Chapter Fifty-One: Let Me Take You Home

“Tell the teacher?” Xiao Lin repeated Wang Yuqing’s words, scratching his head helplessly. This girl... Even though they weren’t at fault, with these people sprawled on the ground, and Sun Feifei and Tiger at the side, if it really came to it, he’d inevitably be questioned by the police. Xiao Lin’s intention was, since he’d already beaten them up, and Wang Yuqing was unharmed aside from being a little frightened, he’d just teach Meng Ranran a lesson so she wouldn’t dare bother Wang Yuqing again. After this incident, both Sun Feifei and Meng Ranran would surely steer clear of them. Xiao Lin’s two fights had left quite the impression.

“Yuqing, let’s not tell the teacher, alright?” Xiao Lin spoke in a negotiating tone. He really didn’t want to end up on the school gossip board again because of this.

“Why not?” Wang Yuqing tilted her little head, as if a question mark hung above it. She was a model student, and to her, such matters should definitely be handled by the teacher.

Uh... Xiao Lin’s mouth twitched, unsure how to explain.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Three loud cries rang out, making Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing’s ears buzz. “What’s going on here? Why are there three people lying on the ground, oh my, there’s even blood. Huh, has Meng Ranran lost her soul?” Tan Linlin, seeing the three shadowy figures on the ground—especially the fat one with a face full of blood—cried out excitedly, showing not the slightest fear, and seemed to find the whole thing amusing.

“Linlin.” Wang Yuqing, seeing Tan Linlin arrive, pursed her lips, and the tears she’d just managed to hold back threatened to fall again.

“Oh my, Yuqing, what happened?” Tan Linlin saw Wang Yuqing’s aggrieved expression, tears welling in her eyes, and quickly stepped forward to ask.

Wang Yuqing burst into tears, clutching Tan Linlin as she sobbed and recounted what had happened.

“What?” After hearing Wang Yuqing’s story, Tan Linlin was so angry she could practically breathe fire. “Yuqing, just watch me get justice for you!” Gently pushing aside the crying Wang Yuqing, Tan Linlin strode toward the still dazed Meng Ranran. When she was two steps away, Tan Linlin broke into a run, charging at Meng Ranran like an enraged lioness. Unsurprisingly, Tan Linlin knocked Meng Ranran to the ground, then raised her plump backside and sat squarely on Meng Ranran’s stomach, lifting both hands to slap her face left and right. As she struck, she shouted, “This is for bullying Yuqing! I’ll beat you to death today! How can someone like you even exist? Just wait, I’ll strip you naked and toss you onto the street so everyone can see your bare bottom...”

Hearing this, Xiao Lin was covered in cold sweat. Tan Linlin really was a tough girl; she’d say anything. He watched as Meng Ranran, pinned beneath Tan Linlin, was covered in red handprints, her eyes rolling back. He quickly intervened, pulling Tan Linlin away. “That’s enough. Any more and she’ll faint.”

“Good! If she dies, it’s one less troublemaker.” Tan Linlin, dragged up by Xiao Lin, continued to curse, and even gave Meng Ranran another kick.

Wang Yuqing, covering her mouth, looked at the furious Tan Linlin in astonishment. She’d always thought Tan Linlin was just a bit lively, never expected her to be so violent. “Linlin, you were a bit too harsh,” Wang Yuqing whispered, seeing Meng Ranran barely breathing.

“That was light. From now on, every time I see her, I’ll beat her until even her mother won’t recognize her,” Tan Linlin grumbled, still angry.

“Uh... Alright, let’s discuss how to handle this. Linlin, where are those girls who were watching you?” Xiao Lin patted Tan Linlin’s back.

“What’s there to handle? Leave them here, let them freeze. Those two girls tried to block me just now, but I chased them off.”

Sweat. Chased them off. Tan Linlin really was suited to be his buddy, Xiao Lin thought darkly.

“Maybe we should still tell the teacher,” Wang Yuqing said. She was soft-hearted; although Meng Ranran bullied her, she couldn’t bear to leave her here.

“No way.” Tan Linlin and Xiao Lin spoke in unison.

“Why not?” Wang Yuqing shrank her head and asked timidly. The same question again. Xiao Lin kept silent, his eyes signaling Tan Linlin to explain.

“Oh, if we tell the teacher, the teacher will definitely call the police. Then you and Xiao Lin will have to give statements at the station. Your uncle will find out, and he’ll tell your parents,” Tan Linlin explained earnestly.

“No, my uncle can’t know. If my parents find out...” Wang Yuqing’s next words were barely audible, only she heard them. “They’ll take me home.”

After some discussion, Wang Yuqing finally agreed to Tan Linlin and Xiao Lin’s plan, though she insisted on calling an ambulance. The other two couldn’t dissuade her, so they let her be. After all, the shadowy trio wouldn’t rat them out, and Meng Ranran certainly wouldn’t.

Once they’d settled things, the three left the alley, with Tan Linlin landing one last slap on Meng Ranran for good measure before departing.

“Xiao Lin, you performed well today—hero saving the beauty. Tsk tsk. Is our great beauty Wang going to offer herself to you?” Tan Linlin teased as they walked. Xiao Lin ignored her, while Wang Yuqing, both shy and annoyed, pinched Tan Linlin’s soft waist.

“Yuqing, how about I take you home?” At the alley’s entrance, Xiao Lin picked up his fallen bike and spoke to Wang Yuqing.

“Xiao Lin, where’s your coat?” Only then did Wang Yuqing notice Xiao Lin was only wearing a turtleneck sweater. With the cold night air, his body shivered, and he occasionally trembled.

“Oh, I threw it off during the fight. It’s nothing. I’m young and energetic; this bit of chill is nothing.” Xiao Lin patted his chest, pretending to be tough.

“Come off it. Stop acting tough. Give me your bike, I’ll take Wang Yuqing home. As for you, just walk back—I don’t want you catching a cold and ruining tomorrow’s singing plans,” Tan Linlin grumbled.

Xiao Lin was a little touched by the first half of her sentence, but the rest instantly sent his feelings flying to the far reaches of space. Tan Linlin was still thinking about singing tomorrow.

“Xiao Lin, Linlin is right. We’ll take your bike, and... we should accompany you to the hospital. Also, Linlin, since Xiao Lin is injured, maybe we shouldn’t sing tomorrow,” Wang Yuqing said, still worried about Xiao Lin.

“Oh, Yuqing, he’s tough as nails. Such minor injuries are nothing to him. Right, Xiao Lin?” Tan Linlin shot Xiao Lin a threatening look, as if she’d beat him up if he disagreed.

“Yes, yes,” Xiao Lin replied with a bitter smile. It seemed escorting Wang Yuqing home was out of the question. Well, he’d just go home himself. He wondered how he’d explain all this to his grandmother. For a moment, Xiao Lin felt overwhelmed.