Zhou Yuhu strode menacingly toward Shi Feng, intent on teaching him a lesson he wouldn't forget.
He'd let others handle things before, but Shi Feng just refused to learn. Today, he had to drill it into the boy's bones once and for all.
Everyone present could already see what was coming for Shi Feng.
In a society that valued physical fitness for all, sparring between students was perfectly normal. A little injury here and there was expected, and as long as things didn't go too far, nobody would bat an eye.
But looking at the way Zhou Yuhu was carrying himself, Shi Feng would be lucky to spend less than a month in the hospital. By the time graduation rolled around, he'd be standing on the stage in a full body cast just to collect his diploma.
"Hold it right there, Zhou Yuhu!" Zhao Ruoxi's slender figure suddenly stepped in front of Shi Feng. She showed no sign of being intimidated by Zhou Yuhu's imposing aura. If anything, she reprimanded him outright. "This is our class. What gives an outsider like you the right to bully one of our own?"
The crowd was stunned. Normally, Zhao Ruoxi was quiet and graceful — the picture of delicacy. No one had ever imagined she would stand up for the worst student in class, let alone challenge Zhou Yuhu to his face. There was steel in that girl after all.
"Ruoxi, don't cause trouble," Lin Feilong cut in with a smile, stepping forward. "Brother Hu just wants to give Shi Feng a bit of guidance. That's a blessing for the guy. He's always getting picked on — a few pointers from Brother Hu might actually help him grow up and learn how to conduct himself." His smile was all charm, but his eyes were cold. Zhao Ruoxi's stunning looks and alluring figure had long since made her, in his mind, something that rightfully belonged to him. The fact that she'd just thrown herself in front of Shi Feng sent a fresh wave of fury through his chest.
Still, he couldn't let it show. Instead, he reached out and grabbed Zhao Ruoxi's pale, delicate wrist, trying to pull her away so she wouldn't get in the way.
"Lin Feilong — as the pride of our class, when someone from another class comes to bully one of ours, all you can do is stand there and watch?" Zhao Ruoxi yanked her hand free, her eyes flashing with anger as she turned on him. She had actually thought well of him before — good character, impressive showing at the fighting tournament, a decent choice all around. She never imagined he was this kind of hypocrite.
"Ruoxi, how can you say that? You've got it all wrong." Lin Feilong's voice carried the ring of righteous conviction, as though everything he said was for Shi Feng's own good. "Shi Feng is the one who doesn't know how to behave — you can't blame me for that. Brother Hu is just going to teach him a lesson, and when he steps into the real world later, it'll be to his benefit."
"You—" Zhao Ruoxi was fuming. She whipped her head toward Shi Feng. "Get out of here! I'll hold them off."
"Well, well — this little firecracker's got some spice. I like that." Zhou Yuhu's gaze swept over Zhao Ruoxi, and a slow, wicked grin crept across his face. He couldn't help himself — his eyes gleamed with appreciation as he reached out to touch her cheek, barely sparing Shi Feng another thought.
But before his leering hand could get anywhere near her, another hand slapped it away.
"Zhou Yuhu, since you want to spar, I'll oblige," Shi Feng said, stepping forward in one smooth motion. He seized Zhao Ruoxi's slender arm and gently pulled her to the side, then turned to face Zhou Yuhu with a calm, easy smile. "But a friendly spar alone? Where's the fun in that. Let's raise the stakes a little."
Zhao Ruoxi hadn't even registered what was happening. By the time she realized she'd been pulled behind him, she was staring at Shi Feng's back in shock.
When did he become so… composed? So steady?
Still, she thought, he was being reckless. Agreeing to spar with Zhou Yuhu — wasn't that just giving him an even better excuse to pummel him?
Zhou Yuhu rubbed the back of his hand, already reddening from the slap, and his face darkened with fury. He glared at Shi Feng — then paused, suddenly noticing something odd. The kid looked completely calm. Grounded, even. Not at all like the old Shi Feng, who would fly off the handle at the slightest provocation and try to fight everyone. It was like looking at an entirely different person. Not agitated in the slightest — and actually smiling.
Did he get hit too hard in the head?
Lin Feilong watched in barely contained rage as Shi Feng reached out to touch Zhao Ruoxi. Every fiber of his being screamed to step in right now, but he held himself back — biding his time. There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with Shi Feng later.