Chapter 11: Those Who Defy Me Shall Be Punished Without Mercy

After Luo Ziming finished speaking, Ling Xiao didn’t make any move, which made Luo Ziming curve his lips into a slight smile. So what if you’re tough? You think you can mess with me, young master?

But in the next moment, Ling Xiao abruptly lifted his foot and stomped down hard on Luo Ziming’s thigh. A crisp “crack” resounded. The smile on Luo Ziming’s face froze instantly; his eyes rolled back and he fainted on the spot.

The entire field fell into a deathly silence. No one dared to move, barely even breathing.

Only Ling Xiao, with one hand in his pocket, strode away indifferently, his face emotionless as he said, “You... really are nothing.”

“He actually crippled Luo Ziming? Am I dreaming?”

“With Luo Ziming’s family background, I doubt he’ll just let this go!”

Of course, this wasn’t the end of it. Though Luo Ziming had passed out, the other students immediately reported the incident to the PE teacher. When the teacher saw Luo Ziming’s grotesquely twisted thigh, he called the police without hesitation.

Soon after, Ling Xiao was summoned to the office, where two police officers began questioning him.

“What’s your name? Why did you assault someone?”

One was a man, not particularly handsome but scholarly looking. The other was a stunning woman, her beauty scoring a solid nine, though she carried an air of temper that made her seem much older if you didn’t look at her face.

Ling Xiao glanced at the female officer and said coolly, “He started it.”

She slammed her palm on the desk. “The field’s so big—why would he target you and not someone else?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t know? Don’t play dumb with me! The boy’s leg is broken—this is a severe injury. You could go to jail for that, you know?”

“Self-defense. I have nothing to fear.”

“So you’re going to be stubborn, are you?”

The woman strode forward and kicked at Ling Xiao. He caught her leg effortlessly. It was slender, and the smooth fabric of her tights made for a pleasing sensation.

From his vantage point, Ling Xiao’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something few would ever see.

The female officer didn’t notice, only feeling a bit surprised. “Not bad, you know some moves! Let me see what you’ve got!”

With that, she used Ling Xiao’s grip as leverage, leaping up to swing her other leg at his head. Ling Xiao let go at just the right moment, and without the support she was expecting, she crashed down onto the tiled floor, landing hard on her backside. She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes wide with pain.

“Hiss—!”

The male officer rushed over to help her up. “Captain Lin, are you all right?”

“I—I’m fine. Help me to a bench. I twisted something.”

“Of course.” He supported her as they walked to a seat, and behind her back, gave Ling Xiao a discreet thumbs-up.

Just then, Ling Xiao’s homeroom teacher, Zhao Xuejiao, came clicking over in her high heels.

“Ling Xiao, I heard you got into a fight with Luo Ziming. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief.” She patted her chest, still a bit shaken, then entered the office and addressed the officers, “Officers, I’ve already asked around. Luo Ziming started the trouble. My student acted in self-defense.”

Officer Lin, still fuming, refused to let it go. “Just because you say it was self-defense doesn’t make it so. We have to take him to the station for questioning. He crippled someone—we can’t just release him based on your word.”

But Zhao Xuejiao stood her ground. “You can question the other students. Ling Xiao is my student—if you need a guarantor, I’ll vouch for him. He won’t run.”

“You—” Officer Lin tried to argue, but her partner interjected, “Let it go, Captain Lin. He’s just a kid. No need to make a scene. Since his teacher is vouching for him, he’s not going anywhere.”

“Hmph!” Officer Lin shot Ling Xiao a vicious glare. “You’d better hope it was self-defense. Otherwise, I’ll personally make sure you go to jail!”

Ling Xiao glanced at her and turned to leave. “Then it seems you’ll be disappointed. And by the way, with your temperament, pink doesn’t suit you. Try bright red instead—don’t taint the color pink.”

Dumbfounded for a few seconds, Officer Lin grabbed a book from the table and hurled it at the door, but Ling Xiao and Zhao Xuejiao were already gone.

“One day, I’ll make you pay!”

After leaving with his teacher, Zhao Xuejiao looked at Ling Xiao, worry etched on her face. “Thank goodness I was there, or you’d be in a holding cell by now! Ling Xiao, you really weren’t careful—breaking Luo Ziming’s leg like that?”

“He needed to be taught a lesson.”

Zhao Xuejiao was speechless for a moment.

“Well, since Luo Ziming started it, just stick to your story: it was self-defense. The other students can testify, so don’t worry. Still, you’re really something—your very first day and you give me all this trouble! And flirting with that officer just now—you! I really don’t know if it was a blessing or a curse bringing you into my class.”

Thinking about Ling Xiao’s earlier antics, Zhao Xuejiao couldn’t help but blush. Kids these days are so precocious—they know everything! Back in high school, she was still completely clueless.

“Thank you for your help, Teacher Zhao. But you didn’t have to get involved—I could’ve handled it myself.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re just a kid—what do you mean, handle it yourself? Do you even know how? Just focus on your studies. Leave the rest to your teacher. You’re my student, even if it’s only been a day—I won’t just sit back and do nothing.”

Ling Xiao didn’t say more. He nodded and took his leave.

Just as he reached the school gates, An Xiya appeared from the shadows, eyes red from crying, Xiao Qing at her side, glaring at Ling Xiao with open annoyance.

“Ling Xiao, I’m sorry. This is all because of me—you got in trouble again!”

“It’s nothing. But next time, try not to stay too close to me. It only invites trouble—too many thorns.”

“I… I’m sorry.” An Xiya was on the verge of tears. Xiao Qing, unable to bear it, snapped, “Hey! Ling! Enough already. Xiya likes you—that’s a blessing for you! Do you know how many guys wish she’d notice them? And you dare to pick a fight with Luo Ziming? You’re just asking for it!”

“That’s enough, Xiao Qing. It’s my fault. Ling Xiao, Teacher Zhao said we should all say it was self-defense, that Luo Ziming started it. If things get really bad, I’ll go to my dad—he’ll find a way to help. I won’t let you go to jail!”

“There’s no need for tears. No one in this world can send me, Ling Xiao, to prison. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait, Ling Xiao! I’ve caused you so much trouble—I feel terrible. Let me buy you lunch.”

“That’s unnecessary.”

“Ling—” An Xiya wanted to say more, but Ling Xiao had already melted into the crowd. Xiao Qing spat in the direction he’d gone.

“Bah! Who does he think he is, playing hard to get? Turning Xiya down again and again—does he think he’s so special?”

“Let it go, Xiao Qing. I already feel awful.”

“Fine, fine! But Xiya, as your best friend, I have to warn you—that guy is just a brainless musclehead. Sure, he can fight and he’s good-looking, but what else does he have to offer? Don’t waste your beauty and figure on someone like him!”

“Xiao Qing, if you keep talking like that, I’m going to get angry!”

“All right, all right, I surrender! Come on, my lady, let’s go eat—I’m starving.”