Sarah Thompson gave an awkward laugh: “Dave, what are you saying? From now on, we’re brothers. Following Will to make our way in the world is definitely the right choice. Come on, let me help you!” Sarah Thompson supported the unsteady George Miller, and George Miller swatted at his head, “Damn, you little punk...!!” The group laughed and joked as they headed toward the hospital.

William Carter walked slowly on his way home, thinking about everything that had happened in the past couple of days. How could he avoid being bullied by others? Only by being stronger than everyone else. And how could he be stronger? He had to be ruthless enough. The notorious troublemakers inside the school were basically already under his control; the next step was the outside factors. William Carter decided to build his own force, using No. 2 High School as the center, and recruit some young punks from society. These guys weren’t very old, and when they fought, they didn’t hold back—they were ruthless, plain and simple. Fueled by youthful passion and blind hero worship, they were also easy to control. Now, William Carter’s mind was far beyond his actual age, even surpassing some adults.

At home, William Carter hadn’t changed at all—still an obedient, well-behaved son, the pride of his parents. At school, he was still the teachers’ model student, a top achiever. But his reputation was spreading around No. 2 High School; all the local punks knew that a new boss had risen at No. 2—William Carter, notorious for his ferocity in fights, wielding a utility knife...

That day, William Carter was in class as usual, listening attentively to every word the teacher said. He believed that no matter what he did in the future, education would always be the most important thing. Having an exceptional mind was much more useful than a strong body. After class, Sarah Thompson ran in from outside and whispered in William Carter’s ear, “Will, Sanyan’s men want to see you.”

William Carter was bent over his paper working on a problem, and without looking up, said, “Okay, tell him to wait a bit, I’ll finish this problem first.”

Sarah Thompson nodded and quickly ran out again. Sanyan’s real name was Charles Bolton, a well-known gang leader in the No. 2 High School area, famous for his reckless fighting. Once, during a brawl, he got a two-inch scar on his forehead. At a glance, it looked like he had three eyes. That’s how he got the nickname Sanyan—“Three Eyes.”

Sarah Thompson ran downstairs. On the school playground, two groups were standing off. One group, led by George Miller, had seventeen or eighteen people; the other, Sanyan’s men, had about a dozen. George Miller was tilting his head, squatting on the ground smoking. When he saw Sarah Thompson return, he flicked away his cigarette and stood up to ask, “Big Sam, where’s Will?”

“Will will be down in a bit, tell them to wait!” Sarah Thompson was a little out of breath from running.

George Miller was annoyed, “Damn, look at how fat you are. Can’t you lose some weight? You run a few steps and you’re panting like a pig.”

“Come on, you think I don’t want to lose weight? Easier said than done!” Sarah Thompson glanced at Sanyan’s men, who were getting impatient, and said, “You guys wait a bit longer, our boss will be down soon.”

“Damn, what the hell, does he really think he’s something special?” a guy in yellow sunglasses shouted.

Hearing this, Sarah Thompson’s blood boiled. He walked up to the guy and, without warning, punched him in the face, sending his sunglasses flying. Sanyan’s men hadn’t expected him to hit just like that, not giving them any face at all. They all reached into their clothes, grabbing the knives hidden inside. The leader waved his hand to calm his men and said to Sarah Thompson, “That little brother is new and doesn’t know any better, sorry about that.”

Sarah Thompson laughed, “No problem, no problem!” Then he put on a stern face and glared at the guy being taken away, “Train your little brothers before bringing them out, got it? Don’t let them run their mouths. Damn!”

The leader’s face changed, but he quickly forced a smile and said, “Alright, I’ll remember this lesson you gave us. Heh heh!”

“Remember your damn mother!” George Miller had been holding back for a while, and seeing the leader’s attitude made him even angrier. He cursed and kicked the guy in the stomach. The man bent over and staggered back several steps, supported by his men. Now Sanyan’s crew really lost it and pulled out their knives. Sarah Thompson and George Miller’s people also drew the sticks they had tucked behind them. The two sides were on the verge of a fight, everyone glaring and sizing up their opponents. Just then, William Carter walked out of the school building, hands in his pockets, calm and unhurried.

“Heh, what a lively scene!?”

William Carter walked to the center of the crowd, ignoring the knives in the others’ hands. Seeing an ordinary student in a No. 2 High School uniform, the opposing leader, still rubbing his stomach, asked, “Kid, who are you?”

William Carter didn’t answer, but Sarah Thompson shouted, “This is our boss!”

The leader looked William Carter up and down, thinking: Damn, is No. 2 High School out of people, making a malnourished kid their boss? William Carter didn’t miss the flash of contempt in his eyes, and just stood there smiling.

After a moment, the man nodded and said, “Mr. Carter, our boss wants to discuss something with you. Do you have time to meet tonight?”

“No problem, you name the time and place, but if it’s too late, I won’t be free.” William Carter agreed readily.

The man nodded again, “Come to the ‘Xinxin’ billiard hall after school, our boss will be waiting for you there. How about it?”