Yu Youqin sized up Su Yin. Her looks were quite pleasing—delicate and charming—but unfortunately, she lacked self-awareness.
“You’re Su Yin, right? Have you seen the post on the forum?”
Su Yin nodded. “Yes, I have.”
Yu Youqin glanced sideways at Su Yin. “If you’ve seen it, why are you still so indifferent? Hmm?”
“So what do you think I should do? Report you to the police for leaking privacy and slandering others? Senior Yu?”
Su Yin was well aware that the person behind the post was standing right in front of her.
Yu Youqin was taken aback, her expression turning serious. “You know me? And you still dare to speak to me like this?”
Su Yin couldn’t be bothered with her. “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving!”
Yu Youqin blocked her path again. “Stay away from Senior Lu.”
What a troublemaker! If it weren’t for the mission, who would want to stick to Lu Xingcun’s cold face all day?
Being stopped again, Su Yin grew angry. “Why should I?”
“Because you’re not worthy! You should know your place!”
Su Yin laughed. She had just submitted something she’d created to the Diguo Yanjiuyuan and felt quite self-aware. She wasn’t afraid of what these people could do to her.
So she didn’t hold back at all. “Senior, the phrase ‘knowing your place’ suits someone like you much better. You’ve spoken less than ten words to the person you’ve had a crush on for years, yet you still think you’re successful and superior.”
“Pfft.” Among the onlookers sneaking glances, one couldn’t hold back a laugh, and like a switch had been flipped, a few others failed to stifle their giggles.
Yu Youqin was stunned, looking at Su Yin in disbelief. She was the daughter of the Minister of Finance—how many people had fawned over her since childhood? How dare this lowly girl, Su Yin, stand up to her?
“Since you’re so stubborn, we’ll see about that!” Don’t expect a peaceful life from now on!
Su Yin nodded. “Senior Yu, you’re so grown up, yet you still want to resort to bullying? Isn’t that a bit childish? Or are you trying to use your family background to pressure others? Oh no, oh no—don’t drag your family down with your own foolishness! Instead of wasting time like this, why not improve yourself? Stop focusing on women and put some effort into pursuing men, wouldn’t that be better?”
Yu Youqin had been about to leave, but these words nearly made her explode with rage. She raised her hand, ready to slap Su Yin.
Su Yin wasn’t about to let her succeed. She grabbed Yu Youqin’s wrist, but since her opponent was from the Zhandouxi, Su Yin, a mere Level One novice, knew better than to confront her head-on. She quickly pulled out a small bottle from her person, ready to give her opponent a taste.
“Stop!” Zhou Xianghan hurried over, her expression grave.
For over half a year now, Su Yin had cooked for her every day, prepared medicinal meals to nourish her health, and cheered her up—she was like a warm, comforting presence in her life.
Zhou Xianghan was getting older and often reminisced about the past, which made her cherish Su Yin even more.
She hadn’t been unaware of the recent rumors, but she had also noticed that Su Yin wasn’t as fragile as she appeared on the surface. She was a strong-willed and independent girl, so Zhou Xianghan had held back from intervening. But that didn’t mean anyone could lay a hand on Su Yin!
The people around them instinctively stepped back at the sight of Zhou Xianghan. Yu Youqin and her two followers also grew flustered.
Zhou Xianghan was a professor in the Arts Department, known for her seriousness and dedication. If she were just an ordinary professor, it might not have mattered, but she was also the younger sister of the Queen, and her son was Xia Jiaxu, the powerful commander of the Diyi Juntuan.
Even the crown prince treats her with respect, let alone others; there isn't a single person at Dida who isn't afraid of her.
Zhou Xianghan glanced at Yu Youqin and said coldly, "What do you think you're doing? A third-level Nenglizhe from the senior Zhandouxi picking a fight with a first-level Nenglizhe from the junior Wenhuaxi? Where is your fighting spirit? Where are your manners? Is this how the Yu family raised you?"
Yu Youqin was so frightened she was on the verge of tears. "Professor Zhou… I…"
"I won't let this matter rest. And if anyone else spreads baseless rumors, don't blame me for being harsh." Zhou Xianghan looked at the three of them, then swept her gaze over the surrounding students who were watching the spectacle.
Immediately, everyone lowered their heads or looked up at the sky, but no one was willing to leave. This drama was simply too good to miss!
The eldest daughter of the Yu family being publicly reprimanded by Professor Zhou for lacking upbringing!
Su Yin found it both amusing and touching. Usually, Zhou Xianghan was very gentle with her, and although she was stern at school, she had never scolded a student like this before. Despite having no blood relation, the two had grown increasingly close. Su Yin never expected her to lose her temper like this on her behalf.
This area was relatively close to the Zhandou Fenyuan, and Lu Xingcun and Yi Shang happened to be passing by. Yi Shang noticed the crowd and took a closer look, only to spot Zhou Xianghan. He immediately went over to greet her. "Aunt Zhou? What's going on here? Is Xiao Yin here too?"
Hearing Yi Shang's voice, Zhou Xianghan looked up and indeed saw Lu Xingcun not far away. Instantly, her anger flared. "Lu Xingcun! Get over here!"
When Lu Xingcun walked over, utterly confused, Zhou Xianghan immediately struck him twice with the book in her hand.
Lu Xingcun: …
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
"This is all your fault! You're nothing but trouble! Don't come to our house for meals anymore! You're not welcome!"
After saying this, Zhou Xianghan gently took Su Yin's hand beside her and said softly, "Let's go."
Everyone couldn't help but marvel at her masterful skill in switching expressions.
Su Yin obediently nodded, suppressing a laugh as she glanced at the bewildered Lu Xingcun.
As the two walked away, Zhou Xianghan's voice could still be heard: "Don't pay any attention to people like that from now on!"
Lu Xingcun was shocked:!
Wait! What kind of people are "people like that"? So love just disappears, is that it?
Yi Shang burst into laughter and chased after Zhou Xianghan and Su Yin. "Aunt Zhou, wait for me! I'm a good person, I'm not like Xingcun! Let me come for a meal!"
Catching up to them, Yi Shang placed his hand on Su Yin's head and ruffled her hair vigorously, pressing down so hard she could barely lift her head and nearly stumbled, her hair now a complete mess.
Zhou Xianghan immediately glared at him and chased after Yi Shang, hitting him a few times as Yi Shang's hearty laughter echoed in the distance.
For a fleeting moment, it almost felt as though the three of them were a family.
Lu Xingcun's expression turned cold as he looked at Yu Youqin, who was clearly the instigator. "Miss, there are some matters I haven't intervened in because she can handle them herself, but that doesn't mean I won't step in if necessary. Please conduct yourself with dignity."
Yu Youqin didn't know whether Lu Xingcun genuinely didn't remember her or was deliberately avoiding using her name. But given the situation, she was already thoroughly humiliated and immediately ran off in tears.
Lu Xingcun had something to say: What should I do when my aunt has an adopted daughter and no longer wants her own nephew? Asking for a friend, urgent!