Chapter Forty-Eight: Beaten Down

At XX Middle School, it was the last class before school let out. Beneath the basketball hoop on the playground, Xiao Fei wore an expression of utter happiness and pride, clapping her hands as she gazed with deep affection at the figure on the court—whose technique might not have been the best, yet whose attacks, blocks, and shots were all unstoppable.

Hu Tianmiao easily dodged two defenders, took three strides, and made a layup. The ball swished through the net, and the sidelines instantly erupted with countless cheers and applause, as if this basket held epoch-making significance.

Hu Tianmiao’s face was grim. He spat on the floor and, expressionless, shoved aside a teammate who’d come to celebrate with a high-five. He’d been in a foul mood since morning—he hadn't expected the Xue family to go all out for a loser like Chen Hongxu, nor had he realized he’d underestimated the Xue family’s connections, with ties both in the province and in the capital.

“That bastard Chen Hongxu really thinks he can reach for the stars. Xue Xi is mine, and all the Xue family’s resources are mine too,” Hu Tianmiao muttered darkly, knowing Chen Hongxu had already been taken away and that Xue Xi hadn’t shown up for classes today.

“Watch out—!” Suddenly, a cry of alarm rose from the sidelines. Hu Tianmiao frowned and turned his head, pupils shrinking in an instant. Before he could react, a fast-flying basketball struck him square in the face.

Blood and tears streamed down at once. Xiao Fei, panic-stricken, rushed onto the court, squatting beside Hu Tianmiao, who sat there in agony, clutching his face.

Everyone on the sidelines craned their necks, searching for the culprit.

The offender was impossible to miss—a head of blond hair, a wickedly upturned mouth clamped around a half-burnt cigarette. He wore a smart casual suit with a blue-patterned undershirt, looking nothing like a high school student. Among the crowd, though some relished the misfortune, no one flaunted it as brazenly as the blond youth.

Hu Tianmiao shoved away Xiao Fei, who was hugging him from behind, stood up, raised his head, and shouted with a distorted face, “Who did this?”

“Your grandpa,” Fan Caobao replied shamelessly, grinning as he plucked the cigarette from his lips and flicked it toward Hu Tianmiao.

The glowing cigarette butt arced through the air, glaringly bright. Before Hu Tianmiao could utter a word in anger, Fan Caobao’s foot lashed out, swift and precise, landing squarely on his abdomen, doubling him over once more.

Fan Caobao showed no qualms about bullying an ordinary person. He raised his fist and rained blows down on the back of Hu Tianmiao’s head.

The watching students screamed and scattered, rushing to alert teachers and security, but none dared intervene—except Xiao Fei, who hesitated before gritting her teeth and throwing herself over Hu Tianmiao, using her body to shield him from Fan Caobao’s attacks.

Everyone understands the principle of sharing hardship. Xiao Fei may not have cared for Hu Tianmiao enough to risk her life, but she knew there are times when a woman can do more than simply sell her body.

Her intervention had some effect, but only barely. Fan Caobao paused for a moment, then the pointed toe of his leather shoe scraped across Hu Tianmiao’s face, leaving a long gash.

“Useless. Cause trouble again, and your grandpa will make sure you’re impotent for life.” After a flurry of kicks and punches, Fan Caobao wiped the blood off his shoe on Hu Tianmiao’s pant leg and snarled, “My name is... Fan.” He seemed to think saying his full name would lessen his menace, so he stopped short.

With that, Fan Caobao turned and left, and no one dared to stop him. The rhythmic tap of his shoes on the ground sounded like a war drum pounding in Hu Tianmiao’s chest.

Red-eyed, Hu Tianmiao watched the man who’d just beaten him vault over the wall with a careless smile. He felt a surge of indignation—when had anyone dared even speak loudly to him, the son of the city’s party secretary, let alone lay a hand on him?

“I’ll get my revenge, Xue Xi, you bitch!” Hu Tianmiao prided himself on his outward composure, but aside from Xue Xi, who’d lost her mind protecting Chen Hongxu, he couldn’t think of anyone else who’d do this.

“You’re heavy, you know that?” he snapped, shoving Xiao Fei off him and venting all his frustration on her.

Xiao Fei dared not retort, her heart bitter—last night, this same man had praised her figure, begging to let her take the lead...

***

At Chen Hongxu’s home, Su Xiaoxiao sat quietly watching cartoons. Chen Hongxu was hidden away in his room, busy with something unknown, while Xue Xi, surprisingly, was in the kitchen making dinner.

A knock sounded at the door. Su Xiaoxiao stood to answer it and found Fan Caobao outside, giving her a questioning look.

In front of Su Xiaoxiao, Fan Caobao was as meek as a mouse before a cat, nothing like the bully he was at school.

“Let me have a drink of water first.” He put on a shameless face, only daring to move when Su Xiaoxiao nodded.

After draining a glass of cold water, Fan Caobao patted his chest and assured, “When Grandpa Fan handles something, it’s as good as done. Tonight, once Bear and the others arrive, we’ll take care of everyone who joined in on the attack against Brother Chen last time, and that’ll be the end of it. As for the officials, the old man will handle them...”

“Settling scores after the harvest, your Fan family is impressive indeed.” Su Xiaoxiao sneered. “Any news about new assignments?”

“With the old man so fierce, I barely have time to hide. How would I dare talk to him, let alone know about new assignments?” Fan Caobao spread his hands helplessly.

“By the way, why did that Ice Queen come with you this time? Did the old man send her to test Chen Hongxu’s strength?” Su Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes, quickly changing the subject.

“I really don’t know. She called me to pick her up and threatened to cripple me if I refused. How could I say no? Besides, if I was really with her, she wouldn’t have left without a word, right?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded and waved him away. “Alright, you’re useless now. Go play in the mud.”

Fan Caobao looked overjoyed at being dismissed, but paused to ask, “Where’s Brother Chen?”

“In his room, making a breakthrough. Don’t disturb him. Just sit here on the floor.” Su Xiaoxiao shot him a glance. “With your strength, you should be able to sense the energy in that room, can’t you?”

“Uh...” Fan Caobao sat cross-legged, chuckling awkwardly. “I thought it was just weird weather and the AC was off.”

Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, then turned her fierce attention back to the thrilling cartoon battle between the Calabash Brothers and the Snake Demon.