The Principal's Office.
The Student Union President laid the evidence on the desk.
"We were halfway through our investigation when Yu Yahe voluntarily confessed everything to us. Her only request was to continue attending First High School."
The principal frowned, his expression dismissive. "Her methods were truly deplorable."
"But..."
The Student Union President stated truthfully, "After all, no one was harmed, and she confessed proactively, which can be seen as admitting her mistakes and correcting them. If we don't offer leniency in such a situation, who would dare to confess and seek clemency in the future?"
"You have a point..."
The principal tapped the desk with a troubled look, about to impose a minor penalty, when Yu Wenli entered, exuding a chill.
"This matter can be handled with leniency. But what about campus bullying?"
"What?!"
Both men were stunned simultaneously. Even Xie Jinli, who had been silent, raised an eyebrow. Yu Wenli walked up to the principal and handed him his phone.
"I have video evidence."
The principal took a brief look, his beard trembling with anger. "Yu Yahe! Stubborn and incorrigible! Repeatedly defiant! Expelled immediately!"
The Student Union President, rarely seeing the principal so enraged, did not dare to delay and left, taking Xie Jinli, who had difficulty walking, with him. Tong Jiayi assisted.
In the blink of an eye, only Yu Wenli and the principal remained in the office.
"Wait!" The principal clutched his chest, his heart aching, and called out to him, "I have something to tell you."
Yu Wenli turned back, looking at him with confusion. The principal sat down slowly, leaning on the chair. "You know you'll have to make your way in the capital in the future. Why make an enemy of the Fu family? Fu Yuchuan, on the surface, appears gentle and kind, but he is the future head of the Fu family. He's not someone to be trifled with. You offended him today for Wen Tingxue. Who knows what kind of trouble he might cause you later? He might even directly target Wen Tingxue. How much power do you have to protect her? Little Wen, we are all ordinary people. We cannot compete with those wealthy and noble families. Your personality is too strong. If you don't learn to be more flexible, you'll suffer greatly in the future. As they say, 'Too much strength leads to breaking.'"
Yu Wenli had grown up under the principal's watch. He privately liked this student very much – intelligent, capable, and resourceful. However, his personality was too pure, and he was prone to being taken advantage of in society. Today, the matter could have been resolved with a little compromise. He insisted on right and wrong. Sometimes, right and wrong weren't that important.
Yu Wenli stood straight in the center of the principal's office. The light from the chandelier fell on him, making him appear exceptionally cold. "Then I'd rather suffer a loss than live in a world where right and wrong are indistinguishable."
"You..." The principal's heart ached even more from the implied criticism.
Yu Wenli descended from upstairs and found Wen Tingxue's car was empty. Remembering the principal's words, a string in his heart immediately tightened.
"Where is she?" His question to the driver, sharp as ice, cracked. The driver, momentarily stunned, pointed behind him. "She's..." Before he could finish, Yu Wenli strode quickly towards the back, just as Wen Tingxue was wiping her hands. She was unharmed. Yu Wenli instantly relaxed.
"Huh?" Wen Tingxue felt a gust of wind, and then someone embraced her... Embraced her?!
"Hey, hey, hey!" Wen Tingxue quickly pushed him away, her small face flushed. "Don't, don't come near me. I just finished sifting through the garbage truck. I smell awful."
"..." After a moment of silence, he said, "I can smell it."
"..." Wen Tingxue felt so embarrassed she wanted to burrow into the ground. "Then, then why aren't you letting go? I'm still dirty..." Given his fastidiousness, she thought he would instantly jump away, as if seeing a cockroach. But he didn't. His arms around her didn't loosen. "Then let's smell bad together," he said. "Can't have you being too lonely."
After showering, Wen Tingxue, drowsy, was drying her hair. Half-asleep, she received a video call from Yu Wenli. He had also cleaned himself up. Water droplets still trickled down his hair as he lounged lazily in his swivel chair, looking particularly seductive. His open collar seemed like a silent invitation. Wen Tingxue sobered up instantly, her eyelashes fluttering to conceal her shyness, and she pretended to be calm as she asked, "It's so late, why are you calling?"
"Didn't you have something to tell me?" He put on his glasses and glanced at the camera. Wen Tingxue found him particularly handsome with glasses – refined and abstinent, calm and rational. He looked like the ultimate academic prodigy.
"Hm?" Not receiving a reply, he glanced at the camera again, catching her daydreaming. His long eyebrows arched playfully. "How about I open the door for you, and you can come over and take a good look? Look all you want?"
His suddenly close-up handsome face made Wen Tingxue's heart skip a beat. But she managed to regain some composure. "What are you looking at? You're not even paying attention to our conversation. I'm hanging up."
Yu Wenli: "..." The little one's ability to turn the tables was improving.
"I'll show you the school," he said, turning the camera to the screen. It was filled with various art schools, from domestic to international, a dense array of web pages. Wen Tingxue's eyes widened in surprise. "You, how did you know I wanted to..."
"Is it that hard to guess?" He picked up his milk and took a sip. "You love painting so much, and your talent is exceptional. What else would you major in besides art, mathematics?"
After the sand painting video from the art festival went viral in Jiangcheng, Wen Tingxue had discussed university choices with her parents. However, no decision had been made yet. They had differing opinions, and she didn't know how to choose.
"Then, what do you think I should go to?" Wen Tingxue asked, seizing the opportunity.
Yu Wenli stared at the screen. "I'm compiling information on major institutions. I'll send it to you directly, and you can pick a few schools you like and are interested in. In a few days, I'll accompany you to visit them to get a feel for the atmosphere, and then we can decide on the schools you'll apply to and prepare for the exams."
"Then..." Wen Tingxue hadn't thought that far ahead. But hearing him say this, she felt a pang of reluctance. She rested her chin on her knees, her damp long hair falling down, covering half her face, making her look particularly innocent and pitiful.
"Then where will you apply to school?" she asked, her voice soft.
Yu Wenli quickly realized her concern and turned to look at her. "That's not important."
"How is it not important?" the young girl became anxious. "What if, what if we're not in the same..." She didn't finish, feeling that his attitude was too casual. It seemed he didn't really want to be with her.
Seeing the young girl's disappointment, Yu Wenli smiled helplessly, his lips curving. He explained earnestly, word by word, "Yiyi, it's not that I don't want to be in the same city as you. But choosing a school is about your future. You should prioritize yourself first, not me. As for me, don't worry, my heart is only for you. No matter if we're in the same city or not, my feelings for you will not waver."
His words made Wen Tingxue feel a little guilty. Her small face flushed red as she looked up, her dark hair framing her face like a little siren. "...I misunderstood you. I'm sorry..."
"What's there to apologize for?" Yu Wenli leaned on his arms, tilting his head and smiling, his charming peach blossom eyes curving. Like a fox, he said, "I'm happy that you care about me, and...". He leaned in abruptly, his eyes sincere. "I promise to remain chaste for you, both in body and spirit."