Ying Gang's kick was both fierce and accurate. Peng Fendou was caught off guard and rolled away like a tattered sack, clutching his stomach and unable to get up for a long time.
The crowd of onlookers immediately fell silent, staring in surprise at Ying Gang's sudden appearance.
"Who do you think you are? You dare to hit people like that!" Peng Fendou shouted, clutching his stomach, his voice filled with bluster but lacking conviction.
Ying Gang sneered. Standing there at over 1.8 meters tall, he was like an iron tower, exuding a strong sense of oppression.
He looked down at Peng Fendou, his gaze sharp and murderous.
"If you keep swearing, I'll show you what the people's iron fist is all about! Let me tell you, insulting women is illegal. Do you want me to take you to the police station and put it on your record?!"
Upon hearing this, Peng Fendou panicked and completely backed down. If he really made a scene at the school, he would definitely be in deep trouble, and it might even be recorded in his file, affecting his future prospects.
He stammered, "I'm sorry, Chu Hongyu, I... I was drunk and talking nonsense. Please, please don't take it to heart..."
Seeing that he had backed down, Ying Gang didn't hold back and shouted angrily, "Get out!"
Peng Fendou clutched his stomach and ran away, tumbling and crawling.
Ying Gang turned to look at the students watching the commotion, his tone sharp: "What? Watching the show? Should I write down all your names and ask around your departments later if you're all like him, unable to keep your mouths shut?!"
His shout startled everyone, who lowered their heads and scattered like birds and beasts.
Having witnessed the entire event, Chu Hongyu was still somewhat in a daze.
She stared blankly at Ying Gang's retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Ying Gang looked at Chu Hongyu's pale face, his eyes filled with worry, and his tone softened considerably: "Hongyu, are you alright?"
Chu Hongyu shook her head, closed her eyes briefly, and smiled slightly: "I'm fine... Thank you, Captain Ying Gang. What are you doing here? Is it related to the case?"
"It's alright. I did come to the school to pick up some materials," Ying Gang said gently, his tone carrying an unyielding firmness.
"Why are you being so polite with me? Come on, I'll take you back to your dorm."
The two of them barely spoke the rest of the way.
Chu Hongyu remained silent, staring blankly ahead.
"Don't overthink it," Ying Gang suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. "That Peng Fendou is a foul-mouthed bastard. Don't take his words to heart."
Chu Hongyu raised her head and looked at Ying Gang.
Ying Gang stopped and looked at Chu Hongyu sincerely. "I haven't known you for long, but I believe you're not that kind of person. It's not your fault that you met a scumbag!"
Chu Hongyu's eyes welled up with tears, and her nose tingled with a soreness.
These days, she has endured too many rumors and gossip, and the people around her look at her with a strange gaze.
Ever since Su Xueming's family came to cause trouble, her situation at school has become delicate.
Those girls who were originally envious and jealous of her have now become onlookers gossiping behind her back, not to mention the strange looks she received from the boys who used to pursue her.
It's like she's dirty...
"Thank you... Captain Ying!" Chu Hongyu took a deep breath, still smiling.
Ying Gang looked at her reddened eyes and knew that Chu Hongyu's inherent pride prevented her from shedding tears. He could only sigh.
“Just call me Ying Gang, or you can call me Brother Gang. I’m a few years older than you and I’ve seen a lot of things at the grassroots level. Take my advice: nothing is insurmountable except for life and death. These difficulties are temporary, and you will definitely overcome them and start a new life.”
Chu Hongyu felt a mix of emotions as she listened to Ying Gang's sincere words.
She knew that Ying Gang was right, but there was always a hurdle in her heart that she couldn't overcome.
When they arrived at the girls' dormitory, Chu Hongyu stopped and turned to thank Ying Gang again: "Brother Ying Gang, thank you so much for today. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Alright, no need to thank me, it was nothing!" Ying Gang waved his hand. "Go back and get some rest, you have class tomorrow."
Chu Hongyu nodded and turned to enter the dormitory building.
Back in the dormitory, Ning Yuan was sitting at the table reading a book, while Yan Yangyang had just returned from taking a shower.
Seeing her return, Ning Yuan asked with a smile, "Sister Hongyu, you're back?"
Chu Hongyu forced a smile, did not answer, and went straight to sit down on her bed, Peng Fendou's words still echoing in her mind.
"What's wrong? You look so pale?" Ning Yuan noticed something was wrong, put down her book, walked over to her, and asked with concern, "Did someone bully you?"
Chu Hongyu finally couldn't hold back her tears and told her everything that had just happened.
Yan Yangyang couldn't help but curse loudly, rolled up her sleeves and ran outside: "Damn it, that bastard Peng Fendou is always causing trouble, I'll beat him to a pulp!"
Chu Hongyu gave a wry smile, reached out and grabbed Yan Yangyang, saying, "But... what he said wasn't entirely unfounded... the boys probably think similarly to him, and I can't silence everyone."
It is because of her blind love that she is suffering today.
"What facts? He's slandering you!" Ning Yuan interrupted her, her voice deep and serious. "Hongyu, you must remember, you did nothing wrong! The ones who are wrong are those who hurt you!"
Ning Yuan sighed softly and looked at her seriously, saying, "Hongyu, this is how it is in our time. If a man peeks at a woman taking a bath, it's considered a crime of hooliganism, and in serious cases, he might be executed. But the requirements for a woman's chastity are also very high, and there will be a lot of gossip. This is a limitation of our times."
Divorce is a shameful thing that people point fingers at these days, but it's still better than losing one's virginity before marriage.
But……
Ning Yuan paused, then looked at Chu Hongyu: "But Sister Hongyu, worldly affairs are one thing, and reason is another! If someone is robbed on the street, is it the victim's fault?"
Chu Hongyu was stunned.
Ning Yuan stared at her intently: "Social trends change with the times, but no matter what, you must remember that chastity does not represent character!"
"You still deserve to be loved and to have happiness! Don't punish yourself because of a man's mistakes! Gang is right, nothing matters more than life and death!"
Yan Yangyang also grabbed Chu Hongyu's shoulders tightly—
"You spoiled brat, remember this: you will always be the confident, independent, and outstanding campus belle. Those guys couldn't reach you before, and they still can!"
Looking at Ning Yuan and Yan Yangyang, Chu Hongyu felt a surge of warmth and strength in her heart.
Yes, she won't be defeated like that!
The dormitory was quiet at night, with only the occasional chirping of insects coming from outside the window.
Chu Hongyu lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep. She just stared silently at the ceiling.
Yan Yangyang and Ning Yuan, as her friends, offered her some comfort, but ultimately could not dispel the gloom in her heart.
She was no naive young girl; in this era, gossip could ruin a woman's life.
She knew very well what she would have to face in the next two and a half years at school.
Chu Hongyu closed her eyes and didn't sleep all night. When she opened them again, her beautiful fox-like eyes were clear and firm, and she had made a decision.
For the next few days, she went to class, ate, and returned to her dormitory as usual, with a calm expression, as if nothing had happened.
She continued to ignore the strange looks and comments.
...
A few days later, after class in the afternoon, Chu Hongyu came to the police station again to deliver some materials and to inquire about the progress of the case.
Before they even entered, they unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure—Lu Jingui was walking out and getting into a blue sedan parked by the roadside.
Chu Hongyu froze instantly, her eyes widening slightly in disbelief, almost dazed, wondering if she had seen wrong.
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