What do these people know? How dare they spout such nonsense openly?
Of course, Tang Yanqi also understood that she couldn’t control what others said, as words belonged to them, but to say she wasn’t affected at all would be untrue. Read complete version only at NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Tang Yanqi found a secluded spot to sit down. This elective was taught by a very popular professor at K University, so the seats were almost all taken. When Tang Yanqi sat in a corner seat, the two girls sitting beside her immediately stood up and switched seats, as if sitting next to her was utterly shameful.
Tang Yanqi quietly clenched her hand. She had always disliked socializing, so throughout her four years of college, apart from a senior who had graduated and her roommates, she remained unfamiliar with others. However, due to her outstanding grades, she was a prominent figure in the Business School with lots of gossip.
In the past, people called her demeanor aloof, but now, they claimed she was pretending to be virtuous, accusing her of being a hypocritical prude.
Just a second before the class bell rang, Tang Yanqi abruptly fled the lecture hall as if she was escaping.
She was a good student; apart from some boring public courses, Tang Yanqi rarely missed any class, electives included. It was the first time she had fled like today.
On her way back to the dormitory from the lecture hall, Tang Yanqi’s mind was filled with the disgusting faces of Professor Zuo and Li Jingjing, the imposing demeanor of Mrs. Sheng, and the almost entirely fabricated rumors.
A great sense of grievance surged within her; Tang Yanqi had endured countless grievances since childhood. She always thought she could swallow them all. But what was happening today?
All those hurtful words, she had heard them before, why was she able to ignore them before but couldn’t do so today?
Halfway there, a sudden thunderclap echoed through the previously gloomy sky, followed swiftly by big raindrops. People scattered in quick steps, yet Tang Yanqi stood still as if oblivious to the downpour, looking up at the overcast sky.
Everything today was indeed terrible.
The distance from the lecture hall to the dormitory wasn’t far, but Tang Yanqi was soaked through when she reached the stairs. Two girls linked by arms descended the stairs as she climbed up.
Tang Yanqi hung her head low, not looking at them, but she heard their conversation clearly.
"I don’t care what others think, as long as he likes me."
"Exactly, those who say you’re not a match are simply sour grapes."
Tang Yanqi’s eyes suddenly brightened, and her steps faltered. She was unusually sensitive today, with much less tolerance than usual. Just now, she didn’t understand why, but suddenly she seemed to get it.
What she cared about, what disturbed her previously calm demeanor wasn’t the slander from the disgusting professor, nor Mrs. Sheng’s domineering attitude, nor the baseless accusations from others.
It was Mrs. Sheng’s words, "Jianan doesn’t like you."
Tang Yanqi knew it was true, so she accepted it calmly, but surface calmness is always just on the surface. Her heart, like a winter-frozen ocean, appeared icebound but could still be churned into waves by the creatures beneath.