Chapter 262
Liang Guoming's actions were faster than anyone could have anticipated.
The next day, just as the sky was turning pale with dawn, several notices bearing the bright red official seal of Jingcheng University were posted on the most prominent bulletin boards around the campus in an unquestionable manner.
The notices clearly stated the results of the investigation into the "cheating" incident involving student Shen Nanchu: it was completely fabricated and constituted malicious slander.
The latter half of the notice explicitly listed the disciplinary action taken against the rumor-monger Qin Rong and her accomplices: a major demerit recorded on their files as a warning to others.
The black ink and red seals stood as irrefutable proof.
And that was not all.
During the morning break, the loudspeakers hanging in every corner of the campus began broadcasting the matter simultaneously.
The broadcaster reiterated Shen Nanchu's innocence and the severe punishment of the rumor-mongers over and over again.
This looping broadcast felt like a thorough cleansing ritual, washing away the last remnants of the gossip.
Many students who had originally been half-believing or whispering behind her back now fell silent, their faces showing varying degrees of guilt or realization.
By Monday, when Shen Nanchu walked into the Jingcheng University campus as usual, she could clearly feel the earth-shattering change in the surrounding atmosphere.
The gazes of inquiry, suspicion, and even disdain that had once been cast upon her, overtly or covertly, had almost entirely disappeared.
In their place were friendly nods, slightly apologetic smiles, and undisguised admiration and respect from the majority of her peers.
This sudden, almost one-sided friendliness...
Shen Nanchu slightly raised an eyebrow.
Well then!
After the morning classes concluded, the school specially held a small commendation ceremony. Shen Nanchu went on stage and received a certificate representing her innocence and excellence from the department head.
As soon as the ceremony ended, Shen Nanchu did not linger.
Today was the day Pei Yunxi's school went on break, and she had to go pick her up.
"Fourth Brother," Shen Nanchu called out to him, "hurry up, come with me to pick up Yunxi."
Pei Yunzhou quickened his pace significantly. "Sister-in-law, I'm on it."
Jingcheng Medical University, where Pei Yunxi studied, was located in the far suburbs of the city.
If she were to come back on her own, it would take a great deal of effort.
...
Inside the girls' dormitory building at Jingcheng Medical University.
Pei Yunxi had already packed her luggage neatly.
A bulging army-green satchel, a heavy canvas backpack filled with various medical books and notes, a tightly tied large bedroll, and a mesh bag containing sundries like a washbasin and a thermos.
In this final exam, Pei Yunxi once again took the top spot in her grade without any suspense.
When the grade rankings were posted, it caused quite a stir.
Outstanding people, no matter where they are, are like bright pearls in the dark night; they naturally attract everyone's attention and draw countless feelings of envy and admiration.
Furthermore, Pei Yunxi was not just academically excellent.
She was tall with bright and beautiful features, wore a thick, shiny black braid, and exuded a vigorous vitality of health and confidence that was rare among women of this era.
This combination of intelligence and beauty gave her extremely high popularity at Jingcheng Medical University. Many male students secretly harbored feelings for her, their eyes always following her silhouette.
All of this was simply heart-piercing and an eyesore to Qin Zhen.
She and Pei Yunxi could be considered old acquaintances. Both grew up in that heavily regulated and highly competitive military compound, and they were of a similar age.
Naturally, Pei Yunxi became the "other people's child" in the mouths of all the elders—good at studying, good-looking, sensible, and generous.
Since childhood, Qin Zhen's parents had constantly compared her to Pei Yunxi, to the point where her ears had practically grown calluses.
Later, the Pei family fell on hard times and was forced to relocate to the countryside. Qin Zhen had secretly rejoiced for a long time, feeling that the great mountain pressing over her head had finally been moved away, and she, Qin Zhen, could finally become the center of attention.
Unexpectedly, fate played a trick on her. She had managed to squeeze into Jingcheng Medical University by relying on connections and her not-too-shabby grades.
But as soon as she looked up, she saw the person she least wanted to see—Pei Yunxi, speaking on stage as the outstanding freshman representative!
Radiant and dazzling!
Moreover, not long after, news came that the Pei family had been rehabilitated and moved back into the compound.
These successive blows made Qin Zhen's heart feel like an overturned five-flavor bottle—sour, bitter, spicy, and salty, with everything but sweet.
Especially since Pei Yunxi's appearance, the focus of everyone in the class, the department, and even the whole school seemed to fall on her, and Zhao Jing, whom she had secretly liked for a long time, was no exception.
This made Qin Zhen incredibly angry, burning with jealousy, yet utterly helpless.
"Pei Yunxi, how are you getting back later?" a gentle male voice sounded at the dormitory door.
Pei Yunxi looked up and saw that Zhao Jing had walked in at some point and was now leaning against the doorframe looking at her.
The holidays started today, so the dormitory matron wasn't stopping people from coming in.
Zhao Jing came from a wealthy family and had a handsome, upright appearance. He was the object of affection for quite a few female students in the school.
At this moment, a faint, barely noticeable blush flashed across his handsome face, and his eyes held a look of anticipation.
"We're going the same way. How about I give you a ride?"
Zhao Jing pointed to a brand-new Forever brand bicycle parked outside the window, trying to sound as natural and casual as possible.
As soon as these words left his mouth, the students who hadn't left the dormitory yet, as well as those passing by in the corridor, immediately stopped what they were doing. Their eyes collectively focused on them, followed by a burst of ambiguous hooting and low laughter.
This commotion deepened the blush on Zhao Jing's face and caused Pei Yunxi to slightly furrow her brows.
Pei Yunxi put down the mesh bag she was organizing, straightened up, and looked at Zhao Jing with a calm, even slightly scrutinizing gaze. She asked in a flat, emotionless tone, "I wonder where you are heading?"
Zhao Jing was choked up by her direct question and subconsciously replied, "I... I'm going to the east side of the city."
"Oh," Pei Yunxi nodded. Her tone was crisp and decisive, without the slightest trace of hesitation or ambiguity. "Then we aren't going the same way. My home is on the west side of the city."
After speaking, she stopped looking at Zhao Jing and lowered her head again to check if her luggage was tied securely.
This rejection could be described as clean and thorough, leaving no room for illusion.
The hooting around them instantly died down, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Zhao Jing froze in place, his face turning red and white. Growing up, this was the first time he had been so ruthlessly rejected by a female comrade in front of everyone. He immediately felt a great loss of face and did not know where to put his hands and feet.
"Pei Yunxi!"
A sharp female voice broke the awkward silence.
Qin Zhen's face bore undisguised resentment. She first cast a distressed glance at the embarrassed Zhao Jing, then glared angrily at Pei Yunxi.
"Brother Zhao had good intentions, seeing you have so many things and wanting to help you. If you don't want to accept, fine, but how could you speak like that and let down his good intentions? You really don't know how to appreciate a favor!"