Chapter Forty-Seven: Here to Deliver Achievement Points!

“What’s going on?” Chen Feng looked at Zhang Zhenhan in confusion, unable to figure out why he alone had been called. Still, he obediently followed Zhang Zhenhan to the principal’s office.

Huh?

Chen Feng was startled for a moment—inside the office was a familiar face, though not a close acquaintance.

It was Xia Yan!

“Officer, hello, I’m Zhang Zhenhan, principal of No. 1 High School, and this is Chen Feng.” After introducing himself, Zhang Zhenhan gestured at Chen Feng and continued, “May I ask how I should address you?”

“Hello, Principal Zhang. I’m Xia Yan, captain of the Jiangzhou City Criminal Investigation Department.” Xia Yan smiled and reached out her fair hand to him.

They shook hands briefly before Zhang Zhenhan asked, “Captain Xia, you’re here to see my student—may I ask what for?”

Xia Yan gave a gentle smile, took a red banner from the policeman beside her, and handed it to Zhang Zhenhan. “Principal Zhang, here’s the situation: On May 1st, student Chen Feng acted bravely and assisted our police in apprehending a group of criminals. I’m here today specifically to present this banner in his honor.”

Zhang Zhenhan was momentarily stunned. He unfurled the brilliant red banner, where the words “Acting with Bravery” burned hot and proud.

“You really brought me a banner?” Chen Feng was also dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Xia Yan to actually bring it, especially after a whole week had passed. He’d thought she wouldn’t bother, but here she was, true to her word.

Xia Yan’s gaze landed on Chen Feng’s face. The corners of her lips lifted slightly; she glanced at Zhang Zhenhan and said, “That’s all for today, Principal Zhang. I’m busy with work, so I’ll take my leave now. Let’s go.”

“Sister Xia Yan!” Chen Feng called out suddenly.

“Yes?” she turned to look at him.

“Well, could you give me your phone number? I’d like to treat you to a meal sometime,” Chen Feng asked politely.

No matter how you looked at it, Xia Yan had helped him out in a big way. Thinking back, how many achievement points had he gotten thanks to her? He didn’t know yet, but Chen Feng felt it was wise to maintain a good relationship with her—it would surely benefit his future.

“Alright, my number is…” Xia Yan quickly recited a number, then smiled at Chen Feng. “Got it memorized?”

“Got it!” Chen Feng repeated the number without hesitation.

“No way, you really memorized it?” Xia Yan looked at him in disbelief.

“It’s nothing, really. I just have a good memory,” Chen Feng replied with a light smile.

“I’ll be waiting for that dinner, then!” Xia Yan winked at him playfully before leaving the office.

Only then did Zhang Zhenhan recover, giving Chen Feng a long, thoughtful look before saying, “Chen Feng, you may go. I’ll announce the outcome at the school assembly.”

“Alright!” Chen Feng didn’t linger, leaving the office at once.

As he left, he checked his achievement system and found his point total had just risen by one. Only one point—not much, but better than nothing.

“Maybe I should ask my teacher to return my phone now,” Chen Feng mused, heading to his homeroom teacher Sun Minghai’s office. When he entered, Sun Minghai looked up, surprised. “Chen Feng, you’re here? How did the basketball tournament go—did you win the championship?”

“Of course we did!” Chen Feng grinned, then coughed politely. “Mr. Sun, about my phone—when can I have it back?”

Sun Minghai paused, recalling that he’d confiscated Chen Feng’s phone. He smiled. “Chen Feng, I have no problem returning it, but the midterm exams are just a few days away. Are you confident?”

Chen Feng laughed, unconcerned. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ve mastered all the material. I’m confident I’ll do well.”

“Good to hear!” Sun Minghai smiled, retrieved the phone from his drawer, and handed it over. “Be sure to review these next few days. The city basketball tournament is over; now it’s time to focus.”

“Understood!” Chen Feng took his phone and left the office.

It was nearly noon by now.

Chen Feng returned to the classroom. To be honest, it had been a while since his last visit; ever since he’d started coming to school, he’d gone straight to the gym for weight training every day. His return to the classroom took everyone by surprise.

He picked up a textbook he hadn’t touched in a month and glanced through a few pages. Instantly, countless facts and formulas surfaced in his mind, combinations and applications coming naturally. Chen Feng realized there was no need for him to review at all.

“Don’t go home at noon—let’s eat together!” With that, Chen Feng reached out and took Fang Yue’s delicate hand, leading her out of the school. It was the first time he’d held Fang Yue’s hand so openly at school. His heart raced, his breath caught, but he also felt a pleasant comfort he couldn’t quite describe.

Fang Yue didn’t resist, either. Though she knew everyone would soon realize they were dating, she couldn’t bring herself to let go. Her pretty face was flushed red, even her tiny ears glowing.

“What do you want to eat?” Chen Feng first stopped by the bank to cash the thirty-thousand yuan check, depositing it into his card. He planned to keep this money for himself—no need to supplement the family, since they had some savings, and he was confident his signature stuffed beef balls would be a huge hit. Soon, money would be rolling in—why worry about this small sum?

Soon, he and Fang Yue arrived at a small restaurant outside the school.

“I want to eat something you make,” Fang Yue suddenly said.

“Ah, I really can’t cook here!” Chen Feng spread his hands and smiled wryly. “If you want my cooking, you’ll have to wait until I make it for you at home.”

Fang Yue giggled. “Alright, I won’t make things difficult for you. Anything is fine—I’m not picky.”

Chen Feng quickly ordered a table full of dishes. His appetite had grown tremendously; his weight had climbed back over two hundred pounds. But now, the weight was lean and compact, nothing like the flabby bulk he’d had before. He looked sturdy and robust—no one would guess how much he weighed.

After the meal, Chen Feng walked Fang Yue back to school. He himself didn’t bother going back; instead, he went to the Apple store and decisively upgraded his phone to the latest model. He’d always wanted one, and now that he could afford it, why not?

That afternoon, Chen Feng went home. He was in charge of making his signature stuffed beef balls, certain they would be a smashing success.

Over the last few days, his parents had been busy preparing to open the shop. The business license had been filed, and all the paperwork was in order—they could open today.

“Chen Feng, why are you home? Don’t you have class this afternoon?” his mother, Xiao Sufen, asked with surprise.

“We had the basketball tournament this morning, and they said we could rest this afternoon. I thought I’d come help out,” Chen Feng lied smoothly—he’d already cleared it with his homeroom teacher, so he wasn’t worried.

At six in the evening, on Sihai Street,

Chen Feng brought his freshly-prepared signature beef balls to the shop. There was no opening ceremony—they simply didn’t have the money for extravagance. In fact, they’d put all their savings into this venture.

As for the price: one hundred yuan per bowl, twenty beef balls per bowl—five yuan each.

His parents worried the price might be too steep, but Chen Feng was resolute. One hundred yuan a bowl was more than fair—at Tianding Restaurant, these would sell for a thousand and still draw buyers.

Forget about slim profits and high volume—he was making a premium product. It took effort and care; even at this price, it was undervalued.

Chen Feng had no doubt his signature beef balls were worth it.

Yet from six in the evening until eight,

Not a single customer came through the door.