Chapter Thirty-Six: You're Not a Bad Person, Just a Bit Foolish!

Chapter Thirty-Six: You’re Not a Bad Person, Just a Bit Foolish!

When Tang Zhong mentioned, “There are a few more siblings outside, only your father knows about this,” Qiao Lei was already fuming. Yet, he forced himself to suppress his anger, wanting to hear what else Tang Zhong had to say. Unexpectedly, the more he listened, the angrier and more alarmed he became.

What did it mean to see through everything before divining? To hit the mark with a single phrase? To strike straight at the heart?

Indeed, Tang Zhong had guessed it all correctly.

Qiao Lei’s family was fairly well-off, owning a leather factory. Though not at the top of the country's social ladder, they were affluent enough to live a respectable life—this had always been his source of pride. He was the only son, with an elder sister. Because of the local preference for sons, he was practically the little emperor of his family. Growing up, he always got what he wanted and did as he pleased, always the center of attention wherever he went.

It wasn't until he entered university, stepping into Southern University, that his life was completely overturned.

Southern University was a gathering place for the brightest minds from across the country. Compared to many of his peers, his family’s assets were nothing impressive. Academically, he was only average or below. Some classmates had been trading stocks and amassing millions since their teens, or investing in IT ventures for exponential returns—it made him feel utterly inadequate. Even his looks, of which he had always been proud, were overshadowed; the most sought-after boys on campus had nothing to do with him.

When he tried to get close to those people, they showed no interest in befriending him.

So, he chose another path—just as Tang Zhong had said. He made a name for himself and once again became the center of attention, but his targets were always those weaker than himself.

Anyone who accidentally provoked him was made a fool of, humiliated in various ways. Hua Ming was merely one of their regular playthings.

His face was flushed, cold sweat streamed down his forehead, and the muscles on his face twitched. His teeth were clenched so tightly he could hear them grind. His fists tightened and loosened, blood surging through his body as if he might explode at any moment.

Qiao Lei didn’t know what to say, nor whether to throw that punch. He felt utterly exposed standing before Tang Zhong, stripped of security and strength.

Before he could react, his loyal followers behind him began to shout.

“Is this idiot out of his mind? Who the hell does he think he is? Studying psychology doesn’t make him some fortune-telling master.”

“Why waste time listening to his nonsense? Guys, let’s take him down so we can go eat. Lunch is on me today—Western food!”

“Damn it, I can’t stand the way he acts all high and mighty—Lei, just say the word and we’ll teach him a lesson.”

Their words snapped Qiao Lei back to his senses. Right—he had been insulted by this guy.

Every word Tang Zhong uttered, his tone, his gaze, even the way he curled his lip—all of it was an insult. And what do you do to those who insult you? You put them in their place—that was their usual way.

So, staring at Tang Zhong’s detestable face, he swung his fist.

Crack—

His wrist was caught in Tang Zhong’s hand.

“You’re not a bad person, just a bit foolish,” Tang Zhong said, his tone mocking. “If you were the scheming type, you’d have brushed off my words, maybe laughed it off or changed the subject—at least then you could have cleared your name, made everyone think I’d guessed wrong. But by getting so angry, you’re just proving that everything I said is true.”

Not a bad person, just a bit foolish—who could keep their composure after such a ‘compliment’?

Qiao Lei nearly lost his mind.

He wanted nothing more than to fight Tang Zhong to the death.

“Your mouth really deserves a beating,” Qiao Lei spat viciously. “When I’m done with you, I’ll make sure you can’t talk for a week.”

As he spoke, Qiao Lei began to exert force. He’d played basketball since childhood and trained at a club; he was in excellent shape. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have beaten someone as burly as Hua Ming in a wrist match.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, his wrist felt clamped by iron.

“I have a habit,” Tang Zhong said calmly. “Whatever someone tries to do to me, I return in kind. Fortunately, you only said you’d slap my mouth, not cut out my tongue.”

With that, Tang Zhong raised his free left hand and aimed a slap at Qiao Lei’s mouth.

Qiao Lei quickly raised his left hand to block, his reflexes sharp.

Bang—

Their fists collided.

“If I were you, I’d stop trying to block,” Tang Zhong said. He threw another punch.

Bang—

Qiao Lei blocked again.

Tang Zhong smiled, then began to speed up his punches.

At first, Hua Ming and the others could still see what was happening. Soon, though, all they saw were a blur of fists.

Bang, bang, bang—

At first, Qiao Lei could keep up.

But as Tang Zhong’s speed increased, he started to falter.

Then, every punch landed square on his mouth.

Pa, pa, pa—

The sound changed.

When Tang Zhong finally stopped, Qiao Lei’s lips were swollen like braised pork.

He staggered back several steps, only stopping when he crashed into Li Dapeng’s arms.

“Lei, are you alright?” Li Dapeng asked with concern, steadying him.

None of them had intervened when Qiao Lei started fighting Tang Zhong; they’d assumed he was the bully, as usual. Who could have guessed he’d be the one bullied? That guy was unbelievably tough.

Qiao Lei didn’t answer—he was too busy, and besides, the question was too humiliating.

Could he say, “I’m seriously hurt, my mouth’s bleeding”?

He wiped the blood from his lips, let out a furious roar, and charged at Tang Zhong with fists raised.

Li Dapeng, worried Qiao Lei would get hurt again, shouted, “Brothers, let’s go!”

He and several other basketball players all rushed at Tang Zhong.

Six against one.

Though Hua Ming was exhausted from military training, this fight had started because of him. The target was Tang Zhong—how could he just stand by and watch Tang Zhong be attacked?

“I’ll take you all on!” he yelled, using his hefty body to charge forward.

Li Yu could barely stand a moment ago, but at this moment, his manhood showed through. He clenched his fists and ran at one of the tallest guys, aiming to punch him right in the groin.

Liang Tao hesitated for a moment.

Two seconds later, he cursed, “Damn it. I’ll just pretend he owes me one,” and dashed after Li Yu.

All three from Dorm 307 joined the fray, following Tang Zhong in a line.

Damn!

But what happened next stunned everyone—no, it shattered their reality.

As Qiao Lei charged, Tang Zhong moved too.

He went on the attack, and as Qiao Lei threw a punch, Tang Zhong sidestepped, dodging both the blow and the force of the larger man’s body. Reaching out, he caught Qiao Lei’s wrist with a masterful grip. Then, spinning around, he forced Qiao Lei to turn with him to avoid pain.

He braced himself, squatted, and heaved. Qiao Lei’s large frame was hoisted onto his shoulder.

Tang Zhong ran forward a few steps and then hurled Qiao Lei straight ahead.

Right in front was the lotus pond, the blooms already fading, broad leaves drifting on the water.

Splash—

Qiao Lei plunged into the pond, vanishing beneath the surface.

Not missing a beat, Tang Zhong spun around, dodging Li Dapeng’s sneak attack from behind.

He reached out, grabbed, and yanked—pulling Li Dapeng to the edge of the pond.

“Since you two are such good friends, go keep him company,” Tang Zhong said with a grin.

He released his grip, and Li Dapeng tumbled backward into the water.

Two more unfortunate souls rushed over, but Tang Zhong dodged their feeble attacks and shoved them into the pond as well.

Screech—

Huang Puyang and Zhang Le skidded to a halt.

They stared at Tang Zhong by the pond, as if seeing a ghost.

Who was this guy? Qiao Lei couldn’t beat him, Li Dapeng couldn’t beat him, all six of them together couldn’t beat him—

They hadn’t lost their heads to rage; they knew full well that if they charged, they’d end up in the pond too.

The two exchanged glances and made up their minds.

“You just wait!” Huang Puyang pointed at Tang Zhong. “We’re going to get reinforcements. Stay right there!”

“I’m afraid I don’t have the time,” Tang Zhong replied with a smile and a shake of his head. “Leaving already? Isn’t that a bit disloyal? Tell you what, you two seem clever enough, so I’ll give you an extra choice—you can rush over and let me throw you in, or you can jump in yourselves.”

“——”

“If I throw you in, it might be a bit more embarrassing. I’ll count to three, so you’d better decide. One, two—”

Tang Zhong counted quickly, to build the tension.

Before he could say “three,” the two of them shrieked and jumped into the lotus pond.

Compared to the others who had been tossed in, their posture was much more graceful.

Sadly, they had no idea what they’d given up.

Splash—

The sound of bodies hitting water echoed again and again, startling a few dragonflies, a dozen fish, and sending ripples across the pond.