Chapter 29 — What Was Bound to Come, Came
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
The so-called "big class," also called evening self-study, was something many schools had. After school let out at half past four, there was a half-hour break, and at five o'clock the "big class" formally began, lasting an hour and a half with no break in between.
"If you're a man, come with me." This time Zhong Yongliang's words were even more provocative than before—last time he had merely said "if you've got the guts," but now he had resorted to "if you're a man."
Wei Zhao was a man, of course, but neither would he lose his temper over Zhong Yongliang's bullying tone. Still, he understood that today's business would have to be settled one way or another, sooner or later. It was plain to see that Zhong Yongliang was the sort of man who never let go; as he himself had said, you can dodge the first of the month, but never the fifteenth. Wei Zhao had no need to hide from him, yet it was proof enough that Zhong Yongliang was a man who would not stop until he got what he wanted.
"All right, I'll go with you." Wei Zhao nodded and rose to his feet.
At that moment many in the class had not yet left the room. They had taken notice the first time Zhong Yongliang came looking for Wei Zhao, so when he appeared before Wei Zhao a second time, he naturally became the focus of the entire class.
But the instant Wei Zhao agreed to go with him, the whole class erupted. Many sighed inwardly that Wei Zhao, on his very first day, did not know the rules and had somehow incurred the wrath of the school tyrant Zhong Yongliang; still, what most of them felt was sympathy.
"I'm coming with you." Kang Xiaofeng spoke as though he had made some great decision, shooting abruptly to his feet with the stirring valor of a soldier marching to his execution.
Kang Xiaofeng's heart had been wrestling with itself all along. Today was only his first day of knowing Wei Zhao, yet he felt the two of them got along remarkably well. In the dull and dreary life of senior year, how rare it was to find a friend you could actually talk to.
Zhong Yongliang was formidable in the school, and Kang Xiaofeng had no way to stand against him. All he could do was stay at Wei Zhao's side and see whether he might lessen the clash between them.
"Damn, Kang Xiaofeng, you tired of living? Speaking up for him?" The sight of a classmate of his own standing up for a newly transferred outsider sent a surge of fury through Zhong Yongliang. This was provocation - a challenge to his authority within the class.
Under Zhong Yongliang's intimidating gaze, Kang Xiaofeng quailed a little, yet he did not shrink back. Instead he lifted his chin. "Zhong Yongliang, Wei Zhao just transferred here and doesn't know the rules of the class. Don't hold it against him..."
"The hell, now you're lecturing me? Who do you think you are?" Zhong Yongliang flew into a rage outright. Doesn't know the rules, my foot - the man had drenched him in urine; how could he let it go so easily? Kang Xiaofeng's offhand tone inflamed him all the more. "Since you're so eager to stick your neck out, you come along too. Damn it, if I don't beat the life out of you both today, I'm no Zhong Yongliang."
Kang Xiaofeng's expression stiffened, and his body gave a slight tremor. All his life he had been the well-behaved sort of student. Though some combative, masculine instinct lurked in his bones, in truth he had never once thrown a punch in a fight.
Wei Zhao did not truly need Kang Xiaofeng's help, but the young man's wholehearted loyalty moved him deeply. He clapped him on the shoulder. "It'll be fine. We'll go together."
Kang Xiaofeng took heart at Wei Zhao's words, thinking to himself that the worst that could happen was they both took a beating. So he squared his chest and followed Wei Zhao toward the classroom door.