Chapter 28: Outlaw

It wasn't until today that Fang Xinghe learned what his principal’s name was.

His surname is Liu, he is short and stout, but his name is Dashan (Big Mountain).

Liu Dashan politely invited Fang Xinghe and Old Fang to sit down, then introduced them with a pleasant expression: "These are two leaders from the county’s Propaganda Department. They heard our school produced a great talent, so they came specifically to see you."

Dashan is a good conversationalist; his speech is tactful and very agreeable.

As for the two leaders from the Propaganda Department, one a young man and the other an older woman, neither looked much like leaders.

The older woman took the initiative: "Little Fang, your essay was written very well, your literary attainments are very high, ah, our department likes it very much, ah, seeing you in person today, you are even more handsome than in your photos!"

What about the main point? Madam!

The young man wasn't much more reliable when he jumped in, his first sentence sounding like a fan: "Have you eaten with Yu Hua, Wang Meng, and Tie Ning? Did you manage to get their autographs?"

"No," Fang Xinghe replied with a polite, faint smile, "They were the ones who came to me for autographs."

"Whoa!"

The two staff members were clearly shocked, and even their gazes turned to ones of awe.

"Just kidding," Fang Xinghe reined in his smile, becoming a bit more serious, "We are all peers; it wouldn't be appropriate for anyone to ask for autographs, don't you think?"

Well, actually, he wasn't really being that serious...

The two staff members were made so uncomfortable by Fang Xinghe that their smiles turned dry, and they didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Principal Dashan hurriedly smoothed things over: "Little Fang is a great talent, he’s humorous!"

Class Head Old Fang also gave him a look—a glare—the meaning of which was roughly for him to be careful and not be too crazy.

Fang Xinghe doesn't need to give anyone respect beyond the standard; in this small county, he is invincible.

An orphan, just turned 14, the most famous person in the entire county, representing the interests of *Sprout* and the Writers Publishing House, with the backing of the *Beijing Youth Daily* and the *Xinmin Evening News*... his buffs are fully stacked.

But he respects only Old Fang. Back when he had just lost his mother, it was Old Fang who would drag him out to eat whenever he had time, never skimping on the meat.

"OK."

Fang Xinghe let a hint of ferocity show before immediately pulling it back, speaking calmly: "If you have something to say, just say it directly. I need to go back and prepare for the high school entrance exam; time is really tight."

As it turned out, there was still no serious business when they really started talking; the county just wanted to do an exclusive interview with him, the kind that goes on TV, so they needed him to be serious. He didn't have to read from a script, but he had to remain decorous.

Fang Xinghe refused without even thinking.

"I don't feel it's necessary. If you beautify me, I don't like it; if you report the truth, the impact isn't good. It would be better not to get involved and just wait for the media outside to produce a result."

The two exhausted their eloquence but couldn't persuade Fang Xinghe, and occasionally, when they had the thought to scare him, they didn't dare...

Now, among the residents of the county, as long as they are literate, there is no one who doesn't know who Fang Xinghe is, what he has done, and, furthermore, everyone has read his articles.

It's a small place, after all; any news spreads fast and gets chewed over repeatedly.

A first-place prize in the New Concept Essay Competition doesn't count for much, but being fiercely praised by a group of great writers and then fiercely scolded by another group of cultural figures—the gold content here is just too high.

Even county leaders don't get this kind of treatment!

So, after repeated attempts failed, the older woman and the young man from the propaganda side had to give up dejectedly.

No way, no way, this little brat is really hard to deal with!

By the time they left, Liu Dashan didn't have the nerve to bring up the idea of having Fang Xinghe give a lecture, so he just offered a few words of encouragement and politely sent him out the door.

The benefit of being a villain is fully revealed at this moment—as long as I am unwilling, no one can bother me.

As a result, just after exiting the office building, Bao Fu rolled over like a ball, shouting in a panic: "It's bad, Big Brother, reporters have come to our class to interview us!"

Old Fang was stunned, then reprimanded him: "Let them interview, why are you panicking?"

"Uh, uh..."

Bao Fu secretly glanced at Fang Xinghe, then replied with a hangdog look: "I don't know where they found out about our Thirteen Eagles; I'm afraid it will affect Brother Fang..."

Hearing this, Old Fang slapped his forehead and sighed heavily.

Fang Xinghe, however, was indifferent: "Let them write whatever they want, don't pay any attention to it."

"No!" Old Fang immediately objected, "What if they write nonsense? I'm going to go take a look!"

Fang Xinghe shook his head and smiled. So what if they write nonsense? Those who should worship me will only worship me more.

Besides, it's not like I don't have a channel to speak out. Once I get a good score on the high school entrance exam, the harder they slander me now, the greater the payoff will be then...

Although he had full confidence in his heart, Old Fang's protection still moved him deeply.

After thinking for a moment, he patted Bao Fu on the shoulder: "You've handled those people and things in school, right?"

Bao Fu finally stopped panicking and nodded confidently: "Don't worry, Big Brother, as long as there is still a classmate around them, they absolutely won't dare to spout nonsense!"

Actually, Fang Xinghe really isn't afraid of anyone talking bad about him; he just hates rumors that lack a sense of proportion and drag girls into it.

Hopefully, no one will be that suicidal...

When school let out, Fang Xinghe finally saw the two reporters with his own eyes.

One was from *Southern Metropolis Daily*; their efficiency is truly high.

The other was from *Beijing Youth Daily*; are they really this unruly?

The two reporters stopped him outside the school gate. Fang Xinghe listened quietly to their self-introductions, then waved his hand coldly: "I do not accept this kind of ambush-style interview. Remember for next time. Please leave."

The "Big Fang" who has experienced life and death, added to the "Little Fang" who is a barbecue fanatic, results in the current "Handsome Fang" having a very biting aura.

That *Southern Metropolis* reporter heard his words and observed him, his eyes lighting up inexplicably. He hurriedly muttered something to himself, as if inspiration had struck and he was drafting his article on the spot.

But the young reporter from *Beijing Youth Daily* was a bit impatient; not only did he continue to pester him, but his attitude was also very poor.

"We are reporters! We have the right to interview anyone! Fang Xinghe, are you afraid to accept an interview because you fear your actions will be exposed to readers across the country?"

"Exposed?"

Fang Xinghe stopped, turned his head, and watched him quietly, his eyes playful.

The *Beijing Youth* reporter was in the excitement of having successfully provoked him, but Fang Xinghe didn't pay him any more attention, instead suddenly turning his head to ask: "Who hasn't turned 14 yet?"

A small figure immediately jumped out of the crowd, shouting excitedly: "Me, me! Big Brother, I'm 13 and a half this year!"

Fang Xinghe didn't speak again, just nodded slightly to the boy, then continued walking.

Tuo Dang and Duo Yu cleared the path in front; wherever they went, the crowd automatically split.

This scene was extremely textured, extremely shocking, and extremely charming.

The *Southern Metropolis* reporter was so excited his face turned red. He raised his camera, just about to take a picture, when he was intentionally bumped aside by Bao Fu’s shoulder.

Bao Fu chuckled, pointed a finger at his nose, and strode away.

The *Beijing Youth* reporter still hadn't realized the severity of the problem and was about to get angry, but the boy nicknamed Hei Zi rushed up excitedly, pushed him in the chest, and licked his lips as he asked: "Are you going to get the hell out yourself, or are you waiting for me to beat you half to death and drag you out?!"

Holy crap!

Looking at the boy who was eager to try, the *Beijing Youth* reporter was terrified and suddenly understood what "under 14 years old" meant.

In an instant, his face turned deathly pale, his lips went dry, and his legs went soft.

Only when disaster was imminent did he understand that the so-called privilege of the "uncrowned king," which he had always regarded as his greatest reliance, could only ride on the heads of those who followed the rules; it was completely powerless against any lawless outlaw who acted recklessly.

And among all the outlaws, Fang Xinghe is also the smartest and most arrogant one. ===== CHAPTER 29 =====