The Honest Man’s Counterattack 2003

*Bai Jiaxin couldn't help but laugh and cry. She gave Zhao Feng a look of disdain, as if she were staring at an idiot, then playfully winked and said with a spoiled tone, "Wake up already, stop daydreaming. Everything is real. The teacher is angry. Hurry and go apologize."*

Zhao Feng turned and walked towards the podium, where the class teacher, Guo Demei, was glaring at him with a flushed face. As usual, Guo Demei wore gold-rimmed glasses and had long wavy hair. She was fair-skinned and plump, radiating an air of wealth.

According to future descriptions, she clearly looked like someone who loved good food, had a silver tongue, and would have been a perfect food vlogger if she had taken that route.

*"Teacher Guo, my family sent you eggs for three years. If you didn't steal them, how did you get so fat?"*

*"Wuwuwu, you're slandering me! I'll go to the principal and get him to judge this! I didn't eat your family's eggs!"*

Guo Demei was furious, nearly crying. The scornful glares of the entire class made her feel as if she might puke blood. Zhao Feng was known for his honesty; he was the most straightforward person in the class. For three years of high school, he had never told a lie, and no one dared to question his words. It was as if the accusation of her eating the eggs had already been proven true.

Guo Demei felt as if a basket of eggs had fallen on her head, no matter how much she tried to shake it off. In a huff, she stormed out of the classroom to find the principal.

*Hahahaha*

The entire class burst into laughter, fully believing Zhao Feng's words. Guo Demei, who was caught stealing eggs, was now so ashamed she went to cry in front of the principal.

*"Zhao Laoshi, you really said something too honest. This time, it's a tragedy, isn't it?"*

*"So what if the teacher ate your family's eggs? She was just showing you respect. Why don't you get it?"*

*"You're too honest, man. The teacher made you cry."*

*"Bro, take care. The principal doesn't take this lightly. You're done for."*

Zhao Feng looked perplexed, realizing that the dream felt too real. His classmates were all lively and full of energy, just like in real life.

*Bai Jiaxin, concerned, said, "If the principal comes over, you're in big trouble. Better run a few laps around the track."*

Zhao Feng turned and walked out of the classroom. The first-year classroom was on the fifth floor. He took the stairs in one go and dashed to the track.

Looking at the spacious, lush playground, he saw a group of energetic boys playing basketball and a bunch of cheerful girls running around, laughing and chasing each other. The whole place was filled with a pure, joyful atmosphere.

Zhao Feng felt carefree, returning to the long-lost high school playground. Looking down at his outfit, he saw his worn-out student uniform, faded jeans, and ugly green rubber shoes.

During his three years of high school, he had worn this same outfit.

Running freely around the track, Zhao Feng let loose, his solitary figure standing out in the crowd.

...

*Wuwuwu*

In the principal's office, it was quite noisy. The old principal, Wang Youdao, wore an odd expression. His Mediterranean haircut stood out, and as he looked at the tearful Guo Demei, the bare top of his head blushed slightly. He forced a smile and comforted her in a gentle voice.

*"Little Teacher Guo, don't cry. It's normal for students to be mischievous. You should focus on educating them."*

*"Zhao Feng is so annoying! He sleeps in class, fights, and even confesses to girls! What's most infuriating is... he said that I..."* Guo Demei couldn't continue and began crying again in frustration.

*"Little Teacher Guo, calm down. Students don't know better, and sometimes they speak without thinking. You don't need to take it to heart,"* Wang Youdao continued to console her.

*"Zhao Feng said I ate his family's eggs. But I didn't eat them!"* Guo Demei said with resentment.

*"What? You ate his family's eggs? What's going on here?"* Wang Youdao was puzzled, scratching his bald head. Teachers often receive small gifts like eggs during the holidays, but this wasn't a big deal.

*"Principal, you have to stand up for me. You must seriously handle this, and clear my name!"* Guo Demei wiped away her tears.

*"There's only a month left until the college entrance exam. The students are under a lot of pressure, so it's normal for them to vent sometimes. You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it, just leave it to me,"* Wang Youdao said in an old-fashioned manner.

*"At least give him a demerit. This kid is too annoying. I really didn't eat his family's eggs!"* Guo Demei said, feeling extremely wronged.

Wang Youdao stood up and followed Guo Demei back to the classroom. When the principal arrived, the entire school fell silent. A pin could be heard dropping as his gaze swept over Zhao Feng's empty seat.

Before Guo Demei could speak, Bai Jiaxin stood up and said in a crisp voice, *"Report, teacher. Zhao Feng followed your instructions and went to the playground to run ten laps. He'll submit a self-reflection tomorrow."*

Guo Demei snorted coldly, muttering under her breath, *"Crafty little brat, running so fast."*

Wang Youdao walked over to the fifth-floor window and looked down at the playground. His gaze fixed on a solitary figure running freely.

Under the glow of the setting sun, the young man ran with abandon, his hair flying in the wind. His handsome, fair face, the blue-and-white student uniform, and the golden light surrounding him made him almost blinding to look at.

*The young man running under the sunset — that was my lost youth.*

Wang Youdao sighed deeply, a trace of melancholy in his eyes. Once, he too had been young, full of passion and dreams.

But sadly, time was like a butcher's knife, cutting away dreams and shaving off his long hair.

*Boom!*

A loud thunderclap rang out, followed by a flash of lightning that illuminated the sky in a blinding white. Torrential rain poured down, and the raindrops fell like beans, quickly forming a misty rain curtain that covered the playground. The students, shielding their heads, scrambled toward the teaching building.

Zhao Feng ran through the downpour, his student uniform quickly soaking through. Goosebumps rose all over his body as he shivered. He raised his hand to wipe the rain off his face.

*"No way, am I still not awake? I really need to snap out of it!"*

Zhao Feng inwardly yelled at himself. He stumbled and fell into the muddy sand, supporting himself with his hands. A cut opened on his palm, and blood began to flow out. A faint pain spread through his hand.

Staring at his bleeding palm, Zhao Feng was stunned, completely frozen in place.

*In a dream, I'm bleeding and feeling pain? This can't be a dream, right?*

Zhao Feng lowered his head and looked at the reflection of the handsome young man in the puddle. His hair was messy and covered his forehead, blocking his eyes, with a few young stubble patches at the corners of his mouth. He looked so shabby, so out of place.

*I've really returned... back to the summer of 2003, just one month before the college entrance exam. Am I not really reborn, am I?*

I... have I really returned, to when my life was still just starting out?

*All those past events now feel like wind and dreams. I need to calm down and think about this life.*

Zhao Feng sat there, soaked in the downpour, trembling with excitement. He couldn't help but roar to the sky.

*"Awoooo! I, Zhao Feng, am back! Hahaha!"*

Zhao Feng stood up and shook the rain off his clothes, looking around in the downpour. His heart raced as excitement mixed with confusion.

*"This can't be a coincidence, right?"* he muttered to himself, wiping the water from his face. He glanced at the familiar surroundings: the school gates, the playground, the old school building that hadn't changed much in all these years. Everything seemed real, but the sense of surrealism was still lingering in his mind.

*"I'm really back... This is incredible! I have to make the most of it!"* Zhao Feng thought, grinning widely.

For the first time in years, Zhao Feng felt a rush of energy, as if the world was opening up before him again. This was the second chance he had been dreaming of, and now he was determined to use it wisely.

*"It's a month before the college entrance exam. I can't mess this up. I need to fix everything."*

Zhao Feng had always been known for his poor academic performance in the past. His grades were abysmal, and his lack of discipline made him a problem student. But now, with a second chance at life, he was ready to change. He wasn't going to let the same mistakes happen again.

As he looked around, he saw the other students hurrying to the shelter, trying to avoid the heavy rain. Zhao Feng took a deep breath and adjusted his wet clothes. With a determined expression, he walked toward the school gate, ready to start his new life.

But just as he turned to leave, he was stopped by a familiar voice.

*"Zhao Feng, where are you going in such a hurry?"*

It was Bai Jiaxin, his classmate. She had always been one of the top students in school, and she was well-known for her sharp intellect and cold demeanor. Zhao Feng turned around to face her, a smirk forming on his face.

*"I'm going to take control of my life, Jiaxin. No more messing around. This time, I'll make sure I pass the college entrance exam!"*

Bai Jiaxin raised an eyebrow. *"Really? You've said that before, but it never seemed to work out."*

Zhao Feng shrugged, wiping the rain off his face with the back of his hand. *"This time, it's different. I know what I need to do."*

Bai Jiaxin studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. After a few seconds, she simply nodded. *"If you say so. I'll believe it when I see it."*

With that, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the rain.

Zhao Feng watched her leave, a determined glint in his eyes. *"This time, I won't let anyone down. Not even myself."*

The rain continued to pour, but Zhao Feng didn't mind anymore. His mind was now consumed with thoughts of the future, with every step he took feeling more purposeful. He wasn't the same person anymore, not the one who had wasted his first chance at life. This time, he was going to make it count.

As he passed through the school gate, he glanced at the familiar streets of the town. His heart swelled with determination. This wasn't just about studying for the upcoming exams; it was about changing everything—the way he lived, the way he approached opportunities, the way he viewed life itself.

The memories of his past life hit him hard: the failed investments, the lost opportunities, the regrets that had haunted him for years. Zhao Feng had been given a second chance, but this time he wasn't going to let fate slip through his fingers.

He knew exactly what he needed to do to turn things around. The first step was simple: he had to focus. Focus on his studies, focus on making smarter decisions, and most importantly, focus on taking control of his destiny.

But there was something that bothered him—a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Could he really change everything? Could he truly succeed when it felt like everything had been stacked against him in the past?

No. He refused to think that way. This time, he wasn't going to be the same person who let opportunities pass by. He had learned his lessons the hard way, and now it was time to rise above them.

As Zhao Feng made his way to the nearby street corner, he spotted a familiar face.

*"Hey, Zhao Feng! Wait up!"*

It was Jin Fugui, his childhood friend. The two had grown up together, their families being neighbors. Jin Fugui was chubby and cheerful, always the life of the party, unlike Zhao Feng, who had been more quiet and withdrawn. Despite their differences, they had been close since they were kids.

Zhao Feng turned around with a smirk. *"What's up, Fugui? You still alive?"*

Jin Fugui grinned, his round face lighting up. *"Of course I'm alive! Where else would I be? I heard what happened with your whole 'I'm gonna study hard' speech. You finally going to stop slacking off?"*

Zhao Feng chuckled. *"Yeah, this time I mean it. I'm not going to waste this second chance."*

Jin Fugui raised an eyebrow. *"Huh, we'll see how long that lasts. But hey, if you're serious about it, count me in. I'll help you out."*

Zhao Feng nodded. *"Thanks, but I have to do this on my own."*

Jin Fugui slapped him on the back. *"Don't be so stiff, man. You know I got your back no matter what. But seriously, let's hang out after school. We can talk more about this 'new life' thing of yours."*

Zhao Feng smiled. *"Alright, we'll see. I've got a lot of things to think about."*

As Jin Fugui walked off, Zhao Feng turned his gaze back to the school, his thoughts growing more intense. There was so much he needed to figure out, and time was ticking. One month before the college entrance exam. One month to prove that he could change.

But first, he had to deal with the immediate problem: the upcoming confrontation with his teacher, Guo Damei. That situation had to be sorted out quickly before it escalated.

With a final deep breath, Zhao Feng straightened his back. The rain was still falling, but he was no longer concerned about getting wet. This was his time.

Zhao Feng took a deep breath, shaking off the damp feeling from the rain. He had one month before the college entrance exams, and that was his ultimate goal. No distractions.

He wasn't going to waste time. The future was waiting, and this time, he was going to grab it with both hands.

His thoughts were interrupted when a figure appeared in front of him.

"Zhao Feng, what are you doing out here in the rain?"

It was Guo Damei, his homeroom teacher, her face a mixture of anger and frustration.

Zhao Feng wiped the water from his face with his sleeve and looked up at her, feeling no fear, only determination. "I'm thinking about my future, Ms. Guo. It's time for me to take control of my life."

Guo Damei blinked, not quite understanding his words. "What are you talking about? Get inside before you catch a cold!"

Zhao Feng shook his head and refused. "No, I've made up my mind. This is my turning point."

Guo Damei stood still for a moment, her expression softening. She didn't know what had happened to Zhao Feng, but he was acting very differently from the quiet, obedient student she knew.

"Fine," she sighed. "Just don't get sick. You'll need all your strength for the exams."

Zhao Feng nodded with a confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm ready."

As the teacher left, Zhao Feng stood in the rain for a while longer, letting the water soak him through. This was the beginning of something new for him. The past was behind, and the future was his to shape.

As the days passed, Zhao Feng focused all his energy on his studies, blocking out the distractions and pressures from the outside world. With the help of Jin Fugui and his other friends, he studied harder than ever. Every chance he had, he would learn, improve, and grow.

The results of his hard work became evident as the exams drew closer. His understanding of the material deepened, and his confidence soared. This was his second chance, and he was not going to let it slip away.

On the day of the entrance exam, Zhao Feng stood in front of the exam hall, his heart pounding with excitement. He had come a long way from the lazy, indifferent student he had once been. This was his moment to prove that he could overcome his past mistakes and create a new future.

With a deep breath, Zhao Feng walked into the hall, ready to take on the challenge.

And this time, he was going to win.

[----------------°-------------]

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