Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

With the concerted efforts of all the students in class 16, the printed paper containing the names of the bullies smoothly made its way into all twenty classes of the first grade.

Eating melon is indeed a gene carved in human DNA, and three days after the papers were distributed, the incident spread throughout the school at an unpredictable speed. In the hallways and the cafeteria, the first thing people said when they met was, "Hey, have you heard? There’s a girl in the first grade..."

Many upper-grade students specifically sought out Zhang Yiyi’s exact class and then braved obstacles to come and watch the drama unfold. Naturally, this group also included upper-grade sisters brimming with sympathy, who wrote letters to Zhang Yiyi, bought her snacks, and offered comfort and encouragement.

Every student who came to see Zhang Yiyi inevitably followed the class listed on the paper and, one by one, sought out those who had bullied Zhang Yiyi to give them a merciless lashing.

The former bullies finally experienced what it was like to be bullied, and Xu Qingfan believed this would be a memorable lesson for them.

The story unfolded like an anime he had seen in his previous life, where the lead bully eventually became the target of everyone’s bullying. Whether or not this eye for an eye approach was worth advocating, Xu Qingfan didn’t want to think about for the time being—at least he found it quite satisfying to watch now.

...

Monday, under the national flag.

"First grade, class 16, Xu Qingfan, for organizing classmates to spread information unrelated to study during school hours, severely disrupted school discipline, violated the school’s code of conduct, and caused adverse effects. To educate him personally and maintain the normal order of teaching and school life, and to create a safe, civilized, and orderly school environment, according to the ’Primary School Student Management Regulation,’ Xu Qingfan is hereby criticized publicly as a warning!"

Xu Qingfan stood behind a group of teachers with a dead-fish eye, waiting for the principal to finish reading the notice so he could go up and read his letter of apology.

"It’s not that the teacher won’t help you, really, but you see, those parents of the students come to complain every day; there’s just no other way. Next semester, I’ll find a way to clear your punishment," whispered Guan Biyue, squatting down close to his ear to soothe him.

"Got it, got it, thanks to our beautiful and kind Teacher Guan."

"You little rascal, call me Teacher Guan!" Guan Biyue chided him lightly as she tapped Xu Qingfan on the head.

Speaking of which, the principal was also quite helpless. The problem had originated in kindergarten, yet it had exploded in primary school—this was like using the sword from a former dynasty to execute an official of the current one!

Zhang Yiyi’s bullying in kindergarten profoundly moved him, but it wasn’t his responsibility! Yet, his own school’s students were indeed being bullied extensively, so much so that even as the principal, he could no longer sit back.

"Respected teachers and dear classmates, good morning.

I, Xu Qingfan, on November 30, organized classmates to spread improper content that disrupted school discipline and was unrelated to our studies. I have deeply reflected on my actions and firmly resist any bullying behavior in school, and I hope everyone will take note!"

Upon finishing, Xu Qingfan was met with a tsunami of applause from the audience.

"Junior bro is awesome!"

"Brother Fan is awesome!"

"You are my idol!!!"

"..."

As Xu Qingfan walked off the stage, the principal glared at him and, with a darkened face, took over the microphone, "Next up, we have the list of winners from last week’s district mathematics competition. When I call your name, please come up to receive your award!"

"First prize, first grade class 16, Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao; first grade class 3, Wu Lingyu; second prize, first grade..."

Xu Qingfan’s foot paused mid-step as he descended the stage, silently muttering, "Awesome."

Watching him turn back onto the stage, the students below were initially bewildered, shocked, and finally ecstatic.

The coalescence of a divine status might only require a public criticism followed by a school-wide accolade.

...

Within a few days, news of Sunflower Kindergarten allowing student bullying hit the local newspapers, and the Yangcheng Evening News that featured Xu Qingfan’s article "My 5-Year-Old Daughter Becomes Increasingly Introverted" was sold out immediately.

After reading the report, numerous parents hurriedly processed their withdrawal forms overnight. No matter how things unfolded later, this kindergarten was definitely crippled by the ordeal.

...

"Boss, 211!" (Two orders of rice noodle rolls, one without scallions and one with pickled long beans abbreviated.)

"You rascal, they were ready a while ago, hurry up and take them to your car," the shop owner pointed to the two packed lunch boxes on the table and said with a smile.

"Thank you, thank you." Xu Qingfan picked up the rice noodle rolls and hurried Xia Xiaoxiao onto the school bus.

Xia Xiaoxiao, already unable to remember how many times this had happened, took the rice noodle rolls and started eating with an expressionless face, tired of always critiquing her friend who overslept every day.

"Still warm, the boss is such a genuine person!" Xu Qingfan took a bite of the rice noodle roll and silently gave the shop owner a thumbs up.

The school bus reached the next stop, Xiao Ruawen boarded, and Xu Qingfan naturally moved his backpack aside, allowing her to sit next to him on the right.

Xiao Ruawen placed her backpack on her lap, opened the zipper, and started searching inside for something.

"Here you go, Merry Christmas Eve!"

Xu Qingfan turned his head and saw that she was holding two apples and two beautifully made greeting cards.

"Thank you." He put down the half-eaten rice noodle roll and reached out to take one of them.

"This one is yours!" Xiao Ruawen crossed her arms and handed him the one from the other side, "Xiao Xiao, this is yours!"

After receiving the apple and greeting card, Xia Xiaoxiao also pulled out two lollipops and two greeting cards from her backpack.

After exchanging the greeting cards, Xia Xiaoxiao and Xiao Ruawen both turned their gaze towards Xu Qingfan.

The rice noodle roll in Xu Qingfan’s mouth paused mid-air, unsure whether it was better to eat it or put it down.

"Hehe... Back in my hometown, it’s traditional to give out greeting cards at Christmas," Xu Qingfan said with a sheepish smile after swallowing the rice noodle roll.

"I’m looking forward to Brother Fan’s gift!" Xiao Ruawen’s smile was sweet, and the little girl meaningfully pointed at her own left cheek.

Xu Qingfan could only pretend not to understand. A sneaky kiss was fine, but being openly asked by Xiao Ruawen in public to make a noise like "Mu-mah" was a bit much.

Having only been reprimanded last month, Xu Qingfan wanted to live a bit longer.

Seeing no response from Xu Qingfan, Xiao Ruawen pouted sadly and secretly pinched his arm.

He first opened the greeting card Xia Xiaoxiao gave him, inside, familiar handwriting read: "Forever and ever, long live our friendship—Xia Xiaoxiao."

[Forever and ever, huh? I hope so.] Xu Qingfan rarely showed a bitter smile.

History indeed has an unparalleled corrective nature; the content of the first greeting card he received from her in his past life was the same.

Outside was still too dangerous; recalling the shock, confusion, and helplessness when he heard the news of Xia Xiaoxiao’s death in a foreign land in his past life, Xu Qingfan swore that in this life, even if he had to forge documents, he would keep Xia Xiaoxiao locked in China.

Xiao Ruawen’s greeting card included a small LED light that lit up when opened and played the main tune of "Marry Christmas" from a speaker.

The little girl’s message on her greeting card for him read: "Xu Qingfan is the hero of Class 16!"

"Thank you, you are also the hero of Class 16." He leaned towards Xiao Ruawen’s ear and whispered, then kissed her on the cheek.

Xiao Ruawen wiped the grease from the rice noodle roll off her cheek with a tissue and stuffed the used tissue into his hand, glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

Xu Qingfan: ? ? ?

He subconsciously touched his own left cheek, a piece of scallion...

Oops!

Turns out he had misunderstood the situation.