Ever since that night at Nightfall KTV when Bucktooth got drunk and caused trouble, and I stood up for him, he and the Luo twins started treating me like a real brother. Bucktooth was timid by nature, while the Luo twins were simple and good-natured. So whenever anything happened among us, they'd instinctively look to me to take the lead.
This time, when I said we needed evidence against Director David, the three of them skipped class without hesitation. As for Ni Anqi—she never liked studying anyway. She thought this was fun and insisted on tagging along. I couldn't stop her, so I let her come.
By then, it was already around 9 p.m. David and Li Chunping were walking side by side toward the school gate. Since we were students and didn't have leave slips, we couldn't exit through the main gate. So we climbed over the wall from a secluded area on the field.
The school wall was about two meters high. Bucktooth was agile and scaled it like a monkey. The Luo twins, though poorly fed growing up, were tall and strong—nearly 1.8 meters at just seventeen or eighteen—so climbing the wall was easy for them too.
Only Ni Anqi looked helplessly at the wall. "Andrew, it's too high. I can't climb it."
I glanced at her skinny jeans and joked, "Want me to give you a boost?"
Surprisingly, she agreed without hesitation: "Sure!"
That actually made me a little embarrassed. I cupped my hands under her and lifted her up. She grabbed the top of the wall, but her upper body strength wasn't enough. She dangled there clumsily like a koala. I laughed out loud.
Blushing, she snapped, "What are you laughing at? Do something!"
"I'll push you up. Don't get mad."
"I won't, I won't."
I placed my hands on her butt and hoisted her up, then climbed up myself. We both jumped down the other side. Ni Anqi was still red-faced and glared at me angrily.
From afar, we saw David and Li Chunping leave the gate. They didn't drive or call a taxi; they just strolled down the street like a couple.
We followed them quietly. Honestly, tailing someone was boring and exhausting. They wandered the streets for over an hour, stopping at several clothing stores. Eventually, David bought her a Hermès handbag. Only then did they stop shopping and head into a Sun Island Café.
While they were sipping coffee inside, we had to crouch by the roadside eating spicy skewers. We spent over fifty yuan before they finally came out.
They then headed toward Sun God Park nearby—not to some shady motel like we expected.
Bucktooth frowned. "They seem close, sure, but nothing outrageous. Are you sure they're having an affair?"
Ni Anqi added, "It's almost 11 p.m. already. Maybe we won't get any evidence tonight. Should we just go back?"
Everyone was about to give up when David and Li Chunping suddenly entered the dimly lit park. Our eyes lit up—this could be it.
Sun God Park was known locally as a sketchy area. At night, streetwalkers roamed around, and couples came for… less innocent fun. People even called it the "Wilderness War Zone." If David and Li Chunping were truly involved, this was the place they'd show their hand.
We crept in after them. The park had many dark corners, and we accidentally startled several couples mid-act.
Eventually, David and Li Chunping reached the park's most secluded area and began hugging intimately...
Bucktooth was dumbfounded. I nudged him and whispered, "Bucktooth, Luo twins—go stand guard. Don't let anyone barge in. Ni Anqi, your iPhone has a good camera. You're coming with me."
We moved in stealthily. Ten to twenty minutes later, we emerged from the park victorious. Ni Anqi's phone was filled with incriminating photos.
The Luo twins rushed to peek at the photos, making crude comments about David's body and poses. Poor Ni Anqi blushed deep red, right down to her neck.
I kicked Bucktooth lightly. "Show some class. You get this excited over a few pictures? Grow up. Bucktooth, send me all the photos."
They were embarrassed at first, but when I asked for the photos, all their eyes locked on me suspiciously: *Didn't you just tell us to act classy? Now you want them too—gonna sneak a look later, huh?*
I rolled my eyes. "What kind of eyes are those? I'm not like that. These are my weapon against David."
They finally understood, and Bucktooth sent me the photos. We had a late-night snack and returned to the dorm around midnight.
The next day, Friday, was quiet. After school, Linda reminded everyone to be at school by 9 a.m. the next day for the Qingyun Mountain trip. She also told the girls to pack essentials—like sanitary products.
After school, Linda drove her white Buick and took me home. It was the first time I'd returned since storming out of the Zhang household last week. I felt awkward and uneasy. But I had to face the music. I had been wrong.
Linda seemed distracted on the ride and barely spoke.
At the building entrance, I couldn't hold back anymore. "Is something bothering you?"
She forced a smile. "No."
But I was suspicious. Something was clearly off.
She was wearing an embroidered dress and black heels. Maybe because she was preoccupied, she missed a step on the stairs and nearly fell.
I caught her just in time. "Careful—"
Stunned, she stared at me in surprise. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help myself. I leaned down and kissed her soft, pink lips.
The scent on her skin, the electric contact—it was intoxicating. But just as I barely touched her lips, she snapped out of it, rage flashing in her eyes. Her stiletto heel came down hard on my foot.
"AH—!"
I groaned in pain.
Linda glared at me. "Andrew! How dare you take advantage of me?"
"I couldn't help it…" I whined. "Didn't you say I could kiss you once a week? You're going back on your word!"
She blushed. "Still, you can't just do it whenever you want!"
At that moment, the front door opened. My father-in-law, Zhang Daguo, peeked out. His face lit up, then turned confused. "Why are you two standing outside?"
Linda quickly said, "Dad, Andrew lost his temper last week. Now he feels awkward coming back."
Zhang Daguo was kind to me. He laughed and patted my shoulder. "Couples fight, but it's over now. Come eat—your mom's already made dinner."
"Okay."
I followed him in, head down. My mother-in-law, Xu Shuqin, still looked cold, but didn't say much—probably thanks to Zhang's signals. She only reminded me that couples should trust each other.
After dinner, Linda said she had an evening engagement. She showered, dressed up, and left with her purse.
She still seemed off. Her expression weighed on me. I wanted to ask where she was going, but my in-laws had just reminded me that trust was key in marriage. So I kept quiet.
Just then, my phone rang. A strange number.
I answered—and heard Zheng Zhantao's sinister voice: "Andrew?"
I was shocked. "How did you get my number? What do you want?"
He chuckled. "Doesn't matter. I heard Linda's your relative?"
I frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
Zheng laughed. "Relax. Just thought I'd tell you something. Director David found out you beat up his son John. He was furious—wants to expel you."
I snorted. "You really think your little scheme will work?"
Zheng continued, "I thought David's protective nature would guarantee your expulsion. But surprisingly, your homeroom teacher Linda went to beg him on your behalf."
I froze. "What did you say?!"
Zheng sneered. "Oh yes. David booked a room at the Junyue Hotel tonight. And Linda's going to meet him. Quite loyal of her—offering herself up to save you from expulsion."
I gritted my teeth. "I don't believe it."
He laughed. "Don't take my word for it. I'll even tell you the room number: 802. If you hurry, maybe you'll make it in time."
My mind spun. "Why tell me this? Sudden conscience?"
Zheng laughed maniacally and hung up.
I stood there clutching my phone, thoughts racing. I quickly understood: this wasn't kindness. His first plan—using David to expel me—failed. So now he wanted to provoke me into crashing that meeting. David's son was beaten by me. If I then ruined his "deal" with Linda, he'd hate me even more—and surely expel me.
Smiling tiger, indeed. A ruthless trap.
I finally saw him as a real threat. John was a brute. Zheng was a cunning wolf—ten times more dangerous.
I rushed out, jumped into a taxi, and said coldly, "Take me to Junyue Hotel. Fast."