After the dust had settled, the girls began to look at Chen Gu with stars in their eyes.
The boys also started to see him in a new light.
After all, Chen Gu had the courage to stand up, and he even won when everyone doubted him—although it seemed he himself didn't know how he pulled it off.
On the Lubei dark web, a message quickly appeared: Selling for three Gold Shields! Note: This message is directly related to Zhao Junzhi—big news!
Chen Zili of Class 7 didn't hesitate to purchase it. After reading, he was stunned for a long time, a strange feeling rising in his heart. Is this... the bigger fish following the small one? Did my grandfather seek revenge for me? But why do I feel a bit panicked? I don't seem very filial to my grandfather! Since he's so formidable, could he be so enraged that he beats me up too? The grandson is panicking!
Zhao Junzhi was injured and taken to the hospital—the entire school was in an uproar. The principal personally rushed to the hospital to visit, while the head of discipline, accompanied by a few security guards, stormed toward Class 9 to look for Chen Gu.
The students who learned about this on the Lubei dark web were roughly divided into two factions. Those from well-off, rich, and powerful families acted indifferent. At most, some sighed, The Zhao family has been down on their luck lately.
The other faction consisted of students from ordinary backgrounds. These students were academic overachievers who had earned their way into Lubei Middle School through their own merits.
It just so happened that this group of people were the targets of Zhao Junzhi's bullying. They clapped and cheered, "Served him right! The harder he was hit, the better!"
In this era, because of the high status of military personnel and the desire for military schools, injuries during school training weren't considered very serious. But this time, it was Zhao Junzhi who was injured.
Chen Gu was still in the combat room and didn't think it was a big deal.
The head of discipline, a man in his forties or fifties, was a dark-faced, chubby man with a pair of small eyes gleaming fiercely. The physical training teacher from Class 4 had already regained consciousness and was leaning against one side, with two boys from his class fanning him as his memory slowly returned.
Seeing the head of discipline arrive, he suddenly sprang up, staggered over to the leader, and with a woeful face, accused first, "Director, Chen Gu is really beyond the law, openly causing serious injury to a classmate in school!"
He still wanted to maintain some decency, not daring to blame Chen Gu for injuring a teacher.
The head of discipline looked at Chen Gu with a dark expression and barked, "This is a serious violation of discipline!"
Chen Gu had sharp ears and had already heard Teacher Dai's hurried footsteps outside. He displayed the grievance and stubbornness a young person should have in such a situation, as well as an anger he dared not voice due to his special identity.
For his own performance, Chen Gu gave himself 99 points. Can't get complacent!
"Chen Gu!" Teacher Dai appeared just in time. He immediately saw the "found support" look on Chen Gu's face and, overwhelmed by a sense of responsibility, stepped forward to shield Chen Gu from the head of discipline. "Director," he said, "it's inevitable to have some injuries during combat exchanges. Didn't Lu Kai from Class 5 suffer a fractured bone at the hands of Zhao Junzhi two weeks ago?"
Did the school punish Zhao Junzhi later? No.
Lu Kai's family was also well-off; his father was a director in Wuzhaoyin City. But they were generous and didn't make a fuss about it.
The head of discipline, his face dark, retorted with forced reasoning, "It's not the same. Zhao Junzhi's injuries are very serious."
"The nature of the incident is the same," Teacher Dai countered. "It doesn't matter how serious or light the injuries are. If responsibility is to be pursued, it should be for the school's logistical oversight in providing substandard protective gear! The school should compensate Zhao Junzhi for his medical expenses."
The head of discipline glanced ominously at Teacher Dai; the head of school logistics was his relative, and Teacher Dai's words carried an implicit threat.
Not wanting to argue any further, he flung his hand dismissively. "Hmph, you want to protect him, fine! Even if the school doesn't hold him accountable, you are doing him harm by doing so!"
The school won't pursue it, but will the Zhao family really let it go at that?
The head of discipline left with the security guards. He had just blustered in full force, obviously backing Zhao Junzhi. Since he was usually very harsh on students, they naturally disliked him. Seeing their homeroom teacher send him packing, the boys and girls of Class Nine cheered together, "Teacher is mighty—"
Teacher Dai glared at them, scolding, "Stop making a fuss," while feeling pleased inside. A fine teacher like myself is indeed beloved by students!
Chen Gu sincerely bowed to Teacher Dai. "Thank you! It's just... will it cause trouble for you?"
Teacher Dai waved his hand unconcernedly. "It's no big deal, don't worry about it."
He waved at the other students. "School's out." Then he pulled Chen Gu aside. "You come with me."
After leaving the combat room and finding a secluded corner, Teacher Dai advised, "Don't be stubborn. Call Chen Jixian and ask him to send someone to protect you. Zhao Junzhi is narrow-minded and vengeful; I'm afraid there are already people waiting for you outside the school!"
Chen Gu thought about it and obediently nodded. "Okay, Teacher, I'll read at school for a while and head back when my protection arrives."
Teacher Dai was relieved. See, such a good child, heeding advice and always thinking of studying.
"That's good." He departed reassured.
Chen Gu, of course, wasn't afraid of Zhao Junzhi's despicable retaliation. Not to mention the pre-training these days, Chen Gu felt his combat skills were not bad. At worst, he could always rely on his memory possession; even if it wasn't the Nuclear Explosion Nun, just the High-Energy Combat Art from the Star Wars instructor was enough to sweep through Wuzhaoyin City.
But if he were to use it, the origin was unexplainable, and if the inquisitive found out, there would always be some trouble. So, after some thought, Chen Gu dialed Zhao Ji's number.
Hearing this, Zhao Ji agreed readily, "Wait for me, I'll send four bodyguards over."
Chen Gu was somewhat worried. "Won't it bring you any trouble?"
Tao's Industries was an arms manufacturer, and the military was their biggest client. Zhao Ji laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Zhao Zhenhuai is too low-level. Besides, why would I grovel before my wife and live off her if not to stand tall and proud before others? You just wait. My people are already on their way and will definitely be there within ten minutes."
"Okay." Chen Gu inwardly admired, Damn, what incredible logic! Respect. I'm beaten!
True to his word, five minutes later, a bulletproof maglev car touched down at the school's entrance. Old Liu, the gatekeeper, watched as four burly men in black got out, his expression like he was facing a formidable enemy.
One of them dialed Chen Gu's number. After Chen Gu came out and got into the car, the bodyguards escorted him home.
In an alley outside the school, several lurking thugs called Zhao Junzhi in the hospital with solemn expressions. "Young master, that kid is not simple..."
...
Chen Zili hadn't gone home either; he had been waiting in the Class Seven classroom the entire time.
He saw Chen Gu leave from the window and hurried to follow, wanting to warn the other about Zhao Junzhi's ambush. However, he failed to catch up and only saw the "Xuanwu III Model" soaring away.
He was flabbergasted for a moment. After some thought, a sly smile crossed his face. In this world, who else would help Chen Gu? And who else would have the ability to dispatch bodyguards and a bulletproof maglev car? It had to be his own father. Heh, who knew Dad, always with that cold face, was actually such a devoted son!
...
Inside the school gate's soda shop, several boys, who had found excuses not to leave, were sneakily eyeing Liu Shichan's long legs—fair, straight, and tender—swallowing their saliva.
A few girls were accompanying Liu Shichan. When they saw Chen Gu being picked up by a bulletproof maglev car, they were also somewhat bewildered, asking Liu Shichan, "Big Sister, are we still going to recruit Chen Gu to our Dead Phoenix Gang?"
Yes, Liu Shichan, the boss lady, had plans to "look after" Chen Gu in the future. However, this guy seemed ungrateful, lacking the good fortune to follow Big Sister Liu's leads.
Liu Shichan downed her own drink in a gulp, her fair teeth crunching on the ice. "Let's go."