Chapter Thirty-six: Desire is Innate

Gongsun nodded, “That’s right, it’s her. Wu the Fatso doesn’t even bother to see what a toad he is, yet he’s always thinking about her, pestering her every other day…”

When talk turned to the company’s beauties, the group grew especially lively, and Yang Jiekai listened with great interest, thinking to himself that he’d come to the right place. For men, ideals are just lofty excuses to deceive themselves and others, and a sense of responsibility only arises when there’s no other choice. Otherwise, in thousands of years of Chinese history, which ancient king ever practiced monogamy?

Seizing the throne, conquering empires—if emperors were restricted to lifelong monogamy, forbidden from crossing boundaries, how many heroes would risk their lives for power? With that energy, they might as well frequent the pleasure houses instead!

Food and eroticism are primal desires.

The group drank until after nine o’clock, only then stumbling off in a drunken haze. Yang Jiekai held his liquor well; this bit of alcohol was nothing to him. If not for seeing Qin Feng and the others barely able to walk, he could have kept drinking all night.

Just as he was about to head to the bus stop, his phone rang. He took it out and looked at the caller ID, smiling softly.

It was Lin Wen, the “beer girl” from two days ago.

“Hello, is this Brother Yang? It’s Lin Wen,” a pleasant voice came through the line.

“Yes, it’s me,” Yang Jiekai replied. “What made you call me? Is something up?”

“Brother Yang, do you have time now?” Lin Wen asked. “There’s a dance at my school tonight. I want you to be my partner.”

Dance partner?

Yang Jiekai paused for a moment, checked the time—it was still early—and readily agreed, laughing, “Alright, I’ll head over now. I’ll call you when I arrive.”

After hanging up, he sent a message to Aunt Wang to say he wouldn’t be coming home for dinner, then hailed a taxi straight to Lin Wen’s school.

Arriving at the school gate, he saw Lin Wen already waiting, dressed in an evening gown.

“Brother Yang!”

Seeing Yang Jiekai, Lin Wen hurried over. At first sight, Yang Jiekai’s eyes brightened; last time she’d worn the beer girl uniform, but tonight she was in a warm-toned evening dress, exuding a pure yet noble aura.

“So many partners at your school—why choose me?” Yang Jiekai grinned at Lin Wen. He didn’t need her answer to guess; girls like Lin Wen would have suitors lining up to Mount Everest, and yet she called him—likely wanting him to play the decoy.

Lin Wen blushed, not intending to lie, and answered honestly, “Because with you as my dance partner, no one else will bother me.”

Yang Jiekai gently pinched her soft, youthful cheek, “Little girl, you’re using me as a shield. We’ve only met once, aren’t you afraid I might be a bad guy?”

“Brother Yang could never be a bad guy.” Lin Wen’s face flushed at his affectionate gesture. “Come on, Brother Yang—the dance is about to start.”

Lin Wen’s school was an arts academy, filled with tall, attractive young men and women, making Yang Jiekai feel somewhat out of place.

Given his age, he was only a college student himself, meant to be enjoying the best years of campus life, but fate had played a cruel trick on him.

The dance was held in the school auditorium. As for dancing, Yang Jiekai was well-versed; during his mercenary days, he frequented upscale venues, chasing women, drinking, and dancing—all second nature.

Lin Wen had called him precisely to serve as her shield. Many pursued her at school, and she didn’t want to refuse anyone directly at the dance, so she brought Yang Jiekai along.

“Brother Yang, I didn’t expect you to dance so well.”

Lin Wen, dancing gracefully in Yang Jiekai’s gentle embrace, sincerely praised his skill.

Just as a song was about to end, Lin Wen suddenly frowned and quickly pulled Yang Jiekai out of the dance floor. “Brother Yang, let’s step outside for a moment.”

“What’s wrong? We haven’t finished the song yet.” Yang Jiekai was puzzled, glanced at Lin Wen’s expression, then looked around and immediately understood.

He spotted the group of students who had pestered Lin Wen by the riverside before. The one called Wang Xiang was now glaring at him, surrounded by his friends.

Seeing Lin Wen urging him to leave, Yang Jiekai couldn’t help but laugh inwardly—this girl was adorably naïve. Did she think she could avoid trouble by running?

“Don’t worry, I’m here.” Yang Jiekai gently drew Lin Wen into his arms and continued dancing, though Lin Wen was too anxious to enjoy it.

Finally, as the music ended, Wang Xiang crushed out his cigarette and marched over with his group, stopping beside Yang Jiekai. “Hey, remember me?”

“I do. What, want to dance? I don’t care for guys,” Yang Jiekai replied coolly, eyeing the youth.

Lin Wen nervously tugged at Yang Jiekai’s sleeve.

Wang Xiang sneered. “Dancing is for women. There’s a more exciting place—don’t know if you’re interested.”

“Oh? Where’s that?”

Wang Xiang stared at Yang Jiekai, enunciating each word, “The martial arts arena. Do you dare come?”

Yang Jiekai glanced at Lin Wen, who quickly explained, “They’re from the Martial Arts Association. The arena is their training ground.”

Wang Xiang saw Yang Jiekai’s hesitation and assumed he was scared, raising his eyebrows, “So, do you dare? If not, stay away from Lin Wen from now on.”

“Wang Xiang, he’s my friend!” Lin Wen frowned, both afraid and angry. She had countless admirers at school, but Wang Xiang was the most aggressive—anyone who tried to pursue her risked a beating.

Lin Wen regretted inviting Yang Jiekai as her partner; Wang Xiang had never cared about dances, so why was he here tonight?

“Alright, I accept. Let me finish one more dance, then I’ll come.” Yang Jiekai didn’t want to fight with students, but given the situation, unless he taught them a lesson, Lin Wen would keep facing trouble.

“Fine, I’ll wait at the arena. Anyone who doesn’t show up is a coward!” Wang Xiang glared at Yang Jiekai, then strode out with his group.

A new song began, and Yang Jiekai intended to dance again, but seeing Lin Wen’s anxious face, he gave up and asked, “What’s wrong, are you scared?”

Lin Wen shook her head, “Brother Yang, please leave. Wang Xiang’s group will have plenty of people waiting for you at the arena.”

“And what about you? If I leave, won’t they keep bothering you?”

Looking at Lin Wen’s innocence, Yang Jiekai felt amused. She was so naïve—Wang Xiang had tracked him here, meaning he had been watched since arriving at the school. Leaving now was impossible.

“Don’t worry about me, just go. Never come back to the school again!”

Yang Jiekai laughed heartily, “Little girl, let me tell you something—when facing powerful enemies, the best way is to fight back. If you always run, you’ll forever be weak.”

He gently patted Lin Wen’s shoulder, “Take me to the arena. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Somehow, after Yang Jiekai patted her shoulder, Lin Wen felt her worries ease, and a strange sense of trust and security toward him blossomed.

When they arrived at the martial arts arena, Wang Xiang had already changed into his uniform and gathered dozens of people, waiting.

Seeing Yang Jiekai swagger in with Lin Wen, Wang Xiang’s anger flared, and his group quickly surrounded them.

“Listen up, kid!”

Wang Xiang pointed at Yang Jiekai, “Don’t say I’m bullying you. I know you’re tough—if you can handle my brothers, I’ll follow your lead from now on!”

Yang Jiekai glanced around; their stances showed they did have some skill.

“Wen, stand aside. Leave this to me,” Yang Jiekai gently patted Lin Wen’s shoulder, signaling her to step back. Lin Wen anxiously looked at him, unsure what to do.

Yang Jiekai smiled, then said to Wang Xiang, “Are you all coming at once, or taking turns?”

Wang Xiang lifted his eyebrows, “I never bully the few with the many. We’ll go one by one—let’s see how many you can handle.”

“Alright, no more talk!”

Yang Jiekai shook out his arms, loosened his neck, and walked to the center of the arena. “Let’s start!”

The first opponent was a hulking man, at least six foot one. He circled Yang Jiekai, then suddenly launched a straight punch.

Yang Jiekai sidestepped lightly, caught the man’s wrist, and pulled forward. The big man lost his balance and stumbled, falling flat on his face.

Humiliated, he scrambled up and kicked at Yang Jiekai, who sighed—clearly, he’d have to use some force today.

This time, Yang Jiekai didn’t dodge. He raised his fist and slammed it hard against the man’s foot.

A dull thud echoed; the man’s foot took the blow, and his whole body flew backward, landing with a crash, clutching his foot and howling.

Wang Xiang’s expression changed. That was their association’s top fighter, meant to intimidate Yang Jiekai, but he was no match.

Without further pretense, Wang Xiang waved his arm, and the remaining dozens rushed forward.

Yang Jiekai’s moves were simple—no flashy techniques, just fists and kicks, each landing solidly.

After a flurry of blows, the ground was littered with bodies.

Yang Jiekai flexed his arms, looked at Wang Xiang struggling to get up, and asked, “Do you want to continue?”