Chapter Forty-One: Ximen Xiaokun's Revenge

At that moment, in a grand villa, Ximen Xiaokun was fuming with rage.

"Are you all useless? Damn it, when I feed you, you all eat and drink like kings, but when I need you, you each turn coward!" As he spoke, Ximen Xiaokun smashed furniture and anything else within reach to pieces.

"Young master, please calm yourself," murmured a man beside him who looked every bit the part of a butler.

"Calm myself? How am I supposed to calm myself? When have I, Ximen Xiaokun, ever suffered such humiliation? Do you know? My reputation is ruined. It was only my first day at school, and this guy, Du Gu Ming, dared to tell me to die in front of everyone—and I didn't even dare to utter a word!" Ximen Xiaokun gnashed his teeth, as if wishing he could devour Du Gu Ming alive.

"Young master, there's no need to mind it. A wise man doesn't court disaster. Du Gu Ming is a cultivator, after all; we can't pit an egg against a stone. Later, when you destroy him, will any of this matter? At that time, you can say whatever you like. Isn't history always rewritten by the victors?" the butler said slyly.

Ximen Xiaokun's expression eased at these words. "What should I do, then?" he asked.

"Since Du Gu Ming is a cultivator, we can find someone stronger. He’s at most a level two peak cultivator—we’ll find a level three, and I don’t believe he won’t be dealt with. Besides, we can target his friends. His friends can’t all be cultivators, can they?" the butler replied, his tone wicked.

"Didn’t you say he claims to be the fiancé of the lady from the Xuanyuan family? I bet they’re just boyfriend and girlfriend. Let’s sow discord between them, make them enemies. Then, young master, you can take advantage of the situation—not only win the beauty, but also seize the wealth and power of both the Ximen and Xuanyuan families. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"

Hearing these words, Ximen Xiaokun immediately felt enlightened and burst into laughter. "Du Gu Ming, I’ll make you suffer until you wish you were dead. I’ll leave you with no place to be buried, hahaha!"

Meanwhile, our protagonist had already returned to the dormitory, preparing to sleep.

Once the lights went out, the room was plunged into darkness.

At that moment, Zhang Liming spoke, "Big brother, why didn’t you come to class this morning? Where did you go?"

Hearing Zhang Liming’s question, Du Gu Ming remembered that he had abandoned his friends to return alone to America, simply to run away.

Du Gu Ming didn't know how to answer. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Big brother, I know you and us live in two different worlds. I also know that one day we’ll have to part ways," Zhang Liming said.

"No, no," Du Gu Ming tried to deny it.

"Yes, we all know that coming to school wasn’t your real purpose," Bai Hanwen said, his voice choking a little.

"Bai Hanwen is right, but we’re all residents of Building 19, Room 108. Every one of us belongs here," even Zhang Hongtao, who rarely spoke, chimed in.

"So, big brother, I trust you won’t leave us without saying goodbye, and you won’t do so in the future either," Zhang Liming said, hiding his face under the covers.

Du Gu Ming felt his tear ducts heating up, as if something was about to spill from his eyes.

He was filled with regret and guilt. Here was a group of friends who truly saw him as their big brother, perhaps for life. Yet he had regarded them as mere passing figures in his own journey.

For the first time, Du Gu Ming realized how much of a fool he had been. He had nearly missed out on a group of brothers and friends who valued loyalty and affection.

"Big brother, we believe in you. You won’t leave us without a word, will you?" Zhang Liming, Bai Hanwen, and Zhang Hongtao said loudly.

Du Gu Ming choked up, nodded fiercely, and answered with a heavy "Yes."

Hearing his affirmation, the three broke into smiles through their tears.

Then, Building 19, Room 108 returned to its usual lively chatter, talking about things like which perfume a certain girl used today, or how some guy secretly peed in the pool last time. Surely, every dormitory in China has witnessed scenes like this.

As Du Gu Ming listened to their cheerful conversation and laughter, he suddenly felt an urge to protect them—these true brothers and friends. And then, a graceful figure slipped into his mind—of course, his woman.

The next day, Du Gu Ming went to class with the three of them.

"Do you think Ximen Xiaokun will come back to school?" Zhang Liming asked Bai Hanwen.

"Definitely not. After hearing how brave big brother was yesterday, that Ximen guy must’ve been scared out of his wits. If I were him, I wouldn’t dare return either. It's a pity I missed such a spectacular scene," Bai Hanwen replied.

Du Gu Ming heard Zhang Liming and Bai Hanwen discussing behind him, and smiled, for he had just spotted Ximen Xiaokun standing at the classroom door.

"Hmph, that Ximen Xiaokun is so nasty, yet he dares to come back. Watch me teach him a lesson," Bai Hanwen said, rolling up his sleeves, ready to give Ximen Xiaokun a beating.

"Go ahead, I’ll support you in spirit," Zhang Liming joked.

"Why don’t you join me? Isn’t Du Gu Ming your big brother too?" Bai Hanwen retorted, sensing Zhang Liming’s mockery.

"Alright, enough, you two," Du Gu Ming laughed. These two fools were truly a pair of clowns.

"Let’s see what trick he wants to pull," Du Gu Ming added.

At that moment, Ximen Xiaokun was standing at the door, glancing around restlessly.

Suddenly, his gaze locked onto Du Gu Ming and the others. Ximen Xiaokun trotted over.

Zhang Liming and Bai Hanwen, seeing him approach, thought he was looking for trouble and quickly stood in front of Du Gu Ming to block him.

Du Gu Ming stepped forward and placed his hands on their shoulders. "Let me handle this. Let’s see what he wants."

Ximen Xiaokun came over, took an invitation out of his pocket, and said, "Brother Du Gu, I was truly out of line yesterday. To make amends, I’ve reserved a table at the city's finest restaurant—Golden Summit Pavilion—this Saturday at noon. I hope you’ll accept my apology."

He then bowed deeply, his humility a stark contrast to yesterday’s arrogance.

"Screw you," Bai Hanwen said, unable to contain his anger at the sight of Ximen Xiaokun.

"Alright, I’ll go," Du Gu Ming said coldly, after glancing at Ximen Xiaokun.

"Big brother?" Zhang Liming tried to advise him.

"No need, I know what I’m doing," Du Gu Ming replied, turning to Zhang Liming and the others.

"Brother Du Gu, you’re truly magnanimous. I’ll await your arrival," Ximen Xiaokun said with another deep bow, then cast a meaningful glance at Zhang Liming and his companions standing behind Du Gu Ming.

Du Gu Ming frowned at Ximen Xiaokun’s behavior.

Ximen Xiaokun bowed once more before turning and walking into the classroom. In that brief moment as he turned away, no one noticed the wicked, sly smile curling at his lips, shining as bright as ever.

Ps: Some have said that Jiemo’s words are too many. Fine, then, Jiemo won’t post anymore—this should be the last time I ask for favorites and votes.