Bro, Do You Read Dragon Raja

Early the next morning, the morning sun swept away the gloom of yesterday's rainstorm.

After his usual morning run, Chen Zhi stepped into the classroom just as the bell for morning study rang. As soon as he entered, a heavy wave of resentment hit him in the face.

The source of this resentment was none other than Li Zihan.

This brother was currently sprawled over his desk, sporting two massive dark circles under his eyes. He looked as if his life force had been drained overnight, his hair a messy bird's nest. It was obvious he hadn't slept a wink.

Chen Zhi stuffed his backpack into his desk cubby and asked knowingly, Yo, Zihan, were you out being a thief last night? You look worse than someone who just crawled out of a coffin.

Hearing Chen Zhi's voice, Li Zihan slowly turned his head. His bloodshot eyes glared fixedly at Chen Zhi. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth, Chen Zhi, are you even human?

I am. Chen Zhi unscrewed his water bottle, took a sip, and looked innocent. What's wrong? Was the book not good?

Good? Good my ass!

Li Zihan sprang up from his seat like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his voice filled with grief and indignation. What mafia princess? What pure love warrior? Chen Zhi, you liar!

Erii died! She died! Li Zihan grabbed Chen Zhi by the collar and shook him back and forth, his voice breaking. That idiot Lu Mingfei was still on his way, and Erii got sucked dry into a mummy! She didn't even leave a whole corpse behind! Old Thief Jiangnan, I'm going to kill him! And I'm going to kill you too!

The surrounding classmates were startled by the commotion and cast curious glances their way.

Chen Zhi calmly pried Li Zihan's hands off and patted his shoulder earnestly. Calm down, bro. Even though the ending was a bit tragic, wasn't the journey sweet? Wasn't Erii very obedient?

Li Zihan slumped back into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling, muttering to himself, Sakura is the best, Sakura is the best... Best my ass! Lu Mingfei is just a piece of trash!

Looking at the kid's crazed state, Chen Zhi silently apologized in his heart.

However, Li Zihan clearly wasn't the type to suffer in silence.

After just one morning study session, Chen Zhi noticed a change in Li Zihan. He was no longer wailing. Instead, he wore a fanatical smile resembling a pyramid scheme ringleader, wandering around the classroom with the three volumes of Dragon Raja in his hands.

Sports Committeeman, I see you have extraordinary bone structure. I'll lend you this masterpiece to read, free of charge.

Study Committeeman, I know you only read classic literature, but the writing in this book is excellent. Highly recommended.

Watching Li Zihan frantically promoting the book, Chen Zhi couldn't help but click his tongue. This was the classic case of someone who, having been caught in the rain, now wanted to tear everyone else's umbrellas to shreds. He figured that in a couple of days, the mental state of all the boys in the class would be just as beautiful as Li Zihan's.

Chen Zhi shook his head and sat back down at his seat.

As soon as he sat down, his gaze fell on his desk.

The black folding umbrella he had lent to Pei Ningxue yesterday was now neatly folded and placed there. Next to the umbrella stood a glass bottle of Guangming milk.

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow and turned to look at his desk mate.

Pei Ningxue was looking down at her English textbook, her back perfectly straight. Her long hair covered half of her side profile, making her expression unreadable.

Wow. Chen Zhi picked up the bottle of milk and shook it in his hand. Which little beauty gifted me this lovely breakfast?

Pei Ningxue's body stiffened slightly.

She didn't look up, only burying her face deeper into her book. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. ...Thank you for the umbrella.

Her originally fair and translucent earlobes were now flushing a deep crimson at a visible rate, like rouge dropped into water, rapidly spreading.

Seeing her acting like a frightened quail, the corners of Chen Zhi's mouth couldn't help but curve up.

This young lady was quite particular; she even gave a bottle of milk in return for borrowing an umbrella.

Thanks, I was just getting thirsty from my run.

Chen Zhi didn't stand on ceremony. With a push of his thumb, he popped open the paper cap with a thwack and tilted his head back, taking a large gulp.

Hearing the swallowing sound beside her, Pei Ningxue's eyelashes fluttered as she secretly peeked over from the corner of her eye. Seeing that Chen Zhi drank it without any hesitation, the slight nervousness in her heart slowly dissipated, replaced by a trace of secret joy.

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor came from the classroom doorway.

Click, clack, click.

The previously buzzing classroom instantly fell silent.

The homeroom teacher, Wang Qian, walked in briskly with a folder in her hand. She scanned the classroom, her gaze pausing for a second on Chen Zhi in the back row.

Chen Zhi, come to my office for a moment.

Chen Zhi finished the milk in one breath, set the empty bottle on the desk, and under the watchful eyes of the whole class, got up and followed her out.

Inside the office, the air conditioning was blasting.

Wang Qian sat behind her desk and pushed a form toward Chen Zhi.

The school sports meet is next week, Wang Qian tapped the desk. This is the sign-up sheet. You and the Sports Committeeman are in charge of mobilizing everyone to actively participate.

Chen Zhi picked it up and glanced over it.

Good lord, the events were quite comprehensive. From the 100-meter sprint to the high jump and long jump, and even the medicine ball throw.

Sister Qian, this is a tough job. Chen Zhi grimaced. That bunch of lazy bums in our class would rather hide under the shade of the trees during P.E. class. Getting them to run under the scorching sun is harder than slaughtering a pig.

Cut the glib talk, Wang Qian glared at him, then softened her tone a bit. I know it's hard. In principle, it's voluntary sign-up, but the school has a rule that every event should ideally have a participant; we can't leave any blank spots. Especially for the long-distance running events, you need to take the lead.

Alright, alright, I'll take the lead. Chen Zhi rolled up the form. As long as you don't make me run the whole thing by myself in the end.

Wang Qian was amused by him and waved her hand. Alright, go on. If you can't handle it, come back to me.

Chen Zhi had just walked out of the office with the form. Before he got far, he heard a few teachers gossiping behind him. The office door wasn't closed tightly, and their voices drifted out through the crack.

Hey, Ms. Wang, that was your class monitor Chen Zhi just now, right? a female teacher from the class next door gossiped.

Yes, that's him.

I heard this kid is quite lucky with the ladies. The female teacher lowered her voice, her tone full of teasing. That Lin Wanwan, and that Li Zhiyi, they seem to be his childhood sweethearts? Two of the school's top beauties are both revolving around him.

Tell me about it. Wang Qian's voice sounded somewhat helpless, yet tinged with a bit of pride. That kid is a menace. That's why I purposely kept an eye out when arranging the seating.

How did you arrange it?

I put Chen Zhi in the bottom right corner of the classroom, and Lin Wanwan on the far left, keeping them miles apart. Then I placed Li Zhiyi in the top left corner of the classroom.

Brilliant, Ms. Wang! Breaking up the lovebirds!

I'm not done yet. Wang Qian scoffed. I also specifically made Pei Ningxue his desk mate.

Pei Ningxue? The one whose family is incredibly rich, but has a super cold personality?

"Exactly. That girl has a cold personality, doesn't like to talk much, and comes from a good family. She definitely won't be interested in a slacker like Chen Zhi. Putting her next to Chen Zhi will not only suppress his wild temper but also act as a shield to prevent other boys from harassing her during class. This is called fighting fire with fire."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Chen Zhi already has two such pretty childhood friends, he couldn't possibly make a move on his desk-mate too, right?"

Chen Zhi returned to the classroom humming a little tune.

Morning reading had just ended, and the first period hadn't started yet, so the class was quite noisy. Chen Zhi strode up to the podium, picked up the blackboard eraser, and slammed it heavily on the desk twice.

Smack! Smack!

Chalk dust flew into the air.

"Quiet down, I have something to say."

The entire class's attention instantly focused on him.

Chen Zhi waved the registration form in his hand and cleared his throat. "Well, the annual school sports meet is about to start. This is the time to show off the spirit of Class Three, Grade Seven, and it's also a time for everyone to sweat and, you know, burn with the passion of youth."

A sparse smattering of applause rang out from the audience; most people lacked enthusiasm.

"Tch, whoever wants to run can run, it's too damn hot."

"Class Rep, just spare us, my old arms and legs can't handle it."

Chen Zhi had expected this reaction. He wasn't in a hurry and smilingly tossed out the bait.

"Sister Qian said that although participation is what matters most this time, the class committee has decided to take out a portion of the class funds to buy logistical supplies for all participating athletes."

Hearing the words "class funds," half the eyes in the room lit up.

"The so-called logistical supplies," Chen Zhi deliberately drew out his words, "include but are not limited to iced Coke, Red Bull, Mizone, as well as various imported chocolates, potato chips, and beef jerky. Everyone who signs up, regardless of whether they win a prize or not, will get a share, and there will be plenty to go around."

"Holy crap! Are you serious?"

"Class Rep is so generous!"

"I want to sign up! I'm signing up for the 100-meter dash!"

The previously lifeless classroom instantly boiled over.

Chen Zhi nodded in satisfaction and struck while the iron was hot. "Of course, some events are indeed quite exhausting. To set an example for everyone, I have decided..."

He paused, swept his gaze across the room, then picked up a piece of chalk and stylishly wrote his name "Chen Zhi" in large characters next to the "Men's 5000 Meters" column on the blackboard.

The entire room fell silent for a second.

Immediately followed by a burst of exclamations.

"Awesome, Class Rep! Five thousand meters? Is that meant for humans to run?"

"What a badass! I pant just running eight hundred meters, wouldn't five thousand meters kill me on the track?"

"Class Rep is a real man!"

Lin Wanwan looked at the words on the blackboard, furrowed her brows, and muttered softly, "Showing off for what, five thousand meters, you might as well die of exhaustion."

Chen Zhi tossed the chalk aside and clapped the dust off his hands. "Alright, I've already gnawed on the hardest bone. As for the rest of the events, it's up to you guys. Like I said, participation is what matters, but our Class Three can't be cowards, right?"

With Chen Zhi, the "five-thousand-meter warrior," leading the way, coupled with the temptation of snacks, everyone's enthusiasm visibly soared.

"Sports Committeeman! Sign me up for the long jump!"

"I'll do the 400-meter relay!"

"Count me in for the shot put!"

Chen Zhi walked down from the podium with the form and headed straight to the Sports Committeeman's seat.

At this moment, he was happily munching on a bag of spicy strips. Seeing Chen Zhi approach, he asked indistinctly, "Class Rep, what's up?"

Chen Zhi smilingly slapped the form onto his desk. "Gangzi, everyone is being so proactive. As the Sports Committeeman, shouldn't you show some initiative too?"

Zhao Gang felt an ominous premonition well up in his heart. "Show what?"

"Look, I signed up for the five thousand meters. You're the Sports Committeeman, with such good physical fitness, you can't just sign up for the one hundred meters and be done with it, right? That would be too embarrassing."

Chen Zhi threw his arm around Zhao Gang's shoulder, acting like they were best buds, while his finger accurately pointed to another empty column on the form. "I think this three thousand meters suits you perfectly."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Zhao Gang nearly choked to death on his spicy strip, his face turning the color of pig liver. "Don't do this, Class Rep! Three thousand meters? That'll kill a man! I can't do it, I really can't, running just one thousand meters takes half my life!"

"How can a man say he can't?" Chen Zhi's face turned stern as he began the moral kidnapping. "Look, on the girls' side, Lin Wanwan signed up for the eight hundred meters, and Li Zihan... uh, even though Li Zihan has gone crazy, he still signed up for the high jump. You're the Sports Committeeman. If you don't even dare to run three thousand meters, how will you convince the masses in the future? How will you lead everyone to strengthen their bodies?"

"But..."

"No buts." Without allowing any further argument, Chen Zhi picked up a pen and filled in "Zhao Gang" in the three thousand meters column. "It's settled then. When the time comes, I'll give you two extra bottles of Red Bull, plus a big pack of spicy strips."

Zhao Gang looked at the name that had already been written down, wanting to cry but having no tears.

"Alright, don't look like you're going to the execution ground." Chen Zhi patted his head. "Come morning jogging with me these next few days, I'll train you. I guarantee that after you finish the three thousand meters, you'll still be able to do fifty push-ups."

Having sorted out the Sports Committeeman, Chen Zhi returned to his seat, thoroughly satisfied.

Sporting a pair of panda eyes, Li Zihan faintly watched the crowd in the class arguing fiercely over signing up, then glanced at the copy of Dragon Raja in his hand. Sorrow swelled within him; the joys and sorrows of humanity are indeed not connected.

He turned his head and continued pitching to the classmate at the next desk, "Bro, do you know Erii..."