You Had Your Chance, but You Blew It (Please Recommend)

Fang Cheng realized that his life had become monotonous once again.

Every day, he got up and exercised, practiced Steel Blood, played games and watched the news for a while in the evening, then pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep. The next day, he got up and repeated the whole routine.

The only change was that he tried making a new dish every day.

But he couldn't keep this up. He was paying for all three meals a day, and his savings would run out sooner or later. Was he going to have to sell a kidney again?

The rich woman had also been coming over to Fang Cheng's place for pig's blood less often. Lately, she'd been secretly investigating the anonymous tipster, but she'd found nothing. The person was clearly skilled at covering their tracks.

On top of that, the Countermeasure Department's efforts to root out the mole weren't going well either. Instead, they'd uncovered a whole bunch of freeloaders. It was hard to tell whether they should laugh or cry.

Fang Cheng was quite worried about Kanzaki Rin, an internal leech herself. He was afraid she'd get caught too. But when he saw that she was still fine, he couldn't help mocking the Countermeasure Department for being blind. How could they overlook such an enormous leech?

He coveted her money, yet he was also delighted to see her get stuck in a bind. His feelings were complicated.

A few days passed like this before Kanzaki Rin suddenly messaged him: "Go back to school, or you won't get your diploma."

"Damn it, didn't you say you'd handle it?"

"I was lying."

Fang Cheng was annoyed. This woman had learned to be wicked.

But, on second thought, there was probably more to it. Kanzaki Rin might have been unable to find out who the anonymous tipster was, and was deliberately sending Fang Cheng out to draw them in.

This rich woman was an old hand at fishing for information. It was the only trick she ever used.

Fang Cheng was getting a little tired of his dull, monotonous life anyway, so he grabbed his schoolbag and headed out.

As soon as he stepped outside, the drone overhead showed up right on schedule, buzzing around like an annoying fly.

Fang Cheng immediately called Kanzaki Rin. "Can you get rid of that stupid drone of yours? Or do you really like me that much? Do you get restless if you don't watch me for a couple of hours every day? If that's what you want, you should've said so. I'd be happy to satisfy you with my quick tongue and long—"

Kanzaki Rin ignored his innuendo and explained, "Don't worry. This drone isn't here to watch you. It's monitoring the area around you to see if anyone's secretly following you."

"So you're saying the drones before this were watching me?"

"Beep—"

Did she think hanging up would get her out of it?

Fang Cheng sneered and quickly emailed Kanzaki Rin: "Oops, I accidentally uploaded your photo to the internet."

Kanzaki Rin replied just as fast: "One barbecue meal, and you delete the photo."

"Add a hot pot meal and I'll take it down. Decide quickly, or someone might see it."

"Fine, but there won't be a next time. Otherwise, our cooperation is over."

"Deal."

In a good mood, Fang Cheng hummed a cheerful tune as he headed to school.

Kashima Academy hadn't changed at all during Fang Cheng's absence. Even his classmates didn't care about the boy who skipped class all the time.

Still, there were people who cared. As usual, Asaka Akie came over to greet Fang Cheng.

"Good morning, Fang."

She didn't ask him why he'd been skipping school.

But Fang Cheng noticed that Asaka Akie's smile seemed a little forced, and she looked troubled.

Fang Cheng wasn't one to beat around the bush. He asked directly, "Asaka, is something bothering you?"

Asaka Akie shook her head blankly. "No."

Fang Cheng relaxed. "That's good. You looked so unhappy that I thought you were on your period."

Asaka Akie's face instantly turned bright red. Then, with a remarkably bold move, she gave Fang Cheng a light kick under the desk.

"Fang, you... you're awful."

After dropping those words, Asaka Akie fled back to her seat.

Sato Hayato, who'd been eavesdropping nearby, immediately protested on Asaka Akie's behalf. "Fang, how could you say something like that to Asaka?"

Fang Cheng turned to look at him and smiled. "Didn't get around to jerking off last night, Sato? You're awfully worked up. Want me to recommend some dirty comics with busty girls in glasses? Maybe something by Sasamori Tomoe or Takasaki Takemaru..."

Sato Hayato jumped in alarm and hurriedly looked around, afraid someone had heard.

After driving off Sato Hayato, the wimp, with a single line, Fang Cheng picked up his textbook and started reviewing.

He hadn't spent all his time fooling around while skipping school. He'd been reviewing high school material at night, and with Asaka Akie's online lessons and notes, he'd already made it through the second year's curriculum.

Just before class ended, Sato Hayato suddenly leaned toward Fang Cheng and whispered awkwardly, "Fang, about those recommendations you mentioned earlier... A friend of mine wants to know."

Fang Cheng: ...

Then he gave Sato a few titles of gay manga.

The morning classes passed quickly. During lunch break, Fang Cheng saw three girls, looking furious, call Asaka Akie out of the classroom.

Was this... bullying?

Fang Cheng remembered that Asaka Akie got along well with people at school. He'd never seen her offend anyone.

Nearby, Sato Hayato had already rushed out of the classroom like the wind, presumably hoping to play the hero and save the beauty.

Fang Cheng thought about it, then followed.

The three girls led Asaka Akie to the girls' restroom.

Just as Fang Cheng was wondering whether to bravely charge into the women's restroom, the three girls came back out with Asaka Akie. Apparently, someone was already using the restroom, and there wasn't room.

Asaka Akie didn't resist. She simply let them lead her away.

They soon found an empty spot on campus. By coincidence, it was the very place where Fang Cheng and Asaka Akie had spoken in private before.

The three girls began shoving Asaka Akie, cursing her and saying all sorts of nasty things.

Asaka Akie kept her head down and silently endured their increasingly over-the-top behavior.

"Stop!"

A voice rang out, full of righteous indignation.

Sato Hayato charged out from his hiding place like a brave knight.

Fang Cheng couldn't help but see him in a new light. He hadn't expected this timid boy to have the courage to play the hero and save the beauty.

"Don't hurt Asaka!"

Sato Hayato spread his arms and stood in front of Asaka Akie.

Asaka Akie jumped in surprise. "S-Sato?"

The three girls were startled too. "Who are you?"

"Who I am doesn't matter. I won't let you hurt Asaka."

"Huh?"

The short-haired girl in the lead shoved Sato Hayato hard. "Get lost. What's it to you?"

Sato Hayato staggered from the shove and nearly fell.

The other two girls went around him and tried to grab at Asaka Akie again.

Sato Hayato struggled to keep his balance. He tried to turn and stop them, but the girl in front of him grabbed him by the hair.

The four of them ended up in a tangled scuffle.

"Enough!"

Sato Hayato suddenly roared, stunning the three girls.

He recalled Fang Cheng telling him that Asaka Akie liked brave people.

At that moment, he was filled with courage.

He slapped the short-haired girl's hand away, then dropped to his knees before the three girls in a dogeza and shouted, "Please, don't bully Asaka! If you're angry, take it out on me instead!"

Fang Cheng had been expecting a good show, but nearly popped his eyes out.

Even more surprisingly, the three girls seemed intimidated by Sato Hayato's imposing display.

Asaka Akie hurriedly crouched down and tugged at Sato Hayato. "Sato, get up!"

"Don't worry, Asaka. I'll protect you!"

Sato Hayato bowed his head even lower, convinced he could win over the three wicked girls and rescue Asaka.

Then the short-haired girl recovered from her surprise and kicked him to the ground.

"Ugh!"

Watching Sato Hayato lying on the ground as the three girls kicked and beat him, Fang Cheng felt utterly speechless. "You had your chance, but you blew it."

He casually snapped off a branch about two fingers thick from a nearby tree, then strolled over.

Thanks to Zui Ai Lu Rou FAN for the tip. Thanks for your support! (〃'▽'〃)