Xiaowen pursed his lips, his face sullen. "They asked to borrow money from me, and I said I didn't have any."

"They didn't believe me and insisted on going through my backpack. That's how the fight started."

As for why Xiaowen had cash, Lin Jiajun had explained that last month, his son had spent a thousand yuan—his entire lunch money for the month—on a mobile game. Furious, Lin Jiajun had swapped his smartphone for a basic phone for the elderly and started giving him cash in hundred-yuan increments, telling him not to ask for more until it was gone. He'd get the smartphone back only when he cleaned up his act. Lin Jiajun himself had wasted a lot of money on food and entertainment when he was young. He was determined not to let his son follow in his footsteps and wanted to nip this bad habit in the bud.

Lin Feng asked the other three kids, "Did you try to rob him of his money?"

One of the children stammered, "We didn't rob him, we just wanted to borrow it! It's not like we weren't going to pay it back."

Lin Feng chuckled. "If he doesn't want to lend it to you and you insist on taking it, that's robbery."

"What, is it his fault for not lending you money?"

"Why should he lend you anything? How about you lend me some cash?"

At these words, everyone was stunned. Lin Feng's remark left the other party speechless.

The teacher rubbed her forehead. "Regardless, fighting is wrong. Couldn't you have talked things out?"

Lin Feng glanced at the teacher with a hint of surprise. "Teacher, three students were trying to rob him and even wanted to go through his backpack. How was Xiaowen supposed to talk it out?"

"Would Xiaowen have gotten into an argument with them if they hadn't done that?"

The teacher was flabbergasted. This parent… has a sharp tongue!

She frowned. She knew what the underlying issue was and had been planning to use this opportunity to give all the boys a stern lecture.

Just then, another parent arrived. It was the parent of the boy who had just replied to Lin Feng. Upon arriving, the parent saw the injuries on his child's face and, without asking what happened, burst out angrily, "What happened to his face? Who hit him?"

Like father, like son, indeed. Both are unreasonable people!

The child pointed at Xiaowen and said, "Dad, he's the one who hit me."

The parent immediately became belligerent. "Look at what you've done to my child! What kind of parent are you? How do you raise your child? You're paying for the medical bills!"

The teacher quickly intervened, "Sir, please calm down. This isn't entirely the other boy's fault. You need to cool down first!"

"How can I calm down?" the parent retorted. "I treasure my son so much I wouldn't even lay a finger on him. What gives him the right to hit people!"

The parent's fierce demeanor clearly frightened Xiaowen.

Lin Feng comforted him, "Don't be afraid. Uncle is here."

Those words and his calm expression seemed to instantly settle Xiaowen's nerves.

The teacher and the parent were still arguing.

"It's just borrowing a little money," the parent said. "They're all classmates, what's the big deal?"

Lin Feng turned and said coolly, "It's just giving your son a beating. He was asking for it, so what's the big deal?"

The other parent flew into a rage, his expression turning fierce as if he was about to attack Lin Feng. "What did you say? You have the guts to say that again?"

With one hand, Lin Feng grabbed the corner of the teacher's desk and broke it off.

SNAP.

Everyone stared in horror at the broken piece of the desk. It was hard to imagine that someone could break it with their bare hands.

Lin Feng's smile remained gentle, yet it held an unusual coldness. "Your son needed a beating. What's wrong with giving him one?"

The other parent immediately backed down, and the teacher was at a loss for words.

Lin Feng turned to the teacher and spoke with a sincere attitude. "Teacher, I know Xiaowen has many flaws. It's normal for boys to be a bit rebellious and mischievous during puberty. I hope you can be more tolerant of him, and we as parents will certainly discipline him strictly."

The teacher, still in shock, nodded absently. "Mm-hm."

Lin Feng added, "As for the fight today, I don't condone it. But if someone else starts it..." He affectionately stroked Xiaowen's head. "I don't mind my child fighting back. We don't start trouble, but we aren't afraid of it either. We will take responsibility for our part."

Xiaowen looked at Lin Feng, deeply moved. His eyes reddened and his nose stung.

The teacher sat down again and swept her gaze over the boys. "Alright, all of you, tell me exactly what happened."

Xiaowen remained silent, but the other three confessed the truth bit by bit. Because Xiaowen always seemed to have plenty of spending money and came from a wealthy family, they had targeted him as a new transfer student. They would demand money from him under the guise of "borrowing" it. This wasn't the first time. After Xiaowen refused them this time, the three had decided to take the money by force. When he argued with them, they started hurling insults, which escalated into a physical fight.

Of course, the three of them still held back some of the details. The teacher had to learn the full story from other students.

Lin Feng said, "Oh. So, by that logic, shouldn't you be the ones paying for our medical expenses?"

The other parent's bravado had weakened. "But my child's injuries are more serious."

Lin Feng smiled. "He couldn't win the fight, so now it's my fault? And there were three of you, for shame."

The parent was speechless. "Since they're both injured, let's just drop it."

Lin Feng shook his head. "First, we are the victims here. You haven't even offered an apology, and you want to just drop it? Second, I'm taking Xiaowen to the hospital for a check-up. I'll give the bill to the teacher. As for how much compensation you'll pay, you can figure that out."

"How can you do that!" the parent exclaimed.

The teacher quickly said, "You were the ones at fault, so you should be the one to apologize!" She then set an example herself. "Lin Xiaowen, I misunderstood you earlier. That was my mistake. I'm sorry."

Lin Feng was slightly surprised, and his impression of the teacher improved dramatically. In reality, the teacher had only intended to use this as an opportunity to discipline a few students. Coupled with Xiaowen's poor performance in school and his status as a transfer student, she had inevitably been biased against him.

Xiaowen was rather flattered. "It's okay, teacher! It's... it's because of the bad impression I usually make..." He trailed off, looking very embarrassed. He was well aware of his own behavior.

Since the teacher herself had apologized, it would have been shameless for the instigators to argue further.

At that moment, the school bell rang.

The teacher sighed. "Alright, Lin Xiaowen, you two can head home."

As Lin Feng was leaving, he remembered the desk. "Teacher, I'll have someone send a new office desk over this afternoon. Along with the hospital bill."

Uh, he's actually serious, not joking!

Lin Feng left the office with Xiaowen. On the way out, they ran into many of his classmates, who eyed Lin Feng with curiosity. Lin Feng looked so young that it was hard to believe he was the parent of a child this old. At first glance, one might even mistake him for Xiaowen's older brother.

Lin Feng took Xiaowen to the school gate. "What do you want to eat?"

Xiaowen didn't like eating at home, so Lin Jiajun gave him money to eat out. He was a big boy now, and it was time he learned to take care of himself. Besides that, Xiaowen was in his rebellious phase, prickly as a hedgehog and always at odds with his parents. It was just simpler to let him eat out.

Lin Feng asked again, "What do you want to eat?"

"Anything."

Lin Feng ended up choosing a Chinese restaurant near the school where the prices were quite reasonable. When they entered, they managed to snag the last empty table. He handed the menu to Xiaowen.

Xiaowen shook his head. "Uncle, you can order."

Lin Feng ordered a few dishes and a soup. As the food arrived, he said, "Go on, eat. Why are you staring at me?" He paused and added with a grin, "I know I'm handsome."

Xiaowen asked cautiously, "Uncle, are you angry?"

Lin Feng looked surprised. "Angry about what? This wasn't your fault. In fact, I think you did the right thing. Your uncle's principle is: we don't start trouble, but we aren't afraid of it." Then he leaned in and added in a low voice, "Just be careful not to cause any serious harm when you fight."

Xiaowen nodded and smiled. He had braced himself for Lin Feng to scold him in front of the teacher and then complain to his father. Thinking of this, a warmth spread through his chest, and he suddenly felt much closer to his uncle.

"Uncle, are we really going to the hospital?"

"Of course!" Lin Feng wasn't kidding. "After we finish eating, we'll go to the hospital for a check-up, and then we'll buy the teacher a new desk."

After their meal, they went to the hospital for an examination. The injuries weren't serious; some ointment would do the trick. The medical bills and a brand-new office desk were delivered to the homeroom teacher soon after.

The homeroom teacher was speechless. "..."

After dropping Xiaowen back at school, Lin Feng went to Lin Jiajun's store. Wang Lu had just dropped their younger child off at elementary school and would usually bring him back to the store for lunch and a nap. The store was close to the school and had a break room, making it convenient. When Lin Feng arrived, Wang Lu had just returned. "You're here! Have you eaten?"

Business at the store was booming. It was packed every day, especially around lunchtime and after school until the evening. Whenever Wang Lu was free during peak hours, she would come to help out.

Lin Jiajun came out from the kitchen. "Director Lin is here?"

Lin Feng sat down. "I came to tell you something. First, promise you won't get angry. Hear me out."

The couple exchanged a worried look, thinking something terrible had happened.

After Lin Feng finished his story, Lin Jiajun was silent for a long moment before saying, "That brat! He must have been afraid I'd beat him, so he called you instead!"

Lin Feng laughed. "If you had gone, you probably would have just given him a tongue-lashing without even finding out how wronged he was. If you two had a better relationship, he wouldn't have called me."

Wang Lu sighed. "That child. He listens to me a little, but his father's words go in one ear and out the other. I'm at my wit's end."

Lin Jiajun looked troubled as well. "I try to communicate with him, but he won't say a word. How am I supposed to talk to him? And when I try to reason with him, the look on his face... it's... disdainful? Anyway, he just looks like he's asking for a beating!"

Lin Feng consoled him, "Don't be so angry. Teenagers are like this. Think back to when we were kids. We were disobedient and caused plenty of trouble too. Besides, Xiaowen is so much better than we were. Don't be too harsh on him."

Hearing this, Lin Jiajun's expression softened.

Lin Feng reminded him, "Regarding this incident, if you decide to talk to Xiaowen about it, have a proper conversation. If you don't feel like having that talk, then just pretend you don't know about it. In the future, try to communicate with him more gently. Don't be so overbearing."

At this, Wang Lu quickly chimed in. "Exactly! The two of them are father and son, but they insist on antagonizing each other. It leaves me stuck in the middle, pleasing neither side."

Lin Jiajun didn't say anything, his expression clearly showing he knew he was somewhat in the wrong.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.