Chapter 14, Female Supporting Character in a Historical Fiction
Xu Yang is nineteen years old this year, three years younger than Xu Qingzhou.
The first college entrance examination did not specify the age of candidates. Even Yu Wanwan, who was only eighteen years old, participated and passed the exam. It doesn't seem strange that Xu Yang participated in the college entrance examination.
However... in the original owner's vague memories, Xu Yang's grades weren't that good. How could he get into Peking University?
In the original storyline, the original owner did not get into Peking University, but went to Huada University, which is slightly inferior to Peking University. Therefore, he really didn't know whether Xu Yang had actually gone to Peking University.
Xu Qingzhou suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and subconsciously hid Yu Wanwan behind his back.
Why can't I be here?
Xu Yang realized that his reaction to Xu Qingzhou was too much.
He quickly composed himself, suppressing his astonishment and disbelief, and a look of delight appeared on his face.
"You came back from taking the college entrance exam, right? I knew with your grades, you'd have no problem with the exam!"
The fact that Xu Qingzhou was the top scorer in the college entrance examination had been published in the newspaper, so he naturally saw it.
The reason he reacted so strongly when he first saw him was simply because he hadn't expected Xu Qingzhou to also apply to the finance department.
Xu Yang didn't intend to make a fuss about the grades.
He simply grumbled like a good younger brother.
"Oh dear, now that you've been accepted into Peking University and are back, why didn't you tell your parents? They were worried about you!"
As Xu Qingzhou's half-brother, Xu Yang is naturally quite good-looking.
The brothers' conversation had already attracted the attention of some people.
Upon hearing Xu Yang's words, Xu Qingzhou's gaze turned disdainful.
Xu Qingzhou wasn't surprised by Xu Yang's teasing remarks.
In the story, Xu Yang acted this way, causing the original owner to suffer several unpleasant losses.
In a sense, most of the things the original owner did in Maolin Brigade were learned from Xu Yang.
Xu Qingzhou looked stunned, seemingly surprised and somewhat incredulous.
"Really? I've been in the countryside for over a year and haven't received a single letter from Dad or Aunt. I thought..."
As he spoke, he seemed to realize something, quickly stopped talking, and smiled slightly.
"It's good that they still remember me. I'll visit them another day."
But that smile looked so bitter, so forlorn.
Throughout the entire process, Yu Wanwan remained silent, standing quietly behind him like a wooden doll.
Seeing his behavior at this moment, I couldn't help but take a second look.
The male lead's acting is absolutely amazing.
Xu Yang hadn't expected Xu Qingzhou to behave this way.
He had imagined many ways for Xu Qingzhou to retaliate, but he had never considered this one, and he was momentarily stunned.
Those around him, upon hearing Xu Qingzhou's words and seeing his attempt to appear strong and composed despite his obvious disappointment and sadness, understood the situation perfectly.
"What? So you thought they wouldn't come back after becoming educated youth? That's so cruel."
"That's right, this student is really pitiful. They have the same parents, how come..."
"What do you mean by 'one parent'? Haven't you heard people say 'dad and aunt'?"
"Oh, so she's a stepmother?"
A collective sigh rippled through the crowd, who now understood why Xu Qingzhou had suffered such a tragic fate.
"He looks familiar."
"Huh? Who?"
The strange looks and whispers from those around him brought Xu Yang back to his senses. His expression changed, and he wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but Xu Qingzhou interrupted him first.
He pulled Yu Wanwan out from behind him and introduced her to Xu Yang with great joy and excitement.
"Oh, right, this is my wife, Yang Jiahui. I wrote back half a year ago, telling them about Jiahui's situation and asking for their opinions, but..."
Xu Qingzhou spoke slowly but firmly, making it impossible for Xu Yang to find an opening to interrupt. Several times he tried to speak, but Xu Qingzhou subtly cut him off, leaving him only able to listen to Xu Yang rambling on.
Xu Yang felt incredibly frustrated.
Xu Yang finally found an opportunity to speak when Xu Qingzhou once again stopped at those suspicious words.
"You're talking nonsense! We've never received a letter from you!"
He spoke rather hastily, his voice becoming quite loud.
Xu Qingzhou seemed stunned by his shout, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
After a while, the joy on his face faded, replaced by a hint of unconcealed loneliness.
"Is...is that so? Then maybe the postman made a mistake...I'll take Jia Hui to see them when I get back..."
His performance truly left Yu Wanwan in awe.
Yu Wanwan was a little unhappy about being suddenly pulled out to be a tool.
Having lived and eaten together for so long, Xu Qingzhou, while not knowing Yu Wanwan inside and out, had at least gotten a pretty good grasp of her personality.
Just by looking at her expression, I could roughly guess what she was going to do.
Xu Qingzhou's brow twitched. He took a step closer to her, lowered his head, and whispered in her ear.
"Just cooperate."
Yu Wanwan raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression gentle and her demeanor serene.
What's in it for me?
Xu Qingzhou thought for a moment.
"I'll grant you one request unconditionally?"
Yu Wanwan was not very satisfied, so Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but scratch her palm, his eyes pleading.
Please.
"Alright."
Since he begged her, she reluctantly agreed.
A hint of helplessness flickered in Xu Qingzhou's eyes.
I feel like I've lost out big time.
They didn't hear what the two were saying; they only saw Xu Qingzhou with his head down, looking utterly lonely, while the beautiful girl was speaking gently to him.
To outsiders, this scene appears to be Yu Wanwan, the wife, comforting her hurt husband.
Humans are visual creatures.
When an exceptionally handsome person puts on this forced smile, most people will be inclined to side with him.
Just like now, many people have developed a deep affection for Xu Qingzhou.
"What kind of person is this! It's one thing to not care about his own son when he went to the countryside, but to act like this after he came back..."
They are all educated people, and they pride themselves on being cultured and well-mannered, so they can't bring themselves to say those unpleasant things.
But the unspoken words were understood by everyone else.
Although they didn't say anything, they all expressed their agreement.
Those who previously thought Xu Qingzhou looked familiar finally remembered his identity when they saw Yu Wanwan.
"I remember now! Aren't they the top-scoring couple from the newspaper a while ago?!"
These words prompted the others to take a closer look at the two of them.
"It really is true!"
"Sigh, the newspaper seems to have said that Xu was an educated youth sent to the countryside, and he met his current love in that village. Even in such a harsh environment in the countryside, he did not forget to study, and he even took his love to study with him. That's how the story of the couple both becoming top scorers in the imperial examination came about!"
Boys are alright, but girls are mostly romantic.
While reading the newspaper, they had already begun to admire the relationship between the couple, and now that they were seeing them so affectionate in person, they were naturally even more excited.
In an instant, the previously subtle gazes turned into condemnation, like a blunt knife stabbing into Xu Yang.
It didn't hurt, but it made him feel uncomfortable all over and embarrassed.
Xu Yang is still young, and even though he has some cunning, he can't keep things to himself.
After being manipulated by Xu Qingzhou and now being watched like this, she finally couldn't hold back anymore. Her face turned red, and she pushed Xu Qingzhou away.
"Who wants to see a country bumpkin like you!"
Xu Qingzhou frowned, and was about to speak up for Yu Wanwan, but Yu Wanwan made the first move.
She grabbed Xu Qingzhou, staggered backward, and almost bumped into the table.
"Ah! Watch out!"
Fortunately, Xu Qingzhou reacted quickly, steadied himself, and pulled her into his arms by wrapping one arm around her waist, thus preventing the tragedy of her hitting the table.
Xu Qingzhou was a little confused and subconsciously looked down at her, his head full of question marks.
What's going on?
Yu Wanwan, nestled in his arms, was pale. She looked up at Xu Yang, opened her mouth as if to say something, but held back. She used Xu Qingzhou's strength to stand up and shook her head at him.
"I'm fine."
"..."
Xu Qingzhou wasn't stupid; he quickly realized what she was up to and for a moment didn't know what to say.
To be honest, he really hadn't expected to do that.
It seems that his level is still a bit lower than hers.
Xu Qingzhou immediately cooperated by pursing her lips, making a gesture as if she wanted to get angry but managed to restrain herself.
He ignored Xu Yang, put his arm around Yu Wanwan's waist, and turned to leave the classroom.
It wasn't until the couple left together that one of the girls finally couldn't hold back and slammed her book on the table.
"That's outrageous!"
It's not just girls who can't accept it; even boys can't accept it.
"How did someone like that even get into Peking University?"
Most literati are aloof and refined, but this aloofness carries no negative connotation.
Especially the intellectuals of this era.
They may have all sorts of minor flaws, but they absolutely cannot accept Xu Yang's approach.
"???"
Hearing the restrained and subtle curses around him, Xu Yang finally realized belatedly that he had been tricked again!
Xu Yang was furious. He couldn't understand how Xu Qingzhou, who had always been at his mercy, had become so difficult to deal with after going to the countryside!
"I didn't do it!"
He just wanted to push him away and leave; he didn't use any force at all!
Besides, he clearly pushed Xu Qingzhou, so how could it be that woman who fell?
Are they all blind?!
But what just happened occurred right under everyone's noses, and Xu Yang's current denial is seen by them as shirking responsibility.
These people despised him even more.
But their upbringing also prevented them from arguing with him in public.
No one paid any attention to Xu Yang's shouts, and they left the classroom in twos and threes.
"Should we tell the teacher about this?"
"Tell me, can you tolerate going to school with someone of such poor character?"
“That makes sense. I’ll write to the teacher when I get back.”
"I'll write too."
Feeling isolated and with no one willing to listen to his explanation, Xu Yang angrily kicked the table and stormed out, ignoring the stares of those around him.
Xu Qingzhou!
He's not done with him yet!
Inside the car, Xu Qingzhou sat in the driver's seat and drove.
Thinking of Xu Yang's incredulous and frustrated expression at the end, Xu Qingzhou chuckled softly and glanced at the woman beside him.
"Your acting is pretty good?"
Yu Wanwan looked relaxed, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
"Likewise."
Xu Qingzhou blinked, then stopped talking about it and changed the subject.
"Have you decided what I should do?"
Yu Wanwan rested her chin on her hand, looking at the trees rushing past outside, somewhat troubled.
She lacks nothing now, except for her soul, but it's unrealistic to expect him to voluntarily return her fragments to her.
As for other things, he will do his best to meet her needs, even if she doesn't make that request.
What else can he do?
Sigh, I should have known better than to agree to his request.
"Let's save this for now and talk about it when we think of something."
A note from the author:
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