Chapter 50: Apologize Now!

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A wave of commotion swept through the room!

Shen Meng’s face froze in astonishment. After a brief flush of embarrassment, she was quickly overcome by intense discomfort and awkwardness.

She wished she could quietly slip away right now.

Truly.

Although this was the first time in her life that someone had publicly confessed their feelings for her, she felt no sense of honor or joy whatsoever. Deep down, she was filled with rejection—even disgust.

Her mother’s expression also shifted, and seeing the look of distress on her daughter’s face, she couldn’t help but frown.

As for Ling Qiu, his face remained utterly unmoved.

Only Song Ningxue looked toward Ling Qiu with a hint of amusement.

“Outrageous!”

Qiu Yaofan feigned anger and scolded.

Seeing the situation, Ma Pijing hurried to smooth things over. “Director Qiu, please don’t blame your son. The college entrance exams are over, and he’s now an adult. Having a girlfriend is only natural, isn’t it? Besides, your son’s academic performance hasn’t suffered. And for a girl to score over six hundred points—she must be quite outstanding, don’t you all agree?”

As soon as he finished, the crowd chimed in with lively agreement, all eager to curry favor and offer congratulations.

Qiu Yaofan had long known that his son had feelings for Shen Meng, the girl from their old neighbor’s family. To be honest, he looked down on her family’s background, but—well, men! Dating isn’t the same as marriage. This little Shen Meng was obedient, pretty, and sensible; as his son’s girlfriend, she would be accommodating, and his son would be comfortable. Finding a girlfriend like this, his son certainly wouldn’t lose out!

Once his son had his fun, he could have him kick Shen Meng aside. After his son graduated, he’d arrange a match with a well-bred girl from a wealthy family—everything would be perfectly planned!

“Ah! What you all say makes sense, but…”

Qiu Yaofan put on a show of taking a deep, heavy breath. “Forget it, forget it. Biaolian is grown up now and can make his own decisions. As his father, I won’t meddle any further!”

Hearing this, Qiu Biaolian beamed and declared, “Thank you for understanding, Dad!”

Then he turned to Ma Pijing, “Teacher Ma, there’s no time like the present. Since Shen Meng is here today, why don’t we discuss applying to Jiangnan University right now?”

“Excellent! I was hoping to meet the girl who’s captured the attention of such an outstanding young man as Qiu’s son. She must be quite extraordinary!”

Ma Pijing laid on the flattery as he walked toward Qiu Biaolian.

Qiu Biaolian felt immensely proud and walked straight toward Shen Meng.

Honestly, he’d been pondering the best and most sincere way to confess to Shen Meng, and finally decided this was the grandest gesture.

After all, in all of Jiangnan Province, how many students get to bring a senior lecturer from Jiangnan University to lower themselves to personally discuss admissions with a prospective student?

What an honor!

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He strode through the crowd.

Spotting Shen Meng, Qiu Biaolian was about to call out when his face suddenly changed.

He saw, right beside Shen Meng—a particularly unwelcome figure.

Ling Qiu!

What was he doing here?

He hadn’t invited him, had he?

“This must be Shen Meng, right?” Ma Pijing followed Qiu Biaolian’s gaze, stepping forward. “She really is sweet and gentle, and looks very compatible with Qiu’s son! Qiu’s son? Qiu’s son…?”

He called twice, but received no response. Turning, he noticed Qiu Biaolian’s expression had darkened. “What’s wrong, Qiu’s son?”

Qiu Biaolian frowned, pointing at Ling Qiu. “Why are you in my house? Who said you could come here?”

His voice rose, attracting everyone’s attention.

“…?”

Song Ningxue was taken aback. What was going on between Qiu Biaolian and Ling Qiu?

Without further thought, Song Ningxue said, “Oh, I brought him. If you have any questions, you can talk to me.”

“Oh, it’s Miss Song!” Qiu Biaolian’s demeanor immediately softened. Song Ningxue was a beauty and a neighbor from the same upscale complex—everyone here was wealthy or prominent. But soon, his expression soured again.

“This guy… what’s he to you, Miss Song?”

Although they were neighbors, Song Ningxue had always disliked Qiu Biaolian’s brash ways and didn’t bother to be polite. “Young Master Qiu, I know this is your family’s dinner, but we came to offer our congratulations. If we’re not welcome, we can leave. There’s no need to put up with such baseless questioning, is there?”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Qiu Yaofan, sensing trouble, hurried over with a broad smile to greet Song Ningxue’s family, then asked, “Is there some kind of misunderstanding?”

Qiu Biaolian scowled, pointing at Ling Qiu. “Dad! I don’t know this person. I didn’t invite him!”

Qiu Yaofan looked Ling Qiu over and smiled. “A guest is a guest, Biaolian. It’s rude to be inhospitable.”

“But he’s… a delinquent!” Qiu Biaolian said, “We took the college entrance exam in the same hall. Every single test, he handed in his paper first—after just thirty minutes! And I heard from friends at Third High that this guy is mixed up with all kinds of thugs and troublemakers. He’s often seen causing trouble at the school gates! And… he’s always pestering Shen Meng!”

The adults in the room were barely able to suppress their amusement.

Such childish accusations between students—how naive!

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And yet…

Everyone sensed something more.

Clearly, this boy had some sort of complicated relationship with Qiu Biaolian’s beloved Shen Meng!

That explained everything.

It was a love rival, plain as day!

Qiu Yaofan was fiercely protective. Seeing another boy entangled with his son’s favorite, he was more annoyed than if he’d been betrayed himself.

But as an adult, kicking someone out over such an immature display of jealousy would be beneath his dignity.

While he hesitated, Ma Pijing saw through the situation and thought it the perfect moment to show his loyalty.

“I believe what Qiu’s son says. With his character, he wouldn’t dislike someone for no reason!” Ma Pijing declared. “Though this is a matter for the young people, and it’s not for us elders to interfere, I speak frankly. As an educator, I cannot tolerate having ‘bad students’ in my sight, and I despise them. So this matter can’t be simply brushed aside. This young lady, Shen Meng, is likely to be a future student at Jiangnan University. As a teacher, I’m obliged to take this seriously!”

He turned to Ling Qiu, eyes wide with authority. “Young man, Qiu’s son says you handed in every exam after just thirty minutes during the college entrance exams. Is that true?”

Ling Qiu could barely suppress a laugh.

Honestly, this whole scene was so childish as to be ridiculous.

And yet, it was strangely amusing.

He was bored anyway, so he played along. “Yes. Thirty minutes for each exam, on the dot. I never got it wrong.”

Oh?

The boy was surprisingly straightforward.

“And do you have ties to local thugs and troublemakers?” Ma Pijing pressed.

Ling Qiu replied with a half-smile, “Something like that.”

Well! The boy was refreshingly honest.

Everyone was taken aback; they hadn’t expected him to admit everything so readily.

Ma Pijing sneered, clearly looking down on Ling Qiu, then turned to Shen Meng’s mother. “You must be Shen Meng’s mother? Let me remind you: your daughter has applied to Jiangnan University. If she gets tangled up with unsavory characters… Frankly, even if her grades are sufficient, the university won’t admit her, for the sake of a proper education!”

Sensing his cue, Qiu Yaofan quickly interjected, “Exactly, Shen Meng’s mother. As old neighbors, let me remind you—this concerns your child’s future. You mustn’t take it lightly!”