During the summer before starting high school, Jiang Linzhou took a part-time job as an assistant teacher at a nearby dance studio to earn some extra money.
One evening, on his way home from work, someone came charging at him with a stick as he passed through an alley. The dusk was too deep for him to make out the attacker's features. Just as the stick swung toward his leg, a boy rushed over in time, kicked the attacker to the ground, and pulled Jiang Linzhou out of the alley.
The next day, just as Jiang Linzhou was leaving home, he opened the door and found the boy from the night before standing outside, grinning brightly.
"Let's get acquainted. I'm Ding Song."
Jiang Linzhou was about to thank him for what he'd done the day before when Ding Song said, sounding like he expected praise, "I got my family to look into that dance studio. Don't worry, it'll be shut down soon, so you won't have to go there anymore."
Thinking of the part-time job and wages he'd just lost for no reason, Jiang Linzhou swallowed the thanks on his lips. He glared at Ding Song, ground his back teeth, grabbed him by the collar, and spoke in a voice cold enough to frighten anyone.
"Are you picking a fight with me, classmate?"
Everyone at Huada High School knew Jiang Linzhou and Ding Song were enemies. No one expected them to end up in the same class.
Their classmates watched as the two carried desks and chairs into the classroom one after the other, holding their breath and waiting for a fight to break out. But instead...
Ding Song: "Jiang Linzhou, want some water? I can grab you some while I'm there."
Ding Song: "Jiang Linzhou, are you going to the cafeteria today?"
Ding Song: "Jiang Linzhou, did you sprain something dancing? I brought you some ointment."
Even Jiang Linzhou found it baffling.
He turned around, his voice impatient. "What, are you trying to make it up to me?"
Ding Song spread his hands. "No. I didn't do anything wrong, so what would I be making up for?"
Jiang Linzhou rolled his eyes. "Get lost."
Theme: Since ancient times, fame and glory have belonged to the young
After the Alpha Who Hated Me Forced His Mark on Me
After the Protagonist's Simp Accidentally Kissed the Villain
What Ails You Today, Young Master?
I Found a Pretty Blue Butterfly
Don't Parade Around in a Frog Head
The Not-So-Serious Quiz Bank [Infinite]
Your Samoyed’s Fur Is Dirty
Xiu Wen Got Caught by the Villain!