Chapter 29
That soft "thank you," barely audible, was like a pebble dropped into a still lake, creating ripples in Lu Baiyan's heart. It meant that Xu Nianlei had finally acknowledged his existence, that she was beginning to accept this untimely protection. However, this secret connection was also like walking a tightrope, vulnerable to the slightest external disturbance.
A week after the start of the school year, a new storm quietly arrived.
It all started with Liu Yiduo. She seemed to keenly sense the subtle, unspoken atmosphere between Lu Baiyan and Xu Nianlei. Perhaps it was Lu Baiyan's repeated, subtle protection of Xu Nianlei, or perhaps it was the complex, indescribable look in Xu Nianlei's eyes when she occasionally glanced at Lu Baiyan, that stung this proud class beauty.
During break, Liu Yiduo and her best friend Wen Wanyu sat in the front row, their voices neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Lu Boyan and Xu Nianlei in the back row to hear.
"Some people are really hard to believe. They seem so aloof and pitiful on the surface, but they're full of tricks up their sleeves," Wen Wanyu said sarcastically, her gaze sweeping meaningfully over the back row.
Liu Yiduo tossed her hair and chuckled, "You bet. Bringing gifts and 'chance encounters' in the middle of the night, I wonder what they're up to. Just because they have good grades, they think they can do whatever they want?"
These words were like poisoned needles, piercing Xu Nianlei with pinpoint accuracy. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, her fingers gripping the pen tightened, and her knuckles turned bluish-white. She lowered her head tightly, wishing she could shrink into a crack in the ground.
Lu Baiyan frowned deeply. He knew that if these rumors were left unchecked, they would only intensify and eventually overwhelm Xu Nianlei. He couldn't confront Liu Yiduo directly; that would only confirm the rumors and make him appear guilty.
He stood up, not looking at Liu Yiduo, but walking straight to the podium. Next to the blackboard were the new semester's class committee duty roster and hygiene duty roster. He picked up the eraser, erased the "Hygiene Committee Member" and "Deputy Hygiene Committee Member" markings next to the names "Xu Nianlei" and "Liu Yiduo" on the hygiene duty roster, then picked up the chalk, rewrote them, and swapped their positions.
His movements were natural and fluid, as if he were simply fulfilling his duties as class monitor and adjusting unreasonable work arrangements.
After finishing writing, he turned around and faced the students who had not yet completely left the classroom. His voice was clear and calm: "In view of the work situation last semester, there will be some adjustments to the positions of the hygiene monitors this semester. Xu Nianlei is meticulous and conscientious, and will be the head hygiene monitor. Liu Yiduo has strong coordination skills and will be the deputy hygiene monitor, mainly responsible for coordination and supervision. I hope everyone will cooperate actively."
The classroom fell silent instantly. Everyone was stunned, including Liu Yiduo and Xu Nianlei.
Liu Yiduo's smile froze. She stared at Lu Baiyan in disbelief, her eyes filled with shock and humiliation. She had always been the hygiene monitor, a position that symbolized not just status, but also influence and prestige within the class. And now, Lu Baiyan had actually switched her seats with Xu Nianlei, the girl she looked down upon, in front of the entire class?!
Xu Nianlei was also stunned. She abruptly raised her head and looked at Lu Baiyan, her eyes filled with panic and confusion. What was he doing? Was he pushing her into the eye of the storm?
Lu Baiyan ignored Liu Yiduo's almost fiery glare and Xu Nianlei's panicked look, and calmly added, "This is a normal adjustment based on the needs of class work. Okay, everyone, let's prepare for the next class."
After speaking, he stepped down from the podium and returned to his seat, as if he had just done something completely ordinary.
However, this incident caused quite a stir in the class. Everyone could see that Lu Baiyan was openly protecting Xu Nianlei, even at the risk of offending Liu Yiduo. He used an almost forceful approach to elevate Xu Nianlei's "status" in class affairs, which, to some extent, was also a response to those rumors circulating behind the scenes—the people I value are none of your business to interfere with.
Liu Yiduo was furious, her face turning ashen. She glared at Xu Nianlei and slammed the door behind her. Wen Wanyu quickly followed her.
Xu Nianlei sat in her seat, her mind in turmoil. She didn't want to be a hygiene committee member; she just wanted to quietly hide in a corner. Although Lu Baiyan's actions had temporarily suppressed the rumors, they had also pushed her to the opposite side of Liu Yiduo, making the future even more difficult.
And why did he do that? Was it to protect her, or...?
She dared not think any further.
When school ended in the afternoon, Xu Nianlei deliberately lingered until the very end. Lu Baiyan also didn't leave in a hurry; he was organizing his notes.
Once only the two of them were left in the classroom, Xu Nianlei mustered her courage and walked to Lu Boyan's seat. Her voice was low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible resentment: "Why...why did you do that?"
Lu Baiyan looked up at her slightly flushed cheeks and flickering eyes, and understood. He knew she would be uneasy.
"Do that?" he feigned ignorance.
"It's about... the health committee member thing." Xu Nianlei lowered her head. "I don't need to..."
“This isn’t a question of whether you need it or not,” Lu Baiyan interrupted her, his voice calm yet carrying a certain strength. “This is a normal arrangement based on your ability and attitude. You are very conscientious in your duties and your records are very detailed. You are more suitable for this position than some people who only care about pointing fingers.”
He paused, looking at her with deep eyes: "Besides, sometimes, backing down and running away won't solve anything. You need to stand up and let others see your value, instead of hiding in the shadows forever."
Xu Nianlei was stunned. She had never heard such a view before. All along, she had been taught to be patient, to back down, and to avoid trouble.
"But... Liu Yiduo, she..."
“What she thinks is not important.” Lu Baiyan’s voice was calm, but it carried an undeniable certainty. “What matters is what you do. Do your job well, and no one can truly hurt you.”
After he finished speaking, he began packing his schoolbag, no longer looking at her. "Let's go, it's late."
Xu Nianlei watched his retreating figure, the words "No one can truly hurt you" echoing repeatedly in her mind. Really...can it be like that?
She silently followed behind him and walked out of the classroom.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them. This time, they did not walk together, but stood a few steps apart, one in front of the other.
Xu Nianlei looked at the tall and resolute figure ahead, her feelings extremely complicated. He was like a fog, sometimes approaching her, giving her unexpected warmth and protection; and sometimes, like now, pushing her into a position she didn't want to go with a distant force.
She couldn't see through him.
But strangely, despite the unease and fear, deep within her heart, a faint glimmer of courage, one she herself was unaware of, was quietly growing. Perhaps… he was right? Hiding in her shell wouldn't stop the hurt.
Lu Baiyan walked ahead, feeling the complex gaze fixed on him from behind. He knew his actions today were somewhat risky, even domineering. But he had to do it. He couldn't stand by and watch her succumb to the rumors; he had to give her a push, to ensure she could at least stand tall in her own domain.
Leilei, I'm sorry for using such a harsh method. But please believe me, more than anyone else, I want you to have your own inviolable territory. Even if it's just starting as a small hygiene monitor.
A new vortex has been stirred up, and the road ahead is destined to be bumpy. But Lu Baiyan knows that this is a step he must take. He must not only protect her from harm, but also help her grow her own armor.
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