Chapter 796: Xiao Tian's Choice
Sun Wei glanced at Gao Ming, his fists clenched tightly. Damn it, he had almost forgotten that Gao Ming was also on Su Li’s side. Despite this, he managed to maintain a facade of calm, retorting, “What do I have to fear? My family, the Suns, hold a prestigious position. We are nothing like those vile, scheming peasants.”
Su Li, noting Sun Wei’s discourteous tone and the signal from Gao Ming, responded in a nonchalant manner, “Actually, I didn’t say much. Just mentioned that your biological mother isn’t the current Madam Sun, but rather a maid of the Sun family. It’s only because you were born a son, and Madam Sun had no sons of her own, that you were recognized under her name.”
“But rest assured, Sun Wei,” he continued, “due to our shared status as classmates, I won’t call you an illegitimate child. Nor will I mock you as you did me, calling me a farmer’s son. By the way, which village does your real mother come from? Is being a farmer something to be looked down upon?”
Sun Wei’s fists tightened, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. His origins were a topic he least wanted to discuss. Yet now, Su Li had brought it up in front of the entire class. He roared, “You’re talking nonsense! My mother is Madam Sun, not some filthy maid! I despise villagers the most!”
Seeing Sun Wei’s reaction, his followers were somewhat taken aback, their previous bravado gone. Su Li watched this unfold, feeling a momentary pang of pity for Sun Wei.
Denying his own biological mother was, in essence, a denial of himself. According to his mother’s teachings, such people might appear strong on the surface, but were deeply insecure within. However, Su Li felt no guilt; it was always Sun Wei who instigated their confrontations.
Still seething with anger, Sun Wei turned to his followers and ordered, “Go, take off his ragged shoes and throw them in the trash. Such shabby footwear has no place in this school!”
The two followers hesitated, “But Sun Wei, Su Li knows martial arts. We might not even be able to get close to him.”
Sun Wei glanced around, his gaze settling on one individual. A smirk played on his lips as he seemed to come up with a devious plan. “Xiao Tian, step forward. You’re new to my crew. I need to see if you’re truly loyal.”
Xiao Tian, whose name had been called out by Sun Wei, was initially terrified of drawing attention from both sides. However, his worst fears came to pass when Sun Wei noticed him. He deeply regretted heeding his mother’s advice to join the faction opposing Su Li. In truth, he saw no harm in acknowledging the Su brothers as leaders.
On the contrary, he found the leader of his current faction, Sun Wei, to be far from agreeable. Sun Wei would only command him to do tasks, showing no regard for him. Yet, he couldn’t disregard his mother’s words. If he disappointed her, she would surely have another son, and he would no longer receive her attention. He didn’t want that.
After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Tian, remembering his mother’s words, stepped forward, positioning himself against Su Li.
Upon seeing Xiao Tian, Su Li felt a pang of discomfort. However, he had come to terms with it. Just as his mother had said, Xiao Tian’s mother forbade Xiao Tian from playing with him. If Xiao Tian himself couldn’t resist, then Su Li’s discomfort would serve no purpose. He could only respect Xiao Tian’s choice.
“Xiao Tian, if you intend to fight me, I won’t let you. But I must warn you, you’re no match for me.”
Despite his discomfort, Su Li couldn’t help but warn Xiao Tian. However, Xiao Tian seemed resolute, charging at Su Li with a furious cry.
Su Li’s followers couldn’t bear to lay a hand on Xiao Tian either, stepping aside one after another. Everyone knew that Xiao Tian was a timid boy, shy and gentle-natured like a girl, yet he got along well with everyone. He was so kind-hearted that many couldn’t bear to bully him. No one understood why he had suddenly joined Sun Wei’s faction; Xiao Tian and Sun Wei were not cut from the same cloth.
Nevertheless, Xiao Tian managed to reach Su Li. With a swift dodge, Su Li circled behind Xiao Tian. Just as everyone hoped they wouldn’t come to blows, the bell rang for class. It couldn’t have been more timely. Xiao Tian heaved a sigh of relief, watching Sun Wei reluctantly return to his seat before slowly making his way to his own.
Su Li and the others also breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of whether it was Su Li or his followers, none of them truly wanted to fight Xiao Tian. Although Su Li had accepted, under his mother’s guidance, that he could only respect Xiao Tian’s choice, seeing Xiao Tian stand against him was still inevitably painful. Su Li’s mood was somewhat downcast.