He wasn’t the first one to come looking? So, Jiang Zhan often borrowed money and didn’t return it?

Wei Xiaochi’s heart sank slowly. It seemed like he had run into a deadbeat.

Han Ziyang patted Wei Xiaochi’s face lightly, like a mastermind in a crime drama humiliating a less capable opponent.

“I advise you to be smart. If you dare show up in front of Zhan Ge again, I’ll…”

Han Ziyang swung his fist threateningly, but before he could touch Wei Xiaochi, the latter was so scared he hugged his head, spilling half the water from the disposable cup.

Luckily, the water wasn’t very hot now; even if it spilled on Wei Xiaochi’s hand, it didn’t hurt much.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi so frightened, Han Ziyang found it uninteresting and said magnanimously, “Scram.”

“Oh, and leave the medicine.”

“Outrageous, outrageous, simply outrageous!”

After returning from Class Seven, these four words echoed in Wei Xiaochi’s mind, making him tremble with anger.

His mind was filled with thoughts of Jiang Zhan, to the point that he didn’t even bother with Zhang Mingyang’s provocations.

A few nights ago, Wei Xiaochi could still manage to sleep for a few hours, but knowing Jiang Zhan had no intention of returning the money, he was completely insomniac, gnawing at his pillowcase all night.

No!

At five in the morning, Wei Xiaochi sprang up from his bed like a corpse coming to life — he couldn’t just let this go; at worst, he’d go down fighting with Jiang Zhan.

With a tragic determination, the next morning after early reading, Wei Xiaochi went to report to the dean about Jiang Zhan’s robbery and refusal to pay back debts.

All the students at 2nd High School feared Jiang Zhan, but even school bullies had their natural enemies; when faced with the strict dean, wasn’t Jiang Zhan still punished to stand in the corner?

Wei Xiaochi, who hadn’t slept all night, looked pale but was extremely excited, like he’d been injected with adrenaline, his head held high with determination.

Today, he would confront the school’s evil forces, and he would fight to the end, becoming the sword that slices through the darkness of 2nd High School!

Then, Wei Xiaochi, the “Sword of 2nd High School,” on the second floor of the annex building, felt a shiver run down his spine upon seeing two people approaching.

It was Jiang Zhan and Han Ziyang.

Jiang Zhan was wearing his school uniform today, though just draped over him. His tall frame of one meter eighty-seven, even if he were just wrapped in a sheet, would look like he was walking a runway.

Walking alongside him, Han Ziyang was talking non-stop, which seemed to irritate Jiang Zhan, his eyes narrowing with the intimidating aura of an alpha.

“Someone must have snitched to Old Wei. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know about this.”

“I hate these backstabbers the most. If I find out who’s whispering in Old Wei’s ear, I’ll skin him alive.”

Han Ziyang said hatefully.

Wei Xiaochi, who was about to report to Old Wei: …

Amid Han Ziyang’s furious cursing, Wei Xiaochi stopped in his tracks.

Han Ziyang also noticed Wei Xiaochi across from him, irritated, “Fuck, why is it this guy again?”

Snapping back to reality, Wei Xiaochi, under Han Ziyang’s glare, stepped back fearfully.

“What did I tell you last time? Did you take my words as wind in your ears? Don’t run, you fucking…”

Wei Xiaochi took off running as if a flood or beast was chasing him, leaving Han Ziyang’s voice far behind.

In a flash, Wei Xiaochi disappeared, and Han Ziyang cursed, “Damn, he runs pretty fast.”

Jiang Zhan looked confused, “Who is this guy?”

Han Ziyang was used to Jiang Zhan’s face-blindness and poor memory, “The one who brought you medicine yesterday afternoon.”

“I’m telling you, Zhan Ge, this kid definitely has a crush on you.” Han Ziyang was certain, “If not, I’ll twist my head off and use it as your stool.”

“A few days ago, I saw him sneakily peeking at you at our class door. That weirdo at the cafeteria yesterday noon was him too; he was eavesdropping, heard your stomach was upset, and came to deliver medicine in the afternoon.”

“And those buns, they were from this kid. Relying on being some kind of love saint, without even looking at his own face, a toad wanting to eat swan meat.”

Under Han Ziyang’s terrifying threats, Wei Xiaochi’s previous high spirits were crushed into dust.

Although Han Ziyang wasn’t talking about him being flayed, it was clear what would happen if he reported Jiang Zhan to Old Wei.

Who would have thought that even a rich kid could be so stingy, taking hard-earned money and still having no decency?

Wei Xiaochi returned to the classroom with a gloomy face, as if the whole world owed him a million.

He was not very popular at school, with a very low presence; when he was in a bad mood, there wasn’t even a friend to comfort him.

As soon as he sat down, Wei Xiaochi was hit hard on the back of his head with an exercise book, gasping in pain.

A domineering voice from the last row commanded Wei Xiaochi, “Do my math homework for me!”

After not sleeping all night and experiencing such emotional ups and downs, Wei Xiaochi’s mindset completely collapsed.

This world was beyond saving; let it end, quickly!

While internally he was screaming for destruction, in reality, he was as cowardly as ever. With a sigh, Wei Xiaochi bent down to pick up the workbook.

Even in a class full of top students, there were those who didn’t study and relied on connections, making Wei Xiaochi their primary ‘target’ for help.

Usually, the class president kept these class bullies in check, but with the class president out sick for the past couple of days, Wei Xiaochi had become the unfortunate one doing homework for others.

The world wasn’t going to end; he could only hope the class president would return soon.

Sigh.

It was Friday, yet Wei Xiaochi felt no joy in it being the weekend. Apart from answering two questions in math class, he didn’t interact with anyone all day.

His mood didn’t improve even after school, and he rode his bike home slowly.

As he was about to unlock the door, he heard laughter from inside. Wei Xiaochi pursed his lips, inserted the key into the lock, and opened the security door.

The kitchen was nearest to the entrance, where Fang Yuan was stir-frying in her apron. Hearing the door, she asked, “Xiaochi, are you back?”

Wei Xiaochi paused while putting away his keys, giving a vague ‘mm.’

Fang Yuan didn’t say more, and Wei Xiaochi silently changed into his slippers, entering the living room to see a man on the couch. He murmured, “Dad.”

Wei Dongjian was lying on the couch with a four-year-old girl in his arms, his stubble tickling her face, making her giggle.

Beside the coffee table, a little boy, the girl’s twin, was holding a new toy gun.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi, Wei Zimo immediately pointed the gun at him, making ‘biubiu’ sounds.

Wei Zimo cheered, “Brother’s dead! I shot him!”

Fang Yuan came out from the kitchen, “Wei Zimo, don’t talk about your brother like that, it’s disrespectful. It’s almost time for dinner; go wash your hands.”

Wei Dongjian picked up Wei Zixin, patted her little butt, “Let’s go, dad will wash your hands.”

It was as if Wei Dongjian had just noticed Wei Xiaochi’s return, saying to him, “Let’s eat.”

Wei Xiaochi went to his room to drop off his backpack, hearing the noise from the living room; he didn’t go out right away, staying in his room for a while.

Seven or eight minutes later, Fang Yuan called out to Wei Xiaochi again through the door, and only then did he come out to wash his hands.

Wei Dongjian glanced at Wei Xiaochi, “Do we need to call you three or four times just to eat?”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t reply, sitting down and eating his rice in silence.

Wei Zimo wanted a chicken leg, and Wei Dongjian served him one, ending the previous conversation.

After dinner, Wei Xiaochi usually did the dishes, but Fang Yuan got there first, efficiently clearing the table, telling Wei Xiaochi, “Go do your homework; I’ll handle this. Go on.”

Wei Xiaochi stood there for a moment before returning to his room, just in time to hear Wei Dongjian say, “It’s Saturday tomorrow, right?”

Without waiting for Wei Xiaochi to respond, Wei Dongjian continued, “Your grandma misses you all; we’re going back to the old house tomorrow.”

Wei Xiaochi resisted the idea, quietly saying, “There’s an exam coming up; I want to stay home to study.”

Wei Dongjian’s face immediately darkened, “I ask you to go back to your grandma’s once, look at your attitude. She raised you since you were little, and even before she can’t walk anymore, you’re already like this. What can we expect from you when she’s really old?”

Wei Dongjian’s angry shout made Wei Xiaochi’s ears ring for a moment.

Wei Xiaochi hung his head, his pale lips pressed together, silent.

Seeing him so downcast, Wei Dongjian got even more annoyed, pulled out a cigarette, lit it up, but Fang Yuan’s voice came from the kitchen—

“Don’t smoke in the living room.”

“Talk to the kids nicely; it’s not often they come home; let’s keep it happy.”

“Did you take your blood pressure medicine? Don’t let your pressure rise again.”

The two little ones were playing in the living room, and Wei Dongjian, irritated, took another drag before stubbing it out in the ashtray.

After that, Wei Dongjian didn’t scold anymore, allowing Wei Xiaochi to return to his room smoothly.

Soon, the living room was lively again; Fang Yuan cut half a watermelon, asking Wei Xiaochi if he wanted some from outside the door, but upon his refusal, she didn’t press further.

Wei Xiaochi had a physics workbook in front of him, and even though the multiple-choice question was simple, he couldn’t write down an answer for a while.

The joyful noise from the living room pierced through the thin door into Wei Xiaochi’s ears.

In this house, he felt like an unnecessary outsider.

Wei Xiaochi lowered his head, forcing himself to ignore the distractions and get into study mode.

Wei Xiaochi rarely expressed his thoughts, and even if he did, they were ignored.

On Saturday morning at eight, after breakfast, Wei Xiaochi still found himself in the car heading back to their old home.

Wei Dongjian had only finished junior high before he started working, initially at a freight station with relatives. When he was old enough to get a driver’s license, he obtained an A-class license.

He had been driving for over a decade, first as an employee, but now he was the boss, employing a seasoned driver.

Because he drove long distances, having just one driver was risky, so Wei Dongjian always rode along, also to prevent the driver from doing side gigs behind his back.

Wei Dongjian’s hometown was in Lishui County; by highway, it would take about half an hour to get there.

He had called home before they left, so when they arrived, the entire family was waiting for them in the yard.

Author’s Note:

Opening a new story, randomly giving red envelopes to 66 people.

Just not sure if there are even sixty-six readers since I’ve been away for so long before posting again.