Ding Sheng was in no hurry. He waited patiently, watching as HOUZI meticulously finished his meal, even licking the last grains of rice from the plate's edge. Finally, HOUZI contentedly patted his stomach. “It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted fried rice this authentic!”

  “If you like it, I can bring you here every day,” Ding Sheng replied with his usual smile, while Liang Qi remained wary, his eyes fixed on HOUZI.

  HOUZI grinned. “Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I have two things I’d like to say.”

  “Go ahead, I’m listening,” Ding Sheng said seriously.

  “First, Zuo Fei is not a minor figure. He is our brother—an equal. Without him, we wouldn't have become the top dogs of our grade.”

  Ding Sheng nodded. “And the second?”

  “The second is that I’m afraid you won’t have the chance to treat me to fried rice again.”

  “Why’s that?”

  HOUZI offered no explanation. Instead, he abruptly grabbed the plate in front of him and smashed it against Ding Sheng’s face.

  Liang Qi had been observing HOUZI the entire time. The moment HOUZI made his move, Liang Qi leapt to his feet, aiming a punch directly at him. He was seated right beside Ding Sheng, and a single swing could have easily connected. However, in that critical moment, Huang Jie suddenly overturned the table, causing dishes, soup, and drinks to splash everywhere, soaking Ding Sheng and Liang Qi.

  Liang Qi stumbled back a few steps before lunging toward HOUZI again, but Zheng Wu intercepted him.

  “I heard you’re a tough guy?” Zheng Wu sneered. “Let’s test that out.” Without another word, he threw a punch.

  I wasn’t idle either. I had sensed what HOUZI was about to do while he was eating the fried rice — we had been friends for so long that the understanding between us was almost telepathic. I grabbed a dish of chopped pepper fish head and flung it toward Xiao Wei’s group. Taking advantage of their momentary chaos, I leaped over and kicked Xiao Wei squarely in the chest. Huang Jie quickly joined me, and the two of us forced their group to retreat.

  Amidst the chaos, I couldn’t fully grasp the state of the others. I only caught a glimpse of HOUZI still pummeling Ding Sheng, while Zheng Wu and Liang Qi were locked in a fierce brawl. Liang Qi was surprisingly formidable — neither of them seemed to gain the upper hand. Wang Yao, caught in the middle, was desperately shouting for everyone to stop fighting. She was close to both sides, and her divided loyalty was evident. In frustration, she kicked both Liang Qi and Huang Jie, but neither paid her any heed — everyone was too consumed in the heat of the brawl.

  To my thrill, we were actually gaining the upper hand. Aside from Zheng Wu’s uncertain outcome, HOUZI, Huang Jie, and I were clearly dominating. Victory was within our grasp — until I heard the sound of heavy footsteps outside the door.

  A dozen students, armed with various blunt objects, surged into the room.

  “Sheng-ge! Qi-ge!” they shouted.

  An ambush. It was clear now — they had come with a plan, and we, naively trusting Wang Yao, had walked right into it.

  “Protect Sheng-ge!” Liang Qi roared.

  Ding Sheng was incapable of fighting — or perhaps he could, but not against HOUZI. From where I was, I hadn’t once seen Ding Sheng get back up. In an instant, five or six students swarmed toward HOUZI, while the rest targeted Huang Jie and me. No one rushed to assist Liang Qi — they trusted his prowess. And indeed, Zheng Wu was rapidly being overpowered, knocked down three times in quick succession.

  Liang Qi’s fearsome reputation in sophomore year was not unfounded. His raw power was almost monstrous, and Zheng Wu was already on the verge of collapse.

  I had no time to worry about Zheng Wu anymore. I, too, was now surrounded. Worse still, I was unarmed, while my opponents wielded weapons. Before I could react, a heavy stick slammed into my back, causing me to stagger forward.

  That stumble cost me my balance. Xiao Wei seized the opportunity and kicked me in the chest, sending me sprawling to the ground. Immediately, two or three students began kicking and punching me from all sides. Getting up was no longer an option. This was the ninth beating I had taken since transferring to East City No. 1 High, and I had long learned how to endure. I curled up, protecting my head and groin, letting the blows land on my arms, back, and thighs.

  Even through the pain, I stole glances at the others. I was the first to go down — a fact that stung my pride — but HOUZI and Huang Jie weren’t faring much better. Both were being overwhelmed by four or five students each, and despite their best efforts, they were eventually knocked down, curling into the same defensive position as mine.

  The only real fight left was between Liang Qi and Zheng Wu. The intensity was terrifying — fists landing like hammers, blood and sweat splattering with each hit. Zheng Wu’s roars of defiance reverberated through the room, but he was visibly losing ground. Wang Yao, still pleading for peace, now stood behind Liang Qi, tugging at his sleeve.

  “Qi-ge, please! Give me some face!” she begged.

  Seizing an opportunity, Liang Qi delivered a devastating kick to Zheng Wu’s chest, sending him flying backward. Before Zheng Wu could recover, several students pinned him to the ground.

  Zheng Wu howled in frustration, but his struggle was futile.

  Panting, Liang Qi sneered, “Damn… it’s been years since someone’s made me go all out like this.”

  With Zheng Wu subdued, the remaining students stopped fighting, opting instead to pin us down. Wang Yao finally realized we had all been beaten. She rushed over, frantically pushing and shoving the students off us.

  “Get off them! I said get off them!” she screamed.

  But none of them moved. Instead, their eyes turned toward Ding Sheng and Liang Qi, awaiting orders.

  “Sheng-ge,” Wang Yao’s voice cracked.

  Ding Sheng slowly sat up, his face a bloody mess — his forehead, nose, and mouth caked with crimson, and his cheeks swollen and bruised. The sight of him filled me with grim satisfaction. HOUZI had really done a number on him.

  “Wang Yao… do you not care about me at all?” Ding Sheng’s voice was hoarse.

  Wang Yao sighed, snatching a few napkins from the table and handing them to him. “Sheng-ge, why did you have to make such a scene? They were my guests.”

  “I know I’ve put you in a tough spot,” Ding Sheng muttered while wiping his face. “But look at me. Look at what HOUZI did to me.”

  “You cornered them first!” Wang Yao snapped.

  “Even so… couldn’t he have resolved it with words? Did he have to hit me like this? Yao, you know me — when have I ever endured such humiliation?”

  Wang Yao fell silent.

  “They are my friends, Sheng-ge. Can’t you show me that much respect?”

  Ding Sheng exhaled heavily. Sitting slumped on the ground, his eyes met hers. “I was beaten… but because you’re my sister, I’ll swallow my pride. Fine, fine… I’ll let it go. I’m your brother, after all.”

  Tears welled in Wang Yao’s eyes. “Thank you, Sheng-ge. They’re all good people.”

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Then she turned toward the students. “What are you waiting for? Let them go.”

  But none of them moved — their gazes remained fixed on Ding Sheng.

  “Sheng-ge…” Wang Yao’s voice trembled.

  Ding Sheng wiped the last streak of blood from his face, then slowly rose to his feet. His voice was eerily calm. “Fine. I’ll let HOUZI go. I’ll let Huang Jie and Zheng Wu go.”

  His eyes darkened as they turned to me. “But not him.”

  “Why?” Wang Yao’s face twisted in disbelief.

  “No reason. We have a grudge.”

  “Sheng-ge, please—”

  “I’ve already conceded plenty. This is my bottom line.” Ding Sheng’s fingers curled around a wooden rod. “I’ll only hit him. The others — they’re free to leave. Yao, don’t stop me. I’ve already given you face.”

  As he advanced toward me, his grip on the rod tightened.

  “Now… it’s just you and me.”

  "If you must beat someone, then beat me." HOUZI suddenly spoke, his voice resolute. "I'll take the fall for him, is that acceptable?"

  "I'll do it! Let me take the hit!" Zheng Wu shouted as he struggled against the grip of several people, almost breaking free.

  "Cut the crap, both of you," Huang Jie said nonchalantly, "You two got beaten up like stray dogs, just let me bear this one."

  I looked at the three of them, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't deeply moved—my eyes turned bloodshot.

  "No one needs to take my place," I said firmly. "It's just one beating. I'm Zuo Fei, and I can take it."

  "Well said," Ding Sheng sneered, raising the stick. "I'll just give you one beating, and after that, we’ll call it even. Of course, if you wish to seek revenge, you're welcome to come find me anytime." With that, the stick was about to come down on my head.

  With a resounding crash, a beer bottle shattered on Ding Sheng's head.

  "I said no!"

  It was Wang Yao, standing behind him, her face filled with fury.

  The shards of the bottle scattered in all directions, and blood trickled down the back of Ding Sheng's head. The entire room fell into stunned silence; everyone stared at Wang Yao in disbelief, even Liang Qi was too shocked to speak. Ding Sheng touched his bleeding head and slowly turned around, facing the seething Wang Yao.

  "Are you really going to turn against me for him?" Ding Sheng asked hoarsely.

  "Yes!" Wang Yao's eyes were ablaze. "You forced me into this! I told you not to hit him, yet you insisted. Am I inferior to Yizhen in your eyes?"

  Ding Sheng gestured toward me, lying on the ground, "You've only known him for a little over a month. Do you mean to say that the bond we've built over the years can't compare to him?"

  "Cut the crap. I called you 'Brother Sheng,' and you thought you could walk on air? I brought my friends here, and you ambushed them. And you still have the audacity to talk about giving me face?" Wang Yao's voice trembled with anger. "I’m warning you—get the hell out of here with your people, or things will get really messy."

  Silence fell like a heavy curtain. Wang Yao's words made it clear—she was ready to sever all ties with Ding Sheng and Liang Qi.

  She had no fear of them; no matter how tough they were in school, they were still just punks. Wang Yao’s confidence stemmed from her influential brother, and she knew these guys wouldn’t dare touch her.

  But still—her courage to stand against them like this, for me—was something no one had anticipated, not even HOUZI with his sharp intuition.

  Even I couldn't help but wonder—if nothing had ever happened between Wang Yao and me, would she still be standing up for me like this?

  I didn’t know the answer. I had no certainty. But one thing I did know—at that moment, I fell for her even harder.

  Ding Sheng, Liang Qi, and their crew left in disgrace, never daring to confront Wang Yao head-on.

  We slowly crawled up from the ground, battered and bruised. Wang Yao squatted down and began to cry—after all, she once regarded them as siblings.

  "I'm sorry for putting you in this position," HOUZI said, his voice low. "You don’t have to get involved in our mess again."

  Wang Yao said nothing, still sobbing.

  I walked over and gently patted her on the shoulder.

  "Don’t cry," I said softly.

  She trembled at my touch. After wiping her tears, she looked at our bruised and bloodied faces.

  "I should be the one apologizing," she said bitterly. "If I hadn’t brought you guys here..." Her voice trailed off. "I don’t deserve to stay here any longer." With that, she turned and left the room.

  The once lively private room was now a scene of utter chaos. Tables overturned, plates shattered, and bloodstains dotted the floor. Only the four of us remained.

  HOUZI slumped against the wall, lit a cigarette, and we all followed suit—except for Zheng Wu.

  Silence engulfed us like a heavy shroud. No one spoke.

  Finally, Zheng Wu broke the silence, "Damn it... If only I had my combat gear, I wouldn’t have lost to Liang Qi. It’s killing me inside."

  HOUZI chuckled. "I lost to them on purpose."

  Huang Jie followed, "Yeah, same here."

  I scoffed bitterly, "Yeah right." None of them could joke properly now, and we all just stared blankly at the ceiling.

  "I’m serious," HOUZI muttered. "I lost deliberately—so I’d have a reason to settle this score later."

  I couldn’t help but laugh. "Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

  HOUZI laughed. Huang Jie laughed. Even I laughed. Only Zheng Wu sat there, thoroughly confused, but the suffocating heaviness in the room had finally lifted.

  "Let’s go," HOUZI said, rising to his feet. "We’ll get our revenge... eventually."

  We all stood up, a flame of unyielding determination burning in our eyes. This matter wasn’t over—not by a long shot. Even if our opponents were kings among men, we would still make sure to bring them crashing down.

  With unwavering steps, we exited the private room, only to be stopped by the security guards of Blue Moon Restaurant.

  After calculating the damages—food, drinks, broken dishes, and overturned furniture—the bill came to a whopping 1,280 yuan.

  "What the hell? Are you sure you didn’t charge the group that left before us?" HOUZI exclaimed, suddenly animated when money was involved.

  "They didn’t pay. You were the last to leave," the manager said sternly, flanked by a dozen burly guards wielding rubber batons.

  1,280 yuan—a staggering amount for us. Calling Wang Yao for help was out of the question now. All eyes turned to me.

  "Why are you all looking at me?"

  "Aren’t you the rich kid?"

  I sighed and pulled out 300 yuan—all I had left. "This is my entire fortune."

  "Let’s pool everything we have together," HOUZI suggested.

  He fished out a crumpled five-yuan note, Huang Jie did the same, and Zheng Wu scraped together about twenty yuan. HOUZI gathered the small pile of change and handed it to the manager.

  "Here, will this do?"

  The manager didn’t even bother counting. "Not enough."

  Of course not. With only three hundred in big bills and the rest in crumpled notes, how could it possibly cover the cost?

  "This is seriously all we have," HOUZI declared defiantly.

  "Then I suppose I have no choice but to call the police," the manager declared, retrieving his phone.

  Before he could dial, HOUZI suddenly pointed behind him and shouted, "That's my uncle over there!"

  Everyone instinctively turned their heads to look, myself included, only to find the space behind them utterly vacant. Just as I was wondering where on earth HOUZI’s uncle could be, I felt a sharp tug on my sleeve. Turning around, I saw that both HOUZI and Huang Jie had already bolted far away.

  "Run!" Zheng Wu grabbed my arm and dashed forward.

  "Those little punks are dining and dashing!" the manager roared, leading a group of burly security guards in hot pursuit.

  While sprinting, HOUZI bellowed, "I'm Ding Sheng, a sophomore from East City No. 1 High School! If you've got the guts, come find me!"

  Huang Jie followed suit, yelling, "I'm Liang Qi, also a sophomore! If you don't show up, you're nothing but a coward!"

  We were at the peak of our youthful strength, and soon we left the squad of guards trailing behind, escaping from the Blue Moon Restaurant. Darting through a narrow alley, turning left and right for over ten minutes, we finally came to a halt once we were certain no one was pursuing us.

  Breathless, Zheng Wu complained, "Why did you guys even run? Those dozen or so guards were nothing to me. We could've taken them down and strutted out like kings. Now you've tarnished my reputation."

  Ignoring him, the three of us began cursing Ding Sheng and Liang Qi, the very scoundrels who not only beat us up but also set us up, nearly getting us trapped in the restaurant.

  "I swear," Zheng Wu declared, pounding his chest, "just let me go home and put on my battle armor, and I'll smash Ding Sheng and Liang Qi into pulp. I'll get you guys your revenge!"

  We still ignored him. Turning to HOUZI, I asked, "So we’re definitely going to retaliate, right?"

  Neither HOUZI nor Huang Jie answered. Instead, they exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with a peculiar mix of disdain, mockery, and incredulity, directed solely at me.

  "Alright, alright, I get it. I'm sure about seeking revenge. You don't have to look at me like that," I chuckled bitterly. "I'm just saying... Ding Sheng and Liang Qi are the most formidable force among the sophomores, while we’re merely four. Charging headlong into them seems impractical. Do you have any plan in mind?"

  Zheng Wu interrupted, "Forget four people — just give me a day. I'll handle them single-handedly. I promise to make them crawl back and apologize!"

  Again, no one paid him any mind. HOUZI lit a cigarette, his gaze fixed on me. "Got any bright ideas, Zuo Fei?"

  I pondered for a moment before answering, "Given the scene Wang Yao just made, Ding Sheng and Liang Qi must now believe she’s firmly on our side. With her support, they'll hesitate to make a move against us for a while. We can seize this window of opportunity to lay low, build up our ranks, and gather more allies. Once we've amassed enough strength, we’ll crush them in one decisive blow."

  Ever since the collapse of the Ninth Prince's faction, many of his former lackeys had expressed interest in joining us. Additionally, tough nuts like Yang Zecheng and Li Baiyu, though reluctant to acknowledge us as leaders, had also shown their appetite for street brawls after the thrill of toppling the Ninth Prince. They’d even mentioned more than once that if we ever needed extra fists, we could call on them.

  Moreover, despite Ding Sheng and Liang Qi's dominance in the sophomore year, they were not without enemies. Several factions harbored grudges against them in secret. If we could rally those forces under our banner, eliminating Ding Sheng and Liang Qi would be a certainty.

  As I finished outlining my plan, HOUZI grinned, his cigarette dangling from his lips. "Not bad. You've gotten a lot sharper, Zuo Fei. Honestly, if one day I’m no longer around, you could easily carry the torch for us."

  I froze momentarily. "What do you mean — you won't be around?"