Lu Xingyan and Shen Xingruo living together was something Wang Youfu knew about, but whether they were dating, he didn’t know.
Initially, he thought they were cousins, but Shen Xingruo later said they weren’t. Before he could ask more questions, the conversation was derailed, and he forgot to follow up. So, he truly didn’t know the exact nature of their relationship.
From the principal to the grade-level leaders, Wang Youfu was utterly confused by the criticism coming his way. When the grade-level leader came to confront him, he stood there holding his thermos, bewildered, and explained, “No, I don’t know whether they are dating or not, but their parents have agreed to them living together.”
“At the parent-teacher conference last semester, it was Lu Xingyan’s mother who attended for Shen Xingruo, along with Shen Xingruo’s father, that painter Shen. He came to the office last time and mentioned that Shen Xingruo is currently living at Lu Xingyan’s home.”
The grade-level leader couldn’t quite understand, “What a mess! Old Wang, explain it clearly to me! What do you mean their parents have agreed? Are you saying their parents agreed to them dating and living together? What nonsense!”
The grade-level leader was so furious that he started swearing.
“It’s not…” Wang Youfu originally intended to deny it, but then he thought it might not be impossible. “Well, I’ll find someone to ask about it.”
In truth, Wang Youfu didn’t take it too seriously. He didn’t care if students were dating or not. In the past, quite a few students were dating in the liberal arts experimental class he taught, and most of them were good students. The students in the Mingli liberal arts experimental class weren’t fools; they were capable of balancing both romance and studies. As long as their grades didn’t drop and nothing too scandalous happened, he generally turned a blind eye.
Over the years, during Teacher’s Day, school anniversary celebrations, and on many occasions, several pairs of students who scored perfect 10s in their exams came to thank him, grateful that he hadn’t intervened in their relationships.
Shen Xingruo was the biggest hope for this year’s liberal arts class. The principal took this anonymous report very seriously. So, during lunchtime, when Shen Xingruo returned to the classroom, she was immediately summoned to the office for a three-party meeting.
Shen Xingruo remained calm. After hearing the situation, she simply asked, “Where’s the evidence?”
From the principal to the grade-level leader to Wang Youfu???
No, initially, they didn’t think this girl was so clear-headed, but as soon as she asked for evidence, it felt like the desperate struggles of a criminal in a movie or TV show.
Considering that Shen Xingruo was a girl and a top student, the principal remained relatively gentle and patient. He adjusted his glasses, pondered for a moment, and tactfully said, “Shen Xingruo, you should know yourself that with your current grades, as long as you maintain stability, you can pick any of these mainland universities. If you work hard and become the top scorer in the province, getting a full scholarship from Hong Kong University or Chinese University is also entirely possible. Of course, all the teachers also hope that you can bring glory to Mingli.”
“As for dating, Mingli’s motto includes freedom and openness. I also believe that it’s normal for boys and girls to have feelings for each other. But at this stage of high school, it’s enough to stop having feelings. We need to distinguish what’s more important. After the college entrance examination, if you want to date, you can, but not while you’re still in high school.”
“The most important task during high school is studying because the results of the college entrance examination directly affect your future. I think you should understand all these things without us having to say much.”
Shen Xingruo nodded obediently, “I understand what you’re saying.”
The principal, grade-level leader, and Wang Youfu all breathed a sigh of relief.
But then Shen Xingruo asked again, “But where’s the evidence?”
The principal, grade-level leader, and Wang Youfu: “…”
“Principal, may I ask, do you automatically assume that every report you receive is true, even when there’s no evidence?” Shen Xingruo was calm, so calm that she didn’t seem much like a high school girl anymore.
The principal explained, “No, Shen Xingruo, the main thing is that this report clearly states your address. The school doesn’t automatically assume the report to be true. We’re just confirming it with you now.”
Shen Xingruo said, “If you’re confirming with me, then I can give you an answer. I do indeed live with Lu Xingyan because our parents are good friends. However, I’m just temporarily staying at his house, and it’s not a romantic cohabitation. Furthermore, I’m not currently dating Lu Xingyan.”
Temporarily staying, not a romantic relationship, no cohabitation. With this clear response, the principal and grade-level leader felt slightly reassured. But even as they breathed a sigh of relief, they felt like something wasn’t quite right. What did she mean by “temporarily not dating”? The principal didn’t press for further details, because right after Shen Xingruo’s explanation, she immediately raised her request.
“Principal, teachers, I don’t know what the purpose of this report is, but I hope that baseless accusations like this can be dealt with fairly. Rumors affect the mood for studying. And if this isn’t addressed, then every day there will be people sending reports to the principal’s mailbox, spreading rumors outside, and the school will become chaotic.”
Hmm, she was stating facts. But it sounded a bit like a threat, didn’t it? The principal wasn’t sure if he was overthinking it, but outwardly, he responded kindly yet authoritatively, “Of course, you can rest assured that the school will never condone this kind of behind-the-scenes smearing of outstanding students!”
As the principal was speaking with a firm voice, Lu Xingyan suddenly burst into the room. He hadn’t heard clearly what the principal was saying, but he sensed the seriousness in the tone as if someone was being criticized.
He had already imagined many scenarios based on what Ruan Wen and Shi Qin had told him. Now, without thinking too much, he just stepped in front of Shen Xingruo and spoke with the nonchalant attitude of a naughty student who wasn’t afraid of punishment.
“Principal, teachers, this has nothing to do with Shen Xingruo. It’s me who likes Shen Xingruo. It’s one-sided love, we’re not dating. If you want to scold someone, scold me.”
Principal, grade-level leader, and Wang Youfu: …
The entire office fell silent. Lu Xingyan didn’t think there was anything wrong with this silence. He had already prepared a long speech in his mind about how he persistently pursued Shen Xingruo and how she repeatedly rejected him.
Shen Xingruo’s temples were pulsating. She tugged at Lu Xingyan’s sleeve from behind and then spoke up before him, “Lu Xingyan, I’m fine. You don’t need to take responsibility for getting me involved. Thank you.”
Then Shen Xingruo explained to the principal and the others, forcefully portraying Lu Xingyan as a helpful and righteous person who took the blame for her sake. However, she seemed to defend Lu Xingyan even more than herself, giving a sense of trying too hard to cover up.
The principal and the others didn’t ask much more, just instructing the two to go back to class first. They would contact their parents to clarify the matter.
Outside the office, Shen Xingruo walked silently ahead. Lu Xingyan tried to comfort her.
Shen Xingruo didn’t know what to say. She should be angry, but she couldn’t seem to be angry with him, despite his repeated foolish actions.
As they approached their classroom, she paused, tidied her hair, and said, “I’m fine.”
Lu Xingyan asked, “Are you okay?”
Shen Xingruo replied, “Yes, let’s go in. It’s math class. Pay attention.”
She wasn’t worried about being questioned by her parents or anything like that. At most, she would receive one or two more calls from Pei Yue and Shen Guangyao.
But she knew that she and Lu Xingyan would no longer be seated together.
If things got serious, Pei Yue and Shen Guangyao might consider having them live separately.
When Shen Xingruo and Lu Xingyan returned to the classroom, all the classmates were staring at them.
As the saying goes, good news doesn’t leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles, especially when it involves love and cohabitation, which are ripe for sensational headlines.
In just one lunch break, rumors had already spread throughout the grade.
Shen Xingruo remained silent the entire afternoon. Lu Xingyan wanted to talk to her, but in such sensitive times, every action would be overanalyzed. It wouldn’t be good for Shen Xingruo, so he sat at his desk, pretending to be nonchalantly playing on his phone.
When the third class ended, Shi Qin accompanied Shen Xingruo to the restroom. Both of them comforted her, telling her not to pay attention to these rumors.
However, Shi Qin seemed hesitant all the way. Shi Qin noticed this and asked, “Jiajing, is there something you want to say?”
Shi Qin was getting anxious, fearing some strange rumors. “Come on, spit it out.”
Shi Qin pulled them both into the stairwell and checked around to ensure nobody was listening before gathering the courage to say, “Xingruo, I heard that the person who reported your relationship might be… someone in competition with you, you know, the one recommended by the principal…”