The Scholar’s Guide to Taming Wolves

“I carefully plan every encounter, all so I can set you on the right path and help you become a better version of yourself.”

Cool and aloof top student Jiang Xu is forced to transfer to Beicheng No. 3 High School, notorious for its chaotic discipline, in order to protect the coffee shop his family left him. On his very first day, the school’s most flamboyant boy sets his sights on him: Zhou Yan, the 189-centimeter basketball star and school bully, impulsive and unruly, nicknamed “Mad Wolf.”

Fiddling with a lighter, Zhou Yan steps on Jiang Xu’s student ID in front of everyone, wrinkling it. “Transfer student, around here, you follow my rules.”

Jiang Xu lowers his eyes and suppresses his impulse. That night, though, he opens an encrypted folder and creates a document titled “Growth Guidance Plan.” He’s going to teach this reckless boy to rein in his aggression and learn respect and maturity.

Stage One: Gentle Vulnerability. His research reveals that beneath Zhou Yan’s apparent brutality lies an unconscious protectiveness toward diligent, earnest, gentle, and reserved top students.

Stage Two: Deliberate Proximity. He “accidentally” sprains his ankle on Zhou Yan’s usual route, scattering his test papers everywhere. He quietly reads by the basketball court, sunlight turning his eyelashes gold, and becomes a lovely sight in the boy’s gaze.

Stage Three: Positive Guidance. When Zhou Yan starts seeking him out, Jiang Xu responds with polite distance: “Zhou, let’s focus on our own responsibilities first and keep an appropriate distance.”

At last, Zhou Yan corners him in the equipment room, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “Jiang Xu, you’re clearly willing to talk to me, so why are you deliberately keeping your distance?”

Later...

The underclassmen: “Brother Xu! Brother Yan says we’re not allowed to play basketball tonight unless we finish our homework!”