Chapter 040: Seven Threes and Eight Fours

Originally, Liang Wei had crafted a clever plan: he wanted to use the opportunity of Zhang Tan being caught by the math teacher for writing a novel to thoroughly mock him and vent his frustration. He couldn’t stand Zhang Tan stealing the spotlight in the class, and even across the school, it seemed everyone knew him. In the first and second years, it was as if the world revolved around Zhang Tan. Why did girls always talk about “what Zhang Tan did” and “how Zhang Tan is,” but never about “what Liang Wei did” or “how Liang Wei is”?

Especially Jing Liu, who, just like those foolish girls, often secretly glanced at Zhang Tan. This planted a thorn in Liang Wei’s heart, prompting him to seek every opportunity to belittle Zhang Tan and elevate himself. Unfortunately, Zhang Tan always managed to defuse his attacks, leaving Liang Wei frustrated and defeated.

Liang Wei’s dissatisfaction grew, as did his unwillingness to accept the situation. Finally, today, his chance arrived: Zhang Tan, always putting on airs, was finally disciplined by the teacher. Yet, when Zhang Tan returned, instead of being ridiculed by the others, he was greeted like a hero, with students clamoring for his novel.

“You idiots, do you really think he’s someone special? He can write a novel? Anyone can write a novel!” Liang Wei’s irritation boiled over.

Determined to expose Zhang Tan’s façade, Liang Wei wanted everyone to see that Zhang Tan’s so-called novel writing was nothing but nonsense—a mere gimmick to show off, arrogant boasting! At fifteen, Liang Wei didn’t believe Zhang Tan could truly write a novel. So he resolved to take action, to pierce Zhang Tan’s bubble. Others might flatter him, but Liang Wei never would.

He even rehearsed what to do if Zhang Tan argued back. In his mind, the more Zhang Tan protested, the more it proved his insecurity. As long as Liang Wei focused on Zhang Tan’s inability to publish a novel, he could utterly defeat him. And if Zhang Tan somehow did publish one? Liang Wei wasn’t worried; what publishing house would be foolish enough to accept a novel written by a high school student?

With these thoughts, Liang Wei approached and began to mock Zhang Tan. Zhang Tan seemed a bit unsure, not daring to retort.

Liang Wei pressed on, determined to crush his opponent. Victory was within sight.

But.

The plan was sound, though the execution seemed… somewhat off.

“Who’s Zhu Dandan?” Liang Wei grumbled, furious that Zhu Dandan had unexpectedly jumped in, like a rogue hero, to challenge him and ruin his scheme.

This made Liang Wei extremely displeased.

Soon enough, the two of them were arguing fiercely.

The one who should have been his target, Zhang Tan, ended up sidelined.

…

As the situation threatened to escalate, classmates intervened in time and separated the quarrelling pair.

Zhang Tan stood up, patted Zhu Dandan on the shoulder, and laughed, “Little Dandan, you’ve got quite the fighting spirit.”

Amused by Zhu Dandan’s loyalty, Zhang Tan was genuinely touched.

Pure friendship, shining with gold.

“Get lost, who are you calling little Dandan? You’re not older than me, are you?” Zhu Dandan caught her breath, glared once more at Liang Wei, and then said to Zhang Tan, “I just can’t stand people who speak in such a sarcastic way.”

“I feel the same,” Zhang Tan affirmed, then pointed at Liang Wei, “Liang Wei, don’t bother me with your nonsense anymore, got it? I don’t carry bones in my pocket. Next time you try your ‘seven threes, eight fours’ in front of me, don’t blame me if I smack you.”

“Seven threes, eight fours” was a local dialect from Anhui province, meaning “making trouble,” “nitpicking,” or “having too much nonsense.” It was meant to be said with a fierce tone, to sound intimidating.

As a child, Zhang Tan admired those little gangsters who, before bullying someone, would say, “You dare to do ‘seven threes, eight fours’ in front of me? You want to die or what?”

Now, it was finally his turn to say it to someone else.

Truthfully, Zhang Tan didn’t care about fighting with Liang Wei; being insulted a few times didn’t bother him. But since a girl stood up for him, he had to respond. Naturally, his response was rather blunt.

The threat was obvious.

Liang Wei’s face flushed as if his neck were gripped by a duck’s hand, and he snapped, “What does ‘seven threes, eight fours’ mean with you?”

Zhang Tan snorted heavily, “Hm?”

Seeing Zhang Tan’s hostile expression, Liang Wei’s deskmate quickly dragged him away.

Liang Wei cursed under his breath but his feet moved swiftly, returning to his seat. When the atmosphere was calm, he had the guts to stir trouble, but when Zhang Tan was genuinely angry, his courage vanished. Zhang Tan dared to hit even second-year students; who knew if he would lash out at Liang Wei?

The farce dissipated quickly.

The class bell rang at just the right moment.

…

While the drama unfolded in Class Five of the first year, another play was taking place in the office of the first-year teachers.

Luo Jinsong, carrying his textbooks, entered the office and saw Yu Na had returned. He slammed his books on the desk.

“This is outrageous!”

In an instant, the teachers in the office all turned to look at him.

“What’s wrong, young Luo?” Zhang Shanming, a middle-aged teacher wearing reading glasses, was engrossed in his newspaper but looked up to ask.

He was the political science teacher for the first-year students, fond of reading and staying informed.

With someone responding, Luo Jinsong immediately found his footing: “This is outrageous! The students nowadays are outrageous! Teacher Yu Na, you must discipline your class properly.”

Yu Na was puzzled, “Teacher Luo, what happened with my students?”

“It’s that Zhang Tan—he’s completely unruly! During my class, he never once lifted his head, always sprawled over his desk writing… writing some nonsense novel, something called ‘The Four Great Constables Shake the Northeast.’ When I warned him, he acted like he didn’t care at all. Is that acceptable? Who does he think he is, some kind of writer? Ridiculous!”

Yu Na’s mind flashed with Zhang Tan’s image—a student with a mature demeanor, looking rather like a convict. “Teacher Luo, what happened with Zhang Tan? Please don’t be angry; could you explain in detail?”

Luo Jinsong was about to continue scolding Zhang Tan when Zhang Shanming, wearing reading glasses, suddenly interjected, “Young Luo, what did you just say, ‘The Four Great Constables,’ right?”

“I think that’s what it was called; I didn’t pay much attention. What can he possibly write?”

Zhang Shanming nodded, searching through the papers on his desk.

Luo Jinsong turned back to Yu Na, continuing, “He does his own things during my class. If he were a genius, I wouldn’t say a word, let him be. But is he a genius? He barely got into Shuangdun High School—such poor grades, why shouldn’t he pay attention in class? And when I speak to him, he doesn’t care. That’s how scum behaves!”

“Teacher Luo, please restrain yourself,” Yu Na interrupted. “Calm down. I’ll handle Zhang Tan’s case. If he truly did something wrong, I’ll punish him and have him apologize to you. But you must also be careful not to judge students too quickly. I believe their nature is fundamentally good.”

Luo Jinsong snorted dismissively, “That’s because you’re young. You don’t know what some students are really like! I’m telling you…”

Before the word “telling” left his lips, Zhang Shanming suddenly exclaimed, “Hey!” and called out, “Young Luo, come take a look—see if this is it.”

“What? Teacher Zhang?” Luo Jinsong’s unfinished sentence nearly choked him.

“‘The Four Great Constables Shake the Northeast,’ right? The student named Zhang Tan—you said he wrote a novel? I found a piece here; come see if it’s the one.” Zhang Shanming smiled, holding up a magazine.

On the cover, four golden characters gleamed: “Legends of the Present and Past.”

Below, in bold white characters on a red background: “Story Edition.”

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Thanks to “Master Fan One” for two rewards of 1888 Starting Coins, and to “Mo Mo Wu Wen*,” “A Smile Brings Much Sorrow,” “v View v,” “Liezi Riding the Wind 1990” for 588 Starting Coins, and to Grand China Federation, Abandoned Ashes, Light Rain Arrives, Li Guangmin, Great Sage Brother, Assistant Seven, Empty Lamp Sings to the Sky, Wood Wood 230, Ning Song/— for their rewards.

Thank you all for your favorites, recommendations, and clicks. This concludes today’s three chapters. Happy Singles’ Day!