This time Chen Jingyun was early for class.
She was the first one to open the door and switch on the lights.
She was determined to be a top student as she has always been. One bad first impression couldn't drag her down, right?
She hoped to talk to the teacher and ask for a seat change. Hopefully, one far away from the corner where Long Rao and Long Tang were. She didn't want to be anywhere close to them nor Fu Wang. They brought great danger to her disguise.
She also couldn't see the whiteboard.
Seeing the teacher enter the classroom, she almost ran up to him.
"Good morning teacher!"
Looking at her skeptically, the teacher raised his eyebrows. "Good morning, student Chen. What happened?"
"I was wondering if I could change seats? I can't see the whiteboard." She asked hopefully.
"Looking at her up and down, the teacher had a realization. "Ah, you are so short, of course, you can't see."
"Let me see where I can put you..." The teacher began to look.
"Oh, I know." The teacher snapped his fingers, a lightbulb seemed to light up inside his head. "You can sit beside Hong Bao."
Red packets?
This guy was destined to be fortunate with such auspicious meaning!
"Who's Hong Bao?" Chen Jingyun looked around with interest.
"That one."
Sitting by the windows, there was an ordinary boy. He was reading a book for the upcoming class and had a notebook to write on. He looked cute with his bowl cut and his glasses that framed his face. He was the nerd of the class.
He was also pale as the white moon, and thin. He didn't seem to have many muscles. Chen Jingyun could tackle him with ease without expending any effort.
"Okay. Thank you, teacher."
Taking her belongings, Chen Jingyun transferred to the seat beside Hong Bao.
"Hi! I'm Qin Yun." She smiled at him.
But the kid didn't even glance at her. Instead, he shifted in his seat and turned away from her. He didn't want to be bothered. He was nothing like his name.
It was quite a pity.
Seeing that he was reluctant, Chen Jingyun shrugged and mingled with the rest of the students. In no time the sounds of laughter and conversations took over the classroom.
Lowering his book, the kid with glasses glanced at the noisy crowd.
The look in his eyes was green with envy.
...
"Oi, Qin Yun, want to join us in the cafeteria?" One of her classmates turned back.
"Yeah, come along with us."
But in the most critical moment... when she was about to accept their invitation...
Long Tang swept in like a hurricane and dragged her away!
"Qin Yun, why did you change seats? Don't you like us?"
Reaching out to her dream of having ordinary and safe friends, Chen Jingyun sighed.
"I can't see the whiteboard."
"Oh, that's true. You are too short."
Chen Jingyun naturally nodded and proceeded to look around the unfamiliar setting. There were no other students, and only buildings and fences could be seen. It looked secluded, almost like they weren't supposed to be here.
"Where are you taking me?"
Long Tang quickly got excited.
"We're going to our gang's secret spot!"
"Not a gang." Long Rao emphasized.
But Long Tang ignored him.
"It is the best ramen place you will ever know!"
Hearing those words, Chen Jingyun's heart wavered. She was too much of a foodie.
Well, I guess I could join them this one time...
"Okay. But only this once."
"What? Only this once? You don't want to join our gang?"
Long Rao just sighed.
"Nope, I don't want to be a gangster. My parents would not approve." Chen Jingyun put her arms into an 'x'.
Ruffling her hair, Long Tang cooed. "Aw, that's so cute. A filial child. You don't see one of those these days. But hey! Don't worry! We don't get into fights nor steal..."
"Then what do you do?"
"We protect restaurants from going bankrupt by becoming their daily clients..."
Twitching her eyebrows, Chen Jingyun smiled in amusement and her eyes sparkled with interest.
Food...
"Your turfs are restaurants?"
Nodding fervently, Long Tang continued explaining.
"You see, to become part of our protection program, the food has to be really good! Monday to Friday, and sometimes on the weekends, we visit approved restaurants and eat. We help them make business and we enjoy their food. That's it!"
"Oh, it seems like a noble cause." Chen Jingyun began to caress her chin as she greatly considered joining.
When it came to food, she really had no boundaries...
"Let's see if this ramen place is as good as you say."
"Yes, let's go!" Long Tang sped up the pace excitedly.
Suddenly, they heard groans nearby. Looking around, the three approached and inconspicuous alley and glanced inside.
And a bitter scene was revealed to them.
Far into an alley, there was a group of students huddled around someone, laughing in ridicule. They were dressed in a disheveled manner and wore chains. They looked like a true school gang.
Among them, there was a guy who seemed to be the leader. He watched and only seemed to be orchestrating the scene. He looked to be a sweet looking guy who would smile at you innocently. He didn't seem the type of person to join in these activities.
But the smug look in his eyes revealed his real persona.
Listening to their loud voices, and mockery, Chen Jingyun was taken her back to the buried memories within her.
Two years ago.
A memory of her laughing wickedly at a tear stricken girl flashed before her mind.
And a sense of guilt and regret crept the corners of her heart.
Grabbing onto her and never letting go.
Doing her best to ignore the madness brewing inside of her, Chen Jingyun focused on the cracks of the encirclement. She was unable to look away from the scene.
As one of the students kicked the victim down, a crack revealed the target of their oppression.
Laying on the ground, clutching his stomach, it was Hong Bao.
Seeing such a familiar face, Chen Jingyun was frozen on her spot.
Sensing watchful eyes on them, the group of oppressors noticed the audience.
Even though panic washed over them for a second, annoyance quickly took over them.
"Classmate, how about you turn around and walk away?" One of them turned menacingly towards them, but the unhappy undertone could be heard.
"We are just hanging out with our good friend, isn't that right Little Bao?"
That sweet-looking guy with a neat handsome bowl cut harshly, the leader, didn't get angry. Instead, he grabbed the boy with glasses' collar and pulled him up. He then domineeringly slung his arm over the boy's shoulders. Almost head locking him.
"I said, isn't that right Little Bao?" Sweet poison dripped off his lips.
Exhausted, and almost breathless, Hong Bao looked up. The unmistakeable storm-filled eyes looked back at Chen Jingyun.
"Yes." He bit out.
His voice was firm but the forsaken look in his eyes betrayed his feelings.
"Keep walking. Unless you want to hang out with us?" The leader wickedly smirked. "Whether you become another Little Bao or us depends on your performance oh~"
Feeling bitter, Long Rao grabbed onto Chen Jingyun and Long Tang. They began to retreat. "Let's go. There are too many guys, and Qin Yun doesn't look like a fighter."
"We're outnumbered."
The silence hanging around them tasted bitter.
Especially for Chen Jingyun.
Clenching her fist, she stopped in her tracks once again.
Looking up to the sky, she looked for answers.
She felt herself falling.
Falling into that hole of hopelessness.
Has she been running away the whole time?
And she hasn't faced her demons like she said she would?
She needed something to free her of the hatred that had grown within her.
The hatred that morphed into the image of her old self.
She wondered, did I become better? Or am I just the same?
Will I... ever be forgiven for my wrongdoings?
The storm within her paused.
A deafening silence surrounded her as she looked down on her feet.
She was about to give up.
Digging her nails into her palm, the pain lit a fire within her and the black world began to burn away.
Looking up with a determined look in her eyes, she prepared herself to fight.
"We have to do something."