He and Wei Jialong couldn't really be called brothers, just ordinary friends would be more appropriate.
Usually, Wei Jialong seldom asked Luo Yang to hang out together.
Wherever Wei Jialong went, there were always a few followers behind him.
As they left the classroom, Luo Yang joked, "Qilang, how many times are you playing 'Da Baojian' tonight?"
Wrapping his arm around Luo Yang's shoulder as they walked to the stairs, Wei Jialong laughed and said, "Damn, you all envy me for being 'Qi Ci Lang' every night."
While speaking, he pulled out a hard pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, flicked out one, and handed it to Luo Yang.
"Hey, Niu Zai, do me a favor."
"What is it?"
Wei Jialong took a paper crane out of his jacket pocket and said, "Take this to Hong Jiaxin for me."
Luo Yang thought the paper crane must be a love letter, and suddenly felt a wave of disgust.
"It would be better if you gave it to her yourself."
"Damn, if I give it to her myself, she won't accept it."
"Get a girl to help you."
"Hey, you refusing to help me?!"
Delivering a love letter was a trivial matter that only took a little effort, but thinking it was for Hong Jiaxin made him truly reluctant.
Luo Yang stuffed the Double Happiness cigarette back into Wei Jialong's hand and said, "You deliver it yourself."
Wei Jialong's expression darkened as he coldly said, "Hey, I heard that you want to hit on her?"
Seeing Luo Yang turn and walk back into the classroom, Wei Jialong cursed under his breath, "Damn, can't even save face!" The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Alone, he went downstairs and took out his phone to make a call.
Wei Jialong was heard on the phone saying, "Hey, Huang Maoqiang, teach someone a lesson for me. Luo Yang. Yes, he's trying to compete with me for a girlfriend. Just have your guys wait on the road. He should be going home tonight."
...
...
When Luo Yang returned to his seat, Zeng Xiaomei asked, "What did Wei Jialong want from you?"
Seeing Hong Jiaxin looking over, Luo Yang smiled and said, "He wanted me to bring in a paper crane." After exchanging glances with her, he added, "If you want it, I'll go get it for you."
After he spoke, Luo Yang felt his nerves tighten suddenly, thinking, "She wouldn't like Wei Jialong, would she?"
Hong Jiaxin pursed her lips and said, "Luo Yang, anytime he asks you to bring something to me, just refuse. I really dislike that type of person."
Knowing that she didn't like Wei Jialong, Luo Yang was secretly pleased and said with a smile, "The class president has spoken, I'll just do as told."
Zeng Xiaomei laughed and said, "Luo Yang, you listen so much to Beauty Hong, what does that mean?"
Chucking softly, Luo Yang and Hong Jiaxin locked eyes, their gaze touching then separating, causing hearts to flutter and spirits to intoxicate.
"Hey, Jiaxin, why are you blushing?"
"Concubine Yang, you're always gossiping."
"Muah, you mock others too. You're blushing because of..."
"Enough, I'll sew your mouth shut."
Hong Jiaxin laughed and reached out to pinch Zeng Xiaomei's mouth, who quickly ducked down on the table.
From the side, Hong Jiaxin's full forehead, firm nose, round chin, and rosy lips, along with her long, curved eyelashes, oozed youthful vibrance, stunning to behold.
Seeing Luo Yang staring in a daze, Hong Jiaxin lightly scolded, "What are you laughing at now?"
The tone was infinitely tender, rendering one weak in the knees.
Even after the second evening self-study session was over, on the walk home, Luo Yang still heard the echo of Hong Jiaxin's crisp, sweet voice in his ears.
Both third-year junior and senior high students had makeup classes on Saturdays, but they didn't need to attend morning reading.
Luo Yang didn't bring clothes to school, and although he had showered, he needed to go home to change and also to earn some money, so he rode his bicycle home with Xiao Daniu.
The sky was clear, and the evening breeze was gentle.
Luo Yang whistled to the tune of "Little Apple," while Xiao Daniu bellowed out in his robust voice, "Little oh little apple..."
The singing pierced through the night sky, audible from a mile away.
As they left the school gate, there was a stretch of gravel road, which also lacked streetlights, illuminated only by moonlight.
"Luo Yang!"
Suddenly, a commanding shout came from the side of the road.
Luo Yang looked in the direction of the sound and saw several figures, some sitting on motorcycles. Even though he could only see their silhouettes, by the voice alone, he could tell who it was.
"Come here!"
No sooner had the words been spoken than the motorcycle light turned on, suddenly illuminating the surroundings.
Luo Yang thought, "This Huang Maoqiang often comes to the school gate to extort and beat people up, does he want to ask me for money?" Thinking this, he rode over.
Thugs often extorted money from students at the school's front gate, under the guise of borrowing money, but never returning it.
"What do you want?" Luo Yang sat on his bike, one foot on the ground.
"I've been really broke these few days. Lend me a few hundred bucks for cigarettes," Huang Maoqiang said while sitting on his motorcycle.