Chapter 56

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

Yuyan, the very famous host of Xinan News Channel, appeared in the office. Standing beside her were Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi. Deng Mengmeng playfully winked at Ai Xiaohai.

"It's him, it's him!" Before Yuyan could speak, the cameraman had already shouted, as if he had caught a criminal.

The people in the office were puzzled. What happened? Did Ai Xiaohai steal someone's money?

"Director Yao." Yuyan had interviewed Director Yao before and considered him an old acquaintance: "Director Yao, do you know who Ai Xiaohai is?"

Seeing Director Yao shake his head in confusion, Yuyan pointed at Ai Xiaohai: "He is the city hero who saved Jiajia's life!"

"Ah—"

The office was filled with low gasps of surprise.

Strange things happen every year, but this year has been particularly eventful. Ai Xiaohai first caught a robber, and then he transformed into the city hero that everyone in Xinan had been talking about recently.

No wonder, when I saw Ai Xiaohai, he seemed familiar, Hong Qihai thought to himself.

"Student Ai Xiaohai, don't deny it anymore," Yuyan said with a smile. "The two traffic police officers who took you to Yuechang are on their way. Do you want to confront them?"

"I'm not a criminal, what do you mean by confronting them?" Ai Xiaohai mumbled. "It's just saving a little girl, do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?"

"Student Ai Xiaohai," Director Yao became excited. "Initially, when I heard about your deeds from the comrades in Helke City, I was very pleased. Now, I find out that you are the city hero we have been looking for. Positive energy, we have been searching for positive energy, but it's right in front of us. We need to commend you, publicize your story throughout the city, and call on all citizens to learn from you. I will report to the Municipal Committee."

Ai Xiaohai was terrified. This can't be happening. How can I still live my life? Imagine, every move you make, your daily life with no privacy, and people following you everywhere. That's not an honor, it's a torment!

He would rather die than have this happen.

"Director Yao, Director Yao," Ai Xiaohai said with a sad face. "Please don't publicize it. I'm a student, and I still need to go to school. This will affect my studies."

This was the only excuse Ai Xiaohai could think of.

Director Yao thought for a moment and agreed, but still instructed the TV station to make a special program about Ai Xiaohai.

Although it wasn't the ideal outcome, it was勉强可以接受了. Ai Xiaohai felt the benefit of being a student for the first time, as it could serve as a shield.

Now, Kong Youzhong and the others were in a passive and awkward position. Who would have thought that the seemingly ordinary Ai Xiaohai had done such things?

"Student Ai Xiaohai, do you have any requests?" Director Yao was clearly in high spirits. "Anything about your life or studies, you can ask. This can be considered a reward for you."

"There is one thing," Ai Xiaohai didn't hesitate and told the story of the three hooligans and the fight, and how he was facing expulsion.

Director Yao frowned, had someone bring the hospital records of the three hooligans, made a call to the bureau, and then said, "These three are quite 'famous,' often detained and sentenced, and one is still on parole. Principal Hong, I must criticize you. Your work is not solid, allowing these hooligans to take advantage."

"Yes, it's our fault," Hong Qihai said, even though this had nothing to do with him and he had always been supporting Ai Xiaohai, he still took the responsibility.

"We can also testify," Deng Mengmeng suddenly said. "At the time, I, Xu Yunqi, and many other classmates saw that the three hooligans were the ones who provoked the fight."

Director Yao nodded, gave detailed instructions on what to pay attention to, and instructed the school to commend Ai Xiaohai and the TV station to conduct a good interview, then left. Ai Xiaohai had wanted to invite Captain Du and Director Zhou to dinner, but they were in a hurry to go to another city to handle a case, so he couldn't persuade them to stay.

Under Director Yao's almost mandatory order, Ai Xiaohai accepted a brief five-minute interview with Yuyan, just saying some formal words.

Kong Youzhong, Gao Mingyi, and Yang Zewei were at a loss, standing and sitting awkwardly, watching Ai Xiaohai being interviewed by Yuyan.

This was unexpected. They had wanted to get rid of Ai Xiaohai, but instead, he became a hero. What kind of situation is this?

But they didn't realize that the interview, which they envied so much, was actually a torment for Ai Xiaohai...

After the interview, Hong Qihai, on behalf of the school, expressed his apologies to Ai Xiaohai and promised to publicize his heroic deeds as soon as possible.

Ai Xiaohai didn't mind. This had nothing to do with Principal Hong. Where there are good people, there are also bad people, and vice versa. All of this was due to Deng Chenglong's machinations. It looks like he and Deng Chenglong will have many more confrontations...

...

"Ai Xiaohai, how are you going to thank us?" As soon as they left the office, Xu Yunqi hooked her arm around Yuyan's shoulder. "Mengmeng and I immediately told Yuyan about your heroic identity when we heard you were being wronged!"

Deng Mengmeng looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, Ai Xiaohai, you told me not to say anything, but I..."

"I can't thank you enough. Being interviewed as a hero seems pretty good," Ai Xiaohai said with a grin, then turned to Yuyan. "Big host, thank you!"

Yuyan's expression wasn't very good, and she snorted. "You don't deserve it. As long as you don't tell me to go away again."

Ai Xiaohai immediately remembered what happened in the hospital that day. "It was to save someone, right? Sorry, sorry, I apologize."

Yuyan wasn't really angry. Ai Xiaohai's words made the last bit of her unhappiness disappear, and she smiled. "Since that's the case, how are you going to make it up to me?"

Ai Xiaohai scratched his head. "How about this, you treat me to a meal."

"What, you want me to treat you to a meal?" Yuyan was taken aback. The one apologizing wanted to be treated to a meal. What kind of logic is this?

Xu Yunqi, who knew Ai Xiaohai's character well, laughed and pointed at him. "Sister Yuyan, he's a notorious scoundrel. He always makes people treat him to a meal."

Ai Xiaohai, however, was serious. "Think about it, my identity is exposed. I wanted to be a mysterious hero like Spider-Man or Batman, but now it's over. You have to compensate me for my loss, right? Besides, Mengmeng provided you with such important information, acting as a traitor. You should treat your informant well, shouldn't you?"

Scoundrel, scoundrel, he's definitely a little scoundrel.

Yuyan couldn't help but laugh and told the cameraman to go back first. "Let's go, where do you want to eat? You choose the place."

The place Ai Xiaohai chose was far from commendable. On a hot day, he picked a hot pot restaurant.

The host follows the guest's preference. Yuyan booked a small private room, ordered four small hot pots, and a few bottles of cold beer. Eating hot pot with cold beer in the summer has a unique flavor.

"Ai Xiaohai, are you up for a drinking contest?" Xu Yunqi said provocatively.

"No, no, I'm afraid of you," Ai Xiaohai said, stuffing the cooked food into his mouth.

"You haven't eaten in half a lifetime," Xu Yunqi said with disdain.

Ai Xiaohai ignored her. "What do you know? When someone treats you to a meal, if you don't eat your fill, it's a loss!"

Yuyan and Deng Mengmeng laughed. Only Ai Xiaohai could say such things with such confidence.

How happy, Yuyan thought of her college days... Now, it's the best time for them. In two years, they will have to worry about finding jobs. Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi don't have to worry, but what about Ai Xiaohai?

Although he has the title of 'hero,' it doesn't help with job hunting. Especially with Ai Xiaohai's casual appearance, it's a big no-no when looking for a job.

Why am I worrying so much...

"Mengmeng, Yunyun, I heard you rented a place?" Yuyan suddenly asked.

"Uh-huh," Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi nodded.

Ai Xiaohai was very curious. "Your home is in Xinan, why do you need to rent a place?"

Deng Mengmeng explained that they had never lived independently before. Now that they were in college, they didn't want to always live at home. One, it's not free, and two, they wanted to exercise their independence, so they rented a place near the school.

"Living in luxury," Ai Xiaohai shook his head. "Rich people are different. You have a good home but insist on renting a place outside. Isn't it your family's money anyway?"

Seeing Xu Yunqi about to argue, Yuyan quickly said, "Hey, let me tell you something interesting. I received a tip that there's a farm near Yuechang. It's a fun place, and all the stray dogs in the area are there."

Ai Xiaohai's heart skipped a beat. Is she talking about my farm?

"What's so special about stray dogs?"

"Stray dogs aren't special, but it's strange that they are guarding the farm. Once, someone passed by and wanted to enter the farm. Goodness, there were over ten dogs, and they were so fierce. Even stranger, those stray dogs have a leader, a small mixed-breed dog."

"A small mixed-breed dog?"

"Uh-huh." Yuyan thought for a moment. "Later, someone came out of the farm and called the little dog something. Oh, I forgot."

"Xiao Qi," Ai Xiaohai said, still eating.

The three women's eyes all fell on him. "How did you know?"

"Of course, it's my dog. Ah, right, Mengmeng, it's the little dog you saw with me in Helke City."

"Ai Xiaohai, you still say you're poor? You have a farm and you're still poor?" Xu Yunqi was the first to exclaim.

"I really am poor," Ai Xiaohai insisted. "I've spent all my money on that farm!"

"I don't care. You have to take us there to play this Sunday!"