Chapter 277: Chapter 270: Swipe a Card? Swipe a Cat? Chapter 277: Chapter 270: Swipe a Card? Swipe a Cat? Zheng Tan had heard Jiao Yuan complain about some issues within the school before. His class had a rivalry with Fifth Class of the same grade – from sports meetings to basketball matches, and even to the end-of-term evaluations. Everyone knew not to praise Fifth Class in First Class, and not to boast about First Class in Fifth Class. Even if you truly thought someone from the other class was impressive, you had to keep it to yourself, or risk triggering public indignation.

The rivalry also involved the headteachers of the two classes, who had been at odds for a long time. In class meetings, when negative examples were needed, the headteacher of Fifth Class would first point to First Class. Back in first grade, Fu Lei was still the “Lone Ranger” at the bottom of his class – he was frequently criticized as an example by the Fifth Class teacher, who had even claimed in private that this student was a “piece of stinking dog poop.” Fu Lei had never forgotten this grudge.

As for the exemplary students in both classes, they’d avoid mentioning each other’s unless they made a mistake – then they’d criticize without mercy.

The most savage critics of Jiao Yuan and the other children of high school teachers were from the Fifth Class. Students from other classes enjoyed watching the drama from a safe distance. There was always competition between classes in each grade, and with First and Fifth Class clashing fiercely, it was enough for the onlookers to enjoy the show without getting involved – both classes were not to be trifled with.

“What’s up, good little boys not doing your homework and hanging out here instead?” A boy about the same age as Jiao Yuan and his friends said disdainfully.

Several from Fifth Class were gathered there, and even if they weren’t from Fifth Class, they might be from other classes. They all seemed quite young to Zheng Tan.

“Never been in there, have you?” The boy pointed behind him to “Triumph,” mocking them with a sneer, as if laughing at how Jiao Yuan and the others lacked experience. “Heh, it figures. You’re all good little boys, after all. Karaoke bars, dance halls, pubs, game rooms… Which of you would dare to go?”

Jiao Yuan and his friends remained silent; in fact, they had been to such places, but they chose not to say anything. Admitting it would be akin to asking for trouble, inviting criticism when they got back. Unlike these guys, they did not parade their rebellious acts as a badge of honor.

“According to national laws and regulations, some commercial entertainment venues are not suitable for minors. In some places, that is an outright ban,” Jiao Yuan said confidently, without changing his expression.

Su An and a few others exchanged looks with Jiao Yuan and continued to be silent. They certainly weren’t feeling guilty.

The boys from the other side laughed out loud at Jiao Yuan’s words, as if he had told a funny joke. They sneered and looked down on them, thinking Jiao Yuan and his friends were wimps.

Xiong Xiong, unable to contain his anger, was about to retort when Lan Tianzhu pulled him back, “There’s no point in wasting words with these nutcases. Let’s go check out other places instead of wasting time here.”

After thinking it over, Xiong Xiong agreed. They only had a limited amount of time out, and getting back late would definitely mean trouble at home. Besides, if a conflict broke out here, a little investigation would reveal the root cause. Even if they weren’t looking for trouble, their families would forbid them from coming out again once they found out. There was no point in spending more time with these idiots, caught up in pointless arguments.

Just as Jiao Yuan and his friends were about to leave, they were blocked by the group from the other side.

The boy who had spoken earlier was about to step forward and needle them with a few more comments, but Fu Lei moved Jiao Yuan and Su An back and flexed his fists, his face darkening as he faced the other group.

The moment the boy saw Fu Lei approaching, he quickly stepped back. He knew Fu Lei could fight; he had even beaten up someone from Third Class back in first grade. He didn’t want to get hit, but retreating too quickly made him seem fearful and looked bad in front of his friends. Before he could speak, a voice came from behind.

“Hey, if it isn’t the huge bullies from First Class?”

Hearing this voice, Jiao Yuan and his friends’ complexions changed. They could handle the people from Fifth Class, but this person… This person did not bode well.

At this point, the people from Fifth Class stopped being confrontational and quickly made way, with a few even attempting to escape. They didn’t dare offend this person, they had heard that some, for reasons unknown, had either been expelled from school or transferred out. They hadn’t expected to run into him here – their luck was terrible that day.

Zheng Tan, who had been observing the situation quietly from the side, noticed the mature-looking group approaching. They seemed difficult to handle. The Next Generation even if trying hard to act tough, still had a youthful air, while these guys… They looked like they were already part of society. Despite their young faces, their outfits made them seem much older. They were probably from a nearby high school, or perhaps already mixed up in society.

The guy who had spoken earlier crushed a cigarette under his foot and, with a chilling look in his eyes, said to Jiao Yuan and his friends, “Perfect timing. I was also hoping to have a good chat with you all!”

Zheng Tan could feel Jiao Yuan and his friends’ tension rise the moment these people appeared, even the always tough and fearless Fu Lei was all seriousness. Listening to the conversation that followed, Zheng Tan pieced together from bits and phrases that these people were connected to a problematic milk tea powder incident from a while back.

When Fu Lei called out the leader’s name, Zheng Tan recalled the individual from a text message he had sent to Little Luo. Jiao Yuan had mentioned before that of all the people involved in supplying that milk tea powder, this was the toughest one to handle. It was rumored he was involved in the underworld, and after the incident, the school claimed they had persuaded him to leave, but the reality was much more serious – he had been criminally detained, and there were whispers that several were sent to re-education through labor. Yet, here he was, standing in front of them, evidently someone with connections. According to what he himself had implied, he almost got in deep trouble and believed Jiao Yuan and his friends had a hand in it – how could he swallow such an insult?

As the situation appeared to escalate toward a fight, suddenly another voice interrupted.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but could you young friends please take your emotional exchanges somewhere other than here?”

The words were polite, but the voice carried a thick warning that brooked no refusal.

Zheng Tan looked over and saw a person dressed in a “Triumph” security uniform. Since “Triumph” had strict requirements for the appearance of staff, even a security guard combined with that uniform seemed quite authoritative. Not to mention, these people were hand-picked and trained by Ye Hao, and they didn’t take these middle school kids’ games seriously. With the recent opening, they couldn’t let these little brats fight here; it would reflect badly on the club’s reputation. Talks could arise about how terrible the security is around “Triumph,” and they could lose their jobs. Ye boss paid them high salaries not to stand around idly. These hot-headed kids with more energy than brains loved to cause trouble, bringing nothing but headaches to them.

The guy who had been acting tough wilted under the security guard’s gaze. Upon spotting the “Triumph” insignia on the latter’s chest, he hurried over, offering a cigarette with an apologetic smile, “Really sorry, we’re just leaving.” He could act tough with students who didn’t know any better, pretending to be “streetwise,” but he did not have the guts to stand up to the staff at “Triumph.” He knew all too well the kind of influential people behind “Triumph.”

The security guard raised his hand to refuse the offered cigarette, his face wearing a professional smile as he looked at the person offering it, “Thank you for your cooperation.”

Although the security guard was smiling, the perspiration on the forehead of the man offering the cigarette already started forming, his hand holding the cigarette shaking slightly. He felt completely intimidated by the security guard, whose smile seemed to chill him to the bone.

However, the man had no intention of letting Jiao Yuan and his friends off the hook. He signaled his cronies with his eyes to keep an eye on them and to “have a good chat” somewhere else later.

Jiao Yuan was thinking about how to get away when he suddenly felt a push on his back, followed by a weight on his shoulder.

“Goodness, Heitan, what are you doing here?!”

Engrossed in his thoughts until just a moment ago, Jiao Yuan nearly lost his balance and fell when Zheng Tan suddenly jumped on him.

The people around had varied reactions to Zheng Tan’s sudden appearance; regardless of what they thought, Zheng Tan wasn’t concerned but instead looked directly at the “Triumph” security guard who was preparing to turn away and continue his patrol.

The security guard found the sudden appearance of a cat rather interesting, but when he saw the round tag hanging from the cat’s neck, he was taken aback and interjected, “Hold on!”

The few people about to take action hesitated, looking puzzledly at the security guard.

After approaching closer, the security guard’s glance swept over Zheng Tan and paused briefly on the round tag. He then said to Jiao Yuan and his friends, “Would you young fellows come with me, please?”

Having been around for years, the security guard could instantly assess the situation. Therefore, without needing a detailed explanation from Jiao Yuan and his friends, the security guard realized that if he did nothing, these seemingly well-behaved kids would probably end up in trouble.

Jiao Yuan and his friends didn’t particularly like being addressed as “young fellows,” but this wasn’t the time to quibble. Confused as they were, following this security guard was definitely better than being forcibly taken away by those clearly hostile guys.

Zheng Tan didn’t wait for the security guard to say anything, just led the way, and Jiao Yuan followed behind him. Su An and the others exchanged glances before following suit.

“What do we do now?” one of the guys left behind asked.

“What can we do?” another replied, nodding towards “Triumph,” “Can you get through the ‘VIP only’ door?”

No, they couldn’t. Even if they were reluctant, they didn’t dare to cross that line.

Zheng Tan directly led Jiao Yuan and the others through the VIP entrance. As for the security guard, he had already contacted the personnel in charge of VIP clients to confirm that the round tag Zheng Tan was wearing was indeed a “Triumph” VIP card and immediately got hold of Baozi.

Baozi was entertaining several clients with great potential for future development. When he received the call, he thought if it wasn’t important, he could just let his subordinates handle it. However, realizing it concerned Zheng Tan, involving this extremely special VIP customer, Baozi had to take care of the matter personally.

Due to the recent opening and in an effort to avoid unnecessary trouble, Baozi didn’t allow Jiao Yuan and his underage friends to stay inside for long. Instead, he arranged for someone to escort them back to Chuhua University.

On the way back to Chuhua University, Lan Tianzhu couldn’t help teasing, “Jiao Yuan, everyone else swipes cards over there, and your family directly swipes a cat, and a VIP one at that.”

Jiao Yuan: “…Heh.”

As for Zheng Tan, the topic of their conversation, he did not return with Jiao Yuan and the rest. He had run into Feng Baikin at “Triumph,” clad in casual sportswear. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep