30: Chapter 30: Choose a City, Meet a Person_1 30: Chapter 30: Choose a City, Meet a Person_1 Nanxi pursed her lips, uncertain how to feel.
Ultimately, she could not refute Han Baobaoâs words because she truly wasnât a match for Li Weihuan.
Since she was around fourteen or fifteenâlike all innocent and inexperienced girls her ageâNanxi once fantasized about love:
Picking a city in the future, meeting someone, and spending the rest of her life with that person, growing old together and enjoying their remaining peaceful years.
Nanxi thought that it was a good idea, and beautiful.
Meeting Li Weihuan, Nanxi felt it might be a form of grace bestowed upon her by the heavens.
When she felt most powerless and helpless, Li Weihuan appeared as a jovial young boy whose laughter was as brilliant as spring sunshine.
He brought her frail, slender form into his not-so-strong embrace, providing her warmth.
Warmth, for Nanxi who was once cornered by destiny into a bleak situation, was akin to salvation.
It pulled her out of the snares of confusion and despair.
Nanxi lowered her gaze, which were suddenly moist, unnoticed by anyone else.
Seeing this, Han Baobao regretted her words.
Apologetically patting Nanxiâs hand, she said, âI didnât mean that.
Iâm sorry if I upset youâ¦â
Nanxi shook her head.
She wasnât angryâwhat was there to be angry about?
The world was brimming with lies with but a handful of truths, and Han Baobao had simply told her one truth.
Nanxi asked Han Baobao, âDid you have lunch?â
Han Baobao shook her head, âI originally planned to wait for him and have it together, but that stupid foxâ¦â
â¦
Nanxi accompanied Han Baobao to a small restaurant near the school for lunch.
Though she had just had a large meal and didnât need a second one, she tagged along for company.
Upon their departure from the restaurant, Han Baobao grasped Nanxiâs hand, grinned, and said, âNanxi, youâre such a kindhearted person.
If I were a man, I would probably pursue you and make you my girlfriend.â
Nanxi returned a smile, âIâm not into women.
Donât fall for me.â
â¦
The following day, Nanxi woke up early.
Both she and Lan Qiqi were supposed to participate in the dissertation defense.
The number of students defending their dissertations at once wasnât very large, but it accounted for about a quarter of the entire department, defending in batches.
Nanxi drew the slot for the first group and would be up that very morning.
Lan Qiqi was in the third group, which was likely to be scheduled in the afternoon.
However, Lan Qiqi decided to get ready early along with Nanxiâ¦
Yang Su, who was seeking advice, got up with them while Han Baobao continued to sleep undisturbed.
Entering the defense classroom, Nanxi let out a long breath.
Yang Su and Lan Qiqi held Nanxiâs hands, encouraging her to do her best and remain fearless through the process.
âGo for it, Nanxi!
Pass it at once!â they cheered.
Nanxi nodded in agreement: she needed to pass it at the first attempt.
She didnât want to be eliminated and forced into a retake!
Li Weihuan called her as Nanxi asked Yang Su and Lan Qiqi to go ahead and find her a spot while she went out to answer.
Li Weihuan asked, âAre you nervous?â
Nanxi frownedâwhat a question to ask at a time like this!
She, who hadnât been very nervous until now, started feeling so!
He did it on purpose for sure!
She composed herself, âThereâs nothing to be nervous about.
Iâm not nervous.â
Li Weihuan laughed, âGreat if youâre notâ¦
Even though I bombed my defense, I still passed.
Youâre many times better compared to me, itâs going to be fine!â
Nanxi laughed, âOh, you remember it now, do you?
You were the one defending, but I ended up more nervous than you!â
âYou were afraid that I wouldnât pass, huh?â
âYes, it was terrifying!
I was worried that you wouldnât get your diploma and land a good job in the future, which would mean that you couldnât afford to support me!â
âHa ha!â Overwhelmed with happiness, Li Weihuan beamed.
âBabe, rest assured, even if I have to sell all my pots and go hungry myself, I will keep you happy and fat!â
âUgh,â blushing slightly, Nanxi retorted, âI am already fabulous, okay?â¦
I gotta go now.
I need to prepare myself.â
âGood luck, Nanxi!
In my heart, you are the best!â said Li Weihuan.
Nanxi felt a comforting warmth in her heart.
â¦
Outside the campus gate, a white Rolls-Royce was parked.
The man in the driverâs seat dialed a number.
Within a minute, the electric gate opened and the car drove inside the campus, catching the attention of bystandersâ¦
Five minutes later, at the Principalâs office, a man in a black suit sat there, wearing an expression as cold as ice while the Principal sat next to him, taking a look at this seemingly indifferent but defiant man.
In this world, there are certain men you donât need to converse with, you donât even need eye contactâyou donât need any interaction.
All they need is to sit there, and all you need is merely watch from a decent distance, and youâre naturally awestruck by their aura.
Thatâs because their noble stature and cold demeanor stem from their core and manifest in their every move.
In their presence, you can only relegate yourself to the most inconspicuous cornerâto feel safe!
Sweat trickled down the Principalâs palms.
The man sitting in front was over twenty years his junior.
Back in his school days, the Principal hadnât been assigned to H University.
But now he was the Principal of H University, surely signifying a senior roleâ¦
But in current scenarioâ¦
The Principal, finding it hard to remain passive, stood up to excuse himself, vaguely sensing that the man needed no company.
His politeness was only skin-deep and there seemed to be no need to curry favor with himâeven if it was causing a slight unease.
Mo Yan saw the Principal to the door and listened as the Principal said, âIf there is anything you need, you can always ask for Director Wang from the next room!â
Mo Yan nodded, then asked, âWho is Miss Guâs class teacher?
Do I have the honor to meet her?â
The Principal paused, understanding Mo Yanâs intent.
Hastily, he added, âIâll get in touch with Teacher Chen immediately!
Please wait a moment!â
With the door closed, the outside sounds were sealed.
The thick curtains descended, casting a soft lantern glow in the room where a large display projected faces of fresh young students.
Beaming smiles, furrowed brows, or agitationâwhat type was she?
Mo Yan stole a glance at the man seated on the sofa, whose handsome face had softened.
His eyes held broken images that he couldnât piece together, but he knew that she was in these scenes.
Sighing, Mo Yan softly walked and sat opposite to him, sipped the tea from the cup beside.
âIt seems she hasnât changed a bit,â the man suddenly spoke.
His voice was mild and gentle, a faint smile playing over his lips.
Mo Yan lifted his head, focusing on the youthful face interspersed amongst countless fresh faces on the screen and replied, âNot much change.â
The man didnât respond immediately.
After a while, a sigh emerged from his dry throat, sounding soft and faint, âHow could there be little changeâ¦
So many things have changed.â
The soft white light in the room cast translucent halos, setting the manâs short hair aglow, enveloping his figure with a faint elegance.
It seemed as though he was isolated from the rest of the world.
Despite being in such close proximity to the man, Mo Yan felt he couldnât approach himâhad he ever been close to him?
Mo Yan felt a weight pressing on his heart.
He reached out for his tea and took a sip, then said to the man, âYou once told me to believe in destinyâ¦â
âAnd then?â
The man turned to face him, âDid you believe?â
Mo Yan nodded: yes, he did believe.
Yet, in spite of this belief, he lost the very thing he feared losing the most in his life!