The yellow-haired man got ahead of others and swung his fist toward Li in agitation. Li swiftly caught the incoming fist and twisted it forcing the thin man to kneel on the ground.
"What are you waiting for? Do you want to attack only after I'm buried in the coffin ?" The man shouted angrily at his subordinates waking them from their stupor.
Li dodged the right hook of the incoming person while kicking away the thin yellow-haired man turning around just in time to twist the hand of another person interrupting him from touching Qi Cheng.
Li knew that Qi Cheng was not that weak being the protagonist but he couldn't let him get hurt just because he refused to fight. And he had no scruples beating a few thugs for him.
The yellow-haired man flashed out a knife and hurled himself toward Li's back. Li was already prepared for it but he didn't expect Qi Cheng to get in between them. Li securely caught Qi Cheng's waist and pulled him back while throwing an elbow cut at the attacker.
Qi Cheng really wanted to curse himself for being a nuisance, he thought of staying away in a distance at least not being a burden but he had never felt so safe after just being in someone arms. He realized that he was reluctant to move away...
When he was a child he always hid himself hugging his brother in a corner of a closet whenever his drunk father was home, it was his haven but it couldn't provide the warmth he got behind his back rolling off Li's chest.
Maybe he could accept Li's protection because he was his brother saviour or maybe he thought that Li would never harm him. Whatever the reason was it didn't matter anymore he wanted to indulge at that moment, lose deeper in the feeling of being protected.
Li let go of the thin waist of the youth and caressed the small cut on his cheek. Li didn't feel so well that he couldn't even protect such a soft and weak person. His self-esteem was hurt.
Li's careless and lazy persona was hidden away at once and his sharp beast alike presence was felt by everyone around him. Qi Cheng being the nearest person could feel the restlessness and sharpness usually hidden behind his laziness.
The gangsters trembled in fear when they caught the sight of his predatory gaze.
A thug finally remembered where he had seen the youth. He backed away with trembling legs, when Li's gaze swept at him he stumbled down and his expression became ugly.
"Y-young master Han"
Li raised his brow feeling amazed that he was also popular among thugs like them. When other's heard him they felt like crying, how unfortunate of them to accidentally stumble upon such a big shot while collecting mortgage.
"Ha..ha...ha Y-young master Han we were just j-joking around. I had enough of it, I am going home."
"Yeah. T-there is no need to pay us back. How can we make the respectable master payback"
Li remained motionless as the thugs ran away one after another in the midst of countless commends and apologies. Qi Cheng stupidly stared at the strange scene behind the strong back wondering if he was daydreaming.
Li sighed and turned around already back in his usual lazy character. Li bowed his head and brought his face closer staring at the eyes that were a bit out of focus.
Li felt that the little protagonist was way too kind. He never had the privilege to call someone father in his previous life even if he had a father like that of the protagonist's then he would surely die a dog's death.
Compromising and letting himself being pushed around just for the memories, he was too soft.
"You're so adorably stupid." Li's soft whisper had a hint of a smile in it. He bumped his head with Qi Cheng's and turned around leaving behind the blank teenager.
"Huh?"
Qi Cheng touched his forehead in a daze and hurriedly ran forward trying to catch up. He was quiet throughout the whole time, he was still thinking about what Li had said earlier until he saw that Li was walking off on his own.
"Ah, Where are you going? Our class is not that way." Qi Cheng stopped and confusedly looked at Li who was still walking at his pace without a care in the world
"I am not going to class."
Qi Cheng blankly stared at his back without blinking. Li turned his head looking at him sideways.
"Infirmary is this way right ?"
Qi Cheng panicked and ran a few steps forward. "Are you hurt ?"
"How can I be hurt by some low thugs. I'm just sleepy." Li rubbed his neck and waved his hands without turning back.
"Xu Feiqun is very loyal. He will cover for me" It was like Li exactly knew what he was thinking about, rendering him speechless for a moment but that was already enough time for Li to get out of his sight.
Qi Cheng dejectedly returned to class with a low mood that he was not trusted by the juvenile to cover for him.
"Why are you late now? You will be excused for today but come on time from tomorrow or else your points will be deducted."
Qi Cheng nodded his head and slipped into his seat. He glanced at the sleeping Feiqun displeased, he glared daggers at his back but it appeared useless as the teenager slept like a dead pig.
The loyal knight was loyally sleeping in place of his commander when he was absent.
"Where is Han Zhuoli? He is the only one who is absent"
The whole class was silent. Qi Cheng stared at the stupid knight with hateful eyes and answered the teacher not having any hope for the 'reliable and dependable' Feiqun " He is in the infirmary. He said that he was not feeling well."
The teacher waved his hand in resignation as it was not a new thing for Li's absence in class. He picked up his pen and threw it at the only head that was resting on the desk but it was unable to wake him up.
"Xu Feiqun. Get up and don't sleep in class"
Xu Feiqun gave a vague answer misleading the teacher that he was going to wake up but his next words were clear in the quiet classroom.
"I can't eat anymore. I'm going to burst. No, No don't force it down my mouth. That's vicious." It was followed by a loud gulping sound
"XU FEQUN !!!"
A loud angry shout and loud laughter were heard in the hallway outside the class.
It was a cheerful day.....