Chapter 63: Former Traveling Companions Become Strangers

  "Classmates, pay attention! I'd like to reiterate the key points for tomorrow's defense. Be sure to pay attention to the opening and closing remarks' etiquette; during the defense, remain calm and composed, speak loudly and accurately, and especially emphasize not having a local accent, you must speak Mandarin... When answering questions, respond carefully, answer or explain with confidence when you're certain, and provide reasons; for uncertain questions, don't argue, just answer truthfully, and be humble in your attitude... You must prepare psychologically, overcome stage fright, they are all our school's lecturers and professors, no need to be nervous. Also, think carefully about the issues involved in the topic selection, take notes if necessary, organize them into a speech outline, and use it during the defense. This way, you'll be fully prepared and won't panic at the last minute."

  Ren Qun stood on the podium, carefully listing a large number of things. This was her first graduating class that needed to defend their papers, and for Luan Institute, which had been upgraded from a normal college to an undergraduate university, this kind of organized defense was only in its third year. She had already spoken many times about the experience she could teach and the details she could discuss. Looking at the students in the whole class, they were all grown up, but still not impressive.

  The girls were chattering away, looking tense and anxious. Either they were asking irrelevant questions or a few of them were huddled together, completely ignoring the teacher's lecture. Among the boys, some were flipping through piles of papers, others were staring blankly with their cheeks propped up, and there were even those who were searching randomly for key points on their laptops. As it got closer to the deadline, the class became increasingly noisy and restless, unable to calm down.

  Walked a circle, looking at several empty seats, suddenly thought of something, went to the class monitor's front, asked in a low voice, the class monitor glanced around the whole class, whispered: "Hasn't come for two days."

  Those two were quite calm, but Ren Qun was also a bit unsettled, and asked again if the papers had been handed in, Class Monitor Ding Yizhi shook his head.

  Even more unprepared, and also a bit annoyed, she called out to the class monitor Wang Huating. Just after distributing the test questions, Wang Huating seemed to know what Teacher Ren was going to ask, so as soon as she walked out of the classroom door, she closed it behind her. Sure enough, Teacher Ren asked anxiously: "What about those three? Yizhi said they haven't come to class for two days?"

  Wang Hua nodded silently, Ren Qun was surprised and asked: "Do you know what's going on? Why didn't you even hand in your thesis. Writing badly is a matter of level, but not handing it back is an attitude problem."

  Wang Hua Ting shook her head again, and muttered to herself. She couldn't even get in touch with these three people. Moreover, after hearing the name Zuo Xiying, she didn't have any desire to contact Shan Yong at all.

  Although it's common for students in college to not see each other for three or five days, if they're nowhere to be found when the exam is about to start, that's just not right. Wang Huating thought of a plausible excuse and said: "It seems like they went to find Professor Kang together yesterday, Zhao Hui said he saw them."

  "What's the point of finding someone else? Besides, Professor Kang is so stubborn, can he buy their account? Geez." Ren Qun said, Associate Professor Kang Rui Bao teaches ancient Chinese in this department, and his personality is even more ancient than ancient Chinese. I guess these three will hit a snag, and with a depressed tone, he whispered to Wang Hua Ting: "Hurry up and find them, let them hand in their papers today, I'll try to negotiate with the department again, see if they can participate in the defense tomorrow. It's strange, what's going on this year? The more I don't see these three troublemakers, the more uneasy I feel..."

  Wang Hua Ting responded, entered the classroom and called Liu Cui Yun. The two quickly went down from the teaching building, while walking Wang Hua Ting asked: "Do you know where those three went? The class teacher asked to find them as soon as possible, today must hand in the paper, maybe can still strive for tomorrow's defense."

  "I asked...” Liu Cuicloud walked while holding her phone, spoke a few words, stopped, turned around and gave Wang Huating an annoyed answer: “He didn't tell me.”

  "Didn't Mo Xian tell you?" Wang Hua-ting asked in surprise. Liu Cuiyun nodded, and added, "But he said he'll be back this afternoon."

  At this, Wang Huating was so angry that her chest heaved with rage, feeling extremely stifled. She stood still for a long time, then shook her head and said, "Let's go, you don't believe me, can't find those few... Last time I went to the hospital, I recognized Lei Dapeng's mother, found one and three came out together. They must be hiding together to discuss some wicked plan."

  Out of the school gate, stopped a car and hurried away.

  ……………………

  ……………………

  Where are the three people?

  Not far away, in Lei Dapeng's home, the environment is quite good. On the fourth floor balcony, you can see the swaying tree shadows of the neighborhood and the distant streets. At this time, Dan Yong was holding a high-footed cup, gently shaking the red wine inside, closing his eyes to savor the light fragrance coming out of the cup. The aroma made him let out a soft moan. Lei Dad's expensive wine was indeed good stuff. He took a sip and stretched out his hand, and Lei Dapeng quickly picked up the bottle and poured some for Egg Brother.

  "Alright, don't drink too much red wine, a little sip is more flavorful." Dan Yong said, and then lay back in the rocking chair and started swinging again.

  This made Leida Peng's eyes dizzy, and not only his eyes were dizzy, but also his brain was a bit dizzy at this time. He said he would turn over the committee, but nothing was done, just staying in his own home and drinking several good bottles of wine from his father. Seeing Danyong drinking so comfortably, Leida Peng suspiciously asked: "Egg brother, do you have a plan or not? I've been treating you three for three days, are you cheating me?"

  A bit uncertain, previously being hanged up, either mom carrying things to send people or dad making random calls to find connections, first time relying on myself to solve problems, don't know if Egg Brother is reliable, treating guests doesn't hurt but the last paper defense going or not makes me a little nervous.

  Lei Dapeng looked so nervous, but Shan Yong said nonchalantly: "What are you tense about? We're using both courtesy and force, if that doesn't work, then the questioning committee will be finished too. We won't pass, nobody will pass."

  "Hmm, that's right... Still as a virgin, moving like pants are coming off, right?" Lei Dapeng thought of this and laughed, almost choking Shanyong with red wine. He turned back and shouted at Simu Xian: "Sour goods, is it done yet? You're killing me with your slowness!"

  "It's done, it's here." Simu Xian responded, coming out of Lei Dapeng's bedroom with a stack of papers. The two brothers sat down beside the low table on the balcony, sipping red wine and tasting fruit platters. This was the final confirmed time, Simu Xian had printed out the three-person thesis, but in addition to the thesis, there were also several other things that had been printed out. He handed them over to Shan Yong, who took a look and saw that it was something about Song Siying's transmission. He said lightly, "No need to show me, just five committee members, can't forget."

  However, it seems that Si Mu Xian still has some concerns, so he pulled out a cigarette and put it on the tea table, saying: "Boss, I won't ask you how to deal with them in detail, but I have to remind you of a few things. This one, Tian Xue Shan, is an associate professor, 42 years old. It's said that this person is a dark horse in our university, not someone who can be easily messed with."

  The printed photo resume was handed over, it was Song Siying's handwriting. The photo showed a big fat face that didn't look like a professor, but rather a master craftsman. However, this master craftsman shouldn't be underestimated. He had set up an art class affiliated with the Lu Institute, specifically recruiting high school students to take the art exam. This time, he was the vice chairman of the examination committee. Lei Dapeng took a glance at the resume and said disdainfully: "This pile of fat meat, hasn't even pressed down on many flower-like young girls yet, overthrowing *** is like upholding justice."

  Si Mu Xian smiled and didn't say much. The collapse of the teacher's morals was already somewhat public corruption, and everyone knew it in their hearts. They just wanted to say something different, but it wouldn't stand up.

  Shan Yong said: "No need to consider him, he looks the most difficult, but I think he is the easiest."

  Shan Yong waved his hand, no longer considering it, and it seemed that everything was already well-prepared. Si Mu Xian and Lei Da Peng exchanged a glance, and Egg Brother didn't say much about the details, only saying that this kind of person is the easiest to deal with, as he has too many weaknesses on his body. The two knew Egg Brother's level, so they didn't ask more questions.

  "Committee member number two, Guo Qishen, 44 years old, senior lecturer, his wife is from the English department, both of them work at our school. You're not unfamiliar with him either, Egg Brother, he taught your socialist construction course and you had a fight with him, he made you retake and relearn one course each."

  Si Mu Xian handed over another one, an old handsome guy's image, also a member of the answer committee. Shan Yong raised his eyelids and looked at it briefly before putting down his wine cup. Lei Da Peng was quite interested in this and asked directly: "Egg brother, didn't you say that day to create some family conflicts for Old Guo, let them quarrel and fight until they're covered in blood, so they can't come? What did you do?"

  "Hmm, ask Lao Bao about it later." Danyong didn't tell this to the loose-mouthed one, but pointed at Guo Qishen's photo and said: "This guy is a bit too arrogant, he and his wife opened a translation service agency together, using the school's resources to make money for themselves. Many people can't stand him. When he gets into trouble, only those who mock him will be left by his side."

  She was slightly stung, not by the fact itself, but by Song Yu's nonchalant attitude. Even Simu Xian didn't think that some things would be so easy to find out, such as searching for other people's secrets, what they liked, what their weaknesses were, and what leverage they had. Song Siying was indeed stronger than ordinary people, having dug up a large pile of information. He put down another photo, explaining: "This one is Liang Fengchuan, 38 years old, also a senior lecturer..."

  "Teach us how to write, mom's, hang me up, or it was my dad who sent a 1,000 yuan supermarket shopping card that let me pass."

  Lei Dapeng said, indignation filled his chest. The two brothers smiled and it turned out that this was the secret of Lei Dapeng's success in passing every exam. He must have sent a lot to the teacher. Simu Xian intercepted the conversation and said: "But this teacher doesn't have any leverage, not like Guo Qishen and Tian Xueshan who are so showy, just an ordinary teacher."

  "Since you've been to Da Peng, let Da Peng avenge his grievances and settle the score. How about it, Da Peng? Let your dad run another errand and send him some gifts. I'll discuss this with him later. This is clearly just the committee trying to make up numbers, can't even take care of himself, at critical moments he just says something and that's it." Dan Yong said, Lei Da Peng smiled and nodded in agreement, it seemed he knew what to do all along, but was pleased not to tell Si Mu Xian.

  "What's the point of this, it's still the same old routine, first give gifts then slap in the face." Si Mu Xian smiled slightly, but knew that these two brothers must be up to something again, and handed over another one, this time being serious, saying:

  "What's going on with Professor Kang? 51 years old, lives alone, has been a widower and never remarried. He is very conservative, as you know, and this person, even Song Siying couldn't find out what his hobbies or interests are, except for teaching and being at home revising a dictionary of classical Chinese characters. He's an old-fashioned intellectual."

  This is a difficult problem, Lei Dapeng bit his lip in distress. Yesterday, the three of them went to find Professor Kang, but unexpectedly bumped into him and he didn't need any reason. He flipped open the attendance sheet and asked Dan Yong and Lei Dapeng, "How many classes have you two attended?" One sentence made the two brothers stunned. Then it was "What can people like you do in society?" "If you don't follow the rules at school, once you leave the school gate, you'll be breaking the law!" "Don't think that taking some crooked path will work, other people may let you get away with it, but here, you two will never pass!"……and so on. The brothers were educated until they were covered in blood and left the office dejectedly.

  It's not that I don't argue or debate, it's just that I really don't have the kind of backbone to stand up straight and not be afraid of shadows. Other teachers are fine, but when you encounter this kind of stubborn old man who is impervious to reason, it's hard to say what will happen.

  Si Mu Xian and Lei Da Peng both looked at Shan Yong with inquiring eyes, Shan Yong sipped his red wine and said slowly: "This one, I've arranged for Ma San Yang to handle it, no need to consider him anymore."

  The words were forced, and Simu Xian was a bit worried, uneasily advising: "Boss, I don't mind others, but Professor Kang, we can't be too excessive."

  "Don't worry, we've always won people over with our virtue. Is that not the case, Big Peng?" Dan Yong said with a smile, his tone very thick.

  "Right, beating this guy up won't be fulfilling, and I'll still be looked down on by the brothers." Lei Dapeng was delighted, having understood Shan Yong since he was a kid. As soon as that expression came out, it's probably fine now.

  "That leaves the hardest part..."

  Xiaomu Xian put the last resume on the table, with Professor Song Chengyang's photo and name prominently displayed. He looked at his two brothers with a more serious expression.

  As soon as this name came up, even Lei Dapeng subconsciously shut his mouth. Professor Song's prestige was well-known to all, and even the most unscrupulous teachers, Shan Yong and Lei Dapeng, couldn't utter a single slanderous word about him. The thick stack of papers in front of them were all obtained by Song Siying through unofficial channels from the school archives. Shan Yong picked it up and roughly flipped through it - this was someone who had been teaching since before Liberation, with an age roughly equal to the sum of their own ages. He had been teaching for nearly half a century, and his classes were still vividly remembered by the brothers. He was a very kind old man, who loved to talk about "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Three Kingdoms", never discussing state affairs, a thorough scholar. Even Lei Dapeng enjoyed his classes. Of course, what shocked people the most was the old man's magnificent donation of his collection of rare books, which caused a stir in both the educational and cultural circles of the entire province.

  Like this kind of person who has no desires or demands, no matter how you don't understand, in the heart there is always a sense of admiration and even awe. When Dan Yong spoke, Si Mu Xian reminded him: "Boss, I have never admired anyone, in life, you are one; but in ideals, my idol is Professor Song, you can laugh at me for being sour or foolish, I won't change my opinion, nor will I agree with your views on him, let alone do anything, not even play a prank."

  The biggest divergence is right here, can this residual year's total not withstand a shock? Lei Dapeng looked at Shan Yong with difficulty, the answer committee was left with no way out, and this one was still in charge. After discussing for two days, there was still no conclusion, and after thinking of many methods, they were still unable to do anything about this person. Shan Yong put down his cup and looked at Si Mu Xian: "You insist that I don't oppose, but you insist that your paper should pass?"

  "Of course, I've written for over a year and revised it so many times that I can't even remember how many," said Simu Xian, this was indeed a painstaking effort.

  "That's good, the three of us can deal with this person. Weren't we supposed to hand in our papers? Fine, let's just submit them as is and give them to the chairman of the defense committee. Since he claims to be upright and honest, let's reason with him and see what he has to say for himself. If he can't come up with a good explanation, or if he's also being pressured by certain people in the school, then don't blame me for tearing off his mask of righteousness... Now it's clear that this is not just about the paper. At worst, we can just copy another one and pass. But if it's not about the paper, then no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to pass. So let's give this difficult problem back to him. He's the chairman, he should know the truth."

  "This is a good idea... Then, brother, you take care of it; let me pass and I'll be fine with anything; don't let me pass, and I'll argue with him. Compared to others, I'm not afraid of him, compared to being shameless, he's even more so." Leida Peng said with satisfaction.

  "He wants to be stubborn, then let him become a lone commander, see how he presides over the committee-less interrogation." Single Brave added fuel.

  "That's right, argue with him, infuriate him until he gets high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and hemiplegia. That's what he deserves." Lei Dapeng said viciously, this guy has no faith, either a brother or an enemy.

  Si Mu Xian thought for a moment and unexpectedly nodded his head. Perhaps this was the best touchstone for an idol.

  The three of them clinked their cups together, and the doorbell rang. The door downstairs responded to the sound, and Lei Dapeng was taken aback, looking at his watch to see that it wasn't even noon yet. He rushed to the door, opened it, and covered the receiver, saying: "Quickly, Party Flower and Emerald have arrived... I'm going to be in trouble, the news must have leaked out."

  "Lei Dapeng, open the door, I need to find you for something." Wang Huating shouted from outside the door.

  Those two made gestures and packed things up. Lei Dapeng spoke into the receiver: "We'll be right down."

  "What about Shan Yong and Si Mu Xian?" Wang Hua Ting asked.

  "Let's go down together and wait for a while." Lei Dapeng said.

  Si Mu Xian had a bag on his back, Dan Yong held a pile of materials collected over the past two days in his arms, and the three followed each other downstairs. As soon as they opened the unit door, Wang Hua Ting had a cold face, Liu Cui Yun stood behind Shi Shu with an embarrassed expression. When they met, Wang Hua Ting glared at the three of them with a bad attitude, saying: "Teacher Ren said that you must hand in your papers today, and maybe you can still get a chance to defend your thesis. Where did you three go? Da Peng, what's going on? Are you discussing something again? It's definitely not good."

  "Nothing much, just writing papers." Lei Dapeng said softly, glancing at the two brothers. Si Muxian also smiled and said: "We've finished writing, we're about to hand them in."

  "Yes, I was just about to head back, what brings you here?" asked Dan Yong.

  Unexpectedly, Wang Huating didn't respond to Dan Yong's words, rolled her eyes, and instead asked Lei Dapeng: "Where is the paper you wrote?"

  "Hey, are you trying to make me look bad? You know I can't write it." Lei Dapeng said with a blush. Originally full of anger, Wang Huating was amused again and asked what to do if she couldn't write it. Lei Dapeng hugged Simu Xian and said: "We have Xiao Mi, hehe."

  "Hurry back then, what's the point of staying here, aren't you going to graduate?"

  Wang Huating scolded the three of them, with a very commanding tone. She walked ahead, Liu Cuicui followed behind her, and the two guys in the back swayed from side to side, not looking like they were in any shape. Wang Huating was so angry that she had to reprimand them several times, barely holding it in. But just as they exited the residential area, something even more infuriating happened. A bright red Mini suddenly stopped at the entrance of the residential area, and a fashionably dressed head popped out of the window, smiling slyly at her and saying: "Hey, Chairman Wang, are you... meeting with Shaolei in secret?"

  Song Siying arrived, not knowing if it was a coincidence or an appointment. Wang Huating glanced back with a hint of annoyance and ignored her. Normally, she wouldn't say more than a few words, but unexpectedly Song Siying waved her hand and shouted: "Shan Yong, Mu Xian, come sit in my car! You're really lucky to have such a beautiful girlfriend!"

  Obviously it was that pot that didn't open the pot. Lei Dapeng rolled his eyes and snorted, "What's it to you? Mind your own business?"

  "Hey...... you're still shy, hehe, Dan Yong, Mu Xian, come on up."

  Song Siying teased Lei Dapeng, and then harassed Shan Yong and Si Muxian. Shan Yong didn't react much, but Wang Huating turned around and gave him a fierce stare, which made Shan Yong feel uneasy in an instant.

  In an instant, the warmth of Shouma Township flashed by, and the contrast with this cold gaze was so great that it made Dan Yong's heart cool down; in an instant, he saw her looking at him with such disdain and even disgust, his cooled heart almost froze into ice.

  At that moment, Dan Yong made a move that also chilled Wang Hua Ting's heart. He walked to the front of Song Siyun's car and sat down in the passenger seat with a swagger. Song Siyun had a triumphant smile on her face, laughing "heh heh". Wang Hua Ting didn't say a word, turned around and walked away, calling out to Lei Da Peng and Si Mu Xian: "Why don't you guys get in the beauty's car too?"

  It was quite embarrassing, Si Mu Xian naturally went with Liu Cuiyun, Lei Da Peng glanced at the car and secretly pointed at Wang Hua Ting, also following them. The four of them waited by the road to hail a taxi, but Song Si Yun accelerated quickly, shifting into low gear, and when passing by the group, released a burst of black smoke, then laughed loudly and sped away.

  As soon as they hit the road, Song Siying asked Danyong with a pretty good mood: "Hey, I feel like Wang Huating seems to have taken a liking to you?"

  "Nonsense, what's the point? He'd rather strangle me to death." Shuang Yong said disdainfully, covering up his own actions of looking at the back through the rearview mirror.

  "That's even more interesting. If it wasn't interesting to you, why would there be so much hatred?" Song Siying said, women are meticulous, and more flirtatious women are even more meticulous.

  "Does it matter if it's interesting? As soon as we leave the school gate, everyone will go their separate ways. Don't mention her, you might not even look at me straight," said Shan Yong, trying to suppress that beautiful memory deep in his heart. The environment was changing, people were changing, and upon returning to the city, Wang Huating also returned to her original high-and-mighty student council president demeanor, and that countryside feeling could no longer be found.

  "I don't disagree with what you said, but I'm not going to look at you straight in the eye. How about it? The others are fine, but what about Professor Song's place? Let me remind you, that old man is over 70 years old, and he's stubborn as can be. Even the principal has to give him some face, can't be too soft or too hard on him. I really can't think of a way out. And then there's Old Kang's place, we're at a loss." Song Siying said.

  "Let's take care of this, I have to get revenge openly and fairly."

  Shan Yongdao. A mysterious sentence, Song Siying looked at him sideways in surprise, and Shan Yong, who was deep in thought, had a somewhat upright and unapproachable air about him. Compared to his usual behavior, it made Song Siying burst out laughing again.

  The car sped along Huan Dong Road for several kilometers, slowed down, and the two of them conspired again for a long time. It wasn't until noon that they returned to school. This "shit basin" plan, which had been secretly planned for two days, quietly unfolded...

  ……