Two days later, the wound on Xu Wuyi's left shoulder had mostly healed.
He changed into a clean school uniform and stepped back through the gates of Honghe First Middle School.
The moment he stepped through the gates, he could feel a different atmosphere than usual.
The teachers and students he passed along the way, whether he knew them or not, all looked at him with unconcealed excitement.
"Morning, Senior Brother Xu!"
"Look, it's Xu Wuyi!"
"The guy who took first in the joint exam is back!"
Greetings echoed from all around. The students he knew were naturally effusive, and even a few underclassmen he didn't recognize mustered up the courage to run over, shout, "Hello, Senior Brother Xu!" then dash off with a blush.
It was as if Xu Wuyi had become the man of the hour at Honghe First Middle School overnight.
He maintained his usual composure, offering an occasional nod in response as he walked steadily through the crowd toward the Martial Arts Dojo.
