Chapter 84: Dumbfounded? I’m a Genius

Asaka Akihime had been approaching when Sato Hayato’s words made her halt. She stared at the pair with uncertainty.

The doubts Fang Cheng had earlier dispelled now flooded back.

Could these two actually be hiding something improper?

Fang Cheng’s harmless appearance masked his attacking personality, while Sato Hayato radiated weakness in both looks and behavior.

They looked oddly compatible—no, suspiciously close.

Unaware of Asaka Akihime’s assumptions, Fang Cheng grinned at Sato Hayato. “Sato, if you keep spouting nonsense that’ll get us misunderstood, I’ll strip you naked and drag you to the school gates to pluck your guitar strings till you die. Care to try?”

Sato Hayato shuddered, recalling Fang Cheng’s merciless actions the previous night. He bowed hastily. “Sorry!”

“Now explain those injuries.”

Fang Cheng wondered if Kanzaki Rin had actually beaten him up.

Sato Hayato began recounting his ordeal, which indeed traced back to Fang Cheng.

After his parents recently misunderstood his sexual orientation, Sato had struggled to clarify things.

Last night, his sister borrowed his computer and found gay comics in the recycle bin—leftovers from when he’d excitedly downloaded Fang Cheng’s recommendations, only to realize he’d been tricked. He’d trashed them but forgotten to clean them out properly.

Getting caught was like having mud smeared on his pants—even if it wasn’t shit, everyone assumed the worst. No explanation worked.

His family interrogated him, then resorted to violence when he denied everything. The beating lasted hours, nearly breaking his leg—father’s solo strikes, mother’s solo strikes, then both teaming up.

Finally, Sato signed a pledge: no getting close to male classmates, no physical contact, no gaming together. He must actively approach female classmates, even date early if needed.

“Well…” Fang Cheng hadn’t expected his prank to spiral this badly. “My bad.”

He patted Sato’s shoulder earnestly. “I’ll send you legit collector’s editions as apology when we get home.”

Sato trembled. “Stop! You’ll ruin my life. I’m not gay!”

Even the word “comics” now terrified him.

Fang Cheng nodded. “Relax—no gay stuff. You like busty girls with glasses, right? I’ll hook you up.”

Asaka Akihime shot Sato a wary look and hurried away.

“Wait!”

Sato barely managed to call out before she vanished. He buried his face in his hands. “Fang… just stop talking to me.”

“But you wanted me to take responsibility.”

“Never mind! Keep this up and I’ll die alone!”

At noon, Fang Cheng and Asaka Akihime ate lunch together.

As they prepared to return to class afterward, Fang Cheng suddenly asked, “Asaka, do you know your elderly landlady’s Blissful faith is actually a cult?”

Asaka Akihime paused briefly before nodding. “Yes. Many people there follow it.”

“Did she try converting you?”

“She did. But I don’t believe.”

Fang Cheng studied her face as if checking for lies. “Didn’t expect you to be an atheist.”

Asaka smiled faintly and looked down. “Most people around me are believers. Non-believers are rare. Do I seem strange to you?”

“Not at all. To me, not believing is normal.”

Fang Cheng spoke with sudden seriousness.

Even in worlds without supernatural powers, religions prospered. How much more convincing they became when miracles could manifest!

Religions fading after the cultural renaissance regained influence through supernatural powers in modern times.

European and North American politicians now wrapped themselves in religious backgrounds to secure believers’ ballots.

Cults flourished too – supernatural powers gave them perfect breeding grounds.

Harsher environments drove struggling people to seek comfort in faith, making cults spread uncontrollably worldwide.

Area 11 already had numerous religions. With cults multiplying, non-believers became the minority.

“If that landlady forces you to join or causes trouble, call me.”

Fang Cheng grinned. “I’ll smash her windows at midnight.”

Considering Asaka’s daily help with class notes, he didn’t mind assisting her when needed.

Asaka covered her mouth, laughing. “Mean! That’s my home too! Break my windows and I’ll punch you!”

She playfully shook her pale little fist.

Seeing her genuine smile, Fang Cheng asked nothing more.

Walking back to class, Asaka trailed several steps behind.

Her lowered head cast shadow over dull eyes.

…

*Thud! Thud!*

Loud bangs echoed through the underground training ground.

In the boxing ring, Takeda Masumi circled Fang Cheng, throwing punches from awkward angles.

😧😧😧Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😧😧😧

Fang Cheng stood motionless, casually catching every powerful fist.

He even daydreamed while blocking attacks through sheer reflexes.

Sweat drenched Takeda’s tank top, the black fabric mercifully hiding details.

After thirty minutes of furious attacks, she hadn’t touched him once.

Noticing Fang Cheng’s vacant stare, Takeda Masumi’s frustration finally boiled over.

“I’m done!”

She yelled irritably, collapsing flat on the mat while gasping for breath.

Fang Cheng snapped back to attention. “Why stop? You haven’t even touched me yet.”

This only fueled Takeda Masumi’s frustration. She’d trained in Combat since fifteen, yet Fang Cheng had overtaken her completely within a month.

Their sparring sessions now revolved around a single pathetic target – whether she could make physical contact with him.

The humiliation burned deeper when she realized he’d been distracted during their match. Worse still, she still couldn’t reach him even when his mind wandered.

“This sucks. I’m never fighting you again.”

Takeda Masumi glared, fearing continued practice would destroy what remained of her Combat confidence.

Hearing her petulant tone, Fang Cheng guessed her irritation and plopped down beside her. “You’re actually pretty good,” he offered.

In pure Combat technique, they were equals sharing the same skill level.

But Fang Cheng’s monstrous Stamina tipped the scales – his power, speed, and reflexes dwarfed hers. Her punches moved like slow-motion replays; her kicks carried less force than a child’s.

Takeda Masumi blinked in surprise. Since when did this blunt guy learn to comfort people?

His unexpected gentle side struck her like an arrow through the heart. The 27-year-old single woman felt unexpected warmth blooming as she stared at his sharp profile, lips parting to speak-

“You just shouldn’t compare yourself to me,” Fang Cheng continued cheerfully. “Beating you’s as easy as breathing. Why torture yourself? Serves you right for challenging a genius.”

Takeda Masumi: “…”

Her budding emotions got electrocuted like a flower in a lightning storm.

Only one thought burned in her heart now: You’ll die alone, you bastard. If you ever get a girlfriend, I’ll lick your toes.

“Are you mentally cursing me for being single?” Fang Cheng suddenly inquired.

Takeda Masumi jolted. Could he read minds? She scrambled away, avoiding potential retaliation.

Fang Cheng chuckled at her reaction. He wasn’t psychic – most women just ended up thinking that way about him.

His blunt personality had been bad enough before his journey. Now it was terminal.

But steel-straight men weren’t oblivious – some simply refused to coddle others based on gender.

“Relax. Need to ask you something.”

Fang Cheng suddenly recalled a long-forgotten matter.