Volume One: High School Days Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Gathering After Finals

At the end of June, as the final exams drew to a close, the students entered the long summer break that would last two months. With the end of their first year of high school, the next semester would see them split into arts and sciences classes. Many students would move on to different groups, so, under the class monitor’s direction, everyone gathered at a restaurant near the school on the evening after their exams, bidding farewell to their first year together.

Liusheng was at his desk, packing up his books. Come next semester, he wouldn’t be returning to this classroom. At that moment, Ren Xiadong came over and asked, “Is there any point in me continuing to study?”

Liusheng finished packing, hoisted his bag, and replied, “Why shouldn’t you keep studying? At your age, what else is there to do? Enjoy being a student while you can—when you finally step out of school, you’ll realize your happiest days were all here. Come on, let’s head to the party; everyone’s probably already there.”

When the two arrived at the gathering, Liu Meng picked up a school uniform resting on a seat. “Liusheng, there’s nobody here.”

Liusheng didn’t give it much thought and sat down. Ren Xiadong shooed away the student occupying Liusheng’s other side and took the seat himself.

“Everyone, when school starts, we may not be in the same class anymore. No matter where we’re assigned, Class One of Year One will always be the most united,” the class monitor declared. The whole group erupted in applause.

Liusheng surveyed the room—four tables, twelve people each—but not a single teacher was present. He turned to the class monitor, “Didn’t you invite any teachers today?”

“No. This is just a student gathering; having teachers here would feel awkward. It’s not a graduation party,” the monitor explained.

Hearing this, Liusheng and Ren Xiadong exchanged smiles, then shouted in unison, “Waiter, bring the beer!”

The waiter brought in crate after crate of beer. The class monitor protested, “We’re still students! How can we drink alcohol?”

Liusheng and Ren Xiadong ignored him, cracking open the bottles one after another. “There are no teachers tonight. We finally get to sit together. Eat and drink to your heart’s content—it’s on me!” Liusheng declared.

The class monitor, hearing Liusheng would foot the bill, didn’t argue. As monitor, he’d intended to treat everyone, but since Liusheng was willing to play the fool, he grabbed a beer and said, “If Liusheng’s paying, it’d be a waste not to drink!”

He took a swig straight from the bottle, but after only a few gulps, he ended up spraying beer everywhere. Liusheng and Ren Xiadong burst out laughing at his failed attempt.

“Classmates, the pressure of study is immense. We’ve finally made it to the holidays. If we don’t let loose now, then when?” Liusheng cried.

His words struck a chord, and soon, no one cared whether they could handle alcohol—they all raised their bottles and drank.

As the night wore on and the alcohol flowed, boasting and banter grew louder. Seeing everyone finally freed from their usual restraints, Liusheng proclaimed, “What else can cure a thousand sorrows but a single drunken night?”

Their raucous celebration soon angered guests next door. Just as the students were cheerfully shouting, their private room was thrown open. The intruder was none other than Wan Jiangfei.

“Do you think this place is your home? Can’t you stop making such a racket?” Wan Jiangfei barked, a crowd of second-year students behind him, also there for a gathering.

As Wan Jiangfei strode in, all the students fell silent, well aware of his wealthy, influential family—none dared cross him.

He walked over to Liusheng and said, “You look stunning tonight. I heard you were having a party here, so I came to see you.”

“We’ve already broken up. Why are you still looking for me? Please stop pestering me,” Liu Meng replied.

Wan Jiangfei wrapped his arm around Liu Meng’s neck, inhaled deeply, and said, “You smell wonderful. How could I ever just give up such a beautiful girl?”

“Take your hand off her! Didn’t you hear what Liu Meng said? She wants nothing to do with you!” Liusheng grabbed Wan Jiangfei’s wrist and shoved it aside.

Wan Jiangfei shook his arm, then seized Liusheng by the collar. “At first, I thought you were someone impressive, so I tolerated you. But I’ve had you investigated. Your family just owns a hot pot restaurant, and that’s a partnership with someone else. You have no other background. Tonight, I’ll make sure you lose face in front of everyone!”

Ren Xiadong picked up a beer bottle and aimed it at Wan Jiangfei. “Get your filthy hands off him!”

“Oh, Liusheng’s little henchman. How much do you think he can pay you? Is it worth your loyalty? If you smash that bottle over Liusheng’s head, I’ll give you five thousand!”

Ren Xiadong raised the bottle and brought it down hard on Wan Jiangfei’s head. Blood gushed from the wound. The second-year students who had followed Wan Jiangfei in surged forward, ready to punish Ren Xiadong.

“Stop!” Liusheng shouted, addressing everyone, “Wan Animation Company is on the verge of collapse, drowning in debt. I suspect the Wan family is already selling off assets to repay what they owe.”

The second-year students halted in their tracks, taken aback by Liusheng’s words.

Wan Jiangfei, seeing them hesitate, growled, “Go beat them up! I’ve got plenty of money!”

As the second-year students prepared to advance again, Liusheng spoke once more. “The entire Wan enterprise is just an empty shell now. Soon it’ll be bankrupt, with enormous debts. Wan Jiangfei, accustomed to wealth, will soon be penniless. What do you think he’ll do? He’ll come to you for money, using the same excuses: ‘I was so good to you, spent so much on you.’ Think carefully.”

Hearing this, the crowd began to disperse. “Wan Jiangfei, my family has something urgent—I have to leave early.” “Let’s not stay in touch. My mom wants me to focus on studying. I can’t let her down. No more partying for me.”

Watching everyone leave, Wan Jiangfei turned to Liusheng. “How do you know so much?”

Liusheng shook his head without answering.

Wan Jiangfei continued, “Though Wan Animation owes a lot, it still exists. Today you’ve got numbers on your side, so I’ll let it go. But if you don’t destroy me, I’ll destroy you given the chance!”

“Go on. I won’t break the law. Killing you wouldn’t benefit me in the slightest.”

Wan Jiangfei was stunned, then quietly left.

“You’re just letting him go? He’s given you trouble more than once,” Ren Xiadong said.

Liusheng replied, “Wan Animation is about to go under. They’ll have plenty of their own problems soon. I doubt he’ll cause any more trouble—he won’t have the means.”

By nine o’clock, as their classmates staggered home, Liusheng settled the bill and received a call from Xia Yao.

“Liusheng, your contract with Senhai is about to expire. Would you consider officially joining us?” Xia Yao asked.

Liusheng wasn’t an employee of Senhai. Although he held the position of editor-in-chief, he was only a contractor, having signed a one-year service agreement. There were two months left, though he could resign at any time.

“No, I want to leave. I want to start something on my own. I hope we can work together and move forward together in the future,” Liusheng replied.

Xia Yao said, “I guessed as much. From now on, you have nothing to do with Senhai. But you must promise me—you can start your own company, and I’d welcome collaboration, but you mustn’t help any other animation studios.”

After hanging up, Liusheng turned to Ren Xiadong, who hadn’t left. “I’ve been fired from Senhai.”

Ren Xiadong stared at him in surprise.

Liusheng smiled. “It’s just as well—we’ll do it ourselves. With our abilities, we’ll have no problem!”

“Haha, I know what you’re capable of. What about me? I’ll only slow you down.”

“You can learn. Take it step by step. One day you’ll be vice president of my company.”

Ren Xiadong knew Liusheng’s ‘Shanhai Theory’ had earned over four hundred million, and he recognized his talent. “Alright! I’ll work with you.”

A week later, the whole class returned to school to check their results and see their new assignments.

As expected, Liusheng remained the top student, while Ren Xiadong held his place at the bottom. Many students chose to drop out and attend technical schools instead, learning a skilled trade to avoid a future of poverty.

Ren Xiadong, persuaded by Liusheng, decided to continue his studies, opting for science just like Liusheng. However, their class assignments wouldn’t be announced until September 1st.

After collecting their report cards, it was already noon. Liusheng kept Ren Xiadong back to discuss how they might start a business.

The two grabbed a quick lunch, then found a café, sipping coffee as they brainstormed.

After an afternoon of discussion, they came up with many ideas. Although Liusheng had knowledge from another world and saw plenty of business opportunities, manpower was an issue—who would trust two high school students?

Frustrated, they decided to unwind with a drink.

During dinner, Liusheng told Ren Xiadong, “The only way to break through now is the internet. But we can’t do it alone—we need talented people. Where to find them is the problem.”

“Why’d you leave Senhai? You could just make cartoons and have enough money for a lifetime,” Ren Xiadong remarked.

Liusheng laughed. “Do you want someone else to control you for life?”

Ren Xiadong shook his head. Liusheng continued, “We’re meant to be the ones in charge. Trust me—soon, I’ll make sure you live like a rich man!”

Just then, Liusheng’s phone rang. It was a message from Xiaoya. He smiled as he opened it.

“I’m in Room 808 of Nightfall KTV, help…” The message ended abruptly.

Liusheng thought, “Help? Is Xiaoya in danger? Is she asking me to save her?”

He dashed out, dialing Xiaoya’s number, but no one answered.

Seeing Liusheng run out in a panic, Ren Xiadong settled the bill and chased after him.