In my impression, Su Xiaobai's girlfriend was always devoted and loyal to him. So, hearing Ye Qianqian say something like "Su Xiaobai isn't a good person" really shocked and surprised me.

"What happened?" I looked at Ye Qianqian.

"He dumped all of us," Ye Qianqian said indignantly. "He said he wants to focus solely on Peach."

"Oh?!" I was even more surprised. I hadn't expected Su Xiaobai to be serious. Could it be that he really fell in love with Peach?

"We've treated him so well, yet he has such a heartless attitude!" Ye Qianqian gritted her teeth. "Wang Hao, you must keep an eye on Peach. Don't let Su Xiaobai take her away!"

I don't know why, but I found myself saying, "Everyone has the right to pursue Peach. She's not my private property."

Ye Qianqian looked at me in astonishment. "But you're the only brother-in-law recognized by Brick, and Peach isn't she deeply in love with you?"

"Anything can change," I said. "You know better than anyone how charming Su Xiaobai can be." I was taken aback by Su Xiaobai's willingness to make such a sacrifice for Peach, but...

Then Ye Qianqian said again, "If Su Xiaobai were solely focused on pursuing Peach, that would be one thing. But now he's back together with Xia Xue. How can we girls swallow this?"

I was shocked, feeling like my heart was on fire. "Su Xiaobai and Xia Xue are back together?"

"Yes," Ye Qianqian said strangely. "Don't you know? Su Xiaobai didn't even have to try; Xia Xue immediately agreed to get back together. Hey, that Xia Xue, she's really shameless."

"Don't you dare say that about her!" I stared angrily at Ye Qianqian. Although I didn't know why I was so angry, whether it was because Ye Qianqian said something bad about Xia Xue or because Xia Xue had easily gotten back together with Su Xiaobai.

My shout startled Ye Qianqian, and tears immediately began to fall from her eyes. "What, what are you doing?"

I knew I shouldn't blame her. I softened my tone slightly. "Don't speak so harshly. I don't like it."

"I understand," Ye Qianqian said. "You like Xia Xue, don't you?"

Neither of us said anything, which I took as agreement. We walked along the campus path in silence. As we reached a secluded area, the dim yellow streetlights cast long shadows.

Ye Qianqian's crying grew louder and louder. I knew it wasn't because of my earlier outburst but because Su Xiaobai had dumped her.

"We're both pitiful..." Ye Qianqian cried, then suddenly threw herself into my arms.

"Hey..." I was surprised and about to push her away, but she said, "No, don't, let me lean on you for a while, okay? I'm really upset, just let me lean on you for a while, please."

My heart softened again. What Yucheng Fei said was true; I wasn't cut out for being ruthless. I didn't push Ye Qianqian away but let her rest her head on my chest, allowing her tears and snot to soak into my T-shirt.

Listening to her crying, I felt increasingly distressed. Thinking about how easily Xia Xue had gotten back together with Su Xiaobai...

Suddenly, I heard footsteps stop not far from us. Someone coming? I turned my head and saw two equally bewildered faces: Su Xiaobai and Peach.

They stood not far from us, while Ye Qianqian still lay crying in my arms.

The scene was difficult to explain, and I didn't know what to say, so I opened my mouth but remained silent.

"Wang Hao," Su Xiaobai frowned. "What are you doing with my girlfriend?"

Ye Qianqian suddenly raised her head, her tears gone. In a sharp, aggrieved tone, she said, "Wang Hao seduced me first! Xiaobai, you have to believe I'm innocent. I didn't want to, but he..."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

As she spoke, Ye Qianqian even pushed me away, looking at me with disgust, as if I had done something indecent to her.

I understood everything now. This was a trap set by Su Xiaobai in advance, just to make Peach see this scene.

I looked at Peach. Peach turned and ran towards the girls' dormitory, as if she couldn't bear to stay here for another moment.

Ye Qianqian had already retreated to Su Xiaobai's side. Su Xiaobai looked at me with a smile. "I told you I'd make sure you got nothing. Wang Hao, oh Wang Hao, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. How about it? Do you regret offending me now?"

"Bravo, truly bravo." I gave Su Xiaobai a thumbs-up. "You've shown me that there are such cunning people in this world. Indeed impressive. In just one day, you've left me with nothing."

As I spoke, I walked towards Su Xiaobai.

"It's not too late to beg for mercy now." Su Xiaobai continued to smile. "You know, I love helping others. As long as you beg me, I can dump Xia Xue again and make her come back to you."

"Heh, really?" I approached Su Xiaobai and delivered a fierce punch to his cheek!

In Su Xiaobai's eyes, I was a weak and cowardly student, unable to even defend myself when slapped by Hong Li, let alone fight back. He never expected me to strike out on my own!

But he was wrong. When a person is extremely angry, they don't consider the consequences!

With the experience of the previous encounters, I was much more adept at this. I unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on Su Xiaobai's body, striking his face, chest, abdomen, and ribs. I vented my anger through my fists!

Ye Qianqian screamed in fright, even reaching out to push me away. "Get lost!" I shouted, pushing her back. She fell to the ground, lacking the courage to stand up again. I continued to mercilessly beat Su Xiaobai. My movements were so swift that I didn't give Su Xiaobai any chance to fight back.

Soon, Su Xiaobai was lying on the ground, unable to get up. "You... you..." he panted. "I'll make all the hooligans in the school come after you, I'll make you unable to stay at Chengnan High School!"

"Whatever." I bent down, wiped the blood from my fist onto his branded shirt.

"I have a good relationship with the teachers too. I'll make them expel you!" Su Xiaobai yelled hysterically.

"Shut up." I cursed and kicked him in the mouth.

And so, the world fell silent.

Whatever, I had nothing left.

Before leaving, I gave Ye Qianqian a fierce glare. She shrank back in fear, looking at me with terror in her eyes.

The wind rose. I wrapped my coat around me and left.

Who says I'm not ruthless? I just haven't had the chance to act yet. I'll be both the Red Gang leader and the White Fan in the end!

Suddenly, I understood where my future path was leading. I knew that once I embarked on this path, there would be no turning back.

At the basketball court, Ye Zhan and the others had been waiting for me for a long time.

"Let's begin," I said. "The final rehearsal. Tomorrow, we'll deal with Wheat."

&&&&&&&&&

The next day, during class, Liu Zihong suddenly nudged my arm. "Hao, why do I feel like overnight, you've become a different person?"

"Really?" I tried to smile. But the truth was, I couldn't muster up a smile.

"Yes!" Liu Zihong looked at me worriedly. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about you that seems... scary. Your eyes aren't as gentle as before; instead, they're mixed with a hint of brutality and coldness..."

"You've been reading too many novels." I patted his head. "Just focus on your studies. We have important things to do at noon."

"Okay." Liu Zihong nodded excitedly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

I lowered my head and glanced at Xia Xue's back. She was as beautiful as ever, but just seeing her back made me feel restless, her luscious black hair cascading down her waist, enough to entice any man.

My heart clenched, and I quickly looked away.

After the second period, to the tune of the radio exercises, I arrived at the administration office. Ear Slap King was still sitting behind his oversized desk. Before I could say anything, he spoke, "Why did you offend Su Xiaobai again?"

"That guy deserved a beating." I said with a deep smile. "If I see him again, I'll beat him again."

Ear Slap King sighed. "Why do you always pick fights with him? Su Xiaobai has connections everywhere, from teachers to students. Everyone's willing to do him a favor. If you beat him up, he'll find someone to beat you up, and he'll even try to get you expelled."

"Let him come." I lit a cigarette and smoked it as if no one else were around. I dared to be so brazen because I knew I still had value to Ear Slap King.

Ear Slap King's eyebrows twitched. This man, with his air of a martial arts master, sighed deeply. "I've managed to calm him down for now. Su Xiaobai won't come after you temporarily. After all, in my heart, you're much more important than him."

"Thanks." I smiled at Ear Slap King, expressing my gratitude.

"No problem." Ear Slap King glanced at me. "Don't mess with Su Xiaobai. Don't fight over a few girls all the time. When you become the big shot at Chengnan High School, you'll have plenty of girls flocking to you!"

"Hahaha..." I laughed. "The principal of Chengnan High School's administration office actually said such things. It really changes my impression of teachers!"

Ear Slap King snorted, saying disdainfully, "I don't even know what you students are up to these days. Love affairs, fooling around, even abortions and part-time jobs outside of school! What's wrong with Chengnan High School, or any elite high school for that matter? There's no shortage of sordid behavior!"

As he spoke, he slammed his hand down on the desk.