapter 198: Chapter 197: The Time for the Exam Has Arrived

Lu Mian recalled her childhood.

No matter what she did, her mother’s first reaction was always one of skepticism. When she won a prize, her mother accused her of theft. When she fixed the television, her mother accused her of causing damage. When she saved someone, her mother said she was overreaching.

It was only natural for her to give in to her younger sister; she was the first to be reprimanded when problems arose.

There were too many trivial matters, too many for Lu Mian to remember the specific scenes, but she would forever remember the feelings at the time. It was a coldness that seeped into her hands and feet, chilling to the very tip of her heart—a sense of abandonment and loneliness.

She questioned herself over and over again: had she really done something wrong?

It wasn’t until she grew older that she slowly forgave herself.

She wasn’t wrong.

But she had to admit fault.

Only then would Lu Xinnuan stop tattling, would they cease their endless accusations, and could she find peace.

It was the first time someone told her so firmly and gently, “Don’t apologize for doing the right thing.”

Mrs. Guo saw her in a daze and, thinking Lu Mian was still brooding, felt even more distressed.

“Mianmian, you are Wucheng’s great hero, the dazzling light of Wucheng. The wrong person has never been you, and neither is the person who caused this outcome. Child, don’t let a sense of responsibility or guilt entangle you, now or in the future. Those who understand you will always stand by your side.”

Mrs. Guo hit the nail on the head.

Somehow, Lu Mian smiled.

As she smiled, her nose started to feel sore.

She turned her head to the side, pressing down the long-lost sense of sourness, and sincerely moved forward to hug Mrs. Guo.

“Thank you.”

It had been a very long time since she had taken the initiative to hug someone—let alone someone she had just met.

Mrs. Guo patted her back in response.

Lu Mian let go of Mrs. Guo and then cheekily ruffled Shouhao’s head, smiling playfully, “Shouhao, you have a pair of excellent parents. You need to work hard too!”

“Oh!”

Xiao Qimo stood with his arms crossed over his chest, quietly watching the scene unfold. It wasn’t an illusion—he saw gentleness and a sense of release on Lu Mian’s face. Beneath her tightly sealed mask, a crack had finally appeared.

And from within that crack, a strong and scorching light shone through.

Xiao Qimo’s lips curled into a gratified smile, and he checked his watch. It was getting late.

“Chief Guo, I’ll leave the rest to you,” he said.

“Don’t worry, they can’t escape!” Guo Shuitian boasted with a laugh, “One of these days, I, Guo, will treat you all to a meal, and no refusals!”

Mrs. Guo warmly invited, “Mianmian, you must come too. I’ll cook a lot of specialty dishes and make them for you!”

“Right, my wife’s cooking is beyond compare. Just look at me and Haozi’s build, and you’ll know it’s delicious!” Guo Shuitian said with self-deprecating humor, not sparing even himself.

Lu Mian, lips pressed together, replied gently, “Okay.”

Seeing her nod, Xiao Qimo followed, “Okay.”

—

Class 1 (25).

The revision time before the exam was about to pass, and as the first exam was about to start, Shouhao sat restlessly, having looked towards the back door countless times already.

As the bell sounded, Shouhao’s heart also rose to his throat.

Why haven’t Mianmian and Shouhao returned yet? They couldn’t be in trouble, could they?

When the class ended, everyone packed up their textbooks and bags, ready to head to their respective exam rooms. Su Luo came over with a furrowed brow.

“What’s up with those two?”

Shouhao was still quite guarded against her, replying coldly, “Nothing.”

Before Su Luo could speak again, Xu Jiahui, harboring ill intentions, came over.

“Luoluo, isn’t it obvious? They chickened out at the last minute!” He was smugly overjoyed, benefiting from Su Luo’s presence.

“They talked a big game at first, but when it came time for the exam, they didn’t have the guts to show up. Yuan Hao, you might as well skip the exam too. All three of you, isn’t that shameful enough!”