After the chaos settled, Captain Yan approached Ji Feng with a grin. "Ji Feng, it seems things aren't quite as you described."
Ji Feng gave an awkward smile, scratching his head. "Captain Yan, to be honest, the one behind this was Xu Mo, the son of Deputy County Chief Xu Fu. We had a small conflict at school, so…"
He didn't need to finish. Captain Yan knew Xu Mo's reputation as Mangshi County's notorious playboy.
This explained why Bald Chao had called the police and why his men were the ones injured. Captain Yan was well aware that Bald Chao was Xu Fu's lackey, practically his hired muscle. It wasn't surprising that Xu Mo would use him to target someone.
Captain Yan raised an eyebrow, studying Ji Feng. "You got into a conflict with Xu Mo?"
Ji Feng nodded. "Yeah, but it's just a minor student thing. Nothing big."
Captain Yan snorted. "Minor? Xu Mo clearly doesn't think so, or tonight wouldn't have happened. Here's my number. If you run into trouble again, call me right away."
Ji Feng's face lit up. "Thank you, Captain Yan!"
He'd been worried about having no one to turn to, but Captain Yan's fairness and warmth were a lifeline.
Captain Yan waved it off with a smile. "No need for thanks. Just call me if something comes up."
Ji Feng nodded gratefully. "Will do. Thank you!"
"Let's get you home. It's late, and your family's probably worried," Captain Yan said cheerfully.
Ji Feng quickly shook his head. "No need, Captain. My place is just a ten-minute walk."
*Send me home in a police car? Mom would have a heart attack!*
"Alright, stay safe," Captain Yan said, not pushing further. He patted Ji Feng's shoulder.
After saying goodbye, Ji Feng jogged home.
Watching him go, Captain Yan nodded approvingly. A nearby officer remarked, "That kid's something else. He knows Xu Mo's out to get him, yet he stays calm—not scared, not angry. He's got a plan."
Captain Yan agreed. "Exactly. That kind of quick thinking and composure? Not your average student."
The officer chuckled. "He's lucky, too. Running into our criminal police unit and you, Captain. If he'd met one of Xu Fu's cronies, he'd be in deep trouble."
"Secretary Tong will deal with that pest Xu Fu sooner or later," Captain Yan said with a sneer, waving his hand. "Let's head back!"
---
It was nearly eleven when Ji Feng got home. His mother, Xiao Sumei, was dozing on the sofa, waiting for him.
Guilt hit Ji Feng hard. He quietly set down his schoolbag, intending to help her to bed, but the movement woke her.
"Feng'er, you're back!" Xiao Sumei blinked awake. "Why're you so late?"
"I'm in my final year, Mom. Schoolwork's heavy, so I stayed to study," Ji Feng lied smoothly.
Xiao Sumei nodded, unsuspecting. "Come home earlier next time. It's not safe out there so late."
"Got it, Mom. You should rest," Ji Feng said gently.
As Xiao Sumei retreated to her room, Ji Feng's face darkened.
Today's events had sparked a deep sense of danger in him. If he hadn't been lucky enough to meet Captain Yan, he might not have made it home at all.
He could tell Captain Yan didn't want to directly challenge Xu Fu, Bald Chao's backer. That's why, when Bald Chao called it a "misunderstanding," Ji Feng had gone along with it.
Letting someone who tried to harm you walk away wasn't cowardice—it was survival.
Xu Mo's move was ruthless. Ji Feng had no powerful family or allies. If Xu Mo framed him, he could easily land him in jail or get him expelled from school. Either would be devastating.
For someone like Ji Feng, with no connections or influence, education was his only path to a better life. Losing that would break his mother's heart, after all she'd sacrificed for his future.
The thought made Ji Feng's eyes flash with cold determination, his expression grim.
He'd compromised today because he had no choice. For now, Xu Mo held all the power, and Ji Feng could only back down.
But retreating wasn't surrender—it was strategy.
"I can't beat you yet, but I'm not afraid," Ji Feng growled through clenched teeth, fists tight. "One day, I'll have the strength to crush you."
Xu Mo's attack had made him an enemy—a dangerous one. The only way to deal with such a foe was to strike back at the perfect moment, ensuring they could never rise again.
"I'll wait for that chance," Ji Feng vowed.
Skipping dinner, he washed up and went to bed. Lying there, his mind entered the virtual training space created by the intelligent system. Today's crisis had ignited an urgent need to grow stronger. To do that, he had to endure the system's grueling training.
"Master!" the intelligent system greeted respectfully as his consciousness arrived.
Ji Feng cut to the chase. "Train me to become a super agent of the interstellar era as fast as possible, using the toughest standards. At least get me to that level!"
After Xu Mo's attack, his desire for strength burned fiercer than ever.
"Yes, Master!" the system replied. "First, we'll enhance your physical condition. Begin with aerobics…"