You Are Really No Match For Me [Fighting] - Chapter 43
After the criminal police team left, everyone crowded around Ding Shu, talking all at once.
It was because the difference between Ding Shu before and after his coma was like night and day. Gone was that murky aura he once carried; the real Ding Shu was gentle and refined, scholarly in both bearing and speech, and his words now carried the warmth of spring, naturally drawing people’s affection.
“I really must thank you all today—especially you, Su Xi. Thank you for recognizing me.”
Everyone waved their hands, saying it was nothing.
Su Xi grinned broadly and waved her hand. “What’s there to thank? We’re all friends here. Of course, we should help one another.”
Xie Fei tilted her head, studying him curiously. “Ding Shu, you look exactly the same as before, but somehow it feels like you’re a completely different person. Your eyes, your gestures, your tone—it’s all different.”
Xiao Bai chimed in, “That’s right, he was being controlled before. You know, a person is made up of countless tiny traits—not just a name or appearance. No matter how perfect the disguise, there will always be differences.”
Hearing Xiao Bai speak with such seriousness, Jin Yu couldn’t help but be surprised. She was so used to his usual frivolity that she often forgot he was actually a perceptive person.
Wang Jiasong teased, “Didn’t expect that from you, Xiao Bai. Those were some pretty philosophical words. You’ve impressed me, brother.” He even clasped his hands in mock salute.
Xiao Bai returned the salute proudly. “Well of course! Back in school, I was widely read, versed in both the ancients and the moderns…”
At the words “versed in the ancients and the moderns,” Jin Yu’s expression faltered. She suddenly thought of her parents and friends she had left behind—how were they doing now?
Jin Mu noticed her silence and pensive look, but quickly withdrew his gaze, aware that others in the room were also watching her.
One of them was Ding Shu. Between conversations, his eyes kept drifting toward Jin Yu. He thought to himself that in the short time since he had last seen her, she had become even more beautiful.
Catching sight of Jin Yu and Jin Mu’s outfits, his heart tightened.
Both wore white T-shirts and light-blue athletic shorts. Hers were short shorts, his were longer, knee-length shorts. Judging by the fabric and style, they seemed to be from the same brand.
Couple’s outfits? He’d never heard that the two of them were together. They didn’t seem like a couple either…
Speculation churned in Ding Shu’s mind. In just two months, how had they grown so close?
Normally when they met, their interactions were perfectly ordinary. When exactly had things changed? What had happened between them that he didn’t know about?
Regret flooded him.
Back at the restaurant, when he saw them dining together, he had thought about clarifying to Jin Yu that he and his fiancée were not what she might think. But he had no right to explain.
He and Jin Yu weren’t even close—he was the only one harboring feelings. To her, he was no different from anyone else.
It would’ve been inappropriate to bring it up suddenly. And since Jin Yu spent most of her time training at the arena, he couldn’t just walk up and explain such private matters in front of everyone. They had few chances to meet in private, and at the few group meals he might’ve joined, circumstances had always kept him away.
Who would’ve thought that after this incident, just a few days later, those two who once seemed like fire and water would now share such tacit understanding.
Ding Shu found himself staring longer than he realized—until Jin Yu caught his eye.
“Do you want some water?” she asked. Behind her stood a water dispenser.
Ding Shu smiled faintly. “No. I just wanted to say—I forgot to congratulate you. Congratulations on passing the preliminary selection.”
Jin Yu nodded politely. “Thank you, Dr. Ding.”
Ding Shu held her gaze, his smile gentle as spring breeze. “You haven’t gotten injured recently, have you? I’m sorry. With all that’s happened, I’ve been dazed and unable to help you.”
Jin Yu shook her head, replying with concern, “Thank you for asking. I’m fine… but you, you’ve lost weight.”
Jin Mu, who had been carefully polishing his glasses with a cloth, put them back on to hide his golden eyes. His tone carried its usual edge of arrogance:
“With me as her coach, Dr. Ding, you don’t need to worry. Those broken machine parts have been piling up on your desk for days. Better take care of your own work first.”
The meaning was clear: mind your own business.
Ding Shu’s expression froze. He unconsciously tightened his grip on the thin blanket in his hand. “While Jin Yu is training at the arena, it’s only natural for me as the team doctor to care about her condition…”
Su Xi suddenly exclaimed, “Xiao Yu, aren’t you about to compete in the regional tournament?”
Jin Mu nodded. For once, his usually cold face lit up with a smile.
“That’s right. We leave next week. I’m afraid you won’t be able to help much then.”
The smile was nothing like his usual low-key demeanor. It carried a touch of arrogance, almost flamboyant in its unintentional pride. Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Xie Fei let out a little shriek, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “Coach Jin Mu, when you smile like that… you look completely different!”
Su Xi stared too, about to comment, when suddenly her vision went dark. A large hand clamped over her eyes, and her boyfriend’s jealous voice growled in her ear:
“What are you staring at? Is he more handsome than your husband? Hm?”
Su Xi quickly put on a sweet smile, coaxing him: “Of course not. Jin Mu is always cold—this is the first time I’ve seen him smile like that. Don’t be mad~ In my heart, you’re the most handsome.”
Jin Mu froze, suddenly self-conscious. Was his smile ugly? He quickly dropped it, then hesitantly looked toward Jin Yu. “What… does it look bad?”
Jin Yu had been caught staring, and at his question, she quickly averted her eyes. “No… it looks good.”
Ding Shu’s face darkened immediately. Jin Mu noticed, glanced at him briefly, then let out another laugh.
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
The words sounded like blatant flirting.
Jin Yu, unwilling to lose ground, snapped her gaze back at him. “I am looking at you!”
But to Jin Mu, her voice betrayed a faint nervousness, as if she were forcing herself. That trace of irritation in her eyes made his heart itch as if scratched by a cat. To everyone’s surprise, his usually cold expression now flushed faintly with heat. He parted his lips, about to say something further—
Only for Wang Jiasong to ruin the moment, shouting, “Ooooh, look! Our Coach Jin Mu’s ears are turning red!”
Everyone turned to see, and sure enough, the tips of his ears were scarlet. At those words, the flush spread like a flood, drowning his neck and handsome features in crimson, making him look like a shy bride caught in the act.
Su Xi covered her mouth to stifle her laugh, while Xie Fei’s eyes sparkled, glancing back and forth between him and Jin Yu.
It finally dawned on Jin Mu how indecent his earlier words had sounded—like some street punk trying to flirt. Flustered, he covered his mouth with a hand, about to say something to ease the tension—
But Xiao Bai cut in indignantly: “What’s so great about that? I think my smile’s way more handsome!” He flashed a grin, showing eight perfectly even teeth.
To everyone else, though, it just looked silly.
Jin Yu burst out laughing. “Yes, yes, you’re all handsome, alright?”
Xiao Bai accepted the compliment as if it were only natural, puffing up proudly, which only made everyone want to tease him more.
“Not even a mosquito could bite through that thick skin…” Xie Fei muttered.
The atmosphere turned lively again, the earlier tension dissipating.
Ding Shu, suppressing his unease, suggested gently, “Why don’t you all come to my place tonight? I’ll treat you to barbecue.”
Su Xi was the first to cheer. “Yes! I’ll mix drinks for everyone!”
Xiao Bai jumped in eagerly, “Let’s go, let’s go! I’m gonna eat till I burst. Dr. Ding, how’s your grilling?”
Ding Shu smiled modestly. “I wouldn’t claim Michelin-level, but it’s decent enough.”
Jin Yu offered, “I can grill too. I’ll help.”
Wang Jiasong added, “Then Su Xi and I will buy the ingredients. What do you guys want?”
Xie Fei bit her lip shyly. “Um… could I come too?”
Ding Shu’s smile was warm. “Of course. You’re very welcome.”
Her face lit up instantly, and she rattled off her wish list: “Dr. Ding, you’re so kind! I want spicy drumsticks, crispy wings, grilled mushrooms, green peppers, skewered pork…”
Before she could go on, Xiao Bai clamped a hand over her mouth—but got jabbed in the chest by her elbow.
“Hey, that hurts! I just mean, if you order that much, can you even finish it? Shouldn’t you let others order too?” He turned to Wang Jiasong. “Brother Jiasong, get some squid skewers, duck intestines, eggplants, lamb kebabs…”
And so it went, everyone calling out dishes.
But just as they were about to leave, Su Wanying’s call came through. Her voice was hushed, and faint piano music played in the background.
“Xiao Yu-jie, something’s happened at school…”
At the same time, Wang Jiasong’s phone rang. On the line, Wang Ronglin’s voice was urgent:
“Jiasong, we’re short on manpower. Bring your friends with good combat skills immediately.”
Everyone’s faces darkened. They prepared to leave at once.
Ding Shu spoke anxiously, “Take me with you. If anyone’s hurt, I can help treat them.”
Xiao Bai chimed in, “I’m coming too.”
Jin Yu and Jin Mu exchanged a look. Jin Mu nodded. “Alright, we’ll all go. Keep your phones on.”
By then, Wang Ronglin had already arrived at Morris Academy.
Police officers and SWAT were evacuating students. Outside the cordon, Yang Rong paced back and forth in her heels, the sharp clacking echoing her agitation as she kept making calls.
Seeing Wang Ronglin arrive, she stormed up, furious.
“What have you done? I’m warning you, if anything happens to my students, I’ll never forgive you!”
Wang Ronglin’s face was grave. “The situation must have leaked. We need to stay calm and plan carefully. Have they made any demands?”
Yang Rong clenched her fists, forcing down her anger. “There are four security guards and one student. The guards all have tranquilizer guns. The student is leading them—his name is An Ke. Together they’ve taken over forty choir students hostage. Their demand: fifty million each, a total of 2.5 billion. Transfer it within five hours, or they’ll kill one person every ten minutes.”
Veins bulged in Wang Ronglin’s forehead. “They’ve gone insane.”
Though just as furious, Yang Rong forced herself to stay composed. “The school’s network has been completely hacked. All students are under their control. Right now, we only have this one phone smuggled out by someone inside. Through it, we can see the situation.”
Wang Ronglin recalled how Ding Shu had regained his senses after being disconnected from the cyber-brain. He reasoned that if these people were offline, their minds should be normal.
Perhaps they weren’t using the school’s network.
He took the phone.
The video feed was from a fixed angle: timer counting down from 5:42.
Inside the classical music classroom, dim yellow lights shone overhead. Four guards stood expressionless in the corners. A lone student sat at the piano, playing, while the rest crouched on the floor. Except for the pianist, An Ke, the room was silent.
The boy’s face was delicate, his slender fingers dancing across the keys. Yang Rong whispered that the piece was Ballade pour Adeline. His skill was remarkable, though no one had the heart to appreciate it.
When Jin Yu and the others arrived, Su Wanying reported from inside:
“The criminals are four security guards and one student, holding forty-eight students hostage—twenty-eight girls, twenty boys. There’s no internet signal inside; I’m using a satellite phone. The music room has only two doors, both under guard. Four high windows in the walls, and a ventilation duct in the ceiling.”
Yang Rong added, “The music classroom is on the fifth floor of Building Three. The building has eight stories in total. Captain Wang, can your men rappel in from the roof?”
“The SWAT team is already scouting that option,” Wang Ronglin replied, while directing Jin Yu’s group to assist with evacuation. He also had Fu Mingxin study the ventilation system for possible entry. He barely had time to respond, so many matters demanded his attention.
By now, frantic parents had gathered at the building. The grounds were packed with the city’s elite—designer suits, luxury watches, couture dresses, and expensive cars crowding the street.
Breaking through the barricade came supermarket tycoon Liao Xing, shouting, “Director Yang, how’s my daughter? Why haven’t you rescued them yet?”
Yang Rong rushed to stop him. But then another presence arrived—Chu Lanzhao, a school board member, swept into the scene escorted by bodyguards.
Her commanding aura parted the crowd instinctively. Even the auxiliary police maintaining order dared not block her path.
“It’s Chu Lanzhao!”
“The school board chair is here!”
Striding forward, Chu Lanzhao’s sharp gaze swept the scene before locking onto Yang Rong. “Who’s in charge here? I can provide fifty million right now, as long as you guarantee my son, Chu Yi, is safe.”
Yang Rong quickly introduced her. “Chairwoman, this is Captain Wang, leading the case.”
Chu Lanzhao, a member of the Development and Reform Commission, was long accustomed to dealing with top officials and business magnates. Her presence alone radiated the pressure of authority, making even Wang Ronglin tense under her gaze. Still, he held firm.
“Good evening, Ms. Chu. I’m Wang Ronglin, captain of the criminal police division. We are deploying our teams. At present, it is unclear if the perpetrators are solely after money. We’re investigating, and I ask you to trust in our capabilities.”
Just then, Fu Mingxin ran over with her laptop. “Captain, here’s the footage before the incident. The four guards were taken over simultaneously, but this student—he was acting normally all along. The guards are following his lead. Clearly, this was premeditated.”
Officer Xiaolin arrived too, reporting, “Captain, we’ve identified the student. An Ke, male, fourteen, ninth grade. Parents are executives at an investment company. He used to be an excellent student, mild-mannered, but a month ago became withdrawn. Also, his parents have repeatedly applied for loans recently and were denied. Now, both parents are missing.”
Doubts swirled in Wang Ronglin’s mind. Were the guards bribed or controlled? Was An Ke acting under his parents’ orders? How did this connect to Ding Shu’s ‘puppet’ case? If not coincidence, why now, right after Ding Shu left school?
At that moment, Su Wanying called again. Jin Yu handed the phone to Wang Ronglin.
“Uncle, I don’t know if this matters, but I heard them call An Ke ‘Magician.’”
Wang Ronglin’s pupils contracted sharply. That name—wasn’t he supposed to be locked away in the island prison?
Officer Xiaolin was confused, but Fu Mingxin explained: “Three years ago, the mastermind of the 239 Chemical Plant explosion. Hundreds dead. A high-IQ criminal. He surrendered himself, was sentenced to death, and should now be in prison.”
Wang Ronglin grabbed his radio.
“Attention all units! Deploy the bomb squad immediately—search the entire campus for explosives!”