Across the table, Shen Peichuan’s chopsticks froze in his hands. “You don’t like what you’re currently studying?”
Sang Yu’s gaze lowered as she toyed with a piece of flour tortilla with her chopsticks. “Of course I like what I’m studying. That’s why I chose this major in the first place. It’s just that…”
Shen Peichuan dug his scrutinizing gaze into her face. “What’s the matter then? Are you regretting your decision?”
“Not really. I just decided to change my mind.” A sweet smile broke across Sang Yu’s face as she looked back up at him.
“Tell me about it.”
Sang Yu finally picked up the battered piece of flour tortilla and dipped it in the spicy sauce before eating it in one go. She chomped down on it and swallowed hard before saying calmly, “I already told you, but you didn’t get it.”
“Huh? I didn’t get what you said?” Shen Peichuan looked at her, confused. Everything she said was as plain as day, and he was sure that he understood her perfectly.
Sang Yu decided to change the topic and said, “Why not you try this dish?” She knew he was not someone who was good at reading in between the lines. But all of a sudden, she felt that she was not ready to let him know how she felt either.
As anticipated, Shen Peichuan simply nodded and dropped the topic without thinking any further.
After the hearty meal, the two left the restaurant and headed for the car. “This meal was really a good deal. You only spent a hundred, and the food was delicious,” Sang Yu said with a bright smile.
She felt that it was a good bargain compared to the earlier restaurant.
The only reason why everything was overpriced at that restaurant was because of the atmosphere—and she did not see the need to pay for that.
“I’ll send you to your uni,” Shen Peichuan offered.
“It’s fine, I’ll just see you off. My uni is nearby so I’ll just take a cab,” Sang Yu rejected. She figured he must be busy.
“It’s okay, I still have some time. Let’s go,” he replied.
Since he insisted on sending her over, Sang Yu thanked him and got in the car.
“You don’t need to thank me. You’re the one who’s done me a favor today.”
Shen Peichuan knew his way to her university, but instead of stopping right in front of the school, he pulled over at a distance.
“I’ll drop you off here. See you,” he bid.
Shen Peichuan had learned his lesson after what happened last time. He did not want Sang Yu to go through the whole ordeal again.
After all, she was a girl, and he took it on himself to protect her.
Sang Yu understood where he was coming from. She unbuckled the safety belt and waved him goodbye. “Drive safe,” she said before opening the door.
“Sure. Call me if you need anything,” Shen Peichuan said with a firm nod.
Sang Yu got off the car and waited as he drove off before walking into the school.
But no matter how wary they were this time around, someone had still caught them red-handed.
Across the road, Song Yaxin sat in the car, watching them. She had found out from her dad that Sang Yu was a student at Huaqing University. It so happened that Song Yaxin was best friends with the chancellor’s daughter, and she had always visited them.
After getting a long lecture from her dad, Sang Yu still felt something was off. She knew Shen Peichuan was a dense and conservative man. It was impossible that he would fall for a university student. She thought that it must be Sang Yu who had seduced him.
Song Yaxin released the parking brake and whooshed by Sang Yu as she headed into the university.
But Sang Yu changed her mind and decided to go back to her dorms and wash her clothes before heading for class. She still had some time before her class started at 3 o’clock.
Sang Yu even had some spare time to take a nap after washing her clothes. By 2 o’clock, she got up and went to class. But before she could even step into the lecture hall, her professor called her over to his office.
“Did you offend anyone by any chance?” the professor asked.
“I don’t think I did,” Sang Yu replied with a clueless look.
“Someone has been raking up the scandal over at the chancellor’s side,” the professor pointed out.
“I thought we’ve already solved that matter?” Sang Yu blurted out in a questioning tone. She really had no idea who would try to bring that incident up again.
“I don’t know what happened either. Just write me a reflection essay,” the professor said, shaking his head helplessly. There was nothing he could do since this was what the chancellor wanted.
“Just a reflection essay?” Sang Yu probed. She felt as if the issue was not as simple as that.
The professor let out a sigh and decided to tell her everything. “You’ll have to read it out loud in front of all the faculty members and students at the university. Your reflection will also be put on the blackboard to serve as a cautionary tale for everyone.”
Sang Yu clenched her fists in anger at the ridiculous punishment. “Why are they doing this now? We’ve already settled everything last time. I don’t mind writing a reflection essay, but to read it out in front of everyone and even have it pinned on the blackboard? I don’t think that’s fair!”
Her professor thought such a request was unreasonable as well, but he was only taking orders from the higher-ups. “I understand how you feel. But I’ll advise you to do as they ask if you want to graduate as planned.”
Sang Yu evaded her professor’s imploring gaze and stared at the ground. She was still trying to come to terms with the humiliating punishment.
“You should think of your future. Just do it. Alright, off you go. Don’t let it affect your studies,” the professor consoled her.
But it was not like this was the first time Sang Yu had been trampled all over. She knew the world was unfair, and those who had the power and money could do whatever they wished.
She knew Lu Wanwan was the one behind this.
The woman had done it once – she would do it again.
Sang Yu would not budge this easily. She had her eyes fixed on what was really important—her studies. And she would do everything she could to earn a degree.
She had to be someone who matched Shen Peichuan.
This small obstacle was nothing compared to the goal she was working towards.
The professor patted her on the shoulder and urged her to return to class. “Go on; you don’t want to miss your class.”
Sang Yu clenched her jaw and nodded silently as she turned to leave. She knew it was not going to be easy—but she would survive.
The professor knew Sang Yu was a smart and diligent student. That was probably why she aroused others’ jealousy and was given such a severe punishment.
The professor was actually relieved that Sang Yu was someone who had never lost sight of what she wanted and was willing to put up with whatever came her way.
Over at home, Zong Jinghao came back early because he wanted to avoid Bai Yinning. He was thinking about bringing his daughter to the pet shop, but it turned out that she had already gone over there in the morning. Now that he had some time to himself, he decided to spend some time with Lin Xinyan.
Besides, he also wanted to talk to her about their wedding arrangement.
Lin Xinyan was lying on the bed when he brought up the matter. She spared him a lazy look and said unenthusiastically, “You can make whatever arrangement you want.”
Zong Jinghao went over and rested her head on his lap as he stroke her stray hairs. “What’s the matter?”
Lin Xinyan found it ticklish and blinked her eyes hard. “How about you tell me a joke?”
Hearing her request, Zong Jinghao was at a loss for words.
He thought about it for a moment before he moved his hands towards her waist, wanting to tickle her. But Lin Xinyan stopped him and said, “Tell me a joke.”
“This is unfair. It doesn’t matter as long as I’m able to put a smile on your face,” he replied as he lowered his body and leaned closer. But Lin Xinyan pushed his face away and shook her head. “Stay away. You haven’t told me a joke yet.”
“This is too difficult for me,” Zong Jinghao complained. He was not a humorous person, to begin with. “How about I get on my knees and beg you to smile?”
To his surprise, a smile broke across her face as she chuckled.
“Was that even funny?” Zong Jinghao looked at her, bewildered.
Just as Lin Xinyan was about to reply to his question, a sharp ringtone came from his pocket. Zong Jinghao reached for his phone. “It’s Su Zhan,” he said while looking at her.
“Go on, pick it up,” Lin Xinyan said as she hurried him.
Right after he picked up, a woman’s voice came from the other end.
“Who are you?” Zong Jinghao asked in an alarmed tone.
What does he think he’s doing? I thought he wanted to get back together with Qin Ya?
Sensing something was wrong, Lin Xinyan sat up and moved closer to the phone, trying to hear who was it on the other side.
“I’m calling from Tong Yu Bar. Your friend just drank till he dropped. I’m calling you to come over and pick him up,” the lady said.
Zong Jinghao rolled his eyes when he heard that. He finally got to have some alone time with Lin Xinyan, and Su Zhan just had to ruin it.
Lin Xinyan shrugged and told him, “I guess you’ll have to make your way there.”
Zong Jinghao hung up and asked, “Have you asked Qin Ya if there’s any possibility of them getting back together?”
Zong Jinghao was sure Qin Ya was the reason why Su Zhan had gotten himself so drunk.
He was thinking of asking Su Zhan to get over her if there were no chance of them getting back together.
“I bet Su Zhan has no one to take care of him at home. Why don’t you bring him over? I’ll ask Qin Ya to talk to him herself,” Lin Xinyan suggested.
Zong Jinghao thought it was a good idea to let them talk things out on their own.
Thinking of it, he cupped her face in his hands and planted a kiss on her forehead before leaving. “What a smart wife I have. See you!”
Lin Xinyan shot him a satisfied smile as she watched him leave. Not long after he departed, she headed downstairs and bumped into Aunt Wang, who was helping Qin Ya out of her room.
Qin Ya spotted her instantly and said, “It’s too boring to stay in my room the whole day. It’s better for me to come out to get some fresh air.”
Lin Xinyan nodded and smiled. Everything was going just as she planned. Qin Ya would be able to see how devastated Su Zhan was when Zong Jinghao brought him back.
