Following Brother Chang'an Promises a Bright Future

“Don’t worry, Wei, I’m doing this so I can spend less and eat more buns. I definitely won’t lose money,” Fang Chang’an said with a smile. “I know you, Wei, Xu, Yan, and Cheng aren’t short on cash, and you’re helping out because you’re friends, but I can’t just take advantage of your generosity. It wouldn’t be right, would it? So don’t put me in an awkward position. Just spread the word a bit—more publicity, more buns, that’s enough.”

Chang Wei glanced at Liu Yan and Zhao Xu. The two had only come to help out to get closer to Fang Chang’an and to avoid eating in the cafeteria, so since they’d be helping anyway, the promise of free buns made them all the more willing. Chang Wei understood that not paying only made things feel closer, so he nodded, “Don’t worry, Chang’an. We’ll definitely spread the word.”

Fang Chang’an laughed, “No need to be too deliberate. Everyone knows the cafeteria food is terrible. I’m only doing this so everyone can eat better. We’re all still growing—no one wants to end up shorter than others, right?”

The atmosphere was still somewhat conservative in those days. Some boys joked around among themselves, but Fang Chang’an had always been seen as a good student—mysterious and sly. His sudden remark caught them off guard, and they all chuckled, some bashfully, some slyly.

“If it’s just this scale, the cafeteria won’t care or even notice. But if we keep going, their business will definitely be affected, and they might use the school to make trouble for us, since they pay the school every year.”

Chang Wei and his friends hadn’t thought about this at all, and were taken aback by Fang Chang’an’s words.

Fang Chang’an continued, “So if we want to keep this going, we’ll need to pull some strings. I’m already working on it, just wanted to give you a heads-up. If this spreads to the whole school, I’ll need your help.”

Chang Wei’s heart tightened. Fang Chang’an didn’t emphasize it, but ‘pulling strings’ almost certainly meant something to do with Shen Baoguo—not that he’d approach Shen Baoguo himself, but with Cheng Mengfei’s help, it would be enough.

Last week, when Shen Chengyan and Cheng Mengfei came to pick Fang Chang’an up, Chang Wei had been shocked and puzzled. Tonight before evening study, he’d heard from one of his underlings that Fang Chang’an had gotten out of a BMW, which only deepened his surprise.

He didn’t understand how Fang Chang’an managed it, but he was sure the relationship between Fang Chang’an and Cheng Mengfei was far more significant than simply being seatmates with Shen Mo.

This made him even more grateful for his earlier decisions, and strengthened his resolve to stay on good terms with Fang Chang’an.

Still, Fang Chang’an being able to get Cheng Mengfei involved in something like this was far beyond Chang Wei’s expectations.

Zhao Xu and Liu Yan, the brothers, didn’t think as much. The three of them came from ordinary families and saw Fang Chang’an, with his background and abilities, as someone to look up to. Plus, getting buns for helping out—even Zhao Xu, who had once been beaten up, felt genuinely convinced.

When Fang Chang’an mentioned needing help in the future, the three immediately spoke up:

“Of course!”

“Chang’an, just say the word—we’ll listen!”

“Just tell us what you need!”

Chang Wei instinctively wanted to chime in, but remembered he was supposed to be the tough guy and needed to maintain his dignity, so he just nodded, “Right.”

Fang Chang’an’s voice was quiet when discussing competing with the cafeteria, and Chang Wei and the others instinctively lowered theirs as well. But now, when pledging their loyalty, their voices were loud and resolute.

Just then, a few more people walked in through the moon gate, overhearing their movie-like conversation. Unable to help themselves, they glanced over and instinctively edged closer to the wall, giving these obviously not-so-studious types a wide berth.

Fang Chang’an caught sight of Liu Bei and Wang Sha, waved with a smile, “Lights out?”

There were three female top students in the class—Liu Bei and Wang Sha lived in the dormitory, as did Liang Jinjin. Liu Bei was the prettiest, Liang Jinjin the most lively, Wang Sha the darkest and quietest.

When Fang Chang’an greeted them, Wang Sha didn’t speak, just nodded and smiled. Liu Bei, hugging her books, waved back and replied, “Yes, we’re already back.”

Fang Chang’an smiled, “Go to bed early. No need to study so late. You can just read in the morning.”

“Okay!” Liu Bei smiled with pursed lips and, together with Wang Sha, walked through the moon gate into the girls’ dormitory.

After Fang Chang’an greeted the girls, Chang Wei and his friends stayed silent. Once Liu Bei and Wang Sha had left, Chang Wei whispered, “Chang’an, your class has so many pretty girls?”

Fang Chang’an laughed, “That’s normal. Our homeroom teacher is pretty herself.”

Chang Wei and the others didn’t really understand the connection, but they laughed along good-naturedly.

Fang Chang’an said, “Tomorrow, there’ll be seven hundred buns. I can’t carry them all by myself. Cheng, come with me. You can skip morning exercise, or we’ll be late.”

Liu Cheng hesitated, but nodded, “Okay.”

Fang Chang’an chatted with the four for a bit, then got up to return to his dorm. Just as he reached the moon gate, he heard a quiet voice behind him, “Class monitor.”

He turned and saw Zhang Lu. Smiling, he said, “You’re back late?”

“Yes.”

Zhang Lu, though vice class monitor, was almost invisible in the class. She rarely spoke, hardly even talked to her seatmate, only unlocking and locking the door each day. Besides Liu Bei, Li Xiaoyi, and a few others who also arrived early and left late, almost no one noticed her.

After a week, Fang Chang’an’s strongest impression of her was the silhouette always hunched over her desk, working on problems.

Zhang Lu seemed to have something to say, glanced at Fang Chang’an’s companions, hesitated. Fang Chang’an turned to Chang Wei, “Wei, you guys head back first—I need to talk to my classmate.”

“Alright.”

Chang Wei and the others glanced at Zhang Lu, greeted her, and headed back to their dorm.

Fang Chang’an gestured to the side, walked a few steps to avoid the path of late-returning students. Zhang Lu, one hand in her pocket, followed.

Fang Chang’an asked, “What’s up?”

Zhang Lu looked up at him, a little anxious, and whispered, “I’d like to buy some buns… just three. Is that okay?”

Fang Chang’an couldn’t help laughing, “Of course, just give me the money.”

Zhang Lu pulled her left hand from her pocket, took out three ten-cent coins. Fang Chang’an took them, smiling, “Anything else?”

He wasn’t particularly warm, seemed ready to leave if there was nothing more. But Zhang Lu, if anything, seemed relieved by his brisk manner. She shook her head, and a faint, barely noticeable smile crossed her plain face. “No, that’s all.”

“Alright, I’ll go then,” Fang Chang’an said, waving and heading back to his dorm to wash up and sleep.

The next morning, after his usual run, Fang Chang’an returned to the classroom. There seemed to be fewer people than usual—just five familiar faces: Zhang Lu, Liu Bei, Wang Sha, Li Xiaoyi, and Wang Mian.

He sat at his desk when Li Xiaoyi quietly called, “Class monitor.”

He looked up. Li Xiaoyi had turned around, leaning over the back of his chair, and whispered, “I’d like three buns. Is that okay?”

The others heard him speak, glanced over, then all lowered their heads to their books. Li Xiaoyi’s face was flushed, his voice nervous.

Fang Chang’an glanced at Zhang Lu, who was sitting ahead of Li Xiaoyi, and beckoned, “Give me the money.”

“Okay!” Li Xiaoyi quickly stood and handed him three coins.

Fang Chang’an took out his list and wrote their names at the end, noting “4” by each.

After morning study, during exercises, Fang Chang’an walked out with Shen Mo and Wang Ke and saw Liu Cheng waiting by the stairs. He gave Fang Chang’an a meaningful look.

Fang Chang’an raised his eyebrows in question.

Liu Cheng came over, his eyes darting to Shen Mo and Wang Ke, then quickly away. He pointed toward the school gate—meaning they’d skip class to buy buns.

Shen Mo and Wang Ke noticed, glancing at Liu Cheng and then at Fang Chang’an, suspicious.

Fang Chang’an looked puzzled, impatiently said, “What are you up to? Go do exercises, or do you want to skip class?”

Liu Cheng didn’t understand why Fang Chang’an suddenly changed his mind. Seeing the two pretty girls beside him, he realized Fang Chang’an wanted to keep up his model student image before them and that his own suggestion might ruin that reputation.

He suddenly felt uneasy.

On the field, Fang Chang’an walked over to the Class Four line, showing no intention of skipping exercises, and Liu Cheng had to join his own class’s queue.

Cheng Mengfei was standing at the back, chatting with the Class Two homeroom teacher, who was also the Class Four math teacher, Zhu Chaoyang, a stout man. Fang Chang’an walked through his own class’s line, heading straight over.

Cheng Mengfei was turned aside, hadn’t noticed Fang Chang’an, but Zhu Chaoyang did and signaled her. She turned as Fang Chang’an approached, smiling, “What’s up?”

Fang Chang’an gave Zhu Chaoyang a grateful smile, then said to Cheng Mengfei, “Ms. Cheng, I need to buy a lot of buns today—over seven hundred. I’m worried the shop won’t finish in time. I’d like to go early, is that okay?”

“So many?” Cheng Mengfei had heard the story from Shen Chengyan last night, but hadn’t expected Fang Chang’an’s ‘business’ to be booming after only a week. She was surprised, but thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright, go ahead.”

“Thank you, Teacher Cheng.” Fang Chang’an quickly thanked her, then added, “I also found someone else to help me.”

Cheng Mengfei laughed, “Is it someone from our class?”

“Class Six.”

Cheng Mengfei glanced toward Class Six, smiling, “Then you can go explain to your aunt yourself.”

“I just wanted to let you know,” Fang Chang’an smiled and turned toward Class Six. Xu Jing was patrolling the middle of the line, and when she saw Fang Chang’an at the end of her class’s queue, she hurried over, voice lowered and concerned, “Chang’an, what’s wrong?”

Fang Chang’an smiled shyly, “Auntie, I’m helping my class and some others buy buns—there are a lot, I can’t carry them all myself. I’d like to ask one of your students to help. Is that alright?”

Xu Jing was momentarily confused, thinking she’d misheard, her expression blank.

Fang Chang’an briefly explained the process—how he started eating buns, found everyone thought the shop was too far, and how buying in bulk made them cheaper and meant he could eat for free.

Xu Jing was amazed at her nephew’s business sense, asking, “Are you taking a lot of people from my class?”

Fang Chang’an replied, “Classes Five, Six, and Seven—forty-five people altogether.”

“So many?” Xu Jing took a breath, worried that Fang Chang’an’s constant scheming might affect his studies. But as his aunt, her relationship was different from that of other teachers, so she didn’t say anything right away and just nodded, “Alright. Who do you want?”

“Liu Cheng—he’s the contact for your class.”

Xu Jing nodded, pointed toward Liu Cheng at the back, “He’s right there, go get him yourself.”

“Okay,” Fang Chang’an replied and walked to the end of the line. Liu Cheng had already noticed him and guessed what Fang Chang’an was up to, but could hardly believe it.

Skipping class had always felt serious—getting caught by the homeroom teacher in junior high could mean your parents would be called. Morning exercise wasn’t as important, but being discovered meant a scolding or a written apology at least.

Last night, Liu Cheng had agreed to skip morning exercises for Fang Chang’an, taking a big risk and making a big decision.

He’d never imagined the teacher would approve, much less that he’d inform the teacher.

“Let’s go,” Fang Chang’an said, seeing Liu Cheng’s wide-eyed disbelief. He waved impatiently. Liu Cheng instinctively took a step, then paused and looked at his homeroom teacher.

Xu Jing gave a slight nod, and Liu Cheng, still in disbelief, followed Fang Chang’an out of the line. Passing Xu Jing, he felt guilty, wanting to explain but not knowing what to say, awkward and embarrassed.

Fang Chang’an quietly prompted, “Aren’t you going to thank the teacher?”

Liu Cheng started, “Thank you, Ms. Xu.”

The broadcast music had just started. Xu Jing didn’t catch what Fang Chang’an said but guessed, and was even more amazed. She smiled and indicated Liu Cheng could go.

Fang Chang’an led Liu Cheng away from the morning exercise lines toward the school gate, circling around to the bike shed behind the teaching building. He asked, “Your bike’s in the shed, right?”

He’d told Liu Cheng last night to bring his bike over in the morning.

“Yes,” Liu Cheng nodded vigorously. Looking at the lines of students doing exercises, then at himself and Fang Chang’an walking off openly, he felt it was the proudest moment of his life.

Whenever a student or teacher—especially a girl—looked over, his sense of achievement and pride swelled, making him feel as if he were walking in a TV show, his body trembling with excitement.

He became convinced that following Chang’an was the right path—this feeling was incredible!

Compared to this, skipping class like a sneaky mouse was nothing at all!