"Keep us down?" Vice Principal Li looked as though he had heard a joke, a mocking curve tugging at his lips. "Fatty Wang, have you forgotten the last joint exam between our schools? Your Seventh Middle School's average score was a full 0.5 points lower than our Fifth Middle School's. Today, here at First Middle School, with such a gap in overall ability, I'm afraid you'll lose too badly to save face."
"And you're proud of 0.5 points? Our students just underperformed!" Vice Principal Wang's voice abruptly rose as he patted his round belly, as though it were filled with the confidence of Huihe Seventh Middle School's students. "This time, we came prepared, with our best all here! We'll make sure you lose so thoroughly that you'll be muttering Seventh Middle School's name in your dreams tonight! There's no point just talking big. Dare to make a bet?"
"Bet on what?" Vice Principal Li raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of backing down.
"Let's bet on which school has more students whose Qi and Blood Value exceeds 95 points in this assessment!" Vice Principal Wang waved a broad hand toward a faintly visible shop sign outside the school gates. "The losing side treats! We'll have it at Old Place Mutton Restaurant right outside First Middle School's gates. The loser pays the entire bill! Dare?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Vice Principal Li immediately accepted the challenge, his eyes full of confidence. "I'm more worried you, Fatty Wang, will refuse to pay after losing and end up hugging a pillar and crying!"
The two vice principals stood before First Middle School's imposing gates, trading barbs and spraying spit—mostly Vice Principal Wang—drawing sidelong looks from students of both schools. They wanted to laugh but did not dare, making the atmosphere both strange and tense.