Chapter 20: Two Sides
The autumn wind rose abruptly, and the cicadas on campus no longer had the energy to chirp loudly. Occasionally, a few short, mournful cries were swept away by the wind, vanishing into the earth.
Ruan Yu sat beside Teng Yi, listening as he spoke about his mother and his younger brother. For a fleeting moment, the illusion was so vivid that she almost believed they had been old friends for years.
Teng Yi’s intention was clear—he wanted to tell her that Teng Hao wasn’t a bad person, just a child starved for love.
In this roundabout way, he was apologizing on his brother’s behalf.
This young man with dreadlocks looked like someone who should be rebellious and untamed, yet for some reason, he exuded a gentleness that seeped deep into one’s bones.
There was an indescribable duality to him. She knew that no matter which side one examined, both were equally fatal temptations.
"Ruan Ruan?"
Jian Xiangxiang’s voice came from behind.
Ruan Yu abruptly stood up, trying to distance herself from the image of sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Teng Yi, but the move only made her intentions more obvious.
"Ruan Ruan, what are you doing here?" Jian Xiangxiang circled around to face them, and the slight frown on her brow instantly smoothed away the moment she saw Teng Yi. "Teng Yi!"
Teng Yi also stood up.
"I’m Jian Xiangxiang—do you remember me? That night..."
"I remember." Teng Yi gave her a polite smile. "Xi He’s girlfriend."
"Right, you do remember me!" Jian Xiangxiang lowered her head shyly for a few seconds before suddenly recalling something and eyeing them suspiciously. "Why are you two together?"
Seeing no way to hide it—and unwilling to brush Jian Xiangxiang off in front of Teng Yi—Ruan Yu simply explained that she was working as a tutor for the Teng family.
"Oh, so that’s how it is!" Jian Xiangxiang threw an arm around Ruan Yu’s shoulders and began praising her to Teng Yi as if she were promoting a product. "Our Ruan Ruan was last year’s top scorer in the college entrance exams! In our department, her grades are legendary—basically first place every time. You’ve definitely found the right person to tutor you."
Teng Yi played along, giving an approving thumbs-up.
"And also—"
"Alright, that’s enough." Ruan Yu gently nudged Jian Xiangxiang. Though everything she said was true, her exaggerated tone was unbearably awkward. "Let’s go upstairs."
"Already? Don’t mind me—keep talking! I’ll head up first."
"We’re done talking."
Ruan Yu glanced at Teng Yi, nodding slightly at him before steering Jian Xiangxiang toward the dormitory entrance. Jian Xiangxiang tried to say more, but Ruan Yu pushed her straight through the doors of the girls’ dorm.
Teng Yi remained standing where he was. Ruan Yu could feel his gaze following her, but she didn’t turn back.
Not long after going upstairs, Shen Bing called.
Perhaps because Ruan Yu hadn’t clearly stated her stance earlier, Teng Yi felt the matter wasn’t fully resolved, so he had Shen Bing step in. Shen Bing apologized and expressed hope that Ruan Yu would continue tutoring Teng Hao, putting the past behind them.
After much deliberation, Ruan Yu ultimately agreed.
Teng Hao had been wrong, but there were reasons behind his actions. Moreover, Teng Yi and Shen Bing had been so sincere—it would have been unkind to refuse. Most importantly, she needed the part-time job. She needed the money.
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