Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Gu Nianzhi smiled and used her hand to block the doors of the lift so they wouldn’t close. Gui Suyao only saw Gu Nianzhi when she entered the lift, and she gave her an exaggerated smile.
“Nianzhi! It’s you! That’s great! If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have managed to get on the elevator and-”
Before Gui Suyao could finish her words, Gu Nianzhi smiled and interrupted her. “You can only enter Professor He’s apartment by elevator. No one would dare snatch the elevator away from you.”
“Haha! You’re so funny, Nianzhi.” Gui Suyao smiled guiltily. She turned around to look at the lift rise. No one spoke. The silence was awkward.
Gui Suyao tried to strike a conversation with Gu Nianzhi. “Nianzhi, were you okay yesterday?”
“Yes, I’m okay.”
“Miao Yunxiao totally overreacted. I’ve already submitted a report to the school’s management proposing she receives harsher punishment. She hasn’t even entered the society, but trust her to bring all that nonsense to our campus. All it does is pollute the school’s environment. She’s such a black sheep…”
Gu Nianzhi couldn’t stand listening to her anymore. She truly disliked Miao Yunxiao, but did Gui Suyao really have a right to criticize her like that? The things Senior Gui had done in the past were just as comparable to what Miao Yunxiao had done, weren’t they? The only difference was Miao Yunxiao lost her ground, so everyone was judging her. Gu Nianzhi had already argued with her face to face, so there wasn’t anything else for her to say.
“Senior Gui, Miao Yunxiao did something wrong, but her punishment will be set by the school’s rules. I’m okay with any arrangements that the school and faculty make.” Gu Nianzhi did not want to dwell on the topic. She fixed her gaze onto the panel indicating the floors the lift was on and couldn’t wait to reach her destination.
Thankfully, the lift arrived at level 28 in no time. Upon entering He Zhichu’s apartment, they saw three seniors were already sitting on the sofa. There were coffee, juices, milk, and other beverages on the coffee table. There were also some scones and corn muffins. Even though Gu Nianzhi had already had her breakfast, she couldn’t help but drool at the smell of the scones.
He Zhichu walked out from his room and acknowledged Gu Nianzhi and Gui Suyao’s presence. “You’re here? Have a seat. We’ve been waiting for both of you.”
“Professor He, we aren’t late!” Gui Suyao tried to explain. “The seniors came early.”
“I didn’t say anything about you being late.” He sat down on his single seat sofa and looked at Gu Nianzhi. “Nianzhi, how are you feeling? Better?”
Gu Nianzhi’s complexion had a pinkish hue, and her eyes were clear and bright. It was almost unimaginable to think she had fainted yesterday.
Gu Nianzhi shrugged. “Great! I’m feeling all better now. Thanks for your concern, Professor He.”
Senior Huang and Senior Duan both knew what had happened in Gu Nianzhi’s dormitory last night, but they didn’t know what had gone on in Professor He’s apartment after that. They assumed her injuries were from the fight, which wasn’t surprising.
“Nianzhi, we heard you were amazing yesterday! You fought two people all on your own! Did you win?”
Gu Nianzhi was speechless. What on earth was this! Gui Suyao knew the truth of what had happened as well as the countless rumors on the school’s portal. She’d asked He Zhichu what she should do about the rumors, but all he’d said was, as long as Gu Nianzhi’s reputation wasn’t affected, they should be left alone.
It was true the rumors did not affect Gu Nianzhi’s reputation negatively. The incident had been described in epic terms. It had turned a simple school fight into something closer to a national emergency. Gu Nianzhi hadn’t had time to look at the discussion forum yet, so she didn’t know what they were talking about.
Senior Huang saw how lost Gu Nianzhi was and laughed. “Nianzhi! Only care about the slaughter, not the cleanup, huh?”
He took out his phone, opened the campus’s app, showed Gu Nianzhi the Headlines. Gu Nianzhi quickly read through the forum, and a sense of helplessness washed over her. “Who posted this? They must have a hole in their head!”
“A huge hole, huh? That’s what makes it so great!” Senior Duan laughed wretchedly, pretending to ogle Gu Nianzhi’s breasts.
He Zhichu’s expression darkened. “Enough. It’s time for the lesson. Marks will be deducted if I hear anymore. Duan Chun, five marks deducted.”
Duan Chun did not even have time to turn around. He looked at He Zhichu and asked in shock, “why did you deduct my marks, Professor He? Those posts weren’t even made by me!”
“Both the believing in and spreading of rumors will result in a deduction of marks.” He Zhichu opened his laptop to indicate the topic was closed. Everyone focused on the lecture.
He Zhichu’s lectures were very practical. He seldom touched on the definitions and philosophy of law but used examples and case studies to guide his students so they would understand the concepts themselves. After listening to He Zhichu’s lecture, Gu Nianzhi was usually able to memorize every single word He Zhichu had said. Her memory was comparable to a recorder.
When he was done with the case studies, he took the analyses from the students and explained their work one by one, pointing out each of their strengths and weaknesses. Everyone, including Gui Suyao who thought that law was nothing more than dusty rules, was extremely attentive. Through He Zhichu’s lectures, they came to understand that law wasn’t just about rules but was something that could easily combine into their everyday lives.
The lesson lasted 45 minutes, and He Zhichu spoke throughout it. By the time the lesson ended, his voice was already hoarse. “Alright, that’s all for today. I’ve already emailed you all the latest essay question.” He Zhichu stood up and looked extremely lethargic.
Gu Nianzhi packed her bag slowly so she could be the last to leave. Turning to look at He Zhichu who was walking slowly into the apartment, Gu Nianzhi asked concernedly, “Professor He, is your throat okay?”
He Zhichu stopped in his tracks. A warm feeling spread through his body as he listened to Gu Nianzhi’s question. He turned around and looked at Gu Nianzhi who stood at the door.
“It’s fine. Thank you, Nianzhi.” He replied hoarsely.
Gu Nianzhi was embarrassed. It was merely a passing question, but He Zhichu replied so formally. She suddenly felt it wasn’t right to just leave it at that.
“I think you sound quite hoarse. Did you talk too much? Someone once told me lecturers usually have throat problems. Would you like to get a Peng Taihai drink with me? Or visit the doctor to get some medicine for your throat?”
“I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’ve caught a cold. No worries, I’ll be fine after a good sleep.” He Zhichu said calmly. He was so different from the agitated He Zhichu last night.
Gu Nianzhi thought about what happened the previous night, and after a moment of contemplation, she asked, “Professor He, why did I fall asleep here last night?”
