Chapter 22: Extremely Cheesy Flattery

After seriously completing two sets of practice questions, Fang Xinghe flipped through Li Qigang's reflections during the break between classes.

Earlier, Fang Yuting, Lu Tingting, and the others had been reading that description with ravenous hunger, occasionally reading it aloud loudly, then suddenly burying their faces in the book and giggling softly.

Who knows how many girls across the country were doing exactly this; because they liked it, they became curious, and thus their hearts were disturbed.

Of course, it's not that boys didn't read the Mengya magazine either; in these days, there were truly too few things to read, and even fewer things that could spark a sense of novelty, so they were reading it too.

It's just that their initial impression of Fang Xinghe was quite negative.

Jealousy is innate; when such a handsome boy suddenly bursts into the world where one lives with such a domineering posture, it is hard not to make one's own gender feel threatened.

But the problem was not big; this kind of hostility was easily dispelled.

It wasn't any actual conflict; as long as Fang Xinghe was far too awesome compared to them, naturally only admiration would remain.

And under Li Qigang's pen, Fang Xinghe was indeed too awesome.

He wrote it like this—

"That day, I was hiding out at the reception desk to enjoy some quiet while writing materials, when suddenly I heard a round of exclamations that were clearly being restrained yet could not be restrained; the hotel staff became inexplicably excited and covered their mouths. I followed the sound, looked up, and saw a boy shining like the blazing sun walking towards me on a path of light.

I rarely use this type of description when writing about myself; it is too exaggerated, but this time I made an exception—or rather, it wasn't even an exception, because at that moment I truly and certainly felt that 'the light was shining solely for him'..."

Li Qigang used many words of excessive praise, very different from when he described Han Han.

One look showed it was not objective enough; it was extremely cheesy.

"Fang Xinghe is the kind of person who naturally glows; before, I didn't believe such people existed, but reality slapped me in the face, telling me not to easily say something is impossible."

"If you think Fang Xinghe is merely good-looking, then you are greatly mistaken; his articles were circulated among every teacher on our judging committee, everyone praised them, and everyone could find resonance."

"They praised Ding Yan as fresh and warm, a Zhang Ailing just starting middle school."

"They praised Liu Lina as a new realist, with delicate, beautiful, and pure writing."

"They praised Han Han as spicy, old-spicy, and poisonous, possessing extremely profound insight and a sense of anger unique to the young; it was very, very great."

"When mentioning those children above, our views could always reach a consensus. But once we started discussing Fang Xinghe, the situation suddenly became chaotic."

"Yu Hua praised him using only two words: awesome."

"Shao Yuan praised him as sharp as a blade, his writing cutting people's faces until they hurt."

"Wang Meng told us: Fang Xinghe will definitely be an extremely remarkable person in the future."

"Principal Wu held his hand and urged: In a few years you must apply to our Peking University; I will specially recruit you!"

"I had a fight with two old editors because of him; they thought Fang Xinghe was too extreme, his writing too rough and too wild, likely to corrupt children."

"Tie Ning retorted: Did we start New Concept to select eight-legged essays?"

"Everyone believed his articles were written to a degree surpassing his age; this year he is 14, yet his writing is at least 34; it is extremely impressive, and even those who dislike him must admit this point."

"As soon as the semi-finals were over, Ye Zhaoyan, Ya Li, and Dan Ya rushed to find him, saying there was no need to avoid suspicion now; I want to go meet him."

"The result was, after chatting, well, even more admiration."

"Perhaps the special experience of becoming an orphan very early endowed him with an independent perspective and profound thinking; later we finally understood the emotional core of those few articles he wrote, but we felt even more that this child was like a riddle..."

"When we expressed concern about his family changes and life problems, his answer was: Actually, it's just that little bit of stuff; it's not fresh."

"And when we chatted about some very serious topics, he turned around and taught us a lesson."

"Can you imagine the shock I felt at that moment?"

"Probably very hard."

"He is the best we could discover under the current social environment... forget it, I cannot describe it, nor can I give a definition; just see it for yourselves when the time comes."

"Just thinking that the publication of the New Concept essay collection has been put on the schedule makes my heart start beating violently; I can't wait to share that joy with everyone. Every one of our teachers believes that you will see it and definitely like it, because we have so many such great young children; we have Han Han, we have Ding Yan, and we also have Fang Xinghe."

"They will surely stir up huge waves; I firmly believe this point and look forward to that day."

Fang Yuting reluctantly finished reading the last character, smacking her lips.

"Is that it? What comes after?"

There really was nothing after; the dog editor only left a hook: Because the space was limited, this issue could only introduce up to here.

Who knows how many students were left unsatisfied, hooked until they were itching all over.

Fang my lord didn't even cold-war with Fang Xinghe anymore; she stuck back to him, acting spoiled and demanding to see his drafts.

Fang Xinghe glanced at Old Fang popping half her head out from the back door, immediately raised her voice, and asked in shock: "You want to go to my house to see my collection? What are you doing, what are you doing? Do you have any semblance of a girl at all?"

Fang Yuting looked completely baffled, thinking: How does looking at your treasured drafts mean you have no semblance of a girl?

Before she could think it through, Old Fang, trembling with anger, suddenly appeared, extended a shaking index finger, pointed vaguely at her a few times, then turned her head and walked away.

"No!!!"

Fang my lord realized what her father was going to do, finally became not daring, let out a desperate cry, and her whole body seemed to shatter.

Before everyone burst out laughing, she suddenly kicked Fang Xinghe with a jio, then ran out after him with a clatter-clatter-clatter.

"Dad, dear dad! Listen to my explanation!"

"Hahahaha ga..."

Bao Fu and the others, who were holding their crotches, almost laughed themselves unconscious; they felt the big brother was simply amazing...

Then Jue Jue Ge continued to brush questions, concealing his skill and fame.

Just before school let out, Li Qigang sent a pager number message, meaning to call back immediately.

Fang Xinghe returned a call to him at the small shop at the school gate; Old Li announced cheerfully: "Our issue of the magazine has sold out completely!"

"Oh? Congratulations."

Fang Xinghe was not surprised, but also felt happy.

Li Qigang continued: "Originally we dared to print 20,000 copies, but by noon they were all sold out; all channels were requesting a reprint, so we added another 50,000 copies. I have a premonition that they will sell out again!"

"That is very good; Mengya has finally turned the tables."

"It's all your merit!" Li Qigang sighed deeply, "No one expected that just putting your photo on the cover could sell so many..."

Fang Xinghe understood his feelings for Mengya, but did not want to make the atmosphere too heavy, so he made a joke: "Then I approve you to put my photo on the next issue again; just remember to transfer the portrait rights usage fee over."

"Hahaha!"

Li Qigang laughed heartily and said with full confidence, "Rest assured, the good things won't leave you out. For the next issue, we won't just continue featuring your cover; we also plan to publish your semi-final essay. Just wait for it to go viral, little Fang!"

Fang Xinghe glanced at the panel and thought, Then I'm really looking forward to it. Another wave—wonder how many attributes it can add?