Chapter 96: Hasn

Xia Xi arrived late today because after class she first went to the professor's place to copy a document, failed to snag a seat near Xu Yanfeng, and ended up at the very back. With several people between them, she looked toward Xu Yanfeng in the front seat, opening her mouth to defend herself.

"I……"

Just as she uttered a single word, Xia Xi stopped, feeling it unnecessary.

That night she went to Huai Xi Bu Xing Jie, it was pouring rain, and she happened to run into Xu Yanfeng, catching a ride back to school with him. Could he not know whether she had actually gone to solicit sponsorship? Realizing this, Xia Xi crossed her arms, leaned back relaxed in her chair, and quietly watched Zhou Xiaoyu sling mud at her.

Having finished her complaint, Zhou Xiaoyu gave Xia Xi a dissatisfied glance, acting as if it were real.

Xia Xi licked her lips, unable to hold back a smile.

At this moment she finally understood why Zhou Xiaoyu had personally come to her for the form that day. If Zhou Xiaoyu had asked her to send it over WeChat, there would be a chat record, making it harder to slander her.

If the setting were appropriate, Xia Xi would really like to applaud her—what a quick mind, Zhou Department Head. Surely that rainy night she claimed to have secured sponsorship from eight shops, and the department head wanted to take credit, so she didn't let her send photos.

Seeing Xia Xi smile, Zhou Xiaoyu thought her very beautiful in a pure black off‑shoulder sweater that revealed one rounded snow‑white shoulder, with thin black straps, her long hair flowing down to cover part of her exposed skin, not feeling overt, the black‑white contrast giving a sense of sexiness and charm, yet Zhou Xiaoyu could not appreciate it; suddenly she felt a bit uneasy.

Why isn't Xia Xi panicking, nor explaining herself? This situation is wrong.

Zhou Xiaoyu turned to look at Xu Yanfeng, who also appeared calm, showing no joy or anger. In the past, if someone kept making excuses and failed to complete the department's assigned task, he would directly point it out and criticize; after three offenses he would order the person to quit the Student Union.

Having seen enough of her act, Xia Xi lowered her arms, propped her chin, and retorted, "Zhou Department Head, you say I did nothing—wasn't it you who got the sponsorship for Huai Xi Bu Xing Jie?"

Even without Xu Yanfeng's testimony, she could prove her innocence.

The words were already out; Zhou Xiaoyu could only reply, "Yes."

Xia Xi smiled all over, showing no trace of anger or resentment: "Shall we call in the managers of those few shops for a confrontation, asking whether they know you, Zhou Xiaoyu, or me, Xia Xi?"

The meeting room atmosphere froze; everyone present was sharp and soon grasped what had happened—Zhou Xiaoyu had taken credit for Xia Xi's work, then turned around and smeared her despite doing nothing.

Who could tolerate that?

Even the few members who usually got along well with Zhou Xiaoyu dared not speak up for her.

Zhou Xiaoyu's mind went blank—who would have thought Xia Xi would suggest confronting the shop owners? Things had progressed to this point, already beyond her control; she forced herself to counter Xia Xi: "You, you say go talk to the shop owners then go talk to them? Have you considered……"

"Zhou Xiaoyu." Xu Yanfeng spoke, not looking at her, flipping open the folder in his hand; the top sheet was the sponsorship list for the eight shops, not in Xia Xi's handwriting—apparently a copy Zhou Xiaoyu had made herself. "I give ordinary staff members three chances to make mistakes; as a department head, one should lead by example. If there's a next time, you don't deserve to remain department head."

Zhou Xiaoyu's face visibly paled, yet she refused to admit defeat and become a laughingstock: "Senior, you can't take Xia Xi's one‑side story as proof she's telling the truth. I got the sponsorship; I can confront the shop owners!"

Those shop owners are swamped—do you really think they'd be easy to summon? As long as she puts up enough bravado, she won't lose.

Xia Xi snorted: "Stubborn as a dead duck."

Zhou Xiaoyu's eyes reddened with resentment, her voice trembling: "Xia Xi, what have I ever done to you that you oppose me at every turn? I know you joined the Student Union just to chase Senior Xu; at the very least you should do your actual job."

Others had originally sided with Xia Xi, thinking her achievements had been stolen and she was innocent, but seeing Zhou Xiaoyu on the verge of tears, seemingly genuine, everyone wavered, unsure whom to believe.

Xia Xi thought, this person—if hard tactics don't work, she tries soft ones; is she bullying me because I won't cry?

"Senior, how long are you going to keep hiding it? You've seen it—if you don't help me prove it, I'll be branded a guilty party." Xia Xi stared straight at Xu Yanfeng and threatened, "If you don't care, believe it or not, I'll make you cry a river before long—bigger than her tears."

Finding those few shop owners to testify for her isn't hard; she kept contact info for future convenience, but she deliberately wanted to drag Xu Yanfeng, the Student Union Chair who sits firmly on the high platform, into this.

Xu Yanfeng: "……"

Zhou Xiaoyu, lost in her own self‑written, self‑directed drama, heard this and for a moment forgot to act, her expression frozen, dumbfounded, not knowing whom to look at.

Xu Yanfeng, upholding fairness and justice, clarified for Xia Xi: "That day Xia Xi was soliciting sponsorship on Huai Xi Bu Xing Jie, happened to run into me, she didn't lie, and only got back to school after nine." Xia Xi was extremely pleased, beaming at Xu Yanfeng, and added, "Thanks for the ride back to school, Senior."

Xu Yanfeng: "……"

Gossip flared among the crowd—what's going on? Isn't Xu Yanfeng supposed to avoid Xia Xi at all costs? Giving her a ride back to school? When did their relationship become this close? Xia Xi, gleeful, asked Zhou Xiaoyu, "Zhou Department Head, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhou Xiaoyu had nothing to say; she couldn't even lift her head, the whole person embarrassed and helpless, wishing she could sprout wings and flee.

The final resolution was that Xu Yanfeng removed Zhou Xiaoyu from her department head post. Although Xia Xi had performed excellently in this event, being a newcomer, making her department head wouldn't convince everyone, so Xu Yanfeng appointed a senior male student as head of the External Relations Department.

Zhou Xiaoyu was the first person ever to be stripped of her department head position, losing face to the point of going to her grandmother's house; as soon as the meeting ended she left.

On the contrary, Xia Xi felt elated, trailing behind Xu Yanfeng while repeatedly thanking him: "Senior, thank you so much today—how about I treat you to a late‑night snack?"

Xu Yanfeng, as always, remained cold toward her, taking swift, long strides to shake her off: "No need."

Xia Xi sighed: "Every time I chase you, I feel we're acting out Journey to the West, a female demon pursuing the monk Tang Sanzang. You're not a monk who can't break his vows—why are you running? Could it be you really are a monk, afraid that one more glance will stir your heart? Otherwise I can't think of any other reason."

Xu Yanfeng was truly afraid of her; he suddenly stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and deliberately spoke harshly, hoping she'd take the hint and back off: "Xia Xi, hasn't anyone ever told you your skin is too thick?"

Xia Xi braked in time, avoiding a repeat of last time's collision with his back.

She stepped around to stand before him, looking up at his beautiful eyes.

She remained silent for a while; Xu Yanfeng privately thought he'd achieved the desired effect—few girls could endure a guy they like telling them their skin is too thick.

But he forgot, Xia Xi has never been an ordinary person.

"Nobody's ever said that to me—you're the first."

Xu Yanfeng's heart sank; he couldn't help reflecting whether he'd been too cruel, only to see Xia Xi blink a few times, then ask seriously, "Do you prefer girls with thin skin, the type that blushes at the drop of a hat? Though it's a bit hard for me, I fear no difficulty—I'll try, striving to cultivate my skin thin as soon as possible."

Xu Yanfeng: "……"

He felt as if he'd punched cotton.

Xia Xi: "Why aren't you speaking?"

*The Debate Competition concluded successfully, Xia Xi received a set of exquisite merchandise, her Student Union work wrapped up, and her life temporarily returned to normal—attending class, doing homework, playing ball.

Time flew by; only a few days left in October.

This month's final Sunday, Xu Yanfeng made plans with a few childhood friends to play golf together. He set out from school carrying only a black sports bag.

As they left the dorm, Chen Mian was sitting on the bed playing a game, shouting "Let's team fight, one wave after another!" He glanced down, saw Xu Yanfeng dressed to go out, and casually asked, "Hey Yanfeng, where are you headed?"

Xu Yanfeng hooked his fingers on the car keys and answered just as casually, "The weather's fine, good for outdoor sports—heading to Fengye Lake to play golf."

"Oh."

The rest of Chen Mian's questions were few, lest they raise suspicion.

After Xu Yanfeng left, not long later Chen Mian finished a game, switched to Tieba, and sent Xia Xi a private message.

cmbay11: "Xia Xi junior, reliable intel—Xu Yanfeng went to the Fengye Lake International Golf Course in the southern suburbs to play ball. No thanks needed!"

"Xu Er, if you manage to get a wife, you owe Chen Mian a kowtow!" (End of chapter)