Chu Hongyu watched Ding Lan's performance expressionlessly. This Ding Lan really couldn't change her ways; she would try to take advantage of any opportunity. "Tell me, what exactly do you want?"
Ding Lan's gaze lingered on the polka-dot dress.
She turned to look at Chu Hongyu pitifully: "Sister Hongyu, I know I was wrong back then. I shouldn't have listened to what others said and treated you like that behind your back..."
She sniffed, forcing out two tears, and said pitifully, "You know my family's situation. My family is poor. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have been able to go to university. I also want to be like you and Ning Yuan, wearing pretty clothes and using nice things..."
Chu Hongyu watched Ding Lan's performance with a cold eye, her heart unmoved.
Ding Lan had said this same thing to her countless times, always adopting a victim mentality of "I was forced into this situation," as if all the mistakes were the fault of her family of origin and had nothing to do with her, Ding Lan.
"So what? You've come here to plead poverty and get my sympathy?" Chu Hongyu looked at her with a half-smile, her eyes full of mockery.
"Ding Lan, don't give me that crap," she said coldly. "Stop talking nonsense and say something useful."
"Hongyu, you've really misunderstood me." Seeing that her gentle approach wasn't working, Ding Lan simply changed her tune.
She whispered, "Actually, someone else was the one who ordered me to do those things."
"Oh? Is that so? I'd like to hear who ordered you to do this?" Chu Hongyu asked, feigning curiosity, but a mocking smile played on her lips.
Seeing that she was interested, Ding Lan immediately put on a timid look: "It's Zhang Hongmei from the department's student union, or rather, Lu Jingui, the president of the economics department's student union."
"Ding Lan, who was it that swore back then that this had nothing to do with Lu Jingui? You just didn't like me, so you wanted to teach me a lesson?"
Chu Hongyu looked at her with a half-smile, her eyes sharp as a knife, as if she could see through all of Ding Lan's thoughts.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Ding Lan's face, but she quickly regained her composure: "Sister Hongyu, please don't tease me. I was just scared before, afraid of retaliation if I spoke out."
She immediately added with a determined look: "However, I've figured it out now. Rather than living in fear like this, I might as well tell you everything I know, so I can have peace of mind."
Chu Hongyu watched her performance with cold eyes, a sneer in her heart.
Ding Lan's storytelling skills have really improved.
"And then? What do you want?" Chu Hongyu continued to ask, her tone still calm.
Ding Lan's eyes darted around, and she held up three fingers to show a number: "Not much. If you give me three hundred yuan and ask the school not to give me a demerit, you're the victim. If you understand, please plead for me, and the school will definitely accept it."
"On what grounds?"
Chu Hongyu looked at her with a half-smile: "You know, nowadays an ordinary worker's monthly salary is only a few dozen yuan. Three hundred yuan is equivalent to half a year's income for some people!"
Does she, the victim, have to plead for them?
Ding Lan smiled brightly and innocently: "Because I can kick Lu Jingui out of school!"
...
Lu Jingui is in a good mood today.
She wore a beige dress that accentuated her figure, and her hair was styled in trendy waves, making her look elegant and sophisticated.
At this moment, she was sitting in a tastefully decorated retro-style café, opposite a man in his forties, a section chief at a newspaper.
This was their second meeting, arranged by a matchmaker.
Director Dong wore gold-rimmed glasses and was somewhat overweight, but his hair was neatly combed and he wore a warm smile, making him appear refined and cultured.
"I have read every single one of Comrade Lu's articles. His writing is sharp yet delicate, and very profound. I truly admire him," Director Dong said sincerely, taking a sip of his coffee.
Lu Jingui smiled faintly, a hint of reserved pride in his eyes. "Director Dong, you flatter me. I was just writing casually, expressing some of my views on society and life."
Not bad. He appreciated her articles published in newspapers and magazines, and thought she was a "thoughtful and insightful" woman.
She enjoyed being appreciated and fawned over; it was only right that men always treated her this way.
“Miss Lu is too modest. It’s rare to see a woman as talented as you these days,” Director Dong said, his gaze falling on Lu Jingui with a hint of appreciation and inquiry.
Lu Jingui was secretly pleased, but he remained outwardly calm and subtly changed the subject, talking to Director Dong about recent cultural hot topics.
Lu Jingui chatted while casually glancing out the window.
Suddenly, a black sedan stopped by the roadside, and Ning Bingyu, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, got out of the black sedan.
There was no one else with him except his bodyguard, who opened the car door for him and stood respectfully to the side waiting.
Ning Bingyu!
How did he end up here?
Lu Jingui subconsciously sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the tall figure outside the window.
His demeanor was completely different from that of mainlanders these days. His high nose bridge and angular profile highlighted his outstanding qualities, making him stand out even in a crowd.
As soon as Ning Bingyu got out of the car, he adjusted his glasses and glanced at the department store next to the coffee shop, where he naturally saw her.
But... Ning Bingyu acted as if she didn't exist at all, talking to Tony with a focused and serious expression.
A nameless rage suddenly surged within Lu Jingui.
Ning Bingyu! This arrogant and shallow man actually ignored her?!
She suddenly stood up and said to Director Dong, who was still immersed in "literary creation," "Director Dong, how about we go somewhere else to eat and chat? The snacks here are too monotonous."
Director Dong was taken aback for a moment, not understanding why, but then smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
After paying the bill, Lu Jingui and Director Dong walked out of the coffee shop.
As she passed Ning Bingyu, she deliberately took a few steps closer to him, raised her voice, and said gently to Director Dong, "Director Dong, I happen to be free this afternoon. How about I treat you to lunch?"
She was wearing imported clothes today, and countless men couldn't take their eyes off her when she went out. Did Ning Bingyu not see that?
Director Dong was naturally delighted and replied with a smile, "How could I possibly accept that? I should be the one treating you."
"You're too kind. It's settled then." Lu Jingui said, but his gaze remained fixed on Ning Bingyu.
He still didn't see her, or rather, he simply pretended she didn't exist, and turned around and led his people into the department store.
She suppressed her anger and chatted casually with Director Dong, but her heart was filled with turmoil.
Was he here to buy something for Chu Hongyu?
Thinking of this, Lu Jingui's face immediately darkened.
Director Dong, however, was still not satisfied and suggested, "Miss Lu, I know there's a coffee shop near your university called... 'Heart of the Era.' I've heard it has a very cultured atmosphere. Why don't we go there for a while?"
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