Final exam week came quickly. Bai Jiaojiao felt like the midterm exams had just passed, and now the final exams were almost here. Her first semester of university was already coming to an end.
Although Bai Jiaojiao wasn't as smart as others, she was hardworking. She not only excelled in her own subjects but also started learning Russian from Xiang Anqi.
During the summer vacation, the two of them originally wanted to go back to Shili Village, but Shen Heng was persuaded by Jian Shao to stay and help him with some things. Since Shen Heng didn't go back, Bai Jiaojiao naturally didn't leave either.
During the day, she would spend all her free time in the library. The textbooks they were using were all works by these teachers, which were all available in the library, so she treated it as a way to preview the material.
Although the weather was a bit hot, Bai Jiaojiao was enjoying a long-lost sense of comfort, spending her time reading, cooking at home, and being invited to Qin's house or the department store every now and then.
Bai Jiaojiao wasn't the only one still at school; Shu Manling was too.
However, Bai Jiaojiao didn't find it strange, because given Shu Manling's financial situation, it was quite normal for her not to go home for five years because she couldn't afford a train ticket.
So when Bai Jiaojiao cooks a meal, she will bring some to Shu Manling. With Shu Manling by her side, Bai Jiaojiao is not lonely.
"I wish we could join the research group too. Summer vacation is so long, and we don't have classes. We can spend all our time in the lab," Shu Manling said longingly.
Bai Jiaojiao was also looking forward to it: "We'll have more major courses next semester. Let's ask around, and if there are any topics that our teachers are working on that we're interested in, we'll volunteer to them!"
"Will this work? I heard from Senior Hou that the college only starts selecting graduation research groups in the third year."
Bai Jiaojiao said, "But there's no rule that you have to choose in your third year, is there?"
“That’s true. I want to join as soon as possible, learn more, and not waste any more vacation time,” Shu Manling said with anticipation.
The two chatted and ate happily, when they saw Chen Meizhen carrying her lunchbox and walking over with her head held high like a little rooster.
As if afraid that everyone wouldn't know, Chen Meizhen told everyone in her dormitory before the summer vacation that she would start doing experiments in the laboratory this summer.
Needless to say, it was definitely her father who pulled the strings.
She finally had something that could rival Bai Jiaojiao's, and she was so proud that she wished she could grow a tail and stand up straight.
After she left, Bai Jiaojiao said speechlessly, "I don't know what I did to offend her. She's been at odds with me ever since the start of the semester."
"Because you are outstanding."
Bai Jiaojiao sighed and shook her head: "You say I'm outstanding, so what? What does it have to do with her? She's just making trouble for herself for no reason."
"It's easy to say, but if she's just too jealous, there's no way she could do it."
Shu Manling has come to terms with things now. She is no longer insecure or jealous. She does envy Bai Jiaojiao's good fortune, but now that she has something to look forward to, she no longer feels bitter.
When Bai Jiaojiao got home that night, she said to Shen Heng, "I really admire her. Listening to her talk about her past, I know she suffered a lot. It's really admirable that she was able to struggle and create such a future."
She hoped that Shu Manling would be alright from now on, but little did she know that Shu Manling would get into big trouble the very next day.
As usual, Bai Jiaojiao and Shu Manling met at the dormitory entrance and went to the library together.
When Bai Jiaojiao arrived, she could see from afar that a crowd of people were gathered together, arguing about something.
"Get out! I'll never go back in my life, get out!"
She didn't want to join the commotion, but when she heard a familiar voice in the crowd, she panicked and tried to squeeze in.
Fortunately, Shen Heng followed her and protected Bai Jiaojiao as they squeezed through the crowd.
"Jiaojiao!"
Shu Manling was being held hostage by a woman, while a man in a short shirt knelt in front of her, grabbing her legs and pleading for something.
She saw Bai Jiaojiao in the front row of the crowd, her expression flashing with the expectation of being saved, but she also hated herself for presenting such an embarrassing posture in front of her classmates.
It's summer vacation now, and there aren't many people on campus, but right now their dorm room is packed with people all eager to see her make a fool of herself.
Without saying a word, Bai Jiaojiao rushed forward and grabbed Shu Manling's other arm: "Who are they? Why are they causing trouble at school?"
"She's my daughter-in-law! Let me tell you, young lady, mind your own business!" Shu Manling's mother-in-law grabbed her hand even tighter and yanked her aside. "You have to come back with me today! What do you mean by going to university? I knew you little slut wouldn't want to go back once you're out of my sight! Come back with us, and our Gao family's daughter-in-law won't need to go to university!"
Hearing this, Bai Jiaojiao probably knew what had happened.
"It's no use who you are! What, are you trying to snatch someone from the public? What do you think our school's security department is for?!" Bai Jiaojiao didn't know where she got the courage, but she reached out to slap away Shu Manling's mother-in-law's hand.
Her mother-in-law was a skilled farmer, and Bai Jiaojiao's strength was no match for her at all.
Bai Jiaojiao shouted to the students who were watching, "What are you all doing? Is our classmate being bullied? Go find the security office!"
The man kneeling on the ground spoke: "Please, classmate, let Manling come back with us. Her child is only four years old and can't be separated from his mother! Manling, I beg you, for the sake of the child, please come back with me. Is this university really that important, worth abandoning your son for?"
"I told you to mind your own business. It's better to destroy a temple than to break up a marriage. Haven't you heard they have a child?"
"Exactly, do you want that child to live without a mother?"
"This woman is heartless. She's so selfish that she'd abandon her own child."
"Her husband begged her like that, kneeling down in front of everyone, so sincerely, what else does she want?"
Even if you get into university, you can't abandon your family from before!
Bai Jiaojiao was surprised that, despite such an obvious violation of human rights, everyone was speaking up for the violator.
However, upon closer reflection, she realized that the majority of students at the school were recommended for admission. They were all carefully selected based on their "morality, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness," and each of them considered themselves moral exemplars!
Shu Manling was in despair under these circumstances, and she even wanted to tell Bai Jiaojiao to give up.
Overwhelmed by shame, Shu Manling's face turned deathly pale.
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