Chapter 10: The "Kind-Hearted" Roommate

"What's wrong, Jingyao? Was that letter from that scoundrel? How can someone be so shameless? You even sent him a copy of the 'New Marriage Law,' and he’s still being this persistent..."

"No, it’s a letter from my younger brother."

Lu Jingyao hurriedly folded the letter, hoping to keep the contents from her two overly "enthusiastic" roommates.

"That’s not right. Your expression is wrong, Jingyao. If it were from your brother, you wouldn't look so upset. Don't be shy; if you're in trouble, just tell us, and we’ll help you solve it together."

"Exactly, Jingyao. Our generation is bound to clash with old, evil customs, but that is our duty. We have a responsibility to educate the ignorant and lead them toward enlightenment and progress..."

The two roommates chattered on, quickly leaving Lu Jingyao feeling completely overwhelmed. She finally began to wonder if her initial decision to accept their "concern" had been a mistake.

After she had arrived in the capital for university, Li Ye had written to her once a week for several months, successfully igniting the gossip-fueled curiosity of her roommates. They were all older female students who had spent time laboring in the countryside and possessed formidable eloquence. Lu Jingyao, still naive, was no match for them. Under their persistent "care and concern," she had eventually spilled the details of her entanglements with Li Ye.

Lu Jingyao felt conflicted. She wanted to escape her past entirely, yet she feared that her family back in Qingshui County would face retaliation from the Li family. When her father had said, "If you, Li Ye, get into college next year, I won't oppose the two of you," Lu Jingyao had clearly sensed her father’s cowardice and concession.

Upon hearing her story, her roommates were filled with "public indignation." In this era of renewal, how could an elite female college student tolerate the moral chains of the old, evil society? It had to be criticized—absolutely. Even if that so-called Li Ye had agreed to break off the engagement, his family's attitude was abominable and demanded harsh condemnation. They had offered strategies—a breakup letter, returning the betrothal gifts, citing legal texts—a systematic combination of tactics aimed at shattering the daydreams of the country bumpkin.

In hindsight, Lu Jingyao’s plan seemed to have succeeded. Li Ye had publicly reclaimed that Phoenix bicycle, effectively marking a clean break and severing their relationship. But this wasn't the result Lu Jingyao had wanted! She had hoped Li Ye would "understand" her, support her "noble and pure freedom," and take the initiative to resolve the conflict between the Lu and Li families, smoothing over this resentment where no one could truly say who was in the wrong. Based on her understanding of him, she believed he should have recognized his errors, shown the responsibility of a man, and persuaded his family to let the matter go. Only Li Ye could have resolved this peacefully and quietly.

However, according to her brother's description in the letter, Li Ye seemed to have become a complete stranger. If she were to use her roommates' terminology, this "toad" was being very unreasonable. At the thought of this, that tall, thin, and remarkably handsome "toad" crept into Lu Jingyao’s mind before she realized it.

She hurriedly shook her head, trying to regain her rationality. She didn't want to be entangled with Li Ye anymore; she didn't want to endure the suffocating feeling of being someone's charity case.

"What’s wrong, Jingyao? Don't keep things bottled up... Let your big sister see your brother's letter; we’ll help you figure it out..."

Lu Jingyao's behavior acted like fuel, making her roommates' thirst for gossip burn even brighter, leaving them itching with curiosity. Irritated but too polite to rebuff their kindness, she was relieved when Liu Muhan, who occupied the upper bunk, suddenly spoke up.

"Xu Xue, Ma Li, this is Lu Jingyao’s private business after all. Aren't you being a bit too pushy?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Xu Xue retorted immediately. "Little Liu, you city kids have no idea how unreasonable people in the countryside can be. If you don't believe me, ask Ma Li how many educated youths were taken advantage of by country folk, only to regret it for the rest of their lives because they couldn't return to the city..."

Liu Muhan glanced at them and retreated into her blankets. Although she lived in the same dorm, a subtle distance existed between her and the others due to differences in habits. She usually kept to herself, but this time she had felt compelled to offer a word of caution; whether Lu Jingyao took it was up to her.

Sensing the tension, Lu Jingyao told them, "It's nothing. My brother just wants to try for the college entrance exam a year early and wrote to ask my opinion."

Xu Xue asked skeptically, "Isn't your brother only in his first year of high school? He wants to take the exam next year?"

Lu Jingyao smiled. "He's doing well in his studies and wants to give it a shot. If he doesn't pass, it's just good experience, right?"

"That's true."

Xu Xue and Ma Li finally let it go, chirping away about other news. A moment later, Xu Xue whispered mysteriously, "Jingyao, did you know that Qian Shun seems interested in you? If you think he’s a good catch, should I play matchmaker?"

Lu Jingyao froze for a second before stammering, "No, thank you, Sister He. I’m not considering anything outside of my studies right now."

Xu Xue sighed. "What a pity. Qian Shun comes from a good family and has plenty of talent..."

Lu Jingyao lowered her head, wishing she could cover her ears. That Qian Shun—how similar he was to Li Ye! Both were from well-off families, both spent money lavishly, both possessed an unconscious air of superiority, and both... no, that was where the similarities ended.

Li Ye was nearly six feet tall; Qian Shun was barely over five-foot-three. Li Ye had a face of striking handsomeness; Qian Shun had an oversized, bulbous nose. In Li Ye’s bright eyes, there was only pure adoration, while the looks Qian Shun shot her made Lu Jingyao feel deeply uncomfortable. If judged purely by appearance, Li Ye would get full marks in her eyes, while Qian Shun... was beyond words. If Li Ye was a toad, then Qian Shun was a buzzing fly.

That afternoon, Lu Jingyao finally found a moment of solitude to reply to her family. In the letter to her brother, she urged him to be self-reliant, not to be vain, and to walk if he had no bicycle; as long as he studied hard, he would find success.

But when she reached the end, she hesitated. She knew her family's situation well; her brother, Lu Zixue, had grown accustomed to Li Ye’s "bribes" over the past year and would likely struggle to adapt to a simple life. And with her mother’s penchant for spoiling her precious son, she might actually try to buy him a bicycle. Furthermore, Li Ye’s sudden demand for the return of the bike would only invite gossip, stirring up trouble for a family that had finally found some peace.

After long consideration, Lu Jingyao wrote a second letter.

[Li Ye, it has been a long time. You feel like a stranger to me now. Where has that kind, generous, and responsible man gone?]

[Please return the bicycle to my brother... He is still young and cannot handle the gossip... Rest assured, I will pay you back for the bicycle, with interest.]