Chapter Seventy-One: He’s My Protector!

Chapter Seventy-One: I’m the One Protecting Him!

Wei Feng sighed, realizing Hua Ming still hadn’t grasped his meaning—at least, not fully. He understood the campus trend of calling each other “boss” or “second-in-command”—the “Oath of the Peach Garden” for the less privileged. But such relationships were clearly unsuitable for people like them.

For people in their position, only befriending those of equal or higher standing brings true benefit. Water flows downward, people climb upward—this is common sense. Considering Hua Ming’s background and family, was it really necessary for him to call these ordinary students his brothers?

What could he possibly gain apart from some cheap camaraderie and a crowd of hangers-on?

Besides, one side was You Mu, a man with serious connections, and the other was Tang Zhong—even a fool knew which way to lean.

Wei Feng valued Hua Ming, which was precisely why he didn’t want Hua Ming to offend You Mu on account of Tang Zhong.

It just wasn’t worth it.

“Wei Feng, your little friend is quite interesting,” You Mu laughed, “He looks a bit simple-minded.”

Imitating Hua Ming’s earlier gesture, he patted his own chest. “Come on! Right here, I dare you—ha ha!”

“Shut up!” Hua Ming’s face reddened as he bellowed, “Who the hell are you, you punk? We brothers are talking. Who invited you to butt in?”

“Qian Ming,” Wei Feng said, frowning. He stepped in front of Hua Ming and slung an arm around his neck, whispering a few words in his ear.

Hua Ming shot a surprised glance at You Mu, then widened his eyes in anger. “So what? Kids getting into scuffles—do we really need adults to step in? Isn’t that embarrassing?”

Wei Feng was utterly speechless. He’d known Hua Ming was stubborn, but hadn’t realized he was also a bit slow.

“Well said,” You Mu applauded. “If kids fight, what do they need adults for? Let’s handle our business—who cares what others think?”

Knowing the relationship between Hua Ming’s uncle and his own father, Wei Feng said, “Qian Ming, if you won’t listen, I’ll have to call my dad.”

If an elder intervened, perhaps Hua Ming wouldn’t offend You Mu too badly.

He should have called Hua Ming’s uncle directly, but lacking the number, he could only ask his own father to handle it. Besides, his father ought to know about this anyway; after all, it was on his father’s orders that Wei Feng was escorting You Mu to Nanda University after his visit to their home.

“Whatever,” Hua Ming replied bluntly. He stepped in front of Tang Zhong, blocking him with his large frame. In a low voice, he said, “Second Brother, you guys go. Leave this to me. I’m tough—they wouldn’t dare touch me.”

Even though Tang Zhong could now tell that Hua Ming’s family wasn’t ordinary, he would feel ashamed to just leave and abandon Hua Ming after that chest-thumping declaration to Wei Feng.

“He’s after me. If anyone should go, it’s you,” Tang Zhong refused. He patted Hua Ming’s shoulder, his tone earnest. “You shouldn’t get involved in this. It has nothing to do with you, Hua Ming. Please step aside.”

He knew well—small men have their own woes, and big men have big troubles.

If the quarrel with Qiao Lei had started because of Hua Ming, it would be natural for Hua Ming to step in and help. He wouldn’t object.

But this time, he was caught in trouble entirely by accident, and it had nothing to do with Hua Ming at all. He didn’t want Hua Ming dragged in, or his family to be troubled over something needless.

“If you keep talking like that, you’re not my brother,” Hua Ming retorted angrily, turning around.

Seeing Hua Ming’s obstinacy, Wei Feng stepped aside to make a phone call.

Perhaps because Wei Liucheng was taking this matter so seriously, Wei Feng spoke for two or three minutes before hanging up.

Soon, Hua Ming’s phone began to ring in his pocket. He fetched it, glanced at the screen, then looked at Wei Feng with a peculiar expression.

The rock tune “Little Bunny, Open the Door” kept urging Hua Ming to answer. After some hesitation, he finally picked up.

“It’s me,” Hua Ming said.

“What do you think you’re doing? Tell me—what exactly are you up to?” a man’s suppressed roar came from the other end.

“Nothing at all,” Hua Ming replied cheerfully, feigning ignorance. “Just out for some barbecue. Saw a fight, so I came to watch the fun. What? You heard about it all the way in Yanjing? It’s nothing. You actually called just for this? Is it really worth it?”

“Are you so idle you look for trouble every day? If you don’t want to study, just come home and stop embarrassing me out there. I don’t care what you think—apologize to You Mu immediately. It’s none of your business. Stay out of it.”

“Fine, fine. Whatever you say,” Hua Ming nodded obediently, as meek as a lamb.

“Take care of yourself.”

Click—

The call ended.

Hua Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to put his phone back in his pocket, the “Little Bunny” ringtone sounded again.

He glanced at the caller ID, smiled bitterly, and picked up. “Uncle, you heard about this too?”

“Wei called your dad. Since you’re his son, he felt your father should know. Later, Wei called me as well, so I figured your father must have called to scold you. You agreed on the phone, but I bet you’re not convinced,” Hua Ming’s uncle said gently.

“Mother gave me life, but uncle understands me best,” Hua Ming flattered him.

“What are you thinking?” the man asked.

“The one being bullied is my brother. I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Hua Ming replied honestly. He always spoke plainly with his uncle, while he was purely perfunctory with his father.

“Is it that Tang Zhong again?”

“Yes, that’s him,” Hua Ming said.

“Let me give you my view,” his uncle continued. “If that friend of yours, Tang Zhong, can get himself into a mess like this, and even risk falling out with You Mu, it means he has some backbone of his own. You changed your name to Hua Ming rather than keep our family name Qian because you don’t want others to know your background, and you don’t want to use the Qian family’s connections. Without the family’s support, what do you have to compete with You Mu? So, you really shouldn’t get involved. If you do, it goes against the reason you changed your name in the first place. What will Qian Liang and Qian Sa think of you then?”

“Also, you’ve probably heard about that boy from the You family—he’s stubborn and never yields to anyone. If you confront him today, you’ll become bitter enemies. Is it worth it? You should understand—friendship among classmates is fragile. All the drinking and eating together in college, but how many keep in touch after graduation?”

“Uncle, I understand,” Hua Ming replied. “I know what I’m going to do.”

“Really?” his uncle chuckled. Hua Ming could tell his uncle was pleased.

“I understand,” Hua Ming confirmed firmly.

“Good,” the man said, and ended the call.

After hanging up, Hua Ming slipped his phone in his pocket and thumped his chest. “Wei Feng, I know it’s not easy for you either. Let’s just say we never knew each other. Come on, hit me right here. After tonight’s fight, we’ll go on drinking tomorrow.”

Wei Feng’s face changed.

Did all those phone calls mean nothing?

“Wei Feng, is your catching up done?” You Mu sneered. These people, one after another, had no respect for the “village chief,” which left him deeply displeased. Especially this guy who knew Wei Feng—calling him a punk—when that was his own favorite way to talk to people!

Wei Feng nodded. “Sorry.”

With that, he lunged at Tang Zhong.

Hua Ming tried to block him, but with a quick sidestep, Wei Feng darted by at a speed that startled everyone.

“You coward!” Hua Ming roared.

He snatched the half-brick from Liang Tao’s hand and charged at You Mu, swinging it at his ugly face.

Though hunchbacked and lame, You Mu was surprisingly agile. He braced his arms on the car, and with a lightning-fast kick from his better right leg, struck Hua Ming square in the chest.

Then, with a backflip, he landed on the right side of the Audi.

The force of You Mu’s kick sent Hua Ming stumbling back and landing hard on the ground.

Embarrassed and furious after missing his swing and getting kicked, Hua Ming raised the brick and smashed it hard into the Audi’s windshield.

Crash!

The glass shattered, chunks falling everywhere. The car’s alarm blared, a piercing siren wailing.

Wei Feng, who had been charging at Tang Zhong, paused in his tracks. Tang Zhong, ready to fight, looked over in bewilderment.

You Mu’s expression changed instantly, his face twisted with malice. For Hua Ming to smash his car in front of everyone was as good as slapping him in the face.

Lu Junzhuo raised an eyebrow—delighted to see You Mu suffer.

Su Shan glanced at Tang Zhong, then at Hua Ming. “Do we have any information on him?”

“It’s our oversight,” Lu Junzhuo explained. “If his surname is Qian, it won’t be hard to find his identity.”

“Someone like him should be entered into the Red Eagle assessment system,” Su Shan said.

“I’ll have someone collect his information and start a development evaluation,” Lu Junzhuo agreed.

“I’m the one protecting him!” Hua Ming stood tall, bellowing, “Who dares touch my brother?”

(P.S. First place is far out of reach, and there’s no chance at second either. Third place in the King’s Red Ticket rankings—a bit disappointed, but not regretful, because we all worked hard for that goal together. Third chapter will be updated tonight! Also, today Wuzui’s ‘Transformation of Immortals and Demons’ is officially launched. He’s a good man, and it’s a good book. Check it out and subscribe—his work won’t let you down.)