Parallel World: Dungeons Galore

Chapter 22 Car Full Of People

It was noon on Saturday-the beginning of the weekend, and the happiest time of the week for the third-years of Shangke High.

All the first and second years had already gone home on Friday evening. Only the miserable third-years had to trudge through another morning of classes on Saturday. When the bell of the last class rang, the entire Year Three building gradually became lively. They could go home and play all the games they wanted, even if they only had one day to themselves-although they had a frustrating amount of homework.

However, Chen’an had already finished a few test papers during last evening’s self-study; more efficiently than ever, which meant he only had two test papers left. He didn’t bother bringing them back with him; he could complete them after returning to school on Sunday afternoon. It wasn’t easy reverting to his high school self, and he didn’t want to be burdened with homework after going home.

Being a genius didn’t seem that desirable; boosting his attribute points had all but stripped the challenge out of his learning.

Lu Gang, who was packing his bag, was shocked when he saw Chen’an standing by with his hands in his pockets. “You’re not bringing your bag?” he asked.

“I only have two test papers left. I’ll do them when I get back this weekend,” Chen’an said flatly.

Lu Gang’s eyes lit up. “Then I won’t bring mine either. Lend me your paper to copy tomorrow night.” He threw his bag under his desk.

Chen’an eyes twitched. Did Lu Gang really not care about getting into college? At this rate, he was fated to flunk his college entrance examination. He was about to protest when Lu Gang flung an arm around his shoulder.

“Lots of people are leaving school now. We probably won’t be able to squeeze onto the bus. Let’s go to the internet cafe and have some fun. We can go home when there are fewer people.”

It just so happened that Chen’an had something he needed to verify, so he let himself be helplessly dragged out of the classroom by Lu Gang.

Students streamed happily out of the school gates, carrying their bags. Chen’an could go home empty-handed because he had washed his own clothes, which were drying on the balcony at that very moment. When he came back tomorrow, he would have a fresh set of clothing to wear.

The two of them followed the crowd out of the school and walked briskly towards the internet cafe they frequented. Although it wasn’t usually crowded on Saturday afternoons, the earlier they got there, the better their chances of snagging a good seat.

As they were crossing a wooded path, Chen’an suddenly felt that someone was staring at him. It wasn’t the same sensation as that of his form teacher’s gaze, but it was similar.

Chen’an turned back and saw three punks looking at him with malicious grins. Most prominent of them was the one in the middle with a scorpion tattooed on his neck.

Chen’an frowned. He instinctively knew that he was their target, and that the young man he had singled out-muscled and half a head taller than him-wasn’t someone he could take on.

What did I do to piss them off?

Chen’an searched his memory, but could think of nothing.

Lu Gang gave his arm an abrupt tug. When Chen’an looked the other way, he was greeted by the sight of Pan Yuguan, flanked by two other young men.

Realization hit Chen’an like a slap.

The tattooed young punk behind him must have been hired by Pan Yuguan to ensure Chen’an couldn’t escape. Which he doubted he could, from the looks of

Pan Yuguan stepped forward, smirking, till he was directly in Chen’an’s path. “Looks like you’re out of ideas,” he crooned.

As a show of force, he had spent a near-obscene sum of money to hire his gang of buddies-all to teach Chen’an a lesson. Seeing as how Chen’an was trapped now, it seemed like it had been worth it.

“You brought your fat friend,” he said, eying Lu Gang. “I guess we’ll just have to take care of him too.” It was no secret what he planned to do with both of them.

Lu Gang’s face darkened, but he didn’t dare to open his mouth. Chen’an snorted. “Ganging up on us, are you? I could get a whole car of people to beat you up with just a phone call.”

Pan Yuguan burst into laughter. “Did you hear what this nerd said, Scorpion?”

The gang of punks echoed his laughter.

“Just try it, kid,” Scorpion sneered. “I’ll give you a chance. If all those people show up as promised, I’ll leave you alone. But if they don’t, don’t expect any mercy from us.” His lackeys grinned, closing in on them.

Chen’an whipped out his phone.

“Ten minutes… no, five at most. One phone call, and I guarantee you a car full of people will be here to deal with you!”

Chen’an spoke so earnestly that Scorpion felt himself growing wary. He was just a hooligan who bullied poor students around school; he didn’t have the guts to deal with someone who was under the protection of some bigshot. Chen’an was so serious, Scorpion couldn’t help but wonder if he was from a rich family of some sort.

But he said, “Like I told you: If they show up, we’ll be on our way.”

“Sure. Give me a moment.”

Chen’an gestured to his phone, and Scorpion nodded impassively. Pan Yuguan moved to stop him, but a look from Scorpion froze him in his tracks. Scorpion didn’t know Chen’an’s background yet, but he was well-acquainted with Pan Yuguan’s. They were allies, not friends.

Chen’an ducked behind Lu Gang and made the call, out of everyone else’s view.

A voice came from the other end of the speaker. “Good afternoon. This is the police…”

Earlier, Chen’an had used Lu Gang as a shield so they couldn’t see the number he was dialing. Nor would they have guessed it, from how deliberately vague he was being earlier. He had seemed as if he were genuinely calling for help.

In that instant, Scorpion decided it wasn’t worth messing with Chen’an. They were gangsters, but it was clear that no amount of money was worth making an enemy of him. If they wanted to vent their anger, they could take it out on Pan Yuguan.