Chapter 22: I Don't Seek Trouble, Nor Do I Fear It

“Who? Who’s making a fuss? Step forward!”
Gao Zixi was truly infuriated. Just moments ago, she had been encouraging the students to show camaraderie and help the new classmate feel at home in Class One, Grade Three. Yet, as soon as the newcomer began his introduction, someone started jeering.
It was a slap in her face!
If other teachers saw this, they’d surely mock her for lacking authority and failing to manage her students.
Seeing Gao Zixi’s anger, Zhao Yuan and the others quickly shut their mouths. Their goal of embarrassing Li Sicheng had already been achieved, so there was no need to push their luck further.
The uproar had come suddenly and faded just as quickly. Gao Zixi hadn’t even caught who had led it.
As for Li Sicheng, the subject of it all, he showed not a hint of embarrassment; instead, he was smiling.
“So this is meant to give me a hard time... but the tactic is far too naive,” he muttered quietly, then suddenly placed both hands on the lectern and leaned forward.
Without any special gestures or expressions, an imposing aura radiated from him, startling the students of Class One, Grade Three.
Li Sicheng smiled and spoke gently, “Your welcoming ceremony is certainly unique. Since that’s the case, let me say a bit more. I’m easy to get along with and never look for trouble. But if anyone thinks that makes me an easy target, I’d be more than happy to let them taste some hardship.”
The entire class was stunned.
This was a blatant threat!
A direct, undisguised threat!
Who was this guy, and where did he come from, to dare threaten the entire class right in front of the homeroom teacher? He was truly audacious!
Lin Siyu was dumbfounded, Tan Xiaoxiao was shocked, and Zhao Yuan looked utterly stupefied.
Among the fifty or so students of Class One, Grade Three, not a single one made a sound.
The scene was so quiet, it was eerie—absolute silence.
At last, Gao Zixi was the first to recover, breaking the strange atmosphere: “Li Sicheng, what nonsense are you talking about? Our class is very united. No one will trouble you, and certainly no one will bully you. If someone does, don’t act on your own. Report it to the teacher, and I’ll handle it.”

She hadn’t scolded Li Sicheng too harshly.
On one hand, her first impression of him was good, making her subconsciously believe he was a model student. On the other hand, it was because of the earlier jeering.
Gao Zixi felt Li Sicheng must have been angered by the commotion, which made his self-introduction somewhat inappropriate. She could understand that.
“All right, teacher,” Li Sicheng replied with a smile and nodded to Gao Zixi. Whether he took her words to heart, only he knew.
Gao Zixi glanced at the seating chart pasted to the lectern and said, “Let me see where you’ll sit... Hmm, only the last row has an empty seat. Luckily, you’re tall, so sitting at the back won’t be a problem. You’ll sit next to Zeng Yi.”
The Zeng Yi she mentioned was a chubby boy. In Class One, Grade Three, the only vacant spot was beside him.
“Okay.” Li Sicheng had no preference about the seat. As long as he was in the classroom, any seat would do.
His obedience made Gao Zixi like him even more. “Wait a bit, I’ll go get your textbooks. You can go sit down first.”
Li Sicheng nodded and walked toward the empty seat in the last row.
That seat happened to be in Zhao Yuan’s group. Inevitably, Li Sicheng had to pass the aisle beside Zhao Yuan.
“What an idiot, daring to threaten us. Wants to teach us a lesson? I’ll show him who suffers!” Zhao Yuan’s eyes burned with resentment as he watched Li Sicheng approach.
He was ready. As soon as Li Sicheng passed, he’d stick out his foot to trip him.
“This time, I’ll make him fall flat on his face. Let’s see if he dares to act tough in front of us again!” Zhao Yuan’s lips curled into a smug, cold smile, as if he could already see Li Sicheng’s humiliating tumble.
In front of him, Zhang Xiaoling was anxious. She wanted to warn Li Sicheng but feared Lin Siyu, Tan Xiaoxiao, and the others would notice. All she could do was blink at Li Sicheng repeatedly, hoping he’d understand.
Unfortunately, her efforts seemed to be in vain.
Li Sicheng kept walking forward boldly, showing no sign of caution.
“It’s over.”
As Li Sicheng passed by, Zhang Xiaoling couldn’t help but close her eyes.

The next second, a piercing scream erupted behind her: “Ouch, my foot—”
Zhang Xiaoling hurriedly turned around, only to find Li Sicheng still standing tall, unharmed. The scream hadn’t c