Chapter 30

Ding Sheng wasn’t in a hurry either; he waited patiently for the monkey to eat. The monkey ate very carefully, even licking the grains of rice at the edge of the plate clean. Finally, he patted his stomach contentedly: “I haven’t had such delicious fried rice in a long time!”

“If you like it, I can bring you here every day,” Ding Sheng said with a smile, while Liang Qi watched the monkey cautiously.

The monkey smiled: “Sorry for keeping everyone waiting, I have two things to say now.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Ding Sheng said seriously.

“First, Zuo Fei is not a small fry; he is our brother, an equal brother. We wouldn’t have become the leaders of the freshmen without his contributions.”

Ding Sheng nodded: “And the second?”

“Second, I’m afraid you won’t be treating me to fried rice anymore.”

“Why?”

The monkey didn’t explain why but instead picked up the plate in front of him and slammed it on Ding Sheng’s face.

Since Liang Qi had been watching the monkey, he immediately stood up to attack him as soon as he saw the monkey’s move. Liang Qi was sitting right next to Ding Sheng, and he could have hit the monkey with one punch. However, at the critical moment, Huang Jie overturned the table, spilling the soup all over them. Liang Qi jumped back a few steps and tried to hit the monkey again, but Zheng Wu had already intercepted him.

“Haven’t I heard you’re quite a fighter?” Zheng Wu said. “Come on, let’s have a go.” Then he threw a punch.

I wasn’t idle either. While the monkey was eating the fried rice, I knew what he was planning. After all, we had been friends for a long time and had developed a good understanding. I picked up a basin of fish head with chopped peppers and splashed it at Xiao Wei and his group. Taking advantage of their confusion, I jumped over and kicked Xiao Wei, and Huang Jie came to help me. Together, we forced the few of them to retreat.

Since I was busy fighting, I couldn’t clearly see what was happening with the others. I only caught a glimpse of the monkey still beating up Ding Sheng, and Zheng Wu and Liang Qi fighting. Liang Qi was quite strong, and it wasn’t clear who had the upper hand. As for Wang Yao, she was shouting for them to stop, as she knew both sides and didn’t want to take sides. She kicked Liang Qi and Huang Jie out of frustration, but no one listened to her because everyone was too engrossed in the fight.

What was exciting was that, except for Zheng Wu, who was in an unclear situation, the monkey, Huang Jie, and I were all in the lead. If this continued, we would definitely win. Just as I was feeling pleased, a lot of footsteps were heard from outside the door, and over a dozen students rushed in with various weapons.

“Brother Sheng, Brother Qi!” they shouted.

We were ambushed! It was clear that since they had a purpose, they must have been prepared. We, however, had trusted Wang Yao and hadn’t thought of anything else.

“Protect Brother Sheng!” Liang Qi shouted. Ding Sheng was really no match for the fight, or perhaps he could fight but wasn’t a match for the monkey. I didn’t see Ding Sheng get up at all. Five or six students rushed at the monkey, while the others came at me and Huang Jie. No one went to help Liang Qi, clearly confident in his strength! Zheng Wu, however, was clearly losing ground, having been kicked down three times.

Liang Qi, known for his fighting skills in the second year, was definitely skilled, and his physique was no less than Zheng Wu’s.

I didn’t have time to worry about Zheng Wu because I had a few tough opponents around me, and they all had weapons! I hadn’t even done anything when I got hit on the back with a stick, which hurt so much that I stumbled forward several steps.

This stumble made me lose my balance, and Xiao Wei took the opportunity to kick me, and I fell to the ground. Two or three students surrounded me, punching and kicking me. It was impossible to get up again. This was the ninth time I had been beaten since entering Dongcheng No. 1 High School, and I had learned to handle it. I protected my head and crotch, using my arms, back, and thighs to absorb the blows.

At the same time, I had a chance to check on the others. I was the first to be beaten down, which felt a bit embarrassing, but the monkey and Huang Jie weren’t doing well either. They were each surrounded by four or five students with weapons. After resisting for a while, they finally couldn’t hold on and fell to the ground, using the same posture as me to defend themselves.

Liang Qi and Zheng Wu were still fighting, a real physical battle where every punch and kick was powerful. Zheng Wu let out a roar but was clearly at a disadvantage. Wang Yao didn’t realize we had been beaten down because she had been following Liang Qi from behind: “Brother Qi, stop fighting, give me some face!”

Liang Qi seized an opportunity and kicked Zheng Wu hard, sending him flying. Several students rushed over and pinned him down.

Zheng Wu let out a roar of frustration but couldn’t get up.

Liang Qi, panting, said: “Damn, the kid is quite a fighter. No one has fought me like this in years.”

With the end of the fight between Liang Qi and Zheng Wu, the other students stopped fighting and held us down. Wang Yao finally realized we were all on the ground and rushed over to push the people pinning us, shouting, “Get off, get off!” But they didn’t move, looking at Ding Sheng and Liang Qi. Ding Sheng slowly sat up: “Wang Yao, aren’t you concerned about me?”

Ding Sheng’s forehead, nose, and mouth were all bloody, and his cheeks were bruised. It was clear the monkey had beaten him up badly. Wang Yao sighed and grabbed a few napkins from the table to give him.

“Brother Sheng, why did it have to come to this? They are my guests.”

“I know it’s difficult for you,” Ding Sheng said while wiping the blood. “But look, the monkey beat me up like this.”

“You made it difficult for them first!”

“Even if that’s true, can’t we talk it out? Why resort to violence? Wang Yao, you know me, have I ever been like this?”

Wang Yao was speechless.

“But they are my friends, can’t you give me a little face?”

Ding Sheng sat, and Wang Yao squatted, their eyes meeting.

Ding Sheng sighed: “I’m beaten up like this, and you still side with others. I feel so wronged as your brother. Forget it, since I’m the older one, I’ll take the beating. I can’t make you unhappy, can I?”

Wang Yao smiled: “Brother Sheng, thank you so much. You and them are all good kids.” Then she stood up: “What are you waiting for? Let them go.” They still didn’t move, still looking at Ding Sheng, waiting for his order.

“Brother Sheng,” Wang Yao called.

Ding Sheng wiped the blood off his face, slowly stood up, and said: “Wang Yao, I’m giving you face. The monkey beat me up like this, but I’ll let him go.” Then he pointed at Huang Jie and Zheng Wu: “I’ll let these two go too.” Finally, he pointed at me, “But not this one.”

“Why?” Wang Yao’s face changed.

“No reason, we have a grudge. I’ve given you face once, and you should give me face too. You know I rarely take such a beating. But for you, I will.” Ding Sheng took a stick from one of the students.

“I’ll only hit him, and I’ll let the other three go. Wang Yao, don’t try to stop me. I’ve already made a big concession.”

“I’ll take the hit for him,” the monkey suddenly said. “Can I take it for him?”

“I’ll take it, let me take it!” Zheng Wu shouted, struggling, and the few people almost couldn’t hold him.

“You two, stop it. You’re both beaten up like dogs. Let me take it,” Huang Jie said calmly.

I looked at the three of them, and I couldn’t say I wasn’t moved; my eyes were even red.

“No one needs to take it for me,” I said. “It’s just a beating; I can handle it.”

“Good, I’ll give you a beating, and we’ll be even. Of course, if you want revenge, you’re welcome to come find me.” Ding Sheng raised the stick, ready to hit my head.

“Smash!” A beer bottle suddenly hit Ding Sheng’s head.

“I said no!”

Wang Yao stood behind Ding Sheng, looking fierce.

Beer shards and blood splattered, and blood flowed down the back of Ding Sheng’s head. Everyone in the room was shocked, looking at Wang Yao in surprise. For a moment, even Liang Qi forgot to speak. Ding Sheng touched his head, slowly turned around, and looked at Wang Yao, who was angry.

“Are you going to turn against me for him?”

“Yes!” Wang Yao glared. “You forced me! I told you not to hit him, but you insisted. I’m not as good as Yi Zhen, right?”

Ding Sheng pointed at me on the ground, “You’ve only known each other for a month or so, and our years of friendship can’t compare to his?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re getting too full of yourself just because I call you brother. You ambushed my friends, and you still have the nerve to say you’re giving me face? I warn you, leave now with your people, or this won’t end well!”

The room was silent. Wang Yao’s words made it clear she was ready to break ties with Ding Sheng and Liang Qi.

Wang Yao wasn’t afraid of them. No matter how tough they were, they were just school delinquents and couldn’t ignore Wang Yao’s older brother, so she had the confidence to say such things.

However, Wang Yao’s confidence was one thing, but saying it was another. No one would have thought Wang Yao would break ties with Ding Sheng and Liang Qi for me, and even the perceptive monkey might not have been sure.

Even I wondered if Wang Yao would protect me like this if there was nothing between us.

I didn’t know, and I had no confidence. I only knew that I liked her even more.

Ding Sheng and Liang Qi’s group left in a sorry state, not daring to confront Wang Yao.

We slowly got up from the ground, but Wang Yao squatted and cried, after all, they were like siblings to her.

“Sorry, I put you in a difficult position,” the monkey said. “You don’t have to get involved in our affairs anymore.”

Wang Yao didn’t respond, still crying on the ground.

I walked over and gently patted Wang Yao’s shoulder.

“Don’t cry,” I said.

Wang Yao’s body trembled. She wiped her tears, stood up, and looked at us, who were all bruised and battered.

“I’m the one who should be sorry. If I hadn’t called you out…” Wang Yao didn’t finish, “I can’t stay here anymore.” She left the room. The large room was left with only the four of us.

The room was in a mess, with tables and chairs overturned and dishes and plates shattered on the floor.

The monkey leaned against the wall, lit a cigarette, and we all sat down and lit cigarettes—except for Zheng Wu.

Silence, no one spoke.

Finally, Zheng Wu broke the silence: “Sigh, if I had my battle gear, I could have beaten Liang Qi. Losing is really frustrating.”

The monkey said, “I intentionally lost to them.”

Huang Jie said, “Yeah, me too.”

I didn’t say anything, just smiled bitterly. They couldn’t keep up the act, and we all stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Really, I really lost on purpose, so I had a reason to fight them,” the monkey said again.

I couldn’t help it: “Okay, okay, you lost on purpose, fine.”

The monkey laughed, Huang Jie laughed, and I laughed. Zheng Wu was confused, but the atmosphere was better.

“Let’s go, we have a long time to get revenge,” the monkey stood up, and we all stood up.

The four of us had a burning desire for revenge in our eyes. No one thought of giving up, even if the opponent was a powerful figure. We were determined to make a hole in it, and no one could stop us!

We walked out of the room with determined steps, but the security guards of the Blue Moon Restaurant stopped us.

After calculating, the cost of the alcohol, food, and broken dishes and furniture was 1280 yuan.

“Damn, did you make a mistake? The people who left before us didn’t pay?” The monkey jumped higher than anyone when it came to money.

“They didn’t pay, and you are the last to leave,” the restaurant manager said seriously, with a dozen security guards in uniform and rubber batons standing behind him.

1280 yuan was a huge amount for us, and we couldn’t call Wang Yao for help at this point. The monkey, Huang Jie, and Zheng Wu looked at me.

“What are you looking at?”

“Aren’t you the little tycoon?”

I took out over 300 yuan from my pocket: “This is all I have.”

“Let’s pool our money, maybe it’s enough.”

The monkey took out a crumpled 5 yuan note, Huang Jie took out a worn 5 yuan note, and Zheng Wu had only about 20 yuan after searching his entire body. The monkey gathered all our money and handed it to the manager.

“Is this enough?”

The manager didn’t even count: “Not enough!”

Of course not, there were only three 100 yuan notes, and the rest were 10 and 5 yuan notes. How could it be enough?

“This is all we have,” the monkey said firmly.

“Then I have to call the police.”

The manager just took out his phone when the monkey pointed behind him: “My uncle is here!”

Everyone turned around, and I followed, but there was no one behind. I was wondering where the monkey’s uncle was when someone tugged at my sleeve. I turned around to see the monkey and Huang Jie already running far away.

“Hurry up!” Zheng Wu pulled me and ran.

“You little brats, eating without paying!” The manager led the security guards in pursuit