Deviant: No Longer Human

"I'm sorry, Mom. I-I didn't know what else to do," Wang Jiarong choked out, her guilt weighing heavily on her.

As Wang Xiao observed the situation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of detached amusement.

For the moment, none of the family members were paying him any attention.

He sat back, savouring the temporary respite from the chaos and drama that had unfolded before his eyes.

Xinyue Zhilan led Wang Jiarong to the couch, her arm gently wrapped around her daughter's shoulders. The afternoon sun streamed in through the window, casting a warm and comforting glow over the living room. It was a quiet and serene moment, in stark contrast to the turmoil that had just unfolded.

"Please, have a seat, Jiarong," Xinyue Zhilan said, her voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and determination. She guided her daughter to sit, the soft cushions of the couch providing a sense of security.

Wang Jiarong, her eyes still watery from the emotional rollercoaster she had experienced, hesitated for a moment before finally settling onto the couch.

Xinyue Zhilan, her voice soft but determined, gently coaxed her daughter. "Darling, we can talk this through. But first, we need to understand why you did this."

Wang Jiarong took a deep breath, steadying herself, and began to open up about the painful secret she had been harboring.

With a shaky breath, she began to reveal the painful truth that had driven her to commit the theft. "It's because of a girl at school, Mom... She took pictures of me in the washroom, and now she's blackmailing me. She said she'd show them to everyone if I didn't give her money."

"!!"

Xinyue Zhilan's initial concern transformed into a mix of anger and protectiveness as she absorbed her daughter's words.

She pulled Wang Jiarong closer, her arms wrapped around her, offering a secure and comforting embrace. "I can't believe someone would do this to you, Jiarong. You did the right thing by sharing this with us."

Wang Jiarong, still teary-eyed and shaken, nodded in gratitude for her mother's understanding and support. Her distress had been eased by the weight she had just shared with her family.

The room, which had been filled with tension and uncertainty, now carried a sense of vulnerability and emotional release.

Wang Xiao, who had been a quiet observer throughout the ordeal, couldn't help but be attentive slightly.

His eyes narrowed, as he realized it wasn't just about his sister stealing money to buy jewelleries or something.

As the silence stretched on, Xinyue Zhilan broke free from the embrace with Wang Jiarong, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll deal with this together, sweetheart. First, we need to talk to the school authorities and put an end to this."

Wang Jiarong nodded, her tears slowly subsiding. "Thank you, Mom. I didn't know what else to do."

Xinyue Zhilan, her protective instincts in full force, embraced her daughter once more. "You did the right thing by sharing this, Jiarong. We're here for you, and we'll face this challenge as a family."

Wang Jiarong finally managed a small smile through her lingering tears.

The weight of her secret had been lifted, and she felt a sense of relief in knowing that she had her family's support.

Xinyue Zhilan hesitated for a moment before gently inquiring, "Can you show your phone to us?" She was aware that her daughter's phone might contain private and personal information that Wang Jiarong might be reluctant to share.

Contrary to Xinyue Zhilan's expectations, Wang Jiarong immediately pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the chat with the girl who had been blackmailing her. She held it out for her mother to see.

"Feng Xiyi..."

Wang Xiao, who had been observing quietly, couldn't help but stand up and move closer. He took a quick, discreet peek at the phone screen. The name "Feng Xiyi" caught his attention.

With the information in mind, Wang Xiao decided to head back to his room. He felt that he could potentially use this name to conduct some research of his own.

He had always been resourceful, and this situation was no different.

Meanwhile, Xinyue Zhilan and Wang Jiarong contemplated their options.

They couldn't reach the school authorities immediately since it was the holiday season.

The most viable course of action seemed to be confronting the girl's family directly and threatening them with potential legal actions.

Xinyue Zhilan's background as a lawyer gave her insights into how this could unfold.

She knew that once the girl's family was made aware of the legal implications of their daughter's actions, they would likely take disciplinary action.

The prospect of legal consequences could be a powerful motivator for them to correct their child's behavior.

All this was planned for tommorow, but Wang Xiao wasted no time in his pursuit of gathering information.

As he entered his room, he immediately began reaching out to his contacts, including Tan Weimin and others, to get more details about this mysterious Feng Xiyi. He was determined to understand who she was and what her motivations were.

An undercurrent of anger simmered within him, driven by the unsettling thought that the scene he had witnessed at the pool might be stored on someone's phone gallery.

Wang Xiao's research led to a breakthrough when Liang Chen, the individual who had arranged the dirt bikes for them earlier, got in touch with him.

Liang Chen's girlfriend had connections in Wang Jiarong's class and had gained knowledge about the situation.

The information was dramatic, to say the least, but it also brought a sense of relief. It appeared that Feng Xiyi might not have malicious intentions to spread the compromising photos.

This information lessened Wang Xiao's concern about the images going public.

Now, with a clearer understanding of the situation, he was determined to find a way to meet Feng Xiyi and address the matter, hoping to teach her a lesson about humility and the consequences of her actions.

His anger had transformed into a strategic resolve, and he was ready to take action.

Wang Xiao's anger had reached a boiling point, and it was driving him to consider actions that were normally outside his character. The situation with Feng Xiyi had provided him with a valid reason to retaliate and release some of the pent-up frustration he had been harboring.

Mo Xiang had noticed Wang Xiao's withdrawal from their usual fun activities over the past week and couldn't help but ask him why. Wang Xiao, instead of answering, diverted the conversation and asked Mo Xiang to accompany him to Century Park today.

Simultaneously, he reached out to Liang Chen and requested that his girlfriend try to convince Feng Xiyi to come to the park at the same time. Wang Xiao had a plan in motion, and he was determined to confront the source of his anger and take the situation into his own hands.

Finally after settling everything, he have in chilling smile.

____

In the heart of Century Park, a girl with tousled, brown, curly hair sat on a bench, her face adorned with an infectious, cheerful smile. Despite the biting cold of winter, she was wrapped in a thick, vibrant red furry jacket, a shield against the frigid air.

As she observed the passing couples, the trees nearby responded to the season's gentle yet unrelenting wind. Their leaves rustled in unison, creating a symphony of soothing whispers.

With a deep sigh of contentment, the girl allowed herself a slight, faint smile. Her gaze shifted, and she couldn't help but notice a group of people approaching. The figures of Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang became clearer as they made their way closer.

"Hi," she greeted them, her voice laced with warmth.

Her presence drew Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang's attention. They continued their approach and, as they closed the distance, Chen Meili was the first to speak, her smile growing even more radiant.

"What are you doing in the park?" Wang Xiao inquired, his curiosity evident.

Chen Meili, momentarily taken aback, replied with a playful, yet somewhat sly retort, "Can't I have a boyfriend I've been waiting for?" Her laughter filled the air as she embraced Wang Xiao, enveloping him in the plush warmth of her jacket.

It was a joyful and unexpected reunion, one that momentarily diverted Wang Xiao's focus from the tension of his planned confrontation with Feng Xiyi.

Chen Meili disclosed that she had already discussed her decision to leave with Lin Xue, and there had been no objections from the latter.

Wang Xiao absorbed this information, his gaze sweeping the park in search of any signs of Feng Xiyi and Liang Chen's girlfriend.

Then, Chen Meili brought up a topic that left Wang Xiao momentarily taken aback. "Wang Xiao, you haven't been visiting Lin Xue lately. She was asking if everything is fine with you."

Wang Xiao's eyes narrowed, and he contemplated his response.

The true reason for his absence from Velvet Shadows was evident to him: he no longer had the funds to partake in such activities, and he didn't want to face the potential embarrassment.

"I'll visit when I want. Who is she to dictate my schedule?" he retorted, catching Chen Meili off guard.

She placed a hand on his shoulder, restraining a chuckle as she regarded him with amusement. "That's why she calls you a thug. Such a rude man," she commented, shaking her head.

Unbeknownst to her, Wang Xiao's lips twitched, but he was not in the mood for small talk at the moment.