Chapter 50: Beating Pei Haitao to a Pulp

Page (1/3)
Pei Haitao halted in his tracks and turned back with a sneer at the boy who was pointing at him and questioning him.
The dormitory supervisor, a stout middle-aged woman, wore an air of pride as she huffed, “Hmph, you think you can get in too?”
“What nonsense! Secretary Zhou is just in his early forties; there’s no way he has a son that old!”
“Hmph, don’t you understand anything?”
The supervisor chuckled smugly, recalling how the first time Pei Haitao came, she had stopped him, but he merely made a call, and that was that.
In the past few days, Pei Haitao had come almost every day. Although Di Yutong never responded to him, he remained persistent.
As long as he could get Di Yutong out even once, he was confident he could make her yield. Just thinking of her alluring figure sent a thrill through him.
Suddenly, he spotted Liang Jiyong in the crowd, and his expression darkened instantly.
In recent days, in his pursuit of Di Yutong, he had carefully gathered all the gossip about her.
Among them were Qu Zhihang, who had been driven away by Liang Jiyong, and the man Di Yutong claimed she had chased for eighteen years without success.
“Oh, isn’t this Little Liang? What are you doing here?” Pei Haitao looked down on Liang Jiyong arrogantly.
“Waiting for someone.”
“Oh, this is the girls’ dormitory; guys usually can’t get in. Who are you looking for? I can call for you!”
“Heh, the person I’m looking for isn’t someone you can invite!”
“That remains to be seen!” Pei Haitao’s gaze grew darker.
“Heh...”
Liang Jiyong scoffed disdainfully, and Pei Haitao ignored him, heading up the stairs.
Though he knew Di Yutong wouldn’t pay him any mind, the thought of her being harassed by this guy made Liang Jiyong furious.
He strode towards the stairs directly.
“Stop!”
The dorm supervisor immediately tried to block Liang Jiyong.
“Move aside!”
Liang Jiyong had no patience for the sycophantic supervisor.
“Why shout? Aren’t you afraid of being expelled? Go on in then!”
“Aunt Liu, he’s not even from our school. Expelling him? What nonsense!”
Zhang Tao was also a bit annoyed with Aunt Liu. If he hadn’t often brought her fruit to curry favor, he’d have to wait hours every time he wanted to see his girlfriend!
“Out-of-school students aren’t allowed in!” the dorm supervisor pushed at Liang Jiyong’s arm.
Liang Jiyong grabbed her wrist and twisted it lightly, causing her to yelp in pain.
“I usually don’t hit women, but that doesn’t mean I won’t hit an ugly, sycophantic one...”
He flicked his arm, freeing himself. Though the supervisor wasn’t injured, she shouted behind his back.
Liang Jiyong was already on the stairs, and the supervisor didn’t dare to stop him again.
Those who fawn and flatter always bully the weak and fear the strong.
“Let’s go, let’s go. I usually don’t hit women, but I just can’t bring myself to hit a beauty...”
“Exactly! Those sycophantic old hags make me sick!”
“And they’re old and ugly too!”
A group of disgruntled boys hurried upstairs. Some went to see their girlfriends or the girls they fancied; others followed Liang Jiyong and Pei Haitao just to watch the spectacle, and some hoped to feast their eyes.
There were quite a few boys under the girls’ dormitory, and soon dozens had entered.
The dorm supervisor was dumbfounded; she realized this was serious, and she might lose her job.
But if her son secured a formal position because of this, it would be worth it.
However, she had overestimated Pei Haitao’s character. After failing to win over Di Yutong, Pei Haitao made a call, and the supervisor’s son was promptly dismissed under some pretext. No formal job, not even temporary work!
...
“603! Buddy, is that guy really the son of the top dog in Pingzhou?” Zhang Tao followed Liang Jiyong, telling him Di Yutong’s dorm number.
“Yeah, Pei Chengwen’s son!”
“What’s your background? I feel like you’re tougher than him!”
“I’m the son of the working class!”
Zhang Tao was stunned. “Uh, that’s really impressive. Actually, I’m also a son of the working class; we’re brothers!”
“Right, brothers. You seem like a good guy. I’ll treat you to a meal later!”
“Sure, but first you need to get through this hurdle!”
“What hurdle? I just don’t want Yutong bothered by some annoying jerk!”
“Oh, I thought you two would fight again!”
“Heh, if he’s not sensible, I won’t hesitate to teach him a lesson. This is Yunzhou, not Pingzhou!”
A group of boys entered the girls’ dormitory. Many girls, wearing only lingerie and about to visit friends, screamed upon seeing them.
The entire dormitory erupted into chaos.
On the third floor, Liang Jiyong spotted Di Yutong.
She looked at him with delight.
Today, she wore black knee-high boots, a white long trench coat, and a white knitted wool hat. Since she was still inside, the coat remained unbuttoned, revealing a high-neck cashmere sweater. Though she moved, her chest’s outline remained enticing.
Di Yutong noticed the group of boys rushing into the girls’ dormitory but paid them no mind, instead flashing a charming smile.
The boys’ hearts shattered because the smile wasn’t for them.
Yet some foolishly thought the smile was meant for them.
“Yutong, you look beautiful today. Here’s a New Year’s gift for you...”
Di Yutong then noticed the one leading the group was Pei Haitao, and her smile vanished.
“Why is it you again? Aren’t you annoying? Get out of the way!”
“Yutong, I truly love you!”
“Get lost. Don’t disgust me!”
Her good mood was completely ruined.
“Yutong...”
Pei Haitao tried to speak again but was pushed by Yutong, nearly falling.
“Damn it...”
Just as Pei Haitao was about to curse, Liang Jiyong suddenly came from behind, locking Pei’s neck with his forearm and pinning him to the wall.
“Watch your mouth, or I’ll teach you how to speak properly on behalf of your father!”
“Cough cough, try touching me again, I dare you!” Pei Haitao didn’t believe anyone had the guts to hit him!
Liang Jiyong didn’t think so either. Anyone who dared act disrespectfully would get it, even if he were the son of the American president. Life’s simple: if you don’t respect, you get knocked down.
“Bang!”
Before Liang Jiyong even landed a blow, Pei Haitao screamed in pain, fierce and piercing.
All the boys there winced in sympathy; it must have hurt like hell.
“Idiot, if you harass me again, I’ll cripple you!”
Di Yutong said, holding onto Liang Jiyong’s arm. “Let’s go. Don’t bother with that fool.”
“Heh, alright, let’s go,” Liang Jiyong said, following her downstairs.
“Well done!” Zhang Tao gave Di Yutong a thumbs-up.
“This is Zhang Tao; he’s in the Architecture Department. What year are you?” Liang Jiyong didn’t know Zhang Tao’s grade yet.
“Third year!”
“Where’s your girlfriend? I’ll treat you both!” Liang Jiyong said.
Di Yutong’s expression immediately changed. She didn’t want to be a third wheel on her rare solo date.

Page (2/3)
Zhang Tao was sharp; he caught the look in Di Yutong’s eyes right away.
“Heh, maybe next time. Let’s exchange beeper numbers...”
Though pricey, many students still used pagers.
They descended the stairs, and Di Yutong buttoned up her trench coat.
Seeing Liang Jiyong tighten his collar, she handed him a bag. “Here, a bit early—happy birthday!”
Though she had said the Christmas and birthday gifts would be combined, she still prepared a separate birthday gift.
“What’s this?” Liang Jiyong asked curiously.
“I just learned to knit it, so it’s not perfect. You can’t dislike it—you have to say you like it!”
Inside was a gray scarf, quite well-made. Liang Jiyong was a bit dazed; Di Yutong hardly seemed like a girl who would sit down and knit.
But he knew she would never pass off something made by someone else as her own.
“Thank you, Yutong. It’s beautiful; I really like it!”
He took out the scarf.
“I’ll put it on you!”
Di Yutong wrapped the scarf around Liang Jiyong’s neck.
Looking at her flawless, pure face and tempting red lips, Liang Jiyong couldn’t help but kiss her.
Di Yutong was startled because they were right at the dorm entrance.
Though college students kissing was normal, public displays at the dorm entrance were rare—after all, it was the early 1990s, 1992 to be precise, still relatively conservative.
Still, Liang Jiyong didn’t make any further moves.
“Let’s go—lots of people are watching!” Di Yutong was shy for once.
Liang Jiyong chuckled, and they left together.
“Where to eat? My brother and future sister-in-law took the car to their date.”
“No problem, let’s eat at the cafeteria!”
“The cafeteria? It’s New Year’s Day! Can we have something decent?” Liang Jiyong was wary of the cafeteria.
“Ha ha, you think Yun University’s cafeteria is like the first high school’s? Don’t worry, it’s no worse than a restaurant outside—and it’s clean and safe!”
“Really? If it’s as good as you say, I’ll have to work harder and get into Yun University!”
“Of course! I’ll be waiting for you there. If you don’t get in, I’ll retake the year with you!”
Liang Jiyong laughed, “No, if you retake, who knows how many juniors will lose focus!”
“Nonsense, I’ve been to high school before!”
“It’s different. After college, girls’ charm skyrockets!”
Di Yutong giggled, “So who’s prettier now, me or Wanqing?”
Liang Jiyong felt trapped.
“Am I digging my own grave?”
“Answer directly, no dodging!”
“Uh, I think you’re both beautiful, each with your own charm!”
“You’re calling me fat?” Di Yutong glanced sideways.
Liang Jiyong laughed and glanced at her chest through several layers of clothing; still, it was enticing.
“Fat where you should be!”
“Do you want some?” Di Yutong teased him.
Liang Jiyong swallowed hard.
“I have one more New Year’s gift for you. Are you brave enough to accept it tonight?” Di Yutong pulled him close.
He swallowed nervously. He truly wanted it—not because of fear, but because he wasn’t sure if their trio could remain as it was afterward.
Though it was just a thin line, it made all the difference!
“If you dare to give it, I dare to take it. Then we’ll face Wanqing together. Sooner or later, the three of you belong to me—no one can escape!”
Di Yutong laughed and cried at once. “It’s hard for me. Well, at least not before you graduate. Otherwise, I’d fear affecting Wanqing’s exams. She’s emotionally fragile.”
Liang Jiyong nodded. “Let’s go try your cafeteria food, then head to his New Year’s dance. We’ll book a room!”
“All right! The east wind blows, the war drums beat—who’s afraid tonight?”
Di Yutong was defiant, but they all knew there was a red line tonight they couldn’t cross!
“Shh...”
A voice came from behind, and Liang Jiyong heard someone yelling insults.
“In a hurry to be reborn?”
“Got a car, big deal!”
“This is a school zone. What if you hit someone? Have some manners!”
Just as he turned, a Crown sedan was speeding up from five meters behind.
Though not very fast, since it was on campus.
Liang Jiyong had no time to think and instinctively pushed Di Yutong away, then leapt to the side.
He felt a sharp pain in his left arm and was thrown to the ground, rolling over once.
Di Yutong, pushed aside, hit a nearby tree but quickly turned to see Liang Jiyong rolling on the ground.
“Jiyong! Don’t scare me!”
She screamed and cried, rushing to him.
They had been hit!
Nearby students were shocked.
Students still had their youthful zeal.
Seven or eight rushed over immediately.
“Call the police!”
“Call an ambulance!”
“Stop that car...”
As the crowd shouted, Liang Jiyong gasped.
Fortunately, only his arm was grazed, and since it was winter and he wore thick clothing, only his down jacket’s arm was torn. In summer, he might have lost flesh!
“I’m fine, Yutong. Don’t cry.”
He braced himself; his arm hurt, but the bone was probably fine.
“Jiyong, you scared me to death, boo hoo...”
Di Yutong sobbed uncontrollably.
“Let go of me, Yutong!”
Liang Jiyong said, standing up. She stopped crying to help him up, but he didn’t need it.
The Crown had already sped thirty meters ahead, not intending to stop.
But because students shouted and blocked, the car slowed.
Without hesitation, Liang Jiyong charged forward.
That bastard had tried to kill him just now—if he didn’t take him down, he wouldn’t be himself.
What power and privilege? Even if he were the son of a king or god, tonight he’d be put down!
The front-line blockers were ineffective. Liang Jiyong grabbed a half-brick lying nearby and kept running.
His left arm was injured, but his legs were fine.
The Crown was seven or eight meters away, but it sped up.
Liang Jiyong hurled the brick at the car!

Page (3/3)
“Crack!”
The Crown’s rear windshield shattered, and its speed dropped instantly, startled by the sudden hit, Pei Haitao slammed on the brakes.
Then four or five students blocked the car’s path, making escape impossible.
“Everyone, get out of the way!”
“You’re asking for death!”
Pei Haitao shouted furiously from the car window.
He only knew he had hit that bastard but didn’t know if he was dead or alive.
After hitting someone, he snapped to clarity.
But he wasn’t scared; he had done worse and always had someone clean up after him.
Still, as he cursed, someone grabbed his hair.
Just as he was about to shout, a punch landed on his face, blood streaming from his nose and eyes.
He saw that the one hitting him was Liang Jiyong—the bastard he had just hit who was still alive and dared to fight back!
“You’re asking for death!” Pei Haitao cursed.
But Liang Jiyong said nothing, yanked open the car door, grabbed Pei Haitao by the hair, and dragged him to the ground.
Then he stomped hard on his stomach.
Pei Haitao was in so much pain he couldn’t even cry out.
But this was just the beginning.
Liang Jiyong pulled him up halfway and slapped him across the face twice.
Pei Haitao’s face was covered in blood.
“Damn it! Some people have no manners!”
Liang Jiyong unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, especially targeting the groin. Even if Pei wasn’t crippled, he’d have psychological scars.
Pei Haitao was stunned. He never dreamed someone would dare hit him, especially knowing who his father was.
A fool, a fool!
Had he known there were fools like this, he wouldn’t have provoked them. Such fools didn’t care who your father was.
They might even kill you...
He really felt he was about to die, aching all over!
“Enough! Enough! Stop, or someone’s going to die!”
A student shouted. Although reckless driving and fleeing were terrible, killing someone would be a huge problem.
Di Yutong ran over and saw Pei Haitao beaten bloody and barely conscious. While it was satisfying, she knew if Liang Jiyong killed him, he’d be in trouble too.
If Liang Jiyong went to jail because of her, she would feel guilty forever—it was all her fault for attracting Pei Haitao.
She immediately hugged Liang Jiyong, pulling him back. “Stop! Stop! It’s not worth going to jail over scum like this!”
Liang Jiyong’s rage subsided after a few punches, but he didn’t let go easily, though he stopped aiming for vulnerable spots.
“All right, Yutong, it’s over.”
He then addressed the nearby students. “Thank you all for helping stop the car.
My name is Liang Jiyong. Many of you witnessed what happened. Could someone please write down the details truthfully? Those willing to testify, please leave your names!”
The incident was clear; many saw it. Though winter, it was only six-thirty, not too dark.
Several students, angered by Pei Haitao’s reckless driving, were eager to help.
Some took out paper and pens; university students had good skills. A few wrote similar statements without exaggeration or fabrication.
Within five minutes, five people had written testimony, and dozens signed, some leaving contact info for future testimony.
After collecting statements, Liang Jiyong thanked everyone.
At that moment, campus security arrived.
An ambulance had been called but hadn’t arrived yet.
The security captain, a man in his early thirties and a veteran, saw Pei Haitao on the ground and barked, “Who hit him like this? Want to go to jail?”
But before Liang Jiyong could answer, the nearby students began explaining the situation loudly.
The captain’s face darkened instantly.
“You said you’re fine, so why such a brutal attack?” the captain asked Liang Jiyong, displeased.
Liang Jiyong didn’t take offense; from the captain’s perspective, he’d caused trouble by beating Pei Haitao. Naturally, the captain wasn’t happy.
“He almost killed me. If I hadn’t hit him, am I still a man?”
“This guy clearly has connections; you’re in trouble.” The captain saw Liang Jiyong wasn’t running away and didn’t press further.
Now they just awaited the ambulance and criminal investigation team.
“He’s got a big name—son of a powerful Pingzhou family!” Liang Jiyong said calmly.
“You know and still...” The captain was shocked inside.
Luckily, it was Pingzhou; though powerful, they had no jurisdiction in Yunzhou, or it would be worse.
“When you go to war, if the enemy has the son of the U.S. president, can you avoid shooting him?”
“Look at you; you must have been trained from childhood!”
The captain didn’t feel responsible; it wasn’t his fault, just a reprimand from his superiors.
“My dad was in the military and taught us siblings military skills—not to cause trouble, but not to fear it either!”
“Oh? Which unit was your father with?”
“When he first enlisted, the 15th Army. They fought in the Korean War, including the Battle of Triangle Hill. He was wounded in ’62 and retired.”
“An old revolutionary! I was in the 38th Army but only served three years. Now there’s no war; it’s not so meaningful.”
“Yes, my dad wanted me to join the army, but I’m planning to take the college entrance exam first, learn more!”
“Right, knowledge is important; it changes fate.”
“The university security captain is different!”
“Heh, seeing all these intellectuals every day makes me embarrassed not to study!”
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“Liu Zhao.”
“I’m Liang Jiyong. Maybe I’ll study here next year!”
“Heh, that’s good. Aren’t you worried?”
“This is self-defense, right? I plan to study law. Next time it happens, I’ll find a legal way to deal with him!”
“I think that might be excessive defense!”
“No problem. Can I make a call?”
“Sure!” Liu Zhao handed him his large early mobile phone.
He could tell this kid had connections; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so fearless!
Liang Jiyong thought for a moment and decided to call Zhou Jianguo first. If he didn’t notify Zhou, his people might not hold out, given how powerful his father was.
At that moment, Zhou Jianguo was at home having dinner with Su Wanqing and her mother.
Liang Jiyong called Zhou Jianguo’s mobile directly.
“Uncle Zhou, Happy New Year. Sorry to bother you!”
“You’re persistent. I was just talking about you with Wanqing. Weren’t you supposed to attend the dance with Chen Wei’s daughter today?”
“The dance was canceled. I might have caused you some trouble!”
Zhou Jianguo’s expression turned serious. “Oh? What happened?”