Chapter 35 Chapter 35: Reconciliation
Rumors spread wildly. With neither of the two involved stepping forward to deny them, the gossip quickly ran rampant among the students.
Su Yuan clearly felt she had become a celebrity. On the way to class, students cast strange glances at her. They did not openly point fingers, but whispers followed everywhere. At last she understood the troubles of real stars.
The road became a stage. She stood under a spotlight, like a rare animal in a zoo cage, forced to endure the stares.
Even classmates who had known her for a year looked at her differently. Some with envy, some with indifference, others with dismissive smirks. Among them, Lu Wei, the new class league secretary, showed with her body language that she was gloating.
Learning that Su Yuan had risen in the student council as deputy minister of external relations, Lu Wei’s joy at defeating Yang Xiaowei to win her position had faded. She wondered why Su Yuan had not competed for the secretary role. Perhaps she had looked down on it.
If Lu Wei still celebrated her small victory, it only highlighted her pettiness. Now that rumors linked Su Yuan with Xiao Yiyan, she felt relieved.
What was there to be proud of.
Su Yuan’s position must have come through Xiao Yiyan. And after this scandal, how could she recover. Many wanted to tear her apart. Lin Jun alone was trouble enough.
Lu Wei’s mood brightened. Passing Su Yuan, her lips curved in a faint smile.
Your pain is my joy.
Su Yuan found Lu Wei’s hostility baffling. Some people simply carried malice without reason. Their emotions seemed to exist in another dimension. The best way to deal with them was to ignore them.
After class, Su Yuan hurried back to the dorm. Only there was peace.
By five o’clock she had finished her assignments. Remembering her tutoring job, she rode her second‑hand bicycle to Tang Wen’s home.
It was her second visit. Without Xia Linfei guiding her, she relied on memory to find the address.
Tang’s parents were as warm as before. Tang Wen had grown familiar with her, calling her “Sister Su” so often that Su Yuan had no strength to protest.
Two hours later, at eight in the evening, Tang’s family urged her to stay overnight. But Su Yuan insisted on returning.
Aunt Zhang worried. “Do not ride alone at night. Let Uncle Tang drive you.”
Su Yuan sighed. The whole family thought she was a girl. The misunderstanding had taken root. She could not explain.
“No need. I can go back myself.”
They pressed, but she refused. At last they relented. “Be careful on the way.”
…
Back at Dorm 17, she found Wang Ping waiting at the entrance. “Finally. I spoke to Lin Jun. I told him you are my friend. He promised not to trouble you. He even wants to treat you to supper. Come on.”
Before she could answer, he pulled her along.
“Wait, let me park my bike.”
“Be quick.”
A minute later she joined him. Wang Ping urged her to hurry.
Outside the east gate, the snack street bustled even at ten. Couples filled the stalls.
Lin Jun sat alone at a plastic table, slim but wiry, with plates of barbecue and three bottles of beer.
Seeing them, he stood and greeted warmly. He handed Su Yuan a glass. “Brother Su, I was reckless yesterday. Tonight I apologize. From now on we are friends. If you face trouble, tell me. I will handle it.”
Wang Ping was surprised. He had only hoped Lin Jun would leave Su Yuan alone. He had not expected such generosity. Su Yuan too was startled, but gradually realized Lin Jun truly wanted peace.
She smiled. “It is good that our knot is untied.”
“Come, drink.” Lin Jun laughed.
Su Yuan drained the glass.
Lin Jun cheered. Wang Ping worried about her frail body and urged her to eat.
Su Yuan sat. The quarrel had been strange, but enemies should be reconciled. Lin Jun’s background was too heavy for her to oppose.
His father was deputy director of the city’s Public Security Bureau. In Binhe, a deputy director was equivalent to deputy bureau chief at provincial level, a powerful position.
Su Yuan did not want enmity with such a family. Sharing drinks was already a fortunate outcome.
They ate and drank until half past eleven. Lin Jun toasted her repeatedly, treating her like a younger brother, promising protection.
Su Yuan felt relieved. Her greatest worry had been Lin Jun. If he stopped troubling her, others were no threat.
At last they clinked glasses. Lin Jun smiled faintly, satisfied.
Outside, people believed Su Yuan was Xiao Yiyan’s boyfriend. But Lin Jun knew her secret. Only he knew. That gave him confidence.
He thought, let the storm rage harder.
As her shield, Su Yuan deserved his protection.
Still, he sighed. Such a cute boy, yet bent. Watching Su Yuan tilt her head to drink, a drop sliding down her slender neck, he felt a pang.
It was late. Lin Jun insisted on paying. They had spent over two hundred yuan and finished six bottles of beer.
Su Yuan felt sick from the food.
They parted. Su Yuan staggered back with Wang Ping.
“You should not drink so much. Lin Jun is too easily pleased.” Wang Ping scolded, supporting her.
Su Yuan waved weakly. “It is fine. My head is heavy, but I can walk.” Yet her legs were soft. She had drunk more than usual.
Wang Ping shook his head, realizing her tiny capacity. He helped her through the dorm entrance.
“By the way, why are you and Lin Jun so close. You are a poor rural boy. He is an official’s son. Yet he listens to you.”
“You do not understand. Lin Jun respects fists. If he does not, you beat him until he does.”
Su Yuan was stunned. Wang Ping had fought him and won. If it had been another hot‑tempered official’s son, Wang Ping might be in jail.
“You can barely walk. Let me take you to your room.”
“Thank you.” Su Yuan admitted she would fall without him.
“Lean on my shoulder. That is enough. No need for me to hold you.
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