"Ye Feng, come with me. I have something to discuss with you," a sharp-faced young man rudely tapped Ye Feng, who was resting his head on the desk, and spoke with a demanding tone.
Ye Feng looked at the person, whom he didn't recognize. Originally, he planned to respond politely, but upon seeing the hostility in the young man's eyes, his tone shifted as he retorted, "And who might this stray cat or dog be, disturbing my sleep in broad daylight?"
"Don't push your luck! You'll regret crossing Young Master Zuo," the boy snapped, his face darkening at Ye Feng's arrogance.
"Young Master Zuo? And who might that be—someone worth noting, Ge Jian?" Ye Feng replied, feigning ignorance and looking playfully at Ge Jian, who was deeply absorbed in his comic book nearby.
"Ye Feng, his name is Yang Kai, the number one lackey of Zuo Fei. Seems Zuo Fei sent him to cause trouble," Ge Jian responded, glancing briefly at Yang Kai, whose arrogant posture clearly displayed his disregard. With his own status, Ge Jian barely took notice of Zuo Fei or his sidekick.
"Oh, you mean that toad dreaming of swan meat, Zuo Fei?" Ye Feng raised his voice with an exaggerated tone, causing Lin Shiyun, who was working on her homework nearby, to stifle a laugh.
"You think I'll just go when I'm called? That'd be too undignified. If your so-called Young Master Zuo wants something, he should come here himself," Ye Feng replied, his voice laced with contempt now that he knew who was trying to pick a fight.
"Alright, keep up that attitude. Soon you'll be crying," Yang Kai growled, looking furious as he stormed out.
"If we were in the wartime period, he'd make an excellent traitor," Fan Tong commented to Ye Feng and Ge Jian, watching Yang Kai leave the classroom with disdain.
"Absolutely, haha," Ge Jian laughed, then added, "I bet you fifty cents that Zuo Fei himself will come crawling over here soon to find Ye Feng."
"Who'd take that bet? I'm not desperate for your fifty cents. That's a given," Fan Tong replied, exasperated.
Ye Feng watched them bicker, his mouth twitching slightly. What a pair of oddballs.
"They're always like this; it's just how they are. Get used to it and laugh if you feel like it," Lin Shiyun smiled at Ye Feng, clearly well-acquainted with their antics.
"Hey, you there—Ye Feng! Get out here now! I don't believe you'll escape this time," a voice yelled suddenly, as someone roughly kicked open the door. It was none other than Zuo Fei, shouting with arrogance.
"What kind of fool bursts in like this?" Ye Feng muttered.
"Can you refrain from constantly using such crude language?" Lin Shiyun scolded, shooting him a disapproving look.
"Yes, yes, my dear wife. You're right. I'll never say such things again," Ye Feng responded, completely unfazed by Zuo Fei, who was still ranting at the door.
At the sight of Lin Shiyun sitting beside Ye Feng, Zuo Fei's arrogance momentarily faded. He muttered to Yang Kai, "Idiot! Why didn't you tell me Lin Shiyun was here? Now I look rude in front of her."
However, hearing Ye Feng's words, his jealousy flared as he asked, "Lin Shiyun, what is the meaning of this?"
"I don't see why that concerns you, Zuo Fei. You can call me Lin Shiyun or Lin. Anything else is none of your business," Lin Shiyun replied coldly, with a look of disdain in her eyes.
"Fine, Lin Shiyun. I'm here to have a word with Ye Feng. Kindly ask him to step outside," Zuo Fei forced himself to maintain composure, though he glared at Ye Feng and issued a challenge, "If you're a real man, come to the rooftop and face me. If you don't, everyone will know Lin Shiyun's love interest is a spineless coward."
"Ye Feng…" Lin Shiyun gave him a look that clearly meant: don't go.
Lin Shiyun knew exactly what kind of person Zuo Fei was. If Ye Feng went, he would undoubtedly face a beating. Though Ye Feng had proven his skills on the train, Zuo Fei had the numbers on his side.
"Don't worry. These small-time thugs are no match for me," Ye Feng assured Lin Shiyun with a confident smile, then signaled for Ge Jian and Fan Tong to come outside with him.
Outside the classroom, Ye Feng instructed, "Both of you stay here and keep an eye on Shiyun. Don't let her follow me to the rooftop—the scene might get a little messy."
"But they've got numbers. At least let me join you," Fan Tong urged, worried for Ye Feng. "I've practiced kickboxing, so I could probably handle two of them."
"Skinny guy, are you joking? I'm here, too. I can take three of them at once," Ge Jian interrupted, boasting as he patted his stomach.
"You two, stop bickering. Just make sure Shiyun stays put. Don't worry; this small group is barely a warm-up," Ye Feng said firmly, sending them back into the classroom before heading to the rooftop alone.
"So, you actually dared to come," one of Zuo Fei's henchmen sneered as Ye Feng arrived.
"Idiot, the boss hasn't even spoken yet," Zuo Fei glared at him, then turned to Ye Feng with a mock-friendly arm around his shoulder, saying, "Don't mind my underlings—they're inexperienced. I just wanted a quick chat."
"Who are you trying to fool?" Ye Feng thought to himself, though he played along and said, "What can I, a mere student, possibly do for you?"
"Good. Let's get to the point, then. Keep your distance from Lin Shiyun; she's not someone for the likes of you," Zuo Fei said, his tone growing more arrogant as he released Ye Feng's shoulder.
"Oh? So only some lowlife like you is worthy of her?" Ye Feng replied calmly, his expression unchanging.
"You little brat. You'll regret this. Boys, let's teach him a lesson!"