After sending Xu Yao away, Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing were no longer in the mood to recall their past.

  Zheng PingQing was quite disgusted with Xu Yao. “Uncle is quite bad, ah. High school students should be concentrating on their studies! Instead, his mind is full of obscene thoughts.

  Lin Qian: “.……” He decided to ignore this hypocrite.

  “I didn’t expect Huo PingChuan to escape punishment so cleanly this time.” Lin Qian started.

  Zheng PingQing looked at Lin Qian with squinted eyes. “You changed topics a little too rigidly.”


  Lin Qian calmly lighted another sparkler. “Then we can talk about separate topics. You can talk about your Uncle, and I can talk about Huo PingChuan.”


  “I also think that Huo PingChuan got off lightly.” Zheng PingQing immediately put on a serious expression.

  Lin Qian gave him a look. “Don’t keep ragging on your Uncle, he’s still a child.”


  Zheng PingQing changed tactics and made a pitiful expression. “Ok.”


  Lin Qian then continued: “Then let’s study how we can rag on Huo PingChuan.”


  As they started speaking about Huo PingChuan, the atmosphere between the two men inevitably became a little heavy.

  Lin Qian sighed. “No wonder he was able to sit at a high position in our last lives. Huo PingChuan left himself a way out from the very beginning.”


  Zheng PingQing nodded. Ke CaiZhu was definitely not the kind of woman who would willingly sacrifice herself to save Huo PingChuan. In fact, she never admitted to leaking the test question, even until the very end.

  But all the evidence pointed to her. The investigation team looked through the evidence and found that Ke CaiZhu had lied. But Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing figured that Huo PingChuan manipulated Ke CaiZhu from the very start so that he wouldn’t need to personally participate in any of his schemes.

  Huo PingChuan probably didn’t even directly command Ke CaiZhu to do things. If given enough verbal hints, Ke CaiZhu, who was eager to flatter Huo PingChuan, would’ve understood his cues and helped him sweep any obstacle in his way. And once something goes wrong, Huo PingChuan can simply say that ‘he didn’t know anything’ and that ‘Ke CaiZhu did it all on her own.’ Ke CaiZhu would naturally couldn’t argue otherwise, as there was no evidence of his involvement.

  And the so-called computer evidence that implicated Ke CaiZhu was easy to fabricate. In order to wash himself clean, Huo PingChuan could’ve simply printed a copy of the test using Ke CaiZhu’s computer when there was no one in the office. With Ke CaiZhu wanting to please him, Huo PingChuan could’ve effortlessly found out her computer password.

  All these things made Ke CaiZhu a unique scapegoat.

  Zheng PingQing rubbed his hands together. “Let’s try to recall all the bad things Huo PingChuan did in our previous lives……”


  With a ‘tsk,’ Lin Qian replied: “He did plenty of horrible things, but that was all after he became the Principal. It’ll be a while before he really starts implementing his plans.”


  Zheng PingQing put on a regretful expression and said: “Ah, too bad that’ll never happen. Since my boyfriend’s angry, he’s not allowed to be the Principal.”


  Lin Qian pointed his sparkler to the ground and started writing. “Let’s see……”


  As he spoke, a firecracker was suddenly thrown at Lin Qian’s feet, popping as it landed on the ground.

  “Woah!” The startled Lin Qian immediately scrambled away, hitting Zheng PingQing’s body as he did so.

  A Class 7 student shouted: “Boss, why are you playing with sparklers ah, why don’t you throw that away and play some cannons? Let me tell you, there are some really powerful cannons here……”


  Zheng PingQing steadied the flailing Lin Qian with a hand. When he looked down, he saw that Lin Qian was pale white, and he looked moments away from passing out.

  Zheng PingQing rubbed Lin Qian’s back for a few moments, then slowly stood up. He looked at the little brother who had thrown the firecracker. “Throwing a firecracker right at our feet isn’t very manly, you fucker. Why don’t I show you how it’s done.”


  Little brother: “??????????”


  Guo DangLi, this newly established subordinate, was good at handling various affairs. When he heard Zheng PingQing’s words, he immediately pulled out a box of firecrackers with very intense imagery on it. Guo DangLi very respectfully handed the box over. “Second Boss, here.”


  Little brother: “??????????”


  For the next hour, continuous loud bangs and the little brother’s sobbing could be heard reverberating through the area.

  The others shuddered, especially Li Gao and Guo DangLi. They thought back to the numerous times they’ve tried to provoke Zheng PingQing.

  “Second Boss is really cruel. Did he play a lot of Minesweeper before?” Li Gao asked.

  Guo DangLi had a solemn expression as he replied: “More like he’s thrown hand grenades before.”


  The two looked at each other and said in unison: “The Boss is too awesome.” He managed to tame the domineering Second Boss.

  Meanwhile, the little brother who had no idea what he did wrong: “QAQ” I never want to see firecrackers again!

  &#k2026;&#k2026;

  The smartest students and the worst tyrants of No. 12 High School all ended up playing with firecrackers from dawn to dusk. Eventually, all the boxes were emptied, and the group reluctantly prepared to leave.

  Of course, Lin Qian commanded everyone to clean up before they left. Like an adult, he supervised the group, making sure there wasn’t anything left behind that could start a fire. Guo DangLi and his brothers, who were dutifully following orders, felt like they were children again.

  Afterward, when they arrived at the school gate, they found that the gate wasn’t closed as they had all expected. Security Chief Wang had moved a bamboo reclining chair next to the entrance and was currently sitting on the chair with his legs up.

  When he saw the group approach, Chief Wang jumped to his feet and waved at them.

  Lin Qian smiled and exclaimed: “Hello, Chief Wang!”


  The others followed: “Hello, Chief Wang!”


  “Hello, students.” Chief Wang cheerfully replied.

  Guo DangLi couldn’t help but sigh, his thoughts muddled. As the student who annoyed Chief Wang the most, Guo DangLi had always thought of Chief Wang as a vicious man. Who knew that he was capable of being gentle, and even funny, at times.

  When the group got closer, Chief Wang kept his eyes on Lin Qian and asked: “Did you give everyone remedial lessons again?”


  Lin Qian’s expression didn’t change as he replied: “Yes. Us seniors can’t relax for even a moment.”


  Chief Wang clapped him on the shoulder approvingly. “That’s good. Ah, my daughter’s just a freshman. If only she was in your grade.”


  “She’s very good too.” Chief Wang’s daughter was also a student in No.12, so Lin Qian has seen her around.

  It was only a few words, but Chief Wang’s heart was practically in full bloom.

  After chatting with Lin Qian for a while, Chief Wang’s gaze shifted to Guo DangLi and Li Gao. These hooligans who had continuously been scrutinized by the security department reflexively went stiff.

  Seeing this, Chief Wang patted Guo DangLi’s shoulder with a sigh. “I was a little too fierce with you stinky boys in the past.”


  Guo DangLi almost jumped when he felt the hand on his shoulder. But then he realized what he had just heard.

  Li Gao looked at Guo DangLi, his expression filled with horror. He then exchanged a look with his other little brothers. As expected, everyone was stupefied.

  Chief Wang didn’t know the impact his kind words had on these former hooligans. He continued to say: “I didn’t expect you guys to actually change……”


  Chief Wang moved his gaze to Li Gao. He looked like he was trying to remember Li Gao’s name. “And you……”


  The hair in Li Gao’s arms stood on end.

  Chief Wang gave Li Gao a thumbs up. “I heard that your monthly test results went up by more than 60 points. My daughter told me about it during dinner. She said that even your classmates in Class 4 announced it over the speakers? It made quite a sensation, ah. You really can’t judge a book by its cover……”


  Li Gao: ……you can’t judge a book by its cover??? Chief Wang, what are you talking about, ah! What about my looks?! I look fine!!!!

  Yang ZongJie, who was in the crowd: How did this spread to the security guards!!!!

  With a smile, Chief Wang continued: “Thanks to you lot, I’ve been idle in my work recently.”


  No wonder Chief Wang was so cordial tonight. Who can resist the pleasure of less work!

  “You students study hard. I don’t mind waiting a few more hours for you all to finish.” Chief Wang has worked in the security department for many years, but this was the first time he had ever seen ‘the return of a prodigal son’ on such a massive scale. He was so excited, Chief Wang gladly took the initiative to increase his workload.

  When they finally left the school, Guo DangLi and Li Gao were still dazed. Li Gao couldn’t help but ask: “Brother Li, just now, was that somebody else impersonating Chief Wang?”


  His personality was completely different from what they were used to.

  Guo DangLi rolled his eyes and slapped the back of Li Gao’s head. “How can you spout so much nonsense?”


  The other boys looked at each other and asked: “Are we still going to the internet cafe tonight?”


  In order to celebrate the dismissal of Ke CaiZhu, Guo DangLi had secretly arranged to go have an internet cafe party after the firecrackers. But now, everyone wasn’t sure if it was still on.

  “What internet cafe, I’m going home for dinner.” Guo DangLi shooed everyone away like flies.

  “O-oh.” Everyone dispersed, not wanting to discuss things anything else.

  “Ahhh, I haven’t finished my homework yet.”


  “In fact, my mom hired a tutor for me last week, so I need to go home quickly.”


  “Me too, me too! My dad signed me up for some tutoring classes two days ago. I said it was so expensive, but he said it was worth it……”
……

  On the other side, Xu Yao and Jiang TingJun decided to walk home together. Although Xu Yao’s house was theoretically closer to Lin Qian’s place and technically, Xu Yao had a better relationship with Lin Qian than with Jiang TingJun, Xu Yao refused to walk with those two infatuated gays.

  Xu Yao was still in a state of shock. From the very bottom of his heart, he deeply regretted asking that stupid question.

  “What! Don’t tell me you’ve already prepared to do it the moment you become an adult?!”


  Zheng PingQing, that incredibly shameless man, actually answered: “That’s right, ah.”


  Xu Yao now had an image in his head that should never, ever, exist.

  The imaginations of hormone-laden adolescents are really harmful, ah!

  Meanwhile, Jiang TingJun was still fighting for justice: “I can’t believe you let Lin Qian go with Zheng PingQing! Haven’t you and Lin Qian walked home from school together since childhood?”


  Xu Yao, who’s brain was churning out images that should definitely not be associated with anything regarding his childhood, quickly interrupted him. “A good brother doesn’t care about such things.”


  Jiang TingJun, like a crafty concubine scheming to incite disharmony, replied: “I think Ah Qian doesn’t consider you his best friend anymore.”


  But in this regard, Xu Yao was still quite confident with his position. So he firmly answered: “No, I’m his best friend. That’ll never change.”


  Jiang TingJun: “.……ummm.” How confusing.

  As they walked along the road, Dong MingEn’s voice suddenly came from behind. “Xu Yao, Xu Yao! Wait for me!”


  Xu Yao and Jiang TingJun stopped and turned around. Dong MingEn ran towards them, and as he put his hands on his knees, panted: “Fuck, finally caught up to you……You guys walk so fast……”


  “What’s the matter?” Xu Yao was puzzled.

  A gasping Dong MingEn took off his school bag from his back, then pulled the zipper down. “I almost forgot about this, but fortunately, I remembered at the last second……”


  Dong MingEn took out a paper gift bag and handed it to Xu Yao. “This is for you.”


  Xu Yao: “????”


  Because he had been stimulated by a pair of gays just moments ago, Xu Yao immediately started to sweat. In a panic, he yelled: “Why are you giving me a present? What’s your purpose?”


  Dong MingEn: “.……”


  Jiang TingJun couldn’t help but speak up on behalf of Dong MingEn. “Ah Yao, you’re being rude.”


  At his words, Xu Yao realized he was overreacting a bit. “.……”


  A baffled Dong MingEn became angry. “Weren’t you the one who asked for a gift in the first place?”


  Xu Yao firmly denied his words. “When did I say that? I never said that.”


  “You did!” Thinking that Xu Yao had memory problems, Dong MingEn helped him remember. “Weren’t you envious that Zheng PingQing got Lin Qian for tutoring him? After that, you gave me a look for weeks!”


  Xu Yao:……I deeply regret!

  Back then, he was cheated by Zheng PingQing. But now, Xu Yao knew that it wasn’t a tutoring gift! Not even close!

  “I did well in this month’s exam, so my dad gave me a lot of pocket money. So here.” Dong MingEn offered Xu Yao the gift bag with a friendly smile. “Isn’t it great?”


  Jiang TingJun expressed his envy: “Really great. Man, I hope Lou XingGuang has the same awareness you do.”


  But Xu Yao unexpectedly refused the gift. With a serious expression, he said: “No, no, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to be so polite. We’re classmates, after all.”


  Dong MingEn placed a hand on Xu Yao’s shoulder. “That’s between ordinary classmates. But how can our relationship be described like this?”


  Xu Yao: “.……I think it can easily be described as such.”


  “Of course not, ah. We have a deep friendship based on our experiences as tutoring partners!”


  Xu Yao straightened his back and fully demonstrated his rich and noble aura. With a firm voice, he replied: “We should keep our tutoring relationship pure and not pollute it with secular materials.”


  Jiang TingJun could no longer remain as a bystander and interrupted: “Ah Yao, I think you’ve acted like a pretentious prick for long enough.”


  Xu Yao remained unmoved: “No, let me continue to pretend.”


  Dong MingEn was confused with Xu Yao’s words, but this rough child didn’t have a delicate and thoughtful mind. He just waved the bag in his hand and asked: “You really don’t want it?”


  Xu Yao hesitated. Dong MingEn was being very sincere. It would be awkward to keep refusing him like this.

  But while he was still being indecisive, Jiang TingJun already took the bag from Dong MingEn’s hands. “I think it isn’t good to break a brother’s heart.”


  Xu Yao finally assented. “Alright.” This tentative friendship between them and Class 8 was a hard-earned win that shouldn’t be treated lightly.

  Jiang TingJun immediately opened the bag for Xu Yao. “Let me see what he gave you……”


  As he said this, his eyes suddenly brightened. Jiang TingJun excitedly took out a small box. “Wow! This is the most popular watch right now.”


  Seeing Jiang TingJun acting so eagerly, Dong MingEn puffed up his chest. “Didn’t the Boss give Lin Qian a watch? I see Lin Qian wear it all the time, and I figured that it would be a practical gift, so I gave you one too.”


  Of course, Dong MingEn’s watch couldn’t be compared to Zheng PingQing’s watch. This watch only cost a few hundred yuan. But it was from a popular fashion brand well-known to any student, and it was tasteful.

  However, after hearing all this, Xu Yao: “.……”


  Out of all the gifts he never wanted to receive from Dong MingEn, this was No. 1.

  And the critical hits just keep coming. Dong MingEn stretched out his left wrist and showed off a watch that was exactly the same as the one in the box. Satisfaction all over his face, Dong MingEn said: “There was a sale where you can get another one at a discount, so I bought one for myself too.”


  As black spots started filling Xu Yao’s vision, he could faintly hear Jiang TingJun’s envious voice over the buzzing in his ears. “I really want one too!”


  Dong MingEn held Xu Yao’s hand. “In the future, we can wear the same watch during our tutoring lessons. We’ll be just like Lin Qian and the Boss: a pair of true brothers!”


  Xu Yao: “.……”


  No……you’re still young, child……you still don’t understand. They’re not brothers at all, ah……

  The author has something to say:

  Xu Yao: ……I really don’t want this gift.

  Special note, they’re not a CP, just wanted to see Ah Yao in pain.

  AW AUTHOR WHY NOT