Chapter 35

Rumors spread like wildfire, and with neither of the two parties stepping forward to deny them, they quickly gained momentum among the students.

Su Yuan clearly felt herself becoming a celebrity. On her way to class, students often cast her strange glances. Although no one openly pointed and whispered, the murmurs were inevitable. At this moment, she finally understood the troubles of celebrities.

The entire hallway had turned into a stage for drama, and she stood under a giant spotlight, like a rare animal in a zoo, unable to refuse the gazes from all directions.

Even her classmates, who had been with her for a year, looked at Su Yuan with varying expressions—some envious, some indifferent, and most with a dismissive sneer. Among them, Lu Wei, the new class leader, conveyed through her body language that she was somewhat gleeful.

Upon learning that Su Yuan had emerged as a deputy head of the External Affairs Department in the student council, Lu Wei's joy over defeating Yang Xiaowei to become the class leader had quietly dissipated. She wondered why Su Yuan hadn't competed for the class leader position, realizing that Su Yuan must have found it beneath her.

If she were still basking in the victory of becoming a mere class leader, it would undoubtedly highlight her lowliness. Just as the rumor about Su Yuan and Xiao Yayan being a couple spread, she felt a sense of relief and comfort.

What's there to be proud of!

Su Yuan's position as deputy head of the External Affairs Department was probably due to Xiao Yayan. Moreover, after this incident, it would be hard for Su Yuan to save face. Many people, including Lin Jun, wanted to tear her apart.

Lu Wei's mood improved instantly. As she passed by Su Yuan, the corners of her mouth curved into a small smile.

It's as if I'm happy when you're in pain...

Su Yuan, of course, found Lu Wei's baseless hostility inexplicable. Some people are like that; you can never figure out why they bear you ill will, as if their emotions exist in a different dimension, incomprehensible.

The simplest way to deal with such people is to ignore them.

After class, Su Yuan quickly returned to her dorm. Only here was she safe from the mixed gazes outside. This place was a haven of tranquility.

Around five o'clock, she finished the homework assigned by her teacher. Su Yuan remembered she had to give a lesson to Tang Wen, the young girl, so she rode her newly purchased second-hand bicycle to Tang Wen's house.

This was her second visit. Without Xia Linfei to guide her, Su Yuan relied on her good memory to find the address.

Mr. Tang and Aunt Zhang were as warm as ever, and Tang Wen, the little girl, had become familiar with Su Yuan, calling her "Sister Su" with every sentence, making Su Yuan lose her temper.

Two hours later, it was already eight o'clock. The Tang family, seeing it was late, wanted her to stay overnight. However, Su Yuan insisted on going back, riding her bicycle.

"Since you're going back, don't ride the bike. Let Mr. Tang drive you home," Aunt Zhang said, worried about a girl, especially a pretty one, walking alone at night.

Su Yuan felt a bit depressed, realizing that the entire Tang family saw her as a girl. It was Xia Linfei's fault for not explaining clearly. Now that the misunderstanding had occurred, it was hard to clarify.

"No need, I can go back by myself."

"How can that be? Mr. Tang has a car, and it's just a short trip."

"Su Yuan, let me drive you home," Mr. Tang said warmly.

"Really, it's not necessary."

Su Yuan appreciated their kindness but insisted on riding back.

Seeing her determination, the Tang family had no choice but to let her go, "If that's the case, be careful on your way back."

...

When she returned to the 17th dormitory building, Wang Ping was waiting at the entrance. Seeing Su Yuan, he said, "You're finally here. I just met Lin Jun. I told him you're my friend and asked him not to bother you anymore. He said he wants to treat you to some late-night snacks. Don't stand there, let's go."

Without waiting for Su Yuan's response, he grabbed her hand and walked out.

"Hey, wait a minute, I need to park my bike first."

"Then hurry up."

A minute later, Su Yuan parked her bike. Wang Ping, seeing her walk out slowly, muttered, "Don't dawdle, we have important things to do."

Outside the east gate of Binhe University, there was a street of food stalls. It was around ten o'clock, not early, but the street was still bustling with people, mostly couples coming out for late-night snacks.

From a distance, they could see Lin Jun, not particularly muscular but lean, sitting at a white plastic table, occupying it alone with several plates of barbecue and three bottles of beer.

Seeing Su Yuan and Wang Ping arrive, Lin Jun stood up to greet them. Without a word, he handed Su Yuan a beer, "Brother Su, I was rash yesterday. I'm apologizing to you today. From now on, we're good friends. If you encounter any problems, tell me, and I'll help you out!"

Lin Jun's attitude surprised Wang Ping. He thought it would be enough if Lin Jun just stopped bothering Su Yuan, but he didn't expect such a generous gesture, offering to protect her. Su Yuan was also taken aback, initially unsure of Lin Jun's intentions, but gradually realized he genuinely wanted to make amends.

She was naturally pleased, took the cup, and smiled, "It's good that we can resolve our issues."

"Here, let's drink to it!" Lin Jun laughed heartily.

Su Yuan naturally joined in, downing the beer in one go.

Lin Jun cheered, while Wang Ping, worried about her small frame and limited alcohol tolerance, said, "Don't just drink. Eat something to fill your stomach."

Su Yuan sat down. The conflict between her and Lin Jun had been somewhat surreal, but it was better to resolve it. Besides, Lin Jun's background was far beyond what an ordinary person like Su Yuan could handle.

The deputy director of the city's Public Security Bureau, in other places, would be a deputy department-level official, and the actual influence would depend on the departments under his jurisdiction. If the departments were not significant, he would just be a figurehead.

However, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau in Binhe City was a different story. Binhe City was a sub-provincial city, and the Public Security Bureau was a deputy provincial-level unit. The director, usually a member of the Standing Committee, was a full provincial-level official. Therefore, the deputy director, who ranked high, was also a deputy provincial-level official.

Lin Jun's father was the top deputy director, overseeing the work of the Public Security Bureau, a deputy provincial-level official, and also serving as the deputy director of the Donghai Provincial Public Security Bureau, though ranking lower in the provincial bureau, the position itself was unusual.

Su Yuan didn't want to needlessly offend Lin Jun, a well-connected second-generation official. Being able to sit and drink with him was already a good outcome.

The three of them drank and ate barbecue, and before they knew it, it was already 11:30 PM. During this time, Lin Jun kept toasting Su Yuan, treating her as if she were his little brother, promising to protect her from anyone who tried to bully her.

Su Yuan couldn't help but be moved. In her view, the biggest troublemaker was Lin Jun. If he didn't cause trouble, others wouldn't be much of a threat. Since Lin Jun was willing to protect her, it was the best outcome, saving her from unnecessary trouble.

They clinked glasses one last time, and Lin Jun drank with a faint smile, feeling extremely satisfied.

Now, the rumor was that Xiao Yayan's boyfriend was Su Yuan. But after learning Su Yuan's "secret," he knew Su Yuan posed no threat to him. This secret was known only to him, and he couldn't let such an opportunity slip by.

"Let the storm rage even more!"

For this reason, as a shield, Su Yuan deserved protection. After all, in a sense, she was covering for him.

It was a pity that such a cute boy was "bent." Watching Su Yuan tilt her head to drink the beer, a drop of alcohol trickled down her slender neck, Lin Jun felt a deep sense of regret.

It was very late, and the barbecue stalls were about to close. Lin Jun insisted on paying the bill, which came to over 200 yuan, and they had six bottles of beer.

By the end, Su Yuan felt like she would vomit with just one more bite of the meat skewer. These things couldn't be overeaten.

Saying goodbye to Lin Jun, Su Yuan wobbled as she followed Wang Ping back to the dormitory.

"Look at you, if you can't drink, don't drink so much. You don't need to give Lin Jun face; he's just a show-off," Wang Ping said, frowning as he supported the unsteady Su Yuan.

Waving her hand, she said, "No, no, just a bit dizzy. I can still walk." Despite her words, her feet felt weak. She had drunk one and a half bottles, which was already beyond her usual capacity.

Wang Ping shook his head, gaining a new understanding of her limited alcohol tolerance. He had to support her and use his student card to open the dormitory door.

"By the way, Wang Ping, how do you and Lin Jun get along so well?" One was a hardworking kid from the countryside, the other a second-generation official with a rising father. It seemed that Wang Ping had the upper hand over Lin Jun, which puzzled her.

"You don't understand. Lin Jun may come from a powerful family, but to make him submit, it's all about physical strength! If he doesn't submit, beat him until he does!"

Su Yuan was a bit embarrassed. It turned out Wang Ping had beaten Lin Jun and made him submit. If this had happened to her, she wouldn't even dare to lay a hand on him, let alone win. Fortunately, Wang Ping had encountered Lin Jun. If he had met a more hot-tempered, intolerant second-generation official, Wang Ping might already be in detention.

"Looks like you can't even walk. Let me help you to the dorm."

"Thanks," Su Yuan said, knowing that without Wang Ping's support, she would likely trip on the stairs in her current state.

"Hey, Wang Ping, let me lean on your shoulder, that's enough... no need to support me..."

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