Chapter 83: Still Unwilling to Give Up

However, with the power behind Huang Xiaobiao weighing on him, Zheng Furen ultimately did not dare to erupt in fury. Added to this, after his recent ordeal with Zhang Pushou—where he still had to pay protection fees—he had become much more restrained than before. Though he truly was unable to help Huang Xiaobiao deal with Zhang Pu, once he calmed down, he was not foolish enough to reject Huang Xiaobiao outright on the spot. Moreover, he believed Huang Xiaobiao understood well enough that he was afraid of the Wuguimen backing Zhang Pu, so he might as well use this as an excuse to maneuver.

On the surface, Zheng Furen still agreed to Huang Xiaobiao’s request, saying he would try his best. He explained that the school’s management was currently very strict, and that he already had a record with the school, so this matter must be handled with absolute caution. Neither the Wuguimen behind Zhang Pu nor the school could be allowed to find out.

Seeing Zheng Furen had said as much, Huang Xiaobiao had no choice but to end the meeting for now. As he was leaving, he told Zheng Furen that, if necessary, he could provide additional manpower. As the saying goes, “With money, even the devil will push the millstone.” Not only outside school, but even within it, as long as Huang Xiaobiao was willing to spend generously, he could always find people to help Zheng Furen deal with Zhang Pu.

But what he didn’t realize was that Zheng Furen had long since been cowed by Zhang Pu. Even if Huang Xiaobiao could mobilize half the student body for him, would Zheng Furen still dare to openly challenge Zhang Pu again? Zheng Furen himself probably wasn’t sure.

Having first sought out Zheng Furen on the martial front, Huang Xiaobiao was also planning to attack Zhang Pu from an academic angle. He intended to go to any lengths to collect “evidence” of Zhang Pu’s misdeeds at school, then report him to teachers and school leaders, inflicting a different kind of harm.

In his heart, Huang Xiaobiao thought: No matter what, by whatever means, even if it took slander or framing, he would do whatever it took to bring Zhang Pu down! If Zhang Pu proved as terrifying in other subjects as he was in that recent English quiz, then Huang Xiaobiao would have no hope of being first in class, and Zhang Pu might even shatter his confidence and replace him among the top three students in the entire school.

No matter what... Huang Xiaobiao thought, it would be best if he could force Zhang Pu to leave Modern High School for good!

Yet for now, Huang Xiaobiao could not find anything to use against Zhang Pu. Zhang Pu was always low-key, never flaunting himself academically. Even that astonishing performance in the English teacher’s test was a fleeting moment. In daily life, Zhang Pu never bullied anyone; in fact, he was often on leave and barely spent enough time at school for anyone to find fault.

What now? For someone as narrow-minded as Huang Xiaobiao, getting rid of Zhang Pu felt like a matter of utmost urgency!

Eventually, following the advice of a trusted underling, Huang Xiaobiao resolved to make up accusations and frame Zhang Pu. He even considered using Zhang Pu’s frequent absences as an excuse, urging school leaders to expel this student who was always missing class, since the school had its rules. Why should Zhang Pu alone be granted special treatment?

Having prepared his “evidence,” Huang Xiaobiao was convinced he could topple Zhang Pu this time. There was another reason for his confidence: the school, with its clean and scientific reputation, would surely resent anything connected to the Wuguimen behind Zhang Pu!

Even though Huang Xiaobiao did not know why Zhang Pu was granted so many leaves of absence, he doubted it was due to Wuguimen pressuring the school. If it was because of Zhang Pu’s own health issues, Huang Xiaobiao was more than willing to deliver a psychological blow, hoping to worsen his condition and force him to take a leave of absence.

Yet to his surprise, when Huang Xiaobiao went to his homeroom teacher and the school’s disciplinarian to make his accusations, neither of them responded as Zheng Furen had, but neither did they agree as readily as he’d expected.

To be honest, both the homeroom teacher and the disciplinarian were aware of Huang Xiaobiao’s family background and had previously accepted favors from his family. Under normal circumstances, even if Zhang Pu’s faults were minor, they would have been obliged to stand up for Huang Xiaobiao.

But instead of immediately criticizing Zhang Pu, the homeroom teacher reacted with confusion, questioning why Huang Xiaobiao would want to report Zhang Pu. This only fueled Huang Xiaobiao’s frustration, but he was determined to press his case. In the end, he resorted to both threats and persuasion, invoking his family’s influence until the teacher reluctantly agreed to consult the school leadership.

What Huang Xiaobiao did not know was that the homeroom teacher had received special instructions from the principal to treat Zhang Pu well, while the principal himself was under the influence of Wang Gang, a subordinate of Old Master Zeng!

So on the homeroom teacher’s side, just as with Zheng Furen, Huang Xiaobiao encountered unexpected resistance.

As for the disciplinarian, although he received Huang Xiaobiao warmly—out of respect for Huang Xiaobiao’s background—and was always willing to grant him special privileges in school, he was genuinely surprised to learn that Huang Xiaobiao was not seeking favors but rather lodging a complaint. In the past, any privileges Huang Xiaobiao wanted had already been granted, and as an outstanding student, he’d never tried to report anyone before.

It wasn’t as if there were no conflicts or people Huang Xiaobiao disliked, but usually he could send Zheng Furen’s group to handle things directly. In truth, hardly anyone dared to cross him, given his status and connections.

Although the disciplinarian was momentarily stunned, he still allowed Huang Xiaobiao to make his report.

Zhang Pu... that name seemed familiar. Though the principal had never spoken to him directly about Zhang Pu, he could sense there was something special going on.

The disciplinarian readily agreed to Huang Xiaobiao’s request, stating that he would go to see the principal immediately, and if possible, would implement disciplinary measures that very day. He asked Huang Xiaobiao to wait in his office, promising to return quickly.

Huang Xiaobiao was pleased, sitting there drinking the tea the disciplinarian had brewed for him, feeling a rush of joy in his heart.

However—

Not long after, the disciplinarian returned in a hurry.

He had indeed gone to see the principal, but...