[131] Grasping Both Ends (Bonus for "Melbourne Knight" 5/10)

Reporter Liu felt displeased, but recalling that the granddaughter of the town mayor had agreed to the interview only after two rounds of persuasion, he forced himself to control his emotions and replied, “Alright, fine.”

Fang Lu scolded his son sternly, “This is an interview—it’s work. What kind of attitude is that? Just answer their questions.”

“Dad, you’re right. I’m cooperating, but there’s no need to repeat what I’ve already said.”

Fang Chang’an didn’t argue with his father but was well aware of some common tactics reporters use. He knew he had to show a firm stance. “Oh, and one more thing—don’t use my real name. Use a pseudonym, anything like Xiao Ming or Xiao Hua.”

Reporter Liu’s expression softened a little when Fang Lu reprimanded his son, and he was about to say a few words to earn goodwill, but Fang Chang’an’s addition drew a clear boundary, making him even more annoyed.

The female reporter named Zhang tried to ease the tension, “Don’t worry. We considered all these issues before coming. Our director Shu emphasized several times that we must fully respect the interviewee’s wishes and protect the identities of the affected students.”

She clearly sensed Liu’s mood and was subtly putting pressure on him.

Shen Mo also chimed in, “Yeah, before coming, I told Sister Zhang and Uncle Liu, and I even gave you a pseudonym—‘Xiao An.’ How does that sound? Nice, right?”

Fang Chang’an’s lips twitched slightly. “Hmm, it sounds good.”

Reporter Liu seemed to realize something. His previously sullen face forced a smile and he quickly assured, “No problem, no problem. You can rest assured.”

Fang Chang’an smiled, “Then let’s start. You’ve prepared your questions... So no need for recording, right?”

Liu laughed and explained, “I’m afraid I won’t remember everything. I need to organize the report later.”

Fang Chang’an smiled back, “Then I’ll try to say as little as possible so you won’t have trouble remembering.”

His refusal to use a recorder wasn’t a calculated decision but more of an instinctive wariness and dislike.

Liu finally realized this wasn’t an ordinary child and awkwardly put the recorder away, taking notes with a pen instead.

He had prepared many questions, and even after Fang Chang’an refused to repeat last night’s events, there were still many ways to gradually guide him to reveal more. But after two polite rejections and Zhang’s warning, Liu shelved his plan to dig deeper for sensational material.

After thinking for a moment, he asked the first question, “Looking back on last night, what are your thoughts now?”

“Not much now. Life is full of surprises, whether for me or others. I’m still a bit scared, but since I wasn’t hurt, I try not to think about it too much.”

“Do you feel traumatized?”

“No. I want to thank the two uncles who arrived just in time—especially the brave police officer who caught the culprit on the spot—who saved me from harm. Otherwise, I might have been psychologically scarred instead of strengthening my faith in justice.”

Chang Chao overheard this and tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t help but cough and walk into the yard, struggling not to laugh aloud. He thought to himself, “No wonder Shen Chengyan said Fang Chang’an was mature beyond his twelve years—he’s a bit uncanny but still quite adorable.”

Over the past six months, Fang Lu and Cong Rong had witnessed and accepted their son’s intelligence and early maturity to some extent and were mentally prepared. Still, seeing him so unflappable and chatting easily with the reporters was somewhat striking.

As for Shen Mo and the two younger children, they found nothing unusual and only admired, “Fang Chang’an is amazing!” “Big brother is amazing!”

“Do you have any feelings toward the robber who tried to harm you? Do you hate him?”

“Not really. Although he tried to rob me, there was no targeted hatred or conflict between us. If he wanted to rob someone, it would have been someone. It just happened to be me. He wasn’t specifically aiming at me.”

“Uh...”

“But I do have a few things I want to say. I told him last night as well.”

“What?”

“Everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, you have to admit it sincerely, seek leniency, reform properly, and start anew. And... don’t play cards anymore.”

Both reporters were somewhat stunned. This did not sound like the words of a twelve-year-old. Liu quickly scribbled down the statement verbatim before asking, “You seem a lot more mature than most kids your age, and your conduct last night was the same. Can you tell me how you developed this character?”

“I don’t think I’m that mature or smart. Maybe because I used to be quiet and now I’m willing to talk, so I just say a lot. Maybe it’s also because I like reading.”

“I heard your grades are excellent, and you’ve been top of your class this semester—is that true?”

“Yes, but that’s nothing special. Every school has a top student.”

“…”

Liu took a deep breath. “I heard that last night’s culprit wasn’t really a bad person. Of course, what he did was wrong. Like you said, he lost all his money playing cards and had no choice but to take a desperate risk.”

“Plus, his family situation isn’t good. I also heard his son is your classmate… Does that make you sympathize with or forgive him?”

Fang Chang’an paused, glanced at Shen Mo, who seemed unaware of this and asked curiously, “Is that person’s son really in our class?”

Fang Chang’an looked at Chang Chao and asked, “Uncle Chang, what’s that man’s son’s name?”

Chang Chao walked over and answered, “I think it’s Li Xiaoyi. He’s in your class. I told Chengyan this morning. Did he not tell you?”

Fang Chang’an shook his head. Now he understood why Cheng Mengfei looked troubled just before the holiday break—she was probably worried about Li Xiaoyi.

Li Xiaoyi’s family didn’t seem well-off. Li Yan would likely be sentenced to three or four years. Who would support the family then?

Fang Chang’an tried to recall more information but didn’t remember if Li Xiaoyi continued school or dropped out. Among those admitted to the county’s top high school, there seemed to be no Li Xiaoyi…

Liu sensed a breakthrough and pressed, “Did you just find out about this? How do you feel now?”

Fang Chang’an composed himself and smiled, “I did just find out, but it doesn’t change anything. As the saying goes, the law applies equally to everyone. The man who robbed me last night broke the law. No matter who he is, whether I forgive him or not doesn’t affect the fact.”

This was Fang Chang’an’s honest view. He would not change his stance simply because Li Yan was Li Xiaoyi’s father. As Chang Chao had pointed out last night: if you have a wife and child waiting for you at home during the New Year, would you still go out and rob someone’s child with a knife?

If Fang Chang’an hadn’t cooperated last night, Li Yan might have actually stabbed him. Whether that would happen depended on the circumstances and Li Yan’s character, not on whether Fang Chang’an was his son’s classmate.

For Fang Chang’an, any injury he suffered was a loss that no sentence could compensate for.

More importantly, the culprit’s tears and repentance upon arrest did not guarantee real reform. Temporary remorse didn’t mean he wouldn’t repeat the crime. Leaving it to the state for judgment and rehabilitation was the right and most effective approach.

Fang Chang’an saw Shen Chengyan and Chang Chao arrive and, rather than prolonging the situation, gave the money to the culprit both for safety—to prevent desperate actions—and as a way to increase the legal consequences.

Robbery is a serious crime with a minimum sentence of three years. The severity depends on the amount stolen, use of weapons, and harm caused. There’s a big difference between stealing two hundred and two thousand.

The interview lasted less than half an hour. Fang Chang’an took the initiative to end it. Liu reviewed his notes and, although there was no sensational scoop, he was surprised by how much a twelve-year-old had said. Feeling satisfied, he and Zhang politely said their goodbyes and left.

Fang Lu, following custom, invited them for a meal, but the visitors politely declined. Shen Mo, as the “guide,” had toured the place and couldn’t stay either, so he said his goodbyes to Fang Lu, Cong Rong, Fang Changming, Fang Yanran, and Fang Chang’an.

Fang Chang’an accompanied his parents to see them off. Fang Changfeng had just returned from outside, carrying two fish strung on a rope, and from afar saw the group leaving in a car. After they left, he asked, “Uncle Jun, what’s going on? Why are they still driving?”

Fang Lu humbly replied, “Nothing much. Reporters from the city came to do an interview.”

Fang Changfeng’s eyes widened in surprise. “Reporters? What for? What are they interviewing about?”

“Interviewing Chang’an.”

“What happened?”

Fang Changfeng’s eyes grew even wider. “Which newspaper? Or TV?”

“They said it’s the city daily... and the TV station came too. The woman was the TV reporter.”

Fang Lu just wanted to show off the interview and didn’t want to mention his son was robbed. But when asked, it was better to say than not, or they might suspect his son was in trouble. Besides, the newspaper had already reported it, so people would find out anyway. So he started boasting vividly to Fang Changfeng.

Fang Chang’an found it amusing yet boring. After greeting them, he went back inside and called Shen Chengyan, “Hello, Uncle Shen?”

Shen asked, “Finished the interview?”

“Yeah, they just left. Mo Mo left with them too.”

Without giving Shen Chengyan time to respond, Fang Chang’an continued, “The reporter said the man from last night was Li Xiaoyi’s father. Is that true?”

Shen Chengyan was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. Chang Chao told me this morning. Li Xiaoyi’s mother also came to town today, but apparently hasn’t told Li Xiaoyi yet.”

Fang Chang’an hesitated before asking, “How long will his father be sentenced?”

“Robbery starts at three years, plus he had a knife and took the money. It’s not an attempted robbery. Probably three or four years.”

Shen Chengyan thought Fang Chang’an might feel guilty and comforted him, “But in the end, it’s Li Xiaoyi’s father who made the mistake. It’s not your fault. You’re the victim. Don’t carry the burden.”

“Li Xiaoyi’s family seems to be struggling too. I mainly worry that if his father goes to jail, will Li Xiaoyi still be able to continue school...”

Shen sighed, “Your teacher Cheng is worried about this too and is trying to figure it out. I originally thought his mother could come work at the shop, but her family isn’t in town.”

“We’re planning to add more fillings after the New Year, so the first day’s prep will be more. Maybe his mother can help during the day?”

Fang Chang’an shared his idea. “No need to get up early to make buns—just a part-time job. That way, she can come without rushing. Even if there’s work on the farm, she could do it on weekends or holidays. If necessary, she can take leave or be paid by the day.”

Though Shen Chengyan lived in town, he was somewhat disconnected from grassroots life and not very flexible. Hearing this, he brightened, “That’s a good idea. You’re really clever. I’ll tell Teacher Cheng right away. She’s been worrying about this all day.”

“I’m just speaking casually. You decide what to do.”

Fang Chang’an smiled. “Okay, I’ll hang up now. Say hello to Teacher Cheng for me.”

“You’ve got quite a few tricks, even asking me to say hello... Alright, bye.”

Shen Chengyan chuckled, pleased to have solved his wife’s worry. He promised to hang up and went off to report to Cheng Mengfei.