Chapter 31

The monkey smiled and said, "Where could I go? I was just saying it casually. I think Zuo Fei’s plan is good. Wang Yao caused such a commotion this afternoon that Ding Sheng and Liang Qi don’t dare to touch us anymore." As he said this, he glanced at me with a strange look.

I wondered if it was because I felt guilty, but I always felt that the monkey was so smart, he might have seen through the relationship between Wang Yao and me. However, the monkey didn’t mention it. Instead, he assigned tasks according to my plan, saying that since Zheng Wu and I were new students and didn’t know the school well, we just needed to gather the freshmen’s forces, while he and Huang Jie would find the forces in the second year who were at odds with Ding Sheng and Liang Qi.

After he finished speaking, no one objected, so we returned to school, deliberately taking a detour to avoid the Blue Moon Restaurant. When we got to the school, I remembered something and asked, "By the way, Monkey, did you give that manager the three hundred yuan?"

The monkey was taken aback: "Of course I did!"

"You’re lying. He clearly didn’t want it. Give me the money back; that’s my only living expenses."

"Really, check for yourself!" The monkey was flustered and turned out all his pockets.

He turned out his shirt pockets, his pants pockets, and they were indeed empty. I was a bit confused. I clearly remembered that the manager didn’t take his money. But the monkey said he had given it, so maybe my memory was off?

"You must be mistaken." The monkey put his pockets back, "I’ll go to the internet cafe for a bit. You guys go back first."

The monkey left immediately, but his posture was a bit strange, his shoulders seemed uneven.

I shouted and tackled the monkey from behind, then took off his shoes. A pile of bills fell out, including three red hundred-yuan notes, and the rest were tens and fives. The monkey yelled, "This is my private money!"

"Private my ass." I was both amused and exasperated. We had all run out of the restaurant together, and I hadn’t seen the monkey stop to hide the money in his shoes!

I took back my money, even though it was a bit smelly. Huang Jie and Zheng Wu also took back their money. In the end, the monkey shouted, "Where’s my five yuan?" But no one admitted to taking it. The monkey sat on the ground and started cursing, saying that people from our city were all thieves and bandits. We all laughed, and no one paid him any attention. This was a case of losing more than gaining.

Every time we got beaten up, our mood would always shift from initial disappointment to eventual joy. The monkey had a knack for this.

The monkey and Huang Jie went to the internet cafe again, and Zheng Wu and I went back to class. It was already evening study time, so I told Zheng Wu that we should report to the class first, and then we would go out to find Yang Zecheng and Li Baiyu when the teachers weren’t around.

Zheng Wu agreed and said, "Actually, I can do it alone."

I knew he was boasting, but I didn’t want to call him out, or he might really go alone to find Ding Sheng. I said, "I know you can, but you should also consider teamwork."

Zheng Wu said, "I have to consider you guys," and then added, "But, the monkey is really good to you."

I didn’t know why he was saying this, but the monkey was indeed good to me, so I nodded.

Zheng Wu continued, "Look how much respect he gives you in front of Ding Sheng. You’re clearly a junior, but he says you’re on equal footing with us."

I was speechless.

It seemed I couldn’t change Zheng Wu’s perception of me in the short term. Fortunately, Zheng Wu was a straightforward person. Even if he thought I was a junior, he never treated me condescendingly and really considered me a brother.

Since the fight was in a private room, we weren’t very dirty. After a quick wash, we returned to class. However, there were still some marks on my face. Liu Yina immediately came over and asked what happened. I explained the incident in the private room, and she was furious, saying that Ding Sheng and his gang were scum and didn’t deserve Wang Yao’s trust. She then asked how the monkey was, and I said he was fine and had been very impressive, beating up Ding Sheng so badly he was lost.

Liu Yina blushed and shyly said she didn’t like violent guys. I said, "I’m very gentle. Why don’t you dump the monkey and go out with me?" Liu Yina said, "I wouldn’t dare. You’re Lin Keer’s treasure."

Mentioning Lin Keer made my heart sink a bit. In the restaurant’s restroom, I had told Wang Yao that I would come clean with Lin Keer and announce our relationship to everyone. But now, with the Ding Sheng incident, we were too busy seeking revenge to deal with romantic matters.

Although I thought this, I still sent a text to Wang Yao as soon as Liu Yina left, saying I was back in class and asking how she was. Wang Yao, as expected, didn’t reply. I continued to send her texts, saying we were preparing for revenge and even detailed our plan. It was a way to start a conversation, and I really hoped she would reply, but she never did.

After a while, seeing no hope, I went out to find Zheng Wu. There were no teachers around, only some student monitors responsible for night discipline, who wouldn’t dare to stop us. When Zheng Wu came out, he startled me because he had put on his battle robe again. I asked, "What are you doing, preparing to fight?"

Zheng Wu said, "No, we’re going to invite Yang Zecheng, right? I’m dressing formally."

Talking to Zheng Wu often left me speechless, and I didn’t try to persuade him because I knew it wouldn’t work.

We called Yang Zecheng out under the pretense of smoking. This guy had been doing well lately and had a couple of brothers following him. In the restroom, we smoked and chatted. I said we were planning a big move and asked if he wanted to join. Yang Zecheng was excited and asked who we were planning to go after. I said we were targeting the second-year students Ding Sheng and his gang, and asked if he dared.

Yang Zecheng hesitated for a moment and said, "Why not? Let’s do it." I knew these tough guys’ mentality. They were generally rebellious, and if you directly invited them, they might hesitate. But if you asked if they dared, they would definitely say they weren’t afraid. Being in the game, they feared being looked down upon. I said, "Alright, it’s settled. Keep this a secret for now, and we’ll call you when it’s time to act."

Yang Zecheng agreed, and everything went smoothly. But then Zheng Wu said, "Actually, we can handle it ourselves. We’re inviting you for teamwork."

Yang Zecheng got angry: "Then why did you invite me? Go do it yourselves!"

We had been with Zheng Wu long enough to know his style, so we usually didn’t take him seriously. But Yang Zecheng couldn’t, knowing that Zheng Wu was a good fighter and thought Zheng Wu was looking down on him. Seeing things about to go wrong, I quickly pulled Yang Zecheng aside and said, "Zheng Wu is just like that. Don’t take it personally. The monkey asked me to invite you because you’re one of the braver freshmen. I came to you first, see?"

After flattering him, I managed to calm Yang Zecheng down. After he left, I told Zheng Wu, "You really offend people with your words. Let me do the talking from now on." Surprisingly, Zheng Wu listened and nodded.

We then went to find Li Baiyu, using the same approach. We flattered him and asked if he dared. Teenagers are easily provoked, and when asked if he dared, he immediately said he did, "It’s just Ding Sheng. I’ll kick his ass!" With Li Baiyu on board, everything seemed to be going smoothly, and I felt a bit more at ease.

After sending Li Baiyu off, we went to find Zhu Jianlong. His class was at the end of the corridor. As Zheng Wu and I walked, a classroom door suddenly opened, and Lin Keer came out.

I had been dreading seeing Lin Keer these past few days and was stunned.

Zheng Wu said, "Your wife is here, why don’t you say hello?"

"Don’t be ridiculous, she’s not my wife... Wait, what do you mean by ‘wife’?"

Lin Keer was still far away and couldn’t hear us.

Zheng Wu said, "Isn’t Wang Yao your second wife?"

My heart raced: "What are you talking about? When did Wang Yao become my second wife?"

Zheng Wu said, "Isn’t she? She protected you so much in the restaurant and even fell out with Ding Sheng for you."

My heart raced even faster, almost jumping out of my chest. Even Zheng Wu had noticed, so how could the smart monkey and Huang Jie not? I said nervously, "Don’t be ridiculous, Wang Yao and I have no relationship."

"Why are you so nervous? It’s normal to have a few wives when you’re in the game. Mao Mao has three wives at No. 7 High School."

Lin Keer was getting closer, so I quickly pushed Zheng Wu and whispered, "Don’t be ridiculous, there’s nothing going on!"

Zheng Wu pouted, "You’re a coward. Mao Mao is much more generous."

Just then, Lin Keer ran over, "Zuo Fei, I heard you got into a fight again?"

I had already told Liu Yina, so it wasn’t surprising that Lin Keer knew. I said, "Not a fight, we were beaten up."

Lin Keer said, "Are you badly hurt? Let me put some medicine on it."

I noticed Lin Keer was holding red flower oil and said, "No need, it’s just a minor injury."

Lin Keer said, "Do you think I’m not strong enough? Should I call Wang Yao over?"

Before I could speak, Zheng Wu interjected, "Hey, Lin Keer knows, looks like you two are pretty close. Zuo Fei even told me not to say anything. What’s the big deal?"

Lin Keer was confused, "What do you mean, not to say anything?"

I was flustered and pushed Zheng Wu again, "Go back to class, I need to talk to my wife!"

As soon as I said it, I was stunned.

It was all Zheng Wu’s fault with his talk of wives. In my panic, I had a slip of the tongue.

Zheng Wu laughed, "Still shy, huh? I won’t say anything." Then he went back to his class.

I looked at Lin Keer, whose face was already red. I quickly said, "I misspoke."

Lin Keer nodded softly, "Let me put some medicine on it." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

I didn’t dare look at Lin Keer and turned my body to the wall, lifting my shirt. Lin Keer carefully applied the medicine, her small hands touching my back, which felt incredibly comfortable. In the past, I would have teased her, but now I didn’t dare, afraid of saying too much and causing more misunderstandings.

As she applied the medicine, Lin Keer said, "Wang Yao told me everything..."

I shuddered, my skin tightening, and my scalp tingling. Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck, and my heart raced.

"She said she feels really bad. She invited you to dinner, but you fell into a trap. She cried when she got back. Really, Zuo Fei, don’t blame her. She didn’t mean it."

My heart felt like it had stopped, my skin relaxed, and my palms and soles were sweaty. I felt the ups and downs of life were too intense. Logically, Wang Yao and I were both single, so even if something happened, no one could blame us. But I was afraid Lin Keer would find out, and maybe Wang Yao felt the same way.

Lin Keer continued, trying to defend Wang Yao, thinking we were angry with her. But we weren’t. Wang Yao had been very loyal, falling out with Ding Sheng for us—or for me.

"Did you hear that, Zuo Fei? Don’t blame Wang Yao, okay?"

"Okay," I nodded.

"Alright," Lin Keer sighed in relief. "Can you go comfort Wang Yao? She’s still crying in the classroom."

Without waiting for my answer, Lin Keer pulled my shirt and walked forward. I wanted to see Wang Yao too, so I didn’t resist, letting her lead me. It was a strange feeling, being led by my "first wife" to see my "second wife"... or rather, being led by my ex-girlfriend to see my current girlfriend... or something. My mind was a mess, and our relationship was so complicated that even Aunt Qiong Yao couldn’t write such a complex love triangle!

We pushed open the door to a classroom, and since the teacher wasn’t there, Wang Yao’s class was quite chaotic. Wang Yao was indeed crying in a corner, surrounded by several Thirteen Roses girls who had been comforting her for a while.

Lin Keer led me over and said with a smile, "Look who I brought over."

The girls started teasing, calling me "brother-in-law" and "sister-in-law," making me break out in a cold sweat.

Wang Yao looked up, her eyes swollen from crying, and I felt a pang of sympathy, wanting to hug her. If we were alone, she wouldn’t have objected, but with so many people around, I didn’t have the courage.

Amidst the "brother-in-law" and "sister-in-law" calls, I sat down.

"Wang Yao, why are you crying?" I tried to sound casual. "No one blames you. The monkey even said you were loyal, falling out with Ding Sheng for us. We’re grateful and wouldn’t be angry."

The girls all agreed, "That’s right, Wang Yao, don’t cry. Zuo Fei and the others aren’t angry."

Zhang Xuan laughed, "If they dare to be angry, Lin Keer should dump Zuo Fei, and Liu Yina should dump the monkey!"

Everyone laughed, and Lin Keer’s face turned red. Normally, I would have joined in, but now I felt awkward, especially in front of Wang Yao. I looked at Wang Yao, trying to convey my resistance through my eyes.

"Who asked you to come?" Wang Yao suddenly said, her tone unusually cold, and everyone fell silent.

I was stunned, not understanding what was wrong with Wang Yao.

Lin Keer quickly said, "I asked