Everyone has something on their mind
Lin Xiaoning's dedication to law exceeded everyone's expectations. Xu Zilin, originally a chubby student accompanying Ye Yidong to school, quickly transformed herself into Ye Yidong's number one "fangirl" in the classroom. She made no secret of her affection, sneaking snacks into Ye Yidong's desk during every class, and during library discussions, she locked eyes with him with unbridled intensity, often making Lin Xiaoning double over in laughter.
Once, in the quiet corridor of the library, the fat girl suddenly took a deep breath and announced loudly: "I am Xu Zilin from the Department of Chemistry, and I am pursuing Ye Yidonggang from the Department of Law! My rivals, let's compete fairly!" The loud voice echoed in the corridor, attracting countless glances.
Ye Yidong's face flushed instantly, and he hurriedly tugged at her sleeve: "How many times have I told you, I have a girlfriend abroad...I really do!"
The fat girl didn't back down. She put her hands on her hips and retorted, "She's already taken, so I'm just here to loosen up the soil! Humph!" Then she pointed at him and laughed, "Who are you kidding? Your WeChat profile picture is clearly a picture of the starry sky. How can you have a girlfriend?"
As the course progressed, Lin Xiaoning felt she was gradually grasping the essence of law. After class, she had endless questions, and Teacher Zhao always patiently and meticulously answered them, offering her encouraging glances. Upon learning that this beautiful, incessant questioner was from the Chemistry Department, Teacher Zhao revealed a rare expression of surprise.
"Then why did you choose this course that has nothing to do with your major?" he asked curiously.
"In chemistry experiments, if the error exceeds the allowable range, the experiment must be repeated. The cold formula does not allow any compromise, and an answer that is different from the teacher's is a mistake. But the law never seems to be as 'precise' as chemistry. Instead, it makes people feel more warm." Lin Xiaoning said seriously.
"More heartwarming? Tell me what you think." A hint of interest flashed in Teacher Zhao's eyes.
"The law's 'imprecision' stems precisely from its tolerance for the complexity of human nature. Concepts like 'necessary limits' and 'reasonable judgment' require judicial interpretation based on specific circumstances. This isn't a flaw, but rather a deeper humanistic concern."
"Well said. The real difficulty of law lies in finding a dynamic balance between rules and human nature."
"And this wisdom in finding a balance is precisely where the warmth of the law lies."
From then on, Zhao Xianqi began to pay special attention to this inquiring chemistry student. In response to her paper on the limits of self-defense, he shared a rare case experience: "Fifteen years ago, I defended a peasant woman who had fought back against a murderer. The definition of self-defense sparked huge controversy—the legal text is cold, but its application requires the warmth of humanity."
While researching in the law school's library, Lin Xiaoning stumbled upon a yellowed copy of the 1998 edition of "Criminal Defense Cases." One of the articles, titled "Practicing Medicine to Save the World, What's the Crime?" — On the Barefoot Doctor Zhang's Defense of Innocence, was prominently signed by Zhao Xianqi. The passionate words in the defense speech moved her: "'Practicing medicine to save the world, curing illnesses and saving lives' has been the physician's duty since ancient times. When the law attempts to punish a rural doctor who saved lives with the charge of 'illegal practice,' we should examine the gap between the legislative spirit and the realities of people's lives..." The article, citing classic texts ranging from the Compendium of Materia Medica and the Great Physician's Instruction on "Barefoot Doctors Are Good," elevates the case to a collision between traditional medical ethics and modern rule of law. Lin Xiaoning secretly copied the defense speech, and when she presented it during class, Ye Yidong and other students were stunned. When someone curious about this matter asked Zhao Xianqi, he simply responded: "When I was young, I spoke my mind with my pen, which is nothing to mention." But Lin Xiaoning saw the sharp edge of his idealism in this.
Fatty lived up to her reputation as the "Gossip King" and soon learned more about Zhao Xianqi's past: in his youth, he was banned from the industry for "losing his defense of an official in a bribery case." This was the sensational "Jiangzhou Urban Construction Bureau Corruption Case" ten years ago. When Zhao Xianqi was defending the director, the key witness recanted his testimony in court and accused the lawyer of "inducing perjury." Although he was ultimately not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, he retired from the legal profession and went to school to focus on teaching. Hearing this, Lin Xiaoning felt an indescribable pity, as if she had seen a loved one wronged, and she inexplicably felt an urge to protect this man who was like a father to her.
After class, Lin Xiaoning was always the last to leave the classroom. Zhao Xianqi, initially hurriedly packing his briefcase, gradually settled into a position where he sat patiently at the podium, answering questions. One day, during a downpour, she saw the teacher had forgotten his umbrella. Without hesitation, she offered him her plain folding umbrella: "You have it first. I have classes. The rain will stop soon." The next day, when he returned the umbrella, a note was attached to the handle: "Thank you. One of the ribs has been fixed." This unspoken tenderness moved her heart. Another time, he handed her a copy of Max Weber's Law and Morals, with a dried maple leaf bookmark tucked between the pages. The title page read: "Law is rational, but its application requires compassion." Such exchanges became an unspoken understanding between the two, and their email correspondence long transcended the realm of homework.
Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, the fat girl stuffed a heart-shaped chocolate into Ye Yidong's backpack and loudly declared, "I like you! Break up with your girlfriend abroad!" Ye Yidong blushed with embarrassment, and after a long pause, he managed to utter, "I don't actually have a girlfriend...but that's because..." His eyes unconsciously flicked to Lin Xiaoning in the distance. That evening, he asked Lin Xiaoning out for a walk, and he stammered, "I lied because I was afraid of being rejected. Actually, from the first class..." Lin Xiaoning interrupted softly, "The only thing on my mind right now is my thesis." Ye Yidong smiled wryly, "Then I'll wait until you finish your tenth one."
On the eve of finals, Lin Xiaoning knocked on Zhao Xianqi's door, claiming to be returning a book. Under the dim light, he brewed two cups of strong tea and suddenly asked, "Why are you so obsessed with criminal law?" She nearly blurted out, "Because of you," but changed it to, "I'm trying to find answers to human nature more complex than chemical formulas." He stared out the window for a long time, then suddenly recounted an old story: "I defended a juvenile murder case. Public opinion accused me of exonerating the evil. But the truth is, the child had been abused for a long time... The law sometimes can't see a person's wounds." She saw tears welling in his eyes and reached out to comfort him, but he abruptly stood up: "It's getting late. You should go back. Xiaoye is waiting for you downstairs. He's a fine young man." In that moment, she saw this father-like man staring out the window at something far away.
The course ended, and everyone felt as if they had lost something precious, unwilling to let this time end. The library corridors still seemed to echo with the fat girl's declaration, and the classroom still lingered with the warmth of the collision between law and humanity. And everyone harbored an unspoken worry in their hearts, quietly taking root in the memories of youth.
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