CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: YOU PROTECT ME FIRST

Shi Yang held Zhao Meimei, his gaze coldly sweeping over the two people struggling to get up from the ground.

Both of these people are bleeding; this matter will probably alarm the family.

Shi Yang frowned and walked over to Qu Chaozong, asking gruffly, "What happened? Why did you start fighting?"

Qu Chaozong finally caught his breath and answered with some cursing, "Damn it! I don’t even freaking know. I was taking Meimei to find you when these two idiots rushed over, inexplicably cursing and trying to grab Meimei. You think I’m gonna let that slide? So I fought with them."

Shi Yang looked down and asked Zhao Meimei in his arms, "Do you know them? Who the hell are they?"

Shi Yang’s temper was clearly not in a good place, his tone rough.

Zhao Meimei raised her eyes and saw Shi Yang’s normally handsome face turn sullen, his sidelong gaze like a bullet shooting at the two on the ground.

Zhao Meimei saw that Shi Yang was in a bad mood and quickly answered, "It’s the guy who tried to snatch my game console at the arcade!"

"Who?" Shi Yang’s eyes widened, looking again at the two on the ground. His gaze paused on the person whose nose he had punched bloody, recognizing him as the guy he beat up at the arcade the other day!

Before Shi Yang could explode, Qu Chaozong yelled, "Damn! Seems like I didn’t beat this little punk enough last time. Damn it, looking to die by trying to pick a fight here! Today I’m gonna make sure you get a lasting impression you won’t forget!"

While cursing, Qu Chaozong moved closer to kick them, but Peng Rui grabbed his arm, "Chaozi!"

Qu Chaozong was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Peng Rui.

The young girl, with her quite pretty face red and swollen from crying, looked pitiful and heart-wrenching.

Qu Chaozong belatedly realized and cursed inwardly, turning angrily towards the two, regretting his earlier gentleness.

Damn it! He had just managed to chase a girl he liked, and before they could get closer, these guys had to mess it up right in front of her.

Qu Chaozong glared at the two on the ground, sparks almost flying from his eyes. The two struggled to get up, their mouths open but not daring to speak back under his glare.

Shi Yang was still thinking about how to handle this when two people squeezed through the crowd; he turned to look and sure enough, they were teachers from the Sixth Elementary School.

The teachers also recognized Shi Yang. He was known for his good grades and often participated in school activities, so he was familiar with teachers from various departments.

The teachers, spotting Shi Yang, paused and asked, "Shi Yang, what are you doing here?"

Shi Yang held Zhao Meimei without letting go and politely greeted them, "Mr. Xu, Teacher Zhao, long time no see. Our school has a half-day today, so I came to pick up my sister for lunch."

Mr. Xu glanced at the two boys with bloody faces standing nearby, then at the group beside Shi Yang.

Mr. Xu asked, "What’s going on here?"

This time Zhao Meimei quickly jumped in to report, "Teacher, they hit me."

Zhao Meimei showed the teacher her noticeably red and swollen cheek, "They bullied me because I’m young and there were no adults around. My brother came to rescue me when he saw me getting hit!"

Zhao Meimei deftly cleared herself of responsibility; her little brain was particularly sharp in critical moments.

Shi Yang gently pinched Zhao Meimei’s butt, and as she looked up, he slyly threw her a glance: That’s enough, take it easy, no lying.

Zhao Meimei pouted slightly and slowly turned her gaze away: Hmph, dare to bully my Brother Yangyang in front of me? Never mind who it is—I’ll handle whoever comes.

The troublemakers included two from their own school’s primary section, two who transferred to a prestigious high school from the middle school section, and another who was also a student at No.1 High School. To get into No.1 requires being a top student from various middle schools, but the two were seriously injured, wearing No.10 High School uniforms.

No.10 High School is hardly a good school, where students kicked out of the college admission competition gather.

The teachers’ biases surfaced, as they naturally sided with their own students. When good students clash with bad students, no matter the outcome, the mental balance tilts toward the good students unconditionally. Good students are smart, their energy focused on studies, with no time for hooligan shenanigans! Would they fight unless pushed to the brink?

Mr. Xu and Teacher Zhao exchanged a look, then Mr. Xu addressed the two from No.10 High School, "Contact your families to see if you need to go to the hospital or how you want to handle this."

Mr. Xu stepped closer to check Zhao Meimei’s injuries.

Zhao Meimei, pampered with the best by her mother and Shi Yang, had delicate skin. Though she often played under the sun, her good foundation never allowed her to tan.

The harsh slap now quickly turned into a bluish-purple bruise with a distinct fingerprint, looking very alarming.

Observing this, Mr. Xu frowned. Zhao Meimei was still young, and being hit like this wasn’t something her parents would accept; this matter wouldn’t be easy to handle.

The two from No.10 perked up hearing the mention of parents. The instigator from the arcade lifted his chin, pointing at Shi Yang, "You wait here, I’ll call my dad over right now!"

Shi Yang remained expressionless. He had expected the situation to alarm their families; he merely gave a disdainful scoff upon hearing this.

Thinking of his mother’s endless chatter, Qu Chaozong felt a headache coming on, turning to glare at the two from No.10, hatred simmering in his gaze.

The teachers took them to the school office, where they each made phone calls home.

Considering Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang’s situation, Shi Yang turned to the teachers, saying, "Meimei is my sister; I’ll call my dad to come."

The teachers didn’t overthink it. Back before Shi Yang graduated, they occasionally saw him riding a bike with Zhao Meimei to school, often mistaking them for siblings.

Shi Yang held the receiver, frowning as he dialed a set of numbers. After it connected, he spoke in a low voice, "Hello, this is Shi Yang. I’m at Sixth Elementary’s administration office. I got in a fight, can you come help me settle it?"

Shi Yang listened to something said on the other end, then replied, "Someone bullied my sister, and I got into a fight with them. I’m fine, but they’re bleeding."

After hanging up, Shi Yang ignored the others, pulling Zhao Meimei closer to examine her facial injuries. He frowned, a rare flash of anger in his eyes, and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Zhao Meimei didn’t feel much pain, just some swelling. She shook her head, holding Shi Yang’s hand tightly with her small fingers.

Shi Yang glanced at their interlocked hands, feeling his irritation gradually dissipate.

Shi Yang leaned down, speaking in a voice only two could hear, "Were you scared just now?"

Zhao Meimei had always been resilient, more composed than average kids in crises, even when slapped so hard her face swelled; she hadn’t cried like Peng Hui.

Zhao Meimei squinted her thin eyelids, whispering back, "Not scared, I knew you’d definitely come to save me."

Shi Yang sighed, his gaze softening bit by bit, "You’re my master. Whenever you’re in trouble, I’ll fly over to save you."

Zhao Meimei bit her lip corner, "You’re my Brother Yangyang, of course you can protect me."

Shi Yang’s mouth cracked into a smile, trying to keep a straight face, he teased, "Didn’t you say before you’d protect me?"

Zhao Meimei lifted her head, her dark eyes grinning under her long eyelids, "That’s after I grow up. While I’m still small, you protect me. Once I grow up, we’ll switch roles."

Shi Yang smiled askew, ruffling Zhao Meimei’s hair, finding her irresistibly endearing and lovable!