Chapter 29 - Inevitability

It was study hall, and Zhong Pinliang walked to Lin Yis seat. He tapped on the desk in an effort to intimidate him.

What is it? Lin Yi asked dully as he raised his head, a hint of impatience in his eyes.

Kang Xiaobo turned his head, having heard the exchange. Zhong Pinliang was simply not someone Lin Yi should be messing with.

Come with me if you have balls. Pinliang said, very full of himself.

Im studying, sorry. Lin Yi replied as he turned his attention back to his math textbook.

Scared now, are we? Pussy. Zhong Pinliang said as he turned around, heading back to his seat. You cant run forever. Ill be waiting after school.

Dude, how the hell did you manage to piss that guy off?! Xiaobo whispered after Pinliang left. Hes not someone you wanna be messing with, maybe theres some kind of misunderstanding?

Lin Yi could only smile bitterly. Misunderstanding..? Why would I ever wanna piss him off, its all because of Mengyao!

But that wasnt something he could just say to Xiaobo. Its nothing. Probably because I stepped on Zhang Naipao when he tried to trip me, I guess.

Ah! Xiaobo frowned, worried. You wont get away easy then, the guy never forgets. So Zhong Pinliangs coming at you for his sake, huh..

Its all the same to me, let them do what they want. Were in school, theres only so much he could do to me. Lin Yi shrugged in response- Zhong Pinliang was still just a student, at the end of the day.

After all, there was that time where he went through a war, surviving under a sky of bullets on a daily basis. An enemy like Pinliang was nothing more than a kid to Lin Yi at this point- it was why he refrained from injuring Pinliang at all in the episode earlier, only pranking him a little instead.

The little delinquent would be sleeping in a coffin if Lin Yi decided to hit him for real.

Only so much he could do to you..? Xiaobo sighed. Lin Yi was a newcomer, and it was only natural for him to be ignorant of the situation around here. Zhong Pinliangs group rule this school, Lin Yi. Many of the students who cross them get beaten up so bad they take a few days off school!

That bad? Lin Yi didnt expect that from Zhong Pinliang- it was indeed a bit too cruel.

Thats right! Man, I shouldve warned you sooner..! Xiaobo sighed. Youd probably be off the hook already if you said something nice when he confronted you just now, but

But what? Lin Yi asked interestedly.

But its real complicated now! Xiaobo replied suddenly. What the hells with that Zhang Naipao, its just stepping on someone, whats the big deal? And hes the one who attacked you first is he a freaking girl or something? He even looks like a girl, fuck! Pulling Zhong Pinliang out for something like this!

Its fine, let them do what they want. Dont worry man, Im not that easy a target you know. Lin Yi said with a pat on Xiaobos shoulder.

Xiaobo was about to say something, but decided otherwise instead.

The inevitable came right before the final big class started, and Zhong Pinliang made his way to Lin Yis desk once more.

The big class was a one and a half hour study hall, like in many other schools, starting thirty minutes after 4:30 pm, when school ended.

Come with me if youre a man. Zhong Pinliangs taunt had leveled up, it seemed, getting past if you have balls already.

Lin Yi, naturally, was a man, but he wasnt about to be insulted by a petty taunt like this. The guy seemed the type to never let go of him until things were concluded, and Lin Yi recognized that.

Fine, Ill come. Lin Yi nodded as he stood up.

A lot of his classmates werent out of the room yet, and none of them missed the two instances where Zhong Pinliang visited Lin Yis desk. They all stared intently and gossiped among themselves the moment Lin Yi gave his consent, assuming that he didnt understand how things worked around here, somehow managing to piss off the schools conqueror.

Most of the students, however, pitied Lin Yi.

Ill come with you! Xiaobo announced, as if hed made a huge decision. Everyone turned to him as he stood.

It was quite the internal struggle- hed just met Lin Yi today, but they got along well. A close friend was rare in the dry days of twelfth grade.

Zhong Pinliang was a big shot in the school, and he wasnt someone Xiaobo was able to stand up to. All he could do at this point was stay on the sidelines and try his best to soften the conflict.

The fuck? Youre tired of life, Kang Xiaobo, standing up for that shit! Zhong Pinliang was enraged- a boy from his class going against him for some newcomer? It was an insult, an insult to his place in the class!!

The pressure thickened as Xiaobo stood in the center of everyones attention, but he didnt back down. Zhong Pinliang, Lin Yis new here- he doesnt know the rules give him a chance

Woah, woah! Fucking lecturing me now, are you?! Who the fuck do you think you are? Zhong Pinliang exploded. Doesnt know the rules? The guy fucking pissed all over him! He wasnt about to forgive Xiaobos attitude toward what Lin Yi did to him. Maybe you should come with us, since youre such a hero? Fuck, Ill change my fucking family name if I dont take care of you two today!

Xiaobo trembled slightly, his face pale- he had always been the good student type, and as much as a manly guy he was, he hadnt so much as lay a punch on someone before!

Lin Yi didnt need Xiaobos help, but was nevertheless very touched by the friendship he displayed. He reached out and patted his friend on the shoulder. Dont worry, lets go together!

Xiaobos courage revitalized upon hearing his words, convincing himself that it was just a simple beating, at most- it wasnt a big deal. With that in mind, he puffed his chest up and followed Zhong Pinliang out to the school roof.

Xiaobos puffed up chest and heroic face only served to agitate Zhong Pinliang further, his teeth gritting in anger. The traitor had hell to pay.