Everyone is changing; I’m just not willing to admit it. Qi Qi, you’re not good at lying; when Monster refutes you, you get flustered right away. Do you have some unspeakable secret? Unfortunately, we can’t sit in the coffee shop, reading “The City” until we’re lost in thought, with those shelves full of green tea. No one will throw that fragrant “caterpillar” bread at my head anymore. The happy days are short, which shows their value. Betrayal feels like this; you don’t want revenge, but you want to smile at them. You know smiling is the best punishment, with such a sharp smile. My heart aches suddenly. Sister, when you faced my and Lei’s betrayal, did you feel the same way? Not wanting revenge, not hating the world immediately, you smiled at me and said, “Xiao Wei, stop talking.” Your smile was pale, the smell of disinfectant in the hospital like the flames of rebirth. Sister, if it were you, how would you handle them? You would calmly say in your uniquely orderly tone, “When you found the sketches, was my wardrobe locked? If it was open, it means the wardrobe was very unsafe; if it was locked, then who opened my wardrobe?” Haha, such a simple logic, yet it fooled everyone. But Ah Yao, why did you choose Friday night? You knew I was on the phone all night, enjoying the conversation. Moreover, my major is interior design; why would I steal those unpublished sketches?!
I stood in front of them, not wanting to explain a word. It’s not a question of “did or did not” but a choice of “want or do not want.” Degrees, files, demerits, credits, expulsion, the talk around… I don’t care because none of that matters to me. I don’t have the energy to be sad, nor do I want to trouble my originally good mood with pointless matters. The lock turns, and footsteps approach. I lift my head slightly, seeing the stern Bismarck, followed by Monster, Yi Da… and then, a wonderful figure like an orchid—Lily White, who rushes over, bends down, and asks with concern, “Xiao Yu, how are you? Are you okay?” I sit up straight, rubbing my eyes to make sure I’m not dreaming. “You must have been through a lot, but it’s okay now; we’ll be out soon,” she says, slightly out of breath as if she came from afar. Her eyes show such deep concern amidst the anxiety. I was stunned. Lily White? Here to rescue me, a friend I barely know? Bismarck’s stern voice cut through the dark air, “Zhou Yu, given your good attitude in admitting your mistake, along with Miss Molly’s plea and her vouching for your character, the school might consider revoking the demerit, but the public criticism and warning are unavoidable; don’t harbor any illusions!” I looked around the room, not quite understanding the meaning of this game. “However, Zhou Yu, you might escape now, but you can’t escape forever. Your behavior not only disrupts the dormitory order but more seriously, it might ruin the century-old reputation of Renfu University’s design department, confuse the moral and value systems of your peers, and your momentary lapse in judgment and impulsive actions will severely impact your degree, records, and how others perceive you. This cost is…” “Dad!” Monster suddenly interrupted him. I almost fell off my chair—dad?! Bismarck’s thick eyebrows furrowed, his shiny bald head paused, and he continued sternly, “How many times have I told you not to call me dad at school!!” “The investigation isn’t complete yet; how can you jump to conclusions?” Monster persisted. “She has admitted it herself; it’s a fact, a fact that outweighs all sophistry!” “Who’s the one being sophistical, everyone knows, right?” Monster didn’t back down. “Silence! How insolent!” Bismarck roared. On Lily’s face appeared the cold expression of a true superstar. “Xiao Yu, I’m sorry about this; I will thoroughly ask Xiao Xuan about the ins and outs of this matter.” Bismarck’s stern expression softened slightly as he looked at Lily with a touch of affection, “MOLLY, how will Xiao Xuan feel about this? She’s the victim, but…” “I’ll discipline my own daughter; please, as her mentor, ensure strict requirements at school, and don’t indulge her because of her special status.” Daughter? Lily White? One so elegant, the other so scheming. They were actually—mother and daughter? I quietly watched them argue over my case.
