The slow but steady unspoken understanding between Xia Yaojin and Zhu Yawen had persisted for over two months.
During this time, Xia Yaojin grew accustomed to Zhu Yawen’s presence, the daily companionship during morning runs, the seat opposite her in the library, the occasional snacks she brought, and her always perfectly timed concern.
Zhu Yawen also grew accustomed to Xia Yaojin’s rhythm, her routine of waking at 6:00 AM and sleeping at 11:00 PM, her state of total immersion when solving problems, and her blunt yet sincere responses.
She even began to truly enjoy the process of learning mathematics and programming. Those symbols and codes that once caused her headaches gradually became the bridge connecting her to Xia Yaojin.
On the forums, “CP fans” were immersed in various beautiful fan creations, and the fan-fiction universe grew richer by the day. In reality, the relationship between the two seemed to be developing in a gentle, positive direction.
Until that afternoon.
The rooftop of the Arts Department building was originally a place where Zhu Yawen liked to go for sketching.
The view there was wide, overlooking the entire campus and even the distant West Mountains.
But she hadn’t expected Gu Mingyuan to find her there.
“Yawen,” his voice came from behind, carrying a suppressed rage.
Zhu Yawen was working on a watercolor of the campus panorama. Hearing his voice, her brush paused, causing a small patch of pigment to bloom across the paper.
She didn’t turn around, simply saying calmly, “You aren’t welcome here.”
“Not welcome?” Gu Mingyuan walked in front of her, blocking the light. “Zhu Yawen, did you think you could hide from me forever?”
Zhu Yawen finally looked up at him.
Having not seen him for over two months, Gu Mingyuan looked much more haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, but the paranoia and possessiveness in his gaze hadn’t diminished at all.
“I wasn’t hiding from you,” she put down her brush. “I just didn’t want to see you.”
“Because of that Xia Yaojin?” Gu Mingyuan’s voice rose sharply. “Because of her, you won’t even come home? You won’t even pick up the phone when your mother calls?”
Zhu Yawen frowned. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“Nothing to do with her?” Gu Mingyuan sneered. “I’ve investigated. That Xia Yaojin comes from an ordinary family and lives entirely off scholarships. She’s approaching you just because she’s eyeing the Zhu family’s money, isn’t she?”
“Shut up.” Zhu Yawen’s voice turned cold. “You aren’t fit to judge her.”
“I’m not fit?” Gu Mingyuan stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. “Zhu Yawen, wake up! We are the same kind of people! Our families have twenty years of history together, we….”
“Let go.” Zhu Yawen forcefully shook off his hand and took a step back. “Gu Mingyuan, I’ll say this one last time, whatever was between us ended the moment you harbored ill intentions and cheated while we were engaged. As I stand here now, I don’t even want to look at you.”
Gu Mingyuan’s expression became distorted. “It’s because of Xia Yaojin, isn’t it? If she didn’t exist.”
“Even without her, I wouldn’t choose you again,” Zhu Yawen interrupted him, her voice calm but firm. “Gu Mingyuan, you’ve never understood. I don’t love you anymore, and it’s not because of anyone else. It’s because I’ve finally seen you for who you are selfish, controlling, and always only considering yourself. Someone like you doesn’t deserve anyone’s love.”
She had held these words back for two lifetimes, and she had finally said them.
Gu Mingyuan was stunned, followed by a burst of fury. “You…!”
“Furthermore,” Zhu Yawen continued, her voice laced with irony, “do you think I don’t know? You’ve been in contact with the daughter of the Li family recently because the Gu family’s projects are in trouble and you need their capital. You didn’t come looking for me because you still love me, you came because the Zhu family is more valuable than the Li family, right?”
Gu Mingyuan’s face turned deathly pale instantly.
Zhu Yawen smiled, a smile devoid of warmth. “See, this is you. Always calculating, always weighing options. Gu Mingyuan, let me go, and let yourself go too. Go find your Miss Li and manage your ‘marriage business’ well. Between us, it should have ended long ago.”
She packed up her painting supplies, preparing to leave.
But Gu Mingyuan blocked her path.
“Zhu Yawen,” his voice was terrifyingly low, “if you dare to be with that Xia Yaojin, I won’t let her off. Do you believe me? I can make it so she can’t stay in the capital. I can make sure she doesn’t get any scholarships, can’t find any work, or even…”
He didn’t finish his sentence.
Because Zhu Yawen turned around and slapped him hard across the face.
“Gu Mingyuan,” her voice was trembling, not out of fear, but out of pure rage. “If you dare touch a hair on her head, I will make the Gu family disappear entirely. Do you believe me? The current me can do it.”
Gu Mingyuan clutched his face, looking at her in disbelief.
The old Zhu Yawen, whose heart and eyes were filled only with him, was gentle and submissive, never even raising her voice. The current Zhu Yawen had eyes as cold as a blade.
“You can try me,” Zhu Yawen said, enunciating every word. “Try and see if I dare.”
She pushed past him and left the rooftop without looking back.
But her hands were shaking.
Not out of fear of Gu Mingyuan.
But out of fear that he would actually make a move against Xia Yaojin.
Xia Yaojin received the anonymous text message while she was in the library.
“Stay away from Zhu Yawen. Otherwise, your mother’s job and your stepmother’s company will both have problems.”
Attached were photos, the gate of the textile factory where her mother worked and the entrance to the office building of Auntie Xu’s company.
Xia Yaojin stared at the phone screen, her brow furrowing slightly.
Her first reaction wasn’t fear, but analysis, the sender of the message had basic information about her family, but the information was incorrect. Auntie Xu was a senior executive, not the owner, the textile factory her mother worked at was a state owned enterprise, not a private one.
This indicated the sender’s investigation wasn’t deep enough.
Her second reaction was to consider the motive: what was the purpose of the threat? To get her to leave Zhu Yawen. This indicated the sender was a suitor of Zhu Yawen or a related party of interest.
Her third reaction was to assess the credibility, how believable was the threat? Did the opponent have the capability to carry it out?
While she was pondering these questions, Zhu Yawen rushed to the library, her face pale.
“Yaojin, I…” She was about to say something when she saw the text on Xia Yaojin’s phone, and her voice cut off abruptly.
“Do you know the sender?” Xia Yaojin asked.
Zhu Yawen gritted her teeth. “Gu Mingyuan.”
“The former fiancé.” Xia Yaojin nodded, as if confirming an experimental variable. “He threatened me to leave you.”
“I’m sorry,” Zhu Yawen’s voice was full of guilt. “I’ve dragged you into this. I’ll handle it, I promise…”
“No need.” Xia Yaojin interrupted her and began packing her things. “I’m calling the police.”
“What?”
“Threatening the safety of others is a suspected violation of the law,” Xia Yaojin said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “It should be handled by the police.”
She actually took out her phone, ready to dial.
Zhu Yawen pressed her hand down. “Wait. The Gu family… they have some influence. A simple police report might not be effective. Besides, he hasn’t taken any actual action yet, so the police might not open a case.”
Xia Yaojin thought for a moment. “You’re right. I need evidence.”
She sat back down and began drafting a reply to the text:
“Mr. Gu Mingyuan: Your threat has been received. According to Article 42 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, writing threatening letters or threatening the personal safety of others by other methods shall be punished by detention of not more than five days or a fine of not more than 500 yuan, if the circumstances are relatively serious, the punishment shall be detention of not less than five days but not more than ten days, and a fine of not more than 500 yuan may be imposed concurrently. Please stop your illegal behavior.
Additionally, the information you provided is incorrect. My mother’s textile factory is a state owned enterprise, and Ms. Xu is a senior executive, not the legal representative. I suggest improving the quality of your information gathering.
Xia Yaojin”
Zhu Yawen watched her calmly type out these words and was stunned.
“You… aren’t you afraid?”
“Afraid?” Xia Yaojin gave her a strange look. “Why should I be afraid? His behavior is illegal and should be subject to legal sanctions. My strategy is to gather evidence and report it to the police, seeking legal aid if necessary.”
“This is standard operating procedure.”
She spoke with such rationality and composure, as if this weren’t a personal threat, but rather a math problem waiting to be solved.
Zhu Yawen suddenly laughed; as she laughed, her eyes grew red.
This was her Yaojin.
Forever meeting the world with logic.
Forever refusing to be governed by fear.
“But I don’t want you to be dragged into this,” Zhu Yawen said softly. “This is my problem. I should be the one to solve it.”
“What you need to solve right now is an emotional problem, not a practical one,” Xia Yaojin countered. “Your hands are shaking, which indicates you are in a state of stress. Decisions made at this time are likely to be irrational.”
She paused. “Go eat dinner first. After we eat, we will discuss the solution.”
Zhu Yawen looked at her for a long time before finally nodding.
On the forum, someone quickly posted photos of the confrontation on the rooftop.
Although taken from a distance and blurry, one could clearly identify Zhu Yawen and Gu Mingyuan and see Zhu Yawen slapping him.
[URGENT! Gu Mingyuan found Wenwen again! Conflict on the rooftop! Wenwen hit him!]
OP (Witness from the opposite building): I saw it from the building across! Gu Mingyuan cornered Wenwen, they were arguing! Finally, Wenwen gave him a slap! Then Wenwen left, and Gu Mingyuan just stood there on the roof alone. His expression was terrifying! Sisters, I have a bad feeling about this…
1L (All-CP Fan): What?! That scumbag dares to show his face again!
2L (Arts Student): I heard the Gu family is in trouble lately. Several of his dad’s projects fell through; word is their capital chain is strained. He’s definitely up to no good looking for Wenwen now!
3L (Management Insider): My dad said the Gu family is fighting for a government project, but the competition is fierce. If they don’t land it, the family might actually collapse.
4L (Psychology Observer): Gu Mingyuan’s behavior fits the “Frustration Aggression” theory, when personal goals are blocked, one may turn anger toward the perceived source of the obstacle. Both Zhu Yawen and Xia Yaojin are likely targets now.
5L (Frontline Reporter): Latest update! Jinjin and Wenwen went to the cafeteria together! They look relatively calm, but Wenwen’s face looks pale!
6L (Worried CP Fan): What do we do?! Will that scumbag go after Jinjin?!
7L (School wide Protection Alliance): Sisters! Activate the protection plan! Starting today, we escort Jinjin and Wenwen in shifts! Don’t give that scumbag an opening!
In the cafeteria, Xia Yaojin was actually eating her meal seriously.
Zhu Yawen, however, could hardly swallow.
“Yaojin,” she said softly, “if… if Gu Mingyuan really does something, you…”
“I will protect my rights according to the law,” Xia Yaojin replied. “But if he is targeting you, what you need is a safety plan, not worry.”
She set down her chopsticks and looked earnestly at Zhu Yawen. “First, you need to tell your family. Second, you need to consider temporarily moving out of the dorms to a secure location. Third, you need to collect evidence of his threats recordings, texts, witnesses.”
She was organized and methodical, as if drafting a project proposal.
“And what about you?” Zhu Yawen asked. “He threatened you.”
“I’ve already told you my response plan,” Xia Yaojin said. “I will report it, keep the evidence, and ensure the safety of my mother and Auntie Xu. Besides, I’ve checked, the Gu family company is currently in a sensitive period. Gu Mingyuan’s father won’t dare let him cause too much of a stir. This actually works in our favor.”
Zhu Yawen stared at her blankly.
At a moment like this, Xia Yaojin remained cool, logical, and orderly.
This kind of strength was more reassuring than any comfort.
“Okay,” Zhu Yawen nodded. “I’ll listen to you.”
“After dinner, I’ll accompany you to see the counselor and the Campus Security Office,” Xia Yaojin said. “This is a campus safety issue, the school has a responsibility to handle it.”
“Mm.”
As the two walked out of the cafeteria after finishing their meal, they saw Gu Mingyuan waiting outside.
He had clearly calmed down a bit, but his eyes were still gloomy.
“Xia Yaojin,” he said, ignoring Zhu Yawen and staring directly at Xia Yaojin. “Let’s talk.”
“If it’s about the threats, I have already replied,” Xia Yaojin said calmly. “If it is regarding anything else, please contact me through official channels. I am currently accompanying Zhu Yawen to the Security Office.”
Gu Mingyuan’s expression changed. “The Security Office?”
“You are suspected of threatening student safety, the school has the right to intervene,” Xia Yaojin said matter of factly. “Furthermore, your unauthorized entry onto the Arts Department rooftop is a violation of regulations. All of this will be documented.”
She spoke so professionally, as if stating objective facts.
Gu Mingyuan was incensed by her attitude. “You think you can scare me with that?”
“It’s not about scaring you,” Xia Yaojin corrected. “It’s about stating potential legal consequences. Of course, if you leave now and promise not to harass us further, we can consider not reporting this to the Security Office.”
She was giving him an out.
But Gu Mingyuan didn’t take it.
He took a step forward, nearly touching Xia Yaojin. “I’m warning you…”
“Gu Mingyuan!” Zhu Yawen stepped in front of Xia Yaojin. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
Just then, a crowd suddenly surged forward.
Chen Mo from Physics, Su Qing from Chemistry, Zhao Mingyu from Biology, Zhang Ming from Computer Science, Wang Zhe from Math, Li Ting from Foreign Languages, students from Arts, students from Management… at least thirty people surrounded Xia Yaojin and Zhu Yawen, walling off Gu Mingyuan.
“Student Gu, please leave,” Chen Mo said calmly as the representative. “You aren’t welcome here.”
“You guys…” Gu Mingyuan looked at the crowd, his face turning ashen.
“We are Xia Yaojin and Zhu Yawen’s support group,” Li Ting said. “If you want to cause trouble for them, you have to go through us first.”
The crowd grew as more passing students joined in.
Gu Mingyuan looked around, seeing faces filled with indifference or anger.
Ultimately, he said nothing and turned to leave.
But the look in his eyes as he departed let everyone know, this wasn’t over.
Watching the students gathered around her, Xia Yaojin felt a strange emotion welling up in her heart for the first time.
It wasn’t gratitude.
It wasn’t being “moved.”
It was… a realization: that people could truly bond based on pure goodwill.
“Thank you,” she said. Her voice was quiet, but sincere.
“You’re welcome!” everyone shouted in unison. “Jinjin, Wenwen, we’ll protect you!”
Zhu Yawen’s eyes grew red again.
But this time, it was from warmth.
That night in the dormitory, Xia Yaojin re-evaluated the risks of the situation.
Gu Mingyuan’s threat was real, but controllable.
The support from the students was real and powerful.
As for her relationship with Zhu Yawen… it needed to be redefined.
She sent a message to Zhu Yawen:
“Starting tomorrow, we are adjusting our schedule. Morning runs will move to the indoor track at the gym, the library location will switch to a spot with surveillance, and meals will be during peak hours when there are many people. Additionally, I’ve designed an emergency contact system. I’m sending it to you.”
Zhu Yawen replied quickly: “Okay. I’ll follow your lead.”
A moment later, another message arrived:
“Yaojin, today… thank you. And, I’m sorry.”
Xia Yaojin looked at the message, thought for a long time, then replied:
“No need for thanks. And no need to apologize. Problems are meant to be solved, not used for guilt.”
She paused, then sent one more:
“Furthermore, regarding our relationship. I suggest maintaining the status quo until the safety issue is resolved. Once it’s safe, we can discuss it again.”
This was a Xia Yaojin style promise not romantic, but reliable.
Zhu Yawen looked at the message and smiled, as she smiled, tears fell.
She replied: “Okay. I’ll wait.”
Outside the window, the night was deep.
A storm was brewing.
But this time, they were not afraid of the wind or the rain.