Chapter 24: A Desperate Plea and Dark Intentions

“So you’re treating me like an utter fool, aren’t you? Did you truly believe a half-hearted act could deceive me? You’re not just as corpulent as a pig, you’re as brainless as one too! I’ve been pummeling you for ages; if there were any real issues, they would have surfaced long ago. Why would they wait until now?”

The more Zhou Lin spoke, the angrier he became, immediately delivering another forceful kick.

He understood precisely what Wang Fanran was attempting.

Wang Fanran, having witnessed Lin Qing’s fearful reaction to his ‘episode,’ had deluded himself into believing he’d discovered a foolproof method of resistance.

Alas.

This particular tactic, however, was not universally applicable.

Especially not for a corpulent individual like Wang Fanran, whose ample frame seemed impervious to even the most vigorous beating.

In stark contrast, Lin Qing’s physique was so slender, so fragile, it appeared a mere gust of wind could carry him away. Zhou Lin genuinely doubted if Lin Qing could even withstand a single one of his punches.

Wang Fanran’s cunning had backfired spectacularly, revealing itself as nothing more than petty, unrefined schemes.

Zhou Lin readily admitted his aversion to responsibility. Yet, when accountability was off the table, he found himself utterly unburdened by scruples.

Such as delivering a brutal thrashing to this ‘dead fat pig.’

“It’s barely morning, yet your aggression is palpable, Zhou Lin! That’s quite enough!”

As Zhou Lin relentlessly battered Wang Fanran, eliciting pained howls from the latter, Wang Jian, who had just stepped into the classroom, sighed and spoke with a hint of exasperation.

Zhou Lin’s temper truly was something. How much time had elapsed already?

And still, he hadn’t cooled his rage.

“Wang Jian, you have no idea what this blasted fat pig just pulled! He actually tried to feign illness to scare me. How utterly repulsive and unlucky!”

Upon hearing Wang Jian’s words, Zhou Lin realized his friend had misunderstood the situation.

He offered only a brief explanation, refraining from elaboration, partly because he felt Wang Fanran had insulted his intelligence.

The sheer audacity of even a ‘fat pig’ like that attempting to deceive him left a profoundly bitter taste.

“Alright, alright, let’s discuss this after school. The teacher will be here any moment.”

Observing Zhou Lin’s fuming expression, Wang Jian’s eyebrows arched with a flicker of interest.

Yet, a glance at the wall clock, indicating the imminent start of class, prompted him to quickly interject, cautioning against provoking trouble before the teacher arrived.

Normally, with Brother Liu present, there would be no need to fret over teachers.

For any teacher, in Brother Liu’s formidable presence, resembled nothing more than a cowering, helpless chick.

They wouldn’t dare raise their voices.

Unfortunately, Brother Liu had been mandated by the school to a week of ‘reflection’ at home and was currently unable to return.

For the time being, they had no choice but to behave themselves, lest they incur the relentless nagging of their teachers.

“Fine, I’ll heed your words… But you, you dead fat pig, don’t even think about escaping after school this afternoon!”

Having delivered his ominous warning, Zhou Lin dismissed Wang Fanran entirely, returning to his seat to chat with Wang Jian about various amusing anecdotes from outside school.

Once Zhou Lin departed, the students who had been eagerly observing the spectacle collectively averted their gazes, pointedly ignoring Wang Fanran, who remained sprawled on the floor.

Lin Qing, as Wang Fanran’s deskmate, made no move to intervene. It wasn’t due to cold-heartedness, but rather a profound lack of necessity to concern himself with Wang Fanran’s plight.

Lin Qing was far from a universally amiable pushover.

Wang Fanran’s repeated actions, time and again, reeked of pure malice, utterly devoid of the normal interactions expected between classmates.

Even with a decade-long hiatus from participating in school life, Lin Qing was no simpleton with impaired intellect. He possessed a keen ability to discern between genuine goodwill and overt malice.

From the very beginning, his deskmate had never once displayed even a glimmer of genuine kindness.

Consequently, Lin Qing resolved to simply ignore Wang Fanran, drawing a definitive line between them.

Furthermore, more pressing matters demanded his attention—mysteries he needed to unravel.

Su Yao’s crimson skull…

As Lin Qing’s thoughts drifted to Su Yao, he lifted his gaze towards her seat. He saw her laughing and conversing with her deskmate, her profile an exquisite, ethereal beauty.

She seemed like a goddess descended from a dream, stirring a tender yearning in all who beheld her.

‘How exactly was he to resolve the issue of the crimson skull?’

“Damn it, Lin Qing! This is all your damn fault!”

Yet, as Lin Qing’s gaze lingered on Su Yao, lost in thought, Wang Fanran, still sprawled on the floor, abruptly let out a furious roar.

The resounding shout seized the attention of the entire class. Even Su Yao, mid-conversation, turned her head curiously towards Lin Qing’s direction upon hearing his name.

A hint of confusion touched her features, yet her eyes sparkled with an undeniable anticipation.

They gleamed.

It was as if she found Lin Qing’s sudden predicament utterly fascinating.

A delightful seasoning for an otherwise mundane daily routine.

As Lin Qing was jolted back to reality by the sudden shout, he caught the blatant schadenfreude in Su Yao’s eyes. It became clear that before he could even attempt to tackle the crimson skull problem, he would need an exceptionally thorough plan.

Su Yao’s true nature was far too malevolent.

She was not someone he could easily contend with.

Her present docile and obedient demeanor was nothing more than an elaborate facade.

In truth, she was a cunning and cruel monster, capable of dragging him into the abyss with a single misstep.

He had to be vigilant!

As for Wang Fanran’s furious outburst, Lin Qing merely cast an indifferent glance his way before retracting his gaze, dismissing him entirely.

Wang Fanran’s beating was entirely his own doing.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

The seeds of his actions, sown from the very beginning, would naturally bear their corresponding fruit.

It was impossible to feel any sympathy.

Nor did he wish to.

“What is all this commotion? Are we having class or not! Wang Fanran, why are you lounging on the floor? Get up immediately; class is about to begin!”

Following Wang Fanran’s enraged cry, the students had anticipated a pathetic squabble, a true ‘chicken pecking chicken’ spectacle. Alas, the teacher, arriving early, promptly interjected, mercilessly severing any potential continuation.

This development left the students feeling utterly deflated. They ceased their gawking and swiftly produced their textbooks.

Wang Fanran, still prone on the floor, was simply too heavy to rise independently. Eventually, the teacher, losing patience, instructed nearby students to help him to his feet.

Once Wang Fanran was finally settled back in his seat, he made no further attempt to antagonize Lin Qing. Instead, he simply rested his arms on the desk and buried his face within them.

‘What am I going to do?’

‘I’m going to get thrashed again at lunch.’

‘No!’

‘If this continues, I might as well just transfer schools.’

‘But I’m already in my second year of high school; my family would never agree to a transfer.’

‘Damn it all!’

‘Am I truly destined to endure this indefinitely?’

‘There are still two long years until high school graduation. Can I possibly last that long?’

‘Damn Zhou Lin, damn Lin Qing, damn this cursed school!’

‘Wait a minute…’

‘In this utterly desperate situation, I could seek out *that* person for a solution!’

‘When that individual approached him some time ago, he had dismissed them as a pervert. But now, in a ‘dead horse, live horse’ scenario, he had no choice but to try.’

‘What was that person’s phone number again?’

‘I’ll send a text message first and see.’

****

‘Ding-a-ling.’

Chen Sen heard the text message alert from his phone. He didn’t check it immediately. Instead, a smile playing on his lips, he raised an iron rod and tapped the massive iron cage before him, draped in crimson cloth.

In the dim, subterranean chamber, the clanking of the iron cage echoed with a dull thud, shattering the profound silence.

Chen Sen, however, remained utterly unconcerned. In fact, his smile only widened, becoming more radiant.

‘This time, another hefty profit awaits.’

‘I was just fretting about a lack of manpower.’

‘Now, it seems, my worries are quite unnecessary.’