Chapter 30

Chapter 13: The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Might

Wen Liang gave her a different feeling. During their first meeting, Wen Liang had flattered Xu Yao, greatly offending Ning Xiaoning. So when they met again at the restaurant, Ning Xiaoning taught him a lesson in her unique way. When they met for the third time and she forced him to leave Xu Yao, the disdain in Wen Liang's eyes, the mockery at the corners of his mouth, and the scathing rebuke he gave her made Ning Xiaoning so angry she almost spat blood. However, upon reflection, she found that Wen Liang's words were neither humble nor arrogant, and every word was reasonable. Especially the line, "My feelings may be cheap, but a Party Secretary of a city is not worth it!" It was a powerful statement, full of pride and integrity.

Ning Xiaoning suddenly realized that Wen Liang was not just a little different; he was worlds apart from his peers. He could fight with a thug to save a small employee, and he could also mock and say things that made people want to spit blood. He could protect Xu Yao under his body and face death calmly, but he would also turn and leave resolutely when misunderstood. Sometimes he was playful and smiling, and other times he was straightforward and responsible. Such a boy might not be able to compare with Gu Wenyuan in terms of family background, appearance, or future prospects, but there was no denying that he was more genuine and interesting than Gu Wenyuan.

"Comrade Coach, you're being asked a question, what are you daydreaming about?"

Ning Xiaoning hummed and looked up, only to find that Wen Liang was standing in front of her, bending down to look at her. The strong male scent hit her nose. From this angle, his clear, black eyes and straight, prominent nose were visible. His eyebrows were dark but not thick, and the edges of his face were softer, less stern. His hair, damp from exercise, had a few drops of sweat almost touching her nose. Ning Xiaoning's face turned red, and she leaned back to avoid the falling water droplets, scolding, "Why are you so close? If you squeeze me, I'll kick you to death..."

Wen Liang was stunned; the tone of her words sounded just like Xu Yao. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Ning Xiaoning also noticed the subtle change in her attitude. She suddenly chuckled, remembering something. After knowing each other for so long, this was the first time Wen Liang had seen her smile: a light scolding, full of charm, a charming smile, faintly captivating.

The three of them checked the time and prepared to leave. At this moment, the door of the basketball court was pushed open, and a person walked in, followed by the four who had run away earlier. The two leaders, one in his forties, with a large belly, clearly an administrative worker at the school, and the other in his early thirties, in a well-fitted suit, looked young and capable. The muscular man pointed at Wen Liang and the others and said, "Dean Zhao, these three from the Foreign Languages Department are unreasonable. They not only monopolize the basketball court and prevent us from training, but they also hit people..."

The middle-aged Dean Zhao snorted coldly, hands behind his back, and said sternly, "What are your names? Delaying the school basketball team's training and hitting people is a violation of school rules and discipline. I will talk to your department head!"

Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning stood behind Wen Liang without speaking. Unconsciously, the three of them had formed a tacit understanding. Such trivial matters as public relations were naturally left to the useless Wen Liang.

"Hello, Dean Zhao, the situation might be different from what you heard..."

Before Wen Liang could finish, Dean Zhao rudely waved his hand to cut him off, "I don't want to hear your explanation. Leave your names and wait for the school's punishment." He turned his head and looked at the muscular man's injured face, his tone becoming even more severe, "Hmph, given the extreme severity of the situation, expulsion is not too much! However, considering your youth and naivety, if you apologize to these students now, I can give you a probationary punishment!"

Seeing the muscular man's smug expression, Wen Liang knew that the dean was favoring him. He said irritably, "Dean Zhao, you're the vice-dean, right? Do you have the power to expel students?"

Dean Zhao was instantly furious. The word "vice" was a constant pain in his heart. "What's your name, daring to speak to me like this? I'm telling you, you can start packing your things now. You'll receive the school's notice tomorrow!"

Wen Liang looked at him with a look of disdain, "Do I look like I have underdeveloped intelligence? After you've threatened me like this, do you still want to know my name?"

Vice-Dean Zhao was almost furious to death, pointing at Wen Liang, "Fine, fine, don't think you can get away with it. There are always photos in the archives. Get ready to leave!"

It must be said that the leaders of higher education institutions still had some class. Even when so angry, they didn't use any foul language, which was much more dignified than the muscular man and Mu Shanshan.

"Then you can go through the archives. Take your time, no need to rush!"

Seeing Wen Liang's boldness, the muscular man was not angry but delighted. He had lied to get his uncle, the vice-dean, to come here. He was afraid that Wen Liang would say too much and make his uncle suspicious. Now, his uncle would definitely expel this guy without hesitation. He could even plead for the two girls, and they would be grateful. Even if he couldn't date one, it would be a blessing from a past life, and dating both was not impossible...

Thinking of the good things, the muscular man almost drooled. It wasn't until the sleazy man nudged him that he came to his senses. He stepped forward and pointed at Wen Liang, scolding, "You're being given a face and you don't want it? Kneel down now and slap yourself to admit your mistake, or you'll be crying when you're expelled!"

Wen Liang ignored him, dribbling the basketball casually. Dean Zhao, furious, laughed, "Alright, you have some backbone, but don't regret it!"

He was about to leave when a young man in his early thirties, dressed in a casual suit, with neatly combed hair, looking very capable, suddenly pushed the door open. "Dean Zhao, you're hard to find. If it weren't for Xiao Li seeing you come this way, I'd be in trouble. Let's go quickly, Dean Lin and the leaders from the city government and public security bureau are waiting. If we're late, Dean Lin will be angry!" His words were quite impolite, even a bit reproachful.

Wen Liang's eyes lit up. Wasn't this the young man who had delivered the keys a few days ago? The young man also saw Wen Liang and the others, a smile appearing on his face. He walked over and said warmly, "Isn't this Wen Liang? You're here to practice today? I've been busy these past two days and haven't had time to come and see you. How do you like the conditions here?" His attitude was worlds apart from how he treated Dean Zhao.

Dean Zhao was stunned by the young man's words. Everyone at Qingzhou Normal University knew that this young assistant dean was arrogant and had a strong background. In the university, he only gave face to the dean. Now, he was being so friendly to a student, which was definitely unusual. The muscular man was also terrified. He knew the young man's identity and had heard from his uncle that he was not to be provoked. He was surprised to see the young man being so warm to someone he had despised, and he quietly took a few steps back.

Dean Zhao, a seasoned elite, quickly put on a smile. "So Assistant Zheng knows them. That's a misunderstanding. I was just wondering why someone would be in the basketball court so late, so I came to check. I didn't expect it to be the people you introduced!"

Assistant Zheng didn't respond, saying, "I don't have that much influence. This is a personal instruction from Dean Lin, to take good care of them."

Dean... Dean Lin? Dean Zhao felt as if he had been hit on the head. Cold sweat poured down his face, and he quickly smiled, "If they are guests of Dean Lin, I won't disturb them. This... student, what happened was a misunderstanding. I will severely criticize them," he turned and said sternly, "Wang Guangfu, apologize to them now!"

The muscular man, whose name was Wang Guangfu (Wang Guangfu was in tears, extras don't have the right to a name), was scared by his uncle's reprimand and trembled as he walked forward and bowed, saying, "I was impulsive earlier, it was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! You are magnanimous, don't take it to heart!"

The sleazy man also smiled, his head almost touching his crotch. Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning looked at them with disgust and moved to the side. Wen Liang quickly pretended to support them, saying, "No, no, I should apologize. What you said earlier was actually quite right. Should I kneel down and slap myself to apologize?"

Damn it!

These five words echoed in everyone's minds. After cursing in his heart, Dean Zhao had to step in to smooth things over. After all, in the university, Dean Lin had the final say on all matters, and he, a mere vice-dean, was nothing. He said sternly, "Wang Guangfu and the others provoked first and insulted later, leading to a fight... minor... injury." He looked at Wen Liang and couldn't find any injuries, so he made something up, "They will receive a severe warning as a warning to others!"

Assistant Zheng had been watching coldly. Only after Dean Zhao said this did he smile, "Alright, alright, since it was a misunderstanding, let's not make a big deal out of it. Let's just let it go."

Wen Liang knew that was it, and he laughed, shaking Assistant Zheng's hand and saying softly, "Thank you for your support!"

Assistant Zheng chuckled, saying softly, "Director Zuo is also there. Do you want to go together?" This statement made Wen Liang realize that this person was definitely a close confidant of Dean Lin, and he knew who had interceded on their behalf.

This made sense. Only someone who knew Zuo Yuxi's identity would have such an attitude. Zuo Yuxi herself was not a concern; a mere city education bureau director was not worth the university's deliberate cultivation. But with a vice-provincial father, the situation was entirely different. Borrowing the basketball court and using power to pressure others were trivial matters, no matter how many times they happened.

Wen Liang shook his head and pointed at the two girls. Assistant Zheng smiled understandingly and pulled Dean Zhao out the door. The muscular man and his group also slipped away. With Assistant Zheng there, Dean Zhao probably wouldn't dare to be biased. Of course, everyone understood that such things were like a widow buying cucumbers—better than nothing. Wen Liang just wanted to make them feel bad.

After this farce ended, the two girls walked over. Xu Yao clapped and laughed, "What a great show of officialdom! First arrogant, then humble, using others' power, silly boy, which one are you?"

Wen Liang bared his teeth in a threatening manner, "Isn't it because of you two beauties, attracting trouble? Otherwise, why would there be so many problems?"

Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning both raised their eyebrows. Xu Yao shouted, "Hit him!" and pounced, fists and feet flying. Ning Xiaoning hesitated for a moment and then slapped Wen Liang on the shoulder.

Hmm, not bad!

---

End of Page

---

Start of Page

---

End of Page