Chapter 31: I'm Not Going!

"Where's Ling Yun? Where did he go?" Tang Meng yelled in an arrogant and demanding tone as his tall and powerful frame barged into the classroom of Grade 12 Class 6.

As Tang Meng stormed into the class, the students felt shivers speed down their spines.

What's up with today? Just when a pestilent demon leaves, another tyrant comes in his place... Now this tyrant... The students thought among themselves.

Cao Shanshan and Zhang Ling quietly observed him from a corner as they tried to figure why Tang Meng was looking for Ling Yun.

Not knowing where Ling Yun was seated, Tang Meng stood at the door, eyes circling the entire room like an eagle hunting for its prey. It didn't take long for him to spot Ling Yun, who was seated at the back corner of the room.

Squinting his eyes, Ling Yun stared at Tang Meng.

Ling Yun didn't have a bad impression of Tang Meng. Ironically, he was actually quite fond of the way Little Gambling God carried himself around others.

As brash as he was, he understood his limits, had good general knowledge and knew the right time to be aggressive or reserved. Tang Meng was a righteous man who did not go back on his words.

As Tang Meng quickly advanced toward Ling Yun with big strides, Ling Yun smirked, thinking to himself, As long as he's not here for my money.

"What's the problem with you Fatty? Have you not gotten enough attention today? You actually went to beat up Gou Junfa? It really looks like you're trying to toy with fate!" Tang Meng blurted crudely. His voice was loud and booming, so much so that it left the students in the classroom with ringing ears.

Most people were afraid of Gou Jun Fa and Lu Chengtian, but Tang Meng definitely wasn't. If a comparison were to be made, Tang Meng's father Tang Tianhao was more powerful than Gou Liancheng.

Tang Tianhao was still the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau of Qingshui City. Although he didn't have influence over the entire city, his influence still covered a pretty sizeable amount of the city.

Otherwise, it would not be possible for Tang Meng to compete with Xie Junyan in school, who was the son of the Vice Mayor, with neither party willing to give in to each other.

Ling Yun gazed at Tang Meng calmly and let out a smile. "You came late!" he uttered, creasing his eyebrows.

"Ga... I'm late? What do you mean?" Tang Meng was unable to wrap his head around Ling Yun's response.

"If you had come a little earlier, we could have beaten him up together, right?" Ling Yun proclaimed as he broke into laughter.

Tang Meng was momentarily stunned when he heard Ling Yun's reply. It was immediately followed by a trace of a smile in his eyes, followed by a smile which spread rapidly across his face. A huge laughter soon ensued.

"Honestly, that bastard is asking for a punch. I hated his face the moment I saw him!"

After they finished laughing, Tang Meng shook his long, graceful hair, standing there with a confident air.

Zhang Dong and Chai Hanlin, along with the students in the classroom were stunned. What are these people thinking, they just want the whole world to burn, they thought to themselves.

"Brother, brother!" An obvious voice of panic, accompanied by a quick mess of footsteps, echoed into the ears of everyone.

Ning Lingyu rushed into the classroom of Grade 12 Class 6, her delicate face flushed red. Her chest was continuously heaving up and down, owing to her sprint to the classroom just now.

During lunchtime, Ling Yun had mentioned that he was going to send her home tomorrow night. Since Ning Lingyu had been busy doing laundry for Ling Yun in the afternoon, she did not have enough time to pack up her things.

Thus, in the afternoon right after school ended, she happily went back to her hostel to pack up her things, preparing to go home with her brother the following night.

Barely 15 mins later, her hostel mate told her about the fight between Ling Yun and Gou Junfa. To Ning Lingyu, this piece of news was undoubtedly like a bolt from the blue.

Upon receiving the news, Ning Lingyu couldn't be bear to continue packing her things. She immediately rushed out of the hostel to look for her brother, worrying about the situation.

Of course, her greatest worry was that Ling Yun had lost and badly injured.

As soon as Ning Lingyu's shadow appeared at the doorstep of the classroom, she attracted the attention of all the students in the classroom.

So beautiful... Everyone thought, giggling to themselves.

From the bottom of her heart, even Cao Shanshan had no choice but to admit that Ning Lingyu was on par with herself as the prettiest girl in school.

Zhang Ling had been paying attention to Ling Yun's situation all along. But upon Ning Lingyu's arrival, she turned her head to give Ning Lingyu a glance and then returned to look at Cao Shanshan, who was just beside her. In her head, she tried to decide who was prettier but gave up as she struggled to find a clear winner.

Upon noticing Ning Lingyu's arrival, even the mighty Tang Meng couldn't be bothered about Ling Yun. His whole body was dazed as if he had been struck by lightning. In fact, he was staring at the gorgeous lady by the door, with the sun rays gleaming behind her elegant body and he was almost drooling at the sight of her.

Finally, Ling Yun managed to get up slowly, proceeding to flash a comforting smile towards Ning Lingyu, whose face was full of worry.

"You're here, Lingyu? Let us go grab something to eat."

The only reason Ling Yun was still seated there was that he had been waiting for his sister. He hardly treated anyone to a meal, and there was no way he was leaving her out.

When he suggested grabbing something to eat, his eyes swept across Zhang Dong, Chai Hanlin, and Tang Meng. It was clear that all three were included when he mentioned the word 'us'.

Ling Yun was both harsh and vicious to his enemies, often merciless. Yet, once he affirmed that you were one of his own, him treating you with generosity and sincerity would be a gross understatement.

Zhang Dong had been playing basketball when he heard news of Ling Yun's fight. Without washing his hands, he had rushed down immediately. As for Chai Hanlin, he was still holding an empty lunch box.

All these minor details didn't escape Ling Yun's observant eyes.

As for Tang Meng, Ling Yun knew he would definitely come along, even without being asked.

Ling Yun stood up and took a few steps, turning to face the stoned Zhang Dong and Chai Hanlin. He beamed, "Why are you guys still standing there like idiots? Let's go! I'm treating, let's have something good!"

When Ning Lingyu saw her brother walking over with no sign of any serious injury, she felt a sense of relief. Flashing a sweet smile at Ling Yun, she stepped out of the classroom.

Seeing that Ling Yun, who had never offered to treat a meal, was treating, Zhang Dong decided that he wasn't going to waste this opportunity. He nudged the still dazed Chai Hanlin, smiled and said, "Why are you still holding your lunchbox, idiot? Ling Yun rarely treats, let's hammer him!"

As Tang Meng watched Zhang Dong and Chai Hanlin squeeze past him, he muttered jealously to himself, "Sh*t, that boy didn't ask me? D*mn, I won't go then!"

On second thought, he sprinted to chase after them. Without hesitation, he dashed towards Ning Lingyu and the group.

Just as he was about to exit the classroom, Ling Yun retreated backward suddenly. With both heading in opposite directions, they awkwardly bumped into each other.

Ling Yun only focused on his sister, who was having fun, almost forgetting about tonight's treat. Only when Ning Lingyu asked about a place to eat, did he remember about the treat.

As Ling Yun entered the classroom, he smiled at Zhang Ling. "Which place did you book?" he questioned, raising his chin.

Zhang Ling was furious and didn't feel like talking.

She had racked her brains to think of a way to take advantage of Ling Yun's treat, to the extent of calling to book her own room, getting all ready for Ling Yun's dinner treat. She hadn't expected another four people to appear out of thin air!

Me going through all this trouble for others to enjoy?

Apart from that, looking at the way Ling Yun exited the classroom, it was as if he had completely forgotten about Zhang Ling the 'Tutor' and Cao Shanshan, the thorn by her side.

While Zhang Ling was still fuming, Ling Yun was still smiling at the door, waiting for her answer. "Kuixing Pavilion," she snorted.

Ling Yun grinned and replied while nodding, "Remember to hurry up!" He promptly proceeded to exit the classroom.

"Is this how you treat someone to a meal? Seriously? No sincerity at all!" Zhang Ling sat there sulking.

Turning to face Cao Shanshan, she asked, "Shanshan, shall we go?"

"You can go, I'm not going!' Cao Shanshan replied.

Although Zhang Ling was pissed, she was unable to resist the thought of enjoying a great feast. Her neglected feelings were soon forgotten at the thought of Fried Butter Prawn from Savant's restaurant, something she hadn't eaten in a long time.

Yet, Cao Shanshan seemed angrier than Zhang Ling.

It was evident to everyone that Ling Yun had completely changed. There was no doubt that the change was so drastic that the majority of students had changed their views of Ling Yun within a day. In fact, many started to admire Ling Yun.

In the hostel, Ling Yun stood up to those who tried to bully him. He proved that he was no longer that cowardly boy who could be taken advantage of.

On the field, Ling Yun carried the sandbag for training. The blood and sweat stains proved his perseverance, endurance, and willpower. During History class, Ling Yun put the arrogant and brilliant geniuses to shame by simply doing one thing, reciting the passage. This was a testament to his superior memory power.

Not long ago, he viciously beat up the heinous young master Gou Junfa, proving that he was not afraid to go up against people of power and influence.

How could people ignore this changed Ling Yun? He had merely taken one day to prove that he was no longer the useless coward of the past.

People who still wanted to bully Ling Yun would now have to reconsider if they would be able to take his punches, and his foot, which loved to stomp on people's chests.

However, deep in Cao Shanshan's heart, she didn't care about these things. What really bothered her was Ling Yun's complete ignorance and disregard of her existence.

Right after school, when Zhang Ling had told her that Ling Yun was going to treat them both to a meal, Cao Shanshan did not appear to be too happy. However, deep inside her, she had secretly been delighted.

Of course, Zhang Ling deliberately did not tell her the real reason they were able to dine in Savant's restaurant together. In fact, it was only after countless pleas by Zhang Ling that Ling Yun agreed. Ling Yun had never intended to have dinner together with them.

During the scuffle between Ling Yun and Gou Junfa, Ling Yun gave Zhang Ling a subtle smile but didn't even bat an eye at Cao Shanshan!

This made Cao Shanshan very uncomfortable, as she thought to herself, Am I not comparable to Zhang Ling in your eyes?

For the past three years, who was the one that never dared to take the initiative to talk to me? Whenever I took the initiative, you got so excited, blushing and choking on your own words, unable to speak a proper sentence.

Who's the one who waited at my usual route before and after school, just to sneak a peek at me from a distance? Whenever I looked at you, you got so shy and overwhelmed, not knowing how to react.

Who's the one who pretended to borrow Zhang Ling's phone in order to get my number, only to call me using the public phone? Whenever I picked up, you never spoke a word, just to listen to my voice.

Also, yesterday night...

As soon as that thought reached her, Cao Shanshan's delicate face flustered uncontrollably, bursting with shame. She forced her white, neat teeth to gently bite her tender lips, disallowing her to continue thinking further.

All these things... Have you forgotten all about of them? She thought to herself.

She just couldn't believe it!

Oh...so today you broke your physical limits, today you've become strong, today you've become proud... so now you're trying to act like you don't know me?

The most annoying of all is that you still have the guts to hold your own sister so intimately. Even though you aren't biologically related, you guys are still siblings!

Doing this on purpose for me to see, eh?

This is making me so furious!

Both Ning Lingyu and Cao Shanshan knew that nothing could happen between her and Ling Yun, but Cao Shanshan just could not contain her anger!

I can't take this! Cao Shanshan thought to herself.

Ling Yun's overnight transformation had been so drastic. Although Cao Shanshan was in shock, she was still able to accept it.

After all, with Cao Shanshan's prestigious family background, the people that she usually interacted with were of a higher social status. This was something ordinary people wouldn't be able to understand!

Yet, Ling Yun complete ignorance of her existence made her blood boil. Her anger was so deep that she could feel it in her bones and her bloodstream. This was not something that the proud and noble Cao Shanshan willing to accept!

That was why she wouldn't go!