Chapter 278: Chapter 278

Ye Ling’s hand froze halfway through taking off her hat, and seeing that Liu Nan was only excited and hadn’t understood the situation, Yang Hui pulled Ye Ling aside to explain the whole story.

It turned out that although the incident of Fu Lei being beaten had been suppressed, those who were curious still found out that it was Zhao Guodong who did it. Despite this, Fu Lei kept telling the teachers that he had done it himself, covering for Zhao Guodong and never blaming him. In most people’s eyes, Fu Lei was seen as not holding grudges against Zhao Guodong, but people like Ma Yue saw it as Fu Lei being too weak, smiling even when bullied, and not even daring to curse.

This wouldn’t have been a big deal and had nothing to do with Ma Yue, but she encountered this situation while eating roast duck with Liu Nanyang and others. Ma Yue was no match for Liu Nan, and left the meal in a fit of anger. On the way back, she happened to encounter Sui Gang and Fu Lei and, knowing Fu Lei was bullied by Zhao Guodong, who was friends with Ye Ling and her group, she took her anger out on Fu Lei, humiliating him on the spot. Sui Gang, who never tolerated such behavior, kicked Ma Yue without a word. Ma Yue, who was always pampered and rarely cursed, let alone hit, was humiliated in front of bystanding classmates. After being helped up by Dong Minghui, Ma Yue went after Sui Gang with curses and strikes. As a strong man, Sui Gang would not allow himself to be taken advantage of, so Ma Yue ended up with a bruised face. Unable to endure the pain, Ma Yue left with harsh words alongside Dong Minghui, heading out of school, clearly going home.

Yang Hui explained methodically, and although she didn’t directly point it out, Ye Ling realized the whole incident was also because of her. Fu Lei only got beaten by Zhao Guodong because of her. Seeing Ye Ling’s discomfort after hearing the whole story, Yang Hui patted her hand in comfort.

"How did things get to this point?" Ye Ling didn’t know what to do, feeling increasingly upset inside. "How is Fu Lei doing?"

Being called a pretty boy, especially as a college student, can be very damaging to one’s dignity. As for Sui Gang, Ye Ling wasn’t worried; his bravery indicated he had support backing him.

Liu Hui, sitting up from Yang Hui’s bunk, said, "Fu Lei kept trying to mediate and calm things down. Even when Ma Yue was cursing him, he wasn’t angry and continued to persuade. Sui Gang got upset seeing him like that, and combined with Ma Yue’s arrogance, he acted."

Since Liu Hui was on the upper bunk, she usually spent her time hanging out on Yang Hui’s bed unless sleeping, as Ye Ling’s cleanliness was known to them shortly after they met, so they avoided her bed.

"I don’t think Sui Gang is largely at fault," Yang Hui was not comforting Ye Ling, just sharing her analysis. "Ma Yue initiated the whole incident, and although she’s spoiled, her family may not back her up. Normally, the higher the family’s status, the more they’ll admit faults to avoid tarnishing their family name."

Yang Hui came from a good family, having interacted with many people. Among the three, Ye Ling was steady but unsophisticated, Yang Hui was the most savvy and worldly, and Liu Nan was knowledgeable yet too naive, wholeheartedly dedicated to friends once they were considered as such.

So when it came to seeing things clearly and from afar, it was still Yang Hui.

Liu Nan found it reasonable, "Indeed, that’s how it is. No matter what happens outside, my grandfather will first criticize me, always finding faults in me even if the other party is wrong, I have to admit my mistakes first."

Ye Ling nodded, remembering how kids from their compound were usually considered in the wrong, even if they weren’t. Yang Hui, although not from the compound, could see things so clearly, possessing such keen insight Ye Ling couldn’t match.

With this incident, Ye Ling lost her appetite for roast duck. By evening, after pondering, she left the dorm. The weather was warming, with forsythias blooming, not as chilling. She thought of how during winter break, she and Fu Lei always went to the little path where they first met, quietly making it their secret place.

Holding a basin of laundry, she left the dorm, using it as an excuse. After washing up, she unconsciously ended up on that path and, by the glow of the setting sun, saw Fu Lei sitting there in a daze. Not wanting to disturb the silence, she didn’t approach, witnessing for the first time a look of sadness on Fu Lei’s face, realizing the boy who usually smiled as bright as the sun, as Shen Bin mentioned, used the smile as a shield.

At that moment, Ye Ling’s heart felt tightly wound. She realized how foolish she was, unable to see the pressures he was under, never helping or comforting him, causing him to face these problems because of her.

"When did you come?" In her distraction, Fu Lei had approached.

Seeing that smile, Ye Ling found it somewhat piercing, "I’m sorry."

Sorry for making him bear all this, for hurting his self-esteem.

Fu Lei’s face stiffened momentarily before returning to normal, gently tucking Ye Ling’s hair behind her ear, his motion intimate and tender, "Silly, never say sorry to me."

"Don’t take Ma Yue’s words to heart. Everyone knows you’re not like that." Ye Ling feared Fu Lei would feel awkward about the situation, so she avoided bringing it up too much.

"Don’t worry," he reassured her, "I was only thinking, how nice it’d be if you were with me now. I looked up, and there you were. Isn’t that a sort of telepathy?" Fu Lei withdrew his hand, his deep gaze made Ye Ling unable to meet his eyes.

"The sky’s almost dark, go back quickly." Fu Lei’s affectionate eyes glinted with concern, "I’m still worried about Sui Gang. His actions might affect him badly, and as class leader, it’s my responsibility to look after everyone."

"Fu Lei, you’re too kind." Ye Ling disapproved of his approach, "I know you’re feeling guilty and upset, though it started because of you. But Ma Yue was venting her bad mood on others. How can that be your fault? Just because she can’t stand someone, it becomes conveniently their fault?"

"Ye Ling, you know? Right now you seem like you want to pounce and attack, but I know it’s because of me that you’ve become , and I am very happy. Since things have reached this point, no matter what, being present means it’s partly my responsibility. Don’t worry, everything will be fine." Fu Lei, smilingly, nudged her to leave, "Go back now. You first, then I’ll go; otherwise, if someone sees, they’ll start gossiping." (To be continued. If you work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)