Chapter 24: The Beggar and the Genius

At the age of eighteen, he was full of vigor and spirit!

Looking at Jiang Changlong, Zhao Heng also blurted out a redundant sentence: "You are twenty-six this year."

As Jiang Changlong showed a hint of a smile, Zhao Heng enlarged the picture on the computer and pointed to the sharp and spirited photo, saying calmly, "You were quite handsome when you were young, but how many identities do you have? A beggar one moment, a college student the next, and then unable to graduate for eight years. Brother Jiang, you are truly mysterious."

This was Zhao Heng's first question to Jiang Changlong.

"Hehe, it's actually very simple."

Holding a few yellowed economics books, Jiang Changlong leaned lazily against the wall and lowered his voice with a smile, "A good-for-nothing who can't graduate for eight years naturally can't find a job without a degree. Plus, the pressure of studying for so many years was too great, so I ended up becoming a disciple of the beggars on the street."

"You can call me Old Jiang, or Senior Brother!"

Jiang Changlong smiled harmlessly and leaned in to add, "Or you can call me a good person." Then he patted the books in his arms and said, "I won't chat with you anymore. I skipped work today just to read these books. I have a grand wish, which is to complete all my credits next year and graduate."

"Then I will be a highly educated beggar with a degree."

He also gave Zhao Heng a carefree piece of advice, "It can increase your income, little brother. You must work hard. I don't want you to break my record. Although I am unbeatable, I don't want you to刷新 my disgrace. Study hard, work hard, and when you have money, marry a beautiful wife."

Zhao Heng's expression remained calm, "I know my own limits."

Although Jiang Changlong was also his schoolmate, Zhao Heng didn't relax his vigilance towards him. After all, the former was too bizarre, alternating between being a beggar and a genius, making it hard to tell which was his true identity. Facing such an unpredictable person, Zhao Heng had his own way of handling it—maintaining a cautious attitude.

Only by doing so could he avoid being stabbed in the back.

Jiang Changlong saw through his thoughts and changed the subject with a smile, "Little brother, I really have no ill intentions. When you have time, walk around the campus more. The best thing about Huahai University is its human touch. The first ten days before the new semester start are free for activities and interactions, no classes, to help freshmen quickly integrate into the school and their classmates."

"So you still have a week to be lazy."

Seeing his comfortable demeanor, Zhao Heng could imagine Jiang Changlong's youthful vigor in the past, but he still smiled faintly, "Your advice is good, but I don't like being lazy or comfortable. On the contrary, I like challenges and折腾, especially messing with my opponents, which gives me a sense of achievement."

There was a hidden meaning in his words, but Jiang Changlong just laughed it off, "Just like me when I was young, full of youthful arrogance. But I believe you won't end up like me. After all, you are much smarter and more capable than me. However, you still need to take Huahai's courses seriously, or the final exams will be quite tough."

Before Zhao Heng could respond, Jiang Changlong added, "And this winter, you will have to participate in military training, which is quite tragic. Huahai University's military training is famous nationwide, with instructors from the field army. After a month, you will be completely transformed. I almost wanted to jump off the building back then."

"Fat people will become thin, and thin people will become skin and bones."

He looked at Zhao Heng's not-so-strong physique and advised kindly, "So, little brother, enjoy this week. Walk around the campus more, flirt with girls or be tempted by senior sisters. Have a romantic experience; these days, the only pure love is in the campus."

Seeing his easygoing attitude and not believing in the so-called pure love, Zhao Heng thought that girls these days were more mature and had a good understanding of fame and fortune. Without a solid family background or personal ability, love was just a castle in the air, at best a casual affair like Lu Meng.

So he said calmly, "Did you have a girlfriend back then?"

Zhao Heng's casual question made Jiang Changlong's smile freeze instantly. Zhao Heng seemed to sense that he had touched a nerve and patted his shoulder apologetically. To avoid an awkward answer, Zhao Heng quickly left the library, leaving Old Jiang staring blankly at the computer, seemingly lost in thought.

"Girlfriend?"

Jiang Changlong stood there as if under a spell, muttering to himself. Then his gaze fell on the computer screen, and his fingers quickly stopped on a page. Looking at the clear and attractive face, the carefree expression on Jiang Changlong's face faded, and a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Yaqi, how are you?"

But when he put away his gentle expression and looked at Zhao Heng's retreating back, he realized he had forgotten to tell Zhao Heng about the Qing Gang's plan for revenge. He wanted to catch up but ultimately gave up the idea. He thought that to make friends, one needed sincerity. He would gather more information, perhaps that would help Zhao Heng lower his guard.

The sun shone brightly, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Zhao Heng maintained his vigilance towards Jiang Changlong, although the latter exuded a sense of righteousness and spoke sincerely. Zhao Heng still didn't want to get too close to this identity-shifting and skilled individual. He planned to avoid interacting with him as much as possible. Who knew what Jiang Changlong was up to?

As he walked out of the library, an unremarkable car passed by him. A girl in the car caught sight of him, her body trembling slightly as she quickly turned her head. But Zhao Heng had already disappeared around the corner. The girl let out a long breath, her eyes filled with joy, "Zhao Heng, I see you again."

Du Ziyang's eyes sparkled with a pure and sincere emotion. Zhao Heng, as if sensing something, also turned his head instinctively but saw nothing unusual. He then continued walking to the dormitory, carrying a few books and picking up four boxed meals for Qiao Fatso and the others at the cafeteria.

In the following days, Zhao Heng either rested in the dormitory or went to the library to read various books, fully enriching himself. Qiao Yuncai and Song Qingguan also regarded him as their mainstay, seeking his advice on everything. Their relationship warmed up, and they became like close brothers, standing together through thick and thin.

However, emotions aside, Zhao Heng made them run on the playground every morning to build their physical strength. After seven days of running, the results were significant. At least Qiao Yuncai could run a kilometer without collapsing like he did in the first two days. The pale and thin Song Qingguan also gained a bit of toughness.

In the evenings at eight o'clock, Zhao Heng, returning from the library, would close the dormitory door and teach them a simplified set of long fist techniques, making them spar in the dormitory. Although it was still just a show, the moves looked decent and improved their physical reactions.

Zhao Heng believed that when Song Qingguan encountered the one-eyed man and his gang again, he wouldn't be as helpless as before. At least he could run a few more streets and have a better chance of survival. Song Qingguan, after a few days of peace, also relaxed, no longer fearing that his stepmother would send someone to kill him.

Qiao Fatso also started to enjoy running up and down the stairs, although it felt like an earthquake each time.

On the tenth day of being in school, Qiao Fatso and Song Qingguan poked their heads out of the dormitory corridor, finding no abnormalities, and then dragged Zhao Heng to the cafeteria for a feast. A week of simple meals had made them crave something better. However, Song Qingguan, fearing his stepmother, had hardly left the dormitory.

But after nearly ten days with no incidents, it seemed his stepmother was preoccupied with the Song family business, which relieved him greatly. Therefore, he decided to treat Zhao Heng and Qiao Fatso to a meal. Even though he was down on his luck, he still had some money in his bank card.

He withdrew some money from the school bank and took the initiative to treat them.

"Stir-fried pig's intestines, sautéed pig's kidney, fried pork, and cumin lamb."

Qiao Fatso stomped down the stairs, gritting his teeth and reciting the dishes as if they were his class enemies, determined to crush them. Zhao Heng kicked him and pointed to the creaking stairs, "Still eating? If you keep eating, this building won't be able to bear your weight, and all my training will be for nothing."

"The dishes you recited, we will order."

Zhao Heng patted Qiao Fatso's belly, "But Qingguan and I will eat, and you will eat salted vegetables."

Qiao Fatso staggered, almost falling to the ground. Only when he saw Zhao Heng's joking expression did he relax. Eating only vegetables would be a death sentence for him. The three of them then entered the cafeteria. As they stepped in, a passing girl suddenly stopped, glanced at Zhao Heng's back, and huffed coldly.

"Scumbag, I'll give you a taste of your own medicine today."

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