114 Learn to Regulate Yourself

The meal lasted over an hour, filled with conversation, during which Zhang Pa learned that Mama Liu was an amateur writer who had penned many poems and essays. However, Papa Liu held her work in complete disdain, dismissing it as childish.

When Mama Liu learned that Zhang Pa wrote online, she became immediately intrigued and asked how one went about it and how to attract more readers. The latter was her primary concern; Mama Liu was in search of an audience.

Zhang Pa gave a blunt answer: "If you're writing poetry, whether classical or modern, nobody reads it. People these days aren't interested in that stuff."

Mama Liu sighed. "You child, can't you just flatter me a little?"

Zhang Pa laughed. "Auntie, I find it hard to take that from you. You look as young as my own sister; calling me 'child' just doesn't fit at all."

Mama Liu smiled. "Is this the flattery starting? You really do have a way with words." She immediately turned to Papa Liu and said, "You should learn a thing or two."

Papa Liu ignored her and instead said to Zhang Pa, "Be careful in the future. Don't go around buttering people up, or I'll feel quite awkward."

Zhang Pa replied, "What are you saying? You and Auntie are like a match made in heaven, so perfectly in sync—how could there be any awkwardness?" That was yet another compliment.

The four of them got along well, and after chatting for a while longer, Zhang Pa prepared to leave. Mama Liu urged him, "Move in soon."

Zhang Pa agreed, then whispered to Liu Xiaomei, "If that guy looks for you again, call me immediately."

Liu Xiaomei said she would.

All in all, the Wednesday went quite well. Zhang Pa was in an even better mood after returning home to see the "five monkeys"—the children he looked after—studying hard.

After exchanging a few words with the kids, he went to his room, opened his laptop, and continued reading the opening chapters of various books. Before going to bed, he checked the news, found something interesting, and turned off the computer to sleep.

The next day at work, at 7:30 in the morning, Zhang Pa stood on the podium and said, "I am happy. I am truly happy, because you are all here."

"You're our teacher, we have to give you some face, right?" a student replied.

Another student chimed in, "You're our boss, we have to listen to you."

Zhang Pa made a gesture to silence them and continued, "Let me tell you why I'm happy. I saw a news story last night about a school in the south that divided students into classes for high achievers and low achievers. The students in the low-achieving class were actually cooking meals in the classroom while the teacher was lecturing—boys and girls working together to stir-fry dishes."

"That's impressive," a student remarked.

"Exactly. So, I'm quite relieved. Our class is a 'low-achieving' one, and you lot are troublemakers, but at least you aren't cooking in the classroom. I'm very grateful for that, so please, keep it up," Zhang Pa said.

"So you finally realize how good we are?" Yu Yuan shouted.

"Thanks for the face," Zhang Pa responded casually, though his expression suddenly shifted. "However, I'll say it again: you must pass your exams!"

He wasn't just making small talk; he wanted to instill a fixed concept in the students—that passing exams was mandatory. To achieve this, he had to nag them every morning. Being a responsible teacher was exhausting!

After his lecture, he headed to the office. On the stairs, he ran into the principal, who looked at him and asked, "Are you still going to that prison?"

Zhang Pa replied, feeling a bit deflated, "Why do you call it 'my prison'? If someone else hears that, they'll think I'm a criminal." He added, "I'm going. I've been waiting for your word."

"What do you mean waiting for my word?" the principal said, annoyed. "I told you to pick a time!"

"Fine, you're right," Zhang Pa asked. "How about tomorrow?"

"I think Sunday would be better so it doesn't interfere with classes," the principal suggested.

"Sure," Zhang Pa said. "Where to?"

"The Provincial Detention Center," the principal replied.

The center was north of Xingfuli, not too far away, and it held serious offenders.

Zhang Pa said, "Sunday works for me."

The principal said, "Then I'll make the arrangements."

Zhang Pa remarked, "Principal, you're really something, knowing so many people."

Principal Qin replied, "It's not about being something; it's about doing the right thing."

Zhang Pa said, "Boss, has no one ever praised you, so you have to do it yourself?"

Principal Qin said, "I have a better temper now, otherwise I'd definitely give you a lesson."

Zhang Pa said, "Don't you dare, I'm scared," and hurried toward the office.

Luo Shengnan was still looking at her phone. Zhang Pa asked, "Is it that interesting?"

Luo Shengnan looked up and asked, "What?" before returning her gaze to the screen.

Zhang Pa asked, "What are you looking at?"

Luo Shengnan replied, "Weibo, WeChat, QQ—just browsing."

Zhang Pa said, "What a waste of time. You could have watched a whole movie in that time."

"You don't understand," Luo Shengnan replied. She then added, "I'm having an engagement party next week. Are you coming?"

Zhang Pa asked with a smile, "Why ask it like that? Shouldn't it be 'You must come'? Why the questioning tone?"

Luo Shengnan laughed. "You've seen it yourself—I've always been in this office alone. I just nod to other teachers; I’ve never eaten with anyone privately outside of school functions. How can I feel comfortable inviting you?"

Zhang Pa said, "That's a common trait among beauties—they don't have many friends."

Luo Shengnan smiled. "Are you complimenting me or insulting me?" She followed up, "Will you come? I didn't announce it at work, just invited a few close girlfriends. If you go, I can introduce you."

Zhang Pa asked, "I don't need to give a gift, right?"

"No," Luo Shengnan said. "There are only three tables in total—both sides' families and a few good friends. Just to make it lively, why give a gift?"

"In that case, I won't go," Zhang Pa replied.

Luo Shengnan laughed. "What's wrong with you? Not going if there's no gift? You only go if there is one?"

Zhang Pa answered seriously, "I wouldn't go even if there was one."

"Then why did you ask?" Luo Shengnan was a bit annoyed. She had been kind enough to invite him, but what was he saying?

Zhang Pa explained with a smile, "I'll go to the wedding. I'll definitely go to the wedding. An engagement party is a private family affair; it would be highly inappropriate for me to just show up."

"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Luo Shengnan said, then paused. "But suit yourself."

Zhang Pa acknowledged this, checked the time, and picked up a stack of study notes. "I need to go make copies."

"The school has a copier," Luo Shengnan said. "On the fourth floor."

Zhang Pa smiled. "Forget it, I'd rather not take advantage of the public." He grabbed his bag and went out.

He had a class in the morning, so he only managed to copy half of them before returning. After class, he went back to it, busy until past three. He took the copied notes back to the office, tidied up, and left early once again.

He was worried about Liu Xiaomei. Who knew what kind of background that young man from yesterday had? If something happened, he would be devastated.

The guy had indeed shown up. The difference was that yesterday he was alone, and today he brought a crowd.

Liu Xiaomei was teaching in the dance studio, and the man was waiting at the door with two others, while the rest waited outside the teaching building.

Seeing the group, Zhang Pa was irritated. Why weren't the school security guards doing anything? Letting just anyone in.

After a moment's thought, he walked a distance away and called Liu Xiaomei. "Did that guy show up?"

Liu Xiaomei said yes, adding that he was standing outside the classroom with two others.

Zhang Pa said, "There's a bunch of people outside the building too—probably hired help. My instinct is to just beat them into submission. What do you think, boss?"

"I think it's a terrible idea. This is a music school, a place of learning. They won't dare do anything reckless." Liu Xiaomei really didn't want Zhang Pa to cause trouble.

Zhang Pa thought about it; if he showed up, a fight was inevitable. But he couldn't just stay away, or the guy would keep pestering Liu Xiaomei.

Since yesterday, Zhang Pa hadn't cared who the man was. Because whoever it was, if they made Liu Xiaomei unhappy, they had to be beaten—even if it were the President of the United States. So, knowing his identity made no difference.

Seeing that he wasn't responding, Liu Xiaomei said, "I didn't call you, and yet you came. You're not listening."

Zhang Pa said, "I want to listen, but that guy... I'm going to wait for you by the classroom door."

Liu Xiaomei said he couldn't, noting they had many people.

Zhang Pa smiled. "Trust me." He hung up.

It was just a fight, right? What was a fight in a music school? He had even fought in a police station.

He walked back to the front of the teaching building, glanced at the group of young men, thought for a second, and turned toward the back of the building to enter through the rear door. This was the route he always took when waiting for her.

Before long, he arrived at the door, walked in without pausing, and opened it.

The hallway was dim. His footsteps echoed softly, and the three men at the door of the dance studio turned to look.

Zhang Pa walked over lazily. The young man couldn't believe his eyes. He looked closely and realized it was indeed the jerk from yesterday. He gave a cold smile, saying nothing and not making a move.

Zhang Pa ignored him and took out his phone to play a game.

Half an hour later, the class ended. A group of girls laughed when they saw Zhang Pa. Some greeted him, others chatted and giggled as they walked out.

Soon, the students were all gone, and Liu Xiaomei walked out, her expression calm.

Zhang Pa went over to grab her bag. The young man gave a signal, and his two companions stepped forward, blocking Zhang Pa's path. The man stepped up to Liu Xiaomei and said, "I didn't get to talk yesterday. How have you been lately?"

Liu Xiaomei didn't respond. She looked at Zhang Pa and shook her head, signaling him not to fight.

Zhang Pa rubbed his nose and stood still, considering.

The young man continued, "I've been looking for you. I thought you'd gone back to the States. I didn't expect you to be back in the provincial capital."

Liu Xiaomei ignored him and stepped to the side, trying to walk past, but the man moved to block her again. "Let's find a place to sit. I have a lot to say to you."

Liu Xiaomei looked at him, then suddenly pulled a tactical baton from her bag and swung it violently at the man.

Zhang Pa was stunned. What was this? He wasn't allowed to fight, yet she was being so aggressive? He wedged his body between the two men blocking him, pushed them aside with both hands, and surged forward.

A tactical baton hurts. That small, heavy steel weight draws blood the moment it strikes.

However, she missed the man.

After all, she was a dancer, not a martial artist. As she swung, the man instinctively raised his arm to block...