Today, Wei Xiaochi was on duty and left school a bit later than the others. When he came out of school, the sky was streaked with fiery clouds.

Wei Xiaochi was in a hurry to get home for dinner, riding his bike like the wind, his clothes fluttering.

The setting sun cast its last rays, dyeing the streets blood-red. Wei Xiaochi took the back alleys, weaving through the city’s streets and lanes.

Just as he turned out of a narrow alley, he bumped into someone head-on. Wei Xiaochi was startled, quickly twisting the handlebars, but the other person stepped forward, fiercely gripping the bike’s handle with five fingers, steadying it on the spot.

That hand looked like it was meticulously crafted, long and strong, with clearly defined knuckles.

The bike was pinned in place as if by the sweeping monk from a martial arts novel.

Wei Xiaochi’s throat moved silently, and he glanced up at the person, then froze.

Jiang Zhan, the infamous troublemaker of No. 2 High School, who became famous after fighting a senior on the first day of school, securing his position as the school’s top dog.

Unfortunately, the one Wei Xiaochi bumped into was none other than Jiang Zhan.

The school tyrant had a fierce, cold look, with a tall stature, his shadow enveloping Wei Xiaochi, creating an atmosphere like a storm brewing.

It was said Jiang Zhan had a terrible temper; once, someone looked at him a bit too long, and he cornered them in the back alley for a ‘lesson.’

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” Wei Xiaochi’s heart nearly stopped from the scare.

But the other party was oblivious, busy talking on his phone.

Wei Xiaochi vaguely heard someone on the other end asking when Jiang Zhan would arrive, and Jiang Zhan replied, “Soon.”

It seemed the school tyrant had other important matters to attend to, likely no time to deal with a small fry like him.

Just as Wei Xiaochi’s heart settled, a chilling voice from above asked, “Do you know me?”

“Huh?” Wei Xiaochi didn’t catch on at first, looking up blankly.

Jiang Zhan frowned at this dazed four-eyes, “I asked if you know me?”

Not understanding why, Wei Xiaochi nodded.

“Lend me 50.”

“…”

Wei Xiaochi had never seen someone so confidently asking for money.

“Are you deaf?” Jiang Zhan grabbed Wei Xiaochi’s collar impatiently, “Can you lend me 50 for a taxi?”

Overwhelmed by Jiang Zhan’s intimidating aura, Wei Xiaochi, like under a spell, handed over the money from his pocket without thinking.

Something else was said on the phone, making Jiang Zhan’s face even darker as he snatched the money from Wei Xiaochi’s hand, flagging down a taxi.

“I’ll take a taxi there, just hold them off for ten minutes!”

The taxi stopped at the curb, Jiang Zhan, with his long legs, opened the door and got in.

Seeing Jiang Zhan about to leave, Wei Xiaochi snapped out of his daze, no longer afraid, and shouted, “I’m Wei Xiaochi, in your year, in Class One.”

Jiang Zhan sat down, and the driver stepped on the gas, driving away.

Wei Xiaochi yelled at the taxi’s retreating rear, “And, what you took wasn’t 50, it was 176!”

Even after the taxi was completely out of sight, Wei Xiaochi’s gaze didn’t waver.

He stood like a stone watching for his husband, his eyes longing for the car to come back with Jiang Zhan reappearing.

Sadly, after five minutes, the romantic scene from a teen drama never happened.

Before Wei Xiaochi’s eyes, all was a chaotic blur of shadows, his body swaying—

His male lead had run off with his 176 yuan, not even leaving a promise to pay it back.

Wei Xiaochi grabbed his hair in frustration: Did Jiang Zhan hear him? Would he get his money back tomorrow?

They say this kid comes from a wealthy family; he wouldn’t keep his money, right?

He… shouldn’t, right?

Jiang Zhan, that dog, didn’t return the money!

The night he lent money to Jiang Zhan, Wei Xiaochi didn’t sleep until 2 AM, and the next day, he went to school with swollen eyes.

He spent the entire day hoping Jiang Zhan would come to return the money, but by the time school was out in the afternoon, there was still no sign of the school tyrant.

Two days later, Wei Xiaochi finally saw Jiang Zhan’s true colors.

Nowadays, except for special cases like him, who uses cash? Everyone pays by phone.

Jiang Zhan, a rich second generation, not having 50 yuan on his phone? Who would believe that?

This wasn’t borrowing; it was clearly extortion, blackmail, robbery!

Realizing the truth, Wei Xiaochi was almost mad enough to faint, first cursing Jiang Zhan’s ancestors in his mind.

After calming down, Wei Xiaochi still held a sliver of hope.

Maybe Jiang Zhan genuinely had no money on his phone and forgot about repaying due to his forgetfulness?

After thinking it over, Wei Xiaochi decided to remind the ‘forgetful’ Jiang Zhan about the money, after all, 176 yuan was not a small amount to him.

Wei Xiaochi was in the same year as Jiang Zhan, in the same school building, Jiang Zhan’s class was just upstairs from his.

After the eye exercises during the big break, Wei Xiaochi wandered to Jiang Zhan’s Class Seven, peering inside stealthily.

During the big break at No. 2 High School, there was half an hour for activities, with many students choosing to go to the playground or to the store for snacks and drinks.

Class Seven was sparsely populated, and Wei Xiaochi quickly spotted the black-haired boy sleeping at the back of the classroom.

Despite being only seventeen or eighteen, he looked like he’d been fed growth hormones, his legs were unreal, long and straight.

He had white earphones in, a long neck, broad shoulders, and through the thin fabric, you could see the outline of his spine, straight and clear.

That must be Jiang Zhan, right?

Wei Xiaochi opened his mouth several times to call him out but chickened out each time.

The problem was, the debtor was the school’s top dog, known for his bad temper, ready to throw punches at the slightest provocation.

Wei Xiaochi looked at his own skinny frame; ten of him together might not withstand one punch from Jiang Zhan.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, sounding like a delinquent student:

“What are you sneaking around for? Looking for a fight?”

Wei Xiaochi jumped in fright, turning to see an alpha with a fierce look.

Han Ziyang looked down at Wei Xiaochi with impatience, “Move out of the way.”

Before Wei Xiaochi’s brain could process, his body moved, quickly stepping aside.

Seeing how scared Wei Xiaochi was, Han Ziyang scoffed and entered the classroom.

Unlike his hostility towards Wei Xiaochi, Han Ziyang was quite attentive to the sleeping boy at the back.

“Brother Zhan, I bought you a bottle of water, chilled.” Han Ziyang placed the water on Jiang Zhan’s desk.

Jiang Zhan didn’t move.

“Brother Zhan?” Han Ziyang called again.

“Get lost, don’t bother me!” Jiang Zhan’s voice carried the irritation of being woken up.

Han Ziyang obediently responded with an ‘oh,’ not daring to disturb further, sitting back down. Looking up, he saw Wei Xiaochi still peeking from the doorway, his gaze turning hostile.

Han Ziyang raised his fist, mouthing for Wei Xiaochi to scram.

Wei Xiaochi’s heart raced, and he turned and ran.

That night, Wei Xiaochi couldn’t sleep again, managing only a brief nap just before dawn, dreaming of Jiang Zhan.

In the dream, not only did Jiang Zhan not return the money, but he also took all of Wei Xiaochi’s savings, waking him up in frustration.

The next morning, Wei Xiaochi felt like he’d been drained by a dark mountain demon, his eyes lifeless, his steps unsteady as he got ready.

Early that morning, Dean Wei Minzhen was keeping watch at the school gate, focusing on students who affected the school’s image.

Students with dyed or permed hair, not wearing uniforms, or not wearing school badges were all pulled aside to stand against the wall.

Among them was Jiang Zhan.

The tall alpha looked damn cool, wearing a floral shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off his well-defined collarbones.

Leaning against the wall, one leg on the ground, the other long leg propped up arrogantly, he got a good scolding from Wei Minzhen.

“If you want your mother to come to school and be embarrassed with you, keep this up.”

Jiang Zhan’s face darkened, but he put his leg down, standing properly against the wall.

As soon as the dean left, Wei Xiaochi, who had been watching from a distance, carefully approached Jiang Zhan.

Now in a bad mood, Jiang Zhan glanced at Wei Xiaochi with a menacing look in his eyes.

Wei Xiaochi shivered.

Under the school tyrant’s cold gaze, Wei Xiaochi forced a smile, “Have you had breakfast? I have some buns.”

Wei Xiaochi offered his own ration to appease the irritable school tyrant.

The buns were chive and egg, small in size, ten in a steamer for eight yuan; there wasn’t a cheaper, better bun shop in all of City A than his.

Jiang Zhan glanced at the transparent bag in Wei Xiaochi’s hand, not seeming very interested, but he was indeed a bit hungry.

Jiang Zhan took the buns without ceremony, asking nonchalantly, “Meat?”

Wei Xiaochi shook his head, “They’re vegetarian.”

Meat buns were twelve yuan for a steamer, too expensive for Wei Xiaochi to buy often.

Jiang Zhan clicked his tongue, showing his disdain, but he still stooped to take a bite.

The taste was passable.

Wei Xiaochi swallowed, his heart aching for his buns, but you’ve got to spend to catch the wolf.

Seeing Jiang Zhan’s mood lighten, Wei Xiaochi was about to subtly bring up the money when Jiang Zhan suddenly narrowed his eyes, spotting something sticking out of Wei Xiaochi’s upper pocket.

It looked like a DOVE chocolate wrapper.

Jiang Zhan, with a flick of his fingers, effortlessly pulled it out from Wei Xiaochi’s pocket—indeed, chocolate.

Wei Xiaochi watched helplessly as Jiang Zhan tore open the chocolate without any regard for him.

Countless people tried to curry favor with Jiang Zhan; Wei Xiaochi’s offering was nothing special. Jiang Zhan didn’t care.

He waved his hand impatiently, telling Wei Xiaochi to leave before Dean Wei noticed anything.

Jiang Zhan’s caution was justified; Wei Minzhen seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, suddenly turning around, “What are you two doing? Which class are you from?”

Wei Xiaochi answered honestly, “Teacher, I’m from Class One.”

Wei Minzhen scanned Wei Xiaochi up and down, seeing nothing wrong, waved him off to go back to his class for morning reading.