The Honest Man’s Counterattack 2003

Huang Qiaoqiao nodded, "I see. If you run into any questions you can't solve, feel free to ask me anytime."

Zhao Feng lit up with excitement. "That's awesome! I don't understand a single thing in the three sciences. Can you teach me all of them?"

Huang Qiaoqiao was stunned, her face blank with disbelief. She hesitantly replied, "Stop messing around. I don't like boys who lie."

Zhao Feng picked up his physics textbook with a grin. "I'm being honest. If I say I don't know, it's because I really don't. Let's start with Newton's three laws..."

The physics class began soon after. The physics teacher was explaining a test paper but noticed the two of them poring over Newton's laws. Since both were top-tier students in the school's hundred-student leaderboard, the teacher chose not to disturb them.

Riiiiiing—

The bell signaling the end of class rang.

Huang Qiaoqiao slumped over her desk, her head in her arms. "Let me rest for a bit. Did you come here just to torture me? Did my former desk mate get beaten up and chased away by you?"

Zhao Feng, looking as energetic as ever, laughed. "Congrats, you guessed right! My success in science now depends entirely on you. Don't worry, I'll treat you to braised pork for lunch as payment."

Huang Qiaoqiao groaned, "Big brother, Newton's three laws are only worth one meal of braised pork?"

Zhao Feng added, "I'll throw in two drumsticks. That enough?"

At that moment, Jin Fugui walked over, taking a seat in front of Zhao Feng. Smiling, he said, "Hey, great crane, I've got a math problem I can't figure out. Wanna explain it to me?"

Huang Qiaoqiao glared at him. "Get lost, you fatso. Don't bother me while I'm resting."

Jin Fugui sighed dramatically. "This is discrimination against fat people. I'm so heartbroken."

Zhao Feng chimed in, "Having a study genius as a desk mate is amazing. Bonus points for her being pretty. Hey, chubby, want to swap seats?"

Jin Fugui's eyes lit up. "Why didn't I think of that? Aside from the Great Crane, our class's top student is Bai Jiaxin. She's ranked in the top ten on the school leaderboard! Help me deal with her desk mate, the ugly girl, and I'll owe you big time."

Zhao Feng turned his gaze toward Bai Jiaxin's desk mate, Su Yin, the so-called "ugly girl." She was indeed unattractive—dark-skinned, with a large, round pancake face, tiny nose, small eyes, and a small mouth. She was the very definition of "ugly from every angle."

"Good brothers share burdens. Leave the ugly girl to me," Zhao Feng declared with a laugh.

Standing up, he added in a teasing tone, "A word of warning, though. Sitting next to Bai Jiaxin is perilous. Her previous desk mates didn't end well. The one before last was hit with a club and turned into a vegetable. The guy before that was pushed down the stairs and broke his leg. The last one? He supposedly saw a ghost at night, got so scared he wet himself, and dropped out of school."

Turning back toward Jin Fugui, Zhao Feng grinned. "Once I get rid of the ugly girl, you go pack your stuff and take the seat. Just be extra careful—you don't want to end up like the others."

Watching Zhao Feng walk off, Jin Fugui broke out in a cold sweat. His fat face turned pale, and he dove to the ground, clutching Zhao Feng's leg like a lifeline. His terrified expression was almost comical. "Don't bother! I'm not switching seats!"

Zhao Feng chuckled. "No worries, I'll smooth things over for you. Once you're Bai Jiaxin's desk mate, every guy in school will envy you. Just watch your back and make sure you don't get clubbed or run into ghosts."

Jin Fugui clung tighter, practically crying. "Stop it, Feng Bro! Bai Jiaxin is terrifying!"

At some point, Bai Jiaxin had taken a seat at Zhao Feng's desk. Twirling one of Huang Qiaoqiao's braided pigtails, she lounged with her legs crossed, casually chewing a piece of bubble gum and blowing a pink bubble. She watched the commotion with great amusement.

"Hello there, Bai Jiaxin," Zhao Feng called out cheerfully. "Chubby here wants to be your desk mate. How about it?"

Bai Jiaxin smirked, her playful gaze making her eyes curve into crescent moons. "Sure. Chubby looks like he can take a beating. I could use a punching bag. I'll talk to Su Yin about swapping seats."

She winked, her teasing expression stunning both Zhao Feng and Jin Fugui into silence. Jin Fugui, in particular, turned beet red, his face a mix of excitement and terror.

Zhao Feng patted Jin Fugui on the shoulder. "Congrats, she agreed! Hurry up and pack your stuff."

Jin Fugui, snapping out of his daze, immediately broke out into a sweat. He collapsed onto the floor and stammered, "Stop messing with me! I can't handle it. I'm staying put!"

Bai Jiaxin burst out laughing, swinging her legs playfully as she studied Zhao Feng. "In this final stretch before the college entrance exams, the 'nice guys' seem to be making their moves. I almost want to sit next to the Great Crane myself, but you beat me to it."

Zhao Feng pointed to the desk. "I don't mind. Come over and squeeze in. I can sit in the middle."

Bai Jiaxin's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've got some nerve. You look like you're asking for a beating. Right, Great Crane?"

Huang Qiaoqiao, slumped lazily on the desk, replied without looking up. "I noticed that ages ago. He's shameless, using me as free tutoring."

At that moment, Li Qilin approached. Dressed in Nike sportswear and Adidas running shoes, with a Citizen watch on his wrist, he smiled warmly. "Be careful on your way home. Huang Dabiao has his eye on you."

Zhao Feng replied casually, "No problem. I'm staying in the dorms to focus on the exams. I won't be going home anytime soon."

Li Qilin nodded. Though he was a second-generation wealthy kid, he never flaunted his status and often helped his classmates. He was a rare exception among the privileged.

Li Qilin joked, "Good move. I was just thinking about sitting next to the Great Crane, and you beat me to it. Remember to look out for me when you ace the college entrance exams."

Zhao Feng replied with a grin, "You're the big shot here. You should be looking out for me."

Huang Qiaoqiao muttered in annoyance, "What's so great about sitting next to me? You guys make it sound like I'm a prize. I'm not that easy to take advantage of!"

Riiiiing—

The bell signaling the start of class interrupted their banter. Zhao Feng returned to his seat, pulling out his chemistry textbook. "Chemistry's another weak spot for me. Let's start with the periodic table."

Huang Qiaoqiao groaned. "Spare me, please."

Zhao Feng shook his head. "Just doing tough test papers isn't enough. The real college entrance exams will focus on basics. Teaching me helps you review too. Two birds with one stone!"

Huang Qiaoqiao sighed in defeat. "Listening to you, it sounds like you're doing me a favor by making me review."

Zhao Feng nodded earnestly. "I live by the motto: 'I help others, and others help me.' My integrity is second to none."

Huang Qiaoqiao couldn't help but laugh. "Integrity? Yours shattered on the floor ages ago. All you do is trick me!"

The two continued their playful bickering while reviewing together. The day passed quickly.

After evening self-study, Zhao Feng and Jin Fugui returned to their dorm, a modest room shared only by the two of them. They pulled out their textbooks and resumed studying.

Outside, a silver bolt of lightning tore through the night sky, illuminating the dark clouds. Moments later, a torrential downpour began.

Near the school gates, Huang Dabiao shielded his shiny bald head as he jumped down from a ledge. The young men smoking beside him scattered to find shelter, their cigarettes extinguished by the rain.

Large raindrops quickly coalesced into a curtain of water, enveloping the night in misty gray. Huang Dabiao and his gang were forced to flee, soaking wet, until they found refuge under a bike shed.

[--------------------------------------------]

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you want early access to +10 Advance chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you!

Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy