Chapter 37: The Power of Perspective (Part 1)

---

The police visit had caused more waves than Ji Feng expected.

The very next morning, the school leaders of Mangshi County No. 2 Middle School wasted no time. They organized a small but official commendation ceremony in Class 6, once again praising Ji Feng's courage and composure. Teachers smiled warmly. A few students even clapped a bit too enthusiastically.

In the blink of an eye, Ji Feng had gone from being a poor, overlooked student to something of a minor legend.

The shift was subtle, but undeniable. Students who once ignored him now whispered about him. Some were genuinely impressed. Others? Curious. Envious, even.

But through it all, Ji Feng remained calm.

He didn't brag. Didn't strut. Aside from the two brief speeches he gave—one at the classroom announcement, the other during the school leaders' visit—he barely acknowledged the attention at all.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Lei, sitting beside him as always, stared at his best friend in disbelief.

"Hey, Crazy," he said, nudging Ji Feng with a grin, "don't tell me you're actually this calm inside. You sure your heart's not doing cartwheels right now?"

Ji Feng shot him a flat look. "What do you think?"

Zhang Lei laughed. "I'm being serious here! Man, if it were me, I'd still be standing on that podium right now, soaking in the applause."

Ji Feng smiled faintly, but didn't respond.

In truth, even now, his mind drifted to her—Tong Lei.

That slender figure. That moment in the alley when she stood behind him, trusting him completely. With someone like her to protect, Ji Feng knew he would've fought not just two thugs—but an army, if it came to it.

Zhang Lei watched him silently for a moment.

He's changed, he thought. This guy… he's really changed.

Gone was the timid, self-doubting Ji Feng he used to know. In his place was someone who stood taller, who carried a new kind of presence—steady, focused, and quietly strong.

That wasn't just from the fight. That was the training—the mental transformation, the evolution of confidence that only comes from relentless discipline.

"Hey, what are your plans for the weekend?" Zhang Lei asked, snapping them both back to reality. "We finally get two days off. Want to do something?"

Ji Feng leaned back in his chair. "Like what?"

Zhang Lei's eyes sparkled. "Mangshi Mountain."

Ji Feng snorted. "Seriously? Can't you think of something new? How many times have we climbed that little hill?"

Mangshi Mountain wasn't anything impressive. A few hundred meters tall. Some trees. Some rocks. That was it.

Zhang Lei rolled his eyes. "You're missing the point, bro. It's not about the mountain—it's about the mood. It's quiet, peaceful. Good place for a picnic… or a date."

Ji Feng raised a brow. "A date? With you? You finally confessing something?"

"Get lost!" Zhang Lei nearly choked. "I meant invite our dear class monitor. Maybe ask a few classmates. You know… a casual outing."

"A picnic in this weather?" Ji Feng laughed. "It's not even October yet. The heat's brutal. You planning to roast sausages or classmates?"

Zhang Lei scratched his head. "…Okay, fair point. Let's think of something else."

But before they could brainstorm more, a familiar voice rang out from the front of the room.

"Everyone, please quiet down for a moment!"

Xu Mo—the ever-smiling, sharp-tongued vice class monitor—stood up. His eyes swept over the room like he was taking mental notes.

"Tomorrow is the weekend," he began, smiling like a salesman with a shiny new product. "And it's also the first weekend of our third year. Senior year's going to be intense. So I propose we take this chance to relax and connect one last time. Let's organize a class outing to the new lake by Mangshi Mountain!"

A murmur of approval moved through the room.

"Good idea!"

"Yeah, that place is supposed to be beautiful now."

"I heard they built a walking path and some shaded pavilions!"

Xu Mo struck while the iron was hot. "Let's all go together. Everyone should come! After all, the class funds belong to all of us."

In the back row, Ji Feng and Zhang Lei exchanged glances.

"…Are we being bugged?" Zhang Lei muttered under his breath. "That guy's saying exactly what I just said. Word for word!"

Ji Feng smirked. "Maybe he's living in your head rent-free."

Zhang Lei rolled his eyes. "Disgusting."

Ji Feng laughed, but then paused. "Are we going?"

Zhang Lei shrugged. "Depends. If we're free, why not? Like Xu Mo said, we paid into the class funds too. I'd rather get some shade at the lake than let them spend our share."

As they talked, Xu Mo made his way to the back of the room, flashing a carefully practiced smile.

"Ji Feng," he said warmly, "our class hero—you'll come, right? Zhang Lei, you too?"

Zhang Lei grinned. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it."

Ji Feng nodded. "Count me in."

"Great!" Xu Mo said, his eyes lighting up a little too quickly. "With you two there, it'll be even better."

Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow. "Strange. You never seemed this excited about group activities before. What gives?"

Xu Mo paused, then gave a half-laugh. "Well, we're older now. I just figured—why not make some good memories while we can, right?"

"Heh." Zhang Lei gave him a slow nod, but said nothing more. Something about Xu Mo's sudden friendliness made the back of his neck itch.

Beside him, Ji Feng was watching too—quietly, thoughtfully.

And in that moment, he caught something in Xu Mo's expression. A flicker. A shadow. It passed quickly, but not quickly enough.

Ji Feng narrowed his eyes slightly.

He's planning something.

---