Chapter 170 – A Bitter and Astringent Taste
Fresh blood flowed out of the injury on Li Lao’Er’s forehead and his face was covered with large beads of sweat.
“Forgive me… Forgive me!” He pleaded with the last of his strength, “It wasn’t us! We only heard about it! We don’t even know who were the ones who did it!”
“Then, who knows?” I applied more pressure onto his left eye, and you can faintly hear the sound of crystal breaking. “If you don’t tell me a name, I’ll dig out your eyes and feed it to the dogs!”
“Tie Xian!” he screamed in a hurry, “Go look for Tie Xian! He’s in charge of the Eastern district!”
“Tie Xian?”
Brother Gang mentioned him before. It was rumored that Tie Xian was as thin as a match, he was similar to a stick bug. He did not have high battle strength, but he was more proficient in schemes like a tactician. Brother Gang was attending high school in the Eastern district, is it possible that Tie Xian sent one of his men to do the deed?
“What’s his real name? Where can I find him?”
“I… I don’t know! I only know his surname is Tie! He’s lying low somewhere cause he committed a crime! I’m not lying, honest to god!”
“Hmph, you better not be lying! Because, I… Don’t… Have… Any… Patience… Right… Now!!”
There were still lingering effects of my rage hidden in each of my cells. I tightened three fingers in my right hand with enough force to burst Li Lao’Er’s eyes.
But, Shu Sha forcibly pulled away my right hand with all her strength before it happened.
She held onto my arm with both her arms, and she used all her strength to stop me.
She looked extremely sad under the moonlight, and there were a few drops of fresh blood spatter on her face. It was like cherry blossoms falling on a sheet of white snow.
At this time, I felt a warm and wet liquid flowing behind my ear —— evidently, I was also injured in the fight.
“Enough! Stop!” She persuaded me while trying to pull me away from Li Lao’Er with all her might.
It was impossible for me to stay calm with the anger boiling inside of me.
“I don’t need a woman to tell me when to stop!”
I shook off the class leader’s hand roughly. It caused her to fall backwards, and it seems she injured her ankle.
I felt bad after she screamed out in pain. Li Lao’Er, who was in front of us, was already heavily injured. After this shock, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
I turned around to look at Zhao GuangTou who was lying on the other side. I had already knocked out all of his teeth with the steel pipe. His crotch was damp and he had already been unconscious for a while.
“Where’s that brat Rhonin?”
I could only ask the class leader who used the wall to help herself get up with a limp.
The class leader shifted her gaze towards the way out, “He ran away after he saw the situation…”
It seems like there are no more clear-headed people around that I can interrogate. Looks like Tie Xian is the only clue I could work with.
I decided to send the class leader home first.
Fortunately, the class leader was not heavily injured. She was able to walk by herself after only using my arm for support for a bit.
The two of us walked under the streetlights that were interweaved between light and dark. Neither of us spoke. The class leader walked with her head lowered as if she was thinking about something important.
After I walked with her to her building, she called me before I left.
“Come on up. I’ll help you treat your injuries.”
I felt the back of my head, but the injury behind my ear was more shallow than I thought. I can’t believe I didn’t get injured that badly in berserker mode. Did I have it easy because it was the first time I used a weapon?
I shook my hand, “No need! You shouldn’t invite a bad person like me inside your home! You should get some rest since you also received a lot of shocks.”
“Wait!” The class leader stopped me, “Where are you going? Isn’t your home in the opposite direction?”
I said angeringly: “Why do you care? I’m pissed off, so I’m going somewhere to drink!” I used my chin to point to a restaurant across the street that was still open.
I don’t know why, but I really wanted to drink some beer. I felt like I turned into a drunkard like my dad.
I suddenly remembered something, then I felt my pockets. Sure enough, I forgot to bring money since I left in a hurry.
Thus, I casually extended a hand towards the class leader: “Lend me some money, I’ll return it tomorrow!”
The class leader stood in front of the entrance to her building, and the voice-controlled light behind her was off. She looked at me helplessly.
The school rules and regulations stipulate that students cannot drink alcohol, are you going to criticize and scold me? Is this how you treat your savior? Although it could be said that we would not have been trapped if I did not lead you the wrong way…
The class leader sighed.
“Are you not going home until you drink?”
“Tsk, it’s fine if you don’t want to lend money. I’ll find a way!”
I was going to leave, but the class leader ran up to me.
“Wait! If you have to drink, I’ll treat you.”
I was pretty shocked by what the class leader said.
Although I knew that the class leader is usually only cheap when it comes to herself and is pretty generous with others, going along with me to break the rules did not fit her usual actions.
“Class leader, were you scared stupid?” I said, “I’m going to drink alcohol! Do you know what alcohol is? It’s something that will make you drunk when you drink it…”
“I know.” The class leader unhappily interrupted me, then she walked by me and lead me into the grilled skewers store.
She chose a spot by the window and ordered a few appetizers from the menu. Then, she watched me ask the waiter for two bottles of beer.
“Two bottles is too much, one is enough.” She ignored my protest and said seriously to the waiter.
So you treated me to a drink because you wanted to keep tabs on me and make sure I didn’t drink too much!
I actually don’t know how much I can drink. I don’t like the taste of beer because it’s bitter and astringent.
But I have to drink today.
Although it was really late, it was busy outside the window. Some people were getting off work, and an unending supply of cars and pedestrians passed by.
The class leader watched me pour a full glass of beer. She wanted to say something, but I had already poured down this glass of liquid that was like horse piss down my throat.
Bitter, so fucking bitter! I can’t believe there are people who actually like to drink this!
I didn’t really talk much with the class leader. She wanted me to drink while eating appetizers so it wouldn’t harm my stomach as much, but I ignored her.
Damn!
I have never considered myself as a hooligan, but today, my way of thinking was no different than a regular hooligan.
Was it because I have fought with them too many times? I can’t avoid trying to get a feel of my enemies. Was I assimilated in such a short amount of time? Or —— was I influenced by brother Gang?
I suddenly had a question: Is brother Gang also a hooligan? In my opinion, he’s just an unqualified hooligan. He does not collect protection fees, nor does he harass other students. As long as you call him boss, he’ll help you out, even if he does not get any benefits and only receives a body full of injuries…
It was probably the same when he went to high school too, right? You shouldn’t have gotten your tendons cut for a bit of reputation and to hear someone call you boss! You’re a fool!
But, even if it’s not worth it, even if he is a fool, only his brothers can say it. Even if he’s a fool, he’s still our boss.
I’ve actually never called him boss, and he has never treated me as his little brother.
He never even let me drink beer with them, I could only drink cola.
I was able to drink beer today, but it tastes terrible! I’m not able to have the same happy expression as them when they drank beer. Why does it taste this bad? Why is it this bitter and astringent?
I want to get revenge.
Right now, my mind is filled with thoughts of getting revenge for brother Gang. I would be ashamed to show myself to him before I get revenge for him.
I raised my hand and poured another glass of beer. I drank it too quickly and I felt my eyes getting sore and swollen.
“Ye Lin, I know you feel hurt right now.”
The class leader propped her elbows on the table. She put her hands together in front of her lips in a prayer position and she looked a bit like a nun.
I did not answer and continued to pour beer into my glass.
“Stop drinking.” She wrinkled her brows tighter, “You’ll only get more hurt the more your drink.”
I spat out: “Then, do you have a better solution?”
The class leader was silent for a while.
“It’ll feel better if you cry.”
“What?” I could not believe what I heard. She wants a seven-foot man to bawl like a little girl?
“I know that it’s bad to suppress your feelings.” She had an expression as if she understood, “When Shu Zhe encountered something that made him sad, I always encouraged him to cry.”
Don’t compare me to your little brother! He wore female clothing without any sense of shame! I’m not as effeminate as him!
“It’ll feel better after you cry.” The class leader still did not give up, “Shu Zhe used to cry on my shoulder. If you need it, I can also lend my shoulders to you…”
Why would you lend it to me? Do you want me to cry on my big sister’s shoulders like a little boy who was bullied? I can’t believe that thought would even cross your mind!
Also, your acting very abnormal today! The last time we went to the market, I wanted to help you carry the food, but you refused because you were afraid of being seen by acquaintances. So, what’s going on today? Not only did you choose a window seat, but you’re also allowing me to cry on your shoulders? Are you not afraid of people misunderstanding?
After I poured the remaining beer into my glass and forcefully rejected her suggestion, the class leader stood up and reached over. She pressed down on my hand that was holding the glass with both hesitance and determination.
I raised my head, “What? Are you not even letting me finish my drink when you’re so cheap and only treated me to one bottle?”
The class leader looked seriously at my reddened cheeks, “Ye Lin, did you know that you almost… You almost passed the point of no return? “