In the following few days, a rumor that originated from nowhere spread through the entire Xihai No. 3 High School.

It triggered an outbreak of gossip that occurred in private:

“Woah, who would have expected that new guy Touki to be doing that kind of part-time job?”

“Yeah, how else would he be getting paid so much, if he doesn’t sacrifice that handsome and strong body of his?”

“He earns more than 300 dollars every night, only to be completely out of sorts the next day in class. He has to supplement his body with loads of protein and nutrients during lunchtime to sustain his monstrous physical strength.”

“I thought only girls would do such a part-time job. Who’d have known that guys could do it as well? but having a durable body is a must.”

“Tsk… Just thinking about it makes me sick. But Touki is tall, handsome, and muscular. He really does have what it takes to earn a load from that job.”

“I wonder what street is Touki working on? I have a little itch in my heart to go and try out Touki’s abilities, hehehe…”

…

About half a month later.

After completing his usual basketball training, Li Dong, who had finally realized that he was shrouded by a strange atmosphere, halted two students after school and found out something rather fascinating.

“This rumor…is unbelievably sinful.”

Li Dong opened his mouth wide as a few things finally became clear for him.

“This is why Satoshi hasn’t come to talk to me these past few days, and has subconsciously avoided me when she sees me.

“Ordinary friends, whom I could normally schmooze and share a few words with, have distanced themselves from me. Almost none of them are willing to talk to me.

“On the court, except for president Shenli, none of my teammates will pass the ball to me, unless I snatch it from them myself.

“I can also vaguely feel people pointing fingers at me from behind my back and hear the sound of them giggling at me.”

But unfortunately, none of these things affected Li Dong. After all, players rarely pay attention to the NPC’s views and ideas.

But if things have been going on for a while, and everyone is looking at you with a weird glare, it is highly difficult to ignore them completely. Even Li Dong detested such an atmosphere.

Hence, he held two students back and threw some questions at them.

And the upshot of this…

After learning the truth of those rumors and becoming fully aware of what the others were gossiping about, Li Dong had the urge to chop down certain people with an ax.

“Damn!”

Li Dong clenched his fist.

But he reacted too late this time around. The rumor had already spread across the Xihai High School and was already known to all. Even if he were to track down the rumormonger and order him or her to apologize and deny the rumors, it wouldn’t do him any good.

The amount of energy necessary to refute a rumor was an order of magnitude bigger than the energy to produce it.

Therefore, compared to hunting for the rumormonger, who would most certainly deny the claims, the utmost priority now was to refute the rumors and regain his innocence. Otherwise, he could not stay in this school for long in the midst of such an atmosphere.

…

During the break between classes.

The people in the class gathered around in circles and began discussion.

Denen Satoshi, who sat in the first row, couldn’t resist glancing at the back corner of the classroom: Touki was sleeping.

She looked miffed, thinking, “Are you not defending yourself at all? Or is that really the truth?”

“Feifei, you seem to have no interest at all in Touki right now?” Ishinaka Mei said. “Didn’t you say that he’s your toy?”

“The fact is obvious, isn’t it?” Shangguan Feifei said faintly. “If someone stood up and denied the rumors when it had just come out, or at least tried to defend him before it was too late, perhaps he could have gotten everyone to trust him and kept his personal image. Sadly, Touki didn’t do anything, stayed silent all the way, and allowed the rumors to ferment. This, in fact, is an admission by silence.

“I have no hopes for this kind of toy, sigh…” Shangguan Feifei shook her head regretfully. “After all, I am a fine lady who hopes to marry into a noble family. I must refrain from interacting with those filthy things.”

“What if…Touki was framed?”

A mosquito-like voice sounded, but it clearly drummed in the ears of several girls.

They went idle for a second.

Denen Satoshi.

She faintly lifted her head, and with a gentle, yet firm tone, said, “What if we all have misunderstood Touki? What if he’s that sort of person, but it’s all because he has some difficulties?”

“Satoshi.”

Nishihara Kaori stretched out her hands, tugged at her, and sent a message with her eyes: “Satoshi, stop.” You will get shunned if the others hear you.

“Oh? What a kind lady.”

Shangguan Feifei sneered and jerked her chin in the direction of Li Dong. “Are you still willing to accept him, even if that’s the way he is? I see that the demands you have for your partner are…ridiculously low, Satoshi.”

“I’m sorry, Feifei. Satoshi didn’t mean that. Please forgive her for her utterance.” Nishihara Kaori’s expression changed as she swiftly apologized.

Denen Satoshi lowered her head.

…

After the bell rang.

The students were packing their bags and leaving the classroom one after another.

Denen Satoshi carelessly put her books in her bag. She seemed lost in her thoughts.

“Satoshi.”

A tall person stood before her. “I would like to ask for your help with something, Do you have time?”

“Touki.”

Denen Satoshi lifted her head. Shadowed as if by the curtain from the sunset outside the window, the man in front of her looked like the great god of war.

“Uhhh—wh… What’s the matter?” While talking, she couldn’t help herself from gradually lowering her head.

Li Dong took out a camera from his backpack.

“I hear some despicable rumors these days. I thought I didn’t have to worry about them, but they have worsened to the extent that they are now affecting my everyday life. To erase what the rumors claim about me, and for me to revert back to my normal life, I have to do a couple of things to save my reputation.”

“Touki?!” Denen Satoshi lifted her head in glee. “S-so you are really being framed? Y-you are not doing that kind of part-time job?”

Li Dong scowled, “Even you believed that sort of rumor?”

“No, no, no.” Denen Satoshi waved her hands. “How could I possibly believe in that kind of thing?”

She smiled helplessly. Why didn’t Touki explain himself sooner, so that the others wouldn’t have made wild guesses and reached the conclusion that silence equaled admitting to the truth?

“That’s great. I’m glad that you still believe in me Satoshi.”

He held the camera in front of Denen Satoshi. “You know how to use this kind of camera, right? I’ll bring you to where I’m working later. Take this camera and record me working, then show it to the others to let them see my whole work process. I believe that would clear up the misunderstandings.”

What?

Denen Satoshi took two steps backward out of shock, while a red surge flushed through her face.

Taking a video of Touki working, and then showing it to the others, w-wouldn’t that be…

Many NSFW images drifted through her mind.

“Thud~”

Her forehead was flicked by a finger. The pain dispelled the picture that her brain unwittingly made up.

“What are you thinking?”

Li Dong placed the camera between her arms, “I’m not gonna explain more. Just follow me, and you will understand everything.”

…

More than an hour later.

In some underground boxing arena in the city.

Holding the camera in her hands and facing the ring where two shirtless muscle men were fiercely fighting against each other and hearing the fanatic screams of the countless audiences.

Everything became clear for Denen Satoshi:

“So Touki’s working as a part-time underground boxer?”