Chapter 013 [tenderness toward women?]_1

"Don't just throw around threats, show some guts and face your Uncle Yu right now." Yu Xuan too wasn't afraid of Xiao Dong's reprisal. It's almost as if fear was not in his dictionary.

Xiaofeng, who hailed from a wealthy family, was slightly worried in comparison. He'd seen his fair share of arrogant rich kids and knew how petrifying their vengeful streaks could be.

Zhou Wen remained nonchalant, as if everything in front of him had nothing to do with him.

Born into a revolutionary family, Xiao Dong had been groomed since childhood. His ingenuity was commendable amongst his peers. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pursued Susan persistently even after facing several setbacks.

Looking at Chen Fan's mocking smile and the fearless cub Yu Xuan, Xiao Dong didn't say anything, but sneered, and then walked off with Liu Wei.

"Dong, shall I call some guys over to take these punks down?" Early that morning, Liu Wei had suffered humiliation from Yu Xuan in school, anger brewing within him since. He'd thought he could settle scores here but ended up taking more humiliation. This had infuriated him thoroughly. Just now, he had been cowed by Yu Xuan's intimidating aura, but the moment he and Xiao Dong stepped into the stairwell, he resolutely said,

Xiao Dong shook his head, "No."

"Why?" Liu Wei looked puzzled. "Are you afraid that Susan will think less of you if we do that?"

"Shut up!" Xiao Dong snapped frostily, "Our clash was witnessed by many. If anything happens to them, anyone would guess we were behind it."

"So what? They don't have evidence!" Liu was unconvinced. He had left quite a few bodies in his wake before, and, in most cases, even though the victims knew he was to blame, they couldn't find any evidence.

"Slap!" Xiao Dong slapped the back of Liu's head in exasperation. "Liu, your father is a smart man. Why don't you think before you act? This would've been a non-issue if it involved ordinary people. But that effeminate guy seems to have some connections. Although it's nothing too much to be daunted by, we need to tread carefully and not make things too obvious."

Receiving such a reprimand from Xiao Dong, Liu Wei didn't dare to retort. Growing up under Xiao Dong's shadow, he knew how shrewd Xiao Dong was. Even his father would often tell him to learn more from Xiao Dong.

"So, what's the plan?" Upon reaching the second-floor corridor, Liu Wei mustered up the courage to ask again.

Huang Xiaodong stopped in his tracks, his voice grim. "We start military training tomorrow. My mom told me it's gonna happen at a platoon of the PAP on East Sea. And guess what, that platoon's commander is my uncle. Once we get there, I'm gonna make their life a living hell!"

Hearing Huang Xiaodong's words, Liu Wei was stirred with excitement. He knew well that when Huang Xiaodong throws a fit, he'd make one suffer without leaving a trace. Also, Huang Xiaodong's uncle whom he had met loved Huang Xiaodong dearly.

...

Meanwhile, in the first-floor hall, Susan and her gang had just ordered their food, while Chen Fan and his group were nearly done with theirs.

Perhaps because they pissed off Huang Xiaodong, the jovial and optimistic Xiao Feng lost interest in striking up a conversation with Susan's group.

Yu Xuan may be a beast in a brawl, but when it came to chatting up a lady, the man was a lost cause.

As for Zhou Wen, he was a standard "theory junkie", all he cared about was the human anatomy.

With all the guys staying mum, Chen Fan didn't initiate a conversation with Susan either, contentedly puffing his smoke, savouring the feeling "a smoke after a meal tastes like a goddamn divinity."

Catching a sidelong glance at Chen Fan's contented expression, Susan felt a complex whirl of emotions.

She had impulsively used Chen Fan and his group as shields. Now that things have escalated to this point, she felt a pang of guilt.

Because… She knew too well that Huang Xiaodong's arrogant and overbearing attitude, he wouldn't let Chen Fan's group off the hook easily.

While Susan was worried, Zhang Qianqian was keenly eyeing Chen Fan. She had noted all the events so far, and recognized the concealed warning in Chen Fan's simple words, a classic tactic of fighting fire with fire.

This unexpected realization had her looking at him anew.

Yet, what piqued her curiosity was, why would Susan stick up for Chen Fan?

Initially, Zhang Qianqian assumed Susan was merely trying to distance herself from Huang Xiaodong. But now, noticing trails of guilt in Susan's eyes, she began to suspect, things might not be as simple as she'd thought.

"Hey there, you guys are in big trouble. The dudes you earlier pissed off are no small fry. Huang Xiaodong's mom is the school's vice-principal. If they decide to hit back, you guys might even be chucked out," nonchalantly declared Zhang Qianqian to Chen Fan.

Zhang Qianqian's words enhanced Susan's guilt, whereas Xiao Feng and Zhou Wen's expressions revealed their concern. Contrarily, Yu Xuan's face turned red with rage, "If they think of expelling us just for this, I'll break their fucking legs!"

Upon hearing Yu Xuan's words, a look of disdain flashed in Zhang Qianqian's eyes, having no respect for those who resort to violence.

While looking down on him, she still continued intensely staring at Chen Fan, anticipating his response. She was confident that she could gauge whatever she wanted from the subtle changes in his expression and response.

"Don't worry. East Sea University is a reputable institution. Even if Huang Xiaodong's mother is the vice-principal, they can't just expel you arbitrarily." Susan spoke up before Chen Fan could, she had made up her mind to call her father to help Chen Fan deal with the situation.

"Eh, weren't you treating me like a fly? Now you're talking to me of your own accord? Can it be that you speak fly language too? Or perhaps, are you a female fly?" Chen Fan pretended to be surprised, staring at Zhang Qianqian, not giving her a shred of face. All her previous actions were under his watch, so he naturally knew Zhang Qianqian was trying to probe the relationship between him and Susan which put him off.

He, quite frankly, despised overthinkers, especially women playing smart ass like Zhang Qianqian.

Chen Fan's words left the atmosphere incredibly awkward. Zhang Qianqian was almost furious with embarrassment. Susan was taken aback, she didn't expect Chen Fan to have the luxury to be sarcastic, especially when he manages to insult without using a single curse word.

Xiao Feng, who was still somewhat worried about Huang Xiaodong's revenge, found Chen Fan's words both amusing and annoying. To him, Chen Fan clearly lacked gallantry, while Yu Xuan, on the other hand, admired him as he too instinctively felt an aversion towards Zhang Qianqian.

"What are you talking about?" Susan glared at Chen Fan, then comforting Zhang Qianqian, she said, "Qianqian, sis, ignore this annoying fly, let him buzz."

After the brief annoyance, Zhang Qianqian regained her composure, didn't say a word but cast a provocative glance at Chen Fan, as if looking forward to their pending misfortune.

Chen Fan could care less about Zhang Qianqian's provocation. But when it comes to Susan spending the next four years with a woman like Zhang Qianqian, that did concern him.

In Chen Fan's view, although Susan had a mature head on young shoulders, she hadn't been exposed much to the dark side of human nature. Given Zhang Qianqian's guile, she could easily play Susan like a fiddle.

"Conceded woman, God help you if you dare to pull any stunts on Susan. Then, nobody could save you..." Chen Fan gently put out his cigarette, a hint of gloom flickered in his previously calm eyes.

As far as he was concerned, enemies had no gender, his dictionary did not hold the term 'chivalry'.