Chapter One: A Not-So-Successful Rescue of the Damsel in Distress

Jiangzhou Normal University’s First Affiliated High School, the most prestigious affiliated school in the province, was renowned for its exemplary academic atmosphere.

Night had fallen.

Class Six, Grade Eleven.

It was already ten o’clock, yet the lights in the classroom still shone brightly. The room was silent; every student was diligently reviewing their lessons. At the back of the classroom, however, a corpulent boy sat at his desk, feigning attentiveness as he stared at the book in his hands.

His eyes, though, were not on the textbook, but fixed on the phone lying on his desk.

He muttered discontentedly under his breath. His name was Chen Feng, standing about one meter seventy-two and weighing a hefty two hundred sixteen pounds. Hidden away in the classroom corner, he was inconspicuous among his peers, noticed only when test results were announced and someone would suddenly realize, “Oh, so we have such a character in our class.”

Consistently ranked among the bottom three.

Chen Feng was ordinarily quiet, seldom engaging with others. More often than not, he secluded himself in the corner, indulging in dubious books.

It was inevitable for someone like Chen Feng to be the subject of ridicule.

No matter how outstanding a school was, there would always be students who delighted in stirring up trouble, finding amusement in mocking others.

“Fat pig,” “lard bucket”—any term related to obesity was thrown at Chen Feng. At first, he had been angry, but over time, he grew used to it.

Habit became second nature, and Chen Feng couldn’t even recall the last time he’d been angry.

He was severely lacking in self-confidence, but this eventually gave rise to a superlative sense of equanimity. His motto was: “Why compare your weaknesses to others’ strengths? Is there any satisfaction in finding a fleeting sense of superiority?”

Such a worldview, if spoken kindly, might be called optimistic and mature beyond his years; uncharitably, it was as if a dead pig fears no boiling water. Life was what it was—what more was there to pursue?

With his lazy disposition, obesity, and poor academics, Chen Feng was the teacher's favorite example of what not to be, often singled out and reprimanded.

“Damn, Feng Shaoyu actually abandoned the story! What a letdown. This novel was just my cup of tea—how could it be left unfinished? All my days waiting for updates wasted. What a fraud!”

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence of the classroom. Instantly, all eyes turned toward Chen Feng.

Realizing something was amiss, Chen Feng jerked his head up and saw the homeroom teacher, Sun Minghai, approaching with a dark, stormy expression.

“Te-teacher!” Chen Feng stammered.

“Chen Feng, what on earth are you doing?” Sun Minghai’s voice turned stern. “Look at yourself. Look at your classmates. What are you doing? You’re only in grade eleven. If you don’t buckle down now, do you still think you’ll get into university?”

The students’ gazes converged on Chen Feng, followed by a chorus of hushed whispers and undisguised discussion. The intensity of their stares would have left anyone else mortified, but Chen Feng had long since donned an impenetrable “bulletproof vest”—his skin was thick, and he paid such looks no mind.

Chen Feng deployed his long-cultivated skill: silence.

Let them spit and sputter; he remained unmoved.

There was nothing anyone could do to him.

Seeing Chen Feng’s stubborn, unbothered demeanor, Sun Minghai felt an urge to pin him down and give him a thorough beating, but he forcibly suppressed the impulse.

No matter what, corporal punishment was forbidden—especially at such a prestigious high school. If a scandal about beating students broke out, his teaching career would be over.

“This fat boy is beyond saving!” Sun Minghai shook his head, feeling that Chen Feng had lost all sense of dignity. With a sigh, he said, “Stand up!”

Waving his phone, Sun Minghai left, shaking his head.

He hated that Chen Feng was so hopeless, but there was nothing he could do with mud that refused to stick to the wall.

Chen Feng stood at his desk, utterly indifferent to the piercing stares around him. He was used to it; standing guard was all it was—perhaps he’d even burn a few calories and slim down a bit.

Among the many gazes, one stood out—it belonged to a strikingly beautiful girl seated at the very front.

Her name was Fang Yue, the class beauty of Six. With her stunning looks and excellent grades, she was the object of countless boys’ dreams.

Chen Feng had once fantasized about Fang Yue, but that was long ago. Now, he had a new goddess in his heart.

The bell rang.

As the dismissal bell chimed, Chen Feng trudged out of school, heavy-footed. As for his backpack—he hardly saw the point in carrying one.

He made his way to the bike shed, unlocked his bicycle with practiced ease, and pedaled home while humming a tune.

Chen Feng’s home was some distance from the school. After a stretch of road, he reached a dark pathway where the streetlights had long since been broken and never repaired. Whistling, Chen Feng sensed someone following him.

Without turning around, he knew it was Fang Yue, the class beauty. She often followed him home, and Chen Feng had no ulterior motives—she simply happened to share his route.

For this reason, Fang Yue’s gaze toward Chen Feng was somewhat different. Regardless, having someone accompany her home each night was comforting for a girl—it offered a sense of security.

Chen Feng admitted he’d been attracted to Fang Yue, but he knew his place: poor grades, overweight, always realistic about his role.

Still, he secretly enjoyed playing the guardian for her at night.

Their route home was long and especially dark at this stretch. Fang Yue, alone on the night road, was afraid. Though the fat boy was off-putting, following behind him gave her peace of mind.

At least he was a familiar face.

Chen Feng’s figure slowly faded into the darkness. Fang Yue quickened her pace on the bicycle. Suddenly, the world went black—a shadow darted out and blocked her path.

A scream escaped Fang Yue’s lips. A large hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her from the bicycle. Four men appeared, each wearing a wicked grin.

“Hey, little sister, come play with us!” one man sneered. “We’ve had our eye on you for a while. Look at that soft, tender skin—haven't tasted a real man’s flavor yet, have you? Don’t worry, the four of us will make sure you’re thoroughly satisfied tonight!”

“Mmm! Mmm!” Fang Yue struggled violently. She was just an ordinary high school girl, never exposed to such terror. Surrounded by four men, she had no hope of escape.

“Ow, you dare bite me!” The man holding her cried out in pain.

“Help!” Fang Yue screamed with all her strength, only to have her mouth blocked again. She fought desperately, but one of the men laughed, “You can scream all you want, little beauty—it won’t help. No one’s going to save you!”

Despair washed over Fang Yue. The only one who might hear was that fat boy, Chen Feng—but could he come to her rescue?

That timid, cowardly, self-doubting boy.

Bang!

As these thoughts flashed through Fang Yue’s mind, a sudden crash rang out. One of the men was knocked aside, and a plump figure tumbled off a bicycle with surprising elegance.

Yes, tumbled—comically, like a rolling ball, full of endearing absurdity.

But in Fang Yue’s eyes, this fat boy was now unspeakably adorable—her savior incarnate.

Flat on the ground, Chen Feng puffed and wheezed as he hauled himself upright. The four men turned their attention to him, and one glared coldly, “Hey, kid, you’ve got guts, ruining my plans. Tired of living, are you?” “Run!” Chen Feng shouted to Fang Yue.

Snapping back to herself, Fang Yue sprinted away. The thugs started to chase after her, but Chen Feng blocked their path, panting heavily and declaring, “I—I’m telling you! You’d better leave right now. I’ve already called the police. The—police—will be here soon, you—you won’t get away!”

He gasped for breath.

His words startled the thugs.

Their hormones were surging, but they had no desire to spend years behind bars for this.

“Damn you, ruining my fun!” The leader exchanged glances with his companions, then suddenly swung a fist at Chen Feng’s eye.

“Ow!”

Chen Feng collapsed in a heap, and the thugs rushed at him, unleashing a brutal storm of kicks and punches.

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