"No need, really, I don't smoke, Brother Tang, can you just tell me about the school? And about Zhao Yuhua?"
Xiao Yi waved his hand dismissively. He deeply abhorred smoking and never understood why so many people enjoyed it. Almost everything in it was toxic, and aside from stimulating the nerves momentarily, it had no use but left a host of health issues. He was even more puzzled as to why the old man also perpetually had a cigarette in his mouth, even though his were exclusively supplied, which he believed couldn't possibly harm him. But he still didn't get the point of holding something in your hand and taking a puff like that.
"Hehe, brother, you're in such a hurry to ask about Zhao Yuhua, don't tell me you fancy her?"
Fatty Tang squinted his small eyes with a somewhat lewd expression as he chuckled.
"..."
Xiao Yi was left speechless by Fatty Tang's lewd expression and his thoughts. He had pretty much confirmed that Zhao Yuhua was the beautiful girl he saw earlier, but how could he like her? She was indeed very pretty, definitely one of the most attractive girls he'd ever seen, with perfect delicate features and a golden-proportioned figure, long and perfectly straight legs, and a cold, exquisite demeanor—all of which could drive countless men wild. However, he couldn't say he liked her; at least, he didn't feel that way now. She was too cold, and he could feel a kind of indifference emanating from her very bones.
"Brother, listen to me, there are two girls you must never think about, especially Zhao Yuhua. Don't even consider it; she's not one of us. She is from a different world. Today is your first day of class, you must have just seen her for the first time, so you're probably not in too deep. Remember what I'm telling you."
After smiling, Fatty Tang's lewd expression faded, and he looked at Xiao Yi with a serious, sincere demeanor.
"Oh, why's that?"
Xiao Yi, upon hearing Fatty Tang's words, couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Brother, it seems you're really new to this school, not knowing anything. Let me fill you in on our school's situation."
Fatty Tang looked at Xiao Yi with a somewhat sympathetic gaze, as if looking at a curious baby.
When Xiao Yi heard that Fatty Tang was finally going to start explaining, he promptly made a gesture of all ears.
"Our School is the School of Mathematics, famously known as the Baldheaded School. You may have noticed that in a big class of over three hundred people, there are only a few girls you can count on one hand."
Fatty Tang cleared his throat and began to elaborate.
Xiao Yi was well aware of this characteristic, and he understood it. After all, mathematics as a subject is purely theoretical, dry, and dull—it's normal for only a few girls to be interested in it. Although he found it strange that Tang mentioned this, he didn't inquire further and quietly listened as Tang continued.
Fatty Tang was extremely pleased with Xiao Yi's demeanor, and couldn't help but feel delighted inside. Today, he had gained a sharp little brother and didn't want to keep him in suspense any longer, so he continued his story.
"But as for our cohort, I don't know whether it's our good or bad fortune. On the fortunate side, two great beauties emerged in our department. Unfortunately, these two beauties are simply out of our league—we can look but not touch. One of them is Zhao Yuhua from Finance class one. There's no need to explain her situation—since the first day of school, Gao Junjie made it clear that Zhao Yuhua is the girl he likes. Whoever dares to chase Zhao Yuhua has to get past him first."
Seeing a hint of disdain on Xiao Yi's lips, Fatty Tang sneered and carried on,
"Bro, don't be so dismissive. Initially, so many others were just like you, not taking it seriously. They thought they had status, talent, and considered themselves promising young men, completely ignoring Gao Junjie's words and sticking to their ways, harassing Zhao Yuhua, writing love letters, sending flowers, breakfast... All those who fancied they had a knack for wooing girls showed off every seduction trick in the book. But within days, all of them fell silent.
Why? Because Gao Junjie had crippled them all. Anyone who bothered Zhao Yuhua, or even seemed a little too keen on her, was beaten to a pulp by Gao Junjie and his three lackeys. Yet Gao Junjie didn't face any consequences, and the school didn't punish him at all. Over time, everyone got the message—Gao Junjie was pursuing Zhao Yuhua, and nobody else dared to contemplate her. Oh yes, Gao Junjie was the guy who told you to leave during class. Heh, he's also one of the very few people I don't dare to mess with. You better not provoke him either. As for this morning's incident, if they don't come looking for you, just let it go."
After listening to Fatty Tang, Xiao Yi started to understand what had happened that morning. But he found something odd and asked, "Is this Gao Junjie really that arrogant? He beats people up at school, and nobody does anything about it?"
"Do anything? Heh, you're too naive, brother. Do you know who Gao Junjie is? Would the school dare to meddle? Could they?"
Fatty Tang's chubby face trembled as he sneered, "If someone really could do something about him, Gao Junjie would have been dead hundreds of times over."
At this point, Fatty Tang's face showed a hint of impatience, as if he was reluctant to dwell on Gao Junjie's affairs any longer. He waved his hand dismissively and said, "In short, bro, just remember, Gao Junjie is the number one bully in our school. Try your best to stay out of his way. The same goes for his three lackeys—if you can avoid them, do so. Anyone else around here, just say the word, and I can handle them for you. At the very least, I can have a talk and make peace. But with these guys, there's really nothing I can do."
As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear. As they were discussing Gao Junjie, and Xiao Yi was about to inquire further about who the other person was—he hadn't noticed any other beauties in the classroom aside from Zhao Yuhua—he saw Gao Junjie and his three goons heading their way. His brow furrowed, and he stopped talking.
"Yo, Fatty Tang, out here for a smoke? Living the good life, I see."
Gao Junjie saw Xiao Yi and Fatty Tang together, frowned slightly, and showed a detached expression. He didn't say anything, but the tall, skinny guy beside him gave Fatty Tang a sinister smile.
"Brother Li is joking. I just stole a few from my dad. I can't compare with Young Master Gao and Brother Li."
Fatty Tang's face turned pale when he saw the group, and he quickly lowered his head, his chubby face quivering with apparent flattery and timidity.
"…"
Xiao Yi watched Fatty Tang's subservient attitude towards Gao Junjie and his lackeys, an air of deep-seated awe exuding from within him, and was rendered speechless. This newly acknowledged boss of his seemed far too subservient; even if they held some power, was there really a need to be so terrified of them?