The blonde-haired guy was about to see who dared to challenge him when someone upstairs called out:
"Zhang Weilei, showing off again? Did you forget that time outside the school gate when I nearly beat you to death?"
Zhang Weilei looked up and saw Chen Hansheng grinning at him from the stairs, speaking in a mocking tone. His eyes turned red, and he was ready to charge up for a fight, but someone behind him shouted, **"Stop!"**
The speaker was a young man in his early twenties, exuding a more mature air. To Chen Hansheng's surprise, he greeted him:
"Hansheng, back home for the holidays?"
Chen Hansheng nodded and tossed a cigarette down to him.
"Zhang Weiyu, if you don't keep your brother in check, he might really get himself killed one day."
The high schoolers downstairs didn't understand why Chen Hansheng was familiar with these two troublemakers. Wang Zibo walked over to explain:
"Do you remember that fight Xiaocheng had with an outsider back in school?"
Of course, everyone did. The incident had caused a huge stir. The school authorities had even planned to give Chen Hansheng a warning, though the punishment was mysteriously withdrawn later.
Wang Zibo pointed at the blonde-haired guy:
"That's Zhang Weilei, nicknamed 'Piercing Spear.' He used to attend Port City No. 3 High but dropped out and started hanging around with gangs."
"The other guy is his older brother, Zhang Weiyu, nicknamed 'Long Spear.' He used to be a troublemaker too."
Wang Zibo continued:
"Back then, Zhang Weilei tried to pursue a girl from our school. She rejected him, and he started blocking her at the school gate. Chen happened to see it and spoke up. One thing led to another, and they got into a fight."
Xiao Rongyu suddenly asked,
"Who won?"
Wang Zibo replied proudly,
"Of course, Chen did. That night, he was so fired up that he nearly beat Zhang Weilei to death. Neither I nor the school security guards could stop him. In the end, it was Zhang Weiyu who showed up, and the three of us managed to separate them."
"How could he get punished for that? He should've been rewarded!" one of the girls protested.
Wang Zibo nodded.
"The girl involved even went to the school authorities to explain, so the warning was canceled. But fighting is still wrong, so no reward was given."
"I never knew about this," Xiao Rongyu murmured.
Wang Zibo shrugged.
"That's just how Chen is. He does things based on his mood and doesn't brag about them."
Liu Xiaomeng pointed at Chen Hansheng, now chatting with Zhang Weiyu, and asked:
"How does he know these two?"
Wang Zibo explained:
"Chen liked going out back in high school. Sometimes he ran into Zhang Weiyu. Unlike his arrogant brother, Zhang Weiyu is more low-key, so they ended up knowing each other."
Gao Jialiang asked curiously:
"Is Zhang Weilei dumb? The prettiest girl at No. 1 High is obviously Xiao Rongyu. Why would he go after anyone else?"
Wang Zibo rolled his eyes.
"Everyone knows Xiao Rongyu's dad is a police officer. Who'd dare mess with her? Even you were careful when you pursued her."
Gao Jialiang chuckled sheepishly.
"Who wouldn't be careful? Even Chen Hansheng behaved himself."
Xie Wanqiu asked,
"So, who was the girl he saved? I'm curious."
"A former sophomore, now a senior, Luo Xuan," Wang Zibo replied.
"Luo Xuan?" Pan Ying exclaimed.
"Oh, she's my neighbor! I didn't know she was involved in this."
She added with a smirk,
"Xiao Rongyu, after you graduated, Luo Xuan became the new school belle."
Not only that, Pan Ying shared an interesting tidbit:
"She could've gotten into a top-tier university, but she's set her sights on a second-tier one—Jianye University of Finance and Economics. Her mom's been worried sick."
Pan Ying suddenly paused. Everyone exchanged glances. Jianye University of Finance and Economics? Wasn't that Chen Hansheng's school?
Gao Jialiang blinked in disbelief.
"Chen Hansheng is playing a long game. Saving the damsel in distress and then having her follow him."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The scenario felt oddly dramatic.
Xiao Rongyu suddenly said,
"It's the 21st century. We don't encourage repaying kindness with one's body. Junior Luo Xuan is too old-fashioned. I should talk to her myself."
---
While the group pieced the story together, Chen Hansheng and Zhang Weiyu were chatting.
"What have you been up to lately? Still in the gang scene?" Chen Hansheng asked.
Zhang Weiyu shook his head.
"Just scraping by. Unlike you college students, who have a secure future."
Chen Hansheng smirked but didn't reply.
Zhang Weiyu suddenly asked,
"What's Jianye like?"
"Thinking about going there?" Chen Hansheng asked.
Zhang Weiyu nodded.
"I'm considering it. I want to take Zhang Weilei there next year to find work."
Chen Hansheng thought for a moment, then borrowed some paper and a pen from the service desk and wrote down his phone number.
"I'm studying in Jiangling, Jianye. If you're ever there, you can reach out to me."
"Must be nice to have money," Zhang Weiyu remarked.
"Even college students have phones."
Chen Hansheng lit a cigarette.
"I bought it with money I earned from part-time work. Next year, I'll even pay my tuition myself."
Zhang Weiyu was taken aback.
"You can earn money while studying?"
Chen Hansheng didn't answer, leaving some mystery. He pointed at Zhang Weilei.
"Take your brother and leave. My classmates are too scared to sit down while he's here."
Zhang Weiyu didn't argue. He thanked Chen Hansheng and left.
---
Outside, Zhang Weilei grumbled,
"Why were you chatting with him? You know I hate him."
Zhang Weiyu patted his shoulder.
"He's a college student. All of them are."
"So what? College students aren't that great," Zhang Weilei muttered.
"You got beaten up by one," Zhang Weiyu reminded him.
"Do you think I can't earn a million someday?"
"You got beaten up by one."
"Do you think I can't make a name for myself?"
"You got beaten up by one."
"Do you think I can't outshine college students?"
"You got beaten up by one."
"Fine, I get it!" Zhang Weilei roared.
"I got beaten up by a college student! Stop reminding me!"
Zhang Weiyu finally fell silent, glancing at the piece of paper in his hand.
"What's that?" Zhang Weilei asked.
"Chen Hansheng's number. He said we could contact him in Jianye. Maybe he can help us find a path forward."
"Pfft. What could a college student do? Probably just showing off. Tear it up."
Zhang Weiyu considered it but decided to keep it.
"You never know when it might come in handy."