A crisp and resounding slap echoed through the air as Zhang Yunfeng's face was struck with immense force. The sheer impact left him dazed, his body spinning uncontrollably in several circles, nearly toppling to the ground in a graceless stumble.
A collective gasp rippled through the gathered students. None had clearly seen what had transpired—how Zhang Yunfeng, who had reached out to slap Ling Yun, had instead ended up being the one to receive a vicious strike.
Dazed, stars dancing before his eyes, Zhang Yunfeng felt the sting of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his face swelling rapidly. Before he could regain his senses, a strong hand seized his collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
Ling Yun's lips curled into a cold smile. "I had no intention of bothering with you," he said, his voice laced with disdain. "But it seems trash like you never knows when to quit. I warned you—I would repay you tenfold for what you did to me. Since you've so kindly delivered yourself to my doorstep, consider this your reckoning."
Without hesitation, Ling Yun struck again. Slap after slap rang out, the sharp sound cutting through the stunned silence. Twenty blows in total. When he finally released his grip, Zhang Yunfeng crumpled to the ground like a marionette with its strings severed, utterly defeated.
Blood trickled from his nose, his eyes bloodshot with fury. Gasping for breath, he staggered to his feet, his voice hoarse with rage. "Ling Yun, you son of a—! How dare you lay a hand on me?! I'll make sure you regret this! You just wait!"
Ling Yun merely smirked, then, without warning, delivered a forceful kick straight to Zhang Yunfeng's abdomen. A guttural cry tore from his lips as he stumbled backward, barely able to stand before collapsing with a graceless thud, utterly humiliated.
Advancing slowly, Ling Yun planted a foot firmly on Zhang Yunfeng's head, leaning down with deliberate leisure. "You're not even worth my time," he murmured, his voice calm yet laced with chilling contempt. "You're just another lowly thug, an inconsequential nobody. But since you've chosen to debase yourself over that foolish girl, I'll grant you the disgrace you so desperately seek. Bring your so-called gang if you dare—I'll be waiting."
With that, he turned and strode away without sparing so much as a glance at Li Lingling, whose face had turned an unsightly shade.
Fuming, Li Lingling watched his retreating figure, her breath caught in her throat, but no words escaped her lips. She turned instead to Zhang Yunfeng, still sprawled on the ground, his face swollen beyond recognition. Her anger surged anew, redirected entirely at him. "Zhang Yunfeng! Weren't you the one who said you'd teach Ling Yun a lesson for me? Is this what you call 'teaching him a lesson'?! Useless! What do I even need you for?"
The pain from his wounds was excruciating, but the humiliation of being beaten and shamed before his peers stung far worse. Zhang Yunfeng had always been the tormentor, the one relishing in others' suffering. But today, the tables had turned. The bitter taste of disgrace was almost unbearable.
Gritting his teeth, he struggled upright. "Lingling, I'm sorry. I didn't expect him to fight back like that. But don't worry—we'll get our revenge. Come with me, I'll take you to see my big brother and his crew. No matter how good Ling Yun thinks he is, he won't stand a chance against all of them."
Li Lingling hesitated for a brief moment, then sighed, knowing that, despite her distaste for Zhang Yunfeng's pathetic state, he was still her best chance at payback. She reached out and helped him up.
Yet, she couldn't quite understand her own fury. Ling Yun had once been nothing more than a nameless, unremarkable presence in her world—someone beneath her notice. And yet, instead of fading into obscurity, he had now become an unbearable thorn in her pride.
He had ignored her.
Not hated her. Not insulted her. Simply ignored her.
And that was something she could not tolerate.
She had always been the one to stand above others, to be the one dismissing, never the one dismissed. To be disregarded so effortlessly by someone who once harbored admiration for her—it was an unfamiliar, infuriating kind of loss.
She clenched her fists. No matter what, she would make Ling Yun pay for this.
As Zhang Yunfeng limped beside her, he caught a whiff of her delicate fragrance, momentarily soothing his bruised ego. Misreading her actions as concern, he offered a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lingling. If it weren't for you, I'd have lost all dignity today."
She scoffed coldly and pulled her hand away. "Don't thank me. We've both been humiliated enough today. You call yourself the king of this school, yet you couldn't even handle one ordinary student. If you can't do it, then find someone who can. I don't care what it takes—just make sure Ling Yun pays."
Zhang Yunfeng's expression darkened with shame, but he quickly masked it with anger. "That b*st*rd caught me off guard! If it weren't for his cheap tricks, I'd have wiped the floor with him. I'll call Ma-ge right now. After school, we'll make sure Ling Yun learns his place."
He pulled out his phone and dialed. The call connected, and after a brief conversation, Zhang Yunfeng hung up, turning to Li Lingling with a twisted grin. "Ma-ge's in. He and the others just finished lunch. They're waiting for us in an alley not far from here."
Li Lingling hesitated. "I don't think I should go. It's not exactly appropriate for a girl to be meeting your gang leader, is it?"
Zhang Yunfeng chuckled. "Come on, Lingling. Ma-ge and the others are real men—bold, loyal, and respected. We drink together, we've even sworn brotherhood. Since you're with me, you're basically family. In our world, it's only right that you meet my big brother. Besides, once we take care of Ling Yun, no one in school will dare mess with us again."
Her expression turned icy. "Watch your mouth. I'm not 'with you.'"
He forced a fawning smile. "Of course, of course. My mistake, Lingling. Let's go."
Together, they walked along the school's perimeter, winding through a few turns before reaching a quiet alleyway. At the far end stood a traditional-style pavilion, its stone table and stools weathered with age.
Five rough-looking men lounged around the table, lazily chatting as they nursed their beers. The midday heat had prompted them to shed their shirts, revealing tattooed torsos marred with old scars.
Zhang Yunfeng called out, his voice laced with forced enthusiasm. "Ma-ge! We're here!"
With that, he and Li Lingling stepped into the lion's den.
The middle-aged rogue, Ma Ge, lounged idly against the stone table, his face flushed with drunkenness. His narrow, calculating eyes flickered with a hint of interest as they fell upon Li Lingling. With a sly grin, he drawled, "Xiao Zhang, you're here. So, this is your girl? I must say, she's quite the beauty."
Zhang Yunfeng bowed slightly, his posture deferential. "Yes, Ma Ge, this is my girlfriend, Li Lingling. She's come specifically to pay her respects to you." As he spoke, he nudged Li Lingling gently. "Lingling, greet the elder brother."
From several meters away, Li Lingling was already assaulted by the overpowering stench of alcohol and the acrid sweat of the bare-chested men. The sight of the thugs, particularly Brother Ma's lecherous gaze roving over her body, made her frown faintly. She regretted ever agreeing to accompany Zhang Yunfeng, but it was too late to turn back now. Swallowing her discomfort, she forced a soft greeting, "Hello, Brother Ma."
One of the thugs let out a low whistle. "Xiao Zhang, your girl's quite the beauty. Bet she'd be a wild one in bed, huh?" His crude remark was met with a chorus of lewd laughter from the others.
The blatant harassment caused Li Lingling's face to pale, and she was on the verge of lashing out. Zhang Yunfeng quickly grabbed her arm, forcing a strained smile. "Brother Zhao, my girlfriend's still a student. Please watch your words. We're all brothers here, but she's not used to this kind of talk."
Brother Zhao, the thug who had spoken, snorted coldly. "Xiao Zhang, don't get me wrong. You're one of us, but yesterday and today, we've been helping you settle scores. Don't you think it's time to show some gratitude? We can't keep doing favors for free."
"Of course, Brother Ma, Brother Zhao," Zhang Yunfeng replied, his voice submissive. "I was planning to treat you all to a meal as a token of my appreciation." Li Lingling, pulled back by Zhang Yunfeng, remained silent, though her mind was racing. What kind of friends were these, demanding gratitude for every little favor?
Brother Ma's eyes gleamed with a predatory light as he stared at Li Lingling. The alcohol had loosened his inhibitions, and his gaze lingered on her summer outfit—a short-sleeved green T-shirt that revealed her slender arms and a denim skirt that showcased her long, smooth legs. Her fair skin glowed under the sunlight, and her tall, graceful figure and delicate features only added to her allure.
The alcohol in the air seemed to fuel the men's desires, their drunken eyes now filled with a lecherous hunger.
"Xiao Zhang," Brother Ma drawled, his eyes never leaving Li Lingling's chest, "how have I treated you all this time?"
Zhang Yunfeng, sensing the danger, forced a nervous laugh. "Brother Ma, you've always been good to me. Just say the word, and I'd go through fire and water for you without hesitation."
"Is that so?" Brother Ma's tone turned sly. "Well, let's not beat around the bush. I don't need you to treat me to a meal. I'm drunk, and what I want right now is a woman. You know what they say—brothers are like limbs, but a woman is like clothing. Your girl here is quite the catch. How about letting her keep me company tonight? Consider it your way of repaying me for all I've done for you."
Both Zhang Yunfeng and Li Lingling were stunned. Li Lingling trembled, shrinking behind Zhang Yunfeng, who pleaded desperately, "Brother Ma, you can't do this. She's my girlfriend. This would ruin her!"
Brother Ma, now consumed by lust, strode out of the pavilion. "Xiao Zhang, you're being ungrateful. We've been helping you settle scores, and this is how you repay us? If you won't show your gratitude, at least let your girl do it for you."
Zhang Yunfeng clenched his teeth. "Brother Ma, I beg you, let her go. I'll do anything for you, just don't touch her."
"Get out of my way!" Brother Ma barked, shoving Zhang Yunfeng aside. He advanced toward Li Lingling, who was now trembling uncontrollably. He reached out, roughly patting her delicate cheek with a sinister grin. "This one's a real beauty. Probably still untouched. I'll take her right here, as thanks for helping you out."
Zhang Yunfeng's eyes burned with rage. "Brother Ma, if you lay a finger on her, I'll kill you!" He lunged forward, but the other thugs immediately surrounded him, pinning him to the ground. Zhang Yunfeng struggled furiously, but it was no use.
The middle-aged thug forced the sobbing, struggling Li Lingling against the wall. With a brutal tug, he ripped her T-shirt in half, exposing her pale skin. Her bra was torn aside, revealing part of her chest. The thugs' eyes gleamed with lust, and Brother Ma, swallowing hard, reached out to grab her.