Chapter 27: Lin Qing’s Stand

“Li Weiqiang, what are you doing!”

Facing Lin Qing, that unfortunate boy, Zhou Lin always felt a pang of apprehension.

Even now, just looking at Lin Qing’s face brought back memories of him trembling uncontrollably, a reaction that seemed far from normal.

‘Perhaps something is wrong with him…’

Consequently, Zhou Lin had absolutely no desire to interact with Lin Qing more than necessary.

Seeing Li Weiqiang’s provocative stance, Zhou Lin quickly stepped forward to mediate. He waved a hand towards Lin Qing, signaling for him to get out of the way.

‘Don’t cause any more trouble here.’

“Zhou Lin, who do you think you are, talking to me like that?”

Upon hearing Zhou Lin’s words, Li Weiqiang’s face twisted into an expression of displeasure. He spoke bluntly, without the slightest hesitation or regard.

His tone was as if he were scolding a stray dog on the street, completely devoid of any attempt to conceal his contempt.

Li Weiqiang, a member of the basketball club, regularly trained, resulting in a broad back and powerful muscles. His imposing physique made him stand out noticeably among the group of boys.

His large hands, when clenched, seemed to pulsate with even greater strength.

Had his looks been better, he would undoubtedly have been the type of boy girls flocked to.

In terms of sheer physical build, Zhou Lin, the bully of Class Six, appeared like a scrawny, withered chick next to Class One’s Li Weiqiang.

The difference was stark and immediate.

However, navigating the school’s social hierarchy wasn’t solely about physical prowess.

“Li Weiqiang, watch your mouth! Don’t think you can throw your weight around just because you’re protected by a third-year. Our Brother Liu will be back soon.”

Although Zhou Lin was no match for Li Weiqiang in terms of physical strength, he showed no fear of Li Weiqiang’s intimidating presence.

He quickly strode towards Li Weiqiang, closing the distance between them until they were so close it seemed as though they might kiss.

At that precise moment, Zhou Lin spat with a sharp ‘Pah!’, his saliva landing directly beside Li Weiqiang’s foot.

It narrowly missed his shoe.

The veins on Li Weiqiang’s temples throbbed visibly, and his ferocious glare was enough to make a child cry.

Yet, Zhou Lin was not one to be easily intimidated. He returned the stare with equally fierce eyes.

Neither backed down.

The two stood silent, locked in an intense staring match. The atmosphere grew instantly tense, causing the surrounding students to exchange bewildered glances, wondering how things had escalated so quickly.

Class One and Class Six had just been happily playing football, and now they looked on the verge of a fight!

“Ring! Ring! Ring!”

The school bell rang, signaling the start of class, but Li Weiqiang and Zhou Lin remained locked in their standoff.

They continued to glare angrily at each other, neither showing any intention of backing down.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough. We’re all classmates, why make such a fuss?”

It was at this moment that Wang Jian, who had been playing football with them, suddenly spoke up.

He stepped forward, placing himself between Li Weiqiang and Zhou Lin, and gently pushed their shoulders, signaling them to cease their stubborn standoff.

‘They wouldn’t actually fight anyway.’

Wang Jian and Zhou Lin were both under Brother Liu’s protection. Liu Hong, known as ‘Mad Dog’ throughout the school, was fiercely protective of his own.

If Li Weiqiang were to lay a hand on Zhou Lin today, the consequences of incurring Liu Hong’s wrath would undoubtedly be dire.

After all, Liu Hong’s current forced reflection at home was due to him nearly beating someone to death.

Even when discovered by teachers, Liu Hong had not ceased his assault; instead, he had seemingly enjoyed the beating more.

The victim’s family had later called the police, but unfortunately, due to Liu Hong’s minor status, no criminal charges were pressed.

Thus, the school could only mandate his reflection at home. The reason they hadn’t expelled Liu Hong outright stemmed from his family’s ties to organized crime. School administrators feared being ambushed and severely beaten one day.

They could only prioritize persuasive education.

Despite these measures, Liu Hong’s vendetta against that student had never truly ceased.

Unless the victim transferred schools, Liu Hong would mercilessly beat them again every time they appeared on campus.

This very act of unhinged violence solidified Liu Hong’s reputation as ‘Mad Dog,’ making him someone no school punk dared to provoke.

Li Weiqiang, merely a physically strong sports student, wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Zhou Lin, even if he possessed ten times his current courage.

Zhou Lin knew this well, which was why he felt no fear.

Yet, wanting to beat Li Weiqiang was also out of the question.

Li Weiqiang alone wasn’t formidable, but he was protected by a third-year student from the sports department.

This was a force not to be underestimated.

Therefore, when Li Weiqiang and Zhou Lin began their standoff, Wang Jian initially refrained from intervening, quietly observing the drama unfold.

However, with the class bell already having rung, they couldn’t linger any longer.

The physical education teacher would surely arrive soon.

Wang Jian certainly didn’t want to be forced to run laps.

That would be truly unlucky.

Still, why was the PE teacher so late today?

The bell had already rung.

Yet, there was no sign of them. What blatant dereliction of duty!

“Zhou Lin, you’re nothing but one of Liu Hong’s dogs! What are you strutting around for now?”

“Even if I’m a dog, you’d have to kneel and lick me.”

Following Wang Jian’s intervention, boys from both Class One and Class Six quickly moved in, creating a significant distance between the two combatants.

Perhaps due to the separation, Li Weiqiang and Zhou Lin’s verbal sparring intensified.

Wang Jian, still observing from the side, almost felt like applauding their sharp retorts.

Yet, despite their heated words, neither had any intention of resorting to blows.

Li Weiqiang, being held back, easily shrugged off the person restraining him. A surge of furious rage ‘whooshed’ through his chest.

‘That bastard Zhou Lin only acts tough because of Liu Hong! Without Liu Hong, he’d be a dead piece of trash, beaten to a pulp long ago!’

‘And now he dares to be so arrogant with me!’

He felt utterly helpless.

‘This is infuriating!’

“The cold mineral water is here.”

Just then, a timid figure appeared, effectively adding fuel to Li Weiqiang’s already burning rage.

“Damn it, Li Dong, were you laying eggs or something?!”

Li Weiqiang quickly strode towards Li Dong, his large hand swinging violently to slap Li Dong’s head, sending him sprawling to the ground. Immediately, he lifted his foot and brutally kicked Li Dong’s stomach.

Li Dong’s sudden fall caused him to hit his nose, and blood immediately gushed out, staining his clothes and making him appear even more pathetic.

Li Dong had no thought of resisting the assault; he merely curled into a ball, intending to endure it.

Having been bullied by Li Weiqiang and his group for a considerable time, he had grown accustomed to such treatment.

‘As long as I’m not beaten to death, I can endure it!’

There was no alternative but to endure.

No one would come to save him.

“Stop!”

However, as Li Weiqiang furiously brutalized Li Dong, a voice laced with hidden fury suddenly rang out.

The onlookers collectively turned towards the source of the voice, only to see that it belonged to Lin Qing, whose face was largely obscured by his dark hair.

This frail, diminutive boy seemed as though a mere gust of wind could carry him away.

Yet, he now dared to command Li Weiqiang to stop his assault.

‘He’s truly courting death!’

Lin Qing, however, paid no mind to the surrounding stares. As he gazed at Li Dong, sprawled on the ground, and the stark red blood, he spoke not out of concern for the infirmary teacher, but because he was suddenly reminded of his own suppressed past.

This helpless abuse—he had desperately wished never to recall it again!