Chapter 53: Running in the Wrong Direction

“Chen, I know you’re quick on your feet, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good at fighting! Alright, let’s take a step back—even if you can fight, there’s an old saying: ‘Two fists can’t beat four hands.’”

Zeng Yi believed that Li Sichen’s calmness stemmed from not realizing how terrifying the people Cheng Haoyu had called over were. He hurried to share what he’d learned.

“Judging from Cheng Haoyu’s previous attempts to block people, the gang he assembles is at least a dozen or twenty strong. And these thugs fight almost every day—not a single one of them is a pushover. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t take on a dozen or twenty people by yourself!”

In Zeng Yi’s mind, after hearing this, Li Sichen should be at least somewhat shaken—if not scared out of his wits. After all, even the most arrogant person wouldn’t dare face dozens of ruthless opponents alone, especially when they might be carrying illegal weapons…

Had Zeng Yi been the one to provoke such a group, he’d have already asked the teacher for leave and slipped away. He’d probably avoid school for several days afterward.

But Li Sichen’s reaction once again stunned Zeng Yi.

“I said it’s fine, so it’s fine. No need to worry yourself over nothing,” Li Sichen said, unfazed by Zeng Yi’s warnings, his demeanor as untroubled as ever.

“Huh?” Zeng Yi’s mouth fell open.

He truly couldn’t understand: the situation was clearly dire, so why was Li Sichen so unruffled? The opponents were a dozen or twenty vicious thugs, and Li Sichen was just a high schooler, fifteen or sixteen years old. Was he planning to take them all on like Ip Man?

After a brief moment of shock, Zeng Yi suddenly considered another possibility and asked carefully, “Chen, do you already have a plan for dealing with them?”

Li Sichen smiled without speaking, just nodded lightly.

Zeng Yi slapped his forehead, excitement rising. “I should have guessed! If you’re not afraid of Cheng Haoyu’s gang, you must have prepared in advance. Looks like I worried for nothing. Chen, after school, let me walk with you. Honestly, I’ve been waiting to see those guys get what they deserve!”

He imagined Li Sichen must have summoned his own reinforcements—perhaps even outnumbering Cheng Haoyu’s gang. That would explain Li Sichen’s calm and composure after hearing about their strength.

Li Sichen thought for a moment and agreed, “You can come with me, but you have to stick close. Otherwise, you’ll end up getting beaten.”

“No problem! I’ll be glued to you, like your shadow!” Zeng Yi nodded enthusiastically.

He figured Li Sichen was worried that, once the two sides started fighting, Zeng Yi might get hurt by mistake. This only confirmed his suspicion that Li Sichen had indeed brought a crew to take on Cheng Haoyu’s gang head-to-head!

“This fight is going to be huge—I can feel the adrenaline just thinking about it!”

For boys swept up in the tide of youth, fighting was thrilling and passionate. The mere anticipation made their testosterone surge, not to mention the chance to actually be involved.

And this time, their opponents were the school’s notorious bullies. Zeng Yi couldn’t help but picture himself as a hero of justice. The excitement and anticipation grew ever stronger.

At that moment, Zeng Yi wished class would end immediately so he could rush to the school gate and take part in the battle between ‘good and evil’—even if he probably wouldn’t lay a finger on anyone.

Just then, a stern voice shattered his daydream like a bucket of cold water.

“Zeng Yi, you’re not paying attention in class—what are you smiling about over there?”

“Huh?”

Zeng Yi snapped back to reality, only to find their homeroom teacher, Gao Zixi, had somehow made her way right next to him, glaring angrily. His classmates all turned to look, some snickering, others whispering.

“Chen, why didn’t you warn me?” Zeng Yi, flustered, shot Li Sichen a look of complaint.

Li Sichen could only smile wryly and spread his hands, clearly meaning: “I did try to warn you! You were so lost in thought just now, nothing I did could get your attention. How could you blame me?”

Zeng Yi’s eyes darted. Remembering the trick Li Sichen had used that morning, he hastily imitated it, blurting, “Teacher Gao, you misunderstood. I was just concentrating too hard on your lesson—not daydreaming…”

“Oh? Too focused on the lesson?” Gao Zixi smiled, but her smile was cold and sent chills down his spine. “Then tell me, what did I just teach?”

“Uh…” Zeng Yi was instantly dumbfounded.

He had no idea what Gao Zixi had just said—he hadn’t been listening at all!

Gao Zixi pointed to the back wall of the classroom, commanding, “Hmph, it’s bad enough to be distracted, but you dare lie to me? Do you really think I’m that easy to fool? Go stand at the back now. You’ll finish this class standing.”

Zeng Yi dared not protest further. He dejectedly took his book and went to stand at the back of the classroom.

Luckily, he didn’t stand for long. Half an hour later, evening self-study ended. Students began packing up, ready to head home.

Li Sichen had nothing to pack—he left all his books in the classroom. As for homework? He couldn’t be bothered.

He got up but didn’t hurry to leave. Instead, he walked over to Lin Siyu and asked, “Do you want me to carry you out of the school?”

“No… no need. I’ve already called my driver and asked him to bring a wheelchair to take me out,” Lin Siyu waved her hand in refusal, her cheeks tinged with pink.

Deep down, she actually wished Li Sichen would carry her. That feeling was warm and comforting to her. But it was the rush hour for students leaving school—if Li Sichen carried her out, they’d be surrounded by gawkers. She didn’t have the nerve for that…

“Alright, I’ll head out then.” Li Sichen nodded, called out to Zeng Yi, and strode from the classroom.

Soon, the two reached the area near the school gate.

From a distance, they spotted Cheng Haoyu’s gang.

These thugs stood out from ordinary students, both in appearance and demeanor—they were impossible to miss. The two who’d scouted earlier were with them, craning their necks, scanning the crowd.

They spotted Li Sichen and Zeng Yi and quickly pointed them out to their companions.

Zeng Yi felt no fear at all now; he even flashed the gang a middle finger before turning to Li Sichen and asking excitedly, “Chen, where are your people? Where are they hiding? Quick, call them out!”

Li Sichen was stunned. “Who told you I brought people?”

Zeng Yi’s excitement froze. “You… you didn’t bring anyone?”

“No, I didn’t,” Li Sichen shook his head.

“Really?” Zeng Yi started to tremble.

“Really!” Li Sichen nodded again.

“Then… what are we waiting for? Let’s run!” Zeng Yi turned to flee back into the school, looking for a place to scale the wall—anything but leaving through the gate.

But as soon as he turned, before he could take a single step, Li Sichen grabbed him back. “I told you, stick close to me. But you’re right—we really should run now!”

With that, he dragged Zeng Yi and started to run.

But their direction was straight toward the gang of sneering thugs outside the school gate.

“Wrong way! We’re running the wrong way!” Zeng Yi screamed, his face drained of color.