Volume One: High School Days Chapter 45: You Brought This Upon Yourself

“District Chief Xu, hello. I must apologize for visiting you without prior notice today,” Liu Sheng said as he extended his hand to shake with District Chief Xu.

After District Chief Xu sat down, Liu Sheng continued, “I brought five sets of documents—one has already been given to your wife, and these four are for your review.”

With that, Liu Sheng handed the remaining four file folders to District Chief Xu.

District Chief Xu took the folders, didn’t open them, but simply felt their weight, then said, “What’s the matter? Speak.”

Liu Sheng was struck by District Chief Xu’s gesture—people who accomplish great things truly have an aura about them.

“It’s like this. Yesterday, I offended the son of District Chief Xue. I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

District Chief Xu shook his head after hearing Liu Sheng, and said, “I’m only the deputy district chief, under District Chief Xue. He never listens to me. There’s nothing I can do about this matter. Best you take these documents back.”

With that, District Chief Xu pushed the folders back toward Liu Sheng.

Seeing this, Liu Sheng remained composed and replied, “You have leverage over District Chief Xue. If he has skeletons in his closet, it proves he’s done plenty of wrong himself. Why not accept my money and do good things for the people?”

Ren Xiadong, sitting nearby, was already at a loss for words after listening to their exchange.

“How did you know?” District Chief Xu asked in disbelief.

Liu Sheng answered, “I just know. Does it matter how?”

District Chief Xu smiled, “Seems you’re quite capable yourself. So how do you want me to help?”

“I’d like you to report District Chief Xue, so they won’t be able to trouble us anymore.”

District Chief Xu thought for a long moment, then said, “I’ll retire in a few years. Let me live peacefully, won’t you?”

He went to his bedroom, pulled out a briefcase from under the bed, handed it to Liu Sheng, and said, “Here’s what you wanted. Do with it as you see fit, but don’t let anyone know I gave it to you. That’s all. Don’t ever come to my house again.”

Having received what they needed, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong didn’t linger; when they left, it was already midday.

On the way back, Ren Xiadong asked, “What’s next?”

“I don’t know. Let me think it over,” Liu Sheng replied. Ren Xiadong didn’t press further—he knew Liu Sheng always had ideas, and since he himself was at a loss, he could only follow Liu Sheng’s lead.

Just as they were nearing the hotel, four black cars forced Liu Sheng’s car to a stop. A group of men got out, led by none other than District Chief Xue’s son.

“What now?” Ren Xiadong asked nervously.

Liu Sheng remained calm, “They won’t do anything to us on a public street. I’m guessing they’ll take us somewhere. It’s fine—‘searching for iron shoes in vain, only to find it effortlessly.’ I was just thinking of looking for him. Let’s go with them.”

Liu Sheng’s guess was spot on. He and Ren Xiadong were each taken into separate cars, while two men drove their own car behind. Soon, they arrived at an abandoned factory.

Inside the derelict workshop, including Xue’s son, twenty men surrounded Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong, wielding clubs.

Ren Xiadong glanced at the crowd and asked, “What do we do?”

Liu Sheng joked, “I’ll take on nineteen.”

“Come on, I’ll just fight one?” Ren Xiadong, though frightened, didn’t back down; he never surrendered in a brawl, no matter how many opponents—even if it meant getting beaten up.

Liu Sheng added, “I mean you should rest. In this kind of scene, the district chief’s son won’t get his hands dirty.”

Just then, Xue’s son spoke, “I told you, I’m going to kill you both. You dared hit me—today, I’ll show you what it means to overestimate yourself! Like an egg against a stone! Beat them!”

With that, Xue’s son retreated to the side. Liu Sheng pushed Ren Xiadong out of the crowd, facing the nineteen alone.

During the fight, Ren Xiadong wanted to help, but seeing Liu Sheng handle them with ease, barely out of breath, his movements incredibly swift, he couldn’t help but marvel, “What kind of skill is this? Is he cheating? I never knew Liu Sheng was this formidable!”

Liu Sheng, whose body was extraordinary, quickly knocked all nineteen to the ground. Looking at the trembling Xue’s son, he said, “What’s your name? Never mind—I won’t remember it anyway!”

Xue’s son replied, “My name is Xue Cheng! So what if you can fight? With my family’s background, I’ll still ruin you! Today I underestimated you, but next time I’ll bring even more people! We’ll see how you die then!”

Liu Sheng thought, “He’s right. No matter how many, I can win a fight, but Ren Xiadong and Liu Meng can’t. If he uses his family’s influence, it won’t just be my problem—it could involve my loved ones. I have to bring his family down!”

With this in mind, Liu Sheng dashed to Xue Cheng, landed a punch, and stepped on him, saying, “Call your district chief father. Tell him to come pick you up himself!”

Under Liu Sheng’s forceful “request,” Xue Cheng dialed his father, explained the situation, and demanded no more than three people come.

Liu Sheng knew that with Xue Cheng’s father’s status, he wouldn’t come alone, but by limiting the number, he gained control.

While waiting, Liu Sheng asked, “Do you realize your daily mischief is just harming your father?”

“When my dad arrives, you’ll see how you die!” Xue Cheng retorted.

Seeing Xue Cheng’s foul mouth, Liu Sheng delivered a hard slap.

From noon until evening, a black car finally drove into the abandoned factory.

Three people got out—the middle one impeccably dressed, imposing, in his forties, flanked by two burly men who were clearly bodyguards.

“District Chief Xue?” Liu Sheng asked.

District Chief Xue saw his son under Liu Sheng’s foot and hurriedly said, “What did my son do to offend you? Tell me, I’ll discipline him properly. Please don’t hurt him—he’s my only child.”

Xue was overly indulgent with his son; for Liu Sheng to treat him this way, with full knowledge of his status, made Xue deeply fearful that Liu Sheng might harm his boy.

Seeing Xue’s concern for his child, Liu Sheng gave up the idea of bringing him down, thinking as long as they stopped causing trouble, it would suffice. “I had a conflict with your son earlier. Today, he brought people to ambush me, but I took care of it. Here’s the deal—I can return him to you, and as long as he doesn’t bother us again, is that acceptable?”

Xue, eager to protect his son, agreed immediately. Liu Sheng found the resolution surprisingly easy and soon drove away.

After Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong left, District Chief Xue signaled his bodyguards, then rushed to Xue Cheng, helping him up, and said, “I’ll make sure you get your revenge.”

The two bodyguards also drove away.

“That scared me to death—I didn’t expect it to be resolved so simply,” Ren Xiadong said from the passenger seat.

Liu Sheng replied, “I didn’t expect it either, but this works—less trouble.”

“What about the stuff from Deputy District Chief Xu? We didn’t use it—how should it be handled?”

Liu Sheng considered it. “Give it to Fang Po. He genuinely cares about us. Maybe he’ll find it useful someday.”

Just then, a black car sped up from behind, ramming Liu Sheng’s car. After stopping, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong complained as they got out to check.

It was late and too dark to see whose car it was. As they approached, two men got out—the district chief’s bodyguards.

Once Liu Sheng recognized them, the bodyguards pulled guns from inside their coats. Ren Xiadong was instantly paralyzed with fear, legs trembling. Liu Sheng focused, accelerated his perception, and dashed toward them.

With his fully developed brain, a glance at the guns revealed their mechanism. He swiftly removed every bullet from both guns, then returned to his original spot and relaxed.

Both bodyguards fired, but the guns were empty. Ren Xiadong, terrified, collapsed onto the ground. The bodyguards checked their guns, fired again—still empty.

Liu Sheng seized the moment, rushed over, and knocked them both out with a kick each. He then dragged Ren Xiadong back to the car and drove away.

When they reached their lodging, Ren Xiadong was so shaken he could barely speak, trembling all over.

Liu Meng, seeing Ren Xiadong’s state, grew fearful, “Maybe we should go home, not stay here.”

Liu Sheng gave her a reassuring smile, “It’s fine. I’m here. Ren Xiadong is just frightened.”

“Guns! Guns! Am I in a movie?” Ren Xiadong burst out.

Afraid Liu Meng would be scared, Liu Sheng quickly said, “Don’t talk nonsense! Can’t you be normal?”

Liu Meng asked, “What guns?”

Ren Xiadong was about to explain, but Liu Sheng stopped him.

After a long while, Ren Xiadong recovered and asked Liu Sheng, “What should we do next?”

Liu Sheng shook his head, “Let me ask.”

He dialed Fang Po.

“Hello, Liu Sheng.”

“Sorry, it’s so late...”

“I’m aware. I know Xue Sheng’s ways well. You’re in real danger now. Did you get the goods?”

“They’re with me.”

“What’s your room number? I’ll come over right now—we’ll talk in person.”

Liu Sheng gave the room number and hung up.

While waiting, Liu Sheng pondered, “Why is Fang Po so concerned about what I have? Is he one of Xue’s people? Are we in danger? No, they shouldn’t be connected at all. Forget it—let’s see how things go.”

Soon, Fang Po arrived.

“So, whose young master are you? This apartment isn’t something just anyone can afford!”

Liu Sheng ignored the remark and went straight to the point, “Why are you so concerned about what I have?”

Fang Po kept up his playful act, “Am I? I just came to help you.”

Liu Sheng sensed he was hiding something, “If you don’t tell the truth, you won’t get the goods. I’m guessing you came late specifically to take them from me.”

“You’re sharp—looks like I can’t keep it from you.”

Fang Po’s demeanor turned solemn. He took out a photo—a pretty girl, resembling him.

“Your sister?”

Fang Po paused, then smiled, “Yes, seven years younger. If she were alive, she’d be twenty now. She died at Xue Cheng’s hands two years ago. Back then, I was a new police officer, with no connections or power. The Xue family pulled every string, and in the end, nothing came of it.”

Tears welled in Fang Po’s eyes. Liu Sheng said nothing more. Liu Meng looked at the photo and remarked, “How tragic—Xue Cheng deserves to die!”

Liu Sheng handed the briefcase to Fang Po.

Fang Po opened it, glanced inside, and asked, “Aren’t you afraid I’m deceiving you?”

“I trust you.”

Fang Po said, “I want to ruin Xue Cheng’s family’s reputation, and at the same time, lift the danger from you.”

He bowed to Liu Sheng, then thanked him.

Before leaving, he said, “I’ve been investigating District Chief Xue in secret. Later, I learned Deputy District Chief Xu had what’s inside that briefcase. I asked for it but he refused, claiming he had nothing. Yesterday, you told me about your situation—I knew you had money, so I had you try. Sorry, at first, I wanted to use you to punish Xue Cheng’s family.”

“It’s fine. Now you have it—in helping yourself, you’re helping us too. They forced us into this!” Liu Sheng replied, and Fang Po departed.