Kai and Uncle Hao were on their way to the second year when they strolled past the first-floor canteen. To their surprise, there was not a single student in sight. Confused, they continued up to the second floor, where they stumbled upon a boisterous crowd of students.
"What's with all the commotion? Shouldn't classes be starting soon?" Kai pondered aloud.
Uncle Hao, as always, remained silent and observed the scene. As soon as the first-year students spotted Kai, they started calling out his name, causing a ripple effect throughout the crowd.
"He's here!" exclaimed the student who had fled earlier.
"Excuse us, please make way," a familiar voice pleaded amidst the chaos.
The students promptly cleared a path, revealing none other than Xia Chen leading the charge. To Kai's amazement, all the first-year students trailed behind him, with a few second-years joining in, identifiable by their matching red neckties. Each academic year was represented by a different color: dark blue for first-year, maroon for second-year, and gray for third-year.
"You've finally arrived, senior brother," Xia Chen announced with a mischievous grin on his face.
"What's happening? Why are there so many people here?" Kai inquired, curiosity piqued.
"Senior Brother, I rallied my friends and the other first-years who have been tormented by Wang Mang to stand up for you," Xia Chen explained.
"So that's why you left early this morning and didn't wait for us?" Kai asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, it's my fault that you got dragged into my mess. I should be the one dealing with them, but you stepped in to protect me. This is the least I can do for you," Xia Chen confessed, head bowed in regret.
"Well, I simply granted Mae Ling's wish to rescue you. So, no need to worry. I've already come up with a plan to solve the problem," Kai reassured him, flashing a confident smile.
"Really?" Xia Chen uttered in disbelief, casting a glance at the man behind Kai who appeared young but emanated wisdom and authority.
"Yes, so stop fretting. Leave everything to your Big Brother," Kai declared, patting Xia Chen's shoulder with reassurance.
"But I really appreciate your effort," he added, looking at the rest of the group who had followed Xia Chen. "You guys too. It means a lot to me that you're all eager to help me out. But let's be real here, you guys won't be able to do much against that guy. He's got a background that's not easily trampled on. Even if you guys went there, they would just see you as insignificant."
Hearing Kai's words, the first-year students couldn't help but look down. Kai was right – it had always been like this. They had been voicing their problems about the bullies, but the teachers just turned a blind eye and they continued to suffer. The only reason they were here now was because of Kai, who had shown them his strength by standing up to the delinquent who made their high school life a living hell.
Although they had resigned themselves to their fate, witnessing someone standing up against Wang Mang and beating him until he ended up in the hospital brought a glimmer of hope to their suffering lives. And so, of course, they would cling onto it, even if it was just a tiny shred of hope.
However, not everyone felt the same way. Some of them were only here because they had no other choice. If they wanted to survive high school without any trouble, they agreed to help Kai, regardless of the risks.
Seeing their hopeful eyes and their determination to help, despite his harsh words, Kai couldn't help but smile. After experiencing a betrayal in his life, he had believed that everyone around him would eventually betray him too, so he had closed himself off from others.
But then, after his awakening, he suddenly found that there were people who truly cared about him, not some kind of two faced evil person. They had brought light into his dark and lonely life. They showed him that he wasn't alone, that there were always helping hands reaching out to him. And now, these juniors of his were willing to help him, even if it was for their own benefit. They clung onto that sliver of hope in their high school lives.
They should know that by supporting him, they would also become targets for Wang Mang and his gang. But despite that, they were still here, standing by his side, creating a powerful scene of unity and determination.
"Really, you all are hopeless. But I understand you all. Being pushed around and feeling helpless is the worst feeling ever. They have a power that is impossible for a normal student to achieve with their backgrounds. This is not as easy as you think. Your families might be implicated in this. Despite all of that, do you still want to help me?" Kai asked in a stern voice.
Though he feels grateful for their help, he doesn't want to save them every time their families are in trouble. Kai noticed from the documents he read earlier that the delinquents in this school are not mere normal delinquents; their backgrounds are also extraordinary. Many of them have high-status families, so they could make the families of these students lose their jobs.
The students who want to support Kai clench their fists as they are in a dilemma. They want to help Kai, but on the other hand, they really don't want to screw over their own families. Some haven't even told their families about the bullying they are facing in school because they're worried sick about it. Others just don't want their families to be worried.
While the students hesitate, the guy who fled earlier suddenly steps forward and bows.
"Senior Brother, I understand the risks involved, but we refuse to stay weak and be bullied any longer. We want to stand up against them, even if it means implicating our families. After witnessing the strength you displayed while defeating Wang Mang, my desire to fight back against him and those who support him has grown stronger. Unfortunately, two years ago, I wasn't blessed with any extraordinary abilities like you, and I've remained a normal student. On top of that, we lack influential backgrounds. This might be our only chance to make a difference."