C7 Recognizing the Big Brother

"This kid's in for it. No telling what kind of beating Yu Chengjun will dish out!"

"Why bother with it? Let's just sit back and enjoy the show!"

The students outside chattered back and forth.

"Kid, you've got some nerve. For three years, it's been Mr. Yu who's pulled people out of class, not the other way around. No one's had the guts to step up like this. You trying to disrespect Mr. Yu?" Jiang Shan pointed at Xu Lin with a sneer.

Xu Lin regarded Jiang Shan as if he were a mere jester, his expression unchanging.

Yu Chengjun clapped Xu Lin on the shoulder and said, "Xu Lin, I'm not looking to fight. I brought you here today to talk. Redwood High has its top ten beauties. You can chase after any of the other nine, but Xue Moye is off-limits. She's the girl I like. Don't you think you should've gotten my approval before getting involved with her?"

Xu Lin let out a cold snort. Yu Chengjun wasn't Xue Moye's anything. Her father had already given their relationship the green light, so what right did an outsider like him have to step in?

Yu Chengjun's temper flared at Xu Lin's dismissive sneer, but he managed to keep his cool, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag.

"Xu Lin, I get it, you're happy with Xue Moye. But remember, you're still a junior here, and I call the shots. Here's the deal: apologize to me and promise to stay away from Xue Moye, and I won't just leave you alone—I'll consider you a brother. How's that sound?"

"You're not my brother or my parents. Who I date is none of your business. Why should I apologize? And you think smoking makes you tough? That anyone's afraid of you? Does the school have no one who can put you in your place? Yu Chengjun, you're really full of yourself!"

Caught off guard by Xu Lin's retort, Yu Chengjun was about to respond when a punch landed squarely on his face.

Xu Lin's punch sent Yu Chengjun sprawling to the ground, leaving a purplish bruise swelling on his face. Yu Chengjun might have been better off not touching it, as the throbbing pain that followed was excruciating.

"Brothers, take him down!" Jiaang Shan was quick to act, pulling a folding knife from his pocket and lunging at Xu Lin. With a cold snort, Xu Lin threw a right hook at Jiaang Shan's temple. It wasn't a heavy blow, but it was enough to send Jiaang Shan reeling, tumbling toward the nearby latrine in a daze.

"Damn you!" Zhao Sen, one of Yu Chengjun's most loyal followers, was the next to pipe up. But before he could strike, Xu Lin's kick sent him flying, his breakfast spewing out as he landed.

One by one, Yu Chengjun's cronies fell to Xu Lin's fists, until only Yu Chengjun remained standing. The onlookers outside the restroom were shocked into silence, having never imagined Xu Lin possessed such formidable skill.

Yu Chengjun's face drained of color, his earlier bravado vanished, replaced by sheer terror. It was clear that no one at Redwood High could stand toe-to-toe with Xu Lin.

"Now, you gave me a choice earlier," Xu Lin said, a slight smile on his face but with a glint of lethal intent in his eyes. "I'll offer you two options. First, you and your buddies each come up with 500 yuan and bring it to third period tomorrow. Or second, you kowtow right here and call me 'Lin' twice. Choose one, and I'll let this slide. What do you say?"

Xu Lin had no desire to flaunt his strength at school, but Yu Chengjun and his gang had been foolish enough to seek trouble with him, oblivious to the consequences.

"I yield, Lin, Lin, I'm sorry. I was blind to your greatness. From now on, you're my big brother, Lin. Whatever you command, I'll follow without question!" Yu Chengjun knew the deadly seriousness of Xu Lin's aura, something the others couldn't detect.

With his face pressed against the cold floor of the restroom, Yu Chengjun gave three resounding kowtows to Xu Lin.

No one expected the top dog of the senior class to end up looking like this.

"Okay, I'll let you off this time. But if you come looking for trouble again, I won't be so lenient!"

Xu Lin was quite pleased with Yu Chengjun's reaction.

"And another thing—don't get cocky just because you think you're tough. There are plenty of people out there tougher than you."

Leaning in, Xu Lin whispered to Yu Chengjun, "I even had the guts to send Yang Hu from Redwood High to the hospital. Do you really think you, a mere junior from the same school, can measure up to me?"

Yu Chengjun's face went pale at these words.

"Lin, I swear I won't do it again!" Yu Chengjun vowed.

"Scram, and don't come looking for trouble with me ever again!"

With Xu Lin's dismissal, Yu Chengjun, feeling like he'd dodged a bullet, quickly scampered out of the restroom with his cronies in tow.

It was the first time Yu Chengjun, a notorious junior, had ever left the restroom in such a disgraceful state.

After they were gone, Xu Lin casually strolled out behind them.

Now, the other students looked at Xu Lin with newfound respect, realizing that even the so-called weakling from Redwood High could have his moments of glory.

Yu Chengjun and his group stood off to the side, silent and wary, afraid to provoke Xu Lin and become his next target.

Having no desire to stir up more trouble, Xu Lin headed straight back to his classroom.

Upon his safe return to Class 3, every student's face registered surprise.

They had all witnessed Xu Lin being summoned by Yu Chengjun and had not expected him to return unharmed. After all, those called out by Yu Chengjun at Redwood High usually came back battered or worse. Yet, Xu Lin was unscathed, setting a new precedent at the school.

Everyone was dying to know how Xu Lin had managed to dodge a beating from Yu Chengjun.

"Xu Lin, those guys from Yu Chengjun's crew didn't mess with you, did they?" Hsiao Dali blurted out the moment Xu Lin walked in.

"What could they possibly do to me? We resolved it peacefully!"

Peacefully? Hsiao Dali clearly wasn't buying that explanation.

Seeing the skepticism on Hsiao Dali's face, Xu Lin chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it too much. You'll find out what really went down soon enough."

Shortly after Xu Lin's return, Xue Moye hurried into Class 3.

"Xu Lin, are you okay? Did Yu Chengjun and his crew give you any trouble?"

"What could they possibly do to me? I'm not even scared of my own dad, let alone them."

Relieved by Xu Lin's assured demeanor, Xue Moye relaxed a bit.

Though Yu Chengjun and his gang were no match for Xu Lin, they weren't the type to be taken lightly. Xu Lin's quick return defied logic.

After the Yu Chengjun problem was handled, Xu Lin didn't run into any more issues for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, Yu Chengjun and his buddies were having a rough time.

Yu Chengjun's cheek still throbbed from Xu Lin's punch, to the point where he needed others to feed him.

"This Xu Lin is a force to be reckoned with. Mr. Yu, should we call Gu Xing to get someone to sort Xu Lin out?"

Jiaang Shan got the worst of it, ending up tossed into a latrine by Xu Lin.

"No need to call Gu Xing. I've made up my mind to roll with Xu Lin from now on. I'm not just talking about taking a beating from him—I'm willing to throw punches for him too!"

Xu Lin had the guts to take on Yang Hu. Gu Xing was no match for him.

Gu Xing might have money, but to Yu Chengjun, a rich guy is nothing when he's up against a tough one like Xu Lin.

"Mr. Yu, you..."

Jiaang Shan was stunned that Yu Chengjun, after getting thrashed by Xu Lin, was actually considering switching sides.

"Mr. Yu, I don't get it. Is Xu Lin really worth following?"

"He's worth it, but it comes with risks."

After some thought, Yu Chengjun decided to fill Jiaang Shan and the others in on the Yang Hu situation.

"Let me lay it out for you: even Yang Hu from No. 2 High School got a beatdown from Xu Lin. Do you really think Gu Xing can measure up to Yang Hu?"

Yu Chengjun's message was clear without further words—Jiaang Shan and the rest got the picture.

"I've made up my mind to roll with Xu Lin. If you're scared of crossing Yang Hu, feel free to walk away. But if I catch you working against Xu Lin down the line, don't expect me to show any of the loyalty or mercy we once shared," Yu Chengjun declared with unwavering conviction, his sincerity unmistakable.

The battle-hardened aura that clung to Xu Lin was unmistakable—a mark of true leadership that Yu Chengjun would never forget.

"Mr. Yu, we're with you," Jiaang Shan and the others chorused.

"Keep this in mind: from now on, Lin is our boss. I, Yu Chengjun, am no longer your leader. Let's go acknowledge our new boss together!" With that, Yu Chengjun took the lead, guiding Jiaang Shan and his crew toward Classroom 3.

Xu Lin was just about to take a breather when Hsiao Dali's voice reached him: "Lin, Yu Chengjun and his group are back."