Newly arrived, a stranger in a strange land.

“This time, I will not be so timid again.”

---

At the entrance of Luo City No. 1 High School

Wang Zhen dragged his suitcase through the gates, walked to the new student registration desk, completed his enrollment procedures, and followed an upperclassman toward the dormitory.

In the crowded 305 dorm room, bathed in the waning light of dusk, Wang Zhen finally shed the exhaustion of his long journey. He slowly unfolded his bedsheet, each movement betraying both anticipation and anxiety about his new surroundings.

He carefully placed his luggage at the corner of the bed, each item carrying the warmth of home and his hopes for the future. When all was arranged, he sat down, sinking into the mattress as its springs softly yielded beneath him, as if his unease settled along with him.

From his pocket, he took out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, his trembling fingers gently pinching one out. He lit it, and the faint flame stood out strikingly in the dim room, as if it were his sole anchor in the moment.

Wang Zhen took a deep drag. Smoke curled around him, his gaze turning hazy as his thoughts drifted far away. Yet, this rare tranquility did not last.

Just as he was enjoying this brief peace, having taken only two puffs, the dormitory door was suddenly pushed open. A gust of cold wind, carrying the bustle from outside, swept in and shattered the heavy silence.

At the doorway, a figure stepped inside. He was tall and walked with a steady stride. Most striking of all were his exposed arms: a vibrant, intricate tattoo snaked around his skin, alive with an unspoken intimidation.

Wang Zhen tried to compose himself, but panic surged within like an unstoppable tide. He began to wonder about this unexpected guest—was he a friendly roommate, or did he harbor other intentions?

The light in the dorm seemed to dim even further at that moment, elongating their shadows and heightening the sense of mystery and unease. Wang Zhen thought to himself that this night would not be ordinary.

“Why is it that on my very first day, I end up sharing a room with someone like this? I’m supposed to defy fate, but if I don’t get beaten up, that’s already lucky enough,” Wang Zhen muttered under his breath.

But fortune favored him—the new roommate went to the innermost bed and began making it up. After finishing, he glanced at Wang Zhen.

“Hey, kid! What’s your name?”

“Wang Zhen. And yours?”

“Zhao Hu.”

Wang Zhen stood up, picked up his Furong Wang cigarettes, walked over, and offered one to Zhao Hu. “Brother, smoke?”

---

“Who says we’re brothers? Isn’t it a bit much to call someone your brother on the first day?” Zhao Hu said this, but still accepted the cigarette with a broad smile.

Between jokes and laughter, all the dorm mates arrived.

By the afternoon, everyone had received their textbooks, and the homeroom teacher announced there would be a class meeting in the classroom that evening. So everyone went to eat first.

In the evening, the homeroom teacher spoke about various things to keep in mind at the start of the semester, as well as the military training scheduled for tomorrow morning. Before anyone realized it, class was over.

As Wang Zhen walked out, he caught sight of a girl, surrounded by a flock of boys vying for her attention.

Without thinking, Wang Zhen hurried over and placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder.

“Xinyu! What are you doing here?”

The girl turned, surprised. “Who are you?”

Wang Zhen’s heart lurched; his voice trembled. “Xinyu, don’t you remember me? I’m Wang Zhen!”

“Wang Zhen?” The girl tilted her head, thought for a moment. “I don’t recall.”

Wang Zhen’s eyes reddened as he gripped her shoulder harder, causing her pain.

“Let go of me, you creep!” She shook off his hand and suddenly slapped him.

Stunned by the slap, Wang Zhen reached out to grab her hand again. This time, no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.

“Hey! I don’t know how you know Yu’s name, but she said she doesn’t know you—what are you trying to do?” A bespectacled boy beside the girl spoke up.

“Yeah, yeah! Yu said she doesn’t know you! What are you after?” The other boys chimed in.

“Tian Ji, this has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it.”

“What did you say!”

The boy suddenly leaped up and kicked Wang Zhen in the chest. Wang Zhen felt as if he’d been struck by a truck, sent flying backward. He lay on the ground, clutching his chest.

---

“Get him!” the bespectacled boy roared.

A group of boys rushed over, pinning Wang Zhen to the ground and beating him. Wang Zhen curled up on the floor, arms shielding his head, legs tightly folded.

The girl stood nearby, aloof, as if what was happening around her had nothing to do with her.

After three minutes, the group, breathless and sweating, rose and gathered around the girl.

“Don’t be so clueless next time!” The bespectacled boy turned to Wang Zhen, then the crowd moved on, voices overlapping as they walked away.

Wang Zhen released his hands, lay limp on the floor, gasping for air.

“Damn it, beaten up on my first day. So much for defying fate. No, I need a plan.” Wang Zhen thought to himself, then glanced sideways and spotted a metal mop handle in the classroom.

He slowly stood up, then, as if ignited from within, rushed in, grabbed the mop, and chased after the group.

After thirty seconds, he caught sight of them ahead. He charged forward, and just as he reached them, leapt high and brought the mop smashing down on the bespectacled boy.

“Ah!” The boy cried out, feeling a warm rush atop his head as blood trickled down to his nose.

“Liu Jie! You’re bleeding!” The girl turned, frightened by the shout.

Without hesitation, Wang Zhen sprang onto Liu Jie, straddling him firmly. His clenched fists rained down like a storm, each blow landing squarely on Liu Jie’s face. Liu Jie’s screams echoed, each note steeped in pain and despair, threatening to tear apart the fleeting tranquility.

“Hurry, help Jie!” At last, a quick-thinking boy snapped out of his shock, his voice urgent and angry, sounding the call to action. Instantly, the group surged toward Wang Zhen, some grabbing his arms, others pulling his legs, still others swinging fists, determined to drag him off Liu Jie.

Though Wang Zhen fought fiercely, two fists could not fend off so many. Overwhelmed, he soon had no choice but to give up, hands covering his head, legs clamped tightly together, lying on the ground in a humiliating posture as their fists and feet rained down upon him. Each blow landed with a dull thud, the air thick with tension and violence.

“Take Jie to the medical office first!” A voice suddenly pierced the chaos, clear and commanding, halting everyone in their tracks. It was a boy well acquainted with Liu Jie, his tone brooking no argument. The group moved quickly—some supporting, others lifting legs—carefully carrying Liu Jie away toward the medical office.