They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

Is being withdrawn another way of explaining it?

However, I can somewhat understand what Senior Wu Yuehua was trying to express.

"Even so, you still had a conflict with her, senior."

"Uh... junior, you're being quite blunt."

"Because I'm quite curious."

Regarding the previous conflict between Senior Wu Yuehua and Senior Chu Guyin, although I could guess some of the reasons, I still had some doubts.

The biggest question is—why are they so angry?

"...because I don't like this kind of unfairness."

Perhaps it was because of the time we spent together these past two days that Senior Sister Wu Yuehua trusted me somewhat, she said slowly.

"Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Apologizing for fear of being disliked when you haven't done anything wrong... I don't like that."

"However, isn't this a way to protect oneself?"

Even high school students should understand that many things aren't simply a matter of right or wrong. You might know deep down that something is wrong, but if the surrounding environment and others do it—ultimately, I've never thought that self-preservation and conformity are wrong; living beings themselves need to restrain themselves in order to survive in a group.

It was more of a helpless situation.

"But if this happens once or twice, you'll never be able to tell right from wrong."

"Because if you keep giving in, your bottom line will keep getting lower and lower. Then, people who always band together to talk bad about others will become the mainstream, while people who have done nothing wrong will have to cater to their views—that kind of environment is disgusting."

Wu Yuehua lowered her head slightly.

"If there's nothing right to uphold... bowing your head in apology and turning a blind eye are both forms of indulgence towards them, aren't they?"

……

I looked at the girl and sighed softly.

"Theories are often impeccable, but completely impractical."

"Senior, you're actually quite an anime/manga fan."

This kind of thinking might just be the naiveté of some children at this age. Personally, I scoff at these opinions, but I have respect for those who persist in their beliefs.

I tried to lighten the mood, but the girl just smiled gently and nodded.

"I know. I'm sorry for talking about this."

We stopped talking. After an awkward silence, Wu Yuehua and I returned to our usual way of interacting, said goodnight to each other, and spent the night peacefully.

The next day, the administrator brought the key over. Senior Wu Yuehua nodded her thanks to me, returned to her room, and repaid me double for the expenses incurred during that time.

but.

On Monday after the weekend, she took leave and did not come to school.

[Next chapter preview: "...Um, do you really believe he's just having a follow-up appointment?"]

"But she's my junior from school. Her advisor should be the female teacher who's on maternity leave, but I don't know her name."

"After all, from the moment you stepped into the school gate, you became my junior. President Wu Yuehua."

"Xiao Ning, will you be my boyfriend?"

Chapter: "Not going to school" (additional update)

"Ah, I really don't understand how our school's debate team lost..."

"That's right, even though Senior Wu Yuehua is in the group."

"But the main reason for the loss this time is probably because of the senior student, right? It is said that the entire third debate was wasted, and those college students who watched the game and cheered for the other side must be laughing their heads off."

"Sigh, my senior took the day off today. I hope it's not because of something like this that it affected her mindset."

"Is Qiu Luxi's new variety show about to start filming? I need to go and get a membership..."

During breaks, several groups of people walking down the corridor were all talking about this.

An Yu looked at the passing crowd and sighed softly.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Ah, class monitor..."

"Here you go, this is yesterday's homework."

"Okay, thank you... As for Ning Ruoyu's, would you like to..."

"You kept it?"

"Is that okay?"

Chen Di smiled.

"Of course, it's for you."

"Hehe, thanks, class monitor."

An Yu happily took the workbook and carefully placed it under her desk.

"Ning Ruoyu also took the day off today because of his follow-up appointment."

In fact, when Ning Ruoyu wasn't around, An Yu and Chen Di barely interacted. Their interactions were mostly connected by that boy, and their conversations mostly revolved around him.

"...Um, you really believe he's just having a follow-up appointment?"

"Ok?"

"Oh, it's alright, I thought so too. I hope he recovers soon."

Although An Yu was a little confused by Chen Di's words, the girl still nodded.

"Hmm! I'm planning to buy some food suitable for patients after school—class monitor, do you have any suggestions?"

"I don't really understand these things either, but unfortunately I might have to go to tutoring tonight. Can I give you money to bring me a copy?"

"of course."

The girl said with a smile, then shifted her gaze to the empty seat.

"I really hope he recovers soon..."

……

Lucheng University, at the school gate.

Watching the comings and goings of young men and women dressed in all sorts of casual clothes, Wu Yuehua gripped the strap of her crossbody bag tightly.

She had participated in many formal events, but this was her first time attending a university on a weekday.

With her head down, she tried to squeeze through the gate like everyone else, but was stopped by the security guard standing guard.

"Hey, what's your major?"

The old man ignored everyone else, but spoke up to stop Wu Yuehua.

This immediately threw Wu Yuehua into a panic.

"I, I am..."

The curious glances from those around her, which were quickly averted, made the girl feel extremely uncomfortable, like a pill bug dragged into the spotlight, wishing she could huddle together and hide herself.

"Oh, junior?"

A somewhat abrupt call broke Wu Yuehua's almost collapsing silence.

"What's wrong?"

The boy walked up to Wu Yuehua and asked the gatekeeper.

"...Do you know her? What's your major?"

"Class 1, Resources and Environment, School of Economics, our advisor is Zhang**."

The boy said matter-of-factly.

"But she's my junior from school. Her advisor should be the female teacher who's on maternity leave, but I don't know her name."

The boy's words were only a few sentences long, but they were so detailed and real that they gave the impression that he was a student at this school.

"Oh, from the School of Economics. Never mind then."

The security guard nodded. "I noticed this student seemed a bit nervous earlier, and I thought she wasn't from our school."

"My junior from the same department is a bit shy and doesn't usually leave campus," the young man said with a smile, while offering the old man a cigarette. "Thank you for your hard work."

"You're quite sensible, little one."

The old man waved his hand, gesturing for the two to go inside. The young man, holding Wu Yuehua's hand, turned left with practiced ease.

...The boy at the corner of the road let go of her hand, and Wu Yuehua finally realized what was happening.

"Junior, what are you doing here?"

"If I hadn't been here, you would have been in real trouble."

Ning Ruoyu sighed.

"...Do you know that old man from earlier? And what about those things you mentioned?"

"It's half true and half false. Some of it I heard from Sister Zhang. But the reason he stopped you is because you were too nervous just now."

"Don't underestimate those gatekeepers and security guards. For students of this school, walking through the gate is a matter of course and a normal thing. But if you look uneasy, they will come over and ask you questions."

Wu Yuehua nodded, but quickly realized what she meant and frowned again.

"No, that's not what I meant to say—it's Monday, right? Why didn't you go to class?"

"That's a good question from the student council president."

The boy seemed completely unconcerned, raising his arm. "I'm going for a follow-up appointment today. But I'd like to ask the student council president, what's the reason you took the day off?"

Wu Yuehua was speechless.

"Sick leave, sick leave..."

She looked away somewhat guiltily.

"I see. Then it seems we have a great understanding, even choosing the same day to go to the hospital."

Ning Ruoyu said with a smile, making Wu Yuehua even more embarrassed.

"Okay, okay, I'm not kidding you anymore. I was just a little confused. But it's such a coincidence, I never thought my first time skipping class would be with you, President. We were so rebellious. ROCK!"

"I remember this isn't the first time you've skipped class, is it? No, that's not the point. You, you should go for your follow-up appointment and then go back to school earlier..."

"And then you let yourself get so stuck at the gate that you almost got kicked out? President, you're ignoring your perfect attendance record just to experience the fun of loitering around the gates of Lucheng University?"

The boy's tone was always tinged with sarcasm, but for some reason, Wu Yuehua didn't feel offended at all; instead, she felt somewhat at ease.

It's like being quietly led by the hand while walking on a somewhat empty street.

"But isn't this a bit..."

"Did I ask for leave?"

Wu Yuehua nodded.

Is it true that I am injured?

Wu Yuehua nodded again.

"On my way to the hospital, I happened to see a fellow student in trouble and offered to help. Did I violate any school rules?"

"Hmm...but it feels really strange?"

"There's nothing strange about it. Since there are no problems, let's proceed according to my plan."

Ning Ruoyu said with a smile, "After all, from the moment you stepped into the school gate, you became my junior. President Wu Yuehua."

As he said this, he waved to the girl running towards him from a distance.

Wu Yuehua looked over blankly.

—Zhang Yuexin.

……