Chapter 13

Chen Tianming heard someone call him "poor teacher" from ahead. He looked up and saw his so-called rival in love, Ye Dawei. Nearby, the hooligans led by Chang Mao were with him.

Chen Tianming clenched his fists but managed to hold back. After all, the other side had several people, and he couldn't even handle Chang Mao alone, not to mention the others who might be carrying knives.

Seeing Chen Tianming keep his head down, Ye Dawei felt delighted, especially after hearing from Chang Mao last night that they had beaten up Chen Tianming again and warned him off. This made him feel even more pleased.

"Chen Tianming, don't you see yourself for what you are? Do you really think you have a chance with He Tao? You have no self-awareness at all!" Ye Dawei mocked as he spoke. "You think He Tao likes a poor teacher like you? She only used you as a shield because we had an argument."

"Is that so? Then why is she so affectionate with me and even walks home with me? Hehe," Chen Tianming retorted, unwilling to lose in the verbal exchange, even if he couldn't win a fight.

"Chen Tianming, don't push your luck!" Ye Dawei angrily grabbed Chen Tianming's collar. "I'm warning you, if I see you with He Tao again, you'll regret it."

"What else can you do besides this?" Chen Tianming looked at the hooligans eyeing him menacingly and dared not fight back.

"Haha, that's the difference between us wealthy people and you poor folks. Look at my wallet." Ye Dawei took out his wallet and showed it off. "I have thousands of yuan in here. I don't need it now. I wonder if any poor person will pick it up?" With that, Ye Dawei threw his wallet at Chen Tianming's feet.

Chen Tianming glanced disdainfully at the bulging wallet at his feet and stepped on it before walking away. "A wallet like that counts as rich? I used to have a wallet much fuller than that!"

Chen Tianming walked to the street corner and hid, planning to pick up the wallet after Ye Dawei left. Such a bulging wallet probably contained several thousand yuan, which could be a few months' salary for him.

However, Chen Tianming was disappointed. As soon as he left, Chang Mao picked up the wallet and handed it back to Ye Dawei.

Damn it, Ye Dawei! If you're so great, why don't you leave the wallet there and walk away?

But despite Chen Tianming's thoughts, Ye Dawei took the wallet and left.

With no other choice, Chen Tianming shook his head and went home.

________

"Knock, knock, knock," there was a knock on Chen Tianming's dormitory door.

Chen Tianming, still sleepy, opened the door to see two policemen standing there.

"Are you Chen Tianming?" asked one of the smaller policemen.

"Yes, I am. You are...?"

"We're police officers. Someone suspects you of stealing their money. Please come with us to the station," the small policeman said.

"Stealing someone's money? You must be mistaken," Chen Tianming was stunned. He had been teaching at school all along; how could he have stolen someone's money?

"You'll find out if you come with us," the other policeman said.

Chen Tianming had no choice but to get into the police car with them.

At the station, Chen Tianming saw that scoundrel Ye Dawei sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, smoking. This time, he was alone without Chang Mao and the other hooligans.

"Officer, it's him. I suspect he stole my money," Ye Dawei loudly accused, pointing at Chen Tianming.

Chen Tianming understood immediately. Ye Dawei was framing him. Damn it, this scumbag would get what he deserved one day.

"I didn't steal your money," Chen Tianming shook his head.

"Chen Tianming, Ye Dawei says his wallet fell at your feet the other day. You picked it up and returned it to him, but then several thousand yuan was missing," the small policeman said.

"That's not true. He threw his wallet on purpose, and I didn't touch it."

"Thieves always deny their crimes," Ye Dawei sneered. "Officer, you must help me."

"We'll take care of it, Young Master Ye," the small policeman said, taking out handcuffs and putting them on Chen Tianming.

"You... you know each other? What are you planning to do?" Chen Tianming saw the malicious look in the small policeman's eyes and cried out.

"I want to interrogate you alone," the small policeman said.

"Interrogating alone is illegal," Chen Tianming, who had taught political science for a few years, knew some law.

"Haha, here, we are the law," the small policeman grinned maliciously.

"Help, help!" Chen Tianming shouted, hoping someone would come to his rescue.

"Stop," a voice commanded.

A policeman walked over and stopped the small policeman.

Chen Tianming looked up and recognized him as the officer he and He Tao had met before. He Tao had called him "Chief." Yes, he was the chief.

"Chief, help me," Chen Tianming called out desperately.

"It's you?" The chief recognized Chen Tianming. "What's going on here?"

"Chief Cheng, this man stole my money," Ye Dawei accused first.

"I didn't," Chen Tianming shook his head.

"Chief Cheng, really," Ye Dawei said, giving the chief a look.

"Young Master Ye, I'll handle this," the chief said, walking aside to make a phone call.

After finishing his call, the chief called Chen Tianming over and asked, "What really happened?"

Chen Tianming recounted everything truthfully.

"So that's it. Mr. Chen, I'm just a deputy chief. Ye Dawei has connections higher up, and I can't do much. The officer who arrested you also has a strong backing," Deputy Chief Cheng said, glancing outside.

Chen Tianming felt disheartened.

"Chief Cheng," a girl called out as she entered.

"Teacher He, I'm here," Deputy Chief Cheng responded happily.

Chen Tianming looked up and saw it was He Tao.

"Ye Dawei, are you behind this?" He Tao demanded angrily, seeing the handcuffs on Chen Tianming.

"I... I just suspected him. My money is missing, and he happened to be there that day," Ye Dawei stammered, seeing He Tao.

"Where's your evidence?" He Tao asked. She knew Chen Tianming was just a teacher and couldn't have stolen Ye Dawei's money. Only someone as petty as Ye Dawei would frame him.

"Forget it. It's just a few thousand yuan. Gone is gone," Ye Dawei said, quickly leaving.

"Chief Cheng, I have a class soon. Please handle this," He Tao said before leaving as well.

Chen Tianming wanted to thank He Tao, but seeing her leave in such a hurry, he decided to thank her another day.