Lin Xiyu and Bai Wei attended classes as usual.
Today, Tang Mingchuan didn't have class, so there were quite a few empty seats in the front row.
"Looks like your Professor Tang has quite the popularity," Bai Wei teased Lin Xiyu.
Lin Xiyu smiled, not minding Bai Wei's jests.
The two found seats and sat down, and Chen Shiyi approached them.
"Can I sit here?" Chen Shiyi asked innocently, with a hint of friendliness.
Chen Shiyi looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes, and her heavy makeup failed to conceal her fatigue.
The sudden friendliness from someone they had never interacted with before surprised both Lin Xiyu and Bai Wei.
Lin Xiyu didn't particularly like Chen Shiyi's attitude and her way of doing things, especially after hearing what Bai Wei had told her yesterday, which further soured her opinion of Chen Shiyi.
Feeling obligated as classmates, they ended up sitting together.
There were whispers behind them, all about Chen Shiyi.
"Her mental strength is really something, Chen Shiyi is really impressive..."
"Look at how proud she used to be, now she's actively trying to make friends..."
...
These words were not spoken quietly, and Chen Shiyi heard every word, tightly gripping her pen.
She blamed Lin Xiyu for everything. If it weren't for her, Chen Shiyi wouldn't be in this situation. She would still be the admired campus beauty, not the subject of gossip and ridicule.
Distorted personalities see everything through a distorted lens. Chen Shiyi approached Lin Xiyu to seek revenge.
After packing up, Lin Xiyu and Bai Wei were ready to leave the classroom but were stopped by Chen Shiyi.
"Can I walk with you?" Chen Shiyi asked, sounding pitiful, making it hard to refuse.
The three of them walked side by side.
Bai Wei kept talking nonstop along the way.
Lin Xiyu spoke less, occasionally chiming in with a cheerful remark.
Chen Shiyi, however, couldn't find an opportunity to join the conversation. She wasn't familiar with them and had no idea what they were talking about.
"Xiyu, our department is organizing a drama performance. Do you want to participate?" Bai Wei, being the class representative, was in charge of such activities.
"I... I've never acted before. I'm afraid I won't do well," Lin Xiyu replied, showing some interest nonetheless.
"The script is an excerpt from Sleeping Beauty. I think you'd be perfect for the role of Sleeping Beauty," Bai Wei said, eyeing Lin Xiyu and feeling more convinced by the moment.
"That script sounds interesting. Can I also participate?" Finally finding an opportunity to speak, Chen Shiyi hurriedly asked.
Bai Wei nodded, "Of course you can. We need to find suitable roles for everyone. I'll check and see what roles are suitable for you."
Chen Shiyi smiled. Regardless of anything else, she had to integrate into their circle first. Saving face was nothing compared to the rumors and gossip about her.
Busy with the drama preparations, Bai Wei hurried off to a meeting at the department, leaving only Lin Xiyu and Chen Shiyi behind.
"Xiyu, if it's okay, I'll head back to the dorm to do some laundry," Lin Xiyu, not particularly close to Chen Shiyi, found an excuse to leave.
"Xiyu, is it because you saw some of my comments on the forum and now look down on me, that's why you don't want to walk with me?" Chen Shiyi was acting like a big white lotus flower!
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, adding a touch of pitifulness.
Lin Xiyu felt speechless. What was she crying for? Although she thought this, she couldn't say it out loud. "Don't overthink it. I really do have laundry to do in the dorm."
Seeing Lin Xiyu not buying into her act, Chen Shiyi wiped away her tears and grabbed Lin Xiyu's hand, "I really want to be friends with you and Weiwei."
Lin Xiyu could only nod helplessly.
Finally shaking off Chen Shiyi, Lin Xiyu returned to the dorm.
As soon as she entered, she saw a message from Tang Mingchuan.
Tang Mingchuan: Class is over. I'll take you somewhere.
Lin Xiyu: Where are we going?
Tang Mingchuan: I'm waiting for you at the school gate.
Lin Xiyu put down her phone, glanced at the unwashed clothes, and decided to go to the school gate.
Tang Mingchuan's car was parked at the school gate, and he got out of the car to greet Lin Xiyu when he saw her coming.
Tang Mingchuan was wearing a beige hoodie and jeans, looking like a university student who had just stepped out of the school gate.
Lin Xiyu was dressed similarly to Tang Mingchuan today. Without careful observation, one might mistake them for a couple.
"Let's go, get in the car," Tang Mingchuan said gentlemanly, opening the car door for Lin Xiyu.
Tang Mingchuan always treated Lin Xiyu like a little girl, being kind to her in his own way. He had resolved the forum controversy for her, but didn't tell her who was behind it.
He wanted to protect her innocence, shielding her from the ugliness of the world, always maintaining her childlike purity.
Later, when Tang Mingchuan found out about Chen Shiyi's actions, he regretted not telling Lin Xiyu earlier.
...
Tang Mingchuan drove Lin Xiyu to a secluded villa.
The villa wasn't well-known, and few people visited, but the scenery was beautiful, especially with the peach blossoms in full bloom in early April.
The lack of visitors allowed the natural beauty to remain untouched.
"It's so beautiful," Lin Xiyu sat in a small pavilion, surrounded by clusters of pink peach blossoms, creating a lively scene.
"I thought you'd like it here," Tang Mingchuan said, watching Lin Xiyu's profile and feeling that the little girl blended in perfectly with the peach blossom scenery, making it even more beautiful.
"Professor, thank you for being so good to me," Lin Xiyu's voice was soft and tender.
"Little girl, how about calling me Ah Ci from now on?" Tang Mingchuan smiled and asked Lin Xiyu.
Lin Xiyu nodded, feeling that Tang Mingchuan was really nice.
"There's not only beautiful scenery here but also good food. I usually don't tell anyone about this place," Tang Mingchuan said, taking Lin Xiyu to a nearby small restaurant.
The restaurant owners were a very hospitable couple, and Tang Mingchuan had occasionally visited the villa and gotten to know them.
The lady boss was pleasantly surprised to see the girl behind Tang Mingchuan. "Ah Ci, is this your girlfriend? She's so pretty."
"A Ci has never brought a girl here before. If he did, it would only be his girlfriend. Finally, he has a girlfriend now," the boss chimed in.
Blushing, Lin Xiyu looked up at Tang Mingchuan, only to find him smiling at her. "It's true. I'm pursuing her."
The couple burst into laughter. They had known Tang Mingchuan for many years but had never seen him with a girl before.
Even iron trees bloom at times.
The couple's culinary skills were excellent. They served freshly caught fish, and Tang Mingchuan made sure Lin Xiyu's bowl was filled with boneless fish meat.
The girl was too thin; she needed to gain some weight to look better, Tang Mingchuan thought.
...
Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Mingchuan drove Lin Xiyu back to school.
"I'll go now," Lin Xiyu waved to Tang Mingchuan.
Tang Mingchuan sat in the car until Lin Xiyu entered the school gate and disappeared from view before driving away.
...
Returning to the dorm, Lin Xiyu saw a beautiful costume laid out on Bai Wei's bed.