My mood is flowing
Lin Xiaoning's team achieved an unprecedented high score of 92 in Zhao Xianqi's criminal law course. This achievement is not only a testament to their academic ability, but also the culmination of months of hard work and wisdom. Even more gratifying, under Zhao Xianqi's meticulous guidance, two of their papers were successfully published in the university journal, marking a significant milestone in their university careers.
That summer evening after class ended, Ye Yidong waited anxiously for Lin Xiaoning under the sycamore tree below the teaching building. When he saw Lin Xiaoning emerging from Zhao Xianqi's office, he hurried over to greet her. An indescribable tension hung in the air, and Lin Xiaoning couldn't help but resent Ye Yidong's ill-timed appearance, interrupting the conversation she had been preparing for.
"Xiao Ning, all ten papers are finally completed." Ye Yidonggang's voice was a little nervous.
Lin Xiaoning responded politely, "Well, I really have to thank you. You always take on the heaviest workâlooking up information and compiling statistics. I still remember the hard work you put into the statistical analysis of sexual assault cases. Those precise data provided solid support for our thesis. We're grateful for you."
Ye Yidonggang mustered up the courage to say, "Xiaoning, it's nothing. I'm willing to do anything for you... Now that the thesis is finished... I like you." This confession seemed particularly abrupt in the summer heat.
Lin Xiaoning was silent for a moment and responded softly: "I have experienced a failed relationship and no longer believe in love easily... I don't want to start a new relationship for the time being... I just want to quietly focus on my studies." Her voice was calm but firm, with an unnatural calmness.
Ye Yidonggang said anxiously: "I don't care about the past...Xiaoning, everything is over...but I..." Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Lin Xiaoning.
"You are very good, and I don't want to hold you back... The most important thing is, I have other things to focus on." After saying this, Lin Xiaoning turned and left, leaving Ye Yidonggang standing alone in the summer breeze, but feeling the biting cold.
That evening, at the celebration banquet, all three of them drank at the barbecue stall. Under the influence of alcohol, they sang with abandon, each harboring unspoken concerns. Once again, the fat girl spoke her mind, her drunken truth revealed. She shouted to Ye Yidong, "Ye Yidong, my liking for you has nothing to do with you!" These words echoed through the night sky, but received no response. Lin Xiaoning envied the fat girl, her carefree nature... Lin Xiaoning watched the smoke rising from the grill, and it occurred to him that everyone's concerns were like those drifting smoke, clearly present but elusive.
After the start of her junior year, everyone thought Fatty was in love, as Ye Yidong began contacting her frequently. Fatty wasn't actually fat a year ago, just a bit plump. She possessed a figure many middle-aged men dreamed of, a figure perhaps considered "slutty" and repulsive to younger men. The year flew by, and Lin Xiaoning quietly studied, silently organizing all the information on Zhao Xianqi, including his papers, case files, and lecture notes.
Ye Yidong, through Fatty, meticulously collected all the information about Lin Xiaoning, even down to her menstrual period. This one-sided attention and dedication formed a subtle and complex emotional network.
As summer vacation approached, Fatty came to Lin Xiaoning in tears, bringing shocking news: "Ye Yidong is getting engaged. His father is some lousy prosecutor who wants him to get engaged to the Public Security Bureau chief's daughter... What era is this... What should I do..."
Lin Xiaoning angrily called Ye Yidong to confirm the authenticity of the news. Lin Yidong said helplessly, "My family has arranged it, and I can't do anything about it."
Lin Xiaoning was particularly worried that the fat girl would do something extreme. The crying fat girl suddenly asked, "Xiaoning, have you ever dated Bai Jinyu in the back mountain before?"
Lin Xiaoning was stunned for a moment and replied, "Ah, what does it matter... I also want to date Ye Yidong in the back mountain, and I want everyone in the world to know... including that ugly daughter of the director."
This impulsive decision set off a chain reaction. On the third day, a post titled "Passionate Photos of a Couple in Broad Daylight on the Hill Behind the University" went viral on the school forum. The picture was blurry, but just the right amount; only the girl's face and Ye Yidong's classic blue jacket were clearly visible.
Ye Yidong hurriedly called and asked, "Xu Zilin, didn't you say you would help me wash my coat? What's going on?"
The fat girl replied firmly: "Don't worry about it, the matter is already settled."
"But that's not me..." Ye Yidonggang tried to defend himself.
The fat girl interrupted him: "It's you, it has to be you. Anyway, the school is investigating, and I will say it's you."
Surprisingly, everything unfolded according to Lin Xiaoning and Pangniu's pre-planned scenario. Disciplinary notices for Ye Yidong and Xu Zilin were quickly issued, but given their previous excellent academic record, the school refrained from harsh punishment. Xu Zilin tearfully admitted her blunder, and Ye Yidong, while offering some excuses, admitted his fault with a respectable attitude. It's worth noting that the IP address that posted the message was located in the United States, making further verification impossible.
When Ye Yidonggang's parents went to the school to argue angrily, the school expressed its commitment to try its best not to affect the student's future.
Accompanied by Lin Xiaoning, Fatty sat down before Ye Yidong and his parents. As if nothing had happened, they exchanged words of comfort, hope, and encouragement. Lin Xiaoning speculated that this was likely due to the school's investigation revealing Fatty's well-off family background. Ye Yidong's father, a middle-aged man with a perpetual smile, gave Lin Xiaoning a chilling feeling.
On the eve of summer vacation, the school held a law forum, and Lin Xiaoning's dance club was recruited as venue volunteers. Zhao Xianqi delivered an academic speech at the forum titled "The Practical Dilemma and Countermeasures of 'No Criminal Intent, No Criminal'," which transported Lin Xiaoning back to the classroom where they first met. This was also the moment that garnered the most applause of the entire forum.
During the group discussion, Lin Xiaoning stood not far from the podium. As she poured water, she could see Zhao Xianqi up close. The gray at his temples was more pronounced than a year ago, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. She conveniently offered him tea and tissues when he needed them. Zhao Xianqi thanked her three times without even glancing at her, as if he didn't recognize her at all. Lin Xiaoning even wondered why this cold-blooded man was so different from the warm image he portrayed in his emails.
He even thought of his father. When he was a child, whenever guests came to talk, he would interrupt her playful and affectionate conversation and sternly order her to go out and play on her own. When he was older, in formal occasions or when he was out and about, unless someone said, "Old Lin, is this your daughter?" he would simply respond and call her over to greet her, as if she were someone else's daughter. He felt the same way now, and Lin Xiaoning hated this calmness, this concern.
The speeches of academic leaders are always brilliant. When Zhao Xianqi was speaking, Lin Xiaoning was so absorbed in the topic that she accidentally spilled some water while pouring it, scalding her finger. Zhao Xianqi, as if struck by an electric shock, suddenly jumped up and exclaimed, "Xiaoning, you're burned?" Unfortunately, the microphone was left on, and this remark was heard throughout the conference room.
At that moment, all pretense and distance were shattered. The room suddenly fell silent, everyone's gaze fixed on the teacher-student couple, each discerning the deeper, more personal connection implied in those five words. A rare flicker of panic crossed Zhao Xianqi's face, while Lin Xiaoning lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, yet a strange warmth welled up within her. Ye Yidong, sitting in the corner of the meeting room, suddenly realized something, as if struck by lightning...
This unexpected episode brought an unexpected yet meaningful end to this summer full of emotional entanglements.
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