Once again, it took a very long time.

After playing her own song, Liu Xiaomei asked Zhang Pa, “Sing one.”
Zhang Pa replied, “I only know how to recite spells.”
“That works too,” Liu Xiaomei said. “What’s the song called?”
Zhang Pa thought for a moment, choosing a song he was confident in. Liu Xiaomei opened the recording software, told Zhang Pa to sit down, put on headphones, pulled the microphone in front of him, and asked, “Ready?”
Zhang Pa said he was.
Liu Xiaomei started recording and played the accompaniment.
It was Zhang Pa’s first time trying this, and though he was used to hearing his own voice, listening to it through the microphone and headphones made it sound unexpectedly pleasant.
This was far more interesting than a karaoke booth. Zhang Pa sang with abandon. When the song ended, Liu Xiaomei stopped the recording and began playback, “Listen.”
Zhang Pa took off the headphones and listened to his voice once more through the speakers. It felt different again.
After the first verse, Zhang Pa softly whistled, “Pretty good.”
Liu Xiaomei said, “You’ve got a nice voice. It’s a pity you haven’t learned.”
Zhang Pa said, “I think it’s already decent.”
Liu Xiaomei replied, “Your standards are so low.” She closed the player, deleted Zhang Pa’s recording on a whim, and added, “Here’s some pressure for you: learn to sing, and learn guitar. Is eighteen months enough?”
Zhang Pa said, “It might not be enough.”
“Just start, learn from the basics.” Liu Xiaomei asked, “Are you going to learn?”
“Of course I’ll learn. If anyone tries to stop me, I’ll deal with them,” Zhang Pa declared quickly.
Liu Xiaomei agreed, saying, “I’ll teach you vocal music. I won’t bother with sight-singing or ear training for now. First, learn to breathe—take a deep breath…”
Teacher Liu wasted no time. In under three minutes, she explained how to breathe, where to direct the breath, demonstrated the correct breathing posture…
Zhang Pa was delighted; it gave him a chance to touch Liu Xiaomei’s waist. When breathing into the lower abdomen, the sides of the waist expand, and you have to feel it to understand.
Likewise, Liu Xiaomei had to touch his waist to judge whether he was doing it right.
That was all for today’s lesson. Liu Xiaomei told him to practice diligently at home and get used to this breathing technique.
She added, “Practice well. Once you’ve got it, we’ll do a duet.”
Zhang Pa said, “By the time I learn to sing, you’ll be old.”
“Old people can sing too,” Liu Xiaomei replied. “Alright, you can go now.”
Zhang Pa thanked her, opened the door to leave, and said as he closed it, “I should have met you ten years earlier. Back then I was young; learning to sing, dance, or play guitar would’ve been useful. Now, even if I learn, it’s just an old man’s hobby.”
Liu Xiaomei said, “By ‘useful,’ you mean picking up girls, right?”
Zhang Pa answered sternly, “Of course not. I mean chasing dreams.”
Liu Xiaomei said, “Oh, you still remember dreams? Is she pretty?”
Zhang Pa replied immediately, “That was before. From now on, my dream is to pursue Teacher Liu.”
“You want to catch me?” Liu Xiaomei said with a laugh.
“I mean pursue…”
Before he could finish, Liu Xiaomei slammed the door shut and spoke through it, laughing, “Goodbye.”
So goodbye it was. Zhang Pa rode his bike back to Xingfuli.
The next morning, he got a call from a nurse complaining. Zhang Pa hurried to the hospital, saw the four monkeys, and scolded them, “Dogs can’t stop eating shit. When will you ever grow up?”

Old Pi said, “We’re grown up now.”
Madman quickly distanced himself, “Bro, I didn’t do anything. It was those three bastards who set me up.”
Old Pi pointed at him, “You swear right in front of Bro.”
Zhang Pa said, “Are you saying I didn’t hit you hard enough?”
“Big Bro, no, definitely not. We just can’t help it—the craving for cigarettes comes on strong. You don’t smoke, so you don’t know the suffering. It’s tough, spending money and suffering…” Old Pi’s excuses cut off as Zhang Pa stared at him expressionlessly.
Just then, the principal of No. 119 Middle School arrived. Zhang Pa was surprised; this little old man was interesting, not at all like an official, and here he was again visiting students in the hospital.
The principal came in, asked about the four monkeys’ injuries, exchanged a few words with Zhang Pa, then left.
Why did the principal come to the hospital? After a few words, the reason became clear. The student who was beaten up yesterday was in the next ward, and his parents wanted answers. But the parents of the students who did the beating were even more resourceful: each used connections to reach the school or the victim’s parents, hoping to settle things quietly.
Actually, it could have been managed if word hadn’t gotten out. But since it was online, not handling it would mean the education bureau and school were useless and negligent.
After the principal left, Zhang Pa lectured the four monkeys, “The next ward is also your school. No. 119 has a lot of tough guys.”
The four monkeys were proud, “Including high schools, which school in the city dares to challenge No. 119? Whoever stands out, we deal with them.”
Zhang Pa smiled, “No. 119.”
“We’re No. 119, we’re the best,” Old Pi said.
Zhang Pa replied, “Yes, you’re tough, very tough. Now tell me, what should we do about the smoking?”
“Big Bro, not like this. We can stand everything else, but we can’t resist the craving,” Fangzi Jiao begged.
Zhang Pa exhaled softly, asked Madman, “You didn’t smoke?”
“No!” Madman replied firmly.
Zhang Pa nodded, giving the other three each a punch. His punches were fierce, landing in their stomachs so hard that the three doubled over like shrimp, unable to speak, sweating cold.
Zhang Pa said, “Do it again, and I’ll break bones.”
Old Pi took a while to recover, “Bro, you’re killing us.”
Zhang Pa didn’t reply, just turned and left.
On his way out, he passed the ward in front. The principal stood outside, looking frustrated.
Last time the four monkeys were attacked, the principal hurried over to mediate. This time, since it was online, he had to show up himself—an issue of attitude.
He had no choice; even the education bureau leaders were here. How could he not be present?
While he stood there, the education bureau leader was speaking to him sternly. Though not daring to scold outright, the tone was unpleasant.
The problem was, it wasn’t just the two of them; the beaten student’s parents, the parents of the assailants, doctors, nurses—a crowd stood there, watching the old principal get reprimanded.
Zhang Pa glanced into the ward. The beaten student had half his face covered in gauze, a head net, his arm in a splint—he’d been badly bullied.
Just then, Fatty called, saying Dazhuang’s place was ready and they’d go over in the afternoon.
Zhang Pa said he got it.
Soon after, the Palace Master called, asking about his afternoon plans.
Zhang Pa replied, “A friend rented a place, I’ll go check it out this afternoon.”
The Palace Master responded with an “Oh,” paused, then said there was nothing else, and hung up.
Zhang Pa sensed something was off and texted, “What are you doing this afternoon?”
The Palace Master replied that she wanted to stroll around the city.

Zhang Pa texted back, “I’m busy first, if I have time I’ll go with you.”
The Palace Master replied: “You handle your business first.”
Standing in the hospital corridor, phone in hand, Zhang Pa guessed the Palace Master and Liu Fei were on bad terms. Unhappy, she wanted to go out and clear her head. Judging by this, they were likely a couple, and his appearance had caused friction.
He stood there lost in thought, when two street youths approached, cigarettes dangling from their mouths as they entered.
Ahead stood the principal, the education bureau leader, doctors, nurses, and others. The youths said loudly, “Make way.”
So people made way.
Zhang Pa said, “Put out the cigarettes.”
The youth was startled, sizing up Zhang Pa, hesitated, then dropped the cigarette and stomped it out, striding past.
With so many people around, Zhang Pa wasn’t about to make trouble. He hurried home to get to work. Yet, turning his head, he saw those two enter the four monkeys’ ward.
Now, Zhang Pa was truly annoyed. He turned and walked back.
As expected, they knew each other. The youth who’d had the cigarette sat on Daniu’s bed and said, “It’s all clear. None of you can get away. When you’re discharged, we’ll move.”
Daniu was about to speak, but seeing Zhang Pa at the door, his expression changed. He closed his eyes and pretended to snore, feigning sleep.
The others were quick-witted too—within a second or two, all four began snoring.
The two youths were confused, “What the hell, pretending to sleep? What’s going on?”
The four answered by snoring louder.
Zhang Pa said, “Who’s pretending?”
The moment he spoke, the snoring stopped. Old Pi opened his eyes, “Oh, Bro, you’re back again?”
Bro? The two youths looked at Zhang Pa. One greeted him, “We’re friends with Old Pi and the others. You’re their Bro, so you’re ours too. Bro, have a seat.”
Zhang Pa chuckled, then asked Madman, “Speak up, what’s happening?”
Madman again distanced himself, “Has nothing to do with me. They want revenge, I tried to stop them but couldn’t.”
Fangzi Jiao cursed, “Damn you, Madman. Addicted to selling us out?”
Madman said, “If I don’t sell you out, I’ll be sleeping on the street. You have to understand me.”
“Understand your head! If we understand you, who understands us?” Old Pi cursed back.
Zhang Pa said, “Enough.”
The four fell silent again.
Zhang Pa said, “How many times do I have to say this?” After a pause, he continued, “You deserve harsh punishment. Given your behavior in the hospital, I decree: after discharge, you not only go back to school, you have to study. I don’t care how much you learn, but you must attend class. The test is your grades—study well and take your exams.” He added, “One more thing: no cheating.”
The four turned pale, “Bro, not like this. Don’t joke about such tough measures.”
While they spoke, the principal stood at the door. Witnessing this scene, he was amazed and looked at Zhang Pa with surprise.
Including Yun Zheng, each of the five monkeys had at least two disciplinary actions. But what good did that do? Teachers couldn’t manage them, police couldn’t touch them—they cursed anyone, even the principal and the police…
The homeroom teacher had tried countless methods, all useless. Yet this long-haired youth could control them?
The principal blinked, an idea forming. He glanced at the crowd outside the next ward—the education bureau leader was there. He thought about the many unruly students at No. 119, especially the four most troublesome ones…
The principal pondered for a moment, then turned and left.