Chapter 67: All My Fault
There’s no denying that it feels great to argue with the counselor.
Even more so when Ning Chu already had a grudge against the counselor.
But when it came to being reprimanded, it wasn’t exactly a joyous experience…
“If you have any objections, tell me privately! In private! Not in a group chat with dozens of people!”
Han Jingye was so angry that he was banging the table: “Am I too kind usually? Do you already want a disciplinary record after just a month into the school year?”
The usually arrogant and brash Zhang Shaoqing hung his head low, his hands clasped behind his back. As the “main offender,” he couldn’t even look up amidst the scolding. Ning Chu and Wen Yang stood casually to the side, exchanging glances secretly.
What was wrong with this counselor? How come he didn’t even go home during the long holidays but stayed at the school?
“And you! Ning Chu!”
Startled, Ning Chu immediately snapped to attention and looked at the counselor.
Seeing her slightly pitiful, youthful, and pretty face, Han Jingye’s tone softened a little: “Why do you always try to stir things up? Roommates should learn from each other and help each other out. Have you learned nothing but how to be a nuisance?”
“N-No, not really.”
Ning Chu nervously averted her gaze.
“Wen Yang!”
Understanding that the counselor had shifted his focus, Wen Yang subtly exhaled in relief. But when he turned around, he saw Zhang Shaoqing was still laughing stealthily.
What a cheeky b*stard!
Ning Chu shot him a glare but instead noticed something on Han Jingye’s desk. She quickly glanced over, trying to find any evidence of the counselor’s moral misconduct or violations of law—but evidently, such stuff wouldn’t just be left lying around.
This counselor stayed on campus during the holidays, probably already having some nefarious plan in mind, and who knows, might’ve already succeeded…
The book provided very little background, mostly suggestive innuendos. This extra chapter about Han Jingye labeled him only as the “perverted counselor” with little else. The female “victim” didn’t even have a name, apart from her being described as having a good figure and being attractive.
“You three! Pick a project or competition to participate in, or else, you’re all getting punishments!”
Zhang Shaoqing, who had been smirking just moments ago, immediately turned into a face of pure despair. Stubbornly, he turned his head away, pretending not to care.
For Zhang, this was no big deal; he was a rich second generation kid. As long as he wasn’t expelled and could get his diploma, he was satisfied. Ning Chu, however, wasn’t so carefree and fretted over what activity or competition she could possibly join.
To be honest, it seemed like she didn’t have any special talents. About the only skill she excelled in was writing “Little Emperor Wen.”
The office went silent. Han Jingye wasn’t in a rush either. He sat at his desk, picked up his thermal cup, sipped some tea, and checked his phone.
“I’ll do the sports meet. Maybe the short race?” Wen Yang asked first.
“Alright, I’ve noted it down. Ning Chu? What about you?”
“I… I’m not sure,” Ning Chu said, scratching her head in frustration.
“In that case, I’ll arrange it for you. Zhang Shaoqing?”
Zhang Shaoqing firmly held his chin high. “No!”
Han Jingye sighed deeply. He was out of options with this problematic student.
He helplessly waved his hand. “Get out!”
“Tsch~”
All three hurriedly left the office. Ning Chu breathed a sigh of relief but still felt a little worried. “Shaoqing, he won’t really punish you, will he? That’ll go on your record.”
“Please. He’s just a counselor; what power does he even have to punish me?”
Wen Yang interjected, “He actually can. It’s written in the student handbook: insulting a counselor gets you a punishment.”
Zhang Shaoqing froze for a moment, clearly startled. He glanced back at the office door, muttering, “Is it too late to go back and apologize?”
“Relax, you’ve got money in your family,” Ning Chu couldn’t resist mocking him as his attitude shifted, “Even if you get expelled, wouldn’t you just inherit the family fortune anyway?”
“But my mom would break my legs if she found out!”
Choking back a laugh, he added, “Isn’t this thrilling? Living life on the edge of having your legs snapped isn’t exciting?”
“My God! Are you enjoying this?”
Ning Chu couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing along with Wen Yang.
“YOU TWO! Don’t laugh!”
“Ning Chu! Come back here!”
The laughter abruptly ceased.
Ning Chu’s face went rigid. She looked back to see Han Jingye standing by the office door, waving her over with urgency.
Oh no! Didn’t the counselor just target me already?!
Could I be the nameless female victim in the story?!
But at her level, winning scholarships might as well be out of the question. Even avoiding skipping class might be a stretch.
She was starting to panic, instinctively glancing toward Wen Yang for help. Wen Yang, assuming the counselor wanted to reprimand her further, comforted her, “I’ll go with you.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you two at the cafeteria.”
Nervously returning to the office, Ning Chu sat on the edge of the chair, her body tense. She looked up fearfully, trying to observe Han Jingye from the corner of her eye.
Could this mean I’m playing two minor roles here?
Could all those nameless characters in the story be me?
“Don’t be so nervous,” Han Jingye gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite the desk and then turned to Wen Yang, “By the way, did you handle the financial aid paperwork? We still need a few classmates’ documents. Make sure they get handled before the holidays.”
“Yeah, I’ve reminded them.”
“I have something to discuss with Ning Chu. You can go back.”
Now Ning Chu’s buttocks barely touched the chair as her body tightened. She gazed anxiously at Wen Yang, dreading the possibility that he would simply return to the dorm.
Isn’t the story about forcing people into situations using scholarships? And why was the victim supposed to be a girl?!
Could you just wait until I’m actually a girl before doing anything?! And this is far too straightforward!
Wen Yang could only offer her a helpless smile, “Alright, I’ll wait outside the door.”
“No, wait…”
She watched as Wen Yang retreated, but hearing he would wait outside gave her some peace. Ning Chu nibbled on her lower lip and started looking for something around the room that could be used as a weapon. She moistened her throat for a possible scream loud enough to get Wen Yang to break the door down.
“Ning Chu…” Han Jingye paused, asking, “You know Wen Yang’s family situation isn’t good, right?”
This unexpected opening thoroughly threw Ning Chu.
She dumbly stared at Han Jingye, nodding instinctively.
“You seem to be quite close with him. Try talking to him when you have free time. The school’s financial aid requirements aren’t that strict.”
Ning Chu suddenly understood—it was this?
The book did mention how the protagonist often had to do part-time jobs, leading to various encounters and adventures, but this was actually the point where she could apply for financial aid?
She agreed without a second thought. “Alright!”
Han Jingye’s expression seemed a touch uncertain, and after a brief pause, Ning Chu’s feelings of tension returned.
“Do you have a bias against me?”
She was shocked and quickly shook her head in denial.
“Whenever you see me, it’s like you’re seeing a criminal.” Han Jingye chuckled and shook his head. “It makes me uneasy, the way you always look at me.”
“N-No! Not at all!”
This counselor actually seemed like a decent person…
He truly cared about the students.
Ning Chu’s mind was working overtime. She suddenly got a mischievous idea and glanced toward Han Jingye, testing him. “Teacher, why didn’t you go home for National Day?”
“Me? I live in the staff housing. If I go home, they’d just nag me to get married. Not worth it.”
That’s a reasonable excuse…
As Ning Chu silently reflected, she noticed a tiny detail about the counselor.
