Chapter 29: Invitation, Unknown Motives

On Monday morning, the entrance of Xinxing School was filled with youthful vigor. Students who had just finished their weekend gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.

Fang Chuning was among the crowd, wearing earphones and a relaxed expression on her face. Just as she entered the school gate, she caught a glimpse of a figure running towards her direction.

Seeing the smiling boy approaching, Fang Chuning greeted him, “Morning.”

“Good morning, President.”

Jiang Luoyu hugged his books, his eyes curved in a smile.

The two walked side by side towards their classroom. Along the way, Jiang Luoyu kept sharing about what happened after returning from the amusement park, and how his father asked where he got that stuffed toy. “I told him it was from my best friend.”

The boy tilted his head and gave her a sweet smile.

Fang Chuning glanced at him for a while, then hesitantly said, “Jiang classmate, I’m not sure if I can really like you and be with you, so I think…”

She wanted to advise him to look further ahead, fearing that he might be too attached to this uncertain feeling, and might be hurt if it doesn’t work out.

“President,” before she could finish, the boy gently interrupted her. Jiang Luoyu stopped walking, his gentle eyes gazing at her, “Liking you is my own business. Even if you never like me, I will always like you. This is all my own willing choice, you don’t need to feel guilty.”

These words were like a drop of water, causing a ripple in Fang Chuning’s heart lake. Before she could ponder further, she saw a young man slowly walking towards them from behind the boy.

Xu Muzhou’s eyes swept lightly over the two of them, finally settling on the girl. The corners of his mouth lifted in a soft smile, his voice as pleasant as a spring breeze over a lake, “Good morning, Fang classmate.”

Fang Chuning replied: “Morning.”

Xu Muzhou’s lips curved in a smile, his eyes turning lightly towards the boy beside her, “Good morning, Jiang classmate.”

Jiang Luoyu’s hand holding the books tightened slightly as he lowered his gaze, “Morning…”

Because the boy had suddenly stopped walking, the two of them who were walking side by side now had a distance of two or three steps between them. Xu Muzhou naturally walked to the girl’s side, his face showing some curiosity: “I just saw you two walking and suddenly stop, is something the matter?”

“It’s nothing, just chatting casually with the President.”

“I see… Did I interrupt you then?”

As he said this, the young man looked towards Fang Chuning. His warm gaze reminded Fang Chuning of his tearful and helpless crying face yesterday. She never knew before that he was such a crybaby.

Thinking of how cold and indifferent he used to be towards her, the current change made her want to chuckle.

“What are you laughing at?”

The young man’s eyes showed confusion.

Fang Chuning quickly stopped laughing and shook her head: “Nothing, class is about to start, let’s go back to the classroom.”

Xu Muzhou nodded, glancing slightly towards Jiang Luoyu, “Let’s go together, Jiang classmate.”

This scene was like a third party turning from guest to host. Just a second ago, he was the one standing beside the girl and walking side by side with her. No matter how uncomfortable Jiang Luoyu felt, he couldn’t say anything, he could only walk two steps behind them.

Xu Muzhou’s lips curved slightly, he turned his head to look at the person beside him, “Fang classmate, do you remember what day it is on the 5th of next month?”

Originally, Fang Chuning couldn’t remember at all, until he hinted by raising the watch on his wrist, “Your birthday?”

That watch was a global limited edition, with the wearer’s birthday as its core. On the birthday, the watch face would change, as if reminding or congratulating the owner on their birthday.

Actually, Fang Chuning found it quite useless, but at that time, the advertisement for this watch was quite prominent. Because it was limited edition, and due to its appearance and meaning, it was very popular among some men. Even Fang Tianli had one and treasured it greatly.

Xu Muzhou’s smile deepened: “Yes, but I haven’t decided how to celebrate that day yet. I want to invite you and Gao classmate together.”

“Sure.” Fang Chuning nodded in agreement.

The two of them talked about such things naturally, their chatting and laughing appearance looked exactly like a couple.

Just as the school rumors said, the two of them were a perfect match, as if made for each other.

By the time Jiang Luoyu was feeling gloomy, they had already reached the classroom door. Xu Muzhou, who was about to step into the classroom, suddenly turned back, “Would Jiang classmate like to join us?”

Jiang Luoyu was slightly stunned, “What?”

The young man smiled at him: “It’s my birthday next month, would Jiang classmate like to come and join us?”

Jiang Luoyu seemed to see the contempt behind his gentle demeanor, “No need.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be more fun if we all play together?”

Jiang Luoyu didn’t understand. He should hate him, just like he hated him, so why invite him? Was it just to put on a show in front of others?

“I……” He wanted to refuse again.

But the young man suddenly came forward and gently took his arm. Jiang Luoyu’s eyes widened, and he instinctively withdrew his hand a little.

“Don’t misunderstand, Jiang classmate, I have no ill intentions. I just want to apologize to Jiang classmate for what happened before. Can you forgive me?”

The young man whispered in his ear, his voice only audible to the two of them. Jiang Luoyu hesitantly looked at him. The young man’s beautiful eyebrows showed a hint of apology, but it was precisely because of this that he felt it was more bizarre.

Jiang Luoyu couldn’t guess the reason for his actions, and the sudden intimate gesture made him feel uncomfortable.

But in others’ eyes, the vice president suddenly becoming so close to this “nouveau riche” made those boys who already disliked the “nouveau riche” even more unhappy.

“Jiang classmate?”

Jiang Luoyu was called back to his senses and smiled forcedly: “I’m sorry, I have something else to do that day.”

“I see…” Xu Muzhou’s eyelashes lowered slightly, his tone seeming a bit disappointed: “Then there’s nothing we can do.”

The two entered the classroom. As soon as Xu Muzhou sat down, Fang Chuning couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked: “What were you two talking about just now?”

“Just about my birthday. I wanted to invite Jiang classmate to join us, but he doesn’t seem very willing.”

Fang Chuning looked back in Jiang Luoyu’s direction and couldn’t help but speak up for him: “Maybe he has something to do that day.”

Xu Muzhou’s hand holding the book paused slightly, then he continued casually, “That’s what Jiang classmate said, but I still hope he can attend.”

Actually, Fang Chuning was a bit confused about why he was so insistent on inviting Jiang Luoyu, given that their relationship was generally ordinary.

Xu Muzhou seemed to see through her confusion. His eyebrows were gentle as he said, “I promised you, didn’t I? That I would interact more with Jiang classmate in the future. This way, other classmates won’t bully him so easily, right?”

When the young man said this, there was a hint of uncertainty and worry in his brow, as if he was concerned about his lack of deterrence. That frowning, thoughtful look was somewhat cute.

The little doubt she had suddenly subsided. Fang Chuning rested her chin on one hand, her brows showing a hint of softening, “It’s alright, you still have me, right? If anything happens in the future, just tell me directly.”

The softness that unconsciously showed in the girl’s expression made Xu Muzhou feel entranced. He didn’t try to hide it either, his eyes full of affection as he looked at her, glancing tenderly, “Okay.”

The last class in the morning was physical education. Fang Chuning didn’t attend because of Fang Hong’s “inspection” of the school. All those who could speak up in the school were there, including her.

In the meeting, Fang Chuning sat to the right and below Fang Hong. She didn’t pay attention to what they were saying. In fact, this was just going through the motions, she didn’t want to be here at all.

Fang Hong sat at the head of the conference table in the main seat. Her brows were habitually serious as she glanced at the young girl to her right. She raised her hand to interrupt the grade director’s endless talk, “Does President Fang have any suggestions regarding the recent events at the school?”

As if by habit, everyone’s eyes instantly focused on the young girl.

This was forcing her to speak. Fang Chuning looked at the gently smiling Secretary Li sitting across from her, thought for a moment, and still brought up the recent events.

It was none other than the incident of Jiang Luoyu being bullied and almost forced to drop out of school.

“I believe all the teachers present should know something about this, but I don’t understand. If the teachers had just stood up and criticized this behavior, it wouldn’t have escalated to that point. But the teachers’ way of dealing with this situation was to turn a blind eye.”

The teachers present looked at each other. Those who were eloquent just a moment ago now seemed to have suddenly become mute.

Fang Chuning actually knew what they were thinking. In this school, whether students or teachers, they only cared about family status. The rich and powerful sought to associate with the even richer and more powerful, and looked down on those with less money and power than them.

Although she knew that bringing it up might not necessarily change anything, she still wanted to say it.

Among those present, only Fang Hong and Secretary Li had normal expressions. Fang Hong looked at her, the corners of her mouth turning up, “Do you have a solution in mind?”

Of course, there were solutions, but they were all treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Whether they would be effective was another matter. “Add another school rule, prohibiting school bullying regardless of the reason.”

Fang Hong nodded, “I agree.” Her gaze swept over the silent people present, “What do the teachers think?”

The highest authority in the school had agreed, how could they disagree? This obvious favoritism made them even more afraid to have any objection. Everyone nodded in agreement and praised the proposer.

Fang Chuning found this kind of possibly insincere praise a bit hard to take.

After the meeting, Fang Chuning wanted to go back to continue class, but was stopped by Fang Hong, “Have lunch with me at noon.”

Fang Chuning had no reason to refuse, “Understood, I’ll go back to the classroom first.”

Not long after leaving the conference room, Fang Chuning suddenly felt someone following her. She turned around and saw the man’s tall figure standing five steps away from her.

“Why are you following me?”

Li Yipeng chuckled lightly: “I thought you wouldn’t notice.”

Fang Chuning found it puzzling, “Why aren’t you following my mom? Why are you following me?”

The man slowly walked closer to her, helping her remove a few strands of hair stuck to her face. Fang Chuning impatiently pushed his hand away, “If you want to talk, just talk. Don’t touch me.”

Li Yipeng wasn’t annoyed. His long, dark eyes lowered slightly as he looked at her, his eyes rippling with warmth, “I need to go back to the company later, I came to let you know.”

Why bother telling her if he’s just going back!?

The man continued: “You spoke very well just now. I think that classmate must be very happy to be defended by you like this.”

“……”

Fang Chuning gave him a strange look. This man couldn’t still be thinking of becoming her stepfather, could he?