C6 He Took the Initiative

"Why all the yelling? Don't you see Mr. Yu is in the middle of a game? Spit it out if you've got something to say!"

Jiaang Shan snapped at the boy who had burst in.

"Mr. Yu, Xue Moye from Class One and that Xu Lin kid from Class Three are hanging out together. And today, right in front of the whole of Class Three, Xue Moye asked Xu Lin to meet her dad!"

"What did you just say?"

Yu Chengjun slammed his hand on the desk, instantly grasping the implications of Xue Moye inviting Xu Lin to meet her parents.

The other students around him were equally taken aback by the news.

Redwood High had its fair share of beauties, but Xue Moye was the only one who caught Yu Chengjun's eye. And now, before Yu Chengjun had even made his move, Xu Lin had beaten him to the punch, which infuriated him.

As Yu Chengjun was about to lose his temper, Jiaang Shan interjected, "Is that for real? You sure you didn't see it wrong?"

Jiaang Shan's comment made Yu Chengjun pause and think.

On reflection, Jiaang Shan had a point. Xue Moye typically kept her distance from boys at school, and Xu Lin was just a bookish guy – it seemed unlikely that he'd be the one to win her over.

"Are you absolutely certain you're not messing with me? Because you know what'll happen if you are!"

Yu Chengjun's intense gaze made the boy's skin crawl, but he nodded affirmatively.

"Mr. Yu, it's the truth. The whole of Class Three saw it. If you don't believe me, just go to school tomorrow morning. I bet it'll be the talk of the school!"

"Fine, I'll check it out at school tomorrow. And if you're lying, you're dead meat!"

The following morning, Xue Moye showed up to walk Xu Lin to school, and their stroll down the school's main road drew quite the crowd.

"Xu Lin, tell me, what on earth did you and my dad talk about yesterday? I couldn't make heads or tails of it."

Xue Moye chose to ignore the onlookers, her curiosity piqued about the previous day's conversation between Xu Lin and her father.

"We didn't talk about much. I just noticed something about your father's condition and let him know. If you're curious, you can ask your dad about it yourself!"

Xu Lin had no intention of disclosing the matter of the Genuine Qi to Xue Moye.

The Genuine Qi had been in Xue Gang's body for quite some time, and since Xue Gang hadn't mentioned it to Xue Moye, it was likely he didn't want to cause her any worry.

"But I must say, you're impressive. It's the first time I've seen anyone outdrink my dad."

"Xu Lin, I've got to ask, you're not even scared of my dad, so why do you put up with those guys at school pushing you around?"

"We're all classmates. A little roughhousing is normal. There's no need to escalate things unless it's absolutely necessary. Why focus on petty rivalries when we could be focusing on our studies?"

Xu Lin's response made him seem even more admirable in Xue Moye's eyes.

Not only was Xu Lin academically gifted, but he also appeared to be skilled in martial arts. More importantly, he was humble and not interested in competing with others. He was exactly the kind of guy Xue Moye found most appealing.

Xue Moye couldn't help but wonder how she had failed to notice Xu Lin's exceptional qualities before.

Just then, Xu Lin spotted a familiar figure in the crowd – Chu Yarou, the girl he had rescued on the street that night.

Seeing Xu Lin and Xue Moye together, Chu Yarou hesitated briefly before gathering her courage to approach Xu Lin. She tapped him on the shoulder and greeted him cheerfully, "Good morning!"

Xu Lin returned the smile and greeting.

Xue Moye gave Xu Lin a look of mock annoyance, her eyes seemingly asking, "What's this about?"

With Xue Moye and Chu Yarou, the two beauties of Redwood High, flanking Xu Lin on either side, the boys passing by couldn't help but feel envious. They all wished they could be in Xu Lin's shoes, walking to school with the two most sought-after girls. Some would even trade a decade of their lives for the chance.

While others might have envied Xu Lin, he was inwardly groaning. Xue Moye and Chu Yarou were on the verge of coming to blows, and it was only by sheer luck that Yue Yuqing hadn't shown up, or who knows what might have happened.

"Freeze!" Just then, a voice called out from behind. Xu Lin and his companions spun around to be greeted by a face they knew all too well.

"Well, isn't this a surprise? If it isn't Yu Chengjun. What's brought you to Redwood High instead of holing up in the internet café?"

Chu Yarou didn't hold back upon recognizing the newcomer as Yu Chengjun.

Yu Chengjun was notorious for his fighting prowess. He had caught Gu Xing's attention in his first year for this very reason, and since then, he had been the undisputed leader of his year. Three years on, now in his junior year, no one had managed to dethrone him.

Yu Chengjun had initially been skeptical of the rumors, but now, seeing Xue Moye and even Chu Yarou, known for her fiery temper, walking with Xu Lin, he couldn't help feeling slighted. Here he was, the top dog of his year, and he wasn't receiving the same attention as Xu Lin, which was a blow to his pride.

"Do you need something?" Xu Lin asked, unafraid, his gaze dripping with contempt.

"Xu Lin, I'm not sure how you've done it, but consider this a warning: keep your distance from Xue Moye," Yu Chengjun cautioned, careful not to say anything too harsh in Xue Moye's presence.

"Yu Chengjun, for your information, I was the one who brought Xu Lin to school today. He met my father yesterday, and my dad thinks highly of him! Moreover, it's my choice who I spend my time with. Since when do you get a say?" Xue Moye retorted icily.

Yu Chengjun was seething, but he knew better than to lose his temper in front of Xue Moye. Everyone knew that even the mayor of Crismond had to show respect to Xue Gang. If Xue Moye got upset and decided to tell her father, dealing with Yu Chengjun would be child's play.

"Xu Lin, you better wait for me after class!"

With those words, Yu Chengjun headed back to his own classroom.

The consensus among the students was clear: Xu Lin had crossed Yu Chengjun and was in for a beating once class let out.

Yet, Xu Lin's face betrayed no fear. Watching Yu Chengjun's retreating figure, he let out a cold laugh. "All bark and no bite. That guy's full of hot air."

"Xu Lin, should I call my dad? Have him handle this?"

Xue Moye was well aware of Yu Chengjun's tactics and spoke with urgency.

"There's no need. It's a trivial issue, not worth my concern," Xu Lin replied with a dismissive tone.

His response sent a ripple of surprise through the onlookers. Xu Lin wasn't intimidated by Yu Chengjun? Was there someone backing him up?

Chu Yarou alone understood why Xu Lin remained unfazed. If he wasn't scared of Yang Hu, why would Yu Chengjun be a concern?

"Lin, is it true that Yu Chengjun threatened to sort you out after class?" Hsiao Dali questioned as soon as he walked into the classroom.

"Hsiao Dali, let me ask you something. Do you want to be the deputy boss of the ninth graders?"

Instead of answering, Xu Lin threw a curveball question back at Hsiao Dali.

"Of course! I'm tired of being pushed around by Yu Chengjun and his crew. I'd like to see what it's like to be the one in charge for once."

"Good. If I take Yu Chengjun and his gang down a peg and put you in charge, do you think you can keep them in line?"

Hsiao Dali hesitated, not responding.

He respected Xu Lin for winning over the school's belle, but he wasn't convinced Xu Lin had what it took to stand up to Yu Chengjun.

Seeing Hsiao Dali's silence, Xu Lin didn't press further. He simply got his textbooks ready for the next lesson, his attention shifting to the teacher's imminent arrival.

As the bell signaled the end of the second period, a voice from outside the classroom called out, "Xu Lin, someone's looking for you out here!"

Xu Lin closed his book and made his way out of the classroom, aware that Yu Chengjun and his crew had come looking for trouble.

Previously, Xu Lin would have stayed put to avoid a beating. But now, armed with the Ancient Sect's divine power and the Pure Yang system, he no longer had to live in fear.

He was ready to take on Yu Chengjun and his gang, determined to declare to the entire senior class who the real king was.

Yu Chengjun was posted at the classroom door, flanked by a few youths chewing on dogtail grass. They had come looking for Xu Lin as soon as class ended, expecting him to shrink back like a turtle. Instead, Xu Lin strode out confidently.

"You've got nerve. I was sure you'd chicken out, but here you are, bold as brass. How about a trip to the restroom? We can have a little chat about life," Yu Chengjun taunted, clearly entertained. Xu Lin was probably the first person in years who hadn't cowered before him.

"I'm in it for the long haul," Xu Lin declared, following Yu Chengjun and his posse into the restroom with a swagger.

The other students shook their heads as they watched Xu Lin enter the restroom with the group, all too aware of what typically went down in such situations.

In any school, the boys' restroom was the unofficial smoking zone. Teachers would grumble upon discovering smokers there but rarely made a fuss, provided the students weren't overly blatant about it.

At that moment, several students were inside, puffing away. They greeted Yu Chengjun with a chorus of "Mr. Yu!" and some even offered him a cigarette. Getting caught by a teacher was nothing compared to the wrath of the school's tough guy.

"Clear out, everyone! Mr. Yu has business to attend to!" Jiaang Shan commanded, and the students quickly made themselves scarce.

With the smokers gone, Yu Chengjun and his entourage closed in on Xu Lin, while outside, a crowd of students pressed against the restroom door, eager to witness the unfolding drama.