Chapter 158 Fellow Villagers
In a classroom, most of the people were denouncing Wang Tiezhu, especially those who were dressed more lavishly, as if they could exude their sense of superiority through Wang Tiezhu.
Wang Tiezhu sat in the corner, facing these accusations with a smile at first. But eventually, he couldn't smile anymore, and just sat there with his head lowered, motionless.
"Hey, did you not hear what I said, or what?" a girl indignantly said. "You threw away the stuff, how are we supposed to have class like this? Even if you don't have money for food, you can go collect some more at dinner time, why disrupt the class order?"
A strong-bodied student stood up and banged the desk, saying, "Hurry up and throw that stuff away, don't make me come over there!"
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Ye Qing suddenly stood up and the noise in the scene immediately subsided quite a bit. Everyone looked at Ye Qing, unsure of what he was about to do.
Ye Qing ignored everyone and just turned to walk towards Wang Tiezhu.
Wang Tiezhu's body began to tremble, having seen how Ye Qing dealt with Young Master Fang and others; he knew Ye Qing was formidable. He was afraid that Ye Qing would hit him too. But he gripped the plastic bag even tighter and clenched his teeth, unwilling to let go.
Seeing this, the girl from before couldn't help but exclaim with joy, "That's right, Ye, kick him out!"
This guy, hearing Lin Huayu call him Ye, shamelessly started to call him that too.
"Someone needs to give that type a good beating, Ye, give him a thrashing!" someone eager for trouble shouted.
"Yeah, he always stinks up the place, even Miss Lin was affected."
"Kick him out of the school, kick him out of Shenchuan University, it's a disgrace to have him here!"
"Drive the people from Pingnan Province out of Shenchuan City!"
All sorts of shouts were heard as Ye Qing got closer and closer to Wang Tiezhu. Wang Tiezhu's breathing grew heavier, his eyes shining with a ferocity like that of a wild buffalo. At this moment, he resembled a protective wild buffalo, ready to fight desperately rather than let go of his meal. This version is sourced from MV3L3MPYR.
Ye Qing finally reached Wang Tiezhu's side, but he did not strike. Instead, he bent down and sat beside Wang Tiezhu, quietly looking at the blackboard in front.
The crowd in the classroom was taken aback, and no one understood what Ye Qing's action meant. Even Wang Tiezhu was stunned; he had thought Ye Qing was going to confront him or throw away his meal. What did Ye Qing mean by suddenly sitting down?
The three girls stopped their clamoring and looked at Ye Qing curiously, not understanding what he intended to do.
Lin Huayu hesitated for a moment, then carried her textbooks over to sit beside Ye Qing. Seeing everyone looking at them in surprise, Lin Huayu waved her tender little fist and said, "What are you looking at?"
The others turned away, and without a doubt, Ye Qing's action was a show of support for Wang Tiezhu. And Lin Huayu's action was a show of support for Ye Qing.
If Lin Huayu could bear the smell, who else in the classroom could be more precious than her?
Wang Tiezhu's nervousness gradually relaxed as he watched Ye Qing and Lin Huayu at his side. He hesitated many times as if he wanted to say something, but after a long struggle, he finally gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, the smell is a bit strong, mainly because the bag is broken... I'll get a better one tomorrow..."
"It's okay!" Ye Qing said calmly. "The smell of the food doesn't affect the class."
Wang Tiezhu's face was filled with gratitude, his eyes slightly red as he whispered, "Thank you!"
"No need to be polite, helping a fellow villager is the right thing to do!" Ye Qing glanced at Wang Tiezhu and said, "I'm from Pingnan Province too!"
"You... you're from Pingnan Province too?" Wang Tiezhu couldn't help but take an extra look at Ye Qing.
Truth be told, Ye Qing's attire wasn't that impressive. But Lin Huayu by his side was a different story altogether; a well-known figure at the school, definitely a rich heiress, he was very aware of this. No matter what Ye Qing wore, being by Lin Huayu's side meant he was no ordinary character.
Having such a fellow villager, Wang Tiezhu felt a surge of excitement; this was the first time someone had said such heartwarming words to him since he came to Shenchuan City.
The class passed uneventfully for Lin Huayu. As for Ye Qing, he listened with interest, while Wang Tiezhu was even more serious, never losing focus from beginning to end. For him, studying was a means to change his fate, and he wouldn't slack off in this respect.
Before class ended, there was some commotion outside the classroom. The door to the large classroom was open, and outside stood about a dozen tall young men, pointing and making gestures at Ye Qing inside the classroom; Young Master Fang was among them, and it seemed this group was led by him.
The disturbance outside caught the attention of many inside the classroom. The people in the classroom knew these youths were students from the school's physical education department. Each had impressive physical strength, and they were all members of the same Taekwondo Association, notorious for their domineering presence on campus. No one dared give them a second glance.
Young Master Fang was also a member of this Taekwondo Association, well-acquainted with them, and it appeared that these people had come to avenge him.
Quite a few people were quietly assessing Ye Qing, waiting to see his reaction. However, Ye Qing seemed not to have noticed the situation outside and simply sat quietly, listening to the lecture.
"Damn it, still pretending to be calm when death is knocking!" the top student of Lin Huayu's class muttered under his breath, quietly taking out his phone to check the battery. He was prepared to stay after class to watch the excitement; if he could record it, that would be even more entertaining.
Many in the class harbored the same thoughts as this top student; they were more anxious than Fang Chen for the class to end, keen to see the ensuing excitement.
Finally, the end-of-class bell rang, much to everyone's anticipation. The female teacher in front announced the end of the class and left with her belongings. The dozen or so people at the door hadn't caught her eye at all; after all, this was a school.
Some, fearing they would get caught in the crossfire, hurriedly packed up their things and left as soon as class ended, while others, eager to watch the drama unfold, dawdled around, watching Ye Qing at the back with mocking amusement.
Ye Qing helped Lin Huayu pack her things, then took the books, ready to leave when Young Master Fang outside could no longer wait and led his dozen men rushing in.
"Everyone who's not involved, get the fuck out!" Young Master Fang bellowed, pointing at the group inside the classroom, "When the fight starts, fists and kicks don't have eyes. Anyone who doesn't want a beating, get the hell out!"
The onlookers, who still wanted to linger, didn't dare stay any longer, quickly packing up and scurrying out. Young Master Fang's men had already cornered Ye Qing and Lin Huayu at their seats, ready to start the confrontation in the classroom.
Ye Qing's expression remained calm, while beside him, Wang Tiezhu was visibly excited, clenching his hands tightly, his body trembling but not leaving with the others.
Ye Qing glanced at him and said, "You go ahead and leave."
"I… I won't leave…" Wang Tiezhu's voice trembled, yet his eyes were resolute.
"Hey, you scrounger still thinking about loyalty?" Young Master Fang got angry, pointing at Wang Tiezhu's nose and cursing, "I'm giving you five seconds, get out, or I swear I'll kill you first!"
Wang Tiezhu's body shook, but he was still unwilling to leave.
Seeing him like this, Ye Qing sighed and said, "You help me take Miss Lin out first."
Ye Qing didn't order him to leave but entrusted Lin Huayu to his protection, thus preserving some dignity for him. In reality, Young Master Fang and his group wouldn't dare to lay a finger on Lin Huayu.
"Huh?" Wang Tiezhu was stunned for a moment but agreed with a nod.
"Why should I go out?" Lin Huayu was unwilling, looking up angrily at Young Master Fang and the others, and shouted, "Fang, you guys better get lost quick, don't make me angry!"
Young Master Fang replied angrily, "Huayu, this is between me and this bastard. I respect you, but please, don't interfere in our affair!"
"What if I want to interfere? Get lost quick, or I'm calling the cops!" Lin Huayu shouted angrily.
Young Master Fang remained silent, his gaze cold, while Ye Qing patted Lin Huayu's shoulder and said, "You and Tiezhu go first. Leave this to me."
Seeing Ye Qing's calm gaze, Lin Huayu knew he wouldn't have a problem; she nodded, then turned her head and glared at Young Master Fang, "Fang, if even a single hair on Ye's head is harmed, you're done for with me!"
Young Master Fang was nearly beside himself with anger. His indignation was palpable—her words essentially left him no choice but to take a beating without retaliating.
Wang Tiezhu took Lin Huayu out of the classroom. Still worried, he picked up a broom from nearby, standing tensely at the door, ready to rush in and support Ye Qing at any moment.
No sooner had Lin Huayu left than Young Master Fang's temper flared. He kicked a nearby chair, banged on the table with great force, and bellowed, "Ye, you're so damn arrogant. Before you came to this school, didn't you inquire about my reputation, Fang Chen? You actually dared to compete with me for a woman? Who the hell do you think you are!"
Ye Qing looked at him silently and said, "I didn't plan on competing with you for a woman. I'm just Miss Lin's bodyguard."
"I don't give a fuck whether you're a bodyguard or a dart guard. Let me tell you, anyone who comes within two meters of Lin Huayu is my enemy!" Young Master Fang shot up from his seat, pointed at Ye Qing, and declared, "Don't think you can be so arrogant just because you're somewhat capable. Let me tell you, this is Shenchuan City, my turf.
I'll teach you a lesson today, so you'll learn who you can offend and who you shouldn't even dream of crossing!"
As Young Master Fang spoke, he waved his hand dismissively and commanded, "Fold him up!"
The crowd behind him surged forward, but Ye Qing quickly gestured with his hand, "Hold on a second!"
"What, got any last words?" Young Master Fang sneered, confident that Ye Qing was scared.
Ye Qing looked at Young Master Fang, speaking earnestly, "We're all young. Can you go easy when you strike?"
"Damn, we from the Taekwondo Association don't know how to hold back!"
"Dare to mess with Young Master Fang and you think you can still leave here alive?"
"Enough talk, hit him!"
The group behind him clamored on, and Young Master Fang, smug, gestured and sneered at Ye Qing, "Want me to go easy? No problem, kneel down and kowtow to me three times, and I'll only make you bedridden for three months!"