115 If it cannot be adjusted

As the fight broke out ahead, the young man's two friends immediately launched an attack on Zhang Pa. Zhang Pa had originally hoped to keep the peace and follow Liu Xiaomei’s plan, but since the heroic Xiaomei had already made the first move and the two reckless men were looking for trouble, Zhang Pa didn’t hold back. Suddenly, he crouched down, grabbing one leg of each attacker, then bent his knees and rolled backward. Using all his strength, he yanked both legs and flipped over—both men crashed to the ground with a thud.

Zhang Pa rarely fought like this; as a man, he cared about his dignity. But with Liu Xiaomei in danger, he had to resolve the fight immediately. After toppling the two, he leapt onto one, throwing heavy punches that knocked him unconscious. Rising, he charged at the young man, delivering a swift kick to the back, knocking down another. He then turned to Liu Xiaomei, asking, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Liu Xiaomei replied calmly.

Seeing the goddess so composed, Zhang Pa finally understood why she was so unflappable yesterday—knocking someone out and still having the leisure to chat. She was simply that cool.

The young man stood up straight, a cold glare fixed on Zhang Pa. “You’re dead meat.”

Zhang Pa smiled but said nothing.

Sometimes harsh words are useful, like scaring the rowdy kids in class. But often, no words are needed. The crudest saying goes: biting dogs don’t bark.

Zhang Pa sensed this young man was trouble; there was no need to threaten him verbally. If he had the mood, better to figure out how to finish him off with one blow.

The three stood in the corridor. The young man glanced at Zhang Pa, then suddenly took out his phone and dialed. “Hello, is this the police? I want to report an incident.”

Zhang Pa sighed and in a flash closed the distance, delivering a punch just like yesterday. The young man collapsed, the phone slipping from his hand.

Picking up the phone, Zhang Pa saw the call had been cut off. He put it down and said to Liu Xiaomei, “Let’s get out of here.”

Liu Xiaomei thought for a moment. “We can’t run.”

Indeed, running would make Zhang Pa a wanted man.

Zhang Pa said, “I should have disguised myself before coming.”

Liu Xiaomei smiled, “Now you know the importance of makeup. Once I master it, I’ll dress you up as a woman.”

Zhang Pa laughed, “You really fear nothing. What now?”

Liu Xiaomei said, “We call the police. I’m reporting them.” She swung her baton as she spoke.

Zhang Pa was surprised. “What do you intend to do?”

Liu Xiaomei replied, “Beat them.”

By “beat them,” she meant that after calling the cops, she would claim that three thugs came to harass and attack her at school. She had no choice but to defend herself, knocking all three out and helping Zhang Pa escape.

Zhang Pa stopped her firmly. “No way.”

Indeed, that was unwise. For ordinary people, it might work, but who knew the background of that young man? What if he was the son of a high-ranking official? In a society where connections trump law, Liu Xiaomei would likely be the one to suffer.

Liu Xiaomei considered it. “I think it’s the best plan, and I trust you won’t let me be wronged.”

Zhang Pa said, “There are other ways. Let’s just leave.”

“What if they report you to the police?” she asked.

Zhang Pa chuckled, “Guess.”

He reached out his hand.

After pondering, Liu Xiaomei said, “Take compromising photos of him.”

Zhang Pa was taken aback. “You really have guts.” His plan had been to escort Liu Xiaomei home first, then come back to settle the matter. If the young man kept causing trouble, he was ready to fight for their safety.

But Liu Xiaomei’s suggestion was far more entertaining. She opened the dance studio door, dragged the three men inside, stripped them completely, and posed them in various positions—those typical of male couples.

Zhang Pa, with his vivid imagination and creativity, took over two hundred photos. Reviewing them, he was amazed at the sheer beauty—especially with the phone’s built-in beautification features.

After a thorough look, he put the phone away and prepared to wake the young man.

Just as he was about to act, the man who had kicked him in the head stirred.

Zhang Pa had to knock him out again and carefully rouse the young man.

Upon opening his eyes and calming slightly, the young man stood up, ready to continue the fight. But then he noticed something was amiss. Looking down, he saw the two other naked men sprawled on the floor. His eyes turned fierce as he glared at Zhang Pa. “What have you done to me?”

Zhang Pa said, “Last month, Teacher Chen came to the provincial capital for a commercial performance. I was his host and taught him some photography techniques.”

The young man sniffed, suspecting a trap, but had no time to dwell. Coldly he said, “Delete the photos, and I’ll give you five hundred thousand.”

Zhang Pa shook his head. “I’ll keep the photos safe. Don’t worry, I won’t show them to Xiaomei. She was outside when I took them. I did all this myself, including stripping you... You’re not putting your clothes back on?” he called out.

The young man found his clothes and dressed quickly.

Zhang Pa continued, “Anyway, there are hundreds of photos of the three of you. Don’t worry, they don’t know. So, as long as you don’t bother Xiaomei again, these photos are safe.”

The young man scoffed, “What am I afraid of as a man?”

Zhang Pa smiled. “Keep pretending. You wouldn’t care if it were just photos with a woman. But with two burly men, and so many poses...” He glanced toward the door and added, “I believe you’re proud, someone with status. So you wouldn’t want these photos circulating. I’m not threatening you. You can do whatever you want to mess up the world, but if you cause trouble for us again, I swear these photos will appear on foreign gay websites. I mean it. Be careful.”

Before the young man could reply, Zhang Pa added, “You understand, it’s not really about foreign websites. It’s about these photos spreading all over the capital, for officials and their offspring to enjoy. What do you say?”

The young man fell silent, then asked, “What do you want in exchange for the photos?”

Zhang Pa waved the phone. “The photos are here, safely stored. What you need to do is stop harassing Xiaomei. If you can do that, the photos will never exist.”

“I want you to delete the photos,” the young man insisted.

Zhang Pa replied, “Why can’t you understand? If I delete them, you’ll come after me again. What then? These photos are my insurance. You have to understand that. Think from my perspective—do you think what I did was wrong? This is the most peaceful way to solve things, really.”

He looked at the two naked men on the floor and said, “Look, I don’t know your name, you don’t know mine. That’s good—it provides safety for both. Now I’m leaving. You need to put their clothes back on; otherwise, how will you explain when they wake up? I’m doing this for you. So far, only you, Xiaomei, and I know about this. Xiaomei hasn’t seen the photos, and they don’t exist for her. The biggest problem lies with me—understand?”

The young man, realizing he couldn’t get the photos back, was silent for a moment, then smiled. “You’re right. I’m proud and care about my reputation. Deal. But I don’t trust you. What if you run away and leak the photos? What then?”

Zhang Pa said, “Clearly, your intelligence is lacking. If I wanted to do that, why bother waking you? I’d just run and upload the photos at my leisure. Don’t you think?”

The young man gritted his teeth. “Fine. I swear to God, if you leak the photos, I’ll kill you.”

“Thanks, thanks,” Zhang Pa said with a chuckle. “I’ve almost been killed before. Maybe next time, we’ll try again.” He patted his pants and looked around, then said, “Let’s go. You should hurry back to the capital. Goodbye.” With that, he left.

Outside, Liu Xiaomei stood, swinging her baton with exaggerated gestures. Seeing him, she asked, “All set?”

Zhang Pa said, “Done. I told him—no more bothering you, and the photos stay safe.”

Liu Xiaomei grinned, “You’re so bad.”

Zhang Pa said, “That was your idea, remember?”

Liu Xiaomei shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Zhang Pa smiled. “Let’s go.” He took her hand, exited through the back door, and circled around to the school entrance to ride her home on his bicycle.

Liu Xiaomei wrapped her right arm around Zhang Pa’s waist, smiling as she spoke, “This is nice. You should come pick me up every day.”

Zhang Pa said, “Your family’s all a bit crazy. After all this, you’re not scared?”

“What’s the use of being scared?” Liu Xiaomei asked. “Will you pick me up tomorrow?”

Zhang Pa said, “I haven’t started my new book. Once I do, time disappears…”

“Then hurry and move in! We’ll live together. That would be so great,” Liu Xiaomei said.

Zhang Pa teased, “You little nymphomaniac.”

Liu Xiaomei pinched him hard. “What if I am? You got a problem?”

“Absolutely not! No objections,” Zhang Pa said. “But easy on the pinching.”

Liu Xiaomei said, “You did great today. I’m very satisfied. Keep it up.”

Zhang Pa said, “Obedience to the wife is our family motto.”

Liu Xiaomei pinched him again. “Taking advantage again.”

Zhang Pa laughed. “Why do you still have weapons in your bag?”

“Gotta be prepared,” Liu Xiaomei said. “I even trained in women’s self-defense.”

Zhang Pa thought it over. Indeed, beneath her delicate beauty was a strong core—not the fragile beauty others imagined. She had spent years alone in America, then over a year in the capital, always taking care of herself. To survive unscathed until now, she must have some real skill.