A Brother’s Care and a Scholar’s Struggle

“Come over for dinner on Thursday evening.”

He Chuanrong fastened his seatbelt and nodded.

“Are you still adapting? How are you getting along with your classmates?”

“Everything’s fine, Brother Yong. There’s no need to worry.”

Guo Yong’s gaze flickered to him, noticing his slight absentmindedness. “If you encounter any trouble, tell me,” he urged. “Don’t keep it bottled up inside.”

“I will, Brother Yong.”

Seeing that He Chuanrong had no intention of elaborating, Guo Yong didn’t press further. After all, children often harbored private spaces they were reluctant to let others approach.

The small car sped past the densely packed buildings of the new city center, gradually heading towards the old district. Here, houses varied in height, their walls mostly stripped of plaster, revealing the bricks beneath. He Chuanrong’s gaze remained fixed on the receding, blurred lights and architectural remnants. The sound of ‘Ah Dai’ echoed in his ears, like a persistent spell, refusing to dissipate.

Finally, the car pulled over to the side of the road. He Chuanrong prepared to get out.

“Xiao Chuan, take these.” Guo Yong retrieved a black plastic bag and an umbrella from the back seat, handing them to He Chuanrong.

He Chuanrong, with one foot already out of the car door, turned back, his movements a little awkward.

“Study hard, get some rest early, and tell me immediately if you run into any trouble.”

Guo Yong tucked the items into He Chuanrong’s arms. “Don’t feel like you’re bothering me and hesitate to speak up.”

He Chuanrong paused for a moment, then took the items, nodding as he said, “Okay.”

He opened the umbrella and waited for the car to disappear from sight before turning into the alleyway between two old buildings. Back home, he opened the bag.

Instantly, He Chuanrong’s hand, still clutching the bag, trembled slightly.

“Brother Yong, thank you.”

Minutes later, he sent a message to Guo Yong.

The bag contained specially formulated inhibitors for an Enigma’s susceptible period, enough to last him half a year. Guo Yong’s repair shop business was barely adequate, and he himself needed inhibitors, yet he had bought so many for He Chuanrong.

He Chuanrong felt his chest constrict as if a massive stone was blocking it, his gratitude immeasurable.

“Buzz—buzz—”

He quickly picked up his phone, rubbing his reddened eyes.

–Get some rest early. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.

Another message followed.

–Don’t be so polite with me. Just treat me like your older brother.

Listening to the voice message, He Chuanrong felt a pang of soreness in his throat. He rose, carrying the bag towards his bedroom, and replied a few seconds later.

–Mm-hmm, I know.

During the year or so he had been in Xixi River County, if not for Guo Yong’s care and assistance, he, utterly friendless, would have faced severe problems just surviving, let alone continuing his studies and transferring from a vocational high school to First High School.

****

The next day, the sky was clear, and the morning light streamed through the window into the classroom.

He Chuanrong was engrossed in his practice exercises. Tian Jingwen and Ji Ye sat at the front desk, playing a game.

Watching his character turn into a loot box in the game, Ji Ye tossed his phone aside, crossed his arms, and turned to look at Tian Jingwen, who was intently sniping. He then glanced at He Chuanrong at the back desk. The latter’s head was bowed, and the tall stack of books on his desk largely obscured his face. From Ji Ye’s vantage point, he could just make out He Chuanrong’s slightly lowered long eyelashes, high nose bridge, and tightly pursed thin lips.

After staring for a few minutes, he averted his gaze and rejoined the game to act as a lookout for Tian Jingwen.

As the last opponent also turned into a loot box, the system began to display the victory screen. Ji Ye gave a thumbs-up. “Still the class monitor’s game!”

Tian Jingwen’s eyes showed a hint of smugness. With a raised eyebrow, she tucked her phone into her pocket and patted Ji Ye’s shoulder. “I told you to make me your master ages ago, but you wouldn’t listen. Regretting it now, aren’t you?”

With that, she returned to her seat.

Ji Ye chuckled. As the worst player among the three, he shook his head helplessly.

The school bell rang. He rose from Zhang Qian’s seat and returned to his own. Just as he pulled a book from his desk compartment, he saw a glum-looking Zhang Qian approach.

“Did you lose your soul?”

He asked.

However, Zhang Qian’s expression was somber, and he waved his hand listlessly, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

Upon seeing this, Ji Ye stifled a laugh, uttered an “Oh,” and then ignored him.

As expected, within three seconds, Zhang Qian leaned closer, accusing, “You heartless rascal, you don’t even care about me.”

Ji Ye propped his head on his hand, tilting it as he tentatively asked, “Is it because of your deskmate?”

Zhang Qian reacted as if he had found a kindred spirit, rising to grasp Ji Ye’s wrists with both hands, looking as though he might burst into tears of joy at any moment.

“You’re like the worm in my stomach; you truly understand me.”

Ji Ye struggled to pull his hand free, a look of disgust on his face from the comparison. “There’s no need for that. I don’t want to understand you.”

“Heartless,” Zhang Qian pouted.

He then sighed, his eyes filled with worry, and said, “She’s sick.”

Ji Ye nodded in understanding, just about to offer comfort, when the chemistry teacher stepped onto the podium. He cautioned, “Class is starting. Teacher Lin is here.”

Lin Guiyang had a fiery temper, and Zhang Qian knew it, so he immediately turned to grab his book and sat upright.

****

For several days, Zhou Yao didn’t come to class. Zhang Qian, on the other hand, listened with unusual attentiveness during lessons, filling his notebook. Everyone was astonished by his transformation.

During break, Ji Ye tried to get Zhang Qian to play basketball, but was rejected multiple times. He had also thought of asking He Chuanrong to join them, but seeing him diligently writing, he gave up. He didn’t want to disturb him, so he sat quietly, memorizing vocabulary.

Actually, He Chuanrong had heard Ji Ye ask Zhang Qian to play basketball and wanted to go along, but he didn’t know how to speak up. He thought that if Ji Ye just asked, he would drop everything, but by the time class started, Ji Ye still hadn’t asked.

In that instant, He Chuanrong’s eyes filled with disappointment.

Due to renovations on the sports field, the usual physical education class had to be held indoors, with the teacher allowing everyone to study independently.

Instantly, a cheer erupted in the classroom. Seeing this, the PE teacher put a finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet and discreet. The entire class adopted an “I understand” expression and began to enjoy their rare leisure time.

Tian Jingwen, having obtained the teacher’s permission, left her seat to ask He Chuanrong about some problems. No sooner had she left than Ye Huicheng’s anger flared, almost causing him to sweep all the books in front of him onto the floor.

In the previous class, he had noticed a few problems on Tian Jingwen’s weekly test paper that he happened to know how to solve. With PE class moved indoors, he had intended to explain them to her, but he never expected her to go directly to He Chuanrong instead.

Ye Huicheng was truly furious, losing all desire to study in an instant.

Seeing Tian Jingwen approach with questions, Ji Ye picked up his books and moved to Zhou Yao’s seat. However, before he could even open a book, Old Wen called him away.

“Ji Ye, come out for a moment.”

Wen Xuanyi had appeared at the classroom door at some point. His gaze swept over the students diligently studying before he spoke.

“What did you do?” Zhang Qian heard Old Wen’s voice and looked up at Ji Ye beside him.

The latter spread his hands, shrugging and shaking his head.

He Chuanrong also paused, looking up at Ji Ye’s retreating back. He quickly reviewed Ji Ye’s recent behavior in class in his mind, and only when he couldn’t find any violation of classroom discipline did he finally feel relieved enough to continue his explanation.

Meanwhile, Ji Ye, having been called away by Old Wen, first looked surprised, then stifled a laugh.

“I’ve heard from the subject teachers that Zhang Qian has been studying very diligently lately. However, I’ve noticed his eyes sometimes hold sadness. You’re the psychological counselor, and I’d like you to investigate whether he’s encountered something troubling.”

Ji Ye affirmed that he would complete the task and asked,

“Teacher, is there anything else? If not, I’ll go back to study.”

“No, you can go back,” Wen Xuanyi waved him off.

Only after stepping out of the office did Ji Ye burst into laughter. Upon returning to the classroom, Zhang Qian immediately asked what was happening. Ji Ye played coy, resting his arm on Zhang Qian’s homework.

Zhang Qian instantly understood his meaning. With a “kind” smile, he put down his pen, then turned to gently punch and pinch Ji Ye’s arm.

“Tell me, what did Old Wen want?” he finally asked, lightly tapping Ji Ye’s wrist bone.

Ji Ye grinned mischievously, beckoning him closer. Zhang Qian was suspicious but complied.

“He just wants you to balance work and rest. Everyone’s been scared by your desperate studying.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s all.”

Realizing he had been tricked, Zhang Qian grabbed the back of Ji Ye’s collar, ready to kick him away.

Ji Ye laughed and pleaded, “Brother, class is starting, class is starting! I was wrong.”

“You’re buying breakfast tomorrow,” Zhang Qian released him, then immersed himself in studying.

“Absolutely.”

Zhang Qian had no mind to joke around with him, sorting his notes for the day by subject into his backpack.

****

After evening self-study, several of them left the school gate together. Since he was going to Guo Yong’s house for dinner, He Chuanrong parted ways with them at the intersection. He opened WeChat, replying to a message from half an hour ago.

Guo Yong had told him that he was temporarily out delivering materials and had asked Yu Rui to pick him up.

There were too many people coming and going at the school gate, so He Chuanrong walked to the bus stop to wait for Yu Rui, casually pulling out his vocabulary book from his side pocket to start memorizing words. Studying during fragmented moments was already second nature to him.

Minutes later, a shadow fell across his vocabulary book. Thinking it was Yu Rui, he instinctively tucked the book back into his side pocket.

“Sister Rui, let’s go.”

However, what answered him was the mocking laughter of several boys.

He Chuanrong looked up, slowly lowering his hand.

Cheng Meng, standing before him with hands in his pockets, grinned and greeted him, “Long time no see, Scholar He.”

Ye Huicheng and Zhu Hao, standing beside Cheng Meng, wore expressions of displeasure, their gazes merely flicking over He Chuanrong with disdain before moving on.

They had originally been invited by Cheng Meng for a late-night snack, but unexpectedly ran into He Chuanrong. Cheng Meng had even deliberately dragged them over to greet him.

Students who had been nearby, seeing Cheng Meng and his group approaching with ill intent, quickly moved away.

He Chuanrong didn’t want to get entangled with Cheng Meng, so he turned to leave, but Cheng Meng reached out and blocked him.

“Where are you going, Scholar He? Seeing a schoolmate, aren’t you going to reminisce?” Cheng Meng glanced at Zhu Hao, seeing the disgust in his eyes towards He Chuanrong, which made him even more pleased.

He smiled, a hidden dagger in his gaze, and slowly advanced on He Chuanrong.

He Chuanrong ignored him, stepping back, his eyes cold as he stared at the purple-haired, black-jacketed boy in front of him.

“Are you mute?! I’m talking to you!”

Cheng Meng, like a punch landing on cotton, became enraged. He grabbed He Chuanrong’s collar and cursed loudly.

The boys behind him, seeing this, stirred restlessly. “Boss, give him a taste of his own medicine! Who does he think he is, acting so high and mighty?!”

“Daring to put on airs in front of Boss Meng, he definitely needs a good lesson,” the bespectacled, refined-looking young boy said with hatred.

His eyes were full of animosity, intending to thoroughly teach He Chuanrong a lesson this time.

The boys behind Cheng Meng all stepped forward, blocking He Chuanrong’s escape route.

“Oh, no, no, Scholar He has connections, you know. Transferred from vocational high school to First High, and even became Wen Xuanyi’s favorite student,” Cheng Meng turned with a mocking smile, addressing the others. “We wouldn’t dare mess with him.”

“Connections? You mean that old lady in the sky?” someone exaggeratedly shouted.

Immediately, the group burst into laughter.

He Chuanrong clenched his fists, stepping forward to meet Cheng Meng’s gaze. “What, have you forgotten so quickly how you begged me for mercy?”

“Shut your damn mouth!” Cheng Meng, like a vicious dog whose tail had been stepped on, instantly became violent. Without a word, he swung his fist towards He Chuanrong’s abdomen.

In an instant, the others behind him rushed forward, wrestling with He Chuanrong.

Ye Huicheng wanted to step forward and intervene, but Zhu Hao stopped him, pulling him to the side and inviting him to enjoy the spectacle.

The sudden turn of events caused the surrounding students to hastily retreat. Those people’s attire clearly marked them as thugs, so no one wanted to get involved.

On the other side, He Chuanrong was at the center of the group assault, at a disadvantage. He was ambushed and knocked to the ground, the back of his hand scraped raw and bloody.

Cheng Meng, finally having his revenge, knelt with one knee pressed against He Chuanrong’s abdomen, his fists raining down on the other’s chest and ribs.

“I’ll teach you to be arrogant!”

With that, another punch landed between He Chuanrong’s ribs.

He Chuanrong’s face was pale, his forehead beaded with fine sweat. He struggled, kicking Cheng Meng off.

Before he could fully straighten up, he was kicked in the back again, falling to the ground.

He quickly rolled to dodge a descending fist, then locked his hands onto his assailant’s shoulders and kicked him in the stomach.

After getting back on his feet, he no longer held back. He intercepted Cheng Meng’s swinging fist, sharply twisted it downwards, then executed an over-the-shoulder throw.

“Stop!”

Just as the group was fighting fiercely, the sound of a motorcycle accompanied by a sharp shout suddenly rang out behind them.