On the eighth day of the New Year, Ruan Yu and Teng Yi left Sanmenxia. When Grandfather Ruan Heping saw them off, he remained silent. Ruan Yu sensed her grandfather’s reluctance to part but didn’t know how to comfort him. Finally, it was Teng Yi who promised to return during holidays to visit him, only then did the grandfather’s brow relax.

Shortly after they returned to Liao City, Teng Hao also came back. After relaxing abroad for a while, the young man had finally returned to his cheerful, lively self. That was the beauty of youth—any wound could heal without medicine.

After the holiday ended, everyone gradually returned except for Han Zuo. It was said that Han Zuo’s mother was seriously ill, so he had taken an extended leave to be with her.

Xiyou continued its classes with growing enrollment numbers. The studio also welcomed two new young members—a boy and a girl. The boy was named Yan Xuyang, seven years old, and the girl was He Susu, six years old. Both children, as it happened, had connections to Teng Yi.

Yan Xuyang was the little boy Teng Yi had met on the highway that year, while He Susu was the girl with a cleft lip whom he’d met at the sweet potato stand on his birthday. Of the two, Susu was the more surprising addition.

Susu’s mother said they had recognized Teng Yi during Xiyou’s “Bringing Street Dance Back to the Streets” opening event. Since that day, Susu had been constantly thinking about how cool and confident the brother looked while dancing, and she developed an interest in learning street dance herself. But given their modest financial situation, the sensible Susu never mentioned it. Her mother had noticed her daughter’s wishes and secretly saved money, finally accumulating enough to send her daughter to Xiyou. She hoped Susu could learn street dance here and become as confident and happy as all the dancers they’d seen on the street that day.

Moved by Susu and her mother, Teng Yi quietly refunded Susu’s tuition fees and decided to teach her and Xuyang personally. The two children were overjoyed and pledged to study diligently.

Everything at Xiyou gradually fell into place, and while Teng Yi was tired, he was happy.

The same was true for Ruan Yu. She successfully passed the National Putonghua Proficiency Test with top marks and received both the National Scholarship for the previous academic year and the nationally issued award certificate. All these honors would be recorded in her academic file.

The day Ruan Yu received her scholarship, she treated her roommates to hotpot. It was at a newly opened hotpot restaurant near the university’s west gate. Jian Xiangxiang had been there once and said the dipping sauces were particularly good and the value excellent. Under her strong recommendation, everyone agreed unanimously.

The restaurant was more crowded than expected. With no tables available in the main hall, Ruan Yu reserved a small private room. This first post-holiday gathering of the four friends had a particularly good atmosphere. Chen Manbai suggested having some beer, which was also quickly approved unanimously.

After the server brought the beer, everyone ate and chatted. Somehow, the conversation turned to Teng Yi’s New Year visit to Ruan Yu’s home.

“Did you sleep together? Did you?” Jian Xiangxiang was always first in line for gossip.

“Of course not.”

“Ah, you’re so silly to waste such a good opportunity! If it were me, with Teng Yi delivered to my doorstep, I would have devoured him completely that very night.”

Steam rose from the split hotpot, making Ruan Yu’s face especially red. She kept her head down, repeatedly poking at the meatballs in her bowl, feeling embarrassed.

During those days at home, Grandfather Ruan Heping had been with them almost constantly. Forget about sleeping in the same room—they barely had chances to hug or kiss.

“Xiangxiang, that’s enough! You think Ruan’er is like you?” Xia Qiaofeng came to Ruan Yu’s defense.

“What’s wrong with me? What did I say wrong? When you like someone, of course, you want to possess all of them. Why else do you think those express hotels near campus do such good business? You don’t think those young couples are just renting rooms to chat under the blankets, do you?”

Xia Qiaofeng and Ruan Yu exchanged glances, both falling awkwardly silent.

Seeing this, Chen Manbai laughed until her stomach hurt.

“Oh, I can’t take it anymore! Xiangxiang, you continue racing with these two kindergarteners, I need to use the bathroom!” She stood up and left the private room.

–_–

Shortly after Chen Manbai left, loud arguing suddenly erupted in the corridor outside. As Ruan Yu and the others were wondering what was happening, a server hurriedly rushed in.

“Something’s wrong—your friend is fighting with another customer outside!”

Hearing this, the three immediately stood up and ran out.

In the corridor, Chen Manbai was being held back by two restaurant staff members, while on the other side, the girl she was arguing with was also being restrained by two staff members. The girl was none other than You Leyuan.

Chen Manbai had an outgoing personality and was well-liked by everyone; You Leyuan was practically the only person in the entire school who didn’t get along with her. Yet they happened to meet here. As they say, enemies are bound to meet—this situation perfectly illustrates that saying.

“Manman, what happened?” Ruan Yu asked.

“She was eavesdropping on my phone call!” Before Chen Manbai could answer, You Leyuan shouted.

“Who was eavesdropping? You were making a call in a public space, I just happened to pass by and hear it.”

“You’re making excuses!”

“Pah, you’re the one with a guilty conscience, trying to turn this around on me.”

Chen Manbai really had just been passing by. She had been heading to the bathroom when she turned into the corridor and overheard You Leyuan on the phone. The person on the other end seemed to be a girl, and You Leyuan was talking about her boyfriend Lin Shan.

“I’m having a hotpot with Lin Shan outside. Hah, of course, I don’t really like Lin Shan anymore, he’s like a wooden block—you can say three or five things and he might not even respond once. If I wasn’t interested in his connection to Xiyou, I wouldn’t even bother with him… Yeah, I just think having a boyfriend who can street dance is cool. Didn’t you see it last time? That Teng Yi’s girlfriend in our class, she acts all proud just because her boyfriend can dance well like she’s so special, hmph…”

When Chen Manbai heard You Leyuan talking about Ruan Yu, she naturally wouldn’t let it slide. She let out an annoyed “Hey!” which startled You Leyuan so much she almost dropped her phone. When You Leyuan hung up and turned to see Chen Manbai, she immediately became angry. She accused Chen Manbai of eavesdropping, while Chen Manbai condemned her for talking behind people’s backs. Neither would back down, and they nearly came to blows if not for the restaurant staff’s timely intervention.

As they were arguing, Lin Shan, who had been in the main hall with You Leyuan, rushed over after hearing the commotion. Seeing Lin Shan, You Leyuan suddenly felt guilty. Afraid that Chen Manbai would repeat what she’d overheard, she quickly grabbed Lin Shan, intending to leave.

“Hey!” Chen Manbai caught up and grabbed Lin Shan’s arm.

Lin Shan stood there stunned, glancing at Chen Manbai’s hand, then at her face.

“Chen Manbai, what are you trying to do?” You Leyuan glared.

Chen Manbai ignored You Leyuan and looked at Lin Shan, softening her tone: “Hey, give me two minutes, I need to tell you something.”

“No! I forbid it!” You Leyuan shouted.

“Whatever you have to say, just say it here,” Lin Shan said coldly.

Chen Manbai looked at all the people present and smiled: “Are you sure?”

“Sure.”

“Alright, I’ll say it then.” Chen Manbai pointed at You Leyuan, and though the words were on the tip of her tongue, she decided to save Lin Shan some face. Instead, she stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear so only they could hear: “You Leyuan is playing you. She says she doesn’t like you at all. You should break up with her soon—if you keep dating her, you’ll be a real fool.”

After speaking, Chen Manbai suddenly clutched her stomach and ran toward the bathroom, shouting as she ran: “Damn, I’m about to burst! And I still have to deal with your drama!”

Everyone: “…”

Lin Shan stared at Chen Manbai’s retreating figure, silent for a moment.

You Leyuan’s eyes had reddened with anxiety.

“What did she tell you?”

Lin Shan didn’t answer, only said: “Let’s go.”

–_–

The pointless drama ended as abruptly as it had begun. Ruan Yu and the others returned to their private room to continue eating hotpot. When Chen Manbai returned from the bathroom, Jian Xiangxiang immediately pressed for details about what had happened. Chen Manbai described the entire incident in detail, including what You Leyuan had said.

“Wow, she’s one way to your face and another behind your back. Her character is questionable,” Jian Xiangxiang remarked.

“Yeah, it’s unlucky to be associated with her.”

After finishing the hotpot, the four friends walked back to their dormitory to digest.

When they reached the female dormitory entrance, they noticed a tall figure standing at the door.

It was Lin Shan.

Seeing them, Lin Shan walked over.

“Lin Shan, who are you looking for?” Ruan Yu asked.

Lin Shan looked at Chen Manbai.

Chen Manbai pointed at herself in surprise: “Me?”

Lin Shan nodded.

“What is it? Do you need something?”

“Thank you,” Lin Shan said.

“For what?”

He didn’t answer, just turned and left.

Lin Shan had broken up with You Leyuan—he had initiated it.

Earlier, he hadn’t known what had happened at the hotpot restaurant. After leaving, You Leyuan had been extremely nervous, seemingly waiting for him to question her, to get angry. But after walking for a long time without Lin Shan saying anything, You Leyuan suddenly cracked.

“What did Chen Manbai tell you?”

“Nothing,” Lin Shan said.

“Nothing? Who are you trying to fool?” You Leyuan suddenly pulled her arm away from Lin Shan’s. “Stop pretending, I know you’re angry! Fine! What she said was all true—I don’t like you at all, I was just using you to satisfy my vanity!”

Lin Shan hesitated for a few seconds, suddenly feeling hurt.

He had genuinely liked You Leyuan. Although he had initially resisted the blind date arranged by their fellow townspeople, after meeting You Leyuan, he had found her quite appealing. Her outgoing and lively personality perfectly complemented his quiet nature… After getting together, he had always been very accommodating, letting her do whatever she wanted, eat whatever she wanted. He had thought they would be good together, never expecting this outcome.

She didn’t like him, just used him.

She had confessed without any pressure. If You Leyuan hadn’t admitted it herself, he wouldn’t have dwelled on what Chen Manbai had whispered in his ear—he would have preferred to believe the person who had been by his side.

But she had admitted it.

“Then let’s break up.”

And so they broke up.

You Leyuan didn’t show any signs of heartbreak; instead, she seemed completely relieved.

Her attitude left Lin Shan feeling utterly cold, but at the same time grateful that he could cut his losses early. He didn’t dare imagine how deep he might have fallen into this relationship if it had continued.

So he felt he should thank Chen Manbai.

She had accelerated their breakup.

Chen Manbai, watching Lin Shan’s lonely retreating figure, felt a twinge of sympathy.

The pain of misplaced devotion in a relationship is something outsiders can’t understand. If both parties had truly been in love and things just didn’t work out, there wouldn’t be such regret. But for someone who had been purely used like him, the pain would likely be doubled.

“He must have meant to thank me, not being sarcastic, right?” Chen Manbai mumbled.

“Of course. Lin Shan isn’t the type who can speak in roundabout ways,” Ruan Yu answered.

“Suddenly I feel so cruel.”

“You did nothing wrong—you did a good thing.”

–_–

Chen Manbai had done a good thing, but it didn’t lead to a good outcome.

Two days later, posts maliciously slandering her flooded the school’s forum.

The poster vividly described how Chen Manbai did provocative livestreams online, showed off luxury brands and cosmetics bought with her high-value tips, and was kept by rich men, never returning to the dormitory at night.

As soon as the post appeared, it sparked heated discussion among gossip-loving students, instantly destroying Chen Manbai’s good reputation. Those girls who had secretly envied her all revealed their true nature.

“No wonder she’s always wearing Ci and Chanel, doesn’t look like a college student at all.”

“And La Mer, SK-II, practically celebrity level—if she’s not being kept by someone, her family must own a mine.”

“Hah, her family doesn’t own any mine, her parents are just ordinary workers.”

“The staying out all night is true too, heard she was warned by the dorm supervisor, and almost got disciplined.”

“…”

When a wall falls, everyone pushes; when a drum breaks, thousands strike.

Chen Manbai became the target of criticism, scrutinized by all kinds of gazes every day, making even going to class torture.

“Who could be so heartless?” Jian Xiangxiang argued with those anonymous accounts in the dormitory every day until she was nearly at her breaking point.

“Who else could it be? I don’t even need to think to know the answer—You Leyuan,” Chen Manbai clenched her fists angrily. “Get me my dragon-slaying knife, I’m going to kill her!”

“Manman, calm down.” Everyone held her back.

Even someone as strong as Chen Manbai couldn’t hold it together after enduring so many days.

She crouched down and burst into tears.

“What right do they have to say these things about me? What right? I work from dawn to dusk—when they’re playing, I’m streaming; when they’re sleeping, I’m still streaming! My face and lips are nearly ruined from trying on makeup! Who sees how much I put in? All my money is earned through my hard work! Am I not allowed to enjoy things? They deny all my efforts with just a keyboard stroke—what right do they have? What right do they have!”

Indeed, what right did they have? Just because she possessed things others couldn’t have at this age, she had to be maliciously judged.

The other three roommates frowned, feeling equally upset, but faced with the overwhelming slander online, they had no evidence and didn’t know what to do. They could only comfort each other, saying the truth would speak for itself, and time would prove everything.

However, after a week of escalation, there was a turning point.

The slanderous ID suddenly posted an apology statement on the forum, admitting to maliciously slandering Chen Manbai out of jealousy, expressing remorse, and formally apologizing while deleting the posts.

The reversal came so quickly that this roller-coaster development caught everyone by surprise.

Chen Manbai was also stunned.

Why did this happen? Who had helped her behind the scenes?

The answer soon surfaced.

Saturday night, when Chen Manbai returned from the studio, Lin Shan was waiting for her at the female dormitory entrance again.

“Waiting for me again?”

Lin Shan nodded.

“What do you want to say this time?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

This time Lin Shan didn’t walk away immediately.

“I’m sorry that my situation caused you to be affected like this.”

Chen Manbai understood—Lin Shan was referring to the malicious posts on the school forum.

“How do you know I was affected because of you? Maybe I am the kind of person they described.”

“You’re not.”

“You know?”

“I do.” His words were certain.

Chen Manbai suddenly smiled: “If you’re so good at reading people, how did you end up with You Leyuan before?”

“I was blind.”

Lin Shan had only truly understood You Leyuan’s character through this incident. Originally, he had always thought You Leyuan’s inner self was as pure as her appearance. When the forum incident happened, he had tried hard to believe in her, but when he questioned You Leyuan, she had admitted it straightforwardly.

She had said: “Yes, Lin Shan, I planned the whole thing. I hate Chen Manbai, hate her to death, I just don’t want her to have it easy! So what if I tell you? You have no evidence—who would believe you!”

You Leyuan hadn’t expected that Lin Shan, usually so guileless, would record her words on his phone.

When Lin Shan played back the recording in front of her, You Leyuan was dumbfounded.

She begged and cried for Lin Shan not to expose her, almost kneeling.

Lin Shan, being kind-hearted, didn’t make things difficult for You Leyuan or want to ruin her. He only proposed the solution of “deleting the posts and admitting wrongdoing.”

You Leyuan immediately agreed, hoping Lin Shan would delete the recording. Lin Shan didn’t agree—he told You Leyuan he would keep the recording until graduation, and if she continued to harm Chen Manbai during this time, he would make the recording public.

The matter was finally resolved, but Lin Shan still felt guilty. He felt he owed Chen Manbai an apology, so he sought her out again.

“Being blind once is okay, just keep your eyes open in the future, and don’t look for girlfriends in the garbage heap.”

“I will.”

After that, Lin Shan and Chen Manbai gradually became familiar with each other, developing into good friends.

Lin Shan admired Chen Manbai’s lively, cheerful nature, her kindness, sincerity, and thoughtfulness toward others. Chen Manbai understood Lin Shan too—she knew that despite appearing dull and quiet, he was quite wise. Of course, what she admired most was Lin Shan’s radiance on stage; his title as the “Street Dance Robot” wasn’t undeserved. When Lin Shan danced, his powerful presence wasn’t inferior to Teng Yi’s.

A man’s admiration rounded up, equals like.

A woman’s worship rounded up, also equals like.

Anyone could see that Lin Shan and Chen Manbai’s relationship had reached the stage of “more than friends, not yet lovers”—they just needed to break through that final thin barrier.

As Valentine’s Day approached, Jian Xiangxiang repeatedly brought up Chen Manbai in the dormitory, trying to match-make this pair.

“Manman, why don’t you go on a date with Brother Lin Shan on Valentine’s Day?”

Chen Manbai rolled her eyes: “Are you Lin Shan? Why are you worrying on his behalf?”

“I just worry that Brother Lin Shan might be too shy to ask!”

“Don’t mind me, just enjoy Valentine’s Day with your Zhou Xi.”

Jian Xiangxiang sighed: “Ah, don’t mention that jerk. He hasn’t been responding to my messages lately. I’ve decided to give him the cold shoulder—Valentine’s Day can go to hell!”

Xia Qiaofeng also sighed: “Single dogs have even less to look forward to on Valentine’s Day.”

After speaking, all three looked at Ruan Yu.

“Ruan’er, you’re the only hope left in our dorm. How are you and Teng Yi planning to spend Valentine’s Day?”

Ruan Yu’s face turned slightly red.

“We haven’t discussed it yet.”

“Ah, I envy Ruan’er the most, having such a considerate, gentle, and emotionally intelligent boyfriend like Teng Yi. I bet Teng Yi will prepare another surprise for Ruan’er.”