I lost count of how many punches I landed on him, just as I couldn't keep track of how many times he hit me. My vision was turning black, with stars bursting before my eyes. My mind was hazy and dizzy, but one thought dominated my consciousness: I had to pummel Gary to the brink of death, a performance I needed to put on in front of Uncle.
Strangely, despite the chaos, my subconscious kept glancing at Shirley. Though she had hit me earlier in the afternoon, seeing tears on her face moments ago stirred a faint pang in my heart. Throughout my life, tears shed by girls were what I could least bear.
Perhaps Uncle was right; tears were the most formidable weapon women possessed. A man who couldn't stand a woman's tears was considered a man of honor.
In the blink of an eye, Gary was lying on the ground, not fighting back anymore. He covered his face with his hands, shouting and screaming. The more I struck, the more invigorated I became, especially under Shirley's tearful gaze. It was as if an endless surge of strength coursed through me.
I continued to strike and curse simultaneously. Uncle had always told me that a man must stand firm and treat women with respect, refraining from using despicable tactics.
Eventually, someone pulled me away. Gary's face was covered in blood as he lay motionless on the ground. But I was in no better shape, blood streaming from my nose.
"Uncle, I've shown you..." I turned around, dumbfounded. A crowd had gathered at the entrance to the private room, but Uncle and his friends were nowhere to be seen!
A chill ran through me; the confidence I had felt earlier evaporated instantly. As I stared at the bloodied Gary whom I had knocked down, an inexplicable coldness gripped my entire body. I had really messed up!
"Shirley, go quickly!" I shouted to Shirley and promptly bolted out of the room. She yelled something in response, but I couldn't make out the words.
Inside the internet cafe, there was no sign of Uncle. Instead, a large crowd was fixated on me. Sensing trouble, I dashed toward the exit, and no one dared to stop me. I burst out of the internet cafe.
Once outside, I spotted Uncle leaning against his BMW, cigarette in hand, engaged in a conversation with his friend. His face bore a mischievous grin.
"Uncle, when did you come out? You scared the hell out of me!" My heart had been in my throat moments ago; seeing Uncle put it back where it belonged, I glanced back at the internet cafe's entrance, feeling like I was about to be pursued.
"I've been out for a while. But why were you so scared? Did you win the fight?" Uncle said with a smirk as he handed me a cigarette. I hesitated for a moment before taking it.
After a few puffs, a fiery sensation scorched my throat. Suddenly, I realized that Uncle might have tricked me earlier. If I hadn't taken down Gary, I would have been beaten to a pulp inside the internet cafe!
"Uncle, we should get out of here quickly. People will be coming after us soon!" I looked at the internet cafe's entrance again; some individuals were already emerging.
"Why get out of here quickly? Why should I be concerned if they're chasing after you? You were the one who fought, not me..." Uncle's wicked smile made my heart grow colder.
Seeing Uncle's deadpan expression, devoid of any humor, a thousand expletives galloped through my mind. This was an utter mess!
Now I understood. My unreliable, conniving uncle hadn't intended to help me seek revenge from the very beginning. Instead, he had thrown me into danger and now, when trouble had erupted, he washed his hands of the matter. It was crystal clear; he had shoved me into a fiery pit!
As I watched the people from the internet cafe closing in, a sense of urgency gripped me. If Uncle didn't step in, I could end up battered and broken tonight!
"Danny! If anything happens to me today, my parents won't spare you!" Frustration drove me to point my finger at Uncle's face and shout, mustering a courage I didn't know I had. He just laughed.
"Making progress, huh? The little pup dares to show his temper to me. Well, considering your parents' reputation, I'll reluctantly help you this once. Go wait in the car."
Hearing those words, I finally felt a hint of relief. I thought that even if Uncle was unreliable, he would still consider my parents' reputation. After all, I was his own nephew. If something happened to me, he wouldn't be able to escape it either!
Gary, his face bloodied, was being supported by someone as he emerged. My anxiety surged once more. Uncle, accompanied by a few tattooed men, approached and exchanged a few words. I had no idea what was said, but afterward, Gary and everyone else returned to the internet cafe, as if some sort of agreement had been reached.
Sitting in the car, waiting obediently, I finally managed to exhale a sigh of relief. I realized that at critical moments, I had to use my brain. If I hadn't mentioned my parents, who knows what absurd actions that unreliable uncle might have taken!
With the trouble resolved, I didn't know where the car was headed. A peculiar feeling washed over me. Back at the internet cafe, I hadn't relied on anyone's help; I had taken down Gary all on my own. It was something I couldn't have even dared to think of before...
In a moment of realization, I understood Uncle's intentions. He wanted me to become stronger. Yet today was my first day at this new school. I didn't know a single person here. Even if he meant well, was this really how he intended to help me? Could this reckless approach end up killing me?
Sitting in the car, replaying everything that had just happened, thoughts of Shirley's image couldn't help but surface in my mind. Her skin was so fair, her breasts firm, and her private parts covered in a bit of hair. As I pondered these thoughts, I took a deep drag of my cigarette, swallowing hard. A hint of excitement tinged my thoughts. Maybe transferring to this new school wasn't such a bad thing after all.