Why should I give way?
Hearing Evan Lin's words, Buck Niu raised an eyebrow.
Buck Niu's gaze toward Evan grew darker. "Maybe that punch I gave you last time wasn't enough to wake you up. If that's the case, I don't mind giving you another one, just to make sure you really get it."
Buck spoke in a low voice. He wasn't tall, but his muscular build was more than enough to make people feel pressured.
Buck Niu was different from Tyson Liu. Tyson only became the sophomore boss thanks to his older brother, Liu Tianxia, but Buck was someone who could stand on equal footing with Liu Tianxia.
The Niu family actually has some real pull in Brightsea City. Otherwise, just being a tough guy wouldn’t be enough for Buck to get on equal footing with Rachel Liu.
"I'll return that punch to you," Evan replied calmly, completely unafraid.
As soon as he said this, the crowd around them exploded.
"Did he just say he's going to pay Buck back with a punch?" someone stared at Evan like he was crazy.
"Is this kid running his mouth just because Rachel Liu is here? Is he just trying to get her attention by acting crazy?" someone guessed, glancing at Rachel Liu, who stood nearby with her brows slightly furrowed.
"Last time you handed Rachel a love letter, I only hit you once, and I only used thirty percent of my strength—just enough to teach you a lesson."
"But clearly, you haven't learned much from it."
Buck's eyes flickered as he looked at Evan, his tone growing impatient.
Thirty percent strength.
Just thirty percent strength, and he sent me all the way to the Immortal Martial Continent?
A faint smile appeared on Evan's lips as he strode calmly toward Buck.
"What do you think you're doing!" Buck frowned and immediately reached out, trying to grab Evan's collar.
Evan's move was clearly a provocation!
Looking at Buck, Evan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Since you used thirty percent strength, I'll return you thirty percent as well."
Before Evan finished speaking, he swung his fist straight at Buck's head.
"You looking to die?!"
Buck's eyes widened—he was clearly done wasting words with Evan.
He instantly reacted, clenching his fist to trade blows with Evan.
Their fists collided, and under everyone's astonished gaze, Buck was sent flying.
"Holy crap! No way! Buck actually got sent flying!" In the cafeteria, the onlookers were stunned; nobody expected it would be Buck who got knocked away.
Evan stepped forward again, caught up to Buck, and landed another punch, sending him straight to the floor.
Evan's eyes narrowed, ready to keep going.
The atmosphere was tense, like a drawn sword and bent bow.
"Enough." Rachel Liu, who hadn't spoken until now, finally broke the silence.
Her voice was fresh and cold, giving her an especially distant feeling.
"Rachel..." Buck coughed, scrambling up from the floor in embarrassment and glancing at Rachel Liu.
"Let's go somewhere else." Rachel said, her cold gaze sweeping over Evan without another word, then turned and left.
"Consider yourself lucky today, but I won't forget this!" Buck shot Evan a vicious glare, then turned to catch up with Rachel Liu.
"Dude, weren't you afraid he'd break your nose with one punch?" Isabel Lu, who hadn't dared speak up earlier, finally scooted over to Evan, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Break his nose? With that scrawny body, I'm surprised he isn't worried Buck might punch him to death!" A guy next to Isabel deliberately raised his voice, making everyone burst out laughing.
But Evan just gave the crowd a cool sweep with his eyes, and everyone instantly shut up, not daring to say another word.
After getting his food, Evan found a seat. Isabel Lu hurried over with her lunch tray and sat right across from him.
"Bro, can I interview you for a sec? Seriously, what are you thinking—first you tick off Tyson Liu, then Ethan Yi, and now you go after Buck Niu too."
"Give me the inside scoop—what's your thought process? You're climbing step by step straight toward your own doom!"
Isabel peppered Evan with questions, full of admiration as he ate calmly, totally unfazed. She kept chattering away, but Evan acted like he didn’t hear a word.
Isabel frowned. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"One should not speak while eating or in bed." Evan glanced at Isabel, nodded politely. "I'm done. Enjoy your meal."
With that, Evan got up and left, leaving Isabel sitting there alone.
Isabel was stunned—she hadn't expected Evan to ditch her so decisively. Watching his retreating back, she stomped her foot. "What's his deal? Why is he only interested in the school goddess? I'm not bad either, you know!"
Evan didn't look back, leaving as quietly as he'd come, not leaving a trace.
...
"Rachel, why didn't you let me teach that kid a lesson just now?"
"There are way too many annoying flies at school chasing after you. If I don't get tough, they'll just keep coming."
Buck walked beside Rachel Liu, unable to hide the admiration in his eyes. Thinking about how Evan just floored him with one punch, he still felt bitter.
"He only got me because he sucker punched me! Give me another shot and I'll crush him!" Buck snarled, his eyes blazing.
"Your family's already got enough problems. Try not to stir up more." Rachel Liu shook her head slightly.
"It's fine. My uncle's back now, and Brightsea City's about to get a whole new turf map. With him here, there's nothing to worry about." Buck grunted, pride flickering in his eyes.
"Turf map? What do you mean?" Rachel Liu clearly didn't get what Buck was talking about.
"It’s mainly about control over KTVs and bars. Brightsea City has five districts, right? Each district has its own turf—these rights cover the bars, KTVs, and sauna hotels in each area."
(End-of-chapter system message, skip translation for this line.)
"Before, Damon Wang always kept our Niu family down, but now my uncle's back—even with Damon around, he might not be able to handle my uncle."
"My uncle's mastered inner strength now!" Buck couldn't hide his pride.
"Inner strength? What's that?" Rachel Liu asked, her icy beauty hiding a girl's curiosity.
"Honestly, I don't really get it. I just know if someone masters it, they can punch through the air—one hit and the guy in front goes flying." Buck scratched his head.
"Is it really that badass?" Rachel Liu sounded skeptical.
"You'll see next time there's a turf split—I'll bring you to watch." Buck snuck a glance at Rachel Liu, inviting her along.
"We'll see." Rachel Liu nodded, slipping right back into her ice queen mode.
Just as they were about to leave the school gate, Buck spotted five guys striding in from outside.
The leader was chewing gum, looking lazy and cocky in a black tank top, head tilted, skin tanned dark.
He saw Buck and Rachel walking together, his eyes flickering as he checked Rachel out, then settled on Buck. He swaggered over, grinning. "Yo, Boss Buck finally leveled up? After all these years, you finally scored a date with goddess Rachel?"
"Cut the crap, Tyson. Don't come back talking nonsense." Buck shot back coldly, eyeing Tyson with caution.
"Tsk tsk, a few months gone and Buck's still got that fiery temper."
"I was gonna spar with you now, but I've got business to handle. Next time." Tyson flashed a grin.
"Spar with me? You think you're worthy?" Buck scoffed.
"Maybe I wasn't before, but now, who knows?" Tyson licked his lips. "I heard your uncle Titan Niu is back, right?"
"My little uncle will be back in a few days. We'll settle things in Brightsea's underworld." Tyson gave Buck a meaningful look, then led his crew away in a swaggering wave.
Before leaving, Tyson shot Rachel Liu a fierce look, full of possessive intent, making her scoff inwardly.
Buck clenched his fists, his eyes flickering uneasily.
Tyson strode up front, with Trevor Liu beside him. Seeing his older brother's face grow serious and calm, Trevor didn't dare make a sound.
"Trevor, did you see Rachel Liu by Buck's side?"
Tyson glanced at Trevor, who was standing right next to him.
"Yeah, I saw her. What's up, bro?" Trevor replied cautiously, all his usual swagger gone when dealing with Tyson.
"She's backed by the River City Liu clan. That Chen Meng you like is just a pretty girl, but Rachel Liu is different—she represents real power."
"That power could take our Liu family to the next level. We're all Liu blood, so honestly, I'd rather see you win Rachel Liu over." Tyson gave Trevor a meaningful look.
"Win Rachel Liu over?" Trevor's heart skipped a beat at the thought.
Rachel Liu is every guy's dream girl at school—who wouldn't want to have her?
Just her long, gorgeous legs are enough to drive guys crazy.
Chen Meng has her charm, but compared to Rachel Liu, she's just not in the same league.
"Yeah, when my little uncle gets back, I'll talk to him about it." Tyson nodded. "As for Buck, don't worry about him."
"Whether it's the Niu family or Damon Wang, this time they're nothing but meat on the chopping block." Tyson grinned confidently.
"Isn't Damon Wang backed by the Su family?" Trevor hesitated, but asked anyway.
"So what if it's the Su family?" Tyson smiled, shaking his head. "Whatever, that's for later."
"Right now, our top priority is finding the kid who dared lay a hand on you."
Tyson glanced at Sean Sun on his other side, his gaze cool. "Sean, tell me—how good is that kid? How come even you couldn't handle him?"
Sean had been laid up in the hospital for days after Evan beat him up. He'd only come back because Tyson returned to school.
Hearing Tyson's question, Sean forced a smile. "Last time I was careless, underestimated him, so I got wrecked. Now that you're back, bro, you gotta teach that kid a lesson."
"Of course. But Sean, once you heal up, I'll teach you some real kung fu." Tyson nodded. Sean was stunned, then overjoyed.
"Thanks a ton, bro Tyson!"