Chapter 226 — Wei Zhao Takes the Lead

"Yes, I see it." Wei Zhao's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhong Yongliang and Kang Xiaofeng, though they were too far away for him to make out what they were saying.

There was definitely something wrong with Zhong Yongliang. Who knew when he had gotten himself tangled up with Zou Ruoming? The moment class ended, he had rushed outside, dying to talk to him about something.

Thinking back to how Zhong Yongliang had sought him out earlier, going on about tipping him off—could that have something to do with Zou Ruoming?

"Boss, since Zhong Yongliang said that, I figure the odds are low that he's after me. But Tang Zhi..." Kang Xiaofeng was no fool either. The sight of Zou Ruoming had made him think of Tang Zhi at once.

"Right. Tonight you go with Tang Zhi and visit Xiaofen at the hospital. I will go see what game Zhong Yongliang is playing. If anything comes up on your end, contact me straight away, and do not leave Tang Zhi's side." Wei Zhao thought it over, then gave Kang Xiaofeng his instructions.

"Rest easy, Boss. I have already got Sister-in-law covered!" Kang Xiaofeng thumped his chest in assurance.

The bell rang, and Wei Zhao and Kang Xiaofeng returned to the classroom. A while later, Zhong Yongliang hurried in, shot Wei Zhao a glance, and went back to his own seat.

All morning, Zhong Yongliang did not bother Wei Zhao again, as if he had forgotten the matter he had raised that morning. It was not until the noon break that he finally came over. "Wei Zhao, well? Have you thought it over?"

"Where tonight?" Wei Zhao asked evenly. Now that he had decided to go and see just what tricks Zhong Yongliang was up to, he saw no reason to decline.

"Tonight at the Liangbai Grand Hotel!" Zhong Yongliang said, then added, "It is my family's business."

The so-called Liangbai Grand Hotel took its name from Zhong Yongliang and Zhong Fabai combined. It was just that Zhong Fabai had been a little too creative—the hotel's name was so catchy it sounded like a toothpaste brand.

"Fine." Wei Zhao nodded. "But you had better think carefully. Do not try any tricks, or the consequences will be severe—more severe than you can imagine. You have all afternoon to daydream about it as much as you like. The Ten Great Cruelties of the Qing dynasty, and all that..."

"Ha, as if I would!" Zhong Yongliang gave two dry laughs. "Wei Zhao, my intentions are good. Do not take a kind heart for a donkey's liver and lungs! I am here to sincerely surrender to you!"

"Hm?" Wei Zhao looked at Zhong Yongliang, wondering what else the fellow had to say.

"Wei Zhao, I know there is bad blood between us, so let us speak plainly, no riddles. Since you understand how things stand with Brother Black Panther, I will not go on about it!" Zhong Yongliang suddenly came clean. "Before, I hated you to the bone, because you kicked me. After that I wanted to teach you a lesson, and got beaten for my trouble! So I wanted Brother Black Panther to teach you a lesson, to show you what happens when you cross me!"

"But not only did you beat Brother Black Panther, you put him behind bars. That left me both shocked and terrified!" Zhong Yongliang continued. "I am not a fool. I hate you, but I know I am no match for you, and the men I hire are no match for you either, so I dare not oppose you! Just like a couple of days ago, when you kicked me head over heels—did I dare say a word? No, I did not dare, I did not dare so much as let out a fart!"

Wei Zhao said nothing, listening to Zhong Yongliang spout his nonsense. He did not believe a word of it. The boy's eyes were shifty through and through; he was plainly talking rubbish. But Wei Zhao did not call him out. He let him keep performing.

"So, as for this matter, since I know about it, I cannot pretend I do not. What I said before was a bit exaggerated. The truth is, I am not afraid of being dragged into it, or of the police coming to me about harboring someone and so on!" Zhong Yongliang explained. "From the Black Panther business, you can see my father's influence, can you not? Brother Black Panther took the fall, and even if the police suspect me, there is no evidence! So in the same way, with this matter I am telling you about, even if the police suspect I knew and did not report it, it is only suspicion—no proof. No one can do anything to me!" Wei Zhao nodded along cooperatively and let him keep talking.

"I said what I said before because I wanted to save some face. I did not want to lose face in front of you! But now I will just be honest. The truth is, I am afraid of you! I am afraid that afterward you will come after me, come to beat me! I cannot beat you! I am truly afraid of you, and that is why I wanted to tip you off, to let you know about this ahead of time, so that when it happens you will not blame me!" Zhong Yongliang said. "There. I have confessed everything. You will not mock me for being a coward, will you?"

It had to be said, Zhong Yongliang's performance was superb, and his speech sounded quite reasonable. But Wei Zhao simply did not believe him, because there was no fear at all in his eyes—only a flicker of excitement.

"So that is how it is," Wei Zhao nodded. "I was wondering why you suddenly wanted to tip me off. So you are afraid of me. All right then, tonight I will go with you."

"Good, Wei Zhao. From now on I am your underling. Whatever comes up, just summon me, and I will even hand over my spot as the third of the Four Young Devils of the campus!" Zhong Yongliang said. "As long as you stop giving me trouble, I will do whatever you tell me to do!"

"Oh, I already have Kang Xiaofeng as an underling. I do not need you for now." Wei Zhao waved a hand, signaling that Zhong Yongliang could leave.

"Yes, Boss Wei Zhao!" Zhong Yongliang smiled fawningly. He turned away, and the smile slid from his face at once, replaced by the look of a schemer whose plot had succeeded. With a sinister sneer in his heart, he thought: Enjoy it while you can, Wei Zhao. I will play your underling for a few hours, and then you will be dead.

After Zhong Yongliang had left, Kang Xiaofeng turned around. "Boss, is what he said true or not?"

"Fake." Wei Zhao answered without a moment's thought. "Do you think he got his head kicked in by a donkey, coming all the way here to curry favor?"

"That is what I think too. Then there really is something wrong here." Kang Xiaozhuobo nodded.

That evening after school, Kang Xiaozhuobo did as Wei Zhao had instructed and ran out of the classroom ahead of everyone to wait for Tang Zhi in Class Nine of the twelfth grade, while Wei Zhao dawdled over packing his schoolbag. Zhong Yongliang had already finished packing and stood to one side, beaming as he waited for Wei Zhao.

"Carry this for me." Wei Zhao handed his packed schoolbag to Zhong Yongliang without the slightest courtesy. The fellow liked playing the loyal lackey, did he? Then let him play it to the hilt.

Zhong Yongliang was briefly taken aback, then the smile returned to his face. "Of course, Leader Wei Zhao!"

"Lead the way," Wei Zhao said flatly, then casually kicked Zhong Yongliang with his foot. "Look sharp. You are all thumbs."

"Yes!" Zhong Yongliang gritted his teeth inwardly. Fine, he thought, I will keep up the act a while longer, let you gloat a while longer. When the time comes, you will get what is coming to you!