Chapter 28: Outlaw

Fang Xinghe only learned today what his school principal's name was.

Surname Liu, short and fat, but named Dashan.

Liu Dashan politely invited Fang Xinghe and Old Fang to sit, then introduced them with a pleasant expression: "These are two leaders from the county's Propaganda Department. Knowing our school has produced a great talent, they have come specifically to see you."

Dashan was good at conversation, speaking very tactfully and pleasantly.

As for those two Propaganda Department leaders, one was a young man and the other an older sister; neither looked much like a leader.

The older sister spoke up first: "Xiao Fang, your composition is written very well, your literary attainment is very high, ah, our department likes it very much, ah, seeing you in person today, you are even more handsome than in the photo!"

What's the point, sister!

The young man wasn't much more reliable when he intervened; his first sentence was like a fangirl's: "You had a meal with Yu Hua, Wang Meng, and Teacher Tie Ning? Did you get autographs?"

"No." Fang Xinghe smiled politely and lightly, "They all asked me for autographs."

"Whoa!"

These two staff members were obviously shocked, their very eyes becoming solemn and respectful.

"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 anyone else for an autograph, don't you think?"

Well, actually, he wasn't that serious either...

The two staff members felt so uncomfortable because of Fang Xinghe that their smiles went dry, not knowing how to continue the conversation.

Principal Dashan quickly smoothed things over: "Xiao Fang is a great talent, humorous!"

Class Monitor Fang gave him a look, a glare, meaning roughly: "Pay attention, don't be too crazy."

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

An orphan, just turned fourteen, the most famous person in the entire county, representing the interests of Mengya and the Writers' Publishing House, backed by Beijing Youth Daily and Xinmin Evening News... the buffs were stacked to the max.

But he respected only Old Fang; during the period right after losing his mother, it was Old Fang who, whenever he had time, dragged him out to eat, with plenty of meat every time.

"OK."

Fang Xinghe briefly revealed his ferocity then retracted it immediately, speaking calmly: "Just say whatever you have to say directly; I need to go back and prepare for the high school entrance exam, time is really tight."

It turned out that even when they actually started talking, there was still no serious matter; the county just wanted to do a special 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 must remain decent.

Fang Xinghe refused without a second thought.

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

The two tried hard with their words but couldn't persuade Fang Xinghe; occasionally they thought about scaring him, but didn't dare...

Now, any resident of the county who could read knew who Fang Xinghe was, what he had done, and had all read his articles.

It's a small place; any news spreads like lightning and gets chewed over repeatedly.

Winning first prize in the New Concept Composition contest wasn't anything special, but being heavily praised by a crowd of great writers and heavily criticized by another crowd of cultural figures meant the significance was too high.

Even county leaders don't get this treatment!

So after repeated attempts failed, the Propaganda Department's older sister and younger brother had to give up dejectedly.

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

After they left, Liu Dashan didn't have the heart to bring up wanting Fang Xinghe to give a lecture, so he casually offered a couple of encouraging words and saw him off at the door.

The benefit of being the villain showed clearly at this moment—as long as I'm unwilling, no one can bother me.

But as soon as he stepped out of the office building, Bao Fu rolled over like a ball, shouting in panic: "Not good, big brother, reporters have come to interview our class!"

Old Fang was stunned, then scolded: "Let them interview, what are you panicking about?"

"Uh, uh..."

Bao Fu secretly glanced at Fang Xinghe, then lowered his head and replied sheepishly: "I don't know where they found out about our Thirteen Eagles thing; I'm afraid it will affect Brother Fang..."

Hearing this, Old Fang slapped his forehead and let out a heavy sigh.

Fang Xinghe, however, didn't care at all: "Let them write whatever they want; ignore it."

"No!" Old Fang immediately voiced opposition, "What if they write nonsense? I'll go take a look!"

Fang Xinghe shook his head and smiled; so what if they wrote nonsense? Those who worship me will only worship me more.

Besides, I'm not without channels to speak out; once I get a good score on the high school entrance exam, the more viciously they slander me now, the greater the return will be then...

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

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

Bao Fu finally stopped panicking and nodded with full confidence: "Rest assured, big brother, as long as there is still one classmate by their side, they absolutely won't dare to talk nonsense!"

Actually, Fang Xinghe truly wasn't afraid of anyone speaking ill of him; he just disliked rumors without boundaries that would drag the girls into it.

I hope no one is so suicidal as to do that...

At dismissal time, Fang Xinghe finally saw those two reporters in person.

One was from Nan Du; their action speed was truly strong.

The other was from Beijing Youth; are they so unregulated?

The two reporters blocked him outside the school gate; Fang Xinghe listened quietly to their self-introductions, then waved his hand coldly: "I don't accept this kind of surprise attack interview; remember next time, please go back."

Having experienced life and death, combined with the Grilling Maniac Xiao Fang, the current Handsome Fang possessed a very sharp aura.

That Nan Du reporter, hearing his words and observing his person, his eyes inexplicably lit up; he hurriedly muttered something in his mouth, as if inspiration had struck, silently drafting on the spot.

Meanwhile, that young reporter from Beijing Youth Daily couldn't hold back his temper; he not only continued to pester but also had a very bad attitude.

"We are reporters! We have the right to interview anyone! Fang Xinghe, if you dare not accept an interview, is it because you fear your actions will be exposed before readers across the country?"

"Exposed?"

Fang Xinghe stopped, turned his head, and gazed at him silently, his eyes playful.

The Beijing Youth reporter was in a state of excited triumph from having provoked him, but Fang Xinghe didn't pay him any more attention; instead, he suddenly turned his head and asked: "Who here is not yet fourteen?"

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

Fang Xinghe didn't speak again; he simply nodded slightly to the youth, then continued on his way.

Tao Dang and Duoyu led the way ahead, and wherever they went, the crowd automatically parted.

This scene possessed immense texture, was extremely shocking, and held great charm.

The Nandu reporter, so excited his face turned red, raised his camera just as he was about to take a photo, but was deliberately shoved aside by Baofu with a sideways shoulder.

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

Yet the Beijing Youth reporter still hadn't realized the severity of the situation; just as he was about to fly into a rage, the youth nicknamed Heizi excitedly rushed forward, shoved him in the chest, and licked his lips, asking: "Do you roll away yourself, or wait for me to half-kill you and drag you away?!"

Holy shit!

Looking at the eager youth before him, the Beijing Youth reporter was suddenly terrified and finally understood what "under fourteen" meant.

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

Only when disaster struck did he realize that the so-called privilege of the "uncrowned king," which he had always regarded as his greatest reliance, could only be ridden upon the heads of those who followed the rules, and could in no way harm a single lawless rogue who acted with abandon.

And among all such lawless rogues, Fang Xinghe was the smartest and most arrogant of them all.