"Luo Ge, today is Professor Jiang's class, and he doesn't take attendance."
On the campus path, Bai Zheli looked at Luo Peng walking beside him, somewhat baffled.
This second brother of his was anything but a model student, always skipping class when he could, so why did he suddenly become earnest about attending class with them today?
Had the sun risen from the west?
Bai Zheli instinctively looked up at the sky.
The sky was clear and endlessly blue, a sight that refreshed the heart and soul.
However, since it was already afternoon, it was impossible to tell from which side the sun had risen.
"No way, I must attend today's class."
Luo Peng declared with a sense of righteous indignation, as if he had undergone a transformation.
"Why?"
Bai Zheli's eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Because I heard some good news, and I have to see it with my own eyes."
Luo Peng's smile widened, unkind in its amusement.
"What good news?"
Even the dorm head, Li Shao, was getting curious.
Luo Peng cleared his throat, adjusting his tone with an evident laugh in his eyes.
"I heard that after Liang Zhenlun ran off yesterday, he went straight to Ai Qian. In front of all his fair-weather friends, he slapped her across the face—it seems he even injured her—and called her shameless."
Bai Zheli was shocked, "Really?"
"Of course it's true, don't you trust the sources of your brother?"
Luo Peng displayed that typical schadenfreude, chortling, "A lot of people saw it; that Liang Zhenlun really showed no class at all, downright made Ai Qian cry. But honestly, it was quite satisfying to see!"
"You should say less."
Li Shao instinctively glanced at Jiang Chen.
Even though Jiang Chen had made it clear that he had cut ties with Ai Qian, matters of the heart aren't so easily cast aside.
Having been infatuated with Ai Qian for so long, hearing such news now, he probably wouldn't take it well.
"Jiang Chen, I think this is what Ai Qian deserves. She went too far. She wasn't just insulting you, but also Liang Zhenlun, and even herself."
Luo Peng's tone was serious for once.
He truly disliked Liang Zhenlun's behavior, but he believed in distinguishing right from wrong.
This time, he didn't think Liang Zhenlun was in the wrong.
As a woman, to spout nonsense about such matters, she was either shameless or simply despicable.
Any man of character would probably find it intolerable in such a situation.
"How badly is she hurt?"
Jiang Chen asked, his expression rather calm, without much fluctuation.
"It shouldn't be anything serious."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen quieted down, not asking further.
Seeing this, the three exchanged looks and let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that this time, he had truly decided to let go.
Comprehensive Education Building.
Second floor lecture hall.
Jiang Chen and his three companions walked in and soon spotted Ai Qian, who had deliberately chosen a seat in the back corner.
And she was conspicuously wearing a mask on her face.
Luo Peng couldn't help but glance over a few more times; he hadn't meant to kick someone when they were down, but thinking about the other's previous vile behavior against his buddy, he couldn't hold back.
"Ai, the class belle, what's the matter? Caught a cold or something? Wearing a mask to class?"
"If you're sick, you should go see the nurse, don't worry, I'll ask the professor for a leave on your behalf."
"Luo Peng, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!"
The girl sitting next to Ai Qian glared angrily.
Her name was Wei Chuyin, with fairly ordinary looks. However, as the best friend of the class beauty Ai Qian, she was that kind of woman all the boys detested. Back when Jiang Chen was still with Ai Qian, this girl never stopped sowing discord between them, acting as if she bore a grudge against Jiang Chen.
Ai Qian and Jiang Chen's breakup was her own choice, but Wei Chuyin also deserved some "credit" for it.
"What's wrong with caring about our class beauty? Is there a problem?"
Under normal circumstances, Luo Peng was quite the gentleman. But faced with Wei Chuyin, he didn't show any good humor, his arrogance pronounced, very much the image of a rebellious profligate.
Ai Qian was the woman he hated most—incontestably so.
And Wei Chuyin was next in line, firmly in second place.
He was very clear on how this woman had stirred up trouble and fanned the flames before Ai Qian and Jiang Chen broke up.
Many times, he couldn't help but want to ask Jiang Chen if he had murdered her entire family—why else would she be so hostile toward him?
But the very reason they're called women is that their thoughts can sometimes be completely unfathomable.
There was no enmity between them, yet Wei Chuyin was dead set on breaking up Ai Qian and Jiang Chen, not resting until her goal was achieved.
With such a "good" best friend, it hardly seemed strange that Ai Qian chose to break up with Jiang Chen.
"Luo Peng, it's Ai Qian's right to choose who to be with. What gives you the right to be hostile toward her because of that?"
Wei Chuyin stood up agitatedly, full of righteous indignation, defending her best friend.
Such deep sisterly love.
Luo Peng laughed.
"You need to understand, I'm not hostile toward her; I despise her. Despising her is my right too, isn't it?"
"Furthermore, my hatred for her isn't because she broke up with Jiang Chen. You both are very clear about the real reason."
Wei Chuyin was breathing fast, her expression one of anger, as if she were the victim.
"Wei Chuyin, weren't you always looking down on Jiang Chen for being poor? Talking about how Liang Zhenlun is rich, knows how to charm people, understands romance—so what's the outcome?"
Luo Peng's smile was sharp as a blade as he looked at the girl sitting with a mask on, her expression inscrutable.
"Ai Qian, I really want to interview you. You got your wish and followed a Prince Charming. But are you happy?"
Ai Qian's hands clenched tight, veins on her hand standing out, as she hung her head and stayed silent.
"Easy to find a priceless treasure, hard to find a lover with heart; some women are just stupid, incurably stupid."
Luo Peng's smile slowly faded.
Wei Chuyin still knew better than to confront Luo Peng directly, directing all her anger at the soft target, Jiang Chen.
"Jiang Chen, Ai Qian is hurt, and it's all because of you! Aren't you going to say something?!"
Even Bai Zheli had a hard time staying calm upon hearing that.
Could she be any more shameless?!
"Don't bother with her."
Li Shao gestured for Jiang Chen to move ahead.
Jiang Chen didn't budge, his gaze shifting from the furiously spitting Wei Chuyin to Ai Qian sitting there.
"If you are unhappy, then leave him. Don't be like I was, blindly persisting in the wrong direction."
Wei Chuyin was stunned.
Ai Qian's delicate frame shivered.
Having said that,
Jiang Chen walked forward.
Luo Peng and the other two hurried to follow.
Only after the four had left did Ai Qian slowly lift her head, looking at the once deeply familiar but now distant figure, her eyes trembling, a pain the likes of which she had never felt before suddenly seizing her.
More distinct, more profound than the pain when Liang Zhenlun hit or screamed at her.
She held her chest.
"Chu Yin, it really hurts here..."
Wei Chuyin hurriedly sat down next to her. "I'll take you to the infirmary!"
Ai Qian shook her head, still staring at the receding figure that hadn't looked back once, her eyes showing bewilderment, her voice hoarse.
"Chu Yin, did I make a mistake?"
Wei Chuyin was taken aback, her expression changing constantly. She attempted to speak several times but stopped herself, ultimately choosing silence.