Chapter 32: Detective Zheng Kaiming (Part Two)

Moreover, you bullies from another class actually have the nerve to come here and look for witnesses—are you stupid?

“No, I didn’t see anything.”

“No, I didn’t hear anything.”

“No, I didn’t notice.”

“I don’t think so.”

Everyone in Class Twenty-Eight spoke with one voice, staunchly supporting Shi Tiexin.

The four henchmen grew anxious. If they failed to seize this last chance, their grievances would never be redressed. The four immediately stormed into Class Twenty-Eight, shouting loudly, “Lies! You’re all lying! You all saw it!”

That morning, these same people had cowered in silence before Blackhand Hungry Tiger.

But by afternoon, everything had changed.

With Old Iron Brother in our class, who would be afraid of these little punks?

“What did you see, exactly?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“This is just absurd!”

The four henchmen were now flustered and confused. As they gazed at the faces of Class Twenty-Eight, all showing distaste, contempt, and disdain, they felt deep in their bones that their reputation had truly sunk to the very bottom. Usually, their little clique strutted about, the Street Tiger acting intimidating and all-powerful, as if they were untouchable. But did those who feared them, those who dreaded their presence, really harbor no simmering anger?

Everyone knew the saying: the bird that sticks its head out first gets shot. No one dared be the first to stand up, or rather, no one believed they could stand up and not be struck down immediately.

Now, Shi Tiexin had become that person—the one who stood up and remained standing. Since he hadn’t fallen, he became a banner. That banner might not be useful elsewhere, but when it came to opposing Teng Chao Guo and the Street Tiger, it was extremely effective.

No one would fear them any longer.

No one.

The four grew desperate. No, this can’t be! If truly no one backs us, this act is ruined! We need someone—someone must step forward and testify for us! Who in this class still fears us? Wait, isn’t there that timid fellow—the one we slapped this morning who didn’t dare utter a word?

“Zhao Qingmiao! You saw it, didn’t you?”

The four shouted at Zhao Qingmiao in the front row.

Zheng Kaiming would not allow these boys to swagger about. He barked sharply, “What are you yelling for? Shut up, all of you!” He turned to Zhao Qingmiao and asked sternly, “Did you see anything? What did Shi Tiexin do during the second recess?”

“Hello, Mr. Zheng.” Zhao Qingmiao stood up, looking like the quintessential bookworm—timid and honest. He replied nervously, “Shi Tiexin… went to the restroom.”

The four henchmen were instantly elated—so he was still afraid of them!

Zheng Kaiming pressed further, “What did he do in the restroom?”

Zhao Qingmiao wore a puzzled expression and replied matter-of-factly, “If he went to the restroom, then he was using the restroom. What else would he do?”

“Nothing else?”

“No, Shi Tiexin is new to Class Twenty-Eight and isn’t familiar with the layout yet, so we went together. He took a long pee and then came right back,” Zhao Qingmiao affirmed.

This—this! The four felt as if they had been swallowed by endless darkness, surrounded by lies and illusions, unable even to breathe. It was like sinking into the deep sea—suffocating, oppressive, dark, powerless.

Is there still justice in this world?!

“Student,” Zheng Kaiming looked Zhao Qingmiao up and down, “Are you alright? Not feeling well?”

Zhao Qingmiao was drenched in sweat, panting, with a flush from exertion on his face. He did look a bit off.

“No, I just like to exercise after lunch. I ran over here, worked up a sweat.” Zhao Qingmiao’s shy smile appeared. “The school advocates all-round development, so I figured I shouldn’t neglect physical exercise.”

“Good, alright, I’m satisfied.” Zheng Kaiming turned and stepped off the platform. He didn’t bother with the four, who were still staring at him, and kicked the chubby one hard, “Why are you standing there? Get out!”

The four followed Zheng Kaiming out of the classroom in disgrace.

As soon as they entered the corridor, regardless of the fact that classes were about to begin and students were passing by, Zheng Kaiming didn’t care about saving their face. He erupted in a furious tirade: “You lot, you’ve got some nerve! Deceiving the teacher, framing classmates, conspiring against others—do you really take me for a fool?”

“Mr. Zheng, we—”

“Shut up, all of you! If you dare argue again, you’ll regret it for the rest of your lives!” Zheng Kaiming was livid, pointing fiercely at them, “You four, and Teng Chao Guo, I’ve heard enough about your antics. Don’t think a bit of cunning will let you get away with anything. The school has ways to deal with you.”

“I’m noting today’s incident. If I hear of even one more serious offense linked to you, even if I don’t catch evidence on the spot, mark my words—I can make sure all of you are expelled from Phoenix Ming No. 1 High! I’ll give you a major demerit, then clear you out, so you’ll never hold your heads up again!”

“Now, get lost!”

From a distant corner, Zhou Nan peeked around the wall, furtively watching. Hearing Zheng Kaiming’s tirade, Zhou Nan was stunned. In a case so clear and obvious, Zheng Kaiming ignored the evidence and scolded the four, accusing them of framing and slander—this was pure reversal of truth!

This square-faced scourge was always sharp-eyed; why had he lost his head today?

No, perhaps he hadn’t lost his head…

Zhou Nan’s heart jolted, suddenly struck by a possibility. When that kid arrived at the dormitory… Zheng Kaiming opened the way… three major disciplinary officers escorted him… and today Zheng Kaiming openly twisted facts to protect him… Could it be that kid wasn’t just some ordinary poor loser, but someone with a hidden, important identity?

No, leaving that aside, just focusing on what’s happened now—Zheng Kaiming has openly backed Shi Tiexin. So, who in the school could Shi Tiexin possibly fear now?

It’s likely he now reigns supreme in the trash class!

Am I… am I really going to make an enemy of such a person just for the title of Class Twenty-Eight boss?

Zhou Nan grew even more timid toward Shi Tiexin. From last night to now, his fear had compounded—threefold at the start, threefold in the middle, and threefold again at the end—already ninefold.

Meanwhile, Zheng Kaiming, after yelling and chastising the four until they slunk away, had completely established the nature of the incident. But once the four had left, he listened closely and heard the suppressed whispers and low cheers from the students of Class Twenty-Eight, as if celebrating a great victory.

A thought flashed through Zheng Kaiming’s mind. He suddenly strode back to the black restroom.

Standing at the restroom door, Zheng Kaiming carefully examined the floor and found something unusual—it was unusually clean. He knew well what the black restroom was like; who would be so diligent as to clean it?

“Was it… washed with water?”

Recalling Zhao Qingmiao’s sweat-drenched appearance, Zheng Kaiming pondered for a moment, then left.

“Disciplinary Committee, bring Shi Tiexin of Class Twenty-Eight to my office. Yes, Shi Tiexin—I want to have a talk with him.”