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Why is Captain Yan here? Ji Feng's thoughts churned as he watched the officer step onto the podium.
He glanced toward Tong Lei, who stood at the door, her calm expression marked only by the faintest smile. She didn't look surprised. Did she know about this?
Captain Yan cleared his throat and addressed the class. "Good afternoon, students!"
His voice was firm yet friendly, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the room. Teenagers were naturally drawn to drama—and few things stirred curiosity like the mention of crime.
"We're here today to talk about one of your classmates," Captain Yan continued. "About a week ago, this student was walking home from school and encountered two dangerous individuals."
Whispers immediately erupted across the room. Eyebrows raised. Curious glances shot around the classroom like arrows.
Captain Yan paused for effect, letting the suspense build.
"But instead of panicking, this student stood his ground," he said. "He used quick thinking and bravery to subdue both men and then called the police. And after our investigation, we learned that these weren't just common thugs. They were fugitives—escaped convicts who had planned a robbery before fleeing the area."
Gasps rippled through the room.
"A high school student took down two escaped criminals," Captain Yan said, his voice ringing with pride. "And that student… is Ji Feng."
The classroom fell into stunned silence for one long second—then exploded.
"No way!"
"Seriously?! Ji Feng?"
"Isn't he the guy who got dumped last month?"
"It can't be… right?"
But the truth stood right there on the podium, flanked by two uniformed officers. Nobody could deny it anymore.
Suddenly, the way they looked at Ji Feng shifted. The poor kid with no background, no connections… had just done something none of them could've imagined.
Even Ji Feng himself was momentarily stunned. Why announce this now? And why like this?
He wasn't used to this kind of attention, and while he kept his face composed—years of hardship and recent training had taught him to stay calm—inside, he was trying to figure it out.
A week had passed. If they wanted to thank me, they could've just called me to the station. So why show up at school in front of everyone? Ji Feng frowned slightly, his thoughts racing. Are they trying to use me as a role model? To encourage students?
But he couldn't dwell on it for long. Captain Yan smiled warmly and gestured. "Ji Feng, come on up."
With a quiet nod, Ji Feng stood and walked steadily to the front, the eyes of the entire class glued to him.
"Ji Feng," Captain Yan said, extending his hand, "you showed bravery and courage beyond your years. On behalf of the police department, we thank you."
Ji Feng shook his hand, feeling the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders.
"To honor your actions," Captain Yan continued, holding up a white envelope, "we've submitted a formal letter of commendation to your school leadership—and we're also awarding you a 10,000 yuan bonus."
Ji Feng blinked, caught off guard. The envelope gleamed under the fluorescent lights, far heavier in meaning than its weight suggested.
He hesitated.
"You're not thinking it's too little, are you?" Captain Yan teased with a wink.
Ji Feng laughed softly, his tension breaking just enough. He accepted the envelope with a polite smile. "Thank you, Captain Yan."
"Good. That's settled, then." Captain Yan gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "You can go back to your seat. We'll handle the formalities with your school leadership from here."
But Ji Feng quickly shook his head. "Please, Captain. I'm just a student. I'd rather stay out of the spotlight. There's no need for school-wide commendations."
The officer paused, then nodded thoughtfully. "Understood. We'll respect your wishes."
Ji Feng gave him a grateful smile and returned to his seat, calm on the outside—but inside, his heart was still pounding.
As the officers made their exit, the room practically erupted.
"Ten thousand bucks?!"
"He really did it?! Ji Feng fought off two criminals?!"
"Who is this guy?"
Dozens of eyes flicked toward him—some full of awe, some clouded with envy. Even those who had once dismissed him couldn't hide their new expressions. The envelope in Ji Feng's hands might as well have been a golden ticket.
But Ji Feng didn't meet their gazes. He simply sat, hands resting on the envelope, looking quietly out the window.
Across the room, Tong Lei returned to her seat, that same calm smile still on her face. But inside, she felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
Now they know, she thought.
No one else could've arranged this moment but her. Normally, things like this would've been handled quietly between the police and the school administration. But she had asked Captain Yan to visit the class personally.
She had watched her classmates dismiss Ji Feng as a nobody—just a poor boy, someone to be ignored or mocked. They saw only the surface. They didn't know what she did.
They didn't see the hours of studying, the relentless training, or the strength he showed that night in the alley when he stood between her and two armed criminals.
She still remembered how his back looked as he shielded her, standing tall, unshaken. That image had burned itself into her memory.
Ji Feng might not have had top grades—yet. He might not have had money or status. But he had something no one else in that room did.
Courage.
And now, the others were starting to realize that too.
Tong Lei straightened in her seat, her eyes scanning the murmuring classmates, many of whom looked uncomfortable or even embarrassed.
Let them be.
She wasn't hiding her pride. Today, she wanted them all to see it.
Because Ji Feng wasn't just "some poor kid" anymore.
He was someone worth admiring.
Someone who, in her eyes, had already become a true hero.
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