Chapter 114: A Lesson to Remember

Suddenly, Zhao Fan spoke up, startling Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan. Both jumped up simultaneously, only relaxing when they saw it was Zhao Fan.

“I’m telling you, Fan, don’t you know scaring people like that can be deadly?” Chen Tianyu said.

Zhao Fan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I didn’t know that. Hey, you two were just talking about Chen Sicheng. Tell me, what did he do this time?”

“What else could he do but smear your name all over the school?” Chen Tianyu replied with a look of disgust. Good grades mean nothing with Chen Sicheng’s character—he’s a problem wherever he goes.

Duan Gaoxuan nodded in agreement and warned, “Fan, that incident when you didn’t come to school a few days ago got blown way out of proportion by that brat Chen Sicheng. The principal even called Old He in for a talk. You have to be careful now—not giving Chen Sicheng any more excuses to stir trouble.”

Hearing that He Yongshan had been implicated, Zhao Fan’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected this to happen.

“Tch, that Chen Sicheng brat...” Zhao Fan’s eyes flashed with impatience. After a moment’s thought, he pulled Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan close and whispered a few words.

Chen Tianyu was startled. “Are you sure doing this won’t—”

Before he could finish, Duan Gaoxuan covered his mouth.

“Won’t what? We haven’t done anything yet.”

Zhao Fan glanced at Duan Gaoxuan, who was looking back at him. Their eyes met, and both smiled faintly.

Let’s do it.

After evening self-study, Duan Gaoxuan casually strolled over to Chen Sicheng’s classroom.

“Hey, is the top student of our grade around?”

“Chen Sicheng, someone’s looking for you.”

“Who’s looking for me?”

Chen Sicheng asked as he walked toward the door, but his expression soured the moment he saw Duan Gaoxuan.

“What do you want?”

“I’m here to deal with Zhao Fan.”

Chen Sicheng was taken aback and glanced around nervously. “What are you talking about? Deal with Zhao Fan? If you want to come after someone, don’t drag me into it—I’m not interested.”

Duan Gaoxuan smiled lightly, rested his arm on Chen Sicheng’s shoulder, and gently steered him aside.

“Don’t hide it—I know. You don’t like Zhao Fan, and neither do I. You say I’m a poor student who doesn’t care about all those complicated things? Zhao Fan’s been pushing me around just because he thinks he’s capable. Am I cut out to be a scholar? Of course not!”

They walked away while talking, the crowd thinning around them.

Duan Gaoxuan’s voice rose. “I can’t stand people who think they’re better than everyone else. I have to stand up for myself, but I don’t know how. Big brain, give me some ideas.”

Chen Sicheng’s eyes flickered as he hesitated, wondering if Duan Gaoxuan truly wanted to tear Zhao Fan apart.

“You’re not teaming up with Zhao Fan to fool me, are you?”

“No way. Zhao Fan’s trying to push me to the edge—I’d never work with him to fool you. Don’t worry, as long as you give me a plan, the rest’s not your concern.”

Chen Sicheng glanced around, then chuckled. “We’re classmates. What’s with all this ‘concern’ talk? The monthly exam’s coming up anyway. If he—ugh, I’ve got to get back to studying.”

He shrugged off Duan Gaoxuan’s arm and quickly left the shadows.

Just as he stepped out, a hand suddenly grabbed him. Taken by surprise, Chen Sicheng was pulled back before he could shout; a hand covered his mouth, and something was placed over his eyes, blocking his vision.

“Mmmph, mmph!”

Chen Sicheng struggled desperately but was met with a barrage of punches and kicks.

“Mmmph! Mmmph!”

His cries gradually faded until he lay still.

The next day, news of the grade’s top student, Chen Sicheng, being beaten spread throughout the school.

“I heard he was beaten badly—sent straight to the hospital.”

“No way! Who’s ruthless enough to hit someone at school? And it was Chen Sicheng, too.”

“Who knows? Chen Sicheng might be top of the grade, but he’s made a lot of enemies. Getting beaten up isn’t that surprising.”

“Hey, the one who did it won’t go after the second best, right?”

“...”

Rumors swirled around the school. After morning study, homeroom teachers entered their classrooms.

Zhao Fan had just put down his book when He Yongshan and the disciplinary director came in.

Chen Tianyu and Duan Gaoxuan instinctively looked at Zhao Fan, who simply smiled faintly and shook his head at them.

Then He Yongshan called out, “Zhao Fan, Chen Tianyu, Duan Gaoxuan.”

The three stood up, all wearing innocent expressions.

Zhao Fan asked, “Old He, Director Wang, what’s this about?”

He Yongshan glanced around the class. “You three, come with me to the office.”

They followed silently.

In the office, Director Wang slammed his palm on the desk.

“Tell me, which one of you beat Chen Sicheng?”

The accusation came without even a question—already assigning guilt.

Zhao Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. “Director Wang, what do you mean by ‘which one of us’? You’re implying Chen Sicheng was beaten by us. Without evidence, you can’t just accuse people.”

Chen Tianyu nodded. “Exactly. No evidence means no wrongful accusations.”

Director Wang spat on the floor. “No evidence? Let me ask you, Duan Gaoxuan, you were with Chen Sicheng last night, right?”

Duan Gaoxuan nodded honestly. “Yes, but I can guarantee no one hit him while we were together.”

“Why did you go find Chen Sicheng?” Director Wang demanded.

“To ask some questions. He’s the grade’s top student. I had some problems and thought it reasonable to ask him.”

Director Wang’s finger nearly poked Duan Gaoxuan’s eye. “You’re the lowest in the grade and you go find Chen Sicheng? You poor students look down on the good ones. I think you used the excuse of asking questions to take Chen Sicheng away and beat him.”

Duan Gaoxuan’s face darkened. “What do you mean? So what if I’m a poor student? Do you have any proof I look down on good students? Yes, I did ask Chen Sicheng to come with me last night, but I was just asking questions—I didn’t touch him.”

“You—”

“Enough, Director Wang!” He Yongshan cut him off with a scowl. “They are my students. You may question them, but you have no right to convict them.”

“This is clearly an act of deliberate revenge.”

“Legally, the presumption of innocence applies. Without evidence, on what basis do you accuse my students of retaliating?”

He Yongshan’s anger flared. “If you continue to slander my students, I’ll have no choice but to sue you for defamation.”

Duan Gaoxuan immediately chimed in, “Right. Without evidence, accusing us of assault is slander. We can sue you for defamation.”