C20 Be Your Follower

"Mr. Mu!" Lin Hui approached Gao Mu and called out gently.

Gao Mu gave Lin Hui a surprised glance, stood up, and asked, "Mr. Hui, did you need something?"

Curiosity tinged Lin Hui's voice as he asked, "Was what you said earlier true?"

"What?" Gao Mu returned Lin Hui's gaze, a look of confusion spreading across his face.

In a hushed tone, Lin Hui inquired, "Did you really give Mr. Ma a beating?"

Mr. Ma, whose full name is Ma Ruo, turned to a life of petty crime after graduating from high school. He wasn't particularly formidable, but he gained notoriety under the wing of a well-respected boss, Lee Fanghui, which made him quite infamous at Tianhai No.1 High School.

Among the students who fancied themselves as tough guys on campus, Ma Ruo was held in high esteem.

Gao Mu nodded in confirmation.

Admiration filled Lin Hui's eyes as he looked at Gao Mu.

"Can I be your follower?" Lin Hui asked.

Gao Mu was even more baffled.

"Do you really believe what I said?" Gao Mu's face was a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

"Absolutely!" Lin Hui nodded emphatically. "I saw how you scared off those three guys. Unless you're truly formidable, they wouldn't have looked so scared."

Gao Mu recognized Lin Hui as someone of substance.

With a smile, he said, "The college entrance exams are just a month away. If we end up at the same university afterward, I'll consider taking you on as my follower."

With that, Gao Mu bent his head back down to his test papers.

Lin Hui made his way back to his own seat.

"Be my follower?" Gao Mu had sensed something unique about Lin Hui from the start. It was clear that Lin Hui's approach was a way to gauge Gao Mu's mettle.

His identity mattered to him.

After the evening study session, Lin Hui offered Gao Mu a friendly warning, "Ma Ruo is waiting with his crew at the school gates to confront you. I suggest you take the back wall to avoid them!"

Gao Mu looked at Lin Hui, who was earnest in his concern, and chuckled, shaking his head. "If I can't handle this, how am I going to be your boss?"

With his backpack slung over his shoulder, Gao Mu headed towards the school exit.

"Gao Mu." Suddenly, a figure burst through the crowd.

Gao Mu turned to find Soong Yingqiu tugging at his sleeve, her head bowed.

Gao Mu asked, "Is something wrong?"

Soong Yingqiu shook her head, "It's nothing. I just don't want you to go. You haven't seen what it's like out there. It's truly frightening."

Gao Mu smiled and gently patted Soong Yingqiu's head, reassuring her, "To me, this is no big deal!"

Soong Yingqiu remained still, gazing at Gao Mu's retreating figure with a blank expression.

Her eyes brimmed with bewilderment. She realized her former classmate had changed dramatically.

Yet, she couldn't pinpoint why. All she knew was that Gao Mu seemed different now.

Before Gao Mu could even leave the school grounds, he spotted those three individuals.

They had the audacity to block the entrance, scrutinizing each person as they exited.

Upon laying eyes on Gao Mu, a smug look spread across their faces.

"Come here," one of them commanded, pointing at him.

"Listen, kid, I'm giving you a chance to apologize. If not, you might find yourself spending the night in the hospital," another warned.

"The hospital? You're giving him too much credit. Tonight, I'm going to make sure he's crippled," the third sneered.