The Confidence to Stand Firm

Seeing Coach Long getting worked up, Lin Mo wasn’t surprised.

“Oh? So Lei Qi got mentioned but you didn’t? Don’t think you’re off the hook. With yesterday’s footage and witnesses, you tried to hit me first, but I acted in self-defense and slapped you so hard you went flying. I’ve got that video too, and I’ll make sure the reporters get a word with you.”

With that, Lin Mo turned his gaze to the Vice Principal, whose face had turned ashen.

“Vice Principal, would you like a word with the press as well? I know a few journalists who’d be thrilled to interview someone of your stature.”

Hearing this, the Vice Principal took a step back.

His expression shifted several times before he finally spoke.

“Lin Mo, calm down. There’s no need to be so tense.”

Everyone around was trying to placate Lin Mo, completely oblivious to Lei Qi, who was now boiling with rage.

The moment had come.

Lin Mo glanced at Lei Qi, a faint purple glint flashing in his eyes.

Instantly, Lei Qi erupted. He slammed his wheelchair and pointed at Coach Long, shouting,

“I’m the one who got hurt here! It’s all because of you, you bald bastard! If you hadn’t told me to mess with Lin Mo, none of this would’ve happened. But now that I’m injured, you’re just sitting there silent. My aunt must’ve been blind to ever like you!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Mo released his Soul Snare.

Ah, the wonders of Soul Snare—effortlessly handling any situation.

The outburst left Coach Long frozen in shock, and even the Vice Principal couldn’t hide his stunned expression.

He shot Coach Long a look.

Is this... the kind of player you’ve been training?

Coach Long was panting heavily, but Lei Qi’s aunt seemed convinced. She strode over and shoved him.

“Lei Qi’s absolutely right. I must’ve been out of my mind to fall for you. You’re useless, and now you’ve gotten him hurt—his leg’s broken because of you!”

Still, Lei Qi’s aunt wasn’t about to let Lin Mo off the hook.

She glared at him and snapped, “No matter what, you’re the one who broke my Lei Qi’s leg. You’re paying for this.”

Lin Mo shrugged and pulled out a voice recorder from his pocket.

“Sure, go ahead and sue me. I’ve got everything recorded anyway.”

He then turned to Coach Long.

“You’d better resign from Guangba on your own. Otherwise, I’ll send this recording to the education bureau, and trust me—you won’t like what comes next.”

With that, Lin Mo walked out of the administrative office without another word, leaving no room for anyone to save face.

But just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.

“Oh, and if any of you are thinking of sending someone to rough me up, you might want to reconsider. I’ve already put plenty of people behind bars.”

After dropping that warning, Lin Mo returned to the classroom.

Though only a few minutes had passed, everyone crowded around him the moment he stepped in.

“You okay?” Fang Jun was the first to react.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Oh, Ma Li, Su Mingzhao—you don’t have to quit the school basketball team.”

Lin Mo looked at Ma Li as he spoke.

“Huh? Why not?” Ma Li was puzzled. “If we stay, Coach Long will make our lives hell.”

“He won’t. Coach Long’s going to resign. And if he doesn’t do it gracefully, I’ll make sure he does.”

Hearing Lin Mo’s words, no one doubted him—especially Fang Jun, who immediately went to Ma Li’s side.

“That’s great! You and Su Mingzhao can keep playing for the team.”

Su Mingzhao also walked over, sounding somewhat uncertain as he said, "Coach Long is quite a tough guy. Is he really willing to leave just like that?"

"I told you—if he doesn’t want to leave with dignity, I can help him do it."

Lin Mo dropped that line before returning to his seat to prepare for the next chemistry class.

Everyone knew Lin Mo never made empty threats, so they all waited eagerly to see what would happen.

......

By evening self-study, Fang Jun had already popped up out of nowhere with news.

"I found out! Coach Long has submitted his resignation, but it’ll take another month before he can officially leave."

That was standard procedure, especially for a tenured teacher like Coach Long.

Fang Jun then cautiously asked, "Old Mo, even though Coach Long handed in his resignation, the school sports meet is coming up. You think he might stir up trouble?"

"I hope he does." Lin Mo smirked. He knew this wasn’t over yet.

After self-study ended, Lin Mo, Xie Yuling, and Fang Jun walked home together.

The moment they stepped out of the school gate, Fang Jun lowered his voice.

"Look, Mo! Over there!"

Lin Mo turned and saw Coach Long glaring at him from a distance. The moment their eyes met, Coach Long immediately turned and walked away.

But Lin Mo had already planted a spiritual mark on him.

If Coach Long didn’t behave as obediently as Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji, his fate wouldn’t be pleasant.

"Lin Mo!"

Ma Li limped over from behind, followed by Su Mingzhao.

"Hm?"

"You two should still be at team practice right now. You’re injured, so it makes sense you’re not there, but Su Mingzhao?"

Su Mingzhao crossed his arms. "I was planning to walk Ma Li home. And until Coach Long is gone, I’m not going back to the team. Don’t want to risk him making things hard for me."

"What’s there to fear? If anyone gives you trouble, just say ‘Lin Mo is my dad’—they’ll back off real quick."

"Go to hell." Su Mingzhao snorted.

Ma Li pulled out a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates from his bag.

"This is for you. A thank-you gift."

Lin Mo pushed it back. "No need for thanks. We’re classmates."

"No, no, I insist. My foot’s fine now, all thanks to you."

"Your foot healed because it wasn’t too serious to begin with. I just gave it a little help."

With that, Lin Mo waved and left with Xie Yuling. Fang Jun hurried after them.

Watching the three walk away, Ma Li couldn’t help but ask, "How did you even end up crossing Lin Mo in the first place?"

"How was I supposed to know he was this badass? But honestly, he’s a good guy. Way better than me."

"Pfft. Pretty much anyone’s better than you."

Back home, Xie Yuling finally asked about the day’s events.

Lin Mo pulled out the voice recorder he’d borrowed from Jiang Yunlu and played the recording from earlier.

Most of it was just Lin Mo speaking, but everything he said was justified. The real gold was Lei Qi’s self-incriminating outburst later.

"So Coach Long had no choice but to resign."

"Right. If he resigns, he can still work as a PE teacher elsewhere. But if I expose all this, he’ll never teach again."

Auntie Zheng, who had been listening nearby, couldn’t help but chime in, "Xiao Mo, you’ve got to be careful. There are too many bad people out there. You’re out in the open, while they’re in the shadows. Who knows when they might try to pull something sneaky on you?"

Lin Mo smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Auntie Zheng. I know my limits and won’t push things to the brink."

Even if the situation were pushed to the brink, he had a way to handle it.

He planned to go see that "dog" tonight.