C13 Reporter Interview!

"Catching a thief on the bus?" Wang Chi's expression suddenly contorted into something bizarre.

He had just declared that Zhou Wen wouldn't have a second chance, yet here it was, materializing before him.

Wang Chi could feel his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Zhou Wen nabbed a thief last weekend?"

"Catching thieves? It's only been a few days since Zhou Wen jumped into the river to save someone, and now he's caught another one?"

"Do you guys think Zhou Wen is an undercover agent sent by the fire department?"

The classroom buzzed with hushed conversations.

Even Lee Dan, standing at the podium, was so taken aback she found herself at a loss for words.

All eyes were on Zhou Wen.

The middle-aged man entering the room was Zheng Chuan, the senior year's guidance director.

He was the one who had previously accompanied the principal and Qin Yi to the classroom to express their gratitude to Zhou Wen.

The school's beauty, Su Qin, was also in disbelief. She turned to look at Zhou Wen, her face etched with astonishment.

Nobody could have imagined that such an unassuming individual could pull off such staggering feats not once, but twice.

Guidance Director Zheng Chuan stepped forward, his thinning hair combed stubbornly to one side, eyes squinting.

He stepped aside, allowing the elderly man in white to come forward. Following the collective gaze of the room, the old man's eyes quickly found Zhou Wen at the back of the class.

"Zhou Wen, I've been looking for you," the old man said warmly, approaching with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back.

Zhou Wen scratched his head. "Grandpa, what brings you here?"

The old man, brimming with energy and a friendly demeanor, replied, "You left so quickly, I didn't get a chance to thank you. If I hadn't asked that policewoman, I wouldn't have known where to find you."

The policewoman must be Lin Jing.

Zhou Wen mused internally. Lin Jing had previously looked up his details and knew he attended Big Valley School. Once the old man inquired, she would have directed him accordingly.

"Grandpa, you didn't have to go through all that trouble. I was just doing what anyone should," Zhou Wen said with a smile.

The old man extended his hands, revealing a red cloth roll in his right hand. With a swift gesture, he unfurled it, and a piece of red fabric cascaded down.

The banner bore eight golden characters:

"Act with courage, uphold justice."

Below it, a smaller inscription read, "Presented to Zhou Wen, student of Big Valley School, 13th Grade, Class 5."

"I don't have much to offer you in return, so please accept this banner," the elderly man said, extending the banner toward Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen was taken aback. This method of showing gratitude seemed quite fitting for someone of the old man's generation.

"Zhou Wen, what are you doing just standing there? Go on and take it," urged Zheng Chuan, the Director of Instruction.

Zhou Wen quickly stepped forward and received the banner from the old man with both hands.

The old man looked Zhou Wen over and smiled. "There, it's done. With this, an old man's heart can rest easy. I'll be on my way."

Zheng Chuan looked up and addressed Lee Dan at the podium, "Ms. Lee, I'm going to have Zhou Wen escort the gentleman out. He may be late for the next class. Please arrange to have this banner hung in your classroom."

Lee Dan, snapping out of her daze, replied, "Sure, let Zhou Wen go. I'll handle the banner."

Zheng Chuan couldn't hide his delight. Students like Zhou Wen brought great honor to the school. First, he had rescued someone from the river, and now he had caught a thief. With a little more promotion, Big Valley School's esteemed reputation would grow even stronger in the community.

Soon, more parents would be eager to enroll their children at Big Valley School.

Just then, Wang Chi, seated at the front, suddenly interjected, "Zheng Chuan, do you really trust Zhou Wen that much? How do we know this old man isn't just an actor hired by Zhou Wen to deceive us?"

His words resonated throughout the classroom.

Everyone paused, then the realization set in.

"Yeah, what if the old man is in cahoots with Zhou Wen?"

"You know, it's quite possible. Zhou Wen used to be so lackadaisical and aimless, how could he have changed overnight?"

"Deceiving people seems like something Zhou Wen would do!"

Several students chimed in agreement.

Wang Chi looked smug, remembering how Zhou Wen had been made to stand outside the classroom for an entire evening study session.

As a student who had always prided himself on his exemplary conduct and academic achievements, Wang Chi viewed this as a profound disgrace.

Therefore, he had always harbored resentment.

Today, someone claimed that Zhou Wen had acted heroically, even catching a thief.

Wang Chi just couldn't believe it.

Zhou Wen, a student who was so eager to do the right thing, had done it twice in a row?

How could that be possible?

Even Zheng Chuan was taken aback. He knew Wang Chi, a student with excellent grades in Zhou Wen's class who wasn't known to lie.

And as for Zhou Wen, if it hadn't been for Qin Yi's visit, Zheng Chuan wouldn't have known him at all.

Now, with the students in the class chattering away, Zheng Chuan started to wonder if the elderly man was a fraud hired by Zhou Wen.

After all, Zheng Chuan had brought the man in himself, carrying a silk banner, and had only heard the story from him. Who knew if it was even true?

"Director Zheng, Ms. Lee, I think you need to look into Zhou Wen," Wang Chi said smugly.

"Wang Chi, on what grounds do you accuse me of lying?" Zhou Wen retorted angrily.

"On what grounds? Do you have evidence to prove you actually caught a thief?" Wang Chi stood up, pointing at Zhou Wen.

"Isn't my testimony enough?" the old man's demeanor turned icy.

"You? How do we know you weren't hired by Zhou Wen?" Wang Chi scoffed.

"Hired me?" The old man let out a laugh, as if recalling something, then shook his head.

"In all of Anewood, there's no one who could afford my services!" he declared emphatically.

"You must be bluffing!" Wang Chi huffed. "Zhou Wen, can you provide evidence? If not, just admit you're a fraud!"

Zhou Wen was seething with rage, his eyes nearly shooting flames.

What was worse, he noticed Su Qin pondering, seemingly starting to doubt him.

"Wang Chi, just because you can't achieve something doesn't mean others can't. What's the point in slandering Zhou Wen?" Hui Yuming hit the table in frustration.

Wang Chi remained confident, saying, "I haven't slandered Zhou Wen. I've merely shared my suspicions. If Zhou Wen can present evidence, I'll retract my statement."

Lee Dan stepped down from the podium and spoke gently, "Zhou Wen, if you have any evidence, please present it. Wang Chi's doubts aren't unfounded."

Zheng Chuan nodded in agreement and said, "Zhou Wen, if you have any evidence, please present it."

"You don't believe the old man's testimony, and you still want more evidence?" Zhou Wen retorted angrily to Wang Chi.

"It's up to you to provide the proof. Without it, there's nothing to discuss!" Wang Chi declared smugly.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted outside the classroom, sounding like a crowd was in the hallway.

The noise grew louder and seemed to be approaching the classroom.

A female teacher hurried into the classroom, her eyes brightening as she spotted the people inside. "Director Zheng Chuan, I've been looking for you. Anewood TV Station is here, and they're adamant about interviewing a student named Zhou Wen from Class 5. I couldn't hold them back."

"The TV station?" Zheng Chuan's face took on a concerned look.

This was a significant development!

"Class 5 has arrived! Let's go inside quickly!" An elegant female voice called from outside.

No sooner had she spoken than a female reporter with a microphone burst in, a man with a camera trailing behind her.

The reporter was tall with fair skin, dressed in a white blouse that accentuated her figure and tailored black trousers. She wore nude high heels, her hair tied back, with bangs parted to reveal her pale forehead, giving her a sweet appearance.

Upon entering, the reporter's piercing gaze swept over everyone before resting on Zhou Wen.

"Hello, you must be Zhou Wen, right? I'm Han Xiao, a reporter from Anewood TV Station. You engaged in a struggle with an armed thief last weekend and sustained injuries. I'd like to interview you about the incident. Would that be alright?"

Her words sent shockwaves through the classroom.

It was as if a bomb had gone off.

"A knife-wielding thief? Zhou Wen actually fought against one?"

"Not only is Zhou Wen's tale of catching a thief true, but he also apprehended one armed with a knife!"

Several girls gasped, their mouths agape as they stared at Zhou Wen in astonishment.

"Zhou Wen was injured?" Su Qin looked on in amazement, her gaze towards Zhou Wen now tinged with newfound respect.

"What knife-wielding thief? I bet that reporter was hired by Zhou Wen!" Wang Chi blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.

"Wang Chi, have you lost your mind studying? Don't you ever go online? How do you not recognize Han Xiao?"

"Exactly, Han Xiao is the star of our Anewood TV Station. I'm even a fan of hers on Weibo!"

"Zhou Wen is influential, but there's no way he could hire Han Xiao to interview him!"

Han Xiao's expression turned serious as she addressed Wang Chi, "You're saying I was hired by Zhou Wen?"

"I... I meant that Zhou Wen, to make it look like he... he caught the thief, he hired you to... to do the interview." Wang Chi stammered, his words tumbling out in his fluster.

"Hmph! We journalists report based on facts. If he didn't do it, no amount of money would make me interview him!" Han Xiao retorted with indignation.

In that moment, Zheng Chuan, unable to contain his anger, interjected, "Wang Chi, enough! Go stand outside!"

With the arrival of the Anewood TV Station crew, Zheng Chuan's anxiety was palpable.

The last thing he needed was for Wang Chi to bring negative attention to the school and escalate the situation.

"Ms. Han, meet Zheng Chuan," the female teacher introduced.

With a professional smile, Han Xiao greeted him, "Hello, Zheng Chuan."

Zheng Chuan returned the smile, "Hello, Ms. Han."

"Zheng Chuan, may I interview Zhou Wen?" Han Xiao inquired.

"Absolutely, Zhou Wen, would you be willing to speak with Ms. Han?" Zheng Chuan nudged Zhou Wen gently.

Zhou Wen, sensing the eager anticipation from the surrounding teachers, gave a nod of agreement.

A look of joy spread across Han Xiao's face. She had vied for this interview opportunity at the station for quite some time. Without her close relationship with Lin Jing, she wouldn't have had access to firsthand information about Zhou Wen.

Little did her rivals know, she was already on the grounds of Big Valley School.

"Ms. Han, the elderly man who was robbed earlier brought Zhou Wen a banner of appreciation. It would be great for you to interview him too," Zheng Chuan added, recalling the earlier event.

"Is that so?" Han Xiao exclaimed, thrilled at the prospect of an additional scoop.

"Huh? Where did the old man go?" Zheng Chuan scanned the room, puzzled to find that the white-clothed elder was no longer there.

He didn't even realize when the man had left.

"He was just here a moment ago. Where did he go?" The confusion was evident among everyone in the classroom.

Zhou Wen also scanned the area but to no avail; there wasn't a single clue. The old man in white had come and gone in such a rush that he hadn't even left his name.

"If we can't find him, let it be. Getting an interview with Zhou Wen is still a win," Han Xiao said, her fleeting look of disappointment quickly masked by professionalism.