《School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert》


 Chapter 001 Humiliation

    Linjiang City is a very suitable ce for living in the south. The air is fresh, and the environment is elegant.


    Linjiang No. 1 Middle School, a key school in Linjiang City.


    Outside the school, near a flower pond, a crowd had gathered, with some of them jeering. A boy in school uniform mbered out of the pond, his clothes soaked halfway up his body, looking extremely embarrassed, with some aquatic nts tangled around him. He was being observed like a monkey by onlookers.


    A boy was sucking on a cigarette, his hair permed. Perched on his nose was a pair of Tyrannosaurus sunsses.


    "Xiao Han, just crawl under my crotch, and I''ll let you off this time," Liao Zhijie said while holding a cigarette, looking at the wet boy with a face full of mockery.


    "Crawl under, crawl under!" the crowd chanted in unison, with a ckey'' behind Liao Zhijie.


    Liao Zhijie was the school bully of No. 1 Middle School. Normally, with academic performance like Liao Zhijie''s, he wouldn''t have been able to get into No. 1 Middle School at all, but he had a tycoon father. Having donated two hundred thousand yuan for the school fund, he was exceptionally admitted by the school.


    As for all the misdeeds Liao Zhijiemitted at school, they simply turned a blind eye as long as it wasn''t too outrageous. Two hundred thousand yuan in exchange for three years of "custody" was a good deal for the school, wasn''t it?


    Xiao Han was a student at No. 1 Middle School with an ordinary family background.


    During the middle school examination, he was admitted to No. 1 Middle School with the top score from Wangjiang Middle School, but in the first year of high school, his family suffered a tragedy as his father died in a car ident. The event hit Xiao Han hard. His academic performance plunged, and his self-esteem suffered even more.


    By the second year, he could no longer keep up with his studies, and by the third year, he hadpletely be the bottom scorer in his ss. Moreover, Xiao Han was a quiet and reticent person, so he was often overlooked.


    Early this morning, Xiao Han rushed to school and, ustomed to walking with his head down, he identally knocked Liao Zhijie over.


    Liao Zhijie was only about one meter sixty-five tall, whereas Xiao Han was nearly one meter eighty. With such a collision, Liao Zhijie naturally went tumbling over. Incensed, he called hisckeys and gave Xiao Han a thorough beating, before throwing him into the school''s flower pond.


    Xiao Han, tall and strong, was nevertheless timid and meek. His face was burning with restrained embarrassment, blushing deeply.


    Faced with so many people, he didn''t dare to fight back, yet he couldn''t bring himself to crawl under the other boy''s crotch.


    "Damn it, you''re asking for it," Liao Zhijie said, seeing that Xiao Han remained silent. He picked up a baton, ready to beat someone.


    "Stop!"


    Suddenly, a voice as clear as a bell rang out.


    "Wow, it''s Chen Zihan!" someone in the crowd eximed.


    Immediately, a path was made through the crowd. Everyone turned to look at the girl outside the crowd. She wore a long pink dress with a ponytail.


    Her face was a perfect ssical oval, appearing only slightlyrger than an adult male''s palm, as if she had stepped right out of the most standard beautiful womanic; unlike ordinary beauties withrge eyes, her eyes wererge and expressive, seemingly containing ripples of water, as if she was always silently expressing something; her nose was firm and straight, possessing a feminine charm with a touch of masculine vigor; her slightly thin, soft lips had a nearly transparent gemstone-like redness, always moist and so enticing that just one look could intoxicate someone; her hair, dark as water and soft as silk, flowed down like a waterfall, perfectly draping over her slender shoulders...


    Her figure was perky from regr exercise, a perfect example of a well-developed teenage girl; a long-legged and slim-waisted shape, paired with a stature of about one meter sixty-seven, perfect to the degree that any more would be too much, any less too little.


    When people saw her, their eyes nearly lit up.


    "Chen Zihan?" Liao Zhijie paused.


    "Liao Zhijie, are you bullying your ssmate again?" Chen Zihan asked with furrowed brows, walking over and positioning herself in front of Xiao Han.


    "This guy knocked me over," Liao Zhijie pointed at Xiao Han and cursed, "I just wanted him to admit his mistake."


    "Is that how you humiliate people?" Chen Zihan red at Liao Zhijie, "It was an ident that he bumped into you. Why can''t you just ept an apology? Why force him to crawl under your crotch? We''re all ssmates, we have to see each other at school every day. How do you expect him to face people after that?"


    "So, you''re saying you''ll protect him?" Liao Zhijie asked.


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    "Fine," Liao Zhijie seemed to have no way to handle Chen Zihan, he snorted coldly, "Xiao Han, you wait for me. This isn''t over. Let''s go!"


    After speaking, Liao Zhijie left with his group ofckeys.


    The school entrance quickly returned to normal. Chen Zihan turned to look at Xiao Han and asked, "Xiao Han, are you okay?"


    "I... I''m fine," Xiao Han said through clenched teeth, full of shame, "Thank you, Chen Zihan."


    "Don''t mention it," Chen Zihan smiled. Her smile was naturally beautiful, enough to make fish sink and birds alight, the moon hide in shame and flowers bow down in her presence. Xiao Han was immediately mesmerized.


    Chen Zihan was recognized as the school beauty of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, her beauty made all the girls at school fade inparison and made all the boys willingly join her ''Flower Guarding Squad''. Seeing Xiao Han staring nkly at her, Chen Zihan seemed ustomed to such gazes. She said with an easy grace, "Hurry up, or we''ll bete."


    Xiao Han liked Chen Zihan, but his inner sense of inferiority stopped him from even daring to look up at her. Not only was Chen Zihan beautiful, but her family was also extremely wealthy.


    Xiao Han and Chen Zihan were ssmates, both in the third year ss three. Chen Zihan sat in the fourth row, while Xiao Han, because of his poor grades, could only sit at the very back. When he returned to the ssroom, Xiao Han felt a severe headache, he covered his head with his hands, the throbbing pain making him miserable.


    Thinking back, it must have been because he hit his head on a rockery when he fell into the flower bed earlier. It didn''t hurt at first, but now it was excruciating.


    Before long, Xiao Han dozed off in a confused state.


    Bang!


    Just as Xiao Han was deeply asleep, suddenly, he felt something m hard against the back of his head. He woke with a start, scared, he fell to the ground on his butt.


    "Xiao Han!" behind him, the homeroom teacher, with her left hand on her hip and her right hand clutching a thick book, red at Xiao Han furiously.


    "Teacher... Teacher Liu!" Xiao Han shivered, nearly tumbling off his chair.


    Teacher Liu, the homeroom teacher of the third year ss three, was also the math teacher. Standing at 1.7 meters, with a stocky build, and wearing a pair of ck-rimmed sses. Her mouth gaping wide as if she was ready to swallow Xiao Han alive, she berated him, "You useless thing, you only scored three hundred points on this practice test. You''re at the bottom of the ss, what use are you?..."


    Spittle flew as she cursed him without repeating a single word.


    ssmates whispered among themselves, looking at Xiao Han with sympathetic eyes. There was no help for it, underachievers were scorned everywhere. In school, those with poor grades would always face discrimination and humiliation. And Xiao Han had be the underachiever in everyone''s eyes.


    Teacher Liu threw Xiao Han''s test paper onto the desk and sneered, "This is your math test, copy all the wrong answers a hundred times, did you hear me clearly?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Yes, yes!" Xiao Han nodded, meek andpliant.


    Teacher Liu patted her chest and walked back to the lectern, satisfied.


    Xiao Han opened his test paper with a pained expression. Since bing disinterested in studies in his first year, his grades had plummeted, by his third year, he was barely keeping up with the coursework. His approach to exams was mostly guessing mixed with the odd moment of understanding.


    However, when Xiao Han opened the test paper, he was dumbfounded.


    The first question focused on trigonometric functions, and the solution naturally started from there. How could he have gotten it wrong? Xiao Han was puzzled. The fifth question was about probability, wasn''t it? It could be easily solved within minutes using the permutation form.


    At this point, Xiao Han hastily scanned the rest of the paper.


    My God!


    He was stunned. For some reason, he could instantly understand the key points of the questions he had gotten wrong just by ncing at them, and the solutions came to him in a sh. For some of the simpler questions, he could even directlye up with the answers.


    As for thest bonus question, it was very difficult for any high school student because it required the use of calculus, a concept only taught in college mathematics. A single calculus form was sufficient for an easy solution. If one used only high school-level functions and probability forms, the process was veryplex and prone to mistakes.


    And Xiao Han had just happened to have seen this calculus form. He had read a book on basic calculus forms in his first year, which included some fundamental knowledge of calculus. The books he had read back in his first year now seemed vivid in his mind, the content disying itself clearly in his brain.


    Whoosh...


    After that, Xiao Han hurriedly took out paper and pen and began to work on the final bonus question. In three minutes, he had the answer, and it matched the solution that Teacher Liu had on the ckboard exactly.


    At that moment, Xiao Han was bbergasted.


    He couldn''t understand how he had be so enlightened all of a sudden.


    "Xiao Han!" Suddenly, Teacher Liu from the lectern shouted at him.


    "Ah?!" Xiao Han quickly stood up.


    "Come here and solve this problem for me," Teacher Liu said sarcastically, looking at Xiao Han.


    She knew Xiao Han couldn''t possibly solve the final bonus question on the test paper. Because that bonus question could only be solved with college-level calculus. If one wanted to solve it with high school mathematics, it was not impossible, but it would require a powerful brain and flexible problem-solving skills. Relying on Xiao Han''s tail-end ability, it was impossible for him to do so.


    Teacher Liu was merely trying to humiliate him thoroughly.

 Chapter 002 Shocking the Entire Audience

    Xiao Han hesitated for a moment, and all the ssmates showed a look of disdain.


    "Xiao Han, go on up." Li Dapang, who shared a desk with Xiao Han, hurriedly egged him on, saying, "Show that old demon woman a bit of color."


    Li Dapang clearly did it on purpose to egg Xiao Han on.


    To everyone''s surprise, Xiao Han actually walked towards the podium.


    Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han with astonishment. Liu Jinmei was even more taken aback. This clearly wasn''t Xiao Han''s style. Could this kid actually dare toe up? Liu Jinmei was already holding the ckboard eraser in her hand, ready to throw it at Xiao Han without hesitation if he dared to refuse her.


    "Good, you''ve got guts," Liu Jinmei said with a sinister smile, "If you can''t solve this problem today, you''ll be punished with cleaning the toilets for a month."


    "And what if I do solve it?" Suddenly, Xiao Han revealed a mysterious smile.


    That smile seemed confident, as if he had a trick up his sleeve, and also seemed like a silent mockery.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "If you can answer it, I... no, Teacher I..." Liu Jinmei hesitated for a moment, then grinned, saying, "I will move you next to Chen Zihan, making you her deskmate!"


    Wow...


    The whole ss was in an uproar, all eyes now on Chen Zihan. Chen Zihan blushed slightly. However, her deskmate Jiang Xiaoliang panicked. If Chen Zihan had the best grades in the ss, then Jiang Xiaoliang ranked second. Liu Jinmei always advocated grouping the like with like. Those with good grades should sit together.


    A low-performing student like Xiao Han obviously could only sit with someone like Li Dapang.


    "Fine, it''s a deal then," Xiao Han said with a slight curl of his lips, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards Chen Zihan.


    Chen Zihan was also curiously watching Xiao Han, their eyes meeting. Chen Zihan showed a warm smile, beautiful like a lovely lily blooming in a quiet valley. The refreshing feeling warmed Xiao Han''s heart and touched him. It was a look of encouragement. This made Xiao Han''s heart involuntarily flutter.


    Without saying another word, Xiao Han walked straight up to the podium.


    Swish swish swish...


    Xiao Han picked up the chalk and began outlining his solution.


    This bonus question had been partially solved by only one among the forty-five students in the ss, Chen Zihan. She had used knowledge from high school mathematics, but unfortunately, there was a slight calction error that led to the wrong final result. However, this had already satisfied Liu Jinmei.


    "What is this kid writing?"


    "What is this thing?"


    The ssmates looked at Xiao Han''s frantic writing on the ckboard with surprise. The series of forms and theorems were dizzying.


    Hiss...


    Beside them, Liu Jinmei took a deep breath and watched Xiao Han''s problem-solving with wide-eyed disbelief. It was exactly like the standard answer, even more concise.


    Thump...


    After finishing the whole process, Xiao Han threw the chalk into the trash bin emphatically, leaving behind a very cool turn and a stunned Teacher Liu at the podium.


    "My God, he... he actually used calculus from advanced mathematics!" Chen Zihan quickly realized, her hand over her mouth in shock. Concerning this problem, she had specially consulted her whiz cousin. Xiao Han''s way of solving it was exactly the same as her cousin''s, not an iota different.


    Liu Jinmei was silent.


    After a long while, Liu Jinmei asked, "Xiao Han, this is university-level calculus, how do you know how to do this?"


    "I looked up the answer after the test," Xiao Han looked at Liu Jinmei.


    "You!" Liu Jinmei suddenly felt like she had been duped.


    "Teacher Liu, you won''t go back on your word, will you?" Xiao Han looked at Liu Jinmei with a chuckle.


    "I..." Liu Jinmei clenched her teeth, saying, "Of course I won''t go back on my word."


    Jiang Xiaoliang panicked, quickly saying, "Teacher Liu, he looked at the answers, it shouldn''t count."


    "Right!" Many boys in the ss chimed in. In their eyes, how could a low-performing student like Xiao Han deserve to be deskmates with their goddess? It was an insult to the goddess in their hearts.


    Liu Jinmei was indecisive, then Xiao Han slowly said, "Teacher Liu, you have to keep your word."


    "This..." Liu Jinmei hesitated for a moment, then said, "Since everyone is not convinced, how about we do another question?"


    "Sure!" Xiao Han readily agreed.


    At this moment, Jiang Xiaoliang stood up and said, "I am Chen Zihan''s deskmate. Since you want to take my ce, it''s only right I pose the next problem."


    "Fine," Liu Jinmei nodded in agreement. She liked Jiang Xiaoliang''s straightforwardness.


    "No problem," Xiao Han also nodded and said, "Jiang Xiaoliang, bring out whatever problem you have."


    Jiang Xiaoliang walked up to the podium without hesitation and began writing a math problem on the ckboard with chalk. This problem was a difficult challenge from the math Olympiad and also happened to be the toughest open-ended question from thestpetition. Jiang Xiaoliang had studied it many times, so his approach to solving it was very clear.


    He absolutely didn''t believe that a poor student like Xiao Han could solve such a difficult problem.


    After he finished writing, Jiang Xiaoliang said, "Xiao Han, if you can solve it, I''ll switch seats with you. I''ll go and sit with Big Fatty."


    "Who, who''s calling me?" Big Fatty, who had been dozing off at the back of the room, suddenly stood up with drool still on his mouth.


    Hahaha...


    The whole ss burst intoughter.


    "Alright!" Xiao Han nodded.


    The problem on the ckboard was indeed difficult, covering knowledge points from all of high school mathematics, including geometry, trigonometry, and probability...


    This problem had even left Liu Jinmei, a teacher with decades of experience, feeling perplexed, and Chen Zihan was also frowning, her pen furiously working on scratch paper. After several attempts, she put down her pen in disappointment. Clearly, she couldn''t solve it.


    Xiao Han stood in front of the ckboard, staring intently at the problem. At this point, Jiang Xiaoliang said with pride, "Just give up, Xiao Han. You can''t solve this problem¡ªit''s an Olympiad question, and with your math score of thirty, it''s impossible for you."


    No sooner had Jiang Xiaoliang finished speaking than Xiao Han''s eyes lit up. He immediately picked up the chalk and began solving the problem on the ckboard.


    The ssroom fell silent. Everyone held their breath.


    Although they doubted Xiao Han''s ability to solve the problem, deep down, they had a tiny hope. They were hoping to see Xiao Han make a fool of himself.


    The solution process took a full twenty minutes, with nearly the entire ckboard filled with Xiao Han''s writing. Initially, Jiang Xiaoliang was dismissive, but by the halfway point, his mouth had fallen open in surprise. When Xiao Han finished, Jiang Xiaoliang was utterly shocked.


    "Right! That''s it!" Liu Jinmei was jumping up and down excitedly, as if she had discovered a new continent. As she followed Xiao Han''s solution, her own thoughts suddenly rified, and she couldn''t help but exim, "My goodness, Xiao Han, you... you actually solved it?!"


    "Just a stroke of luck," Xiao Han smiled and said, "I just happened to know the key points of this problem. If it were any other problem, I probably wouldn''t have been able to do it."


    Wow...


    The room erupted into a buzz of amazement.


    Jiang Xiaoliang''s face went ashen. At that moment, Big Fatty stood up and said, "Jiang Xiaoliang, didn''t you son of a turtle say you wanted to sit with me? Hurry up and get over here!"


    Hahaha...


    The whole ssughed again.


    Jiang Xiaoliang, with a helpless expression, quickly looked up at Teacher Liu for help, but shepletely ignored him. He then turned to Chen Zihan, but she too was looking down, embarrassed.


    Having no other option, Jiang Xiaoliang had to move. Big Fatty squeezed Xiao Han''s desk into the fourth row. Patting Xiao Han on the shoulder, he chuckled, "Brother, well done, you''re a hidden dragon after all."


    And so, Xiao Han took a seat beside Chen Zihan.


    In fact, Xiao Han felt a bit embarrassed. He had only used a bit of reverse psychology, and he hadn''t expected to be able to solve Jiang Xiaoliang''s problem. Sitting next to Chen Zihan, he felt somewhat dazed, especially as waves of her delicate fragrance stirred his blood.


    Seventeen years old and still so green, he blushed at the sight of women, let alone sitting next to an incredibly beautiful one like Chen Zihan.


    "Hi, Xiao Han," said Chen Zihan with a slight blush and her sparkling eyes smiling at him.


    "Ah..." Xiao Han said, scratching his head in embarrassment, "Hi... hi."


    Pfft...


    Chen Zihan covered her mouth andughed, "You seem very nervous, huh?"


    "No... not at all!" Xiao Han hurriedly shook his head.


    "By the way, how did you solve that problem? Where did you even start?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.


    "It''s quite simple..." Xiao Han hurriedly exined his thinking process to Chen Zihan in detail. After he finished, she found it very helpful. She asked curiously, "Xiao Han, if you have such a unique understanding of mathematics, why do you perform so poorly on exams?"


    "Just guessed," Xiao Han chuckled.


    In truth, even Xiao Han couldn''t understand why his brain had suddenly be so much more effective, and his thoughts seemed to race incredibly fast. To confirm his suspicion, he pulled out all the books from his drawer¡ªHuanggang Middle School''s diagnostic tests, college entrance exam guides...


    Xiao Han opened these textbooks and flipped through the pages. He found that as soon as he looked at a problem, the answer would immediatelye to mind. This astonishing speed of calction sent chills down his spine.


    Is this... some kind of supernatural ability?


    Xiao Han couldn''t help but swallow hard, his brain had suddenly be enlightened.


    Should he tell Chen Zihan? No way!


    Xiao Han immediately dismissed the thought. Once word got out, who knows what might happen? Taking a deep breath, he made a decision¡ªhe must not tell anyone, including his own mother.

 Chapter 003 Extraordinary Skills

    The morning sses ended quickly, and Xiao Han had spent practically the entire morning buried in his textbooks.


    "When did you turn over a new leaf?" Li Dapang stretchedzily as the bell rang, leaving a puddle of drool on the desk. He walked over to Xiao Han.


    "You''re awake?" Xiao Han joked, "Time to go home for lunch."


    "Let''s go, I''m starving," Li Dapang hurriedly said.


    Li Dapang was Xiao Han''s only friend at school and a fairly close one at that. This guy, standing at about 1.8 meters, weighed nearly 200 kilos. He wasn''t exactly cut out for academics; if it hadn''t been for his dad pulling some strings to get him into Linjiang No.1 Middle School, he wouldn''t have made it in.


    They quickly made their way out.


    As soon as they left the school gate, they ran into Liao Zhijie and his group.


    Liao Zhijie had been brooding over the morning''s incident all day. Chen Zihan was the object of his affection, and the fact that Chen Zihan had spoken up for Xiao Han really annoyed him. As soon as school let out at noon, Liao Zhijie immediately gathered his group to confront them at the school gate. The other students took detours to avoid them.


    "Xiao Han," Liao Zhijie said, with a cigarette in his mouth and swinging a baton in his hand, "Come here, you."


    "Damn, what did you do to piss this guy off again?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Just go ahead, I''ll handle this," Xiao Han nced at him, "This is my issue."


    After a morning of rity, Xiao Han''s mind was exceptionally clear. Facing Liao Zhijie, he no longer felt the fear he had felt in the morning. He even wondered how he had managed to get through high school years. His memories of the past seemed a bit blurry. All he knew was that he always felt inferior, weak, and timid. However, today''s Xiao Han waspletely different.


    "Damn, what are you talking about?" Li Dapang scoffed, "Aren''t we brothers? I''m the best at fighting. What''s Liao Zhijiepared to that?"


    After saying this, Li Dapang followed Xiao Han.


    "Big Fatty, you''re going to stand up for him?" Liao Zhijie asked coldly.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Xiao Han is my brother," Li Dapang thumped his chest, "You have to get past me before you can touch him."


    Xiao Han was slightly touched inside. Indeed, having a brother like Li Dapang was a fortunate thing in life. Just as Li Dapang was about to make a move, Xiao Han quickly grabbed Li Dapang''s arm, saying, "Big Fatty, let me handle this."


    "Can you manage it?" Li Dapang looked at Xiao Han doubtfully.


    Suddenly, Li Dapang felt that the Xiao Han standing before him was somewhat unfamiliar, whether it was his expression or his gaze. The old Xiao Han always walked with his head down, submissive. Yet today, he was holding his head high, a fierce determination in his eyes.


    "Don''t worry," Xiao Han patted Li Dapang''s shoulder, then handed him his schoolbag, saying, "Just watch, I''ll show you that your brother isn''t so easy to bully."


    "Haha..." Li Dapangughed heartily, "Exactly, that''s how men should be. Better to die standing than live kneeling."


    Liao Zhijie was also perplexed. Xiao Han had transformed dramatically in just one morning. In the morning he had been timid, but now he was ready to fight? However, Liao Zhijie quickly concluded that Xiao Han was just putting on a show.


    "Are you looking to die?" Liao Zhijie swung his baton at Xiao Han.


    Crack...


    Suddenly, Xiao Han grabbed the baton from Liao Zhijie. Being tall and solid, his long-term exercise had given him a robust physique. Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Han coldly said, "Liao Zhijie, today I''m going to show you that Xiao Han is standing up."


    Boom!


    Suddenly, Xiao Han punched Liao Zhijie right in the face.


    "Ouch..." Liao Zhijie''s nose started bleeding profusely, tears of pain welling up in his eyes. He nearly fell over and roared in anger, "Fuck, get him for me, beat him to death."


    Behind him, more than a dozen flunkies rushed forward.


    Xiao Han snorted coldly, swinging the baton swiftly.


    If it had been before, Xiao Han would have knelt down and surrendered. But now, things were different. With nearly 1.8 meters in height and long legs, his actions were also quick. Holding the baton, he seemed like a moving fortress.


    Bang bang...


    A few kickster, several were down. With each swing of the baton, he brutally struck their heads, leaving them battered and bruised.


    Facing an onught of more than ten people, Xiao Han was fearless and fought even better and more thrillingly. Eventually, the gang fled in defeat.


    "Stop!!" Xiao Han suddenly roared.


    That roar not only made Liao Zhijie''s legs go weak, but it also shocked the surrounding onlookers. This roar was monumental. Xiao Han vented all the pent-up frustration, grievances, and defiance of the past two years. From then on, Xiao Han was no longer the same person.


    "W-What do you want to do!" Liao Zhijie stammered, looking at Xiao Han. Who knew the terror and fear he felt inside? And no one knew how angry Liao Zhijie was inside. A timid guy suddenly had transformed into an invincible expert. Bullshit! Not even a novel would dare to write it like this.


    "Kneel down!" Xiao Han said coldly.


    "Fuck, I am..." Liao Zhijie was about to burst into curse.


    Bang!


    Xiao Han swung his club and smashed it hard.


    Thud!


    Liao Zhijie immediately let out a scream and knelt down under the force. He wailed, "Xiao Han, you... you''re seeking death, my dad... my dad is a representative of the LJ City People''s Congress, you... you''re dead for sure!"


    Xiao Han wasn''t afraid at all; he slowly walked over.


    "Lie down like a dog!" Xiao Han''s voice was icy, as if it were the soul-locking sound from Hell.


    Liao Zhijie looked into Xiao Han''s eyes, feeling that if he didn''t do as Xiao Han demanded, he would kill him. Liao Zhijie could only endure the humiliation and lie down like a dog.


    Crack...


    Suddenly, Xiao Han stepped on Liao Zhijie''s hand bone.


    "Ah!!!" The piercing scream immediately resounded down the entire street.


    "Listen well," Xiao Han bent down and said, "if you dare to mess with me again, I won''t mind killing you!"


    Having said this, Xiao Han turned and walked away.


    At that moment, he felt as if all his strength had been drained. More than two years of being bullied, mocked, and looked down upon. He had lived in the campus like a clump of air, allowing people to degrade him. The reason he picked on Liao Zhijie today was to let everyone know Xiao Han had risen.


    "Fuck, you''re pretty fierce, kid." Li Dapang waspletely stunned, and he quickly chased after Xiao Han carrying his backpack.


    Before long, Xiao Han suddenly fell backward. Li Dapang quickly supported him and asked, "What''s wrong, kid?"


    "I... I feel out of strength," Xiao Han''s face was pale, and he quickly sat down on the road shoulder.


    "You were just awesome, kid," Li Dapang quickly took a bottle of water out of the backpack and handed it to Xiao Han, saying, "You didn''t get heatstroke, did you?"


    "Possibly," Xiao Han nodded hastily.


    Actually, Xiao Han also didn''t know what was wrong with his body. Just now, when he encountered Liao Zhijie, the timidity inside him suddenly disappeared, reced by a cold murderous aura. If he hadn''t restrained himself, he would probably have killed Liao Zhijie. After the incident, the cold murderous aura disappeared at once, and his body also felt as if it had been hollowed out.


    "Let''s go home and rest well," Li Dapang said urgently.


    "Hmm!" Xiao Han nodded.


    ............


    Xiao Han''s home was in the Fuxing Community of Wangjiang District, a slum area in Wangjiang District. Fuxing Community was previously known as Fuxing Factory, which produced bullets and shells for the nation during the seventies and eighties. Following the economic reforms, the factory''s performance declined, and as a once gship state-owned enterprise, it quickly lost all its prestige.


    In order to repay debts, the factory andnd were sold, leaving only the residential area of Fuxing Factory. Later, it was renamed Fuxing Community.


    Fuxing Community still maintained its ragged old look, with rusty railings all around. The residents are mostly former workers of Fuxing Factory and their children. Those who could afford to move had done so long ago, leaving behind the poor, the weak, and the sick.


    Back at home.


    Mother Xiao was making lunch.


    "Xiao Han, you''re back?" Mother Xiao asked.


    Xiao Han barely responded, but instead rushed straight into his room, quickly flipping through his old books, page by page. Including some difficult, even profound texts and books, he could almost understand them after a single read-through. High school first year, high school second year... Xiao Han flipped through them page by page.


    Eventually, Xiao Han heavilyy down on his small bed.


    He looked up at the dark ceiling, even though it was noon, the room''s lighting was poor. Xiao Han was greatly shocked. He did not know what had happened or understood what was going on, why suddenly, his mind had be exceptionally bright.


    Xiao Han took a deep breath, somewhat relieved.


    Well, if his mind had suddenly be enlightened, then it meant he could attend a good university. Not only could he shock those who looked down on him, but he could also offer somefort to his deceased father.


    Thinking about the car ident two years ago, Xiao Han was still brooding over it. That ident was clearly man-made, but the traffic police insisted it was an ident. In the end, only apensation of one hundred twenty thousand was given.


    At this thought, Xiao Han felt a chill run through his body.

 Chapter 004 I Want to Make Money

    Click, click, click...


    Xiao Han''s teeth began to tremble. There had been a time when he swore he would catch the murderer who killed his father.


    "Xiao Han, what''s wrong?" Mother Xiao came in, asking concernedly, "Are you feeling unwell?"


    Looking at his mother''s affectionate face, she had suffered greatly over the years. After Father Xiao''s death, his mother had raised him alone, and after the factory closed down, she took odd jobs outside. She not only had to work every day but also take care of her own meals and daily life. Once called the beauty of the Fuxing Factory, her temples were now frosted white, and herplexion aged.


    "Mom!" Xiao Han suddenly choked up with tears.


    "What''s the matter? Are you really feeling unwell?" Mother Xiao was rmed. She hurried over and touched Xiao Han''s forehead, saying, "Xiao Han, should we go to the hospital to have a look?"


    "Mom, I''m fine," Xiao Han gritted his teeth and said, "I''m sorry to you."


    "Silly child, listen to what you''re saying." Mother Xiao smiled and said, "Didn''t do well on the mock exam, right? It''s okay. If you didn''t do well this time, just try harder next time. It doesn''t matter even if you don''t get into a university. The most important thing in life is to be happy. Understand?"


    Once the top scorer of Wangjiang District''s middle school exams, his grades plummeted after the first year of high school. Mother Xiao saw his decline and it pained her heart. She knew Xiao Han was deeply traumatized by his father''s death, so she had never had the heart to scold her child.


    "Mom, I feel so sad," Xiao Han said as tears streamed down his face. "It''s all because I''m not good enough."


    "Silly child, don''t force yourself," Mother Xiao said with augh. "If ites to it, mom will take care of you in the future."


    Xiao Han''s tears flowed even more. He plunged into Mother Xiao''s arms. Biting his teeth, he silently swore in his heart that he would never let his mother suffer again. He had been suppressed for two years, felt wronged for two years, and had muddled through two more years. Now that fate had awakened him and even endowed him with a brand-new brain, he must not let down the great love from heaven.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han asked, "Mom, what exactly did Dad die from?"


    Upon hearing her son ask about her husband, her expression changed rapidly and she said, "Your dad died in a car ident."


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I don''t believe it!"


    Seeing her son''s serious demeanor, Mother Xiao looked at him gravely. Her son had grown up, and some things seemed impossible to hide anymore. However, this matter was of great importance and she could not afford to get him involved, so she said earnestly, "Xiao Han, there are some things I can''t tell you now. You just need to remember, your father was a great man. That''s enough!"


    "My dad, he..." Xiao Han was astonished.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Unexpectedly, there was indeed a story behind this. His father''s death was not as simple as a mere car ident. It seemed that he must find a way to investigate his father''s death thoroughly.


    "Don''t ask anymore, let''s eat," Mother Xiao said.


    The lunch was simple: two sunny-side-up eggs, a portion of pickled vegetables, and a te of steamed fish.


    Mother Xiao gave both eggs and the steamed fish to Xiao Han. She herself mixed the pickled vegetables with white rice.


    Xiao Han couldn''t help but cry. Their family was too poor. Thepensation from his father''s car ident had been spent a year ago. Due to his father''s departure, his mother became depressed andter fell seriously ill, spending over a hundred thousand to finally recover and be discharged from the hospital. Their home waspletely impoverished.


    Looking at his impoverished home, Xiao Han felt sympathy, and for the first time, he had a more urgent desire than getting into university¡ªto make money.


    Mother Xiao was indeed working too hard, earning just over a thousand a month. After work, she would sometimes shine shoes for others or peddle some odds and ends. The money she earned barely sufficed for the mother and son''s living, and their life was quite straitened.


    How to make money became a deep scar in Xiao Han''s heart.


    He definitely couldn''t get involved in illegal activities, but what kind of job would make the most money? After much thought, Xiao Han still had no clue.


    After a brief lunch break, Xiao Han carried his school bag and headed to school.


    Despite his outstanding performance in the morning math ss, this did not change his ssmates'' opinion of him. Instead, many were resentful that Xiao Han shared a desk with Chen Zihan. Of course, the person most resentful had to be Jiang Xiaoliang.


    At Linjiang No.1 Middle School, Chen Zihan was recognized as the school belle, not only excelling academically but also beautiful. Fairy-like with an excellent figure, though only sixteen, she not only had the youthful beauty of a young girl but also the allure of a grown woman.


    In the afternoon sses, Jiang Xiaoliang was seething, sitting next to Li Dapang. He couldn''t settle down to study at all, disturbed by Li Dapang''s snoring. Of course, the greatest unease was seeing Chen Zihan seemingly not minding Xiao Han sitting next to her at all. He had always believed that he and Chen Zihan were a match made in heaven.


    "No way, I must drive this poor, useless kid away from Chen Zihan!"


    This thought sprang up in Jiang Xiaoliang''s mind.


    The entire afternoon, Xiao Han hardly looked up at the lectern, instead flipping through his English textbook alone. From start to finish, he found it absorbing. He remembered everything he read, each detail deeply impressed in his mind.


    It seemed that Xiao Han had epted his sudden abilities, whether it was the photographic memory, the exploding amount of information in his brain or his physical changes. At this moment, Xiao Han hadpletely immersed himself in the ocean of knowledge.


    "Damn, you really think you''re a geek now?" After school, Li Dapang came over. He plopped down on the desk opposite Xiao Han.


    "Big Fatty, Xiao Han is studying, you can''t disturb him," Chen Zihan said with a hint of annoyance as she looked at Li Dapang.


    "Hahaha..." Li Dapang suddenly burst outughing and said, "This kid? He''s not really cut out for studying. I sleep all day and even then, I scored three hundred and one points on the mock test, but this kid only got three hundred!"


    Chen Zihan pursed her lips and replied, "So what? The spirit of learning from shame is the most touching."


    "Chen Zihan, don''t tell me you''ve fallen for Xiao Han?" Li Dapang grinned with a smile.


    "You''re talking nonsense!" Chen Zihan instantly turned red-faced.


    "If you don''t like him, why do you always speak up for him?" Li Dapang looked at Chen Zihan with a mischievous intent.


    "Fatso, I''m not talking to you," said Chen Zihan, her face still red, as she quickly left the ssroom with her bag slung over her shoulder.


    Behind her, Li Dapang left with a dominant smile.


    Xiao Han put away his textbook, and pulled Li Dapang outside.


    "Hey, hey, slow down, kid," Li Dapang hurriedly said.


    "Big Fatty, what do you think is the most profitable thing these days?" Xiao Han, while pulling Li Dapang along, asked curiously.


    "Make money?" Li Dapang''s ears perked up: "Damn it, of course, it''s drugs, gambling, and vice! Each of these things brings in money fast!"


    "Those are illegal activities!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "We can''t do that!"


    "I''ve got it!" Li Dapang hurriedly said.


    "What?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Heh heh..." Li Dapang suddenly revealed a sly smile, looking at Xiao Han with a pair of wicked eyes, then said, "I see you''re tall and sturdy, plus you''re a pure, innocent virgin boy. How about... bing a gigolo?"


    Pfft...


    Xiao Han almost spat blood, he punched out and cursed, "Damn, Fatso, I''m seriously talking to you, why are you talking nonsense?"


    "Are you really short on cash?" Li Dapang asked doubtfully.


    "Yes, I''m desperately broke," Xiao Han nodded.


    Xiao Han couldn''t bear to see his mother suffer anymore, having drifted through life unawares for a few years. Suddenly, as if he had awakened, he could not continue to ignore the situation.


    Although he didn''t understand what exactly he had gone through, or maybe it was because his brain had been jolted awake by a hit, in any case, Xiao Han had nowpletelye out of his previous struggles, as if he had been enlightened.


    Rustle rustle...


    Li Dapang hastily took out a lot of change from his pockets, not even sparing a few coins: "Look... I have over a hundred bucks here. Is that enough?"


    Xiao Han was stunned, looking at Li Dapang''s sincere and devout eyes, a slight touch of emotion stirred within him. Li Dapang''s family wasn''t very well-off either, with a disabled mother at home and a father who was a carpenter, who couldn''t get much work in the first half of the year and only managed to make some money during the busy season of renovations in thetter half.


    Xiao Han took a deep breath, patted Li Dapang''s shoulder, and said earnestly, "Big Fatty, do you want to get rich?"


    "Get rich?" Upon hearing this, Li Dapang''s eyes lit up: "Damn, who doesn''t want to get rich? I fucking wish I had millions, driving luxury cars, living in mansions, holding on to foreign chicks..."


    "Thene with me!" Xiao Han pulled on Li Dapang''s arm.


    "Together as gigolos?" Li Dapang asked in astonishment.


    "Get lost!" Xiao Han red at him and said, "I don''t want to be a gigolo."


    "Then what?" Li Dapang asked eagerly.


    "Start apany," Xiao Han said seriously.


    "Haha, you''ve gone mad, haven''t you?" Li Dapang burst outughing: "I thought you were not being yourself today; turns out your brain''s got issues."


    "I''m serious!" Xiao Han punched Li Dapang in the chest.


    "Then let''s hear it," Li Dapang, seeing Xiao Han''s serious expression, put away his frivolous smile: "What kind ofpany?"


    "We could open a tutoring center," Xiao Han said earnestly: "With college entrance examsing up, we could totally set up a prep ss."


    "Who would teach?" Li Dapang asked urgently.

 Chapter 005 A Woman Changes Eighteen Times by the Time Shes Grown

    "Of course, it''s me!" Xiao Han said hastily.


    "Holy shit, you only scored three hundred on this mock exam. You really are crazy!" Li Dapang''s mouth hung open wide enough to fit an entire egg.


    "So, are you in or not?" Xiao Han asked.


    Li Dapang stared intently into Xiao Han''s eyes, which were clear, transparent, deep, and unruffled. This was all he could see. It seemed there were no impurities and no deception. Li Dapang felt something was off, "Damn it, I''ll go crazy with you just this once. But dude, you want to open a training institute, where are you getting the startup capital?"


    "That is indeed a problem." Xiao Han frowned.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han''s eyes lit up as he noticed the hundred or so yuan in change that Li Dapang held in his hand.


    "Got it!" Xiao Han eximed with delight, "Give me your money."


    Li Dapang handed over the money to Xiao Han without any hesitation and asked, "What are you nning to do?"


    "Follow me!" Xiao Han said immediately.


    After that, the two ran wildly towards the school gates.


    On the yground, Xiao Han saw Jiang Xiaoliang entangling with Chen Zihan. Chen Zihan was riding a brand-new Yamaha electric bike and seemed somewhat displeased. Jiang Xiaoliang''s motorcycle was parked in front of Chen Zihan, blocking her way.


    "Chen Zihan!" Xiao Han hurried over.


    "Xiao Han, is that you?" Chen Zihan''s face lit up with delight.


    "That um¡­ could you take me somewhere?" Xiao Han asked urgently.


    "Sure." Chen Zihan agreed without a second thought.


    "You can''t take him!" Jiang Xiaoliang eximed in a panic.


    "It''s my business, and besides, it''s perfectly normal for ssmates to help each other out!" Chen Zihan retorted without hesitation.


    Xiao Han did not expect Chen Zihan to agree so readily, and he quickly climbed onto the back seat, grabbing the handrail behind the seat.


    Li Dapang, pushing an old bicycle, poked his head out from under a canopy and called out, "Xiao Han, where are you going?"


    "Yanzi Mountain!" Xiao Han replied decisively.


    By this time, Chen Zihan had already elerated away. Jiang Xiaoliang was green with rage. Li Dapang was extremely pleased; seeing Xiao Han getting on Chen Zihan''s bike made him inwardly gleeful.


    In fact, he couldn''t understand how Xiao Han, who was usually as clueless as a goose, had suddenly wisened up today¡ªnot only could he solve superplex math problems, but he was also hitting it off with girls? If he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, Li Dapang would never have believed it.


    "Damn, Jiang Xiaoliang, your goddess has run off with our Xiao Han." Li Dapang chuckled heartily as he pedaled his bicycle, its worn condition evident by every part ringing except the bell.


    "Bastard!" Jiang Xiaoliang was extremely annoyed. He was furious that Chen Zihan didn''t give their past any consideration at all and had chosen to go with Xiao Han. Jiang Xiaoliang decided that no matter what, he had to snatch Chen Zihan back from Xiao Han''s side.


    Yanzi Mountain.


    It was a local market in Wangjiang District. The market wasrge, and the people living nearby were a mixed bunch, including local bullies and thugs as well as some who were part of criminal organizations. This marketce was a coveted spot for these people, with protection fees amounting to well over a hundred thousand a year. It was a piece of fat that everyone wanted a bite of.


    "Xiao Han, what are you doing here?" Chen Zihan asked, blinking her innocent eyes which moved Xiao Han deeply.


    Indeed, Chen Zihan was a good girl, with a pure heart and clean thoughts¡ªa girl who could genuinely be called a goddess. Even someone as unresponsive as Xiao Han was touched by Chen Zihan.


    "I... I''m here to buy vegetables!" Xiao Han said awkwardly.


    "Oh." Chen Zihan blinked her pure eyes and said, "Xiao Han, you could actually work hard and strive for a good university. You demonstrated your academic talent this morning. Besides, I know you were once the top scorer in Wangjiang District''s middle school exams."


    "Heh heh..." Xiao Han chuckled and said nothing.


    "Keep it up, Xiao Han." Chen Zihan clenched her fist and made a cheering gesture.


    Xiao Han was somewhat dazed; for years, he had been looked down upon and despised by others. Aside from Li Dapang, the people at school would avoid him, fearing they would catch his bad luck. However, Chen Zihan never shunned him and had repeatedly helped him, seemingly never giving up on him.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han asked, "Zi Han, why do you help me?"


    The unexpectedly intimate way he addressed her made Chen Zihan a bit shy. She bit her red lip and softly said, "I think no one should give up the ideal they hold dear in their heart, right?"


    "The ideal?" Xiao Han looked bewildered.


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan said earnestly, "Do you remember the award ceremony of the LJ City Math Competition three years ago?"


    "..." Xiao Han had forgotten.


    "That time, I failed the exam," Chen Zihan said, her eyes reddening, "A boy took my hand and told me that a single failure was temporary and that our ideals in our hearts are eternal; no one should give up on the ideals they cherish..."


    As she spoke, Chen Zihan gazed deeply at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han suddenly came to his senses and eximed in astonishment, "You... you''re that girl?"


    Three years ago, during that LJ City Math Competition, Xiao Han had taken the top spot, winning the first prize of ten thousand yuan. Chen Zihan, on the other hand, had not fared well.


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    "But... you..." Xiao Han simply didn''t believe it. The girl from three years ago had dark skin, ear-length short hair, and a t chest, just like a boy. She was nothing like Chen Zihan''s outstanding facial features and deliciously beautiful figure.


    "Pfft..." Chen Zihan covered her mouth andughed, saying, "Haven''t you heard the saying? A girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood."


    After speaking, Chen Zihan rode away on her electric bike, leaving Xiao Han standing there, dumbfounded.


    A gentle breeze picked up, making Chen Zihan''s silhouette even more stunning. Her dark, beautiful hair wafted in the breeze, releasing whiffs of a faint fragrance. Xiao Han closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if he wanted to memorize that scent.


    "Fuck me!" Li Dapang pedaled over on his broken bicycle, gasping, "That nearly killed me. You say... what are we here for?"


    "To the casino!" Xiao Han''s face turned cold.


    "What?!" Li Dapang was shocked, saying, "Didn''t you say that drugs, gambling, and prostitution are illegal?"


    "We''re going to eliminate harm for the people," Xiao Han replied, squinting his eyes. "To take some money from these guys."


    After speaking, Xiao Han dragged Li Dapang toward a hidden casino in Yanzi Mountain.


    This casino was in a building inside the market. The building had five floors¡ªthe first was a police station, and the fifth floor housed the casino. Such a cleveryout was unbeatable!


    The two of them took off their school uniforms and each wore a vest as they headed for the fifth floor.


    The fifth floor was very spacious and featured all kinds of gambling equipment.


    The hall mainly consisted of slot machines and fruit machines. There were also Pai Gow and Barat...


    In the hall, security personnel wearing bulletproof vests and wielding batons patrolled the area. These men had broad backs and bears'' waists, with eyes sharp as torches. The ce had already gathered quite a crowd, who were busily engaged in gambling.


    "What shall we have a go at?" Li Dapang asked curiously.


    "Let''s start with the slot machines," Xiao Han replied.


    "Cool." Li Dapang also liked to y slot machines, though he generally lost more than he won.


    A total of 120 yuan. Xiao Han needed to figure out how to get to 500 yuan and then exchange it for chips to y at other tables. Xiao Han gave Li Dapang twenty coins, keeping a hundred for himself to find a slot machine to y.


    ying the slot machine was a matter of probability. Xiao Han tested the waters with a few coins. However, his brain worked like aputer, feverishly calcting, as there was aputer chip inside the slot machine. It was a confrontation between the human brain and the machine.


    Xiao Han tried about five yuan''s worth, spinning it more than twenty times.


    With an idea in his heart, Xiao Han confidently bet on the highest multiplier, betting a total of twenty yuan. However, he didn''t win!


    But, Xiao Han wasn''t in a hurry.


    Li Dapang next to him had already lost his twenty yuan. Seeing Xiao Han y so aggressively, he advised, "Lesser, lesser!"


    The second time, Xiao Han still went with twenty yuan.


    Still no win.


    He was now left with only half of his coins, and only two more chances. If he didn''t win these, he would have lostpletely.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "One more time!" Xiao Han took a deep breath.


    Ding ding ding...


    A joyful sound rang out. Li Dapang pped his thigh, excitedly saying, "Haha, won, won!!"


    Two hundred points, a forty-fold return, suddenly he had eight thousand points.


    Xiao Han sighed deeply with relief as he had 800 yuan in hand. The staff immediately came to settle the points and handed the money to Xiao Han. His face lit up with excitement, and an overjoyed Li Dapang said, "Fuck, that''s awesome. Such good luck."


    Xiao Han handed back the 120 yuan of capital to Li Dapang and then exchanged the remaining 700 yuan for chips.


    Xiao Han immediately squeezed his way over to the Barat tables.


    Barat is a game of betting on the ''bank'' or ''yer,'' considered to be one of the fairest forms of gambling. Xiao Han didn''t rush to ce bets, instead observing several rounds. Once he had a sense of the game, he pushed all his chips onto ''yer.'' And indeed, ''yer'' won. Seven hundred yuan turned into 1,400.


    In the following rounds, Xiao Han remained patient, calmly observing until he felt confident, and then he pushed all his chips in. This cycle continued, and the amount in his hands reached over 20,000 yuan.


    Xiao Han knew it was time to pull out.


    After all, this was a casino, and behind every casino, there were owners watching. Using 700 yuan to take more than 20,000 from them could easily attract their attention.


    "Let''s get out of here!" Xiao Han turned and said to Li Dapang.


    "Okay!" Li Dapang was also somewhat nervous, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead and upper lip.


    The two turned and exchanged all their chips at the counter. Carrying over 20,000 yuan, they quickly left the casino.

 Chapter 006 Lesson

    Just after Xiao Han and Li Dapang had left, within the casino, a middle-aged man sat on a sofa.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Go check who those two kids are!" the middle-aged man responded, relying on seven hundred yuan to win over twenty thousand at Barat, which had already caught the attention of the casino.


    "Yes!" A subordinate next to him immediately nodded.


    ...............


    Upon leaving the casino, Li Dapang was so excited he almost cried.


    "My god, so much money, over twenty thousand."


    "Only a bit over twenty thousand, look how excited you''ve gotten," Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang and said, "Let''s consider this money as our startup capital. I n to rent a ce and start a college entrance exam training ss."


    "Are you serious, man?" Li Dapang calmed down.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "We need to make money, and we can only earn it through our own abilities."


    "This..." Li Dapang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, the money was earned by you anyway, how you want to spend it is up to you!"


    "Big Fatty, you''re my good brother." Xiao Han patted his shoulder and said, "We''ll make the money together."


    "Okay." Li Dapang, excited, said, "I''ll handle finding the venue, I have a few friends in this area."


    "That''s settled!" Xiao Han nodded.


    It was gettingte, Li Dapang rode his bike with Xiao Han, racing towards Fuxing Community. As for the twenty thousand yuan, Xiao Han and Li Dapang each took twelve thousand. Li Dapang was to rent the venue, while Xiao Han would buy desks and chairs. A college entrance exam sprint ss was about to begin.


    Li Dapang dropped Xiao Han off at the entrance of Fuxing Community, then hurried off to find someone.


    In all the hustle and bustle, it was already past seven in the evening before he knew it. As it grew dark, Xiao Han quickly headed home.


    However, he hadn''t walked two steps when more than twenty people emerged from the green belts on both sides of the entrance to Fuxing Community. This bunch clearly didn''t look like good citizens, each wearing tight pants, jeans, or tank tops, with dyed blonde hair.


    Among them was a familiar face.


    "Liao Zhijie?!" Xiao Han stared at Liao Zhijie among the crowd.


    This guy strutted arrogantly, smirking and said, "Xiao Han, you sure made a ssh today."


    "What do you want?" Xiao Han instinctively stepped back two paces.


    tter...


    More than ten people immediately surrounded Xiao Han. Each one with a cigarette between their lips and malicious looks in their eyes, holding sticks in their hands.


    "Thinking of running?" Liao Zhijie sneered, "It won''t be that easy. If you kneel down and kowtow to the old man three times, I''ll let you go, how about it?"


    Xiao Han''s expression darkened: "Liao Zhijie, we''re ssmates, why must you go this far?"


    "Haha..." Upon hearing this, Liao Zhijie burst into loudughter, saying, "Scared now? But, it''s already toote!"


    Xiao Han''s face was grim. He wasn''t truly afraid of Liao Zhijie; the elements of timidity and fear seemed to have disappeared from his heart long ago. The Xiao Han now seemed to have beenpletely transformed. Even he himself couldn''t fathom why he suddenly felt like he had be someone else.


    Seeing Xiao Han remaining silent, Liao Zhijie was even more convinced he was scared.


    "Fellows, give him a good beating," Liao Zhijie waved his hand.


    "Hehe..." Several thugs nearby chuckled.


    These people hung around Linjiang No.1 Middle School, hade into contact with all sorts of people, and had bullied many. Students were the easiest group to bully, and it wasmon for some to be extorted by them for protection money. Thus, a student like Xiao Han was nothing in their eyes.


    "Kid, you asked for this," the lead bleached-hairedd said coldly.


    After that, the blond boy rushed toward Xiao Han, his baseball bat savagely targeting Xiao Han''s head.


    Xiao Han quickly stepped back two paces.


    The blond boy''s attack missed, and he sneered, "Pretty quick reflexes there!"


    Xiao Han stayed silent, wondering why the opponent''s attack seemed so slow to him. Could it be because his brain''s reaction speed had increased, thereby speeding up his eyes'' ability to judge? Xiao Han found this somewhat unbelievable, even hard to believe.


    However, in the next wave of attacks, Xiao Han decided to turn his passiveness into activeness.


    Whoosh...


    As the blond boy charged at him, Xiao Han proactively lunged forward.


    Xiao Han moved quickly as a cheetah.


    He grabbed the other''s baseball bat at the fastest speed, then raised his leg and kicked viciously at the opponent''s chest.


    Bang!


    In that moment, the blond boy was sent flying like a ser ball.


    "Ouch..." The blond boy screamed in agony as he clutched his chest, struggling to stand up.


    "Big Brother, are you okay?" A few younger members hurried over.


    "Damn, take him down!" Xiaohuang shouted.


    The rustling sound...


    Five or six people immediately charged towards Xiao Han. This time, Xiao Han seemed a bit nervous. After all, it was his first time facing so many opponents, and he quickly adapted to their attacks during the tussle.


    Bang!


    Taking advantage of a moment when his opponents were unguarded, Xiao Han fiercely swung his baseball bat at someone''s head, causing it to bleed profusely on the spot.


    "Ah!" The guy clutched his head and crouched down, screaming in pain.


    "Damn it, kill him!" Several thugs panicked.


    Then, everyone jumped him, swinging their weapons at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han fought more fiercely as the battle wore on, his stamina and his regr exercise ying a significant role. Otherwise, no matter how fast his brain reacted, it would have been useless. After a bloody fight, the aluminum baseball bat in Xiao Han''s hand was bent, and he had smashed three gang members'' heads open, causing severe bleeding.


    A few others were also hit by the bat, resulting in two broken legs.


    After a fierce fight, the opponents were quickly defeated.


    "Retreat!" The leader, Xiaohuang, waved his hand hurriedly, and Liao Zhijie was also stunned. When had Xiao Han be so formidable? Although it was hard to discern his technique, he always managed to attack his enemies in the quickest and most precise way.


    Just as Liao Zhijie turned to run...


    "Stop!" Xiao Han yelled angrily.


    "What... what do you want?" Although Liao Zhijie acted tough in school, that was only because he had bribed many people. Without hisckeys, how could he possibly be a match for Xiao Han with his meagre height of 165 cm and weight under 100 pounds?


    "Kneel down!" Xiao Han roared.


    With a thud...


    Liao Zhijie knelt down without any dignity, quickly begging for mercy: "Xiao Han, please... let me go!"


    "Liao Zhijie, let me warn you seriously today," Xiao Han said coldly, "If you dare to trouble me again, I won''t hesitate to break your arm!"


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Liao Zhijie nodded hurriedly.


    "Get lost!" Xiao Han bellowed.


    Petrified, Liao Zhijie scrambled away.


    Watching his opponent''s retreating figure disappear into the distance, Xiao Han felt an intense pain throbbing in his brain for the first time. This pain almost bent him double. He sped his head with both hands, his body curving like a shrimp.


    With a thud...


    Eventually, he copsed heavily to the ground.


    Upon waking, Xiao Han felt waves of cold air passing over him. This sensation was very ufortable, he struggled to stand up. Although his head no longer hurt, it felt as if a thousand needles were pricking his scalp.


    Returning home, Mother Xiao was anxiously looking around at the doorway.


    "Xiao Han, you''re finally back?" Mother Xiao was frantic, grabbing Xiao Han''s arm and speaking excitedly, "If you hadn''te back, I was about to go to the school to look for you."


    "Mom, I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I was just held back by a teacher."


    "The teacher didn''t give you a hard time, did he?" Mother Xiao didn''t ask for the reason, because she didn''t dare to touch on the deep-seated troubles in Xiao Han''s heart.


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Why are you so pale?" Once inside the house, Mother Xiao noticed Xiao Han''s pallid face and became somewhat anxious: "Are you feeling unwell?"


    "I''m fine," Xiao Han quickly shook his head and said, "I''m just very hungry!"


    "Then eat something quickly!" Mother Xiao hurriedly served the food that had been kept warm in the kitchen. Dinner was radish stewed with pork ribs, a dish of bok choy, and a te of fermented tofu. There were three dishes, the radish stewed with pork ribs was to nourish Xiao Han. She ate only the bok choy and fermented tofu herself.


    She ate while watching her son, a look of heartfelt concern in her eyes.


    Seeing this scene, Xiao Han''s nose tingled, and his eyes moistened.


    Seeing his mother leaving the best for him, while he alone bore the burdens of poverty and all its associated pains, Xiao Han vowed in his heart to change their situation and ensure his mother lived the best life possible. This was his most urgent hope.


    To prove his capabilities, Xiao Han confined himself to his room and brought out all his exercise books. The national college entrance examination''s problem-solving questions were rtively easier for him. After reviewing the questions, he could find the solutions quickly.


    He finished an entire collection of past national college entrance examination exercises that night, which even he found unbelievable. Just to be safe, Xiao Han decided to visit a bookstore the next day to look for somepetition math books.


    Despite a sleepless night, Xiao Han constantly felt a sense of losing and gaining power. He feared that upon waking, he would revert to the timid and slow-witted Xiao Han.


    Fortunately, when he woke up the next day, everything seemed unchanged.


    Getting out of bed, the table was already set with warm soy milk, two dough sticks, four meat buns, and an egg.


    As he was a teenager going through a growth spurt, he had a particrlyrge appetite.


    After breakfast, Xiao Han quickly grabbed his school bag and headed towards school.


    Just reaching the school gate, he immediately encountered Li Dapang, who was looking around. Li Dapang spotted Xiao Han instantly and ran towards him, taking two steps at a time,ining, "You kid, why sote?"

 Chapter 007 The Oath

    "We still have ten minutes before ss starts, don''t we?" Xiao Han frowned.


    "I''ve already found the venue," Li Dapang said excitedly. "The rent is three thousand five hundred a month, no deposit and no transfer fee required. What do you think?"


    "How big is it?" Xiao Han asked urgently.


    "The venue is quiterge," Li Dapang grinned. "Over three hundred square meters. But it''s on the second floor."


    "The second floor is fine," Xiao Han shook his head. "We don''t need a street-front shop, just a good location with enough space."


    "Are you sure you want it?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Then okay, I''ll go and rent it for you right now," Li Dapang said solemnly. "I fear it might be snatched up if we wait too long."


    With that, Li Dapang hurriedly pedaled his old bicycle and sped toward the city center.


    "ss is starting, ss is about to start!" Xiao Han hurriedly yelled after Li Dapang''s retreating figure.


    "I''m not going, old man, I''m skipping ss!" Li Dapang shouted back without turning his head.


    Having found something meaningful to do, Li Dapang naturally wanted to exert all his energy. After all, ss was just for sleeping, so why waste the time? Watching Li Dapang''s retreating figure, Xiao Han felt a sense of helplessness.


    In the ssroom.


    Jiang Xiaoliang was very annoyed as this guy was teaming up with many others to nder Xiao Han behind his back.


    "If that kid dares toe today, I''ll break his damn legs!" Jiang Xiaoliang boasted proudly.


    "Hehe, of course," the ssmates nearbyughed. "Xiao Han the ''academic dreg'' can''tpare to you, the ''academic master''."


    "He''s just trash!" Jiang Xiaoliang said bluntly.


    "Xiaoliang, when are you nning to move back next to Chen Zihan?" the boys beside himughed and asked.


    "Sooner orter," Jiang Xiaoliang snorted.


    Chen Zihan was anxious, as Xiao Han hadn''t yet reached the ssroom, and it was almost eight o''clock. If he didn''t arrive soon, he would be markedte. As thest minute to eight o''clock ticked by, Xiao Han walked into the ssroom with a steady pace. When Chen Zihan saw him, she immediately rxed and a joyful smile appeared on her face.


    "Xiao Han, good morning!" Chen Zihan greeted cheerfully.


    "Morning!" Xiao Han nodded slightly and then stuffed his backpack into the desk.


    "What''s wrong with you? You look sockluster," Chen Zihan asked curiously. "Did you not sleep wellst night?"


    Last night, Xiao Han had worked on problems alone until after two in the morning, finishing off a thick workbook of problems. Though he was quite tired, he was still very excited.


    "Yeah!" Xiao Han nodded. "I took your words to heart, so I spent allst night studying seriously."


    "What?" Chen Zihan''s face immediately flushed upon hearing this. She hadn''t expected her words to motivate Xiao Han the day before, and she was quite pleased inside. Blushing, she shyly said, "Is that¡­ is that true?"


    "Of course it''s true!" Xiao Han nodded. "I will definitely work hard."


    "That''s good to hear," Chen Zihan''s face turned even redder.


    Just then, Liu Jinmei entered the ssroom holding her teaching materials, her face stern and impassive. But within this stocky woman surged a torrent of anger. She first nced at Xiao Han, disying no emotion, then quickly noticed that Li Dapang was not in the ssroom.


    "Where is Li Dapang?" Liu Jinmei asked sternly.


    "Teacher Liu, Big Fatty wasn''t feeling well today. He specifically asked me to call in sick for him," Xiao Han stood up calmly.


    "Calling in sick?" Liu Jinmei''s lips twitched slightly. How dare he skip her ss?


    Bang!


    Liu Jinmei mmed her hand onto the desk, angrily shouting, "There are only a little over two hundred days left till the college entrance exam, and this bastard dares to skip ss. I must deal with him."


    "Teacher Liu, it''s normal to ask for leave when sick," Xiao Han looked at Liu Jinmei. "Everyone gets sick now and then. We can make up for lost study time, but we can''t restore lost health, can we?"


    "How easy do you think it is to make up for three years of high school coursework!" Liu Jinmei scoffed coldly.


    "Why not?" Xiao Han smiled dismissively.


    "Xiao Han, can you?" Liu Jinmei looked at Xiao Han coldly, her eyes conveying mockery and disdain. Xiao Han''s history of poor academic performance ced him among the weakest in the ss¡ª it would be a miracle if he made aeback, akin to pigs flying.


    "Of course I can!" Xiao Han nodded without hesitation.


    "Oh?" Liu Jinmei smiled and said, "The mock exam in October ising up soon. I wonder if you, Xiao Han, could rank second this time¡ªsecond tost, that is!"


    Hahaha...


    In the previously silent ssroom, suddenly a roar ofughter broke out!


    Xiao Han''s face turned bright red instantly. This was mockery, this was satire, it was a teacher''s abandonment and humiliation of a student. It was also a problem with the education system of this society.


    This was intolerable!


    Chen Zihan couldn''t bear to listen anymore, just as she was about to speak up in defense of Xiao Han. However, Xiao Han raised his right hand high, his face earnest, and said word by word, "In the mock exam in October, if I, Xiao Han, do not achieve the second rank in the ss, I, Xiao Han, will withdraw from school immediately!"


    Ssss...


    Everyone on the scene suddenly gasped in shock. A look of disbelief shone in everyone''s eyes, even Liu Jinmei frowned. Had it not been for Xiao Han''s performance yesterday, Liu Jinmei might have expelled him on the spot. However, even with an outstanding performance yesterday, it was impossible for him to soar to the second rank from thest in the uing October mock exam.


    In Chen Zihan''s eyes, a me of hope was flickering. She looked at Xiao Han in disbelief, as if seeing the excellent, ambitious young man from three years ago. All of a sudden, Chen Zihan felt that the Xiao Han before her was so familiar yet so strange. Yet, her heart was filled with fearless admiration for the Xiao Han she saw now. He seemed like an enigma.


    "Xiao Han, I admire your courage," Teacher Liu put down her clenched fist and said, "But courage alone is not enough for a person."


    "I have not only courage but also confidence!" Xiao Han said coldly, "One monthter at the mock exam, it''s a deal."


    "No!" Liu Jinmei''s lips slightly curled up in a wicked way, "If you don''t get the second rank, I don''t need you to withdraw from school. You just need to clean the toilets for a month."


    "Okay." Xiao Han nodded.


    At that moment, Jiang Xiaoliang seemed to have seized an opportunity as he quickly stood up and said, "Teacher Liu, if Xiao Han doesn''t achieve the second rank this time, then he should move back to thest row. Give my spot back to me."


    "Okay!" Xiao Han agreed briskly, "But if I do achieve the second rank, what will you do then?"


    "How could you!" Jiang Xiaoliang said disdainfully, "The second rank in the ss is always mine, how could aggard like you snatch it from me."


    "Everything is possible," Xiao Han said lightly.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "If you snatch the second rank from me, I... I just..." Jiang Xiaoliang was about to say he would move to thest row, but he quickly realized he was already at thest row.


    "Then you move to the front, alongside the podium. Let the entire ss gaze at you every day, watching you with disdainful eyes, how about that?" Xiao Han said very calmly, a calmness and indifference that were not typical for his age.


    "Fine, I agree!" Jiang Xiaoliang was already furious and agreed without hesitation.


    Teacher Liu''s lips slightly curled up, she liked this kind of educational atmosphere, as long as it could improve academic performance and stimte students'' motivation to learn. No matter how much they quarreled, she was willing.


    "Alright, now let''s proceed with the lesson as usual," Teacher Liu said indifferently.


    Although the study content in the senior year of high school had significantly ckened, each student was like an arrow strung on a bow, always ready to beunched. Teacher Liu, a distinguished teacher at Linjiang No.1 Middle School, had been awarded the honor of a top ten provincial teacher. Her teaching method in mathematics was quite unique, so her students generally performed very well.


    Although a bit hot-tempered, her teaching ability was indeed strong.


    A morning''s worth of lessons had taught Xiao Han quite a lot.


    Throughout the morning sses, Teacher Liu particrly paid attention to Xiao Han and noticed that unlike before, he wasn''t listless but was listening very attentively and seriously. This pleased Teacher Liu as she felt Xiao Han was making progress. With effort, everything was hopeful.


    At the end of the morning school session.


    "Xiao Han," Teacher Liu suddenly called out.


    "Teacher Liu!" Xiao Han faced Teacher Liu''s sternness with a smile.


    "You..." Liu Jinmei nced at him, then said, "Come to my office!"


    Finishing her words, Teacher Liu turned and left.


    "Ouch, someone''s in trouble!"


    "This is bad, I guess someone''s going to be criticized."


    Inside the ssroom, a group of students immediately began to jeer.


    Xiao Han didn''t feel at all like he was about to face cmity; he strode confidently toward the office.


    In the office, the other teachers had gone for lunch, leaving only Liu Jinmei. Seeing Xiao Han enter, she immediately put down her textbook.


    "Teacher Liu, what did you want to see me for?" Xiao Han asked.


    "You were very attentive in ss today, so I wanted to praise you," Liu Jinmei said with a smile.


    "Thank you, Teacher," Xiao Han responded, neither humbly nor arrogantly.


    "Keep working hard, your learning will definitely improve," Liu Jinmei sighed, "Don''t ever give up on yourself like before. Teacher knows you were once the middle school entrance exam champion in Wangjiang District, you are a child with a talent for learning. And about your father''s death... don''t think too much about it!"


    "Teacher, if there is nothing else, I will leave first," Xiao Han said, then turned and walked away.

 Chapter 008 Shining Shoes

    ```


    Not a shred of face was given to Liu Jinmei.


    Liu Jinmei frowned, silent and looking a bit unwell, but ultimately, she regained herposure.


    "Xiao Han!"


    At the school gate, Li Dapang was drenched in sweat. Running around in the summer heat was indeed tough for him.


    "How did it go?" Xiao Han asked.


    "It''s settled," Li Dapang said excitedly. "We''ve rented the ce. Let''s go check it out now."


    Hearing this, Xiao Han immediately nodded and said, "Let''s go have a look!"


    With that, Xiao Han jumped onto the back seat of Li Dapang''s bike. Li Dapang stared hard at the bicycle; together, they nearly weighed four hundred pounds. Fortunately, the bike was an old model from Phoenix Brand, known for its quality. Li Dapang pedaled with determination.


    After a short while, the two finally arrived at their destination.


    The location was indeed excellent, situated in the city center with convenient transportation. Moreover, the rent was rtively cheap, and it was a street-facing storefront. The first floor was essed through a single staircase. The second floor seemed much bigger. Over three hundred square meters with two load-bearing columns in the middle.


    "What do you think?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Not bad!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "But, we have to pay three months'' rent up front," Li Dapang said awkwardly. "This means, we might have some difficulty with our avable funds."


    "Not at all," Xiao Han shook his head and said. "We just need to buy arge ckboard and some desks and chairs. Since it''s a college entrance exam crash course, what matters isn''t the venue, but the quality of the training."


    "Alright, you make the call!" Li Dapang nodded.


    Li Dapang felt a sense of achievement, however faint. He went from being penniless the day before to starting apany the next day. Although they hadn''t started enrolling students yet, Li Dapang seemed to see the three hundred square meters space already filled with students eager to learn.


    "I''ll take care of the desks and chairs," said Xiao Han.


    "Let me do it," Li Dapangughed. "You''re naive and wouldn''t know how to haggle. For things like desks and chairs, you need to pay half upfront and the rest in installments. Otherwise, what would you do if there were issues with them?"


    "All right then!" Xiao Han nodded. He took twelve thousand yuan from his backpack and handed it to Li Dapang, saying, "I''m entrusting you with the money."


    "You''re not afraid I''ll take the money and run?" Li Dapang asked.


    "You wouldn''t!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Haha..." Li Dapangughed heartily.


    Xiao Han''s trust in Li Dapang was like that in a family member. Even if Li Dapang really did take the money and run, Xiao Han would probably not believe it.


    Li Dapang was remarkably efficient in getting things done. That afternoon, he didn''t go to school but went directly to West Street in the downtown area to purchase desks and chairs. Dressed in casual clothes instead of the school uniform, holding his father''s waist pouch, and with hisrge and imposing figure, he really looked the part of a wealthy man.


    His bargaining skills were indeed impressive; he purchased a hundred sets of desks and chairs, as well as a big ckboard measuring four square meters. The ckboard was divided into upper and lower sections that could be moved up and down. It didn''t require instation; it could simply be fixed to the ground with a stand, making it much easier to move around.


    After securing the venue, the two quickly went their separate ways.


    Li Dapang went to West Street to make purchases, while Xiao Han walked home on foot.


    On his way home, Xiao Han pondered how to advertise his training ss. After all, nobody would trust a training ss with no qualifications and only empty talk. Thus, Xiao Han felt it was crucial to create a gimmick for hispany. Otherwise, it was certain that the training ss would not attract a single student.


    After much thought, an idea finally dawned on Xiao Han.


    The principal of LJ City No.1 Middle School, Li Hengzhong, was a nationally renowned mathematician and also the only national-level teacher in LJ City. If Xiao Han could get him to endorse his training ss as a spokesperson, he was confident that the ss would boom.


    However, convincing Li Hengzhong would not be easy. Moreover, schools were against putting too much pressure on students, so Xiao Han would have to show genuine sincerity and put in extra effort to persuade Li Hengzhong.


    As he passed a bookstore, Xiao Han immediately went inside and bought several books on mathematical Olympiadpetitions.


    With Xiao Han''s current strength and problem-solving ability, typical exam questions were no longer a challenge for him. Only Olympiad-level problems required him to rack his brains. The three books cost over a hundred yuan. After leaving the bookstore, Xiao Han continued walking towards his home.


    When he arrived, Mother Xiao was lying on the sofa, a look of pain on her face.


    "Mom, what''s wrong?" Xiao Han asked anxiously.


    "I''m fine," Mother Xiao shook her head and said, "It''s just my old problem acting up again."


    "Then you rest," Xiao Han replied. "I''ll shine shoes in your ce tonight."


    To increase ie, every day Mother Xiao would carry shoe-shining tools and polish people''s leather shoes on the street. She charged four yuan for a pair, and on a good night, she could make seventy to eighty yuan, and even on a slow night, she would earn a few tens of yuan. This was the most important source of ie for the family.


    ```n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "No!" Mother Xiao shook her head and said, "You have your college entrance examsing up, I should go instead."


    "Mom, don''t worry, this won''t affect my exams!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Besides, you''re sick, how can I let you work?"


    The mother and son argued back and forth, but eventually, Mother Xiao''s heart softened, and she reluctantly nodded.


    After dinner, Xiao Han slung an old bag over his shoulder, grabbed two small stools, and left the house.


    On the street, Xiao Han found a spot with the heaviest foot traffic and sat down. There were already quite a few aunties who shined shoes; they all looked curiously at Xiao Han.


    "Xiao Han, what are you doing here? Where''s your mom?" They all knew Xiao Han.


    "My mom isn''t feeling well, so I''m here to shine shoes for her today!" Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Such a filial child," said the aunties upon hearing this, all of them showing looks of admiration.


    "Indeed, my own kid is always messing around outside. He onlyes back when he wants money, and on ordinary days, we barely catch a glimpse of him."


    The aunties beganining about their own kids.


    Xiao Han couldn''t be bothered to join in. He simply picked up a book on mathematicspetition while there was no business and began to read. It covered math and physics. He read with great interest; some of the problem-solving methods and techniques in the book were exactly what Xiao Han needed.


    His own approaches to problems were quite limited, but the book offered a much richer array of strategies and techniques, from which Xiao Han learned a lot.


    "Xiao Han?" Suddenly, a surprised voice called out.


    Xiao Han put down his book and looked up to see Chen Zihan and another girl from his ss out shopping. Both of them seemed to have made some purchases.


    "Chen Zihan?" Xiao Han was startled and said awkwardly with augh, "You guys... out shopping?"


    "Yeah!" Chen Zihan nodded and asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Shining shoes!" Xiao Han didn''t feel ashamed; however, Yang Xiaoyan, the girl with Chen Zihan, looked at Xiao Han with disdain.


    "Xiao Han, how can you stoop to shining shoes for others?" Yang Xiaoyan frowned as if she was disgusted and seemed eager to pull Chen Zihan away right then.


    Unexpectedly, Chen Zihan stopped and sat down on the chair opposite Xiao Han, giggling, "Well then... you can shine my shoes. They''ve gotten quite dusty."


    "Zi Han, let''s go. This is so embarrassing," Xiaoyan bit her lip and said.


    "It''s nothing," Chen Zihan shook her head and said, "What''s wrong with earning your own keep?"


    Xiao Han stayed silent and cheerfully took out the shoe polish.


    Chen Zihan was wearing a pair of ck pumps with a tiny heel. ck skirt and a pair of smooth, shapely legs. She looked very pleasant, and Xiao Han polished the shoes skillfully. Having often seen his mother do it, his technique was no worse than any professional shoe shiner.


    Chen Zihan spoke with a beaming smile, "Xiao Han, I didn''t expect you to be so professional at shining shoes?"


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nced up at Chen Zihan and immediately froze. When he looked up, he clearly saw up her skirt.


    After all, Xiao Han was still only a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy and had an immediate reaction.


    In the summer, Xiao Han also wore thin clothes, and the bulge in his trousers became very noticeable. He tried to hide it by pressing down with his elbow. It looked as though he had a stomachache.


    "Xiao Han, what''s wrong?" Chen Zihan asked hurriedly.


    "I... I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Just a stomachache. It''s nothing."


    Xiao Han continued polishing Chen Zihan''s shoes in a very awkward posture.


    All the while, Chen Zihan was unaware of her exposure. She smiled lightly and handed Xiao Han ten yuan, "Here you go!"


    After saying that, she turned and walked away.


    "Wait!" Xiao Han immediately called out to her, "Your change, six yuan!"


    "This..." Chen Zihan seemed reluctant to take it, but considering Xiao Han''s pride, she finally decided to take back the six yuan. She was surprised to find a detailed solution book on mathpetitions in her bag. She said in astonishment, "Xiao Han, you''re reading this book too?"


    "Oh, just for fun, I can''t really understand it," Xiao Han chuckled.


    "Him?" Yang Xiaoyan said disdainfully, "He could understand this book? I''d turn my head into a football."


    Like many other students, Yang Xiaoyan deeply looked down on Xiao Han. However, Xiao Han didn''t care about others'' opinions of him. A strong man is not only physically strong; inner strength is even more important. The amount of pressure you can handle decides how mature of a man you are.


    "Actually, it''s good to study more," Chen Zihan clearly didn''t quite believe Xiao Han could understand the problems either.


    Watching Chen Zihan and Yang Xiaoyan walk away, Xiao Han felt a warm sensation inside. At least he saw no contempt in Chen Zihan''s eyes, nor any disdain. A girl who can achieve inner freedom and equality is doing something quite remarkable.

 Chapter 009 Taking Matters into Ones Own Hands

    Chen Zihan''s inner world was as simple, clear, and beautiful as her outward appearance.


    No sooner had Chen Zihan left, Jiang Xiaoliang and a few ssmates who had just been feasting came along. Suddenly, seeing Xiao Han shining shoes by the roadside, Jiang Xiaoliang at first couldn''t believe his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, and once he made sure he was not mistaken, he immediately went over, "My God, isn''t this Xiao Han, the bottom ranker of our ss?"


    "It really is him!"


    "Damn, it''s actually Xiao Han?!"


    A bunch of people immediately surrounded him, encircling Xiao Han as if watching a spectacle.


    Xiao Han nced at them indifferently, his reply neither warm nor cool, "Never seen shoe shining?"


    "A poor student and still so cocky!" Jiang Xiaoliang looked at Xiao Han with disdain, then sat down across from him, resting his right foot on the footrest with a face full of arrogance, "Come on, shine my shoes."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Afraid you can''t afford it," Xiao Han said with a faint smile.


    "Isn''t it just four yuan?" Jiang Xiaoliang frowned.


    "For people like you, the charge is one hundred," Xiao Han raised a finger.


    "You''re crazy!" Jiang Xiaoliang''s face turned pale with anger.


    "Per shoe!" After Xiao Han added this, Jiang Xiaoliang was dumbstruck.


    "What for!" Jiang Xiaoliang roared, "You''re robbing me!"


    "Heh, my shoe polish is genuine imported from Germany, the same manufacturer that produces for Porsche," Xiao Han said unhurriedly. "Besides, my shoe brush is different too, made from the mane of Mongolia''s national treasure, the Ferghana horse. Additionally, the chair you''re sitting on was once sat upon by none other than the President of the United States, Obama himself."


    "Who are you trying to fool?" Jiang Xiaoliang said angrily.


    "If you don''t believe it, you don''t have to get your shoes shined!" Xiao Han sneered coldly, looking at Jiang Xiaoliang with a mocking face, "If you''re broke, don''te to me for a shine, the auntie over there is waiting for you!"


    "Young man,e here, I only charge four yuan!" The nearby aunt chuckled with a mouthful of chives stuck in her teeth from the chive pockets she had just eaten.


    Jiang Xiaoliang had a very strong sense of pride; he hated being looked down upon by others. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Son of a bitch, do it, polish them!"


    "One hundred per shoe, that''s two hundred in total. Pay first, then I''ll shine," Xiao Han held out his hand for the money.


    Jiang Xiaoliang, grinding his teeth, tossed two bright red notes onto Xiao Han, and insisted angrily, "Make them spotless for me."


    Xiao Han naturally wouldn''t have issues with money; shining a pair of leather shoes had a cost of barely twenty cents, and someone was offering two hundred. How could he not do it? Xiao Han quickly shined Jiang Xiaoliang''s shoes, while Jiang Xiaoliang was sulking with anger. Even after the shine was finished, he was still fuming and ended up being dragged away by a few male students.


    Shining shoes for one evening, he actually made more than two hundred yuan, quite the windfall for today. He could wrap up early.


    The several aunts nearby looked on with envy.


    ......


    On the way back, Jiang Xiaoliang was almost bursting with rage.


    "Damn it, I can''t let this go," he muttered the whole way.


    "Xiaoliang, when we get back, let''s broadcast this incident at school," one of the boys snickered, "A poor braggart like him, let Chen Zihan see what kind of character this pauper really is."


    "Right, right!" Jiang Xiaoliang, upon hearing this, quickly agreed, "On Monday, I must tell Chen Zihan; this son of a bitch dares to defy me, I must tarnish his reputation. Let everyone in the ss, no, the whole school know Xiao Han is a shoeshiner."


    "Haha..." The group burst into riotousughter.


    Little did they know, Xiao Han simply didn''t care about such nder. Being poor was nothing remarkable; it was being poor in ambition that was truly frightening. One couldn''t choose where they were born, but one''s destiny could be changed with hard work.


    On Saturday morning, news from Li Dapang came as a pleasant surprise. The guy had actually pre-purchased fifty sets of desks and chairs from a furniture factory on West Street. ording to Li Dapang''s thinking, in the worst case, if they couldn''t attract students, they would only lose fifty sets of desks and chairs. But if business took off, they could always buy more desks and chairs.


    Therefore, Xiao Han had no choice but to make a trip to Li Hengzhong''s house.


    At ten in the morning, Xiao Han put on a suit that made him look more mature, one that had belonged to his deceased father¡ªa white shirt with ck trousers. Once he put it on, he instantly looked ten years older. With Xiao Han''s height, face, and somewhat mature gaze, it was impossible to tell that he was a student.


    Li Hengzhong probably wouldn''t expect that such a person could be a student from his own school.


    The principal of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, Li Hengzhong, was well-known to everyone.


    Li Hengzhong lived in a high-end residentialplex in the city center. Pretending to be a parent, Xiao Han easily tricked the security guard at the entrance and then headed straight for Li Hengzhong''s home.


    The door was opened by a woman in her forties.


    "May I ask who you''re looking for?" the woman asked Xiao Han with a puzzled look.


    "Auntie, hello, I am here to see Principal Li," Xiao Han said, nodding slightly, his demeanor very polite.


    The woman smiled faintly and said, "Oh, you''re looking for Old Li. Well then... pleasee in."


    "Thank you, Auntie," Xiao Han nodded.


    After entering, the woman said with a smile, "Old Li is in his study. I''ll call him out for you."


    "No need for that, I''ll go visit Principal Li myself," Xiao Han said with a slight smile.


    "Well... okay then!" The woman, seeing that Xiao Han was not a bad sort, allowed him into the study.


    Inside the study, the room was filled with books, with the scent of books wafting throughout. Various works of history and literature, and an array of historical documents, nearly covered the three walls of the room. Li Hengzhong, in his fifties with temples frosted with white, was sitting at his desk reading a Song Dynasty document.


    "Principal Li, hello," Xiao Han greeted with a polite bow.


    "You are...?" Li Hengzhong looked up, slightly startled, at the somewhat mature man before him.


    "Who I am isn''t important, Principal Li," Xiao Han hurried forward to shake hands with Li Hengzhong before saying, "I''vee to ask for your help with something important today!"


    "Ask me?" Li Hengzhong immediately sneered through his breath. Every year, there were no fewer than hundreds of people asking him for favors, all hoping he would pull strings to get their children into Linjiang No.1 Middle School. However, the man before him seemed fairly young. Could it be... he hade on behalf of someone else?


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "I n to start a college exam crash course. However, I am struggling with theck of poprity, so I''d like to have Principal Li be our spokesperson."


    Bang!


    Li Hengzhong was a schr and always considered himself one. He detested the exploitation of literature by some businessmen. This made him particrly angry. He threw the book he was holding onto the table and said angrily, "I''m sorry, but I have no such intentions."


    "Principal Li, please don''t rush," Xiao Han quickly said, "My intention for starting this prep course is to help more children who are struggling academically. Of course, it could significantly raise Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s college admission rate, wouldn''t you agree?"


    "Of course, I would!" Li Hengzhong retorted with a sneer, "But I detest those who swindle under the pretense of improving admission rates."


    "No, no." Xiao Han looked embarrassed and said, "You got me wrong."


    "Leave now, or I will call the police," Li Hengzhong said, his face flushed with anger, phone already in hand.


    "Wait a minute," Xiao Han hurriedly said, "Let me say onest thing, and then I''ll leave."


    "Speak!" Li Hengzhongmanded.


    "In the research paper you published in ''Nature,'' you mentioned the ''unchangingw of the quotient.'' Actually, there are some ws," Xiao Han began immediately. He had researched Li Hengzhong''s work online prior to visiting and had specifically studied his recent academic paper, where he had indeed discovered some ws. This was why he dared to visit Li Hengzhong''s home.


    "What do you mean?" For the first time, Li Hengzhong found someone who dared to challenge his academic research in mathematics.


    "I speak with the greatest respect, Principal Li," Xiao Han said, looking at him deferentially and smiling, "You imed in your paper that if both the dividend and divisor are multiplied or divided by the same number (excluding zero), the quotient remains the same... But have you considered that if the quotient..."


    Xiao Han quickly shared his thoughts.


    Li Hengzhong was immediately intrigued by the oundish ideas full of imagination that Xiao Han presented.


    "Are you saying that thew that the quotient is unchanged is wrong?" Li Hengzhong challenged.


    "Not exactly," Xiao Hanughed, "Generally speaking, Special Theory of Rtivity is indeed not absolute; conversely, from a narrower viewpoint, General Theory of Rtivity is also notprehensive.


    Einstein himself found contradictions in his own Theory of Rtivity when applied to quantum mechanics in theter stage, leading him to propose the two theories: Special Theory of Rtivity and General Theory of Rtivity. Mathematics, after all, is a discipline full of contention. We should adopt an open attitude while being conservative. Right?"


    "You have a point!" Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "I wouldn''t have expected you to have such profound understanding of mathematics. Very good."


    "Heh heh..." Xiao Han chuckled and said, "That''s why I want to run a college entrance exam prep ss. I hope it can help improve the college admission rates of Linjiang No.1 Middle School. What do you think of my idea, Principal Li?"


    "You want me to advertise for you?" Li Hengzhong scoffed.


    "Yes, yes, yes," Xiao Han said, nodding eagerly.


    "It''s possible!" Li Hengzhong picked up the tea cup on the desk, smiled and said, "I have an exam here. If you canplete this paper within half an hour and score ny, I''ll agree to endorse you. How about that?"


    "Deal!" Xiao Han replied eagerly, without hesitation.


    Sitting at ease, Li Hengzhong pulled out an exam paper from the drawer. It was this year''s Cambridge University entrance exam paper,pletely in English, and with exceptionally difficult questions. The general scores for the Cambridge exams had been low this year. Scoring ny was no easy feat.

 Chapter 010 Return Satisfied

    "Foreign?" Xiao Han was dumbstruck.


    "Yes!" Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "Young man, I never said that the papers I had were domestic."


    "This..." Xiao Han was bbergasted.


    "There are twenty-nine minutes left," Li Hengzhong stated.


    Not daring to dy, Xiao Han quickly sat down across from Li Hengzhong and grabbed the fountain pen on the table, swiftly filling out the paper with answers.


    Despite the entire paper being in English, Xiao Han, relying on his memory of English and a mix of guessing and deduction, could more or less grasp the meaning of the questions. He quickly moved past the multiple-choice and true-or-false questions. Thest three problems, one on functions, one on probability, and one on geometry, were the real challenges.


    Moreover, the foreigners'' way of setting questions was particrly tricky. There were many obstacles within the problems, and to get to the solutions, one must first eliminate these obstacles before delving deeper into the analysis.


    Xiao Han, with his head down, worked on the problems, while Li Hengzhong on the side seemed quite intrigued. Seeing Xiao Han''s serious demeanor, appreciation gleamed in his eyes. Just by his attitude towards mathematics, one could tell what kind of person he was.


    Time ticked away second by second.


    Half an hour passed quickly, but Xiao Han was still analyzing thest geometry problem. Li Hengzhong did not interrupt his train of thought but watched curiously throughout.


    Forty minutes passed, and Xiao Han put down the pen, his forehead covered in sweat.


    "I''m sorry, I..." Xiao Han said with a dejected face, "I went over time."


    Li Hengzhong scrutinized the paper, and the answers deeply moved him. He hadmitted this set of answers to memory. Normally, ny minutes would be a reasonable time for it: twenty multiple-choice questions, twenty true-or-false questions, and three major problems¡ªall requiring time for calction.


    Yet, this young man had managed toplete all the questions within just forty minutes, and moreover, his uracy rate was above ny percent. Especially thest three questions, which were considered extremely difficult, he had solved.


    Seeing that Li Hengzhong kept his head down and paid him no heed, Xiao Han thought today was a lost cause, and getting Li Hengzhong toe out of retirement seemed unlikely.


    "Principal Li, I apologize for interrupting you today," Xiao Han said as he stood up, ready to leave.


    "Wait!" Li Hengzhong hastily said, "What is your name?"


    "Xiao Han!"


    "What''s the name of your training ss?" Li Hengzhong pressed further.


    "It''s called... Hanmen Training ss," Xiao Han came up with the name on the spot, which seemed pretty good.


    "Hanmen?!" Li Hengzhong murmured twice to himself and chuckled, "That''s a good name. From now on, I shall be the image endorser for Hanmen."


    "Ah? You... you agreed?" Xiao Han was delighted.


    "Yes!" Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "Your perseverance, your determination, and your capabilities have moved me."


    "Thank you, Principal Li!" Xiao Han quickly expressed his joy.


    "What do you need me to do for you?" Li Hengzhong asked.


    "You just need to say a few words at our opening ceremony," Xiao Han said excitedly.


    "Certainly!" Li Hengzhong nodded.


    Carrying a body full of joy and a heart leaping with excitement, Xiao Han sprinted to the rented venue in the city center.


    To save onbor costs, Li Dapang had single-handedly moved more than fifty sets of desks and chairs to the second floor and arranged them neatly in the ce, giving it quite the feel of a ssroom.


    "Big Fatty, that''s great," Xiao Han ran in excited.


    "What''s the matter?" Li Dapang, aching all over, was lying on the floor resting.


    "I''ve got Li Hengzhong to be our image endorser," Xiao Han excitedly announced.


    "Really?" Li Dapang eximed in surprise, "Principal Li agreed to be our image endorser?"


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Now we won''t have to worry about attracting students."


    "Damn, I need to hurry and get another fifty sets of desks and chairs here," Li Dapang quickly got up from the ground and excitedly said, "I predict our business will boom tremendously."


    "Hey, hey, don''t rush," Xiao Han hastily pulled Li Dapang back and then said, "We should now focus on advertising and promotion."


    "You say, what should we do?" Li Dapang asked.


    "With our current financial state, we can only distribute flyers at the school entrance," Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang.


    "Right, no money," Li Dapang sighed, "Over twenty thousand dors are almost gone. Xiao Han, if we can''t recruit students this time, we might just take a loss."


    "Heh heh, if we don''t give it a try, how will we know if we can seed?" Xiao Han pursed his lips and smiled.


    The two discussed in the ssroom and made further arrangements at the scene. Made it look like a big ssroom.


    The two stayed busy all day.


    ............n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Monday, it''s time for ss again. After two days of careful preparation.


    Early Monday morning, Xiao Han and Li Dapang split the chores. Li Dapang was responsible for distributing promotional flyers at the entrance of Linjiang No.2 Middle School, while Xiao Han handled the distribution at Linjiang No.1 Middle School. Li Dapang refused to distribute flyers at the entrance of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, feeling embarrassed due to the presence of too many acquaintances.


    Xiao Han had begun distributing flyers at the school entrance by seven o''clock.


    "Xiao Han, what are you doing?" Liu Jinmei rode up on her electric scooter, her face full of anger.


    "Teacher Liu, I... I registered for a college entrance exam sprint ss," Xiao Han hastily exined. "The boss said that if I distribute flyers for a few days, he''ll give me a fifty percent discount on tuition. You... know about my family''s situation..."


    As soon as Liu Jinmei heard this, her heart softened: "Alright, finish this quickly and hurry to ss, don''t dy ss time."


    Since it was for studying, Liu Jinmei naturally couldn''tin too much, and she even took a flyer before she left.


    Many high school students took a flyer. News about this ''Hanmen Training ss'' immediately spread like wildfire.


    "Have you heard? A new Hanmen Training ss has started."


    "Yeah, I know."


    "It''s said that our school''s principal is their spokesperson."


    "Really?"


    "Exactly, I went and asked specially, and couldn''t believe that Principal Li actually endorsed them."


    "Most importantly, they''ve even hired a national-level Olympiad mathematics teacher to teach."


    Around the campus, many people were discussing this. Most importantly, even Li Hengzhong, the well-known principal of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, was endorsing them, indicating that the training ss must be reputable.


    ss 3, Grade 12.


    Jiang Xiaoliang, holding a flyer, excitedly approached Chen Zihan.


    "Zi Han, look!" Jiang Xiaoliang excitedly handed over the flyer. "I''ve decided, I''m going to enroll in Hanmen!"


    "You''re going?" Chen Zihan was momentarily startled.


    Actually, she also received a flyer earlier that morning. Regarding this Hanmen Training ss, she was somewhat skeptical. The advertisement seemed exaggerated; for instance, it guaranteed that one would improve exam scores within a week, and ensured a ten percent improvement within a month¡­


    Moreover, a national-level Olympiad mathematics teacher? What was that? If it weren''t for the fact that Li Hengzhong was the spokesperson for this training ss, Chen Zihan would have thrown away the flyer long ago.


    "Yes!" Jiang Xiaoliang nodded. "My goal is to get into a top university."


    "But aren''t you afraid this is just a scam?" Chen Zihan was, after all, more cautious. In Linjiang City, such training institutions were numerous. Mostcked credentials and capable teachers, thus failing to meet the standards needed to improve student performance. Thus, Chen Zihan was rtively cautious, more worried about wasting her time than about being scammed.


    "I¡­" Jiang Xiaoliang hesitated a bit and then smiled: "Principal Li is endorsing them, do you think it could be fake?"


    "That''s also true." Chen Zihan nodded. "I''ll go home and consider whether or not to register."


    As Jiang Xiaoliang was excitedly chatting with Chen Zihan,


    suddenly, a voice came from behind him: "Jiang Xiaoliang, this is my spot!"


    Jiang Xiaoliang''s face changed slightly; he frowned and said, "Xiao Han, I will take back this spot sooner orter."


    "Then it''s all down to ability," Xiao Han said disdainfully.


    "Ha ha, I won''t bother arguing with someone who shines shoes." Jiang Xiaoliang suddenly stood up,ughing loudly.


    Many around them curiously watched this scene, and soon two other students began imitating Xiao Han shining shoes in a detailed manner. Everyoneughed heartily, almost to the point of tears.


    "Ignore them," Chen Zihanforted.


    "It''s okay," Xiao Han shook his head. "Their mouths are their own, let them talk."


    "Xiao Han, there''s this training ss called Hanmen, do you want to go? I heard it seems pretty good." Chen Zihan quickly handed the flyer she was holding to Xiao Han.


    "It seems the tuition is quite expensive," Xiao Hanughed. "I''d better not go."


    "It''s like a thousand bucks for eight sses a month," Chen Zihanughed. "It''s not that expensivepared to hiring a tutor."


    Xiao Han shook his head, still smiling.


    He had more important things to do now¡ªpreparing lessons. As the sole teacher for the Hanmen Training ss, he needed to get his lessons ready in advance. With just five days until Hanmen Training ss officially started, Xiao Han had to make the most of this time to prepare his lessons.


    ............


    After school.


    "Xiao Han." Over the past few days, Li Dapang had almost taken on the role of a salesman, squatting in the market after distributing flyers in the morning.


    "Big Fatty, you skipped ss again today?" Xiao Han frowned.


    "Oh dear, why bother with ss!" Li Dapang grinned, propped his old bicycle to one side, and pulled a wad of money from his backpack. "Look at this... What is this? What is this?"

 Chapter 011 The First Bucket of Gold

    "This is money," Xiao Han asked with confusion, "Where did all this moneye from!"


    "Someone came to register today," Li Dapang said excitedly, "Twelve people, there were exactly twelve people who came to register."


    "Really? For real?" Xiao Han''s face showedplete surprise.


    "Yes!" Li Dapang nodded eagerly and said, "At noon, one after another, twelve people came, all brought by their parents to register."


    "The effect is that good?" Xiao Han was somewhat puzzled.


    Soon, Xiao Han figured it out. These people were all acquaintances of Principal Li. They had all called Principal Li for advice, and after getting his answers and rmendations, they didn''t hesitate to register for the Hanmen Training ss. A thousand a month, twelve people made twelve thousand.


    Li Dapang was so excited he could hardly contain himself, it was the first time in his life that he had made money. It was truly exhrating.


    Xiao Hanughed and said, "Big Fatty, listen carefully, our Hanmen Training ss will only take a hundred students. Once full, we won''t ept any more."


    "Ah?" Li Dapang was startled and asked, "Turning down money?"


    "It''s not that I don''t want to make money, but because we shouldn''t be too blind in our early stage of development," Xiao Han replied.


    "Alright then," Li Dapang nodded. Holding the money, he asked, "This money..."


    "Keep it," Xiao Han said with a smile, "From now on, you handle all the money we receive. No need to tell me about it."


    "This..." Li Dapang was slightly stunned, feeling touched, he nodded and said, "Okay, since you''ve said so, I''ll manage it well for you."


    After that, Li Dapang rode his bike straight towards the downtown area. It was time for school to let out, so Li Dapang had to quickly go and stand by on the scene. What if more people came to register? He couldn''t miss out on business because of that.


    As for Xiao Han, he walked home at a leisurely pace. The first batch of twelve people had far exceeded his expectations. It seemed that choosing Li Hengzhong as the spokesperson had been a wise decision.


    ......


    Night fell gradually.


    Throughout the journey, Xiao Han was immersed in a state of excitement. He hadn''t expected things to progress so smoothly, far exceeding his own predictions. Liao Zhijie hadn''te looking for trouble with Xiao Han in the past few days either. Xiao Han knew that with Liao Zhijie''s vengeful nature, he definitely wouldn''t let matters rest easily.


    He had just reached the entrance of the Fuxing Community.


    A ck Mercedes was quietly parked by the roadside. Two men in ck stood beside the car. When they saw Xiao Han approaching the factory entrance, they immediately walked up to him, one in front and one behind.


    Xiao Han immediately sensed the approach of danger.


    He couldn''t help but stop in his tracks, his fists clenched tight. The two men in ck, emotionless, walked slowly towards Xiao Han. Just as they were about to reach him, Xiao Han instantly threw his backpack at them with force.


    Bang!


    The man in ck in front quickly raised both hands to block the unexpected attack from Xiao Han.


    Whoosh...


    Xiao Han charged at them again.


    Bang!


    His legs kicked out like two bolts of lightning at the man in ck. The man was struck and took several steps back. The man in ck behind him was already pressing forward. Xiao Han quickly executed a roundhouse kick. The other man caught Xiao Han''s attack with one hand and then punched towards Xiao Han''s face.


    Xiao Han was shocked, so he hurriedly dodged, lying down low on the ground, and then, like a carp flipping over, he stood up again.


    "Stop!" the man in ck suddenly shouted.


    Xiao Han took a couple of slow steps back, maintaining a safe distance from the other men.


    "Who are you, what do you want?!" Xiao Han eyed them coldly.


    One of the men in ck said, "Kid, our boss wants to see you!"


    "Your boss?" Xiao Han was slightly stunned.


    "Yes!" the man in ck nodded.


    "Who is it?" Xiao Han asked, curious.


    "Brother Bao," the man in ck revealed a smug expression.


    "Brother Bao?" Xiao Han was taken aback, with information about Brother Bao shing through his mind. Having grown up in LJ City since childhood, he was very familiar with some things there. Brother Bao''s real name was Chen Kunbao, a power that had risen in LJ City years ago, with some dominance in Wangjiang District. All of Yanzi Mountain and the territory to the east were under his control.


    Moreover, the gambling den he and Li Da had visitedst time was Chen Kunbao''s turf.


    Could it be...


    Suddenly, a bad feeling welled up inside Xiao Han. Frowning, he asked, "What does Brother Bao want with me?"


    "Brother Bao wants to see you," the man in ck said indifferently, with a slight smile, "Get in the car!"


    Xiao Han hesitated for a moment, realizing he couldn''t escape today, and if he couldn''t escape, he might as well face and ept whatever wasing.


    So, with boldness, Xiao Han walked toward the Mercedes.


    The man in ck opened the car door, inside sat a middle-aged man, spirited, tapping his crossed legs, with a cigarette in his mouth. Xiao Han slid into the car, not speaking, but intently sizing up the person before him, judging the man''s inner thoughts from his expression and eyes. Xiao Han wanted safety, and that meant he had to understand the other party''s thoughts.


    "Hello, Xiao Han," Brother Bao said with a grin, extending his hand with a strange smile on his face.


    "Hello," Xiao Han responded evenly, shaking hands with Brother Bao, then asking, "Brother Bao, what do you want with me?"


    "A few days ago, you and your ssmate racked up a debt of 24,000 yuan at my casino. Right?" Brother Bao said with a slight smile.


    "As for the casino, it''s all about skill," Xiao Han retorted without fear, asserting, "Brother Bao surely isn''t thinking of asking us for the money back, right? That would be rather beneath you."


    "Anyone who cheats at my casino gets their hands and feet chopped off," Brother Bao chuckled. "Do you think you could be next?"


    Ssss...


    Xiao Han took a deep breath, calming himself for a moment before saying, "Brother Bao really knows how to joke. Winning money means cheating, then don''t you always win? I never knew running a casino was so lucrative!"


    "Hahaha..." Brother Bao burst outughing.


    Feeling the hostility from the other party, Xiao Han started to figure out how to leave this ce. At that moment, Brother Baoughed and said, "I hear you''ve been setting up a college entrance exam training ss recently?"


    "How did you know?" Xiao Han asked, looking at Brother Bao with surprise.


    "In Wangjiang District, there''s really nothing Chen Kunbao doesn''t know about," Brother Bao said with a soft smile.


    "What do you mean by that, Brother Bao?" Xiao Han asked curiously, staring at Brother Bao.


    The saying goes, no one visits a temple without a cause; today, the other party was either here to collect that debt of over twenty thousand yuan or to collect protection money. If it was about the debt, he could simply pay it back honestly; using others for one''s gains could sometimes be a good thing.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    If it was about protection money, he would have to pay up, no question¡ªafter all, this was their territory, their power overwhelming. He was no match for them.


    "No particr meaning," Brother Bao said, his eyes shing with a sly smile. "I just wanted to get to know you... let''s call it making a new friend."


    "Huh?!" Xiao Han was surprised. "You... you''re not here for that money?"


    "Haha..." Brother Baoughed heartily upon hearing this,menting, "Do you think I need that money?"


    "This..." Xiao Han hesitated for a moment.


    "Alright, I should be going," Brother Bao said with a casual smile.


    Xiao Han sensibly got out of the car.


    The car slowly turned around and then gradually vanished into the dark intersection. Xiao Han never understood why Chen Kunbao would make such remarks.


    ............


    In the Mercedes-Benz.


    "Big Brother, weren''t you supposed to teach that kid a lesson today?" the ck-clothed man in the passenger seat asked.


    "Of course not!" Chen Kunbao shook his head.


    "Then..." the ck-clothed man was a bit curious.


    "There are some things you should never ask about, so never ask," Chen Kunbao red at him sharply.


    The ck-clothed man immediately withdrew his head, daring not to make another sound.


    Yet a tidal wave surged in Chen Kunbao''s heart. Tears filled his eyes as he stared out the window at the colorful world, whispering to the outside, "Big Brother, Xiao Han has finally grown up, he has awoken. Your revenge is within reach."


    ............


    News of the Hanmen Training ss spread quickly throughout LJ city.


    There were mixed opinions about the training ss; some said it was just another money-grabbing institution, while others believed in Principal Li''s rmendation. Regardless, this didn''t hinder the enrollment process for the Hanmen Training ss.


    In three days, sixty people had signed up. And by Friday, all one hundred spots were filled.


    As Xiao Han had decreed, once full, they immediately stopped enrolling students. Li Dapang called over two members of the staff to take away the registration tables, chairs, and materials at once.


    "I... I haven''t signed up yet," said a boy with sses anxiously from behind.


    "We at Hanmen only take a hundred people," Li Dapang nced at him and said, "Try your luck next month; if someone drops out, you can take their ce."


    "No way!" the boy with sses pleaded, "I came specifically because of Principal Li''s rmendation."


    "It''s full, no more enrollment," Li Dapang waved his hand, firmly turning the few people behind away.


    The news that Hanmen was only epting a hundred students shocked LJ city. It was an invisible blow to the sixteen high schools and several vocational schools of LJ city. Chinese people have always loved a crowd; wherever there is excitement, they flock to it.


    Hearing that Hanmen was only taking a hundred students, many who were initially in two minds became anxious, rushing to the Hanmen Training ss in hopes of enrolling. But all were turned away. This action made Hanmen the center of everyone''s attention overnight.


    "What''s the deal with Hanmen Training ss anyway?"


    "Who knows, they wouldn''t let me enroll when I wanted to."

 Chapter 012 Mysterious Lecturer

    "What does this mean, thinking they''re really that great? Can they turn crows into phoenixes?"


    "It''s just a gimmick. Let''s see how many students this Hanmen can get into key schools."


    Many parents were somewhat furious about Hanmen''s approach. Failing to register, they simply started to nder Hanmen. Some even reported it to the Education Bureau. The staff of the Education Bureau weren''t foolish; with a heavy-hitter like Li Hengzhong endorsing it, they definitely wouldn''t shut it down but rather consult Li Hengzhong first.


    Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    In the principal''s office.


    The director of the Education Bureau''s office personally made a trip to Li Hengzhong''s office.


    "Director Liu visiting me, is there an issue?" Li Hengzhong asked cheerfully.


    "It''s about that Hanmen Training ss," Director Liu said with a wry smile, "Recently, we''ve received quite a fewints from parents. What a mess this has created."


    "Comints?" Li Hengzhong was startled, thenughed, "It might be the work of some nefarious individuals."


    "Right, why would you advertise for a training ss with no reputation?" Director Liu asked hurriedly.


    Director Liu and Li Hengzhong had a collegial rtionship, and they were quite close personally. Otherwise, Director Liu would not personally take on this matter or even consult with Li Hengzhong. Director Liu knew that Li Hengzhong was an upright and incorruptible person. Therefore, a training ss valued by Li Hengzhong couldn''t just be any ordinary ss.


    "To improve the enrollment rate of our Linjiang No.1 Middle School." Li Hengzhongughed.


    "When has Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s enrollment rate not been the highest?" Director Liu frowned, "Do you still need to improve it?"


    "Well, the biggestpetitor is oneself." Li Hengzhongughed, "Besides, if the enrollment rate in LJ city is improved and ranks among the top three in the province, tell me¡­ wouldn''t that be a joyful asion?"


    On hearing this, Director Liu was immediately dumbfounded: "Old Li, you aren''t joking, are you?"


    "Ha ha¡­" Li Hengzhongughed heartily. He didn''t respond directly, but left Director Liu with a significant suspense.


    Director Liu took a deep breath.


    Leaving Li Hengzhong''s office, Director Liu remained extremely shocked and incredulous. He decided to wait and see what exactly the Hanmen Training ss was all about.


    The Hanmen Training ss not only caused a major stir in schools across LJ city but also within the education department.


    Li Hengzhong, although very curious about that young man named Xiao Han and eager to have a talk with him, had to give up as he didn''t have any contact details. However, Li Hengzhong decided to attend a ss at Hanmen Training ss in person the next day to see what was different about their teaching methods.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The media had the keenest sense of smell. The Hanmen Training ss quickly drew their attention.


    The next day.


    Saturday, the sun was zing, and the temperature was very high. Thirty-six degrees.


    The sun hung in the sky like a fireball, continuously roasting the earth. Even early in the morning, one could feel that fiery sensation.


    Today was the first day of sses at the Hanmen Training ss. One hundred students sat neatly in arge ssroom. The room had the air conditioning turned on, and two high-power units were constantly working, providing a hint of coolness to therge space.


    Outside the ssroom, two men in white short-sleeved shirts were guarding the door. Entry was permitted only with a Hanmen Training ss certificate. Many who tried to sneak in, including some media reporters, were stopped.


    Li Hengzhong personally arrived at the scene.


    The scene before him truly stunned him; at the door, numerous students and their parents hoped to register, but they were ruthlessly turned away.


    "Principal Li has arrived." Someone suddenly shouted.


    Rustle...


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on Li Hengzhong.


    "Principal Li, are you here to teach the kids?" someone suddenly asked.


    Three media outlets quickly surrounded him.


    "No, no, no!" Li Hengzhong waved his hand hastily, "I... I''m here to attend the ss too."


    Just then, Li Dapang shrank his neck in the crowd and hurriedly approached the two staff members, whispering a few words in their ears. Both nodded repeatedly.


    Li Hengzhong walked through the crowd and into the ssroom. The two guarding deities at the door did not stop him.


    Li Hengzhong''s appearance further convinced the parents that Hanmen was indeed under Li Hengzhong''s control. Thus, they were even more eager for their children to study there.


    Of course, what everyone was most interested in was probably still Hanmen''s instructor.


    From start to finish, the promotion revolved around one person, Li Hengzhong, and everyone knew that Li Hengzhong was merely the endorser, not the instructor. Regarding the mysterious instructor, they had never met him, nor seen him, even in promotional posters, there was just a ck cartoon face.


    One hundred people were sitting upright at the scene. There was a table''s distance maintained between each person, with a hundred tables arranged very neatly.


    Jiang Xiaoliang shamelessly took a seat next to Chen Zihan.


    "Zi Han, do you think this mysterious teacher is really impressive?" Jiang Xiaoliang curiously asked.


    "I don''t know either!" Chen Zihan shook her head as she smiled, "But, I am full of curiosity about this teacher."


    "Me too," said Jiang Xiaoliang excitedly, "I really want to see what he looks like. Most importantly, he must be a very capable person."


    Not just the two of them, everyone present was filled with curiosity about this mysterious instructor.


    Just as they were quietly discussing, suddenly, a man wearing ck trousers and a white shirt entered from the back door. This was unexpected by everyone.


    "Here hees!" someone suddenly shouted.


    Whispers swelled¡­


    All eyes turned towards the mysterious teacher.


    Media from three outlets in LJ City also turned their cameras towards this mysterious man.


    However, to everyone''s surprise, the mysterious teacher was wearing a ck mask that aptly covered the triangr area of his eyes and nose. No one could see his true face.


    He wore a friendly smile and walked from the back door to the podium with unflustered grace. His hair was flowing impably and he walked at a measured pace, carrying a tranquil energy as if he had a well-conceived n in his heart.


    At the podium.


    Xiao Han gently ced the lecture notes on the podium. Today was his first day teaching, and in order not to cause too much of a stir and to avoid too much trouble for himself, he had decided to wear a mask while giving the lecture.


    The scene was very quiet, just as he had anticipated. The only thing that surprised him was that Li Hengzhong had chosen to sit in the veryst row of the ssroom. However, this would not have much impact on Xiao Han.


    "Students!" Xiao Han nced over the ss and said, "Today is our first lesson. In this lesson, I n to discuss something beyond academics. Most of you here are about to face the college entrance examination, including some second-year students. I want to ask, why do you want to take the college entrance exam?"


    There was a murmur in the room.


    "To get into a top university."


    "For a better life in the future."


    "To make money."


    Everyone expressed their views.


    Chen Zihan stood up without hesitation: "To realize the meaning of my life, the college entrance exam is just one of the many mountains in my life. By conquering it, I earn the right to conquer the next mountain!"


    Whispers swelled¡­


    The room erupted in apuse.


    "Well said," Xiao Han slightly smiled and said, "Chen Zihan, tell me, where is the meaning of life?"


    "I..." Chen Zihan was instantly stunned. After all, she was young, how could she understand so much about life?


    "Because of ideals, because of pursuits!" Xiao Han smiled at the audience, then said, "A philosopher from Ancient Greece once said, life inherently has no meaning, but because of dreams and pursuits, life bes meaningful. It is dreams that make people great; people are born to live for their dreams. To live is to have your own goals.


    Once our life goals are established, they are inseparable from firm determination. We need to maintain our determination amidst the intricate changes of society, to master our skills, and learn how to engage with others..."


    The audience listened as if enchanted.


    From elementary school to junior high school, from junior high school to high school.


    No one had ever discussed the meaning of life with them before. No one had ever told them what dreams were.


    From childhood, parents'' discipline and teachers'' teachings were all about ''getting high scores''. However, today, Xiao Han''s speech opened everyone''s hearts, making them suddenly feel as if the closed doors of their hearts had been thrown open. Their long-stifled hearts seemed to soar at that moment, flying across the blue sky, across the ocean...


    "Students!" Xiao Han''s voice pulled everyone out of their reverie as he spoke seriously, "Everyone must have their own dreams, and moreover, you must stick to your dreams. Otherwise, dreams will turn into illusions. Why do some people fail to realize their dreams? That''s because their hearts waver and their feet do not move. Each one of us should be like apass.


    The center stays constant while the feet do move."


    Chen Zihan watched Xiao Han on the podium, infatuated.


    It must be said, Xiao Han''s speech today seemed to have opened up a new sky and world for her, as if opening a window in her heart.


    "Alright, let''s start the lesson," Xiao Han smiled at the audience.


    All of Xiao Han''s lecture notes revolved around the textbook; he did not require students to buy supplementary books. In his view, as long as one mastered the knowledge in the textbook, one could easily score high. Xiao Han''s courses included only mathematics, physics, and biology.

 Chapter 013 Chen Zihan Visits

    At the podium, Xiao Han''s teaching style was very special and extremely humorous, full of charm and wit. He didn''t adopt the rigid, clich¨¦d teaching methods of other teachers at the school. Instead, he used a very novel approach. He broke down aplex function problem into several simple forms, simply using a step-by-step method to solve it.


    Xiao Han''s problem-solving approach was also very unique. The students below listened very intently.


    Even Li Hengzhong found it very interesting. Every time Xiao Han''s dark humor came out, he couldn''t help butugh.


    The morning''s lessons felt very rxed and pleasant. This was mainly because Xiao Han''s teaching style was very distinctive, and his analysis of each problem showed his own insights. No matter howplex or difficult the problems were, Xiao Han could solve them using at least two different methods. This made the students on the scene admire his abilities endlessly.


    Soon, the ss ended.


    Xiao Han, carrying his lecture notes, left through the back door and quickly made his way down the stairs.


    "Wow, this teacher is so handsome."


    "The teacher is so mysterious."


    "We don''t even know what he looks like?"


    A group of girls chattered excitedly; Xiao Han''s appearance was undoubtedly remarkable. His tall stature, white shirt, and ck pants made his legs look long. His flowing hairstyle and fresh, tousled hair made him a pleasing sight at first nce. Even Chen Zihan felt he was very handsome.


    Especially those clear, transparent eyes; they always made Chen Zihan feel as if she had seen them somewhere before. Those captivating eyes were enchanting.


    "Zi Han, this teacher is really mysterious," Jiang Xiaoliang said, surprised.


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded and said, "We don''t even know his name yet."


    "However, I think his way of solving problems is really good," Jiang Xiaoliang said excitedly. "I want to study his problem-solving methods when I get back. I think they could be very useful."


    "Mhm," Chen Zihan nodded.


    It wasn''t just the two of them; in fact, every student there felt they had learned a lot that day. They were eager to go back and digest the new information.


    Li Hengzhong wanted to have a chat with Xiao Han, but when he looked for him, Xiao Han had already disappeared without a trace.


    "This kid runs faster than a rabbit!" Li Hengzhong shook his head helplessly.


    Fuxing Community.


    Li Dapang, riding his old bicycle, intercepted Xiao Han at the factory gate.


    "Xiao Han, what exactly were you up to today?" Li Dapang asked, out of breath. "Wearing a mask while teaching?"


    "Isn''t it to avoid unnecessary trouble?" Xiao Han chuckled and said, "As long as heaven and earth, you and I know about this, let''s not let anyone else find out."


    "Okay!" Li Dapang nodded,ughing, "Xiao Han, do you know how much money we have now?"


    "How much?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Well, we''ve collected a hundred thousand yuan," Li Dapang said excitedly, pulling the backpack off his back and unzipping it. "Look!"


    Xiao Han leaned over, and indeed, the backpack was stuffed full of cash.


    He took out ten thousand yuan and handed it to Li Dapang, "Big Fatty, here''s ten thousand for you!"


    Li Dapang was stunned, then said, "Okay!"


    After that, Li Dapang handed the backpack to Xiao Han, saying, "Originally, it was all your money. Brother, the fact that you''re sharing ten thousand with me already means you respect me."


    "What are you talking about?" Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang and said, "Take the remaining ny thousand to the bank, and we''ll find other investments when the right opportunityes. Money can only make more money when it''s invested, understand?"


    Li Dapang was surprised and immediately understood Xiao Han''s point. He took a deep breath and said, "I get it, I can''t take this ten thousand."


    "If I tell you to take it, you take it!" Xiao Han looked at him and said, "You''ve earned it. Use this ten thousand to buy some clean clothes, and also get yourself a motorbike. It''s time to retire that old bike of yours."


    "Heh heh..." Li Dapang scratched his head with a silly smile.


    Xiao Han didn''t take a single penny, after all, he couldn''t touch the money from the first month of the training ss. No one knew whether they would continue to stay. If his teaching wasn''t good, wouldn''t he be out of a job?


    Moreover, Xiao Han didn''t want anyone to know about this.


    Xiao Han''s enjoyable teaching style sparked the students'' interest in learning. In addition, the Hanmen Training ss gained poprity in Linjiang City.


    When he got back home, Mother Xiao was cooking.


    "Xiao Han, you''re back?" Mother Xiao peeked out.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    The table was already full of dishes. With only mother and son at home, it felt very quiet, the two depended on each other for life.


    "Xiao Han, I heard there''s a Hanmen Training ss that''s very popr recently," Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Han and said, "And it''s endorsed by the principal of your Linjiang No.1 Middle School, too. I was thinking, maybe I can try to get you enrolled. The college entrance exam ising up..."


    "Mom, it''s already full," Xiao Han smiled and said, "They''re not epting any more students."


    "Between people, it''s all about rtionships," Mother Xiao reassured Xiao Han, then added, "I''ll think of something, see if I can get you a spot."


    Recently, Mother Xiao had uncovered a huge secret.


    That was her son had, for some reason, fallen in love with studying recently, diving into his books as soon as he got home every day, poring over all kinds of Olympiad math books and various Huanggang test papers. And yes, he would stay up studying until two o''clock in the morning. Seeing her son working so hard brought greatfort to her heart.


    She knew that he had fallen behind in his studies, so she kept thinking about how she could help him catch up.


    Just yesterday at work, a colleague had mentioned a training ss called Hanmen, a very popr tutoring agency right now. Many top students from schools in the city of Linjiang had signed up for this training ss. So, Mother Xiao had the idea and decided to try to enroll her son there as well.


    "Mom, the Hanmen Training ss costs a thousand yuan a month, it''s too expensive," Xiao Han hurriedly shook his head, "We can''t afford it."


    "Don''t worry, as long as you can get into college," Mother Xiao looked at her handsome son seriously, the older he got, the more he resembled his dad. She gently touched Xiao Han''s head and soothingly said, "I''m willing to pay whatever it costs."


    Xiao Han felt deeply moved, a sentiment that came from the bottom of his heart. The bond between mother and son was deep.


    "Mom, I don''t want it," Xiao Han shook his head.


    The family''s monthly ie was barely over two thousand yuan. If they signed up for such a training ss, they would be inplete poverty. Besides, he himself was the one behind the training ss, and naturally, he did not want his mother to waste money.


    "Silly boy," Mother Xiao smiled, then said, "Hurry up and eat, get some rest early after dinner. Don''t study toote."


    "Okay!" Xiao Han nodded.


    At seven-thirty in the evening.


    After taking a bath, Xiao Han returned to his room alone to read and prepare lessons. Normally, he had no time for lesson preparation and had to take advantage of the nighttime.


    Just as Xiao Han was getting ready to review his lessons.


    Knock knock knock...


    Suddenly, a knocking sound arose.


    Mother Xiao had to go out to shine shoes at night, so Xiao Han was alone at home. He walked over curiously and after opening the door, he looked at the person standing there in amazement and asked in astonishment, "Chen Zihan, you... you..."


    "Hehe!" Chen Zihan chuckled, "What? Aren''t you happy to see me?"


    "Of course not!" Xiao Han shook his head, and asked awkwardly, "Is there something you need from me?"


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded, "I came here today because I want to... but shouldn''t you invite me in first?"


    "Come in," Xiao Han quickly stepped aside.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Although Xiao Han''s ce was modest, it was very neat and spotless. The early decoration was already quite outdated. Chen Zihan, carrying a few books, entered and looked around Xiao Han''s home curiously.


    "Zi Han, what do you need from me?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Can''t Ie see you if there''s nothing?" Chen Zihan said with a yfulugh.


    Chen Zihan was tall and slender, with a height over one meter sixty, wearing a short skirt and a white T-shirt. She looked youthful and pretty, lively and adorable. Her eyes, curved like crescent moons, beamed with brilliant smiles. This girl was truly charming, not only with a beautiful face, wless in every way. Even her figure was perfectly curved, with long legs and a high, raised chest.


    Probably most men could not resist looking at her.


    "You can!" Xiao Han quickly nodded.


    Being just a fledgling, he felt somewhat awkward when faced with women, especially a school beauty like Chen Zihan. In Linjiang No.1 Middle School, with thousands of students, Chen Zihan was a one in a million. Faced with such a peerless beauty, Xiao Han naturally felt at a loss.


    Chen Zihan, on the other hand, appeared very rxed and confident.


    "Come in," Chen Zihan entered Xiao Han''s room, then smiled and said, "I''m here today to teach you a lesson."


    "Teach?" Xiao Han was taken aback, "Teach what?"


    "The lessons from the Hanmen Training ss," Chen Zihan smiled, "I know you didn''t sign up, so I came especially to teach you. I think that teacher from Hanmen is really great, truly very strong."


    "Really?" Xiao Han was slightly startled, thenughed, "So... what does that mysterious teacher look like?"


    "I don''t know," Chen Zihan replied with a hint of disappointment, "I want to see what he looks like too. I think he''s handsome, about your height, it''s just too bad he wears a mask when he teaches. Sigh..."


    Xiao Han''s heart couldn''t help but feel joyful; if Chen Zihan discovered that the teacher giving the lessons was him, he wondered what her reaction would be.


    "That is a pity," Xiao Han nodded.

 Chapter 14 First Kiss

    "Xiao Han, don''t forget the promise you made," Chen Zihan said with a smile. "You promised Teacher Liu you''de second in the ss."


    "Yeah," Xiao Hanughed and said, "I''ll work hard."


    "Then let me help you," Chen Zihan giggled. "I''ll go over today''s lessons with you, so listen carefully."


    Afterward, Chen Zihan exined the day''s lessons very carefully and attentively.


    Xiao Han was naturally not in the mood to listen. Leaning close to Chen Zihan and smelling the fragrance emanating from her body, he felt a restless agitation always stirring within. It was the impulsive kind found in the heart of an adolescent boy.


    Chen Zihan''s T-shirt was very thin, and through that flimsy fabric, one could see the pink color of her bra and her proud breasts.


    As Chen Zihan taught, she did it with great earnestness and care. But she was oblivious to the fact that as she was exining, her sleeve would often reveal an endless vision of spring.


    "Xiao Han, what... what happened to you?" Chen Zihan suddenly looked stunned. "Why are you bleeding from the nose?"


    She was astonished to discover that the guy, Xiao Han, was actually having a nosebleed.


    "I..." Xiao Han panicked and touched his nose, only to confirm it was indeed bleeding. He turned around, grabbed a bunch of tissues to cover his nose, and said, "I... I''m okay."


    Chen Zihan''s face turned red instantly, and with her lips slightly parted, she said, "You''re such an irresponsible little rascal."


    Xiao Han''s face was full of embarrassment as he said, "I... I didn''t mean to."


    "Hmph." Chen Zihan closed her textbook and then walked out with her book in her arms.


    "Zi Han!" Xiao Han hastily grabbed Chen Zihan''s arm.


    "Ah!" Chen Zihan eximed.


    Because of his excessive force, Chen Zihan fell forward. Xiao Han quickly caught her, and the two ended up falling onto the bed beside them, with Xiao Han on top of Chen Zihan. They looked into each other''s eyes, face to face.


    Xiao Han''s mind was nk, and so was Chen Zihan''s.


    Gulp...


    Xiao Han swallowed, and out of nowhere, he mustered up the courage. He leaned down and kissed Chen Zihan''s red lips. Those cherry-red lips, fragrant and enticing, were what many men dreamt of as a holy ground.


    Chen Zihan was stunned, her eyes wide open.


    A man''s knowledge in bed is often innate. Xiao Han used the tip of his tongue to pry open Chen Zihan''s teeth and then enveloped her tongue, which was caught off guard and clumsy with surprise. They began to kiss.


    Chen Zihan sat there dumbfounded. Her first kiss in seventeen years was given away just like that, taken by Xiao Han without any warning or preparation.


    Xiao Han kissed with great pleasure and he didn''t know where the courage came from, but his hands began to explore Chen Zihan''s body.


    Thump!


    Suddenly, Chen Zihan erupted with energy, pushing Xiao Han with all her might onto the floor, and then ran out quickly, even leaving her book behind.


    Xiao Han quickly chased after her.


    "Zi Han!" Xiao Han shouted.


    s, by the time he got outside, she was nowhere to be seen.


    Xiao Han returned to his room with a look of dejection, nced at the two books on the table, and gave himself two hard ps on the face.


    "Damn it, I''m such a scumbag," Xiao Han reproached himself. Chen Zihan hade to discuss problems with him, but what the hell had he done?


    That night, Xiao Han was very upset and restless. It wasn''t until three in the morning that he finally fell asleep.


    ......


    Sunday morning, at the Hanmen Training ss.


    Xiao Han was still wearing that mask but, after the novelty of the previous day had worn off, the students in the ss had grown ustomed to Xiao Han''s demeanor, and there weren''t as many parents and students crowding around the entrance, nor were there any media reporters stationed outside.


    One hundred students, not one absent.


    It seemed that yesterday''s teaching method was correct. Out of the hundred people present, several dozen were top students from several key high schools in LJ City. If his teaching method had been wrong, they certainly wouldn''t havee back today.


    Xiao Han was pleased, at least they seemed to have affirmed his approach.


    However, Xiao Han was surprised to find Chen Zihan in the ss, and more so that she was curiously staring at him. Xiao Han smiled brilliantly at her. Chen Zihan''s face turned instantly red, and she hurriedly lowered her head.


    He never expected this girl to be so shy. Xiao Han''s heart burst into joy at once.


    Xiao Han put away his smile and began the ss in earnest. Yesterday''s ss had been a bit tense, but today felt much more rxed. Even Xiao Han didn''t know why, but his ability to adapt was surprisingly quick, and his psychological resilience was exceptional. If it had been just a week earlier, he would have never dared to stand at this podium, not even if it killed him.


    Today''s morning ss was still full of wit and charm, making the over one hundred students in the ssugh uncontrobly. Complicated and rigorous physics problems turned into humorous and interesting matters under Xiao Han''s exnations, which also sparked the students'' interest in learning.


    Throughout the morning, the ssroom erupted in thunderousughter.


    After the morning sses, Xiao Han left through the back door with his textbooks, just like yesterday.


    However, when he came out of the ssroom, he was shocked to find a familiar face standing at the door.


    "Mom..." The word barely reached his lips when Xiao Han hurriedly swallowed it down.


    "Teacher, you... hello," Mother Xiao hurried over, speaking submissively, "I... I would like to enroll my son in your training ss. Here is the enrollment fee."


    As she spoke, Mother Xiao pulled out a stack of cash from her pocket. The money was still warm.


    Xiao Han was taken aback, feeling a twinge of sourness in his heart. He hastily said, "I''m sorry, our ss is already full, we can''t take any more students."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Xiao Han had never expected his mother to find this ce. She had even humbled herself to ask for help. In his eyes, his mother had always been a proud woman. She had been aborer all her life, and many times she could have been promoted if she had lowered herself to seek favor from the factory leaders. But she never had.


    Yet today, for the sake of enrolling her son in a training ss, she had swallowed her pride. This left Xiao Han feeling especially upset.


    Xiao Han feared he might give himself away, so he quickly turned and walked off.


    As unexpected as it was, Mother Xiao actually followed him, pleading as she walked, "Teacher, my son is a very talented person, the former middle school valedictorian of Wangjiang District. Please, take him in..."


    "I''m sorry, but really, it''s not possible!" Xiao Han could not stand being badgered any further.


    Thump...


    Suddenly, Mother Xiao did something that even shocked Xiao Han. She knelt down right there. At that moment, Xiao Han felt as if he was being crushed by a thousand catties, making it impossible for him to breathe.


    "What are you doing!" Xiao Han eximed sharply, his voice trembling as he went to help his mother up.


    "Teacher, please, just agree," Mother Xiao pleaded with a sorrowful face, saying, "My son is really a diligent child. Please take him."


    Xiao Han closed his eyes, unable to hold back the surge of warmth that flowed within him anymore. Tears emerged from the depths of his heart.


    "No!" Xiao Han said through clenched teeth, refusing. As soon as he was done, he turned and ran.


    Behind him, Mother Xiao sat on the ground, her face full of disappointment and loss, tears streaming down her face.


    Wow!


    After turning the corner, Xiao Han suddenly cried out loud. He took off his mask and shed his disguise. He was still Xiao Han, still the flesh-and-blood Xiao Han. He cried loudly, always afraid and anxious.


    Li Dapang''s figure appeared in front of Xiao Han.


    "Xiao Han, you..." Li Dapang patted Xiao Han''s shoulder, saying, "Why do you have to be so heartless?"


    Li Dapang had witnessed the whole scene.


    "I''m afraid one day I''ll be exposed," Xiao Han said, wiping away his tears, his eyelids red.


    "Actually, I never understood why you''re afraid," Li Dapang said, looking at Xiao Han. "Brother, although I don''t understand why you suddenly changed, I will absolutely not tell anyone about this. I swear."


    "Big Fatty, my good brother," Xiao Han took a deep breath.


    Indeed, his mother''s actions today made Xiao Han feel an unprecedented sense of both movement and guilt. His own heartache had worried his mother for years and stressed her out. Now he was finally stepping out from the shadows that gued his heart.


    Xiao Han secretly vowed to relieve his mother of her worries about him for the rest of his life, to never let her suffer the slightest grievance on his ount. He would make sure his mother lived a good life.


    "Xiao Han, no matter what decision you make, I support you," Li Dapang said earnestly, looking at Xiao Han before saying, "I know you have your own difficulties, but if your mom knew how capable you are now, she would probably be very happy. Why don''t you tell her?"


    "I don''t want her to know," Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "My career is just starting. It''s not toote to tell her when I achieve real sess."


    "Okay," Li Dapang nodded, saying, "Let''s go have lunch together."


    "Sounds good," Xiao Han agreed, saying, "Consider it a celebration of our initial sess."


    Xiao Han made a phone call to his mother.


    The two dined at a nearby food stall. They ordered three dishes, and Li Dapang, that guy, even got three bottles of beer. He was visibly excited and, under the influence of alcohol, became very enthusiastic.


    "Xiao Han, I''ve already told my parents about this," Li Dapang said after taking a big gulp of beer. "It''s not like I''m good at studying anyway. They don''t object to me doing this."

 Chapter 015 Liu Si

    "Why?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Hehe..." Li Dapang chuckled and said, "You have no idea the look on their faces when I handed them ten thousand yuan. They were so shocked that their eyeballs almost fell out."


    "Haha..." Hearing that, Xiao Han burst outughing and said, "You wouldn''t sell me out, would you?"


    "Of course not!" Li Dapang shook his head and said, "I just told them I''m starting a business with a friend. They don''t know what I''m up to."


    "Do you really n on not continuing your studies?" Xiao Han inquired.


    "As long as I can make money, why would I bother studying?" Li Dapang frowned, kicked off his slippers, then put one foot up on a chair and asked, "Even if I get into a top university, what then? It stilles down to making money. Since I can make money now, why take a detour?"


    Xiao Han was left speechless. Li Dapang''s reasoning left him with nothing to say.


    "Alright, you win," Xiao Han said helplessly.


    Xiao Han had a low tolerance for alcohol, and after a bottle of beer, he felt a bit dizzy. His cheeks were slightly flushed.


    When they left the food stall, Xiao Han felt a bit unsteady on his feet.


    Just as they stepped out of the food stall, he saw a familiar figure. Li Dapang said in surprise, "Isn''t that Jiang Xiaoliang?"


    "Yeah," Xiao Han nodded and said, "He''s... taking a female ssmate to a hotel?"


    "Whoa, that''s pretty bold," Li Dapang grinned and said, "I''ll take a picture."


    With that, Li Dapang hurriedly followed and used his phone to capture the two entering the hotel. Jiang Xiaoliang was quite arrogant, and ever since he became Li Dapang''s deskmate, they had quite a few conflicts. Now, Li Dapang finally had evidence of Jiang Xiaoliang taking a girl to a hotel room¡ªan opportunity sent from heaven.


    ...


    Xiao Han returned home.


    Mother Xiao seemed very despondent. When she saw Xiao Han return, she quickly wiped her eyes, then smiled and asked, "Xiao Han, you''re back?"


    "Yeah!" Xiao Han nodded and then said, "Mom, you''re at home?"


    "Thepany gave us a day off today," Mother Xiao nodded.


    Mother Xiao worked as a cleaner at apany in the city center, earning just over a thousand yuan a month. The sry of a cleaner was very low, yet the work was extremely taxing. To supplement the family ie, she had no choice but to clean shoes on the streets at night.


    Seeing Xiao Han go into his room, Mother Xiao hurriedly followed and said, "Xiao Han, I..."


    "Mom, what were you going to say?" Xiao Han asked.


    "I wanted to say that the Hanmen Training ss is full, so..." Mother Xiao''s eyes moistened.


    "I know," Xiao Han nodded and said, "I don''t want to go to the Hanmen Training ss either. I just want to review my lessons at my own pace. I promise you, I will get into a key university. I won''t let you worry about me!"


    "Yes!" Mother Xiao was momentarily choked up, unable to believe her son had finally grown up, finally sparing her from worry. He was no longer the son who seemed to be walking through life like a zombie. Tears of joy filled Mother Xiao''s heart.


    ...


    Wangjiang District.


    Inside an entertainment city.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    These past days, Liao Zhijie had been brooding over being beaten up by Xiao Han, so much so that he hadn''t gone to school for several days. As the son of a wealthy family, he couldn''t stand such a humiliating disgrace. Therefore, he sought out Brother Si from Wangjiang District.


    Brother Si''s real name was Liu Si.


    He was the top boss of Wangjiang District. It was said that he had many properties under his control¡ªbars, entertainment venues. All these were lucrative businesses. Moreover, Liu Si had a monopoly on many projects in Wangjiang District, making quite a fortune over the years. He himself lived a life of decadence and luxury.


    Five Thousand Years Entertainment Club.


    This was one of Liu Si''s nightclubs, located along the riverbank in Wangjiang. The whole nightclub stood beside the shore like a resplendent castle. Five Thousand Years was also Liu Si''s headquarters, and he was often active in this venue.


    Liao Zhijie walked back and forth in front of the entrance to Five Thousand Years with two ssmates.


    "A-Jie, are we really going in?" asked one male ssmate.


    "Of course!" Liao Zhijie nodded and said, "Damn it, we can''t let the insult by Xiao Han go just like that."


    "But, Liu Si is a gangster," the male ssmate said worriedly. "We can''t learn bad things from him."


    "Damn it, what''s good and what''s bad?" Liao Zhijie nced at him and then said, "As long as you can have money to spend and live above others, that''s all that''s good."


    "Yes, yes!" the male ssmate quickly nodded in agreement.


    "Come on, follow me in!" Liao Zhijie''s expression darkened.


    Then, the group hurriedly made their way into the nightclub.


    At the entrance, over ten tall, alluring beauties stood on either side. Seeing guests arrive, the women bowed and said, "Wee to the Five Thousand Years Entertainment Club!"


    "Go, call your manager out," said Liao Zhijie, no stranger here, having firste to this ce to lose his virginity in his freshman year. Now he considered himself an old hand in such matters, although his two male ssmates were visibly excited.


    "Yes!" the girl nodded.


    It wasn''t long before a man in a ck suit hurried over.


    "Yo, isn''t this Young Master Liao?" Manager Li greeted him with a chuckle.


    "Manager Li, find me two of the best girls to take care of these two brothers," Liao Zhijie said. "Also, I want to see Brother Liu."


    Manager Li was clearly taken aback. He asked with some confusion, "You want to see Brother Liu?"


    "Yes!" Liao Zhijie nodded. "I''ve run into some trouble recently and I want Brother Liu to step in and help me sort it out."


    "Haha..." Upon hearing this, Manager Li immediatelyughed and said, "Is there really something you can''t handle,d?"


    "Indeed!" Liao Zhijie nodded.


    "Alright then!" Manager Li agreed. "For the sake of friendship, I''ll take you to see our Brother Liu."


    After that, Manager Li led Liao Zhijie upstairs.


    Liao Zhijie had never met Liu Si, but deep down, he admired Liu Si a great deal. Liu Si was the undisputed authority of Wangjiang District. No one in the whole district dared to mess with Liu Si.


    They reached the third floor. Manager Li knocked on the door of an office.


    "Come in!" A resonant voice came from inside. Manager Li hurriedly pushed the door and entered.


    The room was elegantly simple. Uniformly colored in dark red, the ssic Chinese-style furniture. A man in his forties was sitting on the sofa, and a woman in a cheongsam, looking like a ssical beauty, was sitting on the coffee table, earnestly making tea.


    "Brother Liu, are you enjoying your tea?" Manager Li asked with a smile.


    "Hmm!" Liu Si nodded and asked, "What''s up?"


    "Someone wants to see you!" Manager Li said quickly.


    "Who is it?" Liu Si opened his eyes slightly.


    Liao Zhijie took one look at Liu Si and immediately shrank back. With more than a decade of presence in Jianghu, Liu Si''s aura gave off the sense of a towering mountain. Liao Zhijie was just a simple student who, although he was the Little Overlord of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, only bullied fellow students and waspletely ignorant of society''s dangers.


    "Brother Liu, it''s me!" Liao Zhijie approached awkwardly.


    Liu Si nced at him and asked, "Who are you?"


    "I... I''m your admirer. I''m a student at Linjiang No.1 Middle School, my name is Liao Zhijie," Liao Zhijie quickly exined. "I''ve always wanted to follow Brother Liu."


    "Sure!" Liu Si nodded and said, "You kid, are you in some kind of trouble?"


    "Yes, yes." Upon hearing this, Liao Zhijie nodded quickly and said, "Brother Liu, I''ve been having some issues with a bully at school who has beaten me up a few times. I''ve asked a few brothers from the underworld for help, but to no avail. I''ve heard that Brother Liu is the big shot in Wangjiang District, so I came to ask for your help."


    "You need me to take care of such a simple matter?" Liu Si asked disdainfully. "Xiao Li, since Student Liao is in trouble, help him out."


    "Yes!" Manager Li quickly nodded.


    "Thank you, Brother Liu. Thank you so much," Liao Zhijie quickly said as he nodded his head.


    With the help of Liu Si, Liao Zhijie felt an immediate surge of excitement. If he could mix with Brother Liu, he''d be a boss in Wangjiang District from then on. At this thought, Liao Zhijie felt his heart burst with joy.


    ......


    In the following week, Xiao Han immersed himself in his studies.


    Even though he had a brilliant mind and could solve problems in the shortest possible time.


    Monday, as he arrived in the ssroom, Xiao Han felt a bit awkward. Chen Zihan had already taken her seat early and was bent over, reciting her English textbook. Remembering the incident at his home on Saturday night made Xiao Han feel somewhat embarrassed.


    "Zi Han, I... I''m sorry about that night!" After sitting down at his desk, Xiao Han said awkwardly, "I truly apologize to you!"


    "Don''t talk nonsense," Chen Zihan red at Xiao Han and then said, "I don''t know anything about it."


    "Zi Han, you..." Xiao Han was at a loss for words.


    "Do you want me to forgive you?" Chen Zihan suddenly revealed a sly smile.


    "Yes," Xiao Han quickly nodded.


    "Okay!" Chen Zihan nodded and said, "If you really can get second ce in the next mock exam, then I will... forgive you."


    "Really?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Of course it''s true!" Chen Zihan quickly nodded and said, "As long as you can get second ce, I''ll definitely forgive you. And..."


    "And what?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "And I''ll also give you a kiss," Chen Zihan''s face turned red as she shyly lowered her head.


    "You said it," Xiao Han quickly agreed.


    "Hmm!" Chen Zihan nodded shyly.


    Xiao Han''s heart raced with joy. He couldn''t believe that Chen Zihan had agreed to his request; it filled him with the motivation to strive harder. Xiao Han quickly said, "Alright, it''s a deal then. You can''t go back on your word."

 Chapter 016 Citywide Joint Examination

    Chen Zihan hung her head low, biting her red lips. It seemed like she silently agreed.


    Stimted by Chen Zihan, Xiao Han became even more diligent and put in more effort. He truly had fallen behind in many subjects during the first and second years of high school. Over the past half month, Xiao Han had been frantically catching up on his studies. To his astonishment, he discovered that his learning ability had be incredibly strong.


    In just a short span of half a month, he had managed to catch up on all the coursework he had missed.


    When it came to the mock exams, to say nothing of ranking second in his ss, it wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say he could easily clinch the second spot across the whole grade.


    Xiao Han was not one to seek attention, but this time, for Chen Zihan, he decided to go all out.


    In the blink of an eye, the second mock exam for the entire twelfth grade was upon them.


    The mock exam was designed to test the examination abilities of twelfth-grade students and to gauge where they stood.


    Linjiang No.1 Middle School conducted arge-scale mock exam almost every month, scheduling it over the weekend. The whole school would have a day off, leaving only the thirty-some twelfth-grade sses to take the exams at school. This time it was a city-wide joint examination, so the tests were strictly administered following the procedures of the college entrance examination.


    Each ss retained only thirty students, and there had to be an empty desk and chair''s distance in every direction around each student. To ensure an urate assessment of the students'' abilities, each ss was assigned two teachers to proctor the exam. Electronic devices were strictly prohibited in the exam room. If discovered, they would be severely dealt with.


    "How do you feel? Confident?" Li Dapang grinned at Xiao Han.


    "No problem," Xiao Han smiled back.


    All was ready except for the opportunity.


    Li Dapang smiled and said, "These teachers are really ruthless. Most of the students with good academic performance have been moved to the next ss to take the exam. How are we supposed to take the test now? Isn''t this just bad luck waiting to happen?"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll let you copy," Xiao Han shed Li Dapang a strange smile.


    "Forget about it," Li Dapang replied disdainfully, then added, "Last mock exam, I got three hundred and one points just by guessing, and you, studying hard every day and reviewing, barely scraped together three hundred, rankingst in ss."


    The school went to great lengths to urately assess the true abilities of this group of twelfth graders. Twenty of the top students in the ss were all reassigned, leaving thirty students with mediocre or poor academic performance in the original ssroom. This meant the poor students, led by Xiao Han and Li Dapang, were significantly affected.


    Moreover, even among these thirty students, the ten who performed slightly better were seated in the very front. As a result, it was impossible for thest twenty students in the ss to cheat off anyone.


    The two worst performers in the ss, Xiao Han and Li Dapang, were ced by Liu Jinmei in thest row, their backs almost touching the rear wall of the ssroom.


    "Haha..." Xiao Hanughed heartily, "You love to copy, don''t you?"


    At that moment, the bell signaling the start of the exam rang.


    The two proctoring teachers walked slowly into the ssroom. One of them was Teacher Liu, the homeroom teacher of ss 3, Grade 12. Upon entering the ssroom, she scanned the scene once, then said sternly, "Mobile phones, tablets... hand over all electronic products. Otherwise, if discovered, they''ll all be thrown out the window."


    Silence fell over everyone.


    Seeing no one make a sound, Liu Jinmei began to distribute the test papers.


    As she handed out the papers one by one, she paused beside Xiao Han, sneered, and said, "Xiao Han, remember the words you once said to me."


    Xiao Han remained silent.


    After Liu Jinmei moved on, Li Dapang grinned and said, "Heh, you''re in trouble now. The Old Witch is still hung up on that."


    "Afraid of what?" Xiao Han scoffed.


    "I know you''re capable, but securing the second rank in the ss is not so easy!" Li Dapang nced at Xiao Han and continued, "Besides, you''re indeed capable in logic, but subjects like Chinese and English rely on memorization."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Heh heh..." Xiao Han chuckled mysteriously.


    The first subject of the exam was Chinese. Over the past month, Xiao Han had really buckled down on his studies, especially in Chinese, where he spent almost every day pouring over the textbook. Thus, he was quite confident about today''s exam.


    As it turned out, the questions were very simple. From the fill-in-the-nks at the beginning to the multiple-choice questions, and readingprehensionter on, Xiao Han swept through them all with ease. For the final essay question, he only needed to ponder for a short while, made a quick outline, and then his pen flowed with inspiration.


    After finishing, Xiao Han gave his paper a brief check and immediately submitted it. Note that, from start to finish, Xiao Han had only taken a little over an hour, whereas the Chinese exam was the longest,sting a full two hours.


    Everyone was dumbfounded as they watched Xiao Han.


    "This kid must have given up," one muttered.


    "Probably!" another agreed.


    "And to think he vowed to take second ce, what shamelessness."


    Many were discussing him, particrly a few boys who were on good terms with Jiang Xiaoliang; they looked down on Xiao Han disdainfully.


    However, Xiao Han strode confidently out of the ssroom.


    The following exams proved to be no pressure for Xiao Han either. The English exam that afternoon didn''t pose any difficulties, and for the mathematics exam the next day, he finished and handed in his paper after just one hour, while the rest of the students were still struggling to calcte or even wildly guessing.


    Some even resorted to rolling dice to decide on the answers to the multiple-choice questions.


    Whoosh...


    The sight of Xiao Han submitting his paper after only one hour caused a stir amongst the crowd.


    Liu Jinmei was also shocked. It wasn''t until Xiao Han had left that Liu Jinmei hurriedly picked up his test paper to check his results. What followed left her even more astonished and speechless. Because for the subsequent questions, Xiao Han''s uracy rate was over ny percent. Of course, Liu Jinmei''s so-called uracy rate was rtive to her own standards.


    What Liu Jinmei found most unbelievable was that not only was Xiao Han''s uracy rate extremely high, but he had alsopleted all the questions in just one hour. And she, a math teacher... an hour had passed, and she still had a few problems left unsolved. Well... that was embarrassing.


    Liu Jinmei quickly put Xiao Han''s test paper away, but her heart could not settle for a long time.


    On the afternoon of Sunday, as soon as the examination was over, all the teachers began to dive into grading.


    "Teacher Liu, this Xiao Han''s performance... isn''t there some trickery there?"


    "Not at all, out of three hundred points inprehensive science, he actually scored two hundred and seventy-three."


    "And Chinese as well, he actually scored one hundred and thirty-five points."


    "And I have here a perfect score in English."


    The senior year teachers were shocked and astonished at Xiao Han''s scores. They all felt this was simply too incredible to believe. Xiao Han''s scores were truly unimaginable. It''s not that such scores were unthinkable, but because in thest mock exam, Xiao Han had rankedst in the whole ss, and now, his score had suddenly skyrocketed by many times over.


    Liu Jinmei smiled and said, "Let''s just think of him as a miracle for now."


    "A miracle?!" Everyone was dumbfounded. They couldn''t imagine these wordsing from the always strict Teacher Liu.


    "Yes!" Liu Jinmei nodded.


    ......


    The examination was over.


    "Xiao Han, you''re quite something, my friend!" Li Dapang pped Xiao Han on the shoulder and grinned, "You''re always the first to hand in your paper, and you finish about half the time earlier. How confident are you about the exams?"


    "Of course, I am!" Xiao Han nodded, "This time I must secure second ce."


    "Whoa, that''s quite the ambition," Li Dapang chuckled, "Come on, we''ve finally made some money, let''s spend a bit in the city center."


    Five-thirty in the afternoon.


    The two headed toward the city center.


    To treat himself, Li Dapang specifically chose a Korean barbecue restaurant. He had a particr fondness for meat, and he had eaten Korean barbecue once before, a sensation he never forgot. Now that he had finally made some money, he decided to give himself a good treat.


    They walked into the Korean barbecue restaurant. The decor was nice; the overall effect was very impressive. Inside, the girls, all decked out in Korean attire, greeted customers in Korean.


    "There are a lot of beauties here," Li Dapang said with a smirk, "Big chests, round butts. Tsk tsk..."


    "You can tell they have big chests and round butts through their clothes?" Xiao Han caught him off guard with ament.


    "Hehe..."


    Li Dapang pulled Xiao Han to sit down at a table.


    At that moment, Chen Zihan and another girl walked in.


    "Isn''t that Chen Zihan?" Li Dapang quickly pointed toward the entrance.


    Xiao Han swiftly looked over, and indeed, Chen Zihan and Yang Xiaoyan were entering, talking andughing together as if they were close girlfriends.


    "Xiao Han?" Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han in surprise.


    "You guys are here too?" Xiao Han smiled and said, "Why not join us and sit down together?"


    "Are you treating?" Chen Zihan giggled.


    "No problem," Xiao Han nodded.


    "Can you afford it?" Yang Xiaoyan said disdainfully from the side, "A shoeshiner, do you know the prices here? I''ll tell you, one serving of barbecue is over a hundred. Can you even afford that?"


    "Xiaoyan, what are you saying?" Chen Zihan cast a nce at Yang Xiaoyan.


    "I''m just telling the truth," Yang Xiaoyan pursed her lips and then said, "He only makes four yuan for shining a pair of shoes. Do you know the average consumption here? Eighty-eight yuan. Almost four hundred for four people. Does he really think he''s some wealthy guy?"


    "Student Yang is right," Xiao Han nodded, "Having Korean barbecue is indeed expensive. But, is it necessary to be so insulting? It''s a favor to invite you to eat; if you don''t want to eat, you can leave."


    "You!" Yang Xiaoyan was furious.


    "Okay, let''s cool it," Chen Zihan quickly said.


    Yang Xiaoyan was a typical materialistic woman, who adored wealth and was a gold digger. She had a wealthy and handsome boyfriend when she was in her second year, but after growing tired of her, he dumped her. However, she became even more infatuated with material possessions. She always looked down on poor people, especially children from poor families, with scorn and disdain.


    Xiao Han was a typical poor student, so Yang Xiaoyan had always looked down on him.

 Chapter 017 Craftsmanship

    "Fine, then I''ll sit down and eat," Yang Xiaoyan said disdainfully, "I want to see how you''re going to pay."


    After sitting down, Chen Zihan''s face turned red as she said, "Xiao Han, I''m really sorry."


    "It''s okay," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Zi Han, what would you like to eat?"


    "Just something simple," Chen Zihan, not wanting Xiao Han to be burdened or to hurt his pride by paying herself, ordered only a fruit sd.


    "Why be so polite?" Yang Xiaoyan immediately said, "Bring on arge portion of beef, andmb too. Also, add a few more¡­"


    Yang Xiaoyan wasn''t bashful, ordering several hundred dors'' worth of food in one breath. Had it not been Li Dapang but someone else, an average group of four would definitely have been unable to finish so much. Clearly, Yang Xiaoyan was intentionally targeting Xiao Han in revenge.


    Xiao Han smiled calmly, not at all frightened by the steep price.


    In his first year of high school, Xiao Han had read some culinary books, so he remembered how to eat barbecue very well. Korean barbecue consisted of a charcoal oven with an iron te on top, covered in foil. He simply sprinkled some oil on the foil and threw the fresh meat on to grill.


    Xiao Han, unhurried,id the meat on the grill, then sprinkled on some seasoning.


    Before long, the meat was cooked. Xiao Han quickly grabbed arge lettuce leaf, wrapped a piece of grilled meat in it, and handed it to Chen Zihan, saying, "Here, try my grilling."


    Chen Zihan, her cheeks turning pink, said, "Thank you!"


    Taking the grilled meat from Xiao Han, Chen Zihan gently parted her lips and lightly bit into it. The taste was good. Her eyes lit up, "Xiao Han, your barbecue is really tasty."


    "Is it?" Xiao Han smiled and said, "If you like it, then eat more."


    Li Dapang, who couldn''t wait, swept all the meat inside into his own te, grabbing a handful of lettuce before stuffing it into his mouth.


    Crunch, crunch¡­


    The sound of chewing was quite loud.


    "You¡­" Yang Xiaoyan got upset, "I haven''t eaten yet!"


    "Didn''t you look down on Xiao Han?" Li Dapangughed, "Want to eat? Then grill it yourself."


    "You!" Yang Xiaoyan was furious.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Chen Zihan quickly said, "Don''t get angry."


    To lighten the mood, Chen Zihan quickly asked, "Xiao Han, are you confident about the uing exam?"


    "I am!" Xiao Han suddenly stopped what he was doing, his lips curling into a small, proud smile as he looked at Chen Zihan and said, "Zi Han, you''d better remember your promise!"


    "What promise?" An intrigued Yang Xiaoyan asked.


    "Ah?!" Chen Zihan was caught off guard, having not expected Xiao Han to publicly reveal their conversation. She quickly shook her head and said, "No¡­ there isn''t any promise!"


    As she spoke, she red sharply at Xiao Han with her eyes.


    Yang Xiaoyan looked at Chen Zihan with some doubt.


    Li Dapang put all hisbat power into eating the barbecue; children from poor families seldom got to eat meat. Especially Li Dapang, whose father was a carpenter who knew the difficulty of earning money and whose mother was disabled with no ie, leading to a life of significant frugality.


    Now that he was finally able to earn money, indulging in food and drink was of course no issue.


    Half an hourter, everyone had eaten their fill.


    "Waiter, the check!" Li Dapang wiped his greasy hands and belched contentedly.


    "I''ll do it!" Chen Zihan offered, elegantly extracting a bank card from her wallet.


    "No, let them pay!" Yang Xiaoyan snorted disdainfully.


    "I will!" Li Dapang nced at Yang Xiaoyan, pulling out a bundle of cash from his bag on purpose. Exactly five thousand yuan, this money he had saved to buy a motorcycle. Having been ridiculed by Yang Xiaoyan today, he naturally couldn''t swallow his anger.


    "Where¡­ where did you get so much money?" asked Chen Zihan and Yang Xiaoyan in unison.


    For students, five thousand yuan was definitely a huge sum. Although Chen Zihan and Yang Xiaoyan did not know about Li Dapang''s family situation, seeing that he rode an old, decrepit bicycle every day, they assumed his family wasn''t well off. So, they didn''t think Li Dapang was wealthy at all.


    "Heh, you don''t need to worry about that," Li Dapang, picking at his teeth, grinned and said, "It''s hard-earned money, I neither stole nor robbed."


    "You!" Yang Xiaoyan was vexed, at a loss for words.


    "Sir, the totales to three hundred eighty-eight yuan," the waiter hurried over.


    "Here''s four hundred, keep the change," Li Dapang tossed over four red bills.


    "Thank you!" The waiter was very polite.


    Li Dapang had never enjoyed the immense vanity that money could bring; this was the first time in his life that he realized having money was such an exhrating experience. No wonder everyone in the world strives for money.


    "New rich!" Yang Xiaoyan suddenly retorted, pouting her lips.


    "What''s wrong with being new rich?" Li Dapang looked at Yang Xiaoyan and said, "In this world, those with money are the bosses."


    "Hmph!" Yang Xiaoyan scoffed lightly.


    They exited the Korean barbecue restaurant, walking together as a group.


    Chen Zihan appeared extremely shy, her head bowed as she fidgeted with the hem of her clothing. Xiao Han, also inexperienced, had already kissed Chen Zihan, but he still seemed very wooden andcked initiative. Xiao Han turned his head to look at Chen Zihan, and at that moment, Chen Zihan also turned to look at him. Their eyes met, immediately sparking shes of connection.


    Chen Zihan''s face turned crimson, and she lowered her head even more.


    Seeing the two exchanging nces, Li Dapang quickly said to Yang Xiaoyan, "Let''s go first."


    "Where to?" Yang Xiaoyan nced at Li Dapang once.


    "Don''t disturb them," Li Dapang murmured in her ear.


    Yang Xiaoyan gave the pair a look and was about to speak when Li Dapang immediately grabbed her hand and ran forward. Yang Xiaoyan shouted in a hurry, "Big Fatty, let go of me, let me go... "


    Li Dapang had no intention of letting her go; he held onto her and sprinted down the street.


    Leaving the two na?ve kids behind.


    Xiao Han''s mind was filled with two voices, urging him on.


    Chen Zihan, with her gaze fixed on the ground, moved forward slowly.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han stopped in his tracks. He reached out and took Chen Zihan''s hand, saying, "Zi Han, I..."


    "What''s wrong?" Chen Zihan didn''t pull away from Xiao Han''s grasp but rather looked up at him expectantly, her eyes filled with deep affection.


    "I..." Xiao Han swallowed, and said, "I want your help to review for sses."


    "That..." Chen Zihan''s eyes showed a faint disappointment, but then she smiled and said, "Sure, you''re studying so diligently now, I should help you with review. I believe you can definitely get into the university of your dreams."


    "I want to go to the same university as you!" Xiao Han said earnestly.


    Chen Zihan was taken aback and said, "Really?"


    "Yeah!" Xiao Han held Chen Zihan''s shoulders with an unprecedented determination in his eyes and dered, "I will definitely go to the same university as you. Zi Han, believe in me."


    "I believe you." Chen Zihan''s face revealed a gentle smile, one of unwavering trust.


    Just then, a pickup truck came barreling toward them.


    Screech...


    The vehicle stopped right beside them. Following that, more than ten men jumped off the pickup. Just one look at them and it was clear they were not the sort to be trifled with, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt. The leader was a man wearing a ck leather vest, decorated with tattoos of ck dragons on both arms, and around his neck hung arge gold chain.


    He had a cigarette dangling from his lips and clutched a galvanized pipe in his hand, his entourage of over a dozen people surrounding Xiao Han and Chen Zihan.


    "This..." Chen Zihan started to get scared.


    "Don''t be afraid!" Xiao Han quickly shielded Chen Zihan behind him and said, "I am here, I won''t let anyone harm you!"


    "But there are so many of them!" Chen Zihan said in a hurry.


    In truth, Chen Zihan had very little confidence in Xiao Han. At school, he was often bullied, ending up bruised each time. Thus, her worry and fear were considerable. Yet, this time her concerns were obviously unnecessary.


    "You are Xiao Han?" ck Vest stepped forward with a contemptuous look on his face.


    "That''s right!" Xiao Han nodded, keeping his gaze fixed on the man.


    At this moment, Xiao Han''s brain was working furiously, his eyes like a mini radar, frantically scanning everyone present. Xiao Han''s mind was exceptionally clear and transparent, capturing even the most minute details of people''s movements. Any slight motion, and Xiao Han''s brain instantly reacted.


    "Realize who you''ve crossed?" ck Vest took a drag on his cigarette.


    "Who?" Xiao Han asked almost reflexively, though he quickly pinpointed the likely culprit in his mind. Currently, the only two he had offended were Liao Zhijie and Jiang Xiaoliang.


    While he had crossed Jiang Xiaoliang, it wasn''t likely that he''d be able to enlist underworld figures against him. He was, at most, someone who would humiliate Xiao Han at school and then whine to the teachers. Therefore, Xiao Han essentially concluded that it must be Liao Zhijie who had hired these people toe after him.


    Liao Zhijie, the official''s second generation, whose father was a member of the Municipal Committee, usually hung out with riffraff and had good rtions with some people in the underworld. Other than him, Xiao Han couldn''t think of anyone else capable of inviting suchpany to deal with him.


    "Heh heh..." ck Vest chuckled but did not reply.


    "It''s Liao Zhijie, right?" Xiao Han sneered.


    "You''re correct." ck Vest nodded and said, "This time, Young Master Liao paid good money for one of your arms. You get to choose, left or right?"


    As he spoke, his entourage immediately closed in.

 Chapter 018 One-on-One Duel

    "Xiao Han, let''s call the police!" Chen Zihan said urgently.


    "No!" Xiao Han immediately shook his head and said, "Since it''s an issue of the streets, then we should settle it with the street rules."


    "Haha, interesting!" ck Vest suddenly looked at Xiao Han with great interest and said, "Kid, if you can defeat me, I''ll let you go this time. How about it?"


    "Really?" Xiao Han was overjoyed upon hearing this. If he had to face more than ten of them alone, it would definitely be tough, especially since he also had to protect Chen Zihan. Now that the other party had issued a challenge, Xiao Han was naturally thrilled.


    "Of course!" ck Vest smiled slightly.


    "Alright!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "It''s a deal."


    After speaking, Xiao Han took off the backpack from his back and handed it to Chen Zihan. However, Chen Zihan''s face was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear. Chen Zihan was the studious and obedient type, a top student at school, and she had never encountered such a situation before. She was instinctively scared and fearful.


    "Good kid, you''ve got guts!" ck Vest flicked his hair, and flicked the cigarette butt away with his finger.


    More than ten people formed a circle, leaving the space in the middle for Xiao Han and ck Vest.


    If he was facing just one person, Xiao Han was fully confident that he could beat the opponent. With his special abilities, Xiao Han had be much more self-confident, not only react quicker but also move faster and more agilely.


    ck Vest clearly looked like someone who exercised regrly, with very solid muscles on his arms, which indicated that his burst power must be extraordinary. Therefore, Xiao Han decided to use speedbat and absolutely could not sh head-on with the opponent. With the opponent''s burst power, if he took a punch to the head, he''d likely be out of action very quickly.


    "Xiao Han, be careful!" Chen Zihan shouted urgently.


    "Don''t worry." Xiao Han turned back and gave Chen Zihan a confident smile. That smile reassured Chen Zihan quite a bit. Holding Xiao Han''s backpack, she kept chanting inwardly, "Xiao Han,e on, you must be okay."


    Although Chen Zihan didn''t hear that one sentence she was hoping for, she had already beenpletely attracted by Xiao Han. The boy in front of her was so incredible. A month ago, he was a boy bullied and humiliated by others. But one monthter, he had be so astonishing. As for what was astonishing about him, Chen Zihan couldn''t quite remember in the moment.


    The two were ready to fight, and the ck Vest man had already taken his stance. He squatted down in a horse stance, his hands in a pose that seemed ready forbat.


    "Kid, you go first," the ck Vest man said.


    "Fine!" Xiao Han didn''t hesitate.


    As he spoke, Xiao Han rushed forward, moving rapidly.


    The pupil of the ck Vest man constricted; he realized that Xiao Han was a tough cookie. Having such quick skills meant that he was no easy opponent. ck Vest hastily retreated several steps. Xiao Han''s first attack didn''t seed. His right foot suddenly kicked against the ground, scraping a ck mark on the concrete surface.


    "Die!" Xiao Han roared.


    He soared into the air, his fist smashing down towards ck Vest with force.


    "Nice try!" Seeing this, ck Vest crossed his arms, blocking Xiao Han''s strike.


    Although the strike was fierce and nimble, Xiao Han''s strength was still not quite on par with his opponent. ck Vest easily blocked Xiao Han''s attack.


    "Now it''s my turn," ck Vest clenched his fists.


    After Xiao Hannded, he immediately sensed trouble. At this moment, the opponent''s fist was already swinging hard towards him. Xiao Han quickly used his arm to block.


    Thump!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    A muffled sound followed. After that punch, Xiao Han staggered back several steps. The muscles in his arms swelled up from the impact. In that instant, Xiao Han almost cried out in pain but he knew he could not, for screaming would mean losing half the battle in morale and would also worry Chen Zihan.


    "Xiao Han!" Chen Zihan''s heart-wrenching shout came.


    "I''m fine." Xiao Han steadied himself and took a deep breath. Just now, he had been a bit toocent, thinking his special abilities made him unbeatable and overlooked that his opponent was a master of strength.


    "Not bad, you didn''t fall after taking one of my punches!" ck Vest chuckled coldly.


    Xiao Han didn''t reply but intently watched the movements of his opponent. ck Vest slowly walked towards Xiao Han. Just as they were about two meters apart, Xiao Han suddenly understood and darted forward like an arrow from a bow. ck Vest clearly wasn''t able to react in time.


    Xiao Han leaped like an arrow released from a bow, using the powerful centrifugal force, his right foot suddenly kicked towards the opponent''s neck.


    Wham!


    That kicknded right on the opponent''s neck, and ck Vest immediately copsed to the ground, rolling a few times.


    Hisss...


    The scene fell into a chill.


    "Boss!" Three or four people rushed up immediately.


    "Damn, get him!" Many shouted.


    "Stop!" ck Vest, holding his neck and tilting his head, said, "He won!"


    "Boss!" The crowd, looking fierce and malevolent, said, "This brat actually dared to hit you!"


    "We had an agreement in advance!" ck Vest waved his hand and then said to Xiao Han, "You can go."


    Xiao Han took a deep breath; the move he just utilized was something he''d learned from TV. In that instant, Xiao Han found himself imitating it uncontrobly¡ªand it was a sess. Although it drained a considerable amount of his energy, at least it allowed him to sessfully break free.


    "Xiao Han, you were amazing," Chen Zihan ran over quickly and hugged him.


    To be honest, for a good girl like Chen Zihan, witnessing such a scene for the first time today was genuinely startling. Xiao Han held Chen Zihan, burying his face in her hair. He took a deep breath, and the faint fragrance gradually calmed the restlessness in his heart.


    "Let''s go!" Xiao Han said.


    "Mhm!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Xiao Han slung his backpack over his shoulder, nced back at the opponents, and took Chen Zihan''s hand.


    This was the first time he had held Chen Zihan''s hand, and she seemed shy. But she didn''t refuse. Instead, she held onto Xiao Han''s hand tightly.


    Five or six people blocked Xiao Han''s path, each looking menacingly at him.


    Xiao Han did not show weakness either and said coldly, "Let us through!"


    His tone left no room for doubt, and it carried a hint of ferocity.


    Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han in astonishment. If she hadn''t seen it with her own eyes, she would never believe that Xiao Han could have such a domineering presence, such a manly side. He was not afraid of the more than ten people facing him, even though they were armed with weapons, showing no hint of retreat.


    What kind of man does a woman like? Not only must he be handsome, but he must also provide a sense of security. For a pure girl like Chen Zihan, money was not important at all. Xiao Han''s assertiveness and manliness had deeply attracted her.


    The group of five or six stared at Xiao Han for a moment before sheepishly clearing a path.


    Walking hand in hand, Xiao Han and Chen Zihan slowly made their way through the encirclement and then left the alley.


    Watching the two leave, the gang appeared very reluctant to ept defeat.


    "Boss, are we really letting them go just like that?" a man holding a Steel Knife asked coldly.


    "What else?" replied a man in a ck Vest.


    "How are we going to exin this when we get back?" the underling asked.


    "We''ll exin it as we need to!" the ck Vest man retorted, adding, "Liao Zhijie is such a joke for providing the wrong intelligence. Didn''t he say Xiao Han was a pushover? It looks to me like he''s tough. I could even take him down!"


    "Right!" The rest of the group immediately responded: "Boss is the provincial Sanshou third-ce winner, and this kid managed to knock him down. He''s definitely skilled."


    "No kidding, thatst move had me stunned."


    The gang murmured amongst themselves.


    The ck Vest man, with a cigarette in his mouth, watched Xiao Han''s fading figure, a sinister smile creeping on his lips. "Xiao Han, we''ll meet again."


    ...


    Exiting the alley, Xiao Han quickly led Chen Zihan into the mall and then out through the back door.


    "Xiao Han, are you okay?" Chen Zihan asked anxiously.


    "Don''t worry, I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head, "I''ll take you home!"


    "Mhm," Chen Zihan nodded.


    Chen Zihan''s electric scooter was parked in the mall parking area. After retrieving the scooter, Xiao Han rode it while Chen Zihan sat at the back.


    Xiao Han rode swiftly, weaving through the crowd. Chen Zihan sat behind him, side-saddle, one hand on the handle, and the other on Xiao Han''s shoulder. The electric scooter carried them both through this bustling and colorful city.


    Chen Zihan felt shy. This was her first time sitting behind a boy and also her first time being so intimately close to one.


    The summer night brought a gentle breeze that was flirtatiously refreshing.


    "Xiao Han, how do you feel about this exam?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.


    "Pretty good," Xiao Hanughed.


    "That... are you confident about taking second ce?" Chen Zihan quickly asked.


    "No problem," Xiao Han nodded, "But, you promised me that if I got the second ce, you would forgive me, and you''d also..."


    "Also what?" Chen Zihan hurriedly asked.


    She certainly hadn''t forgotten her own promise, but she felt embarrassed to have it spoken out loud, so she immediately interrupted Xiao Han. However, the clueless Xiao Han hastily added, "You said you would reward me with a kiss."


    "You!" Chen Zihan''s face instantly turned red. For an eighteen-year-old girl, this was something overwhelmingly embarrassing. Biting her lip, her eyes sparked with mes: "You bad guy!"


    "Ha ha..." Xiao Han burst intoughter.


    Chen Zihan''s arms quietly wrapped around Xiao Han''s waist; she leaned gently against his back, her cheeks against him.

 Chapter 19 First Kiss

    They say that when you press your ear against a man''s back, you can hear the voice of his heart; they say that the small of the back is the closest point to a person''s heart. Chen Zihan''s ear was pressed against Xiao Han''s back, and she could clearly hear the robust heartbeat within him.


    It seemed as if it was the most wonderful sound in the world; as if it was the most captivating sound in the world; as if Chen Zihan''s heart was about to melt...


    Soon after, Xiao Han had brought Chen Zihan to the entrance of the residentialplex.


    The two stood at the entrance, their eyes locked onto each other.


    Chen Zihan was pinching the hem of her clothes, gently biting her red lips. Under the soft moonlight, her body emitted a pure glow. She seemed like a lotus flower that emerges immacte from mud, so ethereal that one could only admire from afar but never desecrate.


    "Zi Han, I...I should head back now," Xiao Han chuckled.


    "Hmm!" Chen Zihan nodded slightly.


    As Xiao Han was about to turn around and leave, suddenly, Chen Zihan threw herself into Xiao Han''s arms and initiated a kiss on his lips.


    Facing the sudden kiss, Xiao Han naturally would not refuse, holding Chen Zihan''s tender body in his arms.


    She felt an unusual sensation in her body, as if there were faint electric currents flowing through it. She indulgedpletely in this physical sensation, reveling in this spiritual liberation.


    The two passionately kissed, their kisses wet and fervent.


    Mmm...


    Chen Zihan gasped for air, feeling as if the strength in her body had been drained. She wanted to push Xiao Han away, but found herself utterly powerless to do so. And Xiao Han, that rascal, was just taking further liberties.


    "No!" Chen Zihan somehow mustered the strength and forcefully pushed Xiao Han away, her nerves rattled, "No...this isn''t right, you can''t do this!"


    Xiao Han too was in disbelief and hastily said, "Zi Han, I... I''m sorry!"


    Chen Zihan red fiercely at Xiao Han, turned around, and rode her electric bike into theplex without looking back.


    Xiao Han, drained, sat down on thewn, his face full of guilt.


    p!


    Suddenly, Xiao Han pped himself on the face, furiously scolding: "Xiao Han, oh Xiao Han, how could you do such a disgraceful thing?"


    What was done couldn''t be undone, no matter how much he regretted it.


    After sitting on thewn for ten more minutes, Xiao Han got up and left.


    After Chen Zihan returned to herplex, she quickly ran home.


    "Zi Han, you''re back?" Chen Zihan''s mother came out of the room.


    Chen Zihan didn''t respond, but dashed into her room and quickly shut the door.


    "What''s with this child?" Chen Zihan''s mother looked baffled.


    Once inside her room, Chen Zihan sat alone on her pink bed. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes watery as she stared at the room''s walls, which were adorned with little stars.


    Chen Zihan sat immobile at the head of her bed, but her mind was like a storm of exploding information, constantly thinking of Xiao Han, recalling every moment just past, reliving the sensation of their kiss.


    For Chen Zihan, all of it felt like a dream, like an incessantly sprouting thought, wildly taking root and sprouting in her mind...


    For an eighteen-year-old girl just beginning to experience emotional awakenings, matters of romantic and sexual nature often seem filled with enchanting illusions. What Xiao Han had just done was indelibly imprinted in her mind.


    ...


    The next day at school.


    Xiao Han arrived early at the ssroom. Chen Zihan hadn''te to ss yet. Xiao Han had slept verytest night, his mind still resonating with those intense moments. Chen Zihan''s stic, smooth skin, soft as milk, lingered in his mind.


    Yet, thinking of his disgraceful behavior the previous night made him feel despicable.


    So Xiao Han brought Chen Zihan a cup of tiramisu and a cup of milk early this morning from the bakery. Chen Zihan had a penchant for sweets, often bringing them to school¡ªthis time, Xiao Han had chosen the most expensive bakery.


    Not sure which bakery had the tastiest treats, he figured the most expensive one couldn''t be wrong.


    Not long after Xiao Han entered the ssroom, Chen Zihan followed. Everyone was engrossed in their books; some were eating breakfast while solving practice problems. It was senior year, a crucial time, and if they didn''t buckle down, the college entrance exams would soon be upon them.


    "Zi Han, aboutst night..." Xiao Han, biting his red lips, pushed the tiramisu across the table and said, "This is for my apology."


    Chen Zihan sat down and dropped her backpack, ncing at Xiao Han. A sly smile flickered in her eyes as she said, "You think a cup of tiramisu and a box of milk will buy me off?"


    "Then... then what should I do?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Get into the same university as me!" Chen Zihan snorted. "Only then will I forgive you!"


    "Okay!" Xiao Han eagerly nodded.


    At that moment, Jiang Xiaoliang entered the school and habitually walked towards Xiao Han. When he saw Xiao Han, he immediately realized that something about his own position had changed. Especially when he saw Chen Zihan smiling and chatting happily with Xiao Han, his stomach churned with jealousy.


    Jiang Xiaoliang''s eyes shifted, and a n formed in his mind.


    He quickly walked over to Xiao Han and sat down on his desk, his right foot stomping on it as he said, "Shoe shiner, shine my shoes!"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Whoosh...


    Suddenly, all the ssmates'' eyes were fixed on Xiao Han.


    "Jiang Xiaoliang, what are you doing!" Chen Zihan couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    "Zi Han, you didn''t know?" Jiang Xiaoliang chuckled, "This guy shines shoes at the park entrance at night. Hahaha..."


    Haha...


    Not only did Jiang Xiaoliangugh uproariously, but others also began tough along.


    Theirughter was mocking. For many, seeing Xiao Han being bullied seemed to be an everyday urrence. ording to past practice, Xiao Han should have kept quiet or said nothing.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, Xiao Han stood up. He coldly looked at Jiang Xiaoliang and said, "Get off my desk now!"


    "Fuck, feeling brave now, huh?" Jiang Xiaoliang was suddenly yelled at by Xiao Han, especially in front of Chen Zihan, and he was not about to let it go. He rolled up his sleeves and said, "Old man, today I''ll teach you a lesson, you son of a bitch!"


    Jiang Xiaoliang was enraged by Xiao Han''s demand to get off the desk in front of Chen Zihan.


    As he spoke, Jiang Xiaoliang hastily grabbed a chair and viciously smashed it towards Xiao Han.


    However, just as Jiang Xiaoliang swung it down, Xiao Han reached out and caught the chair in his hand.


    Whoosh...


    The room erupted in surprise.


    Jiang Xiaoliang held on to the chair with both hands, while Xiao Han casually grabbed it with one hand, the other tucked into his pocket. He looked incredibly cool and striking. The two locked eyes, Xiao Han, tall and imposing at 1.8 meters, overwhelmed Jiang Xiaoliang in stature alone. Jiang Xiaoliang gripped with all his might, but couldn''t budge Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han easily wrested the chair from Jiang Xiaoliang''s grasp, leaving him defeated.


    "Last chance, get out!" Xiao Han harshly ordered.


    "Fuck... your grandpa!" Unable to swallow his pride in front of Chen Zihan, Jiang Xiaoliang swung his fist at Xiao Han.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, Xiao Han lightly tipped on his left foot, moved back, andnded a beautiful side kick. His foot struck Jiang Xiaoliang squarely in the chest. The force of the kick sent Jiang Xiaoliang flying back, crashing heavily against the desks behind him, overturning two of them before he fell down.


    Jiang Xiaoliang''s chest throbbed with pain, but in that moment, he was too shocked to care about the pain. He stared dumbfounded at Xiao Han, unable to believe that Xiao Han had dared to strike him. He felt like he had won a lottery.


    Xiao Han walked over slowly, looked coldly at Jiang Xiaoliang, and said, "Listen well, from today onwards, you''re like a dog in front of me, got it?"


    Jiang Xiaoliang was about to explode with anger, but remembering that Xiao Han had almost killed him just moments ago, he shrank back.


    He had lost the fight, but he couldn''t lose his spirit. Grinding his teeth, Jiang Xiaoliang said, "Fine, fine, just you wait, I''ll make you regret this!"


    After speaking, Jiang Xiaoliang threw his backpack forcefully onto his desk.


    The students in the ssroom were stunned. The usually timid and weak Xiao Han had actually fought back today, and his movements were impressively swift and stylish.


    "Wow, Xiao Han was so cool just now!"


    "Yeah, that move looked just like he had been trained."


    Many girls whispered among themselves, all swayed by a good show of strength. Xiao Han''s performance today indeed had them excited, something they had never expected from the usually quiet Xiao Han.

 Chapter 020 Shocking

    "Damn, what''s gotten into this kid?"


    "I heard he even beat up Liao Zhijie!"


    "Seriously, is that true?"


    The boys were particrly astonished by Xiao Han''s change in personality.


    Just as everyone was buzzing with discussion, Liu Jinmei walked in with a stack of math papers.


    The ssroom that had been noisy suddenly quieted down.


    Liu Jinmei''s expression was gentle. Yesterday afternoon, all the teachers worked overtime to review the test papers, and all the papers had been graded. This time the mock exam was quite challenging, and overall scores were low, but Liu Jinmei was pleased. Because this simtion method and its rigor had thoroughly assessed the students'' real abilities.


    Last night, Liu Jinmei and some teachers had a brief meeting.


    Because there was a huge controversy over the scores of Xiao Han from senior year ss three. This time, Xiao Han scored seven hundred and twenty points, iming the first ce in ss and second ce in the grade. He got perfect scores in English and Math, and scored two hundred seventy-three in theprehensive science test.


    This exam, Chen Zihan only scored six hundred ny points, a thirty-point gap from Xiao Han.


    Who would have imagined that a student who scored only three hundred pointsst month, rankingst in the ss, would suddenly achieve first in ss and second in the grade this month? The jaws of all the teachers nearly dropped. If it weren''t for the isted examination method this time, they would probably all think Xiao Han had cheated.


    In the brief meeting, Liu Jinmei said only one sentence, "Perhaps, this is a miracle."


    Indeed, this is a machine, an unbelievable miracle.


    Liu Jinmei seemed as refreshing as a breeze, stepping on auspicious clouds as she entered the ssroom.


    "Old Witch seems to be in a good mood today."


    "Could it be because our exam scores have generally improved?"


    The students in the back row buzzed with discussion.


    Standing on the podium, Liu Jinmei''s piercing gaze swept across the forty-five students in the ssroom. Finally, her gaze rested on Xiao Han, her eyes revealing aplex expression. Perhaps for Liu Jinmei, Xiao Han''s score was both unexpected and perplexing.


    Xiao Han also felt something was off about Liu Jinmei''s gaze, and his heart skipped a beat.


    "Oh no, could it be that my score is too good, making them suspicious?" Xiao Han was somewhat worried inside, and also a bit nervous. To be honest, with his ability, he could have scored even higher on that set of papers, but Xiao Han didn''t. He was afraid of arousing the teachers'' suspicion and conjecture.


    If a student who wasst in the ssst month suddenly became the top of the ss this month, leaving the second ce far behind by dozens of points, it would be hard for any teacher to ept. Xiao Han himself found it hard to ept as well.


    Xiao Han was starting to regret his impulsiveness. After all, this was a secret, a huge secret. Of course, Xiao Han couldn''t even exin his own transformation, which seemed almost unbelievable. Photographic memory and a brilliant brain were enough to astonish anyone.


    Facing Liu Jinmei''s direct stare, Xiao Han appeared somewhat timid and nervous. He quickly lowered his head.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Students, the results of this exam are generally unsatisfactory," Liu Jinmei smiled and said. "This time we used the Huanggang test papers. The questions were very difficult, so I understand your struggles. However, one student did exceptionally well this time."


    Whoosh...


    All forty-five students spontaneously turned their gaze towards Chen Zihan.


    Feeling so many eyes on her, Chen Zihan''s face turned slightly red. Although she was used to such attention, she still felt somewhat ufortable.


    "No!" Liu Jinmei shook her head, said, "Not Chen Zihan."


    "Could it be Jiang Xiaoliang?" someone couldn''t help but ask.


    "Of course, considering the difficulty of the Huanggang test papers, both Chen Zihan and Jiang Xiaoliang did well, outstanding indeed," Liu Jinmei smiled and then said, "Chen Zihan scored six hundred ny points, ranking fifth in the grade, and Jiang Xiaoliang also scored six hundred eighty points, ranking tenth in the grade.


    However, one student in our ss scored seven hundred twenty points, achieving second ce in the grade."


    Wow!


    The room instantly buzzed with surprise.


    "Who?"


    "Could it be Liu Xiaojun?"


    Everyone then turned their gaze towards Liu Xiaojun. Liu Xiaojun, the ss representative of senior year ss three, was top-ranking in terms of academic performance. Not tall, he wore a pair of thick sses, looking like the bottom of beer bottles.


    Seeing everyone nce at him, Liu Xiaojun quickly shook his head, "No, not me; I know my score, and it definitely wasn''t six hundred eighty."


    The ssroom erupted intomotion.


    The three top students in the ss were all ruled out, so who else could it be?


    "If not even those three, could it really be Xiao Han?" someone jokingly retorted.


    "Haha..."


    The whole ss suddenly burst into roaringughter. Jiang Xiaoliangughed louder and more arrogantly than anyone else because he knew his score of 680 was very good and that Xiao Han, with his scores, could never surpass him. So, today he was moving away from Li Dapang. He had already packed all his textbooks into his bag, ready for the reassignment order.


    "This time, the one who took second ce in the grade with a brilliant score of 720 is..." Liu Jinmei slightly raised the corners of her mouth, actually filled with childlike curiosity about what kind of shock and stimtion this news would bring to ss Three.


    "Who is it?" The crowd asked curiously.


    "Xiao Han!" Liu Jinmei dered clearly and forcefully.


    Hiss...


    All forty-five students in the ss instantly fell silent, their faces showing disbelief.


    The room fell so quiet that one could clearly hear a pin drop.


    The silencested for more than ten seconds.


    Xiao Han felt a sense of calm inside him.


    "Teacher, stop joking," said Jiang Xiaoliang awkwardly. "How could Xiao Han score 720, unless he cheated?"


    "Exactly, how could a drag like that score so high?" the others began to protest.


    Li Dapangy on his desk, a grin spreading across his face, drool trailing from his mouth as if he was dreaming of a beauty. Suddenly, unexpectedly, he said, "You trash,pared to Xiao Han, you are nothing but crap!"


    However, Li Dapang''s voice was drowned out by the noise of the others.


    "No!" Liu Jinmei looked at them seriously and said, "I am not mistaken, Xiao Han, through his effort this month, has ovee himself. He traded his effort and sweat for returns. Maybe you have forgotten, but Xiao Han was once the top schr of the Wangjiang District middle school exams; he has a foundation. Previously he disdained studying, but now, the schr Xiao Han has returned!"


    Liu Jinmei thought a lot, for a long time.


    The only exnation for Xiao Han''s performance was that he was an exceptionally talented student. As long as he was willing to put in the effort, he was bound to seed. Being a past schr and with his talent, through continuous simtion and sprinting over a month, he finally got back on the right track.


    To verify her thoughts, Liu Jinmei had even called Mother Xiao yesterday. Mother Xiao told her that Xiao Han studied every night until two in the morning, which further confirmed Liu Jinmei''s thoughts. Thus, Liu Jinmei was moved, pleased that an excellent student, a former exam topper, could pull himself back from the brink, stepping out of the shadow of his father''s death.


    "No... it''s not possible!" Jiang Xiaoliang panicked, remembering the bet he had made with Xiao Han, and the humiliation he would face if he lost. He hurriedly shook his head and said, "Teacher, Xiao Han must have cheated."


    "Right, he cheated!" some academically better students grumbled unwillingly. None of them wanted to be outshone by someone they had once despised, insulted, and trampled upon.


    "I understand your feelings," Liu Jinmei waved her hand and said, "but touch your heart and think seriously. If you were in Xiao Han''s ce, how much do you think you could score? With walls behind and beside you, no one around to copy from. Even if you had the answers, are you sure you could copy them all in such a short time?"


    The previously morous students were immediately silenced.


    Chen Zihan stared nkly at the ckboard in front of her.


    Xiao Han had actually taken the second highest score in the grade, first in the ss. She felt as if she was dreaming. The recent quarrels and disturbances in the ssroom seemed like a fleeting cloud to her as she waspletely immersed in her own world, tears brimming in her eyes, overwhelmed with emotions... the Xiao Han had returned.


    "Xiao Han..." Chen Zihan said, her eyes reddening.


    "Zi Han, what''s wrong?" Xiao Han smiled at Chen Zihan.


    "I..." Chen Zihan bit her red lip, wiped the corner of her eye, and said, "I''m really happy for you!"


    "Really?" Xiao Han heard this and immediatelyughed: "I thought you would be upset that my scores surpassed yours!"


    "I wouldn''t!" Chen Zihan shook her head and said, "Xiao Han, I forgive you."


    "Thank you!" Xiao Han was deeply moved.


    In Chen Zihan''s eyes, there appeared aplex hue as she shyly nced at Xiao Han. Then she lowered her head andughed to herself.


    At that moment, Xiao Han stood up and said, "Jiang Xiaoliang, haven''t you forgotten your promise?"


    "What promise?" Jiang Xiaoliang panicked.


    "Move your seat up to the lecture podium on your own ord," Xiao Han said with a cold smile. "The whole ss knows about it. As the ss vice president, you wouldn''t renege on your word, would you?"

 Chapter 21 The Sweat of Effort

    "You!" Jiang Xiaoliang was seething with anger. He gritted his teeth and said, "Don''t go too far."


    "Then beat me in academics." Xiao Han nced at Jiang Xiaoliang and said, "A defeated soldier has no right to speak bravely. Move quickly, or I''ll get Li Dapang to help you!"


    "Who... who''s calling me!" Li Dapang sprang to his feet, his face filled with confusion and drool still hanging from the corner of his mouth.


    Ha ha...


    The whole ss burst intoughter.


    "Fine, you''re ruthless!" Jiang Xiaoliang gnashed his teeth and said, "I''ll move!"


    Having said that, Jiang Xiaoliang moved his desk towards the front of the ssroom, angrily. In the end, he ced his desk beside the tform, parallel to it.


    "I didn''t expect Xiao Han to be so handsome!"


    "Tsk tsk, so impressive, to think he managed to rank second in our age group. If only he could be my boyfriend."


    The girls in the back rows whispered quietly.


    "Dream on," Yang Xiaoyan snorted softly and said, "Guys like Xiao Han aren''t someone you can chase after."


    Yang Xiaoyan had more or less perceived the extraordinary rtionship between Chen Zihan and Xiao Han.


    "Alright, now let''s distribute the test papers!" Liu Jinmei smiled.


    She wholeheartedly weedpetition among the students in her ss. As for their bets, that was none of her concern. However, a man of his word cannot chase after the horses that have been unleashed.


    Test papers in hand, Xiao Han scored full marks. Chen Zihan got one hundred and forty-five points. She missed two multiple-choice questions.


    "Ah, how could I have gotten these wrong?" Chen Zihan tapped her forehead with her pen.


    "That''s because you were careless and rash." Xiao Hanughed and said, "Silly girl, those two questions involved two knowledge points. If you analyze it from this angle, you''ll quickly find that the initial data is misleading. The real core is located at the back..."


    Xiao Han seriously exined to Chen Zihan.


    Chen Zihan was somewhat stunned.


    "What''s the matter?" Xiao Han asked in confusion, "Didn''t you understand?"


    "No..." Chen Zihan shook her head and said, "I... I just realized your way of exining is very simr to that top-notch teacher from Hanmen."


    Xiao Han''s heart suddenly lurched.


    "Nonsense." Xiao Han hurriedly shook his head and said, "I''ve watched that teacher''s teaching videos. He is a nationally renowned top-notch teacher, a mysterious person, obviously an incredible teacher. I can''tpare to him!"


    Upon further reflection, Chen Zihan thought it made sense. If it was Hanmen''s top-notch teacher taking the test, he might have scored full marks.


    "Maybe I''m just overthinking." Chen Zihan giggled.


    Liu Jinmei began the lesson, and the students listened attentively.


    At lunch break, Xiao Han was about to sling his backpack over his shoulder and find Li Dapang.


    "Xiao Han,e to my office," Liu Jinmei collected the papers.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Chen Zihan nced at Xiao Han and whispered, "I''ll wait for you at the yground!"


    "Okay." Xiao Han smiled.


    Upon entering the office, many teachers were waiting for Xiao Han. Each of them looked at him with unusual gazes, as if assessing a rare animal. Liu Jinmei ced the test papers on the table.


    "Xiao Han, we''ve noticed you''re a particrly excellent student in this exam!" Liu Jinmei looked at Xiao Han earnestly and said, "Therefore, we teachers have high expectations for you. Do you understand?"


    "I..." Xiao Han said, feeling awkward, "Teacher, this exam result was just a fluke. Besides, I''ve practiced several of those questions on Huanggang''s mock exams. Maybe next time I won''t score as high."


    "No!" Liu Jinmei waved her hand and said, "I never believe high scores are a matter of luck. These days, you study day after day until two in the morning, and you''ve worn out more than ten pen nibs. These are results you''ve earned with sweat. So, there''s no need for modesty."


    "Teacher, I..." Xiao Han was at a loss for words.


    "Listen to me, work hard." Liu Jinmei spoke with solemn authority, "You are a very talented child. Your talent surpasses that of Chen Zihan and Jiang Xiaoliang. With college entrance exams looming, we, the teachers of your grade, hope you can secure the top science score in the province."


    "That... that''s too difficult, isn''t it?" Xiao Han wore an expression of difficulty, yet he felt calm inside.


    Although obtaining the top science score in the province seemed challenging, there was still more than half a year until the college entrance exams. Given time, Xiao Han was confident he could achieve it.


    "It''s not difficult." Liu Jinmei shook her head and said, "Your ability to rise to second ce in the grade within a month is already a testament to your talent, strength, and ir. Xiao Han, do you want to change your family''s circumstances? Do you want to alleviate the pressure on your mother? Do you want to fiercely retaliate against those who have insulted and attacked you?"


    "I!" The fire within Xiao Han was suddenly ignited.


    ```


    The poverty of his family background made Xiao Han even more aware of the hardships of life; his mother''s pressure and pain were constantly causing him anguish and struggle; as for those who bullied him, Xiao Han naturally wanted to give them a harsh p in the face.


    "That''s right," Liu Jinmei said with a smile, handing Xiao Han a card, "This is a library card from LJ City Library, it''s a gift from the teachers to you."


    "Thank you!" Xiao Han nodded hurriedly.


    "There''s more!" Liu Jinmei handed Xiao Han a kraft paper envelope, saying, "Here is three thousand yuan, also something the teachers pooled together as a gesture of our regard. Take it and buy books, test papers, study materials. We know your family''s situation, and that your mother is under great pressure... so, don''t refuse!"


    Nothing warms the heart more.


    Tears welled up in Xiao Han''s eyes on the spot. To be honest, Xiao Han wasn''t short on money right now, as the Hanmen Training ss had already brought in nearly a hundred thousand yuan for him. Moreover, Xiao Han didn''t ce much importance on money; he was not after this kind of material life, but rather the joy thates with sess.


    However, a library card and three thousand yuan were enough to show the expectations and hopes that Liu Jinmei and the others had for him.


    "Teacher Liu, thank you, thank all of you!" Holding the library card and kraft paper envelope, Xiao Han bowed deeply to all the teachers present.


    Teachers are great, teachers are glorious and majestic; each teacher is like a candle, burning themselves to light the way for others. Although Liu Jinmei was strict, even severe, her intentions were good; she hoped that every child could take the right path and step onto a brilliant road in life.


    "Silly child," the English teacher came over and said with a smile, "As long as you can achieve excellent results in the college entrance examination battle, we will bepletely satisfied."


    "I promise, I will try my hardest," Xiao Han looked earnestly at each teacher.


    "Good, go back now," the teachers said with a smile. "We believe you can do it!"


    ......


    After leaving the grade group office, Xiao Han felt a heavy weight on his heart.


    Actually, Liu Jinmei was the teacher Xiao Han hated and disliked the most. Because she used to find various ways and means to humiliate him, though it was tough love, she never showed any mercy. Now, he finally felt the motherly love from Liu Jinmei. This love was neither lighter nor less than that given by his mother.


    Therefore, Xiao Han felt very repressed all the way.


    On the sports field, most of the students had left.


    Chen Zihan was waiting for him on the sports field, pushing that pink Yamaha electric bike.


    Dressed in a sky-blue long skirt and a white T-shirt, with her hair tied in a ponytail, she was dazzlingly beautiful under the sunlight, like an exceptionally beautiful flower, attracting the nces and turned heads of passing students...


    Chen Zihan, the school beauty of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, was the goddess in the hearts of many men. Unfortunately, this flower was thorny. The pursuits of many boys were ruthlessly snuffed out by her. The mountain of love letters and flowers she received were unceremoniously tossed into the trash. As for choctes, they naturally went to Yang Xiaoyan and her group of girls to share.


    "Xiao Han, what''s wrong?" Chen Zihan noticed Xiao Han''s mood was off and asked urgently, "Did a teacher scold you? Are the teachers doubting your grades too?"


    Xiao Han''s eyes were red; he hurried over and hugged Chen Zihan tightly.


    "Ah!" Chen Zihan eximed.


    However, she quietly leaned against Xiao Han''s chest, her hands slowly wrapping around him. Her head gently rested on Xiao Han''s chest, where she could clearly hear the strong and steady beating of his heart.


    Chen Zihan was a girl with conservative inner feelings. With her personality, it would be impossible for her to hug and cuddle Xiao Han in school. But today, she clearly spotted something extraordinary about Xiao Han. She didn''t struggle or resist, but instead, involuntarily fell into her gentle trap.


    Fortunately, there weren''t many people on the sports field, or else it would have started a bloody storm.


    "The kids have grown up."


    "Yeah, nowadays kids are so precocious."


    Liu Jinmei and a few teachers stood on the fifth floor corridor, watching the embrace between Xiao Han and Chen Zihan.


    "Should we let them be like this?" the old physics teacher said with an angry expression on his face.


    "Elder Chen, we have to believe in the pure friendship between the kids!" Liu Jinmei said with a smile. "As long as it can help improve their study results, why should we interfere? Over-intervention might bring negative effects on them, don''t you think?"


    "I..." the old teacher furrowed his brow.


    "This time, Xiao Han''s results are there for all to see. As for Chen Zihan..." Liu Jinmei said with a smile, "Though her score has dropped, her ranking has increased."


    "Right, right, right!" Several teachers nodded in agreement.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Fine, we need to keep a close watch on their grades!" the old teacher said with a wave of his hand, walking away in annoyance, muttering, "This is corrupting public morals!"


    ......


    "Xiao Han, what''s wrong?" Chen Zihan held him.


    "It''s nothing, just let me hold you for a while!" Xiao Han said softly.


    And so, the two of them held each other, for a good few minutes, like a pair of inseparable lovers.


    Chen Zihan felt a bit shy inside, as this was her first time making such a bold and unrestrained move on campus. This was unimaginable for the former her. Yet, she did it, and she quietly leaned against Xiao Han''s arms.


    ```

 Chapter 022 Hanmens Rising Prestige

    After a long time, Xiao Han released Chen Zihan, and with a bitter smile, he said, "Zi Han, I''m sorry!"


    "It''s okay!" Chen Zihan, blushing, asked, "Are you all right?"


    "I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head.


    "d to hear it," Chen Zihan did not pry further, knowing if Xiao Han wanted to share, he would tell her naturally. Chen Zihan smiled, "Let me take you back."


    "Okay, I''ll take you!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Great!" Chen Zihan giggled.


    Xiao Han was riding the bike while Chen Zihan sat sideways on the back seat, her hands instinctively around Xiao Han''s waist. They moved quickly through the traffic. However, Xiao Han''s home was not far from Lin Hai First High School, and it only took a few minutes to reach by bike.


    Arriving at the entrance of Fuxing Community.


    "Here we are," Xiao Han got off the bike.


    "Then I''ll head back," Chen Zihan waved at Xiao Han, her stunning and delicate face capturing the attention of many passersby.


    "Right, take care on the road!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Watching Chen Zihan''s beautiful silhouette, Xiao Han felt somewhat emotional. Chen Zihan was no ordinary girl; living in a high-end area like Fulin Garden clearly indicated extraordinary family circumstances. Therefore, pursuing Chen Zihan would definitely not be easy.


    Marriage often demands equally matched social status. Xiao Han wanted to not just win over Chen Zihan but also possess her. To have her, he needed her family''s approval, which could be achieved by two means: first, equal family status; second, a sessful career.


    However, as of now, he met neither condition. Thus, Xiao Han knew he needed to work hard¡ªnot just in his studies, but in his career as well. The world values money. Without it, no matter how excellent one is, all talk amounts to nothing. Money proves one''s excellence; money demonstrates one''s sess.


    He returned home.


    His mother had prepared lunch.


    Mother Xiao, having learned of Xiao Han''s recent status from Liu Jinmei, knew that Xiao Han had been studying hard, especially since she had received a report on her son''s exam scores from Teacher Liu. Initially nervous, fearing a reprimand, she was surprised to learn from Liu Jinmei that Xiao Han had achieved second ce in his grade.


    Mother Xiao burst into tears and offered several incense sticks at the shrine.


    The lunch was veryvish, with braised chicken, steamed fish, and toothpick beef among the five or six dishes. As Xiao Han walked in, he was greeted by the delicious smell of the food. He bent down and immediately saw his favorite toothpick beef on the table.


    "Wow, toothpick beef." Xiao Han walked over excitedly and ate several pieces in one go.


    "Xiao Han,e here!" Suddenly, a stern voice called out.


    Xiao Han immediately trembled, seeing the serious face of his mother behind him. He had never seen her so stern. He was embarrassed; maybe it was because he had snuck some toothpick beef? But that didn''t make sense¡ªhis mother usually saved the best for him; why would today be any different?


    "Mom, I..." Xiao Han walked over, embarrassed.


    "Kneel!" Mother Xiao pointed to the shrine on one side with an incense burner, where a box belonged to Xiao Han''s father.


    Xiao Han quickly knelt down.


    "Xiao Han, you''ve grown up and be sensible," Mother Xiao looked affectionately at her husband and then said, "Today, Teacher Liu called to tell me about your recent condition, and I was relieved. Knowing you scored second ce in your grade, I knew my son had returned. Xiao Han, I want you to swear in front of your father that you will definitely get into college!"


    "Mom, you can count on me to get into college," Xiao Han said earnestly.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Good," Mother Xiao nodded and said, "No matter how poor or tired I am, I will make sure you go to college. Even if I have to sell blood, I will make sure youplete your college education."


    "Mom, I will work hard to earn money," Xiao Han clenched his teeth.


    "Silly boy,e eat!" Mother Xiao hurriedly said.


    Xiao Han was helped up, and with a table full of delicious food, he almost felt blissfully overwhelmed.


    Mother Xiao smiled warmly, supporting her chin with one hand while watching Xiao Han. Her eyes shimmered with hope. Xiao Han was her only son and her only hope. Previously, when Xiao Han was falling behind and even being bullied at school, she bore the hardship without giving up. Now, as Xiao Han had finally caught up, the hope in her heart seemed like a spark that could ignite a wildfire.


    "Mom, this is the three thousand yuan that Teacher Liu and the others rewarded me!" Xiao Han hurriedly took an envelope out of his backpack.


    "You keep it," Mother Xiao nced at Xiao Han and said, "Save this money for your college fees."


    "No way, I''ll earn the money for college myself." Xiao Han stuffed the envelope back to his mother and then said, "This money is for the household."


    Seeing that she couldn''t refuse, Mother Xiao carefully took it.


    After lunch, Mother Xiao cleaned up the dishes while Xiao Han went into his room.


    Back in his room, Xiao Hany down on his bed, his mind wholly focused on how to make money. Only by making money could he consider himself sessful. What good was academic excellence? From birth, all that one learns and does serves the purpose of making money. As long as one can earn money, what does poor academic performance matter?


    This world is driven by money; as long as you earn enough of it, you are seen as excellent and sessful in the eyes of others.


    Xiao Han thought for a long time but couldn''t find a suitable investment sector. After all, he only had tens of thousands of yuan. Trying to do something significant seemed a bit unreliable. Putting it in the bank to earn interest was alsopletely insufficient.


    Lying on the bed, he unwittingly fell asleep.


    By the time he woke up, it was already one forty in the afternoon. His ss would start at two PM.


    The afternoon ss was rtively easy; the English teacher was reviewing a practice exam paper.


    Since Xiao Han had scored full marks, he didn''t really listen attentively. Instead, he started preparing for his own lessons. Saturday wasing up, and he hadn''t finished preparing his lecture notes. Since he had started the Hanmen Training ss, he definitely needed to be responsible for those one hundred students.


    Xiao Han kept his head down and focused on his preparation.


    "Xiao Han, what are you writing?" Chen Zihan looked over curiously.


    "Oh... Nothing!" Xiao Han quickly shut his notebook, appearingposed on the surface but feeling quite flustered inside. He carefully said, "I got full marks in English, and I understood everything the teacher exined, so I decided to study physics. After all, physics is my weaker subject in the sciences."


    Although Chen Zihan was still curious, she had indeed seen Xiao Han working on physics problems.


    "Alright then." Chen Zihan nodded. "You should review well."


    Chen Zihan shed a sweet smile. Without knowing when it started, her feelings for Xiao Han had begun to change. This was a sentiment she had never experienced before. Previously, Chen Zihan was somewhat frustrated with Xiao Han, despite often helping him, it was only out of sympathy, out of heartache.


    Now, it was different. Her perception of Xiao Han seemed a little off. Especially her eyes that seemed reluctant to reject him and her shy demeanor, which filled Xiao Han with a thrilling secret joy. Being loved by Chen Zihan was something Xiao Han never dared to imagine. Of course, Xiao Han understood that all of this was predicated on his being a good person.


    If he wasn''t, Chen Zihan certainly wouldn''t have shown interest in him. This was an undeniable fact.


    The afternoon passed in a sh.


    ......


    Principal Li''s office.


    Li Hengzhong had been feeling a mix of joy and stress these past days. He appeared very helpless and troubled. This afternoon, highlighted by a visit from the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau, Director Liu, along with his colleagues, who hurriedly made their way to Li Hengzhong''s office.


    "Old Li, in this joint citywide mock test, your school''s performance was far ahead." Director Liu sat in Li Hengzhong''s office, with his colleagues seated on the sofa, their faces showing continuous pleasure.


    "Is that so?" Li Hengzhong smiled and said, "It''s all because the kids are hardworking."


    "No!" Liu Dajun shook his head, then said, "Yesterday, I had the staff at the Education Bureau do a data analysis and statistics. We discovered an issue."


    "What issue?" Li Hengzhong was slightly startled, his cigarette already half burnt.


    "The students who enrolled in the Hanmen Training ss have seen a general improvement in their scores!" Liu Dajun''s face turned serious. "There are one hundred students in the Hanmen Training ss, seventy of whom are from your school. Among them, sixty have improved their scores by ten to thirty pointspared to before..."


    "This..." Li Hengzhong was taken aback, hesitating briefly before saying hastily, "Could this be a coincidence?"


    "If it were one or two people, it might be a coincidence, but with sixty students improving, this is no ident." Liu Dajun shook his head and said, "Therefore, all of us at the Education Bureau believe that the Hanmen Training ss really has something special."


    Li Hengzhong waspletely bbergasted.


    As a national outstanding teacher who had won the national excellent teacher award three times, having devoted his life to education, he had never encountered such a situation. He could hardly believe that in just one month, one hundred students'' scores had improved. It was nothing short of a miracle.


    Suddenly, Li Hengzhong felt a strong desire to have a serious talk with this young man named Xiao Han.


    "So... what does Director Liu suggest?" Li Hengzhong asked, puzzled.


    "We at the Education Bureau have two suggestions," Director Liu quickly said, "First, to recruit him, letting him join the educational system; second, our education bureau will finance the expansion of his training institution. Such measures could allow more students in our city to improve their scores next year, thus enhancing our LJ city''s college enrollment rate.


    Additionally, as Linjiang No.1 Middle School and Linjiang No. 4 Middle School are key schools in LJ city, we must ensure the numbers for Tsinghua University and Peking University. This is the wish of the Municipal Committee and also of our department."

 Chapter 023 Show off

    Li Hengzhong was incredibly shaken.


    Indeed, in this city-wide joint exam, Linjiang No.1 Middle School had far outstripped the other schools. But he had never considered that this had anything to do with the Hanmen Training ss. Now that he thought about it, there were seventy students from Linjiang No.1 Middle School in the Hanmen Training ss.


    The improvement in those seventy students'' performance was almost single-handedly lifting the results of Linjiang No.1 Middle School significantly.


    Li Hengzhong held a cigarette in his hand, his gaze fixed on the window outside. The cigarette between his fingers had burned down to the stub, yet he had no reaction at all.


    "Principal Li, what do you mean?" Liu Dajun tentatively asked.


    "Director Liu, you could go find him yourself," Li Hengzhong replied.


    "That''s not..." Liu Dajun nced at Li Hengzhong awkwardly and said, "I''m not familiar with the person either. Besides, you''re the public face of the Hanmen Training ss, I believe you must be very familiar with him, otherwise..."


    "No!" Li Hengzhong quickly shook his head and said, "To be honest, I''m not really acquainted with that young man named Xiao Han."


    "Ah?" A group of officials from the Education Bureau were shocked.


    "It might be unbelievable when you hear this..." Li Hengzhong said with a bitter smile, recounting the events of the afternoon.


    Liu Dajun and the others felt as if they were listening to a fantastical tale.


    "So... Old Li, what do you mean?" Liu Dajun hastily asked.


    "First off, trying to win him over definitely won''t work," Li Hengzhong analyzed seriously, "Even if he''s a staff teacher, how much does one earn a month? The guy is making one hundred thousand a month. Plus, the Hanmen Training ss already has one hundred students, but apparently, he''s the only teacher. If we expand blindly, it might actually harm these one hundred students'' studies.


    In my opinion, we might as well just watch and wait. Additionally, the Education Bureau should issue him an official certification."


    "Right, right, right!" Liu Dajun nodded eagerly.


    As the vice director of the Education Bureau and someone passionate about LJ city''s educational endeavors, Liu Dajun believed that as long as Xiao Han''s strength could improve LJ city''s college entrance rate and guarantee the number of students epted into Tsinghua University and Peking University, any matter would get the green light.


    After returning, Liu Dajun immediately instructed his staff to issue a certification to the Hanmen Training ss.


    Liu Dajun and the others discussed for a good while in Li Hengzhong''s office before leaving.


    After Liu Dajun and his party left, Li Hengzhong sat alone in the office, motionless. He couldn''t fathom how one person, one podium, could improve so many students'' performance. Just how capable was Xiao Han?


    ......


    After school.


    The school entrance was packed with people, and bursts of exmations could be heard from the crowd.


    Xiao Han, curious, made his way over. He saw Li Dapang straddling a brand-new motorcycle. It was an off-road bike, white with streaks of red and green, looking extremely cool and shy.


    "Wow, that''s a really cool motorcycle."


    "That bike is expensive, seems to cost over eight thousand. It''s got a lot of power, they say it''s even four-cylinder."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "I so want to get one too!"


    Admiring voices came from the crowd of onlookers.


    Li Dapang, with a cigarette stuck in his mouth, sat on the motorcycle, showing off an air of disdain. Li Dapang quickly noticed Xiao Han in the crowd and called out eagerly, "Xiao Han..."


    "You got yourself such a cool motorcycle?" Xiao Han was surprised.


    "Hehe..." Li Dapang said proudly, "Yeah, it cost over eight thousand three hundred. It''s really fast when it gets going."


    "Quite the piece," Xiao Han walked over and gently touched the motorcycle, which was new and still had its license te, indeed very stylish and fitting the aesthetic of young people. It was much cooler than those Lingyang, Wuyang, Qianjiang motorcycles. This bike might not be a big brand, but what appealed to young people was coolness ¨C the pursuit of speed and passion.


    Just as Li Dapang was basking in glory, suddenly, a piercing voice rang out, "Li Dapang, what are you doing here!"


    Li Dapang was startled and turned to look, only to find Liu Jinmei staring at him from a distance, her face dark with anger.


    "Xiao Han, hurry, get on," Li Dapang urged as he jumped on.


    Xiao Han, seeing the situation, quickly mounted the bike as well. Li Dapang started the ignition and took off. The roaring sound of the motorcycle seemed to be taunting Liu Jinmei.


    "Damn you, don''t run," Liu Jinmei shouted, "Come to my office!"


    Li Dapang couldn''t be bothered with Liu Jinmei, and in a puff of smoke, he was gone without a trace. The monster that could reach a top speed of up to two hundred miles per hour disappeared in seconds.


    Li Dapang sped away with Xiao Han in tow.


    "Haha... That old witch actually thinks she can catch up with me!" Li Dapang eximed excitedly, "No chance!"


    Xiao Han sat behind on the motorcycle, letting the warm wind hit his body, his eyes closed, savoring this exhrating life, this rebel lifestyle. Li Dapang rode the motorcycle to Beihu Park in Wangjiang District.


    After discarding the motorcycle by the roadside, the two stretched out on the grass by theke.


    "Xiao Han, how about it, isn''t it thrilling?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Awesome!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Why don''t you buy one too?" Li Dapang hurriedly suggested.


    "Forget it," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Our business is just starting; this is when we need to spend money. I can''t waste it."


    "Er¡­" Li Dapang was taken aback; he looked guilty and said, "Xiao Han, then I¡­"


    "You should have it," Xiao Han consoled him. "After all, you need to travel a lot, and your home is also so far from the school. It''s not convenient without a motorcycle."


    "Hehe¡­" Li Dapang chuckled and said, "Xiao Han, you are my good brother!"


    "Your score in this simtion test is still 301 points though, no one''speting with you for thest ce anymore," Xiao Han joked.


    "Seeing you take first ce, I''m fucking happier than anyone!" Li Dapang excitedly sat up, looking at Xiao Han with a face full of enthusiasm and said, "You didn''t see Jiang Xiaoliang''s expression. When Liu Jinmei announced your score, his eyeballs nearly fell out, hahaha¡­"


    Xiao Han chuckled; he didn''t seem to take these things to heart.


    This young man seemed to have put all his efforts not into the school or his studies, but into his future life. This eighteen-year-old had his sights set on the future, on his own life.


    While everyone in his grade was striving to improve their scores, this handsome and stylish young man was already contemting how to create his own business. How could he use his first pot of gold earned in life to amass even greater wealth?


    "Our training ss is a big sess, Xiao Han!" Li Dapang said excitedly, "Have you thought about expanding enrollment or opening branches?"


    "Why do you say that?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "These past few days, a lot of people have been queuing up outside the training ss to sign up!" Li Dapang said helplessly, "It''s just a pity we have a limit on the number of students, and it seems no one''s dropping out this month. What to do¡­"


    "It''s fine, we must ensure teaching quality," Xiao Han replied, "We absolutely can''t seek a dead end just to make money. Neither expanding enrollment nor opening branches is an option. We''ll stick to the standard of one hundred people, one turnip, one hole. As one leaves, we''ll recruit another."


    "No one wants to leave," Li Dapang said with a wry smile.


    "Then we''ll maintain the original team," replied Xiao Han.


    "Okay!" Li Dapang nodded.


    After chatting for a while, Li Dapang suddenly asked, "Xiao Han, what do you think about Yang Xiaoyan?"


    "Her?" Xiao Han was stunned and asked, "What about her?"


    "Nothing much." Li Dapang''s face turned red, and he smiled sheepishly.


    "You¡­ you''re not falling for her, are you?" Xiao Han teased with a sly smile.


    "Hey, don''t be absurd," Li Dapang quickly shook his head and said, "I was just asking. Do you think she''ll agree if I pursue her?"


    "Haha¡­" Xiao Han couldn''t help butugh, "If you like her, just go and chase her. I should''ve known; you got yourself this cool motorcycle, all for the sake of impressing girls."


    "That''s not it," Li Dapang became anxious.


    "Actually, it''s nothing, if you like her, then boldly go after her," Xiao Han encouraged, "Even if you fail, so what? Who hasn''t had a first love?"


    "Good brother, your words are enough for me," Li Dapang said, suddenly ted.


    ......


    Chen Jun was a member of the Hanmen Training ss and a student of Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s senior ss one. He had average grades, but after a month of sses at the Hanmen Training ss, Chen Jun''s scores had significantly improved, especially in the sciences. In this citywide joint exam, he scored a good 540 points.


    During the first mock exam, he had only scored 490 points, which at best would have granted him a second-tier university eptance. However, this improvement gave Chen Jun hope for a first-tier university and his family saw hope as well.


    "Mom, I''m back," Chen Jun entered his home excitedly after school.


    Once inside, however, he felt something was off. The house was eerily quiet. His father sat on the worn sofa smoking, while his mother sat alone on a small stool. Both of them had somber expressions.


    Chen Jun slowed his pace, feeling nervous. Had he done something wrong?


    "Dad, Mom, I¡­" Chen Jun walked in.


    "Xiao Jun, sit down," his mother looked up at Chen Jun, her eyes slightly reddened.


    "Mom, what''s going on?" Chen Jun anxiously asked.


    "It''s nothing," his mother shook her head, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief.


    Chen Jun''s father then spoke up, "Xiao Jun, aren''t you due to pay the tuition for the Hanmen Training ss the day after tomorrow?"


    "Yes!" Chen Jun nodded and replied, "I''ll pay it during ss."


    "Good!" his father gritted his teeth and pulled out a thousand yuan from his pocket, handing it to Chen Jun, "Take this and pay the tuition fee the day after tomorrow."


    "Have you gone mad?!" his mother looked at Chen Jun''s father incredulously and said, "You want to lose your job?"

 Chapter 024 Home Visit

    "We don''t need it then," Chen Jun''s father said through gritted teeth.


    Chen Jun panicked, "Mom and Dad, what the hell happened?"


    "Xiao Jun, today... Director Liu came to our house," his mother said, wiping away tears and with a helpless look on her face, "He... he wants his son to join the Hanmen Training ss."


    "So... he wants me to drop out?" Chen Jun said incredulously.


    "Yes!" his mother choked up and continued, "You know, Director Liu is your dad''s direct boss. He manages the entiremunity''s work. If your dad doesn''t please him, I''m afraid... your dad might lose his job!"


    Upon hearing this, Chen Jun immediately fell silent.


    "Son, don''t worry," Chen Jun''s father said clenching his teeth, "Even if I lose my job, I will make sure you get into a top university. A friend at the Education Bureau told me the Hanmen Training ss is indeed good, this time out of one hundred students, eighty percent improved their scores. Seeing your grades improve so much made me really happy, and proud.


    Son, I''m getting old, and the future depends on you. I can''t ruin your prospects."


    "Dad..." After hearing this, Chen Jun was incredibly moved. He gently ced the thousand yuan he had in his hand on the table and then said, "I''ll still quit the Hanmen Training ss. I can''t let you lose your job because of me."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "No way," Chen Jun''s father immediately shook his head and said, "I can''t let you drop out of the Hanmen Training ss. You are our family''s hope. In next year''s college entrance exam, you must get into a top university. As long as you get into a top university, what does it matter if I lose my job? If not here, I can find work elsewhere. If this ce won''t keep me, another ce will."


    "Dad," Chen Jun said with a wry smile on his face, "You''ve worked within the system all your life, suddenly working for a privatepany... You won''t befortable, and you won''t adapt. Besides, you have good benefits and treatment here, it won''t be as good anywhere else."


    "No matter what, I have made up my mind about this," Chen Jun''s father asserted with conviction.


    Chen Jun''s father was a worker, having taken over the position from Chen Jun''s grandfather. After the enterprise reformed, he identally became a section chief and entered the office. He then worked within the system for most of his life. He was honest and dutiful.


    Lacking a background and connections, he spent most of his life as a section chief, with promotions within the unit being none of his concern. Moreover, he was often thest in line for the unit''s benefits. However, he neverined, working diligently and bearing all burdens.


    Now, Director Liu, for the sake of his own son''s education, actually took the initiative toe knocking.


    Director Liu''s son was also a fair student, with academic performance simr to Liu Jun''s. Hovering around 450 to 460 points overall, even getting into a Tier-2 college would be quite difficult. Initially, Director Liu sneered at the Hanmen Training ss and never believed in these so-called extracurricr training institutions.


    But seeing the significant improvement in Liu Jun''s grades made him a believer instantly.


    However, the Hanmen Training ss only epts a hundred students. Especially after seeing Liu Jun''s grades dramatically improve, he was eager, wishing he could stuff his son into the Hanmen Training ss right away. Unfortunately, after trying several connections and failing to make them work, he had no choice but to set his sights on Chen Jun.


    "Dad, are you really not afraid of unemployment?" Chen Jun asked.


    "I''m scared!" Chen Jun''s fatherughed and said, "But, I''m even more afraid that my son won''t get into a top university."


    "Dad, I will definitely get into a top university," Chen Jun''s eyes brimmed with tears.


    "Good son!" Chen Jun''s father patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "I believe you can do it."


    Under the light, the father and son had a heart-to-heart talk.


    Xiao Han would never have imagined that the Hanmen Training ss he started would lead to so much trouble, even triggering a minor whirlwind. It made an office director use his power to pressure a section chief.


    ............


    In an aging neighborhood in the XC District, numerous cars were parked at the entrance.


    One after another, people headed inside. Some carried gifts, while others inquired around the neighborhood for information.


    "Ma''am, do you know where Li Dapang''s home is?" a middle-aged, well-dressed woman asked a grandmother cooling off at the gate, holding a gift box in her hand.


    "Oh, you''re also here for Big Fatty, aren''t you?" The elderly woman smiled and then, pointing at the group ahead, said, "Just follow them. They''re looking for Big Fatty too. You can''t go wrong following them!"


    Hearing this, the well-dressed woman quickly thanked her and hurried after the group with her gift box.


    The onlookers at the entrance curiously watched these ''distinguished'' visitors from the city center. Many luxury cars, even BMWs and Audis, were parked both inside and outside the neighborhood. These cars might not be very high-end in other ces, but to the residents of this old XC District neighborhood, BMWs and Audis were luxurious.


    "What''s going on? Why are they all looking for Li Dapang?"


    "Who knows? Maybe he''s in some kind of trouble?"


    "Impossible. Didn''t you see how polite they are, each one carrying gifts? If you didn''t know any better, you''d think Li Dapang had be an official!"


    "Indeed!"


    At the entrance of the neighborhood, many residents who were enjoying the cool air appeared very curious and puzzled. In their memory, only families of officials would have so many people bringing gifts and politely visiting. However, Li Dapang was just a kid from an ordinary family with modest circumstances.


    The surrounding neighbors all seemed bewildered as one after another, people continued to visit.


    At this moment, Li Dapang''s home was already packed with people.


    Li Dapang''s mother was disabled and unable to entertain the guests. By a little after four in the afternoon, guests had been steadily arriving, and seeing so many well-dressed, wealthy-looking people bringing gifts and specifically asking for Li Dapang by name, Mother Li was somewhat taken aback. In a flurry, she immediately phoned Father Li.


    Li Dapang''s father was a carpenter, who was installing a ceiling at someone else''s house when he got the call. He hurried home to take care of receiving the guests.


    Li Guoan was an honest and dependable man, who had learned carpentry from an early age, practicing the trade for decades with expert skill. His mind was sharp, but he simply couldn''t understand why so many people were flocking to his home to find Li Dapang.


    "Please be patient, everyone. Dapang should be back any moment now," said Li Guoan, looking somewhat embarrassed. With so many people suddenly in his home, and carrying so many expensive gifts, he was at a loss as to what to do. He could only warmly entertain these guests.


    "No problem, no problem, we can wait a little longer," said the people sitting on the couch one after another.


    "I''m sorry, really sorry," said Li Guoan as he quickly asked, "May I know...what business you have with our Dapang?"


    "That is..." one of the people on the sofa was about to speak, when at that moment, someone standing by the door said with a smile, "Let''s wait for Teacher Li toe back and talk about it."


    Unnoticed, Li Dapang''s title had changed, directly from Li Dapang to Teacher Li. This added to Li Guoan''s confusion and bewilderment. At the very least, the title of "Teacher" should belong to someone with knowledge, experience, or education. Li Dapang hadn''t studied hard since he was a child, and his recent mock exam scores were merely 301 points.


    Besides, Li Dapang was only neen years old; he was hardly eligible for the title of "Teacher."


    Li Guoan became even more anxious.


    Fortunately, at this time Li Dapang rode in on his newly purchased, cool-looking motorcycle.


    An elderlydy rxing at the neighborhood entranceughed, "Dapang, you have guests at home, hurry and check."


    "What?" Li Dapang was startled and asked, "Who is it?"


    "Quite a few!" the elderly woman motioned with her hand.


    Li Dapang quickly ditched his motorcycle and ran towards his home.


    "Teacher Li is here," someone in the corridor shouted, causing a stir.


    Whoosh...


    All eyes were on Li Dapang. Li Dapang was a robust and heftyd. In fact, many people had never seen him before and in their minds, someone referred to as Teacher Li should be a person with a schrly appearance, gentle and refined.


    But where was there even a hint of schrly appearance or genteel refinement in the person before them?


    "What are you all doing here?" Li Dapang was immediately dumbstruck. He had never seen such a scene before and was somewhat slow to react.


    "Teacher Li, the fact is," started ady of status from the sofa, "my son wants to join Hanmen Training ss, so we hope you can make an exception. You see..."


    As she spoke, thedy hastily stuffed an expensive gift into Li Dapang''s hands.


    "Right, Teacher Li, we are here for the same reason," chirped in other people, and the whole corridor grew lively.


    Li Dapang was utterly stunned.


    As a crowd swarmed in, Li Guoan stepped forward to intervene. It seemed like the Li family''s doorway could almost be broken down, as dozens upon dozens of people tried to squeeze into the Li household, eager to personally hand their gifts over to Li Dapang.


    These were Chinese parents determined for their children to achieve high scores, humbling themselves anding to the Li family, sparing no pains.


    "Everybody stop!" shouted Li Dapang urgently.


    Immediately, there was silence.


    "Teacher Li, please consider..." thedy closest to Li Dapang begged with a desperate expression.


    "Enough, everyone, enough," Li Dapang hurriedly said, "I''m just a worker, so please don''t make it hard for me. Hanmen Training ss has its own rules and systems. This isn''t something I can change."


    "Then please just say a word to the person in charge for us," pleaded the group of parents.


    They were unable to contact Hanmen''s director; their only option was to seek Li Dapang''s help. With the citywide joint examination resultsing out, some influential people with status had obtained information from the Education Bureau, learning that over eighty percent of students from the Hanmen Training ss had improved their scores. This news spread like wildfire throughout LJ city.


    Word of mouth grew and so did the urgency of protective parents who regretted not having enrolled their children at the first opportunity. Therefore, they sought any possible means, including using back doors and pulling strings, to get in.

 Chapter 025 Seeking a Favor

    ```


    "Alright, alright, I''ll try my best," Li Dapang knew that if he didn''t give the parents a satisfactory answer, they wouldn''t leave. Thus, Li Dapang had no choice but to step back and pretend to agree.


    "Great, thank you, Teacher Li," a group of parents thanked him in unison.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Now, let''s not disturb Teacher Li anymore." After receiving satisfactory responses, the parents put down their gifts and left the Li house.


    "Hey... take the stuff, take all the stuff away," Li Dapang was anxious.


    However, the group of parents quickly left the scene, and no one was willing to take their gifts back. After all, Chinese people value face, and once given, how could things be taken back? Wouldn''t that be telling others that their own affairs were hopeless?


    Watching the group of parents leave, Li Dapang also had a face of helplessness.


    "Big Fatty, look..." Li Guoan looked at the living room full of gifts. There were all sorts, expensive and cheap. Li Dapang had no idea who had given what. He could only stand there stupefied, saying helplessly, "Dad, don''t ask me, I don''t know either."


    "Uh..." Li Guoan was stunned.


    And just after this group had left.


    Li Guoan''s sister brought her nephew to the Li house.


    "Big brother." The woman wore a beaming smile, carrying a box of Jinluo ham and cheerfully said, "There have been quite a few guests at home, huh?"


    "Certainly have," Li Guoan replied with a bitter smile. "They just left."


    "What was this... about?" The sister asked with augh. "Could it be they came to arrange a blind date for Big Fatty?"


    "Nonsense," Li Guoan shook his head. "They were all here to ask Big Fatty for favors."


    "What favors?" The woman asked, looking wary.


    "What else?" Li Guoan said with a gloomy face. "Big Fatty has been working part-time at Hanmen, hasn''t he? Somehow these people got wind of it and showed up. They wanted to ask Big Fatty for a favor, to get their kids into Hanmen."


    "And... did he agree?" The woman asked.


    "No way!" Li Guoan immediately shook his head. "Big Fatty doesn''t have that kind of power."


    "That..." The woman was slightly taken aback.


    "Sister,e in and sit," Li Guoan quickly invited her in.


    The woman, leading her child, entered the house. Big Fatty was called out from his room, and he immediately spotted his aunt and cousin.


    "Big Fatty." The woman waved at Li Dapang urgently, saying, "Kid, you''re doing well for yourself now, just look at all these gifts in the room. Tsk, tsk, so many people trying to curry your favor."


    "Auntie, listen to yourself," Li Dapang said, his face betraying his helplessness. "I''m about to have a headache because of them."


    "What''s the matter?" The woman asked curiously. "Don''t you like it?"


    "I can''t help them," Li Dapang said with a wry smile.


    "It doesn''t matter if you can''t help them," the woman''s eyes revealed a gleam of a smile, saying, "But you have to help your own aunt, right? I''vee to you for this reason too. Your cousin''s schoolwork isn''t bad; in the recent citywide joint exams, he scored 500 points, still a distance from the first-tier college line.


    I want him to get into the Hanmen Training ss, hoping that next year''s college entrance examination will bring his score up to 600. That way, he can meet the admission score for first-tier colleges."


    "This..." Li Dapang immediately felt dumbfounded.


    "Big Fatty, you wouldn''t refuse to help your aunt, would you?" The woman looked troubled, herplexion falling. "You were brought up by your aunt since you were little. You and Qiuping grew up together, as close as brothers. Now that your brother is in a bind, surely you can''t refuse to help?"


    "I¡­," Li Dapang was even more troubled.


    Seeing his own aunt using the seniority card to pressurize him, Li Dapang felt even more flustered. He was unsure of what to do.


    "Big Fatty, if you can help, then please do," Li Guoan said earnestly. "Auntie has helped our family a lot, hasn''t she?"


    "Dad, I¡­" Li Dapang was at a loss and after a long thought, he clenched his teeth and said, "Fine, I''ll try. But if it really doesn''t work out, don''t me me."


    "That''s settled, then," the aunt immediately smiled.


    "That''s right," Li Guoanughed. "Sister, stay for dinner tonight."


    "Alright, alright." Everything feels better when you''re in a good mood, and the woman readily agreed.


    This, however, made Li Dapang suffer.


    But at this moment, Li Dapang finally understood why Xiao Han wore a mask during his sses. There was a time when he couldn''t fathom it, but now it suddenly dawned on him. He regretted not having worn a mask himself, so he wouldn''t have to deal with all these troubles today.


    ¡­


    Jiang Xiaoliang was very annoyed.


    He had never expected Xiao Han''s grades to improve so dramatically. He felt despondent and baffled.


    "Xiaoliang, don''t be too upset," a boy beside him said with a smile. "Maybe it''s just Xiao Han''s luck this time."


    "Luck?" Jiang Xiaoliang said angrily. "If it''s that easy, try getting first in the ss and second in the grade with sheer luck. A score of over 700 points, my God! What on earth is going on with Xiao Han? It''s like he''s apletely different person."


    ```


    "Right, I think so too," another boy hurriedly said: "This guy is really serious in ss now, and he''s even taking notes. It''s said that he studies until after two in the morning every day. Do you think he''s had a change of heart?"


    "It''s really bizarre!" Jiang Xiaoliang frowned and said, "How did he suddenly be so diligent?"


    "He''s even more impressive than when you were at the Hanmen Training ss," the boyughed.


    "Yeah!" Jiang Xiaoliang frowned and said, "I''ve been training at Hanmen for so long, and my grades have improved so much. This kid hasn''t attended Hanmen, yet his grades are also good, that''s not reasonable."


    The more Jiang Xiaoliang thought about it, the angrier he became.


    "By the way, I seem to have heard that Chen Zihan is helping Xiao Han with his studies." Suddenly, a boy spoke up: "Chen Zihan teaches Xiao Han what she learned in Hanmen. Do you think it has anything to do with Brother?"


    "Really?" Jiang Xiaoliang was suddenly enlightened upon hearing this.


    "Of course it''s true!" A boy beside him hurriedly said: "I''ve seen it several times, and once I even saw Chen Zihan going to Xiao Han''s house to tutor him."


    "Damn it!" Jiang Xiaoliang became furious upon hearing this.


    "Xiaoliang, Chen Zihan is getting more and more distant from you."


    "Yeah, you have to think of a way, or else such a beautiful girl like Chen Zihan could run off with Xiao Han, and that would be a big loss."


    A few boys bantered back and forth, stirring up even more fire in Jiang Xiaoliang.


    "Do you guys have any ideas?" Jiang Xiaoliang originally wanted to explode in anger, but after some thought, he felt that getting angry wouldn''t benefit him and would only make him seem ipetent. So, after a long thought, Jiang Xiaoliang decided to start with Xiao Han.


    "This..." The voices of the others halted abruptly.


    "I have always been generous to you guys, haven''t I?" Jiang Xiaoliang nced at them and said: "At times like this, you should help mee up with some ideas."


    After some thought, one of them said: "I would say, just find a few guys to give Xiao Han a lesson."


    "Right, make him keep his distance from Chen Zihan." The others nodded one after another, saying: "Xiao Han is a coward and is easily scared, he will definitelyply."


    Jiang Xiaoliang pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Hmm, that does make some sense."


    "So..." The boys looked at Jiang Xiaoliang curiously.


    "I''ll contact a few people from the third middle schoolter on," Jiang Xiaoliang gritted his teeth and said: "Damn it, I''ll make Xiao Han learn what happens when he crosses me."


    "Alright!" The boys nodded in agreement.


    Xiao Han was utterly unaware that his remarkable academic improvement had brought him unnecessary trouble.


    ......


    Yanzi Mountain Trade Market.


    This was Brother Bao''s territory. Every stall and shop in the trade market was under his contract. He could collect tens of thousands in rent each month. Of course, this amount of money was nothing for Brother Bao, his real ie came from the gambling den hidden behind the main building. Moreover, there was a police station on the first floor. The secrecy was unmatched by any other.


    As they say, the most dangerous ce is the safest.


    "Lao Zhu, how is Xiao Han doing recently?" Brother Bao sat in his office, dressed in a ck leather jacket, fiddling with a dagger in his hand.


    "Brother Bao, this kid has been doing welltely," the man beside him hurried over and said: "It''s said that in the recent city-wide joint exam, this kid scored second ce in the whole grade. More than seven hundred points, enough to meet the admission scores for Tsinghua and Peking University."


    "Whoa!" Brother Baoughed when he heard this: "This kid is really living up to expectations."


    "Big Brother, how did Xiao Han suddenly change his ways?" Lao Zhu asked curiously: "In one month, he went from being thest in ss to being the first. That record, I guess no one could break it, right?"


    "Haha..." Brother Baoughed upon hearing this: "Didn''t you see whose son he is!"


    "Who?" Lao Zhu asked curiously.


    "He is..." Brother Bao''s lips curved into a smug smile, then suddenly, his tone shifted, and his face grew cold: "You better not ask what you shouldn''t."


    Lao Zhu shivered at his words.


    "Big Brother, I... I made a mistake!" Lao Zhu quickly bowed his head.


    "Enough," Brother Bao waved his hand and said: "Jianghu might get a bit unsettled recently, keep a tight watch for me."


    "Yes!" Lao Zhu hurriedly nodded.


    Lao Zhu left the office. Brother Bao sat alone on the sofa, and after a long while, he put away his disdainful smile, turned around, and walked towards the deity altar in his office. He lit three sticks of incense with the utmost respect, and then seriously inserted the three sticks in the censer.


    "Big Brother, we will definitely avenge your grudge," Brother Bao said earnestly: "Xiao Han has grown up, and this kid seems to have changed a lot. Sooner orter, we will expose the hands behind the scenes and give you justice."


    ......


    Hanmen Training ss.


    This was the first tutorial ss after the city-wide joint exam.

 Chapter 026 A Bunch of Madmen

    The ssroom''s entrance was already crowded with dozens of media reporters as Li Hengzhong rushed to the Hanmen Training ss early in the morning, nning to talk personally with Xiao Han. Even more, over a hundred parents surrounded the entrance of the Hanmen Training ss, and inside the ssroom, a hundred students neatly sat, their expressions rxed yet filled with anticipation.


    They felt they were the lucky ones, for if they had been just a step slower before, they might have ended up like those outside, unable to set foot inside this ssroom.


    They were grateful and happy.


    "Look at those people, still hoping to get into the ssroom." Jiang Xiaoliang said disdainfully.


    "Exactly." Another boy grinned, "Now it''s toote, haha..."


    In the ssroom, these na?ve children seemed a bit too pleased with themselves.


    At the ssroom doorway, two men in security uniforms stood guard, not allowing anyone near. Big Fatty Li no longer wanted to attract public attention; he had grown thoroughly weary of the pestering he''d facedtely. He hid behind the crowd, silently smoking a cigarette by himself.


    Everyone waited patiently.


    Just as everyone craned their necks in anticipation, Xiao Han, wearing a mask, entered the ssroom through the back door.


    "Here hees, he''s here!" the crowd yelled out, turning the scene somewhat chaotic.


    Media reporters and a group of parents crowded around, the reporters trying to seize the opportunity to interview this mysterious teacher while the parents were eager to talk to him, hoping to get their children into the Hanmen Training ss. The scene was momentarily in disarray.


    At that moment, Big Fatty Li quickly rushed forward and immediately blocked the back door.


    The two security guards at the front door also promptly sealed it off.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," the security guard hastily said, "it''s time for the Hanmen ss to start. If you have any questions, please wait until after ss or find our person in charge at another time."


    A sly smile curled at the corners of Big Fatty Li''s mouth.


    The crowd gradually quieted down as Xiao Han, mask on, slowly walked up to the podium. Beneath the podium, over a hundred students sat quietly and neatly in the ssroom. Each one''s eyes filled with admiration and reverence.


    After the recent city-wide joint exam, all the students greatly admired this mysterious teacher. He had singrly improved the scores of eighty percent of the students present, an impossible feat for any school or educational institution.


    "After this city-wide joint exam, I am very pleased with your results," Xiao Han smiled and then continued, "But, we must not be arrogant. We must push against the current or risk falling behind. We need to keep improving ourselves. Alright, let''s continue with the content we discussedst time..."


    As Xiao Han became more familiar with the students, his teaching style grew more natural, witty, and humorous, asionally interacting with the students in the room.


    And these teenagers, in the midst of their formative years, were deeply curious about this mysterious teacher.


    After the morning session was over,


    "Teacher, can you let us see what you look like?" suddenly, a girl stood up.


    "Yeah, let us see what you look like!" many students chimed in.


    Chen Zihan was sitting in the second row, also curiously staring at Xiao Han, wondering what kind of face and what kind of persony behind that mask. Handsome and charming? Mysteriously concealing? Or disfigured?


    Many were curious about the face of this mysterious teacher, and they would often discuss privately what he might look like, but no one had ever made such a request before.


    Now, someone finally voiced the curiosity that everyone felt, getting all the students excited.


    "Want to know?" Xiao Han''s lips slightly curled up.


    After bing acquainted with them, Xiao Han had fully embraced his role as a teacher, shedding his initial shyness and nervousness. He even inwardly viewed himself as their teacher, the mentor of a hundred students present. Xiao Han leaned on the podium with one hand, shing a handsome smile.


    "We do!" the crowd shouted at the top of their lungs.


    "Sorry, you can''t!" Xiao Han''s smile abruptly ceased, and he coldly picked up the lecture notes, swiftly leaving through the back door.


    But by then, the back door was already swarmed with media reporters and parents. Big Fatty Li approached asking, "What should we do?"


    "Let''s squeeze through!" Xiao Han gestured with his hand.


    "Okay!" Big Fatty Li then said, "I''ll clear the way in front, just follow me."


    With that, Big Fatty Li opened the door. At the doorway, over a hundred parents blocked the path, their eyes eager, their expressions excited, each with their own plea ¡ª to get their child into the Hanmen Training ss.


    "Make way!" Big Fatty Li used his robust body to carve a path through the crowd, with Xiao Han walking out head down, one hand on Big Fatty Li''s shoulder.


    Li Hengzhong also hurried after them.


    Big Fatty Li and Xiao Han moved quickly, swiftly descending from the upper floors. After reaching downstairs, they ran all the way and found a corner to hide.


    Puffing...


    Li Dapang exhaled a cloud of murky air and then said, "Damn, these madmen."


    "Don''t say that," Xiao Hanughed. "These are the parents, Chinese-style education, which breaks their hearts. They do it all for the sake of their children."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "That''s true," Li Dapang nodded, saying, "What are you going to do if theye to block the door every day?"


    "They won''t," Xiao Han shook his head, "The storm will pass quickly."


    "Sigh..." Li Dapang sighed and shook his head, saying, "Damn, these past few days, I''ve nearly gone crazy. So many people went to my house to ask for a back door connection. Even my rtives and those distant rtives I barely know showed up..."


    "Haha..." Xiao Han burst into loudughter.


    Li Dapang red at Xiao Han irritably, saying, "You heartless guy. I''m almost annoyed to death, and you''reughing at me."


    While they were speaking, suddenly, a figure appeared in front of them.


    "Li... Principal Li!" Li Dapang, cigarette in hand, immediately became nervous.


    "Xiao Han!" Li Hengzhongpletely ignored Li Dapang and fixed his gaze on Xiao Han. At that moment, Xiao Han was leaning against a wall, his arms cradling textbooks, covered in chalk dust. Seeing Li Hengzhong, Xiao Han''s expression slightly changed. He hurriedly stood straight and said, "Principal Li, you..."


    Li Dapang nced at the two and quickly said, "I... I''ve got something else, I''ll go first. You guys talk!"


    After saying that, Li Dapang ran off. Despite weighing around 180 pounds, he ran like the wind.


    Watching Li Dapang''s figure, Xiao Han couldn''t help but curse, "Damn fatty!"


    "It wasn''t easy to find you!" Li Hengzhong, dressed in a crisp white shirt, suit pants, and ck leather shoes, sses perched on his nose, looked lively and energetic.


    "What do you need me for, Principal Li?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    Over the past month, Xiao Han had experienced many aspects of life''s warmth and coldness and had tasted its myriad vors. His heart had matured, and even chatting with Li Hengzhong, he no longer felt the initial nervousness and reserve. He habitually spoke to Li Hengzhong in an adult tone, especially wearing such a "mask," it seemed to hide his greenness and naivety.


    "Let''s find a ce to talk in detail," Li Hengzhong smiled, "How about a coffee shop?"


    Xiao Han hesitated for a moment, then quickly agreed, "Okay!"


    "Come on, my car is parked on the roadside!" Li Hengzhong chuckled.


    Principal Li truly admired talents like Xiao Han. This time, the citywide joint exam had indeed greatly improved the students'' performances at the Hanmen Training ss, making Li Hengzhong very curious about Xiao Han, wanting to understand what sort of person could have such ability.


    ck Volkswagen Passat.


    Li Hengzhong drove himself, with Xiao Han in the passenger seat.


    The Passat was quite spacious, with ample space in both the front and back seats. The moment he settled into the sedan, Xiao Han suddenly felt an impulse, a wild desire to own a car.


    As someone not well-versed in cars, the moment Xiao Han entered the Passat, he was captivated by it. Of course, before driving, one must learn and perhaps even pull some strings to spend more money and buy a driver''s license without willing to go to driving school.


    Throughout the ride, Xiao Han remained silent, mulling over whether to get a driver''s license and then buy a car. It would make traveling to college much easier, and he could often drive back on weekends to visit his mom.


    Seeing Xiao Han''s silence, Li Hengzhong smiled, saying, "Are you constantly wondering why I sought you out?"


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Then what are you thinking about?" Li Hengzhong asked curiously.


    "I''m thinking about when I can buy a car!" Xiao Hanughed.


    "Haha..." Li Hengzhong immediately burst intoughter, saying, "You really are an honest person."


    The car entered the city center and stopped in front of a coffee shop.


    After entering the coffee shop, Li Hengzhong ordered atte and Xiao Han asked for a juice. They sat facing each other.


    "How does it feel?" Li Hengzhong asked.


    "Pretty good," Xiao Han nodded slightly, saying, "Work is fulfilling, I spend a lot of time preparing lessons, making sure to thoroughly exin the concepts, and trying to make my lectures lively and interesting. It makes them realize that studying is not a boring task but rather an interesting one."


    "Good, it''s indeed a topic worth pondering!" Li Hengzhongughed.


    "Principal Li, did you seek me out for something?" Xiao Han asked.

 Chapter 027 Selling Oneself to Save Ones Mother

    "I came here to ask you if you''re interested in joining our team at Linjiang No.1 Middle School," Li Hengzhong asked.


    Pfft...


    Xiao Han had just taken a sip of his juice and sprayed it out right then and there. Li Hengzhong''s words had almost choked him to death.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Are you okay?" Li Hengzhong asked awkwardly, "Were my words that terrifying to scare you like that?"


    "No... no, I''m fine!" Xiao Han hastened to wave his hand.


    "So what do you think?" Li Hengzhong asked curiously.


    "No way!" Xiao Han rejected without hesitation. If he really went to Linjiang No.1 Middle School to teach, wouldn''t everything be exposed? After all, he was just a student there. Suddenly standing on the podium, he feared he would shock too many people. Xiao Han awkwardly said, "Principal Li, I appreciate your kindness, but my heart is not in it."


    "Sigh, I knew you wouldn''te!" Li Hengzhong said with a bitter smile, "Being a teacher pays so little per month, you can make tens of thousands a month running your own training sses."


    "No, it''s not because of the money," Xiao Han hastily said, "Everyone has their own dreams, and I have mine too."


    Li Hengzhong looked at Xiao Han with a face full of surprise.


    People who talk like that were either truly ambitious or na?ve kids. Li Hengzhong stared into Xiao Han''s eyes, and he found that the young man''s eyes were so clear and transparent, yet so deep. It made Li Hengzhong, who had lived for over forty years, unable to see through him.


    Li Hengzhong felt it was unbelievable, as it was the first time he had felt this way.


    "Haha..." Upon hearing that, Li Hengzhong burst intoughter, then said, "What about expanding your training sses then?"


    "No." Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Too many students would only affect the quality of teaching. One hundred students is already the maximum limit. Going beyond that number would lose the meaning of teaching unless there''s recruiting of excellent teachers."


    "This..." Li Hengzhong was slightly startled; indeed, Xiao Han''s words were something he had considered too. However, colleagues from the Board of Education hade to him several times, hoping he could have a good talk with Xiao Han. Li Hengzhong gave a wry smile and said, "You''re right."


    The two talked for a while in the caf¨¦, and soon Li Hengzhong received a call.


    "Xiao Han, sorry, I have to go for a meeting at the Board of Education," Li Hengzhong said apologetically to Xiao Han.


    "It''s okay." Xiao Han shook his head then said, "You go ahead, I''ll just take a taxi back myself."


    Li Hengzhong stood up and hurriedly left the coffee shop.


    Xiao Han sat alone in the caf¨¦, pondering his future developments. A person must have dreams; what''s the difference between a person without dreams and a salted fish? Xiao Han was full of confidence when it came to academics. Thus, he wanted to devote more energy to other areas, especially his future career. Xiao Han''s mind kept considering which career path to embark on.


    After thinking for a long time, Xiao Han still gave up; after all, he was inexperienced and had limited exposure.


    It was already half-past noon when he left the caf¨¦. Xiao Han had a quick bite to eat inside the caf¨¦. Then he got up and left the caf¨¦.


    This is the downtown of Jiangbei City, economically prosperous, with skyscrapers standing tall. This area is themercial heart of Jiangbei City. Every inch ofnd is worth its weight in gold. The housing prices here have already breached twelve thousand, which for a third-tier small city with not so high ies, is simply a nightmare for themon people.


    Housing prices have plundered too much wealth and stolen too many dreams.


    He walked from the business center to the pedestrian street.


    At the intersection of the pedestrian street, quite a few people had gathered, making Xiao Han quite curious. People have a curiosity-seeking psyche, and Xiao Han was no exception; he curiously approached and squeezed into the crowd.


    Among the crowd, a beautiful woman was kneeling on the ground, crying inconsbly. In front of hery a stack of photos and a stack of hospital payment invoices. Xiao Han moved closer and discovered that the woman was ''selling'' herself. Her mother had liver cancer and was currently receiving chemotherapy treatment in the hospital.


    The gap in medical funds was huge, hence why she was forced to sell herself to raise money for her mother''s medical bills.


    "Definitely a scammer!"


    "Yes, there are many scammers like this now."


    In the crowd, several people started shouting, especially middle-aged women yelling even louder. And most of the men in the crowd were eyeing the woman''s looks. Indeed, the girl was very beautiful, with a fair, delicate, and stunningly beautiful face.


    Her long, ck, flowing hair and a well-proportioned figure, with a bust that prominently raised, made the whitece blouse bulge significantly, causing many to drool.


    "She looks good," a middle-aged uncle chuckled gleefully.


    "You old creep, what are you looking at!" A middle-aged woman immediately grabbed his ear from behind and roared, "Hurry up and get back to cooking."


    "Ouch, ouch, don''t... don''t pull my ear!" the sleazy uncle quickly cried out.


    Ha ha¡­


    Many people in the crowd burst intoughter.


    After themotion ended, everyone still had their eyes on the girl. The controversy persisted, and several men in the crowd were burgeoning with desire. But upon seeing the selling price, these people were immediately taken aback.


    Two hundred thousand!


    That was no small amount. For many ordinary families, this was an astronomical figure, even enough to bankrupt someone.


    Xiao Han walked over and asked, "What''s your name?"


    The woman looked up at Xiao Han, her swollen eyes pitiful. She wiped away her tears and said, "My name is Yang Lu."


    "Yang Lu?" Xiao Han pondered for a moment and asked, "Where is your mother hospitalized?"


    "People''s Hospital!" Yang Lu bit her red lips, struggling to keep her tears from falling.


    "Here is 20,000 yuan!" Xiao Han took out 20,000 yuan from his bag and handed it to Yang Lu, saying, "Take this first for your mom''s treatment. I''ll figure out a way to get the remaining 180,000!"


    Yang Lu was obviously shocked.


    Although Xiao Han appeared young and was tall and strong, one''s expression and eyes don''t betray them. This boy clearly had little worldly experience, and his gaze showed a raw, childish look. That''s why Yang Lu determined he must be younger than herself.


    "Young man, you really shouldn''t, she''s just a swindler."


    "Exactly, there are too many scammers in society these days, you better be careful."


    The crowd of onlookers tried to persuade him as they watched Xiao Han hand over 20,000 yuan, immediately stunned, and afraid that the money would be swindled.


    However, Xiao Han ignored them and smiled at Yang Lu, saying, "You should stand up, the ground is too hot."


    "Yes!" Yang Lu stood up, clutching the 20,000 yuan as if it were a lifesaver. She quickly asked, "Benefactor, thank you!"


    "My name is Xiao Han." Xiao Han smiled and said, "Tomorrow, I will bring you the rest of the money. Tell me your mom''s hospital room number."


    "People''s Hospital, inpatient section, fourth floor, bed number three," Yang Lu earnestly replied.


    "Good!" Xiao Han smiled slightly.


    Having said this, Xiao Han turned and left.


    "Benefactor!" Yang Lu hurriedly followed him.


    "Is there something else?" Xiao Han curiously looked at her.


    "I..." Yang Lu''s face showed shame as she said, "Are you just going to leave like this?"


    "What else?" Xiao Han looked puzzled.


    "Aren''t you afraid I''m a swindler?" Yang Lu earnestly looked at Xiao Han and asked, "If I were a swindler, your money would have been wasted!"


    "I trust you!" Xiao Han looked at her and then smiled, saying, "A person''s eyes are the windows to their soul. Your eyes won''t deceive me. So, I trust you!"


    "Thank you." Yang Lu was instantly choked up.


    "Alright, go take care of your mom at the hospital," Xiao Han patted her shoulder and said, "Tomorrow I will help bring the money over to you."


    "Yes!" Yang Lu nodded.


    Leaving the pedestrian street, Xiao Han headed to Li Dapang''s home, only to find it empty. That guy was currently in the midst of a heated date with Yang Xiaoyan. During lunch and after school, he always rode his motorcycle, taking her around for rides, enjoying good food, and shopping.


    Xiao Han could only go back home.


    However, as if by coincidence, just on his way back home, he ran into Li Dapang. At that moment, Li Dapang was being mobbed by a group of people.


    ......


    Li Dapang took Yang Xiaoyan out for street food at noon.


    In truth, Yang Xiaoyan was considered a beauty of the senior third ss, aside from her materialistic tendencies. As they say, birds of a feather flock together; thus, Yang Xiaoyan often hung out with Chen Zihan for shopping. Beautiful people tend to stick together.


    On their way back, they encountered Yang Xiaoyan''s ex-boyfriend blocking their path.


    Yang Xiaoyan''s previous boyfriend was a typical hooligan. Because of his bad nature, Yang Xiaoyan had chosen to break up with him. However, he kept pestering her. This time, learning that Yang Xiaoyan was with ''a fat deadbeat,'' he was immediately enraged and blocked their way with his group.


    "Slut, in what way is this fatso better than me?"


    Yang Xiaoyan''s ex-boyfriend was Chen Wu, known on the streets as Old Five. He wore a ck tank top, was quite thin, had a tattoo on his right arm and another on his left. Around his neck hung a shimmering ne, although it was uncertain whether it was made of real gold or just from coins.


    Old Five was furious, ring with a ''cockerel'' hairstyle.


    Yang Xiaoyan timidly looked at Old Five and bitingly said, "He''s better in bed than you!"


    "You slut!" Upon hearing this, Old Five was even more provoked. He roared, "Beat them up, give these two a harsh lesson."

 Chapter 028 Yang Lu

    Seven or eight sturdy men immediately picked up their weapons and surrounded him.


    Li Dapang said anxiously, "Yanzi, run quickly, I''ll hold them off."


    The moment Yang Xiaoyan heard this, she frowned and said, "Then you be careful!"


    After speaking, she turned and ran.


    As Li Dapang faced the seven or eight sturdy men charging towards him, he felt somewhat apprehensive, but at that moment, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and charge forward. Fortunately, he was tall and burly with a robust build. Gritting his teeth, he rushed towards the assants.


    "Fuck... your ancestor!" Li Dapang roared angrily, swinging his fists and smashing them down hard on his opponents.


    A ferocious fight ensued. Even though Li Dapang was brave, the opponents were, after all, numerically superior and also armed. Soon, Li Dapang was cut by a knife and his head was smashed open by an iron stick, creating a bloody gash. The bloodied Li Dapang grew even more frenzied.


    Just when the others had backed Li Dapang into a corner, Xiao Han appeared.


    "Big Fatty!" Xiao Han hastily threw aside his bag and rushed over quickly.


    Thump, thump...


    Xiao Han leapt into the air and kicked ferociously at the chests of two men. With several kicks, he relieved Li Dapang from his predicament.


    "Good brother, I''m d you''re finally here," Li Dapang said, holding his head in pain. "Damn it, this bunch of bastards gang up on the few of us."


    "Are you all right?" Xiao Han quickly moved closer to check on him.


    "I''m fine, let''s deal with these bastards first," Li Dapang said as he picked up a brick from the ground and rushed towards the opponents.


    Chen Wu cursed angrily, "Damn it, take those two down for me. Hit them hard, I''ll take the responsibility if they die!"


    The seven or eight subordinates, upon hearing this, threw caution to the wind. After all, Chen Wu came from a wealthy family, the typical rich second generation.


    So, the seven or eight of them charged with knives, hacking wildly.


    Xiao Han had no weapons in his hands, but his reaction speed and agility were very strong. He possessed a speed beyond the reach of ordinary people. He moved swiftly, grabbing the wrists of his attackers.


    Crack...


    With a forceful twist, the fragile wrists of his opponents dislocated on the spot, causing the knives in their hands to fall to the ground.


    Thud!


    Xiao Han grabbed the neck of one attacker and pressed down while his knee shot upward. The knee struck the attacker''s nose bridge with brutal force. The assant immediately fell to the ground, rolling in agony and screaming in pain.


    Li Dapang was just as relentless, his brick smashing hard onto the forehead of one of the assants.


    With that single hit of the brick, it shattered the opponent''s skull. Blood streamed out. The man, holding his head, ran around in chaos, howling painfully.


    Seeing his men outmatched, Chen Wu became anxious, "Shit, everyone retreat!"


    After that, a group of men quickly left the scene on their motorcycles.


    Xiao Han breathed a sigh of relief while Li Dapang cursed through clenched teeth, "A bunch of scum raised by dogs. If you have the guts,e again, and see if I don''t kill you all right now!"


    "Big Fatty, are you okay?" Xiao Han hurriedly checked Li Dapang''s injuries.


    "I''m fine!" Li Dapang shook his head and said, "I''ve been fighting too many fights since I was little. What''s this little injury to me?"


    "Then let''s go to the clinic and treat your wounds," suggested Xiao Han.


    "Okay!" Li Dapang nodded.


    Then, the two found a clinic where Li Dapang''s wounds were treated¡ªit was nothing serious, just superficial injuries. Two stitches were put in his head, inmmation was addressed, and then it was bandaged. Li Dapang also told Xiao Han about the incident.


    "I told you not to get involved with that woman," Xiao Han said helplessly. "She''s unreliable."


    "It''s okay, I like her and that''s what matters," Li Dapang said nonchntly.


    "Okay," Xiao Han nodded.


    The two left the clinic. Li Dapang rode his bike and dropped Xiao Han off at his home.


    "Big Fatty, have you collected this month''s training fee for Hanmen?" asked Xiao Han.


    "Yes, we collected a hundred thousand yuan!" Li Dapang nodded.


    "How much do we have in the ount?" asked Xiao Han.


    "We still have one hundred and sixty thousand," Li Dapang promptly replied.


    "Give it all to me," Xiao Han responded. "I need it!"


    Li Dapang was momentarily stunned, then immediately nodded and said, "Okay, I''ll withdraw the money this afternoon and give it to you after school."


    "Hmm!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Dapang didn''t ask Xiao Han what he needed the money for. He chose to trust him without hesitation.


    The afternoon sses were rtively rxed.


    In the afternoon, Xiao Han stood at the lectern and went through all his prepared material. A hundred students listened intently, each taking careful notes. They were keen to learn the knowledge Xiao Han imparted to them, but most importantly, they needed to grasp Xiao Han''s problem-solving approaches and the various ways he thought about issues.


    After school, Li Dapang waited outside the ssroom for Xiao Han.


    "Everything you asked for is here!" Li Dapang, holding a ck briefcase, handed the briefcase to Xiao Han and said, "A total of 160,000, all our savings!"


    Xiao Han took the bag and smiled, "Big Fatty, aren''t you afraid I''ll swallow this money all by myself?"


    "It was already yours!" Li Dapangughed, then said, "It would be right for you to take it away."


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head, "This money is for saving lives."


    "Saving lives?" Li Dapang was taken aback.


    "Yes." Xiao Han nodded, "Take me to a ce!"


    Li Dapang nodded.


    Then, the two of them drove off to the People''s Hospital.


    Per the agreement, Xiao Han was supposed to visit the People''s Hospital tomorrow, but Xiao Han decided not to follow the usual routine. He simply made a surprise visit to the hospital without any warning, catching Yang Lu wholly unprepared.


    The fourth floor of the inpatient department.


    Entering the inpatient department, there was an ominous feeling.


    "Damn, this ghostly ce." Li Dapang felt a chill.


    "Gloomy," Xiao Han also felt a coldness on his back.


    The two found bed number three.


    Yang Lu was sitting beside the bed, peeling an apple. On bed number three, a gaunt middle-aged woman was lying at the head of the bed, her eyes lifeless as if she was quietly waiting for death toe. Her hair had already fallen out, a side effect of chemotherapy.


    "Mom, eat an apple." Yang Lu offered the peeled apple to her.


    "I don''t want to eat." The woman shook her head, then said, "Lulu, let''s go home."


    "Mom, your illness isn''t cured yet." Yang Lu said hurriedly.


    "I know my own illness," sighed the woman, "The disease is deep in my bones, where''s the hope for a cure. Besides, our family''s savings are drained; continuing treatment would simply leave us destitute and in debt, and I can''t let you be burdened with that."


    "Mom..." Yang Lu''s voice choked up, "Don''t worry about the money, I will find a way."


    "No!" The woman shook her head.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang had been watching from the doorway, and this scene touched their hearts. They felt a sourness in their noses.


    At that moment, Xiao Han knocked and entered.


    "My benefactor, is it you?" Yang Lu was surprised.


    "Yes, I''vee to bring you money." Xiao Han smiled, carrying the briefcase as he walked in. He then said, "However, I only have 160,000 here."


    "That''s enough, more than enough." Yang Lu had never expected Xiao Han to actually deliver the money in person. She thought he was simply being kind by sending over 20,000 yuan as a constion; she was already beyond grateful. But seeing Xiao Han bring 160,000, she almost wished she could devote herself to him. If Xiao Han was willing, she would be ready to offer her body at any time.


    "Mom, this is the Xiao Han I told you about." Yang Lu, wiping away her tears, introduced Xiao Han.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Auntie, hello," Xiao Han politely looked at the woman on the bed.


    The woman managed a smile and said, "I''ve heard about you from Lulu, you''re a good person. Thank you."


    "Auntie, please don''t say that," Xiao Han quickly replied.


    "Ah, my illness..." The womanpsed back into contemtion, droning on and on with mostly concerns about leaving Yang Lu an orphan upon her death. Although Yang Lu was already 23 years old, in her eyes, her daughter was just a child, innocent of the world, and she was worried about Yang Lu being bullied by others.


    "Auntie, with medical science so advanced nowadays, your illness can definitely improve," Xiao Han assured her.


    "Thank you, Xiao Han!" The woman looked at Xiao Han, moved.


    After sitting in the hospital for a while, Xiao Han stood up to leave.


    "Lulu, see Xiao Han out," the woman said hurriedly.


    "Okay!" Yang Lu nodded promptly, carrying the ck briefcase containing 160,000 in cash.


    Coming out of the ward, Xiao Han said to Yang Lu, "Deposit the money in the hospital''s ount."


    "Okay!" Yang Lu nodded.


    After the money was deposited, Yang Lu felt much lighter, and herplexion also seemed to improve.


    Yang Lu apanied Xiao Han all the way from the hospital to the main entrance. Li Dapang, unable to bear the gloomy atmosphere inside, had left early.


    At the hospital entrance, Xiao Han took the opportunity to really study Yang Lu''s appearance. She was indeed a beautiful girl.


    The delicatece framed her fair, slender, and straight legs, perfectly outlining her exquisite curves.


    Without meaning to, she touched the corner of her lips, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the graceful touch of her fingertips as lively as a sprite''s y. The trace of faint fragrance where her hair passed lingered.


    Her eyes held a depth of feeling like the sway of autumn waters, her every smile and frown full of grace and charm, a young girl''s endearing charm mixed with the simple elegance of a young woman, seemingly natural to her.


    Yang Lu had no gold or silver jewelry on her, nor any superfluous adornments. Her ck hair was tied up, secured with a simple crystal hairpin, exuding a refined and graceful air, with natural strands of hair flowing down, brushing past her ear. On her fair and tender left ear, you could faintly see a small earring, glinting in the fluctuating light.


    Yet her face always carried an elusive smile, her eyes bright and teeth white. It seemed no matter how she dressed, she exuded an ethereal quality.


    With her head lowered, she seemed to ept the scrutiny of Xiao Han''s intense gaze. As if she felt like amodity waiting for the judgment of her owner''s eyes.

 Chapter 029 Dreams

    If it had been before, she would have turned her face in anger already. But the Xiao Han in front of her was her benefactor, her lifesaver. Moreover, she had sold herself to Xiao Han for two hundred thousand. So, from now on, she was Xiao Han''s woman.


    "Or maybe..." Yang Lu bit her red lips and said, "I''lle to see you tonight!"


    "Hm?" Xiao Han looked startled and asked, "What do you want to see me for?"


    "I..." Yang Lu blushed and said, "I already belong to you, you..."


    "Enough." Xiao Han quickly interrupted Yang Lu, saying, "You''re not mine, this one hundred and eighty thousand is just something I''m lending to you. You can pay me back with interestter."


    "Xiao Han, do you... do you despise me?" Yang Lu awkwardly looked at Xiao Han.


    "Sister Lu, I don''t despise you," Xiao Han hurriedly exined, "Actually, as a man, I am quite looking forward to spending a spring night with you. But, I cannot take advantage of someone in distress. Even though I gave you one hundred and eighty thousand, it doesn''t mean I can do whatever I want. We are still equals, and I respect you."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yang Lu was indeed a great beauty; Xiao Han had already been enchanted by her just now. Be it her looks or her figure, she was one in a hundred, a top-grade beauty. Xiao Han was already a senior high student, eighteen years old, and would soon turn neen.


    "Thank you, Xiao Han!" Yang Lu said, moved.


    A man who could respect her, who could face temptation without betraying his own principles, was indeed a remarkable man.


    "Alright, I''m leaving." Xiao Han got on Li Dapang''s motorcycle.


    Yang Lu watched as Xiao Han left.


    Yang Lu was somewhat puzzled. Why would this not-so-big man spend so much money to help her? Everyone has a motive for their actions, whether for profit or for lust. She understood that most people who were willing to help her were attracted by her body.


    However, the moment Xiao Han refused her, Yang Lu became somewhat puzzled. Why hadn''t this man been attracted by her body?


    Yang Lu, twenty-two, a university graduate who had been working for a year, had encountered various types of men. Nearly all of them wanted to take advantage of her beauty and her attractive figure. At herpany, the bosses wanted to secretly seduce her, and colleagues wanted to take advantage of her. No one cared about her work abilities or whether she was talented.


    They were interested only in her looks and her impressive figure.


    Watching Xiao Han leave, Yang Lu felt somewhat touched.


    ......


    On the road after leaving.


    "So you took all that money just to pick up chicks?" Li Dapang chuckled.


    "Don''t talk nonsense," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I''m saving someone."


    "There are so many people struggling for their lives in hospitals, why don''t I see you saving them?" Li Dapangughed loudly, "This chick is really pretty. If it were me, I probably would save her too. You have good taste, kid."


    "You..." Xiao Han was at a loss for words.


    "Tsk tsk,pared to Chen Zihan, this chick seems even prettier," Li Dapangughed, "What a great figure she has."


    Xiao Han simply didn''t bother to argue anymore. But,pared to Chen Zihan, Yang Lu was certainly on par; it mainly depended on personal taste. Chen Zihan was still a young girl, so she appeared green and innocent. Whereas Yang Lu, being five years older than Chen Zihan, seemed more mature and alluring, which was more appealing to boys like Xiao Han.


    If one really had topare appearances, the two were evenly matched. Both had delicate faces. Big eyes, double-lidded, Chen Zihan''s face looked fuller, while Yang Lu''s face was more three-dimensional. Chen Zihan had cherry lips, while Yang Lu''s red lips were more sexy, filled with allure and arousing a desire to kiss her.


    At that moment, Xiao Han still felt a lingering fascination for Yang Lu.


    After reaching home, Xiao Han began to consider his next steps.


    He had no money on him, so if he was going to do something, he truly would be penniless. Fortunately, he still had a few thousand yuan. However, these few thousand yuan were not really helpful. Previously, carrying more than twenty thousand in his bag, he had nned to find a reason or excuse to give it to his mother, but now that was no longer necessary. He only had about three thousand yuan on him.


    "Big Fatty, I''m thinking of buying a cell phone," Xiao Han spoke up.


    "A cell phone?" Li Dapang was taken aback.


    "Yeah, it''s inconvenient to contact without a cell phone!" Xiao Han smiled, then said, "So I''m thinking of getting a cell phone, so it will be easier for us to keep in touch."


    "That''s true!" Li Dapang nodded and said, "How about¡­ getting an Apple?"


    "Won''t an Apple phone be too expensive?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Ah, everyone really likes it now," Li Dapang hurriedly said. "Although it''s expensive, there are still many buyers. And there''s even more demand than supply!"


    "More demand than supply?!" Xiao Han was taken aback, and he seemed to instantly grasp the business opportunity within.


    "Exactly!" Li Dapang nodded and said, "I heard that you need to obtain authorization for Apple phones, and there isn''t a single mobile phone store in our LJ city that has the official authorization from Apple. All the Apple phones are shipped here from the provincial city by some merchants."


    "Is that so?" Xiao Han''s mind began to race. If he could secure the distribution rights for Apple phones in LJ city, wouldn''t that mean just sitting back and counting money?


    It was a good idea, but securing the distribution rights for Apple phones wouldn''t be easy. It required not only money but also guts. Besides, with LJ city being sorge, there were definitely many people eyeing this lucrative opportunity.


    "Exactly!" Li Dapang nodded eagerly and asked, "What, you''ve got some ns?"


    "Who doesn''t think about making money?" Xiao Han snorted coldly, then said, "I want to make money now. Moneyes too slowly from training sses, and besides, I like challenging tasks. The more challenging it is, the more I enjoy it."


    "Big brother, do you know how much money it takes to secure a city-level agency?" Li Dapang asked.


    "I don''t know!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Are you crazy?" Li Dapang looked at Xiao Han in astonishment and then said, "You don''t even know how much it costs and you want to take on the agency. Moreover, we''re penniless right now."


    "There are always more solutions than difficulties," Xiao Han chuckled.


    After arriving at Fuxing Community, Xiao Han jumped off Li Dapang''s motorcycle.


    The moment he got off the motorcycle, Xiao Han''s head was filled with this matter. How could he be the Apple distributor in LJ city?


    "Xiao Han, what''s wrong?" Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Han curiously.


    Xiao Han had been standing at the doorway, looking up at the big camphor tree, his mind calcting many things. He had been standing there for over ten minutes, which caught Mother Xiao''s attention.


    "Mom, I''m thinking about something!" Xiao Han smiled and then turned to enter the house.


    Mother Xiao curiously watched Xiao Han''s retreating figure. Since her son''s exam scores had improved, Mother Xiao felt like Xiao Han had changed. He spent all day alone, and no one knew what he was thinking about. However, now that her son was studying hard and his grades had improved, Mother Xiao felt much relieved.


    Moreover, Xiao Han had often been helping with the household chores, something he had never done before.


    During dinner, suddenly a series of crackling firecrackers was heard from outside the house.


    "Who is setting off firecrackers?" Xiao Han curiously asked.


    "Ah..." Mother Xiao sighed, then said, "Old Li''s House moved away, finally escaping this poverty-stricken ce."


    While talking, Mother Xiao looked down and fiddled with the grains of rice in her bowl.


    "Oh!" Xiao Hanughed and said, "Mom, I think it''s quite nice living here. Why move? The environment is good, and it''s quiet. The neighbors help each other and are all pretty nice. I really don''t understand why everyone is thinking about moving out?"


    "Because living here signifies poverty," Mother Xiao seriously looked at Xiao Han and said, "When everyone decides that a ce is poor, that ce bes poor, and nobody wants to be associated with poverty. That''s why everyone wants to move out."


    "But..." Xiao Han thought for a moment, then said, "But that''s just what outsiders think."


    "And those who moved out, which one doesn''t look down on us with a superior attitude?" Mother Xiao smiled at Xiao Han and said, "Xiao Han, study hard, work hard in the future. Earn more money, change your life, and also change your destiny."


    "Okay!" Xiao Han didn''t argue. In his consciousness, spiritual richness was true wealth. Material wealth only satisfied one''s vanity. If one had only material wealth, it wasn''t really wealth; at best, it was just being a nouveau riche."


    Of course, Xiao Han also secretly vowed to work hard to earn money and then buy a new house for his mother.


    You must have dreams, otherwise, what is the difference from a salted fish? This thought further strengthened Xiao Han''s determination to be an Apple distributor. With Apple phones being so popr now, securing the distributorship for LJ city would definitely be a profitable venture.


    As Xiao Han was pondering, suddenly, someone knocked on the door of the house.


    "Who is it?" Mother Xiao quickly got up.


    "It''s me!" came an old woman''s voice from outside.


    Upon hearing this, Mother Xiao hurried to open the door and said, "Auntie Zhang, what brings you here?"


    "Heh heh¡­" The old woman chuckled and said, "I just had something to bring up at your house."

 Chapter 030 Fighting

    "Oh?" As soon as Mother Xiao heard that, she asked anxiously, "Auntie Zhang, you could have just given me a call, why bother toe over in person?"


    "That''s different!" Auntie Zhang quickly shook her head and said, "This matter, I''m representing the Residents'' Committee."


    "Residents'' Committee?" Mother Xiao was startled and awkwardly asked, "What''s going on with the Residents'' Committee?"


    "Isn''t themunity organizing a Chinese chesspetition?" Auntie Zhang chuckled and said, "Our Fuxing Community needs to find several people to represent us. We''ve selected a few, but we''re still one short. So, I came to ask for Xiao Han. I heard Xiao Han just got second ce in the whole grade at Linjiang No.1 Middle School in the recent exams, and I felt so proud.


    So, I came to ask Xiao Han to represent ourmunity in thepetition. What do you think?"


    "Ah?" Mother Xiao was taken aback. She quickly said, "I''ve never seen Xiao Han ying Chinese chess; it''s been a very long time since hest yed."


    "This..." Auntie Zhang was in a difficult position. Xiao Han was very good at Chinese chess in junior high and often yed with some old men in themunity, who he frequently left blowing their beards and ring with frustration and regret. That''s why Auntie Zhang took the initiative to ask Xiao Han.


    She quickly said, "Xiao Han, this event is organized by the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, aiming to strengthen the spiritual and cultural construction of Linjiang City. If you can win first ce, there is said to be a prize of one hundred thousand yuan. Are you sure you don''t want to participate?"


    "That much?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Han was visibly surprised.


    "That''s right!" Auntie Zhang nodded eagerly and said, "I''ll apply for a ten-thousand-yuan bonus from the Residents'' Committee. If someone from ourmunity takes first ce, we''ll give an additional ten thousand, second ce five thousand, and third ce three thousand."


    "Alright." Xiao Han nodded eagerly and said, "Then please trouble Grandma Zhang to sign me up!"


    "Great, great, great!" When Auntie Zhang heard this, she nodded repeatedly and said, "That''s wonderful, Xiao Han. Then I will sign you up. Next Wednesday, we''ll have a preliminary selection at the Residents'' Committee. Remember to participate!"


    "Alright!" Xiao Han nodded eagerly.


    Auntie Zhang left with a satisfied response, feeling content.


    "Xiao Han, do you know how to y Chinese chess?" Mother Xiao asked anxiously.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Didn''t I y quite often in junior high?"


    "But hasn''t that been many years ago?" Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Han and said, "Besides, I think you should focus on your studies. Activities like this will hinder your academic performance. I don''t want you to sacrifice your studies for something like this."


    "Mom, don''t worry," Xiao Han said with a grin, "I can manage. Next year''s college entrance exam, I''ll definitely get into a top university."


    Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Han.


    Suddenly, she realized that her son in front of her seemed somewhat unfamiliar. For years, he had always nodded along timidly and was weak and timid. But now, he had changed suddenly, not only improving his academics by a wide margin but also undergoing a personality change. It was hard for Mother Xiao to believe, but it had certainly happened right before her eyes.


    ............


    The next day.


    The temperature dropped sharply, and autumn, which had been warm, suddenly became much cooler. Xiao Han put on a coat and left the house.


    There were quite a few people gathered at the entrance of Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    Xiao Han, carrying his backpack, walked over and nced at the scene. He saw Liao Zhijie bullying a first-year student with a group of people. Just as Xiao Han was about to step forward to stop them, suddenly, a scolding voice came through: "Liao Zhijie, you''re bullying your ssmate again!"


    Xiao Han turned his head to look and saw Chen Zihan staring angrily at Liao Zhijie.


    "Heh, is that Chen Zihan?" Liao Zhijie smirked and then said, "How about you be my girlfriend and I promise not to bully anyone ever again? What do you say?"


    "You..." Fuming with anger, Chen Zihan said, "You jerk."


    Ha ha...


    Liao Zhijie''s cronies burst intoughter.


    At this moment, Liao Zhijie slowly walked towards Chen Zihan, with a sly smile on his face, saying, "Being my girlfriend isn''t so bad, is it? There''s food and drink and face to be had. In school, I''ll make sure no one dares to bully you. How about it?"


    "Get lost!" Chen Zihan''s face turned red.


    Liao Zhijie grabbed Chen Zihan''s arm and said, "Heh... you''re telling me to get lost? Alright then, today I''ll let you know what I''m capable of."


    With that, he was about to harass Chen Zihan.


    "Stop!" Suddenly, a thunderous shout.


    Everyone uniformly turned towards the source of the sound. Liao Zhijie saw Xiao Han and couldn''t help but shiver. But with so many students around and at Linjiang No.1 Middle School, which was his territory, if he were to be cowed by Xiao Han, how could he ever mix in with Linjiang No.1 Middle School again?


    "Xiao Han, what do you think you''re doing?" Liao Zhijie''s expression clearly became more serious.


    "Let go of your hand!" Xiao Han stared into Liao Zhijie''s eyes and said, "Otherwise, I will make you regret it!"


    "Fuck, you think I''m someone who would be scared?" Liao Zhijie naturally refused to back down, he could not show weakness, or people would look down on him. Saying so, Liao Zhijie embraced Chen Zihan tightly on the spot.


    "You bastard, let go of me!" Chen Zihan struggled fiercely.


    Unfortunately, she was nowhere near as strong as Liao Zhijie. No matter how much she struggled, she simply couldn''t break free from his grasp.


    At that moment, Xiao Han immediately walked towards Liao Zhijie.


    "Don''te any closer!" Liao Zhijie, holding Chen Zihan''s arm, acted as if he had a hostage.


    ```


    Clearly, he had miscalcted.


    Xiao Han grasped Liao Zhijie''s arm with the speed of lightning. Startled, Liao Zhijie quickly released his left hand and was about to wind up a punch when suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his right wrist.


    Crack...


    Xiao Han was tall and muscr, his muscles solid. He clutched the other''s wrist firmly. Biology textbooks mentioned that the wrist is one of the body''s weakest joints. TV dramas often show that in a showdown between experts, they would frequently seize the other''s wrist.


    Xiao Han was very strong, and he instantly dislocated Liao Zhijie''s arm.


    "Ah!" Liao Zhijie screamed in pain, pleading continuously, "Xiao Han, let go, it hurts, it''s killing me."


    "Will you dare to bully others again?" Xiao Han asked in a cold voice.


    "No... I won''t dare anymore!" Liao Zhijie quickly shook his head.


    Seeing Liao Zhijie begging for mercy, Xiao Han finally released his grip.


    "Good!" The spectators unexpectedly burst into loud cheers uncontrobly.


    "If you dare to do this again, I won''t go easy on you!" Xiao Han dropped a harsh line, then walked towards the school campus.


    "Xiao Han, wait for me," Chen Zihan said hastily.


    Behind him, Liao Zhijie''s eyes were cold, and he watched Xiao Han''s departing figure with gritted teeth.


    "Big bro, are we going to let this kid off so easily?" A few underlings asked hastily by his side.


    "Nonsense!" Liao Zhijie chuckled coldly, "The old man will never let him off easily. Follow me."


    After speaking, Liao Zhijie led his group away.


    Inside the school.


    Chen Zihan followed Xiao Han''s pace, and as she looked at his figure from behind, she suddenly felt he was imposing and majestic.


    "Xiao Han, weren''t you scared just now at all?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.


    "Not scared!" Xiao Hanughed and said, "How could I be scared when I saw you being bullied?"


    Upon hearing this, Chen Zihan''s face immediately turned red. She pouted her red lips and let out a light hum: "Bad guy."


    "Haha..." Xiao Hanughed heartily at her response.


    The two of them chatted andughed all the way into the ssroom. Just as they entered the ssroom, everyone was astonished¡ªwhen had Chen Zihan and Xiao Han gotten so close? They were people from two different worlds... Could it be... could it be that just because Xiao Han aced a test, Chen Zihan let go of her pride?


    "Damn, it''s infuriating," Jiang Xiaoliang watched Chen Zihan and Xiao Han enter the ssroom,ughing and talking. Sitting next to the lectern, he saw the scene clearly and felt a ze of anger. His eyes nearly spat out a murderous light.


    Xiao Han caught Jiang Xiaoliang''s malevolent gaze in an instant. His lips curled up slightly, and he reached out to hold Chen Zihan''s hand.


    Sss...


    Jiang Xiaoliang immediately gasped in shock, his hair standing on end like steel needles. It wasn''t just him; other ssmates also witnessed the scene.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Chen Zihan was dumbfounded, not having expected Xiao Han to make such a bold move. She waspletely at a loss and let Xiao Han hold her hand without any resistance. She was like a puppet, being led to their seats by Xiao Han.


    "Madness, madness!"


    "My God, has Xiao Han actually won over Chen Zihan?!"


    "It''s over, my goddess..."


    The ssroom immediately erupted into chaos.


    Li Dapang at the back row revealed a smug smile, grinning and saying, "This kid is getting more and more unpredictable."


    The change in Xiao Han was indeed tremendous, aplete turnaround. Previously, Xiao Han was timid and feared problems, but now, he dared to hold Chen Zihan''s hand in front of all the boys in the ss. This was unimaginable in the past. How many boys dreamt of touching Chen Zihan''s delicate hands, ready to pay any price just for a chance to hold it.


    Back at her seat, Chen Zihan was as still as a statue.


    "What''s wrong?" Xiao Han moved closer.


    "You... you''re terrible," Chen Zihan said quickly, hanging her head low with her cheeks brightly flushed as if they could drip water.


    "How am I terrible?" Xiao Han''s heart burst intoughter, finding Chen Zihan''s angry expression to be utterly adorable. He liked her deeply, this liking was a profound dependency. Xiao Han had no idea he had already fallen for Chen Zihan.


    "You''re terrible in every way!" Chen Zihan bit her red lip, saying, "Who allowed you to hold my hand? How am I supposed to face people now?"


    "Haha..." Xiao Hanughed even more, saying, "If anyone dares to bully you in the future, just tell me!"


    ```

 Chapter 031 Stand Up

    Chen Zihan curiously looked at Xiao Han, herrge eyes fixed on him.


    Xiao Han felt somewhat unnerved by her gaze and hurriedly asked, "Zi Han, why are you staring at me like that?"


    "I just find it very strange," Chen Zihan pursed her lips.


    "What''s strange?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Just over a month ago, Liao Zhijie threw you into the flower pool. And today, you actually dared to hit him?" Chen Zihan found it somewhat incredible.


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "I''ve been practicing hard at home for a long time."


    "Hehe..." Chen Zihan giggled and said, "Some things really do seem incredible."


    While they were chatting, Liu Jinmei had already entered the ssroom.


    School let out at noon.


    Xiao Han found Li Dapang, and the two of them walked out of the ssroom shoulder to shoulder.


    "Big Fatty, help me buy a mobile phone," Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang, then said, "I''m going to ask Liu Jinmei for leave now. This afternoon, we''ll go to the provincial city."


    "What are you going to the provincial city for?" Li Dapang asked curiously.


    "To talk with a provincial distributor," Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang again, then said, "I''m aiming to secure the Apple distributorship for LJ City."


    "Are you crazy?" Li Dapang eximed, "Securing a city-level distributorship could cost at least a million. Where are we going to get that much money?"


    "There''s always a way," Xiao Han took a deep breath and said, "When the car reaches the mountain, the road appears; when the boat reaches the pier, it will straighten itself."


    "Alright," Li Dapang nodded and said, "Damn it, I''ll apany you on the trip anyway."


    After speaking, Li Dapang hurriedly left the school. Xiao Han then went to Liu Jinmei''s office.


    In Liu Jinmei''s office.


    Seeing Xiao Hane into the office, Liu Jinmei was very pleased, thinking that the genius Xiao Han finally had a problem to consult her about.


    "Teacher Liu, I..." Xiao Han felt somewhat awkward.


    "What is it? Just tell me," Liu Jinmei looked at Xiao Han with a beaming smile, seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, she said with augh: "Is there any difficulty? Just say it, think of the school as your home and the teacher as your mother."


    "Teacher Liu, I''d like to take some leave," Xiao Han mustered up his courage.


    "Leave?" Liu Jinmei was startled and asked, "With such pressing time and college entrance exams imminent, what do you need leave for?"


    "I have some matters to attend to," Xiao Han said, looking down.


    "Alright then," Liu Jinmei nodded and said, "Go and deal with your matters first. But try toe back to school this afternoon, alright?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded eagerly upon hearing this.


    Upon leaving the office, Xiao Han felt much happier. He had initially nned to skip ss, but the change in attitude of Liu Jinmei made Xiao Han feel embarrassed about skipping. After all, Liu Jinmei had ced great hopes on him, and he didn''t want to let her down.


    At lunchtime, Li Dapang hurriedly found Xiao Han.


    "Xiao Han, I''ve bought the phone," Li Dapang said excitedly.


    "An Apple?" Xiao Han was surprised and asked, "How much was it?"


    "Thetest model Apple phone, five thousand three hundred eighty-eight yuan," Li Dapang grinned and said, "The newest gold version, how about that, do you like it?"


    Xiao Han grasped it, feeling thetest phone, newly registered, brand new. It felt substantial in his hand.


    "Really expensive!" Xiao Han felt a bit pained.


    "Hey, aren''t you going to talk about Apple distributorship issues this afternoon?" Li Dapang said seriously, "If you yourself don''t use an Apple phone, how are you going to discuss Apple distributorship matters?"


    Xiao Han thought about it and felt that Li Dapang made some sense.


    "Hmm, you have a point," Xiao Han nodded and said, "Let''s go, let''s head to the provincial city now."


    "Okay, let''s go!" Li Dapang immediately nodded.


    Just then, Mother Xiao hurriedly came out and then said, "Xiao Han, you haven''t finished your meal yet."


    "I''m not eating," Xiao Han didn''t turn around and said, "I''ve got things to do, I''m leaving first."


    Having said that, Xiao Han got on Li Dapang''s motorcycle, and the two sped towards the bus station.


    Upon arriving at the bus station, they immediately boarded a bus for the provincial city. Traveling from LJ City to the provincial city, the whole journey on the highway took about an hour and a half. Xiao Han and Li Dapang got on the long-distance coach, each having only a few thousand yuan on them, embarking on their very first road out of LJ City.


    Throughout the journey, the two were drowsy.


    An hour and a halfter, the car exited the freeway and drove into the bus station of the provincial city.


    Xiao Han had already looked up the address of the Apple dealership. However, it was their first time in the provincial city, and walking the streets, they felt somewhat lost.


    "Damn, the buildings in the provincial city are so tall." Li Dapang curiously observed the surrounding environment, with skyscrapers standing everywhere and the traffic weaving ceaselessly. Pedestrians crossed bridges while vehicles took the motorways. This was not something that LJ City, a third-tier city, couldpare with.


    "Of course!" Xiao Hanughed, "This is the provincial city after all."


    The two of them walked along the sidewalk.


    "Do you think they will beat us?" Li Dapang asked curiously.


    "Why not just ask and see?" Xiao Han replied.


    "Why do I always feel this isn''t reliable?" Li Dapang said awkwardly.


    "Some things, if you don''t try, you''ll never know the oue." Xiao Han smiled at Li Dapang, then said, "Only by trying can you understand."


    "Alright," Li Dapang sighed.


    The two of them walked side by side towards the front.


    Just as they were about to quicken their pace, suddenly, a piercing scream came: "My child, my child!"


    Xiao Han looked toward the source of the sound. Not far away, a stunningly beautiful young woman dressed in a ck skirt and a red top burst out of a shopping mall. Nearby, two masked men in ck, wearing sunsses, were running swiftly. The woman in red, wearing high heels and having almost dropped everything she was carrying, was desperate to catch up.


    Unfortunately, as a woman, she was nowhere near as fast as the two robbers.


    Click...


    The woman in red suddenly sprained her ankle and yelled out, "Save my child..."


    On the road, a ck BJ Hyundai.


    "Get in the car!" A man in the car quickly pushed open the door. The two men, carrying a child about half a year old, almost streamed into the vehicle.


    Screech...


    After the two men jumped into the car, the ck Hyundai ntra sped off.


    "Stop them!" Xiao Han, almost reflexively, dashed forth.


    Whoosh...


    Very fast, Xiao Han leaped up, like an ancient warrior, crossing over the traffic barrier on the road with lightning speed and rushing toward the ck sedan.


    "Fuck, so fast?!" Just as Li Dapang was about to start chasing, he was startled by Xiao Han''s speed, which scared him soulless. Li Dapang stood there dumbfounded: "Damn, that''s even faster than a 100-meter champion. When did you be so fierce?"


    Seeing Xiao Han hadrun far, Li Dapang hurriedly pulled out his phone to call the police.


    Meanwhile, Xiao Han chased after the ck sedan at high speed.


    Unfortunately, the other party was, after all, in a four-wheeled car, and Xiao Han was just a two-legged man. With Xiao Han''s speed, it was impossible to catch up with the ck car. However, at this moment, the traffic on the road was not light, but rather congested.


    The ck ntra, like a crazed beast, was recklessly dashing and dodging, swiftly changingnes and scraping several other vehicles in the process. Yet, the driver showed no signs of stopping, instead continuing the frantic escape.


    Xiao Han took a deep breath and elerated. Seeing the car getting stuck in the traffic, a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.


    Chen Xiaojun is a carefree young man.


    As a typical resident of the provincial city, his daily life was rxed, sustained by the rent from several houses his family owned. Therefore, he didn''t work, pursuing his artistic life every day.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Although today was not a weekend, Chen Xiaojun was still riding his Giant bicycle, with an electric guitar strapped on his back, hitting the streets to perform and earn some pocket money. He didn''t care about the ie from his performances; what he cared about was the feeling of ying in front of a crowd. He loved that experience.


    This afternoon, after a nap, he rode his bicycle to the mall entrance to continue his performance.


    Just as he was about to reach his destination, suddenly, a ck figure moved rapidly towards him.


    "Get off!" Suddenly, the figure grabbed his bicycle and pushed him off.


    "Ouch..." Chen Xiaojun fell on his buttocks on the ground, almost breaking the electric guitar on his back. He quickly yelled, "Robbery, daylight robbery!"


    "I''m borrowing your bicycle!" The figure mounted the bicycle and pedaled furiously.


    This was a good bicycle with a fine performance structure, featuring a nine-speed gear shift. Xiao Han didn''t hesitate to shift to the highest speed. He pedaled the bicycle furiously on the roadway, his speed no less than any car driving on the street.


    "Damn..." Chen Xiaojun watched Xiao Han''s departing figure in stunned silence. He was not shocked because his bicycle was stolen, but because Xiao Han''s cycling speed hadpletely astonished him. Chen Xiaojun was utterly shocked.


    The ck ntra continued its frantic escape, charging through the traffic like a mad dog.


    "Damn, some kid is catching up!" The man in the passenger seat urgently stated.


    "Bastard!" The driver, upon hearing this, became annoyed and hit the steering wheel, saying, "There''s a red light ahead, cars are waiting, we can''t get through!"


    "What should we do?" the other two men in the car asked anxiously.

 Chapter 032 The Lady in Red

    "Charge through!" the driver hastily scanned the surroundings and furiously turned the steering wheel to the right. He stepped on the gas, and the car instantly surged onto the non-motorizedne. The sight of this frightened the electric and bicycle riders on the non-motorizedne, leaving thempletely dumbfounded.


    After a moment of panic, people on the non-motorizedne quickly scrambled away, everyone frantically hiding. They watched as this ck ntra car forcefully charged through the traffic light.


    Xiao Han was only ten meters away from the ntra car, his whole body almost standing as he furiously pedaled the bicycle, feeling as if all his strength was almost exhausted. He chased after the car desperately and persistently.


    Bang...


    Suddenly, the ck ntra car hit the rear of arge truck while running the red light, spinning three hundred sixty degrees on the spot. The car slid far away. Smoke billowed from the front of the car, appearing somewhat frightening.


    "Could it explode?" many spectators wondered from a distance.


    Screech...


    Suddenly, a sharp sound of braking. The performance of the Giant bicycle was good, even the brakes were so sensitive. His hands pressed down on the brakes, leaving a ck mark on the ground by the tires, appearing very thrilling.


    Xiao Han quickly ditched his bicycle and dashed toward the damaged ck ntra car.


    The three adult men inside the car were somewhat stunned from the impact, the three hundred sixty-degree spin on the spot left them disoriented. After resting for a moment, the man in the passenger seat quickly shouted, "Big brother, hurry¡­ that kid ising!"


    The driver in the cab heard this, immediately started the car, and stepped on the gas.


    Although the front of the car was damaged, it did not affect the car''s performance.


    Seeing that the robbers'' car was about to flee, Xiao Han pushed off with his legs, stretching out his arms as he soared like a bird against the wind.


    Bang...


    Hended heavily on the roof of the ntra car, his hands tightly gripping the windows to prevent himself from falling off.


    "Damn, the kid''s on the car!" the man in the backseat cursed, holding a six-month-old child crying loudly and heartbreakingly. The man in ck gritted his teeth and said, "Big brother, what do we do now?"


    "Everyone just sit tight," the driver replied, said, "I''ll shake him off right now."


    Having said that, the driver stepped on the gas again, soon followed by another sharp brake.


    It was tough for Xiao Han on the roof, with no points to leverage, he could only rely on his hands to support himself. His mind raced, considering how to rescue the child from the other''s clutches.


    Just as Xiao Han was intensely pondering, suddenly, the ck ntra car made a sharp turn. Xiao Han''s right hand slipped off the window.


    Xiao Han made a split-second decision.


    He slid down from the roof, using thest of his strength, his legs fiercely kicked through the window into the driver''s cabin, not caring whether he hit the person or not. But the force of this kick was definitely great. Xiao Han could clearly feel his legs hitting someone''s body.


    Screech...


    Suddenly, the ntra car lost control on the spot, its front crashing hard into a nearby building.


    Hiss hiss...


    The already damaged front nowpletely emitted dense smoke.


    Xiao Han, half hanging out of the car, tumbled out as the car collided, during thending, he firmly protected his head with his hands, fearing any harm to his precious brain.


    Afternding, Xiao Han quickly got up from the ground and ran toward the direction of the car.


    Suddenly, the car door opened, and the driver crawled out. Clutching his chest, he cursed, "You little bastard, I''ll kill you!"


    Seeing this, Xiao Han did not hesitate and kicked fiercely.


    Bang...


    Dazed, the man barely crawled out of the car when Xiao Han kicked him back into the driver''s cab.


    At this moment, the man in the backseat pushed open the car door and got out. As Xiao Han was about to move forward to subdue him, the man in ck drew a glossy ck pistol from his waistband and coldly aimed it at Xiao Han, said, "Kid, are you courting death?"


    Xiao Han immediately stopped in his tracks and hastily raised his hands.


    With a gun in the opponent''s hand, although he didn''t know if it was real or fake, he definitely could not risk his life. Xiao Han calmly said, "Why are you kidnapping someone else''s child? Don''t you know what a child means to a mother?"


    "Kid, we brothers are only after the money, not lives," the man in ck gritted his teeth. "You better mind your own business, or else, don''t me me for not being polite."


    "Let the child go," Xiao Han took a deep breath, facing the handgun without a trace of fear, his face taking on an iron blue tint as he said, "It''s still not toote to leave. Otherwise, once the police arrive, you won''t be able to escape."


    The man holding the handgun quickly looked at the man in the driver''s cab and asked, "Big Brother, what should we do now?"


    "Withdraw!" The man in the driver''s cab pondered for a moment, analyzing the pros and cons. The car had broken down, and it had been over ten minutes since the incident urred. He estimated that the police had already been alerted and were on their way. If the police got involved, he had no chance of escaping. Thus, he felt they had to leave.


    He waved his hand and said, "As long as the green hills are there, one need not worry about firewood."


    "But..."


    The man in ck looked at the child crying loudly inside the car.


    "Go now!" the big brother waved his hand.


    Following that, the three men quickly disappeared into the streets bustling with traffic and slipped into arge shopping mall. Xiao Han guessed these guys were typical mobile criminals, nning to hit the provincial city and then withdraw. In fact, they were mobile criminals who had been scoping out the provincial city for a long time.


    They had been following the woman in red for a week, and after mastering her routine, they decided to strike right at the entrance of the mall.


    However, they never imagined their seemingly wless n would be ruined by a kid.


    Once the men left, Xiao Han quickly rushed into the car, then carried out the loudly crying child. The child was adorable, with a face like a porcin doll, utterly endearing. This sight was testament to the fact that beautiful people indeed bore beautiful children, as Xiao Han carried the child out from the car.


    Not far away, the woman in red hurriedly jumped down from a vehicle.


    "My child, my child!" The woman in red''s face was streaked with tears, her heart-wrenching sobs resonated with Xiao Han, a sound only heard when one''s own flesh and blood is in mortal peril. She ran over quickly, barefoot, ignoring the pain from the asphalt road.


    Xiao Han quickly handed the child to the woman, saying, "Fortunately, he''s not hurt."


    The woman in red tightly hugged her child, her body copsing to the ground. She was trembling all over. Her loud cries subsided, and the child, returned to his mother''s arms, immediately quieted down, his bright eyes looking at Xiao Han and even shing him a smile.


    "Sister, are you okay?" Xiao Han asked, showing his concern.


    "I... I''m fine," the woman in red wiped her tears and said, "Thank you, thank you for saving my child, and saving me."


    She looked at Xiao Han gratefully. If it weren''t for Xiao Han, she might never have seen her child again.


    "You''re wee!" Xiao Han, feeling shy, scratched his head and said, "Doing the right thing is what we should do."


    Sirens wailed...


    At that moment, police cars raced to the scene. Several armed police quickly secured the area.


    A tall policewoman hurried over. She immediately saw the woman in red and asked with concern, "Director Li, are you all right?"


    "I''m fine," the woman in red shook her head, "It''s all thanks to him. If it weren''t for him, the consequences would have been unthinkable."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The policewoman nced at Xiao Han and asked, "Hello, can you tell me what happened?"


    Xiao Han nodded and then earnestly recounted everything at the scene to the policewoman, who took notes. Afterward, she had Xiao Han sign his statement.


    "Thank you for everything," the policewoman said earnestly, looking at Xiao Han. "I will apply for a bravery award from my superiors. Thank you for your courageous actions!"


    "You''re wee!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head.


    The woman in red dried her tears and asked, "What''s your name?"


    "Sister, my name is Xiao Han," Xiao Han replied with a charming smile, "The ''Xiao'' of Xiao Han, the ''Han'' of Xiao Han!"


    Chuckling...


    The woman in red suddenly burst intoughter, touched by the handsome young man before her. His character was excellent, his actions moving. If not for his bravery today, she and her child would have been separated by life and death.


    Unable to control her gratitude and feeling indebted to him, she pondered as she realized she had left her bag and phone at the entrance of the mall, with not a penny on her. After a moment''s thought, she said, "Xiao Han, thank you. Can I treat you to a meal to express my gratitude?"


    "This..." Xiao Han looked embarrassed and said, "Sister, I came from LJ City, I have some business in the provincial city. Although I would like to have a meal with you, but..."


    "You came to do business?" the woman in red paused, "What are you here for? I have some connections in the provincial city, do you need my help?"


    "Really?" Xiao Han heard this, his face immediately lit up with joy.


    "Of course," the woman in red tried to step out of her mental shadows, looking at Xiao Han earnestly, "If it wasn''t for you today, I might not have survived, you saved two lives. It''s the least I can do to help you, even giving you everything I have, I would be willing!"


    "Sister, don''t say that," Xiao Han said bashfully.

 Chapter 033 Li Xiaoya

    The red-dressed young woman was beautiful and tempting. Standing at 1.8 meters tall, with her ck hair tied up, she revealed a slender, fair neck. Wearing a red jacket with a ck tube top underneath, Xiao Han dared not look, afraid that he might identally be entranced.


    After all, as a teenager, he had no immunity to such stunning beauty. Xiao Han felt a stirring inside.


    "You haven''t told me what you''re here for," the red-dressed young woman asked curiously.


    "I..." Xiao Han said awkwardly, "I''m looking for the Apple''s general distributor in Z province, hoping to secure the distribution rights for LJ city."


    "Ah?" The young woman in red blinked, then a sly smile appeared on her face as she said, "Thene with me. Sister''s got this covered."


    "Really?" Xiao Han was surprised when he heard this.


    He didn''t doubt the young woman in red''s capability. On the contrary, judging by her attire and the aura she exuded, she wasn''t a simple character. Furthermore, the way that policewoman had respectfully greeted her as Director Li only solidified his belief in the woman''s extraordinary status.


    "So... can I invite my big benefactor to a meal now?" the young woman in red asked.


    "Sister, I''m no big benefactor," Xiao Han chuckled.


    "My name is Li Xiaoya," Xiaoya said with a smile.


    "Sister Xiaoya," Xiao Han nodded.


    At that moment, Li Dapang came running over, gasping for air. While running, he yelled, "Xiao Han, Xiao Han...are you okay?"


    "I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head and said, "The child has been rescued, now leave it to the police. Let''s go."


    "Let''s go,e to my ce for a meal," Xiaoya offered.


    "Ah?" Li Dapang was startled, momentarily captivated by the breathtaking beauty in front of him. Her figure was voluptuous, her face delicate. Indeed, the radiance of a young mother with a child was dazzling, emitting an alluring aura all over.


    Gurgle...


    Li Dapang swallowed, his gaze pig-like, wishing he could glue his eyeballs to Li Xiaoya''s body.


    Xiaoya smiled faintly, seemingly ustomed to such tant admiration.


    p!


    Xiao Han couldn''t stand it any longer; no one should be staring at someone''s body upon just meeting them. He pped Li Dapang''s face, then scolded, "Put away your lecherous gaze, look at you, drooling like a pig."


    "Ah?" Li Dapang was shocked, quickly wiping his mouth as he suddenly realized he''d been tricked. "Damn, no way. You''re fooling me!"


    Chuckle...


    Xiaoya covered her mouth andughed, amused by the two young men before her.


    "Let''s go. The car''s here," Xiaoya said.


    Not far away, a BMW 7 Series slowly approached them. The car stopped at the side of the road, and the driver hastily got out, anxiously asking, "Director Li, are you okay? Is the young master okay?"


    "We''re fine, let''s get in the car," Xiaoya said.


    Li Dapang took the front passenger seat while Xiao Han and Xiaoya sat in the back.


    This was a BMW 750LI, a high-end executive car among BMWs, officially priced at two million. This particr model was clearly a custom version, priced well above two million. The back only had two seats, and they were even more luxurious than business ss seats on high-speed trains, with electronic adjustment buttons, fully-reclining capability, and massage functions.


    Xiao Han curiously examined the ss and realized it was doubleyered, attesting to the car''s bulletproof ss and body. The exact level of protection was unknown.


    Sitting in the back, Xiao Han felt extremelyfortable.


    "Sister Xiaoya, this car is really cool," Xiao Han said enviously. When could he reach such heights and truly achieve the peak of life?


    "It''s just a car," Xiaoya, holding her peacefully sleeping child, turned to look at Xiao Han and said, "But the way you chased down that robber earlier was really cool. Xiao Han, what do you do?"


    "I''m still a student," Xiao Han said awkwardly.


    "Really?" Xiaoya was taken aback, "A student and yet so brave?"


    "I have my college entrance exam next year," Xiao Han chuckled.


    Xiaoya waspletely astonished. This tall, powerful, and irresistibly handsome young man before her was actually still in high school? Xiaoya swallowed hard, "I can''t believe you''re just a high school student."


    "In a month and a half, I''ll be neen," Xiao Han smiled.


    "Is that so?" Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "Truly remarkable."


    Li Xiaoya''s residence was located in the central district of the provincial city, a low-density vi area. Near the road were terraced vis, and deeper inside were detached vis with front and back gardens, and some of the more luxurious ones even had private swimming pools.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The car stopped in front of a vi, and the ck wrought-iron gates slowly opened. Once inside, there was arge expanse ofwn. Along the corners of the walls, there were many flowers and nts, along with lots of vines entwining.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang felt like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Gardens.


    "Damn, that''s beautiful!" Li Dapang said enviously as he looked at the vi, "When can I buy such a big vi?"


    "Dream on!" Xiao Han snorted and said, "In the provincial city, doesn''t this kind of vi cost tens of millions?"


    "That''s true!" Li Dapang said enviously, "Living in a ce like this would make life worth it."


    "Big Fatty, as long as we''re willing to work hard, one day we can definitely live in such a big vi!" Xiao Han said earnestly.


    "Yeah!" Li Dapang nodded and said, "Your brain is getting sharper and sharper. From now on, I''ll follow you. Whether I can live in such a big vi depends on you, my brother!"


    "Haha..." Xiao Hanughed heartily.


    Li Xiaoya came out of the house and asked curiously, "Why haven''t youe in yet?"


    "Sister Xiaoya, we''re afraid of dirtying your floor!" Xiao Han said awkwardly.


    Li Xiaoya gave a helpless smile, walked over, took Xiao Han''s arm, and said, "Come on, my lord, do I have toe out and invite you myself?"


    Inside the vi, the decoration was splendid and magnificent, extremely luxurious.


    Xiao Han seemed quite calm, but Li Dapang stood at the door like a child who had never seen the world, timidly looking at the incredibly luxurious vi, afraid to enter.


    "You guys sit in the living room for a while, help yourselves to some snacks," Li Xiaoya said with a smile, ncing at Xiao Han, "I''m going to tell Aunt Yun to prepare a few more dishes for dinner."


    "I''m fine with anything," Xiao Han quickly said, "You don''t need to go out of your way for us."


    "Don''t worry," Li Xiaoya smiled and then turned to leave.


    Watching Li Xiaoya''s retreating figure, Xiao Han couldn''t help but imagine things. It was undeniable that Li Xiaoya was a woman of elegance and seductive charm. Judging by her appearance, she should be under thirty, yet her entire being emitted a captivating aura that was fatal to any man. Although she had given birth to a child, she was still radiant.


    "Tsk tsk..." Li Dapang came over, pinching his hands and feet, and said with an envious look, "This woman is so pretty, I don''t know why, but seeing her gives me an inexplicable urge."


    "I feel the same!" Xiao Han gulped.


    "If I could sleep with her just once, I''d do anything!" Li Dapang nearly drooled again.


    "Forget it," Xiao Han retorted unexpectedly, "Look at her house, look at her car. Do you think Xiaoya''s man would be an ordinary character?"


    "That..." Li Dapang then calmed down.


    A man who could afford a vi worth tens of millions and luxury cars worth millions couldn''t be simple. Li Dapang finally settled down, chuckled, and said, "I was just mocking myself as a loser, I wouldn''t really do anything. Besides, Li Xiaoya would never go for people like us."


    "Good that you know your ce," Xiao Han nodded.


    Soon after, Li Xiaoya came down from upstairs. She had changed into a set of casual clothes, a grey loungewear set. Although it was slightly loose, it still could not hide her impressive figure. She smiled and said, "Dinner will be ready in an hour, you''ve worked hard."


    "It wasn''t hard!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head.


    Li Xiaoya walked over to Xiao Han and sat down, asking, "Xiao Han, did youe to the provincial city this time just to get the Apple dealership rights for LJ City?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han immediately nodded.


    "But... I heard it takes at least three hundred thousand to get a city-level authorization," Li Xiaoya smiled, "Where would a high school student like you get that much money?"


    "The money... we''ll figure something out!" Xiao Han replied, then added, "As long as we can get the official authorization."


    "That''s no problem," Li Xiaoya said immediately upon hearing this, nodding, "I will certainly help you get the official authorization."


    "Thank you, sister," Xiao Han, with his sweet talk, made Li Xiaoya very happy. Her smile was so enchanting to Xiao Han. Li Xiaoya''s smile was mesmerizing, her eight white teeth sparkled, her features were exquisite, as if crafted by God Himself, and although she had a child, there were no freckles on her skin. Instead, herplexion was like white jade, radiant.


    "Just for that ''sister,'' I should help you," Li Xiaoya smiled.


    Li Dapang stood by, staring nkly at Li Xiaoya, with no one knowing what content he was fantasizing about in his head. As for Li Xiaoya, who was worldly and knowledgeable, she didn''t take Li Dapang''s somewhat dirty gaze to heart.

 Chapter 034 Unexpected

    Li Xiaoya had always been curious about Xiao Han, who was clearly just a high school student, yet dared toe to the provincial city alone to discuss a dealership deal with Apple. This had indeed piqued Li Xiaoya''s curiosity. She kept staring into Xiao Han''s eyes, those clear and transparent eyes that felt veryfortable, as bright and prating as a baby''s eyes.


    Moreover, when Xiao Han had fearlessly rescued someone, Li Xiaoya had developed an immense fondness for him.


    "Sis, where is your... brother-inw?" Xiao Han asked, somewhat embarrassed under Li Xiaoya''s gaze, quickly changing the subject.


    "I divorced three months ago," Li Xiaoya said with a smile.


    "I''m sorry..." Xiao Han was even more embarrassed, identally touching on a sensitive personal matter.


    "It''s nothing!" Li Xiaoya shook her head, saying, "Fickle men, I could care less. It''s better this way; now I''m free and easy, no longer having to go to great lengths just to keep someone around!"


    "Sister, you''re so beautiful, how could he..." Xiao Han really didn''t understand.


    Honestly, Li Xiaoya''s beauty was one in a hundred, and her figure was one in a thousand. Such an outstandingly beautiful woman, and yet she was spurned by a man? Even cheated on?! Had it note from Li Xiaoya''s own mouth, Xiao Han would have had a hard time believing it.


    "Well, people get tired!" Li Xiaoya appeared candid, crossing her legs and cing her hands casually between them, easily covering her key areas. She nced at Xiao Han, then said, "Once tired, naturallyes weariness. I dated him for three years, married for two, had a child, and then he cheated..."


    "Oh..." Xiao Han seemed to understand, though not entirely. How could such a beautiful woman ever be tiresome? How could anyone grow weary of her?


    "Let''s not talk about this," Li Xiaoya said with a slight smile, "I''ll go check on the kitchen; it should be about ready."


    "Okay," Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Da whispered on the side, "Xiao Han, she''s really beautiful."


    "Cut it out," Xiao Han replied unenthusiastically, "She''s not that simple."


    "Yeah, yeah, I''m just fantasizing, you know," Li Da said with a chuckle.


    Shortly afterward, Li Xiaoya came out of the kitchen, calling out, "Xiao Han, bring your friend to the dining room for dinner."


    "Okay," Xiao Han nodded.


    Following the hallway to the dining room, the decor along the way was indeed original. The dining room wasrge, with a long Western dining table, which had several pots of green nts and a few bright red flowers on it, giving it a vibrant look.


    Aunt Yun was a fifty-year-old woman, very well-maintained, wearing a white maid''s outfit. The table was already set with several dishes, all ordinary home-cooked foods, but these were all organic vegetables grown by Aunt Yun herself. There were also a few big king crabs on the table.


    "Wow, king crab?" Li Da eximed.


    The cooked king crab emitted an enticing bright red color, exciting Li Da who eagerly sat down. Xiao Han sat down next to Li Xiaoya, who, smiling, looked at Xiao Han, "There''s nothing much to offer; these king crabs were delivered to me yesterday. Try them, see if they''re good."


    "But... I''ve never eaten this before. I don''t know where to start," Xiao Han said helplessly to Li Xiaoya.


    "Hee hee, then I''ll teach you!" Li Xiaoya moved closer to Xiao Han, grasping the tools in both hands and using them to pry open the crab shell.


    Li Xiaoya leaned in close to Xiao Han, her perfume making it hard for Xiao Han to pay attention to how to eat the crab, especially since her constantly heaving chest was pressing against Xiao Han''s back. This made it even harder for Xiao Han to focus on the crab.


    Li Xiaoya''s face was nearly touching Xiao Han''s as she spoke, her breath fragrant, "There, I''ve opened the shell, the roe inside is the most nutritious part. Try this..."


    While talking, Li Xiaoya scooped up some with a spoon and personally fed it to Xiao Han.


    Li Da across the table was almost drooling at the sight; why didn''t he get such treatment? Why did Xiao Han get all the attention?


    "Sister Xiaoya, I... I don''t know how to eat this either." Li Da, holding a huge crab whose shell he had gnawed marks into, gave a simple, honest smile.


    Pft...


    Li Xiaoya burst outughing. It was the first time she had seen someone try to eat a crab by directly gnawing on the shell.


    Heh heh...


    Li Da showed his simple, honest smile and scratched his head in embarrassment.


    "Just pry it open with a tool," Li Xiaoya nced at Li Da, "It''s a simple matter."


    "Oh..." Li Da muttered discontentedly, "Such a simple thing and you still had to show Xiao Han hand over hand, why not me!"


    His voice was very soft; Li Xiaoya didn''t hear it, but Xiao Han heard it loud and clear.


    The dinner was very enjoyable, and although Aunt Yun also ate at the table, she ate quietly, virtually unnoticed and invisible. However, she was ustomed to such a life.


    After the meal, Li Xiaoya asked, "Would you guyse with me to the Apple general dealership office in the provincial cityter?"


    "Sure!" Xiao Han quickly nodded, "That''s exactly what we came for."


    "Then let''s rest for a moment, and we''ll head out," Li Xiaoya said with a smile.


    ...............


    Half an hourter, the group set out.


    The general dealership''s office was located in the business center of the provincial city, known as the ''Silicon Valley'' of Z province. Severalputer malls, electronic development zones, and electronic centers were all located here. Li Xiaoya personally drove and upon arrival, she parked the car under the Oriental Building.


    The three of them turned and entered the elevator.


    "This is the headquarters of the Apple''s general agency," Li Xiaoya said with a smile, "Almost all the Apple products in the Z province are distributed from this building. The annual profits are tens of millions, even hundreds of millions. That''s why so many people are desperate to obtain the agency rights."


    "Sister Xiaoya, are you familiar with the CEO of that general agencypany?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Familiar, of course!" Li Xiaoya nodded.


    "That''s great," Xiao Han said, relieved.


    The entire floor of the 20th floor of the Oriental Building, covering more than 1200 square meters, was the office area of Huihong Electronics Co., Ltd. This location, this floor, the rent alone must cost over a million a year.


    As the three of them came out of the elevator, several employees wearing Huihong Electronics Co., Ltd uniforms walked towards them.


    "Director Li, hello!" The group quickly bowed.


    "Hm," Li Xiaoya nodded slightly.


    Upon reaching here, Li Xiaoya exuded a strong aura of a formidable woman.


    Along the way, many employees bowed and saluted upon seeing Li Xiaoya, which made Xiao Han and Li Dapang following her feel surprised. Someone with no rtions to Huihong Electronics Company, why would she receive so much respect?


    Entering the office area, a woman in a ck business suit came towards them: "Director Li, you''ve arrived?"


    "Yes," Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "We have two important guests here today, please make the preparations."


    "Yes!" The officedy nced at Xiao Han and Li Dapang before turning around to leave.


    Li Xiaoya walked to the door of an office, which had a shiny gold que: General Manager''s Office.


    Li Xiaoya pushed the door open and walked straight in, casually sitting in the general manager''s seat. She then said, "Xiao Han, please feel free to sit. I''ll instruct the secretary to prepare the relevant contract uses soon."


    "Sister Xiaoya, this..." Xiao Han widened his eyes and said, "Could it be... could it be that you are..."


    "Hehe, yes!" Li Xiaoya gave Xiao Han a sly smile.


    "My God!" Xiao Han was immediately astonished.


    Pfft...


    Li Dapang had just taken a sip of water and immediately sprayed it out, looking at Li Xiaoya in shock. He couldn''t believe how small and wonderful this world was. The person they were looking for had already been met long ago.


    "Sister, I..." Xiao Han swallowed, saying, "I''m not mistaken, am I?"


    "Of course you''re not," Li Xiaoya said, crossing her legs and cing her hands elegantly on her knees, sitting upright with a distinguished air.


    "How do I feel like I''m dreaming?" Xiao Han was somewhat confused.


    "Are you ming your sister for not telling you earlier?" Li Xiaoya asked.


    "No, no, no!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head and said, "Why would I me you? I''m just... hehe... I''m just a bit slow to react."


    At that moment, the female secretary had alreadye in with the relevant contract uses.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Xiao Han, take a look," Li Xiaoya said with a smile. "If there''s no problem, you can sign the contract."


    Xiao Han nodded. He carefully nced over the contract, which clearly and transparently stated all the uses and regtions. The agency fee was three hundred thousand, and additionally, he must ensure that the prices of his phones and those in the entire Z province were unified, with no unauthorized price changes. Also, the phones absolutely could not be sold across regions.


    The responsibilities and obligations of both parties were very clear.


    "No problem." Xiao Han nodded.


    "Then sign here," Li Xiaoya smiled.


    "But..." Xiao Han held the pen but hesitated to sign.


    "But what?" Li Xiaoya looked at Xiao Han curiously, with a mix of pity, affection, and mostly curiosity for Xiao Han, who before her appeared to be a high school student trying to do business like an adult, endearing him to her deeply.


    "But I don''t have the money right now!" Xiao Han said, embarrassed, "Sister... you... give me one week to gather the funds, and then I''ll definitely pay you!"


    "No problem!" Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "I''ll give you half a month instead. At that time, you can transfer the money to mypany''s ount, how about that?"


    "Great!" Xiao Han, hearing this, immediately nodded, "Thank you, Sister Xiaoya."


    "You''re wee!" Li Xiaoya shook her head and said, "Today you saved my child, and I haven''t even thanked you!"


    "Sister, don''t say that," Xiao Han looked seriously at Li Xiaoya and said, "The fact that you''re giving me the agency rights in LJ city is already a huge favor."


    [PS: If you like it, add it to your bookshelf.]

 Chapter 035 Return to the City

    Afterward, Xiao Han immediately signed his name.


    There were two copies of the contract, but since Xiao Han hadn''t paid yet, the contract couldn''t be given to him for the time being.


    "Sis, now that the contract is signed, let''s go back and raise the funds!" Xiao Han quickly stood up. Next to him, Big Fatty was eagerly eating the snacks on the coffee table, having eaten more than half in one go. Seeing Xiao Han getting up to leave, he too hastily got up.


    "Alright!" Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "Since you are heading back, I won''t keep you."


    Li Xiaoya walked them to the lobby of the building.


    Xiao Han and Big Fatty rushed to the roadside to hail a taxi. Li Xiaoya watched Xiao Han''s departing figure with a hint of admiration in her eyes. Most people would try to arrange to have the goods delivered before paying. Yet, Xiao Han did not. Of course, if Xiao Han had made such a request, Li Xiaoya might have agreed without hesitation.


    "Director Li, weren''t you always reluctant to release the LJ city agency rights?" asked the secretary curiously.


    "Yes!" Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "That''s because LJ city is my hometown, and I''ve always been reluctant to hand over the rights to someone else, preferring to handle it myself."


    "Then¡­" the secretary blinked her eyes.


    "Xiao Han is my life-saver," Li Xiaoya said with a smile. "Moreover, I''ve noticed he possesses numerous shining qualities, personal charm, boldness, and his unique perspective. These are all the things I admire about him."


    "That exins it." The secretary said with augh when she heard this.


    "Let''s go," Li Xiaoya said with a smile.


    "Director Li, there''s one thing I still don''t understand," the secretary quickly said, "Isn''t the agency fee one million? Why did you only ask him for three hundred thousand?"


    "He''s just a high school student after all," Li Xiaoya said. "Setting the bar too high would bury a talent."


    "If that''s the case, why set a bar at all?" the secretary said, puzzled. "Wouldn''t it be better to not collect the three hundred thousand at all?"


    "That would actually harm him," Li Xiaoya said with a smile, then exined, "Setting an appropriate threshold will not only show him the hardships of making money but also help temper him appropriately and enhance his abilities. This is the only way to nurture a true business genius."


    "I understand now," the secretary giggled. "So, Director Li, you''re not just looking for an agent, but nurturing a talent."


    "Exactly!" Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "Xiao Han has all the makings of a business genius. That''s why I think he should be nurtured."


    "Hehe¡­" the female secretary suddenly snickered mischievously: "Director Li, you wouldn''t have taken a fancy to Xiao Han, would you? He''s a handsome young man, and I liked him the moment I saw him, Director Li, you¡­"


    "Quit it¡­" Li Xiaoya gave the secretary a re.


    "I knew it!" the female secretary joked unreservedly.


    "Alright, you little rascal, I''m going to teach you a lesson," Li Xiaoya''s face turned red, and she quickly chased after her.


    At the entrance of the Oriental Building.


    The security guards were dumbfounded. Both Li Xiaoya and her secretary were exceptionally beautiful. Usually, the guards only saw Li Xiaoya''s cold and strong-willed side. But now, to see her so wildly yful? Blooming like a flower...


    "My goodness, is that really Li Xiaoya?"


    "She''s so beautiful."


    "If I could marry a woman like that, I''d die happy."


    The guards at the door were buzzing withments, their eyes glued to Li Xiaoya''s figure, almost wanting to attach their eyeballs to her. The guards were very excited and agitated. Li Xiaoya was not only a flower of the Oriental Building, but also a stunning red rose within the entire provincial city business circle. Many men had fallen for her.


    Unfortunately, Li Xiaoya was already married, and now that she was divorced, countless men came knocking with fresh flowers. They didn''t even mind that Li Xiaoya already had a child.


    ...............


    Xiao Han and Big Fatty rode a bus back to LJ city.


    On the way back, Big Fatty still couldn''t believe it was real. Such a big deal was settled in just an afternoon. Thinking back, the afternoon felt like a dream. First, they encountered gun-wielding robbers robbing a child. Then they saw arge vi, ate king crab, entered Huihong Electronics, and secured the Apple agency rights.


    "Xiao Han, I damn well might be dreaming, right?" Big Fatty whispered, "Is the deal really done?"


    "It''s not done yet," Xiao Han frowned.


    "What do you mean it''s not done?" Big Fatty became anxious, "The contract is signed, with the terms in ck and white, how could it be a scam?"


    "Where are we going to find three hundred thousand for the agency fee?" Xiao Han nced at Big Fatty.


    "That¡­" Big Fatty paused, then deted and said helplessly, "Right, where will we get the three hundred thousand for the agency fee?"


    "There''s always a way," Xiao Han replied.


    It was already 6:30 p.m. when they arrived in LJ city. The sky was gradually darkening, and November evenings fell quickly, turning dark in the blink of an eye. Big Fatty retrieved his motorcycle from the parking lot and rode Xiao Han back to Fuxing Community.


    Upon arriving home, Mother Xiao had already prepared several dishes.


    Seeing Mother Xiao busy in the kitchen deeply stimted Xiao Han''s desire to be self-reliant. He resolved to focus on business, determined to make money, a lot of money. He wanted to buy a new house for his mother to live in and a luxury car for her to drive.


    "Mom, I''m back," Xiao Han called out.


    "Xiao Han, why are you sote today?" Mother Xiao came out of the kitchen.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Oh, I was dealing with some things with Big Fatty this afternoon," Xiao Han replied.


    "Come eat," Mother Xiao said tenderly, ncing at Xiao Han, then added, "Remember to wash your hands."


    After that, Mother Xiao went back into the kitchen and came out with a bowl of soup.


    Though lunch was luxurious, dinner felt exceptionally warm and cozy. There were no king crabs, no giant lobsters, nor an array of seafood and wild game. But there was the love of a mother, her warm gaze, and her caring smile under the dim lights.


    "Mom, have some too," Xiao Han offered a chicken leg to his mother.


    "You eat, you eat!" Mother Xiao handed the chicken leg back to Xiao Han, using salted vegetables mixed with rice, and ate heartily.


    Witnessing this scene, Xiao Han felt profoundly heartbroken.


    Poverty is saddening, which is why Xiao Han always wanted to strive to change his impoverished state. Poverty easily devastates one''s fighting spirit and shakes their confidence. Having been poor for over a decade, he absolutely refused to continue living in poverty, did not want his mother to continue to suffer and toil, nor did he want his future generations to continue to live in poverty.


    If he couldn''t be born into wealth, he might as well be the wealthy father of the next generation!


    After dinner, Xiao Han began to review his lessons; he hadn''t finished the book on mathpetition he boughtst time. Although busy making money, he absolutely could not neglect his studies. Education was spiritual nourishment, whereas money was merely material sustenance.


    A person who only has material nourishment butcks spiritual nourishment is iplete, living as if they''re a walking corpse; if a person only has spiritual nourishment butcks material sustenance, then their life is poor and unsessful.


    A wealthy individual cannot necessarily be deemed sessful; however, if a personcks sufficient wealth, it definitely indicates they are not sessful.


    While Xiao Han reviewed his lessons inside the house, Mother Xiao went out with a small wooden box and a stool to shine shoes after dinner.


    Thud Thud Thud...


    Just as Xiao Han was engrossed, suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside.


    "Who is it?" Xiao Han looked up at the pitch-ck window.


    "Xiao Han, it''s me..." Chen Zihan''s voice came through.


    Xiao Han was startled, quickly running to open the door. Outside, Chen Zihan''s lips were somewhat purple from the cold. Xiao Han hurriedly pulled her inside, asking with concern, "Zi Han, why are you out in such cold weather?"


    "I saw you weren''t at school in the afternoon, so... so I came to your house to help you catch up on the afternoon''s lessons!" Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han with a look of grievance.


    "You..." On hearing this, a warm rush surged up in Xiao Han''s heart.


    Thump...


    In that instant, Xiao Han immediately pulled Chen Zihan into his embrace, trying his best to warm her with his body heat. Xiao Han closed his eyes, burying his face in her hair, saying with heartache, "Silly girl, what were you thinking?"


    "I was worried you''d fall behind on your lessons," Chen Zihan said softly.


    Resting in Xiao Han''s embrace, Chen Zihan felt his body was so warm, his chest so broad, and his heartbeat so deep. Her body, chilled to the bone, felt surprisingly warm as she drew near Xiao Han.


    The two hugged each other for a good five to six minutes, Xiao Han lowered his head to her ear, "Feeling warmer?"


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Xiao Han hurriedly led her by the hand into the room, then fetched his own coat to wrap around Chen Zihan, saying, "This will keep you warmer."


    Xiao Han held Chen Zihan''s hands, which were still very cold. He rubbed them vigorously, trying to warm them up. Chen Zihan looked down, watching Xiao Han''s meticulous efforts. Although there was no air conditioning, Xiao Han''s actions had already made her body and heart very warm.


    "Xiao Han, I''m already very warm," Chen Zihan spoke.


    "Really?" On hearing that, Xiao Han smiled and said, "Then I''ll stop rubbing them, or I might rub the skin off."


    Although he stopped rubbing her hands, Xiao Han continued to hold Chen Zihan''s hands tightly.


    Chen Zihan blushed even more, and in the room, the two sat on the edge of the bed. Alone together, young and curious about each other.


    Xiao Han looked at Chen Zihan''s rosy cheeks, which resembledrge red apples. Her big watery eyes, her perky nose, her cherry lips, all were extraordinarily enticing. Suddenly, Xiao Han felt an urge. He wanted to kiss Chen Zihan.

 Chapter 036 Confession

    "Zi Han..." Xiao Han suddenly spoke.


    "Hmm? What''s wrong?" Xiao Han''s sudden break from the awkward silence made Chen Zihan flutter her eyelids and look at him.


    "I like you!" Xiao Han looked earnestly at Chen Zihan and said, "I... I want you to be my girlfriend."


    "Ah?!" Chen Zihan was immediately stunned, her eyes filled with surprise and shyness. Her cheeks instantly reddened to her ears.


    "I''m serious." Xiao Han held Chen Zihan''s hand tightly and said, "I will try my best to be good to you."


    "But..." Chen Zihan said with a blushing face, "But we are still young. And puppy love can affect our studies."


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Puppy love will not affect our studies; it will encourage us to help each other and learn from each other. It will improve our academic performance. What do you think?"


    "I..." Chen Zihan lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Xiao Han''s earnest eyes for fear of falling into them.


    "Zi Han!" Xiao Han held her face with both hands, gazing into her eyes as he said, "I truly like you, and I will definitely treat you well in the future. Promise me, okay?"


    "No!" Chen Zihan shook her head and said, "I can''t promise you."


    "Why?" Xiao Han''s face was filled with disappointment.


    "I..." Chen Zihan suddenly kissed Xiao Han on the face and said, "Unless you get admitted into the same university as I do, then I''ll promise you."


    "Really?" Xiao Han brightened up immediately upon hearing this.


    "I want to go to Shuimu University," Chen Zihan said with a smile as she looked at Xiao Han. "Shuimu University has a great finance program. My parents work in a bank and they encourage me to study finance. So, I must get into the finance program at Shuimu University."


    "I''ve heard the admission score for the finance program at Shuimu University is very high," Xiao Han said to Chen Zihan with surprise.


    "That''s why I''m confident," Chen Zihan said full of confidence. "Do you have confidence?"


    "Absolutely!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han embraced Chen Zihan and kissed her red lips without hesitation. At that moment, mountains crumbled, and the seas dried up. Xiao Han kissed her passionately, his tongue entwining with her lc-tainted one. They kissed fervently, a passionate encounter, and this time, Chen Zihan did not refuse Xiao Han''s kiss. Instead, she eagerly reciprocated.


    Although this was not the first kiss between Xiao Han and Chen Zihan, it was indeed the first time Chen Zihan was so actively responsive.


    Holding Chen Zihan''s proud figure, Xiao Han seemed eager for more.


    Rip...


    Xiao Han pulled down Chen Zihan''s jacket. Underneath was a tight-fitting ck baseyer that snugly hugged her impressive figure.


    "No..." Although Chen Zihan''s gaze was hazy, her consciousness remained very clear. She quickly grabbed Xiao Han''s hand.


    "Don''t..." Chen Zihan struggled.


    But her strength was no match for Xiao Han.


    Hisss...


    Chen Zihan drew a sharp breath, her body trembling. It was the first time in her life that she had been treated so lightly. In that moment, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, her body immediately went limp.


    "Xiao Han... don''t... please don''t..."


    Chen Zihan tried to call out, but she couldn''t awaken Xiao Han, the frenzied lion.


    Ding ding ding...


    Suddenly, Xiao Han''s phone rang.


    The piercing ringtone brought Xiao Han back to his senses. He quickly stopped his actions and, seeing Chen Zihan nearly stripped bare on the bed, was overwhelmed with remorse.


    "Zi Han, I..." Xiao Han quickly helped Chen Zihan to dress.


    Chen Zihan looked at him with tearful,plex eyes.


    "I''m sorry!" Xiao Han hurriedly apologized, then hung up the call from Li Dapang. He awkwardly said, "I... I just lost control for a moment, I hope you can forgive me!"


    "Forget it!" Chen Zihan let out a long, heavy sigh.


    Chen Zihan liked Xiao Han, so she chose to forgive. After all, talking about such matters would do no good for either of them. It would not only ruin her reputation but could also derail Xiao Han''s academic career, even leading to his expulsion.


    "So..." Xiao Han chuckled slyly as he looked at Chen Zihan.


    "I''m here to help you review your lessons," Chen Zihan said angrily, ring at Xiao Han, "Stop thinking about all this nonsense."


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Xiao Han nodded repeatedly.


    Chen Zihan hurriedly opened the textbook, then went through the afternoon''s lesson content with Xiao Han. She had recorded the key points highlighted by the teacher in her notebook, one by one. They were all the key points noted by Chen Zihan.


    Actually, Xiao Han had already understood the key points Chen Zihan was exining. He had finished reviewing the high school textbooks a month ago. Now he was mainly tackling Olympiad math problems. However, he did not speak up and instead listened intently as Chen Zihan exined the concepts.


    Chen Zihan exined with great seriousness, seeming to have forgotten about the prior frivolity. She was engrossed in teaching Xiao Han. On the other hand, Xiao Han''s eyes were very dishonest, ncing asionally down Chen Zihan''s neckline, and his hand was also dishonestly ced on Chen Zihan''s thigh.


    "Do you understand everything I''ve taught you today?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Mhm." Xiao Han nodded, saying, "Understood it all."


    "Really?" Chen Zihan squinted her eyes with a crafty smile appearing, "Then... solve this problem."


    As she spoke, Chen Zihan flipped open the workbook, revealing aprehensive question inside. It was a math problem left by Liu Jinmei from the ss. Not only was it about math but also geometry. Math and geometry areplementary to each other, an integrated whole. The question was not difficult; the tricky part was how to analyze the core content of the problem.


    Xiao Han nced at the problem and immediately caught the key point.


    To solve this problem, one must first calcte the geometric content, find the answer to the trigonometric function, and then apply the set function form to easily get the answer.


    "This..." Xiao Han smirked with a mischievous grin and said, "Zi Han, if I can solve it, will you let me kiss you?"


    "Okay." Chen Zihan nodded, "If you can solve it, I will let you kiss me."


    This problem was rtivelyplicated; after school, Chen Zihan spent a full half-hour at home to find the answer. Raising her eyebrows, she cast a pair of beautiful eyes on Xiao Han and said, "However... you only have half an hour to solve it."


    "And... what if I finish it in ten minutes?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Impossible!" Chen Zihan shook her head quickly.


    "What''s impossible?" Xiao Han chuckled, "Besides, I''m just saying ''if''!"


    "If you solve it, I... I... I''ll let you touch me again!" Chen Zihan blurted out, her face turning red.


    "Deal!" Xiao Han''s heart instantly blossomed with joy.


    He quickly took up the pen, excitedly beginning to write furiously.


    Chen Zihan watched Xiao Han curiously, feeling somewhat conflicted inside. On one side she hoped that Xiao Han could solve the problem, yet she also feared that if he really did solve it, she would have to sacrifice her dignity.


    Xiao Han was rapidly calcting on the scratch paper.


    Chen Zihan''s beautiful eyes followed his pen tip as it moved ceaselessly.


    Time ticked away second by second.


    Snap!


    At nine minutes and five seconds, Xiao Han tossed his pen down on the table and announced, "Done, time was nine minutes and five seconds."


    Chen Zihan could hardly believe the answer on the draft, which was exactly the same as what she had calcted. However, she noticed a problem; Xiao Han''s calction method was different from hers. But Xiao Han''s method was clearly more sinct, simple, and easy to understand. On the other hand, her own approach to problem-solving had taken a roundabout route.


    Although she eventually got the correct answer, any slight error along the way could have led to apletely wrong solution.


    "That''s amazing," Chen Zihan eximed in surprise, looking at Xiao Han admiringly, "Indeed, you really have a talent for studying."


    "Hehe, let''s not worry about the talent issue," Xiao Han said, a bit impatient, "What about the condition you promised? Quick, let me kiss!"


    "You!" Chen Zihan was about to praise him but was taken aback by how eagerly he wanted to kiss her. The sweet words she was about to say got swallowed back, and she was at a loss for what to say next. Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han, a touch aggrieved, "Do you really want to kiss?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded eagerly. A kiss from Chen Zihan was something he would savor immensely. How many boys from Linjiang No.1 Middle School dreamed of such a moment? And he had managed to achieve it.


    "But you''ve already kissed me just now!" Chen Zihan fiddled with the hem of her clothes.


    "Just now was just now, this is now!" Xiao Han embraced Chen Zihan.


    She did not resist and hung her head lowly.


    Beautiful as a flower, pure with a touch of shyness, and within that shyness, a hint of anticipation.


    Her long eyshes trembled slightly, her beautiful big eyes fixed on the tips of her feet, and her lips like cherries, all the more bewitching. Finally, Xiao Han could not hold back any longer. With anticipation, he lowered his head and kissed Chen Zihan''s red lips.

 Chapter 037 You Are a Jerk

    Um¡­n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Chen Zihan let out a soft moan.


    Xiao Han gently pushed Chen Zihan onto the bed again, repeating the scene that had just yed out. Chen Zihan''s clothes were lifted by Xiao Han once more**********


    "Mmm..." Chen Zihan did not resist but instead wrapped her arms around Xiao Han''s neck.


    Xiao Han seemed quite excited, especially when Chen Zihan made those seductive sounds, which almost made him lose control.


    Rip...


    Xiao Han reached out and yanked down Chen Zihan''s pants.


    "No!" Chen Zihan attempted to resist.


    However, Xiao Han was already overwhelmed by his urges. He firmly held Chen Zihan down and was about to thrust into her when¡ª


    Creak...


    Suddenly, the door to Xiao Han''s house was pushed open.


    Xiao Han shivered all over. He quickly jumped up. Chen Zihan hurriedly dressed herself, fearing that Xiao Han might misbehave again.


    Xiao Han hurriedly opened the door of the room and saw Mother Xiaoing in.


    "Mom, you''re back?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Yes!" Mother Xiao nodded and asked, "Who''s here?"


    Seeing a pair of women''s shoes in the living room, Xiao Han quickly said, "Our ss president, she came to give me a tutorial."


    "Really?" Upon hearing this, Mother Xiao quickly walked toward the room.


    She pushed open the door and saw an exquisitely beautiful girl sitting on the bed wearing Xiao Han''s coat, her face blushing so deeply she almost appeared to drip water. Chen Zihan was very shy. She looked up at Mother Xiao and said, "Auntie, I...I am here to tutor Xiao Han, he..."


    "Mom, can you make something to eat? I''m hungry," Xiao Han quickly interrupted Chen Zihan.


    "Okay." Mother Xiao nodded quickly and said, "Then... you two study, I... I''ll go make something."


    Seeing Chen Zihan, Mother Xiao genuinely liked this pretty girl. Such a beautiful girl was rare to see on the streets. It was extraordinary that she woulde to her house to tutor Xiao Han.


    Mother Xiao was experienced and judging by the messy bed and the girl''s flushed cheeks, she immediately understood that something must have happened in the room.


    However, Mother Xiao was very open-minded and did not oppose her son dating early. As long as her son ensured that his studies did not suffer.


    Mother Xiao went to the kitchen and started making ate-night snack, frying dough sticks, cooking a bowl of noodles, and making a beef sauce dish. It was quite a meal for ate-night snack.


    "You jerk!" Chen Zihan red at Xiao Han deeply aggrieved.


    "What...what did I do?" Xiao Han looked wronged.


    "Auntie saw us!" Chen Zihan was furious. She looked angrily at Xiao Han and said, "What... what am I supposed to do now?"


    "It doesn''t matter." Xiao Han smiled and said, "My mom won''t go around talking."


    "You!" Chen Zihan was infuriated.


    "Besides, how do you know what my mom saw?" Xiao Han took Chen Zihan''s hand and said, "Stop feeling guilty like a thief."


    As he spoke, Xiao Han embraced her.


    Chen Zihan did not resist and leanedfortably against Xiao Han''s chest, feeling extremely satisfied.


    Suddenly, Mother Xiao''s voice came from outside, "Xiao Han,e and have somete-night snack."


    "Coming!" Xiao Han quickly replied.


    On the dining table: beef sauce dish, fried dough sticks, and two bowls of noodles topped with a poached egg, all smelling delightful.


    "It smells so good." Chen Zihan''s eyes lit up.


    "Zi Han, don''t just stand there,e and eat," Mother Xiao said. Chen Zihan was memorable to Mother Xiao as she had been top of her ss at Linjiang No. 1 Middle School and was the ss leader of ss Three Year Three, so naturally, she was easy to remember. Mother Xiao had remembered her from the first parent-teacher meeting.


    "Thank you, auntie!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Xiao Han sat down next to her, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating voraciously.


    Eighteen to neen years old was a time of development and growth, requiring a lot of energy and a hearty appetite. Xiao Han could eat tworge bowls of rice in one meal, so a big bowl of noodles was nothing for him, especially with beef mixed in¡ªit was even more to his liking.


    In a few minutes, Xiao Han had slurped up both the soup and the noodles. In contrast, Chen Zihan had barely touched her noodles.


    "Let me give you some more!" Chen Zihan quickly offered her noodles to Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han did not mind and directly reached out to ept them.


    Seeing this, Mother Xiao watched in delight. Chen Zihan was a pretty girl and also a top student. If they had started dating in the first or second year, Mother Xiao might have intervened, as it could have definitely affected their academic performance. But now things were different; they were both in their final year, and the entire curriculum had been covered already.


    Almost every day consisted of doing repetitive review exercises.


    Last time on the mock exam, Xiao Han scored first, and Chen Zihan scored second. As long as they maintained such achievements, both could certainly get into a top university. Therefore, Mother Xiao wasn''t worried at all about their rtionship affecting their studies.


    "Enough, enough!" Xiao Han hurriedly stopped Chen Zihan, who was almost pouring an entire bowl of noodles into her own bowl.


    "You should eat more." Chen Zihan said with a smile, looking at him.


    Chen Zihan''s smile was beautiful, her eyes crescent-like, twinkling with light. Her long hair floated elegantly carrying a faint fragrance; her face was exquisitely delicate. When she smiled, her eyes seemed to speak, and her dimpled smile was not only cute but also charming.


    They had a simplete-night snack.


    "Auntie, I''m going to head home now," Chen Zihan announced her departure.


    "Okay," Mother Xiao nodded and said, "Let Xiao Han see you home."


    "No need," Chen Zihan shook her head, "I came here on my bike."


    "You must. It''s dangerous for a girl to bicycle home alone sote at night..." Mother Xiao was very conscious of safety.


    "Zi Han, I''ll walk you home!" Xiao Han had already put on his jacket.


    "Alright then!" Chen Zihan said apologetically, "Sorry for the trouble."


    "No trouble at all!" Xiao Hanughed, "Actually, I should be the one thanking you today."


    The two left the house, with Mother Xiao watching them from the doorstep.


    Xiao Han climbed onto Chen Zihan''s Yamaha electric scooter, a pretty pinkdies'' model that always attracted many boys when she rode it. She truly looked like a goddess on it.


    Chen Zihan sat behind him, wrapping her arms around Xiao Han''s waist.


    "I''m settled," Chen Zihan giggled.


    "Alright, let''s go!" Xiao Han revved up the engine and took off.


    The scooter started slowly, its headlights illuminating the path ahead. It was past nine at night, and the air was a bit chilly. Chen Zihan held Xiao Han tightly.


    "Girl, are you cold?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Cold!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    "When I start earning money, I swear I''ll buy a luxury car to drive you around!" Xiao Han enthusiastically stated.


    "Sure." Chen Zihan nodded, "I''ll be waiting for that luxury ride then."


    "No problem." Xiao Han grinned and then said, "I''ll definitely have you cruising in my luxury car."


    "Tee-hee¡­" Chen Zihan giggled merrily.


    Under the dim streetmps, a pink Yamaha electric scooter carried a young boy and a girl. Flush with happiness, the girl embraced the boy, her delightedughter resonating in the air like tinkling bells.


    After dropping Chen Zihan off at her residentialplex, Xiao Han thrust his hands into his pockets.


    "Go on in," Xiao Han smiled at Chen Zihan.


    "Hmm," Chen Zihan nodded, "It''ste, why don''t you take my bike back?"


    "No need!" Xiao Han shook his head and then said, "I''ll catch a cab back. Otherwise, you might have trouble getting to school tomorrow!"


    Seeing Xiao Han refuse, Chen Zihan didn''t push further.


    After a brief kiss, Xiao Han watched Chen Zihan''s bashful retreat. He couldn''t help but reveal a smirk of triumph. The beauty of Linjiang No.1 Middle School had been won over by him, and he had enjoyed more than his share of closeness. As a teenager in his prime, how could he not be thrilled?


    If word of this spread around the school, probably quite a few boys from Linjiang No.1 Middle School woulde looking for trouble.


    Xiao Han, his hands still in his pockets, turned and walked towards a nearby road.


    In the darkness, several figures clenched their teeth in rage.


    "Damn it!" Jiang Xiaoliang lurked in the shadows, furious to the point his hair nearly stood on end.


    "Xiaoliang, shall we go and give him a good thrashing?" One of the brawny fellows beside him was also annoyed. Although he always hung around Jiang Xiaoliang, he too had his fantasies about Chen Zihan. Seeing Xiao Han so close to Chen Zihan nearly drove him mad.


    "Yeah, let''s beat him up!" another boy chimed in.


    Jiang Xiaoliang took a deep breath and said, "We don''t fight an unprepared battle. Quick, grab some bricks."


    "Right away!" the brawny guy eagerly nodded.


    The three each grabbed a brick and quickly followed along the greenway after Xiao Han, catching up to him in the blink of an eye.


    Xiao Han waspletely caught up in the bliss of the evening, his mind entirely filled with Chen Zihan''s image******


    Suddenly, a shadow shed in front of him.


    Xiao Han instantly felt a sense of danger; it was a shadow stretched long by the streetlight. Although it only shed briefly, Xiao Han immediately concluded that someone was following him. And based on his own steps and the distance from the streetlight, he quickly estimated the distance between them and him.

 Chapter 38 Trouble Ahead

    Xiao Han''s mouth corners lifted slightly in a strange smile.


    From their movements, he could tell that the guys trailing him were likely not very formidable. Weighing his options, he was confident he could handle them.


    Keeping his pace steady, Xiao Han walked to the edge of the road, deliberately choosing a spot good for observation. The streetlight was at his 8 o''clock on the left. If they approached from that direction, their silhouettes would betray them. Otherwise, they would likely end up within Xiao Han''s field of vision.


    One minuteter, several sneaky shadows indeed appeared.


    Xiao Han''s mouth corners lifted slightly.


    "Big Fatty, you go first!" Jiang Xiaoliang gritted his teeth.


    "Alright." The big and dumb one nodded promptly, swinging the brick in his hand and rapidly lunging at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han could determine the other''s trajectory and speed from the way their figure moved.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Bang¡­


    Just as the other was about to smash the brick in his hand down, Xiao Han suddenly executed a Dragon Tail Whip. His footnded solidly on Big Fatty''s chest.


    "Ouch..." Big Fatty fell straight down.


    At that moment, Jiang Xiaoliang and another boy also quickly charged out of the greenery.


    "Xiao Han, eat this brick from me!" Jiang Xiaoliang roared furiously.


    "Hmph!" Xiao Han snorted coldly.


    With a flick of his foot, a brick on the ground flipped up neatly andnded on Xiao Han''s foot.


    "Eat this brick from me." Xiao Han kicked fiercely.


    Boom!


    The brick on his foot soared through the air, hitting Jiang Xiaoliang square in the face.


    "Ow..." Jiang Xiaoliang immediately crouched down, clutching his face.


    The other boy stopped abruptly, asking anxiously, "Xiaoliang, are¡­ are you okay?"


    "Damn, my... my teeth!" Jiang Xiaoliang covered his mouth, blood gushing forth.


    Xiao Han walked over coldly, chuckling, "Jiang Xiaoliang, I didn''t expect it to be you."


    "Xiao Han, you¡­ you knocked out my teeth," Jiang Xiaoliang cursed angrily.


    "But this was your ambush on me," Xiao Han mockingly replied. "You brought this on yourself."


    "I¡­ I''m going to report you to the school," Jiang Xiaoliang red furiously at Xiao Han.


    "Be my guest!" Xiao Hanughed coldly.


    Having said this, Xiao Han hailed a cab and left the scene. Big Fatty and the other boy hurriedly supported Jiang Xiaoliang to get his wound treated at the hospital. One of his front teeth was knocked out, and the bleeding wouldn''t stop.


    Back at home, Xiao Han was somewhat worried.


    Jiang Xiaoliang came from a wealthy family, and as an only child, he was doted on like a treasure. Suddenly seeing their son with a knocked out tooth, Xiao Han guessed this could spell trouble. His heart was a little troubled, unsure of how to face this tomorrow.


    Given Jiang Xiaoliang''s nature, the guy would probably shift all the me onto Xiao Han. Even if Xiao Han exined the truth, who would believe him? There were no surveince cameras on that street, nor any passing pedestrians to witness the event.


    Just as Xiao Han expected.


    Early the next day, Xiao Han went to school with his backpack.


    At the school gates, many pointed at Xiao Han and whispered among themselves.


    "That''s him, that''s Xiao Han!"


    "The kid is done for, he actually knocked out Jiang Xiaoliang''s front teeth. How brutal."


    "Now the entire school knows that the head of the academic affairs office is looking for him."


    Many looked at Xiao Han with sympathetic eyes. Jiang Xiaoliang was Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s top student, while Xiao Han was seen as an inferior student; one exam of excellence couldn''t change the students'' perception of Xiao Han. So, the incident of Xiao Han knocking out Jiang Xiaoliang''s teeth wasrgely seen as Xiao Han''s fault by everyone.


    "Xiao Han, you''re in trouble," Li Dapang hurried over anxiously.


    "What happened?" Xiao Han asked quickly.


    "First thing this morning, the school broadcast was calling for you, telling you to go to the academic affairs office as soon as you could," Li Dapang said urgently.


    "Why?" Xiao Han was puzzled.


    Who else could pressure the school and stir up such a storm but him? Xiao Han quickly had an idea.


    "And you''re asking me for what trouble you''ve caused?" Li Dapang looked at Xiao Han and said, "Did you really knock out Jiang Xiaoliang''s front tooth?"


    "He provoked me," Xiao Han said with a cold face.


    "Fuck, that kid is spreading rumors everywhere, saying you''re jealous of his academic performance and attacked him on your own initiative." Li Dapang spoke up, "This messes things up for you; couldn''t you just hold back? What good is injuring him for you?"


    "What''s done is done; what can I do?" Xiao Han said helplessly.


    "What are we going to do now?" Li Dapang was getting anxious. He said, "If you''re hauled into the academic affairs office, you''re going to be disciplined."


    "Then let them discipline me," Xiao Hanughed. "What can they do about it?"


    "Aren''t you afraid of that stern-faced director over at academic affairs?" Li Dapang red at Xiao Han.


    "Forget it," Xiao Han waved his hand dismissively, "Director Zhang should be a reasonable person. I''m going to the academic affairs office now to rify things."


    "I think you''d better not go," Li Dapang urged him quickly, "Isn''t that just walking into a trap? This time, Jiang Xiaoliang''s parents have already made a scene at the school and put pressure on them. Otherwise, do you think this issue would have blown up so much?"


    "So what am I supposed to do?" Xiao Han shuddered inwardly. That kid Jiang Xiaoliang really went all out by dragging his parents into this.


    "How about this, take a sick leave for today," Li Dapang said in a hurry, "Once his mom and dad are gone, we''ll calm things down."


    Xiao Han shook his head, "You might evade temporarily, but not for a lifetime. I still have to face this, to stand up like a man."


    Having said that, Xiao Han headed straight for the academic affairs office.


    Li Dapang watched Xiao Han''s retreating figure, his transformation somewhat unbelievable to him. Did this kid really say that? Not only talking like a real man but acting like one too. Looking at Xiao Han''s retreating figure, Li Dapang gave a thumbs-up and said, "That''s a real man."


    Academic Affairs.


    Inside the office, smoke swirled.


    Zhang Daguo was a veteran smoker with over forty years of addiction. Sitting across from him were Jiang Xiaoliang''s parents, two respectable-looking business people. Having made some money in business in earlier years and some profitable investments since, they held some prestige in LJ City.


    Now that their son had suffered such a big loss, they naturally couldn''t let it slide and came to the school themselves to demand an exnation.


    "Oh, Brother Jiang, kids squabble, why do you have to get involved as well?" Zhang Daguo said with a chuckle.


    "Xiaoliang is our only son," Jiang Xiaoliang''s father, Jiang Yicai, said coldly, "My son gets bullied at school, of course, I have toe to you guys."


    "We need to figure out the whole story here," Zhang Daguo responded with a smile.


    "What story?" Jiang Yicai said hastily, "My son exined it quite clearly. That bully from his ss is jealous of his good grades, and also because he sits with that... Chen Zihan. That''s why he secretly attacked him and knocked out his teeth."


    "We will investigate the matter thoroughly," Zhang Daguo smiled, "If that''s the case, we will certainly record a major demerit for Xiao Han."


    "Director Zhang," Madam Jiang interjected with a coldugh, "Just a demerit for beating someone up like this?"


    "So what do you suggest?" Zhang Daguo asked with puzzlement.


    "Expulsion!" Madam Jiang''s voice became unusually sharp and a bit harsh, "He must be expelled, to ensure he can never go to school again!"


    "That¡­" Zhang Daguo was taken aback, saying awkwardly, "Expulsion is a serious matter; it requires the principal''s approval, and we have to file it with the Education Bureau. It''s not something we can just decide. I can''t make this decision."


    "Then find someone who can make the decision to talk to us!" Madam Jiang''s acidic tone pushed Zhang Daguo into an indefensible corner.


    The atmosphere in the office grew tense for a moment.


    Just then, Xiao Han pushed open the door and walked in.


    "Xiao Han?" Zhang Daguo spotted Xiao Han immediately, his anger rising, "You,e in quickly and exin the whole situation clearly!"


    Xiao Han, hands pocketed, strolled in.


    Madam Jiang fixed a fiery gaze on Xiao Han, "Are you Xiao Han? You''re the one who knocked out my son''s front teeth?"


    "Director Zhang, let me tell you the whole story now," Xiao Hanpletely ignored Madam Jiang''s question and recitedst night''s events in full detail.


    Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang nearly erupted in rage. She had beenpletely brainwashed by her son''s ount, her perception already biased. She snapped, "You mean to say that I should have my son apologize to you?"


    "Forget about the apology," Xiao Han waved it off, "I''m not one to hold grudges."


    Bang!


    Suddenly, Jiang Yicai mmed his hand on the desk, sneering, "Young but not modest!"


    Xiao Han turned to look at Jiang Yicai, neatly dressed in a white shirt paired with a gray vest, a gold chain hanging around his neck. Despite his meticulous attire, it was hard to conceal the air of a nouveau riche about him.


    "Like father, like son!" Xiao Han retorted without hesitation.


    "Enough!" Zhang Daguo quickly jumped in to mediate, then turned to Xiao Han, "Is what you just said true?"


    "Not a word of it was false," Xiao Han nodded.


    "Do you have any evidence?" Zhang Daguo asked.


    "Well¡­" Xiao Han hesitated for a moment, then said, "There was no surveince on the roadside, and no eyewitnesses."


    "Who would believe you based on your word alone?" Madam Jiang''s sharp voice rang out again.


    "Who would believe your son?" Xiao Han shot back.


    "My son has excellent grades; plenty of people would believe him," Madam Jiang coldly mocked Xiao Han, "As for you, just a poor student at the bottom of the ss. If you don''t study hard and only daydream all day. You, a poor boy, are destined to stay poor forever!"

 Chapter 039 Sister Takes Charge

    The words were sharp, showingplete disregard for Xiao Han, as well as a totalck of consideration for the pride of a teenager.


    Luckily, Xiao Han had a strong heart. If it were someone else, they would have probably copsed by now.


    "Yes, I''m poor!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "But of course, my ambitions are not poor. What about you? You''ll probably remain the same for your entire life, right? With your nature, you''ll never be able to integrate into the upper echelons of society. You may have money, but that''s just the wealth of upstarts."


    p!


    Madam Jiang suddenlyshed out with a p.


    The p was so hard that Xiao Han saw stars and five red marks immediately appeared on his face.


    "Don''t hit him!" Zhang Daguo hurried to protect Xiao Han.


    "You little beast!" Madam Jiang was trembling with rage, teeth clenched as she scolded, "I do have money, and you poor wretch dare talk to me like this. We will not let you off this time. Tell me, how will youpensate us!"


    "I have no money, but I do have my life!" Xiao Han responded boldly.


    Zhang Daguo looked at Xiao Han with surprise. To think, he would say such bold words¡ªthis didn''t seem like something a student would say, but rather something a delinquent would utter.


    "Xiao Han, watch your tone!" Zhang Daguo red at Xiao Han. He then tried to pacify Mr. and Mrs. Jiang.


    Mr. and Mrs. Jiang were prominent figures in Linjiang City, respected wherever they went, so Zhang Daguo had to consider their feelings. However, Xiao Han''s interjection made the situation particrly thorny.


    Zhang Daguo hastily turned to Mr. and Mrs. Jiang with a forced smile, saying, "Brother Jiang, students will inevitably have conflicts. I don''t think there''s a need to make a big deal out of this. Why not let Xiao Han apologize to Xiaoliang, and we can call it even?"


    "We demandpensation!" Madam Jiang hissed, seemingly intent on not letting Xiao Han off unless he paid, and determined not to back down.


    "So how much do you think is appropriate...?" Director Zhang curiously inquired, wondering how much they were expecting.


    Zhang Daguo was aware of Xiao Han''s financial situation, and so he nned to have the school cover thepensation. Of course, the amount had to be reasonable. After all, school funds had to be ounted for, and arge sum would be difficult to justify to the finance department. It''s not like they could say it was for reimbursing a student''s debts, right?


    "One hundred thousand!" Madam Jiang demanded exorbitantly.


    Sss...


    Zhang Daguo was nearly scared out of his wits by this astronomical demand. Hisplexion changed. Meanwhile, Xiao Han remained as calm as a breeze, undisturbed and self-possessed. He smiled and said, "Don''t expect a penny from me, if you can, just call the police."


    "You!" Madam Jiang was truly stung by Xiao Han''s barb.


    This situation, after all, wasn''t a big deal, merely a quarrel between students. Moreover, Madam Jiang knew that her son had brought along two others, and yet the three of them lost in a fight. Considering Xiao Han''s character, he wouldn''t have initiated the confrontation. If they really brought the police into this, it could be troublesome.


    However, if she didn''t vent out her anger, she probably wouldn''t be able to sleep for a few days. Madam Jiang sneered, "Fine, no money? Then I''ll just have to find someone to knock out your front teeth."


    "Please, let''s not escte things!" Director Zhang definitely didn''t want the situation to worsen, as it would be bad for both him and the school. He could only try to smooth things over as much as possible, "Madam Jiang, asking for one hundred thousand is really going overboard. Besides, given Xiao Han''s financial circumstances, he can''t even afford ten thousand, let alone one hundred thousand.


    Isn''t this making things difficult for him?"


    "Can''t afford it?" Madam Jiang smiled, "Then let him kneel before my son and knock his head on the ground three times, and we''ll pretend this never happened!"


    "You!" Director Zhang couldn''t stand listening anymore.


    Jiang Yicai also felt his wife was going too far, but driven by his affection for his son, he hesitated to intervene. Wasn''t it better to let a woman make a fuss than to step forward himself? Besides, as a prominent person in Linjiang City, if the incident got out, it would damage his reputation.


    Suddenly, the atmosphere in the office turned cold, as if the chill from outside had blown in.


    "Who is it with such a big attitude!" Just as Xiao Han was about to retort, a voice from outside interrupted them.


    Everyone''s gaze shifted toward the entrance.


    Standing there was a woman in a ck office uniform, her delicate face and intelligent eyesplemented by her raven hair, meticulously put up, exposing her wless, fair neck. She wore a white blouse under a tailored zer that entuated her graceful figure, with a ck skirt wrapping around her shapely behind.


    Her long legs were bare, smoother than if she had been wearing stockings, shining like White Jade without a single blemish.


    "Sister?" Xiao Han''s mouth fell open in shock.


    The arrival was none other than Li Xiaoya, the sister Xiao Han had just acknowledged the day before.


    Li Xiaoya hade to Linjiang No.1 Middle School specifically to deliver a letter of thanks, as Xiao Han had done her a huge favor by saving her life the day before. Although the public security authorities were going tomend Xiao Han for his courage, she felt the need to express her gratitude personally.


    On the street the day before, amidst so many others, Xiao Han was the only one who stepped forward without hesitation.


    "Xiao Han, with your sister here, rest assured, no one will dare to bully you!" Li Xiaoya''s voice rang with confidence, and inside this seemingly fragile woman resided a powerful, formidable force.


    Zhang Daguo was immediately rmed. Although he didn''t recognize the woman before him, he had a bad feeling about her, that she was not someone to be trifled with. He awkwardly looked at Li Xiaoya and asked, "Miss, may I know you are¡­?"


    "I''m Xiao Han''s sister." Li Xiaoya walked over to Xiao Han, her slender arm entwining with his, and smiled, "I came to the school today to see Xiao Han, and I didn''t expect to encounter such a situation."


    "This..." Director Zhang was stunned.


    Jiang Yicai was visibly surprised. The woman before him was very attractive and to his liking. From the moment Li Xiaoya had entered, he had forgotten about his son''s affair. He really wanted to get to know Li Xiaoya, but with his wife right there, he could only sit dumbly, looking Li Xiaoya up and down.


    Madam Jiang realized she was dealing with a tough nut. She squinted her eyes and said, "Are you Xiao Han''s sister? You''vee at the right time. Xiao Han knocked out my son''s front tooth, and I was just nning to impensation of one hundred thousand yuan from him!"


    "Okay!" Li Xiaoya nodded.


    She turned and called out to the door, "Xiao Mei,e in!"


    Outside, a girl in uniform walked in holding a briefcase. She respectfully said, "Director Li!"


    "Write a check for one hundred thousand yuan for thisdy!" Li Xiaoya ordered.


    "Yes!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Mei immediately nodded, took a nk check out of her briefcase on the spot, filled it out with the amount of one hundred thousand, and handed it over to Madam Jiang with both hands.


    Madam Jiang was stunned. A hundred thousand yuan was, of course, arge sum; even for the Jiang Family toe up with a hundred thousand, Madam Jiang would have to cut deep into her finances. She hadn''t expected the other party to produce one hundred thousand yuan so easily; it was evident that this woman meant business.


    Without understanding the background of the other party, it was not good to continue the entanglement.


    "Alright, considering the one hundred thousand yuan, let''s leave this matter for now," Madam Jiang spoke, still leaving some room for maneuver.


    "Wait a moment," Li Xiaoya''s mouth curved, revealing a cold smile, "Your son''s matter can be settled like this, but our Xiao Han''s matter isn''t over yet."


    "What matter?" Madam Jiang asked, puzzled, looking at Li Xiaoya.


    Li Xiaoya slowly walked towards Madam Jiang.


    p!


    Suddenly, Li Xiaoya pped Madam Jiang on the face.


    "Ah!" Madam Jiang eximed, clutching her face, and roared furiously, "You slut, you... you dare to hit me!"


    "I''ll tell you, this p is the very same one you just delivered to Xiao Han''s face," Li Xiaoya sneered coldly, "Now I''m returning it to you exactly as is!"


    "You!" Madam Jiang was furious, her talons bared as she sought to w back the situation.


    "Madam, madam, let it be, let it be!" Jiang Yicai hurriedly held back Madam Jiang.


    Continuing like this would onlyplicate matters further. It was clear this woman was a fierce opponent, and they needed to thoroughly investigate her background before proceeding further.


    Jiang Yicai dragged Madam Jiang out by hook or by crook.


    The office quieted down a lot all of a sudden.


    "Xiao Han, are you alright?" Li Xiaoya gently touched Xiao Han''s reddened face, feeling distressed.


    "I... I''m fine," Xiao Han awkwardly dodged Li Xiaoya''s hand.


    "This woman went too far," Li Xiaoya gritted her teeth and said, "I''ll thoroughly investigate them when we get back and find out what this family really does."


    "How may I address you, madam?" Zhang Daguo quickly asked.


    "My name is Li Xiaoya," Li Xiaoya replied, "Director Zhang can call me Xiao Li."


    "Sigh, Xiao Han is just too stubborn!" Zhang Daguo sighed deeply and then said, "If he had just lowered his head earlier, admitted his mistake, perhaps things wouldn''t have be thisplicated."


    "That''s just who Xiao Han is!" Li Xiaoya turned her head to look at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han gave Li Xiaoya a sheepish grin.


    Li Xiaoya covered her mouth, giggling. After getting to know a bit about Xiao Han, she found herself quite fond of this boy on the brink of manhood.


    Li Xiaoya looked at Zhang Daguo and said, "Director Zhang, today I especially came to deliver a letter of thanks for Xiao Han."


    "A letter of thanks?" Zhang Daguo was taken aback, "What letter of thanks?"


    "Yesterday afternoon..." Li Xiaoya recounted in detail the events that had unfolded the previous afternoon.


    Zhang Daguo looked shocked. He turned to Xiao Han.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Xiao Han didn''t say a word, only nodded shyly.


    "Alright," Zhang Daguo nodded, "so..."


    "Thank you for nurturing such an outstanding student like Xiao Han, a student with the courage to do what''s right!" Li Xiaoya said earnestly, "Therefore, I''ve decided to donate three hundred thousand yuan in schrships to Linjiang No.1 Middle School."


    "Ah?" Zhang Daguo was surprised.

 Chapter 040 Dumb Loss

    Originally, he thought she was here to deliver a thank-you letter, but he hadn''t expected a donation as well? Zhang Daguo burst intoughter immediately, "Great, great, I... I represent the party organization and the school to express our gratitude to Ms. Li. Also, you see... when should the school organize a donation ceremony for you?"


    "Let''s skip the whole donation ceremony thing," Li Xiaoya shook her head, "It''s not a lot of money, I''ll just have my secretary write you a check."


    "Great, great!" Zhang Daguoughed upon hearing this, "Ms. Li really is a businesswoman, unconcerned with these procedural matters."


    "However, you must give me a donation receipt," Li Xiaoya said.


    "No problem!" Zhang Daguo nodded eagerly, this wasn''t difficult at all. The school had plenty of donation receipts, as many as one might want.


    The secretary issued a check for three hundred thousand on the spot to Zhang Daguo, who then took it to the finance department.


    Li Xiaoya left the academic affairs office with Xiao Han.


    Many people were waiting outside to see Xiao Han''s embarrassment, but when Xiao Han came out, quite a few jaws dropped.


    "Who is that beauty?"


    "So beautiful and elegant."


    From a distance in the flowerbed, several high school seniors watched intently. Li Xiaoya''s appearance and sexy figure inevitably made these teenagers'' blood boil. Her whitece-trimmed blouse was almost bursting at the chest. Her exquisitely beautiful face seemed as if a beauty had stepped right out of a painting.


    "God, she... she''s actually holding onto Xiao Han!"


    "What''s so good about Xiao Han that makes him so attractive to women?"


    Previously there was Chen Zihan, and now there''s yet another beautiful woman. This woman was different from other beauties. There seemed to be a enchanting charm about her, an endless allure that was irresistible, and these boys'' eyes nearly popped out of their heads.


    "Sister, thank you for today!" Xiao Han said to Li Xiaoya, "If it weren''t for you, the Jiang family wouldn''t have let things go so easily."


    "Silly, why be so formal with your sister?" Li Xiaoyaughed, "If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me. I will always have your back."


    "Thank you!" a warm surge of gratitude filled Xiao Han''s heart.


    "Alright, I need to head back to the provincial city now," Li Xiaoya smiled and then said, "Xiao Han, I''m leaving."


    "Uh-huh, I''ll walk you out!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Arm in arm, Li Xiaoya walked with Xiao Han towards the school''s main gate, attracting countless curious nces along the way. Li Dapang, watching from a distance, was green with envy, his eyes hungrily fixed on Li Xiaoya as he muttered resentfully, "Damn, how does Xiao Han always end up with the good stuff? Can''t even share a bit of the luck with me. It''s really too much."


    He saw Li Xiaoya all the way to the school gate.


    A metallic silver BMW car was waiting there, and the chauffeur hurriedly got out to open the door for Li Xiaoya. Smiling at Xiao Han, she said, "Xiao Han, remember, no matter who bullies you, I will always help you, understand?"


    "Uh-huh!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Xiaoya elegantly climbed into the backseat and then waved at Xiao Han. Xiao Mei got into the passenger seat.


    The car slowly started.


    Watching the car disappear into the distance, Xiao Han was filled with many emotions. In this world, indeed, money speaks; only when you''re wealthy are you respected. Without Li Xiaoya, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang would probably still be giving him trouble, and it might not have been so easy for him to clear himself.


    "She''s gone?" Li Dapang came over.


    "Uh-huh!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Fuck, how could you just let her go like that?" Li Dapang hurriedly said.


    "What else could I do?" Xiao Han frowned.


    "You should''ve asked her to stay, invite her for a meal, right?" Li Dapang sniggered, "Director Li took all the trouble toe here from the provincial city and even helped you out so much. You should at least treat her to a meal, watch a movie, and then maybe get a room."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At first, Xiao Han thought Li Dapang was right; after all, Li Xiaoya had indeed helped him. But then, he felt something was off.


    Smack!


    Xiao Han pped Li Dapang on the back of the head, scolding, "What are you talking about?"


    "Ow..." Li Dapang quickly dodged to the side, embarrassedly saying, "I''m just speaking the truth. It''s clear that Li Xiaoya likes you. I think if you push forward now, you might just be able to win her over."


    "Stop it," Xiao Han red at him annoyedly, then said, "She''s like my sister, and besides, she has a child."


    "So what?" Li Dapang grinned, "Isn''t she divorced? Such a beautiful woman, it would really be a waste not to pursue her."


    Having said that, Li Dapang dashed away quickly.


    "Fuck... you bastard!" Xiao Han, furious, chased after him.


    Li Dapang ran while bursting into loudughter.


    ...................


    Mr. and Mrs. Jiang left Linjiang No.1 Middle School, and Madam Jiang was visibly enraged, her expression icy.


    "Madam, please don''t be angry," Jiang Yicai quickly tried to soothe his wife, saying, "Didn''t you ask them for apensation of one hundred thousand? Theypensated you."


    "But she pped me," Madam Jiang angrily swore.


    "That''s because you pped someone recklessly first," Jiang Yicai helplessly said.


    "Am Iparable to that poor kid?" Madam Jiang was even more furious.


    "Everyone''s human," Jiang Yicai hurriedly said, "You shouldn''t have been so impulsive, giving them something to hold against us."


    "What do you suggest we do then?" Madam Jiang asked through gritted teeth.


    "When we get back, I''ll look into this woman''s background!" Jiang Yicai had been unable to stop thinking about Li Xiaoya, and he was willing to immediately ditch his current wife just to be with her, even if it meant abandoning his son. However, before confirming Li Xiaoya''s identity, Jiang Yicai had to be extremely careful.


    "Okay!" Madam Jiang took a deep breath, her face ashen, "I will not let this woman off easily!"


    "My dear, stay calm," Jiang Yicai said with a smile, "Once we find out her background, she will be easier to deal with."


    Jiang Yicai had some wealth in Linjiang as well. Although he couldn''t call the wind and summon the rain, he still had some connections here and there. If the adversary wasn''t someone significant, taking them down wouldn''t be a problem. However, if that person had a powerful backing, he would need to tread carefully.


    Upon returning, Jiang Yicai immediately began investigating Li Xiaoya''s identity and background.


    This investigation startled him.


    "Mr. Jiang, Ms. Li Xiaoya is the chairman of Huihong Group." His assistant entered Jiang Yicai''s office and handed over the documents rted to Li Xiaoya.


    "What?" Jiang Yicai was instantly stunned.


    Huihong Group was no small entity¡ªit was a benchmark enterprise in the province, with businesses under its umbre in real estate, electronic technology, catering, entertainment, among others. Its annual profits amounted to over twenty billion. Most importantly, Huihong Group was the sole distributor for Apple products in the province.


    Jiang Yicai had always wanted to secure the distribution rights for Apple products in Linjiang, but all his attempts and negotiations had failed.


    "I can''t believe it, I really can''t believe it!" Jiang Yicai forced a bitter smile.


    Compared to Huihong Group, his ownpany was minuscule and iparable.


    "Mr. Jiang, haven''t you always wanted to secure the Apple product distribution rights?" the assistant smiled, "If you have a connection with Director Li, maybe you can pull some strings and secure the rights!"


    "Heh..." Jiang Yicai''s smile was insincere.


    However, Jiang Yicai was a businessman above all. Interests came first. Although the situation seemed bad, an old Chinese saying goes, ''A setback may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.'' It might turn out that visiting Li Xiaoya personally, offering an apology, and returning the untouched check of 100,000 might just change the situation for the better.


    A sly smile immediately appeared on the corner of Jiang Yicai''s mouth.


    Smack!


    He pped the table, "Exactly, let''s do that!"


    "What?" the assistant asked, somewhat awkwardly, "Mr. Jiang, you mean...?"


    "Visit Ms. Li Xiaoya in the provincial city tomorrow," Jiang Yicai chuckled.


    The worst oue would be a t rejection, but the best could mean winning over the beauty and earning a fortune.


    "Yes!" The assistant nodded immediately.


    A subtle smile curled the corner of Jiang Yicai''s mouth as he seemed to have devised a series of schemes in his mind. His greatest hope was to win over Li Xiaoya. If he managed to do so, he would find a way to divorce his current wife. Once married to Li Xiaoya, he would be the owner of Huihong Group and have more money than he could ever spend.


    ...............


    Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    It was dismissal time, and Xiao Han and Big Fatty were walking towards Lizhi Lake inside the school.


    Lizhi Lake was a naturalke within the campus of Linjiang No.1 Middle School. It covered several hundred square meters with an average depth of two meters, and the deepest part was slightly over three meters. A fence was built around theke, and the ground was paved with cobblestones.


    It was said that walking on the cobblestones could press on the soles of the feet, promoting blood cirction and keeping the body and mind healthy.


    "Xiao Han, how are we going to handle the agency fee?" Big Fatty asked anxiously, "Three hundred thousand, that''s not a small amount!"


    "There''s always a way!" Xiao Han nodded earnestly.


    This was indeed a major issue. If they couldn''te up with three hundred thousand for the agency fee, the dealership could be at risk. Moreover, stocking up costs money, right? Opening a store costs money, right? Renovations cost money, right? Paying employees costs money, right?


    This meant they needed at least one million in funds to operate.


    One million might be just a trifle to many businessmen, but for Xiao Han, it was an astronomical sum. After giving eighteen thousand for Yang Lu''s treatment, Xiao Han was now penniless.


    "How about..." Big Fatty turned his head to look at Xiao Han. Both men simultaneously stopped walking, Xiao Han looked up at Big Fatty, appearing to see in his eyes what he was about to suggest. Xiao Han took a deep breath, remained silent, but shook his head slightly.


    "Why not?" Big Fatty hurriedly said, "Didn''t we do the samest time?"


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Even thieves don''t steal from the same ce twice!"


    "We''re not thieves!" Big Fatty said loudly.


    "Anyway, it''s not happening!" Xiao Han firmly shook his head in rejection.


    Big Fatty said helplessly, "Then what do you suggest we do? We need at least three hundred thousand."


    "I know!" Xiao Han nodded, "But we definitely can''t go back to Brother Bao''s ce."


    "Then we could go to someone else''s." Big Fatty''s eyes immediately spun around excitedly, "Wouldn''t that work?"


    "Three hundred thousand is too big a target," Xiao Han frowned,  "In any underground gambling den in Linjiang, winning more than fifty thousand would get you targeted. So, we need to find arge casino, ideally one with government backing."


    "Then there''s none in the country," Big Fatty shrugged.


    "Macau!" Xiao Han slowly uttered two words, then added, "Isn''t that the ce?"


    "My God!" Big Fatty looked at Xiao Han in astonishment, "Are you actually considering going to Macau?"


    "It''s an idea!" Xiao Han took a deep breath, "Life should be about having the courage and spirit to strive."


    "But that... that''s gambling!" Big Fatty said hastily.


    "But it''s a legal industry!" Xiao Han coldlyughed, "As long as our actions are within legal constraints, that is what matters."

 Chapter 041 Going to Macau

    "So you''re really nning to go to Macau?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Come with me!"


    "Oh my god, I... I''ve never been to Macau in my life." As soon as Li Dapang heard this, he became excited and said, "Forget Macau, I''ve never even left Z province. By the way, when do we leave?"


    "Tomorrow!" Xiao Han bit his lip, since he had things to do, he might as well get them done quickly.


    Going to Macau would take at least two days, right? Xiao Han hoped to go there and return early, aiming to secure the agency rights as soon as possible. Of course, if he could find a suitable location on the street and then open Linjiang''s first Apple authorized store, he estimated the business wouldn''t be too bad.


    "Okay, I''ll go back and get ready." Li Dapang said hurriedly.


    "Alright, you go back first!" Xiao Han nodded.


    After Li Dapang left, Xiao Han walked alone by thekeside of Lizhi Lake. In this short month and a half, it seemed that a lot had happened. He had gone from an obscure student to bing the mysterious teacher of the Hanmen Training ss, achieved excellent results in the city-wide joint exam, and now, he had even won the Apple product agency rights for Linjiang.


    Throughout this journey, even Xiao Han himself found it somewhat unbelievable.


    What exactly was changing him?


    Xiao Han was constantly asking himself why he used to be unnoticed and bullied, yet now it seemed as if he had transformed into apletely different person overnight. Not only had he achieved some results, but he had also attained a certain sess.


    The brain!


    A sudden epiphany struck Xiao Han''s mind, right, it had to be the brain. He used to be slow-witted, his brain couldn''t make quick connections, and he appeared very dull. But ever since that time Liao Zhijie had thrown him into the pool at the school entrance, and his head hit a rockery, he seemed to have be more alert, and his brain also became very sharp.


    But why? Could it be that the impact he suffered made his brain smarter? Television shows often depict characters getting amnesia or bing stupid after an impact... but there had never been reports of someone bing smarter after a bump on the head. That seemed too far-fetched.


    No matter how hard Xiao Han tried, he simply could not understand the reason behind it. So, he could only ept reality. Besides, it wasn''t a bad thing.


    "Xiao Han!" Chen Zihan''s voice came.


    "Zi Han?" Xiao Han turned his head to look at Chen Zihan and asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "I saw you and Li Dapang sneaking over here, so I followed you," Chen Zihan said with an unhappy face, "Are you guys keeping something from me? The two of you are always so secretive."


    "Not at all!" Xiao Hanughed and said, "How could I dare to hide anything from you? Big Fatty is a good friend of mine, so we spend more time together. Isn''t that normal?"


    "I heard Jiang Xiaoliang''s parents came to look for you?" Chen Zihan quickly asked, "What''s going on with that?"


    "It wasn''t a big deal!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "We had a bit of a disagreement, and his parents, being overly protective, came to the school."


    "Then... who was that woman who helped you today?" Chen Zihan hurriedly asked.


    "My... sister!" Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Really?" Chen Zihan seemed to rx a bit upon hearing this.


    "Are you jealous?" Xiao Han curiously looked at Chen Zihan, thenughed and said, "Haha, you''re actually jealous? Let me tell you, my sister already has a child, and the kid is already six months old."


    "I''m not jealous!" Chen Zihan red at Xiao Han and said, "I was just curious, is that wrong?"


    "That''s fine!" Xiao Hanughed heartily, then took Chen Zihan''s hand in his.


    The two of them walked openly beside Lizhi Lake. Chen Zihan was a bit embarrassed at first, but then she thought that Xiao Han had already seen and touched everything on her body, so holding hands was nothing inparison.


    "Look, isn''t that Chen Zihan?"


    "Oh my god... she... she''s actually holding hands with Xiao Han?"


    "Damn it, that pisses me off."


    Not far away, a few boys looked on with anger. Chen Zihan was acknowledged as the school beauty by the male students of Linjiang No.1 Middle School. She was someone all of them were willing to be the guardian for. It was as if the Linjiang No.1 Middle School boys had collectively nted a beautiful cabbage, only to one day find that a pig had rooted it up. Could they not be angry?


    They were indeed furious!


    "What do we do?" the boys gritted their teeth.


    They were specialized students in sports, beefing up their unique skills. Each one was tall and strong, all muscle and bravado.


    "Let''s take him down!" one of the nearly two-meter-tall boys said.


    "Alright!" the others ganged up in agreement.


    Five boys specializing in sports immediately walked towards Xiao Han and Chen Zihan. They nced coldly at Xiao Han and then asked, "Brother, are you Chen Zihan''s boyfriend?"


    "That''s right!" Xiao Han didn''t dodge. If it had been before, he probably would''ve run away already. But now, Xiao Han had a different courage and capability. He looked at them, each one stronger and more muscr than him, full of robust energy.


    "Heh heh..." the buzz-cut student sneered and said, "You got some nerve, kid. Think you can handle a girl like Chen Zihan?"


    "Chen Chen, what are you doing?" Chen Zihan looked at him with some annoyance on her face.


    "Zi Han, what''s so good about this kid?" Chen Chen gnashed his teeth, "Just a bumpkin. I''ve been chasing you for years, and you never epted me. What''s he got that I don''t?"


    "And what are you?" Xiao Han hit back without hesitation.


    "Oh, you dare to talk back to me?" As soon as he heard that, Chen Chen flew into a rage.


    "Who Chen Zihan chooses is her own decision," Xiao Han said with a nce, showing no sign of weakness.


    The other party seemed like a hedgehog getting provoked, instantly raising its spines. He sneered, "Kid, if you''re a real man, do you have the guts to take me on a couple of moves?"


    "How do you want to ''take me on''?" Xiao Han asked disdainfully.


    "However you want!" Chen Chen sneered.


    "You''re a sports student?" Xiao Han nced at him.


    "Yes!" Chen Chen patted his chest, "Didn''t you see this is a training uniform?"


    After school, sports students had additional training, and this group had just been hiding in the woods smoking which is why they ran into Xiao Han and the others by ident. A few boys from behind him curiously came closer, each one sneering at Xiao Han as if they didn''t take him seriously at all.


    "What sport do you train for?" Xiao Han asked in return.


    "One hundred and two hundred meters!" Chen Chen sneered, "What about it? You wanna challenge me?"


    From his tone, it seemed that Chen Chen did not take Xiao Han seriously at all.


    "Fine!" Xiao Han smiled lightly, "Today, I''ll challenge you to a one hundred meter dash!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Hiss...


    The boys behind Chen Chen instantly gasped in surprise, staring at Xiao Han with their mouths agape.


    Ha ha ha...


    After a few seconds of brewing silence, a burst of loudughter erupted.


    "Kid, stop joking," Chen Chenughed, "You could challenge me to shot put, long jump standing..."


    "No!" Xiao Han smiled, "To strike at a person, you must hit them where they''re proudest. Your specialty is sprinting, so fine, I''ll hit you hard in the one hundred meter event. If you can''t beat someone who''s never trained in sports, you''ll never hold your head up high again in your life."


    "Brave words, kid," Chen Chen replied coldly.


    Suddenly, Chen Chen sensed as if Xiao Han harbored an unrevealed strength within him. Especially those eyes of Xiao Han''s, like bottomless dry wells, unfathomable and profound.


    "Kid, it''s best you admit defeat now!"


    "That''s right, Chen Chen is the city sports meet record holder for the one hundred meters. Fighting him is suicidal!"


    A few boys behind Chen Chen mocked and ridiculed. Stay updated through empire


    Even Chen Zihan tried to persuade, "Xiao Han, don''t fight him."


    "Zi Han," Xiao Han held Chen Zihan''s hand, "If I don''t defeat him today, he''ll always be as arrogant as a rooster. I want to dampen his spirits, to let him know there''s always someone better out there."


    "But, you... you''re no match for him at all," Chen Zihan also doubted Xiao Han could beat Chen Chen.


    Ha ha ha... A few people burst intoughter.


    "Kid, you said it yourself!" Chen Chen burst outughing. As soon as Xiao Han spoke those words, Chen Chen had already decided Xiao Han had lost. How could anyone take seriously the words of a braggart? Thus, Chen Chen totally dismissed Xiao Han. Chen Chen provocatively said, "If you lose, leave Chen Zihan immediately!"


    "Alright," Xiao Han nodded, "But what if you lose?"


    "I can''t lose!" Chen Chen roared.


    For a sprinter, for someone who held records at city sports meets, this was an utter insult. Someone who had never trained in sprinting daring to challenge him was a mockery, and if it weren''t for Chen Zihan, Chen Chen would not even bother racing against Xiao Han.


    "I said ''if''!" Xiao Han asked with a smile.


    "If I lose, then I''ll give up sprinting for the rest of my life, never to step foot on an athletic track again!" Chen Chen roared.


    "Heh, that''s no concern of mine!" Xiao Han said with disdain. "Besides, what''s the difference between your promise and a fart? I need something tangible. Like¡­ money!"


    "You!" Chen Chen got angry, raising his fist as if to smash it into Xiao Han. The other boys quickly restrained him, holding Chen Chen back. They urged, "Don''t... don''t get physical; this is a school."

 Chapter 42 Sprint Race

    "Damn it!" Chen Chen, bursting with anger, roared, "Are you going to race or not!"


    "Like I said," Xiao Han said with a smile, "only if you put up a substantial reward!"


    "How much do you want?" Chen Chen shouted.


    "How much do you think your strength is worth?" Xiao Han retorted, "I''ve never trained for sprinting events, and you are the city sports meet''s 100-meter record holder. How much money do you think you cane up with to race me?"


    "Damn!" Chen Chen bit his lip and said, "You guys, collect some money."


    While talking, Chen Chen took several hundred bills out of his pocket. The others also contributed a few hundred each. They barely managed to scrape together twelve hundred.


    "Is that all?" Xiao Han was unimpressed.


    Chen Chen felt as if he''d been provoked; he shouted angrily, "Can you put up more?"


    "Me? I wouldn''t dare to step out without two or three thousand on me," Xiao Han said as he took out more than two thousand from his pocket.


    The faces of the boys opposite instantly turned red.


    All high school students, all in the throes of adolescent growth, with strong egos. Xiao Han pulled out over two thousand, and it was enough to crush their dignity on the spot.


    "I''ll bet my phone!" Chen Chen immediately pulled out his newly purchased Apple phone and said, "Bought for over six thousand. Kid, you just watch."


    "What''s so great about a phone?" Xiao Han sneered and took out the Apple phone he''d bought just yesterday; a 5.5-inch screen, while the other''s was only 4.7 inches, smaller in size and naturally less expensive.


    The other side was stunned, having not expected Xiao Han, with his unremarkable appearance, to be a hidden little tycoon! For a high school student, owning thetest Apple phone was already a luxury, yet this guy had several thousand in cash on him. The youngsters immediately felt their fighting spirits ebb.


    "We''re all in!" The guys behind him put their Apple phones into Chen Chen''s hand, knowing him all too well. Chen Chen''s 100-meter sprint time was just eleven seconds. With that speed, he had been specially recruited by the provincial team, and now, Chen Chen was already a national level two athlete, soon to be a level one. That meant bonus points for college entrance exams.


    Three of thetest Apple phones, plus two Samsungs at home, the total value nearing twenty-five thousand. With the added twelve hundred in cash, the total was probably over twenty-five thousand.


    "Alright!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "For the sake of the money, I''ll reluctantly y with you guys."


    "Kid, don''t pretend to be coy when you''ve gotten a bargain," Chen Chen said, still furious.


    The group walked from Lizhi Lake towards the sports field. On the field, many physical education students were in the midst of intensive training. When the PE teacher saw Chen Chen and the others approaching, he shouted from a distance, "Where have you guys gone? Hurry up over here!"


    The group walked over, and Chen Chen said, "Teacher Li, I n to have a showdown with this kid!"


    No sooner had Chen Chen spoken than the surrounding students gathered around.


    The PE teacher red at Chen Chen and said, "Are you bullying the guy? You''re an athlete, and he''s not!"


    "He provoked me!" Chen Chen said dissatisfied, "He''s the one who wants to race me."


    "Right!" Xiao Han nodded, speaking loudly, "Today, I''m the one initiating the challenge against Chen Chen. I intend to defeat him in the 100-meter sprint, to teach him a lesson in humility and to also show him that the 100-meter track isn''t for trash like him to run on!"


    Whispers...


    The scene instantaneously erupted in astonishment! Everyone stared dumbfounded at Xiao Han.


    "Has the kid lost his mind?"


    "He definitely does not know how formidable Chen Chen is."


    "Now we''ll have a good show to watch,"


    A group of boys and girls encircled the scene, the Chinese inherently love to watch happenings unfold. Some students who were about to head home also gathered around, intrigued to hear what gossip was worth crowding for.


    "Okay!" The PE teacher nced at Xiao Han and said with augh, "Since you both want to spar, I''ll indulge your wish. Sun Danaiu, Li Erwa, you guys... go clean up ane on the track. I''ll have someone bring over the infrared timing gun."


    If they were going to race, they might as well do it professionally. On the track, every fraction of a second could affect an athlete''s entire career.


    Soon, the news spread like wildfire. Students who heard about it quickly filled the sports field, even more lively than the 100-meter event at the sports meet. Many gathered there; at the sports meet, they didn''t want to watch thepetition, but now, it was a contest of pride¡ªwho wouldn''t be eager to watch? The more excitement, the better.


    "Hurry, hurry, hurry..."


    "Come on, otherwise they''ll have finished racing."


    "This is going to be exciting!"


    Many students were still rushing to the sports field. With the rapid development ofmunications, a quick message on WeChat, and the entire ss group would be in the know. Loads of people were swiftly moving toward this location.


    Thepetition equipment was all ready, and six tracks had been cleared. On both sides of the tracks, people were packed in tightly.


    Chen Chen had quite a few fans at Linjiang No.1 Middle School, mostly girls. These girls were forming a cheerleading squad to shout and cheer for him. Chen Chen was decked out in professional sprinting gear, with sprinting shoes on his feet, and his entire outfit exuded an aura of rxed confidence. The muscles on his thighs and arms were brimming with burst power.


    In contrast, Xiao Han just changed into a set of casual clothes. He was still wearing long pants and long sleeves, with running shoes on his feet. His outfit didn''t look anything like that of someone about topete; he looked more like an outdoor runner.


    The sports teacher looked at them both and asked, "Are you both ready?"


    "Ready," Chen Chen nodded casually.


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Xiao Han, do you have a problem?" Teacher Li asked, curious.


    "Teacher Li, since this is apetition, let''s make it fair for everyone," Xiao Han said with a faint smile. "Today, the race between me and Chen Chen has stakes."


    With that, Xiao Han nced at Chen Chen.


    Chen Chen frowned and said to a boy nearby, "Bring out the stuff."


    The boy immediately took out five mobile phones and twelve hundred yuan from a canvas bag.


    "If I lose, all of this will belong to Xiao Han," Chen Chen dered loudly. "But if Xiao Han loses, then... he must leave Chen Zihan forever!"


    Wow...


    Everyone was stunned; almost simultaneously, all eyes turned toward Chen Zihan.


    Chen Zihan had been standing behind Xiao Han all along, carrying his backpack and holding his clothes, the very picture of a girlfriend. Her face immediately flushed red. "Xiao Han... you... maybe you shouldn''t race," she said hastily.


    "Backing down now, when the whole school knows," Xiao Han said with a smile, soothingly cradling Chen Zihan''s cheeks in his hands. "I choose to fight, and to win. If I win... the whole school will cheer for me. And everyone will know... Chen Zihan is my girlfriend, Xiao Han''s!"


    "You... you really are naughty!" Chen Zihan quickly grasped his implication.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Heh heh..." Xiao Han chuckled, "Bad boys are the ones that girls love."


    "Get ready for the race!" Teacher Li couldn''t stand it any longer.


    As a teacher, he originally wanted to put a stop to this race. But he opted for leniency. Whether it''s gambling or early romance, as long as it doesn''t affect their studies, why not allow it? Moreover, sports are aboutpetition. It''s about spirit.


    "Ready!" Chen Chen and Xiao Han both nodded.


    "All right, then get set," Teacher Li raised the starting pistol in his hand.


    The entire ce fell silent, everyone holding their breath. Experience tales with empire


    Chen Chen looked more professional, and Xiao Han appeared adept as well. Both chose the crouch start.


    The crouch start has significant advantages; sprinters use it to exploit the forward momentum, gaining high speed in a short distance. Once the back leg pushes off the starting blocks and ends in the forward swing, the next step is to actively press downward to the ground. The foot shouldnd as close as possible to the body''s center of gravity projection.


    Once the footnds, it should quickly transition into a powerful back kick. After the front leg pushes off, it should also quickly swing forward and bend the knee.


    Xiao Han also understood the role of this force. Though he hadn''t gone through professional training, his keen eyes gleaned a lot of information from Chen Chen''s movements. Moreover, Xiao Han''s brain was like aputer, instantly analyzing the advantages and disadvantages. The principles of physics and mechanics also unfolded in his mind in a sh.


    Thus, Xiao Han slightly revised Chen Chen''s starting technique, creating his own unique stance.


    "On your marks... get set..." Teacher Li shouted loudly.


    The two were simultaneously ready to start.


    Bang!


    A sharp sound. The two bolted out at that instant. Chen Chen, despite his numerous practices, was unexpectedly outrun at the start by Xiao Han. Xiao Han''s tweaked starting stance gave him an edge, and his reactions were faster and sharper than most people''s.


    Even though Chen Chen''s reaction time had hit its limit through extensive training, Xiao Han''s responsiveness was still far quicker. On the track, even a one-hundredth of a second can be the difference that crushes thepetition.


    Chen Chen was quick; within the first twenty meters, he caught up with Xiao Han.


    After casting a nce at Chen Chen''s running posture, Xiao Han rapidly adjusted his technique and immediately pulled away again. As he ran, his brain worked like a supeputer, relentlessly calcting the mechanics. He pondered the perfect size for each step and the explosive force required from the tips of his toes. How to ensure that all energy contributed to propelling him forward.


    Xiao Han continuously modified the length of his strides. During these adjustments, Chen Chen had managed to extend the gap to two body lengths, whichsted for about thirty to fifty meters.

 Chapter 43 Astonishing Speed

    "I told you this kid is not as good as Chen Chen."


    "Exactly, he''s nothing special!"


    "He''s going to be in trouble now."


    The onlooking crowd seemed to have foreseen the oue, starting to mock Xiao Han with cold derision.


    However, to everyone''s surprise, Xiao Han started to pick up pace in thetter half of the race. Facing the wind, it was as though one could see the determination on Xiao Han''s face when he burst forward. Chen Chen felt the pressure from behind and became anxious, but his body seemed to have reached its limit. Yet, Xiao Han slowly began to distance himself, pulling ahead by several lengths.


    Chen Chen could only watch as Xiao Han gradually increased the distance between them, getting farther and farther away.


    In thest thirty meters, it was almost as if it were Xiao Han''s solo performance. He left Chen Chen trailing far behind with an absolute advantage.


    "My God... he... he actually caught up?"


    "This is unbelievable!"


    "Such terrifying burst power."


    The stunned onlookers, including the athletes, were taken aback. Just being able to stand on the starting line with Chen Chen without trembling legs was enough to earn their respect. Plus, Xiao Han''s strength didn''t seem bad at all; initially, he was only a few lengths behind Chen Chen. This was already incredible to the athletic students.


    But in the end, Xiao Han''s overtaking, his counterattack, his proverbial ''p in the face,'' had them awestruck.


    The sports teacher, Liu Huaicai, was also shocked, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "What a terrifying speed!" Liu Huaicai eximed in shock.


    Whoosh...


    Xiao Han was the first to cross the finish line.


    "Xiao Han, you''re amazing!" When Chen Zihan saw Xiao Han cross the finish line, her excitement was uncontroble, and she ran wildly towards him. Seeing the boy she liked defeating Chen Chen in front of so many people and proving himself made her happier than if she had won five million.


    Xiao Han crossed the finish line, slowing down with long steps, his hands held high above his head as he raised his index finger. His expression was solemn.


    This was the posture of a winner. Now, Xiao Han had once again proven himself in front of so many students. This time, he felt countless times happier than when he scored 720 on his exam. The thrill of thiseback, this overtaking, made him feel an incredible exultation that stemmed from the innatebative spirit in human nature.


    The whole yground was in shock, deathly silent as everyone looked at Xiao Han with admiration and profound esteem.


    "My goodness, this... this is just too incredible."


    "Is... is that still Xiao Han?"


    "No! He is no longer the Xiao Han of the past."


    A group of people whispered, afraid to provoke the strong being before them. From ancient times, humans have naturally respected the strong. No matter how pathetic or weak Xiao Han used to be, the Xiao Han of now was no longer a weakling, but a genuinely powerful being.


    Strength does not necessarilye from physical force; brute strength is for the uncouth. A true strong person should have significant influence within their specific field.


    Chen Chen was the Sprint King of Linjiang No.1 Middle School and even the entire city of Linjiang. Now, the Sprint King had been stepped on, dominated, surpassed. And the one who stepped on him, dominated him, surpassed him was Xiao Han. Thus, all of Chen Chen''s honors were now bestowed upon Xiao Han.


    "My God, ten seconds seventy!" Teacher Li eximed in surprise.


    Xiao Han defeated Chen Chen with a time of ten seconds seventy, and with Xiao Han''s lead, Chen Chen also broke his personal best with a time of ten seconds seventy-nine.


    "You lost!" Xiao Han said coldly to Chen Chen.


    Chen Chen had a nk expression, his gaze hollow. He hung his head and stared at his toes, never having imagined he would lose, let alone to someone who had never learned sports or trained in sprinting.


    This was a disgrace, destined to be nailed to the pir of shame!


    He was the Sprint King of Linjiang, the holder of the city''s 100-meter record. But now, he had fallen hard and was covered in metaphorical bruises.


    Xiao Han looked at the despairing Chen Chen and walked over. Then he picked up the five mobile phones and twelve hundred yuan from the ground, pocketing them all.


    "Xiao Han, you''re so great!" Chen Zihan said excitedly to Xiao Han.


    "Let''s go!" Xiao Han took Chen Zihan''s hand and slowly walked off the track.


    The dense crowd on the yground spontaneously parted to create a path for the two, all watching Xiao Han with adoring and reverent eyes.


    Just as the sports teacher Li Huaicai was about to step forward to stop Xiao Han, Chen Chen approached.


    "Teacher Li, I want to quit the sports team!" Chen Chen said.


    "What?!" Li Huaicai was startled and said in amazement, "Are you... are you crazy, boy? Do you know how good your result is? You just broke your personal best. With this performance in the college entrance exam, you''d score full marks!"


    "No!" Chen Chen shook his head and said, "I don''t want to train in sports anymore!"


    "I don''t agree with you quitting!" Li Huaicai''s eyes widened. Having discovered and nurtured such a talent, how could he possibly agree to let him go just like that? Li Huaicai was determined not to agree, and what''s more, he wanted to recruit Xiao Han as well. That guy is a natural Sprint King. From his starting posture, his movements...


    to his running form in the middle and his final burst power, all were almost at the national athlete standard. If he could receive training and tempering, he was bound to achieve greatness.


    After saying this, Li Huaicai, annoyed, walked away.


    Only after he turned around did he realize that Xiao Han had already disappeared.


    Li Huaicai quickly asked the students nearby, "Which ss is that kid who was running from?"


    "Seems like he''s from the senior third grade." The onlooking students didn''t know the details; they just knew Xiao Han was a high school senior.


    "Hmm, I need to go and have a good talk!" Li Huaicai hurriedly left.


    Xiao Han had already taken Chen Zihan by a shortcut to leave the sports field and arrived at the bike parking area.


    "Xiao Han, are you really going to take their phones?" Chen Zihan asked awkwardly.


    "Some people, if you don''t make them pay a price, they will never learn what pain is!" Xiao Han chuckled, "I''ve decided on these phones. Moreover, I''m going to sell them right now."


    "What?" Chen Zihan was shocked, "Xiao Han, is that... isn''t that wrong? After all, a phone costs several thousand; aren''t you afraid their families wille looking for you?"


    "Silly girl, this is the price for provoking me!" Xiao Hanughed, "Before, I was humble and forbearing. Yet, people still bullied me, offended me. Therefore, I have to be more assertive, to let them know that Xiao Han is not to be bullied."


    Chen Zihan stopped in her tracks, looked up at Xiao Han, and suddenly realized that he seemed different from before. The Xiao Han before her seemed like he had transformed into someone else entirely.


    Matured!


    That''s right, he had be more mature, and stronger. He had shed his former timidity and meekness and reced it with a strong heart. His original greenness was gone, and now he had be a mature man, so different that Chen Zihan felt she hardly recognized him.


    "Xiao Han!" said Chen Zihan, looking at him.


    "What''s up?" Xiao Han looked at Chen Zihan curiously.


    "I''ve noticed you''ve changed!" Chen Zihan smiled.


    "Really?" Xiao Han was stunned for a moment, touched his face, and said, "Did I be more handsome?"


    "Get out of here!" Chen Zihan''s face turned slightly red and said, "I''ve noticed you''ve be more mature!"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded, "I must mature quickly, otherwise how can I protect our Zi Han?"


    "I am not yours, you know." Chen Zihan''s face turned even redder.


    "Haha!" Xiao Hanughed heartily, "But you are my girlfriend."


    "That''s a separate matter!" Chen Zihan huffed.


    Grinning, Xiao Han took Chen Zihan''s hand and said, "Come on, it''s time to go."


    Chen Zihan nodded.


    Riding an electric bike, Xiao Han took Chen Zihan to the entrance of her residentialplex.


    After watching Chen Zihan enter theplex, Xiao Han headed straight for the Pawnshop.


    "Where did you get these phones?" the Pawnshop owner asked curiously as he looked at Xiao Han.


    Laying out five phones at once, and each in fairly new condition, the owner naturally suspected their origin. However, each phone had a SIM card inside, and the phones were all in serviceable condition. If these were stolen phones, calls would have probably bombarded them by now, but astonishingly, not a single one of them rang.


    "Won them!" Xiao Han smiled, "The phones are legitimate, definitely not stolen or snatched."


    "Is this... reliable?" the owner was taken aback, "Won''t there be troubleter?"


    "No way!" Xiao Han shook his head, "I have all the unlock codes. Plus, you take the phones, give me back the cards, I still have to return themter."


    The owner hesitated, then checked the phones and said, "These three Apple phones are quite new, I can pay ten thousand. These two Samsung phones, four thousand. Fourteen thousand in total. Deal or no deal?"


    "Fifteen thousand and they''re all yours!" Xiao Han looked at him.


    Frowning, the owner eyed Xiao Han. The young man''s gaze was deep, inscrutable. Despite wearing a school uniform, there was nothing schoolboy-like about him. After a moment of thought, the owner said, "If you guarantee there''s no issue, I''ll pay fifteen thousand!"


    "Absolutely no problem," Xiao Han nodded.


    "Deal!" The owner immediately counted out the money for him.


    With fifteen thousand in hand, Xiao Han took a taxi straight home. The owner toyed with the five phones, all desirable national version Apple devices. The quality of the phones was excellent; the screens had no scratches and no signs of impact. There were no issues at all. These phones could be shed, repackaged, and sold as new, and they wouldn''t be easily detectable.


    The phones were of high quality and would not have any problems for at least three years, and even if they did, they were still under warranty.

 Chapter 44 A Well-Intentioned Lie

    The boss quietly did the math, these five phones, if resealed, would easily a profit of seven or eight thousand without any pressure. Suddenly, he felt as if he had acquired a supreme treasure.


    ......


    Li Xiaoya and her secretary were on their way back.


    Sitting in the luxurious BMW car, Li Xiaoya gently sipped her tea. Her eyes enjoyed the scenery outside. Her heart seemed very rxed, but Xiao Han''s face kept surfacing in her mind. Her visit to Linjiang No.1 Middle School had two motives. The first was to verify the truth of Xiao Han''s words.


    From Xiao Han''s words, behavior, and even his actions in standing up for others, he didn''t seem at all like a clueless high school student. On the contrary, he seemed more like a superhero, a super hero roaming this world. The worldcked such people. Hence, her second motive was also to thank Xiao Han, and to pay tribute to such heroes at Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    "Director Li," Xiao Mei said awkwardly from the side, "there''s something I don''t know if I should ask."


    "Ask away," Li Xiaoya said, looking out the window and replying nonchntly. She wasn''t much interested in work now. Her mind was full of that handsome figure.


    "For something like delivering a letter of thanks, why did you have to do it yourself?" Xiao Mei said with a smile. "Isn''t it enough to have me do it?


    "That''s different!" Li Xiaoya shook her head. "Of course, I still have my own motives."


    "Actually, I''ve figured it out," Xiao Mei said with a smile.


    "What have you figured out?" Li Xiaoya asked.


    "You''ve fallen for that kid," Xiao Mei said with a giggle.


    "Right, you''re not wrong," Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "This worldcks those who act bravely for justice, those who sacrifice themselves for others. So, I had to personally visit Linjiang No.1 Middle School to not only thank Xiao Han but also to pay homage to a hero."


    "Now I''m confused," Xiao Mei said, puzzled. "If you like him so much, even to the point of willing topensate him a hundred thousand Yuan and to donate three hundred thousand to the school, why would you still charge him three hundred thousand for agency fees? For a high school student, that''s an astronomical sum."


    "Right!" Li Xiaoya nodded and said, "Three hundred thousand, to me during high school, sounded like an astronomical sum. Let alone three hundred thousand, even thirty thousand felt enormous to me."


    "Then..." Xiao Mei was even more baffled.


    "If Xiao Han personally asks me, I can immediately waive his agency fee, and even gift him a hundred of thetest Apple phones," said Li Xiaoya with a faint smile, her lips slightly curling up, a glint of slyness in her eyes before continuing, "But I will never take the initiative to waive the three hundred thousand agency fee for him."


    "Why?" Xiao Mei waspletely mystified.


    Why wait for Xiao Han to speak up? Why not take the initiative to waive the agency fee? Could it be... Director Li has some more important matter at hand? Or perhaps, Director Li has another motive? After three years of working with Li Xiaoya, even Xiao Mei, who was dazzled by the beauty before her, couldn''t grasp her intentions.


    She even suspected that the intelligence of this woman might have surpassed Einstein.


    "Because..." Li Xiaoya said with a slight smile, "I want to see just how capable he really is. If he cane up with three hundred thousand for the agency fee, then there''s no doubt about his abilities. If he can''te up with three hundred thousand..."


    "What will you do?" Xiao Mei asked with curiosity.


    "I''ll waive his agency fee and give him a hundred of thetest Apple phones as a thank you," Li Xiaoya said with augh. "After all, he saved my son''s life!"


    Xiao Mei blinked, looking curiously at Li Xiaoya, somewhat puzzled.


    "I still don''t get it!" Xiao Mei said, disappointed.


    "No need to understand," Li Xiaoya said with augh, gently taking a sip of her tea, her lips still curling with a mysterious smile that seemed unfathomable.


    Xiao Mei pursed her lips and said, "Director Li, you''re not enlightening me again."


    "You''ll understand naturally once you fall in love," Li Xiaoya said with augh. Discover more content at empire


    "What does that have to do with falling in love!" Xiao Mei said, helpless.


    The BMW car rushed towards the provincial city.


    ......


    Xiao Han returned home.


    He was going to Macau tomorrow, but he felt very uncertain. This was his first time going on a long journey. Apart from going to the provincial city once for a mathpetition in middle school, he had never been out of Linjiang City in his life, so he felt uncertain.


    Moreover, he didn''t know how to exin it to his mother.


    After some thought, he decided to use a rtive strategy.


    Dinner time, Xiao Han put down his chopsticks and looked at his affectionate mother and said, "Mom, I might not being home these next two days."


    "Where are you going?" Mother Xiao asked anxiously.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Oh, don''t worry!" Xiao Han said, speaking slowly and calmly. "The school is hosting an exchange student program with the No.1 Middle School in the provincial city. It''s a two or three-day exchange. I did well on my exams, so the teacher is considering giving me this opportunity."


    "Really?" Mother Xiao brightened up immediately and said with great joy, "That''s wonderful. My Xiao Han is finally making something of himself, fantastic."


    Seeing her mother so excited, Xiao Han felt a different kind of sentiment. After all, this was a kind of deception. Although he hadn''t done anything bad, this was the first time in his life that he had lied to his own mother. Xiao Han hated himself for how effortlessly and calmly he could lie.


    Sometimes, Xiao Han even doubted whether he belonged to this world, why his pursuit of fame and fortune felt so insignificant at times. Keep in mind, he was only neen years old. Neen was merely the beginning of life, the prologue of life had just unfolded.


    Mother Xiao quickly put down her chopsticks and then went into the room to pack things for Xiao Han.


    "Mom, no need to pack," Xiao Han quickly said, "It''s just an exchange student activity, and besides, it''s only for two or three days. I''ll just bring some clothes to change into."


    "Oh, right!" eximed Mother Xiao, nodding eagerly.


    After that, she turned and left Xiao Han''s room.


    As he watched his mother''s retreating figure, the guilt in Xiao Han''s heart slightly lessened.


    However, what Xiao Han didn''t expect was that, a few minutester, Mother Xiao came back holding a small bag. As she walked, she pulled out a stack of money from the bag.


    "Mom, what is this¡­" Xiao Han asked, puzzled, as he looked at his mother.


    "I have a thousand yuan here," Mother Xiao said with a smile, "Take this money with you. When you''re out, there are many ces where you might need it."


    "Don''t need it!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head, saying, "The school will cover all expenses."


    "Take it anyway," Mother Xiao insisted seriously, "Sometimes when you go out to eat or shop, you''ll find it useful. You''re not in Linjiang, you''re going to the provincial city where the cost of living is higher, so take this money. What if you need it?"


    Mother Xiao looked so earnest that Xiao Han simply couldn''t refuse. In order not to disappoint or worry her, he pocketed the money.


    "Xiao Han, you should get some rest early," Mother Xiao said with a smile.


    "Okay!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Mother Xiao turned to leave. As she was leaving, she looked back several times, seemingly with something to say to Xiao Han, but in the end, she left without saying it. Looking at his mother''s pale face, Xiao Han felt a deep guilt. This guilt even tormented him for his whole life.


    He did not sleep all night.


    The next morning, Li Dapang arrived at Xiao Han''s house on his motorcycle.


    "Xiao Han!" Li Dapang yelled at the top of his lungs.


    "Coming." Xiao Han quickly came out, shouldering a ck backpack, a Swiss military brand that looked quite new. The bag was a gift from one of Mother Xiao''s colleagues and hadn''t been used for very long.


    Xiao Han was dressed in a brand-new outfit. Although it was not branded, he lookedpletely refreshed. He even wore a ck Duckbill Cap, which made him look quite handsome and imposing.


    "Wow," Li Dapang eximed in surprise, "You do look pretty sharp in new clothes, dude!"


    "Clothing is just an essory," Xiao Hanughed, "It''s the beauty of the soul that truly counts!"


    "Cut the crap," Li Dapang waved him off, "Get on!"


    Xiao Han got on the motorcycle that Li Dapang was so proud of, and they sped off towards the airport.


    They had already booked their flight online, and the two of them only needed to go to the airport to print their boarding passes to board the ne to Zhuhai.


    "Xiao Han, why don''t we fly directly to Macau?" Li Dapang asked curiously.


    "Do you have a Hong Kong and Macao Pass?" Xiao Han asked in return.


    "No!" Li Dapang shook his head.


    "Then we can only go to Zhuhai and smuggle ourselves across," Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Damn it. What''s this ''smuggle''?" Li Dapang eximed, "Motherfucker, isn''t Macau part of our China''s territory? Why can''t Chinese people go there? On our own territory, we still need some bloody Hong Kong and Macao Pass. What a freaking farce!"


    "That''s the system!" Xiao Han retorted unexpectedly.


    "Bullshit system!" Li Dapang cursed resentfully.


    The ne departed at nine-thirty in the morning from Linjiang to Zhuhai.


    At eleven in the morning, the ne arrived at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport.


    Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, formerly known as Zhuhai Sanzao Airport, was put into use in June 1995. Zhuhai Jinwan Airport is a first-ss international civil airport, adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao. The airport has been nned and constructed ording to ICAO 4E standards, and it supports 4F ss aircraftndings and takeoffs.


    Zhuhai Airport, located near Hong Kong and Macao, boasts an advantageous geographical location and provides a swift transfer and service tform for over two hundred million urban residents in China who choose to travel independently.


    In 2015, Zhuhai Jinwan Airportpleted 50,000 transportation takeoffs andndings, a decrease of 0.9%pared to 2014; the passenger throughput was 4.71 million people, an increase of 15.5%pared to 2014, ranking 41st in China; the freight and mail throughput was 26,000 tons, an increase of 16.7%pared to 2014, ranking 44th in China.

 Chapter 045 Casino

    Zhuhai Jinwan Airport is a significant benefit for Macau. Most domestic visitors to Macau generallynd at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport and then take the Macau Express directly to Macau.


    In secret, many people from underground banks pick up VIP clients at Macau Airport. These clients are like the bread and butter for the casinos in Macau. Every year, big gamblers from China lose hundreds of billions of RMB in Macau. Even so, numerous people still flock to Macau to gamble, like moths to a me.


    "Where are we going now?" Li Dapang asked, carrying his bag and feeling utterly out of ce. Although Zhuhai''s scenery was artistic and the climate pleasant, he had no interest in appreciating it. It was his first time traveling far from home, and he felt nervous andcked a sense of belonging.


    "Let''s find a Snakehead; we''ll smuggle ourselves over," Xiao Han nced around.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Snakeheads involved in smuggling typically have one distinguishing feature: they lookparatively dark. Moreover, they often loiter near the airport, looking for the right opportunity. As soon as they spot someone who looks rich, with a plump and affluent appearance typical of a Chinese tycoon, they would approach without hesitation.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang were not their target, so they had to take the initiative to contact a Snakehead.


    Soon, Xiao Han spotted a target next to a huge column at the airport. The man was dressed in a beige short-sleeve shirt, wearing jeans, with a Duckbill Cap pulled low over his eyes, which kept darting around, making him look like bad news.


    Xiao Han slowly walked toward the person.


    "Grand Lisboa Casino?" Xiao Han started the conversation.


    "Yes, are you..." the man immediately stood up straight, his face breaking into a practiced polite smile.


    "I want to have some fun. Can you show the way?" Xiao Han asked.


    "This..." the man hesitated, then said, "We only serve clients who y at least three hundred thousand."


    Whoosh!


    Xiao Han promptly tossed him a stack of money, "Don''t worry about the cash. If we enjoy ourselves, we won''t hesitate to pull out even three million."


    Upon hearing this, the man was overjoyed and quickly pocketed the one thousand tip.


    Money left unearned is a waste. The smuggling was managed by thepany''s resources, and the Snakehead hurriedly said, "Gentlemen, please follow me quickly!"


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang immediately followed him.


    Once they left the airport, they followed the man into a Toyota Alphard minivan. Upon entering the vehicle, Li Dapang was immediately struck by its luxury. He was astonished by the opulence of the vehicle, feeling the seat he sat in was more luxurious than a space capsule; the seat could recline fully. The space wasfortable, cozy enough to call home.


    "Gentlemen, what would you like to drink?" the Snakehead asked politely.


    "Anything''s fine," Xiao Han replied.


    The Snakehead quickly opened the car''s refrigerator and took out two chilled beers, saying, "Here''s two beers for you."


    Li Dapang grabbed the beers and guzzled them down delightfully. Sitting in a real luxury car, sipping chilled beer, speeding along the highway to Macau Airport was indeed the pinnacle of life. Li Dapang suddenly felt as if he was in apletely different world.


    Two months ago, he was just a poor kid with only a few dors to his name. Now, suddenly, he felt like a winner in life, riding in a luxury car. It almost seemed like a dream. He turned to look at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han appeared much moreposed. He leaned back in his chair, looking out the window. His hand rested on the armrest, the beer exuding a bit of Cold Qi.


    The Snakehead sat in the passenger seat, speaking in Cantonese with the driver.


    "Xiao Han, why does this feel like a dream?" Li Dapang chuckled.


    "That''s because you haven''t seen much of the world yet!" Xiao Han nced at him.


    "You speak as if you''ve seen all the vicissitudes of life!" Li Dapang red at Xiao Han.


    "A person''s knowledge determines his altitude!" Xiao Hanughed heartily.


    Continue your adventure with empire


    "Damn, you mean to say my education is useless!" Li Dapang retorted loudly.


    "Not at all, you are my good brother. How could I look down on you!" Xiao Han patted Li Dapang''s shoulder.


    Li Dapang''s face broke into a naive smile, "Xiao Han, you''ve changed a lot. But, I owe it all to you; otherwise, how could I have had such a day? This trip, I''m really riding on your coattails."


    The Toyota Alphard had a privilege license, bypassing customs inspection and going straight through.


    An hourter, they arrived at the entrance of the Grand Lisboa Hotel. The Snakehead personally escorted Xiao Han into the casino.


    "Sir, I hope you enjoy yourselves!" the Snakehead bowed to them.


    "Thank you!" Xiao Han said with a slight smile.


    With that, Xiao Han led Li Dapang into the Grand Lisboa Casino. Li Dapang waspletely stunned by the scene before him. Being a child from amon family, he had never seen such a luxurious hotel and decoration. The hotel in front of him seemed as if it was made of money. The shock and awe were palpable. The golden and reddish-brown carpet underfoot was immacte.


    Thick, dignified porcin bs covered the walls; the lobby was over six meters high with enormous crystal chandeliers illuminating the hall brightly.


    "Wow." Li Dapang marveled at the sight before him, asking, "How much money did they spend on these decorations?"


    "The casino never runs out of money!" Xiao Hanughed and said, "Let''s go!"


    "Let''s go! Let''s go!" Li Dapang hurriedly nodded.


    By the time they reached the casino, it was already past twelve, and it was dining time. The casino offered a free buffet. Li Dapang was already drooling at the sight of the food. He excitedly said, "So much food, damn, it''s making me hungry!"


    "That''s the free buffet, you can go eat!" Xiao Han replied.


    "Really?" Li Dapang paused and said, "I can eat all that stuff?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Eat whatever you want."


    "Fuck, he''s gonna take a loss then." Li Dapang swallowed his saliva and excitedly rushed over. He picked up a te and started piling up food like crazy. In no time, hisrge te was full. This guy found a spot, sat down, and started devouring the food, focusing only on the tasty items like beef andmb... He didn''t bother with fruits or vegetables.


    With arge te of food and a big cup of c, he was giddy like a child, seemingly having forgotten why he hade.


    Xiao Han went straight to the chip exchange counter. He took out all his money, as the return ticket had already been purchased. From LJ city to Zhuhai, a round-trip ticket cost only twelve hundred, including the airport construction and fuel charges.


    He had prepared twenty thousand in his bag and decided to exchange it all for chips. Ten chips of a thousand each, ten of five hundred, and five of a hundred.


    When Xiao Han returned with the chips, he found that a confrontation had erupted at the buffet area, attracting quite a crowd.


    "Damn, it can''t be Big Fatty, can it?" Xiao Han was shocked and hurriedly pushed through the crowd to get inside.


    It was indeed Big Fatty.


    "Fuck, what are you doing driving me away!" Big Fatty roared, "I''m here to spend money too."


    "You call this spending?" Two security guards looked down on Big Fatty and said, "Show us your chips, or don''t me us for being rude!"


    "I..." Big Fatty panicked; where would he get chips?


    "Throw him out!" The two security guards immediately advanced, grabbing their batons.


    "Stop!" Xiao Han hurriedly intervened.


    "Xiao Han, good that you''re finally here." Big Fatty saw Xiao Han, rxed a bit, and said, "Didn''t you say this was free? Damn it, they''re trying to kick me out!"


    "We only serve customers!" the security guard stated.


    Smack!


    Xiao Han flung the twenty thousand in chips at the face of the security guard, furious, "Blind fools!"


    The two security guards were immediately stunned. The chips were not a small amount; ording to the hotel''s rules, even spending ten yuan at the casino entitled someone to the buffet. Normally, anyone who came in could have it, and sometimes people even packed drinks from the buffet to take away, with security turning a blind eye.


    But today, this guy''s eating was too horrifying. After finishing arge te, he grabbed another one. He drank tworge cups of c and two big cans of beer. The security guards thought he was a beggar from outside sneaking in to freeload, so they decided to evict him, but then...


    "Sir, this... we''re truly sorry!" the security guard apologized awkwardly.


    "Call your manager to apologize!" Xiao Han was still angry.


    "This..." The security guard was bbergasted.


    At that moment, a man in a ck suit and a tie hurried over. His badge indicated he was the manager. He quickly approached and said, "Sir, I''m truly sorry, these two blind folks have offended you."


    "I know your casino has powerful backing, but bullying your customers openly like this isn''t really the foundation upon which you build your business, is it?" Xiao Han coldly countered.


    "Yes, yes, yes," the manager said hurriedly, "Sir, how about this? I''llpensate you with a thousand in chips."


    "Ten thousand!" Xiao Han boldly demanded, leveraging his status as a consumer, and knowing well that the Grand Lisboa Casino was never short of money.


    "This... that puts me in a difficult position," the manager said awkwardly, looking at Xiao Han.


    At that moment, Xiao Han pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and flung it at the manager''s face, saying, "Take a look yourself!"


    The manager was startled. He hurriedly picked up the paper, unfolded it, and was immediately dumbstruck. He broke out in a cold sweat. He nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes, I''ll get you ten thousand in chips right now!"


    This time, the manager personally went to the exchange counter for the chips.


    "Who is this guy?"


    "What was that paper just now?"


    A bunch of people curiously asked.


    At that moment, someone in the crowd whispered, "I heard that Snakehead issues a pass to big clients picked up from the airport, and with this pass, you can go directly to the casino''s third floor, into the VIP area for high-stakes gambling. So, anyone who gets such a pass is either rich or noble. The casino dares not slight these people."

 Chapter 046 Impressive Achievements

    "Wow..." Everyone was astonished as they looked at Xiao Han.


    This inly dressed young man had quite a background, didn''t he? The crowd, which had initially looked at Li Dapang with disdain, now regarded him with admiration and reverence.


    The manager personally handed ten thousand chips to Xiao Han and repeatedly apologized, "Sir, I am truly sorry. I represent all the staff of the Grand Lisboa Hotel in apologizing to you."


    "Forget it!" Xiao Han waved his hand.


    The farce ended, and the security was summoned back to the office, facing termination. Both were chilled to the bone. Working as a security guard at the hotel was a well-paid job. Not only could they earn a high sry, but they also received quite a lot of tips.


    They could make over twenty thousand a month, more than many white-cor workers earned, and the job was easy with afortable environment. Where else could one find such a job?


    Li Dapang followed Xiao Han all the way.


    "Xiao Han, what did you just... take?" Li Dapang hurriedly asked.


    "Just a pass," Xiao Han smiled and said, "Have you forgotten the pass Snakehead gave us in the car?"


    "What''s the use of that thing?" Li Dapang hurriedly asked, "I didn''t expect us to earn ten thousand, wow."


    "This thing is no small matter, it can be used to show off in this casino!" Xiao Han chuckled.


    Xiao Han''s specialty was Barat.


    Barat, known as Barat, meaning "zero" in Italian, originated from a card game in France and became popr in casinos across Europe. In the twentieth century, Mr. Ye Han introduced Barat from the United States to Macau and gave it an Eastern-vored name¡ªBarat. To this day, Barat remains one of the most popr gambling games in casinos worldwide.


    In Macau''s casinos, the number of Barat tables is the highest in the world.


    Of course, Barat is also the fairest game in the casino, least likely to be controlled by the house. Because of this, this game has be one of the hottest games in casinos.


    In the hall, there were several Barat tables.


    Xiao Han chose a busy one as more people indicated good morale. Although Xiao Han was not superstitious, he did believe somewhat in Feng Shui. A crowd meant better Feng Shui for the table. Xiao Han also hoped to court good luck, not wanting to go backpletely broke.


    The area around the table was packed, but Xiao Han, tall and strong, seized the opportunity to squeeze in.


    A Banker hand had just started.


    Xiao Han smiled and tentatively ced a hundred on the Banker. Everyone else also ced their bets.


    The dealer dealt the cards. The Banker had eight points, and the yer had three.


    Once again, the Banker won.


    Xiao Han got two hundred chips. The Banker''s spirits were high, and people increasingly ced their bets on the Banker. Xiao Han followed suit.


    Initially, Xiao Han''s bets weren''trge, all one hundred chips, as he needed to figure out the opponent''s tactics first. Barat was called the fairest game because its cards were fixed. As long as the cards were fixed, Xiao Han had a way to calcte the probabilities for the Banker and the yer.


    After more than ten rounds, Xiao Han took a deep breath. He directly ced twenty thousand chips on the yer.


    "Kid, there have already been three consecutive Bankers. You better bet on the Banker," an uncle nearbyughed.


    "Why?" Xiao Han asked cheerfully.


    "Kid, there''s an incantation for Barat, and today, uncle will teach you!" The uncle chuckled, "Follow the Banker when it wins, follow the yer when it wins, follow a streak when it jumps, stop after three losses, recover after five, ensure five out of five. Got it?"


    "I get it. It means as long as the Banker doesn''t break, keep on it until it does!" Xiao Hanughed.


    "Right!" the uncle nodded.


    At that moment, the dealer dealt the cards.


    "Damn, the Banker broke!" Several people eximed in surprise around them.


    The uncle looked at Xiao Han with an odd expression; he had been proudly teaching the incantation moments ago, and now, he had been proven wrong by Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han had just made twenty thousand.


    "Wow, this kid is really impressive."


    "Indeed, feels like he can calcte."


    A group of people chattered amongst themselves.


    At this time, the uncle asked, "What do you think wille out next?"


    "Don''t know!" Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "I definitely don''t know what wille next, but I do know that the probability of the yering out next is bigger. So, I''ve decided to bet on the yer."


    As he spoke, Xiao Han ced all forty thousand chips on the yer.


    Everyone looked and also ced their money on yer.


    The dealer dealt the cards. Indeed, this time it turned out to be a yer win. Everyone eximed in surprise. In a casino, if someone could correctly predict the oue, it was truly a miraculous thing. Everyone was looking at Xiao Han.


    An excited man asked, "Kid, what''sing next?"


    "What else can it be, hurry and bet on yer!" Xiao Han, holding 80,000 in chips, pushed them onto yer without hesitation. The crowd quickly followed suit, though of course, there were cautious onlookers who habitually treated Xiao Han as a casino nt.


    The dealer, solemn-faced, dealt the cards seriously. What the gamblers chose to bet on was their own choice.


    However, even the dealer was stunned this time, as the yer won again.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Good, so good!" A group of people suddenly cheered excitedly.


    Many people in the casino hall turned to look at this barat table. This time, except for one person who did not believe in superstitions and bet on the Banker, everyone else followed Xiao Han and bet on the yer. Thus, everyone made money, the least earning a hundred. Xiao Han made a lot, earning 80,000 in one go. Now, he had over 170,000 in chips. However, this was still far from his goal.


    This time, Xiao Han nned to use the umted 170,000 to go to the third floor.


    Li Dapang was ying joyfully in the slot machine area not far away. This kid had a keen interest in slot machines. With only a little over a thousand in chips, inserting ten per round into the slot machine, he quickly nearly lost it all. Although he yed cautiously, he always missed good opportunities.


    "Strange, how did Xiao Han winst time? Why did I lose?" Li Dapang pursed his lips, seemingly very unwilling to ept it.


    At this moment, Xiao Han walked over.


    "How did the battle go?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Only a hundred left!" Li Dapang fiddled with the two fifty-value chips in his hand.


    "No worries, let''s head to the third floor!" Xiao Han said with a grin.


    "That much?!" Li Dapang immediately noticed the 100,000-value chip in Xiao Han''s hand. There were also seven or eight 10,000 chips.


    "Yeah." Xiao Han nodded, saying, "You can only make big money on the third floor."


    "Okay." Hearing that there was big money to be made, Li Dapang naturally followed Xiao Han.


    The elevator to the third floor was located to the front right of the entrance in the hall; Xiao Han and Li Dapang walked straight there. At the elevator door, two security guards stood watch.


    After the previous ruckus, the guards recognized Xiao Han and Li Dapang, whose appearances were too distinct not to notice. Li Dapang, dressed in a gray leather jacket and wearing a pair of cheap leather shoes, lookedpletely destitute. Xiao Han wore a brand-new tracksuit, all ck, with a pair of new Nike sneakers and a ck duckbill cap on his head.


    He looked young and vibrant but hardly affluent.


    Without stopping them, the guards directly led them into the elevator and then took them up to the third floor.


    The third floor was much less crowded and quieter.


    The space on the third floor wasrge, with many tables and a variety of gambling games. Besides barat, there were also Pai Gow and mahjong, and even Dou Dizhu.


    Every person who came up was attended by a beautiful woman. As Xiao Han and Li Dapang entered the hall, a row of girls in sexy outfits bowed to them and with a sensual, soft smile said, "Gentlemen, wee to the Grand Lisboa Casino."


    "You can pick one!" the guard said with a smile.


    "No need, thank you!" Xiao Han politely declined.


    Li Dapang, however, looked at the scene before him with an excited smile, seeming very spirited. His eyes gleamed with excitement. The sexydies in front of him instantly aroused the desires in his heart. Hearing Xiao Han''s refusal, he immediately felt a great loss.


    Xiao Han walked straight into the hall.


    "Xiao Han, since we''re here, why not have a good time?" Li Dapang hastily said.


    "You think these women are free for you to enjoy?" Xiao Han scoffed coldly, "The casino''s people aren''t fools, they definitely won''t indulge in a losing business!"


    "Then... why?" Li Dapang asked, bewildered.


    "These women by your side will only stir up your inner impulses, making you very irrational," Xiao Han said with a faint smile. "Since it''s gambling, you should definitely have a cool head and very sharp thinking. Do you think you can stay calm with a beautiful, sexy woman by your side?"


    "Shit, this casino is really scheming, huh?" Li Dapang said, suddenly understanding the logic.


    Imagine, in Macau, getting a woman like that would cost at least over a thousand, right? Just think, why would the casino arrange for such a beautiful woman for you? As the saying goes, you can''t make wool from nothing; this money still has to be taken from the gamblers.


    After grasping this, Li Dapang muttered under his breath, "This is really underhanded; they are indeed tricky businessmen."


    In the casino, most of the gamblers had a beautiful, sexy woman apanying them.


    Xiao Han walked around the gambling area on the third floor. Most of those seated here were betting fiercely. Barat there started from 50,000. Xiao Han felt a little terrified. If it were up to him, he definitely wouldn''t be confident. To win at barat, even with a strong mind like Xiao Han''s, he needed to assess the situation and follow several rounds to be sure and have a chance.


    Let alone follow a dozen or so rounds, Xiao Han couldn''t afford to lose even four or five rounds; once he lost, he wouldn''t have any chance to turn back.

 Chapter 47 Fight the Landlord

    "Xiao Han, what shall we bet on?" Li Dapang walked over.


    "Let me see." Xiao Han calmly nced at Li Dapang.


    "Mm!" Li Dapang nodded.


    Xiao Han observed the gambling scene very calmly, and in the end, he set his sights on Fight the Landlord. A game of Fight the Landlord among three yers used only one deck of cards, totaling fifty-four cards. Excluding the Landlord card, each yer only had seventeen cards in hand. Xiao Han had a good chance of winning at Fight the Landlord.


    Therefore, he took the initiative to find the casino manager and expressed his willingness to y Fight the Landlord.


    Soon, the casino contacted two other gamblers who also wanted to y Fight the Landlord, and the three of them made up a table. On the third floor, no matter the type of gambling, the minimum was fifty thousand chips to start. Thus, Xiao Han had to be cautious and careful.


    The table wasrge, effectively preventing cheating.


    The dealer dealt the cards at a swift pace.


    Xiao Han had a good hand and decisively picked up the trump card after getting the Landlord card. The trump card wasn''t bad either¡ªa small joker, an ace, and a jack.


    He quickly assembled a pair of jokers, two pairs of twos, and a smooth run of cards in his hand. However, Xiao Han remained veryposed. The two opposing gamblers appeared shrewd. Their eyes were fixated on Xiao Han''s, as if trying to discern something from them. Soon, they realized they were wrong; although Xiao Han looked young, his calmness did not match his age.


    "A pair of threes!" Xiao Han yed his cards first.


    His opponent followed suit immediately; Xiao Han''s previous y had blocked the path for his small pairs with a pair of century eggs.


    "A pair of aces!" Xiao Han didn''t back down.


    The two opponents hesitated, thenughed, "Young man, being too hot-tempered is not good."


    "Young people need to be more spirited!" Xiao Han replied indifferently.


    "Your move!" theyughed.


    "A straight." Xiao Han immediately yed a straight.


    "Can''t beat it!" The opponents shook their heads one after the other.


    "Three jacks with an extra card!" Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Triple kings!" The opponent immediately snapped it up.


    "A pair of jokers!" There was already a hint of victory on Xiao Han''s face. The pair of jokers was the highest cardbination. No one could beat it.


    The opponents immediately let out hisses of defeat. Xiao Han quickly threw down thest pair in his hand.


    "Landlord wins!" The dealer immediately announced.


    With a base of fifty thousand, plus a bomb, Xiao Han won two hundred thousand at once. When he received the chips, Big Fatty was so excited he almost jumped up. Earning two hundred thousand in one go¡ªwasn''t this moneying too easily?


    Today, Xiao Han was quite lucky, and his hands were on fire. Plus, with his powerful brain, bybining his own cards with the three Landlord cards, as well as the opponents'' ying style, Xiao Han waspletely able to calcte what cards the opponents had in their hands. Now that he could work out the opponents'' hands, Xiao Han''s probability of winning was basically seventy to eighty percent.


    Unless the cards were very poor, he would lose; otherwise, he was almost sure to win.


    In one afternoon, the number of chips on Xiao Han''s table grew more and more. From an initial seventeen or eighteen thousand toter seventy or eighty thousand, and at the most, it piled up to one million eight hundred thousand. The two opponents grew more and more anxious as they yed, forming a stark contrast with Xiao Han''s calm. A crowd had gathered around this table of Fight the Landlord.


    Xiao Han holding tens of thousands of chips and earning up to one million eight hundred thousand in one go utterly astounded everyone.


    Li Dapang was wide-eyed on the side, wanting to persuade Xiao Han to take the chance to leave. But Xiao Han seemed to have no intention of leaving and was very calmly responding to the game.


    "Four fives, I blow you away!" The opponent was indeed restless.


    Xiao Han used a pair of twos to easily draw out the opponent''s bomb,ughed, and said, "Can''t follow that!"


    "You''ve got times when you can''t follow?" The opponent red at Xiao Han through gritted teeth, "Watch out, a straight!"


    "Can''t follow!" Xiao Han still chose to hold back.


    "A pair of fours!" The opponent was already prepared to escape.


    "A pair of sixes!" Xiao Han quickly yed his small pair, and as long as he got past this pair of sixes, he would win.


    "I eat you!" The opponent threw out a pair of aces. Since three twos had already been yed, a pair of aces was considered the highest from how the cards looked.


    "A bomb!" Xiao Han''s mouth slightly curved upward.


    To his opponent''s great shock, indeed, Xiao Han nonchntly threw out four threes.


    The smallest bomb, Xiao Han had not dared to bring it out until now. And the opponent hadn''t paid any attention to the emergence of threes on the table. They were suddenly bombed and stunned. Atst, Xiao Han easilyid down his final card.


    "Landlord wins!" The dealer said solemnly.


    "Not ying anymore, not ying anymore!" The opponent stood up, his eyes bloodshot. Having lost over a million to that kid in one afternoon, he indeed felt very unlucky. The cards were good, but at every turn, they were thwarted by that kid Xiao Han. The other opponent, however, seemed quiteposed.


    He was wearing a wine-red suit, hair immacte, not very old, roughly twenty-five or twenty-six years old, clearly some rich family''s offspring.


    Just as Xiao Han was getting ready to collect his chips and leave, the opponent stood up, smiling, "Hello, my name is Mo Shaocong. What do I call you, brother?"


    "My name is Xiao Han." Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Judging from your ent, you sound like you''re from Z Province in the Maind?" Mo Shaocong asked curiously.


    "Yes, that''s right." Xiao Han looked at the other party in surprise.


    "I''m from the provincial city of Z Province." Upon hearing this, Mo Shaocong burst intoughter, saying, "I never expected to meet a fellow townsman in Macau. That''s quite something."


    "I''m from LJ City." Xiao Han hastily shook hands with him.


    This was Xiao Han''s first time engaging socially as an adult. When out in the world, mingling in society, one had to understand some social etiquette to some extent. Seeing that Xiao Han was young and feeling an instant rapport, Mo Shaocong smiled and said, "Brother Xiao Han, how about... we find a ce to have a couple of drinks?"


    "Sure." Xiao Han nodded.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you!" Mo Shaocong said with augh.


    "I need to exchange my chips first," Xiao Han hastily said.


    "Okay." Mo Shaocong waited at the entrance.


    Xiao Han quickly headed to the third floor''s exchange. The third floor''s exchange supported cash and card transactions. Fortunately, Xiao Han had brought the new bank card he had specifically acquired, as if he had anticipated winning money in Macau. However, what he hadn''t expected was how easy it was to win money in Macau. He had won over two million in just one afternoon.


    It was simply too outrageous. This could only mean that Macau casinos were full of wealthy but naive gamblers.


    After deducting the handling fee andmission, two hundred and twenty-eight thousand was transferred to Xiao Han''s bank card from the two million and thirty thousand won.


    "This is awesome!" Li Dapang danced around in excitement and said, "Xiao Han, I''ve never seen so much money in my life."


    "Me neither!" Xiao Hanughed.


    "Oh my God, with so much money, how are we going to spend it?" Li Dapang said excitedly.


    "Over two million seems like a lot, but it''s actually not," Xiao Han nced at Li Dapang and said, "To the wealthy, this amount of money is just a drop in the bucket."


    "Impossible!" Li Dapang refused to believe.


    The two headed towards the main entrance. At the entrance, Mo Shaocong was smiling warmly at Xiao Han with a cigarette in his mouth.


    Upon exiting, an Alphard minivan awaited outside. A man in a white shirt and ck suit hastened to open the car door, respectfully saying, "Young Master Mo!"


    "To Central!" Mo Shaocong replied, adding, "I''m going to take my friend out for drinks."


    "Yes!" The suit-d man immediately nodded.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang followed and got into the car. Li Dapang sat in the back row, while Xiao Han and Mo Shaocong sat in the middle two mostfortable seats. Mo Shaocongughed, "Xiao Han, you''re quite good at cards."


    "Just so-so, it''s just my lucky day today," Xiao Han chuckled and said, "Big Brother Mo, seeing as I''ve won some money today, why don''t I treat you tonight?"


    "Ha ha..." Mo Shaocongughed out loud, "Brother, the money you''ve won today doesn''t count for much in my eyes. And besides, I''m a few years older than you, how could I let you pay?"


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Xiao Han nodded repeatedly.


    Xiao Han could tell that Mo Shaocong''s status was likely not simple. Having the ease ofing and going in a casino, and talking with such wit and humor, he was clearly someone of wealth or nobility. However, as for the sensitive topics of identity and background, Xiao Han would absolutely not take the initiative to pry.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Nowadays, with the tight atmosphere in the country, no one wanted to expose their identity in a casino.


    The car sped on the freeway, and half an hourter, they arrived at their destination.


    Macau Central Road had several high-end bars. It was the time of dusk, and the streetlights were all lit. Central''s nightlife was considered the most beautiful in Macau. Li Dapang was excited, snapping photos with his phone, having never seen such a beautiful night scene before, so it was natural for him to be thrilled. Xiao Han, on the other hand, was much calmer.


    "Brother Xiao, this isn''t your first time in Macau, is it?" Mo Shaocong asked.


    "First time here!" Xiao Han looked at Mo Shaocong, saying, "And it''s also my first time in a casino."


    "I wouldn''t have guessed it." Mo Shaocongughed.


    "You''re kind to say so." Xiao Hanughed awkwardly.


    "Looking soposed on your first visit to Macau, one can imagine you must be someone who''s seen the world," Mo Shaocong said with a slight smile.


    The car arrived at the bar, where there were plenty of handsome men and beautiful women at the entrance. Macanese had a rich nightlife; the young men and women here had a habit of hitting the bars. Stepping through the main entrance, one could hear the boisterous rock music from inside. The bar manager enthusiastically greeted Mo Shaocong.


    "Young Master Mo, would you like a girl to apany you today?" The bar manager greeted Mo Shaocong with a smile.


    "The usual!" Mo Shaocong strode in,pletely disregarding the bar manager''s enthusiasm.


    "Got it!" The bar manager immediately nodded.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang were first-timers in a bar, where they saw many attractive and sexy girls. Many came directly to the bar to unwind after work, and of course, there were also girls employed by the bar to entertain guests.


    Mo Shaocong led Xiao Han and Li Dapang straight to a sofa area. Once seated, the bar manager brought over a line of girls.


    "Xiao Han, which girl do you want?" Mo Shaocong asked.

 Chapter 048 Righteous Intervention

    Xiao Han nced over and said, "Number three."


    Number three was dressed decently, and more conservativelypared to the other girls, who were wearing very revealing and sexy clothes, beguiling...


    Seeing Xiao Han made a choice, Li Dapang naturally didn''t hold back either; he picked the girl with thergest breasts, the most sensual one.


    Mo Shaocongughed and said, "Brother Xiao, it seems you are quite the conservative person, huh?"


    "I..." Xiao Han revealed a bitter smile. As soon as the girl sat down, she immediatelytched onto Xiao Han''s arm, a brilliant smile appearing on her face.


    "Haha, just teasing you,"ughed Mo Shaocong heartily.


    A smile curved upon Xiao Han''s lips, but a blush had spread across his face.


    It appeared that Mo Shaocong was a regr at this bar. Many beautiful girls came up to greet him. What surprised Xiao Han the most was that Mo Shaocong was very casual about ordering drinks; a set of drinks cost over twenty thousand, and he ordered five sets in one go.


    "Brother, I''m very happy to meet you today. We must drink to our hearts'' content and not return home sober!"ughed Mo Shaocong.


    Li Dapang looked on, wide-eyed and tongue-tied; the rich really were different.


    As soon as the drinks were served, many of the girls apanying the drinks came over to join in. They all faced sales pressure. If the customer ordered drinks, they could join in too. After a round, one set of drinks was nearly finished.


    Initially, Xiao Han had been puzzled as to why Mo Shaocong had ordered so much drink in one breath. Now he realized there was a reason. Mo Shaocong was a man of means; thus, he did not care about the expense but valued face above all. Wealthy people like others to give them face.


    "Big Brother Mo, here''s a toast to you," said Xiao Han, raising his ss.


    "Brother, there''s no need to be so formal," replied Mo Shaocong with a smile, "I could tell immediately today that you''re no ordinary man."


    "Oh? What makes you say that?" asked Xiao Han curiously.


    "I observed you all afternoon while we yed cards!" Mo Shaocongughed, "You hide it well, never allowing your real thoughts to show on your face. Plus, you have an aura of maturity beyond your years; anyone who didn''t know better would think there''s a heart of a few decades old hidden beneath your youthful appearance."


    "Haha..." Xiao Han immediatelyughed, saying, "You tter me, Big Brother."


    The girl clinging to Xiao Han''s arm kept toasting him, and Xiao Han epted each one. Mainly because he wasn''t used to refusing others.


    That night, Xiao Han drank quite a lot. Li Dapang seemed a bit restrained at first butter became very unrestrained. His hands and feet were unclean as he kept touching the beautiful girl. Initially, the girl hadn''t reacted much, butter on, she responded strongly; after all, she was there to apany drinks, not to be taken out.


    Whoosh...


    The girl stood up abruptly and sshed the contents of her ss onto Li Dapang''s face.


    "What are you doing?" the girl eximed in anger, "I''m only here to apany drinks, not to apany to bed."


    Li Dapang was stunned at once; he had only made such a rude gesture because he had drunk too much. Having a ssful of drink thrown in his face, he almost wished he could crawl into a hole and hide.


    Xiao Han was also shocked by this scene, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    "What do you mean by this?" Xiao Han asked the girl coldly.


    Mo Shaocong was about to intervene, but seeing Xiao Han speaking up, he chose to watch the developments. Of course, he was curious how Xiao Han would handle the current dispute.


    The girl looked at Xiao Han and said, "You ask him!"


    "Coming out to be a paidpanion, you should be prepared for it!" Xiao Han sneered, "Your appearance fee isn''t cheap, right? A little touch won''t make a piece of your flesh fall off, will it?"


    "You!" The girl was left speechless by Xiao Han''s retort.


    "You have two choices: name a price, or sit down obediently and continue letting him touch you," Xiao Han was not one to be trifled with. When you''re out and about in the world, you need to be a bit forceful. Even though he only had a little over two million, that was enough to give him some confidence. No wonder they say rich people speak with authority.


    "Price? Can you afford it?" The girl was defiant as well, not afraid of losing her job or offending a customer. It seemed she also had some sort of backup or connections. However, girls like her usually had one or a few local ruffians covering them, which is why they were so arrogant and overbearing.


    "How much?" Xiao Han asked in a cold voice.


    "One hundred thousand!" the girl red at Xiao Han.


    "Manager!" Xiao Han called out loudly.


    It wasn''t long before the bar manager came rushing over, sensing that the atmosphere was amiss, and quickly said, "What... what''s happening here?"


    "Bring your POS machine," Xiao Han demanded, "Swipe a hundred thousand for me!"


    "Ah?!" When the manager heard this, he thought it was a big deal.


    "It''s for thisdy''s ''outing fee,'' one hundred thousand!" Xiao Han dered.


    The manager was almost shocked off his feet, looking awkwardly at the girl next to him, and asked, "Ah Mei, is this for real?"


    "I..." The girl was suddenly at a loss for words.


    "Shush!" Xiao Han sternly chided.


    "Xiao Han, I think let''s just forget it!" Li Dapang hurriedly said from the side.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Am I, Xiao Han, someone who can be bullied so easily?" Xiao Han sneered, "I''m influential on the Maind, and I''m just as influential in Macau."


    The manager was dumbfounded on the spot.


    "Ah Mei, how did you offend a Maind customer?" The manager red at her and said, "Didn''t you see him with Young Master Mo? Can you afford to offend such a person?"


    "I..." The girl was also somewhat panicked; she had indeed been impulsive just now.


    The manager quickly put on a professional smile and said, "Mr. Xiao, how about we do this, I''llpensate you with a round of drinks, and we can call it even, okay?"


    "No way!" Xiao Han said seriously, "Today, she must apany someone at their table."


    The manager frowned, not knowing what to do. If it were someone else, it might be fine, but it was a friend of Young Master Mo. He couldn''t just brush this off given the respect he owed. Since it was their fault, he hurriedly said, "Mr. Xiao, what if... wepensate you with a hundred thousand?"


    "Do I look like someone who is short of money?" Xiao Han asked coldly.


    "Ah Mei, you caused this trouble, so you deal with it yourself!" The manager suddenly became angry and walked away, leaving the girl behind.


    Before long, the waiter brought over the POS machine.


    "No... don''t do this!" The girl''s voice trembled. After all, she had just spoken in anger; how could she know that she would identally run into the real deal.


    Xiao Han swiped the card for a hundred thousand without hesitation. Then he looked at Li Dapang and said, "Big Fatty, this woman belongs to you tonight. You must vent for me."


    "Okay!" Li Dapang, seeing Xiao Han be so loyal, naturally directed all his anger towards the girl.


    The girl was very pretty, just Li Dapang''s type. Not only was her face attractive, but her body was also very voluptuous. Sexy, enchanting. Although she wore makeup, her features were still quite nice. Otherwise, Li Dapang would not have lost hisposure earlier.


    The girl stood timidly to the side.


    Xiao Han couldn''t be bothered to deal with this episode. Tonight, he expected Li Dapang would give her a taste of his anger. With Li Dapang''s capabilities, he probably wouldn''t let up easily unless he had toyed with her seven or eight times.


    Xiao Han''s mouth curved into a sly smile as he held his ss and said, "Big Brother Mo, sorry to have caused a scene."


    "Haha, very exciting, I do enjoy such a lively show," Mo Shaocong quickly raised his ss.


    Xiao Han''s actions left Mo Shaocong somewhat puzzled. However, he found himself liking Xiao Han''s personality more and more. He was decisive in his actions and willing to stand up for his brothers; truly a loyal man. This world is missing people with real sincerity like Xiao Han.


    Mo Shaocong wanted to make friends but didn''t want to make friends just for feasting and reveling, nor those who tried to use him. He only wanted to make friends who valued loyalty and were true-hearted.


    The two clinked sses.


    Tonight, Xiao Han was destined not to return until he was drunk. Fortunately, Xiao Han could hold his liquor. After several rounds of intense drinking, he was thoroughly drunk. Mo Shaocong, a regr on the drinking scene, naturally had a good capacity for alcohol. After a few rounds, he too began to feel a bit tipsy.


    "Let''s go, back to the hotel for a long night''s discussion!" Mo Shaocong liked Xiao Han a lot, and he recognized another trait in Xiao Han, his generosity!


    "Big Brother, let''s continue drinking when we get back!" Xiao Han''s face was flushed, drunk and staggering.


    Arm in arm, the two of them walked out. Li Dapang, with eyes full of rage, red at Ah Mei, sneering, "What''s up? The money''s paid, aren''t you going toe with me?"


    "I..." Ah Mei''s voice choked as she looked at Li Dapang and said, "Big Brother, I... I don''t want to go!"


    p!


    Li Dapang swung a heavy p at her and angrily said, "Damn, raised with a whore''s values. You want to have your cake and eat it too, act the whore and yet y innocent!"


    Saying so, Li Dapang dragged her by the arm and marched out.


    Though she resisted, how could her strength match Li Dapang''s? The security at the club did not intervene, knowing full well the whole situation. Ah Mei was doomed to be taken away by Li Dapang tonight.


    Soon, Li Dapang dragged her onto the car. In the car, Ah Mei sat quietly, head down, softly weeping.


    Macau Central Ring Road''s HSD Hotel.


    A room cost 3,600. Xiao Han sat in Mo Shaocong''s room, and the two continued to chat. Xiao Han was typically mature beyond his years, and he had read extensively in his junior high and high school years. After his brain had been stimted, all those memories surged forth. As a result, he was able to converse with Mo Shaocong. Mo Shaocong also greatly appreciated Xiao Han''s knowledge and insights.


    The two felt as though they''d met toote.


    "Brother Xiao, how about... we be sworn brothers?" Mo Shaocong, excited, grabbed Xiao Han''s hand.


    "Sure." Xiao Han nodded eagerly and said, "I''ve had the same idea for a while, just afraid Big Brother would look down on me for my humble background!"


    "Haha, status doesn''t matter when stepping outside," Mo Shaocongughed and said, "Even though I..."


    About to speak of his own status, Mo Shaocong smiled hesitantly and said, "I don''t have much of a im to fame or background, just some friends in BJ City and the provincial city. All of that doesn''t count as my own capability."

 Chapter 049 Torture

    "Haha¡­" Xiao Hanughed wildly, "Big Brother was born into riches."


    "Brother,e on, let''s be sworn brothers!" For the first time in his life, Mo Shaocong was so delighted. He actually dragged Xiao Han to the floor-to-ceiling window, then lit three cigarettes and ced them on the windowsill. Both of them knelt on the carpet. Heughed, "As the heavens and earth witness, today I, Mo Shaocong¡­"


    "I, Xiao Han¡­"


    "Swear to be brothers, to share fortunes and ovee difficulties together!" they both shouted in unison.


    "Good brother." Mo Shaocong patted Xiao Han on the shoulder.


    "Big Brother Mo!" Xiao Han''s eyes brimmed with tears.


    It is indeed rare to find a confidant in life, and even rarer still to find a brother for life.


    For years, Xiao Han was bullied, humiliated, and trampled by anyone who felt like it. From the moment he stood up for himself, Xiao Han vowed to be a strong man, someone who no one could bully. Today, Xiao Han met the good brother of his life. Although they hadn''t known each other for long, it felt like they had met toote. This kind of sentiment can only be felt when it''s truly experienced.


    Some people may never feel it throughout their entire lives.


    "Brother Xiao, truth be told, I have some properties back home," Mo Shaocong sighed, "Too bad all these properties belong to the family business. I''ve always wanted to prove my own abilities. But I''ve never found the opportunity."


    "What does Young Master Mo n to do?" Xiao Han asked with a smile.


    "This is a material world, so, I need money to prove my capabilities!" Mo Shaocong sighed again, "With the family business, even if I earn ten million, in others'' eyes, I''m just using the family''s resources and connections. If I earn one million on my own, that''s better than earning ten million in the familypany!"


    "So you''ve been hanging around the Macau casinos, looking for the right person?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Yes!" Mo Shaocong nodded, "And here¡­ as kung fu rewards the diligent, I have finally found one."


    Upon hearing this, a smile immediately appeared on Xiao Han''s lips, "Young Master Mo, Ie from a humble family. Moreover, to be honest, I''m just a high school student!"


    Mo Shaocong was stunned as he stared at Xiao Han. Their eyes met; Xiao Han''s expression was calm, and his eyes were clear and transparent. It was impossible to tell if his words were genuine. However, Mo Shaocong trusted Xiao Han. He rubbed his temples, and said, "Xiao Han, what¡­ what did you just say?"


    "I said, I''m just a high school student!" Xiao Han said with augh.


    "What?" Mo Shaocong was finally clear on what he heard, his mouth agape in shock, "What did you say?"


    "That''s right!" Xiao Han nodded, "You heard correctly!"


    "Brother, don''t you lie to me," Mo Shaocong said with a shocked face.


    "Young Master Mo, I really didn''t lie to you!" Xiao Han said awkwardly, "I didn''t tell you before, but now that we have sworn brotherhood, I should of course share my story with you."


    "Hahaha¡­" Mo Shaocong heard this and was even more delighted. "Wow, I never imagined you were so young, brother. It seems I didn''t misjudge you; you''re truly not amon person."


    "You tter me too much, Young Master Mo!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head before saying, "I''m just a high school student; what great ability could I have."


    "So young and yet so bold," Mo Shaocong looked at Xiao Han with amazement, "You''re bound to be extraordinary in the future."


    With Mo Shaocong ttering him like this, Xiao Han became even more embarrassed.


    ......


    In another room, Ah Mei had already been dragged into the room by Li Dapang.


    Ah Mei was indeed a beautiful girl, standing at one hundred sixty-eight centimeters with a well-proportioned figure, wearing a crop top that highlighted her ample bust, and her delicate face was even more charming under the light.


    Li Dapang had started undressing.


    "Take it off!" Li Dapang was getting impatient. Today, this woman had not given him face and even sshed wine on his face, an insult that was hard to swallow. If Xiao Han hadn''t stood up for him, he probably would have just let it go.


    If there''s a chance for revenge, why not take it!


    "No, don''t!" Ah Mei shook her head incessantly, her hands covering her chest as she pleaded, "Let me go, let me go!"


    Smack!


    Li Dapang swung a p across.


    Wearing high heels, Ah Mei staggered and fell onto the couch in the room. She held her face, her body bent over the couch, sobbing softly. She didn''t know why she had acted so impulsively today. She had a conflict with her boyfriend yesterday afternoon, leaving her in a very bad mood, with an ongoing cold war between them.


    Tonight, on her way to work, Li Dapang picked her, which didn''t help her already poor mood. She simply couldn''t stand Li Dapang; he was unattractive and dressed poorly.


    Moreover, Li Dapang was handsy and inappropriate, going too far. So the mes within Ah Mei instantly erupted. At that moment, she hadn''t considered the consequences. But now she had to taste the bitter fruits of her actions.


    "Strip now!" Li Dapang roared angrily.


    "No... please don''t!" Ah Mei begged pitifully, her cheeks stained with pear-shaped tears.


    Riiip...


    Li Dapang gnashed his teeth as he lunged forward in an arrow step, grabbing her ck belly-revealing top, which was torn apart by Li Dapang on the spot.


    "No!"


    Gulp!


    Li Dapang swallowed a mouthful of saliva.


    "Hurry up and strip, or don''t me me for being rude!" Li Dapang growled menacingly. He was no longer able to think clearly. His eyes even reddened slightly. It was clear that tonight he was going to let loosepletely.


    Li Dapang had a burly frame, weighing 180 pounds. Just in terms of weight alone, he was twice that of Ah Mei. It was likely that if he pressed down on her, she would be unable to breathe.


    Ah Mei violently shook her head, her hands clutched around her chest, she cried out, "Don''t, I don''t want to..."


    "Fuck, ungrateful bitch!" Li Dapang cursed as he walked over, teeth clenched.


    Ah Mei tried to dodge, but Li Dapang caught her neck with one hand. His hand suddenly tightened, lifting Ah Mei by the neck off the ground.


    Bang!


    Li Dapang forcefully pushed her onto the couch. He sneered, "Tonight, no one wille to save you!"


    "Don''t... please don''t!" Ah Mei was terrified as she frantically kicked Li Dapang away with her legs.


    "Aiyo..." Li Dapang stumbled backward two steps from her kick,nding on the floor with his buttocks.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    At that moment, Li Dapang was enraged, he stood up on the spot. He walked over, his presence menacing.


    Li Dapang grabbed Ah Mei''s hair with one hand and started to hit her over and over. After a brutal beating, Ah Mei was pleading bitterly, "Stop... please stop, don''t hit me any more!"


    The beating subdued her significantly in an instant.


    ......


    After being beaten up, Ah Meiy obediently at the head of the bed.


    ...


    After it was over, Ah Meiy weak and powerless on the couch. Ah Mei felt her life was such a failure.

 Chapter 050 Seven Times in One Night

    Li Dapang grabbed Ah Mei''s buttocks, and after a while, he sighed in relief. Ayer of sweat appeared on his chubby body, each droplet falling down. It took several heavy breaths for Li Dapang to finally recover his senses. He hadn''t expected that his first time would be so exhrating, especially with such a beautiful girl.


    After finishing, Li Dapang pulled out his tool of crime and then plopped down on the couch to start smoking. A cigarette after the fact was better than living like an immortal.


    Li Dapang excitedly looked at Ah Mei beside him.


    After resting for a moment, Li Dapang found himself still eager with excitement. Two cigarettester, he pounced on Ah Mei again.


    "No, I... I''m so tired, it hurts so much..." Ah Mei pleaded.


    But the fury inside Li Dapang had not been fully vented. He started tormenting her without hesitation, abusing her to let her know what a real man was, what a real tough guy was!


    This time, it obviouslysted longer. With the foundation set by the first time, Li Dapang''sbat power surged. The previous ten minutes had already tormented Ah Mei badly, but this half hourpletely tortured her to death.


    She pleaded continuously, but Li Dapang simply ignored her andunched an unhesitating assault on the high ground.


    ...


    That night, Li Dapang achieved his goal of doing it seven times.


    By the seventh time, Ah Mei screamed, "You''re not human, you''re not human, you''re a beast, a beast!!"


    Who could manage seven times in one night? Who could be so fierce each time? Ah Mei was just an ordinary woman; she couldn''t handle Li Dapang''s torture throughout the night. After the seventh time, Ah Meipletely fainted.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The next morning, Li Dapang felt utterly drained and weak.


    Ah Mei next to himy motionless at the head of the bed. Li Dapang was frightened, hurriedly checked her with his hand, found she was still breathing, and then he sighed in relief. He couldn''t afford a death in this ce, or he might never make it home.


    Li Dapang took a deep breath, and when he got up, he noticed a pool of blood on the headboard.


    "Fuck, it couldn''t be from deflowering, could it?" Li Dapang was startled.


    However, upon serious consideration, there had been no bleeding the first time. It couldn''t be the subsequent times? Li Dapang nced over.


    Li Dapang got out of bed and smoked a cigarette, then decided to go another round early in the morning, determined not to waste the hundred thousand from Xiao Han. Just as he prepared to pounce, Ah Mei suddenly woke up, trembling all over. She hurriedly got up and knelt in front of Li Dapang, "Please, no more, I beg you. If you do it again, I... I''ll jump off a building, I...


    I really can''t take any more. It''s not that I won''t, you did it seven timesst night, I... I just can''t take it anymore."


    Seeing her so pitiful, and considering how hard he had been the previous night, even causing bleeding, he sighed and said, "Fine, just finish me off with your mouth this time!"


    "Yes, yes!" She hurriedly nodded.


    And so, early in the morning, Li Dapang enjoyed the oral favors of the woman.


    ......


    Xiao Han and Mo Shaocong ended up sleeping in the same room. Xiao Han slept on the couch, and Mo Shaocong spent the night on the carpet. They had gotten drunkst night, sworn brotherhood, discussed life, and talked about the future. Eventually, they couldn''t stay awake any longer and just fell asleep.


    Waking up early, Xiao Han looked incredulously at Mo Shaocong lying on the floor. He suddenly realized that he had cked out memories fromst night. Thispletely dumbfounded him. Losing a memory was terribly frightening for anyone.


    Especially for Xiao Han, it was absolutely terrifying because he feared losing his current abilities. Without his current abilities, his life would changepletely. Xiao Han understood deeply that his mind held a huge secret¡ªthat he possessed a powerful brain. This brain functioned differently from others, not only having an eidetic memory but also an extremely agile capability for action.


    With just these two abilities, Xiao Han was gradually changing the trajectory of his life and transforming his day-to-day existence.


    If he lost this powerful brain, Xiao Han feared he would return to his previous life, a prospect he absolutely did not want to see or face.


    "Xiao Han, you''re awake?" Mo Shaocong got up and saw Xiao Han sitting solemnly on the couch.


    "Yeah, Mo Shao, we both got really drunkst night," said Xiao Han,ughing as he helped Mo Shaocong up.


    "Indeed!" Mo Shaocong nodded, saying, "That was the first time in my life I''ve been so severely drunk."


    "So, we better take it easy with drinking next time; otherwise, someone might take advantage of us without us even knowing," Xiao Han cautioned.


    "Right!" Mo Shaocong agreed, saying, "I''ve never drunk like that before, yesterday was the first time. And absolutely thest time in my life!"


    Both of them were now much more alert.


    Xiao Han looked at Mo Shaocong and asked, "Mo Shao, aboutst night¡­ was that for real, or just your drunken words?"


    "Of course, it''s real!" Mo Shaocong said hurriedly, "Brother, from now on, we''re no less than sworn brothers. Whenever you need something, just call me, understand?"


    "Hmm!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Thanks, big brother!"


    "Haha!" Upon hearing this, Mo Shaocongughed out loud, "I love hearing that ''big brother'' bit. Let''s go, let''s go have some early tea!"


    After freshening up, the two went directly to the hotel lobby to have early tea.


    Macanese people, like those from GD, also enjoy their early tea, whiches in a vast variety of styles. Various breakfast items, bread rolls...


    The lobby was packed. The hotel was open not only to its guests but also to the public, so the early tea here was extremely popr. Customers kepting in, mostly older people. The hall was full, with over a hundred people gathered around more than ten round tables.


    Seeing the crowd, Mo Shaocong decided to open a private room, which had dedicated service.


    The two of them had breakfast there.


    Before long, Li Dapang came down dragging Ah Mei, who was trembling all over, legs wobbly. The seven roundsst night had nearly driven her to madness. In the morning, she had barely escaped the "Magic w" when Li Dapang dragged her down as she tried to leave.


    "Big Fatty, what is this?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Xiao Han, what should I do with this woman?" asked Li Dapang.


    "What do you want to do?" Xiao Han was curious as he looked at Li Dapang.


    "I... I want to keep her and continue!" Li Dapang chuckled.


    "That won''t do, we are leaving today!" Xiao Han spoke up, "You should just let her go."


    "Oh... alright then." Li Dapang said reluctantly.


    Ah Mei, terrified, turned and ran. Li Dapang watched her leave with a reluctant expression, clearly finding it hard to let her go. At that moment, Mo Shaocong teased, "Big Fatty, brother, are you addicted to this? Is this woman really that fun?"


    "Hehe..." Li Dapang scratched his head, feeling embarrassed, then said, "Well, how should I put it? She''s just my type. Last night, I did it with her seven times. Ah... it really felt amazing!"


    Upon hearing this, Mo Shaocong said, "You''re exaggerating, aren''t you?"


    "No, absolutely not!" Li Dapang quickly shook his head, saying, "I''m not bragging at all; you can ask Ah Mei if you don''t believe me. This morning, I was ready for another round, but she couldn''t take it anymore, she knelt down and begged me to spare her. That''s the only reason I didn''t do it again."


    "Ah... hahaha..." Mo Shaocong burst outughing, "Brother, you''re incredible."


    "Hehe..." Feeling embarrassed, Li Dapang scratched his head and then sat down next to Xiao Han.


    The early tea was very nice, and Xiao Han really liked the delicate vors here. Li Dapang had exhausted a lot of energyst night, so today he was very hungry, very hungry. Seeing all the food, he began to eat voraciously.


    ......


    After the early tea, Xiao Han decided to leave Macau.


    "Xiao Han, are you really going?" Mo Shaocong asked curiously, "Don''t you want to stay and have some fun? Macau has many fun ces. I can be your guide!"


    "Big brother, I really have to go." Xiao Han said awkwardly, "This time, I just sneaked out. If my family finds out, it would be terrible."


    "Well then." Mo Shaocong nodded and said, "If you have time,e to the provincial city and visit me. Call me when you arrive, and I''lle to pick you up myself!"


    "Thanks, big brother!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "I will definitelye when I have time."


    "Alright." Mo Shaocong smiled and then said, "I will arrange for someone to take you to Zhuhai."


    It was still the Toyota Alphard, the star-designated nanny car iming to be the mostfortable business vehicle. The car headed straight for Zhuhai Airport. After arriving at the airport, the driver turned and left. Xiao Han and Li Dapang checked in and went through security, then boarded the ne.


    ......


    Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    Early next morning, Teacher Li hurried to the school.


    He was looking everywhere for Xiao Han, whose demonstrated strength had made him sense the rise of a sports star. As a physical education teacher, and a graduate of the Central Sports Academy at that, he felt it was imperative to unearth sports talents.


    China has always been a powerhouse in track sports, but field sports were clearly a different story. In Xiao Han, Teacher Li saw some hope. Perhaps Xiao Han could be the next Liu Xiang. That was his greatest wish and expectation.

 Chapter 051 Sports Genius

    Senior year group.


    Liu Jinmei and other teachers were quietly preparing lessons and correcting homework in the office.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, the door of the teachers'' office was violently pushed open. The door hit the wall behind it, making a loud noise.


    "Who is it?" The teachers in the office were all startled.


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on Teacher Li. Teacher Li was tall and burly, entering with an overwhelming presence. This made all the teachers shiver uncontrobly, and those unaware might have thought Teacher Li was there for revenge. However, there were no feuds or grievances between him and the other teachers, nor with the physical education teacher.


    "You... Teacher Li, what is this about?" Liu Jinmei asked curiously.


    "Who is Xiao Han''s homeroom teacher?" Teacher Li cut to the chase.


    All eyes turned to Liu Jinmei. Liu Jinmei was stunned, thinking Xiao Han had caused trouble again. She quickly asked, "Teacher Li, did Xiao Han get into trouble again?"


    "No!" Teacher Li shook his head, saying, "This kid is a sports genius. I''ve decided to have him join my sports ss. I want to train him systematically!"


    Uh...


    Everyone was stunned. At this moment, Liu Jinmei hurriedly said, "Impossible!"


    "Why?" Teacher Li quickly asked.


    "Xiao Han is our key protege right now!" How could Liu Jinmei let Xiao Han go into sports? She knew that Xiao Han had just ranked second in his grade, making him a prime candidate for Tsinghua University and Peking University. Moreover, the head of their year group had already decided to focus on nurturing Xiao Han and ensure he got into Tsinghua University and Peking University.


    "That won''t do. The country needs talents like Xiao Han!" Teacher Li urgently waved his hands, saying: "What good does reading do? With his talents, Xiao Han can be specially recruited by Tsinghua University and Peking University. He is bound to serve the country in the future. He could go to the Olympics, be a sprinting champion, and be a sprinting talent."


    "Still no!" Liu Jinmei tly refused, saying, "I will never agree to let Xiao Han train in sports."


    "You don''t get to decide that, I''ll let Xiao Han decide for himself!" ncing at Liu Jinmei, Teacher Li said: "I''m going to find him in ss right now."


    With that, Teacher Li mmed the door and left.


    The office was left bbergasted and dumbfounded.


    "What... What y is this?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Who knows? Why has Xiao Han caught the eye of this burly brute?"


    "I heard there was apetition on the sports field just now. Could it have been Xiao Han?"


    In the office, a group of teachers began discussing among themselves.


    Liu Jinmei''s mind was racing, and she felt she couldn''t just sit idly by. She quickly stood up, grabbed her coat, and hurried out.


    Senior Year, ss Three.


    It was break time and the ssroom was chaotic. The boys were browsing their phones, and the girls were chatting together. They were all having a lively time. Just as everyone was having a great time, suddenly, a voice as loud as thunder came.


    "Where is Xiao Han?!" that booming voice echoed.


    All eyes hastily swept toward the door.


    The ssroom fell silent instantly. At the door stood a muscr giant, broad-shouldered and stout, dressed in a PE teacher''s attire. Since Teacher Li was not responsible for ss Three''s physical education, the students didn''t recognize him.


    Jiang Xiaoliang sat at the front, alongside the podium, and thus, he was positioned to most acutely feel Teacher Li''s imposing aura.


    "Teacher, did Xiao Han do something wrong?" Jiang Xiaoliang asked curiously.


    "Right, right, right, I need to see him," Teacher Li was too impatient to exin, simply reaffirming, then asked: "Where is he? Have you seen him?"


    Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoliang immediately brightened up, thinking there was an opportunity for some excitement. He quickly said, "Reporting, Teacher, Xiao Han didn''te to ss today, he might have skipped ss with Li Dapang."


    "Skipped ss?" Teacher Li was bewildered; he felt puzzled. Why would Liu Jinmei still shelter such a frequently absent student? Could it be because she simply didn''t like the student, therefore not wanting the student to seed? With this thought, Teacher Li became even more anxious. He hurriedly asked, "Does anyone know where he has gone?"


    "Teacher, I advise you not to look for him anymore," Jiang Xiaoliang, who was closest to the door, said cheerfully, "If you really want to teach him a lesson, you can wait for him in our ssroom. Maybe he''ll show up soon!"


    After some thought, Teacher Li felt that it wasn''t wrong and since she had no sses for the day, she decided to wait at Xiao Han''s seat.


    Chen Zihan, who was standing nearby, asked awkwardly, "Teacher Li, how... why did youe here?"


    "My student, is that you?" Teacher Li recognized Chen Zihan at a nce, wasn''t she the girl who was with Xiao Han yesterday? He quickly smiled and said, "This young man is a promising athlete, so, I n to train him to be a national-level athlete andpete in international events in the future."


    "But, Xiao Han has no intention of doing that!" Chen Zihan hurriedly interjected.


    "It doesn''t matter whether he has the intention or not, I must find a way to persuade him," Teacher Li chuckled.


    Chen Zihan lowered her head and remained silent. Although her eyes were fixed on her textbook, her heart was somewhat adrift. Why hadn''t Xiao Hane to school today? Was he sick? Little did she know, at this very moment, Xiao Han was gambling in Macau with Li Dapang.


    Liu Jinmei certainly wouldn''t agree, with such a promising student like Xiao Han, how could she let him go into sports? That would be dying someone''s future, which was too despicable.


    "Teacher Li,e out," Liu Jinmei stood at the door.


    "I''m noting out!" Teacher Li shook his head and said, "Today, I''m determined to take this student."


    "Teacher Li, as a role model, please don''t make a fuss in the ssroom, okay?" Liu Jinmei was famously irritable, but today she was forcefully holding back her temper.


    Unexpectedly, Teacher Li didn''t take it seriously andughed like a ruffian, "I said, I won''t leave until I see Xiao Han today."


    "Xiao Han?" Liu Jinmei was taken aback and said, "Where is Xiao Han?"


    That''s when she realized that Xiao Han hadn''te to school today.


    Jiang Xiaoliang hurriedly said, "Teacher Liu, Xiao Han skipped ss and didn''te to school."


    "What?!" Liu Jinmei was shocked.


    "Teacher Liu, please let me take care of this student," Teacher Liughed heartily, "He''s clearly disobedient and naughty. If you let me handle him, I guarantee he will behave and even get into a top university in the future."


    "Hmph!" Liu Jinmeipletely dismissed the PE teacher''s nonsense. She snorted coldly, then said, "That''s impossible. Xiao Han is a student in our ss, and without my permission, no one can take him away."


    "You!" Frustrated that his argument wasn''t working, Teacher Li said, "I''m telling you, Teacher Liu, I''ve looked into it, and Xiao Han is unambitious and ranksst in academic performance. What do you need him for? You can''t dy his future and his life. Nor can you hold back the development of China''s sports."


    "Stopbeling me!" Liu Jinmei''s face fell, and she said, "Inst month''s city-wide joint exam, Xiao Han ranked first in our ss and second in the whole grade. With such results, you want him to train in sports? It''s you who is ruining his future and dying his life, not me."


    "That''s impossible!" Teacher Li shook his head urgently, saying, "I''ve asked several senior students, and they all know Xiao Han. They even said that Xiao Han is the worst student in the senior grade. He always ranksst in ss and nearlyst in the grade. Could I have heard wrong?"


    Teacher Li only knew about Xiao Han''s past records; the city-wide joint exam results, where Xiao Han ranked second in his grade and first in his ss, were only known by the students of ss three.


    There is an old Chinese saying, "Good news stays at home, bad news travels afar." Given Xiao Han''s excellent results, it was surprising that no one outside his ss knew about it, and the school hadn''t publicized it. Thus, Teacher Li couldn''t possibly know this news. Plus, he had asked two students from ss three, but unfortunately, these students were Jiang Xiaoliang''s sidekicks.


    When asked about Xiao Han, they spoke ill of him, iming he was the worst.


    "Hmph." Liu Jinmei gave a coldugh, then said, "Don''t you know that he ranked second in the entire grade in the recent city-wide joint exam?"


    "Uh..." Teacher Li was stunned for a moment, then hastily said, "But howe I heard that Xiao Han''s academic performance is terrible?"


    "That was in the past," Liu Jinmei smiled and said, "Now it''s different. Xiao Han is a key student in our senior grade now. So, you trying to poach him, that''s simply impossible!"


    Hiss...


    Everyone suddenly gasped collectively.


    Jiang Xiaoliang also gasped. It wasn''t just him; the entire ss couldn''t help but take a deep breath. Being a key student for the entire grade was indeed a remarkable status, and Xiao Han truly was an exceptional individual for this.


    Hearing this news, Jiang Xiaoliang suddenly felt upset. He had thought he was the one being focused on for development, but it turned out to be Xiao Han. His heart was filled with extreme unwillingness. What abilities did Xiao Han have to be the focus of the entire grade''s training? That was just too exaggerated.


    A smile appeared on Chen Zihan''s face; Xiao Han''s honors were her own honors. For Xiao Han to be seen as a key student by the grade was indeed wonderful news. She was so eager to share this news with Xiao Han. Unfortunately, he hadn''te to ss today.


    "Let''s go to the principal''s office and discuss this matter properly," Teacher Li said, panicking when he heard this. It was clear that the other party was outright refusing to hand over Xiao Han.


    "Let''s go, I''m not afraid of confrontation!" Liu Jinmei was no pushover either. She immediately walked out the door.


    With the confrontation happening in front of so many students, the ssroom fell silent. Everyone held their breath, and the silence persisted even after Liu Jinmei and Teacher Li had left.

 Chapter 052 Snatching the Student

    "What... what is going on?"


    "Everyone is scrambling for Xiao Han?"


    Many in the ssroom were abuzz, finding it unbelievable and hard to trust. Everyone was well aware of what kind of person Xiao Han used to be. Even though his scores had dramatically improved in the recent city-wide exam, it wasn''t enough to warrant such a scramble by several teachers, was it?


    "Ah,pare yourself to others and you''ll be filled with despair."


    "Maybe Xiao Han cheated during the city-wide exam."


    "Right, right, he must have cheated!"


    Many students started to make a ruckus, none willing to believe that a poor student could score better than them. Let alone secure the second rank in the whole grade. That was absolutely impossible. Therefore, they''d rather believe that Xiao Han had cheated than ept that he achieved this through his own abilities.


    If Xiao Han truly relied on his own strength, why then had his previous results been so terrible? He was even repeatedly insulted and consideredckadaisical by Liu Jinmei.


    How could someone possibly improve so quickly in just over a month? In just a month''s time, he went from being thest in ss to first in ss, the second in the entire grade. Such a meteoric rise, who could believe it? Other than cheating, who would believe such progress?!


    "Xiaoliang, what on earth is going on?" a boy beside him asked curiously, looking at Jiang Xiaoliang.


    "How would I know?" Jiang Xiaoliang shook his head and said, "Could it have something to do with the match on the sports field yesterday?"


    "What match?" the boy asked curiously.


    "I heard... Yesterday on the sports field, someone defeated Chen Chen," Jiang Xiaoliang said with a frown. "Could it be... that someone was Xiao Han?"


    "Impossible!" The boy jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, eximing incredulously, "No way! Xiao Han never even participated in a single sports meet during his three years in high school. He''s always beenckluster in PE ss, with no achievements in sportspetitions. How could it possibly be him!"


    "This..." Jiang Xiaoliang had an ominous premonition.


    If not for this, why on earth would the head of the Physical Education Department, Li Qiangguo, seek him out? And even specifically request for Xiao Han. It was evident that there was something fishy going on. Hence, Jiang Xiaoliang harbored an ill foreboding. Could a problem be on the rise?


    "I heard it was Xiao Han who defeated Chen Chen yesterday!" a boy from the first group hurriedly joined the conversation.


    "Really?" Jiang Xiaoliang asked quickly.


    "Yes!" The boy nodded eagerly and said, "A ssmate of mine told me. He''s from the Physical Education Department. He was at the scene yesterday and even specifically inquired about Xiao Han."


    "Dammit!" Jiang Xiaoliang, upon hearing this, reacted with shock and anger, "What the hell is going on with Xiao Han? Suddenly he''s like he''s eaten gunpowder. Has this guy run into some trouble? Otherwise, why would they be so concerned about him?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A few people got together to discuss quietly.


    "Maybe... Xiao Han has been pretending all along!"


    "Yes, it''s possible. It''s senior year now, and the college entrance exams are imminent, so he can''t pretend anymore."


    Jiang Xiaoliang was always puzzled.


    ......


    Principal''s office.


    Li Hengzhong worked in his office, the bright room shining. Ever since thest city-wide exam ended, education officials and other school principals had visited him, all to discuss how to improve teaching quality and student performance.


    In thest city-wide exam, Linjiang No. 1 Middle School had far outstripped the other schools, with over twenty students scoring above seven hundred points. These students were most certainly Tsinghua University and Peking University material. With over sixty students scoring above six hundred points, at least ten among them had the opportunity to vie for Tsinghua and Peking University.


    The others were bound for the country''s top universities, like 211, 985... Reputable universities were a certainty.


    In the past, Linjiang No. 4 Middle School was able topete with Linjiang No. 1 Middle School. However, following this city-wide exam, Linjiang No. 4 Middle School''s performance was clearlygging behind Linjiang No. 1 Middle School.


    Li Hengzhong was very pleased. Even the principal of Linjiang No. 4 Middle School had personally made a visit to bring gifts and learn from him.


    The Education Bureau personally delivered two golden ques, one for a Key Middle School and one for an Excellent Education Base. Both ques now hung in Li Hengzhong''s office as constant reminders to prioritize educating students with performance secondary.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, the door to the office was flung open with force.


    The ones who entered were none other than the head of the Physical Education Department, Li Qiangguo, and Liu Jinmei, the star teacher of the senior third grade group. Both appeared to be seething with anger. Li Hengzhong was slightly stunned and asked, "You two... what is this... what act are you putting on?"


    "Principal Li!" Li Qiangguo quickly walked in, then said, "I need you to help me judge this situation. I''ve taken interest in a student with good physical qualities, and he is a genius. I want to recruit him into the sports team. Give me a few months, and I guarantee I can get him admitted to Tsinghua University''s Physical Education Department without any exams."


    "That''s out of the question!" Liu Jinmei shook her head and said, "He is a key student under intensive grooming by our senior third grade group, and he absolutely must not fall into the hands of the Physical Education Department. Even without sports, we guarantee that he can get into Tsinghua University with excellent academic results.


    Moreover, we can also assure that if he doesn''t be the top schr of the province in the college entrance examination, he will certainly be the top schr of Linjiang City!"


    Li Hengzhong listened,pletely baffled.


    Who exactly was this deity that had caught the attention of a head of the PE Department and also had a star teacher clinging onto him so fiercely.


    "Wait a second!" Li Hengzhong hurriedly asked, "Who... who are you talking about? Who is this student that has made you so anxious?!"


    "It''s a student from ss Three, Senior Three, Xiao Han!" the two of them said almost in unison.


    "What?!" As soon as Li Hengzhong heard this, he was greatly shocked and said, "You''re talking about Xiao Han?!"


    Principal Li was always amiable and a person of calm disposition, yet today, his style had drastically changed. This left people feeling both surprised and puzzled. Neither Li Qiangguo nor Liu Jinmei had ever seen Li Hengzhong so agitated.


    "Principal, you... you know Xiao Han?" Liu Jinmei asked curiously.


    How could Li Hengzhong not know who Xiao Han was? Who was he? That name was one he''d never forget in his life¡ªthe mysterious lecturer from the Hanmen Training ss. He had personally visited him, and Xiao Han had scored full marks on a set of Cambridge University entrance examination papers right before his eyes.


    It was also because of this that he agreed to Xiao Han bing the image spokesperson for the Hanmen Training ss.


    However, Li Hengzhong immediately calmed down again because he felt that there were just too many people with the same name in this world. Besides, how could the Xiao Han from Hanmen be the same as the Xiao Han from Linjiang No. 1 Middle School. The former was a national-level lecturer who had changed the academic fortunes of a hundred students.


    "No... I don''t know him." Li Hengzhong hastily shook his head and said awkwardly, "It just sounded familiar to me."


    "Principal, I''m set on having Xiao Han," Li Qiangguo stated.


    "I absolutely won''t let go!" Liu Jinmei uttered coldly, "Xiao Han is a student from our ss, and since I am the ss teacher, I must take responsibility for him. Moreover, if the Principal insists on having Xiao Han go train for sports, then I will resign!"


    Hisss¡­


    Whether it was Li Hengzhong or Li Qiangguo, both inhaled sharply from the shock. The extent of her protective instincts truly frightened both men.


    Liu Jinmei was a star teacher at Linjiang No. 1 Middle School. Many schools hoped to temporarily transfer Liu Jinmei to teach, but Li Hengzhong had always been reluctant. After all, society does notck teachers, but it doesck experienced teachers with exceptional teaching abilities. Every school wants to allure good teachers to their own turf in order to boost their admission rates.


    This was without doubt.


    And now, Liu Jinmei had brought up resignation. This was truly surprising and even more shocking to Li Hengzhong.


    "Teacher Liu, please don''t!" Li Hengzhong hurriedly pleaded, "You are our star teacher for the senior third grade group. We cannot afford to lose you."


    "I won''t allow Xiao Han to leave!" Liu Jinmeiid down her harsh terms, "If Xiao Han leaves, I leave too. Only if Xiao Han stays can I stay."


    "This¡­" Li Hengzhong, curious, asked, "Is Xiao Han''s academic performance really that good?"


    "Of course!" Li Qiangguo and Liu Jinmei almost simultaneously nodded in agreement.


    "This¡­" Li Hengzhong was dumbstruck once again, unsure of who to listen to at this moment. One was a PE teacher, the other a Math teacher. Both approved of the student. That meant the student was indeed impressive. He quickly asked, "Li Qiangguo, tell me, how exceptional is this student?"


    "His hundred-meter dash speed is almost at ten seconds," Li Qiangguo hurriedly said, "and that is without any professional training!"


    "What!" Li Hengzhong was shocked, staring at Li Qiangguo with his mouth agape, "What did you say? He actually ran it in eleven seconds?"


    Eleven seconds is a threshold for the 100-meter sprint event. Ten seconds is another barrier. An athlete who runs within eleven seconds is quite impressive, able to be a national-levelpetitor. However, to run within ten seconds is to be a world-ss athlete.


    "No!" Li Qiangguo shook his head, "This time he ran it in ten point zero seven seconds. That''s already close to ten seconds. This performance is almost on par with internationalpetitions. With formal training, he could definitelypete internationally. At that point, our Linjiang No. 1 Middle School could also be considered a very impressive institution."


    "My goodness!" Li Hengzhong knew what this performance meant¡ªit signified that an international-ss athlete was about to emerge.


    "What of it?" Liu Jinmei said disdainfully from the side, "No matter how impressive it is, it''s just a sport after all. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said, ''Science and technology are the primary productive forces!'' We need to focus on the development of science and technology, to take the lead in this field.


    If we''re to lead in science and technology, then we definitely need the cultivation of scientific talent. I think Xiao Han is an excellent candidate. The country needs such talent, not brutes!"

 Chapter 53 Skipping Class

    ```


    "How can this be considered reckless?" Li Qiangguo hurriedly said, "In internationalpetitions, we have never achieved good results in sprinting, and now, Liu Xiang has retired, our country needs excellent talent in this field even more."


    Li Hengzhong looked at Liu Jinmei and asked, "Teacher Liu, how is Xiao Han''s academic performance?"


    "Let me put it this way," Liu Jinmei said with a light smile, "In the recent city-wide joint exam, he scored seven hundred and twenty points. First in his ss, second in the entire grade. Xiao Han is absolutely Tsinghua University and Peking University material. There''s no doubt about it."


    "My God!" Li Hengzhong was stunned once again by Xiao Han''s academic performance.


    Whether it''s sports or academics, any one of these achievements would be astonishing. This is only for a high school senior. He has already caught up with major international events. Having such results, he is indeed very impressive, truly remarkable.


    "So, Principal, it''s up to you to decide!" Li Qiangguo hurriedly said.


    "Yes, you decide," Liu Jinmei added.


    This immediately put Li Hengzhong in a difficult position. If he had Xiao Han focus on sports, it would clearly be a waste of such outstanding academic performance. However, if he didn''t let Xiao Han practice sports, then he would be failing to utilize the incredible speed gifted by the heavens. Indeed, a dilemma.


    "How about this, teachers," Li Hengzhong nced at them and then said, "Give me some time to think it over, and I''ll see what can be done."


    "This..." Both were somewhat distressed.


    If Li Hengzhong didn''t make a choice, they obviously wouldn''t be able to rest easy. But after all, Li Hengzhong was the principal.


    "After all, we need to ask Xiao Han himself about this," Li Hengzhong said.


    "But Xiao Han didn''te to ss today!" Li Qiangguo said.


    "Teacher Liu, where is Xiao Han?" Li Hengzhong asked.


    "I don''t know," Liu Jinmei shook her head, "He didn''t ask for leave from me."


    "This is skipping ss!" Li Hengzhong looked at Liu Jinmei in surprise. Having achieved second ce in the city-wide exam surely indicates a student who loves learning, so why would he skip ss?


    "That''s not like him, he''s never skipped ss before," Liu Jinmei shook her head, then said, "Thest time he had something to do, he even asked for leave."


    "Could something have happened?" Li Hengzhong asked, concerned.


    "That can''t be," Liu Jinmei turned pale upon hearing this, and quickly said, "Xiao Han is already neen, he''s an adult. How could something have happened to him."


    "Then... why did he suddenly note to ss?" Li Hengzhong, a seasoned teacher, furrowed his brow and said, "Logically, a student who has never skipped ss wouldn''t have a reason or justify being absent. Unless something happened."


    "That makes sense!" Li Qiangguo said urgently, "The principal''s analysis makes sense. Based on my many years of teaching experience, it''s impossible for a student to just not show up without a reason. Unless something happened."


    At this, Liu Jinmei became anxious.


    "No, that won''t do!" Liu Jinmei said in a panic, "I''m going to check his home!"


    After speaking, Liu Jinmei quickly walked outside.


    "Wait," Li Hengzhong said urgently.


    "What is it?" Liu Jinmei asked quickly, "Is there something wrong?"


    "No, I will go with you!" Li Hengzhong said quickly, "In case there is something, we can discuss what to do."


    "I''ll go too!" Li Qiangguo said urgently.


    Afterwards, the three of them hurriedly left.


    Li Hengzhong''s official car was a Volkswagen Passat, and he drove to Xiao Han''s house himself. Although Li Hengzhong didn''t know where Xiao Han''s home was, Liu Jinmei, as Xiao Han''s homeroom teacher, had a clear memory of his address. Not only of Xiao Han, but also for all forty-five students in the ss. Where they live, what their parents do.


    On the way, Liu Jinmei briefly reported Xiao Han''s situation to Li Hengzhong.


    "So, Xiao Han is a child who hasn''t had it easy," Li Hengzhong asked.


    "Exactly!" Liu Jinmei nodded, "He was the top scorer in Wangjiang District''s middle school examination. Later, his father died in a car ident, leaving mother and son to rely on each other. After that, his grades plummeted..."


    Li Hengzhong felt it strange; a student''s performance could be very poor for two years, and then suddenly, in the third year, he rises and bes the second in the entire grade. It was almost like a miracle.


    "Could it be... for those two years, he has been studying hard all along, but deliberately hiding it?" Li Hengzhong asked curiously.


    "Impossible!" Liu Jinmei shook her head, "A person''s academic performance is reflected in their spirit and demeanor. Before, Xiao Han always looked listless. But ever since that one exam, there was an incredible change in his spirit."


    Liu Jinmei is a gold medal teacher, and this was not just for show. She had rich teaching experience and her own set of beliefs regarding student understanding.


    ```


    "Indeed!" Li Hengzhong nodded.


    At that moment, Li Hengzhong drove to the Fuxing Community. It was amunity with a very pleasant environment. Huge trees had already grown on both sides of the shade-covered roads. In summer, many elderly people would gather here to enjoy the cool, y Chinese chess, smoke, drink tea, and talk about life...


    In short, although Fuxing Community''s economy had declined, its spirit never had. All the elderly here were employees of the Fuxing Factory, and they all had pensions after retirement. That''s why they could afford to spend their old age in such a lovely setting.


    Upon entering themunity, the weather was chilly. There were quite a few people on the streets. Many old people, wearing thick cotton-padded jackets, gathered on the roadsides to enjoy the sun and sip tea while engaging in leisurely chats about life.


    When they saw a nice caring in, many curiously looked over.


    "All I know is that Xiao Han''s family lives here," Liu Jinmei said. "But I don''t know which row of houses exactly!"


    "No problem, we can go down and ask around!" Li Hengzhong said with a smile.


    The car stopped in front of a crowd. A bunch of people curiously stared at them, these faces were unfamiliar. What kind of people were they? The old men and women had nothing much to do, so they looked on with interest.


    "Elderly folks!" Li Hengzhong said with a smile. "I am the principal of Linjiang No.1 Middle School."


    "Oh..." Upon hearing this, everyone became eager. "Are you the well-known principal of the prestigious No.1 Middle School?"


    The crowd became lively. Upon learning he was the principal of No.1 Middle School, they naturally showed their utmost enthusiasm, for after all, he was an intellectual. These old people had lived through the fifties and sixties, and their admiration for intellectuals was sincere. Moreover, being the principal of the most famous No.1 Middle School in LJ city, their veneration was even greater.


    "Principal, what brings you to our Fuxing Factory?" an old man asked curiously.


    "It''s nothing serious, just here to find a student!" Li Hengzhong replied.


    "A student?" Upon hearing this, they were all taken aback. The principaling to their doorstep, which child had been so mischievous? The old man quickly asked, "Principal, what''s the name of the student you''re looking for?"


    "The name is... Xiao Han!" Li Hengzhong hurriedly responded.


    "Xiao Han?" Upon hearing this, everyone widened their eyes in surprise.


    "The Xiao family''s kid?" the old man blinked and asked, "Did he... did he do something wrong? That child''s family is poor, but very sensible. It''s just him and his mother, scraping by with a low ie, yet they still manage to send the kid to school. Principal, you should show some leniency."


    "Yeah, Xiao Han is a sensible child!" the old men and women of themunity pleaded on his behalf.


    "No, no, no!" Li Hengzhong quickly waved his hands, saying, "I think everyone has misunderstood. Xiao Han hasn''t caused any trouble. On the contrary, I''vee to find him because there are some matters."


    "What matters?" The old people were very intrigued.


    "Er..." Li Hengzhong thought for a moment and then said with a wry smile, "This child has exceptional academic talent, ranking second in the entire school on thetest tests. But he also shows phenomenal athletic talent, especially in the 100 meters sprint, where he has incredible burst power. In the future, he is undoubtedly a child who can bring honor to our country. So... "


    "I understand, I understand," the old man quickly interjected. "So, you want him to learn sports?"


    "That''s for him to decide," Li Hengzhong said with a smile. "I came to find him precisely because of this matter."


    "Isn''t today Thursday?" an old person suddenly spoke up. "Shouldn''t Xiao Han be in school?"


    "Right!" Li Hengzhong nodded. "I don''t know what happened, but the kid didn''te to school today."


    "Where could he have gone?" the old man asked in bewilderment. "Has something happened?"


    The group of old people immediately became anxious.


    "That''s why we want to go to his house to see what''s going on," Li Hengzhong exined with a smile. "Only... we don''t know where his house is!"


    "Quick, let''s go check his house!" the group of old people said one after another.


    Soon after, a group of people swiftly sprang into action.


    The elderly folks of themunity mobilized en masse, leading Li Hengzhong and hispanions in a mighty procession toward Xiao Han''s house.


    Mother Xiao was at home preparing lunch, a dish of pickled vegetables and another of fermented tofu. This was her midday meal, along with a te of leftover rice fromst night, which she steamed in a pot. It was her lunch for the day.


    "Little Xiao!" The old man walked quickly, and Li Hengzhong found it hard to keep up.


    Mother Xiao, hearing someone calling her from outside, came out curiously. At that moment, a crowd walked towards her house. With such arge group approaching, Mother Xiao was a bit puzzled. She quickly asked, "Old Master Liu, what''s... what''s all this about?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "This is..."


    "Hello, Mother Xiao. I am the principal of Linjiang No.1 Middle School. We''vee to find Xiao Han!" Li Hengzhong hurried to say.


    "Ah?!" Mother Xiao was suddenly taken aback, looking confused, "Xiao Han? What''s happened to Xiao Han¡­"

 Chapter 054 Deception

    Li Hengzhong shook his head hastily, saying, "No, no, you''ve misunderstood. Xiao Han hasn''t done anything wrong, it''s just that he didn''t go to school today, so we came to check on the situation?"


    "Wasn''t he sent by the school to be an exchange student?" Mother Xiao asked anxiously.


    "Not at all!" Liu Jinmei shook her head and said, "Our school doesn''t have any exchange student programs. Besides, it wouldn''t be possible to have such activities in the senior year.


    Mother Xiao was stunned for a moment, and her expression suddenly changed, "How could this be?"


    "What exactly is going on?" Li Hengzhong asked urgently.


    "I don''t know. He just told me there was an exchange program at school, and that he needed to go to the provincial city for two or three days." Mother Xiao became visibly upset, her face a picture of astonishment. "This child, he... he actually lied to me. He deceived me."


    "What?" Li Hengzhong and Liu Jinmei and the others were dumbfounded. Xiao Han had actually sneaked out and skipped school too. This... this was too bold, wasn''t it?


    "Principal, what should we do?" Liu Jinmei asked anxiously.


    "Maybe, let''s wait until he gets back?" Li Hengzhong suggested.


    "That''s all we can do." Liu Jinmei nodded, looking at Mother Xiao, "How about this, when Xiao Han returns, we''ll discuss this matter with him then."


    "Teacher Liu, is there really no exchange program?" Mother Xiao still couldn''t believe that Xiao Han would deceive her. From his childhood to adulthood, Xiao Han had never lied to her or kept anything from her. Xiao Han was a sensible child, very respectful and obedient towards her. And now, he had lied to her.


    Watching Principal Li and the others leave, Mother Xiao''s heart suddenly sank into a pit of ice.


    A group of people gathered noisily in front of Xiao''s house.


    "What''s with Xiao Han?"


    "Such an obedient child, why is he suddenly being so disobedient?"


    "Sigh..."


    Many people crowded together, chattering endlessly.


    The neighbors'' word cut deep into Mother Xiao''s heart. People always talk too much. Mother Xiao had to endure immense pressure alone. She bit her lip, trying hard not to let her tears fall. Since her husband''s death, she had never shed tears, but this time she did.


    Her son was her only hope and support. Now that her son was grown, he had started to deceive her. She had trusted himpletely. Before he left, she had worried about him being ufortable on the trip, so she prepared motion sickness medicine for him; afraid he might need money in the provincial city, she even gave him more than a thousand in cash. But all of this turned out to be a deception.


    As the neighbors dispersed, leaving Mother Xiao alone at the scene, she felt very sad and miserable. On the dining table, a dish of pickled vegetables and a dish of fermented bean curd looked particrly ring. The pot of warm rice also gradually became cold.


    ......


    At the airport, an aircraft from Eastern Airlines arriving from Pearl Rivernded slowly at LJ City airport.


    Xiao Han and Li Dapang got off the ne, and by the time they disembarked, it was already half-past three in the afternoon.


    "Xiao Han, heading home?" asked Li Dapang.


    "Of course, heading home," Xiao Han nodded, saying, "Where else would I go?"


    "But it''s Thursday today, how will you exin being home?" Li Dapang asked curiously.


    "Don''t worry, I''ve already taken care of that." Xiao Han said, "My mom won''t say anything!"


    "Alright then!" Li Dapang nodded, saying, "I''ll go get the motorcycle and then I''ll take you home."


    Li Dapang rode the motorcycle with Xiao Han directly to the downtown area.


    Arriving at Fuxing Community.


    "Xiao Han, you''re back?" Old Liu hurriedly waved hello.


    "Oh, I''m back," Xiao Han nodded, saying, "Old Liu, ying chess?"


    "Yeah." Old Liu nodded, saying, "Hurry home, where have you been running wild this time?"


    "Heh heh¡­" Xiao Han didn''t say anything, just headed straight for his house.


    Yet, Xiao Han suddenly had an ominous premonition that made him ufortable. Because he could feel it wasn''t quite right. Along the way, many people were giving him strange looks. Xiao Han was very baffled and puzzled, what was going on? Why was everyone looking at him as if he were a thief? Could he have done something wrong?


    Or could it be because he left school too early today?


    At that thought, Xiao Han breathed a sigh of relief.


    Just as he approached the entrance of his house, Xiao Han immediately saw Mother Xiao sitting under the old locust tree at the front. She sat on a grinding stone, leaning against the old locust tree, her gaze fixed on the distant intersection. She seemed like a Wangfushi, earnestly hoping for her husband to return home early.


    Mother Xiao had lost her husband, leaving only her son, who was all her hope. And now, this hope had broken her heart.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Mom, you¡­" Xiao Han walked over and asked, "Why didn''t you go to work?"


    "You''re back?" Mother Xiao asked ndly.


    She had been sitting here all morning and afternoon. She would wait here for her son toe back. When her son returned, she would stand up. If her son didn''t return, she would never stand up again.


    "Mmm," Xiao Han nodded.


    Just as Xiao Han was about to walk inside, suddenly a crisp voice sounded from behind, "Kneel!"


    "Mom?" Xiao Han was stunned.


    "You kneel down for me!" Mother Xiao suddenly shouted angrily.


    Thud...


    Xiao Han did not hesitate, and immediately knelt down after the second call. He didn''t ask for reasons.


    "Do you know why I asked you to kneel?" Mother Xiao asked.


    "I..." Xiao Han clenched his teeth. His mind was racing. At this moment, he had realized the truth had been exposed, but he could only ept the oue. He knelt on the concrete floor, head down, without saying a word.


    "Why did you lie to me?" tears streamed down Mother Xiao''s cheeks; her body trembled, her face turned pale.


    "Mom, I... I didn''t lie to you!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "You dare to lie still, you dare to lie!" Mother Xiao trembled with fury. She turned around, fetched a rattan stick from inside the house, and harshlyshed it across Xiao Han''s back.


    Smack!


    The rattan struck Xiao Han''s back.


    Hisss...


    Xiao Han sharply inhaled from the pain, which made him tremble all over.


    "Little Xiao, stop hitting him, the child can''t take this kind of torment." Old Liu had followed Xiao Han to see themotion, but never expected Mother Xiao to actually get serious. Previously, Mother Xiao had always been extremely loving towards Xiao Han. Not to mention hitting, she wouldn''t even bear to scold him.


    After all, Xiao Han was her flesh and blood, her only hope. Even when Xiao Han camest in his exams, Mother Xiao never scolded him.


    But today, she got serious with Xiao Han.


    "Indeed, stop hitting him." An olddy nearby quickly said, "Kids make mistakes, right? Besides, Xiao Han is usually so obedient. It''s rare for him to make a mistake, don''t take it too seriously."


    Many neighbors were trying to persuade her.


    But Mother Xiao would not listen.


    Smack smack smack!


    Three more strikes, and Xiao Han''s jacket was torn by the thorny rattan, his back flesh and blood muddled immediately.


    Xiao Han was in tears from the pain, having never suffered like this before. Today, he was beaten until his skin was torn and flesh burst by this thorny rattan. Xiao Han knew his mother''s fury, as well as her pain. Being deceived by her only son felt like all her hopes and reliance had copsed.


    Since his father had passed away, his mother had relied solely on him. Xiao Han also knew that he was everything to her, her entire world, and also her emotional support. Now that this support was shaken, how could she not be angry? Xiao Han clenched his teeth as he endured this pain, knowing that everything he had done was for his mother, for their home, but he had to bear all this pain.


    "Do you realize your mistake?" Mother Xiao said through gritted teeth.


    "I do!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Why did you lie to me!" Mother Xiao raised the rattan stick and fiercely struck down, continuing to cry and scold, "You deceiver, you deceiver, after all these years of careful nurturing, all these years of meticulous education. And you still lied to me!"


    Xiao Han closed his eyes, enduring the intense pain as each sharp spike traced lines of flesh and blood on his skin. He could feel his pain, the type that felt like being torn apart. He was almost breaking down.


    "Mom, I was wrong," Xiao Han said, head down.


    Mother Xiao strove to control her own pain, suppressing the tears streaming down her face. This pain constantly tormented her heart. If not for Principal Li and othersing to their doorstep, she would have never known Xiao Han had lied to her. This realization made her think deeply, whether this was the first time Xiao Han had deceived her or if there were more undiscovered asions.


    "Tell me, where did you go wrong?" Mother Xiao stopped her actions, her hair disheveled, body trembling. She stood in front of Xiao Han, saying, "If you don''t rify today, I won''t let you in this door. You won''t be a child of the Xiao family for the rest of your life!"


    Fury, roaring!


    This was the manifestation of a mother''s extreme disappointment. Any mother treasures and cherishes her child immensely. She would absolutely not resort to such violence, such bloodshed.


    Xiao Han had already understood inside that he had disappointed his mother, that she had utterly lost hope in him. When a mother loses hope, she loses everything. When thest bit of hope fades away, she despairs.


    "I shouldn''t have skipped school," Xiao Han said through clenched teeth.


    "No!" Mother Xiao shook her head, saying, "You are wrong."


    Smack!


    Anothersh went down, then she said, "Reflect properly on where you truly went wrong!"


    "I shouldn''t have lied to you!" Xiao Han hurriedly said.


    [PS: Today is Chinese New Year''s Eve, wishing all families around the world a reunion and everyone a happy New Year''s Eve.]

 Chapter 140 My Woman

    "Zi Han, let''s go!" Xiao Han waved to Chen Zihan from a distance.


    Chen Zihan had been quite scared just now, but seeing Xiao Han handle the situation with such ease, her worries subsided. The fight was over, and her heart finally settled. She ran toward Xiao Han with a beaming smile, like a little bird about to take flight.


    A smile curled up at the corner of Xiao Han''s mouth as he flicked his handsome hair.


    "Wow, so handsome!" Exmations of awe burst forth from many of the girls around, each one seeming exceptionally surprised.


    "He really is so handsome!" the girls screamed one after another.


    Xiao Han took Chen Zihan''s hand, and the two of them walked slowly away into the distance.


    Li Dapang struggled to get up from the ground, and as he watched all the girls screaming and shouting after Xiao Han''s retreating figure, he felt a profound sense of loss.


    "s, looks do matter to be weed by others!" Li Dapang rubbed his sore shoulder and then squeezed his way out of the crowd.


    ...............


    Caf¨¦.


    "Are you hurt?" Chen Zihan hurried to check Xiao Han, cradling his face and carefully examining every inch of him.


    "Why only look at the face?" Xiao Han asked curiously. "Aren''t you afraid other parts got hurt?"


    "The face is the most important part," Chen Zihan giggled, then said, "I don''t care about the other parts."


    "Uh..." Xiao Han was taken aback and asked, "Why?"


    "This handsome face, if it were ruined, that would be such a pity!" Chen Zihan bit her red lip.


    "Ouch, my dear, so you''re not into me, but you''re into this face?" Xiao Han gently rubbed his own cheek and then said, "How about... I give you my face, and you date this face!"


    Pfft...


    Chen Zihan immediately covered her mouth andughed.


    "I didn''t mean it like that!" Chen Zihan nced at Xiao Han, then said, "You really are bad, always teasing me."


    "A bad guy is what a woman loves!" Xiao Han slipped an arm around Chen Zihan''s waist.


    "Stop¡­" Chen Zihan quickly dodged.


    However, Xiao Han immediately pulled her into his embrace and kissed her deeply. The caf¨¦ was dimly lit and nearly empty at that moment, with just a few couples in the corners and the asional customers walking in. The spacious hall was deste, which emboldened Xiao Han to act without restraint.


    After a passionate kiss that left Chen Zihan almost overjoyed and tingling to her scalp, Xiao Han''s desire red. He wished he could strip Chen Zihan right there and have his way with her on the spot, but the ce was indeed inconvenient.


    Xiao Han whispered in Chen Zihan''s ear, "Shall we... go somewhere else?"


    "Where to?" Chen Zihan looked at him warily.


    "What do you think?" Xiao Han retorted.


    "No way!" The smart Chen Zihan instantly saw through Xiao Han''s little schemes. She giggled and said, "I don''t want to do such embarrassing things with you."


    While speaking, Chen Zihan''s face flushed with shyness.


    Xiao Han chuckled and said, "You will be my woman sooner orter, so why not..."


    "No way!" Chen Zihan firmly rejected Xiao Han''s request.


    "Alright, alright!" Xiao Han nodded helplessly.


    To avoid further temptation, Xiao Han had no choice but to sit properly to the side, then he took out review questions and today''s Huanggang exam papers from his backpack. These were things he must finish today.


    Seeing that Xiao Han had stopped talking, Chen Zihan thought he might be angry: "You... aren''t angry, are you??"


    "Angry!" Xiao Han said with a puff of annoyance, a glint of mischief twinkling in his eyes.


    "Really angry?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.


    "Uh-huh!" Xiao Han nodded purposefully.


    "But... but I haven''t done anything wrong!" Chen Zihan said with her head lowered, her lips pursed, unclear on what she had done wrong. As a woman, she certainly didn''t want toe off as too casual. However, she really did like Xiao Han and didn''t want to lose him. After thinking for a long time, biting her red lips and with an awkward tone, Chen Zihan said, "Then... then maybe I could..."


    "What?" Xiao Han asked curiously, and he almostughed out loud.


    "Maybe... I can let you touch me!" Chen Zihan''s voice was as faint as a mosquito''s.


    "Really?" Xiao Han''s eyes lit up, he quickly looked around to make sure no one was nearby, the bar was some distance away, and their corner location made them even less noticeable.


    "Mhm!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Xiao Han immediately rubbed his hands together eagerly, ready to go. Biting her red lips, Chen Zihan nced around nervously. She clutched her chest and asked, "You... you''re really going to touch me?"


    "Hehe..." Xiao Han replied, "You said it yourself, didn''t you? You wouldn''t go back on your word now, would you?"


    Chen Zihan gnashed her teeth, not noticing anything off about Xiao Han. With her head down, after a mental struggle, her hand slowly rxed. To avoid making her cold, Xiao Han warmed his hands first before slowly reaching in with his ''ws.''


    "Zi Han, here Ie!" Xiao Han had an evil grin, having looked forward to this for so long. Although he had felt her before, it was only through her clothes and quitecking. But this time, it was for real.


    "Mhm!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Chen Zihan was wearing a high-necked cashmere undershirt, so it was difficult to start from the neck down, and the action would be obvious. Therefore, Xiao Han chose to begin from the bottom of her clothing. He lifted Chen Zihan''s shirt, then slowly worked his hand inside.


    "Can... can you not?" Chen Zihan held her clothing tight, her face filled with panic.


    "No way!" Xiao Han refused.


    "Oh..." Chen Zihan''s face showed her dejection.


    Xiao Han''s hand gently caressed the surface.


    Mmm...


    Chen Zihan let out a soft moan and quickly pressed down on Xiao Han''s hand, saying, "Is that enough? I... I..."


    "We''re just getting started!" Xiao Han chuckled with a mischievous look on his face.


    "Then... then hurry up!" Chen Zihan whispered, biting her red lips, her cheeks red enough to seemingly drip water.


    Xiao Han nodded on the surface, while internally he thought: How could I miss this rare opportunity? I have to touch you until the seas dry up, until the end of time.


    Hiss...


    Xiao Han took a deep breath. It was a veryfortable feeling.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah!" Chen Zihan eximed softly, a pinch from Xiao Han causing her a bit of pain but also a touch of pleasure. This mix of pain and pleasure was the ultimate ecstasy of life.


    Xiao Han''s hands alternated between gentle and rough touching, causing Chen Zihan to feel like she was about to melt away.


    "Stop... stop it..." Chen Zihan pleaded urgently.


    Xiao Han was not willing to stop; he was like an arrow on the string, desperate to be loosed. If it had been another ce, he might have already pounced on her. But in this ce, it wasn''t convenient for him to do more, so he had to satisfy his fantasy this way. Unfortunately, the deeper he sank, the harder it was for him to extricate himself.


    Chen Zihan had a dazed look in her eyes from Xiao Han''s fondling.


    "No... no more!" Chen Zihan exerted herself and quickly shook off Xiao Han''s hand.


    Xiao Han theny limply on the couch. Chen Zihan looked down, shyly straightening her clothes.


    The two of them sat in silence.


    The coffee on the table steamed, Chen Zihan took a sip with her head down. ncing sideways at Xiao Han, she said softly, "Isn''t that enough?"


    "..." Xiao Han didn''t make a sound.


    "I..." Chen Zihan, thinking she hadn''t satisfied Xiao Han, said in a low voice, "What should I do?"


    Chen Zihan''s submissive tone made Xiao Han feel very guilty inside.


    Chen Zihan was proud and confident; she was a girl envied and respected by all, the goddess of all the male students. With her beauty, any tycoon or wealthy man would likely want to marry her. Yet, she had set her sights on him, a ''poor ghost.'' To keep from upsetting him, she had even gone so far as to humble herself and offer her beauty to soothe his frustration.

 Chapter 055 A Stern Lesson

    p! p!


    Mother Xiao raised the whip andshed down fiercely. Two strikester, Xiao Han felt as though his back wasn''t his own. He clenched his teeth tightly as sweats began to bead on his forehead. At this moment, he absolutely couldn''t scream in pain. Nor could he continue to anger his mother. It would be better to let her vent.


    "Right, you shouldn''t have lied to me," Mother Xiao said with a livid face, "You can neglect your studies, skip sses, even fail to attend school, or be thest in exams. You are still the son I am proud of inside. But you deceived me, you are a liar, and there''s no child like you in Xiao''s family!"


    "Mom, I was wrong," Xiao Han said hastily.


    "Acknowledging your mistake now is useless!" Mother Xiao said through gritted teeth, "From now on, you''re no longer a member of Xiao''s family, nor are you my son, Li Hongmei''s son!"


    "Mom, I was wrong, I really was wrong," Xiao Han cried out urgently.


    "Get out!" Mother Xiao was almost fainting from anger.


    After cursing, Mother Xiao threw the blood-stained whip aside and turned to walk into the house.


    Xiao Han was panicked and quickly ran after his mother.


    Bang!


    The door of the house mmed shut, hitting Xiao Han right on the nose. He was dumbfounded instantly.


    "Mom, please open the door," Xiao Han felt an ache in his heart. He knew he had deeply hurt his mother with his actions. Otherwise, she would not have done such a thing. His mother had always doted on him. And today, to think she was actually kicking him out was something unimaginable.


    Xiao Han stood at the door and shouted, "Mom, I was wrong, please open the door, you can hit me or scold me, but please don''t be angry..."


    A group of neighbors watched with great sorrow.


    This mother and son had depended on each other. The mother was kind, the son was good, though the family was poor, they should have been happy. But now, things had turned out like this.


    At this moment, Old Liu couldn''t watch any longer, he hurried over and took Xiao Han''s hand, saying, "Xiao Han, get up. Your mom is just angry for now. She''ll calm downter. It''s cold outside, and your clothes are torn,e sit in my house for a while."


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "I can''t leave. I have to apologize to my mom!"


    "But, your mom is really angry right now."


    "Exactly, you shoulde backter instead of just standing here."


    A group of neighbors began to persuade him. s, Xiao Han was as stubborn as theye. No matter what anyone said, he refused to leave. He turned and walked back to the door, stopping five steps away before he knelt down heavily.


    Thud!


    A man''s knees have their own gold, and Xiao Han understood this. However, a man can kneel to the heavens, the earth, and his parents.


    Xiao Han needed to apologize; he knew it was the only way to somewhat ease his mother''s heart. Simrly, it was the only way to lighten the guilt in his own heart. Little did he know that Mother Xiao was also struggling inside the house.


    Being deceived by her son was a deep pain in the heart for a mother.


    Mother Xiao stood nkly in front of Father Xiao''s memorial portrait, her hand mechanically wiping off the dust from it.


    "Jian Guo, I''m sorry," Mother Xiao burst into tears as soon as she spoke, "It''s my fault. I didn''t educate our child well. It''s my ipetence that has made our child turn out this way..."


    She rambled inside the house. Meanwhile, Xiao Han knelt alone outside, unyielding to persuasion, refusing to stand up.


    "Xiao Han, get up. Stop kneeling."


    "Really, it''s freezing out here. You''ll harm your body if you freeze!"


    "Come on, get up, child!"


    Many old men and women felt sorry for Xiao Han; he was usually such a well-behaved person. Although he had made a mistake, surely it wasn''t so bad? If Xiao Han being dishonest meant being driven out by his mother, what would happen to those truly naughty children? Wouldn''t they all end up facing firing squads?


    "Grandpas, grandmas, please go home," Xiao Han wiped his tears and said, "I''ll just kneel here until my mom forgives me. I''ll stand up when she forgives me."


    "And if she doesn''t forgive you?" someone asked.


    "Then I''ll never stand up!" Xiao Han said determinedly.


    "Ah, child, why must you do this?" Old Liu said helplessly, "After all, you are your mother''s flesh and blood. She is just angry right now, that''s why she''s acting this way. She will forgive you eventually."


    "You don''t need to persuade me anymore," Xiao Han shook his head, "I am not going to stand up."


    Seeing this, the people around didn''t know how else to persuade him.


    "Everyone disperse, everyone please disperse," Old Liu could only ask everyone to leave. After all, what did it look like to gather here? It was a family matter, and having a crowd spectating was utterly inappropriate.


    "Disperse, disperse!" the crowd echoed in agreement.


    Shortly thereafter, the crowd promptly dispersed. Xiao Han knelt alone on the concrete ground.


    It waste November, bitterly cold. Today''s temperature was very low, with the air only at freezing point. Even wearing a thick down jacket, one could still feel the piercing cold wind. Xiao Han''s clothes were not thick, and his back wascerated by thorns, leaving fuzzy traces of flesh and blood¡ªa terrifying sight.


    When the wind blew, his blood had already frozen, his back alternately felt as if bone-piercing ice and burning mes were assaulting him.


    Kneeling on the ground, Xiao Han felt his body bing heavy.


    Mother Xiao did not care about what was happening outside at all. Internally, she was still harboring anger, extremely furious and upset. She wished to never see Xiao Han again. She stayed inside the house for a long time. Mother Xiao spoke many words to her husband''s portrait, voicing much of her suffering.


    Being a widow with a child for years, suffering from bullying, and facing constant troubles at work. With terrifying supervisors and scheming colleagues, she was always in strife. All the while, she was not only preserving her job but also dealing with those who would take advantage of her, endangering her at any moment.


    Having struggled to raise her son, to now be deceived by him was utterly distressing. This was likely an unforgivable act that wouldst a lifetime.


    On the dining table, a dish of pickled vegetables, one of fuyu (fermented bean curd), and a te of cold rice. Cold as ice, just like the chill in Mother Xiao''s heart, resembling the harsh winter of the twelfth lunar month.


    Xiao Han continued to kneel outside the house.


    It was unclear how long he had been kneeling, time just kept ticking away every second. It brought an unbearable sense of heartache and pain.


    By six in the evening, the sky darkened. The pitch-ck sky suddenly began to flutter with what seemed like cotton-like snowkes.


    "Wow, it''s snowing."


    "It really is snowing."


    People passing by lifted their heads to nce at the pitch-ck sky, and then, like vast clouds of cotton, the snow began to fall. In bunches and clusters.


    Old Liu, with a pipe in his mouth, stood at the front door, his eyes filled with concern as he watched the heavy snow falling outside.


    "Old man, why are you standing there instead of eating?"


    "Ah, I wonder how that Xiao kid is doing!" Old Liu nced at his wife and said, "You know how stubborn Mei Hua can be; I guess she won''t forgive Xiao Han anytime soon. Do you think Xiao Han is still kneeling outside?"


    "Well..." His wife hesitated, then said, "How could he? Xiao Han isn''t foolish; who wouldn''t seek shelter in such heavy snow?"


    "But, I tell you, the boy is as stubborn as his mother," Old Liu said helplessly. "If those two are both being stubborn, won''t that be troublesome?"


    "Let''s eat first," his wife urged quickly. "The food is getting cold, and it''s freezing out."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Alright, let''s eat first!" Old Liu decided not to think about it any longer.


    However, today''s meal didn''t seem to suit his taste. After a few bites, as Old Liu noticed the snow outside getting heavier, he quickly stood up, saying, "No, I have to go check on Xiao Han. What if something bad happens to him?"


    With that, Old Liu quickly grabbed his military coat, put the pipe in his mouth, and thrust his hands into the coat''s sleeves. He briskly walked out into the heavy snowstorm.


    "Old man, you haven''t finished your meal!" his wife called out urgently.


    Unfortunately, her voice was soon buried in the howling wind and snow.


    In just half an hour, the ground had already umted a considerable amount of snow. Old Liu trudged through the snow towards Xiao''s family''s house. If it continued to snow all night, it might umte up to half a foot. Old Liu''s pace was not slow; in fact, he walked rather quickly.


    Sinking deep with each step, then shallower.


    The sky was very dark, and Old Liu, wrapped in his military coat, held a dim shlight in his hand.


    Finally reaching the entrance to Xiao''s house, Old Liu shone his shlight towards the distance. From afar, he didn''t spot Xiao Han, after all, if he were kneeling somewhere, he would probably be very visible.


    Seeing no one, Old Liu sighed in relief, just as he was about to walk back. He hesitated for a moment but decided to enter Xiao''s house to see the situation inside. He didn''t know whether Xiao Han had gone home or left the ce. It would be fine if he were home, but if he had left, that would be troublesome.


    Old Liu walked slowly towards Xiao''s house, puzzled by the fact that the house was pitch ck with not a single light on. Could it be... Thinking this, Old Liu quickened his steps.


    Ouch...


    Suddenly, Old Liu stepped on something and fell down.


    "What is this?" Old Liu was stunned.


    He hurriedly got up, and with snow flying all around, whatever was on the ground was already covered by the snowkes. Old Liu quickly dug through the snow with his hands and discovered that what was hidden underneath was a person. Xiao Han''s entire body was lying on the ground, tightly wrapped in snow.

 Chapter 56 Falling Ill

    "Oh my God, this... isn''t this Xiao Han?" Old Liu was startled. He hastened to shout, "Help, help, save a life, save a life!!"


    Late at night, outside was a piercing cold wind, and snow flying all around. Many people were warming themselves by the fire at home or hiding under the nkets watching TV.


    Old Liu''s voice was drowned out by the whirling snow. He never expected such a thing to happen. It practically broke him. He scrambled to his feet, not bothering to grab a shlight, and quickly ran towards the Xiao family''s front door.


    Bang bang bang!


    Old Liu knocked on the door vigorously, yelling, "Xiao Mei, something terrible has happened, your son has fainted. Open the door, quick."


    Creak...


    The door opened instantly, and Mother Xiao hurriedly asked, "What''s going on? What happened to Xiao Han?"


    "He... he''s passed out, you need toe see!" Old Liu led Mother Xiao quickly over.


    Xiao Hany on the icy cement ground, already covered in snowkes. After kneeling for hours, he couldn''t hold on any longer. His body heavily fell, and soon he was nketed by the swirling snow.


    "Xiao Han, Xiao Han!" Mother Xiao was startled, and she immediately panicked. She hurriedly helped Xiao Han up, then said excitedly, "Come on, wake up, wake up."


    "Let''s get him back inside to warm up," Old Liu said urgently. "He''s nearly frozen solid."


    Mother Xiao quickly picked up Xiao Han, who was six feet tall and over a hundred and fifty pounds. Mother Xiao, frail and barely ny pounds herself, had to lift someone heavier than herself. Clearly a daunting task but, Mother Xiao struggled to pick up Xiao Han and quickly moved into the house.


    The room was warm. Mother Xiao ced Xiao Han on the bed and covered him with aforter.


    "What should I do?" Mother Xiao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.


    Getting angry was one thing, but Xiao Han was her only son, her only hope.


    "Ah, it''s all your fault," Old Liu was anxious too. "Why did you have to get into a fight with him? He''s just a kid, bound to make mistakes. Now look, he''s almost frozen."


    Mother Xiao quickly brought hot water and wiped Xiao Han''s hands and feet with a hot towel, trying to warm him.


    But Xiao Han did not show the slightest response. If not for a faint breath from his nostrils, one might have thought he was dead.


    "It''s no good; I have to take him to the hospital!" Mother Xiao was frantic. If anything happened to Xiao Han, she''d have nothing to look forward to. Xiao Han was her hope, her only son. If her son died, she wouldn''t be able to go on.


    "How are you going to get to the hospital in the middle of the night?" Old Liu said quickly.


    "Find a way, find a way!" Mother Xiao was very anxious inside, but she knew that panicking was useless. She had to find a way. For so many years, she had been through storms alone. They never defeated her before, and at this moment, she couldn''t fall. If she fell, what would happen to her son?


    "What about, I go call a car?" Old Liu said in haste.


    "No, Uncle Liu, it''s hard to get a cab now. I''ll carry him out," Mother Xiao said urgently.


    In Fuxing Community, this ce was a ghost town for taxis; even if you went out to call one, they''d likely not be willing toe. Besides, how long would that take? Therefore, Mother Xiao decided to carry Xiao Han on her own and if she saw a taxi on the way, she''d quickly hail it.


    "Fine, fine, I''ll go with you, it''s good to have someone along," Old Liu nodded quickly.


    Afterward, Mother Xiao, with great effort, hoisted Xiao Han up while Old Liu wrapped a coat around Xiao Han. Mother Xiao moved out quickly.


    No sooner had she stepped outside than a bone-chilling gust of wind hit. Mother Xiao knew she was facing a formidable challenge, a tough battle. So, she swiftly walked out and quickly left home.


    Outside, the piercing wind howled, and snow whirled around. Xiao Han''s body weighed heavily on her slender back.


    Old Liu was beside her, holding the light, with the torch shining outwards.


    Mother Xiao moved quickly, her pace fast. Old Liu shook off the snow and led the way. The streetlights in Fuxing Community were old and many were broken, making the road very dark. Without a light, it could be dangerous. Many things were out of repair and the road was pitted with holes - one misstep could lead to a fall.


    Carrying Xiao Han, Mother Xiao still moved at a brisk pace. Panting, she may seem a weak woman usually, but at this time, an endless potential burst forth from her frail body.


    Old Liu was walking warmly now, he said quickly, "Xiao Mei, should we rest a bit?"


    "No," Mother Xiao shook her head. "We need to get to the hospital quickly. I feel Xiao Han''s body is very hot. He must have a fever. We need to hurry to the hospital."


    Carrying Xiao Han, mother and son were connected at heart. She could feel the changes in Xiao Han''s body, the scorching heat, a real piercing pain. It was as if needles were pricking her own heart. At this moment, Mother Xiao indeed had some regrets. She regretted the way she had treated her son; after all, he was her own flesh and blood. How could she have been so harsh?


    Thinking about it now brought her to tears.


    Old Liu quickened his pace; he needed to shine the shlight on the path ahead.


    Mother Xiao moved quickly, and within five minutes they had left Fuxing Community, swiftly heading outwards. It took great effort to reach the main road, but there were few cars on the road and hardly any taxis.


    "Meizi, there are no cars here," Old Liu squinted his eyes against the wind and snow.


    "Walk, just keep walking!" Mother Xiao was exasperated. Hesitating at the edge of the road, she continued to stride quickly forward, bent over.


    In the midst of the snowstorm, Mother Xiao carried Xiao Han all the way toward the nearest hospital.


    Over half an hourter, she finally saw the hospital''s sign. Although she was drenched in sweat and her strength was drained, she had no choice but to quicken her pace and move faster. After entering the hospital, Mother Xiao let out a thunderous roar, "Doctor, save my son!!!"


    The entire hospital lobby was deserted. A few on-duty doctors were chatting in the duty room.


    A roar startled them, and several heads peeked out.


    "Whose turn is it to see the patient?" a female doctor asked curiously.


    "Who knows?" another male doctor shrugged.


    "It''s Old Hu''s turn!" the female doctor said hurriedly. "He seems to have gone for a ward round."


    "Then let''s wait for him," the male doctor smiled, closed the duty room door, and continued chatting.


    Thud...


    At that moment, Mother Xiao''s vision went dark, and she copsed heavily to the ground.


    "Oh dear, Meizi, Meizi, what''s happened to you?" Old Liu was immediately anxious.


    "Doctor Liu, Doctor Liu," the nurse hurriedly pushed open the duty room door and said, "It''s not good, the patient and her family member have fainted. You guys hurry and take a look!"


    "What''s all this noise?" the female doctor with wavy hair nced at the nurse with irritation and said, "It''s not like anyone''s going to die, what''s the rush?"


    "But..." the nurse bowed her head.


    "Alright alright, go on now!" the female doctor red at her and said, "Wait for Doctor Hu toe down to see the patient, or call him if you want."


    "Oh!" the nurse nodded.


    There were only two nurses on duty at the nursing station. The other nurse stepped forward to rescue Mother Xiao, doing her best to administer first aid with her limited knowledge. Soon, Mother Xiao regained consciousness, her breath flitting, and said, "Doctor, save... save my son."


    After uttering those words, Mother Xiao fainted again.


    Five minutester, Doctor Hu came downstairs unhurriedly. Only then did he begin to diagnose Xiao Han.


    "This is bad, 40.5 degrees!" Doctor Hu suddenly froze.


    "We must reduce the fever immediately!" the nurse panicked upon hearing this.


    "Let them go and register first," Doctor Hu spoke. "Also, they need to make a deposit of three thousand yuan for hospitalization. This disease is tricky; prolonged freezing has destroyed the body''s immune tissues. If it had been anyter, he would probably have been sent straight to the morgue."


    "Uncle, you''re a family member, right?" the nurse asked.


    "Yes, neighbor!" Old Liu hastily nodded.


    "Go and register, then pay the money," the nurse said urgently.


    "Alright," Old Liu nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At the night shift payment center, Old Liu shakily took out just over a thousand yuan hidden in his clothing. The billing doctor nced at him and said, "Old man, you need to pay three thousand one hundred and five yuan."


    "I don''t have that much, I''ll pay tomorrow," Old Liu quickly said.


    "Uh..." the billing doctor paused for a moment and said, "That won''t work. You have to pay now, otherwise we can''t admit the patient."


    "Miss, it''s a matter of life and death!" Old Liu was distraught.


    "What life and death?" the female billing doctor raised her eyebrows and said, "It''s just a persistent fever, no one''s dying. Hurry up and get the money, otherwise I can''t process this."


    "You!" Old Liu immediately became furious. "Call your leader here! I''ve never seen anyone handle things like you do!"


    "Enough, don''t get stubborn with me," the female billing doctor replied irritably, and then said, "People like youe in every day. I''ve dealt with many tougher than you. No use, money is what matters!"


    Upon hearing this, Old Liu was even more enraged.


    However, Old Liu had weathered many storms and knew that it was no use to keep arguing with such people. After all, Xiao Han was still waiting for life-saving help. With no other choice, Old Liu hurriedly made a call to the factory.


    After the call, the people of Fuxing Community were all aware of the situation, and dozens of them donated money on the spot, raising over a thousand yuan. Auntie Zhang, the Residents'' Committee chairperson, braved the snowstorm and came to the hospital in person with the donations. Only then was the money handed over.


    "What happened?" Auntie Zhang asked hurriedly.


    "Ah, it''s a long story..." Old Liu quickly recounted the events.


    Upon hearing the story, Auntie Zhang sighed and said, "Xiao Han is such a good kid; he got second ce in the city-wide exam this time. Such an excellent achievement he has. I hope nothing happens to him, or how could Meizi ever go on living?"


    [Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and family happiness. This is the first time for the New Year asking for rewards.]

 Chapter 057 The Persistent High Fever

    "But of course, Xiao Han is his backbone!" Old Liu helplessly said, "On the way here, Xiao Han carried him on his back."


    Auntie Zhang smiled and then said, "Meizi is such a strong person, after her husband died, all her energy shifted to her son."


    "Ah, what a pitiable person," Old Liu sucked in a breath of cigarette smoke and said, "The children of poor families mature early. Xiao Han is truly precocious."


    Mother Xiao woke up after receiving an IV nutrient infusion, and the doctor''s diagnosis was a temporary shock brought about by long-term malnutrition and sudden overexertion.


    "You need to eat something nutritious, or your body will break down!" the nurse earnestly advised.


    "How''s my son doing?" Mother Xiao hurriedly asked.


    "He''s still in the emergency room," the nurse said, "He was frozen for too long, and now he has frostbite. He''s running a high fever that won''te down, even after giving him a fever reducer. Doctor Hu has already convened several specialists for an online consultation. Let''s see what happens?"


    "Oh God," the second Mother Xiao heard this, tears immediately welled up.


    "Aunt Xiao, don''t worry," the nurse was a very caring young girl, named Liu Sisi. She had just joined work for half a year, was very enthusiastic and kind. Since graduating from nursing school, she had been working in this hospital. Although she was always a contract worker, she firmly believed that she had a chance to be a permanent staff member.


    Liu Sisi earnestly looked at Mother Xiao and said, "Your son will definitely get better."


    "That''s right, Meizi, don''t worry," Auntie Zhang consoled by her side, "Xiao Han has been obedient since he was a child, Heaven surely won''t take him away easily. Believe me, he will get better."


    "Wah!" Mother Xiao couldn''t take it anymore and burst into tears with a wail.


    Auntie Zhang wrapped her arms around her shoulders and said, "Don''t cry."


    "Sister Zhang, I regret it," Mother Xiao sobbed, "I shouldn''t have been so harsh on Xiao Han. Otherwise, things wouldn''t have ended up like this!"


    "Ah, what''s done is done, you shouldn''t me yourself," Auntie Zhang said, "Besides, it''s not like you can do anything now. What happened, happened, what else can be done?"


    Mother Xiao sobbed silently.


    Though Auntie Zhang also felt that Mother Xiao had been too strict, at this point there was nothing to be gained from ming her. She could onlyfort her in silence.


    However, Xiao Han''s condition wasn''t looking hopeful. He was already showing signs of shock. His body alternated between being ice-cold and burning hot, but his temperature stayed consistently between forty to forty-one degrees.


    Such a high fever left the gathered doctors at a loss. The fever reducers had been administered, and there was no response at all. He was also on an IV drip of antibiotics.


    After maintaining for more than an hour, there still wasn''t any sign of response.


    "What do we do now?" Doctor Hu also became anxious.


    An older doctor who had heard the news and examined Xiao Han''s condition squinted his eyes and said, "The body''s functions seem to be experiencing problems. We''ll observe for another hour. If there''s still no improvement, we''ll increase the dosage of the fever reducer. However, we can now issue a critical illness notice to the family and prepare them for the worst."


    "Yes!" Liu Sisi quickly nodded.


    As a nurse, her heart too was with the patient who maintained his high fever. She continuously prayed for Xiao Han''s recovery. It was evident how important he was for Aunt Xiao. If he were gone, could Aunt Xiao keep going?


    But as a nurse, she must convey the doctor''s message and do the fundamental work of a nurse.


    At this moment, Liu Sisi brought the critical illness notice to Mother Xiao''s hospital room.


    "Aunt Xiao, um..." Liu Sisi looked somewhat at a loss.


    "What is it?" Mother Xiao, with tears in her eyes, said, "Tell me quickly, has something happened to Xiao Han?"


    "The doctors say his condition is very critical," Liu Sisi holding the critical illness notice, said, "This is the critical illness notice the doctor issued for you to sign. Also, the doctor said that you should prepare for the worst-case scenario. It''s possible... Xiao Han might not make it through this!"


    Gasp¡­


    In the hospital room, a few people reflexively sucked in a breath of cold air.


    Mother Xiao''s pupils dted instantly, a wave of intangible fear pressing down upon her. In that instant, she felt as though her whole world hadpletely copsed.


    "No... it can''t be?!" Auntie Zhang suddenly eximed, "How can Heaven bear to take away such a good child like Xiao Han?"


    "No, nothing''s going to happen," Old Liu hurriedly said, "The doctors always exaggerate; Xiao Han will definitely get better. Meizi, don''t be scared."


    "Xiao Han, Xiao Han!" Mother Xiao''s mind seemed to be in a daze.


    Liu Sisi bit her red lip, at that moment, she suddenly thought of her own mother, longing for her mother who was thousands of miles away. Ever since she went to university, she had felt a great distance between her and home, and whenever she saw someone else''s mother, she missed her own terribly.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Auntie, please, don''t be so sad," Liu Sisi hurriedly said, "It''s not as bad as you think, and moreover, several attending physicians are here conducting a consultation on Xiao Han. He will surely pull through."


    "Hang in there, you must hang in there," Mother Xiao said in a daze.


    But the reality was not optimistic.


    Xiao Hany in the intensive care unit, connected to various monitoring devices. The screens disyed his vital information¡ªblood pressure, heart rate...


    A few doctors were inside examining his condition; nobody knew what would be of Xiao Han. After all, the situation was very thorny. Even after several hours of observation, not only did Xiao Han''s condition fail to improve, but his temperature had risen even higher, hovering around 40.8 degrees. A persistently high temperature was definitely not good news.


    Xiao Han''s face was pale, and sweat oozed from his body non-stop, as if he had juste out of the bathroom, drenched. The nurse kept wiping his sweat. An IV was constantly attached to Xiao Han''s arm, with glucose and saline. If it weren''t for these fluids, he would likely have died of dehydration by now.


    "The situation is very dire!" Doctor Hu said anxiously.


    "There''s no other way, we''ll have to increase the dosage of the antipyretic," said the senior doctor beside him, "Now we can only treat a dead horse as if it were alive."


    "What if something goes wrong?" asked Doctor Hu.


    "Haven''t the family members already signed the consent form?" the senior doctor replied, "If something goes wrong, we can''t be med."


    "Yes, yes!" Doctor Hu nodded.


    Afterward, the nurse promptly brought over a bottle of the fever reducer, swiftly removing the previous IV line to rece it with the antipyretic solution.


    The antipyretic solution was infused very slowly, gradually injecting the medication into his system.


    Before they knew it, it was already past 3 a.m.


    After arge bottle of antipyretic was administered, Xiao Han''s temperature finally came under control. It dropped from over 40 degrees to 38 degrees; by 6 a.m., his temperature had finally returned to normal. However, Xiao Han''splexion remained pale, as though he had been seriously ill.


    The female nurse watched Xiao Han, and after taking his temperature again, she finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Having finished her immediate tasks, Liu Sisi hurriedly went to Mother Xiao''s ward.


    "Aunt Xiao, your son''s temperature is back to normal," the nurse said eagerly, "Now you can rest assured."


    "Really?" As soon as Mother Xiao heard this, she immediately broke down in tears, "Has it reallye down?"


    Fromst night to this morning, Mother Xiao had not slept a wink. Being a family member, she couldn''t enter the intensive care unit to tend to her son. All news could only be conveyed through nurse Liu Sisi. She spent the entire night in tension and anxiety. She''d prepared for the worst-case scenario: if her son died, she would lose the courage to live.


    After all, she was living for her son, not for anything else.


    Upon hearing the news, Mother Xiao covered her face and wept.


    "Aunt Xiao, you haven''t slept all night. You should sleep for a while," Liu Sisi spoke up.


    "No, I want to go see Xiao Han!" Mother Xiao said urgently, "I must see him."


    With that, she staggered toward the exit.


    Liu Sisi hurriedly supported her. Though she had received a nutrient injection, her body was still weak. Coupled with the sleepless night, her tiredness made her appear unsteady, and her mental state was not good.


    Mother Xiao stood at the door of the intensive care unit, and through the ss, she could see Xiao Han lying inside. His pallor was ashen, eyes tightly closed, and his face bore an expression of pain.


    "Xiao Han, how much suffering have you endured," Mother Xiao couldn''t help choke up at the sight of her son.


    When she thought about her son kneeling on the cold concrete floor for hours, thinly d during a snowy, freezing night, a piercing pain surged in her heart. The agony almost made her copse. She wished she could take all his suffering upon herself instead of letting Xiao Han endure it. She was in pain; she was suffering. She would rather be the one lying there than her son.


    "Aunt Xiao, you''ve seen him. Let me help you back to rest," Liu Sisi said.


    "No, I want to watch over my son," Mother Xiao shook her head.


    Liu Sisi had no choice but to get a chair from the nurses'' station and let her sit there to watch. Liu Sisi stayed by her side to apany her.


    "Youngdy, you''ve been with me all night; you should go rest," Mother Xiao looked up at Liu Sisi.


    "Auntie, you''re my patient; I have to take responsibility for your health!" Liu Sisi said.


    "Then you go do your work," Mother Xiao replied.


    "Aunt Xiao, I''m off duty now," Liu Sisi smiled, "I worked the night shift. How about this: I''ll go buy you some breakfast."


    "Thank you, youngdy!" Mother Xiao nodded.


    Compared to the coldness of the hospital, she could feel waves of warmth from Liu Sisi. Such a beautiful, sensible, and warm-hearted youngdy. Whoever could marry her would be incredibly fortunate. It''s just a pity that Xiao''s family was too poor; otherwise, she would have tried to matchmake this youngdy with her son.

 Chapter 058 Pretentious

    Before long, Liu Sisi braved the cold wind and returned with piping hot dumplings.


    A big bowl of rich dumplings.


    "Aunt Xiao, here are your dumplings," Liu Sisi hurriedly said.


    "Hmm!" Mother Xiao nodded and asked, "Girl, how much do these dumplings cost? I''ll pay you."


    "Auntie, this is my treat," Liu Sisi said sweetly, "How much could a serving of dumplings possibly cost?"


    "That won''t do, earning money isn''t easy," Aunt Xiao seriously said.


    "If you give me money, I''ll just leave," Liu Sisi protested hastily.


    Seeing her determined attitude, Aunt Xiao could no longer insist and had to retract her hand that was reaching for money. The dumplings were delicious, and Mother Xiao hadn''t eaten dinner the night before and had expended a lot of energy, so her stomach was already empty. Thus, she devoured the dumplings, clearing arge bowl in one go.


    Liu Sisi was stunned, "Aunt Xiao, are you full? If not, I... I''ll go buy another serving for you!"


    "No need, I am already very full," Aunt Xiao quickly replied.


    After breakfast, it was already 7:30 AM. After waiting a bit, Aunt Xiao asked, "Girl, when will my Xiao Han wake up?"


    "I don''t know about that," Liu Sisi shook her head, "He should wake up very soon. The nurse who just came on shift has already checked his temperature, everything is normal. There''s nothing out of the ordinary. His bodily functions have also returned to normal levels."


    "But why hasn''t he woken up yet?" Aunt Xiao curiously asked.


    "Maybe... maybe he''s just very tired," Liu Sisi smiled, "He might wake up any minute now."


    Aunt Xiao breathed a slight sigh of relief and then said, "Alright."


    At that moment, the doctor arrived at work and, after checking the situation, instructed the nurses to move Xiao Han to a regr ward. Since Xiao Han''s condition was not problematic anymore, he was moved to a regr ward for observation. Then they waited for him to wake up.


    Aunt Xiao hurriedly followed to the regr ward to stay by her son''s side.


    Being able to touch her son''s cheek by her own hand was a blissful feeling, an extremely blissful thing.


    "Xiao Han, wake up quickly, mom has already forgiven you," Mother Xiao couldn''t help sobbing. Since her husband''s death, this strong woman had not cried no matter how tough and exhausting things got; she had gritted her teeth and borne it all. But her son was the centerpiece of her heart, her only flesh and blood. Even the slightest misery inflicted upon her son made her suffer intensely.


    Liu Sisifortingly said at her side, "Aunt Xiao, please don''t be too sad. Otherwise, it might upset you."


    "As long as my son is fine, I am willing to die," Aunt Xiao''s love for her son was fervent. She''d rather exchange her life for her son''s life.


    Liu Sisi was deeply moved. This was a mother''s concern for her son, a mother''s story of protecting her son with her life.


    Cough, cough...


    Suddenly, a violent cough erupted from Xiao Han at the bed head.


    "Xiao Han," Mother Xiao instantly became excited, grabbing Xiao Han''s hand, her right hand caressing his cheek.


    "Mom..." Xiao Han slowly opened his eyes, "I just heard in my dream that you forgave me, is... is that true?"


    "Mm-hmm, it''s true!" Mother Xiao immediately nodded, "As long as you wake up, as long as you''re all right, no matter what mistakes you''ve made, I forgive you all."


    "Mom¡­" Xiao Han''s eyes were moist.


    "My son!" Mother Xiao embraced Xiao Han, sobbing deeply.


    The grievances and suppression in her heart finally burst out at this moment. A night of worry and anxiety had bleached this middle-aged woman''s hair white; a night of care and anxiety had deeply pained her heart.


    Liu Sisi wiped her tears at the side. This was the love between mother and son, a deep love.


    "Mom, I''m hungry," Xiao Han spoke.


    "I''ll go and buy you breakfast," Mother Xiao hurriedly said.


    At this moment, Liu Sisi quickly said, "Auntie, let me go. What would you like?"


    "Buy dumplings, my son''s favorite, and make sure to add vinegar!" Mother Xiao instructed.


    "Okay, I''m on it," said Liu Sisi, running out.


    Xiao Han then noticed Liu Sisi at his side and curiously asked, "Mom, who is she?"


    "She is a nurse at the hospital, she looked after you allst night, and she looked after me too," Mother Xiao said, "She''s really a good girl. It''s just too bad our Xiao family isn''t fortunate enough to have this girl as a daughter-inw."


    "Mom, what are you talking about?" Xiao Han, having regained normal bodily functions and feeling normal again, made an effort to sit up. Mother Xiao hurriedly adjusted a pillow behind his back.


    "Liu Sisi truly is a good girl," Mother Xiao sighed and then said, "She has a good personality and is also kind-hearted."


    "Then she is sure to find a husband who is suitable for her!" Xiao Han smiled.


    "You silly boy, I''ve asked her, and she''s about your age," Mother Xiao gave him a look, then said, "She went to a technical secondary school, took the exam for the medical school, and now works at the hospital. So, you have a chance."


    "Mom, instead of caring about my health, you''re concerned about this?" Xiao Han responded with annoyance.


    "We''re all concerned," Mother Xiao said. "Your future is also Xiao''s family''s future, understand?"


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    At that moment, Chen Zihan hurriedly arrived at the hospital. She hadn''t seen Xiao Han at school that morning and onlyter found out that Xiao Han was sick. She rushed to the hospital to check on him and saw Xiao Han lying in the hospital bed. She hurriedly ran inside.


    "Xiao Han, what... what happened to you?" Chen Zihan asked anxiously.


    "Zi Han?" Xiao Han looked at her in surprise and asked, "How did you get here?"


    "I noticed you hadn''t been in ss for a few days," Chen Zihan said worriedly. "I only found out today that you were sick, so I came to see you. Are you alright?"


    "I''m fine!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    Mother Xiao immediately recognized Chen Zihan as the girl who hade to their home to tutor Xiao Han that night.


    "Zi Han, have a seat," Mother Xiao quickly said.


    "Thank you, Auntie," Chen Zihan replied with a blush. "Xiao Han, are you really okay?"


    "Yeah!" Xiao Han nodded. "I''m in pretty good shape, just a cold and a fever."


    "You''re hospitalized just for that?" Chen Zihan, unclear about the situation, looked at Xiao Han with irritation and said, "Do you know how critical the time is now? We need to review every day for the college entrance exams."


    "I... I know!" Xiao Han quickly nodded. "But, I... I''m sick, right?"


    "A little cold and fever, what does that matter?" Chen Zihan pursed her lips.


    "Yes, yes, I''ve been too sensitive!" Xiao Hanughed.


    Just then, Big Fatty hurriedly followed.


    "Xiao Han, what''s happened to you, man?" Big Fatty ran in, looking agitated.


    "Oh, it''s nothing!" Xiao Han saw the concern on Big Fatty''s face.


    When Big Fatty saw Chen Zihan, he smiled and said, "Yo, Chen Zihan? You''vee to visit our Xiao Han too?"


    "Since when did Xiao Han be yours?" Chen Zihan rebutted sharply.


    "Right, Xiao Han certainly isn''t mine," Big Fatty chuckled and said. "So Xiao Han is yours, right?"


    "He''s not mine either," Chen Zihan red at Big Fatty angrily.


    "Then he''s mine," Big Fattyughed heartily.


    Seeing Chen Zihan embarrassed and flushed only made Big Fattyugh harder. Chen Zihan, seeing how Big Fatty was teasing her, blushed uncontrobly. She stomped her foot, angrily saying, "I''m not going to argue with you anymore, I''m going back to school for sses."


    With that, she turned and walked out the door.


    Watching Chen Zihan''s figure leaving, Big Fatty quickly said, "Chen Zihan, make sure you tutor our Xiao Han well when you get a chance."


    "Get lost!" Chen Zihan retorted sharply.


    When Big Fatty arrived, Mother Xiao went to get some hot water to help Xiao Han freshen up.


    In the hospital room, Big Fatty plopped down on the bed and said, "Man, you''re really lucky to have Chen Zihan so captivated, I don''t know what charm you have that I don''t. Why doesn''t anyone in ss like me?"


    "You have a lot of charm," Xiao Hanughed. "How''s Xiaoyan doing?"


    "Pretty good, everything''s going smoothly," Big Fatty grinned.


    "She never suspected anything?" Xiao Han asked.


    "She did suspect," Big Fatty nodded. "Suddenly having so much money and buying such an expensive motorcycle, she''s not stupid. But I''m not dumb either; I made up a few excuses and reasons, and she believed me. But if I really get the Apple franchise going, I''m afraid... I''m afraid I won''t be able to keep it up!"


    "Anyway, no matter what, you must not expose it," Xiao Han seriously advised. "We''re still students, and we need to prioritize our studies. Also, absolutely no one else should know about this. If Yang Xiaoyan really asks, just say you''re working part-time at the store."


    "Right, right, that''s a good excuse," Big Fatty immediately lit up with joy.


    Just then, Liu Sisi came in with dumplings.


    "Xiao Han, your dumplings are ready," Liu Sisi ced the dumplings on the bedside table, a sweet smile on her lips.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Wow, you really are lucky, man," Big Fatty immediately took a liking to Liu Sisi''s beauty.


    Liu Sisi was a very innocent girl, neen years old, who had just graduated from nursing school and had started working at People''s Hospital as a contract worker. Although the job was hard and the pay was meager, she firmly believed that as long as she worked hard, she could be a full-fledged nurse.


    Moreover, now bing a nurse required passing an exam, and as long as she passed, she could be a real nurse.


    Big Fatty''s eyes were like two scanning camera lenses, frantically scanning over Liu Sisi''s body.


    However, Liu Sisi seemed to have already gotten used to such gazes.


    "Xiao Han, eat your breakfast while it''s hot, or it''ll get cold," Liu Sisi said in an elder sisterly tone.


    "Yes," Xiao Han nodded; the girl in front of him was indeed very pretty. Her long ck hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her delicate doll-like face, when she smiled, showed two shallow dimples. Extremely beautiful, without any seductive posture or voluptuous figure. Yet, she had an angelic face and a pair of charming eyes. These were dark,rge eyes that almost seemed to speak.


    Truly enchanting.

 Chapter 059 Liu Sisi

    Looking at Liu Sisi, no one would have mixed feelings. In their hearts, they would only feel a protective affection for her, akin to that for the girl next door.


    "Girl, I just realized you look a lot like my first love," Li Dapang chuckled.


    "Get lost!" Liu Sisi rolled her eyes at Li Dapang and then said, "I get people telling me that eight or ten times a day."


    "Uh¡­" Li Dapang was struck by Liu Sisi''s words.


    Liu Sisi moved closer and said, "Xiao Han, let me feed you!"


    Seeing that Xiao Han hadn''t recovered his strength yet, Liu Sisi picked up the dumplings and spoon-fed him, one by one.


    Li Dapang was green with envy. He hurriedly moved closer and then said, "I''m hungry too, how about you feed me one!"


    "Get lost." Liu Sisi''s face flushed slightly as she said, "I''m a nurse, it''s only right for me to take care of patients, and you''re not a patient."


    "I''m off to the hospital to get admitted!" Li Dapang huffed.


    "Uh¡­" On hearing this, Liu Sisiughed and said, "Alright, I''ll go and prepare your medication. I''lleter to put you on a drip and give you an injection!"


    "No¡­" Li Dapang was instantly terrified at the thought.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Liu Sisi gave Li Dapang a triumphant look, then said, "Just sit quietly on the side."


    Li Dapang could only look wronged.


    Xiao Han burst intoughter, eating dumplings and chuckling. Li Dapang watched enviously. Soon, the dumplings were finished, and Mother Xiao washed up Xiao Han. With Li Dapang there to take care of him, Mother Xiao felt much more at ease. She hadn''t slept the previous night, but now that her son had awakened, she naturally felt reassured. Fatigue quickly swept over her.


    Mother Xiao went back to rest in the hospital room.


    Soon, there were only Li Dapang and Xiao Han in the hospital room. Liu Sisi had gone out to dispose of the garbage.


    "You really should have been more careful, man," Li Dapang frowned and said, "How could you have gotten sick?"


    "Caught a cold," Xiao Han replied, and then asked, "Aren''t you supposed to be at ss today?"


    "What ss should I attend?" Li Dapang replied irritably, "Ever since you started striving hard, old man went from being the secondst in our ss to the veryst. Ah, no matter how hard I try, it''s useless. It''s all the same. As long as I can make money, that''s fine. I''m not even nning on taking the college entrance exam."


    "You, kid!" Xiao Han replied to him, then said, "You definitely need to take the college entrance exam. Even if you make a lot of money, you still need to learn."


    "Yeah, yeah!" Li Dapang nodded and said, "You''re right, Xiao Han, I still can''t believe we already have over two million."


    "That''s not a lot," Xiao Han replied and exined, "Over two million can only buy you a slightlyrger bedroom in BJ City."


    "True!" Li Dapang nodded and said, "Everyone''s specting on property these days, it''s bound to crash sooner orter."


    "The crash has nothing to do with me!" Xiao Han replied, "What''s important for us now is to quickly set up a storefront and get the Apple authorized store up and running. We have enough funds now, we can pay the agency fee to Sister Xiaoya, bring in a batch of goods, and set up the store quickly. We''ve got Halloweening up. We could run a promotional event then.


    If the Apple phones move, making hundreds of thousands a month will be like ying!"


    "Oh my!" Li Dapang was stunned upon hearing this. Making hundreds of thousands a month seemed exaggerated, but following Xiao Han, Li Dapang was confident they could really make that much.


    "What, scared?" Xiao Han asked.


    "No way!" Li Dapang quickly nodded, his face shocked as he looked at Xiao Han: "If it were anyone else saying this, I''d think they were a madman, but if it''s you, Xiao Han, I believe you. No matter what, I just believe you."


    "Haha!" Xiao Hanughed out loud.


    Just then, Liu Sisi walked back in.


    "What are youughing about?" Liu Sisi asked curiously, looking at Xiao Han, "Don''t you know you''ve just woken up? You need to control your emotions, you can''t oscite between extreme happiness and anger."


    "Yes, yes, I''m sorry." Xiao Han nodded. He curiously asked, "Sisi, aren''t you off work? Why haven''t you left?"


    "Isn''t it because I''m worried about you?" Liu Sisi nced at Xiao Han and then said, "You are my priority patient. If something happens to you, the hospital will hold me ountable. I''m currently a contract worker, any mistake, and I lose the chance to be permanent. So, I have to work hard."


    "Alright," Xiao Han nodded reluctantly.


    Liu Sisi continued to care for Xiao Han meticulously. Even though a nurse had taken over, she seemed still somewhat uneasy and continued her thorough care for Xiao Han.


    By the afternoon, Liu Sisi finally couldn''t hold out any longer. She had worked the night shift the previous night and hadn''t slept this morning. Even the toughest person couldn''t keep going.


    Liu Sisi looked sleepy and then said, "Xiao Han, I''m going home now, rest well, I''lle to see you tomorrow!"


    "Okay." Xiao Han nodded.


    Only then did Liu Sisi pick up her belongings and head home.


    As soon as Liu Sisi left, Li Dapang excitedly said, "That nurse is really pretty."


    "Hmm." Xiao Han nodded and said, "What, do you have an idea?"


    "No, no, no." Li Dapang quickly shook his head and replied, "How could I have any ideas? I just think this girl seems to have a thing for you. If you don''t cherish the opportunity, you might miss out on a great girl!"


    "Cut the crap." Xiao Han red at Li Dapang and then said, "Go settle the hospital bill for me, old man is getting discharged."


    "Aren''t you still unwell?" Li Dapang eximed in a panic, "Besides, Liu Sisi ising to visit you tomorrow!"


    "I''ve still got so much to do!" Xiao Han shot back, then said, "I have to go, if I don''t, things will turn bad."


    "Alright, alright." Li Dapang had no choice but to agree.


    The discharge was handled quickly. In the beginning, the doctor disagreed, but when Li Dapang gritted his teeth and said he had no money to stay, the doctor hurriedly processed the discharge. They went home at five o''clock in the afternoon. The snow had stopped, and the ground was dressed in silver, as pristine as if draped in a bridal veil. Exquisite, beautiful¡­


    "It''s beautiful." Xiao Han stood at the hospital entrance.


    "Xiao Han, what happened to your back?" Li Dapang immediately noticed the tear and fresh bloodstains on the back of Xiao Han''s clothes.


    "It''s nothing!" Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "This is a lesson."


    "What lesson?" Li Dapang persisted.


    "Don''t ask anymore." Xiao Han looked at him annoyed and then said, "Let''s leave this matter behind."


    Li Dapang pursed his lips, smiled lightly, and then said, "Alright then."


    Li Dapang took off his jacket and wrapped it around Xiao Han.


    "Thanks!" Xiao Han said, touched.


    Li Dapang rode Xiao Han back home on a motorbike.


    Mother Xiao was at home cooking; she had gotten off work early today to make food for Xiao Han. Busy in the kitchen, she was suddenly surprised to see Xiao Haning in from outside.


    "Xiao Han, you... why are you back already?" Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Han in astonishment, asking, "Weren''t you supposed to be in the hospital? Your body has just recovered, how could youe home? You need to be under observation!"


    "Mom, I know my own body!" Xiao Han responded, then said, "I feelpletely fine. The fever has gone, and there is hardly any major issue. Even if there''s something, I''d know it in my heart."


    With that said, Mother Xiao was unsure what to do.


    Then, Li Dapang hastily said, "Auntie, Xiao Han is really fit right now. You don''t have to worry."


    Mother Xiao said helplessly, "Then hurry back to your room and lie down, don''t move around. I am making food for you. Big Fatty, join us for dinnerter."


    "Sure thing." Li Dapang quickly nodded and said, "Aunt, then I won''t stand on ceremony."


    Li Dapang followed Xiao Han into the house.


    Despite Xiao Han''s home being poor, it was well-organized. The house was small, but neat and tidy. Xiao Han''s room was also clean with a bed of 1.2 meters, a clean organized desk, and a couple of rows of bookshelves behind it filled with hundreds of books. Xiao Han had been a voracious reader since elementary school, and his room wasrgely upied by books.


    "Xiao Han, you have so many books at home?" Li Dapang asked in amazement.


    "Right!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "It''s as if you didn''t know, you get surprised every time youe."


    "Hehe¡­" Li Dapang scratched his head, saying, "I just feel that I won''t be able to finish reading so many books in my lifetime. How did you manage to read them all?"


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "You were the top schr of Wangjiang District during middle school exams, why did your performance drop so drastically in high school?" Li Dapang asked curiously, "Looking at your room, it''s clear you love studying, so I think you probably intentionally hide your potential, keeping your grades so low. Right?"


    "Hehe¡­" Xiao Han just smiled and said nothing.


    "Why don''t you have aputer in your room?" Li Dapang asked curiously, "Computers have entered every household now, you''re in a position to get one."


    "Not needed!" Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "Computers are a double-edged sword. Right now, so many people are addicted toputer games, unable to extricate themselves."


    "That''s¡­" Li Dapangughed and said, "True indeed."


    Li Dapang sat down on the only chair in the room, crossing his legs and smoking a cigarette, and asked, "Xiao Han, when do you n to go see Li Xiaoya?"


    "Tomorrow," Xiao Han replied with a smile, "Sister Xiaoya is a good person."


    "Actually, I figured it out, even if you don''t pay that sum, she wouldn''t withhold the agency rights!" Li Dapang leaned in and said, "Why don''t we save those three hundred thousand?"

 Chapter 060 The Secret

    ```


    "That won''t do!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Public is public, private is private. Anyway, we shouldn''t confuse the two. Besides, if we save these 300,000 yuan, what''s sacrificed are principles. Principles are the bottom line for a business, and even more so, the foundation upon which apany stands. If there are no principles, why would anybody trust you?"


    "Hmm, you make a good point!" Li Dapang nodded.


    After dinner, it was already half-past five.


    The principal of Linjiang No.1 Middle School, Li Hengzhong, and the homeroom teacher of the senior year, third ss, Liu Jinmei, once again came to Xiao Han''s house.


    "Principal Li, Teacher Liu?" Xiao Han recognized Li Hengzhong at a nce, his expression changing slightly.


    "Xiao Han!" Li Hengzhong caught sight of Xiao Han immediately.


    Although there had been some changes in attire, that face and the familiar features were instantly recognizable by Li Hengzhong. Xiao Han was taken aback, but Li Hengzhong was not foolish; he detected something amiss from the sudden change in Xiao Han''s expression. Thus, Li Hengzhong swallowed the words that were almost at his throat.


    "Principal Li, you... you know Xiao Han?" Liu Jinmei asked in astonishment.


    "Of course!" Li Hengzhong hastily replied. At this moment, Xiao Han''s face grew extremely somber, it looked like the secret of the Hanmen Training ss was about to be exposed. He was considering how to exin the situation when, unexpectedly, Li Hengzhong changed the subject, saying, "In the recent citywide unified exam, Xiao Han ranked second in our school. Top three in the whole city.


    How could I not know him?"


    "I see." Liu Jinmei suddenly realized.


    Xiao Han was startled within, raising his head to look at Li Hengzhong. Li Hengzhong was also staring at him. Their eyes met.


    A smug smile appeared on Li Hengzhong''s lips, as if to say, "Kid, you''ve been hiding well. You dare to deceive me?"


    Xiao Han immediately felt embarrassed, hastily bowing his head and saying awkwardly, "Principal Li, Teacher Liu, I... I didn''t go to school, and I''ve made you worried."


    "Xiao Han, are you feeling any better?" Li Hengzhong shook his head quickly.


    "Thank you for your concern, Principal, I''m much better now," Xiao Han replied hastily.


    Liu Jinmei smiled and said, "Xiao Han, rest well at home, but make sure you don''t fall behind on your studies, and don''t forget the promise you made to me!"


    "What promise?" Li Hengzhong asked curiously.


    "Hehe, Principal Li, that''s a secret between Xiao Han and me!" Liu Jinmei said with a grin.


    "All right then." Li Hengzhongughed heartily upon hearing this and said, "But I came here today for two matters."


    "Principal, please tell me," Xiao Han urged with a nod.


    "Ah, it''s actually one thing when I mention it, it''s about the trouble that erupted yesterday involving the PE teacher Li Qiangguo and your homeroom teacher," Principal Li sighed and continued, "I really don''t know why Li Qiangguo all of a sudden took a liking to you, insisting on having you join the athletic ss. Teacher Liu is unwilling to let you go.


    So, the final decision is in your hands, you see what to do!"


    "Xiao Han, I believe you won''t let your teacher down," Liu Jinmei looked earnestly at Xiao Han.


    Xiao Han looked into her eyes, into those fervent pupils, those eyes filled withplex emotions. It was as if she feared he would follow someone else or worried that the cabbage she had carefully cultivated would be trampled by pigs.


    "Xiao Han, if you choose the path of sports, you canpete for the country and participate in internationalpetitions," Principal Li said with a smile. "Teacher Li saw your talent and believes that with proper training, you could be the nation''s sprinting king.


    Of course, if you don''t wish to choose sports, you can still take the college entrance exam, get into the school you like, and then contribute to the country in other fields. I won''t force you to make any choice, everything depends on your own preferences."


    Xiao Han smiled and said, "I don''t want to join the athletic ss."


    Li Hengzhong was startled for a moment, Xiao Han''s response came with little to no hesitation.


    Liu Jinmei instantly breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes clearly showing her excitement.


    "Xiao Han, believe me, your choice is the right one," Liu Jinmei said sincerely as she looked at Xiao Han.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Good, since you''ve made your choice, that''s all that matters," Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "Xiao Han, work hard and don''t let down your mother''s expectations, nor Teacher Liu''s and my expectations of you. And do not let the school down either!"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded earnestly.


    Li Hengzhong and hispany stayed only briefly before departing. Although Mother Xiao warmly tried to keep them longer, Principal Li was very busy, he was headed to a meeting at the education bureau.


    Watching Li Hengzhong and Liu Jinmei leave, Xiao Han let out a sigh of relief; he had to. If Li Hengzhong had revealed the situation earlier, it could have sparked off an earthquake. Hanmen might have had to shut down as a result, and a wave of parental uproar would have swept through. No one could have resisted that.


    However, this bout of illness had given Xiao Han a new worry. If he had fallen ill on a weekend, wouldn''t that be troublesome? Hanmen had sses on weekends. If he didn''t show up, it would likely enrage the parents. Therefore, Xiao Han had to think of a solution; Hanmen couldn''t depend on just one teacher.


    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Han decided to find a recement teacher for Hanmen; he simply couldn''t manage it all alone. Although there weren''t many things to handle at the moment, he was already feeling overwhelmed. There was the store to open, the promotions to handle, and once the Apple Store was up and running, there would definitely be a lot to deal with. Xiao Han had to be prepared.


    Suddenly, he had an idea of a suitable candidate. That person was Yang Lu.


    ```


    After making up his mind, Xiao Han hurriedly got dressed and left the house.


    "It''s almost dark, where are you going?" Mother Xiao asked anxiously.


    "Mom, I have something to do, I''ll be back soon," Xiao Han hastily replied. "I''m going to get the ss notes from the past few days from a ssmate. I can''t fall behind in my studies."


    "Okay, go ahead then!" Mother Xiao nodded.


    As Xiao Han reached the door, his body shuddered. He didn''t know when it began, but he had be someone who could lie without even blinking. He had never lied in the past, but now it seemed to have be second nature to him, not feeling guilty in the least.


    Xiao Han clenched his teeth and braved the cold wind as he hurried out, afraid that his mother might detect his unease.


    On the road.


    Li Hengzhong drove Liu Jinmei back.


    "Teacher Liu, what is the secret between you and Xiao Han?" Li Hengzhong asked curiously.


    "It''s not really a secret," Liu Jinmei said with a smile, and then exined, "Xiao Han''s family is poor, and his mother has a hard time carrying the entire family on her own. So, the teachers from the senior year group and I donated three thousand yuan to him as a reward for his performance in the recent exam.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Additionally, I have made a deal with Xiao Han that he must strive to be the top student in the national college entrance exam, or at least the city''s top scorer in Linjiang."


    "I see," Li Hengzhong replied, breaking into a smile immediately upon hearing this.


    In an old neighborhood located in the CX district, Xiao Han arrived by taxi. These houses built in the 1980s of Linjiang had several decades of history. The houses here were mostly dpidated,parable to Fuxing Community, with streetlights out of repair for many years. It was pitch ck as he entered, and the stairwell was unlit.


    Xiao Han ascended the staircase.


    Third floor, he knocked on the door.


    Soon, a woman in her forties opened the door; she peered out, her eyes fixed on Xiao Han: "Who are you looking for?"


    "I''m here to see Yang Lu," Xiao Han replied.


    At this moment, the woman frowned and asked, "What do you want with her?"


    Just as Xiao Han was about to exin his reason for visiting, Yang Lu''s voice reached them: "Is that Xiao Han?"


    "It''s me!" Xiao Han called back loudly.


    Following this, the sound of slippers approached, and Yang Lu emerged, her face lit with happiness as she excitedly said, "Xiao Han, you finally came!"


    Xiao Han, a bit confused, harbored some doubts, while Yang Lu, ted, pulled on his arm saying, "Come in quickly."


    Thus, Xiao Han was pulled inside by Yang Lu.


    Upon entering, Xiao Han realized there were quite a few people present. At the center of the sofa sat two middle-aged men with graying hair, their faces stern with a serious expression. Beside them sat another woman. The woman who opened the door was sizing up Xiao Han with an odd look.


    Besides these four, there was also a young man about 1.7 meters tall, dressed in a cheap ck suit, meticulously groomed, with peach-blossom eyes, a sharp chin and cheekbones that did not inspire trust.


    "Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, this is my boyfriend Xiao Han!" Yang Lu hastily introduced him.


    The two middle-aged men nced at Xiao Han; at 1.8 meters tall with a robust build and handsome features, Xiao Han was leagues ahead of the sharp-chinned fellow in appearance. At that moment, the woman who had opened the door became anxious: "Lulu, when did you get a boyfriend? Why have we never heard of this?"


    "A few months ago," said Yang Lu with a smile. "I haven''t had the chance to tell you yet."


    "Lulu, I don''t approve of this!" dered the woman on the sofa with an air of authority, "Look at Xiao Tang, what''s wrong with him? He has a house, a car, and importantly, a high-ie job. Your mother is so ill now, and she''s in a lot of debt. You need to pay off the debts and also need a happy event to bring her some joy. Maybe her illness will get better!"


    "Second Aunt, that''s just superstition," Yang Lu shook her head, saying, "I want to decide my own marriage, you don''t need to worry."


    "How can we not worry?" Great Aunt chimed in, "Parental orders and the matchmaker''s words. Your mother is on her deathbed, and as your elders, we should be making this decision for you."


    "But I have a boyfriend," Yang Lu said anxiously.


    "So what?" Second Aunt retorted. "He just looks a bit handsome. Can a pretty face be used as food? Does he have a house and a car? Does he earn ten thousand a month?"


    Yang Lu immediately found herself at a loss for words.


    At this point, Xiao Han couldn''t hold back, and he said with a smile, "Second Aunt, I have to disagree with you there."

 Chapter 061 Poor but Ambitious

    "I don''t need your approval." The two women were dead set against acknowledging Xiao Han, and Second Aunt mocked harshly, "Look at those clothes, I''ve seen them at the market, thirty yuan each. Those shoes, my husband wears them too, fifty yuan a pair."


    Indeed, Xiao Han was dressed in cheap attire. Just as the sharp-tongued old woman said, his clothes were indeed thirty yuan each, and his shoes were fifty yuan a pair of sneakers. However, wearing them, Xiao Han didn''t seem out of ce at all.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "All my clothesbined cost just over a hundred yuan. But what does that prove?"


    "You still have the gall to say what that proves!" Second Aunt disdainfully said, "Do you want me to tell you?"


    "Go ahead," Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "It proves you''re poor!" Second Aunt''s sharp and sarcastic demeanor showed Xiao Han what the most venomous heart of a woman could look like.


    "A man can be poor but not his aspirations." Xiao Han looked at Second Aunt, who, after all, was an elder, and it wasn''t right to scold her outright. He could only try hard to maintain a smile. "Having a house and a car is a simple matter. Besides, is a monthly ie of ten thousand really that impressive?"


    "Simple?" Great Aunt couldn''t stand it anymore, she quickly interjected, "Young man, you shouldn''t brag like that. I don''t even know if you''re earning your own money. But you say buying a house and a car is easy, does it mean you have already bought them?"


    The crowd looked at Xiao Han curiously.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The man with the surname Xia looked curiously at Xiao Han too, who clearly looked more handsome than him. However, he knew his own advantages. His advantages were having a house and a car and also a high ie. These were areas where many men could notpete with him. So, he had to find a way to use his strengths to attack the opponent''s weaknesses.


    "I haven''t bought!" Xiao Han shook his head, saying, "I don''t have a car or a house, and I don''t have any ie."


    "Haha..." The two women immediately burst outughing, saying, "That''s hrious. You don''t have a car, a house, or an ie, yet you speak so confidently. Young man, you certainly are bold."


    Yang Lu became anxious, she hurriedly said, "Uncle, the one hundred eighty thousand used for my mom''s medical treatment was given by Xiao Han."


    Sss...


    Everyone suddenly gasped in shock.


    The eyes that had just been mocking and jeering were now somewhat surprised. The two women looked at Xiao Han withplex expressions. It seemed unbelievable to them that a poor young man with no car, no house, and no money coulde up with one hundred eighty thousand?


    "Lulu, don''t let yourself be fooled," Second Aunt hurriedly said. "This manes from nowhere, and he has no money or job. You ought to be careful."


    "Regardless, I owe Xiao Han one hundred eighty thousand, and I must pay him back," Yang Lu earnestly said.


    "So you won''t pay back the money you owe our family?" Great Aunt squinted her eyes, saying, "Since Tang Ming is here, you handle this marriage matter. If you don''t get engaged to Tang Ming, then return the fifty thousand yuan you owe to both our families."


    "You!" Yang Lu became annoyed. "Where do I have that much money right now? My mom is still hospitalized."


    "Then you should agree to this marriage," Great Aunt sat cross-legged, arrogantly and proudly saying.


    "And what if I don''t agree?" Xiao Han asked coldly.


    "Don''t agree? Then pay back the money, it''s as simple as that." Great Auntughed, "We are reasonable people, we don''t force anyone into anything. Besides, both your Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle came here today, doesn''t that mean they want you to get married soon, to bring some joy to your mother? Do you really want your mom to leave you soon?"


    "Of course not!" Yang Lu said hurriedly.


    "Fine!" At this, Xiao Hanughed, "Paying back the money, is it? It''s just fifty thousand yuan, as though it were five hundred million."


    "Big talk for a young man, aren''t you?" Great Aunt icily scoffed, "Pay us now, and we won''t say another word, we''ll leave immediately."


    "Fine!" Xiao Han nodded.


    At this, the sharp-faced Tang Ming hurriedly stepped forward to y the good guy, pulling Yang Lu aside, "Lulu, think it over carefully. Your mom is still in the hospital and needs money. One hundred eighty thousand won''t be enough. If you''re with me, I... I can find connections to get your mom treated in BJ. How does that sound?"


    Tang Ming really liked Yang Lu, from the moment he first saw her, he fell head over heels.


    Therefore, he wanted to win over Yang Lu, and he absolutely didn''t want Yang Lu to end up with someone else. Such a beautiful girl, if she couldn''t be his wife, it would be a huge regret. He was determined to do whatever it took to get Yang Lu, and wouldn''t allow her to fall into someone else''s arms, no matter how much it cost.


    Moreover, it was said that Yang Lu was still inexperienced, never having had a boyfriend before, which made Tang Ming even more excited.


    "I..." Yang Lu hesitated.


    If she could arrange for her mother to be treated in a BJ hospital, that would naturally be the best thing. The medical environment in BJ was good, and the level of medical care was also high. Perhaps her mother could even be cured once she was in BJ. However, Yang Lu still didn''t want to sell her feelings or her marriage.


    Marriage for a woman signifies a new phase in life. Her life was already unfortunate enough, and if the next stage of her life was just as unhappy, then what was the point of living?


    "Lulu, you need to think this through!" Great Aunt spoke up.


    "Indeed, you must think carefully." The previously sharp-tongued Second Aunt suddenly transformed into thepassionate Lotus Madonna, earnestly advising, "The foundation of marriage is material well-being. Without money, your marital life will be painful. Lulu, don''t say your Aunt didn''t warn you!"


    "I won''t!" Yang Lu hardened her heart and refused, "I''m not willing to sell my life for money, I''m not willing."


    The warm expression on Second Aunt''s face had just vanished when she suddenly heard Yang Lu''s refusal. Her face turned livid instantly. She tore off the pretense, "Fine, since you want to act so high and mighty, then return our fifty thousand yuan!"


    "I don''t have money!" Yang Lu shook her head.


    "No money? Then get married and use the dowry to repay the money!" Second Aunt snorted coldly.


    "Are you trying to drive me to death?" Yang Lu clenched her teeth and said.


    "We''re doing this for your own good," Great Aunt spoke.


    At this point, Xiao Han could no longer stand listening. To think these were his own brothers, and these two were Yang Lu''s actual aunts, he couldn''t believe they were kicking someone when they were down. Such people were really despicable, and disgustingly so.


    "Isn''t it just fifty thousand yuan?" Xiao Han snorted coldly, "I''ll pay it for Yang Lu!"


    Explore stories at empire


    As soon as Xiao Han''s words fell, the room fell dead silent.


    "Kid, we''re talking about fifty thousand yuan here, not five thousand, and definitely not five hundred!" Second Aunt looked at Xiao Han and said, "You better think it through, don''t be presumptuous."


    "Is fifty thousand a lot?" Xiao Han couldn''t help but retort.


    That question immediately stumped the other side.


    Indeed, for the wealthy, fifty thousand yuan was just a drop in the ocean, but for the poor, especially those struggling to make ends meet, fifty thousand yuan was an astronomical figure. At this moment, it was absolutely impossible for Yang Lu toe up with fifty thousand yen.


    Even if she were killed, she couldn''t produce that amount, not to mention fifty thousand, even five thousand was impossible.


    "Alright then, we''ll just wait for you to bring it," Second Aunt smiled and said, "Today if you don''t bring out the fifty thousand, we won''t leave."


    Xiao Han immediately took out his phone.


    "Xiao Han, do you need something?" Li Dapang quickly asked.


    "Bring me fifty thousand yuan," Xiao Han instructed, "and deliver it to Kangfu Residential Area in CX District as fast as possible."


    "Huh? What are you going to do?" Li Dapang was stunned for a moment; it was sote, and asking for so much money, something serious must have happened.


    "Just bring it, no more talking!" Xiao Han replied and then hung up the phone.


    Li Dapang became even more convinced of his own thoughts, and he quickly ran out while making phone calls and riding his motorcycle towards the bank. It waste at night, and the banks were closed, so he could only try to withdraw cash from the ATMs. Luckily, the daily withdrawal limit from an ATM was fifty thousand. After withdrawing fifty thousand, he would have to withdraw at a counter.


    CX District, Yang Family.


    The confrontation was still ongoing.


    "Kid, you aren''t just bluffing, are you?" Great Aunt nced at her watch and said, "It''s been half an hour now, where''s your money?"


    "What''s the rush?" Xiao Han retorted unexpectedly, "I said it woulde, and it will definitelye. Besides, do I look like Ick fifty thousand yuan?"


    "Looking at your clothes, you sure do seem like someone who needs that fifty thousand," Great Aunt chuckled.


    Tang Ming spoke, "Lulu, if you agree to marry me, I''ll repay the money for your Second Aunt and Great Aunt, how about that?"


    "Tsk tsk, look at Tang Ming, so sensible," Great Auntughed, "If you marry him, you''ll definitely be happy."


    "I don''t care for that." Yang Lu shook her head.


    "Hmph, you little slut, that''s what you are!" Second Aunt cursed.


    "You!" Yang Lu was immediately brought to tears by the insult.


    "Who are you scolding?" Xiao Han walked over and pulled Yang Lu into his embrace.


    Yang Lu looked up at Xiao Han, her eyes brimming with tears, and for the first time, she felt that Xiao Han''s embrace was so warm, robust, and secure. She couldn''t help but rest her head against Xiao Han''s chest. Embracing Yang Lu, Xiao Han said, "You disrespectful old hag, how dare you force your own niece into marriage? I''ve never seen an aunt as mean and nasty as you.


    Tsk, I should invite the media to interview you, see why your skin is so thick."


    "You!" Upon hearing this, Second Aunt''s face turned green with rage, and she furiously said, "You jerk, how dare you insult me?"


    "Yes, I am insulting you!" Xiao Han nodded, "You disrespectful old thing."

 Chapter 062 I Will Protect You

    The atmosphere was tense with conflict.


    At that moment, Tang Ming stood up, his face darkened. "It''s one thing to talk, but insulting people is wrong!"


    "Oh? You''re taking her side?" Xiao Han sneered.


    "She''s my aunt!" Tang Ming retorted. "If I don''t help her, should I help you?"


    "Heh, so it''s all in the family, huh?" Xiao Hanughed loudly. "Indeed, a whole family ganging up against Yang Lu, you guys are unbelievable."


    From beginning to end, two middle-aged men didn''t say a word. The eldest uncle and the second uncle. They both looked like they were henpecked. At this moment, they didn''t even have the right to speak. Actually, they also wanted to help their niece, but they were afraid to speak, fearing that their wives would scold them.


    "You!" Tang Ming''s face turned furious.


    At this moment, Li Dapang hurried over with his people. Li Dapang had been doing welltely, gaining both money and power. In the area near the school, many local thugs respected him as "Big Brother." Over time, Li Dapang had even be the top figure near the school. This was rather curious.


    "Xiao Han, are you alright?" Li Dapang rushed in.


    "I''m fine," Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Damn, what''s going on?" Li Dapang was out of breath, sweat on his brow. "I thought you were kidnapped."


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head. "It''s just Yang Lu running into some trouble. Did you bring the money?"


    "Got it right here!" Li Dapang quickly pulled out fifty thousand yuan from his bag and handed it to Xiao Han.


    Piles of crisp bills, after being withdrawn from the ATM, Li Dapang had bundled them up neatly, ten thousand per bundle, making up fifty thousand in total. Xiao Han threw the money on the table. "Fifty thousand, count it. Take the money and scoot."


    Second aunt was taken aback, nced at the money on the table, hurried over, picked it up, flipped through it, and then pulled out a few bills to check their authenticity. Finally, she found that the money was real. This left the second aunt speechless.


    "Really?" Great Aunt craned her neck and asked.


    "Yes, it''s real," Second Aunt nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After that, Second Aunt handed Great Aunt twenty thousand. "This is the twenty thousand you lent to her family; I lent them thirty thousand."


    "Took the money and still not leaving?" Xiao Han asked coldly.


    The two sharp-tongued women nced at Xiao Han, their expressionsplicated. Indeed, no one expected this inly dressed man to pull out fifty thousand yuan so decisively. He looked so ordinary, and his clothes were in. How could he suddenly produce fifty thousand yuan? Although skeptical, the fifty thousand yuan was indeed right in front of them, leaving no room for doubt.


    "Fine, there wille a time when you beg us," Second Aunt gritted her teeth, giving her husband a look.


    "Then... we''ll leave first," the middle-aged man quickly got up, his head bowed as he walked out; at this moment, he could no longer save face.


    Later, several people left one after another. Tang Ming''s face was veryplex, but he was still pulled away by Great Aunt.


    The room was left with Yang Lu and Xiao Han.


    Wow!


    Suddenly, Yang Lu burst into tears.


    Perhaps only Yang Lu could understand this feeling. At her most difficult time, her rtives not only did not help her but also kicked her while she was down, pressuring her family and even forcing her to repay the debts. This bitterness and heartache, probably only Yang Lu could truly understand.


    "Don''t be sad," Xiao Han said softly, consoling her.


    Yang Luy crying in Xiao Han''s arms, unable to stop despite his constions.


    Xiao Han understood that Yang Lu had suppressed too much pain in her heart, and this pain continuously tormented her, making her feel wronged and miserable. Xiao Han held Yang Lu tightly, and her sobs gradually faded and eventually disappeared entirely.


    "Xiao Han, am I useless?" Yang Lu looked up at Xiao Han, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful and heartbreaking.


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head. "You''re not."


    "Then..." Yang Lu bit her red lips.


    "It''s because you''re a girl," Xiao Han smiled. "Girls are naturally meant to be protected and guarded by boys."


    "Xiao Han, can you protect me?" Yang Lu bit her red lips.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded. "I came to see you today to protect you."


    "Ah?!" Yang Lu''s face turned slightly red.


    "Heh heh..." Xiao Han chuckled. "I''m nning to start apany, and I want you to help me manage it."


    "Ah?" Yang Lu brightened up, "Really? What kind ofpany are you thinking of starting?"


    "I want to start a technologypany," Xiao Han smiled. "Focusing on electronic products. Like Apple''s electronic products!"


    "But, you have to get Apple''s authorization for that!" Yang Lu looked troubled. "I heard it''s very difficult to get Apple''s dealership rights."


    "It''s okay," Xiao Han nced at her and said, "I''ll figure this out. Plus, I''ve already gotten the Apple agency rights."


    "Really?" Yang Lu eximed, immediately delighted.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and then added, "We''re currently looking for a storefront. As soon as we find the right one, we''ll start taking action."


    "Have you found one yet?" Yang Lu asked curiously.


    "Not yet," Xiao Han shook his head.


    After all, he had only returned from Macau a couple of days ago. Moreover, where could one easily find the right storefront? Besides, Li Dapang was currently working hard atworking and registering thepany. As long as the business permit and tax issues were sorted out, there would basically be no problem.


    "I actually know of a suitable ce," Yang Lu said hastily.


    "Tell me!" Xiao Han urged.


    "Right at the entrance of the pedestrian street, there''s a store of over a hundred square meters. The owner is a friend of mine," Yang Lu exined. "He''s nning to transfer the store. If we could take over, it might be in a really good location."


    "Are you talking about that fast-food restaurant?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Yes!" Yang Lu nodded.


    Continue your adventure with empire


    "That location is indeed good," Xiao Han nodded and said, "Then ask them about the transfer price for me and let me knowter. If the price is right, we''ll take it over."


    "Sure!" Yang Lu nodded.


    "Lulu, from now on, you are the general manager of mypany," Xiao Han smiled. "How about that?"


    "Really?" Yang Lu asked in disbelief.


    Before, she was an unemployed vagrant, and now suddenly she had be a general manager.


    "Yes," Xiao Han nodded and said, "We haven''t started business yet. Temporarily, the sry is eight thousand a month. Is that enough?"


    "That''s enough, more than enough!" Yang Lu nodded eagerly.


    For a third-tier city like hers, eight thousand was a lot. That she could earn such an amount was entirely because Xiao Han was looking out for her. Otherwise, where could she earn so much? Yang Lu looked at Xiao Han gratefully and added, "How about this, you pay me four thousand a month, and the other four thousand can be considered a loan repayment."


    "No need!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I n to hire you for twelve thousand. The remaining four thousand can be considered as you slowly repaying me."


    "Xiao Han, that''s not right!" Yang Lu said awkwardly, "The sry is too high."


    "I think it''s appropriate," Xiao Han stated.


    "Well, okay then," Yang Lu nodded.


    After reassuring Yang Lu, Xiao Han and Li Dapang left. Yang Lu went outte at night to meet her friend about the transfer of the storefront. She had to negotiate in person. If she could make a deal, Xiao Han''s business was sure to take off.


    Leaving the Yang Family home.


    Li Dapang drove Xiao Han home.


    "Do you think Yang Lu is reliable?" Li Dapang asked.


    "Why do you ask?" Xiao Han looked at Li Dapang curiously, a hint of confusion in his eyes.


    Li Dapang chuckled and then said, "I always feel that she''s a woman after all. Can she manage a job like this?"


    "Why not?" Xiao Hanughed and then said, "Don''t underestimate women. Besides, Yang Lu is a trustworthy woman. Since I''ve employed her, I absolutely won''t doubt her. As the saying goes, ''Do not employ those you distrust, and do not distrust those you employ.''


    "Okay, whatever you say!" Li Dapangughed helplessly.


    Xiao Han shuddered, turned to look at Li Dapang, and said, "Big Fatty, you can''t think like that. We''re the best of brothers and should be the most trusting partners. How can you say something like that?"


    "Xiao Han, I didn''t mean anything by it!" Li Dapang chuckled and said, "I just think a person''s ability doesn''t rte to their appearance. Although Yang Lu is beautiful, we don''t know her capabilities yet. And here we are, rashly employing her. Don''t you think that''s a bad thing? What if something goes wrong?"


    "I understand what you mean!" Xiao Han looked at Li Dapang and said, "Someone who''s so devoted and dutiful to her mother¡ªdo you think she would be inadequate? Even if Yang Lu''s skills are not great, her character shouldn''t be wed. Right now, we don''t need someone very skilled, but someone with good character. As thepany is in its early stages, itrgely depends on Apple product sales.


    Apple''s poprity is unquestionable, so she just needs to watch over the store. That''s why we need integrity, understand?"


    "Oh!" Li Dapang nodded, not entirely getting it.


    Xiao Han patted Li Dapang on the shoulder and then said, "So, don''t worry too much. Since I''ve employed Yang Lu, it means I have my own intentions!"


    "Alright," Li Dapang smiled, and said, "Xiao Han, you have a sharp mind, while mine is blunt."


    "Haha¡­" Seeing that the tension between them had passed, Xiao Hanughed heartily.


    ......


    Xiao Han went home.


    Aunt Zhang was at home, deep in conversation with his mother. They were sitting by the stove, whispering, apparently discussing something.

 Chapter 063 Meeting Ones Match in Chess

    When Xiao Han walked in from outside, Auntie Zhang suddenly shouted, "Xiao Han, you''re back?"


    "Hello, Auntie Zhang." Xiao Han was very polite.


    "It''s always Xiao Han who is polite." Auntie Zhang immediately surrounded herself with a bunch of smiles and said, "Come, sit next to Auntie."


    Xiao Han scurried over and then sat down next to Auntie Zhang. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile as he asked, "Auntie Zhang, did youe to see me for anything today?"


    "Of course, there''s something." Auntie Zhang nodded immediately and then said, "The Chinese chesspetition has already started. Ourmunity''s preliminarypetition took ce today and it''s your turn tomorrow. You must do your best for Fuxing Community."


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    "Your recent illness really worried your mom and me." Auntie Zhang sighed and said, "You''re the only son your mother has, so don''t me her for being strict with you. It''s a form of love, you understand?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded earnestly and said, "I''ve never resented my mom."


    Off to the side, Mother Xiao looked down at the hearth, her eyes moistening.


    Auntie Zhang sat at Xiao Han''s house for a long time and also talked about themunity''s donations to Xiao Han. Just because of this, Xiao Han felt deeply moved. After all, every household in Fuxing Community had it tough, and those who could had moved away early, leaving behind mostly the elderly and the infirm.


    They relied on some retirement pensions or some guardians of left-behind children and elderly. Everyone''s life was more or less challenging.


    Yet in such circumstances, themunity still managed to donate to him, scraping together money for his medical expenses. It was a spirit of selflessness. After hearing this, Xiao Han felt very moved. He took a deep breath.


    "Auntie Zhang, please thank the neighbors of Fuxing Community for me," Xiao Han earnestly said. "I will surely repay them in the future."


    "Silly kid," Auntie Zhangughed, "Everyone donated to help with your medical expenses without expecting anything in return. You study hard and get into a good university. That would be the greatest repayment to us. You understand?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded earnestly.


    Auntie Zhang sat for a while and then walked off with a shlight.


    The next day''s Chinese chessmunity preliminaries were held at themunity activity center. Chess enthusiasts from themunity all registered because it was free. If they identally won, they would even get a prize. Why not participate? Only a fool wouldn''t join.


    Xiao Han arrived at themunity activity center with his backpack on. Right after school, he asked Li Dapang to rush him over on his bike.


    Upon arrival at themunity, a group of smiling faces looked at Xiao Han.


    "Xiao Han, weren''t you sick? Why are you here participating in the chesspetition?" Old Liu asked curiously.


    Old Liu was a true fan of Chinese chess, ying under the old schr tree with a bunch of old men every day. Although his skills weren''t great, he had no problem handling average yers. When he learned that registration was free, he immediately brought a group of old friends to sign up.


    "Hehe, chess doesn''t differentiate between the young and the old," Xiao Hanughed.


    "Today your opponent is Old Li," Old Liuughed mischievously. "You better be careful."


    "It''s Elder Li?" When Xiao Han heard this, he felt more confident. Elder Li was not as skilled in Chinese chess as Old Liu. He was not afraid of Old Liu, so he was even less worried about Elder Li. Elder Li used to be an inspector in the Fuxing Factory. After beingid off, he still kept to his responsibilities and would patrol themunity.


    If someone''s front door wasn''t clean, they couldn''t escape a scolding from Elder Li. Not only did he scold, but he would also end up cleaning it himself.


    Of course, when it came to some physically disabled elders, Elder Li often visited to help clean. Elder Li''s role as an inspector was indeed not in vain.


    Upon entering the activity center, several tables had already started their matches, and quite a few people gathered around. Everyone watched with interest, yet the room was very quiet. Everyone maintained high standards, as the saying goes, a true nobleman watching chess does not speak. Everyone understood this principle.


    As soon as Xiao Han entered, themunity staff quickly shouted, "Old Li, your opponent has arrived."


    Elder Li slowly made his way out of the crowd, a smoking pipe in his mouth, nced at Xiao Han, and said, "Xiao Han, you better go home."


    "Why?" Xiao Han was startled.


    "You''re not my match," Elder Li said with a chuckle. "If you loseter, you''ll definitely cry. Then I''ll have to console you. How troublesome."


    "Uh..." Xiao Han was clearly stunned.


    "It''s still not toote to leave now, otherwise, once the game starts, there''ll be no chance," Elder Li chuckled.


    "Don''t worry, Elder Li, although my chess skills aren''t great, I''d still like to exchange a few moves with you," Xiao Hanughed.


    Your journey continues on empire


    Elder Li''s face darkened, "Why can''t this kid read the room? I told him to leave, yet he still wants to challenge me; is it really necessary?" Although he was reluctant, Elder Li quickly added, "You said it yourself, no cryingter. You used to cry when I beat you in elementary school."


    Back in elementary school, Xiao Han''s skills in Chinese chess weren''t great, so he often ended up crying after being defeated by several elders continuously.


    However, by junior high his skills in Chinese chess had significantly improved, making him unbeatable in the Fuxing Community. But after high school, he had stopped ying Chinese chess entirely, especially after the car ident that involved his father, which had changed the trajectory of Xiao Han''s life. He had be distant and more reserved, timid even.


    If it weren''t for Auntie Zhang who still remembered that Xiao Han was once a Chinese chess master in Fuxing Community, Xiao Han might have forgotten that he could y the game at all.


    The chessboard was already set on the table.


    Amunity worker spoke up, "The rules of the game: once a move is made, it can''t be taken back. Each move must bepleted within three minutes, or it counts as a vition. Three vitions result in a loss. Understood?"


    All procedures followed those of a formalpetition.


    "Understood, let''s get started," Elder Li said impatiently.


    Actually, Elder Li was still a bit worried. Xiao Han''s skill in chess was formidable. He used to be unmatched in themunity. Elder Li had been defeated by Xiao Han before, so he was somewhat fearful. His attempts to dissuade Xiao Han hadn''t worked, and now, he had no choice but to face the challenge head on.


    Xiao Han took a seat and looked at Elder Li with a smile, "Elder Li, since you''re my senior, you go first."


    "Alright," Elder Li agreed and moved his pawn forward.


    Xiao Han''s movements were calm andposed.


    The match began tensely. Elder Li''s chariot crossed the Chu River and Han Border impatiently, charging straight ahead, breaking through two of Xiao Han''s pawns. Xiao Han wasn''t perturbed and calmly began to strategize.


    Elder Li still had the other half of the board untouched; he looked at Xiao Han and cheerfully said, "Xiao Han, you''re not my match anymore, my skills have improved a lot, you''d better keep up."


    "Yes, yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Your skills have indeed improved, but your move might be a bit reckless."


    With that, a hidden cannon immediately captured Elder Li''s chariot.


    "No, no!" Elder Li panicked: "Don''t take my chariot, I was just careless."


    Themunity worker interjected urgently, "Old Master Li, a move cannot be taken back; those are the rules."


    "Er¡­" Elder Li was flustered and eximed, "Alright, it has to be this way then."


    Old Man Li had no choice; this wasn''t just a casual game, but a realpetition. Even if Xiao Han allowed him to take the move back, themunity worker certainly wouldn''t, since the matter affected the fairness of the entire Fuxing Community.


    Reluctantly continuing the game, losing a chariot was likending himself with a handicap. While Xiao Han''s loss of a few pawns wasn''t significant, his setup of two chariots, two cannons, and two horses was virtually unharmed. He was fairly sure of his victory against Elder Li.


    Having lost a chariot, Elder Li had to think of other defensive strategies. Given his strength, he was no match for Xiao Han, and now with a chariot down, his chances were even slimmer.


    Xiao Han smirked mysteriously, "Old Master Li, you''d better be careful!"


    "Kid, do you really think you can pull a fast one?" Old Master Li retorted as he smoked, scrutinizing the board.


    Whilecking in offense, his defense was set up strong. He had prepared a defensive position well in advance to repel any attack involving Xiao Han''s chariots, cannons, or horses at any moment. Old Master Li had meticulously arranged his defense, but Xiao Han''s advance wasn''t weak either.


    "Move knight!" Xiao Han was the first to advance his knight across the Chu River and Han Border.


    "Capture!" Old Master Li was prepared; he moved a hidden chariot forward from the sideline. Just as he was about to make his move, Xiao Han said with a smile, "Old Master, you should look carefully, what is this?"


    Old Master Li paused; on Xiao Han''s baseline, a chariot was ready to strike.


    Pssh¡­n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Old Master Li took a deep breath and cursed, "You devious little scoundrel, setting up a trap for me to fall into."


    "It''s like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," Xiao Han chuckled and said, "If you capture my horse, I''ll immediately take your chariot!"


    Trading a chariot for a horse was clearly unwise, especially since Old Master Li had already lost one chariot, making his position even more difficult. So, he felt extremely conflicted. After debating for a while, he decided against capturing the horse.


    If he had taken the horse, he would have lost his only chariot, leaving him defenseless with just two cannons and two horses, no match for Xiao Han at all.

 Chapter 064 Store Transfer

    "Fine!" Elder Li sneered, saying, "I''ll hold back a step, is that okay?"


    "Hehe." Xiao Han chuckled and then said, "That''s more like it. But next, I''m going to capture your horse."


    As he spoke, Xiao Han picked up the pawn in his hand, jumped over the opponent''s soldier, and directly captured the other side''s horse.


    "You!" Elder Li''s face darkened immediately. He hadn''t expected that as soon as his chariot moved, the opponent would seize the opportunity to capture his horse. He was dumbfounded, staring in disbelief. But the horse had already been taken by Xiao Han, and all he could do was sigh and say, "Alright, it''s just a horse. I don''t need it. I''ll capture, too!"


    Saying this, Elder Li immediately disyed his cannon. Xiao Han''s horse that had crossed the river was captured by Elder Li.


    The battle between the two erupted fiercely, quickly pushing the fight to a climax.


    After a fierce battle, both of Elder Li''s chariots, two cannons, and a horse were sacrificed. He was left with only one horse guarding his general on his own turf. Meanwhile, both of Xiao Han''s chariots and cannons had crossed the Chu River and Han Border, ready to strike Elder Li a final blow.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Elder Li was also prepared to defend; taking the opponent''s general was the most challenging part. After all, the opponent wasn''t a fool, and one careless move could result in a deadly trap in the game. Moreover, Elder Li was inherently a defensive yer. To snatch his general from his board was not an easy task.


    Xiao Han thought carefully for a moment. He quickly came up with a n, pushed his cannon forward, and moved directly into the opponent''s knight''s range. Elder Li was just about to capture Xiao Han''s cannon. However, he soon realized that Xiao Han had set up a double cannon. If he captured Xiao Han''s cannon, the one hidden behind would immediately swallow his knight.


    Though he destroyed the opponent''s one cannon, hisst Crossing River piece would be utterly useless, meaning he would lose the game.


    Old Master Li could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger, concentrating all his energy on defense.


    Xiao Han''s lips curled into a sinister smile, and he coldly said, "Elder Li, are you turning to defense so soon?"


    "Boy, don''t think you can defeat me," Elder Li sneered back. "Don''t forget, I am a master of defense. You shouldn''t dream of breaking through my defenses."


    "Hehe..." Xiao Han chuckled and said, "That''s not certain, General!"


    Xiao Han moved his chariot forward, directly capturing the opponent''s bishop that was right in the middle. Behind Xiao Han''s chariot was a dark, menacing cannon. If Elder Li destroyed Xiao Han''s chariot with another bishop, Xiao Han''s cannon could charge forward and annihte Elder Li''s general.


    Seeing this, Elder Li hurriedly moved a ''Guard'' piece up. He barely managed to block Xiao Han''s attack.


    Unfortunately, Xiao Han''s offensive moves followed one after the other. One by one, Elder Li''s pieces were annihted by Xiao Han. Soon, his positions werepletely destroyed. The situation became extremely awkward. All of Elder Li''s pieces were swallowed, leaving him with just a ''bare polemander.''


    "Haha, Old Man Li, you have your day, don''t you?"


    "Bare polemander, haha, what a joke!"


    The surrounding elders watching burst intoughter, leaning back and forth.


    "Enough, I''m done!" Elder Li threw his chess piece down and said, "This is so embarrassing, turning me into a bare polemander, something that hasn''t happened for many years. You little jerk, torturing me like this, definitely no good. It angers me to death."


    "Hehe, Elder, you''re taking it easy on me," Xiao Han chuckled.


    "Get out of here!" Elder Li snorted coldly, but he quicklyughed and said, "Xiao Han, I didn''t expect that after not seeing you for a few years, your chess skills have improved so much. Didn''t you secretly practice at home for a while?"


    Xiao Han was stunned, his body shaking slightly. He also deeply felt the change in his body. Although he used to be very good at chess, he couldn''t possibly have beaten Elder Li so quickly in such a short time? It was too incredible. Logically, if one hadn''t yed chess for a long time, their skills wouldn''t regress but couldn''t possibly improve either.


    Yet, his chess skills had obviously improved significantly.


    After a long thought, Xiao Han couldn''t figure it out. However, this might be rted to the recent changes in himself. Up to this point, Xiao Han still hadn''t understood why such a series of changes had happened to him. Could all this be just a dream? If it was just a dream, he would be devastated.


    "Xiao Han, you have passed ourmunity''s preliminaries, and next week, we will go to the Municipal Committee for thepetition," amunity staff member informed Xiao Han.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Afterward, Xiao Han left themunity activity center. A bunch of old men watched Xiao Han, and soon, within Fuxing Community, a rumor emerged that Old Man Li had been reduced to a bare polemander by Xiao Han. It quickly became a topic ofughter.


    Just as he came out of the activity center, Xiao Han saw a charming voice looking around from a distance.


    "Yang Lu?" Xiao Han eximed in surprise.


    "Xiao Han!" Yang Lu was overjoyed; she quickly ran towards Xiao Han, like a bird ready to take flight.


    Yang Lu was dressed beautifully, wearing a knitted shirt that reached her knees, paired with ck leather pants, and a white knitted hat on her head, pure and lovely. Though her clothes were inexpensive, they did not detract from her charm. This made a few young men riding by on their bikes salivate.


    "How did you know I live here?" Xiao Han asked, puzzled.


    "I asked Li Dapang," Yang Lu giggled. "But I didn''t know which building you live in, so I just asked my way here."


    "What do you need from me?" Xiao Han asked curiously, looking at Yang Lu.


    "The fast-food restaurant on the pedestrian street has confirmed its transfer," Yang Lu said seriously. "I talked with him¡ªthe transfer fee is 200,000, and the monthly rent is 8,000. The contract still has a year and a half to go. What do you think?"


    "The transfer fee is too expensive," Xiao Han frowned and said, "Can we press it down a bit?"


    "That''s a prime location," Yang Lu replied. "The transfer fee isn''t expensive at all. And the rent is already very cheap. He''s eager to sell, which is why he''s offering it at the original price, otherwise..."


    Xiao Han thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let''s go talk to him now."


    "Alright," Yang Lu nodded.


    They immediately took a taxi to the pedestrian street.


    The first shop at the corner of the street was the fast-food restaurant, bustling with people and many diners. If not for the owner being in urgent need of dealing with something, he probably wouldn''t be transferring such a booming business. If he put up a transfer sign, it likely would immediately attract manypetitors.


    However, the owner wanted to leave quietly, not wishing to create a stir throughout the city.


    Yang Lu led Xiao Han into the restaurant.


    The owner was handling the spat, dressed in a cheap suit, not looking at all like the owner.


    "Old Li," Yang Lu called out.


    "Yo, Yang Lu," the owner greeted her with a chuckle and said, "So? Did you make up your mind?"


    "I brought my boss over to talk to you," Yang Lu said with a sweet smile.


    The owner liked Yang Lu''s sweet smile, which is why he gave her such a low price.


    Both parties exchanged smiles, and at that moment, Xiao Han was assessing the restaurant. He found the ce truly excellent, not only was it well-located, but the space was also decent. Over a hundred square meters, and the rent was just over 8,000¡ªa real bargain. Initially, when the owner took it over, he signed a three-year contract.


    It was the second year now, with another year and a half to go¡ªabsolutely the best choice. However, Xiao Han did not reveal his thoughts, quietly concealing his inner opinion.


    The owner put down his spat and handed it over to an assistant.


    He took off his jacket and pulled out a pack of Zhonghua Cigarettes, offering one to Xiao Han.


    "Old Li, this guy doesn''t smoke," Yang Luughed. "His name is Xiao Han."


    "Pleased to meet you," Boss Li chuckled.


    Xiao Han smiled slightly and said, "I might as well call you Uncle Li. I''m not used to calling you Boss Li."


    "Sure, sure," Boss Li nodded.


    "Uncle Li, I really admire you, a sessful business," Xiao Han said enviously. "I''ve heard from Yang Lu. Impressive."


    "Haha¡­" Boss Liughed heartily, enjoying the ttery¡ªeveryone likes to hear good things. Boss Li was sessful in business and had a happy family. This time he decided to emigrate entirely, so he straightforwardly decided to liquidate all his domestic assets and buy abroad. Boss Li said, "You tter me, look at you, so young. By the time you''re my age, you might be even more sessful than me."


    "Uncle Li, let''s get straight to the point," Xiao Han said. "I want to take over this shop."


    "I already discussed it with Yang Lu," Old Li began. "The transfer fee is 200,000, and the rent is 8,000."


    "About the transfer fee¡­" Xiao Han said awkwardly, "Can it be less?"


    "This¡­" Old Li showed a look of difficulty.


    Yang Lu quickly interjected, "Old Li, Xiao Han is just starting his business, and his startup capital is limited. You''re a major boss and notcking money, so you could reduce it a little."


    "Alright, since Yang Lu asked, I''ll give you some face," Old Li softened immediately. "Take it for 180,000 then. But I can''t reduce the rent."


    "Deal," Xiao Han said, making the decision on the spot to avoid any furtherplications. Xiao Han immediately called Li Dapang to bring the money, while Yang Lu went to a print shop to print the transfer contract¡ªshe knew her way around these matters.


    Li Dapang rode his motorcycle, braving the harsh cold to get there.


    As it was past the banking hours, he could only hurry over with his card, which had over two million. When he reached the spot, he jogged all the way, his nose and face turning red from the cold. He arrived panting and asked, "Xiao Han, what''s the rush thiste?"

 Chapter 065 Hold Me Tight

    "The store transfer isplete," Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "Really?" Li Dapang eximed, suddenly thrilled.


    "Of course it''s true!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Dapang excitedly hugged Xiao Han, a strange smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He chuckled and said, "That''s great. We''ve finally got this thing done, but, what about the price?"


    "Absolutely cheap," Xiao Hanughed.


    "Does it cost three hundred thousand?" Li Dapang asked curiously, having learned about the nearby store transfers, which were quite expensive, ranging from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand. This was a storefront on the pedestrian street, so the price was bound to be a bit higher.


    "Hehe, the transfer fee is one hundred and eighty thousand, and the rent is eight thousand," Xiao Han whispered.


    "My God!" Li Dapang almost cried out in surprise upon hearing this.


    Xiao Han quickly covered his mouth and said, "Don''t bber, otherwise, the duck that''s already in our mouths will fly away."


    "Don''t worry!" Li Dapang nodded hastily, saying, "I definitely won''t."


    Before long, Yang Lu hurried back, holding several contracts in her hands. Boss Li''s greasy hands grabbed the contract and nced over it quickly, saying, "No problem."


    Swoosh swoosh swoosh...


    With a few strokes of the pen, the contract was signed on the spot.


    Xiao Han inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, and Yang Lu and Li Dapang were also very excited. Boss Li smiled and said, "Now that the name is signed, how about making the payment?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I only have a card!" Li Dapang held up his bank card.


    "No problem, I have a card reader in my store," Boss Li said with a smile.


    Afterward, Li Dapang went to swipe the card, and one hundred and eighty thousand was charged directly from the card, while a transaction message popped up on Xiao Han''s phone.


    "It''s done," Boss Li smiled.


    "Thank you, Uncle Li," Xiao Han said, shaking his hand politely.


    "Haha, young man, you''re indeed steady," Boss Limented, "To aplish such a big thing without a hint of panic. That''s really something."


    "You tter me, Uncle Li," Xiao Han chuckled.


    "I''ve suddenly realized that your future career is definitely going to be much more sessful than mine," Boss Li chuckled softly, and then asked in a low voice, "Xiao Han, can you now tell me what you n to do with this store you''ve taken over?"


    "I won''t hide it from you, Uncle Li," Xiao Han said, looking embarrassed, and then confessed, "I took over this store to set up an authorized Apple store, specializing in Apple electronics."


    Ssss...


    Upon hearing this, Boss Li took a sharp breath and said, "You... you got the Apple agency rights?"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "I''ve already got them, otherwise, I wouldn''t dare to open such arge store, especially in such a busy area. That would clearly be illegal. Why would I take such a risk?"


    "That makes sense!" Upon hearing this, Boss Li hurriedly said, "Xiao Han, I''ll invest two million for a 40% stake. Is that okay?"


    "That..." Xiao Han hesitated, showing a troubled expression.


    Li Dapang, on the other hand, was shocked. Two million could open several stores, even covering all the costs from start to finish, yet the other party was only asking for a 40% stake... that seemed like too much of a loss.


    Yang Lu, however, appeared very calm. She had a more long-term view. If Boss Li truly invested two million for a 40% stake, it would be a deal where he could only profit, not lose. It might seem like a lot at first nce, but rtive to such a store and apany that had obtained Apple''s official agency rights, two million in capital was certainly not a lot.


    "If it''s not possible, let''s forget it," Boss Li chuckled, "I''m someone who''s about to leave, yet I still keep thinking about making money. Money is something you can never finish making."


    "Haha, it''s great that you can think that way," Xiao Han chuckled.


    He definitely didn''t want anyone else to have a say in his ownpany, where he needed a hundred percent of the shares. Yang Lu was busy with the registration of thepany, which would soon be sorted. Once thepany was set up, they could start the battle with the store.


    However, the procedures were still in progress.


    Exiting the fast-food restaurant, Li Dapang was extremely excited, "That''s so cool, dammit, I never thought we would actually start apany."


    "Don''t get too excited too soon," Xiao Hanughed, "Once this store opens up, we''re likely to face the obstruction of various powers. With so many mobile phone stores in Jiangbei City, they will never allow anyone topete with them for Apple''s market. If our store starts up, it will definitely encounter their crazy suppression."


    "Suppression?" Li Dapang was taken aback.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "It''s not just about the price pressure, there might also be thugsing over to smash the ce, so we have to be careful all the time!"


    "Fuck, who dares!" Li Dapang roared, "The old man has a bunch of soldiers under him too. If anyone dares to cause trouble at our doorstep, I''ll immediately annihte them."


    "Xiao Han, we must grease some palms at the police station," Yang Lu spoke up, "Additionally, we need to take care of the fire and business departments. Otherwise, if someone wants to mess with us, that''ll be troublesome."


    Xiao Han nodded slightly, "That''s right, it is indeed so. Yang Lu, do you understand how to handle these matters?"


    "I know a little!" Yang Lu nodded, "I''m acquainted with the deputy chief of the local police station; we can start with him."


    "Then I''ll leave this matter to you," Xiao Han nodded.


    The group found a ce to eat, and Xiao Han made a call to his mom, saying he wouldn''t being home for dinner. They all gathered for a meal somewhere.


    During the meal, the three of them drank a bottle of baijiu.


    Big Fatty rode his motorcycle, unafraid of DUI checks. In a small ce like LJ City, no one actually checks for drunk driving, and there''s no worry about anyone daring toe check for it. Xiao Han''s lips curled into a strange smile.


    "Aren''t you afraid of dying?" Xiao Han asked, "You drank half a jin all by yourself."


    "Two jin is no problem for me," Li Dapang huffed.


    Xiao Han and Yang Lu each drank two shots. Yang Lu couldn''t handle her liquor and her face turned red with just a drink. Her cheeks were rosy, making her even more beautiful and attractive. Her shimmeringrge eyes were like two ck gemstones.


    Yang Lu kept staring at Xiao Han, not understanding why the boy in front of her seemed so enchanting. He had a youthful appearance, yet a mature and steady heart. He could face the joint attack of his uncle''s families without getting angry, coolly resolving the situation. He could face a storefront he really liked without showing it, acquiring the shop with ease and calm.


    From start to finish, he didn''t show any sign of excitement, appearing very experienced.


    "Yang Lu, why are you continuously looking at me?" Xiao Han felt her intense gaze.


    "Not at all!" Yang Lu hurriedly turned away, saying, "I wasn''t looking at you. I was just looking at the decor behind you."


    Li Dapang chuckled, "You''re too full of yourself, kid."


    Xiao Han smiled without saying anything.


    After the meal, Li Dapang rode his bike home. Xiao Han nned to take a taxi to send Yang Lu home.


    "How about we walk back?" Yang Lu turned to Xiao Han and yfully suggested, "It''s still early, and it''s cold, so walking will be warmer."


    "Sure!" Xiao Han agreed.


    Yang Lu''s face flushed slightly, not expecting Xiao Han to agree to her suggestion.


    The two walked from the pedestrian street towards the CX district. It was about three kilometers from the pedestrian street to the CX district. Compared to driving, three kilometers is just the blink of an eye, but for walking, it''s slightly long ¨C at least half an hour. It could take even longer if one was strolling leisurely.


    "Cold?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Not cold!" Yang Lu shook her head, her face slightly flushed and clearly visible under the streetlights.


    Yang Lu was quite attractive, causing many men on the street to turn their heads for a few more nces, and even some passing hoodlums whistled flirtatiously, elicitingughter from a group of onlookers. Startled, Yang Lu hurriedly moved closer to Xiao Han.


    "Don''t be afraid!" Xiao Han said with a smile, "I''m here!"


    Yang Lu nestled against Xiao Han like a little woman, her face flushed. She whispered softly, "Xiao Han, it''s so cold, can you hold me tight?"


    Xiao Han wrapped his coat around Yang Lu, and they slowly walked the streets together. Yang Lu felt an unprecedented satisfaction, an excitement and tion she had never experienced before.


    Yang Lu didn''t know when her feelings for Xiao Han had started; perhaps they weren''t right, but she couldn''t help it and found her emotions hard to restrain. She took a deep breath, trying not to get too excited.


    Under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long.


    Xiao Han held Yang Lu in his arms, struggling internally. Yang Lu was a very beautiful girl with a perfectly developed body. Her figure was curvy and her face was stunning, with delicate features, almost as if she were a masterpiece of the creator. With such a beauty in his arms, how could he possibly hold back?


    The alcohol stimted him further, and the environment slowly got quieter as there were fewer people around and the streetlights dimmed.


    Suddenly, Xiao Han stopped walking.


    "Why have we stopped?" Yang Lu curiously looked at Xiao Han.


    "Yang Lu, I..." Xiao Han was indeed struggling with a fire inside him. He lowered his head to look at Yang Lu, at her sparkling eyes, her cherry-red lips.


    In the end, Xiao Han couldn''t control himself, and he kissed Yang Lu.


    Yang Lu was startled by his actions, her body freezing for a moment before she responded actively to Xiao Han''s kiss. It wasn''t her first kiss; she''d had a boyfriend in college and had gone as far as hand-holding and kissing, but when it came to going to bed, Yang Lu resisted. She never let her boyfriend seed, and eventually, they broke up because of it. However, Yang Lu wasn''t sad about it.


    On the contrary, she was happy to see through a man who loved her body and not the person she was.


    Xiao Han''s kiss was somewhat inexperienced, being his first time, but as the kiss went on, he became more familiar. His mouth sucking on Yang Lu''s tongue, ceaselessly drawing the sweetness from it.

 Chapter 066 Go Together

    Yang Lu hugged Xiao Han tightly, trying hard to reciprocate his kiss.


    Xiao Han''s hands did not stop, on the contrary, they gently caressed Yang Lu''s curvy hips. Then slowly, it became somewhat wild as he forcefully kneaded Yang Lu''s buttocks. He attempted to slip his hand under Yang Lu''s clothes but was stopped by her.


    "Don''t..." Yang Lu hastily pushed Xiao Han away.


    "I''m sorry!" Xiao Han quickly apologized.


    "It''s okay." Yang Lu, blushing, said, "I understand you."


    Xiao Han, with a flushed face, awkwardly looked at Yang Lu. Yang Lu was older than him, and he didn''t know how he should feel about her. Xiao Han awkwardly said, "Yang Lu, I... "


    "Don''t worry, I won''t hold you responsible," Yang Lu said with a smile. Then she continued, "You didn''t do anything bad, it was just a kiss, that''s nothing serious!"


    "Ah?" Xiao Han was startled. He hadn''t expected Yang Lu to think this way.


    Seeing the surprise in Xiao Han''s eyes, Yang Lu quickly exined, "Don''t think of me as some loose girl, I just don''t want you to feel burdened. Although I like you too... "


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Han immediately understood.


    Yang Lu''s face suddenly turned as red as a ripe apple, she bit her lip and said, "Xiao Han, you... don''t misunderstand me!"


    "I understand what you mean!" Xiao Han smiled.


    "So..." Yang Lu looked at Xiao Han with longing.


    "I like you too!" Xiao Han boldly met Yang Lu''s gaze. The Xiao Han of today had that sort of calm confidence about him. If it had been the old Xiao Han, he probably wouldn''t dare to speak like this, but now things were different, Xiao Han had be a mature andposed man. Although he was only neen, his inner maturity probably surpassed many thirty-year-olds.


    "Really?" Yang Lu looked at Xiao Han with excitement.


    "Mhm!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "But, I am still young, with regards to romantic feelings, let''s just go with the flow."


    "Isn''t mutual consent already going with the flow?" Yang Lu excitedly said, her eyes sparkling with an exuberant gleam.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han smiled and said, "Let''s go."


    Yang Lu appeared very delighted; having Xiao Han''s feelings seemed like the happiest thing in the world to her. Although it seemed a bit absurd, knowing that she was five years older than Xiao Han. And mentally, Yang Lu felt even younger than Xiao Han, which could be seen from her excited and shy demeanor. Perhaps, every woman''s heart hides a young girl''s spirit.


    After dropping Yang Lu home, Xiao Han headed back home.


    By the time he returned home, it was already veryte.


    In the week that followed, time moved neither too slowly nor too hastily, and Xiao Han traveled between school and home every day. Yang Lu was busy with thepany affairs, and whenever there was an issue, she would call Xiao Han to consult. Additionally, the shopfront, where Boss Li had already left, leaving behind a dirty fast food restaurant. The workers and staff had also been dismissed.


    Big Fatty had brought in a decoration team and watched over the shop after school every day, not because he wanted to supervise these decorators, but because guarding the store daily gave him a sense of achievement, feeling as if he had reached the peak of his life.


    Ever since the incident involving the PE teacher and Liu Jinmei, the students of ss Three, Year Three, never underestimated Xiao Han again. Those who had previously looked down on or bullied Xiao Han now avoided him. For Xiao Han, fewer troubles were somewhat of a good thing.


    Xiao Han liked a quiet life, undisturbed. He didn''t need others to tter or envy him; and he absolutely did not allow others to bully or suppress him. He needed a peaceful environment. He needed a very mundane environment to protect himself.


    "Xiao Han, where are you going after school?" Chen Zihan was packing up her textbooks. Right after ss, Xiao Han quickly left the ssroom. This time, Chen Zihan decided to keep up with Xiao Han''s pace, starting to pack up her textbooks five minutes before school ended.


    "I..." Xiao Han smiled and said, "Today, Big Fatty needed me for something."


    "You two are always so secretive, what are you actually doing?" Chen Zihan frowned and said, "Are you keeping something from me?"


    "No, not at all!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head.


    "Still saying no, your eyes are telling me you''re lying!" Chen Zihan huffed.


    "It''s really nothing!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Then take me with you today," Chen Zihan said coldly.


    "No!" Xiao Han immediately shook his head and said, "I can''t take you."


    "Then you are keeping something from me!" Chen Zihan pouted her lips, and Xiao Han, smiling gleefully, looked at her, not expecting even her angry look to be so adorable. No wonder so many boys chased her, liked her. In the entire city''s First High School, the boys who liked Chen Zihan probably made up ny percent. Those who confessed numbered twenty to thirty.


    Those who wrote love letters were countless.


    "Everyone has a little secret, right?" Xiao Han countered.


    "I don''t have any!" Chen Zihan huffed.


    "Then tell me, what are your measurements?" Xiao Han chuckled.


    "You!" Chen Zihan immediately became furious, she red at Xiao Han, then said, "What nonsense are you spouting? How can I tell you that!"


    "Hehe..." Xiao Han chuckled and asked, "Do you really have to go?"


    "Yes!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    "Alright, let''s go together!" Xiao Han reluctantly nodded.


    Chen Zihan immediately became happy, hurriedly grabbed her backpack, and followed Xiao Han out of the ssroom.


    Jiang Xiaoliang watched the two leave, enraged, "Damn it, what the hell. How could Chen Zihan leave with Xiao Han?"


    "Maybe there''s something going on," said a boy nearby.


    "Fuck, what could be going on?" Jiang Xiaoliang frowned and angrily said, "Lately, Chen Zihan and Xiao Han have been getting closer. I''m almost furious."


    "Xiaoliang, should we find an opportunity to teach this kid a lesson?" the boy asked, lowering his head.


    "What do you suggest for dealing with him?" Jiang Xiaoliang asked through gritted teeth.


    "Find an opportunity, get a few people together, cover him with a sack, then beat him up," the boy said fiercely. "Damn it, he dares to steal our brother''s girl, does this kid have a death wish?"


    "Fuck, I''ve wanted to deal with him for a long time," Jiang Xiaoliang said, infuriated. He had been preparing to beat Xiao Han in the next preliminary exam, but now he couldn''t hold back his anger any longer. Moreover, Xiao Han was indeed too arrogant, leaving the ssroom with Chen Zihan right in front of him¡ªthat was a tant insult.


    "Shall we do it then?" the boy asked curiously.


    "Yes!" Jiang Xiaoliang nodded.


    Xiao Han led Chen Zihan out of the ssroom. Big Fatty was chatting enthusiastically with Yang Xiaoyan. Seeing Xiao Hane out, Big Fatty immediately left Yang Xiaoyan and approached him.


    "Xiao Han, should we be going?" Big Fatty asked.


    "Zi Han ising with us too," Xiao Han said, feeling awkward.


    "Then let''s go," Big Fattyughed.


    Xiao Han rode Chen Zihan''s Yamaha electric bike, Big Fatty rode a motorcycle with Yang Xiaoyan. Big Fatty and Xiao Han had long agreed on their story. When they reached the pedestrian street, the renovation of the fast food restaurant had already been dismantled, and they were nowying the flooring; a masonry master was earnestlyying ceramic tiles.


    "What are you doing here?" Chen Zihan asked curiously.


    "We''re going to have a part-time job here!" Xiao Hanughed, "A mobile phone store is opening here, and Big Fatty and I wille to work after school. The boss offered us a thousand yuan a month, which can somewhat subsidize the family expenses."


    "You..." Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han in disbelief and said, "Xiao Han, this will dy your studies!"


    "Don''t worry, I guarantee I won''t let my grades slip!" Xiao Han dered solemnly.


    "How can you guarantee that?" Chen Zihan frowned and said, "If your grades slip, you''d betray Teacher Liu''s trust in you."


    Xiao Han smiled and said, "Zi Han, could you please keep this a secret for us?"


    "Can''t you just not go?" Chen Zihan asked. "If it''s really difficult at home, I can support you!"


    Xiao Han was stunned.


    Chen Zihan quickly exined, "Don''t get me wrong; I just don''t want something like this to affect your grades. You know, you''ve worked hard to improve your grades, and if they slip, wouldn''t all your effort be wasted?"


    Chen Zihan thought her words might have hurt Xiao Han''s pride. However, Xiao Han showed no reaction; instead, his eyes showed a slight fluctuation. Xiao Han was a very sensitive person, and his emotions were also very rich. These years of poverty had made him experience the warmth and coldness of the world; his rtives had increasingly distanced themselves from his family.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His mother was also gradually excluded by those so-called rtives. Even the family gatherings during the New Year had basically be a session of mockery and criticism.


    Chen Zihan''s concern deeply moved Xiao Han.


    "Zi Han!" Xiao Han called softly.


    "Hmm?" Chen Zihan looked puzzled, her big eyes watching Xiao Han curiously as she gently flipped her hair and asked, "What''s wrong? Do you... have something to say?"


    "Thank you!" Xiao Han smiled faintly and said, "But a man has to earn his keep with his own hands, and must never subsist on handouts. Understand?"


    "But, you''re just a student!" Chen Zihan eximed.


    "But, I am a man!" Xiao Han said earnestly.


    "What is a man?" Chen Zihan countered.


    "A man..." Xiao Han squinted slightly and smiled faintly, "A man dares to fight, to strive, to act, to love, to hate. A man dares to take on responsibilities, to contribute; dares to do what others fear to do. A man dares to be the first to eat crabs. Being a man means carrying responsibilities; it means being supportive. I''m the only man in my family, and I''m also the only backbone.


    Thus, I have to use my hands to support a world!"

 Chapter 067 The So-Called Man

    Chen Zihan was stunned, Li Dapang was also stunned, and Yang Xiaoyan widened her eyes, looking at Xiao Han with an incredulous expression.


    They had perhaps never imagined that Xiao Han could utter such bold and forceful words.


    Behind those bold and forceful words, perhaps, was a heart full of ambition. Xiao Han had grown up in poverty, with only his mother to support the entire family and raise him. Now, Xiao Han had finally grown up and matured.


    "Xiao Han, I''m sorry!" Chen Zihan bit her red lips and said, "I just..."


    "No need to apologize," Xiao Han said with a smile. "These are merely words from my heart."


    "I always thought a real man had to be masculine," Yang Xiaoyan said with a smile from the side.


    "Masculinity can be feigned. However," Xiao Han smiled and added, "a real man is someone who has a sense of responsibility, justice, andmitment. A man who is considered masculine may not necessarily be dignified, but a real man never bows or kneels, embodying a irond character; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be spirited, and without spirit, one is simply not a real man.


    Spirit embodies courage, decisiveness, integrity, and justice.


    It''s also a male''s inherent wildness and fighting spirit, and an undying, unyielding attitude; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be wise or thoughtful¡ªthe breadth of experience, meticulous thinking, a generous heart, having his own views on life, understanding of society, being unbiased,int-free, and never negative, always striving for progress¡ªthat is a real man; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be responsible.


    Social duties, family obligations, brotherhood among friends, courage to face one''s own mistakes without looking for excuses for failures, not justifying wrongs. Not needing everyone''s understanding, but living without regrets, offering no exnations. His word is his bond, he leads by integrity."


    "Xiao Han, you spoke really well!" Yang Xiaoyan''s eyes lit up.


    "Xiao Han, why do I feel like you are talking about me?" Li Dapang chuckled.


    "Get lost!" Yang Xiaoyan nced at Li Dapang and said, "I find Xiao Han is increasingly manly."


    Yet, Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han with aplex expression.


    Since who knows when, Xiao Han had changed, changed to the point she no longer recognized him. The first time she met Xiao Han was at the awards ceremony of a mathematical Olympiad, an asion that left a profound impression on her about him. Otherwise, there wouldn''t be so manyplicated stories now.


    Later, after Xiao Han''s father passed away, the impact on Xiao Han was huge, causing him to always be somber as if he had be someone else, someone isted and withdrawn from the world.


    Chen Zihan thought that Xiao Han might never return, but unexpectedly, two yearster, Xiao Han returned miraculously. Conversely to his past, he had turned into a mature, steady, and rather mysterious man. This was simply astonishing. Chen Zihan felt an incredible amazement and strangeness.


    On the way back, Chen Zihan hung her head low.


    "Zi Han, don''t you find this Xiao Han very strange?" Yang Xiaoyan curiously asked.


    "What aspect do you find strange?" Chen Zihan curiously inquired.


    "The Xiao Han from before was not like this at all," Yang Xiaoyan became increasingly puzzled and curiously said, "I used to dislike Xiao Han the most, but now, I find Xiao Han increasingly strange. I don''t dislike him at all now; instead, I think he''s an extremely charismatic man, even more so than some men who have been working for ten years. Don''t you think so?"


    "Hmm," Chen Zihan nodded and said, "I also find it strange. Why did Xiao Han change so much?"


    "How would I know!" Yang Xiaoyan shook her head, then said, "I''m also baffled. This Xiao Han is bing more and more enigmatic."


    "Yes, I can''t figure him out either," Chen Zihan nodded and then said with a bitter smile, "I always thought that I understood Xiao Han the best. But now, I realize that I am also the person who understands him the least. Isn''t that contradictory?"


    "Contradictory!" Yang Xiaoyan nodded.


    "But I don''t know why either," Chen Zihan sighed helplessly.


    Riding her electric bike, she barely felt the chilly wind constantly assaulting her from all around.


    Xiao Han''s transformation was evident to everyone, and people around him felt the change in Xiao Han, yet everyone was baffled as to why. Why had Xiao Han changed so dramatically, arousing tremendous curiosity?


    Xiao Han was an unbelievably changed person. From being the worst student, he had be the top student at Linjiang No.1 Middle School.


    ............


    The next day at noon, after school.


    Just as Chen Zihan was about to speak to Xiao Han, Liu Jinmei suddenly spoke up, calling out, "Xiao Han!"


    "Here!" Xiao Han quickly raised his head to look at Liu Jinmei.


    "Go to the principal''s office," Liu Jinmei said. "The principal seems to have something to discuss with you!"


    "Yes!" Xiao Han quickly nodded.


    After Liu Jinmei spoke, she left the ssroom carrying her lecture notes. As soon as she left, the ssroom immediately erupted in chatter. Many were very curious, whispering and wondering among themselves.


    "What do you suppose Principal Li wants with him?"


    "Who knows."


    "Maybe he''s about to be expelled?"


    A bunch of people discussed privately, everyone nearly bursting intoughter. Jiang Xiaoliang even led others to watch the excitement on the side. In the senior year, there were only two types of students the principal looked for: one was the rmended students; the other was those being advised to withdraw.


    Xiao Han was clearly not the first type. How valuable is the qualification for rmendation? At a national key high school like Linjiang No.1 Middle School, there probably were only one or two spots. What qualifications did Xiao Han have to be rmended? His entire high school career was almost always at the bottom, even the veryst, a drag on others.


    Although he identally hit a high score in thest mock exam, most people considered that exam a fluke. No one would believe Xiao Han''s next exam would still be as excellent.


    Everyone habitually thought that something bad was definitely going to happen to Xiao Han because he had been missing a lot of ssestely. Especiallyst week, he had missed two consecutive days of ss. It waster said to be due to illness, but this im was eventually denied.


    "He''s done for," a male student sneered. "He''s doomed, don''t you think?"


    "Exactly," Jiang Xiaoliang chuckled. "This kid is definitely in trouble."


    "What''s to be done?" the male student asked curiously.


    "None of our business," Jiang Xiaoliang sneered. "Better if he leaves, then Chen Zihan won''t have anyone topete with me for her."


    "Right!" The people nearby allughed.


    Leaving the ssroom, Xiao Han walked toward the office building at the back. The principal''s office was on the second floor of the office building. A small sign was hung at the door, clearly stating: Principal''s Office.


    There was also a glittering golden que at the door.


    Xiao Han knocked on the door.


    "Come in," Li Hengzhong''s voice was full of vigor.


    Xiao Han pushed the door and entered.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The office wasrge, the decor not luxurious but definitely not simple. There was a stately desk, behind which was a row of bookshelves filled with various books, ranging from the Spring and Autumn Period, through "Jian''s Spring and Autumn," to modern history. There were even family letters from Zeng Guofan.


    This showed that Li Hengzhong had a broad range of knowledge in books. Absolutely not simple.


    "Principal Li, you wanted to see me?" Xiao Han looked at Li Hengzhong.


    From the moment Xiao Han entered, Li Hengzhong had been staring at him, his eyes revealing a smile that was not quite a smile. He smiled slightly and said, "You''vee?"


    "I..." Xiao Han was somewhat intimidated. Seeing Li Hengzhong''s gaze, Xiao Han appeared somewhat guilty. So, after entering the office, his pace even slowed, and he looked a bit timid and pale.


    Seeing this, Li Hengzhong immediatelyughed: "Teacher Xiao, I''ve never seen you so timid in front of the ssroom before."


    "Principal, please don''t tease me," Xiao Han said awkwardly, looking at Li Hengzhong.


    "I really didn''t realize our school had such a talent," Li Hengzhong chuckled, then said, "Indeed, talents emerge one after another. You actually managed to deceive me."


    "I...I didn''t mean to," Xiao Han said with an embarrassed face.


    "It''s nothing, I find it very interesting," Li Hengzhong stood up from his chair and said, "The Hanmen Training ss you''re running is doing well, several leaders from the education bureau think highly of it. They specifically tallied it up, and over eighty percent of the students from Hanmen have improved their grades.


    We have several students from Linjiang No.1 Middle School there, so, I should feel proud of you."


    "This..." Xiao Han didn''t know how to respond.


    "Of course, you have to trust me," Li Hengzhong said cheerfully: "I will definitely keep your secret, and I won''t let this matter get out."


    "Thank you, Principal!" Xiao Han quickly nodded.


    "However, I have some good news for you," Li Hengzhong smiled knowingly.


    "What good news?" Xiao Han asked eagerly.


    "The list for Tsinghua University''s rmended students hase out," Li Hengzhong smiled. "I n to rmend you."


    "What?" Xiao Han was utterly stunned, saying, "Principal, I...I didn''t hear you wrong, did I?"


    "No," Li Hengzhong shook his head, saying, "Your excellence is obvious to all. I''ve checked your records, you were the top schr of Wangjiang District during the middle school exams. It was only after your father passed away that you struggled. Now, you have finally stepped out of the shadows, and I am very gratified."


    "Principal, I..." Xiao Han said awkwardly, "Actually, you don''t need to take such care of me. I''m just an ordinary student, I know many people arepeting for this slot, you could give it to them. I don''t need it!"


    "No!" Li Hengzhong shook his head, said, "Since it''s a rmendation, I need to stake my reputation on it. I don''t want to send someone who isn''t worth it. If it''s a rmendation, then it must be for the best and the brightest."

 Chapter 068 Xiao Hans Idea

    "But..." Xiao Han hesitated.


    "Do you have any concerns?" Li Hengzhong asked.


    "Principal, I don''t want to go to Tsinghua, nor to Peking University!" Xiao Han said seriously.


    "Then what do you want?" Li Hengzhong looked at Xiao Han with confusion and said, "Don''t tell me you''re nning to apply to Harvard or Cambridge?"


    With Xiao Han''s abilities, getting into Harvard and Cambridge was not a hopeless aspiration. As long as he was serious, as long as he put in the effort, Harvard and Cambridge were definitely within reach. Therefore, Li Hengzhong''s opinion of Xiao Han immediately grew in esteem.


    "No!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I just want to go to Shuimu University."


    "Shuimu University?!" Li Hengzhong''s eyes widened.


    Although Shuimu University was a decent key university, it was still a notch below Tsinghua University and Peking University. With Xiao Han''s grades, going to Shuimu University really did not seem worth it. Most importantly, Linjiang No.1 Middle School would lose a Tsinghua or Peking University admission offer. Exchanging it for a Shuimu University offer simply didn''t seem like a good trade-off.


    "Right!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "Shuimu University in our Z Province!"


    "This..." Li Hengzhong immediately felt at a loss, took a moment to collect himself, and said, "Xiao Han, tell me, why do you want to go to Shuimu University instead of Tsinghua or Peking University?"


    "Parents at home, not traveling far." Xiao Han looked at Li Hengzhong earnestly and said, "Principal, my dad passed away a few years ago. My mom raised me on her own. She''s endured hardships and suffered from bullying. If I went to BJ, I''m afraid I''d hardly be able toe back even once a month. I don''t want to leave my mom.


    Moreover, the tuition fees at Tsinghua and Peking University are too expensive. If I get into Shuimu University with excellent grades, then, with its policies, I am sure it will waive all my fees. Plus, I can get various schrships."


    "This..." Li Hengzhong was taken aback and said, "I understand."


    Xiao Han''s concerns had always been for the mother he couldn''t bear to leave behind. He gave up Tsinghua, Peking University, and other top universities in the nation, just to stay close to his mother. This was an act of filial piety, as well as an embodiment of the virtue itself.


    Xiao Han was demonstrating with his actions that everything he did was for the sake of ''filial piety.'' As the saying goes, filial piety is the most important of all virtues. If a person can''t even fulfill their duty to be filial, then no matter their achievements elsewhere, they would probably all be hollow.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Children wish to support their parents, but sometimes the parents are no longer there. This is a sadness for mankind, and also something worth deeply contemting.


    After a moment of silence, Li Hengzhong suddenly asked, "Xiao Han, what if the school is willing to cover all your tuition?"


    "I wouldn''t want it!" Xiao Han shook his head.


    "Is it because of your mother?" Li Hengzhong asked.


    "Yes!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "The only reason I want to attend Shuimu University is that I don''t want to be too far away from my mom. I want to go home every weekend to be with her."


    "Alright." Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "I understand you, and I respect your filial piety. If it were for some other reason, I might not understand, but I definitely support this one."


    "Thank you, Principal Li." Xiao Han nodded.


    "Don''t mention it." Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "However, if Shuimu University knows you''re going, they''ll probably offer you a guaranteed admission spot. You see..."


    "I don''t need it!" Xiao Han shook his head, "I want to take the college entrance exam. I need an opportunity to prove myself."


    "Good, I believe in you." Li Hengzhong nodded and said, "Xiao Han, Linjiang No.1 Middle School also needs a student like you to help make a name for itself."


    "Linjiang No.1 Middle School already has a good reputation." Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "That''s not enough!" Li Hengzhong shook his head and said, "Compared to Huanggang, Fuzhou Middle School... these nationally renowned schools, our Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s reputation is not that great. We belong to a category that''s neither here nor there. We need a spark to push Linjiang No.1 Middle School onto the national stage, into the national media spotlight."


    "This..." Xiao Han was stunned.


    "You are that spark!" Li Hengzhong grinned and said, "Xiao Han, your academic performance is tied to the future of Linjiang No.1 Middle School."


    "Principal, isn''t that a bit too much pressure?" Xiao Han gave a wry smile.


    "Pressure is what drives motivation!" Li Hengzhong chuckled and said, "If you can secure the title of provincial top scorer, then not only will the city reward you with one hundred thousand, but the school will also give you a one hundred thousand reward."


    "What if I be the national top scorer in the sciences?" Xiao Han asked with a grin.


    Li Hengzhong was surprised and said, "Do you have that aspiration?"


    "No no no." Xiao Han quickly waved his hands and said, "I''m just asking casually, to see what the rewards are like, then I''ll consider how to put in the effort."


    "Haha..." Upon hearing this, Li Hengzhong burst intoughter and said, "Kid, if you can clinch the national top scorer in the sciences, the city''s reward will definitely be no less than five hundred thousand.


    Also, I will find a way to pull some strings to get your mother a leader position at the Sanitation Bureau, and it will be a regr position¡ªthe work is very easy, and thepensation and benefits are good. How about that?"


    In truth, Xiao Han wasn''t all that tempted by the five hundred thousand reward. What really interested him was the offer that came after. His mother had been working hard all her life, working as a cleaner during the day and shining shoes at night. She had spent half her life doing menial jobs.


    If she could get a regr position and be an insider within the system, that would be what truly made her happy, and then she wouldn''t have to look at anyone else''s face or take orders from anyone ever again.


    Xiao Han appeared very excited and very happy.


    "Principal, are you serious?" Xiao Han asked eagerly.


    "Yes, for real!" Li Hengzhong immediately nodded.


    "Good." Xiao Han immediately nodded and said, "I will work hard and strive to be the national science top scorer."


    "Good." Li Hengzhong nodded.


    Watching Xiao Han''s ambitious spirit, Li Hengzhong suddenly felt not only expectant but also a bit spirited. He felt as if he had suddenly be much younger and a lot more rxed.


    Watching Xiao Han''s departing figure, Li Hengzhong couldn''t help but sigh, "Youth is an asset indeed."


    Having left the office area, Xiao Han just reached the school gate. He saw Chen Zihan and her electric scooter waiting by the school entrance.


    "Xiao Han, you finally came?" Chen Zihan excitedly ran towards Xiao Han like a little sparrow.


    Xiao Han opened his arms wanting to embrace her, but unexpectedly, the girl dodged his arms. She red at him and said, "There are people around the school."


    "So, you mean, if there were no people, you would let me hug you?" Xiao Han asked.


    "Go away!" Chen Zihan huffed, pursing her lips, then coldly snorted, "You''re not allowed to, no matter where we are. Anyway, you can''t hug me."


    Xiao Han chuckled, "What are you doing here waiting for me?"


    "Am I not worried about you?" Chen Zihan coldly snorted and said, "What did the principal want with you? He isn''t really trying to persuade you to leave, is he?"


    "Of course not!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "The principal called me in to praise me. How could he try to persuade me to leave? I was second in thest joint exam for the whole grade, for goodness'' sake. What a joke. So many people wish they could win me over, tter me; how could the principal try to persuade me to leave?"


    Pfft...


    Chen Zihan almost burst outughing at the sight of Xiao Han''s smug face.


    "What? Don''t believe me?" Xiao Han retorted.


    "No!" Chen Zihan''s face turned red, and she said, "I''ve just never seen someone so shameless."


    "How am I shameless?" Xiao Han persisted in asking.


    "Of course, you are," Chen Zihan huffed and said, "You''re a shameless person."


    "Okay, so you dare to call me that." Xiao Han immediately pounced.


    Chen Zihan, having anticipated Xiao Han''s pounce, quickly dodged. Xiao Han missed and quickly chased after her. Chen Zihan darted away, shouting as she ran, "You''re the shameless one, you''re the shameless one!"


    Chen Zihan ran wildly and dashed into the small woods by Lizhi Lake. Xiao Han charged in right after her.


    Entering the woods, Xiao Han didn''t hold back. He quickly embraced Chen Zihan from behind. Chen Zihan urgently cried out, "No, no... "


    "Heh heh, you can''t escape my magic clutches," Xiao Han shouted.


    "Ah, you demon!" Chen Zihan shouted excitedly.


    Xiao Han hugged Chen Zihan, then kissed her.


    Chen Zihan didn''t resist, but passionately returned Xiao Han''s fervent kiss, as the two of them kissed wildly in the woods. Xiao Han was extremely excited. As the kisses went on, Chen Zihan also grew passionate. Liking someone, you can''t help but fall in love with everything about them.


    At some point, Chen Zihan slowly developed feelings for Xiao Han¡ªalthough they were subtle, she could feel herself falling for him. Perhaps it started when Xiao Han secured the second ce in thest joint exam; she began to find herself increasingly enchanted by him.


    The two were deeply kissing each other.


    Just as the two were deeply kissing, suddenly, a voice came from behind, "Heh heh, that''s quite a heated kiss."


    Xiao Han was startled, he turned his head to look and couldn''t believe it was the long unseen Liao Zhijie.


    Frowning, Xiao Han said, "Liao Zhijie, what do you want?"


    "Xiao Han, you''re quite impressive, aren''t you? Managing to charm Chen Zihan," Liao Zhijie grinned and said, "You really are something. When did you get Chen Zihan? You should share the story with me, huh."


    "Haha..." A bunch of peopleughed uproariously behind him.


    It was clear that Liao Zhijie had rounded up quite a crowd. He had always been afraid to confront Xiao Han before, but now he seemingly had the strength to challenge him. A sly smile crept onto Xiao Han''s lips, "Didn''t get enough of kneelingst time?"


    "Fuck!" Liao Zhijie roared furiously, "Xiao Han, let me tell you, don''t be so arrogant, or I''ll make sure you die miserably today."

 Chapter 069 Arrogance

    "What do you guys want!" Chen Zihan jumped out, ring at Liao Zhijie and his gang, and then said, "This is a school, not a ce for you thugs to mess around!"


    "Chen Zihan, the old man isn''t afraid of you!" Liao Zhijie stared at Chen Zihan, grinning and said, "Considering you look pretty good, I won''t hit you. Later, I''ll take you back and have a great time."


    "You!" Chen Zihan''s face turned red with anger. She hastily said to Xiao Han, "Xiao Han, let''s... let''s run."


    "No use!" Xiao Han whispered, shaking his head, "They came prepared, so there''s no way we can run today. Besides, even if we could escape today, we can''t keep running forever. Since they''re here, let''s face them properly."


    "But, there are so many of them!" Chen Zihan was getting anxious.


    "Don''t be afraid of their numbers!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "Just stand behind me. Let me deal with them."


    "Okay!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    Xiao Han sneered, took a nce at the other side and said, "Liao Zhijie, you tell me, how do you want to y?"


    "I''m not messing around with you," Liao Zhijie sneered. "Today I''m going to break one of your legs, to settle an old score."


    "Alright." Xiao Han nodded.


    Xiao Han nced at the others. There were more than ten of them. It seemed that these guys were probablyckeys recruited from other schools. Liao Zhijie had quite a reputation in the area. Many students were afraid of him and would give him face, so most people would be afraid of him as well.


    But Xiao Han wasn''t afraid of such people. Because he had confidence in his own strength.


    A slight smile curled on Xiao Han''s lips. Liao Zhijie turned back to look at two students built like tanks and said, "You two, go beat him up."


    "Yes!" The two underlings approached, each standing at around six feet tall and weighing at least 200 pounds. Together, that was around 400 pounds, quite imposing.


    Seeing this, Chen Zihan became anxious: "Xiao Han, can you handle it?"


    "No problem." Xiao Han nodded.


    At that moment, Xiao Han broke off a branch from a nearby tree. The branch was tender, so even if it hit someone, it wouldn''t easily break, but it would hurt a lot. Holding the branch, Xiao Han was ready to meet the enemy. Liao Zhijie mocked, "Shit, you think you can fight with that little twig?"


    "We''ll see about that," Xiao Han said with a smile.


    By now, the two hulking figures had alreadye over. Their faces were fierce and they wore a strange smile at the corners of their mouths.


    "Kid, it''s your fault for offending our boss!" one of them said with a grin: "So, you''re definitely going to die today."


    Chen Zihan anxiously said, "Xiao Han, should I call the police?"


    "No need!" Xiao Han shook his head and said, "You have to use the right method for dealing with certain people."


    At that moment, the two burly men had already rushed over. Xiao Han let out a coldugh, with a jump of his toes, he charged forth. The branch in his handshed out fiercely at his opponents.


    Crack!


    With that blow, the branch in his hand struck one of their faces on the spot.


    "Ouch!" The man screamed, feeling a burning sensation on his face. It was painfully unbearable. He touched it with his hand and still felt an intense sting, and his face instantly became swollen. He roared, "Kid, I''m going to kill you today!"


    "Come on then!" Xiao Han scornfully said, "I''d like to see who''s going to die today."


    "Go to hell!" The other sturdy man had already charged over.


    Crack!


    Xiao Han swung his hand back, and the willow switchshed out viciously.


    With this strike, the branch hit the back of the opponent''s hand. He could clearly see the red swelling on his hand, which became inmed on the spot. He was nearly exploding with rage, staring at Xiao Han with bloodshot eyes, and said, "Son of a bitch, I''ll kill you!"


    Though these two guys were big and strong, theycked agility, and they were rtively slower. In just two or three moves, Xiao Han had them in extreme pain. The branch in his hand was like a sharp de, slicing across their skin with each strike, leaving a red welt almost every time. Beating them until their skin was split open, leaving them on the verge of copse.


    "Big brother, this guy''s agile as a monkey, we... we can''t catch up to him," one of the heavy-setckeys panted, "We can''t even touch him, and he''s hit us several times, it''s killing me."


    The precision of Xiao Han''s strikes was remarkable, targeting painful points with each hit, on the face and the back of the hands¡ªareas that are particrly sensitive to pain. Every strike was nearly bringing tears to their eyes. The faces of the two toughs had been struck five or six times each, looking like a pair of paint-sttered cats.


    The back of the hands fared even worse, as they instinctively raised their hands to block every time Xiao Han aimed for their faces. Both men were battered, tears and snot mingling together.


    "Fuck, useless trash!" Liao Zhijie was beside himself with anger, saying, "Useless bastards, all of you attack together."


    Rustle rustle...


    After that, more than ten people swarmed up all at once.


    Xiao Han squinted his eyes, looking coldly at the other side. Just as they were about to rush at him, Xiao Han leaped up, and his hand clutched a tree branch which he swung fiercely at the person who charged first. With this blow, Xiao Han unleashed a great deal of arm strength. Thatshnded so hard that it left the other person dodging to avoid a burst of flesh.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah!" the other person screamed in agony, copsing heavily to the ground.


    The people behind quickly closed in, but Xiao Han flicked his wrist again for another blow.


    Smack!


    The tree branch struck the other person''s eyes.


    "Ah! My¡­ my eyes, my eyes!" the person screamed while rolling on the ground, clutching their eyes.


    The others still rushed forward recklessly, as if they were not afraid to die. Xiao Han actually had some respect for Liao Zhijie now; this guy was actually able to gather so many fearless minions¡ªthat was indeed a skill. A strange smile appeared on Xiao Han''s lips, and he said coldly with augh, "Good job. Keep iting."


    Xiao Han was not afraid. Facing so many people, his eyes scanned like radars, and his brain functioned like aputer, capturing all their movement trajectories. Based on these, he calcted where they wouldnd, allowing him to attack ordingly.


    Smack! Smack!


    A few crisp sounds, and the others were beaten into miserable screams. Several guys fell to the ground on the spot, on the verge of breaking down.


    Watching his people fall one after another, Liao Zhijie felt that Xiao Han was just like a monkey, darting around so that he couldn''t catch a glimpse of him. Liao Zhijie quickly targeted Chen Zihan who was standing aside.


    From the interactions between Xiao Han and Chen Zihan, one could deduce their rtionship. As long as he captured Chen Zihan, then Xiao Han would have to obediently submit, wouldn''t he?


    Therefore, Liao Zhijie decided to change his strategy immediately.


    He circled around Xiao Han, wielding a fruit knife and quickly sprinted towards Chen Zihan.


    Seeing this, Chen Zihan panicked and broke into a run. But she was no match for Liao Zhijie, who caught her after just a few steps. Liao Zhijie grabbed her long hair with one hand, and Chen Zihan immediately let out a pitiful scream. His left hand swiftly wrapped around Chen Zihan''s neck, while the knife in his right hand was pressed against her throat.


    "Xiao Han, stop!" Liao Zhijie roared.


    At that moment, the scene immediately quieted down.


    Liao Zhijie''s minions all moved closer to him. Xiao Han didn''t dare to move and stayed put. He stared at Liao Zhijie, who was truly detestable, using a woman as a hostage. It was truly despicable and low.


    "Liao Zhijie, I never thought you would be this kind of person," Xiao Han said coldly looking at Liao Zhijie, "I always thought that although you were bad, you weren''t of rotten character. You might not be good at studying, but at least you weren''t wicked. I never expected you to be rotten to the core."


    "Heh heh..." Liao Zhijie smirked and then said, "Keep cursing. Even if you scream your throat out, no one will help you. Remember, Xiao Han, Chen Zihan is in my hands now. Do you dare act rashly?"


    "Do you dare to kill someone?" Xiao Han asked with disdain.


    "I..." Liao Zhijie hesitated, his mouth curling into a smile, he said, "Of course I don''t dare to kill. But, aren''t you afraid I''ll use this sharp knife to sh her face a couple of times? Heh heh, her pretty little face will bepletely ruined then."


    Hiss...


    Xiao Han suddenly drew a cold breath. Chen Zihan, who had been struggling, suddenly deted like a burst balloon. She nearly went limp. She didn''t dare to struggle anymore¡ªif Liao Zhijie really shed her face, she would be ruined for life. For a woman, her face is a second life, especially for someone as beautiful as Chen Zihan, who valued her appearance even more.


    Her face was even more important than her life; if her face was ruined, it would be as good as being dead.


    "You... don''t mess around!" Chen Zihan trembled with fear. She would rather Liao Zhijie kill her than have her face shed.


    "Stay still, or I''ll disfigure you right away!" Liao Zhijie threatened.


    "Liao Zhijie, let her go now, and I''ll pretend nothing ever happened!" Xiao Han sneered, "Do you know you''re already breaking thew?"


    "Fuck off, don''t try to scare me with your bullshit!" Liao Zhijie sneered, "Let me tell you, my dad is a People''s Congress representative. He''s a member of the Municipal Political Consultative Conference, and if I''m in trouble, plenty of people will shield me. Even if I kill you, your death would be in vain."


    "Is being a People''s Congress representative that great?" Xiao Hanughed, "Even the son of the Municipal Secretary wouldn''t dare to be as arrogant as you."


    Liao Zhijie paused, then snickered, "Stop your damn nonsense. Kneel down and beg for mercy now!"


    Xiao Han took a few slow steps forward.

 Chapter 070 Offering Oneself

    "Stop!" Liao Zhijie was terrified, he shouted urgently, "Stop right there, take one more step and I''ll make a move, you''ll cry for a lifetime!"


    While speaking, Liao Zhijie''s knife de swiped back and forth across Chen Zihan''s face. Chen Zihan was nearly in tears, her face deathly pale as she stared intently at the de. The sharp de glimmered chillingly, making Chen Zihan tremble all over. She even dared not breathe heavily.


    Xiao Han took a deep breath.


    "Drop the branch in your hand," Liao Zhijiemanded.


    "Okay, I''ll drop it, just don''t mess around," Xiao Han nodded.


    After he spoke, Xiao Han threw the branch aside.


    Liao Zhijie looked at his opponent with a sneer, a wicked smile emerging at the corners of his mouth as if he already saw the hope of victory. Then, Liao Zhijiemanded, "You two, go tie this kid up for me, damn it, I have to kill him today!"


    "Xiao Han, don''t!" Chen Zihan cried out.


    Two burly men slowly walked toward Xiao Han, each holding a certain fear in their hearts since Xiao Han had traumatized them with the branch earlier. This psychological shadow had almost made them conditioned to fear. Under Liao Zhijie''s coercion, however, they forced themselves to move forward, especially since Xiao Han had already thrown away the branch.


    Xiao Han kept his eyes fixed on their footsteps, continuously calcting their pace in his mind.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Seeing them about to charge, Xiao Han quickly dashed forward. He stepped on one man''s chest with one foot and catapulted himself up. Then, with enormous force, Xiao Han swiftly broke off a thicker branch from the tree.


    By now, Liao Zhijie waspletely dumbfounded as Xiao Han''s movement speed had exceeded his expectations, causing him to stare wide-eyed at Xiao Han.


    Smack!


    Suddenly, Xiao Han descended from above, and his branch struck down fiercely.


    That hitnded squarely on their hands.


    Skin tore and flesh gaped open. The branch was tender yet sturdy. With the force from Xiao Han''s wrist, it instantly tore the skin on Liao Zhijie''s back, opening a gash from which blood surged out.


    "Ah!" Liao Zhijie screamed in agony, clutching his back of the hand.


    Thud...


    Liao Zhijie''s knife immediately fell to the ground.


    Upon seeing this, Chen Zihan briskly lifted her foot and stomped hard with her heel on his foot.


    "Ah!" Liao Zhijie screamed again.


    Seizing the moment, Chen Zihan snatched Liao Zhijie''s Magic w and quickly ran toward Xiao Han. Xiao Han opened his arms and embraced her, asking urgently, "Zi Han, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine," Chen Zihan shook her head hastily.


    "That''s good," Xiao Han breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Stay quiet by my side. Watch how I deal with them."


    "Okay!" Chen Zihan nodded quickly.


    She had just witnessed the formidable side of Xiao Han, not only surprising but also delighting her, for it gave her an unprecedented sense of security that made her heart flutter like a startled deer.


    "Xiao Han, you bastard, how dare you hurt me!" Liao Zhijie clutched his hand, blood streaming through his fingers.


    Xiao Han gripped a branch as thick as a pinky, looked coldly at him, and said, "So what if I hurt you? Offend me again, and see if I don''t kill you."


    Killing is illegal, but every dragon has its reverse scales, and every person has their limits. Touch them, and death is certain. It''s inevitable.


    Xiao Han''s lips curled into a sinister smile.


    Liao Zhijie stared into Xiao Han''s eyes, feeling panic for the first time. This look seemed hauntingly familiar, yet he dared not voice it out, still holding on fiercely, after all, he was Linjiang No.1 Middle School''s boss and Little Overlord.


    "You wanna kill me?" Liao Zhijie scoffed, "Haha, stop joking, okay?"


    "Go ahead and try!" Xiao Han sneered back.


    With Xiao Han''s abundant energy and burst power, even a 100-meter dash took just over ten seconds. Such powerful burst power,bined with a brain that could agilely control his body, meant these ten or so men were no match for him.


    Xiao Han''s lips twisted into an eerie smile, he said, "Exactly!"


    "Heh, go ahead and try!" Liao Zhijie picked up a dagger from the ground and sneered coldly, "Surround him and hit him. I don''t believe our group of more than ten people can''t overpower him!"


    Immediately, over ten people closed in to surround them.


    Xiao Han looked at them coldly, without a hint of fear.


    As they were about to approach, Xiao Han''s lips curled into a smile, and he chuckled, "Come on, let me show you how tough I am."


    More than ten people closed in.


    Liao Zhijie held a dagger in one hand, and others wielded various weapons: iron sticks, wooden sticks, iron chains...


    "Xiao Han, they..." Chen Zihan was somewhat panicked.


    It''s hard to fight off four legs with two fists, let alone so many opponents. What if they attacked? What would she do then?


    A smirk yed on Liao Zhijie''s lips; with their numerical advantage, they could easily subdue Xiao Han. Once Xiao Han was subdued, Chen Zihan would practically be his for the taking. Liao Zhijie had long coveted Chen Zihan, and now he saw the perfect chance to capture her as well while subduing Xiao Han¡ªa chance to kill two birds with one stone.


    "Go!" Liao Zhijie waved his hand.


    Swish swish swish...


    A group of people quickly surrounded them.


    Xiao Han gripped a tree branch and swiftly jabbed fiercely at the opponents.


    Thwack thwack thwack!


    A series of strikes, rendering the opponents howling in pain, screaming miserably. Each was almost pitifully taught a lesson to the point of being hardly bearable to watch. Xiao Han attacked one handed with the tree branch, while his other hand tightly held Chen Zihan''s, keeping their hands firmly intertwined.


    Standing behind Xiao Han, Chen Zihan could clearly feel his strength. Xiao Han seemed like a tall, majestic wall standing in front of her, akin to her father''s shoulders. So warm, so touching, so glorious!


    This was the first time Chen Zihan had felt such a sensation from Xiao Han. Moreover, she was deeply immersed in it.


    "Xiao Han!" Chen Zihan called out softly.


    "What''s up?" Xiao Han turned to look at her.


    "I..." Chen Zihan blushed and said, "You''re amazing."


    By then, Liao Zhijie and his cohorts had all fallen, a bunch of them lying on the ground screaming. Some had their faces badly beaten, and others could hardly stand straight due to being whipped on the thighs. They could only limp forward.


    "Hehe..." Xiao Han chuckled naively, taking Chen Zihan''s hand, and said, "Let''s go!"


    "Okay!" Chen Zihan nodded.


    She quickly followed Xiao Han out of the small woods.


    Outside the woods, the world was vast and clear. It seemed as if there were bright lights, almost like vivid colors. In that moment, Chen Zihan felt that Xiao Han could bring her endless happiness and safety. She suddenly realized that she might not be able to live without him.


    Xiao Han rode on an electric scooter with Chen Zihan, quickly leaving the school.


    The cold wind blew, and along the way, Chen Zihan held onto Xiao Han tightly.


    "Xiao Han, weren''t you scared at all just now?" Chen Zihan asked.


    "Scared!" Xiao Hanughed.


    "Then why..." Chen Zihan looked at him curiously and said, "Why did you seem so calm?"


    "What else could I do?" Xiao Hanughed and asked, "If it weren''t for you being caught by Liao Zhijie, I would have run away. I was almost scared enough to pee my pants."


    "Hehe..." Chen Zihan giggled, then said, "Xiao Han, when did you be so formidable? I had no idea you had such impressive kung fu skills. When did you ever learn these?"


    "Of course!" Xiao Han nodded and said, "I''ve been practicing martial arts since I was a child..."


    Xiao Han boastfully praised himself, making it sound like he was one-of-a-kind in the heavens and on earth.


    Chen Zihan looked satisfied and hummed lightly, "I don''t believe you."


    "That''s fine." Xiao Han shook his head and said, "I wasn''t nning on making you believe anyway."


    The electric scooter sped along, and they soon arrived at Chen Zihan''s residential area. Chen Zihan jumped off the rear seat, then showed a shy smile and said, "Xiao Han, thank you!"


    "What are you thanking me for?" Xiao Han scratched his head.


    "Thank you for saving me today," Chen Zihan said shyly.


    "Hehe..." Xiao Han chuckled and said, "Saving a life is traditionally rewarded with a lifelong devotion, right?"


    "Cut it out!" Chen Zihan huffed.


    "Uh..." Xiao Han was momentarily taken aback. Right then, Chen Zihan quickly hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, and then ran off swiftly. Chen Zihan''s smile turned mischievous. He knew that Chen Zihan was slowly falling for him. If previously she had merely felt a fondness for him, now she truly liked him.


    Xiao Han was delighted. At least this meant his efforts hadn''t been in vain.


    Chen Zihan was undoubtedly the goddess of his heart. In the entire Linjiang No.1 Middle School, who wouldn''t want to win over this goddess? Who wouldn''t want to woo Chen Zihan? However, who else could truly be capable of that?


    The following days were peaceful, and Liao Zhijie seemed not to dare show his face in front of Xiao Han. The storefront at the entrance of the pedestrian street was still being renovated, and Yang Lu was running around getting the business license.


    On Saturday morning, after teaching at Hanmen Training ss, Xiao Han, without even eating midday meal, hurried to the provincial city.

 Chapter 71 Proxy Fee

    Li Xiaoya was busy with work. The end of the year saw a flurry of activity, and the entire corporate group entered a frenzy of operations. Almost everyone was caught up in a whirlwind of business, each person feverishly carrying out their responsibilities.


    As the head of Huihong Group, Li Xiaoya held multiple positions and was busy on the front lines.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Thepany had a massive amount of work to be done, and there were numerous tasks to handle. It''s important to know that Huihong Group had many suppliers who, as if by prior agreement, woulde to collect debts from Li Xiaoya at the end of the year. But Li Xiaoya was not panicked; after all, thepany was not short of money.


    Of course, not being short of money didn''t mean she could just give it away recklessly.


    The suppliers'' payments couldn''t be settled in one breath¡ªit was essential to collect thepany''s own ounts first, otherwise, all the talk would be useless.


    "Director Li, Red Star has been refusing to settle up with us," Xiao Mei said, feeling helpless.


    "What did Red Star''s Director Liu say?" Li Xiaoya was not in a hurry.


    "He said he doesn''t have the money right now." Xiao Mei was somewhat annoyed before continuing, "What do you think... how should we handle this now?"


    "How to handle it?" Li Xiaoya hesitated briefly before answering, "No worries, I''ll go personally to request paymentter!"


    Requesting payment was indeed difficult, especially towards the year-end when everyone needed money urgently. Anyrgepany required a substantial amount of funds for turnover, and business owners wished they could split a penny in half. Unfortunately, once money is torn up, it ceases to be money.


    "Yes!" Xiao Mei nodded.


    Just as Xiao Mei was about to leave, a beautiful receptionist from the front desk knocked and entered.


    "Director Li, there''s a Mr. Xiao Han here to see you." The front desk receptionist was well-proportioned and very beautiful. The receptionists at Huihong Group were carefully selected. As thepany''s first impression, Li Xiaoya paid great attention to this. They needed to have height and good looks. Their figures had to be proportionate, their faces pretty.


    They also had to be proficient with various office software and asionally handle some documents. After all, they hadn''t paid thousands of yuan just to be a decorative vase.


    "Xiao Han?" Li Xiaoya was taken aback for a moment.


    "He''s the agent from LJ city," Xiao Mei quickly reminded her.


    "Ah!" Li Xiaoya eximed as she suddenly got to her feet and hurriedly said, "I''ll go to meet him."


    With that, Li Xiaoya rushed out.


    "Director Li is in such a hurry?" Xiao Mei was a bit surprised, having never seen Li Xiaoya so anxious or enthusiastic before. Why was it that when Xiao Han arrived, she appeared so eager and passionate? It seemed like she couldn''t wait to see Xiao Han.


    In thepany''s reception area, Xiao Han was resting in the sofa area with an agency fee of three hundred thousand in his bag.


    "Xiao Han!" Li Xiaoya called out from afar.


    "Sister Xiaoya." Xiao Han quickly stood up and walked towards Li Xiaoya with a beaming smile.


    "How did you get here?" Li Xiaoya asked.


    "Isn''t it to hand over the three hundred thousand in agency fees?" Xiao Han chuckled before saying, "The shop in LJ city is being refurbished, and the business license and tax-rted paperwork are also in process."


    "Really?" Li Xiaoya was somewhat surprised, not expecting Xiao Han to act so fast.


    "Absolutely." Xiao Han nodded and said, "I can''t afford to be slow, with Christmas right around the corner. I n to organize a promotional event on Christmas Day."


    "That''s a good idea," Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "Come on, let''s go to my office to talk."


    Xiao Han followed Li Xiaoya into her office, which was spacious. They sat down in the office, and Li Xiaoya, smiling at Xiao Han, asked, "How did you manage to get three hundred thousand so quickly? And to secure a shop at the prime location in LJ city''s pedestrian street, you must have had at least a million in capital, right? How did youe up with so much money in such a short time?"


    "Can it be a secret?" Xiao Han grinned.


    "Uh..." Li Xiaoya looked at Xiao Han in surprise.


    "Sister Xiaoya, rest assured, my money is clean. Not a penny of it is from a shady source," Xiao Han said earnestly.


    "I believe you!" Li Xiaoya nodded and then said with a smile, "Actually, I wasn''t nning to take that three hundred thousand from you. All you had to do was ask, and I would have waived the agency fee. Xiao Han, why not try asking? Sometimes, a single sentence can spare you from taking a longer path in life."


    Xiao Han maintained his smile as Li Xiaoya curiously watched him.


    Xiao Han didn''t seem like a neen-year-old at all but rather like a twenty-nine or even thirty-nine-year-old cunning fox, exuding an air of unruffled confidence. That mature aura didn''t seem like something a young man could fake. Instead, she could feel from him the mature,posed air of an older man, giving the impression he was not younger but perhaps older and more experienced than herself.


    Li Xiaoya appeared slightly amazed.


    "Sister..." Xiao Han looked at Li Xiaoya and said, "A single sentence indeed can save one from taking detours in life. But at the same time, it can cause one to lose faith and the very meaning of life. Although I, Xiao Han, don''t have much money, I never take shortcuts. Because I understand that the significance of life lies in the journey, not the destination.


    Maybe if I had asked, you would have waived that three hundred thousand in agency fees, but then I would have lost the life experiences umted through the struggle for that money."


    Li Xiaoya was dumbstruck, speechless with her eyes wide open.


    She absolutely did not believe that these life philosophies coulde from a mere neen-year-old boy. Indeed, perhaps a single phrase could save many troubles, but at the same time, it could also cause a person to lose a lot in life experience, lose some friends, and lose a part of what gives life meaning.


    Li Xiaoya suddenly realized that in her business endeavors, had she not always upheld her own principles, stuck to her bottom line? It was exactly these principles and lines that allowed her business to growrger and her business empire to thrive.


    "Xiao Han, thank you for the lesson you''ve taught me," Li Xiaoya said earnestly.


    "Sister, you are really joking," Xiao Han chuckled, "How dare I lecture you when you are the chairman of Huihong Group. I''m just a student after all."


    "Sess or failure does not define a hero," Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "Besides, when three walk together, I may find my teacher among them. Just now, you really gave me a vivid lesson. I should thank you properly!"


    "Sister, I came here for serious business!" Xiao Han chuckled and said, "Not for small talk."


    Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "Don''t worry, I will definitely take care of the matter for you."


    With Li Xiaoya stepping in, the matter was quickly settled. Three hundred thousand in cash was handed over to finance, and Xiao Han got the contract he had long dreamed of. Not only that, but Li Xiaoya decided to provide Xiao Han with a hundred units of thetest Apple phones in the early stages.


    Of these, more than twenty were disy models, and there were also other Apple electronic products, all listed clearly on the inventory.


    "Sister, I should really pay," Xiao Han said with a smile.


    "I''ve already said it''s not necessary," Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "The total is just over eight hundred thousand in goods. You can pay me back once you''ve recouped your costs."


    "But, that''s not how business is done," Xiao Han said awkwardly.


    "I''m just worried about you having difficulties with cash flow," Li Xiaoya said soothingly, "So, just quietly go back to LJ city. I will send a staff member to your store for guidance. They will conduct a systematic training for your sales staff, letting them understand some of Apple''s products, including their functions."


    "All right," Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Xiaoya smiled and said, "Have dinner with me tonight."


    "I..." Xiao Han thought for a moment and said, "I still need to rush back to LJ city."


    "What''s the rush?" Li Xiaoyaughed, "Now that you''re set on doing business, you can''t always do as you please, you have to learn how to fight and struggle in the business world. Understand?"


    "But..." Xiao Han showed a look of difficulty.


    "When a beautifuldy invites you to dinner, shouldn''t you be a gentleman?" Li Xiaoya looked at Xiao Han with a teasing smile.


    "Alright!" Xiao Han could only nod.


    There was no helping it, for Li Xiaoya was a woman, and an attractive one at that, almost too beautiful for Xiao Han to refuse. He understood that if he rejected Li Xiaoya now, it would be equivalent to giving her the cold shoulder. Surely Xiao Han couldn''t just do that, right?


    "That''s more like it," Li Xiaoya chuckled.


    She hadn''t been sitting in the office for long when Li Xiaoya received a phone call.


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaoya''s face seemed slightly displeased. Xiao Han obviously noticed and asked curiously, "Sister, what happened?"


    "Ran into a little trouble," Li Xiaoya said, frowning.


    "What happened?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Director Liu from Red Star Group owes me some money. He says he''ll only pay up if I agree to drink with him today," Li Xiaoya sighed lightly, "I have to go to this dinner today. If I can''t get those few million back, the loss will be significant."


    "Paying debts is only natural; how can he not give you money?" Xiao Han asked, "If it goes to legal procedures, he will also have to pay."


    "Look at you!" Li Xiaoya nced at Xiao Han and said, "It shows you don''t understand some rules of the business world. If we really go through legal procedures, of course, he will have to pay, but at the same time, you''ll lose a high-quality client. Not only that, but you might also lose a lot of potential quality resources. Understand?"


    "I..." Xiao Han said with an embarrassed smile.


    "Business is like a battlefield," Li Xiaoya replied, "Xiao Han, could you do me a favor tonight?"


    "What can I do to help?" Xiao Han asked curiously.


    "Pretend to be my boyfriend tonight," Li Xiaoya said, looking at Xiao Han demurely, then she added, "I''m afraid Director Liu has set a trap for me in this dinner. He''s been pursuing me, but he''s unscrupulous, and I don''t want to get too entangled with him."

 Chapter 072 Boyfriend

    "This..." Xiao Han was stunned for a moment.


    "Xiao Han, if you don''t help me, no one else can," Li Xiaoya said with a distressed look, extremely embarrassed as she watched Xiao Han, "Just cover for me, it''ll be alright. Although Liu Hao is a bad person, he wouldn''t dare to act openly."


    "Alright," Xiao Han nodded, realizing that no one else could help Li Xiaoya but himself. Xiao Han reluctantly agreed.


    "Really, that''s great!" Li Xiaoya suddenly became very joyful.


    Seeing that Xiao Han had agreed to help her, Li Xiaoya hurriedly began to tidy up her things. She neatened the documents on the table and put everything back in its ce. There was a resting room in the office, into which Li Xiaoya rushed to change her clothes.


    She swapped her ck business suit for casual attire, a long ck woolen coat that made her look dignified and majestic, and wrapped a coffee-colored scarf around her neck. Her chest proudly stood out, like two defiant peaks. Her long legs entuated her figure, making her look very beautiful and attractive.


    "Does it look good?" Li Xiaoya asked.


    "Hmm, it looks good," Xiao Han nodded.


    "Hehe..." Li Xiaoya giggled.


    Xiao Han looked at Li Xiaoya, then said, "Sister, you have a great figure, and you''re beautiful too. I really don''t understand why your husband would do such a thing."


    "Let it be, it''s all in the past, let''s not talk about it anymore," Li Xiaoyaughed heartily, a bit of awkwardness appearing in her eyes.


    Seeing that Li Xiaoya appeared embarrassed, Xiao Han decided not to question her further. He just smiled and said, "Alright."


    "Let''s go, we''re off to the banquet," Li Xiaoya chuckled.


    Having Xiao Han by her side suddenly made Li Xiaoya feel like she had gained a strong support. Even though Xiao Han was only a neen-year-old high school senior, he was truly an extraordinary man. Whether considering his appearance or his speech, he did not seem like a high school student but rather like a mature man who was sessful,posed, and full of confidence.


    Li Xiaoya walked out arm-in-arm with Xiao Han.


    "Director Li..." Xiao Mei was slightly surprised when she encountered Li Xiaoya.


    "Xiao Han and I are going out for a bit," Li Xiaoya spoke, "You all carry on with your work; I''ll handle my matters myself."


    "Yes!" Xiao Mei nodded immediately.


    Li Xiaoya had made her intentions so clear that it was pointless to keep asking.


    Li Xiaoya, arm-in-arm with Xiao Han, walked out of thepany. On the way, Xiao Han felt as if needles were pricking his back, which was very ufortable. Inside the Huihong Group, the gazes of the male employees shot at his back were like murderous rays, almost making one feel an insane pressure.


    Xiao Han''s back was covered in sweat.


    When they finally walked out of thepany, Xiao Han couldn''t help but exhale a deep breath and said, "Sister, that was really not easy. I was almost killed by the stares of your male colleagues."


    "Hehe..." Li Xiaoya giggled, then said, "Now you know the charm I have in thepany, right?"


    "Yeah!" Xiao Han nodded, saying, "I guess most of your admirers have probably been killed by the stares of those male colleagues of yours, huh?"


    "Don''t say that!" Li Xiaoya giggled.


    At that moment, the driver had already driven the car out of the garage. A ck BMW 750Li with robust bulletproof features and equipped with a V12 engine, this was a supremely tailored model shipped directly from the factory in Germany. Needless to say, the cost was high, but the performance of this vehicle was absolutely powerful. The back seat had only two ces, both exceedinglyfortable.


    Xiao Han took his ce in the back seat, which was spacious andfortable.


    The car''s soundproofing was quite effective; sitting inside, one couldn''t even hear the noise of the tires. There was calming music ying in the car. Li Xiaoya took a juice drink from the car''s built-in refrigerator and poured a cup for Xiao Han, saying, "Here, have a drink."


    "Thank you!" Xiao Han said politely.


    "Act ording to the situation when we arrive," Li Xiaoya looked at Xiao Han and said, "If Liu Hao finds out you are my boyfriend, he will definitely try to make things difficult for you. See the move and dismantle it. Understand?"


    "Hmm!" Xiao Han nodded.


    Li Xiaoya''s lips curled into a sly smile, saying, "Xiao Han, you are so smart, I''m sure you can handle it."


    "I''ll try my best!" Xiao Han quickly took a sip of his drink to hide his embarrassment.


    Xiaoya chuckled softly.


    Soon, the car slowly arrived at a distinctive restaurant on the outskirts of the city, a music restaurant with a nice atmosphere suitable for urban office workers. Moreover, the prices at this restaurant were rtively high, catering to young professionals. Naturally, dining here emphasized the ambiance and the asion.


    Inside the restaurant was arge stage, equipped with a sizable electronic screen and even a drum set. Every evening, bands performed live here, lending the ce a sophisticated vibe. Moreover, the singers who performed here were quite impressive.


    On the second floor was arge private room with a floor-to-ceiling ss wall, allowing those inside to have a direct view of the stage downstairs. The arrangement was not only exquisite but also clever. The ambiance was extremely pleasing. Liu Hao was chatting inside with several influential figures.


    Liu Hao was the president of Red Star Group. It was said that even in the provincial city, he was a wealthy businessman with assets worth billions, backed by a father who had struggled his way through officialdom. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for someone under thirty to create such arge corporate group, especially under the current grim economic conditions domestically.


    "Young Master Liu, why hasn''t Xiaoya arrived yet?" someone grew impatient.


    "Haha, President Chen, don''t worry." Liu Hao reassured him with augh, "She''s on her way. You know it''s the rush hour now, and the traffic is congested."


    "Exactly, if Young Master Liu isn''t in a hurry, why are you?"


    The others teased him in unison.


    Liu Hao sat on the sofa in the private room, tapping his crossed leg, holding a cigarette in his hand. Though only thirty, he dressed and carried himself like someone a decade older, wearing a Zhongshan suit that made him appear around forty.


    "Everyone, no need to rush,"ughed Liu Hao before adding, "Xiaoya will be here soon."


    "Young Master Liu is impressive indeed," said Chen Dongguo from the side. "Every time we invite Xiaoya to dinner, we get turned down. But when Young Master Liu calls, she hurries over. Tell me, doesn''t that mean Xiaoya likes our Young Master Liu?"


    "Haha, it''s not impossible!" Everyone burst intoughter.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Just as theughter peaked, Xiaoya and Xiao Han pushed open the door and entered.


    "It looks like everyone''s in high spirits!" Xiaoya, arm-in-arm with Xiao Han, entered with augh.


    The crowd turned their heads, their gazes firstnding on Xiaoya, then quickly shifting to Xiao Han.


    The appearance of Xiao Han alongside Xiaoya signified something, and her proximity to this young man inevitably led to some wild guesswork. Everyone scrutinized Xiao Han from head to toe.


    First, they would determine Xiao Han''s identity; one''s status is initially judged by their clothing. Xiao Han was dressed in casual attire, which hardly looked like designer wear, more like something picked up from a street stall. Nheless, it didn''t seem out of ce on him. Next, they judged his identity from his demeanor.


    However, Xiao Han seemed like a hidden gem, his background inscrutable to everyone.


    "Director Li has arrived," said Chen Dongguo hastily. "Oh, finally, we''re almost starving. We were just waiting for you to serve us."


    "You don''t have to wait for me," Xiaoya said with a smile. "You could have started without me, right? Here I am now."


    "Xiaoya," Liu Hao stood up from the sofa, still smiling, "I invited you to dinner, why did you bring an unrted person along?"


    "He''s not unrted at all," Xiaoya replied as she took off her coat, revealing a slim ck bodysuit that perfectly outlined her figure, sensually elegant. The delicate waist, especially, seemed like it could be easily encircled with both hands.


    The sight of her proudly perched breasts instantly captured everyone''s attention. Her soft curves, impressive bust, and perky, round buttocks almost induced a palpable surge of excitement. Xiaoya turned and hung her coat on a nearby rack, drawing everyone''s gaze back to her shapely buttocks. Their gazes were unexpectedly uniform.


    Xiao Han, witnessing these gazes, felt quite disgusted.


    The way they looked, the expressions they wore, was as if they had never seen a woman before.


    But indeed, Xiaoya''s figure and beauty were remarkable. Standing at 1.68 meters with a chest size that was notably impressive, and that perky buttock¡ªher body measurements could easily rival any model''s, if not surpass them in both proportion and curves.


    Seeing the way everyone was staring, Xiaoya turned and said with a resigned smile, "Gentlemen, what are you all staring at?"


    Liu Hao was the first to react. He asked, "So tell us, who is this person exactly?"


    "He''s my boyfriend, Xiao Han!" Xiaoya replied, looping her arm through Xiao Han''s.


    Liu Hao was stunned. "Impossible. You''ve never had a boyfriend; how could you possibly..."


    "Just because I didn''t have one before doesn''t mean I can''t have one now!" Xiaoya looked at Liu Hao and continued, "Legally, I''m single. Being single, I surely have the right to date a boyfriend, right? Besides, even if you men have wives, don''t you often mess around outside?"


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