Chapter 401: Denying Rumors
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Li Dong played a total of three boxing matches in the course of the night.
He defeated all three adult boxers in a short period of time, causing the audience to cheer wildly.
As Satos.h.i.+ video recorded the proceedings of the three games, she felt her body trembling, and her eyes filling with tears.
17 years old.
Touki was only 17 years old.
However, he was already shouldering such tremendous pressure in order to survive. He was fighting in the grown-up world before way before his time, feeding himself by using his fists tenaciously. He fought for his survival by enduring the risk of getting hurt.
In contrast, as someone whose only job was to study seriously, her life seemed hundreds of times more blessed than his.
Her heart ached so much that her tears began to fall.
After the game was over, Touki took Satos.h.i.+ home.
“Actually, I don’t intend to do this job until the end of time.
“I have to give my all to defeat at least three opponents every day, just to get the $100 prize money per win. If I lose, I get nothing.
“I am very strong and I haven’t lost a single match so far. I have knocked down more than a thousand opponents, but I am not happy about it. Because each win means that I’ve hurt someone once. I cause pain for others and create painful memories for them… I’m a total villain.
“However, I have no choice but to do this for tuition, living expenses, and survival. I can only stop causing injury to others when I get excellent results and enroll in a university that provides a full scholars.h.i.+p. Then I will be able to apologize to those whom I’ve defeated and start my new life.
“Now, all of my plans have been destroyed by the rumors. The school does not object to students doing part-time work, but they are absolutely against students fighting in underground boxing matches. Once the truth is announced, I’ll probably lose this well-paying job.
“But this is a good thing, anyway. This way, I can at least stop causing injury to others, and my heart feels much lighter now. It’s just that my income from other part-time jobs will be significantly lower, and the coming days will be difficult.
“Ah… in short, there are pros and cons. A path will appear under my feet as long as I keep moving forward,” Li Dong said with a sigh.
His tone was one of helplessness and relief.
“Touki, you…you have a really hard life!”
Satos.h.i.+’s sympathy exploded from her, and she sobbed loudly. “It’s much too difficult for you to live alone. I will take care of you, I will help you! Let me be your support! I can’t give you money, but I can bring you an extra-large bento box every day.”
“Nah, I’m fine.” Li Dong waved his hand. “No matter what, I can support myself without any problems. You don’t have to worry about this. Also, I’m very grateful to you. Thank you for your trust in me. Especially when rumors are flying around like this, this precious trust is better than anything. Thank you very much.”
“It’s not like that, Touki!”
Unexpectedly, Satos.h.i.+ became more agitated, and her tears flowed even more freely. “I’d also believed those rumors before today and had suspicions about you! I am a despicable person who has no opinions. I’m someone who just follows the herd… I am not worthy of your trust. I don’t deserve the word ‘trust’!”
Looking at Denen Satos.h.i.+, Li Dong saw that she was completely serious. He was stunned.
He reached out and patted her head with his hand, smiling. “What a straightforward girl. Maybe that’s why my first thought was to ask for your help.”
“Ah…”
Satos.h.i.+ stared blankly at him, and a flush came over her cheeks.
…
The next day.
A shocking video spread quickly within Xihai No. 3 High School.
“The truth of Touki’s part-time work. The scene of three physical struggles in a row. You’ll regret if you don’t watch this”—This t.i.tle was enough to garner much attention, causing a strong urge to pay attention to the video.
Very quickly, there were countless students asking for the source of the video.
“Hehe, Touki, let me see the heroic pose of your struggles.”
“It’s Touki indeed. Three consecutive fights in one night for several months in a row, yet his body has not collapsed. Besides the ability to endure pain, he must also have superior skills. This is something worth learning.”
“I’m so excited! I really admire this video of our cla.s.smate partic.i.p.ating in the compet.i.tion. The main character of this story is right near us. There is a most unusual kind of excitement that makes my blood race.”
“Touki, let me see your ability!”
Their fingers clicked on the video.
Then…
Their expression was one of disappointment that was so intense it could clearly be heard in their voices. It was akin to getting all hyped up as one prepared to play a rare video—a download called “A Flight Stewardess’ Special Service”—only to realize that it was actually an episode of Gourd Babies. The contrast between expectation and reality was huge.
All the male students experienced a great sense of loss.
And what about the female students?
They felt shy at first, because of the suggestive t.i.tle.
But after they were forced to play the video, they became silent, and then they started to tear up, one after another.
“It turns out that… We’ve misunderstood Touki. This is actually his part-time job.”
“Why did you keep this from us, Touki? Things would have been fine if you’d just explained it to us sooner. Why didn’t you do that?”
“If he doesn’t do this, Touki will have no source of income.”
Denen Satos.h.i.+ said, “Touki is different from us. He has to survive. He has to earn tuition money on his own. He has no parents, so he had to shoulder everything alone! We have always relied on adults, so what right do we have to talk behind his back? Him? He did not betray his body and soul. All he could do was use his fists to fight for a meal in the grown-up world. But we’ve smashed his source of income that he had taken up with much difficulty.”
“We…we are…too despicable!”
A wail that could not be suppressed broke out from Satos.h.i.+’s pet.i.te body. Her words were sharp like needles and were heard by every student in the cla.s.s.
They could not help but lower their heads.
This…
Shangguan Feifei was at a loss for words. Her lips moved, and a wave of guilt flooded her heart. She, too, lowered her head.
“Denen Satos.h.i.+?”
Nanjo Masaharu raised his head. He did not expect such a weak girl to shout such powerful words.
They scanned the corner seat in the back row. Touki looked exceptionally calm and unperturbed; he looked so calm that it made one’s heart ache.
But after hearing the words by Denen Satos.h.i.+, Li Dong stood up from his seat and walked to her side. He reached out and patted her head. He smiled. “Satos.h.i.+, enough. You’ve done enough You don’t have to speak so loudly for me.”
“As for you…”
He took two steps towards s.h.i.+ntora, Sakyu Akagi, Takao Mio and others. Quick as lightning, he reached out with two hands and held the throats of s.h.i.+ntora and Sakyu Akagi. He lifted them in the air.
Bam.
He kicked Takao Mio to the ground with one foot and stepped forcibly on his chest.
He said in a cold voice, “You must be the source of the rumors. You’ve just watched that video, haven’t you? Are you disappointed? Unfortunately, your sweet dreams have ended. Now, if you don’t go to every cla.s.s, deny the rumors, and kneel down in apology, I will beat you up like how I’ve beaten my opponents in the ring. I’ll let you experience how it feels to be my opponent, hmmph…”
He released his hands.
Cough, cough, cough…
s.h.i.+ntora and others had been holding their breath for more than a minute. They coughed violently and looked at Li Dong with eyes full of fear.
“So, answer me quickly. Will you immediately apologize, starting in this cla.s.s, or will you wait to meet my fist?” Li Dong said with a murderous glare, waving his fist.
“I’m sorry! We’ll apologize immediately!”
“We’re the ones who did that! We’ve learned our mistakes!”
“Everyone, please forgive us!”
Looking at the terrible fists that could defeat an adult underground boxer, the three immediately became terrified and threw themselves on their knees with a crash, begging in apology.