Emily Thompson and Claire Sutton were both startled. They weren’t stupid—otherwise, they couldn’t have scored in the top 400 in the province and gotten into a prestigious university in China. Now they finally realized that the guy who seemed the most mediocre, and whose character seemed the worst, was actually the true core of their trio. The reason Brian Kent could become the central figure in his own circle wasn’t just because his father, who worked in the capital, could always get mayor-level officials in Tangshan to greet him warmly whenever he returned. It was also because of his top grades, good looks, and outstanding athletic talent. Clearly, in any group—whether you’re the best among the worst or the worst among the best—there’s always something exceptional about the leader. Claire Sutton was terrified, afraid that the smiling tiger on the lower bunk would take his anger out on her, while Emily Thompson regained a measured curiosity about him. When a young person shows a level of shrewdness and restraint beyond their years, girls like her, who matured early, can’t help but be especially interested.

Claire Sutton's worst fear eventually came true. That deeply hidden guy stood up and gently tapped her bed rail. She instinctively shrank back, and, to her surprise, her thought was: if she couldn’t escape being humiliated, she’d rather it be that proud peacock.

“Sorry, miss. Smoking was our fault, and it’s not wrong for you to call for help. This Laifu is my dog, and I shouldn’t have brought him on the train. I just wanted to ask you all—if you can tolerate it, that’s best. If not, I’ll have Leo take him to the restroom.” The young man’s tone was still somewhat ingratiating and reserved, not at all aggressive—in fact, he seemed a bit shy and awkward talking to a pretty girl.

Claire Sutton pressed her back against the wall, initially on high alert. But when she finally mustered the courage to look directly at the head just above the edge of her bed, she didn’t know why, but with every word he spoke, she felt a little more at ease. Maybe it was because he looked so reassuring, completely unlike a dangerous criminal—he was just one of her many secret admirers, finally getting a chance to pour his heart out to his goddess, nervous and inexperienced.

So Claire Sutton regained her campus queen composure, gave a charming smile, and honestly said, “I can’t accept it!”

“Take him to the restroom.” He scratched his head, looked down, and gave the dog-walking guy another kick. The poor guy, who was always willing to take a hit for his buddies over a girl, had no choice but to open the door sheepishly and check for any trouble. Before leaving, the guy who usually put girls before friends finally showed a bit of conscience and said to the gloating peacock, “Give Leo two packs of cigarettes.”

“Thanks, Uncle Eight Liang!” The guy happily stuffed two packs of Zhongnanhai cigarettes into his pocket and dashed out with the mutt.

“Uncle, I’ll keep an eye on them tonight,” the peacock guy said in a low voice.

“No need. They don’t have the guts to mess with us. They’re all good kids, not like us.” The young man, who didn’t dare look at Claire Sutton again, chuckled. When he didn’t have to face a pretty girl, he was much more composed.

“Yeah, they’re the type who believe a gentleman’s revenge is never too late, not like you, Uncle.” The peacock guy flashed a charming smile.

“Get lost. Don’t think you can distance yourself from me just because you have good grades. My university may only be third-rate in Shanghai, but at least I’m the top of the bottom.” The young man lay on his bed, crossed his legs, and laughed.

“From your accent, you’re from Tangshan too?” Claire Sutton asked in surprise. “And, um, why do they all call you Uncle?”

“Yeah, we’re from Caofeidian, a little village you’ve probably never heard of. As for why they call me Uncle, it’s all about seniority. My family has an advantage in that regard in the village—even a lot of married uncles have to call me Uncle, which means I get a lot fewer red envelopes during the New Year.” He blushed as he explained, smiling. As a standard homebody from a pseudo-rural background, he was usually terrified of pretty girls. But when it came to girls who were even prettier than average, he’d sometimes muster up the courage to show his above-average skills. And if he happened to meet a truly stunning girl who made his heart race, he could even unleash a shocking level of boldness. Unfortunately, the quiet girl diagonally across from him, who was the prettier of the two, still didn’t quite reach that level for him. Otherwise, who knows what a homebody corrupted by war movies and erotic novels—who believed “censored is as good as uncensored, innocence equals wildness”—might do to a good girl under the influence of his raging hormones.

“Hi, I’m Claire Sutton.” Claire Sutton leaned out confidently and reached her hand down to the lower bunk.

“I’m David Clark.” He hesitated, mumbling his words. Claire Sutton definitely didn’t catch such an unusual name. Then he paused, as if struggling internally, and finally said shyly, “My nickname is Alan, that’s what my friends call me.”

Claire Sutton didn’t really care about David Clark’s name—she was just being polite. But at least she caught the nickname “Alan,” and smiled again, lying back under her blanket and staring at the ceiling. “First time I’ve heard that nickname.”

Alan grinned sheepishly.

“Uncle, have you changed? You’re not wild at all tonight,” the peacock guy texted, utterly baffled.