She had actually had that kind of dream, and even though it was just a dream, she felt like she owed him.
"Good girl, go back to sleep. I'm here, so you don't have to be afraid."
"Mmm..." She buried her head in the crook of his arm and fell asleep, feeling secure.
The next day, she returned to the campus once again.
Walking on campus, Gu Xiaoer no longer noticed the strange stares from her classmates, but she still heard the unusual whispers in their quiet conversations.
"Did you know? Ning Fangyuan from the Architecture Institute voluntarily dropped out! He plagiarized Gu Xiaoer's design and the school found out."
"Isn't Ning Fangyuan a top student? Why would he do something like that?"
"I don't know. It's really strange. At first, everyone thought it was Gu Xiaoer who plagiarized Ning Fangyuan!"
...
As Gu Xiaoer walked, she silently listened to other people's conversations. She hadn't been back for a few days, and now the school's atmosphere had changed to this?
When she returned to the dormitory without seeing Ai Le, a neighboring classmate informed her that Principal Wang's office had summoned her.
She heaved a soft sigh—in the end, what should come will come.
Principal Wang's office.
Ai Le sat somewhat nervously across from Principal Wang's desk, her head bowed, quietly listening to his admonishments.
"Ai Le, there are a few questions I'd like to ask you," Principal Wang said with a kind tone, like a counselor who talks with students from the heart.
Ai Le quickly gestured with her hands, "Please ask, Principal. You called me here, and I really don't know what it's about; I'm feeling so anxious."
Principal Wang smiled a little, "The thing is, it has been discovered that a student plagiarized Gu Xiaoer's design work, and the truth has come to light. That student has received the punishment they deserved."
Ai Le breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried about Xiao Er's issue for many days, and now it was finally resolved. The despicable plagiarizer got what they deserved.
But why would the principal talk to her about these things? Wouldn't the announcement be released soon?
She nodded obediently and continued to listen to what the principal would say next.
"Ai Le, you have a good relationship with Gu Xiaoer, right?"
"Very good. We share a dorm room and are close friends!"
"Do you know if she has any background? Like, does she know certain people or anything?" Principal Wang's mind was ticking over. From the initial investment by Shenghan to the recent plagiarism incident, each case had Mr. Han personally giving instructions. This made him wonder about the relationship between Gu Xiaoer and Mr. Han. He couldn't directly ask the person involved, so he had to probe indirectly.
"Background? Xiao Er doesn't have any background; at most, she has a father who's a letdown!"
Ai Le, who was usually frank and outspoken, suddenly realized that the person in front of her was the principal, someone of a much higher status, and she shouldn't have spoken so freely.
"Anyone else? Has she been hanging out with anyone recently? Relatives, boyfriends?" Clearly, what the principal cared about was different from Ai Le's concerns.
Ai Le blinked, a bit disbelieving that the principal could be so gossip-minded. What did all this have to do with Xiao Er? She hadn't heard about Xiao Er being with anyone, let alone having a boyfriend!
Wait, could it be the deal with the rented boyfriend that reached the principal?
Thinking this, Ai Le became nervous and tentatively asked, "Principal, you're not going to punish Xiao Er again, are you..."
"No, no!" Principal Wang reined in his curiosity, "About Gu Xiaoer…"
"Principal, Xiao Er is always with us. She's hardworking and dedicated to her studies. She's just a regular student!"
Principal Wang looked at Ai Le's earnest face, realizing he wouldn't get anything more from her. He waved his hand to dismiss her, thinking he would have to investigate this matter elsewhere.
Outside the principal's office, Ai Le met Gu Xiaoer, who had just arrived. She quickly whispered to her, "Don't be too honest when the principal asks questions, okay?"
Gu Xiaoer naively nodded, puzzled as she pushed open the door of the principal's office.