The final bell for evening self-study rang, and Cheng Xing closed his book, returning it to Zhou Yuan. He had used the time between afternoon classes and evening self-study to give the Chinese textbook a thorough read. With two periods of evening self-study, it was already past nine. Since it was too late tonight, Cheng Xing decided to go to the Xinhua Bookstore in the city tomorrow during lunch break to buy the missing textbooks for the first and second years.
Stretching his muscles, Cheng Xing and Zhou Yuan followed the crowd out of the classroom. As soon as they stepped out, several people approached them.
"Brother Cheng," the leading one called out.
Cheng Xing glanced at him, recalling that this person's name was Gao Hai, a student from Class 9 of the third year. According to the student hierarchy, Gao Hai was one of Cheng Xing's followers and had some influence at the school. His family was also relatively well-off locally.
"What's up?" Cheng Xing asked.
"I need your help with something," Gao Hai said.
"Let's talk about it later. Come over here; you're blocking the way."
The group of them had stopped in the middle of the corridor, causing others to hesitate to pass. Cheng Xing leaned against the railing beside the corridor and gestured for them to come over.
"What is it? Say it."
Having sat in the classroom for half a day, they still felt a bit stuffy. Without air conditioning and only noisy ceiling fans, the night breeze was a welcome relief.
"I've had some trouble with Chen Yang from Jiu Zhong, and only you, Brother Cheng, can help me settle this," Gao Hai said.
Ancheng had nine high schools, and Jiu Zhong was undoubtedly the worst. Most of the students there were troublemakers. While Gao Hai might not fear other tough guys from different high schools, he knew he couldn't handle Chen Yang.
Cheng Xing remembered this event from his past life. Influenced by the glamorized world of Hong Kong gangster films and unrestrained online novels, many students in those days yearned for a life of crime. Though Cheng Xing had once shared the same desire, he now understood the harsh realities of such a path.
While he had helped Zhou Yuan, he no longer felt compelled to extend that same mercy to others who sought to walk a similar road.
Their peers, who had diligently studied, often ended up working in prestigious companies, wearing suits, and living stable lives. In contrast, those who had spent their school days idling or fooling around typically found themselves struggling with low-wage factory jobs or unemployment. The stark contrast between these paths frequently led to regret over not prioritizing education.
Even Cheng Xing, who eventually achieved some success in his past life, regretted not attending university. What about those who had dropped out of elementary or middle school?
At a high school reunion seventeen years later, Cheng Xing rarely saw people like Gao Hai. Most of his former classmates who had spent their high school years with him had not fared well. When Cheng Xing's family faced difficulties in 2017, most of the people he knew back then distanced themselves from him. While understandable, Cheng Xing bore no resentment.
"Zhou Yuan is close with Chen Yang. Ask him if he's willing to help. If he agrees, great. If not, there's nothing I can do about it," Cheng Xing said.
"Brother Zhou," Gao Hai smiled and looked at Zhou Yuan.
"I'll invite Chen Yang for a meal tomorrow and see if I can help," Zhou Yuan said with a smile.
"Thank you, Brother Cheng. Thank you, Brother Zhou," Gao Hai said, taking two packs of cigarettes from his pocket and handing them to Cheng Xing and Zhou Yuan.
Cheng Xing and Zhou Yuan accepted without hesitation. Cheng Xing took one out, and Gao Hai quickly lit it for him with a lighter.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Cheng and Brother Zhou," Gao Hai said with a grin.
Although Cheng Xing had passed the decision to Zhou Yuan, Gao Hai knew that it ultimately depended on Cheng Xing. Without Cheng Xing's backing, even if Zhou Yuan knew Chen Yang, he wouldn't have bothered to resolve Gao Hai's conflict.
Just then, the sound of the door locking came from the side, and Jiang Luxi walked over. She raised her head and glanced at them, then quietly walked past.
"Who's that girl? She's not afraid of us at all?" Gao Hai asked in surprise.
"Do you think you're someone important? A real-life gangster, huh? Everyone should back down when they see you?" Cheng Xing said sarcastically, annoyed by Gao Hai's exaggerated words.
Thinking back to his own behavior at that age, Cheng Xing realized he might have had similar thoughts if he encountered a girl who reacted this way to them.
In high school, Cheng Xing was definitely considered the top dog and the boss at No. 1 High School. Ordinary people didn't dare to offend him.
"Also, don't bother me with your petty issues in the future. If you cause any more trouble, you'll have to deal with it yourself. I'm going to be busy studying hard from now on," Cheng Xing said.
After saying that, he walked away.
"Do you believe what Brother Chen said?" Gao Hai asked Zhou Yuan.
"I didn't believe it yesterday, but I do today," Zhou Yuan replied with a smile as he followed Cheng Xing.
From the morning self-study session, Cheng Xing had been reading continuously, rarely even taking breaks to go to the bathroom. He had read through six or seven classes in a row. Zhou Yuan always felt that if Cheng Xing decided to do something, he would succeed.
Walking downstairs from the teaching building and passing through the rows of parasol trees, Zhou Yuan noticed a pretty figure standing at the school gate.
"See? I told you. Chen Qing was just shy and embarrassed. Look—she's waiting at the gate for you to walk home together," Zhou Yuan said with a smile.
"Hey," Cheng Xing began, but trailed off as he saw Zhou Yuan already sprinting towards the school gate. Zhou Yuan nodded a quick greeting to Chen Qing before disappearing from sight.
Cheng Xing shook his head, disappointed. He had been hoping to hang out and chat with Zhou Yuan after school.
In the past, they rarely went home together. Because of this, Zhou Yuan often complained when he was drunk, saying that Cheng Xing always valued love over friendship.
At the school gate, Cheng Xing smiled and greeted Chen Qing.
"You haven't left yet," Cheng Xing said.
"Waiting for you," Chen Qing replied, tucking strands of hair blown by the autumn wind behind her ear.
Cheng Xing froze. Her words brought him back to more than a decade ago.
On this day in his previous life, after Cheng Xing confessed his feelings to Chen Qing and was rejected, he had been consumed by anger. However, that same night, Chen Qing stood at the school gate, declaring that she was waiting for him.
This unexpected act had completely dispelled Cheng Xing's frustration, leaving him hopeful and eager for the future.