Extra Chapter
3. Chen Yao
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My parents have gone back to work again.
Today marks the second week of my junior high school life.
Yet, I still haven’t made a single new friend…
I can vaguely remember a few classmates’ names, but I often mix them up.
Because I’m small and young, I ended up as a desk mate with a girl.
But let me tell you, that’s not exactly a good thing.
On the very first day of sitting together, the “No-Girls-Allowed” line was drawn, and for the next three days, she didn’t say a single word to me.
I have no idea how to break the ice with others. Each day, I just sit quietly, listening to lectures, then head to the cafeteria for a meal before going home alone.
My grades aren’t too shabby. Back in my small-town elementary school, I was always among the top few in class. But here? The new environment makes me too anxious to focus on studying.
And to top it off, I don’t have a single friend…
I awkwardly lean on my desk. My table half belongs to my desk mate, and I don’t want to fight over it or cross the line.
With my ears perked up, I listen attentively to the teacher’s lecture, occasionally jotting down notes.
I sit in the third row, probably because it’s closer to the teacher. The kids around me seem reasonably studious, although they do whisper a bit. Still, they’re way better than those tall kids sitting in the back.
Schools in the county have a much better learning atmosphere compared to those in the countryside.
But let me tell you, the troublemakers are also plentiful. I’m small for my age and have that “I’m an easy target” look. There are always a couple of students who like to mess with me, and I’ve even been extorted for “protection fees” during breaks.
But the teasing and exclusion aren’t too severe—I don’t take it to heart. It’s just the handful of bucks I got squeezed out of me for so-called “protection” that keeps gnawing at my mind.
This time, I instinctively glance back at the back row of the classroom and lock eyes with Chen Yao, the guy I met during the orientation. He noticed me looking and smiled, causing me to jump in surprise and quickly duck my head.
I was actually wondering if I should formally introduce myself to Chen Yao. He seems friendly enough, if not a bit goofy, and always leans on the window that faces the hallway during recess, staring out like he’s watching butterflies.
But then I saw him smoking with a group of those unstudious kids hiding in the boys’ bathroom and thought, “Yikes, what a bummer!”
After that, whenever Chen Yao tried to say hi, I just pretended not to notice.
After all, this isn’t the countryside where I have my little cousins looking out for me. Being a bit timid and staying out of trouble while just focusing on my studies isn’t so bad.
This afternoon, the last class of the day is P.E.
Although there’s a P.E. teacher around, it’s just a bunch of students standing in line on the playground, and the teacher gives a glance before declaring free activity.
When P.E. class ended and I returned to the classroom, I was shocked to find my desk in complete disarray.
Upon closer inspection, my backpack was gone from the drawer.
I surveyed the classroom and then noticed two students in the back row rummaging through my backpack.
Of course, they were those same punks who extorted me for protection fees last time.
“What are you doing?” I frowned and stormed over, my voice firm as I shouted, “That’s my backpack!”
In my mind, I fancied myself like a roaring lion, exuding enough ferocity to scare off anyone.
But to those two troublemakers, I must have looked like a pitiful kitten about to burst into tears, all the while trying to act tough.
They were supposed to return my backpack, but upon seeing my face, they grabbed it and said, “Want it? Come and take it! If you manage to take it back, maybe we’ll give it to you.”
With that, they dashed out into the hallway, and I stood there dumbfounded, scrambling after them.
I was completely confused—I had already paid up last time!
As I reached the hallway, I saw them splitting up. I focused on the kid holding my backpack and took off after him.
Compared to these twelve or thirteen-year-olds, I’m only eleven and clearly a bit behind in development. They have long legs, while I have to take two steps for their one.
After a noisy chase around the corridor, I finally cornered the backpack thief at the end of the third-floor hallway.
“Give it back!”
Panting, my energy was running low, but he only laughed and held the backpack high in the air.
I watched helplessly as the backpack flew over my head. When I turned to check, I saw another kid had appeared behind me, catching my backpack with perfect timing.
What on earth?!
If I were in my village, my three cousins would’ve brought a whole gang here to give you a beating!
My face flushed with anger, tears nearly spilling over, but I held them back, terrified of looking like an easy target.
Though to be honest, that reputation has probably already stuck—otherwise, why would these guys keep picking on me?
“Where’s your money? It’s not in the backpack!”
Of course not! After you took my money last time, do you think I’d keep any on me?
“I’ve got no money!”
I could handle almost anything, but the moment money was involved, my fury shifted into overdrive. “Just give me my backpack!”
“Then we might just toss it over the railing.” They chuckled and held the backpack over the edge of the hallway.
Just a little nudge, and my backpack would land right on the roof of the restroom below.
Panic set in.
I didn’t want to pay, but I also didn’t want my backpack to be tossed away, so I was stuck, my face turning red and white as the tears threatened to spill again.
“Hey, hey! You’re not about to cry, are you?”
“I’m not!”
But just then, a hand suddenly swooped in and snatched my backpack away, dropping it carelessly onto the ground.
The two troublemakers froze for a moment, then turned to see two fists flying straight towards them, one left and one right, firmly colliding with their noses.
Their fragile noses took the hit, and as tears and nosebleeds flowed from both, the duo stepped back, fear evident on their faces, their confidence evaporating.
“What are you staring at? Scram! You guys just love to bully classmates!”
At that, they took off running.
As they bolted, the student who rescued me finally came into view, and I was left dumbfounded. “Chen Yao?!”
“Are you okay?” Chen Yao approached, grinning as he handed my backpack back.
I was holding it together until that question, and before I knew it, tears cascaded down my cheeks uncontrollably.
Chen Yao panicked a bit, “Did you get hurt? Why are you crying all of a sudden?!”
“I’m fine…” I shook my head vigorously. “Thank you.”
Maybe he’s not that bad after all?
Thinking it through, even though he smokes and looks like a troublemaker, I’ve never seen him bully anyone. He seems to get along well with everyone instead.
“As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters. From now on, I’ll watch out for you,” Chen Yao said, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat, throwing his arm around my neck with a huge grin. “Those guys just love picking on the quiet, friendless ones like you.”
“Uh…?”
Why do I feel like that hit me right in the feels?
“By the way, I’ve got a fight scheduled. Gotta run!” Chen Yao suddenly remembered something important, released me, and dashed off in a hurry.
I stood there in a daze, looking after him as he disappeared.
Wait, did that mean Chen Yao and I are friends now?
