Read Novel Full Chapter 4
Jin Anzhu landed a playful punch on his desk mate’s back, “Don’t say things like that, it’s embarrassing.”
“Fuck!” His desk mate almost stumbled from the impact.
Jin Anzhu quickly held him steady, “It’s not that exaggerated.”
He smiled at Sheng Yuan and said, “He just loves making jokes.”
His desk mate sighed in resignation, looking at Sheng Yuan with exasperation.
Sheng Yuan: “…”
“The group of people you scared off yesterday were the little brothers of Wu Di, the leader from No.2 Middle School. They have been wreaking havoc in our school, but that wasn’t enough for them. They came to our school’s entrance to provoke us. Many of us have found them unpleasant, but those people are cunning and deceitful. They challenge openly but resort to cowardly sneak attacks behind the scenes.”
Jin Anzhu’s eyes sparkled, “Tell me, how did you deal with them?”
Sheng Yuan spoke truthfully, “I scared them off by threatening to call the police.”
“Hahaha, you’re really funny,” Jin Anzhu landed another punch on his desk mate, “Just like him.”
Sheng Yuan: “…”
His desk mate: “…”
No one believed the protagonist’s clarification.
‘Where is Big Brother? Where are the other little brothers?’ After enduring a day of mundane school life, Xia Zhiqi and his little brothers finally became alive. At 4:30 PM, Xia Zhiqi approached Sheng Yuan’s desk.
“Brother Sheng, let’s go. Let me treat you to a meal.”
Sheng Yuan stood up, “No need, I’ll cover my own expenses.”
Among the crowd, Xiao Pang(the chubby boy from before) shouted, “Big brother, everyone has contributed money to treat you. If you pay for yourself, it means you look down on us.”
The others chimed in, “That’s right!”
Sheng Yuan turned around and glanced at them, then turned back, “Who said that?”
The air fell silent in an instant.
Xiao Pang: !!
‘Why is everyone suddenly silent!’
He nervously stammered, “I… I said it.”
Sheng Yuan responded, “Then you’re right.”
Everyone: “…”
‘Damn, couldn’t you be less dramatic?
As expected of Big Brother, truly arrogant!’
Sheng Yuan declined the offered treat and had Xia Zhiqi return the money, dispersing the crowd and sending them off to do their own things.
Xia Zhiqi was persistent and followed behind Sheng Yuan, “Brother Sheng, let me treat you separately. Where would you like to eat?”
A couple of blocks away from the school gate, there was a barbecue restaurant on a tree-lined avenue. Sheng Yuan stood at the intersection and pointed, “Let’s go there.”
Upon seeing it, Xia Zhiqi hesitated and asked Sheng Yuan, “Are you sure?”
The tone seemed to imply that it wasn’t him eating the food, but the food eating him.
“What’s the matter? Is that place shady?”
“No, the prices are quite normal, and there’s even a discount for students from No.1 Middle School.”
As the streetlights flickered on, Sheng Yuan walked up the zebra crossing with his hands in his pockets. “Then let’s go to that place.”
As they entered the restaurant, a waiter greeted them—it was the old man who had been distributing flyers at the school gate this morning.
He recognized them, “Young students, come in! Sit over there since there are only two of you.”
The old man led them to their seats.
Xia Zhiqi was surprised, “Brother Sheng, do you know him?”
Sheng Yuan replied, “I’ve seen him, but we don’t know each other.”
The old man brought them the menu, offering a limited variety of dishes, but with generous portions and affordable prices.
Sheng Yuan ordered the grilled meat for both of them, and when it arrived, it looked like it could serve three or four people.
The barbecue restaurant was small, with just a glance, you could see everything from end to end. It could accommodate around ten tables at most.
There were only the old man and a woman in her forties bustling around the restaurant, going in and out.
On the left side of the restaurant, there was a small door with a half-meter curtain hanging above it. The old man emerged from there with the dishes, presumably from the kitchen.
Although the space was small, the business was booming. Almost all the seats were occupied, mostly by students wearing uniforms from No.1 Middle School. There were also quite a few adults who took a detour to come here to eat. The tables were mostly for five or six people.
Sheng Yuan’s table was the last available one, and those who arrived later would have to wait outside in line.
The old man specifically brought plastic chairs for the people waiting in line, allowing them to sit and wait.
Xia Zhiqi grilled the meat with tongs. “Brother Sheng, where should we go after we finish eating?”
Sheng Yuan twisted open a soda can. “We’ll go back to school for evening self-study.”
“Ah?” Xia Zhiqi was taken aback.
“If you want to do something else, it’s up to you.”
“No, I’ll go with Brother Sheng, but Brother Sheng…” Xia Zhiqi didn’t quite understand. What’s the point of studying in their delinquent circle? It would be embarrassing if it got out.
“Brother Sheng, there’s no need for us to study in our delinquent circle either.”
Sheng Yuan had no intention of blending in with that crowd.
But he didn’t make his intentions clear. After all, with Xia Zhiqi’s stubbornness, his words would likely be ignored.
“Have you heard a saying before?”
Xia Zhiqi was curious, “What saying?”
“Don’t fear that gangsters can fight, fear that gangsters have culture.”
“But Brother Sheng, we’re not gangsters.”
“Oh, right. Gangsters have nothing to do, they fight, wander around, occasionally whistle at beautiful girls. What about you guys?”
Xia Zhiqi: “…”
They had nothing to do, fight, wandered around, and occasionally whistled at beautiful girls…
This big brother of his was somewhat different. Although it was absurd, cultured gangsters seemed to be those who wore suits on the surface but were ruthless behind the scenes, it indeed possessed a certain level of sophistication.
Xia Zhiqi flipped the meat over. “Okay, Brother Sheng, I’ll go back with you later.”
The sizzling sound of oil from the grilled meat filled the pan.
“Boss, bill please.”
At the table behind Sheng Yuan were two men —one fat, one thin. They wore black clothes, tight pants, and the fat one had extensive tattoos on his right arm, with a thick gold chain around his neck. He took out money from a bag beside him.
The auntie went over to settle the bill and calculated, “Sir, it’s a total of four hundred and five.”
The fat man frowned, “How much?”
The auntie politely handed over the detailed bill, “It’s a total of four hundred and five. It’s all written here, sir, please have a look.”
The thin man directly threw the bill on the table, “Four hundred and five for this shit? What a rip-off!”
“No, sir, we have clearly marked prices in our restaurant, and you ordered quite a lot…”
“Don’t give me any nonsense. I haven’t even started talking about your restaurant yet. It’s a shabby place, and there’s even hair in the meat.”
The auntie defended herself, “Sir, you can’t just make baseless accusations. The hygiene and safety in our restaurant are regulated by the health department. We have been open for two years and never had any…”
“Stop talking nonsense! Don’t like hearing the truth? You bitch, causing trouble here!”
The fat man forcefully pushed the person away.
Sheng Yuan stood up with a mouthful of meat.
Xia Zhiqi: “Big brother!”
Sheng Yuan ignored him, steadying the auntie. He puffed out his cheeks, appearing relaxed, as if this was his own place. Those who didn’t know might think he owned it. “Hey, don’t go too far.”
“Where did you come from, you little brat?”
“Table number ten.” Sheng Yuan pointed with his hand. “If your eyesight is bad, you can get glasses. I can recommend a place for you, it’s right across from No.1 Middle School. That’s where I got mine.”
“I don’t need glasses!”
Xia Zhiqi who was beside him laughed.
The fat man finally realized he was being teased and grabbed Sheng Yuan by the collar. “Are you playing with me, kid?”
Sheng Yuan looked wronged, “I don’t have such strong tastes. Please don’t insult me.”
“You…”
The old man saw the conflict outside the door and hurriedly stepped in to mediate. With trembling hands, he pulled Sheng Yuan away and stood in front of him, saying, “Child, don’t lower yourself to his level. Sir, how about this? Our restaurant will round down the amount and charge you four hundred. Please come again next time.”
“What a load of crap! There’s hair in your meat! This money shouldn’t be collected at all! Keep causing trouble, and believe me, I’ll smash this shabby restaurant of yours!”
The fat man spat angrily.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the restaurant fell into an eerie silence.
Many students wearing uniforms from No.1 Middle School turned their heads, their eyes entwining the two men like venomous snakes.
Contempt, scrutiny, and low mocking laughter… the laughter was low yet piercing to the ears.
The sound of running water from the door on the left ceased, and a figure pushed aside the curtain and walked out.
Tall stature, extremely fair skin, and half a head taller than Sheng Yuan.
Sharp facial features, particularly dark pupils, a small black mole below his right eye. He possessed outstanding looks. Artificial cochlear implants hung from his ears, and on both sides of his head were faintly visible suction cups.
His gaze resembled a bottomless black hole, profound and mysterious.
The fat man looked at Yu Zuojin, who came out. When he saw that he was also a student, he sneered, “You little brat… what the fuck!”
His words seemed to be cut off by a knife, as a tremendous force struck him in the face, smashing him onto the dining table.
With a loud bang, accompanied by the crisp sound of metallic utensils colliding, the lower half of the man’s face was filled with fresh blood flowing from his nose.
The thin man shivered at the sudden turn of events. “Big brother.”
He tried to approach, but a hand rested on his shoulder. A red-haired youth with a cigarette in his mouth smiled at him. “Your brother is here.”
He raised his hand and threw a punch, knocking the person to the ground.
“Oh hoho!”
“Woohoo!”
“Yoo~”
The restaurant suddenly turned into a monkey’s den, with excited and jubilant voices filling the air. Someone put their fingers to their lips and whistled.
“You want to smash the restaurant?” Yu Zuojin grabbed the fat man’s head.
His voice was low, hoarse, and eerie, it was extremely unpleasant. It sounded as if his vocal cords had been slashed by a blade and clumsily sewn back together.
He had immense strength, gripping the fat man’s hair and the pain made the man’s body tilt backward, forgetting to retaliate in an attempt to alleviate the pain.
“It hurts! It hurts!!!”
While Yu Zuojin was taking action, the old man immediately reached out and patted around Sheng Yuan’s face from a rather awkward posture. He turned and saw Sheng Yuan’s confusion and tried to persuade him not to do anything.
The auntie also tried to pry Yu Zuojin’s hand away.
But all her efforts were in vain. Yu Zuojin ignored them completely.
Gripping the man’s head, he repeatedly smashed it against the wall, one strike after another, each one harsher than the last. The veins on his arm bulged, and a terrifying glint appeared in his pitch-black eyes.
Sheng Yuan was shocked by the scene before him.
“Stop… I’ll pay… I’ll pay! I’ll pay!”
The fat man wailed and took out money from his bag, blood staining the bills. The man hurriedly exchanged them for clean ones.
Yu Zuojin released him, and the auntie took the money. The two men scurried away in fear.
“Brother Yu, you went easy on them today.”
“Hahaha, Brother Yu, when will you finish your shift today?”
“Brother Yu…”
The students cheered.
The auntie, fearing to disturb the people around, gestured for them to lower their voices and hurriedly cleaned up while Yu Zuojin paid no attention and turned back inside.
The auntie sighed and stomped her foot, scolding him for being impulsive. But he acted as if he hadn’t heard and left straightaway.
The old man’s face showed a hint of helplessness. He turned to Sheng Yuan and said, “The little students didn’t see anything, right?”
Sheng Yuan looked at the old man for a few seconds, then moved the old man’s hand that was covering his mouth to his eyes.
“I didn’t see anything.”
The old man: “…”