Chapter 1

A slap landed on the face of a student by one of the two boys, who was taller. "Damn you, stop wasting my time, hurry up!"

Xie Wendong leaned against the wall, his waist bent, his head lowered, tears dripping down his cheeks onto the ground. Seeing that Xie Wendong remained silent, Li Shuang forcefully grabbed his hair and said: "Hey, I'm talking to you, can't you hear me?"

Xie Wendong nodded and asked, "Where is my dad?"

Xie Wendong apologetically scratched his head and said, "I still have a geometry problem that I haven't figured out, I'll leave later."

He sits in the front row of the class, not because he is short, but because he excels in his studies. In many schools in City J, this is the norm: those who perform well sit in the front, while those with poorer grades sit in the back. The seating arrangement is determined by each major examination (mid-term and final exams). The school has its own explanation for this method: students with lower grades are often those who tend to talk during class or do not pay attention, and placing them in the back prevents them from disrupting others, thereby providing a better environment for those who are serious about their studies and have hopes of advancing academically. The school has its own explanation for this method: students with lower grades are often those who tend to talk during class or do not pay attention, and placing them in the back prevents them from disrupting others, thereby providing a better environment for those who are serious about their studies and have hopes of advancing academically.

The next day, Xie Wendong got up at 5:30 as usual. After reviewing yesterday's homework and having a bite to eat, he asked his mother for ten yuan before heading to school. His home was not far from the school, just two streets away, and he could reach it in less than five minutes by walking briskly. Upon arriving at his classroom, Xie Wendong found the door locked and no one inside. He used the class key to unlock the door and walked in

Xie Wendong sat in his seat reading a book. After a while, classmates arrived at the classroom one after another, and the quiet classroom gradually became lively. Classmates who had good relationships gathered together, discussing how great the TV drama they watched last night was, talking about which celebrity recently released a new song, and a few girls took out their cherished stickers to exchange with each other. The classroom was as bustling as a farmers' market.

I spent all my money on lunch, and now I really have none left

Xie Wendong pushed his hand away, his voice trembling slightly: "Don't search anymore, I still need my money for lunch." Seeing that he had money but refused to give it, he swung his arm and struck Xie Wendong's face: "Damn, are you trying to play me?!" The pain on his face made Xie Wendong's eyes redden.

The student whispered under his breath, "I have no money"

The student was struck, leaving the corner of his mouth red, and tears fell uncontrollably. At that moment, the short and chubby boy next to the tall one said, "Forget it, don't hurt him. This kid is the top student in my class, haha!"

"That's enough! Stop hitting him." Li Shuang saw that it was about time and stopped the others. He did not want to escalate the situation by causing serious harm. Grabbing Xie Wendong's hair, Li Shuang patted his face and said: "You bring me ten yuan when you go to school tomorrow. If you don't, I'll have someone beat you up, understand?"

Xie Wendong tidied up his books, picked up his backpack, and walked out of the classroom. After locking the door, he turned around and left

At this time, most of the students in the school had already left. Many of the lights in the corridor were turned off, making it appear somewhat dim. Xie Wendong walked to the first-floor corridor, which was the place he feared the most, as Li Shuang and his group often waited for him there. Seeing that the corridor was empty, Xie Wendong finally felt a sense of relief. However, just as he had walked halfway down the corridor, the door of a nearby classroom opened, and four or five people walked out. Among them were Li Shuang and the tall guy who had robbed him yesterday. Just as he had walked halfway down the corridor, the door of a nearby classroom opened, and four or five people walked out. Among them were Li Shuang and the tall guy who had robbed him yesterday.

At this moment, Xie Wendong's body slowly slid down against the wall, and he crouched on the ground, holding his head and crying in pain. He now felt that his life had no meaning at all. What was the point of studying well? Wasn't he still being bullied? Why? He struck his own head with his fists, berating himself for being too weak, for not fighting back against them, for not daring to tell his parents about the bullying he suffered at school

Xu Na shouted loudly at Xie Wendong, who was looking down: "What are you afraid of? What else can he do while waiting?" After saying this, she angrily sat down. She pushed Xie Wendong beside her and said: "Why are you so timid? The more you fear him, the more he will bully you. Don't you have an older brother at home? Bring him here to give him a beating, and he will calm down."

The noise grew louder, and Xie Wendong furrowed his brow, putting down the book in his hand. At that moment, the chubby boy who had robbed him of his money yesterday entered the classroom and placed his backpack on his seat. Seeing Xie Wendong sitting there in a daze, he approached with a laugh. Coming closer, he ruffled Xie Wendong's hair and said, "Hey! Did you bring any money today?" Xie Wendong was startled and shook his head, saying, "I didn't bring any money."

Xie Wendong felt a chill in his heart; he had never been bullied by so many people before, and tears almost fell from his eyes. "Li Shuang, today... today I am sorry for this morning!"

As soon as Xu Na saw him like this, she became angry and turned her head to ignore him

Li Shuang said with a wicked smile: "Xie Wendong, you can come out now, we have been waiting for you!" As she spoke, four or five people surrounded Xie Wendong.

"Hey, kid, take out all the money!" A teenager with two brightly colored dyed hair cornered a frail student against the wall

"Your father is on the night shift tonight and won't be coming home," said Xie Wendong's mother as she served the food. Xie Wendong responded with an "oh," sat down, and looked at the dishes on the table, feeling no appetite at all

Li Shuang nodded and said to the silent Xie Wendong, "Alright, damn it, just you wait!" She turned and returned to her seat, panting heavily.

Xie Wendong let out a numb exclamation of "Ah!" Li Shuang nodded in satisfaction and left with the others, asking, "What are we going to do later?" "Let's play video games!" "That's boring, how about playing billiards instead?" "Screw you, do you have any money?" Li Shuang and a few others chatted and laughed as they walked out of the school

In order not to arouse his mother's suspicion, Xie Wendong picked up the rice bowl and began to eat silently

The overweight man handed the money to the tall youth and spat on the ground, saying, "Damn it, you don't know how to appreciate a favor." After saying this, he left with the tall youth, laughing and joking, leaving Xie Wendong with a face full of pain

Xie Wendong was forced to lean against the wall, his hands clasped behind his head. At that moment, he could no longer feel the pain in his body, for compared to the anguish in his heart, it was indeed much lighter. He could not hear the sounds from the outside world, as his ears were filled with a buzzing noise

The difficult day finally came to an end. After school, the students in the classroom left one by one, but Xie Wendong did not dare to leave; he was afraid that Li Shuang would find someone to block him in the school corridor. In the end, only he and the student on duty today remained in the classroom. The student on duty was named Zhang Qiang, who had also been bullied by Li Shuang before. Seeing that Xie Wendong had not left yet, he asked while sweeping the floor, "Xie Wendong, why haven't you left yet? It's almost 6 o'clock (school ends at 5:30)"

The girl stared wide-eyed and shouted, "What’s the matter? Hitting someone is not allowed." A classmate who had a good relationship with her spoke up, "Come on, Li Shuang, stop arguing. The teacher will be here soon." "Xu Na, enough already. You don’t need to shout either." Xu Na is the name of the girl sitting next to Xie Wendong; she is usually very lively, like a tomboy, but her academic performance is excellent.

After a while, feeling somewhat calmer, Xie Wendong stood up, straightened his wrinkled clothes, and walked out of the school. At that moment, it began to rain outside. Xie Wendong wandered the streets, grateful to the heavens for the rain at this time, as it at least concealed his tears from others. He merely wished to live an ordinary life; was that too difficult? Why could others attend school with peace of mind while he had to live in fear? He thanked the heavens again for the rain, which allowed him to hide his tears, as he only wanted to lead a simple life. Was that really so hard? Why could others go to school without worry while he had to be anxious? If this was a punishment from the heavens for the weak, then he decided at this moment to be strong in the future. He would no longer be bullied by anyone. This day, with the rain falling outside, was one he would never forget, for it marked the beginning of a transformation in his life.

At this moment, the classmates in the classroom all turned their attention here, some with questions, others with glee. Seeing that his classmates were all staring at him, Xie Wendong's face turned bright red; he knew that his self-esteem had been severely trampled upon. Xie Wendong's deskmate, a girl with a round face, could not stand it any longer and said to the chubby boy: "Li Shuang, you are going too far, how can you hit someone?"

Xie Wendong lives in an ordinary family. His father works on the railway, operating a locomotive, and often has night shifts. His mother is a laid-off worker who later engaged in small business ventures. Although the family is not wealthy, he has never lacked money to spend. Due to his good academic performance, his parents are very pleased, and whenever he asks for money, they have never refused him.

Xie Wendong is a third-year student at the Second Middle School of City J. He studies diligently and achieves excellent results, ranking first in the entire school. However, he has an introverted personality and few friends, and due to his small stature, he is often bullied by others. The Second Middle School is not a key school in City J, and the management of the school is quite lax, allowing many young delinquents from outside to come and go frequently. These individuals are not very old and, for various reasons, have dropped out of school, leading a muddled life in society. When they encounter weak and easily bullied students, they either pick fights or extort money, perhaps seeking a sense of accomplishment through such actions

The tall one looked at the student and said: "Damn, look at his bear-like appearance. What good is it to study well?" He then turned to the chubby one beside him and said: "Old Fatty, why don't you check his pockets? I just can't believe he has no money!"

Standing in the school corridor for a while, Xie Wendong bent down to pick up the backpack that had fallen on the ground and walked out of the school. On the way home, tears of grievance filled Xie Wendong's eyes as he repeatedly asked himself: Why? Why do they always bully me? Why don't they bully others? Why is it me?

The young man said "En" and approached the student, saying: "Xie Wendong, let go of your hand." It turned out that the student, upon hearing the tall boy's words, was gripping his pocket tightly with his hand.

"Damn you! Let's not talk about anything else for now, just hand over the money to me first." Li Shuang, relying on the crowd, spoke with considerable assertiveness

Xie Wendong nodded blankly and said: "Thank you."

No one could provide him with an answer, and the darkness of the evening concealed his tears. Xie Wendong returned home and wiped his tears away before entering, as he did not want his family to know that he was bullied at school. Being weak does not mean one lacks self-esteem; in fact, their self-esteem can be stronger than anyone else's. Xie Wendong unlocked the door with his key, and only his mother was at home. The prepared meal was laid out on the table, waiting for him to return from school to eat. Upon seeing Xie Wendong come back, his mother said, "Hurry up and eat, or it will get cold soon." Being weak does not mean one lacks self-esteem; in fact, their self-esteem can be stronger than anyone else's. Xie Wendong unlocked the door with his key, and only his mother was at home. The prepared meal was laid out on the table, waiting for him to return from school to eat. Upon seeing Xie Wendong come back, his mother said, "Hurry up and eat, or it will get cold soon."

Seeing Xie Wendong sitting there without eating, his mother anxiously asked, "Wendong, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xie Wendong shook his head and said, "You should go ahead; after all, our homes are in different directions."

The teaching building of the Second Middle School is a sizable five-story structure. The first, second, and third floors consist of classrooms for various classes. The fourth and fifth floors house laboratories, microcomputer rooms, language rooms, and so on. Xie Wendong's classroom is located on the second floor

Seeing the student named Xie Wendong still covering his pocket with his hand as if he hadn't heard, the fat man exclaimed, "Damn, do you think I'm joking?" He kicked Xie Wendong in the abdomen, causing him to crash heavily against the wall. The fat man pulled his hand away and reached into Xie Wendong's pocket, pulling out a crumpled five yuan note.

In the 1990s, in the corridor on the first floor of the Second Middle School in City J

Without bringing it along, the man chuckled and said, "Then let me feel it." As he spoke, he reached his hand into Xie Wendong's pocket.

"Hehe, you are really diligent. No wonder your studies are so good!" After a while, Zhang Qiang cleaned the classroom and picked up his backpack, saying: "Xie Wendong, I have finished cleaning. Are you leaving? If so, let's go together."

Li Shuang chuckled and said, "There isn't, right? If I hit you, there will be." After saying this, she kicked Xie Wendong on the thigh. The others were all troublemakers from various classes, the kind that weren't afraid of trouble. Seeing Li Shuang take action, without saying a word, they surrounded Xie Wendong and began to punch and kick him. While hitting, Li Shuang said, "Don't hit the face, it won't be good if it gets damaged."

Li Shuang pointed at the girl and said, "Get lost, what business is it of yours!"

Zhang Qiang said "goodbye" and ran out of the classroom with his backpack. Xie Wendong waited a little longer, and seeing that it was already past 6 o'clock, he felt that Li Shuang would not wait for him this late; perhaps she thought he had left early to go home.