Chapter 15: You dare to touch the Butcher's daughter!

As a man of principles, Fang Yan would never give gifts to his superiors.

Besides, even if he wanted to, he had no means to do so. When he fled from home, he only managed to grab some cash from the drawer. He didn’t dare to take his bank cards or credit cards, nor would he dare to use them. With the power of the Fang and Ye families, if he dared to use a bank card in this city, a large force would likely come after him the next day.

And they would kill him.

Every year during the grand martial arts competition, he could imagine the fury of Ye Wenrou and his father’s explosive anger—forget it, today was already bad enough, he didn’t want to think about such despairing matters.

It was pointless to plead with the head of the department. Since he dared to do this, he must have received instructions from above. Going to him would only humiliate himself.

Is Fang Yan stupid? That’s a silly question.

Finding a higher-ranking leader to plead on his behalf might work.

However, the old principal had retired and no longer managed affairs. It was his first day at the school, and the only leader he knew who was higher than the department head was Vice Principal Lu Chaoge. Should he seek her help?

Fang Yan shook his head.

Men are born to solve problems; how could he rely on a woman for everything?

Fang Yan decided to solve the problem himself.

The solution was—damn it, I won’t live on campus anymore.

If they won’t let me sleep here, I’ll find somewhere else to sleep.

"Truly a man of iron will." Rather than bow to evil forces, Fang Yan was almost moved to tears by his own resolve.

Fang Yan wasn’t without a place to stay. After he fled from home, he rented a room in Huacheng.

Five hundred yuan a month, one month’s deposit and two months’ rent, which amounted to one thousand five hundred yuan. With little money left in his pocket, he faced his first survival crisis.

This was also why Fang Yan wanted a room at the school. If the school approved, he could negotiate with the landlady to see if he could get a refund on the rent—

Originally, Fang Yan wanted to bargain for a one-month deposit and one-month rent, but the landlady’s words dissuaded him: “My daughter needs tuition.”

Chepici Village. This was the urban village in Huacheng where Fang Yan rented his room.

In the international metropolis of Huacheng, some people drove colorful luxury cars, lived in mountain-view and sea-view mansions, and enjoyed countless luxury stores and expensive international cuisines. However, the majority were the "ant tribe"—those with tired faces and dark circles from overwork, who took the subway and buses back to their small rented rooms to reunite with their families. Only then did they allow themselves to smile freely. In these small, cozy rooms, they were kings.

Fang Yan wasn’t like this before, but now he had joined their ranks.

Fang Yan returned to the courtyard, and Landlady Li was washing vegetables in the courtyard, preparing to cook.

"Xiao Fang is back?" Landlady Li greeted him warmly.

"Back." Fang Yan smiled in response.

"Have you found a job?"

"Found it."

"So quickly?" Landlady Li straightened her sturdy back. "Xiao Fang, you’re really something. To find a job so quickly? The job market is tough these days. It’s not easy for recent graduates to find work. Think about it, without work experience, which company would hire you? Companies can’t afford to keep idle people."

"My luck was good." Fang Yan smiled modestly.

"Yes, your luck is indeed good. You just got here, and you found a job today. I’ve had other college students rent from me before, and they couldn’t find work for half a year. After six months, they bought tickets to go back home—had to ask their families for the money for the tickets." Landlady Li continued washing the vegetables. "By the way, what kind of job did you find?"

"Teaching Chinese at Zhuque High School." Fang Yan said as he opened his door.

"Zhuque High School is a great school, very famous—" Landlady Li praised, but her voice suddenly rose, and she exclaimed, "What? You’re a teacher at Zhuque High School?"

"Yes." Fang Yan turned to look at her. "Is something wrong?"

Landlady Li’s eyes scanned Fang Yan suspiciously, and she asked again, "You really are a teacher at Zhuque High School?"

"Yes." Fang Yan understood her thoughts. He was still too young, making it hard for people to believe he could be a high school teacher.

"Are you sure you’re not lying?"

Fang Yan smiled bitterly and said, "Landlady Li, why would I lie to you?"

"Amazing." Landlady Li praised repeatedly, her eyes shining. "Really amazing. Teacher Fang, go back to your room and rest for a bit. Don’t eat out today. I’ll cook a few more dishes, and when Uncle Jiang comes back, we’ll have a drink together."

"Landlady Li, no need to be so formal." Fang Yan said. The treatment had improved too quickly. Not only had the title changed, but she was also inviting him to dinner?

"No, no. You renting from me is a kind of fate. I always invite new tenants to dinner. It’s settled, I’ll start preparing now. If you’re hungry, I have bread at home—"

"Not hungry. I’m not hungry yet." Fang Yan quickly said.

"Alright. Just wait a bit. I’ll call you when it’s time to eat, Teacher Fang." Landlady Li said.

Fang Yan opened the door and turned on the light. The room brightened up.

The small room, less than thirty square meters, had a bed and a desk, and a small bathroom.

The conditions were simple, nothing like his home. But Fang Yan felt comfortable and at ease. He had been sleeping soundly these past few nights, without any dreams.

Here, he felt no pressure, and he could breathe freely.

Fang Yan originally planned to take a shower and then go out for dinner, but since Landlady Li had invited him, his dinner was taken care of.

After a shower, Fang Yan lay on the bed reading a book and fell asleep without realizing it.

In a daze, he felt someone push the door open.

He remembered Landlady Li saying she would come to call him for dinner, thinking he would pretend to wake up when she called the second time. If he jumped up as soon as she called, it would make him seem like he was waiting for dinner, which would be embarrassing.

However, Landlady Li didn’t call out; she approached him step by step.

"Huh? What does Landlady Li want?" Fang Yan felt nervous, even more so than when he met Ye Wenrou. No, just as nervous as when he met Ye Wenrou. "Could it be that Landlady Li, seeing my handsome face, has evil thoughts and wants to take advantage of me while I’m asleep?"

"No, I can’t let her succeed." Fang Yan made up his mind. He couldn’t let his purity be ruined by a woman with a barrel waist.

She reached out.

Fang Yan could feel her hand moving toward him.

Unable to bear it any longer, Fang Yan sat up abruptly from the bed as if he had just had a nightmare.

Bang—

Fang Yan’s head collided with another person’s head.

"Ouch—" The groan of pain came from a young girl.

"What’s going on? It’s not Landlady Li?" Fang Yan felt puzzled. When he saw the girl, who was holding her head and glaring at him angrily, he felt deeply guilty: "She just wanted to touch you. Why not let her? What’s the big deal?"

"Are you okay?" Fang Yan asked with concern.

The little girl was still furious, pointing at Fang Yan and shouting, "You dare to touch the Butcher’s daughter? Do you believe my father will chop you to death?"

"..."

(Ps: Friends, good morning! If I can make you smile or even laugh during your sleepy morning or tiring work, it would be my greatest honor!)

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