Chapter 38: A surprise
If Bergkamp's thunderous shot in the 1998 World Cup was a classic, then the kick Su Can had delivered straight at Yang Mu likewise became one of the most talked-about topics at City First Middle School and No. 2 High School that season.
The three close friends gathered in their work-unit compound over the weekend. Liu Rui poured out his grievances to Su Can. "Thanks to you, that Wang Haoran from your school really went overboard. Yang Mu's face was black and blue for days, and he even put blue antiseptic on it, which made him look stranger still. With a face that big sitting on his shoulders as he walked around school, how could word not get out? Lots of people mistakenly said you were the one who beat him up. Great. Now he and I have fallen out completely. He's threatened to get people to beat me up several times!"
Su Can was speechless. He had never expected that, with the students at No. 2 High School spreading the story, he would probably become a troublemaker who habitually fought and threw his weight around, just like Wang Haoran, in some students' eyes. Yet what made for such a contrast was that this "troublemaker's" grades seemed entirely at odds with his reputation.
Su Can smiled at Liu Rui. "You'd better avoid going to the bathroom alone for a while. And try not to stay in the school bathrooms too long."
"Why?" Liu Rui looked stunned. "You think he'll corner me in the bathroom? Surely he wouldn't stoop that low! Don't scare me with that dark mind of yours!"
"Just reminding you to be careful." Su Can merely pursed his lips. *You told me about Yang Mu cornering you in the bathroom one evening when you