I'm not the Son-in-law

Chapter 2: "Bullies Repellent"

The buzz of excitement rippled through the corridors as students poured out of their classrooms, drawn by the flickering LED board at the department's entrance.

Marcus Xu, however, approached with a sense of apprehension gnawing at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

As the video began to play, Marcus's stomach churned. He watched in disbelief as his modest living quarters were broadcast for all to see. The whispers and gasps around him felt like icy needles pricking his skin.

"Is that your place, Marcus?" a voice sliced through the murmurs.

Marcus nodded stiffly, his jaw clenched. He despised the pity in their eyes and the thinly veiled judgment.

"Can you even afford to be here?" another voice sneered.

His classmates' comments felt like daggers, each one drawing blood. Marcus fought to maintain his composure, but his hands trembled with suppressed rage.

"I’m fine," he managed to choke out, but his words sounded feeble even to his own ears.

Just as Marcus was about to retreat, hoping to escape the uncomfortable scrutiny, the next video rolled in, like a wave crashing over him.

His heart plummeted as the distorted voice filled the air, spewing vile words he had never uttered.

"This can't be happening," Marcus muttered, his fists clenching at his sides.

He recognized the footage immediately—private moments he had shared with Elissa, now twisted into a weapon aimed directly at him.

“What is this? You’re mocking behind our back?” his classmate growled.

“T-that’s obviously edited video. Probably created by AI! Why would I even act that way?” he explained but the accusatory stares bore into him, stripping away any semblance of innocence. “How dare you act mighty when you were only from the slum?”

“No. I—”

“Do you think you belong here just because you mix with us?”

“That’s fake! Listen to me!” Marcus's protests were drowned out by the rising tide of anger and betrayal.

"Who do you think you are?" the accusation hung heavy in the air.

Marcus's breaths came in shallow gasps as he struggled to find his voice and make them understand.

But their condemnation was swift and merciless, a storm he was powerless to weather alone.

Also, his friends, once steadfast allies, had turned against him, leaving Marcus adrift in a sea of hostility. He felt the weight of their judgment pressing down on him, suffocating him with its suffocating embrace.

"What else can we expect from someone who came from the slum?"

More derogatory comments followed, drowning out Marcus's attempts to clear his name.

Frustrated, he shouted, "Believe whatever you want! You're all stupid for believing that video!”

Pushing past anyone in his way, Marcus stormed off, not willing to waste his time trying to convince those who refused to believe him. He returned to studying, realizing too late that not fully clearing his name was a huge mistake.

Later on, the entire university turned indifferent toward him, and he began to receive threats and face mistreatment from his peers. Every step Marcus took seemed to attract sneers and whispered insults.

"These people are really immature," Marcus grumbled as he cleaned his motorcycle, which had become the target of his bullies. They had kicked it over, scratched the paint, and even tried to tamper with the engine.

And while he cleaned his motorcycle, he could feel eyes watching him from the shadows, filled with malice.

"With only a few months before graduation, I can endure it," he told himself, holding back the urge to confront his tormentors and the main cause of his current suffering.

"Wait for me, Elissa, and your new boy friend. As soon as I touch my diploma, I'll punch your face," he muttered bitterly, the love he once felt toward Elissa now replaced with loathing.

He hadn’t seen her since the last time he caught her with Reyster. He didn't even want to know the purpose behind ruining his reputation. All he wanted was to finish his time at university and focus on his dream of becoming an actor.

"Oh, look who's here!"

Reyster's mocking voice broke through his thoughts. Marcus looked up to see Reyster and his friends approaching, smirks plastered across their faces.

"Who are you talking to? I’m busy, you know," Marcus retorted, refusing to let them look down on him. He glared at Reyster as intensely as Reyster glared at him.

"Is that junk still working?" Reyster sneered, referring to Marcus's motorcycle.

"Why do you care? Just go on your way," Marcus replied, turning his back on them.

He didn't want to waste his energy on them, but they were testing his patience.

Suddenly, Reyster kicked his motorcycle, causing it to fall to the ground with a loud crash.

"Wow. Are all rich kids this immature?" Marcus asked, turning to face them again. He literally looked down on them, as he was taller than them.

"Do you think you can fit in here just because you look good? You beggars should stay in the slum where you belong," Reyster said, his voice dripping with venom.

"You sound so insecure about my looks. Why don't you use your money to improve yours then?" Marcus retorted.

Reyster's anger and insecurity boiled over, causing him to grab Marcus's collar and growl, "Want me to show you how my money works?"

"Why would you use your 'parents' money to prove how insecure you are?" Marcus shot back.

However, instead of Reyster's usual angry expression, Marcus's response made him laugh—a cold, mocking sound that sent chills down Marcus's spine.

"Oh, Marcus Xu, you truly amaze me. Your face is so thick. I can't believe you didn't break down even after I stole your girlfriend," Reyster mocked.

"Is that the game you want to play? I'm good at acting; you should've told me it was better for me to cry at that time," Marcus replied bluntly, his voice steady despite the boiling rage inside him.

"Your confidence is truly astounding; I think it runs in your family's blood. The two of you should wake up and return to reality," Reyster said, grinning viciously.

"What do you mean, 'the two of us'?" Marcus asked, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Who else? Isn't Miguel Xu your brother? He has the same thick skin as you,” Reyster said.

“How do you know my brother?” Marcus demanded, his voice tense.

“Trash is easily found because it's smelly. Isn't your brother doing a dirty job, literally?” Reyster commented while laughing, his friends joining in.

This remark finally made Marcus snap. He grabbed Reyster's collar, but Reyster's friends pushed him to the ground.

"What did you do?" Marcus yelled, struggling against the weight pinning him down. “Leave my brother out of this!”

"Oh, dear. Wanna know? I happened to meet him at the hotel. You were really alike. He was quite stubborn, refusing to lick my shoe. When I threatened to fire him, he gave in. It was quite a fun sight," Reyster said, laughing loudly with his friends.

"Bastard!" Marcus shouted, pushing Reyster's friends off him and landing a punch on Reyster's already ugly face, ruining it even further.

"You! How dare you punch me!" Reyster growled, and in an instant, his friends jumped on Marcus to beat him up. But Marcus reflexively blocked them.

"I F*CKING TRAIN MY ASS OFF IN MARTIAL ARTS, ASSH*LE!" he yelled as he easily took them all down, including Reyster.

As an aspiring actor, Marcus Xu had also undergone stunt training and martial arts. He hadn’t expected to have to use it in a real fight. He was trained to control his fists and not hit anyone out of anger. But he was too enraged to think twice and ended up completely beating them all until their faces were unrecognizable.

"Oh, sh*t," he cursed, panting heavily. He stared at Reyster and his friends, then became concerned about his diploma. "Am I going to get expelled?"