With the crisis now resolved, Ian Song had dinner at his uncle's place before escorting Hannah Han home. After what they'd just been through, their relationship warmed up quickly—they weren't just teacher and student anymore, but more like close friends who could talk about anything.
Watching Hannah Han walk into her apartment complex, Ian felt a ripple in his heart and murmured to himself, "If only Ms. Han weren't my teacher, I'd definitely go after her."
But he quickly realized that thought was a bit too bold.
On the way, Hannah Han chatted about her family. She wasn’t a local of Riverstone City, but from Jiang Province. Both her parents were alive, but her father was a gambling addict who lived off betting every day. Her mother was also a teacher, working at an elementary school, and she had a younger brother who was now in his first year of high school.
Her mother’s salary went to supporting the family, while Hannah sent most of her own wages home each month to help out. Since she’d only been at Saint Night High School for two years, she wasn’t eligible for staff housing yet, so she had to rent off-campus. Luckily, the school covered part of her rent.
Shaking off his thoughts, Ian headed for the café.
Ever since he started playing piano at the café, business had been booming—every day was packed.
That made the waitresses super friendly toward him; more customers meant more commission for them.
10:05 p.m.
Ian Song walked out of the café. Across the street, a rat-faced youth’s eyes lit up. He quickly whipped out his phone and dialed, "Brother Biao, that kid just came out. He’s headed your way."
A rough, raspy voice came through the phone: "Keep an eye on him. Report back as soon as anything happens."
On a secluded stretch of Ian’s route back to the dorm, two unlicensed white vans were parked roadside. Each van held eight thugs gripping steel pipes. One of them was bald, with a centipede-like scar on his left cheek—a truly menacing sight.
The bald guy was none other than Sam Chen, Jason Xu’s disciple, who’d brought his men here to ambush Ian Song.
After hanging up, Sam Chen told his underlings, "Get ready, guys. He’s almost here. When it’s done, I’ll treat everyone to a bath."
The thugs’ eyes lit up. Of course, ‘bath’ didn’t just mean a shower—it meant women would be involved. They nodded eagerly: "Got it, Brother Biao!"
Ian closed his system panel, feeling pretty satisfied. Saving Ms. Han at the school gate that afternoon had drawn a big crowd of students, and after a few hours of gossip, his Fame Points had shot up by over 300. He figured that by tomorrow, even more people at school would know what happened—and he’d rack up even more Fame Points.
Without realizing it, he’d already reached the alley on the secluded stretch. The first time, he’d rescued Fiona Xiang here; the second time, he’d saved a cold-blooded girl who’d killed without blinking. So, he couldn’t help glancing into the alley.
Crash! Crash!
Two dull thuds sounded. Ian turned to see both vans’ doors swing open, and a crowd of steel-pipe-wielding thugs leapt out, charging straight at him.
Ian’s mind raced—these guys were obviously here for him.
Fight or run?
You can't dodge trouble forever!
Right then, Ian decided to stay and teach these guys a lesson they’d never forget—so they’d stop coming after him. He silently counted their numbers.
Fifteen!
"Brother Biao says he wants this punk’s legs! Get him!"
The lead thug shouted, swinging his steel pipe straight for Ian’s shoulder.
"Bring it on!"
Ian shouted to himself, charging forward instead of backing away and slamming into the lead thug.
Bang!
The lead thug screamed, flying backward even faster than he’d rushed in. He crashed into another thug, and the two rolled across the ground like bowling pins.
At the same time, three more steel pipes whistled in from both sides, aiming for Ian’s head.
Ian stepped back, dodged all three attacks, and snatched two pipes out of their hands.
"Let go!"
With a shout, he tore both pipes free, then kicked off the ground and spun into the crowd like a whirlwind.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Ian swung the two pipes so fast they blurred into shadows. His footwork was agile and unpredictable, and the pipes smashed, swept, and jabbed through the crowd.
In less than a minute, all fifteen thugs were down, groaning on the pavement.
Sam Chen, watching from the van, was completely stunned. All fifteen of his men were seasoned street fighters, but in just one minute, Ian Song had wiped them out.
A chill ran down his spine. He didn’t dare get out of the van, and he ducked down as low as possible, hoping Ian wouldn’t spot him.
"Speak up—who sent you?"
Ian planted a foot on one thug’s chest and pointed a steel pipe at his face.
"Kid, we’re with the Great River Gang. If you know what’s good for you, get on your knees and beg, or the Great River Gang will never let you off!" the thug sneered.
Ian’s eyes went cold. After what happened that afternoon, something in him had changed. He raised the pipe and brought it down hard.
Crack!
The thug screamed as the sound of breaking bone echoed.
"Talk. Who sent you? One useless word and I’ll break another limb. Let’s see how many you’ve got!"
The thug shuddered at Ian’s words. With his left leg broken, sweat poured down his forehead.
Seeing the guy still silent, Ian raised the pipe again.
"No, wait! I’ll talk! Brother Biao sent us!" the thug shouted.
"Who’s Brother Biao?" Ian frowned.
"Brother Biao’s real name is Sam Chen. He’s our boss’s personal bodyguard. He told us to give you trouble!"
"Where is he now?" Ian pressed, a little confused—he didn’t know anyone named Sam Chen.
This time, the thug didn’t answer. Instead, he glanced at one of the vans parked nearby. Ian instantly realized Sam Chen was hiding in that van.
Right then, the van’s engine roared to life—the van was about to bolt.
"Stop right there!"
Ian barked, springing forward like a cheetah and hurling his steel pipe in a flash of cold light.
Crack!
Ian’s thrown pipe punched through the passenger window, bounced off the other window, and landed on Sam Chen. The force was spent, so it just hurt a bit, but Sam broke out in a cold sweat and floored the gas pedal—the van shot off down the street.
Watching the van speed off dozens of meters away, Ian gave up the chase, feeling a bit regretful.
When he got back to the alley entrance, all fifteen thugs had already fled, leaving only a pile of steel pipes behind. Ian didn’t care—he’d taught them a harsh enough lesson tonight, and he doubted they’d come after him again anytime soon.