Prince charming, your persona has collapsed!

Actually, the Xu Huai Association isn't some law-breaking organization. Though Liu Shuo brags about loyalty and honor in the underworld, anyone with half a brain knows it's just a hometown network. The reason it's grown so big is that many people join hoping to find better part-time jobs through the group, not because they have some deep attachment to it.

But things are always relative. Some can see through the essence of it, while others can't—take Xie Lei for instance. Xie Lei was already a slacker in high school. His family had a bit of money, so his parents got him into a vocational college in Jinling, hoping he'd learn a trade.

But guys like him? No matter where, they'll still slack off.

Usually, when he's idle, he loves shooting the breeze and bragging.

One of his bragging sessions brought up the unmatchable Xu Huai Association in Jinling!

It's said the Boss is the son of a government official—super capable, writes novels, runs companies, can do it all, and has thousands of followers!

When he first arrived in Jinling, he fought for turf with someone and made that guy from Jinken College kneel!

"No way, seriously?"

"Of course it's true! And there's more—do you know how our school's part-time jobs used to be dominated by agencies outside the campus?"

"Oh yeah, I know about that."

"Those agencies had the nerve to deduct the commission fees from Xu Huai Association members' jobs!"

Xie Lei laughed when he heard about this. Puffing on his cigarette, he said, "Isn't the Boss a rich kid? Why would he care about that?"

"Idiot! The Boss is a rich kid, but it's not like all his followers are. Plus, it's about someone bullying his guys! You know what happened next?"

"What happened?"

"Then the Boss brought his gang to the head of the agency's house, and almost beat the guy to death!"

"Damn, aren't these supposed to be civilized times?!"

"Civilized? That's relative, man! Go ask around the University Town—no agency dare mess with Xu Huai Association people now!"

All boasting has a layer of artistic embellishment. Yet there's always a crowd that loves these brainless stories.

After hearing everyone bragging, Xie Lei became so fired up that he joined Xu Huai Association on the spot!

Since he was from Xu Huai himself, he enjoyed a bit of special treatment—when doing part-time gigs, he didn't have to work assembly lines but got supervisory-type roles instead.

The money he earned wasn't the point; Xie Lei simply loved being in positions where he could boss people around—it made him feel important.

Although Xu Huai Association had members from all over, they still stuck together when needed.

As a local Xu Huai guy, Xie Lei felt superior. Xu Huai Association gave him a sense of pride, so naturally, he developed loyalty and admiration for the group.

When others bragged with him, he'd boast even harder.

Take today for instance—when facing Sun Bo and Jin Kai, Xie Lei downright oozed superiority. To him, Sun Bo and Jin Kai were just hillbillies, playing pretend like kids.

He thought, "Bro, I'm with Xu Huai Association now—I've got status!"

After hearing Xie Lei brag about Xu Huai Association's might, Sun Bo immediately became excited and said, "Lei Bro! Lei Bro, can you get us into Xu Huai Association too?"

"Yeah, Lei Bro, let us join! We'll be your loyal followers!" Jin Kai chimed in.

Sun Bo puffed his cigarette dramatically and said, "I already told you, man—do you think Xu Huai Association will take just anybody? At a minimum, you need to have a vocational degree!"

"Oh..." Sun Bo and Jin Kai thought to themselves—this really must be a high-level gang if it even has education requirements.

The two exchanged glances. Jin Kai thought for a moment, then handed Sun Bo a cigarette. Grinning, he said, "Brother, I know you've got connections and sway in Xu Huai Association. Help us out—we'll definitely pay you back big-time!"

"Hmph, that's all you're counting on for payback?"

"Brother, how about hitting up a KTV tonight? I'll get some girls involved," Jin Kai suggested.

Xie Lei scoffed disdainfully and said, "Alright, alright, you guys caught me in a lucky mood! Honestly, I don't have much pull to get you into Xu Huai Association, but today happens to be our annual meeting."

"Xu Huai Association has an annual meeting?!" Jin Kai muttered to himself.

"Hah, hillbilly."

Still sneering, Xie Lei continued, "At today's meeting, all the key members will be there. My brother happens to be a close aide to Xu Huai Association's number two leader. I've already talked to him—he'll be coming later. When he gets here, I'll put in a good word for you guys. If you're lucky, you just might get in!"

"Awesome! Thanks, Lei Bro!"

"Lei Bro, you're the best!"

Jin Kai and Sun Bo were thrilled. Meanwhile, Xie Lei took a sip of his water and said, "This is so boring. Not a single girl here."

When Jin Kai heard this, his eyes lit up with a scheming glint. He didn't say anything aloud, though—in his mind, this would be Sun Bo's chance to shine.

He secretly reached out to Zhao Rui, that blond-haired bad girl.

At that moment, Zhao Rui had been hanging around the campus entrance with a group of her girl gang, waiting to confront Liu Yilin.

Then, she got Jin Kai's message.

Jin Kai texted: "Sis, get your girls together and come over. I'm taking you to see something big today!"

"What's so big, bro? I'm busy here—I refused to let that bitch from last night off the hook today!"

"C'mon, you can deal with that anytime. I'm taking you to see some *real* society today. Big shots from the provincial capital are here—ever heard of Xu Huai Association? Get here now, it's going to be worth it!"