029 The East Wind Needs No Invitation

"I learned it from watching television over the past little while."

"No way, I watched it too!"

"That is the importance of reading. I understand the muscle groups of the human body and how they exert force. When combined with the proper techniques, it becomes this powerful."

Xu Xinqi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can you teach me?"

He didn't understand the things in books, but after experiencing it firsthand, he knew these techniques were genuinely useful, especially since he desperately wanted to master this ability to "deflect a thousand pounds with four ounces."

Qu Zhanyi naturally didn't refuse, but she set a condition for him. "Before that, you must first meet my requirements."

Thinking of studying, Xu Xinqi felt a wave of exhaustion; he had no confidence in that area whatsoever.

However, Qu Zhanyi believed that strict teachers produce outstanding students, and even a dog could become an immortal with enough training. In any case, even if Xu Xinqi was truly a fool, he would absolutely be the most learned and talented fool among them.

Forty days was not a long time, but it was enough to change a person.

On the day before school started, Xu Xinqi received a brand-new set of final exams. Qu Zhanyi personally proctored and graded them.

"866 points. It’s a bit of progress, I suppose." As she spoke, she pulled out the class rankings.

Xu Xinqi guiltily hid by the door. Having witnessed his sister's methods during the winter break, he had decided that to avoid getting beaten up at school, he would run away the moment anything seemed amiss. Fortunately, a look of satisfaction appeared on Qu Zhanyi’s face, and he dared to approach her.

Seeing his score and ranking, his eyes widened in surprise. "Sixth place? Am I really that good?"

"Keep up the good work." Qu Zhanyi gave him a nod of approval, then asked with a dangerous glint in her eyes, "Were you just thinking about running away if you didn't make the top ten?"

"No." Xu Xinqi denied it resolutely. Since he had met the standard, his attitude had hardened. Of course, he couldn't admit to the shameful act of wanting to retreat because he was afraid of losing.

...

The new semester began. Qu Zhanyi returned to the unlovable school and back to that desk which her classmates avoided like the plague. She felt nothing about this isolation and asked the system, "Brother 17, when will the 'east wind' I 'borrowed' finally blow?"

She couldn't wait any longer to paint a stroke of gray onto this world.

The system reminded her: [The weather is warming up. A southeast wind is blowing today, but the nights remain very cold. Please remember to dress warmly.]

Qu Zhanyi said dismissively, "Sigh! What a system with no sense of romance."

[I apologize, but the system did not understand the host's meaning.]

Qu Zhanyi felt bored instantly, seriously suspecting that this damn thing was malfunctioning. "Brother 17, I suggest you go and check your CPU!"

[The system is currently on the latest version. There are no issues with the CPU.]

Qu Zhanyi’s eyelid twitched violently, and she gritted her teeth. "I am asking you if there is a suitable opportunity for the task of reforming the school's atmosphere!"

[According to system data, a work inspection team will arrive in Queluo Town in mid-March. It is the best time to mobilize the 'guiding hand.']

'A work inspection team?' Just from the name, she knew this team had the influence to shape the future of the town. Qu Zhanyi’s eyes brightened instantly.

"Brother 17, this is truly a rare opportunity! It seems the task of reforming Queluo Middle School will be completed soon."

Leaning on the fifth-floor railing, Qu Zhanyi stared at the arrogant group of troublemakers on the playground, a cruel smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

"Twenty more days... You had better be able to truly cover the sky with one hand; don't let me break you too easily!"

...

The troublemakers threw their weight around, while the timid students had long since retreated into their shells. Time quickly slipped into March.

Qu Zhanyi leaned against the railing, letting the soft breeze brush against her cheeks. Leisurely. And comfortable.

After lunch, she returned to the classroom. The class monitor kindly came over to tell her, "Xu Xinyou, your brother got beaten up in the cafeteria."

Qu Zhanyi’s action of pulling out her chair paused. "Who beat him?"

"Zhang Ren, of course."

"Are you sure?" Qu Zhanyi found it hard to believe. Hadn't Xu Xinqi become 'buddies' with that gang of thugs? Why were they fighting again?

"I’m sure. The boy named Lu Qiang who was with him got hit too."

There were still four days until the inspection team arrived in Queluo Town, and Xu Xinqi had actually delivered an assist for her in advance. It was exactly like finding a pillow just as one was getting sleepy!

Lu Qiang was from the 'Village' faction. Since he had been beaten, the two major 'gangs' in the school would be brawling by nightfall. She only needed to keep escalating the situation, and reforming the school atmosphere would be a breeze.

Everything was developing exactly in the direction she wanted, making even a devil like her want to thank the heavens for this gift.

...

Qu Zhanyi walked slowly into the cafeteria and spotted Xu Xinqi dealing with his wounds in a corner.

Seeing his sister, Xu Xinqi immediately became stressed. "Sis, why are you here?"

After a winter break, he had been completely tamed; seeing his sister made him more nervous than being beaten up.

"Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"I'm fine, just a few scrapes." Xu Xinqi quickly stood up and jumped twice to prove he wasn't injured.

Qu Zhanyi nodded with satisfaction and then turned and left the cafeteria.

Lu Qiang looked at the coldly departing girl, deeply confused. "Xu Xinqi, how come your sister doesn't care about you at all anymore?"

Xu Xinqi gulped and told Lu Qiang, "You don't understand. It would be terrifying if she actually cared about me!"

"Huh? Are you sick in the head?" Lu Qiang didn't understand, but considering the changes in Xu Xinqi since he was last beaten, he felt that this guy’s brain must have been damaged in the fight.

...

Just as Qu Zhanyi walked out of the cafeteria, the people from the 'Village' arrived. The burly man leading them hadn't even entered the door before he began shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Who hit Lu Qiang? If you aren't convinced, meet us at the small plaza tonight!"

There were not many people left in the cafeteria. Seeing Lu Qiang and Xu Xinqi, the burly man strode over immediately. He didn't have a good impression of Xu Xinqi and immediately became angry upon seeing him. "Xu Xinqi, how is it you again?"

"No, this time it was me who dragged him into it," Lu Qiang quickly blocked the man and explained, hoping to keep Xu Xinqi from becoming an innocent scapegoat.

Hearing it wasn't Xu Xinqi’s fault, the man’s tone softened immediately. "What happened?"

Lu Qiang held up his notebook. "Zhang Ren spilled soup on my notes. I said 'be careful,' and then it escalated."

Lu Qiang showed his drenched appearance, neither angry nor upset, and even tried to comfort the person who wanted to stand up for him. "I'm fine. Xu Xinqi just took a punch trying to break up the fight."

"Damn it." The man spat on the ground and waved his hand. "Call the others. Tell them to wait at the small plaza tonight."

"Maybe we should let it go? Xu Xinqi also said there’s no need to make such a big deal out of it."

"We can't let it go. People from our village can't be bullied."

The others chimed in one after another. Regardless of what he thought, the fight was inevitable.