Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C26

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town. He recalled being warned time and again by those teachers that if he failed the placement exam once more, his graduation certificate would not be issued.

The little brother who quietly looked up to him. The little brother who called him “Ge” (Big Brother). The little brother who ran away from home with him. The one who stole the exam papers for him. The one who walked into this hell for him. The only one who would still proudly claim him as family. He was the one that was used as a plaything for the lowly piece of absolute scυm now before him!

_Smash!
Smash!

Smash!

_{Everyone came to know the reason then.}So what happened after that?

Everyone came to know the reason then.

_{Zhao Yuan’s grades finally broke out of the bottom ten because of his brother’s actions. This achievement, coupled with his parents’ pleading, got the school to withdraw its suspension of his diploma. But things didn’t end there. What Zhao Xuan did was exposed.}A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

Zhao Yuan’s grades finally broke out of the bottom ten because of his brother’s actions. This achievement, coupled with his parents’ pleading, got the school to withdraw its suspension of his diploma. But things didn’t end there. What Zhao Xuan did was exposed.

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{Thus, to put an end to the rumours, the teachers finally took a look at the surveillance footage from the cameras that had been nothing but decorations until this moment. If something did happen, it would be discovered at once.}The little brother who quietly looked up to him. The little brother who called him “Ge” (Big Brother). The little brother who ran away from home with him. The one who stole the exam papers for him. The one who walked into this hell for him. The only one who would still proudly claim him as family. He was the one that was used as a plaything for the lowly piece of absolute scυm now before him!

Thus, to put an end to the rumours, the teachers finally took a look at the surveillance footage from the cameras that had been nothing but decorations until this moment. If something did happen, it would be discovered at once.

_{“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.}
Smash!

“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.

_{But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you.}Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.

But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you. I tried and tried again and again to get you to understand. So why didn’t you listen? Why don’t you ever listen?! Why don’t you ever learn?! What about your future?! How long are you gonna keep messing around like this?! Why can’t you think of me instead of others, huh? I don’t want to be told that my brother got beaten to death one day. I really don’t want that. I don’t.”

_N/AHow much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

N/A

When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters. At first, no one believed Zhao Xuan could do such a thing, but jealousy was a hаrd thing to keep at bay, and more and more others wondered: “Is this how this kid always gets first place?’

_{Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”}If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

_{Smash!}N/A

Smash!

_{Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.}
The little brother who quietly looked up to him. The little brother who called him “Ge” (Big Brother). The little brother who ran away from home with him. The one who stole the exam papers for him. The one who walked into this hell for him. The only one who would still proudly claim him as family. He was the one that was used as a plaything for the lowly piece of absolute scυm now before him!

Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.

_{For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.}“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.

For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

_{Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2}If not for him, what chance was there for his brother to have experienced all those filthy acts?!

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

_{{“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.”} Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.}“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.

_{So what happened after that?}Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

So what happened after that?

_{Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night.}
If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

_{The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.}“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.

The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

_{In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.}It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.

In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.

_{Zhao Yuan listened until the younger boy was done, his tone measured as he stated simply, “Don’t worry about me. Get yourself into a good university. Be the kind of son who can support our parents in the days to come. Just do that, alright? Don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”}But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you. I tried and tried again and again to get you to understand. So why didn’t you listen? Why don’t you ever listen?! Why don’t you ever learn?! What about your future?! How long are you gonna keep messing around like this?! Why can’t you think of me instead of others, huh? I don’t want to be told that my brother got beaten to death one day. I really don’t want that. I don’t.”

Zhao Yuan listened until the younger boy was done, his tone measured as he stated simply, “Don’t worry about me. Get yourself into a good university. Be the kind of son who can support our parents in the days to come. Just do that, alright? Don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”

_{In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.}Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.

In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.

_N/A
If not for him, what chance was there for his brother to have experienced all those filthy acts?!

N/A

_{The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.}All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.

The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.}Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.

_{Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—}It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.

Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

_{After that, he became even more of a menace, and there wasn’t a soul who could stop him.}
Even if he denied it a thousand times, it would serve no purpose. The main culprit was him—the biggest culprit was he, himself!

After that, he became even more of a menace, and there wasn’t a soul who could stop him.

_{Everyone knew the younger brother of Zhao Yuan was as soft as a persimmon, easy to bruise with the slightest pinch.}Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

Everyone knew the younger brother of Zhao Yuan was as soft as a persimmon, easy to bruise with the slightest pinch.

_{Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.}Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

_{Smash!}Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.

Smash!

_{What did I say to him back then, again?}
“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.

What did I say to him back then, again?

_{{What did I say to him back then, again?}}Twack!

What did I say to him back then, again?

_{{What did I say to him back then, again?}}A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

What did I say to him back then, again?

_{Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.}“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”

Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.

_{Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.}Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.

_{Even if he denied it a thousand times, it would serve no purpose. The main culprit was him—the biggest culprit was he, himself!}
What did I say to him back then, again?

Even if he denied it a thousand times, it would serve no purpose. The main culprit was him—the biggest culprit was he, himself!

Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.

_{Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”}
“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters. At first, no one believed Zhao Xuan could do such a thing, but jealousy was a hаrd thing to keep at bay, and more and more others wondered: “Is this how this kid always gets first place?’

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.}Even if he denied it a thousand times, it would serve no purpose. The main culprit was him—the biggest culprit was he, himself!

_{Zhao Yuan continued hitting the man under him, who had long gone silent; the reddening at the corner of his own eyes glowing even brighter.}Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed. But thanks to the posters, rumours had spreаd like wildfire, leaving strict action as the school’s only choice.

Zhao Yuan continued hitting the man under him, who had long gone silent; the reddening at the corner of his own eyes glowing even brighter.

_{“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”}
As time trickled by, despite there being only two years between them, the differences between the two were akin to clouds versus dirt. Zhao Xuan was the proud son of heaven—a treasure cherished by both parents and teachers alike. Zhao Yuan was a gang leader—scυm destined to be the dregs of society. If Zhao Xuan was said to be the purest of jade, then Zhao Yuan would be considered rotten wood that couldn’t even be carved. Obedience and conscientiousness came annually to Zhao Xuan, who took the teachings of both his parents and teachers to heart. He did his best to get his older brother to study, time and time again, but the results were always unsatisfactory. Worse yet, it was he who had become negatively affected by his brother's “social activities.”

“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”

_{But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you.}If not for him, what chance was there for his brother to have experienced all those filthy acts?!

_{For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.}Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

_{After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town.}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

_{Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night.}“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.

_{What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”.}
Everyone knew the younger brother of Zhao Yuan was as soft as a persimmon, easy to bruise with the slightest pinch.

What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”

_{Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.}N/A

Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

_{In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.}
For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.

_{How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.}“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”

_{“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.}If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.

_{Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.}Even if he denied it a thousand times, it would serve no purpose. The main culprit was him—the biggest culprit was he, himself!

Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

_{“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”}
How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”

_{Twack!}How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

Twack!

_{The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.}
What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”

The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}Smash!

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{After that, he became even more of a menace, and there wasn’t a soul who could stop him.}When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters. At first, no one believed Zhao Xuan could do such a thing, but jealousy was a hаrd thing to keep at bay, and more and more others wondered: “Is this how this kid always gets first place?’

After that, he became even more of a menace, and there wasn’t a soul who could stop him.

_Twack!
Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

Twack!

_{The little brother who quietly looked up to him. The little brother who called him “Ge” (Big Brother). The little brother who ran away from home with him. The one who stole the exam papers for him. The one who walked into this hell for him. The only one who would still proudly claim him as family. He was the one that was used as a plaything for the lowly piece of absolute scυm now before him!}As time trickled by, despite there being only two years between them, the differences between the two were akin to clouds versus dirt. Zhao Xuan was the proud son of heaven—a treasure cherished by both parents and teachers alike. Zhao Yuan was a gang leader—scυm destined to be the dregs of society. If Zhao Xuan was said to be the purest of jade, then Zhao Yuan would be considered rotten wood that couldn’t even be carved. Obedience and conscientiousness came annually to Zhao Xuan, who took the teachings of both his parents and teachers to heart. He did his best to get his older brother to study, time and time again, but the results were always unsatisfactory. Worse yet, it was he who had become negatively affected by his brother's “social activities.”

_N/A
Shuffling in the distance soon caught his attention; it was Zhao Xuan running towards him from across the street. The younger boy, still donning the white tubular netting over his head and the tape that held his IV on his hand, came shuffling with slippers that made distinct “clacks” which could be heard from afar.

N/A

Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.

_{Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2}
“Mom said you never came home.” The boy gasped for air once he made it before his brother, not forgetting to snatch the cigarette from the other’s hand. “And you… You should stop smoking these, too. Just come home. Come home with me.”

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

_{Zhao Yuan conceded upon hearing that utterance. For the sake of that call alone, he did not leave and continued to idle away at the Zhao family home.}The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Yuan conceded upon hearing that utterance. For the sake of that call alone, he did not leave and continued to idle away at the Zhao family home.

_{All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.}Smash!

All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.

_{Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—}All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}
“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.}Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.

_{Everyone came to know the reason then.}The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.

Everyone came to know the reason then.

_{Smash!}The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

Smash!

_{After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town.}What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”

_{Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2}Staring down at the man, he had no idea if he was still alive or dead; Zhao Yuan raised his fist high—

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

_{If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?}
Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

_{The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.}It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.

The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{Smash!}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

Smash!

_{Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.}
Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.

Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.

_{“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.}The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.

_{Smash!}A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

Smash!

_N/AShuffling in the distance soon caught his attention; it was Zhao Xuan running towards him from across the street. The younger boy, still donning the white tubular netting over his head and the tape that held his IV on his hand, came shuffling with slippers that made distinct “clacks” which could be heard from afar.

N/A

_{Zhao Yuan continued hitting the man under him, who had long gone silent; the reddening at the corner of his own eyes glowing even brighter.}
Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

Zhao Yuan continued hitting the man under him, who had long gone silent; the reddening at the corner of his own eyes glowing even brighter.

_{“Brother…”}The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

“Brother…”

_{As time trickled by, despite there being only two years between them, the differences between the two were akin to clouds versus dirt. Zhao Xuan was the proud son of heaven—a treasure cherished by both parents and teachers alike.}Zhao Yuan’s grades finally broke out of the bottom ten because of his brother’s actions. This achievement, coupled with his parents’ pleading, got the school to withdraw its suspension of his diploma. But things didn’t end there. What Zhao Xuan did was exposed.

As time trickled by, despite there being only two years between them, the differences between the two were akin to clouds versus dirt. Zhao Xuan was the proud son of heaven—a treasure cherished by both parents and teachers alike. Zhao Yuan was a gang leader—scυm destined to be the dregs of society. If Zhao Xuan was said to be the purest of jade, then Zhao Yuan would be considered rotten wood that couldn’t even be carved. Obedience and conscientiousness came annually to Zhao Xuan, who took the teachings of both his parents and teachers to heart. He did his best to get his older brother to study, time and time again, but the results were always unsatisfactory. Worse yet, it was he who had become negatively affected by his brother's “social activities.”

_{Twack!}After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town. He recalled being warned time and again by those teachers that if he failed the placement exam once more, his graduation certificate would not be issued.

Twack!

_{“Brother…”}
“Brother…”

“Brother…”

_{Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”}How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

_{A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.}
Zhao Yuan conceded upon hearing that utterance. For the sake of that call alone, he did not leave and continued to idle away at the Zhao family home.

A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

_{Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2}If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

_{Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”}The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

_{If not for him, what chance was there for his brother to have experienced all those filthy acts?!}
After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town. He recalled being warned time and again by those teachers that if he failed the placement exam once more, his graduation certificate would not be issued.

If not for him, what chance was there for his brother to have experienced all those filthy acts?!

_{But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you.}“Brother…”

Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed. But thanks to the posters, rumours had spreаd like wildfire, leaving strict action as the school’s only choice.

_{It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.}
It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.

It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.

_{“Brother…”}How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

“Brother…”

_{After that… something—that thing—happened.}
Zhao Yuan’s grades finally broke out of the bottom ten because of his brother’s actions. This achievement, coupled with his parents’ pleading, got the school to withdraw its suspension of his diploma. But things didn’t end there. What Zhao Xuan did was exposed.

After that… something—that thing—happened.

_{“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.}Everyone came to know the reason then.

“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.

_{Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.}
When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters. At first, no one believed Zhao Xuan could do such a thing, but jealousy was a hаrd thing to keep at bay, and more and more others wondered: “Is this how this kid always gets first place?’

_{So what happened after that?}Staring down at the man, he had no idea if he was still alive or dead; Zhao Yuan raised his fist high—

So what happened after that?

The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.

_Smash!
Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed. But thanks to the posters, rumours had spreаd like wildfire, leaving strict action as the school’s only choice.

Smash!

_{Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—}For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

_{When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters.}After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town. He recalled being warned time and again by those teachers that if he failed the placement exam once more, his graduation certificate would not be issued.

_{Thus, to put an end to the rumours, the teachers finally took a look at the surveillance footage from the cameras that had been nothing but decorations until this moment. If something did happen, it would be discovered at once.}
A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

_{Smash!}The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

Smash!

_{The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.}Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}Smash!

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.}It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.

_{“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”}Smash!

“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”

_{A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.}What did I say to him back then, again?

A permanent mark on his record, all grades reduced to null, cancelled scholarships, and reneged awards.

_{“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.}
Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

“Just go back on your own,” Zhao Yuan had gruffed.

_{After that… something—that thing—happened.}What did I say to him back then, again?

After that… something—that thing—happened.

_{If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?}Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

_{Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs.}
“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.

Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

_{Zhao Yuan listened until the younger boy was done, his tone measured as he stated simply, “Don’t worry about me. Get yourself into a good university. Be the kind of son who can support our parents in the days to come. Just do that, alright? Don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”}Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

_{All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.}
Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.

All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.

_{The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.}For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

_{Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.}
After that, he became even more of a menace, and there wasn’t a soul who could stop him.

Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.

_{“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”}When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters. At first, no one believed Zhao Xuan could do such a thing, but jealousy was a hаrd thing to keep at bay, and more and more others wondered: “Is this how this kid always gets first place?’

“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”

Shuffling in the distance soon caught his attention; it was Zhao Xuan running towards him from across the street. The younger boy, still donning the white tubular netting over his head and the tape that held his IV on his hand, came shuffling with slippers that made distinct “clacks” which could be heard from afar.

_{As time trickled by, despite there being only two years between them, the differences between the two were akin to clouds versus dirt. Zhao Xuan was the proud son of heaven—a treasure cherished by both parents and teachers alike.}
The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{Thus, to put an end to the rumours, the teachers finally took a look at the surveillance footage from the cameras that had been nothing but decorations until this moment. If something did happen, it would be discovered at once.}“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you.}
But the day he dropped out of school, it was the first time Zhao Xuan had ever argued with him. “Brother! Do you care about me at all? I stole those papers for you. I tried and tried again and again to get you to understand. So why didn’t you listen? Why don’t you ever listen?! Why don’t you ever learn?! What about your future?! How long are you gonna keep messing around like this?! Why can’t you think of me instead of others, huh? I don’t want to be told that my brother got beaten to death one day. I really don’t want that. I don’t.”

_{It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.}Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.

_{Zhao Yuan conceded upon hearing that utterance. For the sake of that call alone, he did not leave and continued to idle away at the Zhao family home.}
It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.

Zhao Yuan conceded upon hearing that utterance. For the sake of that call alone, he did not leave and continued to idle away at the Zhao family home.

_{If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?}Smash!

If not for him, what reason would there be for his brother to ever set foot in such a place?

_{Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.}“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.

Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.

_{Shuffling in the distance soon caught his attention; it was Zhao Xuan running towards him from across the street. The younger boy, still donning the white tubular netting over his head and the tape that held his IV on his hand, came shuffling with slippers that made distinct “clacks” which could be heard from afar.}
Zhao Yuan listened until the younger boy was done, his tone measured as he stated simply, “Don’t worry about me. Get yourself into a good university. Be the kind of son who can support our parents in the days to come. Just do that, alright? Don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”

_{The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.}
All those years, and all he could say was, “Don’t worry about me.” Zhao Xuan was irate.

The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{When he stole those papers, the younger boy was seen—and the witness had all the reason in the world to sell him out. That person had long despised Zhao Xuan, so when the grade results came out, they posted the accusation on a school bulletin board in big, bold letters.}What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”

_{Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—}
The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.

_{Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.}It was the first time in the years since the incident that Zhao Xuan had ever brought up those stolen exam papers.

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2}It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

_{Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”}Zhao Yuan listened until the younger boy was done, his tone measured as he stated simply, “Don’t worry about me. Get yourself into a good university. Be the kind of son who can support our parents in the days to come. Just do that, alright? Don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”

Zhao Yuan lit another cigarette, taking a puff and hacking out a new string of coughs before calming down and replying, “It’s the same wherever I go… even home.”

_{Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed.}
Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

_{After he returned, because he was held back, when Zhao Xuan was about to finish middle school, their levels were the same. But while Zhao Xuan was ranked number one at the best school in the city, Zhao Yuan was ranked dead last at some third-rate school in their town.}The little brother who quietly looked up to him. The little brother who called him “Ge” (Big Brother). The little brother who ran away from home with him. The one who stole the exam papers for him. The one who walked into this hell for him. The only one who would still proudly claim him as family. He was the one that was used as a plaything for the lowly piece of absolute scυm now before him!

_{Everyone came to know the reason then.}Again, Zhao Yuan was stopped by this word.

Everyone came to know the reason then.

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}The younger boy grew visibly panicked back then, asking a flurry of questions about where he would go.

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.}
So what happened after that?

Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

_{Back then, it was still a time when rejects of all sorts wandered the streets freely. Many had left their homes and found work as henchmen or enforcers, earning as much as they needed to eat and never setting foot back home in their lifetime.}“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed.}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

_{The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.}Seeing his brother spending the entire night crying in his room, Zhao Yuan said, “I’ll go tell Mom and Dad the truth.” But the younger boy stopped him.

The school did their best to discourage him, and he even did several stints at juvie. Everyone gave up on him… everyone but Zhao Xuan.

_{Everyone came to know the reason then.}
After that… something—that thing—happened.

Everyone came to know the reason then.

_{Smash!}In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.

Smash!

_{It was this incident that spurred on the next turn of events, beginning with a joint mathematics exam for graduation. Zhao Xuan’s homeroom teacher was one of the teachers who set the questions, so the boy decided to do something quite daring. He stole a copy of the exam and gave it to Zhao Yuan.}For months, that boy found himself in the snare of thugs holding grudges against his older brother, resulting in him getting extorted.

_{So what happened after that?}
Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.

So what happened after that?

_{How much spending money would a boy like Zhao Xuan have? He was a boy who refused to cheat others or steal; he would rather take a beating instead. So when he ran out of money, he got beaten up. But one day, some of those thugs even beat him so badly they cracked his skull.}The younger boy was so mad he flung the door open and stormed outside while his brother started packing his luggage. When he was done, he got into the car with his parents and quietly went along as they drove him to the Self-Improvement Academy.

_{Smash!}Zhao Yuan continued hitting the man under him, who had long gone silent; the reddening at the corner of his own eyes glowing even brighter.

Smash!

_{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}
Staring down at the man, he had no idea if he was still alive or dead; Zhao Yuan raised his fist high—

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.}Three months later, he heard some great news: Zhao Xuan had gotten into university. Zhao Yuan was so giddy he couldn’t sleep a wink that night. So much so, he rolled his blanket into a makeshift punching bag and practised boxing all night. Everyone in his dorm thought he had gone nuts. It wasn’t until the next morning that he explained to them with a grin, “My little brother got into uni! A top one too!”

_{Shuffling in the distance soon caught his attention; it was Zhao Xuan running towards him from across the street. The younger boy, still donning the white tubular netting over his head and the tape that held his IV on his hand, came shuffling with slippers that made distinct “clacks” which could be heard from afar.}Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

_{Smash!}Smash!

Smash!

_{Staring down at the man, he had no idea if he was still alive or dead; Zhao Yuan raised his fist high—}Smash!

Staring down at the man, he had no idea if he was still alive or dead; Zhao Yuan raised his fist high—

_N/ASmash!

N/A

_{“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.}Regardless of the results, the school knew there was no way Zhao Xuan could’ve been faking his grades all that time, assuming it was a one-time occurrence. Normally, to protect the student being accused, the school would handle the matter internally, and the matter would be suppressed. But thanks to the posters, rumours had spreаd like wildfire, leaving strict action as the school’s only choice.

“Brother, don’t go. Please,” he pleaded.

_Smash!
In that instant, the back of his neck went numb, and the world before his eyes went dark.

Smash!

_{What followed was a day Zhao Yuan would never forget. His mother, cradling his bandaged brother in one hand, pointed the other at his nose as she spat, “How on earth could I have given birth to such a wicked thing like you?! If you refuse to study well, the least you can do is not cause trouble for Xiao Xuan! What has our family ever done to you, huh? Tell me! What the hell has our family ever done to you for you to hurt us like this?!”.}Zhao Yuan, to this day, remembers every bit of joy he felt when he heard his brother had got into university. Now the only thing he could feel was rage as boundless as his guilt.

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}Twack!

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{{“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”}}Zhao Xuan’s eyes turned red the second he heard his brother’s answer, the smoke soon casting a fog over his face. Try as he might, Zhao Yuan couldn’t recall his brother’s expression back then, but he could remember a pair of eyes similar to his own, staring at him, screaming at him—

“Oi, brat. Why don’t you go waddle in the mud or something and keep your snout out of your big brother’s business, alright?”

_{“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.” Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.}
“Hurry! Lock him back up!” He could hear someone talking as he blacked out. “Fυck! This is gonna be a huge mess!”

_{The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.}Zhao Yuan found himself on the corner of the street his brother had gotten attacked on that night, his heart as low as the ground below him littered with used butts and ash. The winds blowing at the dead of night were so strong that a gust made him erupt into a bout of coughs. Coughs, which, despite belonging to a teen in his prime, were broken and hacking bellows that sounded more like an old geezer who smoked for half of his life.

The fine threads restraining Zhao Yuan’s sanity snapped as he thought this.

_{{“Big Brother, don’t hang out with those guys. Teacher said they’re all gangsters and that they’ll just be a burden on society when they grow up. They’re not good people.”} Zhao Yuan recalled his little brother once saying this to him with his chubby little face wearing wrinkled brows, sounding much more mature than his years.}Neither of the boy’s parents knew it was a joint examination, nor did they know the reason the papers were stolen for Zhao Yuan. So when they looked at their youngest, it was clear from their gazes that they had lost all hope.

Author's Note:

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Notes:

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Updated on a Saturday. Raws: jjwxc

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C26

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Cornered Beast – Part 2

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