Chapter 37: A Moonlit Night with Stars Shining Brightly

  Very surprised, the team branch book that has always been aloof and superior is now scrutinizing Shanyong with a strange gaze. Shanyong was used to people's disgusted, ridiculing or disdainful gazes, but he couldn't understand the complexity in Wang Huating's eyes at this moment, and suddenly froze on the spot.

  Even in a relatively simple student group, there are also three six nine grades. Students like Wang Hua-ting who are excellent in both character and learning, have good family education, and actively approach the organization, naturally cannot be mentioned in the same breath as inferior students like Shan Yong and Lei Da-peng. Even if it's an internship in this remote place, Shan Yong knows that it's nothing more than "hanging up the sign of teaching in a revolutionary old district" to polish himself, being born into an official family, every move has a very clear purpose.

  So what's the purpose now? Shanyong could easily see that there was something he wanted to say, but couldn't think of it, and there might be some conversation between them.

  This thinking made Dan Yong slightly stunned for a few seconds, then couldn't find the right words, so he sat down, poured himself a glass of water, and his thoughts turned again. His eyes glanced out the window at the bright moon and sparse stars, and he felt that this environment was not suitable for the two of them... no, it was that the two people were not very suitable for this quiet and gentle environment. In memory, the two had never even joked around or talked much, and now the silence made things feel awkward.

  Also in this somewhat unsuitable environment, Wang Huating stood at the kitchen door, shining brightly like a moon, as if she had suddenly seen through the fragile inner quality hidden under Rong Yu's untamed exterior. This new discovery made her smile inexplicably, and the majestic momentum of Rong Yu's previous arm swing was gone in an instant.

  "Do you think I'm useless, only knowing how to do household chores?" Dan Yong suddenly asked, seeing Wang Huating's smile, feeling a bit uncomfortable and self-mocking.

  "It's not quite like you," Wang Huating said.

  "What's my personality like?" Shan Yong asked, pouring a glass of water for Wang Huating. Wang Huating sat down at the dinner table made from an old school desk and faced Shan Yong. Playing with the cup handed to her by Shan Yong, she smiled and said: "No matter what kind of personality I have, it's really not like someone who does these trivial things."

  Half of these things were learned from my parents' influence, and the other half was because my parents were ill at home that year, so I took care of them and learned quickly. The reasons for this are not worth telling outsiders, but Wang Huating had already heard about it in detail from Lei Dapeng's loose mouth. Perhaps talking about each other's experiences can bring the two sides closer together.

  But unexpectedly, thinking won't follow your thoughts, Dan Yong didn't give a deeper explanation, nor did he mention anything about Wang Huating's affairs. Instead, he joked: "It's not necessarily not, some things have to be learned to do, just like our internship, when we first came, we thought this poor and remote place was unbearable for even one day, but now it's been over a week, isn't it pretty good?"

  Bowing one's head to be a person, lowering one's head to do things. Since the family declined, I unintentionally learned many things. Dan Yong is very calm.

  Changing the subject, walking in a direction that Wang Huating didn't expect, Wang Huating blocked this fork in the road, staring straight at Shan Yong, turning the conversation around: "I think your role is indispensable if you can stay. If it were just us few, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to solve the problem of food either. Growing up in the city all these years, I really haven't seen such big rats... Hehe, thank you for chasing away those few big rats and sealing up the rat hole."

  It's warm, actually found an excuse, after seeing once again not so afraid, but Wang Huating really thinks Dan Yong is quite considerate, after a day she sealed the holes in her and Liu Cuicui's room. Women are always easily moved by details of care, with a smile showing kindness, looking at Dan Yong even more unnatural. People who appear strong on the outside but weak inside, remain vigilant about everything, perhaps the team leader has some ulterior motive? Dan Yong secretly wondered, not knowing why Wang Huating suddenly became so gentle and virtuous. Yesterday she was still arguing to protect wild animals and not eat sparrows!

  Not getting an answer, Wang Huating felt a little disappointed. It was like interacting with all her peers, she could sense their admiration, jealousy, flattery and hatred, but never got the understanding and closeness that should be there among peers of the same age. At this moment, she felt the distance between her and Shanyong was very far, so she changed the subject and talked about old times: "Speaking of which, I have to thank you for many things, remember when we were freshmen, our class didn't produce any decent calligraphy or painting works for the school's cultural festival, but then you wrote a piece of calligraphy and actually won second prize... Do you still like calligraphy?"

  "I liked it for a while, then gave up." Shanyong shook his head. He had given up too many things. When he was young and his family was well off, his mother had spared no expense in trying to cultivate him into an all-around talent, forcing him to attend all sorts of extracurricular classes. But in the end, he hadn't mastered anything, and his regular studies had suffered as a result.

  "You actually have many good qualities, but you like to show others your shortcomings. I've always wondered why it ended up that way?" Wang Huating said, her eyes fixed intently on Shan Yong.

  "What's up?" Dan Yong asked casually.

  "It was like that, skipping class, fighting, and being defiant towards teachers, seemed so unconventional." Wang Huating couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

  It's a bit back to the old way, it's a bit stimulating for Dan Yong, Dan Yong was stunned, and turned the conversation around to ask Wang Huating: "Branch Secretary, have you ever skipped class in four years?"

  "Absolutely not."

  "Have you ever fought? Oh, definitely not, have you ever quarreled?"

  "Absolutely not."

  "Didn't you ever question what the teacher and school arranged for you?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "You've never been in love either, right?"

  "No, surely you can't count Lei Dapeng in?"

  Wang Hua Ting nodded repeatedly and smiled. She didn't know what Shan Yong meant by his question, but Shan Yong asked this far and then laughed, pulling out a hand to explain:

  "According to scientific statistics, now 80% to 90% of university students play truant. Those with a rebellious attitude account for at least over 90%... I don't have any problems, just like most people, I've done all these things, but you haven't experienced any of them, so are you the abnormal one or am I?"

  She looked at Wang Huating with a hint of sarcasm, and after thinking for a moment, Wang Huating was taken aback. She had never thought about it from this perspective before, and if she said so, she would indeed appear to be out of place and unconventional.

  It's really unbelievable, even classes can't be skipped, what kind of university is this?

  The two of them stared at each other, glaring for a few moments before bursting out laughing. Wang Huating became unhappy and pointed at Shan Yong: "At the very least I didn't cause any trouble, right? Compared to your alternative, I'm much better."

  "So you think I'm right?" asked Dan Yong.

  "Need I say more? Maybe it's true?" Wang Huating said.

  "If I'm wrong, then you think you're right?" asked Dan Yong.

  "Of course." Wang Huating said, never having doubted her own actions.

  "Then think again, what kind of order are you students maintaining under the leadership of the school? Is it the canteen's substandard and overpriced food; or is it the security department and some people with ulterior motives colluding to extort money from poor students? You don't care, do you know that our Lanzhou is an old district, a place as poor as Majiacun is not rare. University students from such places, how much do they have for living expenses? On average less than 10 yuan per day... With this 10 yuan, not only is the portion not enough, but also eating counterfeit and inferior seasoning oil. You are also a member of the party's grassroots organization, you tell me, who between you and me is assisting the tiger?"

  Shan Yong lightly drew a pile, and Wang Huating's eyes suddenly widened in an instant.

  Yes, I never thought of it that way. The summer fat boy in the cafeteria was checked by the quality inspection department and the matter has already been settled. In that case, the previous method of maintaining order in the school's logistics is equivalent to repairing bridges and roads for corrupt businessmen, slapping their own face.

  It's hard to say, Wang Hua Ting brought the water to her lips, bored and took a sip. It seems that this self-discovered alone time isn't so great after all, it's already gone sour from the start, just like in the past when needles were pitted against cotton.

  Wang Huating was taken aback, and Shan Yong felt pleased. After all, this party secretary had made a big splash at the provincial college debate competition, and now his awkward words somehow gave Shan Yong a sense of pride.

  The feelings between these two people are very subtle, and in fact, neither of them minds approaching the other. It's precisely because of their vastly different personalities that they have an attraction to each other, and in their verbal sparring, there is a kind of psychological guessing and competition that is a delight for those who are thoughtful.

  Wang Hua-ting also seemed to have such potential. After being choked by Shan Yong, she was stunned for only a few seconds before her eyes slowly calmed down, looking at Shan Yong with suspicion. After a while, she spoke slowly and calmly: "I admit that I inadvertently assisted the tiger, but I think you're a bit too sanctimonious. How come it sounds like you're even more noble than me, an excellent party member?"

  "Haha, really? So-so." Dan Yong asked with a smile.

  Wang Hua-ting also smiled, smiling and saying obscurely: "Don't think that all party members are fools. Lai Ke is the head of the sports department, and behind the sports department should be Song Si-yun. Song Si-yun is a relative of Principal Chang of the logistics department. She entered the school because of this Principal Chang's relationship. However, she has always thought of herself as the spokesperson for the logistics department, not as a student. Now that someone has taken over the cafeteria, I don't need to guess that it should be Principal Chang's faction. The annual income of tens of millions is enviable... This involves two business parties and internal conflicts within the school. They have been fighting for more than one or two days. The school leadership is also because of this matter, so they pushed the student union to the front stage..."

  Shan Yong's eyes widened in surprise, he didn't expect the seemingly gentle team leader to know so much inside information. He stared at her in astonishment, and this time it was Wang Huating's turn to be pleased. With great interest, she looked at Shan Yong and asked with a smile:

  "As for you, I really can't figure out what role you're playing. You shouldn't belong to any faction, but I just can't understand why you're going all out to stir up trouble like this? You drove away one Xia Chubby, and then another Zhang Chubby or Wang Chubby will come along, and after a while it'll still be the same old inferior quality at high prices. I once discussed this issue with my dad, hoping to find a solution from him, but he told me that systemic problems can't be solved by any one person... But I didn't expect you to dare take on the challenge of solving it - did Song Siying or someone else promise you some benefit? Otherwise, why would you risk being expelled to play hero?"

  He was stunned, Dan Yong furrowed his brow, bitter face, hands scratching his cheeks, as if infected with Lei Da Peng's standard action, looked at Wang Hua Ting and complained: "It's still Dang Ying Ming, do you know how a hero is trained?"

  "What does it mean?" Wang Huating asked with a smile, feeling that the conversation was getting better and better.

  Shan Yong sighed and said, "The meaning is very simple. Huang Jiguang must not be willing to block the gun hole with his body, and Dong Cunrui may not be willing to use his flesh to blow up the pillbox either... They were forced out, after all... To be honest, I was thinking of annoying Xia Pangzi, that guy is so despicable. I didn't expect that before I made a move, his brother-in-law would take the initiative and try to get rid of me. You say, when people are pushed to that point, what can they do? I have no choice but to take action, even if there's not a single penny to be gained from it, even if it's just to send me back home... I also need to trample on him and vent my anger... A clay figure must have some dignity, after all. Can't let others bully me as they please? Originally, I was thinking of exposing the dark secrets, but who knew this guy would make such a big fuss? Usually, no one is so bold, it's like everyone went crazy that day... Ah, I'm telling you the truth, I've thought about being anything, just not a hero. That day when I left home, I saw the mad dog in such a miserable state, and my heart felt an unspeakable comfort, it made me feel so relieved... Stupid Lei, Old Bao encouraged me to say a few words, and then I said a few words... Now that I think about it, I'm puzzled. Didn't I just shout a couple of sentences? How did everyone go crazy like that?"

  Shanyong said thoughtfully, perhaps he really didn't have the intention of being a hero from the bottom of his heart, but was forced to that point and had no choice but to come up with a desperate plan. Who could have imagined that public sentiment would be stirred up to such an extent? He showed off as a hero, and in the end, he really became one. Thinking about it now, it's still a bit embarrassing.

  Wang Hua Ting smiled, smiling so hard that she covered her forehead, the expression of trying to hold back laughter was really happy. It's not easy to see the school's hero in such a ridiculous situation. Shan Yong also smiled, but his smile had a bit of a bitter taste. The matter was handled ridiculously enough, but he didn't expect it would stir up so much public outrage.

  After laughing for a long time, Wang Huating raised her head to see Shan Yong dazed, as if recalling something. She thought he was still stuck on that matter and hadn't snapped out of it, so she said: "Don't be nervous, I heard your two friends say that you're worried about the graduation certificate issue, but there shouldn't be a big problem. If there really is an issue, the administrative announcement would have come out already. You can calm down now..."

  "I also look forward to it." Shuang Yong said with a clear conscience.

  "No way, I thought you liked it wild and crazy."

  "No, no, it's a misunderstanding. What I'm most eager for now is to safely and smoothly get my graduation certificate."

  Shan Yong's face was very sincere, absolutely not a lie. Wang Hua Ting smiled and didn't poke at his guilty conscience, changing the subject again: "Not just this matter, you've also done something else that's quite dishonorable?"

  "Anything else? Impossible! What's going on?"

  "Bullied a weak woman."

  "Are you kidding me? Someone as innocent as I am can't do something like that?"

  "I say it exists, then it does."

  "Who's that?!"

  "I'm sitting right in front of you, are you going to deny it?"

  "Who?"

  A few rapid-fire questions from Wang Huating, and Shanyou sensed something was amiss, shutting his mouth but with a mischievous grin on his face, knowing what she was getting at. Wang Huating scolded Shanyou with a mixture of tears and laughter:

  "Are you the one who told Lei Da Peng to come after me? Are you intentionally making things difficult for me? From the moment you met me, you've been causing trouble for me everywhere. Now I'm in a situation where I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, and every day I have to cater to his emotions. Tell me, what am I supposed to do?"

  This is getting embarrassing, originally it was just a joke to tease Lei Ge into chasing after Dang Hua, who would have thought that this joke would last for so long. After thinking about it, he said with difficulty: "This...this isn't our fault, Da Peng is spreading his love net everywhere, catching whoever he can. You shouldn't have given him a good face, you still don't understand what kind of person he is, give him some sunshine and he'll shine brightly, give him a smile and he'll be over the moon. And now look at him, he's become so arrogant, not even putting me in his eyes anymore. I really can't do anything about it...you might as well just directly reject him, he'll get angry for a while and then forget about it."

  Wang Hua Ting laughed happily, this indeed had something to do with herself. That day, an unintentional sentence unexpectedly led to all these things later on. Laughing, her face suddenly turned serious: "Alright, I'll directly reject him tomorrow."

  "Don't... that." Shanyong was stunned, and then he couldn't speak, feeling a bit pitiful for Lei brothers. Love had been frustrated countless times, and it was easy to get excited for a few days, but this sweetness was too short-lived. Knowing that Shanyong was worried about Leida Peng, Wang Huating deliberately said: "Then go tell him, say I have someone I like in my heart, and I don't like him."

  "This... how can I put it, you say it instead." Danyong didn't dare continue.

  "Alright then, I'll say it, what I like is you, not him." Wang Huating said with a smile, provoking Shan Yong.

  "Ah?" Dan Yong was startled and stood up, with a bitter expression on his face: "Aren't you causing trouble? If you say this, he will definitely come to duel me. Besides, even if you said it, how could he possibly believe that you ever liked me?"

  "How do you know that?" Wang Huating suddenly said, and when Dan Yong was about to argue, he was scorched by those shining eyes.

  Distinct black and white eyes, clear and bright eyes, as if wanting to pierce into Dan Yong's heart and leave some mark, staring motionlessly.

  No way! Party Flower Niu actually has a crush on me? Dan Yong's heart was racing, with great surprise and a hint of excitement mixed in. For a moment, his stunned expression froze on his face, unsure of what to say next.

  Perhaps at the moment when the window paper was pierced, Wang Huating looked like that, with a certain understanding and tenderness in her eyes, even a kind of appreciation. This gaze made Shanyong feel very uncomfortable, not knowing whether to stand up and let people examine him, or sit down and have a romantic conversation, or refuse, after all, he couldn't snatch the dream lover of his brother Dapeng.

  Two people stared at each other in silence for a long time, so long that it felt longer than the four years they had known each other as classmates. It was as if they could see through to each other's genuine admiration. The young and vigorous Single Courage saw the expectation in Wang Huating's eyes, slowly sat down, and exchanged gazes with her. Wang Huating played with the cup with both hands on the table, while Single Courage had several urges to reach out and take her hand, feeling an overwhelming desire to hold hands and kiss the girl in front of him wildly. Meanwhile, Wang Huating noticed that Single Courage's eyes were gradually burning with passion, but she didn't dodge or hide, instead smiling brightly with a hint of encouragement, as if also intoxicated by the moment when their hearts connected.

  Wang Hua-ting saw that beneath an appearance of strength lay a rather simple inner world, perhaps easy to enter.

  Shan Yong also felt it, that slightly playful remark was a subtle confession. Those encouraging eyes were a heartfelt appreciation, although he didn't know where this appreciation came from.

  The two of them seemed to be able to communicate their discoveries to each other without needing language in this gaze.

  A light sound... startled Shan Yong and Wang Huating, who were about to touch fingers, suddenly separated.

  The good atmosphere was completely ruined. Just as Wang Huating was feeling frustrated, she heard Si Mu Xian deliberately talking to Liu Cuiyun, and the two of them left together. It turned out that they were indeed party insiders, skilled at covering things up. Wang Huating called out to Liu Cuiyun, who returned to her dormitory as if nothing had happened.

  As soon as the girl left, Simu Xian closed the big gate and suddenly grabbed a quilt with a cold face. Dan Yong stared at him with a fierce expression and asked: "How long have you been listening? You're not learning well, how did you learn my thieving skills?"

  Si Mu Xian pretended to be calm, but couldn't help it and burst out laughing. "Boss, I really didn't do it on purpose, I'm too busy with my own love life to eavesdrop on you... I didn't listen for long. Originally, Cui Yun and Shi Shu liked you, but I didn't believe them. This time, I do."

  "What's with what, it's not like that at all. I don't even look up to her, she's the one chasing me, and I'm not even paying attention to her... Oh right, don't tell Da Peng about this." Shanyong said with an air of superiority as he walked upstairs, while Simu Xian followed behind him, laughing and responding in agreement, thinking that if Leiguo found out about this love triangle, who knows what would happen.

  In the dormitory, Class leader Ding Yizhi who couldn't hold his liquor went to bed early. Lei Dapeng was holding him and snoring loudly. Simu Xian came back and fell asleep immediately. Only Shan Yong lay down but couldn't fall asleep for a long time. In his mind, sometimes it was Wang Huating's complex gaze, sometimes it was Zuo Xiying's warm smile. He never thought that what he once considered to be far away would one day be right in front of him; nor did he think that what was once side by side would become distant and out of touch.

  Life is often like a joke, but this time the joke seems to have gone too far, and it's gotten Danyou so worked up that he can't sleep, tossing and turning...