Chapter 39  You’re So Great, So Noble

Bai Zimo was never exactly a good guy, he just usually didn’t go looking for trouble. Since he was a kid, Bai Zimo had been a little rascal — practically a street tyrant in the red-light district.

He didn’t go out of his way to cause trouble but he wasn’t afraid of it either!

All these years, even though he had no parents, no one in the red-light district dared bully him or his grandmother. He had a tough personality, decisive hands, and some real skills to back it up. San Liangzi had already experienced this firsthand seven years ago.

“Bai Zimo, you’re so unreasonable! We go to the same school — you expect me to avoid you all the time? That’s ridiculous!”

“If you can’t understand reason, I know a bit of ‘fist talk’ too. And right now, I can’t be bothered reasoning with you — you’re not even worthy of listening to it!”

San Liangzi: “…”

Damn it.

That didn’t hurt physically…

But it was a major insult!

Bai Zimo saw him pushing his bike up the hill. This time he didn’t kick him down — he waited for him to come up.

“Come here!”

“What for?”

Bai Zimo suddenly threw a punch into his stomach.

“Ahhh—! You damn psycho, you don’t play by the rules at all!”

“My rules are the rules. Remember what I said: when you see Huazi and Siyì, walk the other way!”

San Liangzi almost vomited up his breakfast. Facing Bai Zimo now, he didn’t dare say anything tough. When he saw Director Wang of the Discipline Office at the school gate catching rule-breakers—San Liangzi jumped on his bike and fled in embarrassment.

“Director Wang, sir, look at him! Look at what kind of students this class produces!”

“Stop right there. School rules clearly forbid dyeing your hair — and no wigs either. Take it off.”

“Seriously? That’s what you’re focusing on? Look at my face!”

“Oh, you want attention now? Who hit you?”

San Liangzi was just about to speak — when he saw Bai Zimo riding by with Xia Fenghua on the back of his bike, heading straight toward him.

____

He really wanted to say Bai Zimo hit him. But he knew if he did, the beating would be even worse later. Because when he bullies people, he uses the same dirty tricks. So, putting himself in Zimo’s shoes — San Liangzi decided not to snitch.

“No one hit me — I fell by accident!”

“Then why are you showing me your face? Go to the nurse later! You people act like studying’s a foreign concept.”

San Liangzi tried to sneak off, but Old Wang grabbed him by the collar.

“Thought I’d let you go? Now pluck that chicken feather off your head! And what’s with your clothes? You look like a zebra.”

Pfft!

Huazi couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

“You think this is funny? You two, stand right there!”

Bai Zimo nodded.

“Director Wang, what’s the issue?”

“School rules say no motorbikes — electric scooters count too!”

“You’re kidding me.”

Xia Fenghua frowned.

“Why not? Teachers ride them — why can’t we?”

Then San Liangzi had to run his mouth again.

“Teachers can get married too. Try doing that yourselves!”

Bai Zimo said slowly, “Director Wang got divorced last year. San Liangzi, you just stabbed him in the heart.”

San Liangzi sneaked a glance.

Crap!

That was like rubbing salt in the wound!

Feeling a murderous glare, he immediately pushed his bike and took off running.

“I remember you — tomorrow shave your long hair. Buzz cut, three centimeters. One centimeter more, and it’s an insult to buzz cuts!”

Damn it!

The surrounding students were shocked.

Was he straight out of juvie or something?

“What are you all looking at? That bike’s not allowed.”

“Oh? Then the bike’s yours. I accept it being confiscated under school rules. But if it’s damaged or lost, then that’s on you too!”

Uh-oh!

Old Wang leaned back like he took a hit.

Confiscate the bike?

No way.

If that brat caused any trouble, his meager salary wouldn’t cover it.

“Just get to class already. Can you two focus on studying for once?”

____

As soon as Bai Zimo and Huazi entered the building, they were met with cheers.

“Zimo went head-to-head with Director Wang at the school gate!”

“Legend!”

“A role model for us all!”

Xie Wanghe turned and asked, “Huazi, Zimo — you guys fought San Liangzi on the road?”

“You saw it yourself! If he hadn’t run fast enough, I’d have asked Zimo to leave him with a parting kick!”

“San Liangzi isn’t bad at heart.”

Bai Zimo smiled.

“Saying someone’s ‘not bad at heart’ is just something people say to excuse their mistakes.”

“If one day San Liangzi corners Siyì on the street — you can bet on him being good, but can you bet Siyì will be safe?”

“Come on, Bai Zimo — that’s a bit extreme!”

Huazi angrily said, “Oh, you’re so great, so noble. If you’re not helping us, fine — but don’t defend San Liangzi!”

“Zimo, let’s not talk to him anymore!”

“What do you mean I’m not helping you!”

“Xie Wanghe, I’m really disappointed in you today! When did you become so afraid of getting involved?”

“I just think — it’s senior year now. The less drama, the better.”

Xia Fenghua rolled her eyes.

“Then you should go tell that to San Liangzi!”

Shao Xingchi quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Come on, don’t start fighting each other over that guy.”

That was fair. The kids from the Flower Street courtyard had grown up together — years of friendship.

“Okay, I admit I was wrong, alright? How about this — I’ll treat everyone to barbecue.”

“No thanks!”

“One barbecue isn’t enough? Fine — two barbecues!”

Huazi finally paused, eyes conflicted, caught between anger and grilled meat…