Standing Up

After the New Year, the start of term at B University was a few days earlier than most schools.

Jian Yixun didn’t really want to return so soon and wished he could stay home a few more days with Xu Shuche.

On the morning they were leaving, Jian Yixun’s grandmother came out to see them off.

She was a lively and spirited old lady.

When Xu Shuche saw her for the first time, he was shocked.

She was the same old woman who had given him a candy the day he and Jian Yixun had argued.

No one could have expected such a coincidence.

The Samoyed seemed to remember him too, constantly circling around him, wagging its tail like a blooming flower.

Xu Shuche hadn’t cared much for animals before, but now he thought having a dog might actually be nice.

“Study hard at school and don’t cause trouble everywhere.”

Grandma stood at the door holding the dog’s leash.

The dog’s soft ears bounced as it kept circling Xu Shuche.

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

Jian Yixun patted his grandmother’s shoulder casually.

“Take care of yourself too, okay?”

After speaking to him, the old lady turned to Xu Shuche and quietly stuffed a handful of candy into his hand.

Xu Shuche’s gaze flickered as he looked at her.

She simply pressed her lips together and winked at him.

Jian Yixun didn’t understand their silent exchange and kept asking along the way,

“What does giving you candy mean? Why does it feel like you two have some secret code?”

Xu Shuche thought about telling him what had happened that day after their argument.

But after a moment, he decided against it.

Their relationship was good now, and he didn’t want to bring up unpleasant memories.

After returning to school, Jian Yixun was immediately approached by a junior from the publicity department.

She looked apologetic.

“Senior, about the sponsorship…”

“Why is he making things difficult for you?” Jian Yixun asked directly.

“What does he think he is?”

The junior hesitated.

“We need to coordinate with the external affairs department, but they won’t approve our proposal…”

“Can you think of a way to make them loosen up?”

Jian Yixun sneered inwardly.

It was probably that idiot Qu Chao causing trouble again.

“It’s fine,” he said reassuringly.

“If the sponsorship falls through, I’ll find someone else to cover it.”

“Just do your work and don’t worry.”

After sending her off, he texted Xu Shuche.

“Senior, is Qu Chao in the lab?”

At that moment, Xu Shuche was in the lab reviewing documents with his teammates.

Their project was almost finished, but some translations still needed confirmation.

Just as Xu Shuche started reading, the lab door was pushed open.

Qu Chao walked in loudly with his group, chatting and laughing, drowning out everyone else’s voices.

Feng Zhou frowned slightly.

Qu Chao, though from the English department, was known across campus for his arrogance and flattery.

Some people enjoyed his compliments, but most found him annoying—especially his constant noise.

“He’s here again…”

Sui Xiang muttered quietly.

“He’s everywhere. So annoying.”

“Keep your voice down,” another teammate warned.

“He might retaliate.”

“Retaliate?”

Xu Shuche’s eyes shifted.

“What has he done?”

“He claims he has connections and gets people to block activity approvals.”

Sui Xiang whispered.

“He’s just abusing his position.”

“Xu Shuche.”

A voice suddenly rang out beside him.

“How’s your group’s progress?”

Xu Shuche raised his eyes calmly.

“The supervisor said we shouldn’t inquire too much about each other’s progress.”

“Did they?”

Qu Chao smiled mockingly.

“Maybe I forgot.”

“Senior Qu, the lab requires silence.”

Sui Xiang interrupted him.

“If you have nothing else to do, please don’t disturb us.”

Qu Chao laughed.

“Which department are you from? No respect for seniors?”

Sui Xiang was about to respond, but Xu Shuche tugged his sleeve.

There was no need to argue.

People like Qu Chao thrived on attention.

Ignoring them was the best response.

Seeing no one reacting, Qu Chao became annoyed.

He turned and told his group to start working there.

“This lab is shared anyway.”

“This is our reserved room.”

Xu Shuche finally spoke, his tone firm.

“Senior Qu, don’t go too far.”

In truth, their work was almost done.

They didn’t need to escalate things.

Xu Shuche rubbed his temples, feeling uncomfortable from the noise.

But Qu Chao, seeing no resistance, became even more arrogant.

Just as he was about to push further, the door opened again.

Jian Yixun walked in with several basketball team members, their expressions cold.

Xu Shuche subtly moved the documents on the table aside.

“Qu Chao, don’t push it.”

Jian Yixun’s voice was low.

“Who gave you the right to block the sponsorship contract?”

“I didn’t block anything,” Qu Chao sneered.

“She just isn’t capable enough.”

The junior behind them was so angry she couldn’t speak.

“You have an issue with me, so you take it out on others?”

Jian Yixun said.

“Come at me if you have the guts.”

No one else dared to speak.

Qu Chao smirked, about to respond—

But a cold voice interrupted.

“How long are you going to keep this up?”

Jian Yixun paused.

Xu Shuche looked up, his usually gentle gaze now sharp.

Qu Chao forced a laugh.

“What’s wrong, former roommate?”

“You think having family connections with faculty means you can act however you want?”

Everyone was stunned.

They hadn’t expected this.

Qu Chao’s face turned red.

“You’re slandering me!”

“You told me this yourself when we first started.”

Xu Shuche calmly took out his phone and placed it on the table.

“I don’t delete chat records.”

Qu Chao instinctively stepped forward, as if wanting to grab it.

The room fell silent.

“And what about the paper you borrowed from me?”

Xu Shuche continued quietly.

“I saw my work dismantled and merged into your submission.”

“Am I wrong?”

His soft voice felt heavy like a hammer.

“Do you know how many people are waiting for someone to expose you?”

Xu Shuche had plenty of evidence.

Qu Chao had once bragged about his connections, unknowingly revealing too much.

As for that paper, Xu Shuche had simply changed research directions—

And Qu Chao took advantage of it.

In the end, it wasn’t that Xu Shuche had carefully kept evidence.

Qu Chao had simply left too many flaws.

Qu Chao’s face flushed as all his arrogance disappeared.

With a loud bang, he slammed the door and left.

The room erupted into whispers.

Xu Shuche sat down calmly.

“No issues with the document. Export it.”

As if nothing had happened.

Jian Yixun stood there, stunned.

Only when someone tugged his arm did he snap out of it.

His heartbeat was racing uncontrollably, pounding against his chest.