In his past life, Wang Ye had encountered the same situation.
However, at the time, he did not dare to intervene, instead he was like Xiao Hei, watching from the sidelines in the corridor. After Song Xiaogang had been beaten up and the three overbearing bullies had left, Wang Ye returned to the dorm room to comfort Song Xiaogang.
Because of this incident, Song Xiaogang became quite gloomy for quite some time, and seldom showed a smile.
Of course, it wasn't Wang Ye's fault for not stepping in. Being just a high school graduate, he had little world experience and didn't know how to handle such situations.
Moreover, having just arrived in Moscow without knowing anyone, he was still finding his bearings. He wouldn't dare meddle in someone else's business...
He is now experienced having lived in society for nearly 20 years. Dealing with such a "minor situation" was naturally effortless to him!
......
Arriving at the small shop on the first floor, although it was already late at night, the store was still open and running 24 hours a day.
He ordered two big cans of beer and a bottle of pickles with ease. Wang Ye brought them back to the dormitory.
Just after entering the room, Song Xiaogang returned from the bathroom, his face covered with a hot towel.
The dorm had hot water supply. After all, in such harsh weather, washing one's face or brushing one's teeth with cold water was too hard!
Closing the door, Wang Ye picked up a can of beer, pulled open the ring with a "pop", handed it to Song Xiaogang and smiled: "Come on, let's have a drink and chat. I also bought some pickles."
Song Xiaogang hesitated for a moment before taking the beer. Clearly, he was also unable to sleep and wanted to talk to someone.
Xiao Hei had already laid down and was listening to music with headphones. Wang Ye didn't know if he was asleep.
Wang Ye didn't disturb him. Opening the bottle of pickles, both of them gulped down the cold beer with pickles as a side dish.
After biting half a pickle and then another big sip of beer, Song Xiaogang took a deep breath and laughed bitterly: "You probably think I'm a coward. I didn't even dare to fight back when they were hitting me."
Wang Ye smiled, shaking his head in response: "You must have your own reasons. I can tell, you are not a coward, otherwise, you wouldn't have slapped them back in the end."
Indeed, if Song Xiaogang were truly a coward, he wouldn't have returned those two slaps when Wang Ye told him to.
Everyone understands that once the two slaps landed, it meant becoming enemies!
Even if Wang Ye was there deterring them, the bully wouldn't dare say anything tonight, but he will surely bear a grudge and it may cause trouble in the future.
But, Song Xiaogang ruthlessly slapped him back!
This showed that he had overcome his fears and hesitation.
After hearing Wang Ye's words, Song Xiaogang felt like he had found a "kindred spirit" because Wang Ye understood him….
Pausing for a moment, he began telling his story.
"My mother fell ill and died when I was very young, and my father raised me by himself."
"I know, it hasn't been easy for my father. He's only in his forties this year, but his hair is already completely white, and he looks like someone in his sixties or seventies."
"Ah, I'm so incapable. My academic performance is poor, and I didn't get into a good university in the college entrance examination done this year."
"My father, for the sake of my future, took out all of our family's savings and borrowed some money from others to send me abroad for study."
"Before I left, I swore that if I didn't make something of myself, I wouldn't return home to see him!"
"So, when they were hitting me just now, I couldn't fight back…"
"Taking a few hits doesn't matter, but if things escalate, and the school expels me, how could I face my father when I go back to China."
As expected, Song Xiaogang had his unspoken hardships and reasons for not fighting back.
Sometimes, you only see the surface of things but don't know the reasons behind them. Everyone has their own story...
Wang Ye nodded, patting Song Xiaogang's broad shoulder, and enlightened: "I understand, but you need to know that, when dealing with problems abroad, it is not advisable to always yield and retreat. That will only give others the impression that you're easy to bully, and they will push their luck. This rule applies equally when dealing with fellow countrymen or foreigners."
Song Xiaogang nodded vigorously, "Hmm, hmm, I understand now. Wang Ye, you're so awesome! Your Russian is so good, and the way you handle things is also... so effective. I should learn more from you in the future."
Now, the look in his eyes when he looked at Wang Ye was full of admiration. Apparently, he was truly convinced.
Wang Ye just laughed, saying nothing except to raise his beer can, "Come on, drink up! After this, go to sleep. When we wake up, all this will belong to yesterday."
Having just arrived in Moscow, he already encountered such an unpleasant situation.
By helping Song Xiaogang, he offended the long-haired short boy, meaning he now had an enemy. It was not his preferred situation.
But it was not without gains. At least, now Song Xiaogang was very grateful to him.
If he needs Song Xiaogang's help in the future, he is certain Song Xiaogang would not refuse.
This means he had gained a reliable helper…
.......
After finishing the beer, both of them went to bed. Wang Ye no longer had any random thoughts. After sitting on a plane for an entire day, he was already very exhausted, and he fell asleep quickly.
When he woke up the next day, it was already past ten in the morning.
Just as he finished dressing and came back to the room after washing, Zhou Yuan, the class leader, walked in. He greeted Wang Ye with a smile, "Did you sleep well last night? And by the way, we have a party at noon. The tutor is treating us at the Chinese restaurant downstairs! It's also a welcome party for you guys, and luckily we are on a holiday for a few days, so there are no classes to worry about."
Today was still during the New Year's holiday, so Zhou Yuan and the others did not have to go to class.
This is Russia's "New Year", their grandest festival. The holidays span from the first to the tenth.
Wang Ye's classes would start only after the tenth.
However, in these ten days, they couldn't slack off as they had to process their enrollment, pay their tuition, health insurance, accommodation and other fees, and familiarize themselves with their surroundings.
For the next at least four and a half years, or even longer, they had to live here…
Wang Ye had come to study abroad through an agency. The agency specialized in study programs in Russia and was quite reputed in the industry.
This batch of students who came to Friendship University for studying had more than 30 people!
This was just one school, Friendship University. The agency also handled other schools such as Moscow University, St. Petersburg University, etc.
Zhou Yuan, Song Xiaogang, and others were the first batch to come here, being already here for a few months, while Wang Ye and others were the second batch, and also the last one.
So, Zhou Yuan, Song Xiaogang and others would need to read preparatory classes for a year, while Wang Ye and others only needed to read for half a year.
Of course, this did not mean the preparatory graduation exam would be less difficult for Wang Ye and others. They still had to appear for regular exams.