Chapter 18: The Hungry Tiger Comes Calling (Part Two)

With a single loud shout, the entire Class Twenty-Eight fell silent. The ones who were roughhousing stopped, the ones laughing ceased their laughter. The girls all turned toward the classroom door, their gazes tinged with fear, while the boys looked equally uneasy.

The reason he was called Black-Handed Hungry Tiger was simple: his hands were black, and his greed was insatiable. Of course, it was impossible for him to extort, threaten, or bully every student, but he was a master of making an example out of a few to terrify the rest. His notorious reputation had long spread through the "trash classes" along with the miserable fates of those he'd singled out.

Students in other classes fared better. With Principal Zheng patrolling from time to time and teachers paying attention, the students there felt little of Teng Chaoguo's menacing presence. But in this class, unloved and unwanted by anyone, the name Hungry Tiger sent chills through the heart.

The sharp, rhythmic sound of leather shoes striking the floor echoed as Teng Chaoguo appeared at the doorway, four lackeys trailing behind. His sinister gaze swept the entire classroom, and every student quickly averted their eyes, desperate not to attract his notice.

He had come looking for trouble—everyone could see it.

There were rules even in the trash class. The students of Class Twenty-Eight glanced toward the back row, hoping the school’s resident delinquents would step up to negotiate. But the so-called leader, Zhou Nan, was nowhere to be seen, and the other usual loudmouths were all shrinking back, cowed by fear.

It was as if their backsides were glued to their chairs; none could stand. Their eyes darted away, some even forced awkward, submissive smiles from afar.

Only Shi Tiexin stood out.

To their astonishment, the new hulking transfer student showed not a trace of fear. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, completely oblivious to the commotion.

Was he ignoring Teng Chaoguo? Or did he simply not know the legend of the Hungry Tiger?

Either way, no one expected the newcomer to intervene. He had only just arrived, after all—how could he possibly get involved now? The only hope was to pray that this time, Hungry Tiger’s prey wasn’t themselves.

“Well, well.” Teng Chaoguo finally spoke, his lips curled in a mocking half-smile, his tone full of amusement. “You all seem quite lively.”

Who?

Who was he talking to?

Who had Hungry Tiger set his sights on this time?

With deliberate, unhurried steps, Teng Chaoguo strode into the classroom, as if he owned the place. His four cronies filed in behind, each with a menacing expression.

At a time like this, in any ordinary class, the class monitor would surely step up. But a single glance was enough to fill the students with disdain.

The class monitor was the most frightened of them all!

A faint, chattering sound of teeth was heard—it was Zhao Qingmiao. He lay flat on his desk, head buried, not daring to look up, much less let Teng Chaoguo see his face. He was always terrified of delinquents, and this one was the most ruthless of them all.

“Hey, monitor!” a boy called out, mustering his courage. Many students were dissatisfied that the monitor was so cowardly.

But Zhao Qingmiao paid no heed to their opinions.

“Pick someone else, pick someone else, please pick someone else!” he pleaded silently. “I’m not the monitor, I don’t want to be the monitor, I can’t handle this, I really can’t. Please, pick anyone but me! Damn it, you all call me ‘Little Miao’ any other time, but now you’re pushing me forward? Is this what a monitor is for? To hell with it. No matter who Hungry Tiger goes after, I won’t say a word!”

“Oh, right, best if he goes after that new guy. Let them tear each other apart!” Under tremendous pressure, Zhao Qingmiao’s face twisted where it pressed against the desk. “These damned delinquents will all be dregs and trash in society one day! Bully me? Look down on me? Life changes—one day, I’ll make it big, I’ll be a success, and then I—!”

Suddenly, footsteps stopped right beside him. Zhao Qingmiao shuddered; he could feel a venomous gaze burning into his scalp.

“Stand up.”

It was Teng Chaoguo’s voice, calm but commanding.

Me? He’s coming for me?

Even after all that submissiveness, he’s coming for me!

Despair flooded Zhao Qingmiao’s heart; his whole body trembled like a leaf.

“Heh, you don’t even listen to me anymore? Getting bold, are you?” Teng Chaoguo suddenly reached out, grabbed Zhao Qingmiao by the collar, and hauled him to his feet. Glancing at Shi Tiexin sitting serenely in the back, he then roared at the pale-faced Zhao Qingmiao, “You dared to rip me off? You got a death wish?!”

Zhao Qingmiao was petrified, stammering, barely able to utter a word. After a long moment, he forced out a feeble protest: “I—I didn’t take anything from you…”

A resounding slap landed on Zhao Qingmiao’s face.

“Useless! You dare do it but won’t admit it?” Teng Chaoguo snarled like a wild beast. “Last night, did Zhou Nan leave something with you? Admit it or not?”

“Uh…” Zhao Qingmiao clutched his cheek, tears welling in his eyes. “Yes, there were a few things…”

“Where are my cigarettes? I left them with you, and now they’re gone. You dare say you didn’t steal them?”

Zhao Qingmiao was on the verge of collapse. I was squeezed onto a narrow bed all night—I never touched your cigarettes!

“No, I didn’t…”

Whap!

Another slap, even more vicious, made Zhao Qingmiao stagger, his cheek swelling painfully.

His legs buckled, and he slumped downward, but two lackeys caught him on either side, forcing him to face Teng Chaoguo’s ferocious glare.

“Gone? You think ‘gone’ cuts it? Lose someone else’s stuff and you pay it back; but lose mine, and you’ll pay with your life—unless you want to lose it entirely!”

Teng Chaoguo barked fiercely, but in truth, he had another motive.

Originally, his target had been Shi Tiexin. But Teng Chaoguo wasn’t a complete fool. The reason he could bully and extort so many students without being disciplined by the school wasn’t just his family background—it was that he had a knack for blackmail, for finding leverage.

Once he had something on a student, they rarely dared speak up. In the end, they had no choice but to swallow their grievances.

He’d wanted to dig up some dirt on Shi Tiexin first, so he’d spent two class periods investigating. After all, if a top student like Shi could be exiled to the trash class, there must be some major scandal waiting to be uncovered.

But what he discovered left him uneasy.

Shi Tiexin had indeed gotten into trouble—but for something even Teng Chaoguo wouldn’t dare attempt: assaulting a teacher!