180 Degrees

Greeting

"Violent clashes between gangs have been on the rise in the past six months. The root of conflicts is believed to be continuous disputes over territories. Relevant government agencies and the authorities struggle to find a permanent solution to resolve the hostilities between related groups that have existed for generations. Reports from experts on criminology and social issues indicated that–"

"I heard there was another gunfight last night near the city center."

"For real? Didn't they just destroy that bar in the red-light district last weekend? Or was it a different gang?"

"Who knows? Those thugs have been running rampant since my grandparents were still dating, you'd think the government and police are in cahoots with them. Otherwise, how else could they run loose this long? They can start shooting at each other on the street and leave just like that once they have enough fun. The police will then drop by to sweep the asphalt like janitors cleaning up after parties."

"Watch your mouth. You don't want to get in trouble saying reckless stuff like that on the street."

"Whatever. Hey, I'm hungry. Let's go find something to eat."

Students of all grades and majors filled the university ground. Most afternoon classes had just ended; some students were out to take a breather before going to their next class or simply left after fulfilling their obligation for the day. At a glance, it was like a little city within a city made up of young people bearing dreams and hopes for the future, yet to be disillusioned by the harsh reality of adulthood.

Gong Jun fixed his sling bag over his shoulders. His tall stature towered over the majority of his peers. If there was a competition to see who the tallest person in the university was, he'd definitely come out in the top ten. After all, not a lot of people, men or women, were blessed with the genetics to grow this much in this particular part of the world, not to mention that his well-exercised body gave him a fine-looking appearance that was guaranteed to attract everybody else around him. One could say it was to be expected from an Alpha. But at the same time, he had an air of modesty and friendliness surrounding his person. Others would find it easy to talk to him even at the first meeting — and indeed, he was well-liked by friends and lecturers alike, setting him apart from the typical aloof and unapproachable Alphas out there.

Having finished his lessons and parted ways with his classmates, he went to the bike parking where his trusty old bicycle had been lying in wait for him since morning. On his way there, he overheard people talking about the recent acts of violence, once again disturbing the peace of society like a persistent tumor. It seemed to be the hottest topic to discuss nowadays. Even the large television in the cafeteria was set on the local news channel broadcasting coverage of those scuffles.

Of course, unless one was directly involved with said incidents, talking about it until they were foaming at the mouth would have no use whatsoever. Gong Jun, however, was unsure where he should put himself in regard to this matter.

"Maybe it would be wise to simply forget about it and move on with life as usual."

The old bicycle rolled forward onto the pavement. It brought its rider out of the campus ground and into the street, bright and bustling but not yet pouring with the evening rush. The spring breeze blew gently against Gong Jun's face, bringing about the faint scent of various flowers and greeneries now in their full bloom. This pleasant weather carried with it a promise that this would be yet another ordinary day...except his recent experience made it hard for the young Alpha to pretend that his life was still as ordinary as it was before the last week arrived.

Coming from a small town in the countryside, Gong Jun arrived in the city bringing nothing but his daily necessities and proof of scholarship from the government, one that would allow him to study at a prestigious university for next to no cost at all. His family back home owned a farm and they still sent him some pocket money every month. Yet wishing to learn how to become independent, Gong Jun took it upon himself to find a part-time job after class, so that he wouldn't put too much burden on his old parents. He rented a modest studio apartment near the campus ground, commuting to and from work and university on a bike so he could save up on transportation costs. His only goal was to become a proper doctor and opened a little practice back in his hometown, nothing too grand or ambitious.