The scene in the guesthouse cafeteria quickly became known to everyone.

Those attending the symposium now had different perspectives. Some thought that given Xia Xiaolan’s young age, her invitation was likely due to Ning Yanfan’s favoritism. Even so, in a society built on relationships, who didn’t have relatives or juniors they wanted to help advance?

Using connections wasn’t forbidden—some could overlook it for Ning Yanfan’s sake, while others couldn’t. At such times, one could endure a few sarcastic remarks, treating them as “guidance” from seniors, and it would pass.

But Xia Xiaolan refused to endure even a single word, retaliating against Nie Weiguo right there in the cafeteria.

Her words had struck a nerve with Nie Weiguo. Everyone knew what Dean Nie cared about most was his admission to Huaqing’s Architecture Department as a worker-peasant-soldier student. Dean Nie often asked people in recent years, how could he be blamed for his good class background. If the national college entrance exams hadn’t been suspended then, he could have easily tested into Huaqing’s Architecture Department.

Whenever people mentioned worker-peasant-soldier students graduating from Huaqing, outsiders assumed their educational foundation was weak. Nie Weiguo repeatedly emphasized that he both benefited from the worker-peasant-soldier student recommendation policy and was disadvantaged by the suspension of college entrance exams!

“How could Nie Weiguo tolerate her words? She’s in for it now.”

“Young people are like that—can’t take any criticism. Back when we first graduated, we were delighted if seniors bothered to scold us, thinking they saw potential in us…”

Indeed.

When middle-aged and elderly people gathered to reminisce about their youth, they all had similar experiences.

Nobody’s current position came out of nowhere—it was earned through years of hard work.

Others had opposite views:

“Nie Weiguo hasn’t even cleaned up his mess, if he dared challenge Professor Ning’s decisions, I’d respect his straightforwardness. But picking on a young girl is quite shameful!”

“Right, they’re all from Huaqing. I’ve heard of internal conflicts, but they usually stick together in public.”

“Nie Weiguo isn’t a good person, I heard that privately… What’s that girl’s name? She said it well—since when could Nie Weiguo represent Huaqing University? Did he ask the principal? Hahaha!”

Different viewpoints, but similar conclusions.

While she might have won the war of words now, the symposium would last three days, and Nie Weiguo would surely find opportunities to challenge her.

At that time, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t be able to muddle through so easily.

Even if Professor Ning protected her during the symposium, could he protect her forever?

Unable to vent his anger, Nie Weiguo would surely pursue and attack Xia Xiaolan… She was just an undergraduate architecture student, while Nie Weiguo had become a deputy director of a design institute and joined the Chinese Architecture Association. How easy would it be for him to cause trouble for an ungraduated architecture student?

Ah, Professor Ning was too hasty. Even if young people showed some talent, there was no need to push them forward so quickly.

Wasn’t there an old Chinese saying, “The tallest tree catches the most wind,” that spoke to exactly this situation?

Some love to nurture juniors, while others resent seeing young people advance too quickly—such is the complexity of human nature!

Both perspectives reached Ning Yanfan’s ears.

Xu Yuejin was exasperated:

“I gave her notes to study in her room, why did she even go to the cafeteria? That despicable Nie Weiguo deliberately provoked her to make her say disrespectful things about seniors in public… and she fell for it!”

Mainstream Chinese society believed that when seniors spoke, even if wrong, one should just listen.

Accept valid criticism, and work harder where there is none.

It was unacceptable for newcomers to talk back—being too sharp would antagonize most people.

Talented newcomers should remain humble.

Like Junior Sister Ning Xue—people had criticized and questioned her too, but with her cold temperament, she let criticism pass without taking it to heart, completely ignoring it.

Ning Yanfan shook his head, “When a dog wants to bite, some people avoid it, while others grab a stick and strike first!”

“But what stick does Xia Xiaolan have? She’s just relying on your special invitation, knowing you’ll handle this, so she’s not afraid of Nie Weiguo. How dare she confront him in front of everyone in the cafeteria?”

Xu Yuejin’s words echoed most people’s thoughts.

While Ning Yanfan could protect Xia Xiaolan at this symposium, as he was also Nie Weiguo’s target.

But would Ning Yanfan always protect her?

Xu Yuejin thought Xia Xiaolan was too impulsive.

Ning Xue had a different opinion:

“Senior Xu, I think she never planned to rely on Grandfather’s help. Whether Grandfather backs her or not, she wouldn’t back down from Nie Weiguo.”

This was Xia Xiaolan’s survival attitude.

She had always been fighting, never stopping.

Like her conflict with Ji Ya—when Ji Ya refused to apologize and the Ji family offered alternative compensation, Xia Xiaolan refused. She didn’t use the Zhou family or Mayor Tang’s pressure either, instead making some kind of “bet” with Ji Ya, determined to make the Ji family submit through her abilities.

That’s just who Xia Xiaolan was.

Seemingly fearless, usually glib—people who didn’t know her might think she was shameless.

But in reality?

Her pride ran deep!

After being classmates for a year and experiencing so much, Ning Xue finally understood what kind of person Xia Xiaolan was.

Xu Yuejin had only known Xia Xiaolan for a few days and was skeptical of Ning Xue’s words:

“Anyway, what Xia Xiaolan did wasn’t smart.”

At eight-thirty in the morning, as Xia Xiaolan prepared to leave for Jiangcheng University, Liu Fen hesitated to speak.

Xia Xiaolan considered for a moment, “Would you prefer to wait at the guesthouse or come to the venue? Jiangcheng University’s cherry blossoms are beautiful, though unfortunately it’s late July and we missed them. If you’d be bored at the guesthouse, you could come to tour the university—the symposium lasts three days!”

Liu Fen worried about Nie Weiguo.

That man seemed narrow-minded and wouldn’t easily let Xiaolan off.

“Ah, Mom can’t help you much, these people are too… I’ll go to Jiangcheng University with you!”

Liu Fen didn’t finish her thought.

Close contact had shown her that not all educated people were good.

Like Ji Ya, reportedly from an educational family—Liu Fen felt Ji Ya looked down on ordinary people, was arrogant, and very difficult to get along with.

This Nie Weiguo was similar—what harm was Xiaolan doing by studying notes in the cafeteria? Yet he had to make sarcastic remarks.

Gong Yang also wondered why Director Xia, usually so diplomatic, would directly confront Nie Weiguo.

Xia Xiaolan saw through his confusion:

“Are you wondering why I’m taking this seriously, why instead of saying some placating words to appease Nie Weiguo, I chose to provoke him in public?”