Chapter 461: Evenly Matched
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The tension between Cla.s.s 7 and Cla.s.s 1 was palpable like a bubble waiting to burst. Cla.s.s 1 boasted the arrogant and affluent Duan Shujie from the prestigious Duan family in the capital, while Cla.s.s 7 had the swaggering Han Ning. Both were formidable contenders.
Yet, what remained a secret was the fact that Cla.s.s 7 harbored a hidden powerhouse—Rong Qi—who wielded immense influence from behind the scenes.
Curiosity piqued, many students took to the campus forums to place bets on who would ultimately emerge as the top dog of the university. The odds were split down the middle, between Duan Shujie and Han Ning. On one hand, Duan Shujie had the capital’s powerful Duan family backing him. On the other, Han Ning had long ruled the roost at the university, and his position seemed unshakeable. The outcome of this battle for supremacy was anyone’s guess.
A breeze swept over the pond, stirring ripples on its surface. The university was now shrouded in the chill of approaching winter. Hidden behind an artificial hill on campus, Rong Feiyu and Su Yifan looked gravely at each other.
With her head bowed, and eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with vulnerability, Rong Feiyu said, “Yifan, you’re my last hope. If I don’t perform well on the final exams, you’ll never see me around the campus again.”
Her face was marked with bruises, and each word she uttered came out through gritted teeth, as if speaking itself was painful.
Pained by her condition, Su Yifan said, “Feiyu, it’s not that I don’t want to help. Last time, if not for my uncle taking the blame, I would’ve been implicated too. How about I tutor you in the subjects you’re struggling with?”
“But will a week be enough?” Rong Feiyu asked desperately. “Yifan, all I want is to live a life of dignity. My sister may be a straight-A student, but I am not. Now that our family is in dire straits, if I don’t perform well, I’ll be transferred to Cla.s.s 7 next semester. You know how my sister never made room for me; she’s thriving in Cla.s.s 7. Would I even have a chance at survival there?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as Rong Feiyu recounted her plight, making her look all the more pitiable.
Su Yifan’s eyes tightened with conflict. “Do you know that my uncle was removed from his position as the dean of the grade after the last incident? If I get caught leaking exam questions again, I can’t even begin to imagine the consequences. My uncle and President Zhang are not on the same side, you know.”
“But I heard President Qiu has found a major backer in the Duan family from the capital—one of the four great families. Surely, they can pull some strings. And I promise, there won’t be a leak like last time. Yifan, please help me,” Rong Feiyu pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
Her eyes reddened even more as she touched the bruises on her face. Su Yifan clenched his teeth, his resolve hardening. “Fine, I’ll give it a try.”
Her eyes lit up. She said, “Thank you, Yifan.”
Gently tracing her facial wounds, Su Yifan asked, “Will you tell me now? Who did this to you? Was it Rong Qi?”
Rong Feiyu’s eyes dodged the question, hesitating, “Please, don’t ask, Yifan. Right now, our family is struggling. Only my sister can afford my dad’s medical bills. A little suffering on my part is nothing as long as she is willing to save my dad.”
A cold huff escaped Su Yifan’s lips. He pulled out a card from his wallet and said, “Stay clear of her from now on, or else she might just lose her wits and bully both you and Mrs. Rong. Now that Mr. Rong’s been in a car accident, there’s n.o.body left to keep her in check. Here, take this card. It has some pocket money I saved. Use it for now.”
Rong Feiyu accepted the card, deeply touched. “Why are you so good to me, Yifan?”
He smiled tenderly and said, “Silly girl, have you forgotten how you used to protect me when we were kids? You were always there to shield me from bullies.”
Rong Feiyu stiffened, and her smile froze on her face..