After arriving at the classroom, both Hu Lai and Fatty wanted to ask him about it, but when the words were about to come out, they suddenly couldn't say anything and swallowed them back. As for Zhang Danlin, she came over as soon as class was out and asked him how he dealt with the matter from last night. Hao Jian just smiled and said it was already taken care of.

He certainly had his own plan in mind, but he didn't want to tell others yet. First, he felt there was no use in telling; after all, things weren't completely done yet, and if he messed it up after saying it, it would be a huge embarrassment, although he was sure it wouldn't fail. Second, he wasn't someone who liked to tell others his inner thoughts; results were all that mattered, why ask about the process?

So, Zhang Danlin didn't ask further about what happened last night, nor did she voice her curiosity about why Hao Jian helped Baldy. However, Hao Jian thought that if she were smart, she might be able to guess his true intentions from last night.

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch; naturally, his actions wouldn't come without a reason. The law of survival of the fittest applies to the world, and he didn't have that much empathy to save the world; managing himself was enough.

But after lunch, when Lin Dongyang asked him about this issue with Gu Peng, he didn't hold anything back and laid it all out, because Lin Dongyang needed to know. Since he wanted to grow strong, being a temporary kingpin on campus was nothing; a man should have broad vision and look to the future.

So, the goal Hao Jian set for Lin Dongyang wasn't confined to just this small Yawen School. Since they wanted to become stronger, they needed enough strength and ambition, and thus, their plans should extend beyond the school's limits into the outside world.

As for the duel scheduled with Gu Peng next Friday, he hadn't been at Yawen for long. Newly arrived, apart from knowing Hu Lai and Fatty, he didn't know anyone else, and there was no way he could send them to fight, that would absolutely not happen. In contrast, Gu Peng had been developing at Yawen for a while, with connections and preparations already in place, so he couldn't find anyone at school to duel with Gu Peng.

Plus, Gu Peng had probably already spread the word, and nobody would dare to help him. Helping him would mean going against Gu Peng, and at this point, no one would do such a foolish thing.

Of course, this was another matter. When it came to the duel with Gu Peng, Hao Jian never thought about finding someone in school. He never had this idea. In fact, with his own strength, going against Gu Peng and his group wasn't difficult at all; it would be a breeze.

However, if he revealed this strength, wouldn't it be too shocking? At that point, it would certainly attract a lot of attention. He came to this place merely to follow Liang Yuwei's order to look after Liang Xiaohan, and he wanted to spend this period low-key. Revealing his strength in such a high-profile way was something he would never do.

Therefore, when he encountered Baldy and his group last night, he paid attention to Baldy since that last late-night snack. Baldy was someone who could be befriended, a man of honor and loyalty. So, when Baldy was in trouble last night, and it happened that he encountered it, a brilliant idea flashed in his mind. It was perfect.

Therefore, last night, he stepped in to save Baldy and his group, solving a problem for them. At the same time, he was placing a move in a larger strategy.

After Lin Dongyang listened to him finish this story, his face was full of surprise, eyes wide open like beans, mouth agape, looking truly astonished.

"Brother Hao! You're amazing!" Lin Dongyang sincerely admired Hao Jian. He now thought his decision was absolutely correct; following Hao Jian was one of the best decisions of his life.

Hao Jian merely smiled and said, "Don't let this out, or it won't have such a big impact later. If we want to be strong, we need to have some influence, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongyang immediately nodded and said, "Don't worry, Brother Hao, I won't tell anyone about this."

Actually, he didn't have many friends or anyone to tell. Besides getting to know Hu Lai and Fatty after following Hao Jian, he barely had any friends at Yawen. Since Hao Jian had said this, he naturally wouldn't tell anyone else.

In his eyes, Hao Jian's words were like golden advice. Since Hao Jian had proven his point to him, ever since following Hao Jian, his life had undergone a huge transformation, and he had become a new person.

Hao Jian suddenly looked at him, paused, and said, "The call should come soon; you might have to go out with me tonight, and we'll be back late. Anything happening at home?"

Hearing this, Lin Dongyang said, "No problem, no problem."

Hao Jian heard this and didn't say anything more, and as they walked, they soon reached the teaching building. Then, Lin Dongyang parted ways with Hao Jian and went to his own class. Initially, nobody in his class would give him a second look. He was transparent, ignored by classmates and teachers alike.

However, after following Hao Jian, things had changed significantly. Especially after the incident at the school entrance where Hao Jian helped him teach Gu Peng's followers a lesson, and he ended up beating up the boy who had bullied him for writing a love letter to a girl he liked, his classmates' attitudes changed practically overnight.

For instance, if it was his turn to clean the classroom, the person assigned with him would surely leave, leaving him to clean alone. But after that incident, they actually stayed behind to help him clean.

For example, before, he was almost invisible in class, but now it's different. Every time he entered the classroom, people would look at him a few times. Although the looks were still full of disdain and sarcasm, the fact that people noticed him was a big change.

Moreover, those who wanted to bully and humiliate him no longer dared to do so. They would reconsider before trying, and most abandoned the idea.

These were changes brought by Hao Jian, who he admired and respected from the bottom of his heart.

......

After Hao Jian returned to the classroom, it wasn't long before he received a call from Baldy. He noticed the number was a series of digits instead of a saved contact, and knowing only a few people had his number, he instantly knew it was a call from Baldy.

Without thinking, he picked it up and exchanged a few pleasantries. Baldy confirmed his identity, realizing he was the young man who saved him last night, and immediately expressed his gratitude, asking if he was free this evening to have dinner as a thank you.

Although Hao Jian had been waiting for this call, he didn't accept directly but said he seemed to have something to do tonight. Just as Baldy thought he genuinely had something urgent and was preparing to reschedule, Hao Jian suddenly changed his tone and said, "But since it's your invitation, certain things need to be set aside. Let's do it tonight."

Upon hearing this, Baldy frowned slightly. Hao Jian's words made him reluctant to see Hao Jian as a young rookie. His words had hidden meanings, clearly the moves of an old hand in the Jianghu. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

However, he didn't overthink it and cheerfully stated the time and place, and they hung up.

After hanging up, a smile appeared on Hao Jian's face, and he sent a message to Lin Dongyang, saying they would have dinner with Baldy tonight. Lin Dongyang immediately replied, "Okay, Brother Hao."

He hadn't told Hu Lai and Fatty, nor Zhang Danlin, not even Liang Xiaohan, so no one else knew about this. When Zhang Danlin passed by and saw the smile on his face, she asked what he was smiling about. He smiled and said that he had just read a funny joke on his phone.

Zhang Danlin knew Hao Jian was lying, but a wise person does wise things, so she didn't push further.

The afternoon passed in this manner, and soon it was time for evening self-study. During a class break, Hao Jian went to the restroom and overheard a large group of people discussing, talking about the bet he made with Gu Peng. They were all ridiculing him, saying he was overestimating himself and asking for trouble. He listened with interest for a while.

Walking out, he shook his head, realizing how unpopular he was, with everyone speaking ill of him and no one supporting him. He shook his head and sighed. But this couldn't be blamed on them. Gu Peng and he clearly looked like a stone against an egg, and it was only natural for others to mock him for trying to take on a stone as an egg.

Immediately, he shook his head and slowly walked back to the classroom.

However, suddenly, his gaze stopped somewhere. He clearly saw a large crowd blocking the entrance of Lin Dongyang's classroom, with two people surrounded inside.

He didn't recognize one of them, but the other was someone he was very familiar with—Lin Dongyang.

Lin Dongyang in a conflict with someone? Hao Jian thought, his face showing puzzlement.

He felt something odd. Normally, he wouldn't care about such matters, but now Lin Dongyang was with him, seeing him in conflict with someone naturally meant he needed to go check it out.