Read Novel Full Chapter 64
Chapter 64
The reporters who got off the media van were like a mighty little army.
Accompanied by the chirping of sparrows on the branches at eight o’clock, they checked their equipment and basked in the warm winter sun.
Today was a beautiful day, with gentle breeze and clear skies, much warmer than the sudden temperature drop when winter arrived, giving people the illusion of returning to autumn.
Thinking it was a morning in autumn, a thin layer of sweat formed under the down jacket.
Ji Minglai’s parents followed behind the police and headed straight for Sheng Yuan.
Sheng Yuan also sensed something, and an ominous premonition spread through him. Almost instinctively, he turned his head to run.
“Sheng Yuan! Where are you going?”
The headmaster quickly pulled him back. An unrestrained expression of joy appeared on his usually serious face as he looked at Sheng Yuan, his eyes filled with relief.
“Well done, boy.”
“Well done!”
His large palm kept patting Sheng Yuan’s shoulder.
Unexpectedly, their No. 1 Middle School had produced a hero who saved a classmate in danger last night.
“Sheng Yuan, you’ve grown so well. You’ve truly surprised your teacher.”
The media had already contacted the leaders of No. 1 Middle School before their arrival, so they entered the school gate without any hindrance. The vice principal even came out from the teaching building to greet them.
The principal attended a meeting at the education bureau last night due to the incident involving the illegal loan organization that targeted students.
The local education bureau attached great importance to the issue. Whether it was in universities or high schools, campus loans and illegal lending still existed. Despite the severe crackdown, there were still hidden dangers in the background.
It posed a hidden risk to the education sector, with countless students deceived and led astray, trapped in a quagmire and unable to save themselves.
Young adults or those who hadn’t entered society yet lacked complete self-protection and the ability to judge right from wrong, making them easily fall into the traps set by criminals and meet tragic ends.
And last night, Ji Minglai, unable to withstand the pressure, stood on the edge of the pedestrian bridge with his life hanging by a thread. He was in a state of extreme mental collapse, otherwise, he wouldn’t have resorted to desperate measures.
But fortunately, he was saved, and the tragedy was averted.
Sheng Yuan brought him back.
—“This classmate, salvation has come.”
This thunderous proclamation shattered the darkness, dispersing the black clouds. The sky returned to its brilliant azure, shining as it did in the past.
Just like his countless prayers, he wished to escape the clutches of high-interest loans and return to a normal life.
He thought he had reached a dead end, but someone reached out to help him.
However, Sheng Yuan wasn’t in the mood for being rewarded at the moment.
“Teacher, I have something to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
He removed the disciplinary headmaster’s hand resting on his shoulder and attempted to slip away. However, in such an important situation, how could they let him go?
Sheng Yuan swiftly bypassed the barrier of the headmaster, and his delinquency points began to fluctuate. It was gradually decreasing at an average of around a hundred.
He had already lost 5,000 Delinquency Points just from the disciplinary headmaster knowing about the incident.
These 5000 points were enough to surpass the initial delinquency value Sheng Yuan received when he defeated Wu Di.
Breaking through one obstacle only welcomed another.
“Sheng Yuan!”
Ji Minglai’s parents, accompanied by the police, approached. The latecomers among the students looked over in confusion.
The police officer before them wore his uniform neatly, the police cap perched correctly. Sheng Yuan didn’t want to engage, but the officer extended his hand to stop him.
“This student, were you the one who reported the incident for Ji Minglai yesterday?”
“Yes, yes, my child told me. It was this student.”
Taking advantage of the moment when the police officer stopped Sheng Yuan, Ji Minglai’s father stepped forward. There were signs that he wanted to open the red brocade cloth in his hand.
His expression was filled with excitement, tears already welling up in his eyes. He was overwhelmed with fear when he thought of last night’s events.
If it hadn’t been for Sheng Yuan, their family would have been ruined. Losing a child for parents who loved him dearly would undoubtedly be more painful than losing their own lives.
Ji Minglai’s father tremblingly held Sheng Yuan’s hand. “This student, thank you, really… thank you. If it weren’t for you yesterday, our son, Minglai…”
He couldn’t bring himself to continue speaking.
He didn’t dare to imagine the consequences if the incident had truly happened.
A great favor needed no words of gratitude. He unfolded the red brocade cloth in his hand, displaying a red banner with golden tassels.
Embossed in golden letters were the words: “Thank you Sheng Yuan for saving my child’s life. You are his second parent. We offer this banner as a token of appreciation.”
*Ji Minglai’s father wanted to mean “benefactor”.
At the tender age eighteen, Sheng Yuan suddenly had a son.
And his son was seventeen, just a year younger than him.
[System: You’ve become a father.]
Sheng Yuan: “…”
Sheng Yuan felt no joy whatsoever. The fluctuations in his delinquency value were immense, resembling a landslide as it plummeted to two hundred thousand.
It was equivalent to kicking all his previous misdeeds away with one swift blow.
Sheng Yuan wanted to withdraw his hand, but Ji Minglai’s father, overwhelmed by emotion, held onto him tightly.
“Good child, thank you!”
No.
Sheng Yuan pushed forcefully. “It’s the least I could do. No need to thank me, Uncle. That’s enough for now. I still have to go to class.”
However, more and more people surrounded him. It was like a huge, terrifying octopus in the depths of the sea was engulfing him.
The reporters couldn’t miss the scene where the rescued child’s parents thanked him and embraced him, presenting the banner. They rushed forward with their cameras to capture the moment.
Seeing Sheng Yuan intending to leave, they approached for an interview.
Microphones crowded around, nearly hitting Sheng Yuan’s face.
“How did you notice that your classmate wanted to commit suicide last night?”
Sheng Yuan thought, ‘He was standing on a bridge. If he didn’t want to commit suicide, did he want to jump and swim?’
“Would you be proud of yourself for your actions?”
“Do you have anything to say about campus loans?”
“What is your name?”
“What grade are you in?”
“What were you thinking when you were saving the person?”
The cacophony of voices filled his ears, and Sheng Yuan was engulfed by the crowd, his scalp tingling.
“We are from a central news agency. The good deeds you’ve done can be seen by the whole nation.”
There was a thunderclap on level ground, and the delinquency value dropped below ten thousand.
He couldn’t stay any longer. Sheng Yuan remained composed, not uttering a word, and walked against the flow of people, heading out.
“What is your name?”
“Are you a senior in high school?”
Finally, Sheng Yuan spoke his first words in front of the media.
“Please don’t film me, I am a delinquent youth.”
As his words fell, birds scattered from the trees, and a brief silence enveloped the surroundings. Everyone stared at the figure before them in astonishment.
Turned out, he was a delinquent.
In the eyes of the entire nation, he exposed his identity as a worthless student.
Just when Sheng Yuan thought he could salvage some of his delinquency points…
A mechanical and cold voice resonated in his mind.
In just five words.
[System: Delinquency points reset to zero.]
Sheng Yuan’s pupils contracted dramatically.
How could this be possible!
Even Truly Ambitious started panicking.
[System: Host, run quickly!]
Sheng Yuan dashed wildly, his chest filled with immense unease.
In this world, delinquency prevailed.
Sheng Yuan’s self-proclaimed delinquent identity would almost certainly influence the delinquent trend nationwide.
What had he done?
He saved a life.
As long as the media stirred up the topic and cleverly used public opinion, they could change the values of delinquents across the country.
In this restless age, anything could become a trend.
And being a delinquent youth was indeed a significant concern in the field of education. When a delinquent youth saves a life, the matter would undoubtedly be widely publicized and reported on.
A single stone causes countless ripples, and the media grew even more excited.
“So, you merely did what a delinquent youth should do, right?”
“Have you recruited any brothers as a delinquent youth? Do your brothers also engage in good deeds?”
Far beyond that, he was the boss of the school.
Coincidentally, there was a group of latecomers nearby, and the journalists rushed to interview the students there.
“How many people in the school are aware that this student is a delinquent youth?”
“Are you afraid of him?”
“What does he usually do?”
The interviewed students, knowing the opportunity to be on television, didn’t shy away and were delighted.
Damn! I’m on TV!
“Brother Sheng is the leader of delinquents in our school!”
“Brother Sheng is awesome!!!”
“Brother Sheng has many little brothers, but they don’t bully others, and they also perform well academically.”
“Brother Sheng doesn’t allow fights within the school, he stands up for the weak.”
The youthful faces scrambled to face the cameras, feeling immensely proud of Sheng Yuan and his group.
The leader of delinquents.
A multitude of brothers.
Excellent in studies.
Opposed to violence.
The Education Bureau felt like it was a pie falling from the sky!
Who would have expected such a famous figure within the rebellious and arrogant delinquent circle?
“What is his name?”
“His name is…”
Lips moved, forming the words, “Sheng Yuan.”
Drop!
The piercing alarm echoed through his mind, and sirens blared, signaling an alert.
[System: Delinquency points in the negative, initiating life points settlement.]
However, Sheng Yuan’s measly few life points were completely insignificant.
A terrifying voice resounded in Sheng Yuan’s mind.
[System: Countdown to death, five minutes remaining, 4:59, 4:58…]
Annihilation mode activated, and Truly Ambitious lost control, roaring within Sheng Yuan’s consciousness.
[System: Host!! Host!! Run! No matter what, find something bad to do!!!]
Yet even if he were to do something bad now, it would be too late. His delinquency points had already dropped below what he could earn from fighting and causing trouble. Unless he went mad and resorted to killing someone now, he would be the one to die.
Sheng Yuan panicked. It was a rare sight to see such panic on the face of the always calm and spirited youth.
He was always strong and brave, unafraid of the path ahead.
But he was only eighteen years old.
Compared to Ji Minglai, who jumped off the bridge last night, he was only one year older. Ending his life in the prime of his youth would undoubtedly be cruel.
As the annihilation mode began, Sheng Yuan could distinctly feel the changes happening to his body. Breathing became difficult, with inhales and exhales only lasting a moment. His footsteps grew heavy, as if carrying the weight of a thousand jin of iron. He ran forward, one eye’s vision starting to blur, while the taste of rust invaded his throat.
He was going to die.
But he didn’t want to die yet.
He recalled his past, he wanted to live on and see the future.
Sweat covered his forehead, his strength growing weaker and weaker. He stumbled and fell on the sandy ground.
He was in a sorry state, but he mustered all his strength to run towards Building A of the dormitory.
He couldn’t stop, he mustn’t stop.
The only one who could save him now was Yu Zuojin.
As long as Yu Zuojin joined him and became his little brother, the delinquency points earned by the other person would count towards his own, even surpassing Yu Zuojin.
That was his hope for survival.
Reaching the fourth floor of the dormitory, Sheng Yuan’s one remaining eye lost all light, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably.
1:09
He entered Room 408.
1:00
Yu Zuojin was still sound asleep on his bed. Upon hearing the commotion, he opened his pitch-black eyes, his intense gaze filled with aggression directed towards the visitor.
Yet, what he saw was Sheng Yuan stumbling and trembling uncontrollably.
Sheng Yuan’s legs could no longer support him and he collapsed onto Yu Zuojin’s bed.
At this moment, Yu Zuojin was shirtless, wearing only a pair of gray sleeping shorts. He looked at Sheng Yuan, who had come to see him early in the morning, with a bewildered expression.
His physique was perfect, his arms strong, and he caught Sheng Yuan.
Sheng Yuan clung to Yu Zuojin with trembling hands.
He could barely speak anymore.
“Yu Zuojin, follow me.”
“I will treat you well.”
“Follow me.”
His beautiful eyes gazed at Yu Zuojin earnestly, his life hanging by a thread. Yu Zuojin was his last hope.
“Yu Zuojin.”
“Follow me.”
Again and again.
“In the future, I will definitely treat you well.”
Multiple repetitions, his brain gradually losing consciousness.
Yu Zuojin looked at Sheng Yuan, at his reddened eyes, his helpless expression, and his trembling hands filled with excitement.
The sudden confession left him dumbfounded.
0:23
Sheng Yuan lost his last bit of strength and leaned weakly against Yu Zuojin’s chest.
“Yu Zuojin?”
He closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.
0:02
His world came to an end.
“Okay.”
Click—
One word echoed through every nerve of Sheng Yuan.
[System: Host unbound successfully. Congratulations, the host welcomes a new life of freedom.]
The seed of life returned to Sheng Yuan’s body, and he opened his eyes in disbelief.
He was saved.
He successfully unbound from Truly Ambitious.
The count of delinquency points above his head vanished.
What awaited him was a new life of freedom.
He lifted his head excitedly, “Yu… mmm…”
His lips were suddenly sealed. Yu Zuojin embraced his waist and captured Sheng Yuan’s lips, biting them eagerly, eyes closed.
Sheng Yuan’s feeble strength couldn’t push him away.
He was almost at the mercy of the other party.
They kissed for awhile, and Sheng Yuan’s brain started to lack oxygen before Yu Zuojin finally let go.
Yu Zuojin’s eyes gazed at him with a beast-like infatuation.
He had something that had never appeared on his face before—a smile.
“Today is our first day.”