Zhao Mingyue originally thought she should just let the matter rest and not bother arguing with a woman who had lost her mind due to jealousy. However, Wu Jie's outburst made Zhao Mingyue famous. Although she was the victim, not everyone knew the truth, and some even made malicious speculations.

Their story certainly sparked much speculation. A sent-down youth, a beautiful village girl, and an ordinary-looking female sent-down youth—was the story between these three really as simple as they claimed? Soon, rumors began circulating in the school, with various versions. The most distinctive feature of these rumors was that by the time they reached the mouth of the person who first told them, even he himself couldn't recognize that it was the story he had told.

Zhao Mingyue believed the rumors would eventually fall apart. People can say whatever they want; she couldn't stop them. She could only do her best and have a clear conscience. Fortunately, her classmates understood and supported her, and they also believed in Shen Xuyue's character.

Zhao Mingyue was undecided whether to tell Shen Xuyue. She felt that Wu Jie wouldn't go to Shen Xuyue; her purpose was only to scare and humiliate her. If she did tell Shen Xuyue, what kind of story should she tell him—a whining, questioning, or calmly stating her position?

Before Zhao Mingyue could think of an answer, Shen Xuyue came to her door: "Wu Jie came to see you a few days ago?"

Zhao Mingyue stared at him wide-eyed: "How did you know? She went to see you?"

Shen Xuyue snorted: "How dare she come to me? Old Qin told me."

Zhao Mingyue realized that Gao Dongfang had told Lao Qin, and Lao Qin had relayed it to Shen Xuyue. She smiled helplessly and said, "Yes, he came the day before yesterday at noon."

"What did she say to you? Did she say she's my girlfriend?" Shen Xuyue asked.

Zhao Mingyue looked at Shen Xuyue: "Don't you already know?"

Shen Xuyue quickly said, "Mingyue, don't overthink it. Wu Jie and I have a completely innocent lesbian relationship, there's nothing ambiguous about it."

“But that girl likes you,” Zhao Mingyue said coolly.

Shen Xuyue became anxious: "Who she likes is her business. I can't control other people's thoughts, but I can control my own. I know very well who I like."

Zhao Mingyue asked, "Who do you like?"

Shen Xuyue turned to look at Zhao Mingyue, leaned over and kissed her on the corner of her lips: "Do I need to say who I like?"

Zhao Mingyue blushed instantly, her ears turning bright red. This was the first time Shen Xuyue had ever kissed her. She said in a fluster, "What if someone sees us?"

Shen Xuyue said, "It's almost dark, who has such good eyesight? To be honest, Mingyue, I didn't expect Wu Jie to be such an irrational person, actually coming to your school to cause trouble. Has she caused you a bad influence?"

When reason meets emotion, especially burning jealousy, it's likely to be burned to ashes, just like Wu Jie's situation. Zhao Mingyue shrugged and said, "Rumors stop with the wise. I've done nothing wrong, so I'm not afraid of those things."

“I’ll find out where she is another day and talk to her in person. If I can get her to come and apologize to you, that would be the best thing,” Shen Xuyue said.

Zhao Mingyue had no hope that Wu Jie would apologize. She didn't want to see Wu Jie's hideous face at all, so she said, "Forget about the apology. Just talk to her and tell her not to bother me again."

Shen Xuyue sighed: "I just can't understand what she's trying to achieve by doing this. Isn't it bad for her if this gets out?"

"He's probably just angry and wants to humiliate me, taking the opportunity to vent his anger." Zhao Mingyue glanced at Shen Xuyue. "You're the culprit."

Shen Xuyue nodded humbly: "Yes, it was my fault. I shouldn't have let her have any illusions."

Zhao Mingyue tapped his chest with her hand: "Behave yourself from now on, and stop flirting with other women."

"Yes, sir!" Shen Xuyue looked at Zhao Mingyue, then suddenly laughed.

Zhao Mingyue looked at him: "What are you laughing at?"

Shen Xuyue said, "I didn't expect you to be so calm. I thought you would definitely cry when you saw me."

Zhao Mingyue said, "It's been a few days since then. If you had been there, I might have cried."

Shen Xuyue reached out and smoothed Zhao Mingyue's temples: "My Mingyue is a calm and composed woman. She is knowledgeable, reasonable, and has a magnanimous spirit. I am proud of her."

"Am I as good as you say? Don't be disappointed if I cry one day." Zhao Mingyue gave him a coquettish look, but she couldn't deny that Shen Xuyue's words made her feel sweet inside.

Shen Xuyue said, "A petite and delicate woman has a different kind of charm. I would still like that."

Zhao Mingyue: "..." It seems that as long as someone is loved, they can find a reason to justify anything. It truly proves the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Moreover, this is the second time he has said he likes someone today. He has never said it before. Zhao Mingyue felt that Shen Xuyue's words were unusually sweet today. Did he feel that she had been wronged, so he wanted to say some nice things to make up for it?

Shen Xuyue said, "Mingyue, although it may not be necessary to say this, I still have to say it. I can't promise you anything else, but I can guarantee my character. I will never deceive you in anything, especially when it comes to feelings. Zhao Mingyue, I, Shen Xuyue, will never let you down in this lifetime!"

Zhao Mingyue reached out and covered his mouth, smiling sweetly: "I believe in your character. But I know that feelings are something we can't predict. I believe that the promises you're making now are from the bottom of your heart, and I hope we can both keep them. I still say the same thing: ask your own heart. Just like you said, you won't lie to me about anything. If one day you don't love me anymore, please tell me directly. I won't blame you, and I'll set you free, really."

Shen Xuyue pulled Zhao Mingyue into his arms and kissed the top of her head: "Mingyue, you silly girl. How could I bear to part with you?"

Zhao Mingyue leaned against Shen Xuyue's chest. She knew perfectly well that in ten or twenty years, divorce would be commonplace. Hadn't someone said that every man who makes vows of eternal love is sincere, that he believes he can keep them, and that when he says goodbye, he truly means it, realizing he can't? Zhao Mingyue didn't expect anything more from Shen Xuyue: "Let's not talk about forever, let's just live in the present, okay?"

Shen Xuyue stroked Zhao Mingyue's thin back: "Okay, whatever you say."

Zhao Mingyue didn't know how Shen Xuyue handled that matter. Two days later, Song Xiaorui came to find her. Zhao Mingyue had just finished class and was walking back to her dormitory with Gao Dongfang when she saw Song Xiaorui lingering at the dormitory entrance. She was still wearing her military uniform and cap, making her very conspicuous. Looking at the tall figure, Zhao Mingyue was still a little unsure, but she stopped walking. When Song Xiaorui turned around, it was indeed her: "Sister Xiaorui!"

When Song Xiaorui saw Zhao Mingyue, she walked over and put her arm around her shoulder: "Mingyue, get out of class is over?"

Zhao Mingyue was pleasantly surprised: "Oh, what brings you here? I was just about to go eat. Sister Xiaorui, have you eaten yet? Let me treat you to a meal."

Song Xiaorui smiled and said, "I'll treat you. Are you going back to your dorm? If not, let's just leave."

Zhao Mingyue shook her head: "No need to go back." She turned to Gao Dongfang and said, "Second sister, my friend is here. I'm going to have dinner with my friend. You go back first."

Gao Dongfang nodded, the surprise in his eyes not yet completely gone. After hearing what she said, he turned and left.

Song Xiaorui said, "Mingyue, let me treat you to a meal at a restaurant. Let's eat out."

"That's too much trouble for Sister Xiaorui," Zhao Mingyue said apologetically.

Song Xiaorui said, "It's okay. I only earn about fifty yuan a month and I feel like I have nowhere to spend it. I eat and live at home, so I only spend my own money. I don't spend much."

Zhao Mingyue knew that before the nationwide wage increase, the starting salary for college graduates was a uniform 54.5 yuan. This amount seemed small, but in an era when they could eat their fill and even have some left over on 10 yuan a month, it was a considerable sum. Some families in their village only earned fifty or sixty yuan a year.

Zhao Mingyue reached out and took Song Xiaorui's right arm, and they walked out of the school together. Song Xiaorui talked with her about her recent situation for a while, and then suddenly said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mingyue."

Zhao Mingyue looked at Song Xiaorui: "What's wrong, Sister Xiaorui?"

Song Xiaorui pursed her lips before saying, "I didn't know Wu Jie was asking me about you. It turns out she came to your school to humiliate you. I'm so sorry for causing you trouble. I'm here today to apologize."

Zhao Mingyue grabbed Song Xiaorui's hand: "Sister, how can you be blamed for this? You probably didn't know she would do this, right? If you had known, I'm sure you wouldn't have told her."

Song Xiaorui grabbed Zhao Mingyue's hand: "Yeah, I didn't know she'd come looking for you. Wu Jie is from our same courtyard, but we didn't really grow up together. She's younger than all of us, at least four or five years younger, so we never really hit it off. I don't really know her that well, but we're from the same courtyard, so we're fairly familiar. That day she suddenly came to me and asked if I knew Xiao Xu was back. I told her Xiao Xu had come to my house. Then she asked if I knew he had a girlfriend. I happened to have seen you, so I told her the truth. She asked where you went to school and what you studied. Because she's also taking the college entrance exam, I didn't think much of it and told her everything. I didn't know she liked Xiao Xu. Yesterday, Xiao Xu came to me and asked if I had told Wu Jie your information, and said she caused trouble at your school. I panicked when I heard that. I'm so sorry, Mingyue, for causing you so much trouble. I'll definitely give her a piece of my mind when I run into her."

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "It's okay, Sister Xiaorui, I'm fine. We're all reasonable people. She came to our school to question me and said some really nasty things. She was kicked out by my classmates."

"Tell me the details later. Now that we're here, let's go in and talk while we eat." Song Xiaorui pulled her into a restaurant, ordered three or four dishes, and wanted to order more, but Zhao Mingyue stopped her: "Sister Xiaorui, don't order too much, it's not wasteful, just finish what you have."

Song Xiaorui nodded: "Okay, as you wish. Come, let's sit down and talk. Tell me what Wu Jie said."

Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment, then told Song Xiaorui everything that had happened that day. Song Xiaorui listened and slammed her hand on the table, laughing wildly. Her expression was completely unlike that of a beautiful woman, attracting the attention of the surrounding diners, but Song Xiaorui didn't care at all. Zhao Mingyue thought that she was truly a person of character, a character that made people want to get close to her.

Song Xiaorui finally finished laughing and looked up at Zhao Mingyue: "Did she really say that?"

Zhao Mingyue nodded, and Song Xiaorui said in a Northeastern accent, "Oh my god, how can she be so brainless and shameless? How can a young lady say such things? Isn't she afraid that Xiaoxu will expose her on the spot? Does she even want to find a boyfriend in the future?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "I also find it strange. She risked being exposed to tell me this, probably thinking I was easily frightened."

The dishes were served, and Song Xiaorui handed Zhao Mingyue a pair of chopsticks: "I think she was too arrogant and underestimated you. She probably thought you were a girl from the countryside, timid, and easily fooled. She probably felt ashamed and wanted to disappear. Luckily, you're bold and careful. Has she never met you before?" Anyone who has met Zhao Mingyue would not underestimate her.

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes, we've only met once or twice, we've never had any contact."

"No wonder!"

After eating a couple of bites of food, Song Xiaorui got up to get some rice, but Zhao Mingyue stopped her: "Sister Xiaorui, let me do it."

Song Xiaorui laughed. Who says people from the countryside are ignorant and lack discernment? At least Zhao Mingyue isn't. Wu Jie is too self-righteous, treating people like fools. Little does she know that the fool will be fooled in return, and she deserves to suffer the consequences! She dragged her down and became her accomplice. She's utterly hateful!

The two chatted over their meal, and Song Xiaorui found she got along very well with Zhao Mingyue. Although young, Zhao Mingyue was knowledgeable about many things and had her own insights. For example, when the topic turned to hairstyles, Song Xiaorui said, "There's a woman in our compound who's really into fashion. She recently got her hair permed, all those curls, it looks like a bird's nest on her head." Then she lowered her voice and said, "I heard it's from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and I don't know which secluded hair salon she got it done in, but it looks really weird. Do you think it looks good?"

Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment and said, "I don't think it looks good; it makes me look old."

Song Xiaorui lightly tapped the table: "Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. I always felt something was off, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but now that you mention it, I think you've got it all figured out. She's only in her thirties, but she looks at least five to ten years older. You've seen that hairstyle before?"

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes, I've met you."

After dinner, their relationship deepened. This is how relationships between women are built; as long as they have common topics, it's easy for them to become close friends.

Song Xiaorui told Zhao Mingyue about her workplace. It turned out that she worked at a research institute under the military region. No wonder she was always wearing a military uniform. But she guessed that Zhao Mingyue just liked wearing military uniforms. The last time she saw Zhao Mingyue was on a weekend, and she was dressed like that too.

Zhao Mingyue saw Song Xiaorui off at the bus stop. Song Xiaorui said, "Mingyue, come visit me sometime. It would be even better if you could come shopping with me sometime; I think you have great taste." Zhao Mingyue was wearing very ordinary clothes, but the color combinations were inexplicably clever, quite different from ordinary people, yet still looked good.

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Okay. As long as Sister Xiaorui needs anything, she can let me know in advance and I will arrange the time."

"I know, they're probably all booked by Xiaoxu, right?" Song Xiaorui smiled somewhat ambiguously.

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Usually when we're not going out to play, we study together."

"Okay, I'll come find you two when I have time, and have Xiaoxu be our bodyguard. The bus is here, I'm off. Mingyue, you can go back now, goodbye!" Song Xiaorui lightly jumped onto the bus, turned around and waved to Zhao Mingyue.

Zhao Mingyue waved and said, "Goodbye, Sister Xiaorui, take care on your way!"

Gao Dongfang was sitting at his desk reading when he saw Zhao Mingyue return: "Your friend left?"

Zhao Mingyue put down her schoolbag and nodded: "Mm."

"Is it related to the woman who came to see you last time?" Gao Dongfang asked.

Zhao Mingyue looked at Gao Dongfang, walked over and hugged her neck: "Thank you for your concern, Second Sister. It's related to that matter. The sister who came today is a relative of Shen Xuyue. Last time I saved someone at Beihai Park, I changed into her clothes. That woman went to her to inquire about me, and she felt she had caused me trouble, so she came to apologize to me."

Gao Dongfang nodded in sudden realization: "So that's how it is, I understand." She wanted to ask something more, but felt it was too gossipy, so she stopped herself.

Zhao Mingyue waited for over a week before finally receiving a letter from her third brother. She eagerly opened it, only to find the handwriting extremely messy, revealing the writer's intense emotions. Zhao Minglang said he had already learned of the news; he had received Yu Youfen's breakup letter. Her letter was simple, saying she was sorry, she was getting married, and he should find someone else. Zhao Minglang said he had no idea why Yu Youfen was suddenly getting married. He had never considered breaking up, and before he went to university, they had agreed to get married after he graduated and got a job, which Yu Youfen had agreed to. But less than two months later, Yu Youfen was marrying someone else.

Zhao Minglang found it hard to believe, but it was true. He took leave to go back and find Yu Youfen, who was already preparing to become a bride. The family had given a generous dowry, and Yu Youfen herself was very satisfied.

Zhao Mingyue felt there must be something going on, but she didn't know what it was.

Two days later, she received another letter from Yu Youfen. Yu Youfen's letter was short; it read: "Sister, I know you care about me, and I'm very grateful. I'm sorry, I can't be your sister-in-law anymore. I'm sorry to your third brother. If you don't mind, let's remain sisters. I don't know why things turned out this way. By the time I realized it, I was about to become someone else's wife, but this person wasn't the one I always wanted to marry, yet I had no choice but to marry him. This is probably fate. My life has always been bitter, and I hope this time I won't fall into an even deeper abyss. Sister, please bless me. You must be happy forever!"

This is a letter filled with hidden secrets and bitterness. It's clear that Yu Youfen is unwilling to accept her fate. But why not change things? Why insist on marrying him? It must be that Chengjia (the man from the family) coerced Yu Youfen. Why didn't she resist? Even though Zhao Mingyue was full of resentment and justice, she was ultimately powerless to help.