“Young man, this pair of underwear is crafted from advanced nanomaterials—lightweight and breathable. The fabric utilizes negative ion purification technology to ensure long-lasting dryness. Its three-dimensional tailoring offers a perfect fit for the human body. But the most remarkable feature is its magnetic therapy technology.”

At the entrance to the park, a shabby, limping old man hawked his wares from a makeshift stall, enthusiastically promoting his underwear to Zhou Wen.

“How so?” Zhou Wen asked casually.

“See those tiny circular dots on the fabric? Those are magnetic nodes. Arranged in a matrix, they continuously emit infrared and magnetic fields—dual protection to safeguard your health.”

“How much?”

“Originally priced at 198 yuan, but since you're still in high school, I’ll cut you a deal—38 yuan. Not a penny more, not a penny less.”

“…Alright, I’ll take it.”

...

And so, Zhou Wen found himself inexplicably handing over 38 yuan for what the old man claimed to be ‘therapeutic underwear.’

Back home, he sat on his bed, now wearing the so-called magnetic underwear.

At the moment, Zhou Wen felt utterly bewildered.

The old man had claimed the magnets would steadily release some sort of magnetic energy. Zhou Wen couldn’t feel any of that yet—but there was a far more pressing issue at hand.

The underwear… simply wouldn’t come off.

It clung to his body as if fused to his skin. It felt no different from a regular pair when worn—perhaps even more comfortable—but when he tried to take it off, it was as if it were glued to him, utterly immovable.

What now?

Zhou Wen knew he had to find that old man and get to the bottom of this.

Walking through the streets, Zhou Wen grew more and more uneasy. Something about the old man’s pitch hadn’t sat right with him from the beginning, and now, this bizarre malfunction had only confirmed his suspicions.

He had thought the old man looked pitiable—a disabled vendor with no customers in sight. Buying one pair of underwear had felt like a small act of kindness.

But this? This was outrageous.

What if this thing caused actual harm?

The stall had been set up outside Yiming Park, a bustling place with constant foot traffic. But when Zhou Wen rushed back to the park entrance, the vendor was nowhere to be seen. He stood there, dumbfounded.

At that moment, he realized the truth.

He had been scammed.

Wandering through the park, Zhou Wen looked utterly dejected. Thirty-eight yuan was no small amount for a high school senior—and now, he was stuck wearing indestructible underwear.

How was he supposed to go to the bathroom?

What if it got dirty or started to stink?

And what about... other important matters in life?

Zhou Wen grew increasingly agitated. He even considered calling emergency services.

“Hello, this is the Yiming City Fire Department. How may we assist you?”

“Uh, hi… I, uh… I have a pair of underwear stuck on me and I can’t take it off. Could you send someone to check it out?”

Ridiculous.

Zhou Wen played out the conversation in his mind and gave up on the idea—it would only make him look insane.

A small river wound its way through the park. After the previous day’s rainfall, the waters of the Taiping River were unusually turbulent.

Zhou Wen slumped on a bench by the river, tossing stones into the water, lost in thought.

He had to find that old man.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby.

“Someone help! A child’s fallen into the water!”

Zhou Wen turned his head. A woman was screaming on the riverbank, her voice frantic and raw with fear.

People were already beginning to gather.

Zhou Wen ran over, knowing he was a strong swimmer—perhaps he could help.

When he reached the scene, he saw a little girl flailing in the water, her small arms struggling against the fierce current, steadily being swept downstream.

The river, swollen from the rain, was at least two meters deep—far too dangerous for a child.

“Someone, please! Save my daughter!” the woman cried.

She was refined in appearance, clearly from a well-off family.

“It’s not just about swimming,” someone muttered. “The current is too strong. Anyone who goes in will be swept away.”

“Yeah, you saw the news, right? People who tried to save someone often ended up drowning themselves.”

“Call the police. Let the professionals handle it.”

The crowd murmured, indifferent.

Zhou Wen glanced around. The onlookers were mostly elderly. They couldn’t possibly help. A few younger bystanders had their phones out, filming the scene with zero intention of assisting.

“What the hell are you doing?! Someone’s dying, and you’re recording it?!” Zhou Wen shouted, furious.

Just because he didn’t study well didn’t mean he lacked integrity.

“Who the hell are you yelling at, brat?” sneered one of the young men. “If you're so capable, why don’t you go save her?”

“Yeah, look at his uniform—he’s just some high school kid. Stop acting like a hero!”

“Her mom isn’t even this anxious. Why are you?”

Zhou Wen looked over. The mother was on her knees, tears pouring down her face.

“If none of you will help, I’ll go myself!” she cried, preparing to jump in despite not knowing how to swim.

A few older women quickly held her back. “You’ll both die if you go in!”

Zhou Wen had heard enough. Society was plagued by cowardice like this. “Fine. I’ll go. I can swim. I’ll save her.”

“Yeah, go ahead! At least you’ll make a great river ghost!” the others laughed mockingly.

Zhou Wen’s mind was focused on only one thing.

Save her.

He turned to the river. The girl was now just a bobbing head, drifting farther away.

Every second counted.

“Don’t be reckless! This isn’t a swimming pool!”

“Young man, you’ll drown!”

Even the woman approached, trying to stop him. Her eyes were filled with gratitude but also fear.

Zhou Wen stripped off his jacket and shoes, thrust them into the woman’s arms, and said firmly, “Hold these for me.”

Then, without hesitation, he leapt into the river.

The woman stared after him, stunned. In that moment, he reminded her of her husband—of his courage, his sacrifice.

She stopped crying and made a silent vow.

If this boy saved her daughter, she would find a way to repay him. No matter what.

The onlookers gasped. “He’s disappeared!”

Only the little girl remained visible, struggling for her life.

Then—suddenly—a red and white circle burst from the water.

A life buoy.

Moments later, Zhou Wen surfaced, clutching the ring.

“Where the hell did that come from?”

No one had noticed that beneath the overgrown riverside, every so often, a life ring had been installed long ago. Zhou Wen, a local boy who knew the park like the back of his hand, had remembered it.

The crowd followed along the bank, watching anxiously.

“Grab the ring!” Zhou Wen shouted.

The girl coughed, spat out water, and clung to the lifebuoy. Zhou Wen held her steady as he swam back toward the bank.

Together, they made it to shore, where the crowd helped lift the girl out.

Exhausted, Zhou Wen finally pulled himself from the river.

“He… he really did it,” someone whispered. The mockers had long since vanished in shame.

“Put your clothes on, young man,” the woman said, overwhelmed with emotion.

Zhou Wen smiled, said nothing, and quickly dressed.

But as he pulled on his pants, he noticed something strange.

His underwear was completely dry.

Despite having been submerged in water for so long, it remained perfectly dry.

Then—it started vibrating.

Again.

And again.

His underwear was… vibrating.

Zhou Wen froze, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

“I have to get back to school!” he stammered, grabbing his coat and fleeing the scene.

The woman frowned. Why was he in such a hurry? She hadn’t even had the chance to thank him.

Then she noticed a small red booklet on the ground.

Picking it up, she saw it was a student ID from Yiming No.1 High School.

Zhou Wen.

Now she knew who he was.

Meanwhile, Zhou Wen had already run far from the park.

He ducked into a public restroom, closed the door, and took off his pants.

There, glowing faintly on the black fabric of the underwear, was a shimmering progress bar—just like something from a video game.

“What the hell is going on…?”

The progress bar outline on the underwear was white, with the inside filled in black.

Suddenly, the black interior began to fill completely.

It was as if something had been unlocked.

“A divine-grade set has been activated.”

At that moment, a gentle female voice whispered into Zhou Wen’s ear, startling him.

This was a men’s restroom—where on earth was that woman?

Zhou Wen quietly listened to the sounds around him.

There was no one else in the restroom, yet where had that voice come from?

Suddenly, a humanoid silhouette appeared in his mind.

The figure radiated a soft white glow, faintly revealing garments—clothes, a hat, pants, shoes, and more.

“Saved a life by jumping into the river; gained 10 virtue points. Underwear leveled up from 0 to 1. Wearer’s strength +10, intelligence +10.”

The female voice sounded again.

In his mind, the crotch area of the silhouette suddenly illuminated, and an object resembling a pair of underwear materialized there.

Beside it appeared a progress bar, marking levels 1 through 4, currently stuck at level 1.

Zhou Wen was utterly astonished.

Underwear? What on earth was this?

The vision in his mind gradually faded, as if nothing had occurred.

He looked down at his underwear—it had turned red.

No longer the black he had worn moments before.

Zhou Wen jumped in surprise.

He had never encountered anything so bizarre—his underwear had changed color on its own.

And that sudden apparition in his mind, along with the soft feminine voice—what could it all mean?

He was utterly bewildered.

“A divine-grade set? Virtue points? Leveling up? Strength +10, intelligence +10 for the wearer.”

Zhou Wen pondered the key information from the voice.

“Could this underwear be some kind of treasure? Did it activate because I saved someone from the river?”

He tried to recall, but no matter how hard he tried, the human silhouette would not reappear in his mind.

He only vaguely remembered that the silhouette was adorned with more than just underwear—there were clothes and other items as well.

He attempted to remove his underwear.

It could be pulled down to his knees to use the restroom, but no further.

Zhou Wen exhaled in relief.

At least he could use the toilet without embarrassment.

Clatter!

His phone slipped from his pocket and fell to the floor.

Luckily, it hadn’t dropped into the toilet.

He picked it up and glanced at the time.

“Oh no, it’s 6:50—I’m going to be late!”

Zhou Wen hurriedly pulled up his pants and dashed out of the restroom.

Outside, he sprinted toward school.

He was a senior high student in the second semester of his final year; the college entrance exams loomed just months away, and the school’s academic demands were especially rigorous.

Moreover, Zhou Wen attended Yiming No.1 High School—the strictest and most prestigious school in Yiming City.

Though it was Sunday, Zhou Wen had two evening study sessions scheduled from 7 to 9 pm.

“This is disastrous. Teacher Li Dan is a real tigress. Even if I rush there, I’ll be late. With her fiery temper, I doubt she’ll believe my story about saving someone from the river!”

As he ran, Zhou Wen fretted about the consequences.

Li Dan was his homeroom teacher and Chinese instructor. Though under thirty, her teaching and disciplinary methods were impressively mature.

The only drawback was her explosive temper.

Zhou Wen, a notorious underachiever, had been scolded numerous times.

Upon arriving at school, he hurried to the classroom.

…

In the classroom of Senior Three, Class Five, homeroom teacher Li Dan stood at the podium, her face blazing with fury, eyes almost shooting sparks.

The room was silent, deathly still.

“Report!”

A sharp voice rang out.

Zhou Wen, panting, straightened up and stood at the classroom door.

“Zhou Wen, so you still know to come to school! Do you realize the whole class has been waiting just for you? Look at the time—how late are you? Do you even have a sense of time?” Li Dan snapped angrily.

“Teacher, I didn’t do it on purpose—I was late because I saved someone!” Zhou Wen shouted.

“Saved someone? Saved who? Being late is being late. Don’t spin me lies. I know exactly what kind of person you are!” Li Dan’s face contorted with anger.

“Teacher, I really was late because I saved a little girl from the Taiping River!” Zhou Wen pleaded anxiously.

“Saved someone! Why don’t you go to heaven next? Can’t you come up with a better excuse next time?”

Li Dan slammed her desk and commanded, “Zhou Wen, stand at the back during evening study. Don’t sit down without my permission!”

“Zhou Wen’s the worst in the class. He’s late and lies. Honestly, he might as well quit and pick trash on the streets—at least then he wouldn’t be late!”

This was spoken by Wang Chi, the second-best student, seated in the second row.

“Wang Chi’s right. Zhou Wen should just drop out and work!” others chimed in.

Laughter erupted through the classroom.

Zhou Wen’s face darkened, his heart filled with grievance.

Why?

Why didn’t they believe him?

Lowering his head, he pursed his lips and moved toward the back of the classroom.

As he reached the third row, he quickened his pace—there sat the school beauty, the girl he had admired secretly for three years.

Yet Zhou Wen knew they had no chance of crossing paths meaningfully.

She was a model student; he was a troublemaker.

As Zhou Wen passed her, the ponytailed beauty cast him a casual glance, her eyes full of disdain and disappointment.

His gaze grew complicated—everyone believed he was lying, even the school beauty.

Suddenly, her expression stiffened.

Why was his hair soaking wet, with bits of grass tangled in it?

Could it be true? Had he really jumped into the river to save someone?

Impossible!

A student who ranked last academically, loafed around all day, and even shirked class duties—could such a one be a hero?

Suddenly, Li Dan slammed her desk.

“Enough, Zhou Wen!” she thundered.

The classroom fell silent.

Was she not going to punish him further?

“Stand outside the classroom. Don’t disrupt the others!”

Her words sparked cheers throughout the room.

Zhou Wen halted mid-classroom.

Did he not even deserve to stand inside?

With a bitter smile, he turned to leave.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

“Teacher Li Dan, is Zhou Wen here?”

Before the footsteps reached the door, a man’s voice echoed.

A group of people slowly entered the classroom.

Li Dan froze.

At the forefront were two middle-aged men—one the discipline director, the other the principal!

What was happening? Why were the discipline director and principal suddenly in the classroom?

Li Dan grew uneasy.

The discipline director addressed the room, “Which one is Zhou Wen?”

Li Dan pointed at the figure in the center, “Sir, that’s Zhou Wen.”

The principal frowned, “What’s going on? It’s evening study and you have a student standing in the middle of the classroom?”

A student in the front row immediately stood up to explain, “Principal, Zhou Wen was late today and lied to the teacher, saying he saved someone from the river. The teacher made him stand as punishment!”

“This kind of chronic liar shouldn’t just stand—he should be expelled immediately!”

The student spoke with smug satisfaction.

The principal was a rare figure around here.

This was a chance to impress.

Others felt resentful, wishing they’d gotten to show off first.

“This your name?” the principal asked sternly.

The student’s face lit up with a grin, “Report, Principal, I’m Wang Chi!”

“Wang Chi! Get outside this instant!” The principal’s face darkened, voice furious.

Wang Chi’s smile vanished, replaced by a pout, “Principal, why me? It should be Zhou Wen!”

“Did you not hear the principal? Now! Outside!” the discipline director barked angrily.

The discipline director was terrified—behind them, the woman holding the little girl’s hand was watching intently.

This foolish student was still babbling nonsense!

“Why?” Wang Chi shouted, pointing at Zhou Wen, “Why can’t he stand? He was late and lied!”

“Because he saved my daughter,” a cold female voice rang from the back.

Everyone turned swiftly.

A middle-aged woman holding a little girl’s hand stepped forward behind the principal.

The woman retained an elegant charm; the girl was impeccably dressed and utterly adorable.

The classroom instantly fell into stunned silence.

The woman’s words echoed: “Because he saved my daughter.”

“Zhou Wen really saved someone?” whispers stirred.

After the woman spoke, the principal and discipline director hurriedly made way.

Unlike her earlier flustered demeanor in the park, she now moved with dignified poise.

She spoke softly, “Today, my daughter fell into the Taiping River in Yiming Park. Only Zhou Wen had the courage to leap in and rescue her.”

“And that’s why Zhou Wen was late!”

“But you all thought he was lying?”

“Would a student risk his life, jumping into a deep river, just to lie?”

The classroom was speechless.

Wang Chi’s face flushed red, wishing to disappear underground.

Li Dan felt the same—she was the first to falsely accuse Zhou Wen.

Several students quietly felt relieved they hadn’t tried to impress in front of the principal.

The school beauty’s eyes flickered as she looked at Zhou Wen nearby, her expression softening.

“Principal Yao, a school’s work isn’t just about academic rigor but about cultivating students’ character. I believe your school still has much to improve!” The woman’s face darkened as she addressed the principal.

“Yes, ma’am! We will immediately devise a plan for improvement!” the principal hastened to respond.

“Zhou Wen, come here quickly!” the discipline director waved him over.

Zhou Wen was stunned; he had simply rescued a little girl.

His status suddenly seemed significant.

But how had the mother and daughter found him?

As he approached, the woman smiled, “I wondered why you ran off so hastily after getting out of the water—it was because you feared being late. Such a good child!”

“Zipei, come thank the big brother,” she urged the little girl by the hand.

The shy Zipei toddled forward, her small voice saying, “Thank you, big brother.”

“You’re welcome!”

Zhou Wen felt joy swell inside; seeing the lively little girl assured him all was well.

“Zhou Wen, if it weren’t for you, my little girl might have drowned in the Taiping River. I don’t know how to thank you enough,” the woman said emotionally.

Zhou Wen replied softly, “Auntie, you’re too kind. If this happened, every student at our school would have done the same.”

His words were well-spoken, delighting the principal and discipline director, almost prompting thumbs-up gestures.

A teachable child indeed.

Though he’d been scolded moments ago, this remark redeemed much of his image.

Other students’ faces reddened; Zhou Wen’s words indirectly praised them, stirring their guilt.

The woman turned to the principal and discipline director, “It seems your school is not beyond hope!”

The principal and discipline director were pleasantly bewildered, hastily flattering her—her status was evidently significant.

The woman suddenly recalled something, smiling, “I almost forgot to introduce myself—I’m Qin Yi, Zipei’s mother.”

“Hello, Auntie!” Zhou Wen greeted politely.

Qin Yi pulled a small red booklet from her bag. “Zhou Wen, you left your student ID at the park. Here, take it and don’t lose it again.”

Only then did Zhou Wen understand—his information was on the card, enabling them to find him.

Feeling the moment was right—after all, the classroom was still watching—Qin Yi smiled lightly.

“Zhou Wen, give me your contact information. Our family would like to invite you for a meal to properly thank you.”

Embarrassed, Zhou Wen declined, “Auntie, really no need.”

Half-jokingly, Qin Yi replied, “No number, no student ID.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll give it.”

Seeing Zhou Wen’s anxious expression, others chuckled.

She handed the student ID back to him, and Zhou Wen obediently gave Qin Yi his phone number.

After finishing, Qin Yi turned to the two men behind her.

“Director Zheng, Principal Yao, I must take my leave now, so as not to delay you.”

With that, Qin Yi left with the little girl; Director Zheng and Principal Yao followed, and Li Dan was called outside by the two leaders.

As she left, the little girl waved to Zhou Wen and made a playful face—utterly adorable.

“Zhou Wen, you’re something else! Jumping into the river to save someone—aren’t you afraid of drowning?” the boy teased.

The boy was Hui Yuming, Zhou Wen’s close friend.

“Who am I? I was born under the red flag, raised under the red star, a model youth fully committed to practicing the core socialist values!” Zhou Wen boasted proudly.

“Heading online tonight?”

Hui Yuming leaned back in his chair, tilting and hooking his foot over the desk to keep his balance, looking rather casual and carefree.

“No problem!” Zhou Wen replied without hesitation, instantly revealing his true nature.

“Zhou Wen, I thought you’d changed, but you’re still the same,” said Chen Wan’er, Zhou Wen’s deskmate and good friend. Though quite attractive, she still paled in comparison to the school beauty.

“What do you mean? Saving lives, surfing the internet, and studying don’t conflict at all,” Zhou Wen declared earnestly.

Chen Wan’er was speechless.

At that moment, Zhou Wen was in high spirits, smiling involuntarily as he recalled what had just happened.

Feeling a gaze upon him, Zhou Wen instinctively looked up.

It was the school beauty sitting a row ahead, looking at him.

Su Qin.

The name flashed through Zhou Wen’s mind.

For all three years of high school, Zhou Wen had silently admired Su Qin.

Many boys at school secretly adored Su Qin, and bets were placed on who would win her heart—but no one succeeded in all those years.

Su Qin was exceptional—so outstanding that most boys could only look up to her. Not only was she beautiful and intelligent, but her family was well-off, attracting countless admirers.

Zhou Wen felt like a toad gazing wistfully at a swan flying high above, with no chance of contact.

So he buried this affection deep in his heart.

At this moment, the girl he secretly loved, Su Qin, smiled at him, her eyes filled with admiration.

Their eyes met for a second before looking away; Zhou Wen lowered his head shyly.

He murmured to himself, “Maybe being a good student is the only way to get closer to her.”

Shaking his head, Zhou Wen scattered those thoughts and began chatting with Hui Yuming.

Their deskmate Chen Wan’er looked at them with barely concealed jealousy.

Ding ding ding!

The class bell rang, and the classroom instantly grew noisy.

As Zhou Wen was boasting to Hui Yuming, a gentle fragrance caught his attention. He turned his head toward its source.

Su Qin stood quietly beside her seat.

Zhou Wen’s face flushed deeply; he felt awkward.

“Zhou Wen, I didn’t expect you to be so brave,” Su Qin said softly, her eyes carrying a hint of admiration.

This was one of the rare interactions between them. His heart was already blooming with joy, but he still shyly replied, “It’s just what I should do.”

“Zhou Wen, I think you’re quite smart. If you study hard, you’ll definitely get into a top university,” Su Qin smiled gently. As the class monitor, she sincerely wished every student could succeed.

“Keep it up!”

After speaking, Su Qin left, sensing many eyes watching her.

“Why are you blushing?” Hui Yuming teased.

“Blushing? Me? No way! Hui Yuming, do you still want me to carry you later?” Zhou Wen touched his face nervously.

It was the first time Su Qin had spoken to him.

The school beauty he had admired silently for three years had talked to him—how could he not be excited, how could he not blush?

...

At nine o’clock, the evening self-study ended, and students of Yiming No.1 High School gradually left.

Zhou Wen and Hui Yuming mingled with the crowd, heading out the school gate.

Once outside, the two headed straight to the internet café.

Many other students were heading the same way.

Although Yiming No.1 had strict management, it couldn’t control what students did after leaving the school.

“Zhou Wen, wait for me! I’m coming too!”

Under the darkening night, Zhou Wen walked under the streetlights and turned to see Yang Ke.

Yang Ke lived in the same neighborhood as Zhou Wen, was in Class 6 of Senior 3, honest and diligent, someone who buried his head in his studies without messing around.

Zhou Wen was a bit surprised; Yang Ke wasn’t the type to play games online.

“I... I’m going online to look up some study materials,” Yang Ke explained after seeing Zhou Wen’s expression.

“Let’s go, let’s go! Big brother Yang Ke’s treating us tonight, keeping us company online. Zhou Wen, you just enjoy it!” Hui Yuming threw his arm around Yang Ke’s shoulder.

Zhou Wen sensed Yang Ke was hiding something but decided not to press.

“Hurry up! If we’re late, the computers will all be taken by those little kids!”

The group hurried to the Giant Wave Internet Café.

While Zhou Wen and friends were buying tickets at the front desk, a group entered the café.

“Hello, Brother Qiang!”

“Hello, Brother Qiang! Want me to open a few computers for you?”

The front desk staff greeted them respectfully.

Brother Qiang was dark-skinned, wearing a floral shirt unbuttoned at the chest, revealing a green dragon tattoo inside. Behind him trailed a group of young followers, looking no older than twenty.

He nodded, “You guys sit down; I’m just looking around.”

His sharp gaze swept over the students at the front desk, many of whom stepped back.

Most here were students, but these newcomers were clearly local gangsters.

Yang Ke looked worried, “Will there be trouble?”

“No worries, these thugs usually don’t bother students,” Zhou Wen replied casually.

After getting their tickets, the three found computers and sat down.

“Yang Ke, sit next to us!” Hui Yuming called out.

“No, I’ll just look up some info here. I won’t disturb you playing,” Yang Ke hesitated.

Yang Ke sat a few seats away from Zhou Wen and Hui Yuming.

“Forget it, don’t mind him,” Zhou Wen said, knowing Yang Ke was hiding something.

Hui Yuming came from a wealthy family and was carefree, barely having faced any hardship.

Zhou Wen knew Yang Ke’s family situation, which made him introverted since childhood.

They started playing the game.

“D*mn, lost again!” Hui Yuming slammed the table, then suddenly said, “Wait! Where’s Yang Ke?”

Zhou Wen turned and saw Yang Ke’s seat empty, the computer screen still on, but no sign of him or his bag.

A chill ran down Zhou Wen’s spine.

“Find him!” Zhou Wen ordered coldly.

He immediately got up and searched the café, with Hui Yuming hurrying after him.

Near the back exit, in a dimly lit corner, Yang Ke was curled up on the floor, clutching his backpack, his body covered in footprints.

The backpack zipper was open, revealing stacks of red bills inside.

Though in pain, Yang Ke tightly protected his bag.

Surrounding him were the gangsters from before.

Brother Qiang sat on a computer chair, legs crossed, a cold smirk on his face.

“Yang Ke, are you okay?” Hui Yuming rushed over.

“Get lost! This isn’t your business!” a thug shouted.

“Who gave you the right to hit my classmate?” Hui Yuming’s anger flared.

He helped Yang Ke up; tears glistened at Yang Ke’s eyes as he held the bag tightly.

“Your classmate? Then this is easy,” a thug sneered.

“Your classmate bumped into Brother Qiang in the restroom. Brother Qiang still has a headache. You guys better pay up for his medical bills, or you’re not leaving this internet café!”

Before the words finished, Yang Ke loudly told Hui Yuming, “He’s fine! They just saw the money in my bag and wanted to steal it!”

Smack!

A thug slapped Yang Ke’s face hard.

A bright red handprint appeared.

“How dare you talk back? We asked you to pay Brother Qiang’s medical bills, is that stealing?” the thug growled viciously.

“D*mn it!” Hui Yuming charged forward, throwing a punch at the thug.

Several thugs staggered out; soon Hui Yuming was kicked to the ground, clutching his stomach, lying next to Yang Ke.

The commotion quickly drew attention from others in the café.

Some timid students logged off and left; braver ones gathered around.

“Giant Wave Internet Café is under Brother Qiang’s protection. Who dares cause trouble here?”

“Brother Qiang’s men are tough. Last time, someone got beaten up and sent to the hospital here.”

The crowd murmured.

“Isn’t this robbery?” someone asked.

A thug glanced over; the questioner quickly fell silent and stepped back.

A male attendant pushed through the crowd, approaching Brother Qiang with a flattering smile, offering him a cigarette and lighting it.

“Brother Qiang, calm down. These students are just ignorant. Without you, where else could they go to surf the net? They’d have been caught by the police long ago!” he said with a sly grin.

He then approached Yang Ke, smirking, “Hand over your money to Brother Qiang for his treatment, and this will all be settled.”

“This money is for my mother’s medical bills. I won’t give it to you!” Yang Ke’s eyes were resolute.

“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. I’m helping you now; otherwise, you’ll lose your money and get beaten!” The attendant’s face darkened.

“I’ll call the police, I’ll call the police,” Yang Ke stammered, lowering his head.

“Call the police? Ha!” Brother Qiang stood, smoking in hand, swaggering toward Yang Ke.

“Your mom’s sick? Don’t I need treatment too? Your mom’s illness can wait—first, you pay for mine!”

Brother Qiang’s eyes blazed with menace.

Just a few students—no threat to them!

Yang Ke trembled.

At that moment, a figure clad in a white school uniform appeared before them.

It was Zhou Wen, who had just arrived. Seeing this scene, his face darkened with fury.

Brother Qiang had the audacity to seize even Yang Ke’s life-saving money—utterly heartless!

“What do you want, hero?” Brother Qiang sneered.

Zhou Wen clenched his fists, “You’re robbing money meant to save a life—are you even human?”

“You’re meddling—hit him!”

Brother Qiang flicked his cigarette aside, clearly impatient.