Chapter 112: Campus Turmoil

By the end of May, the city of S was on the verge of the rainy season. The cherry blossom trees that had once bloomed in a sea of splendor along the streets had already shed their flowers. The first few petals to drift down were enough to evoke worries of wind and rain, and when the weather finally turned, the blossoms fell like a dense, relentless snow.

After a night of gusty winds and light rain, piles of pink petals lay scattered everywhere.

On campus, the rumors surrounding Cheng Xiaoyu and the "Goddess" Su had yet to subside. Wang Ou, who knew the secret, remained tight-lipped. His greatest virtue was that while he loved a bit of gossip, he always held firm to his loyalty toward friends; in truth, even the most rugged-looking men often possess sensitive and delicate hearts.

As the college entrance exams drew closer, Wang Ou grew increasingly melancholy. Even though his high school life had been entirely ordinary, he found himself feeling a reluctant attachment to it.

Outside the school’s iron railings lay a sidewalk paved with diamond-shaped bricks; just across the road was Fudan University. Within the campus stood a row of double-flowered cherry trees, their beauty now spent. Only days ago, couples had crowded there to take photos, but now the area was cold and desolate, accompanied only by the breeze.

Wang Ou draped an arm over Cheng Xiaoyu’s shoulder and said, "Little Fatty, recite a poem about cherry blossoms for me so I can indulge in a bit of nostalgia."

Cheng Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback by Wang Ou’s sudden literary request. Usually, at this time, he would be asking, "What are we having for lunch?" Struggling to recall a suitable poem about cherry blossoms, Cheng Xiaoyu furrowed his brows.

At lunchtime, the two walked unhurriedly toward the cafeteria. Wang Ou teased Cheng Xiaoyu, saying that as the last poet in the history of China, it was pathetic that he couldn't even think of a single poem about cherry blossoms. In reality, it wasn't that Cheng Xiaoyu couldn't remember any; it was just that while many ancient poets mentioned cherry blossoms, few made them the primary subject, and there were no particularly famous verses dedicated to them.

Cheng Xiaoyu glanced at the scattered pink petals on the sparse grass in the distance, smiled, and recited softly: "Spring is half over, and everywhere I look, my heart breaks. Beneath the steps, fallen blossoms scatter like snow, brushed away only to cover me once more. The geese return, but bring no news; the road is long, and dreams of home are hard to fulfill. My sorrow at parting is just like the spring grass—the further it travels, the more it grows." This was a famous piece by Li Yu, which Cheng Xiaoyu had secretly altered by one character to hoodwink Wang Ou.

Listening to Cheng Xiaoyu’s magnetic voice as he recited slowly, Wang Ou felt his own literary spirit stir. He sighed and shook his head, saying, "A fine poem, a truly fine poem."

Just a few steps from the cafeteria, Cheng Xiaoyu and Wang Ou were intercepted by five or six tall boys.

Wang Ou recognized them immediately as members of the school basketball team. He knew two of them: Ouyang Rui, a close friend of Chen Jiajun and the new team captain following Chen's departure, and Yan Bochao, the team’s starting small forward and the man for whom Huang Liang served as a substitute.

Ouyang Rui looked at the calm Cheng Xiaoyu and said, "You're Cheng Xiaoyu, right? I have a few things to ask you. Could you come over to the sports field with us?"

Since this was the main path to the cafeteria, many people witnessed the scene. Most simply detoured around them without much surprise; after all, in one of the top four high schools in S—especially Fudan High, known for its academic rigor—school violence was almost mythical.

Cheng Xiaoyu, unfazed by the aggressive group, viewed them as nothing more than impulsive boys. He smiled and said, "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here. No need to go to the field."

Ouyang Rui chuckled, his handsome face filled with mockery. "What, are you scared? Don't worry, we aren't going to hit you."

Cheng Xiaoyu glanced at Ouyang Rui and said calmly, "I'm just afraid that if I go to the field and come back, the braised pork in the cafeteria will be sold out!"

Ouyang Rui’s expression shifted, as if he felt insulted by Cheng Xiaoyu's remark. Angrily, he said, "Cheng Xiaoyu, I’m done wasting words with you. I’m warning you: Su Yuxi is our captain Chen Jiajun’s girlfriend. Stay away from her."

Cheng Xiaoyu couldn't help but laugh; it sounded like the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. He thought of the number he had blocked without a second thought and said, "Alright, don't waste any more of my time." He pushed past the person blocking his path and continued toward the cafeteria with Wang Ou.

The group of six couldn't really do anything to Cheng Xiaoyu in broad daylight, so they could only watch him walk away. After a few steps, Cheng Xiaoyu turned back and added, "If Chen Jiajun wants to be Xiao Xi's boyfriend, he has to ask for my permission first. As for telling me to stay away from her, that’s impossible—we live together."

The group’s expressions darkened at Cheng Xiaoyu’s earlier arrogance, but upon hearing that they lived together, they were completely stunned. Everyone interpreted it as "cohabitation."

In the script they had imagined, Ouyang Rui should have asked about the relationship between Cheng Xiaoyu and Su Yuxi, but they truly couldn't conceive of any connection between the two. They had automatically categorized Cheng Xiaoyu as a "toad lusting after a swan."

But when the "toad" brazenly claimed that he had to approve of her boyfriend and shamelessly boasted about living with the Goddess, these high school sophomores couldn't contain themselves. They stepped forward, intent on causing trouble.

Wang Ou stepped in front of Cheng Xiaoyu and shouted, "What do you think you’re doing?"

Yan Bochao clenched his fists and said, "We just want to let this toad know that he’ll never be a prince."

Cheng Xiaoyu had no desire to explain his relationship with Su Yuxi to these inconsequential people; to him, that bond was sacred and beyond profanation.

Seeing that the situation was on the verge of turning physical, Ji Yunyun, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally stepped in. As a student council member and school disciplinary officer, she walked up to Ouyang Rui, Yan Bochao, and the others, her armband visible. "What are you doing? Do you want to lose conduct points? Do you want a disciplinary record? Are you planning to fight?"

Ouyang Rui recognized the pretty senior and blushed. "Senior, it’s not that we’re bullying anyone. That fatty has a filthy mouth and insulted the Goddess. That’s why we’re angry."

Ji Yunyun felt a strange sting in her heart. She had never been jealous of Su Yuxi before, but now she found herself feeling a sudden aversion toward the perfect girl. "I’ve been standing right here the whole time. Don't think I didn't hear—he didn't say anything foul."

"He didn't use profanity, but what he said was even more shameless," Yan Bochao muttered. He was in the same class as Su Yuxi; Chen Jiajun was the one with the courage to confess, while he was the one who could only look up from afar.

Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled and said, "I was merely stating a fact. I really don't know what you're making such a fuss about." He turned to Ji Yunyun and said, "Thank you." Then, he turned and walked toward the cafeteria.

Wang Ou quickly followed, muttering angrily, "Those people are truly outrageous."

Cheng Xiaoyu remained indifferent, though he sighed, "Having a sister like her, I honestly don't know if I should be proud or annoyed."

"Yeah! Why didn't you just say you were her brother?" Wang Ou asked, confused.

"Oh, those people aren't worth my explanation," Cheng Xiaoyu replied dismissively. In truth, he was thinking: *I don't want people to remember me because I am her brother. I want a day to come when everyone knows that she is my sister.*

Perhaps this was the pride hidden deep within Cheng Xiaoyu's soul.

Meanwhile, things were not so calm in Su Yuxi’s classroom. She always brought a delicate lunchbox prepared by Mama Wang—nutritionally balanced and light. She never went to the cafeteria, finding it too noisy. During her freshman year, she had gone a few times and been surrounded by onlookers; back then, she had regretted not attending an all-girls school with Xu Qinning.

Su Yuxi noticed that her class was unusually boisterous today, though it did nothing to disturb her peaceful demeanor. Fan Jiaying walked over, looking excited, and sat in the seat in front of her. She whispered, "Su Yuxi, did you know? The basketball team almost got into a fight with that fatty, Cheng Xiaoyu, today."

Su Yuxi hadn't been listening closely to the first half, and she had never cared much about rumors regarding herself. It wasn't until she heard Cheng Xiaoyu’s name that she looked up and asked, "Why?"

It was the first time Fan Jiaying had seen Su Yuxi show interest in something outside of her studies. Surprised, she said, "Are you really that close to him? He said that for Chen Jiajun to be your boyfriend, he has to agree to it."

Su Yuxi frowned, remembering that it was she who had given Cheng Xiaoyu’s number to Chen Jiajun. Her face remained entirely calm, as if this were a matter of course. "He's right to say that."

Fan Jiaying looked as if she had seen a ghost. It was an answer she couldn't believe and couldn't accept. Watching Su Yuxi’s calm expression, Fan Jiaying stammered, "That fatty also said... he lives with you."

Su Yuxi found the basketball team members boring and tiresome—a strong word for her, as she rarely disliked anyone. Looking at Fan Jiaying’s incredulous expression, she said calmly, "We have lived together for a long time. He was merely stating a fact."

Fan Jiaying felt as if something within her had shattered—the image of an untouchable goddess falling from her pedestal and crumbling to pieces.

Looking at Su Yuxi’s unruffled face, Fan Jiaying was convinced there must be some hidden, tragic story. A child from a poor family sacrificing herself for a relative? Or perhaps a wealthy heir holding some fatal leverage over the Su family?

In short, Su Yuxi must have been coerced. Fan Jiaying’s mind was filled with chaotic clues.

This conversation had been overheard by those nearby, and the entire classroom fell into an eerie silence. Sitting behind them, Yan Bochao was beyond furious; he felt like rushing up and demanding of Su Yuxi: "Why!"