Chapter 104: Peril Upon Peril

Zhou Feng and Bai Xinya, after hearing Director Wang's words, all looked at Su Ruo with some surprise; they do not know Su Ruo's family situation, but they can be sure that Su Ruo is definitely not the person Director Wang described.

So Zhou Feng immediately said, "Director Wang's statements must be based on evidence, not on hearsay and repeating others; I don't know these matters, where you investigated them from, but I can be certain that this is definitely not the factual truth."

"Comrade Su Ruo went to the countryside in Qingshan Town of Black Province, and I happen to be serving in the county there; the deeds she performed after going to the countryside, her character, are evident to every resident of Qingshan Town."

In the first month after Comrade Su Ruo went to the countryside, Qingshan Town suffered a mudslide due to continuous heavy rain.

Upon learning of it, Comrade Su Ruo immediately disregarded danger and was the first to rush to the front lines to assist in rescue; after half a month of sleepless effort, she used her medical skills to treat the wounded and even pulled several critically injured patients out of Death God's grasp.

Later, she also adopted an orphan who had lost her parents in the disaster; although she was only in her teens, she treated the girl as her own daughter, caring for her in every detail.

When the county learned of her deeds, it prepared to reward her, but Comrade Su Ruo voluntarily declined, took a position at the county hospital, and chose to stay in the countryside as a Village Doctor.

Within a year, she treated hundreds of villagers, sparing them the suffering of illness.

I don't know where you, Director Wang, heard those words, but you claim that such a person, who treats strangers with such selfless dedication and a kind heart, is selfish and indifferent, caring only for personal gain and ignoring the lives of relatives; not only do I not believe it, but no resident of Qingshan Town would either.

Zhou Feng's thunderous words made Director Wang's heart skip a beat; in fact, the things he just said were told to him by the other side, without any investigation or evidence, and saying them was merely to stall Su Ruo and the others.

Yet Zhou Feng's words were logical and well‑founded; Director Wang knows that, given Zhou Feng's position, he would never lie about matters that can be easily verified.

But if everything Zhou Feng said is true, then Su Ruo not only has no moral issues, but is worthy of everyone's praise and emulation; if they arbitrarily reject such an outstanding student, how would people talk about it and how would they view their school?

Director Wang broke out in fine beads of sweat; he had thought Su Ruo was just a student without any foundation, and that if their school rejected her, it could simply find an excuse and be done with it.

Yet he did not expect Su Ruo to be so outstanding; the excuse he found could not hold up, and the situation became tricky; Director Wang wanted to back down, but recalling what that person said, he hesitated again.

After an intense inner struggle, Director Wang gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Zhou, I will investigate what you said, but I'm sorry—until the factual truth is clarified, I cannot issue an admission letter to student Su Ruo."

Zhou Feng and Su Ruo almost immediately understood that Director Wang's words were meant to stall.

Because if they delay until after school starts, once the dust settles, even if the truth is uncovered, a misunderstanding can turn a big issue into a small one, and Su Ruo will still be unable to enroll.

The forces behind those who plotted against Su Ruo are truly powerful, capable of bringing Jingda to this point.

Bai Xinya immediately, in a fit of anger, tried to speak, but Zhou Feng stopped her; he stood up with a solemn expression and said:

"Director Wang, there's something you probably don't know: Su Ruo is not only the county's disaster‑relief hero, but also an Advanced Female personally commended by provincial leaders, and even the provincial newspaper has interviewed her personally."

Zhou Feng briefly recounted how Su Ruo was bullied by petty thugs, bravely fought against darkness, evil, power, and force, and ultimately, during the provincial newspaper interview, voiced the plight of the victimized women.

Director Wang was even more shocked; he hadn't expected that someone as young as Su Ruo could possess such insight and courage.

Su Ruo listened quietly all along, because she knew that these words coming from Zhou Feng carried far more weight than if she said them herself.

At this moment it was Su Ruo's turn to speak; she stood up, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Director Wang, although I don't know why you repeatedly block my enrollment,

but if you think I'm just a helpless, trampled little grass, then you are wrong.

Because what you are bullying now is not a grass blade but a tree—a tree that, even after weathering storms, still stands tall and unyielding.

Although, in your eyes, I may still appear very weak, I tell you that one day I will grow into a towering tree.

As for those who bully me, I will never let them go; even if I am not yet strong enough to match them, I will, even if I have to exhaust all my strength, make them pay."

Director Wang's heart thumped dramatically; looking at Su Ruo, if she were his student, he would be proud. He believes that with such character and perseverance, Su Ruo will, in time, grow into a towering tree.

Su Ruo: "Although getting into Jingda has always been my dream, it is not the only path I can choose; S University is also fine. I believe that with my grades, if I work hard another year, I can definitely get in. Even if S University doesn't work out, there are many good universities nationwide; I don't believe that person can truly 'cover the sky with one hand' and block my education."

As for what your school does, if another reporter interviews, I will tell the truth; then I hope Director Wang can repeat today's words to the wider public, though I don't know if anyone will believe it.

At this moment, Zhou Feng also spoke up: "Director Wang, the whole nation is watching this examination.

If at this moment your school erupts in a scandal of covert manipulation, I'm afraid even your school's centuries‑old reputation would be affected, and no one can bear that cost!

Director Wang, I want you to know that Su Ruo is not a helpless orphan; she is the godmother of my daughter, the lifesaver of my wife, and also a benefactor of both the Zhou and Bai families; we will never stand by while a benefactor is insulted without doing anything.

Bai Xinya also nodded firmly beside them, indicating her resolute support for Su Ruo.

Su Ruo looked at the two and felt warmth in her heart; if Zhou Feng and the others hadn't helped today, she would never have seen Director Wang, let alone fight for justice, and might have been forced to swallow this silent loss, so she is truly grateful to Zhou Feng and Bai Xinya.

Director Wang was now completely flustered; as the admissions director and a teacher, watching Su Ruo, such an excellent student, be taken by another school would hurt him more than a heart being torn out.

Moreover, Zhou Feng was plainly telling him that Su Ruo is someone the Zhou and Bai families must protect! He should weigh his actions carefully before proceeding.

If he still insists on refusing Su Ruo's admission, the matter cannot be suppressed, and once exposed, the consequences would be unbearable for him.

Director Wang's cold sweat on his forehead increased; thinking of that person behind, and looking at Zhou Feng and Bai Xinya—both like towering Buddhas—he couldn't afford to offend either one.

After a long while, Director Wang finally spoke with difficulty: "Don't worry; there may be some misunderstanding in this matter; I will discuss it with the superiors again."

After speaking, Director Wang hurried away; Bai Xinya grabbed Su Ruo's hand and said, "Don't worry, we will definitely fight for your justice and will never let you suffer in vain."

Su Ruo smiled and replied, "I'm not worried; I do my part and leave the rest to fate. I've already worked hard, and even if it still doesn't work out, I have no regrets."

"Where there's no place for a grandparent, there will be one elsewhere; moreover, with my ability, even without a university degree I can live a lifetime without worry for food and drink."

Bai Xinya was amused by Su Ruo's positive attitude, and gradually relaxed; indeed, attending university is important, but not the most important thing—perhaps the most important thing in life is simply to be alive, because only while alive are there countless possibilities, and death leaves nothing.

This simple truth, Bai Xinya had never understood; she truly appreciates Su Ruo for teaching her all this, and is grateful that, in the darkest moment of her life, she met Su Ruo, preventing her from going to extremes.

Zhou Feng said Su Ruo saved her life, and that statement is absolutely correct; Su Ruo not only saved her life but also gave her hope and courage to keep living.

Regarding Su Ruo, Bai Xinya feels heartfelt gratitude, so she is willing to give her all to help Su Ruo.

This time Director Wang's absence lasted longer than before; when he returned, his complexion was even worse, but he brought Su Ruo's admission letter and apologized to her, saying everything was a misunderstanding.

Su Ruo couldn't help but sigh in relief; regardless, she succeeded.

In the end, Director Wang, by currying favor with that person and protecting his own position, chose to safeguard himself, which also proved to Su Ruo that, although that person is powerful, he is not invincible.

Now that Su Ruo's goal has been achieved, there was no further comment; after all, she still has to study here, and making things too tense is undesirable, especially since Director Wang is merely acting on others' instructions.

The few exchanged a few polite words, and Zhou Feng said, "Su Ruo, once at school, will need to trouble Director Wang for more care."

Director Wang nodded firmly, promising that from now on at the school he will definitely take good care of Su Ruo, and that if she has any trouble she should come to him; the group then departed.

After they left Jingda, Su Ruo and the others showed no sign of improvement on their faces; if Su Ruo's deeds hadn't been so dazzling, causing Director Wang to feel uneasy, even Zhou Feng wouldn't have dared to say that they could obtain the admission letter smoothly today.

Zhou Feng said with some worry, "Although we have successfully obtained the admission letter this time, once you go to study in Kyoto, there will inevitably be many more troubles."

Bai Xinya's complexion turned pale; she thought of what those people had done and felt that Su Ruo and An'an returning to Kyoto would be like a lamb entering a tiger's mouth, and it would be safer to stay in Qingshan Town.

Su Ruo, aware of her worry, comforted, "Avoidance won't solve the problem; if the other side intends to scheme, even if we keep hiding we aren't safe. Only by becoming strong ourselves can we fully resolve the issue."

Moreover, I will not forever let the other side bully me without retaliation; since those people so strongly oppose my attending school, I will still go against them.