Chapter 11: Gu Xiaoxi’s No-Holds-Barred Fight

Over the past few days, the two had been helping each other.

Gu Xiaoxi taught Tang Xiao martial arts and physical training.

Tang Xiao tutored Gu Xiaoxi in academics.

Although Gu Xiaoxi was a provincial high school martial arts champion, her academic performance left much to be desired.

Tang Xiao, while coaching Gu Xiaoxi, often found it a bit challenging.

“Gu Xiaoxi, if your grades in academics were a little higher, you could get into a much better university…” Tang Xiao analyzed earnestly.

Gu Xiaoxi sighed in frustration, “If only there were a way to add points directly! Studying is so tiring.”

“It’s not tiring. Just use the time you spend watching movies and anime to study instead. The more you read and learn, the better you’ll get.”

“But what if I don’t feel like reading or learning?”

“Uh…”

While Gu Xiaoxi excelled in sports and martial arts, she utterly lacked motivation for academics.

At that moment, an untimely voice interrupted them.

“Well, well, well!”

“I wondered why I heard noises here. Turns out it’s a pair of lovebirds sneaking around!”

A burst of malicious laughter followed.

Five delinquent-looking youths swaggered into view, blocking Gu Xiaoxi and Tang Xiao’s path.

Most of them sported permed hair that even obscured their eyes.

The leader wore skinny jeans, loafers, and held a cigarette between his fingers.

He exhaled smoke towards Gu Xiaoxi and Tang Xiao, giving Gu Xiaoxi a lewd once-over and breaking into a brazen grin.

“Hey kid, your girl’s not bad. Lend her to us for some fun.”

The others chuckled lasciviously.

“Come on, kid. Just let us have her for a few days. We’ll return her when we’re done. Hahaha!”

They were in an abandoned factory, a place rarely visited by anyone.

Their arrogance was unrestrained.

Tang Xiao frowned deeply, his mind racing for a solution.

Damn it! How did we run into thugs?!

No, I have to get Xiaoxi out of here first.

He quietly stepped forward half a step, shielding Gu Xiaoxi behind him.

In a low voice, he whispered to her, “Xiaoxi, in a moment, I’ll grab the guy on the right. Use the chance to run. You’re an athlete; they probably can’t catch up to you.”

Tang Xiao had observed that the one on the right was shorter and thinner, likely the easiest to use as a breakthrough point.

There were five of them, against just the two of them!

And these were thugs—who knew if they were armed? It was too dangerous. Running was their best bet.

Gu Xiaoxi nodded, then replied softly, “Alright. I’ll take care of the four on the left, and you handle the one on the right! Once I’m done, I’ll come help you.”

“…?”

Tang Xiao was baffled. What was she talking about?

Before he could process it, Gu Xiaoxi’s agile figure darted out from behind him!

With a swift, clean motion, she launched a sidekick that landed squarely on the leader’s abdomen.

The thug was sent flying, crashing to the ground with saliva dribbling from his mouth.

The entire movement was smooth, decisive, and downright heroic.

Gu Xiaoxi assumed a fighting stance, glaring at the others with a fiery gaze. “Who’s next?!”

“Boss!”

The remaining thugs panicked. They hadn’t expected this girl to dare to strike. Seeing their leader downed only fueled their fury.

“Get her! Kill this b***h!”

“Hah! How dare you hooligans harass decent men? Watch how I deal with you!” Gu Xiaoxi’s face showed no fear—only exhilaration.

Tang Xiao was dumbfounded, quickly moving to grab one of the thugs.

Meanwhile, the remaining three charged at Gu Xiaoxi.

Without hesitation, she dove into the fight against all three.

Gu Xiaoxi’s blows targeted the groin, jabbed at the eyes, and struck the knees—moves never taught in martial arts school.

After dealing with the three thugs, she delivered a graceful spinning kick with her long legs, knocking out the last one, who Tang Xiao had been grappling with.

The five delinquents were now sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

Tang Xiao stood frozen in shock.

Holy crap! Is this the power of a provincial martial arts champion? She’s a beast!

Gu Xiaoxi smoothed out her skirt, then casually patted Tang Xiao on the shoulder, acting cool.

“Hmph! I told you I’d have your back. So, kiddo, was that awesome or what?”

“Awesome, awesome, awesome. The cops are on their way,” Tang Xiao replied as he hurriedly called the police.

Before long, the police arrived, and everyone was taken to the station.

---

At the police station, Gu Xiaoxi ended up arguing with the officers.

Gu Xiaoxi insisted, “Officer, I’ve already explained.

These five thugs had their eyes on my friend and were trying to do something vile. What I did was a textbook case of acting bravely for a just cause!”

As she spoke, she pointed at Tang Xiao, whose face was now plastered with exasperation.

The officer glanced at Tang Xiao, then at Gu Xiaoxi, frowning. “Your friend is indeed handsome, but all five of them admitted they were after you.

They just didn’t expect you to fight back so fiercely. What you did counts as self-defense, not acting bravely for a just cause.”

Tang Xiao stood to the side, caught between laughter and embarrassment.

This is so humiliating.

Gu Xiaoxi wasn’t having it. “It’s not self-defense! It was clearly a heroic act!

Tang Xiao, tell the officer those thugs were after you!”

Tang Xiao’s face darkened as he ignored her plea, addressing the officer politely.

“Sorry, Officer. My friend’s not very bright. She’s obsessed with getting bonus points for the college entrance exam.”

Tang Xiao had seen right through Gu Xiaoxi’s intentions.

Bravery in the face of danger could earn bonus points on college applications, but self-defense did not.

That was the real reason for Gu Xiaoxi’s argument.

Since her grades weren’t great, she’d resorted to underhanded ideas.

The moment she saw those thugs, she’d been more excited than they were, thinking it was her chance to score bonus points.

The officer wasn’t fooled—it was clear what counted as bravery and what was self-defense.

However, they were genuinely impressed by the girl’s ability to take on five opponents at once.

The officer nodded at Tang Xiao. “Understood. Young lady, your boyfriend has a good head on his shoulders. You should listen to him more.”

Gu Xiaoxi’s face turned red, and she stammered, “What boyfriend? No, no, no, he’s not my boyfriend!”

“We’re not a couple, Officer. You’ve got it wrong,” Tang Xiao quickly clarified as well.

Gu Xiaoxi let out a quiet scoff.

Coward.

The officer said, “The five who attacked you are from another school. We’ve already contacted their parents.

We’ll make sure they’re properly dealt with.”

“Thank you for your help, Officer.”

“Just sign here, and you’re free to go.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Even as they wrapped up, Gu Xiaoxi kept protesting. “I don’t accept this! It was a heroic act!”

“Let’s go already. Stop embarrassing yourself. Sorry about her, Officer. Thank you, and sorry again…”

Tang Xiao awkwardly smiled as he dragged Gu Xiaoxi out of the station.

---

The sky had darkened, and the streetlights cast long and short shadows as the two walked along the road.

Gu Xiaoxi chattered excitedly about the day’s events, while Tang Xiao listened with a faint smile.

“Let me tell you, there aren’t many at our school who can take me in a fight. Those five small fries were nothing.”

“Of course, you’re amazing. That’s why I wanted to learn from you.”

“Naturally! Your master is no ordinary person,” Gu Xiaoxi said smugly.

Under the glow of a streetlamp, Tang Xiao suddenly stopped.

He looked at her seriously and said, “Xiaoxi, thank you for today.”

Gu Xiaoxi blinked in surprise, then brushed her nose with her thumb, striking what she thought was a cool pose.

“You used to protect me. From now on, it’s my turn to protect you!”

“Did I ever protect you?”

“You forgot?!”

“Uh… Can you give me a hint?”

“Hint, my foot! How could you forget something like that?” Gu Xiaoxi puffed up her cheeks, visibly annoyed.