Chapter 176: Unexpected Heroism

Accompanied by the Guidance Director’s encouragement and the class’s enthusiastic applause.

Lin Zheng Ran and Fang Meng stood up and headed out of the classroom together.

A certain second miss widened her cool eyes in utter disbelief.

She had never imagined that Fang Meng and Lin Zheng Ran were so close. She always thought they barely knew each other.

Once outside, Fang Meng and Lin Zheng Ran faced the Guidance Director and Homeroom Teacher.

The Guidance Director was quite warm, though most people didn’t care for the role. Ever since Lin Zheng Ran started high school, the director always spoke to him with a smile.

It was the prestige of being the top student in the entire school.

“Lin Zheng Ran, you’re not just a star student but also so capable and brave. The school is proud of you! With exams approaching, we’ve decided you’re the best to give the pre-exam pep talk and boost everyone’s spirits.”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to this sort of thing. After a few more praises, the Guidance Director had to leave.

He mentioned that at the pre-exam assembly, they’d properly recognize Lin Zheng Ran, and as he left, he added to Fang Meng, “Your grades are excellent too, Fang Meng, and your choices are spot-on.”

Fang Meng: “Hmm?”

Once he was gone, the Homeroom Teacher waited until he was out of sight, then let out a breath and laughed. “Did you catch the meaning in those last two lines? You two?”

Fang Meng glanced at the Homeroom Teacher.

The Homeroom Teacher smiled:

“It’s lucky this news involved you two in a positive way—helping catch a criminal. Otherwise, the school takes dating very seriously, and we’d have to address it publicly. But not this time.

Exams are coming, so just be careful and don’t let it affect your scores. When we mention it in the assembly, we’ll say Lin Zheng Ran and his friend were out when they helped catch the criminal—no other details.”

Seeing they wanted to speak, the Homeroom Teacher added curiously, “Of course, you two might not even be a real couple? I don’t get it, and it doesn’t matter now. Just focus on the exams and put this behind you!”

Lin Zheng Ran and Fang Meng exchanged a look and nodded.

Homeroom Teacher: “Alright, head back to class.”

As they turned to go, the Homeroom Teacher called Lin Zheng Ran aside.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “Is there something else, Teacher?”

The Homeroom Teacher chuckled kindly, “Not really, I just wanted to ask if you’re still changing your university choices?”

Lin Zheng Ran shook his head, “No, it’s the same as before.”

Homeroom Teacher nodded, “Okay, got it.”

Lin Zheng Ran and Fang Meng returned to class, while the Homeroom Teacher watched his back from the hallway.

After teaching these kids for over three years, she knew how popular Lin Zheng Ran was. If she weren’t a teacher, she’d be dying to gossip about what he’d been up to with all these girls…

Back in the classroom, Lin Zheng Ran sat down.

Fang Meng noticed the curious stares from their classmates and saw Jiang Qian eyeing her with surprise.

Once close friends, they locked eyes in silence, each wondering what the other was thinking.

In the neighboring Class Three, during the break, the classroom buzzed with chatter.

Lily struggled with her studies, while Han Wenwen and Heqing thought about heading to the restroom together.

Then they overheard someone say:

“Did you hear? Last week, Lin Zheng Ran from the next class stepped up and helped the police take down a criminal!”

A classmate animatedly gestured as they spoke:

“Yeah, I heard! The criminal was about 5’7″, with a half-meter scar on his face, and Lin Zheng Ran pinned him down single-handedly!”

Another student slapped the desk and argued:

“Wait, no—I heard he was 6 feet tall, all muscle, armed with a knife, and even the police hesitated, but Lin Zheng Ran took him out in a flash!”

Yet another chimed in, spraying spittle:

“You guys are way off! The criminal was only around 5’3″, not that strong, but he had a weapon—supposedly a Gatling gun and a cannon. And Lin Zheng Ran snatched it right away!”

“Is that for real? Sounds insane! I heard there were armed helicopters and tanks involved, and someone even saw Lin Zheng Ran piloting a Transformer!”

Someone else added, “Rumors are getting wilder. The school posted the video—it’s just Lin Zheng Ran pinning the guy against a wall. But yeah, it was impressive; he held him with one hand.”

These discussions made Heqing and Han Wenwen pause and glance at each other.

Even Lily, who was working on problems, looked up and leaned in curiously.

Heqing whispered, “What’s all this about? Transformers?”

A female classmate noticed them and replied:

“You haven’t heard? Aren’t you three always with Lin Zheng Ran? He did this heroic thing last week during a date with his girlfriend, helping the police. The video’s on the school page—it’s awesome!”

Hearing the praise for Lin Zheng Ran, Heqing, Han Wenwen, and Lily all lit up with joy.

Heqing widened her pure eyes: “Lin Zheng Ran is that amazing?! Was it last week?”

Lily exclaimed: “Zheng Ran took down a criminal?”

The female classmate said: “Yeah, just last weekend, and then…”

Han Wenwen laughed, but quickly caught a key point: “Wait… what did you say?”

The female classmate: “I said he took down the criminal—I’ve mentioned it a few times.”

Han Wenwen clarified, pointing up: “Not that—the part before. You said Lin Zheng Ran was on a date with his girlfriend?”

The female classmate: “Right, there’s video proof.”

Han Wenwen’s words froze the smiles on Heqing and Lily’s faces.

The two exchanged looks and said in unison: “It wasn’t with me.”

Han Wenwen’s intuition kicked in sharply.

The little fox pulled out her phone, checked the school page, and found the heroism video.

“I found it! Let’s watch together.”

The trio huddled around to see what was going on.

The video was from the police’s view, with faces blurred.

But they recognized Lin Zheng Ran’s build and presence right away, all saying together:

“That’s Lin Zheng Ran!”

“That’s Zheng Ran!”

“That’s Lin Zheng Ran! And that place… a KTV? Was Lin Zheng Ran at a karaoke last week?”

In the video, Lin Zheng Ran held the criminal against the wall with one hand. The three girls marveled at his strength, then a blurred girl in a light jacket, white long-sleeved pleated skirt, walked up to him.

The three tensed up.

She grabbed his arm, her voice full of concern: “Are you okay? What happened?”

The video ended there, followed by text updates.

The girl appeared briefly, her face heavily blurred, so they couldn’t make out her features.

But that outfit and voice…

The three glanced at each other, thought for a moment, and said simultaneously: “Is that Fang Meng?”

Once they agreed, the trio stared back at the screen, each feeling a mix of jealousy and annoyance.

They all wondered what was really going on?!