The correct solution to this problem

Most boys in their adolescence are pretty easygoing, much like Fang Luojun. Fang Chang'an addressed them as "brother," and the two troublemakers who had just been threatened found a way out, so they didn't put on airs for long and quickly recounted what had happened.

Zhao Xu and Chang Wei, like Liu Yan, were all eighth-grade students. The difference was that Zhao Xu and Liu Yan were in Class Seven, while Chang Wei was in Class Three, which was an honors class.

Chang Wei had indeed only transferred from the county in the second semester of seventh grade. Thanks to his father's background, even the school security guards showed him respect. He was fierce, and before long, he'd become the "boss" of the eighth grade, with Zhao Xu and Liu Yan among his followers.

Last night, Liu Yan sought out Zhao Xu, hoping he'd teach Fang Chang'an a lesson. Since Fang Chang'an knew him, Liu Yan didn't dare to do it himself; he wanted Zhao Xu to gather some people to ambush Fang Chang'an, take the money, beat him, and run. There were no cameras at school, and even if someone reported it, the teachers wouldn't be able to find the culprits.

Zhao Xu wasn't entirely witless; he knew Fang Chang'an had relatives who were teachers, and he was wary. If it really came down to a fight, no matter how shady it got, Fang Chang'an would remember something.

Besides, school had just begun, and Liu Yan had already scared Fang Chang'an. He would definitely be suspected; since he was in the same class as Liu Yan, if Fang Chang'an came to the classroom to identify people, Zhao Xu would probably get caught.

Zhao Xu didn't dare to act, so they sought out the resourceful Chang Wei, hoping the boss would bring in outsiders.

But Chang Wei didn't take it seriously at all. He disliked school anyway and didn't care about being disciplined or expelled. In the county, he'd been forced to transfer due to a big brawl. He spat forcefully and cursed, "What's there to be afraid of? We'll get him after night study tonight!"

Hearing that Fang Chang'an was skinny and small, Chang Wei didn't even bother to call extra people, thinking it would be beneath him. He simply brought Zhao Xu, and the two of them lay in wait on the third floor after night study, following Fang Chang'an all the way to the sports field.

They were ready for some fun, but unexpectedly, Fang Chang'an had a connection to Shen Baoguo, which scared them off immediately.

Chang Wei didn't want to attend school but understood the consequences. He didn't mind being expelled, but he didn't want to bring trouble to his father. He knew exactly who his family's pillar was and why he could be the eighth grade's "boss."

After Fang Chang'an finished listening, he asked, "Where's Liu Yan?"

Seeing Chang Wei silent, Zhao Xu answered quietly, "At the cafeteria."

Fang Chang'an laughed, "Getting ready to celebrate?"

Zhao Xu replied awkwardly, "No, not really, just grabbing a bite."

Chang Wei, who hadn't spoken for a while, suddenly asked, "What are you planning to do with Liu Yan?"

"What do you think, Wei?"

Chang Wei hesitated before saying, "Liu Yan was in the wrong. I'll apologize to you on his behalf."

"Wei, that's loyalty!"

Fang Chang'an praised him, then smiled, "But yesterday, Liu Yan just backed off—didn't act—and then turned around and asked you and Xu to come. I still need to run every day; I can't live in constant fear, can I?"

Chang Wei said, "I guarantee that from now on, no one at Second Middle School will dare cause you trouble!"

"With your word, I'm at ease."

Fang Chang'an gave a thumbs up. "But we should meet, right? It's best to clear up any misunderstandings."

Chang Wei nodded.

Fang Chang'an said, "Let's talk as we walk."

The three walked together across the sports field toward the cafeteria. Fang Chang'an asked, "Wei, do you live at school?"

"Yeah, I don't want to stay at home. I'm in room 103. If you need anything, just come find me."

"Thanks, Wei."

Though Fang Chang'an spoke like a subordinate, Chang Wei felt as if he were being directed, not like a boss at all, and didn't dare respond. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Liu Yan's family isn't wealthy. He spends fast and doesn't have much."

He thought Fang Chang'an wanted Liu Yan to pay compensation. Usually, money wasn't handed over directly; it meant treating someone to a meal.

Fang Chang'an laughed, "I'm a good student. I don't do extortion."

He said it calmly, but Chang Wei remembered the earlier threats, uncertain if this was a warning, so he didn't reply.

Fang Chang'an continued, "I remember the police station is at the southeastern corner of town, right?"

"Yeah," Chang Wei responded, more obedient than he'd ever been in front of his father.

"How should I address your uncle?"

Chang Wei hesitated for a few seconds, thinking that telling his father's name might give away too much, but there was only one Chang at the police station, so it made no difference. He answered, "My dad's name is Chang Lin."

"That's a good name. There was a Chang Lin in Wei during the Three Kingdoms period—he served as governor and inspector, and later became a marquis." This wasn't because Fang Chang'an was especially knowledgeable; he'd had a university classmate named Chang Lin who boasted about it.

Chang Wei and Zhao Xu didn't know how to respond, so they smiled awkwardly.

"By the way, Xu, I'm not very strong. Did I hurt you just now?"

"Oh, no, not at all." Zhao Xu smiled awkwardly. "I'm fine, it didn't hurt."

The three walked through the moon gate to the residential area. Beneath the awning outside the cafeteria, the vendor who had set up after night study had already packed up, but a lone bulb still burned in the corner.

Liu Yan sat beneath the awning, waiting and glancing toward the entrance, his expression a mix of excitement, anticipation, tension, and unease. With both of Fang Chang'an's elders being teachers at the school, he felt somewhat guilty.

Turning around again, he vaguely saw Chang Wei and Zhao Xu's silhouettes in the darkness. He craned his neck to look, then stood up immediately. Before the smile could spread across his face, he saw a slightly shorter figure beside them.

Liu Yan was just an average student troublemaker, not particularly gifted, and his family and school hadn't given him much guidance. He lacked keen perception. Yet when he saw Fang Chang'an walking in with the two who were supposed to beat him up, he instinctively sensed trouble.

Moreover, at this moment, Chang Wei and Zhao Xu were behaving differently than usual. Liu Yan couldn't pinpoint it, but he sensed something was off.

His mind was a bit muddled, but as they drew closer, he noticed the three approaching together, with Fang Chang'an at the front. The usually fearless Wei now acted like he did when Liu Yan followed him around.

"Liu Yan, come here!"

Chang Wei saw Liu Yan standing dazed and called out with authority, "Come here and... and..."

He couldn't decide how to address Fang Chang'an; "Fang Chang'an" sounded rude, "Chang'an" too intimate, and "Brother Chang'an" was just too much.

Fang Chang'an laughed, "Just call me Fang Chang'an."

"Apologize to Fang Chang'an... classmate!" Chang Wei repeated, adding "classmate" at the last moment, which made it sound much more polite, even making himself feel refined.

Liu Yan hadn't processed what he was seeing. Hearing this made him even more confused. Zhao Xu signaled frantically, and Chang Wei cursed, "What are you staring at? Hurry up!"

Liu Yan jolted awake and, still bewildered, walked over. Fang Chang'an smiled, "Don't be angry, Wei, don't be angry."

Once Liu Yan was close, Fang Chang'an said warmly, "Yan, seems like we've got a bit of a misunderstanding. We're all from the same school; it's best to clear things up so there aren't more misunderstandings in the future. If you need to vent, you can beat me up now."

Chang Wei was indeed the boss. Hearing Fang Chang'an's words, he immediately kicked Liu Yan hard, making him stagger and almost fall.

"Are you mute? Didn't you hear me tell you to apologize?"

In front of Chang Wei, Liu Yan had none of the bravado he’d shown in Fang Chang'an’s dorm yesterday. He didn't care about his dignity anymore. After being kicked, he rolled back like a ball snatched by a dog, clearly holding his breath but not daring to react.

Fang Chang'an intervened, "Wei, Wei, don't, don't, or Yan will blame me for this."

"He wouldn't dare!"

Chang Wei kicked him again. "I told you to apologize! Did you hear me?"

Several figures entered through the moon gate and were startled by the scene, instinctively keeping their distance and hugging the wall as they headed toward the dormitory entrance.

This time, Liu Yan was prepared. He dodged and managed not to stagger away. He glanced at the cautious students nearby, hesitating because apologizing in front of others was humiliating.

Chang Wei promptly kicked him again. Liu Yan took another blow and, not daring to delay, walked up to Fang Chang'an and bowed his head. "I'm sorry."

"That’s it?" Chang Wei had noticed those students and saw their shocked, timid expressions. He finally felt the pent-up frustration dissipate and regained his sense as the boss, his glare at Liu Yan growing fiercer.

Liu Yan hung his head, his psychological defenses broken. It was now much easier to say anything. He glanced at Fang Chang'an, then bowed his head lower and repeated, "I'm sorry. I was wrong."

Fang Chang'an patted his shoulder, smiling warmly. "Hey, it’s all right, it’s all right! The test was just too hard. Come, let’s sit over there—I’ll show you the correct solution to that problem."

Liu Yan, Chang Wei, and Zhao Xu were all dumbfounded, suspecting Fang Chang'an was out of his mind. Fang Chang'an had already turned to glance at the students nearby. "Hey, you just got back? Did the classroom lights go off?"