Chapter 35: Becoming a Hero (Part 3)

A week slipped by quietly, almost without notice.

Since the night of that attempted robbery, Ji Feng hadn't dwelled on it much. Instead, he buried himself in his studies and pushed himself harder during his daily training sessions with the intelligent brain. The routine had become a part of him now—school by day, tutoring with Tong Lei in the evenings, and late-night training that often stretched into the early hours.

Tong Lei continued helping him with his weakest subjects. And each time she tutored him, she would end up amazed by how quickly he absorbed everything—almost as if he had a photographic memory. Even Ji Feng found himself surprised by how much more focused and capable he had become.

But he didn't let the praise or progress get to his head. The memory of that dark alley, of how easily things could've gone wrong, kept him grounded. It reminded him that this newfound strength—this change—wasn't something to boast about. It was something to earn, bit by bit, with discipline and grit.

His school performance improved steadily, almost shockingly so. And so did his training. He was now able to complete parts of the "super agent" program that would've seemed impossible a few weeks ago. More importantly, his once-wide gap with Tong Lei—in status, in skill, in confidence—was slowly narrowing.

Not gone yet. But shrinking.

Zhang Lei, his best friend and Tong Lei's older brother, noticed the changes right away. Every day after school, he'd slap Ji Feng on the back with a sly grin and a knowing look, as if silently cheering him on: "Go for it, man. I've got your back."

Ji Feng never knew whether to laugh or cry. What kind of brother encourages his best friend to chase after his little sister?

Still, no matter how much Zhang Lei nudged and teased, Ji Feng kept a calm front.

Because deep down, he knew the truth.

No matter how smart he became, no matter how perfect his memory or fighting skills were—he was still far from being worthy of Tong Lei. At least, in his own eyes. He had nothing to offer her. Not yet.

Even if she somehow confessed to him, Ji Feng didn't think he'd have the courage to accept. Not when he had no future to promise.

Besides, Tong Lei was too proud, too private. A girl like her—raised in a powerful family, used to keeping her feelings under control—wasn't the type to confess so easily.

Still, their relationship had changed.

Now, it wasn't strange at all for them to share a few jokes, tease each other during tutoring sessions, or even talk about things beyond academics. Ji Feng sometimes found himself surprised by how natural it felt. Just a few months ago, he could only dream about talking so casually with someone like her.

But even the most carefully hidden changes don't stay hidden forever.

Though they always waited until most students had gone home before tutoring in the classroom, rumors still found their way out.

And once the whispers began, they spread like wildfire.

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"Did you hear?" someone whispered loudly between classes. "Ji Feng—the guy who got dumped by Hu Xuehui—is now dating our class beauty, Tong Lei!"

"No way! That loser? You're joking, right?"

"I'm serious! Every day after school, they're together in the classroom. I saw it with my own eyes. It's practically a date."

"Unbelievable. That guy's got nothing! How did he manage to win over a girl like her?"

---

The rumors mutated with each retelling. And the more they spread, the more vicious the gossip became.

Especially among the boys who had once secretly fantasized about being with Tong Lei.

The most furious of all was the vice class monitor—Xu Mo.

When he first heard about it, he nearly flipped his desk. He was so furious he started muttering nonsense about beating Ji Feng to death and dragging him out behind the school.

But then, he remembered something.

Zhang Lei's warning.

It came back to him like a slap in the face: "Even if my brother slips on a watermelon peel, I'll hold you responsible."

Xu Mo's fists clenched at the memory. What kind of psycho says something like that? How is it my fault if Ji Feng slips?! What, am I supposed to carry the blame for gravity too?!

Despite his anger, he backed down. The risk was too high. He couldn't afford to cross Zhang Lei.

But the resentment didn't vanish—it just went underground. Xu Mo began waiting, watching for his chance to strike back.

---

Meanwhile, Ji Feng had also started hearing the rumors.

He didn't get angry—he got tired.

Because no matter how strong someone is, no matter how good their grades or intentions, there's one thing they can never outrun:

Gossip.

Rumors weren't like fists or knives. You couldn't block them, couldn't dodge them. And unlike physical wounds, they didn't heal with time—they festered.

He knew he could handle being called names. But if people started dragging Tong Lei into it, slandering her for something so innocent...

That was something he couldn't ignore.

He tried explaining once or twice. No one believed him. They just laughed.

So he gave up.

He said nothing, but the dark look in his eyes said everything.

---

Then, one afternoon, something unexpected happened.

The classroom door creaked open, and Tong Lei walked in with a cheerful smile on her face. "Everyone, quiet down for a moment, please!" she said, her voice clear and confident. "We have a special announcement."

Behind her, two men in police uniforms stepped into the room.

The entire class froze.

The word police had that effect on teenagers.

Ji Feng blinked in surprise as he recognized one of the officers—Captain Yan.

The same man from that night.

Something told Ji Feng that this visit wasn't random.

And that the story that began in the shadows of an alley might be coming to light in front of the whole class.

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