You couldn't beat me, yet you still came looking for death

Their five-day break ended, and the three returned to campus.

Mu Xingfeng drove them to the school gates and reminded them to take care of themselves. He would come pick them up again at the end of the month.

While Yan Wen and Tang Yun chatted and laughed, Mu Huai'an skirted around them and took a different path on his own.

"We have classes again tomorrow. What's our first class?"

"French."

"Huh? I hate French class the most. I just can't learn it, and the teacher keeps calling on me to answer questions."

Yan Wen teased him. "Who told you to doze off during the very first class? The teacher caught you, didn't she?"

Tang Yun rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I stayed up too late that night, so I was tired. I only meant to close my eyes for a little bit. How was I supposed to know I'd fall asleep?"

On his way back to the dorm, Mu Huai'an ran into several classmates, and they walked together.

One of them asked curiously, "Mu Huai'an, do you know that Mu Yanwen from Class One? I think I've seen you together a few times."

Mu Huai'an tightened his grip on his suitcase handle and gave a bitter smile. "Yes. In name, I'm his older brother."

"In name? What do you mean?"

"You ask too many questions. What if he doesn't want to talk about it?"

Mu Huai'an smiled. "There's nothing I can't talk about. Actually... I'm an adopted son of Mu Yanwen's family. I grew up without parents and lived in an orphanage. When I was six, the Mu Family adopted me and brought me home, but I've always remembered my place and never dared overstep. They were also searching for their biological son all that time. Mu Yanwen is their biological son. Although the Mu Family treats me very well, Yan Wen... he doesn't seem to like having an older brother who isn't related to him by blood."

"But that's all right. I took his place in the first place, so it's only natural that he doesn't like me. Even if he hates me, I won't blame him."

"I never thought Mu Yanwen was that kind of person."

"Exactly. What does any of that have to do with you? You didn't take his place on purpose."

"What wealthy family doesn't have some messy drama? But don't worry, Mu Huai'an. If Mu Yanwen gives you trouble again, we'll get back at him for you!"

Mu Huai'an hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, don't! Xiao Wen just doesn't like me. He hasn't done anything to me. If you provoke him and he goes home and tells my parents, they'll blame me for not looking after my little brother. I don't want to disappoint them."

His classmates were indignant on his behalf. They comforted him and promised to find an opportunity to get back at Mu Yanwen for him.

Mu Huai'an nodded gratefully, but when no one was looking, he regarded them as though they were idiots.

With them taking the lead, he could teach Yan Wen a lesson without drawing suspicion to himself. Two birds with one stone.

Yan Wen was lying in bed scrolling through videos when Xiao Qi said, "Host, Mu Huai'an has started gathering a clique. He's planning to go after you."

Yan Wen's interest was piqued. "What's Mu Huai'an planning to do?"

"Form a little group to target you and isolate you."

"Is Mu Huai'an still in elementary school? Instead of thinking about how to improve himself at Shengyuan, he's thinking about forming cliques. Isn't he afraid of getting expelled?"

Xiao Qi sounded resigned. "I don't get it either. Mu Huai'an really managed to ruin a winning hand. Mu Xingfeng and Xie Yunshu both treated him like their own son, but he insisted on doing all these baffling things."

"Forget about him. But he'd better not go too far, or I won't mind personally throwing him out of the Mu Family."

Xiao Qi added, "Host, there's some fresh drama. Right downstairs from the dorm."

Yan Wen sprang out of bed, put on his shoes, and rushed outside, remembering to send Tang Yun a message.

[Come downstairs, quick!]

Tang Yun was watching TV. He had no idea what Yan Wen's message meant, but he still put on a jacket and went downstairs.

When Tang Yun reached the bottom of the dorm building, he found a crowd gathered there. He couldn't squeeze through and couldn't see what had happened.

Tang Yun looked around and finally spotted Yan Wen.

"A Yan! There you are. What happened? Why are there so many people?"

"I heard someone say a couple had a fight."

"Isn't that pretty normal? Why did it draw such a big crowd?"

Yan Wen pointed at the school doctor rushing over in a panic. "That's the problem. The guy hit the girl and made her head bleed. He'll probably get expelled."

Taking advantage of the opening as the school doctor went in to administer first aid, Tang Yun and Yan Wen squeezed in behind the doctor. They saw a girl lying unconscious on the ground, blood covering the back of her head.

Tang Yun asked, "Where's the guy?"

Before Yan Wen could answer, another girl said, "They already took him to the principal's office. After beating someone that badly, he's definitely getting expelled."

Yan Wen asked, "What if his family is rich and pays to hush it up?"

The girl waved her hand firmly. "Absolutely not. Shengyuan may be a school for the sons and daughters of wealthy families, but it doesn't accept just any wealthy family. I'm already a third-year student, and I've seen at least ten students expelled from Shengyuan, if not twenty. Someone nearly died this time. He'll definitely be expelled."

The school doctor carried the girl away on a stretcher, and the crowd dispersed.

Xiao Qi said, "That girl is the only daughter in her family. She has five older brothers and three uncles, and the whole family dotes on her. Even a minor injury usually has them worried sick. Her family will probably beat that guy to death."

"He brought it on himself! Suddenly, I feel like having some snacks. Let's get some at the supermarket."

Yan Wen was just about to invite Tang Yun along when five or six people approached them.

Mu Huai'an forced a smile. "Good evening, Xiao Wen."

Yan Wen replied coldly, "Mm."

The boy beside Mu Huai'an snapped, "What's with that attitude? Mu Huai'an said hello to you. Didn't you hear him?"

Another boy sneered. "You really did grow up in some backwater. Even after returning to a wealthy family, you still can't hide that pathetic stink of poverty."

Mu Huai'an tried to dissuade them. "Don't say that. You'll hurt Xiao Wen's feelings."

"Like I care whether his feelings are hurt."

"Mu Yanwen, Mu Huai'an has us backing him up. If you dare bully him again, we have plenty of ways to deal with you."

Tang Yun was furious and started forward to argue, but Yan Wen stopped him. Yan Wen's lips curved into a faint smile, though there was no amusement in his eyes. "This is the first time I've seen so many idiots come to life. What a novelty."

"Did you just insult us?!"

Yan Wen raised an eyebrow. "You actually realized I was insulting you. Looks like you're not completely stupid."

"You're asking for death!"

Mu Huai'an hurriedly restrained the enraged boy. "Xiao Wen has always had this temper. I apologize on his behalf. I'm sorry. Don't stoop to his level."

Yan Wen ignored the lunatics and was about to leave when he heard the boy say, "Pah! I bet he bought his way in. Who knows how much his dad paid, or which big shot his mom slept with, and for how long?"

Yan Wen turned, walked up to the boy, and delivered a precise kick to his face.

A tooth flew out with a spray of blood. The boy sprawled on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

Yan Wen stepped forward again and slapped him several times.

Quite a few spectators gathered around, all guessing at what had happened.

After he finished, Yan Wen shook out his stinging hand. "Since when was my family's business any concern of an outsider like you? You want to stand up for Mu Huai'an? Do you have what it takes?"

Yan Wen turned his icy gaze on Mu Huai'an. "Trying to use them to teach me a lesson? Only idiots like these would fall for your lies. If you really want a beating, I can oblige."

Intimidated by Yan Wen, Mu Huai'an stammered out an apology. "I-I'm sorry. They didn't mean it. Xiao Wen, I apologize. Please don't take your anger out on them."

Yan Wen snorted coldly and left with Tang Yun.

"You couldn't beat me, yet you still came looking for death."

Mu Huai'an watched Yan Wen's retreating back, fury nearly spilling from his eyes. But for now, he had to hurry and get the boy to the infirmary. Building connections was his top priority.