Chapter 34
At this time of day, most people on campus were hurrying along, with no time for romance. The usually crowded grove was now occupied only by this not-so-sweet couple. After the two slaps, the romantic atmosphere had completely vanished.
Zhang Meng had expected Gu Chao to offer some explanation, but he just stood there blankly, neither angry nor defending himself. It was as if he had completely given up on maintaining any semblance of composure in front of his girlfriend, no longer caring about his image.
She looked down and saw his hands hanging limply by his sides and sighed helplessly, reaching out to take his hand. Gu Chao trembled.
“Gu Chao, I hit you because I was angry, I was disappointed.” Zhang Meng had calmed down, all her resentment and anger having dissipated. “And also because I love you.”
Gu Chao stiffened, the tears he had been holding back finally falling.
He hadn’t cried when he was slapped, but at this moment, he couldn’t hold on any longer.
Zhang Meng took two steps forward and embraced her boyfriend, who was almost a head taller than her, resting her head on his shoulder. She softly said, “I know you haven’t been doing well lately. If you’re facing difficulties, tell me, and we’ll face them together.”
His choked voice finally broke the silence. “I feel so useless, like I’ve let everyone down. And I can’t see any hope, I don’t know how to change things.”
Zhang Meng hugged him tighter, her heart aching for him.
“You’re so outstanding, how could you disappoint anyone?”
A bitter smile touched Gu Chao’s lips. “That’s just in your eyes. You always think I’m the best.”
Zhang Meng replied without hesitation, “You are outstanding. Besides, wouldn’t you want me to only see the best in you?”
Unconsciously, her slightly coquettish tone began to melt the tension between them.
“Thank you.” Gu Chao’s heart started to beat again, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
The person he loved so deeply hadn’t given up on him, and she was still openly expressing her love and admiration. Could he really bring himself to give up completely?
He was starting to feel… reluctant.
Zhang Meng knew Gu Chao well and, seeing his reaction, knew he was softening. So she continued to hold him, saying nothing more.
After a while, Gu Chao spoke first. “I can’t take it anymore with my advisor. I plan to talk to him next week. If it doesn’t work out, I might really give up on this degree.”
“Gu Chao, don’t put so much pressure on yourself, it’s not your fault. You’ve always been so compliant and tolerant, but it only ended up hurting you like this. It’s better to be brave, to face the problem head-on, to fight back.”
Zhang Meng pulled away from his embrace and looked at him earnestly.
“You mean…?”
“We’ve helped him find so many invoices and other receipts, and you’ve spent so many nights in the lab rushing those data reports. Don’t you think there’s something wrong?”
Gu Chao raised an eyebrow. Putting aside his identity as He Chao’s student, with his intelligence and experience, he knew this wasn’t right.
“I know there’s definitely something wrong, but it’s common practice. Other advisors do the same.”
Zhang Meng glanced towards Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu in the distance. Although they hadn’t said anything, not even exchanged glances, she found encouragement and inspiration from them.
“Other advisors doing the same only means they’re all equally bad, making the same mistakes.”
Gu Chao looked at her in surprise. His usually gentle and sweet girlfriend was now so resolute and indignant, openly challenging their advisors.
“Gu Chao, advisors might use their authority to a certain extent, but that doesn’t give them the right to exploit their students endlessly. He’s bullying you like this, he doesn’t see himself as your teacher, and he doesn’t see you as a student, so why should we continue to protect him?”
Zhang Meng’s disgust for He Chao was palpable, and she could finally express her true feelings.
“You’re right. I’ve been too weak and naive. After so many years of studying, I’ve lost myself, become accustomed to obeying the teacher’s instructions, always thinking that listening to the teacher is never wrong. Over time, it’s become a compromise, afraid of not getting good reviews, afraid of not graduating, afraid of not even being able to live a normal life.”
The knot in Gu Chao’s heart finally loosened. Accompanied by Zhang Meng, he walked over to Qin Qianrou and thanked her sincerely.
After thanking her, he stepped back, pulling Zhang Meng slightly away, and bowed again. This time, it was an apology.
“I’m sorry for making you all worry yesterday! I promise I won’t do anything foolish like that again, and I won’t punish myself for others’ mistakes and make those who care about me worry.”
Shen Yiqiu was a little taken aback by his series of actions, but she understood his words. Seeing that Gu Chao had finally come to his senses, she was naturally happy.
Zhang Meng started crying again, but this time, it was the first time Shen Yiqiu felt the senior’s tears weren’t pitiful.
“It’s good that you’ve figured things out. Just don’t make the same mistake again.”
Qin Qianrou turned to leave, but Zhang Meng called out to her.
“Reporter Qin, there are some things we want to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Zhang Meng, holding Gu Chao’s hand, walked forward. Li Zihua and Ding Song also gathered around, the six of them forming a small circle.
“It’s about Professor He Chao. We have some information we want to report.”
Li Zihua’s expression changed, and he quickly glanced at Gu Chao. He hadn’t expected Gu Chao, who had always avoided this topic, to stand so firmly by his girlfriend’s side.
Seeing Gu Chao’s resolute stance, Li Zihua’s worries dissipated, and his expression returned to normal. He continued where Zhang Meng left off, “During his time as our advisor, He Chao has engaged in multiple violations, and he doesn’t show basic respect for his students, let alone provide proper guidance.”
In truth, Li Zihua and the others had long wanted to report He Chao, but they had been held back by Gu Chao’s attitude. Gu Chao was the leader of their dorm, and they all respected and trusted him. But it was Gu Chao who was being exploited the most, which made them all indignant.
“Have you all thought this through? This isn’t the time for rash decisions. Some words, once spoken, are difficult to take back.”
Qin Qianrou didn’t react with the excitement and eagerness Shen Yiqiu had expected upon hearing someone offer to report He Chao. Instead, she calmly advised them to reconsider. This made Shen Yiqiu wonder: Don’t reporters love exclusive scoops like this?
Zhang Meng and the others were clearly taken aback by Qin Qianrou’s indifferent attitude, especially Li Zihua. He had been reserved with Qin Qianrou before due to her profession, but now he was hoping she would speak up for them, which was indeed awkward.
Qin Qianrou, however, didn’t care about their change in attitude. Her warning stemmed purely from past experiences, which made her feel obligated to ensure these young and naive students understood the potential consequences.
“If you choose to publicly report He Chao, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, it will affect your studies.”
Gu Chao’s expression turned serious, but he didn’t cower like before.
“It will affect us, but continuing to be tormented by him might mean we won’t even make it to graduation. Besides, according to him, if I insist on going to Meng City, he won’t let me have my way.” Gu Chao was still upset about this, but his girlfriend and his friends being by his side gave him strength. “In that case, it’s better to fight to the death. Maybe there’s a better future waiting for us. But I’m sorry for dragging Zihua and Ding Song into this.”
Li Zihua and Ding Song immediately declared, “Don’t be silly, you’re not the only one being bullied. We’ve had enough!”
Shen Yiqiu was moved by their unity and determination, her emotions stirred. However, Qin Qianrou’s continued silence made her hesitant to voice her support.
They had made their stance clear and named the person they wanted to report. Everyone was waiting for Qin Qianrou’s response.
However, Reporter Qin remained calm and composed. After a moment of thought, she didn’t give them the answer they wanted.
“You can show me the evidence you have, but I still advise you against making a public report.”
“Will this… be effective?” Li Zihua worried that their ambiguous evidence wouldn’t be enough to bring down He Chao.
After all, his reputation was so prominent that it had drawn so many students to study under him.
“If you trust me, I believe it will be effective, it might just take a little longer.”
Zhang Meng was the first to respond. “We trust you, we trust you! I completely believe in your abilities.” Her words conveyed not only absolute trust but also a hint of admiration.
Gu Chao looked at his girlfriend with affection, then turned to Qin Qianrou. “If she trusts you, then I trust you too!”
Li Zihua and Ding Song naturally had no objections. After all, they were asking for help, and they would follow the reporter’s lead.
Shen Yiqiu watched, slightly dumbfounded: Reporter Qin is indeed impressive, but why is no one praising me?
However, Shen Yiqiu wasn’t being petulant. Although slightly disappointed, she didn’t seek credit at this moment.
Qin Qianrou set a time to meet with them and asked them to go back and prepare the relevant materials. She repeatedly reminded them not to show any unusual behavior and to act as normal as possible around He Chao.
As they left the grove, only Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou remained. Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you accept their report?”
With eyewitnesses, wouldn’t such a story be even more impactful?
Qin Qianrou looked straight ahead, as if she had anticipated this question.
“A reporter’s duty is to uncover the truth and report the facts, which is why we spare no effort in pursuing every possible lead. Seeing substantial evidence is naturally gratifying.” She suddenly stopped and turned to look at Shen Yiqiu. “However, we should also consider the safety of the witnesses or whistleblowers. We can’t harm them for the sake of our own news stories. This is a basic principle. I’m just trying to maintain a balance between duty and ethics.”
Shen Yiqiu immediately understood. Qin Qianrou didn’t want to avoid investigating He Chao, she wanted to protect Gu Chao and the others.
“But if they don’t come forward, will just the physical evidence be enough?”
From what Gu Chao and the others had said, the available evidence was just the various receipts and invoices He Chao had asked them to collect for reimbursement, or the experimental data they had been instructed to modify to meet certain evaluation criteria.
But would this be enough?
Seeing the worry on Shen Yiqiu’s face, Qin Qianrou, who had been standing with her arms crossed, unconsciously relaxed her posture. She wanted to reach out and smooth the wrinkles on Shen Yiqiu’s forehead, but her hand, hanging by her side, didn’t move.
Realizing her momentary lapse, Qin Qianrou composed herself and continued walking. Shen Yiqiu received a call from Jiang Yuan, saying they had arranged to have dinner together that evening and giving her the address.
This time, she didn’t ask if they were still in Hai City, as if she had already guessed they would stay for a few more days.
Qin Qianrou didn’t deliberately stop to wait for her, but Shen Yiqiu could tell she had slowed down considerably, so after ending the call, she quickly caught up.
However, Qin Qianrou’s earlier demeanor lingered in her mind, making her feel restless. There was something she wanted to say to Qin Qianrou, but she wasn’t sure if she should.
Sensing Shen Yiqiu’s hesitation, Qin Qianrou assumed it was because of the phone call.
“What’s wrong? Wasn’t the call about dinner?”
Shen Yiqiu was taken aback. “It was about dinner. We’re meeting at 6:30 pm, at Chengda Restaurant.”
Qin Qianrou nodded. She knew Chengda Restaurant; it was quite famous in Hai City.
Shen Yiqiu’s hesitation didn’t disappear, and Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but laugh, looking at her, “So what are you hesitating about?”
“I… have something to tell you.”
Qin Qianrou was both amused and exasperated by Shen Yiqiu’s awkwardness, truly baffled by what was going on in her mind.
“Just say it.” Qin Qianrou thought, Am I really that intimidating?
Shen Yiqiu’s gaze shifted from Qin Qianrou’s face, slowly downwards, past her slender calves, finally settling on her feet.
“Let’s go buy shoes.”
Buy shoes? Qin Qianrou looked at Shen Yiqiu’s feet, puzzled. Her sneakers looked quite new and clean. Did she want to go shopping now that they were back in Hai City?
But then, following Shen Yiqiu’s gaze, she looked down at her own feet. The high heels, slightly scuffed from yesterday’s running around, no longer looked as pristine.
Qin Qianrou pursed her lips. She cared about her appearance. If possible, she would always maintain her best possible image within the given circumstances.
However, yesterday, the situation had been urgent, and she hadn’t had the time to worry about such things. Besides, the shoes were only slightly dirty, not exactly shabby.
Before she could respond, Shen Yiqiu spoke again. “You walked so much yesterday in those shoes, your feet must be hurting. Now that the situation is temporarily resolved, let’s go buy you some comfortable shoes. You shouldn’t suffer anymore.”
Shen Yiqiu looked up at her. Qin Qianrou’s resolute yet slightly strained posture struck a chord in her heart, and she desperately wanted to buy her a new pair of shoes immediately!
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