Chapter 3: Zhang Ya's Stirred Heart
The bell signaling the end of class finally rang. The teacher on the podium, seemingly reluctant to stop, uttered "Class dismissed" before clutching the teaching plan and walking away with visible dissatisfaction. Four consecutive morning classes had left Guo Feiyu, a genius with an IQ nearing 200, feeling drowsy and lethargic.
Just as Guo Feiyu stretched lazily, Han Wei from behind leaned forward, his voice weak. "Handsome, I'm starving. Let's go out to eat. If you treat Xiao Fei and me to KFC, we'll acknowledge you as our boss."
"You two really come cheap, bought with just one KFC meal. Looks like I'm destined to be your boss," Guo Feiyu said with a sly grin.
At that moment, a male student walked up to Guo Feiyu's desk. Looking past him at Zhang Ya inside, he said, "Zhang Ya, let me treat you to lunch today. I hope you won't refuse me again."
Guo Feiyu scrutinized the student. He was about 1.75 meters tall, with a face that, while not strikingly handsome, was presentable. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses gave him a refined appearance.
"I brought my own lunch, so no need to trouble yourself, Li Siyuan," Zhang Ya replied without looking up, her brow slightly furrowed, her tone indifferent.
"Zhang Ya, I want to talk to you. You must know what's on my mind," Li Siyuan pleaded, his tone almost begging.
"If it's about academic problems, we can discuss them now. Let's not talk about anything else," Zhang Ya said coldly, lowering her head to look at her notes.
Li Siyuan's face darkened slightly. Without another word, he turned and left, shooting Guo Feiyu a glare as he did.
"Handsome, no, Boss, just by sitting in this seat, you've become a thorn in someone's side. Be careful from now on. This Li Siyuan is the son of the mayor. His family background is no joke," Han Wei whispered cautiously.
"Is that so? Since he sees me as a thorn, I can't disappoint him," Guo Feiyu said, standing up from his seat. He looked at Zhang Ya, who was still reviewing her notes, and declared in a voice loud enough for the entire class to hear, "Zhang Ya, I'd like to have lunch with you."
As soon as Guo Feiyu finished speaking, the classmates who were preparing to go out for lunch, including Li Siyuan who had just reached the door, stopped in their tracks, turning surprised gazes towards Guo Feiyu and Zhang Ya. Even Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei behind him wore expressions of disbelief. Hearing Guo Feiyu's words, Zhang Ya's heart trembled. Though she didn't look up, she could feel the stares of her classmates around her. Her face grew increasingly warm, her heartbeat quickened, and she cursed Guo Feiyu countless times in her heart. *What should I do? Reject him like I do other boys? But I can't bring myself to. Accept his invitation? We've only known each other for a morning. What will the classmates say?* For the first time, Zhang Ya, who had rejected countless boys, tasted the bitterness of being torn.
Guo Feiyu gazed tenderly at Zhang Ya, his voice soft. "The length of time we've known each other isn't important. What matters is how we feel. I liked you the moment I saw you. My feelings won't deceive me."
Zhang Ya's heart was in turmoil, completely thrown into disarray. She clenched her hands tightly together, not daring to look up at Guo Feiyu. Her rosy lips parted slightly a few times, but no words came out. Seeing Zhang Ya remain silent, Guo Feiyu shrugged and gave a self-deprecating smile. Turning to Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei, he said, "Well, I've tasted the bitterness of rejection too. Let's go eat." With that, he headed towards the classroom door. Just as he was about to exit, Li Siyuan blocked his way, threatening, "Guo Feiyu, stay away from Zhang Ya, or you'll regret it."
"With just you? You're not worthy of making me regret anything," Guo Feiyu retorted coldly, pushing aside Li Siyuan's blocking arm with one hand and walking out. Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei quickly followed.
Li Siyuan watched Guo Feiyu's retreating figure with a venomous glare, thinking, *Guo Feiyu, how dare you compete with me? I'll destroy you.*
Zhang Ya looked up and watched Guo Feiyu leave, an indescribable sense of loss welling up deep inside.
A female classmate came over and said, "Xiao Ya, let's go eat."
"You go ahead. I'm not hungry," Zhang Ya replied distractedly.
The girl shook her head and left. Looking at the now empty and quiet classroom, Zhang Ya felt a complex mix of emotions. She opened her book, glanced at it for a moment, then closed it again—her mind was filled with images of Guo Feiyu. Zhang Ya understood that this figure had been deeply imprinted on her heart, unforgettable for a lifetime.
"Falling for him in just one morning... I guess this is what they call fate," Zhang Ya murmured softly, gazing out the window.
"Fallen for who? It wouldn't be me, would it?" a familiar voice came from the classroom doorway. Hearing the voice, Zhang Ya visibly started. She slowly turned her head to look. There stood Guo Feiyu, holding a large KFC takeaway bag, walking towards her.
"I knew you hadn't eaten, so I brought enough for both of us. Let's eat together," Guo Feiyu said, looking at Zhang Ya's flushed face with a hint of smugness.
Zhang Ya didn't speak, just silently watched Guo Feiyu. A trace of resolve flickered in her clear, watery eyes. She secretly decided, *Since I've fallen for him, I won't run away anymore.* The door to her heart, which had never been opened for anyone, was now completely wide open for Guo Feiyu.
Watching Guo Feiyu spread the food across the desk, Zhang Ya didn't stand on ceremony and picked up a burger to eat. Seeing Zhang Ya's sudden change, Guo Feiyu was a bit surprised, standing dumbfounded beside his desk, forgetting to sit down.
"Hey, what are you spacing out for? Weren't you going to eat with me?" Zhang Ya said softly, her shy expression making Guo Feiyu's heart flutter.
"Oh, right, I... I forgot," a flustered Guo Feiyu stammered as he sat down. He hurriedly took a drink from the bag, inserted the straw, and placed it in front of Zhang Ya. Then he picked up a burger himself and began eating with his head down.
Seeing Guo Feiyu's eating demeanor, Zhang Ya couldn't help but laugh. She placed the juice she had only taken a small sip from in front of Guo Feiyu and said in the tiniest voice possible, "Have a drink. If you eat so fast, you might choke."
"Seems you care about me quite a bit. From now on, I'll cover all your lunches and dinners," Guo Feiyu said with a mischievous smile.
"I'll eat you out of house and home for a lifetime!" As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhang Ya realized their implication and quickly turned her head away.
Li Siyuan had appeared at the classroom door at some point, his face ashen as he watched Guo Feiyu and Zhang Ya. When he heard Zhang Ya's words, "I'll eat you out of house and home for a lifetime!", he could no longer control his emotions and charged in. Pointing angrily at Guo Feiyu, he snarled, "Guo Feiyu, you new kid! Do you know who you're messing with? If you value your life, stay the hell away from Zhang Ya!"
Guo Feiyu didn't speak, just looked at Li Siyuan with an icy expression. Worried that Guo Feiyu would provoke Li Siyuan further, Zhang Ya stood up and said to the visibly distorted Li Siyuan in a calm tone, "My matters with Guo Feiyu are between us. There's no need for you to interfere. Li Siyuan, please have some self-respect."
Li Siyuan pointed a trembling finger at Guo Feiyu, then at Zhang Ya. "I'll make you both regret this! Just you wait and see!" he spat out venomously before turning and storming off without a backward glance.
"Guo Feiyu, I'm sorry. Because of me, you've been dragged into this," Zhang Ya said apologetically.
"Zhang Ya, don't say that. For you, anything is worth it," Guo Feiyu said深情地. He thought to himself, *This Li Siyuan had better not do anything out of line, or I'll make him regret ever being born.*
Tears glistened in Zhang Ya's clear, watery eyes. Her heart felt sweet and warm. A blush reappeared on her exquisite face, making Guo Feiyu's heart skip a beat.
The classmates who had gone out for lunch began returning one after another. Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei also came back, each carrying an extra-large KFC bag, bulging and clearly stuffed with food.
"Did you two buy out the entire KFC across from our school?" Guo Feiyu asked in surprise.
"Boss, you gave us three hundred yuan. Xiaofei and I only spent a little over a hundred on lunch. We figured not spending it all would be a disservice to you, Boss, so we bought dinner too," Han Wei explained with a serious face.
"I..." Guo Feiyu was rendered speechless by these two livewires.
In a corner of the school playground, three students were smoking, attempting what they thought were poses, while talking.
"Young Master Li, I've found out. That kid named Guo Feiyu in your class seems to have quite a background," one student said, bowing slightly towards Li Siyuan.
"Dammit! No matter who he is, if he dares to steal from me, I'll finish him!" Li Siyuan gritted his teeth.
"Young Master Li, we should still be careful. That Guo Feiyu drives a sports car worth nearly 200 million RMB, with the license plate GA00000," another student nearby reminded him.
"Hmph! At best, he's just a jumped-up nouveau riche. With my family's power, crushing him is easier than stepping on an ant," Li Siyuan said with immense confidence.
"Right, Young Master Li is absolutely correct," the other two students chimed in obsequiously.
"First, I'll beat him to a pulp, let's see how he dares to compete with me then," Li Siyuan said阴沉地, a twisted smile appearing on his extremely contorted face, uglier than a cry.
Li Siyuan's mind was completely occupied with thoughts of how to deal with Guo Feiyu. He never stopped to consider what that sports car and that license plate might truly signify.
---
Chapter 4: First Test of Skills
A large stretch of low, dilapidated single-story houses looked even more shabby contrasted against the surrounding forest of high-rises. At the mouth of an alley within this area, a sports car with an aggressive design was parked. A handsome young man leaned against the car door, legs crossed, hands in his pockets, his shoulder-length hair gently swaying in the morning breeze.
A girl riding a bicycle emerged from the depths of the alley. When she saw the young man leaning against the car at the alley entrance, she froze. With a "screech," the sound of bicycle tires skidding on the ground echoed as she tightly squeezed the brakes, one leg supporting her on the ground. She stared intently at the young man opposite her, her eyes filled with surprise and a trace of barely perceptible delight.
"Zhang Ya, didn't expect me to be waiting for you here, did you?" the young man said with a smile. He thought to himself, *She's stunned. Looks like holding this pose for over half an hour was worth it.*
"Guo Feiyu, how do you know I live here?" Zhang Ya asked.
"Put your bike back. Starting today, I'll be your chauffeur and personal bodyguard," Guo Feiyu said with a roguish grin.
"Guo Feiyu, you..." Zhang Ya blushed, shot him a reproachful glance, then, not knowing what else to say, turned her handlebars and rode her bicycle back the way she came.
Watching the beautiful figure riding away on the bicycle, Guo Feiyu secretly vowed, *Zhang Ya, starting today, I will love you well, cherish you deeply, and never let you suffer any grievance again.*
A few minutes later, Zhang Ya slowly walked out of the alley. Guo Feiyu opened the car door and made a "please" gesture. Zhang Ya stopped at the car door, her face flushed, and said to Guo Feiyu, "There's one requirement for being my chauffeur."
"What requirement?" Guo Feiyu asked, puzzled.
"You have to do it for a lifetime," Zhang Ya whispered, then got into the car.
Hearing Zhang Ya's words, Guo Feiyu forgot to close the car door for a moment. He just stood there, looking at Zhang Ya, nodding repeatedly.
"Look at you, spacing out again. If we don't leave now, I'm getting out," Zhang Ya said, pouting.
"Leave, leave, we're leaving right now," a beaming Guo Feiyu said, closing the door for Zhang Ya before getting into the driver's seat and starting the car.
"Guo Feiyu, you still haven't told me how you found out I live here," Zhang Ya asked.
"Call me Feiyu, and I'll tell you," Guo Feiyu said.
"Fei... Feiyu," Zhang Ya said in a voice barely audible.
"Call me that from now on. Your address isn't a secret; all the boys at No.1 High know it," Guo Feiyu joked.
Seeing Zhang Ya's embarrassed expression, Guo Feiyu continued, "You didn't let me walk you home last night, so I had to come pick you up this morning."
The Bugatti Veyron's 1001 horsepower engine roared to life. In less than ten minutes, they arrived at No. 1 High School. The car doors opened, and Guo Feiyu and Zhang Ya stepped out simultaneously into the view of the crowd.
"Ah! Isn't that the school belle of our school, Zhang Ya from Senior Year Three?" one male student rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
"That handsome guy is too awesome! He actually won over the goddess in all the boys' hearts! I want to learn from him," another boy said, looking at Guo Feiyu with admiration.
The golden couple, Guo Feiyu and Zhang Ya, walked into the teaching building under countless astonished gazes.
To prevent boredom during class, Guo Feiyu had specially brought a PDA capable of wireless internet today. While other students toiled through mountains of books and problems, he freely surfed the web.
Just as Guo Feiyu was enjoying a YY novel online with a look of satisfaction, a voice so gentle it could soften steel sounded by his ear, "Feiyu, class is over. It's time for lunch."
"Class is over already? So fast? I was so into the novel I lost track of time, almost forgot about my Ya'er too," Guo Feiyu said apologetically, scratching his head.
"I'm treating you all to lunch at the Binyue Hotel next to the school today," Guo Feiyu said, turning to Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei before taking Zhang Ya's hand and walking out.
The classmates in the room watched the two holding hands as they left, their eyes wide, jaws nearly dropping to the floor. "Incredible, simply incredible," Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei said in unison, then eagerly followed them out.
Zhang Ya, her hand held by Guo Feiyu, followed behind him with her head lowered and face blushing, looking like a newlywed bride. Under the curious stares of those around them, Zhang Ya didn't even dare to lift her head, her mind a complete blank. She wasn't even sure how she managed to walk out of the teaching building.
As soon as Guo Feiyu and Zhang Ya stepped out of the school gate, they were blocked by five men with vicious faces and fierce expressions. Feeling Guo Feiyu suddenly stop, Zhang Ya looked up. Seeing the five men blocking their path, her heart tightened, and her other hand instinctively gripped Guo Feiyu's arm. Guo Feiyu turned back to her and said, "Ya'er, don't worry about me. Watch how I deal with them."
The five men stared lustfully at Zhang Ya for a long moment. One with a scar on his face swallowed hard and said with a leer, "Kid, lend us the girl beside you for a few days, and we'll let you off today."
Guo Feiyu looked coldly at the scarred man, his expression growing increasingly.
Simultaneously, inside the KFC across from the school gate, Li Siyuan, his face, watched the scene unfold through the glass window with a venomous, resentful glare. He tightly squeezed an empty plastic drink bottle in his hand, as if it were Guo Feiyu himself. He said to his two lackeys, "You two watch closely what happens to those who cross me."
"Guo Feiyu is done for. Young Master Li will always be the top dog at No.1 High, no, in the entire H City," the two lackeys said with fawning expressions.
Back at the school gate, Guo Feiyu gave Zhang Ya's hand a reassuring squeeze and said to Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei standing behind her, "Protect Zhang Ya. Don't let anything happen to her." He then turned, walked up to the scarred man, and said disdainfully, "You want my friend to accompany you? I wonder if your fists are hard enough."
"Damn you! I'll cripple you today, then you'll know how hard my fists are!" the scarred man roared, raising his fist and charging forward. Guo Feiyu looked at the fist nearing his face, gave a contemptuous smile, and met it with his own. Their fists collided. "Crack! Aahh!" The sound of breaking bone and a agonized scream rang out simultaneously. The scarred man crouched on the ground, clutching his bloody, mangled right hand with his left, howling in pain. "Stab him to death!" the crouching scarred man yelled at his four underlings.
The four underlings, who had been momentarily stunned surrounding Guo Feiyu, snapped back to reality upon hearing their boss's roar. They immediately pulled daggers from their pockets and lunged forward. Two thrust their daggers towards Guo Feiyu's chest, while the other two aimed for his back. The two attacking his chest suddenly felt their wrists clamped as if by iron pincers, unable to move an inch further. Guo Feiyu, gripping their wrists, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He twisted his hands, and two screams erupted as the two men collapsed to the ground. Just as the front two fell, the daggers from the rear two were less than a centimeter from Guo Feiyu's back. Seeing Guo Feiyu in danger, Zhang Ya cried out, "Feiyu, be careful!"
Guo Feiyu had already sensed the attack from behind. He bent at the waist, crossed his legs into a low squat, and swept his right leg backward with force. The two men behind, seeing their daggers刺空 mere millimeters from Guo Feiyu's back, were shocked. Before they could react, they felt as if their shins had been struck hard by a steel bar. An excruciating pain shot through their bodies. With a "thud," both collapsed to the ground like piles of mud. In less than a minute, five large, fierce-looking men were incapacitated. The onlookers gazed at Guo Feiyu with admiring eyes.
Guo Feiyu straightened up, looked at the five injured men, and said calmly, "Tell Li Siyuan to find some more capable ones next time."
The lead scarred man said fiercely, "Kid, you're tough, I admit defeat today. But you've messed with our Iron Wolf Gang. Your only end is death!" He then waved towards two black Passats parked by the roadside. The cars drove over, the drivers got out, helped the injured into the vehicles, and the five with broken hands and legs drove off in disgrace.
Zhang Ya ran to Guo Feiyu's side, her face full of concern. Glittering teardrops rolled down from her beautiful eyes. In a tearful voice, she said, "Feiyu, you... I was so worried about you!" With that, she threw herself into Guo Feiyu's arms, sobbing quietly.
"My Ya'er, see, I'm perfectly fine," Guo Feiyu said, gently patting Zhang Ya's back to comfort her. His heart felt warm, and his eyes grew moist.
"Boss, Sister-in-law, while you two are having your moment there, we're about to starve to death," Lü Xiaofei complained.
"Ya'er, let's go eat. We can't let these two starving ghosts actually die of hunger," Guo Feiyu said with a laugh.
"You scared me to tears! Today, I'm definitely going to feast on your treat!" Zhang Ya said, her tears turning to laughter as she clung to Guo Feiyu's arm. The four of them walked towards the Binyue Hotel next to the school, chatting and laughing.
Inside the KFC, Li Siyuan's originallyface turned the color of liver. The plastic bottle in his hand creaked under his grip. Watching Zhang Ya walk arm-in-arm with Guo Feiyu into the Binyue Hotel, Li Siyuan sprang to his feet. He slammed the long-abused plastic bottle hard onto the floor and cursed loudly, "Useless! All of them, useless! How could Second Uncle send such incompetents to help me!"
Seeing Li Siyuan's outburst, the two lackeys quickly shrunk back and stood far away, afraid of becoming his punching bags.
The other customers eating lunch in KFC looked at Li Siyuan with disdain, thinking, *The quality of middle school students these days is getting worse and worse.*
In a private room on the second floor of the Binyue Hotel, Guo Feiyu shook his head repeatedly as he watched Han Wei and Lü Xiaofei devouring the food. Half of the ten dishes on the table had already been wiped out by them.
"Feiyu, what if those people come for revenge later?" Zhang Ya asked worriedly.
"Ya'er, don't worry. You've seen my skills. If they dare to come, I'll beat them to a pulp," Guo Feiyu said proudly.
"Who... who is your husband? You just love talking nonsense," Zhang Ya whispered, lowering her head.
Lü Xiaofei, who hadn't spoken since the food arrived, finally put down his chopsticks. He swallowed the mouthful of food with effort, let out two satisfied burps, and said, "The leader of the Iron Wolf Gang is Li Siyuan's uncle, Li Haitao. This Li Haitao is also the chairman of Juhua Real Estate Company in our H City. Relying on his brother being the mayor, he's done plenty of bad deeds."
Han Wei also stopped, wiped his greasy mouth with a napkin, and said slowly, "The most infuriating one is that Li Siyuan. He runs rampant in No.1 High. Several pretty girls have been ruined by him. Their parents, fearing the Li family's influence, could only swallow their anger. If it weren't for Sister-in-law's significant influence in our school, Li Siyuan would have long used despicable means."
*Crack!* Guo Feiyu crushed the glass cup in his hand, his face. "If he dares to have any designs on Ya'er again, I'll make the Li family disappear from the face of the Earth."
Chapter 5: Unchecked Arrogance
After evening self-study, Guo Feiyu first saw Zhang Ya home. By the time he drove back to his own residence, it was already past ten. Upon entering the villa, a bodyguard immediately approached him and said respectfully, "Young Master, the Family Head is awaiting your presence at the underground training facility."
"I will go immediately," Guo Feiyu replied before exiting the villa and heading towards the underground training ground located within the estate. This extensive facility, spanning over five thousand square meters, was built beneath the main gymnasium and served as the regular training area for the bodyguards. As Guo Feiyu entered, he saw more than twenty tall, powerfully built bodyguards standing at perfect attention before his father, Guo Aotian. Upon his approach, they greeted in unison with a sharp, "Young Master!" Their collective presence carried a formidable aura that felt strangely familiar to Guo Feiyu, though he couldn't immediately place why.
Approaching his father, Guo Feiyu asked, "Father, what did you need me for?"
"Feiyu, what is your assessment of these men's capabilities?" Guo Aotian inquired.
"Their skill level is exceptionally high. The sheer intensity they project isn't common among ordinary security personnel."
"Your observation is correct. They are far from ordinary. Each one is an operative from the Golden Eagle Special Forces. However, as of tomorrow, their military service is formally concluded. They will be transferred to your personal command, answering solely to you."
"No wonder their demeanor seems so familiar. They are from the Golden Eagle unit. I assume these men were assigned by my Godfather and my grandfather," Guo Feiyu mused aloud.
"Correct. These twenty-five individuals were personally selected and dispatched by them. They will form the core of your personal guard. Your future endeavors will greatly benefit from their loyalty and skill," Guo Aotian stated meaningfully.
Guo Feiyu nodded in understanding. "I see, Father."
"Good. It is late, I shall retire for the evening. They are in your hands now," Guo Aotian said, giving his son's shoulder a firm pat before turning to leave. He paused after a few steps, glanced back, and added with a smile, "Your mother and I have seen the photograph of Zhang Ya. She seems like a fine young woman. Treat her well." With that, he departed.
A slightly embarrassed expression crossed Guo Feiyu's face. It seems nothing escapes my parents' notice.
His gaze then swept over the twenty-five men, taking in their stern eyes, ramrod-straight postures, and unmistakable military bearing. He was deeply impressed. A capable-looking man in his mid-twenties stepped forward. "Young Master, I am Zhang Qiang, the team leader. Please feel free to issue any orders directly to me."
"Starting tomorrow, your primary duty is discreet surveillance and protection. Do not make your presence obvious. For now, it is late. All of you should get some rest," Guo Feiyu instructed.
"Yes, Young Master!" Their synchronized response echoed powerfully within the vast training hall.
In the classroom, the teacher lectured tirelessly. Most students listened with rapt attention, except for Guo Feiyu, who was engrossed in his handheld device. The teaching staff could only shake their heads in resigned silence at this seemingly wayward student; none dared to reprimand him openly, having been cautioned by Principal Liu that this particular individual was not to be provoked.
Just as the teacher, the students, and Guo Feiyu with his novel were each absorbed in their own worlds, the classroom door crashed open with a loud BANG! Four uniformed police officers strode in. The startled expressions of the teacher and students seemed to bolster the officers' self-importance. The lead officer cleared his throat and announced loudly, "We are from the Municipal Criminal Investigation Division. We are investigating a case. Which one of you is Guo Feiyu?"
Guo Feiyu set down his PDA. "I am. What is this regarding?"
"You need to come with us to the station. We have reason to believe you are connected to a serious assault case from two days ago," the lead officer stated sternly.
From his seat a few rows away, Li Siyuan watched with a malicious smirk. Let's see you fight your way out of this, Guo Feiyu. Try crippling a few cops. Anyone who challenges me is signing their own death warrant.
"And why should I accompany you?" Guo Feiyu's tone remained flat.
"Because we are the police! That's reason enough!" the officer retorted sharply.
"Frankly, I question your fitness to be officers, let alone wear those uniforms," Guo Feiyu remarked with a faint smile.
"What exactly are you implying we are fit for?" the lead officer demanded, confused.
"You seem better suited to being dogs—the Li family's dogs. And dogs have no business wearing human clothing," Guo Feiyu stated coldly.
"You... How dare you insult officers of the law! Cuff him!" the lead officer shouted, his face flushing with anger as he pointed at Guo Feiyu. Two officers moved to apprehend him.
"Wait," Guo Feiyu said calmly, pulling out his phone with an unhurried air. He dialed a number. "Zhang Qiang. There are some uninvited guests in my classroom disrupting my peace. Have them removed."
The policemen stared at Guo Feiyu as if he were an alien. They had witnessed arrogance before, but this level was unprecedented. The lead officer's face shifted through several shades, his eyes darting nervously towards Li Siyuan, who promptly lowered his head, pretending to see nothing. An intense silence gripped the entire classroom.
The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. Soon, over a dozen men in black suits and dark sunglasses filed into the room, making the already cramped space feel claustrophobic. Zhang Qiang stepped up to Guo Feiyu and asked respectfully, "Young Master, who requires removal?"
"Them. Those four," Guo Feiyu said, pointing at the stunned policemen.
"Understood, Young Master." Zhang Qiang turned, his sharp gaze sweeping over the officers. With a slight gesture from him, the bodyguards swiftly grabbed the four policemen and literally carried them out of the classroom. The officers were too taken aback to react until they were already in the hallway.
Guo Feiyu cast a disdainful look at the departing officers and instructed Zhang Qiang, "Escort them back to their station. Inform their superior that they need to better control their subordinates. They should not provoke my displeasure again. The consequences would be severe."
"Yes, Young Master," Zhang Qiang acknowledged with a nod before exiting.
With the disturbance over, the teacher tapped the blackboard and resumed the lesson as if nothing had happened.
Guo Feiyu turned to look at Zhang Ya, who was visibly tense. He leaned closer and whispered, "Were you worried about me again?"
Zhang Ya gave a soft, almost imperceptible nod. A wave of tender affection seemed to flow from her gentle eyes. The sight stirred something in Guo Feiyu's heart. He reached under the desk and found her soft hand, enveloping it in his own. This was the first time Zhang Ya had her hand held by him during class. She felt her cheeks burn, her heartbeat loud and rapid in her ears. Her body stiffened slightly, yet a thrilling, sweet sensation washed over her, leaving her without the strength to pull her hand away. She simply let him hold it.
Li Siyuan's face cycled between red and white. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were pale. "This isn't over, Guo Feiyu," he muttered under his breath.
"Li Siyuan, is there something you wish to share with the class?" the teacher asked, noticing his strange demeanor and muttering.
"N-no, nothing. I was just... contemplating the profundity of your recent lecture," Li Siyuan stammered out.
Guo Feiyu's cold gaze settled on Li Siyuan. Know your limits, Li Siyuan. Push me further, and I will show no mercy.
Chief He Hui of the Municipal Police Bureau paced angrily in his office. The four disgraced officers stood dejectedly by the door.
After several laps, He Hui stopped and pointed a finger at one of them. "Who gave you the authority to make an arrest like that? What evidence did you have? Do you have any idea who Guo Feiyu is? You've made a laughingstock of the entire force! We're lucky they just dumped you back here! If they'd taken you straight to the Provincial Department, I'd be out of a job too! I want a written report from each of you on my desk tomorrow morning!"
"Sir, is the situation really that severe?" one officer ventured to ask.
"Use your heads! Does someone who has people manhandle police officers back to their own station sound like he lacks powerful backing?" He Hui roared.
"Chief, we understand our mistake. It won't happen again," the four mumbled in unison.
He Hui took a cigarette from his desk, lit it, and took a few deep drags, his anger subsiding slightly. "Consider this matter closed. I don't even want to know who put you up to it. If you want to keep your badges, stay out of trouble from now on. All of you, get out."
The four officers filed out of the office with their heads hung low. Alone, He Hui slumped into his chair, smoking furiously. Li Siyuan, you reckless fool! Your family is cursed to have a hothead like you. Sending my men to do your dirty work nearly cost me my career. It seems the Li family's downfall is inevitable.
Back in the classroom, Li Siyuan suddenly let out a series of loud, forceful sneezes, startling the students around him. Wiping his tearing eyes and runny nose, he thought irritably, Damn it, which bastard is cursing my name?
Meanwhile, Guo Feiyu was scribbling a note. He finished writing, folded it, and passed it to Zhang Ya. She unfolded it and read: My dear, I'd like to take you out this Saturday. We could go shopping, and perhaps pick up some gifts for your parents. Awaiting your approval. Zhang Ya couldn't suppress a small smile. She picked up her pen and wrote four characters in response: Approved. Zhang Ya.