Chapter 66

"Tell me, can we touch the car today after signing up?"

The next morning, after meeting at the entrance of the neighborhood, Zhao Kang asked Li Mu with excitement.

A car is an extension of a man's speed and a symbol of success. Zhao Kang was at the age when he was most passionate about cars.

Li Mu nodded and said, "On the first day of driving school, they should let you get familiar with the car, the driving steps, and the gears, but they probably won't let you drive."

"Really? Damn, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep well last night."

"What's the point of getting so excited?" Li Mu shook his head and said, "Practicing reversing and parking is particularly boring. You'll see when you start."

"How do you know? You haven't learned either." Zhao Kang looked curious.

"You'll see."

The Jin'an Driving School was located in the suburbs, about five or six kilometers from Li Mu's home. The two of them hailed a taxi and headed straight for the driving school.

When they arrived at the driving school, it was not yet eight o'clock. The school had notified them to gather at the small square in front of the office building at eight o'clock. Li Mu and Zhao Kang, holding their slips, went directly to the small square.

At this time, about seventy or eighty students had already gathered in the small square. Several instructors were marking off areas and calling out, "Class One over here," "Class Two over here."

Li Mu's slip read "Class Two, Number 14." So he called out to Zhao Kang and headed straight for the Class Two instructor.

Su Yingxue hadn't arrived yet. Out of the fifteen students in Class Two, ten had already shown up. Li Mu took out his phone to call Su Yingxue, but suddenly someone gently patted his shoulder. He turned around and saw Su Yingxue, dressed in casual sportswear, smiling at him.

"I was just about to call you." Li Mu smiled and pointed to the instructor. "That's our class instructor. Give him your slip and sign the roster."

Su Yingxue nodded, went over to hand in her slip and sign the roster, and then returned to Li Mu and Zhao Kang. At that moment, Zhao Kang, who had been squatting on the cement edge of a small flower bed, jumped up.

"Guo Yuhang is here."

Zhao Kang's tone and expression were unfriendly.

Li Mu looked up and saw Guo Yuhang, with his hair parted in a 70-30 style, approaching with a smug look. He was wearing a white Adidas outfit with black stripes and a sly smile on his face as he walked toward Li Mu, clearly gloating.

Zhao Kang's temper was like a powder keg, ready to explode. Seeing Guo Yuhang's provocative demeanor and thinking about how he had used his family connections to interfere with Li Mu's parents' jobs, Zhao Kang was furious.

"Damn it, if this bastard says one more word, I'll beat him up!"

Zhao Kang's eyes were dark, like those of a fierce eagle.

Li Mu patted his shoulder and whispered, "Don't act rashly for me. I don't want to get your parents involved."

"Who's afraid of him!" Zhao Kang, once he got an idea in his head, would stick to it no matter what.

"Enough talk!" Li Mu's expression was somewhat angry. "If you act rashly, I'll quit and go to Yanjing to get my driver's license."

Seeing Li Mu's serious expression, Zhao Kang reluctantly nodded.

He only respected Li Mu.

Although Guo Yuhang kept looking at Li Mu with a haughty expression, he didn't come over. Instead, he held a slip and went straight to the Class Two instructor. This surprised Su Yingxue, who asked, "Didn't he sign up for Class Three? Why is he registering with our instructor?"

Guo Yuhang indeed registered with the Class Two instructor. Although his name wasn't on the instructor's roster, the slip he held was specially approved by the school principal, stating that he should be placed in Class Two and bearing the principal's signature.

The instructor often received slips from the principal, usually for students with connections who needed special attention. Without much thought, the instructor took Guo Yuhang's slip and then had him add his name to the roster.

Zhao Kang couldn't help but click his tongue. "Damn, this guy is like a sticky plaster."

"Really annoying." Su Yingxue also looked displeased.

Li Mu glanced at Su Yingxue and smiled. "Don't be bothered. Just ignore him and focus on learning to drive."

"Okay." Su Yingxue nodded lightly.

At this moment, Guo Yuhang, having completed his registration, sauntered over to Li Mu and the others.

"Hey, Li Mu." Guo Yuhang scanned Li Mu with a provocative tone and then stared at Su Yingxue with a lecherous look.

"Beautiful lady, we meet again. I didn't expect we'd be in the same class. What a coincidence."

Su Yingxue's disgust was evident. She turned her head away and ignored him.

Guo Yuhang didn't mind and turned to Li Mu, sneering and speaking in an extremely arrogant tone. "Li Mu, I heard your parents were laid off. Your family can't even afford to eat, right?"

Li Mu's expression was unreadable. "You're a coward. Did you have a hand in my parents' layoffs?"

"Did I say I did?" Guo Yuhang smirked. "Don't make false accusations. If your parents hear this, they might think you caused such a big mess and break your legs."

Li Mu waved his hand in disgust. "Alright, you coward. Go play somewhere else."

"You..." Guo Yuhang had expected that once Li Mu knew his parents were laid off because of him, he would panic or regret it. After all, it was a big deal for his parents' jobs, and the economic impact would severely affect their family's life. Most 18-year-olds would cry if they caused such a mess, but Li Mu was acting so arrogant!

Guo Yuhang felt that since he held the key to Li Mu's family's income, he had to make Li Mu bow to him in front of Su Yingxue. This would not only restore his face but also show Su Yingxue that his family background was no worse than hers.

So, Guo Yuhang suppressed his anger, raised his voice, and said, "Li Mu, my father is the mine manager of Xiling Coal Mine, and my mother is the vice-chairman of the union. If you kneel down and call me 'Brother Hang' now, I'll talk to my father, and your parents will be back at work tomorrow."

Guo Yuhang had been thinking about how to make Li Mu bow to him. He decided that kneeling and kowtowing would be the most satisfying. He was confident that Li Mu would yield.

After all, life was about survival. Guo Yuhang knew the salary standards for laid-off workers. Even with two incomes, they would only make about 500 to 600 yuan, which wasn't enough for Li Mu's college expenses.

Li Mu didn't get angry but laughed instead. Zhao Kang couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, shouting, "Damn, what the hell, Guo Yuhang!"

"Hey, you look familiar too." Guo Yuhang sneered. "You're probably the child of a Xiling Coal Mine worker too, right?"

Guo Yuhang's contemptuous expression clearly conveyed that all children of Xiling Coal Mine workers had to bow to him.

Li Mu extended an arm to block Zhao Kang, gently pushing him aside. Zhao Kang, remembering Li Mu's warning, didn't force the issue but his face was red with anger.

Then, Li Mu said, "Guo Yuhang, you're almost nineteen. Grow up. Can't you see we don't want to deal with you? Get lost."

"Damn..." Guo Yuhang was surprised that Li Mu was so defiant. This was about his parents' jobs! Was this guy so concerned with face that he didn't care about his parents' well-being?

Guo Yuhang's big move was useless. He was furious and flustered. His trump card didn't work, and Li Mu even called him shameless for coming over to talk to them. This was a huge blow to his pride.

"Li Mu, don't just act tough. Think about it. If you kneel, your parents will be back at work. If you don't, your family will starve."

Guo Yuhang still thought Li Mu was a paper tiger. An 18-year-old who caused such a big mess should be afraid.

"Kiss my ass, get lost!" Li Mu frowned and swore, not caring that Su Yingxue was nearby. He glared at Guo Yuhang. "I'll remember what you did to my parents. We'll settle this someday."

"What are you going to do? Settle what? Kiss your ass!" Guo Yuhang was extremely arrogant, his face twisted with anger. He stepped up to Li Mu and pushed him hard on the shoulder blades, gritting his teeth. "What are you, anyway?"

Guo Yuhang thought Li Mu wouldn't dare to fight back, especially with Su Yingxue watching. He wanted Li Mu to lose face in front of her.

But Guo Yuhang didn't expect Li Mu to suddenly slap him hard across the face. The pain made his left cheek throb and his eyes water.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Yes, he had no background or strength, but he had been reborn. He wasn't going to be bullied by a punk like Guo Yuhang, who had used his parents' connections to interfere with his parents' jobs. Just because your father is the mine manager, you think you're so great? I'll show you!

Guo Yuhang, in pain, let out a cry. Before he could react, Li Mu kicked him in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground, a meter away.

Seeing Li Mu take action, Zhao Kang was about to join in, but Li Mu suddenly stepped in front of him and whispered, "I'll handle him alone. Don't get involved."

Li Mu didn't want Zhao Kang to get involved because he didn't want his parents' jobs to be affected. He emphasized the word "alone."

When young people fight and say "one-on-one," it means a fair fight for dignity. Zhao Kang nodded, suppressing his urge to join in.

Guo Yuhang, covered in dirt and with a large shoe print on his stomach, winced in pain and shouted, "I'll kill you!"

Li Mu took a step forward and swung a punch at Guo Yuhang's face. Guo Yuhang's bravado vanished, and he tried to dodge, but Li Mu's other hand came up and slapped him again.

Both slaps were on the same side, and Guo Yuhang's face was now bleeding. Li Mu kicked him to the ground again and pointed at him. "Today is just interest. We have a long way to go. Get lost!"