Chapter 0006: The Difference Between a Man and a Boy

Bang!
Zhang Xiaofan’s knee slammed viciously into Lu Zhaotang’s face, the tremendous force distorting his features on impact. Lu Zhaotang felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, his head buzzing as if a hundred bees had taken flight inside his skull.
Zhang Xiaofan released his grip, still clutching a handful of hair, and Lu Zhaotang’s body crashed heavily to the ground. Blood streamed from his nose, his face bruised and swollen beyond recognition.
Everything had happened so suddenly that everyone present was struck dumb with shock.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Yin Rou Rou’s beautiful eyes—perhaps, just perhaps, they were saved after all...
This rustic-looking youth in a shabby robe had actually dared to strike—dared to attack their leader, Lu Zhaotang? Alone, in front of dozens of them, he’d assaulted their boss?
This was the thought running through everyone’s mind. Yes, they must cripple this brat, avenge Lu Zhaotang!
Glances were exchanged, and in an instant, Zhang Xiaofan was surrounded.
“Cripple him!”
No one knew who shouted it out—perhaps it was Wu Hai, who had been humiliated by Zhang Xiaofan in the restroom earlier. Recognizing his nemesis, Wu Hai’s anger flared, the enmity between them growing ever more intense.
He yelled as he swung a heavy fist toward Zhang Xiaofan.
Damn it, you don’t hit a man in the face! How dare you aim for my handsome features?
Unforgivable!
A cold smirk flashed at the corner of Zhang Xiaofan’s lips as he met the punch with one of his own.
Bang!
Their fists collided, but Wu Hai’s face turned a sickly shade of purple. It felt as though he’d punched a steel plate—his arm dropped limp at his side, pain shooting from his knuckles as if they’d shattered. The agony brought tears streaming down his face.
After all, he was just a high school senior. No matter how tough he acted, when faced with a true brawler, there was nothing left but to cry.
Yet there were too many people for anyone to notice that Wu Hai had been laid low in a single blow.
Fists and feet rained down upon Zhang Xiaofan from all directions.
Watching Zhang Xiaofan nearly swallowed by the mob, worry clouded Yin Rou Rou’s eyes. No matter how strong Zhang Xiaofan was, he was only one man. Two fists and two legs couldn’t fight off so many.
Wang Yuqing was anxious too, her earlier plans to make things difficult for Zhang Xiaofan all but forgotten.
I’ll fight! Fight, fight, fight!
Zhang Xiaofan’s low growls echoed as his fists flashed like lightning. With every punch, someone staggered backward, either clutching a rapidly swelling face, doubling over with arms wrapped around a battered stomach, or collapsing to the ground with a wail.
In no time, over twenty people lay strewn across the floor.
Silence.
One by one, jaws dropped. Was this even human?
They’d seen people who could fight, but never anyone who could fight like this.
Could he be one of those martial arts masters from the movies? A king of combat?
At that moment, Yin Rou Rou and her friends recalled what Zhang Xiaofan had said back in the classroom—just sit back and watch. And here they were, watching exactly as he’d said.
What an arrogant thing to say.
What a confident thing to say.
And now he had proved, with actions, just how strong he was. One man, taking on dozens.
If only they had believed in him sooner, perhaps their classmates wouldn’t have been hurt.
But in this world, there is no medicine for regret.

His name was Zhang Xiaofan, wasn’t it? Zhang Xiaofan... Zhang Xiaofan...
Yin Rou Rou repeated his name over and over in her heart, unable to deny the waves it stirred within her.
As Zhang Xiaofan stood there like a war god, the remaining thugs unconsciously shrank back, their baseball bats and other weapons suddenly too heavy to hold.
With a flick of his sleeves and a casual brush of dust, Zhang Xiaofan exuded a careless, roguish elegance.
“Aren’t you leaving yet?”
He looked coldly at the crowd before him, his tone light and indifferent.
In that instant, the thugs felt as though a great weight had lifted—none of them dared to challenge Zhang Xiaofan any further. A few hurried forward, hoisted Lu Zhaotang, and fled as fast as their legs would carry them.
They had to escape this star of calamity!
As he was carried away, Lu Zhaotang seemed to regain consciousness, his gaze toward Zhang Xiaofan filled with fear and dread.
Zhang Xiaofan only smiled in response—as if to say, do you think I’m afraid of your revenge?
Turning, he faced Yin Rou Rou and her friends, who were looking at him with open admiration. This feeling was truly wonderful.
Was this what they called “a hero saving a beauty”? Was a beautiful woman about to throw herself into his arms in gratitude?
No, no, he reminded himself, I am an upright man, a paragon of virtue. How could I expect repayment for helping others?
“Well, everything’s settled. Yuqing, let’s go home,” Zhang Xiaofan said, taking Wang Yuqing by the arm and preparing to leave.
If it had been before, Wang Yuqing would have cursed him for three hundred rounds, but now she was still dazed by Zhang Xiaofan’s dazzling bravado, following along as if under a spell.
At this moment, Yin Rou Rou and the others didn’t care in the slightest what the relationship was between Zhang Xiaofan and Wang Yuqing.
“Zhang Xiaofan...”
Yin Rou Rou called out to him.
“Yes?”
Zhang Xiaofan stopped. Was this really about to turn into a scene of a beauty offering herself to him? But he hadn’t even decided if he wanted a girlfriend yet!
“Why did you help us?”
Suppressing the shock in her heart, Yin Rou Rou asked quietly.
Zhang Xiaofan was a transfer student; it was his first day at this school, he hadn’t even received his uniform yet. Besides, in the classroom earlier, they had spoken harshly to him.
Yin Rou Rou couldn’t believe they were close enough for him to risk offending Lu Zhaotang and even expulsion to help them.
“Because I want to date you...”
The words tumbled out before Zhang Xiaofan could stop himself. He realized instantly that he’d said the wrong thing—far too blunt, especially after just claiming to be an upstanding guy!
“Uh...”
Yin Rou Rou was momentarily stunned. Ordinarily, she would have thought Zhang Xiaofan a shameless pervert, but now she felt no anger at all. In fact, as soon as he blurted out those words, a shy warmth crept into her heart.
No matter how beautiful, she was still a young girl, in the throes of adolescence. Before Zhang Xiaofan appeared, she had felt so helpless. But his dramatic arrival and the way he routed Lu Zhaotang’s gang—suddenly, all his teasing words and relaxed posture seemed rebellious and charming, full of irresistible appeal.
She felt so safe, a sense of security she’d never known before, and it all came from Zhang Xiaofan.
Such a bold confession, so direct—her heart fluttered wildly.
In truth, Zhang Xiaofan had meant to say, “We’re classmates,” or, “I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing.” Who knew his mouth would betray his heart?
Blushing, Yin Rou Rou stepped forward while Zhang Xiaofan stood there dazed. With her fair, delicate arm, she slipped it around his neck and hugged him.
“You said it yourself. To thank you, I’ll give you a hug.”

Her voice was soft and bashful. “But if you want to win me over, let’s see if you have what it takes.”
So big, so soft...
Zhang Xiaofan was secretly elated—what a pleasure to hold a beauty in his arms! His hand slid up to rest on Yin Rou Rou’s slender waist...
“Zhang Xiaofan, that’s enough!”
Wang Yuqing seemed to snap out of her trance at last. She yelled, furious at his shamelessness—taking advantage of a vulnerable woman!
Blushing, Yin Rou Rou released her embrace.
“If anything like this happens again, remember to call me,” Zhang Xiaofan said, all innocence. “Come on, let’s go home...”
Yin Rou Rou was speechless—she’d never heard anyone make such a request. Did he really just want to be hugged?
Little rascal!
She felt a shy thrill as she watched Zhang Xiaofan walk away, a hint of disappointment welling up—couldn’t he have stayed and chatted a little longer?
“Are you pleased with yourself now, Xiaofan? Feeling mighty proud?”
On the way home, Wang Yuqing cast him a sidelong glare.
“Of course! Didn’t you see? The class beauty threw herself into my arms—how could I not be proud?” Zhang Xiaofan grinned. “Or are you jealous? Miss Wang, don’t get any ideas about me. I’m not interested.”
“Pah! Shameless! As if I’d ever like you. Dream on!”
Wang Yuqing was at a loss for words to describe his brazenness.
“That’s just as well. But let me warn you, if you try to mess with me at home, I won’t go easy on you. You saw for yourself—my skills will have you begging for mercy in no time.”
“Oh, I’m terrified. A grown man threatening a weak woman, and you’re proud of it?”
“No, I’m still a boy!”
“What difference does it make?”
“There’s a big difference—boys are pure, men aren’t anymore.”
“I say you’re not pure at all.”
“No, no, my body is as pure as can be!”
“You—you scoundrel!”
Only now did Wang Yuqing realize what a rascal he was.
“I’m a proud scoundrel. Go on, bite me!”
“Only a dog would bite you!”
“It’s not like you haven’t bitten me before.”
“Aaagh, you shameless rogue! I’ll fight you!”
Wang Yuqing was on the verge of collapse, clawing at him with not a trace of ladylike decorum.
“Miss! Mind your manners!”
…