The next day, Yu Xiangnian went to school, but did not see the bulletin board crowded with people as expected.

She walked over and took a look in confusion, but there was no handwritten statement.

Yu Xiangnian comforted himself that maybe it had not been finished yet, so he would urge Duan Fangfang in the afternoon.

Before school was over in the afternoon, Yu Xiangnian and Wen Qiuning were called to the office by their head teacher.

Wen Qiuning knew why she was called by the head teacher, but she couldn't understand why Yu Xiangnian was also called.

Yu Xiangnian vaguely suspected that Duan Fangfang had turned against him.

The three of them walked into the office and the head teacher Zhao Libo closed the door.

Zhao Libo said: "Pull up a chair and sit down. You must be tired after a whole day of classes!"

Yu Xiangnian was about to pull out the chair, "..."

To sit or not to sit?

Looking at Wen Qiuning again, he had a blank expression on his face, cold eyes, and stood straight.

Yu Xiangnian didn't feel comfortable sitting down either.

The two stood side by side about one meter in front of Zhao Libo.

Zhao Libo slammed the table a few times, "What the hell did you two do?!"

She pointed at Wen Qiuning and said angrily, "Look at you, when the teacher wanted to help you, you didn't tell the truth. Now the matter has become a big deal, and the management office and the academic affairs office know about it. What should we do now?!"

She pointed at Yu Xiangnian and said even more angrily, "And you! You're a student, yet you resort to coercion, inducement, and bribery! Who taught you that?"

"You two, when something goes wrong, instead of seeking legal solutions from the teacher, you try to solve it secretly and privately. Do you have what it takes?"

Yu Xiangnian was certain that Duan Fangfang had turned against him.

She just wanted to know what Duan Fangfang had told the school, and how she had used coercion, inducement, and bribery?

Yu Xiangnian said, "Teacher, I admit that I wanted to resolve this matter privately, but I did not use coercion, inducement, or bribery."

Zhao Libo glared at her. "Duan Fangfang has already told the school the truth. You threatened her that if she didn't have evidence to prove the Wen Qiuning incident, you would sue her for defamation! And you gave her a pair of gloves and asked her to write a statement proving that the Wen Qiuning incident was a rumor! Tell me, did you do any of these things?"

Yu Xiangnian said weakly, "I did it, but I didn't coerce, bribe, or solicit her. She said those things without any evidence, which is slanderous and defamatory. I was just reminding her not to break the law. And I gave her the gloves as a thank you for clearing Wen Qiuning's name. It had nothing to do with soliciting or bribing her."

"You're just so sharp-tongued!"

Zhao Libo looked at the sharp-tongued one who was angry, and then looked at the silent one who was even angrier.

Wen Qiuning has been looking indifferent since she entered the door, as if this matter has nothing to do with her!

"Wen Qiuning, don't you have anything to say?" She glared at Wen Qiuning.

Wen Qiuning said calmly, "No."

Zhao Libo: "...you two, each one is more righteous than the other!"

Zhao Libo took two deep breaths, calmed down, and said, "The school asked me to inform you two to reflect on yourselves and write down the whole process of what happened truthfully. Submit it to me next Monday."

Yu Xiangnian turned his head and glanced at Wen Qiuning. She was still as aloof as ever, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Zhao Libo said, "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your agreement. Leave it to me next Monday, and then go back and reflect on yourselves!"

When the two were about to go to the office, Zhao Libo called Wen Qiuning again.

"Wen Qiuning, Duan Fangfang assured the school that your story is true. All the educated youth in the village know about it, and they've even asked the school to investigate. Don't be so optimistic. Just write it down as it is!"

When the two walked out of the teaching building, it was almost time to go home. They tacitly did not return to the classroom, but walked towards the gate.

Yu Xiangnian scratched his head with some guilt, "Wen Qiuning, I'm sorry. I went to find Duan Fangfang without consulting you. I didn't expect..."

Before he could finish his words, Wen Qiuning interrupted him, "Thank you!"

Just now in the office, when she heard Yu Xiangnian secretly helping her solve this matter, she was touched.

Over the years, she was used to bearing everything alone, but she didn't expect that there was someone secretly helping her behind the scenes.

Yu Xiangnian felt even more guilty. "What are you thanking me for? I didn't help, and I made things worse."

Wen Qiuning said, "I'm fine, but I'm actually a burden to you."

Yu Xiangnian said nonchalantly, "I'm even fine! Is giving a pair of gloves to classmates considered bribery? I'll sue her for slander and defamation!"

Wen Qiuning chuckled, "You're quite humorous."

The two walked for a long distance before Yu Xiangnian said, "Wen Qiuning, although I've never been an educated youth, I do understand a little bit about their lives."

"Some unlucky educated youth were assigned to remote and difficult mountain villages. Not only did they have to work in unfamiliar and harsh conditions, but they also had to deal with ignorant villagers. Worse still, they had to deal with the bullying of greedy and lustful people."

"I don't know your past, but I know you. Sometimes, when people are desperate, they have to make certain choices. I understand. You went through so much trouble to get into Kyoto University, and you definitely don't want to miss it."

"What I want to say is that I really want to help you. If I can't, I still have my family, and they will do their best to help you. You don't have to feel like you owe me anything. I volunteered! Our whole family volunteered!"

It might be raining again. Today's weather is foggy and there is no sunshine.

Yu Xiangnian's little face was frozen pink, and every time she spoke, a cloud of white mist appeared in front of her.

Wen Qiuning walked beside her, with a distance of one person between them.

Wen Qiuning looked up at the sky and seemed to see the dazzling sunlight, which made her cry.

The sunlight seemed to penetrate her body, shine into her heart, and bring warmth.

Wen Qiuning whispered, "Thank you."

The two separated at the gate, Yu Xiangnian waited for the bus, and Wen Qiuning walked to the bookstore.

Yu Xiangnian didn't take the head teacher's words to heart at all. She just did what she was supposed to do.

The next day was Saturday. Lin Yunyi and Xiao Jiang were busy cooking, and Yu Xiangnian happily made a cake.

As soon as Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangyang walked to the door, they saw the brand new bicycle.

"Who bought the bike?" Yu Xiangyang didn't remember Cheng Jingmo's birthday and asked in confusion, "Who did you buy it for?"

Cheng Jingmo wailed inwardly, "This prodigal woman!"