Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Showing Off Has a Price

To the west of the school was a stretch of woods.

Yellowing plane tree leaves covered the ground. A young man on a motorcycle popped a wheelie through a pile, sending leaves flying everywhere.

"Tongtong, cool, right?"

Qin Tong just glanced over without a word.

"Why aren’t they here yet? Don’t tell me he got scared," one of the young men laughed.

"What’s the rush? Who told you to come so early? Didn’t I say to come after school?" Qin Tong frowned.

"That kid is way too petty. It was just a little shove, and now he’s asking you to meet in the woods."

She looked at the note in her hand, her brow tightly furrowed.

Yesterday in art class, a male student had been pestering her. She had just been chewed out by the teacher and was in a foul mood, so she gave the boy a shove.

As a result, the boy’s head hit the wall, and a large bump swelled up.

Then, just this afternoon, she received a note that said, "Meet in the woods outside school."

She had no choice but to call her cousin over.

...

"Tsk." Xue Rui clicked his tongue as he watched the group of youths from a distance.

Xue Rui already didn’t have a great opinion of girls who dyed their hair and wore makeup at this age. Now, seeing Qin Tong hanging out with a bunch of delinquents, his impression worsened.

"What exactly did you write on that note? Why’d she call so many people?" Xue Rui asked, letting go of his friend’s arm.

"I just wrote ’meet in the woods,’" Qiu Mengze said with a pained expression, having also spotted the group.

"Whatever, we’re already here. Let’s go." Xue Rui shook his head repeatedly. ’This girl is not to be messed with.’

Any other girl would have most likely ignored the note, but Qin Tong actually called a whole gang of hoodlums, turning it into something like a planned brawl.

One of the youths saw them approaching, his eyes lighting up. "Is that the kid? He dares to show up with just two people?"

He waved at Qiu Mengze.

Qiu Mengze wanted to tell Xue Rui that maybe they should just forget about it for today.

But when he saw the youth motioning for him to come over, he was too scared to move, afraid they would come after him.

Xue Rui pushed Qiu Mengze forward with one hand while pulling out his phone with the other to call Chen Shen.

"Uncle Chen, bring some people to the woods west of the school. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today, so I’m sending some business your way."

"Oh? You’re finding business for me?" Chen Shen chuckled.

"That’s right. A bunch of guys on modified, unlicensed motorcycles. Probably driving without licenses, too."

"Alright, on my way," Chen Shen replied. He had also faintly heard the RUMBLE of motorcycles just now.

He didn’t doubt Xue Rui, just felt that this kid was full of surprises.

Other people give mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival; he gives me police cases.

"Remember to act like you don’t know me. I’m just a concerned citizen," Xue Rui added as a special instruction.

These youths with their modified motorcycles came out to tear up the streets in the middle of the night. They were annoying as hell.

The main thing was, they would flee for their lives at the sight of traffic police, thinking their riding skills were amazing and that the cops couldn’t catch them, feeling smug about it.

In reality, the traffic police just didn’t want to give chase in the city. If it caused an accident, it wouldn’t be worth the risk.

He glanced at the terrain. The woods were in a hollow, with only two sloped exits near the road. Once Chen Shen arrived, these guys would have no way to escape.

Xue Rui guessed these guys were probably tearing up the streets in broad daylight to show off for the girl.

Xue Rui wouldn’t show any mercy to these public nuisances.

"Showing off comes with a price," Xue Rui muttered.

"What did you just do?" Qiu Mengze felt something wasn’t right. ’Something about modifications... business...?’

But with Xue Rui by his side, he wasn’t as scared anymore.

"Nothing. Just fulfilling my duty as a concerned citizen." Xue Rui pushed Qiu Mengze forward.

When Qin Tong saw Xue Rui, a flicker of surprise was evident in her eyes. "Xue Rui? You wrote the note?"

One of the youths slung an arm around Xue Rui’s shoulder and said menacingly, "So you’re the ones who threatened my cousin?"

Xue Rui froze. ’So not a boyfriend, but a relative?’

He had guessed wrong.

But who cared who this guy was? He barely knew Qin Tong anyway. Besides, he had already called the police.

"We were just passing by. You waved me over, so I came over," Xue Rui said, feigning innocence.

Qiu Mengze nodded stiffly. ’So much for getting her QQ number,’ he thought.

But at least Qin Tong hadn’t found out about the note. It was better to be seen as a stranger and not leave a bad impression.

"Tsk, if it wasn’t you, then what are you doing here?"

The youth looked displeased, shoved Xue Rui away, and spat on the ground.

"It’s already three o’clock. He’s probably not daring to come. Let’s go."

Qin Tong glanced at her phone and said to the leading youth.

"Yeah." The youth started his motorcycle, motioning for Qin Tong to get on the back.

However, Xue Rui spotted another violation: none of them were wearing helmets.

As Qin Tong got on the bike, she glanced at Xue Rui.

Qiu Mengze’s expression soured. ’So Qin Tong really doesn’t remember me. She looks at me like a total stranger.’

"Qin Tong, I remember now. I think it was... what’s-his-name who asked you to meet?" Xue Rui said, deliberately putting on a thoughtful expression.

"Wait, who?" Qin Tong looked curious, wondering if it was the person she was thinking of.

"Let me think... I just saw him this afternoon." Xue Rui scratched his head, his peripheral vision fixed on the roadside.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Xue Rui.

A long moment passed.

"Spit it out, kid. Stop dragging your feet," someone cursed, impatient with Xue Rui’s inability to remember.

"Don’t interrupt me, I was just about to remember."

Xue Rui sighed. ’What’s taking Uncle Chen so long?’ he wondered.

Just as he thought that, he saw two police cars pull up on the side of the road out of the corner of his eye.

Xue Rui gave a helpless smile. "Alright, I can’t remember."

He had stalled long enough. Chen Shen had finally arrived.

"Shit, the cops are here," one of them said in a panic, hastily starting his bike to turn around and flee.

However, when he turned around, he saw that the woods had no other exit.

The group zipped around the woods on their motorcycles, only to find that the only two sloped exits were now blocked by two police cars.

A group of uniformed traffic officers got out and walked over unhurriedly. One of them laughed.

"This is a great spot, Captain Chen. Catching so many at once today—you have an informant?"

"You don’t need to worry about that," Chen Shen said with a smile.

"Everyone, step away from the motorcycles! Hands on your head, and get on the ground!" a police officer yelled through a megaphone.

The youths stared blankly, feeling as if their world was collapsing.

Ironically, the most cooperative one was Qiu Mengze, who immediately prepared to put his hands on his head and squat.

Xue Rui pulled him up, annoyed. "What does this have to do with you?"

Qiu Mengze suddenly recalled the phone call Xue Rui had made earlier and whispered, "You called them?"

"But that’s her cousin," Qiu Mengze said, feeling a pang of guilt. ’What if Qin Tong finds out about this?’

Even though he hadn’t done it, his good friend had. He felt like a total snitch.

"If you don’t say anything, who’s going to know?" Xue Rui muttered under his breath.

He looked back. The youths, knowing there was no escape, had all cooperatively squatted on the ground until the police came over and took all their keys.

"Officer," one of the youths said with a sycophantic smile.

"Walk on your own if you don’t want to be cuffed."

Qin Tong also followed behind the youths, a dazed look on her face, the light gone from her eyes.

Xue Rui quickly whispered something in Qiu Mengze’s ear.

"Officer, um... this has nothing to do with her," Qiu Mengze said, pointing at Qin Tong.

Chen Shen glanced at the girl. She had dyed hair, was flashily dressed, and most importantly, was wearing the uniform of No. 2 High School.

"Young lady, you should spend less time with people like this."

Chen Shen waved his hand, indicating that Qin Tong didn’t need to come with them.

Qin Tong stared blankly at Qiu Mengze for a moment, then gave him a grateful look.

In truth, the police would have let her go anyway. But by having Qiu Mengze speak up, Xue Rui could help him score some points with Qin Tong.

Qin Tong’s cousin looked back at Qiu Mengze. He had been about to say something to the police himself. He hadn’t expected this student to be so honorable, knowing not to get women involved in trouble.

A moment ago, he had mistaken Qiu Mengze for the one causing trouble for his cousin and had even kicked him, although it only landed on his backpack.

After Chen Shen and his group were a good distance away, Xue Rui and the others also started to leave.

Xue Rui secretly pinched Qiu Mengze again.

He had already made himself clear. Qiu Mengze was like a wind-up puppet—he only moved when nudged.

"Oh, I’m Qiu Mengze from the second science class. Can I get your QQ number?"

Qiu Mengze spoke as prompted by Xue Rui, taking a pen and paper out of his bag.

Qin Tong, still dazed from the shock, subconsciously took the pen and paper and wrote down her QQ number for Qiu Mengze.

"Thanks for just now. I’m heading home," Qin Tong said, her hair slightly disheveled.

Qin Tong had only taken a few steps when Xue Rui stuffed a fifty-yuan bill into Qiu Mengze’s hand. "Take a taxi and see her home."

"I owe you big time." Qiu Mengze nodded emphatically and jogged to catch up with her.

Xue Rui sighed. He really hadn’t expected things to turn out this way today.

Still, he didn’t have high hopes for Qiu Mengze. A rebellious girl like that wouldn’t be easy to woo.

Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Xue Jianfeng had called him around noon, telling him not to wander off and to be home for dinner.

But there was still some time before dinner, so he planned to go to the restaurant first to pick up some mooncakes for Lin Ruoxi.

When he arrived at Lin Ruoxi’s house carrying two gift boxes, he couldn’t help but feel a little strange, like a son-in-law visiting his in-laws with presents.

He opened the door to a sight that couldn’t be more familiar.

Da Huang was lying quietly at the old lady’s feet as she leaned against the sofa, watching TV listlessly.

"Grandma, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival. I brought you some mooncakes."

Xue Rui knew the old lady couldn’t eat sweets, but it was important to observe the proper etiquette.

"Mm," the old lady acknowledged with a nod.

Xue Rui put down the mooncakes and went to find Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi was coding. When she saw Xue Rui walk in, the corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily.

"Brought you some mooncakes. I’ve got to go, something came up."

"It’s a holiday, you should take a break. Don’t get too caught up with the game," Xue Rui said as he closed the door and left.

His whole family was getting together today, a rare occasion. He’d probably get an earful if he was late.

Lin Ruoxi opened her mouth to say something, but Xue Rui was already gone. She shuffled into the living room and stood by the window, staring blankly.

"Xixi, I told you not to buy so much food," the old lady grumbled.

Xue Rui would definitely be going home for the festival. Her foolish granddaughter had bought a mountain of groceries.

Lin Ruoxi stared blankly downstairs. "I know, but he said he’s coming tomorrow. I’ll cook it then."