Chapter 50: Cruel Hands Destroy the Blossoms (Part Two)

A stabbing pain shot through his lower ribs, and Xiao Lin’s brows knitted so tightly they seemed to form a single cord. Cold sweat beaded across his forehead as he clenched his teeth, his face twitching slightly from the agony. Gingerly, he probed the tender spot with his hand, and suddenly his little finger brushed against something cool and metallic. Despite the pain, Xiao Lin pinched it between his thumbs and drew it out. Raising his eyes, he saw it was a silver needle, scarcely thicker than a cow’s hair and as long as a middle finger. No wonder the Shadow Monkey had used such a strange technique just now—the true attack lay in this needle. But how could something so small cause such searing pain?

“Haha, curious why it hurts so much?” Seeing Xiao Lin’s expression, Shadow Monkey finally burst into triumphant laughter. This was his signature move, the Palm Cotton Needle, from which he’d earned his renown. “Did you know, kid, I struck your Zhangmen point? That’s the most sensitive nerve in the abdomen. Not bad, eh? Fatty, this one’s yours now. He won’t be able to fight back for at least five minutes.” Shadow Monkey laughed wildly as he addressed Fatty nearby.

“Got it, heh heh. Kid, you sure pack a punch—almost swelled up your grandpa Fatty’s hand. This time, I’ll chop off your right arm first, see if you dare hit me again.” Fatty massaged his still-aching left hand, then raised his cleaver with his right, deliberately slowing his movements as he brought it down toward Xiao Lin’s right arm. He wanted to see Xiao Lin’s fear.

“No! Don’t! Xiao Lin, get up!” Wang Yuqing cried out in panic, running toward Xiao Lin. Watching him writhe in pain had twisted her heart like a knife, and now seeing Fatty raise the blade, she instinctively rushed over, intending to shield Xiao Lin with her body. But after only two steps, Shadow Monkey seized her arm, holding her fast no matter how she struggled. “Please, I’m begging you, don’t do this!” As the blade hovered over Xiao Lin’s arm, Wang Yuqing, desperate and terrified, burst into tears.

Meng Ranran, on the other hand, was beside herself with excitement, shouting, “Chop him, chop him!” Yet with her temperament, were she to see real blood, she’d surely be scared out of her wits.

The blade was nearly touching Xiao Lin’s shoulder. Grinning viciously, Fatty pressed harder. Xiao Lin bit down on his lip so fiercely it turned blue, and with great effort twisted his body aside, narrowly dodging the blow. Fatty, however, was in no hurry; he lazily raised the knife again, still targeting Xiao Lin’s right arm. Again, Xiao Lin managed to evade him, and so it went, back and forth, each time leaving Xiao Lin breathing heavier, veins bulging on his forehead in a terrifying display. Clearly, he was at the limit of his endurance. Fatty wore a mocking smile, toying with his prey like a cat with a mouse, never tiring of the game. Just as he raised the blade yet again, Shadow Monkey called out, “Fatty, enough playing around. In two minutes the pain will wear off—cripple him, now.”

“Kid, I’d have liked to play with you longer, but I’m afraid that’s not possible.” No sooner had Fatty finished speaking than he swung the blade swiftly at Xiao Lin’s right arm—this time, there was no way Xiao Lin could dodge.

Eyes wide, Xiao Lin watched the cleaver fall, but suddenly, like a leopard, he sprang up. Both hands gripped Fatty’s thick waist with the strength of an eagle’s talons, and the force sent them both crashing to the ground. Fatty’s head struck the floor, while Xiao Lin landed atop him. Fatty felt a sharp pain at the back of his head and instinctively let go of the knife, reaching up to clutch his skull. Xiao Lin, meanwhile, opened his mouth and bit savagely into Fatty’s face, tearing at the flesh like a wolf. Fatty howled in agony, his pudgy hands seizing Xiao Lin’s head in a futile attempt to push him away. But Xiao Lin’s jaws locked even tighter the more Fatty struggled, drawing bloodcurdling screams from him.

Shadow Monkey hadn’t expected the supposedly incapacitated Xiao Lin to take Fatty down. Seeing Fatty writhing in pain, Shadow Monkey released Wang Yuqing and ran over, raising his foot to stomp on Xiao Lin’s head. But Xiao Lin, who had been watching with the corner of his eye, gave one last mighty tug at Fatty’s face. Fatty screamed and passed out from the pain, while Xiao Lin, without hesitation, hurled himself sideways at Shadow Monkey, ramming into the base of his thigh and sending him staggering back a step. Before Shadow Monkey could regain his footing, Xiao Lin leaped up and smashed his head against Shadow Monkey’s skull. There was a dull thud, and Shadow Monkey collapsed, clutching his head and groaning, then fell silent.

At that moment, Xiao Lin’s last ounce of strength deserted him; his body went limp and he collapsed to the ground. His eyes, however, were bloodshot and fiercely fixed on Meng Ranran.

“Xiao Lin!” Wang Yuqing cried, rushing to his side. She dropped to her knees and cradled his head in her arms, gazing at his swollen, bruised forehead and bloodless, blue-lipped face. Stroking his cheek, she burst into sobs.

“Xiao Lin, are you all right? Please, tell me where it hurts…” she wept.

Xiao Lin forced a smile through the pain. “I’m fine, it’s just a scratch. I’ll be better in a bit. Look at you—crying like this at your age. Shame on you.”

His words only made Wang Yuqing sob harder, her tears falling in steady drops onto Xiao Lin’s face.

Meng Ranran, meanwhile, was frozen in terror, her limbs cold as ice. Staring at the mangled flesh on Fatty’s face, she gagged and vomited. At that moment, Xiao Lin seemed to her nothing less than a demon from hell. Any thoughts of revenging herself on Wang Yuqing had vanished—now she wanted only to get away. Yet recalling the look in Xiao Lin’s eyes, she dared not move an inch.

A few minutes later, the pain in Xiao Lin’s abdomen had lessened considerably, and strength was returning to his arms. His head, however, still spun—that blow to Shadow Monkey’s skull had left him dizzy. He shifted slightly and suddenly felt a soft, delicate sensation against his head. Looking up, he realized Wang Yuqing was still sobbing softly, and his head was nestled against her chest. Though it was winter and not much could be felt through the layers, that gentle sensation sent a ripple through Xiao Lin’s heart.

Feeling Xiao Lin move in her arms, Wang Yuqing opened her tearful eyes, unaware of the awkwardness of their posture. “Xiao Lin, how do you feel? Any better?”

“Ah, well, much better now,” Xiao Lin replied, squinting with pleasure. When Wang Yuqing asked, he grinned sheepishly and propped himself up, clenching his fists and feeling strength return to his body. He shot Wang Yuqing a proud grin. “I can really take a beating.”

Wang Yuqing looked at his still-pale face, the blood on his lips, and said worriedly, “We should go to the hospital, and… we need to call the police.”

“No need for that. If the police come, we’ll have to give statements—such a hassle. And I’m fine, really. Heh, it’s time to settle some scores now.” Xiao Lin waved dismissively and walked toward Meng Ranran.

“W-what are you doing? Hitting people is against the law… I’ll call the police…” Meng Ranran stammered, trembling as Xiao Lin approached.

“Heh, what am I doing?” Xiao Lin chuckled, then slapped her across the face. He had no chivalry to spare for a girl as vicious as her.

“How dare you hit me? You actually hit me!” Meng Ranran clutched her burning cheek, jumping up as if someone had stepped on her tail.

Xiao Lin slapped her again, and again, until Meng Ranran spun around three times on the spot. He had held back his strength—otherwise she would have fainted on the spot. Even so, Meng Ranran was left dizzy and stunned, mumbling, “How dare you hit me… you hit me…”

“Yuqing, how should we deal with her?” Seeing Meng Ranran dazed, Xiao Lin withdrew his hand and turned to Wang Yuqing.

“Ah?” Wang Yuqing, still shocked by what she’d just witnessed, only managed a startled sound in response.

“Maybe we should tell the teachers?” she suggested.