A hundred flavors of life

Chapter 1389 You were joking with me first! (Please subscribe!)
Ever since Hua Shier told Zhu Xiaobei's fortune on the day of the club recruitment, although the latter said he didn't believe in such superstitious things, for some reason, he still vaguely remembered the saying "long hair down to the waist means good fortune".

After more than a month, her short, ear-length hair made her look much softer. She was no longer the tomboy who was fiery and androgynous, but gradually revealed the delicate beauty unique to young girls.

At that moment, under Hua Shier's seemingly casual yet meaningful glance, Zhu Xiaobei felt inexplicably uneasy. She touched her slightly longer hair and asked in confusion:

"Twelve, why are you looking at me like that? What were you two talking about so mysteriously just now?"

Zheng Wei and Xu Kaiyang exchanged a glance, recalling Hua Shier's brilliant 'framing' when the sack was being put on them. They couldn't help but burst into laughter at the same time, laughing so hard they almost cried.

Zhu Xiaobei, Ruan Wan, and Li Weijuan were even more confused by their sudden burst of laughter, their faces full of question marks, and they asked repeatedly:
"What's going on? What are you laughing at? Tell us what's funny!"

Zheng Wei is the type of person who can't keep things to herself. Plus, she was still excited about "punishing the wicked and eliminating evil" earlier. When everyone pressed her for details, she immediately spilled the beans, telling the whole story of how she had a conflict with Chen Xiaozheng in the boys' dormitory that day, and how Hua Shier used a "female voice" to frame her in the evening. She embellished the story with her own words.

Hua Shier and Zhang Kai, who were listening from the side, covered their faces. This scoundrel, how could he just casually talk about something like putting people in sacks?

Look at that idiot Xu Kaiyang next to me, still grinning like a fool, looking all proud of himself. What a damn useless teammate!
After hearing this, Ruan Wan's beautiful brows furrowed slightly. She was gentle and felt that this approach was a bit too extreme. However, seeing Zheng Wei and Xu Kaiyang's excited expressions and considering Chen Xiaozheng's previous excessive behavior, she opened her mouth, but in the end, she only let out a soft sigh and said nothing.

Zhu Xiaobei, however, was a man of principle, and upon hearing this, he immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"Good job! That's how you teach him a lesson! We're classmates from the same department, what's wrong with touching a model? Why were you so mean to Zheng Wei and even physically assaulted her! You have no manners at all!"

They were both architecture students, and it was normal for them to look at each other's model assignments. Zhu Xiaobei felt that Chen Xiaozheng was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Li Weijuan, adopting an attitude of 'I'm the only one sober in a world of drunks,' curled her lip and said:

“Actually, I’ve long felt that we shouldn’t always invite him to our gatherings. You see, he’s always the most withdrawn one, always with a sullen face, like everyone owes him hundreds of dollars! Being around him makes the atmosphere so oppressive!”

Xu Kaiyang took a swig of beer and sighed:
"Sigh, I originally thought he was just a bit more mature than us because of his poor family background, and that it was normal for him to be a little cold-hearted. Who would have thought that this bastard is such an ingrate, turning his back on us like that! I've introduced him to so many jobs!"

Zhu Xiaobei, with her keen and perceptive mind, steered the conversation back on track. She stared intently at Hua Shier and asked seriously:
"Twelve, you still haven't answered me! The way you looked at me just now, with such a complicated expression, what did it mean? I felt like there was something hidden in that look you gave me."

Hua Shier didn't expect Zhu Xiaobei to be so perceptive, as she had accurately caught his casual glance.

He chuckled, his face displaying that signature half-serious, half-serious charlatan expression:

"What does it mean? It means a lot! Let me tell you, the woman next to Chen Xiaozheng is called Zeng Yu. Do you know who she is? She's the daughter of our Vice Dean Zeng! I just did some calculations and observed the celestial phenomena last night—no, I mean I did some calculations—and I sensed that if these two continue to be so clingy and entangled, it might be bad for you in the future!"

"That's why I took action in advance, using a little trick to help you resolve this potential trouble!"

"Well, shouldn't you thank me properly? Hurry up and ask Sister Zhu to bring two more steamers of buns as a token of your gratitude!"

He spoke earnestly and mysteriously at first, but his last sentence revealed his "true purpose," causing everyone to burst into laughter again, assuming he was just being a charlatan.

Zhu Xiaobei was amused by him and gave him a disgruntled glare.
"Here we go again! Playing tricks! Fine, fine, it's just two baskets of steamed buns, no problem! Plenty to go!"

She turned and called out towards the kitchen, "Sister! Steam a few more trays of buns and bring them up. These starving ghosts aren't getting enough to eat!"

From the kitchen came Sister Zhu's hearty laughter and reply: "Alright! Come eat at my place, there are plenty of steamed buns, eat until you're full!"

Everyone laughed and joked, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

However, Hua Shier knew in his heart that what he had just said was not entirely a joke.

In the original movie plot that he remembered, Zhu Xiaobei later encountered a major calamity. The school store falsely accused her of stealing. Because she refused to be searched by men, she smashed the store in anger and was eventually expelled from school, which changed her fate.

Although Hua Shier had not read the original novel of "So Young", she had seen an analysis online that pointed out that Zhu Xiaobei was deliberately framed, and the mastermind behind it was likely the vice dean's daughter, Zeng Yu.

According to that account, Zeng Yu framed Zhu Xiaobei not because of any personal grudge between the two, but to help Chen Xiaozheng win a government-sponsored study abroad spot.

Because of Zhu Xiaobei's excellent academic performance, he was one of the few people who could compete with Chen Xiaozheng for a spot to study abroad.

Therefore, Zeng Yu used his father's power to fabricate this theft case, which led to Zhu Xiaobei's expulsion from school, thus eliminating a powerful competitor for Chen Xiaozheng.

Hua Shier had thought of this matter when he was putting Chen Xiaozheng in the sack, which is why he had the idea to imitate a woman's voice and say, "Let you seduce my boyfriend," with the aim of planting a seed of suspicion in Zeng Yu's mind.

If Zeng Yu's opinion of Chen Xiaozheng's character had wavered and she had given up on him, perhaps she wouldn't have helped Chen Xiaozheng frame Zhu Xiaobei later.

Of course, Hua12 also understands that this possibility is actually very small.

Given Chen Xiaozheng's clear goals, his life revolving almost entirely around the dormitory, classroom, and library, and his perpetually expressionless "iceberg face," Zeng Yu could easily determine that Chen Xiaozheng had been wronged with just a little inquiry.

Therefore, Zhu Xiaobei will most likely still be framed.

However, with him around now, we certainly can't let Zhu Xiaobei suffer this loss.

Soon, steaming hot and fragrant buns were served on the table.

Outside the shop, a light drizzle had started, the raindrops tapping against the window with a soft, rhythmic sound.

However, the steamed bun shop was warm and cozy, filled with the cheerful voices of young people chatting and laughing, completely dispelling the chill of the winter night.

Just then, the laughter and chatter seemed to be paused, and everyone paused for a moment, their eyes turning to the doorway behind Hua Shier.

Hua Shier seemed to sense something and turned around to look.

Shi Jie was standing at the door, closing her dripping umbrella.

She was wearing a plain wool coat, her hair and shoulders were covered with tiny raindrops, and her pretty face wore her usual gentle yet persistent smile.

"How did you find your way here?" Hua Shier asked, somewhat surprised.

Shi Jie smiled slightly, her voice soft and gentle, as if it could melt away the chill of the rainy night:

“I haven’t seen you for the past few days. I know you’ve been busy. I went to your dorm today and found that no one was there, so I guessed that you might have come to Sister Zhu’s place. I came to check on you.”

Zhang Kai, who was standing nearby, quickly stood up and offered Shi Jie his seat with a smile.
"Shi Jie, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come on, have some with us. The steamed buns are fresh out of the steamer and still warm!"

Shi Jie smiled politely at Zhang Kai, but her gaze remained fixed on Hua Shier:
"Thank you, but no need to trouble yourself. I'm here to talk to Twelve about something. I'll leave after I'm done and won't disturb your gathering."

As she spoke, she walked to the table, took out a bankbook from the inside pocket of her coat, and gently placed it on the table in front of Hua Shier.

"Twelve, I heard you want to start a business and need funds. Here is 100,000 yuan. Take it and use it. Consider it my support for you."

In an instant, the entire steamed bun shop seemed to fall silent.

The way everyone around looked at him changed.

A mix of emotions, including surprise, emotion, envy, and disbelief, lingered.

He opened his mouth wide, forming an "O" shape, and muttered, "Bro, I... I'm so damn envious of you."

Xu Kaiyang patted Hua Shier on the shoulder, his voice earnest and filled with indescribable complexity: "Shier, it would be such a pity to miss out on a girl as good to you as Shier."

Although Zheng Wei, Ruan Wan, Zhu Xiaobei, and Li Weijuan didn't say anything, their eyes clearly showed that they were also deeply touched by Shi Jie's selfless dedication and persistence. They felt that if Hua Shier refused again, he would be heartless.

Hua Shier looked at the thin bankbook on the table, then looked up at Shi Jie's rain-soaked clothes and her clear, gentle eyes. He said to Shi Jie:

"Sit down first, have something to eat together, and we can talk about this later."

This time, Shi Jie did not refuse. Instead, she nodded obediently and sat down quietly in the seat that Zhang Kai had given her, as quiet as a primary school student waiting for the teacher to speak.

Hua Shier continued eating his steamed buns, while Shi Jie only symbolically picked up a small bun, took a small bite, and then put down her chopsticks. She placed her hands on her knees, tilted her head slightly, and watched him eat with a smile. Her gaze was so focused that it seemed as if the whole world had only him left.

Her undisguised and completely absorbed gaze made everyone else in the room feel uncomfortable, as if they were superfluous third wheels.

Even the most boisterous Zheng Wei and Zhang Kai unconsciously lowered their voices when they were laughing and joking.

Hua Shier ate a few more steamed buns, finally put down his chopsticks, and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He stood up and said to the others at the table:

"You guys enjoy your meal. Shi Jie and I have something to discuss, so we'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he picked up the bankbook on the table, grabbed Shi Jie's hand, and walked out without saying another word.

Shi Jie was pulled along by him and followed obediently. Before leaving, she turned back and smiled apologetically at Sister Zhu and the others.

Outside, the rain was still falling, but it had lessened a bit and turned into a light drizzle.

Hua Shier pulled Shi Jie to a bare sycamore tree a little distance away from the steamed bun shop.

The dim light from the streetlights filtered through the rain and sparse branches, casting dappled shadows on the wet ground.

Hua Shier stopped, released Shi Jie's hand, turned around, and faced her:
"Are you out of your mind? We've only known each other for a short time, and you're already giving me 100,000 yuan? This puts a lot of pressure on me!"

Shi Jie stood there quietly, a smile on her face, and asked a completely unrelated question:

"Did you eat enough? I don't think you ate many buns."

Hua Shier was amused by this answer, and he stared intently at Shi Jie:

"Let me tell you, I have more than one girlfriend. One is named Lin Jiamo! And another is named Fang Hui! Moreover, I'm a non-marriage advocate. I only date, I won't get married. Can you accept such a scumbag like me?!"

He finished speaking in one breath, and Shi Jie just looked at him quietly. Finally, amidst the sound of the continuous rain, she nodded slowly but with unusual firmness.

Rainwater streamed down her cheeks, indistinguishable from tears, but her eyes remained crystal clear, devoid of shock or hesitation, only displaying an almost obsessive conviction.

“I can accept it.” Her voice was soft, but it touched Hua Shier.

Looking into her eyes, which were exactly the same as Shen Bing's and now filled with no regrets and determination, Hua Shier finally couldn't help but gently lift her pretty face with both hands and lower his head to kiss her fiercely.

That night, Hua Shier did not return to the dormitory.

He pulled Shi Jie along, hailed a taxi on the roadside, and went directly to the Jinling Hotel.

Hua Shier thought Shi Jie was sick and needed treatment, so she needed to get an injection!

The next day, when Hua Shier returned to the dormitory feeling refreshed, he was greeted by Zhang Kai and Xu Kaiyang's winking and teasing interrogation.

"Yo! You're back? Tell me honestly where you've been?"

Zhang Kai leaned in and nudged Hua Shier with his elbow, a lewd smile on his face.

Xu Kaiyang chuckled to himself as well.
"Wow, Twelve, you haven't come home all night. Tell me, how far have we gotten?"

Hua Shier pushed away the two gossipy guys with annoyance and went straight to her bed to sit down.

Undeterred, Zhang Kai caught up, lowering his voice and asking furtively:
"Twelve, tell me the truth, what should we call Shi Jie next time we see her?"

Hua Shier glanced at him sideways and said frankly:
"Call sister-in-law!"

"Fuck!"

Zhang Kai and Xu Kaiyang exclaimed in surprise at the same time. Although they had expected it, they were still shocked and envious when Hua Shier confirmed it himself. Well, mainly envious.

"Brilliant!"

Xu Kaiyang could only give a thumbs up and utter those two words.

As Hua Shier had predicted, things unfolded exactly as he had.

After the initial shock and doubt, Zeng Yu didn't know how Chen Xiaozheng explained it, but the two reconciled the next day, and their relationship even seemed to have gotten closer.

Furthermore, under Zeng Yu's insistence and instigation, the security department officially intervened in the incident of Chen Xiaozheng being beaten with a sack over his head.

Since Chen Xiaozheng and Zeng Yu both insisted that the crime was committed by multiple people, and Zheng Wei and Xu Kaiyang had a fierce conflict with Chen Xiaozheng on the day of the incident, Hua Shier and Zhang Kai, as Xu Kaiyang's roommate and friend, were naturally listed as the primary suspects. The four of them were called in by the security department for separate interviews.

In a slightly old office with a sign that reads "Security Department," Hua Shier sat on a wooden chair.

Sitting opposite him was Section Chief Li, the one who made Zhu Xiaobei write a self-criticism in the original storyline.

Section Chief Li kept a straight face, trying to create a serious interrogation atmosphere.

But what he didn't know was that the college student opposite him wasn't afraid at all. Just kidding, Hua Shier had been in a proper interrogation room countless times, and sitting here, he felt an absurd sense of closeness.

"Hua Shier, student!"

Section Chief Li tapped the table with his finger:
"Tell me, around 10:30 pm the night before last, on the tree-lined path near the school, how did you put Chen Xiaozheng in a sack and beat him? Tell me the specific details and your motives clearly!"

Hua Shier's face immediately showed a "trembling" and "fearful" expression, and he began to "confess" in a trembling voice:
"That night, the moon was dark and the wind was howling. I was holding two watermelon knives and hacking my way from Nantianmen all the way to Penglai East Road. I did this for three days and three nights, and blood flowed like a river! But I just kept hacking away, my hands moving, my hands moving, my hands moving, without even blinking!"

He became more and more engrossed in his speech, even making a slashing motion with his hand, which stunned Section Chief Li and the other security guard. What was going on with this guy?
Hua Twelve continues his performance:
Suddenly! Some complete idiot blocked my way! I immediately asked, "Who goes there?" The man clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Chen Xiaozheng from Shijiazhuang!" I thought, "This is outrageous!" So I pulled out my magic weapon, the Qiankun Qi Bag! And just like that, I slipped it over his head like a dog catch! Done. Hey, sir, if you don't believe me, I can slip one over your head too."

Section Chief Li's face began to twitch uncontrollably, and he slammed his hand on the table:
"Hua Twelve! Be serious! I'm asking you something, what kind of joke are you playing with me!"

The fear on Hua Shier's face vanished instantly, replaced by a mocking smile. He chuckled.
"Didn't you start this joke with me?"

　Thank you to 08a and Little Tiger of the Demon Realm for the donations, and thank you to all the brothers who voted with monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. Thank you so much!

　　(End of this chapter)