Chapter 24: The Sediment Rises with Old Scores

  In the flowerbed where the green grass was lush and the flowers were in full bloom, some mischievous vines stretched out their tender shoots from the flowerbed and climbed onto the short trees beside it. The quiet forest cast dappled shadows on the ground, and the large glass door of the library reflected these breathtaking views. It had never felt so bright and sunny before, nor had his heart ever been filled with such joy. Having attended university for four years, he had never discovered that Luan Yuan was actually beautiful. Shuang Rong parked his car in front of the library and turned around to look at Zuo Xiying, who gave him a warm and gentle smile.

  It was as if there was an unspoken understanding, and Shanyu couldn't help but smile. The pleasure of flirting lies in this, the outcome may be predictable, but the process is always different, especially with a girl like Shijie who has such a gentle and elegant demeanor, you don't even need to flirt or banter, just looking at her smile is enjoyable.

  Today's appointment actually didn't have much to do, just came to the library to find some old collections from a special period before. Luda still has something that can be taken out of hand, and the library is one of the most abundant in the province, and it also preserves some precious documents from the Anti-Japanese War period. Even many scholars and experts from the provincial capital and outside the province will come to visit this place frequently. However, for students of this school, this place has a similar function to the school's woods, lawn, and cafeteria, and most of the time it is an excellent venue for lovers' whispers and caresses.

  He was very familiar with the local customs of this school, and when he led Xie Xing into the house, he would often catch a glimpse of her reserved and subtle movements. Even when opening the door, she wouldn't forget to say thank you, and every time she said it, there was a warm smile on her face. Song Yong didn't suspect anything at all, even if thirty years had passed, this warm smile still had the power to move people's hearts.

  After a few words, the director of the library came down. This fifty-year-old man, wearing a sleeve cover, with half his hair already white, was named Li Shu Tong. He had been informed by Professor Zuo through the school beforehand. Shan Yong and Zuo Xiying went to greet him, and I introduced them at this time. The old man seemed somewhat incredulous, looking out the door, then scrutinizing Shan Yong and Zuo Xiying with a suspicious tone, asking: "Just the two of you?"

  "Ah, how many more people need to borrow this book?" Dan Yong chimed in, his tone no longer polite, as if the suspicion had come out of nowhere.

  Zuo Xiying was taken aback, unsure where the director's suspicion came from, and introduced warmly: "Director Li, my father Zuo Nanxia is a friend of your school's retired professor Song Chengyang. This morning, he also informed President Wang Kegong of your school. My father knows the value of this collection and didn't even dare to ask for it to be borrowed. He just asked me to take a few photocopies."

  "Oh... I see, so you're Professor Song's friend, that makes sense. Come with me."

  The director seemed to understand and showed great respect for Professor Song, looking at the two young people in confusion. As he walked away, he said that the principal had specifically asked about this matter, thinking it was another big shot coming, but unexpectedly, such a young pair came with a simple carriage.

  When asked about the book to be borrowed, the old man introduced it with a few self-satisfied words: "You want to borrow this 'Forty Melodies of the Palace' from the book. If we really talk about its value, it's not lower than this library itself. It was handwritten in 1576, during the Wanli Emperor's reign, and is our library's treasure... Don't be surprised, young man, I'm only talking about its cultural value. From another perspective, you could also say that it's worthless, because if we really put it out for everyone to see, there aren't many people who can recognize all the characters."

  As they walked, the director, wearing black-framed glasses and a sleeve protector, with white hair, also gave off an aura of old age, like a long-hidden book. San Yong couldn't help but curl his lip in distaste as the old director droned on about the history of the library, which was all recorded in the school's annals. According to legend, before the liberation of Lushan, the underground party had organized students and teachers to hide the books, saving most of the collection from the war. During the Cultural Revolution, some of the books were destroyed or scattered among the people by the Red Guards. Later, several teachers at Lushan, including Professor Song Chengyang, who had already retired, worked tirelessly to collect the lost books, and it was said that before his retirement, he had donated all the rare books he had collected throughout his life to the school, including a valuable copy of "Forty Melodies of the Imperial Palace".

  It's already known that Shanyong didn't have much of a reaction to these things, and in the eyes of most people, Song Lao's IQ shouldn't be much higher than Lei Dapeng's. But when Zuo Xiying heard this, she couldn't help but sigh with admiration, her face full of reverence. When she glanced at Shanyong on the upper two floors, it seemed like there was even a hint of envy as she casually said: "Shanyong, you're very lucky to be able to study in such a good university."

  "Really? I don't think so?" Dan Yong was stunned for a moment.

  "Can't you feel anything at all?" Zuo Xiying asked faintly.

  "But if I had to say something, it's just that I feel a pang in my heart when paying tuition fees." said Dan Yong with a smile.

  Zuo Xiying let out a snort of laughter, but her smile immediately froze. Li Guanzhang, who was walking ahead, stopped in his tracks and turned around, his eyes fixed on Shanyong with an air of hostility, as if he were staring at a class enemy. Knowing that this guy was a student from their own school, Li Guanzhang pointed his finger and, after a long pause, finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "You... how can you say such things? Our school has a glorious tradition, having cultivated tens of thousands of talents for the entire province since liberation. Especially professors like Song Chengyang, who are renowned nationwide. Just for them, we would sacrifice everything to protect these books in the library. How many people can do that? Being able to produce teachers and professors like them is our school's pride."

  "It's not glorious for individuals to bear social problems. I don't deny that Professor Song is noble, but that's his personal cultivation, what does it have to do with the school? If you say so, then isn't it a shame for the school if no one like Professor Song appears again? Single Yong had never been one to mince words, and now that he was refuted, he immediately counterattacked, adding an even more vicious sentence: "Go ask in the suburbs, countryside, or villages, which family can afford our school's tuition without going bankrupt?"

  "Ah...hmm!" Director Li's eyes widened, and he let out a loud snort, turned around with his hands behind his back, and walked away with a sense of embarrassment. He had originally planned to show off in front of outsiders, but unexpectedly everything was ruined. Nowadays students are not only rebellious, they don't even know what authority is, let alone him, a small director. Usually you dare to interfere with people's romance in the library, and even girls dare to blow raspberries at you and glare at you.

  Shan Yong scolded the old man a few words, and looking at his hunched back, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. As he glanced sideways, his heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself that things had taken a turn for the worse. Zuo Shi's eyes also showed a hint of displeasure, but she just gave Shan Yong a deeply meaningful look without saying a word, and followed Li Guanzhang's footsteps as they walked away.

  *slap* *slap*, he slapped his own forehead heavily, this is more like it! If I had ruined the good impression I gave to my senior sister, it wouldn't be worth it. I should have known to flatter her a bit and pretend to be extremely respectful.

  He hastily followed up, but unexpectedly, the response came, and when the staff member opened the thickest iron door on the top floor, Director Li only waited for Xue Huiying to enter, stretched out his hand and blocked Shan Yong: "Idle people can't casually go in, this is an important collection, unless the principal and director permit."

  "Uncle, no need to be so sensitive, I was just saying, not targeting you." Dan Yong rolled his eyes, annoyed. Li Guanzhang didn't buy it and said indifferently: "I wasn't targeting you either, the rules apply to everyone, including you."

  Two people were arguing, but Li Xiangying turned around and said gently: "Shan Yong, would you mind going downstairs to park the car and wait for me? This museum collection is indeed very important, it was my oversight. Rules are always made to be followed by humans."

  By doing so, he took the responsibility upon himself, leaving Director Li and Shan Yong both speechless. Director Li gave Shan Yong a somewhat disdainful look before entering the door with Guan Yuan and Zuo Xiying, disappearing behind the tall bookshelves. As for Shan Yong, he was disheartened for quite some time before reluctantly going downstairs.

  On the one hand, he was a bit disappointed and somewhat unwilling to accept it. If not for Zuo Xiying's presence, he would have said something to that old man. Of course, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful, although he had always used the most disgusting words to describe this school he didn't like. But what shouldn't be done was to evaluate so bluntly in front of his teacher, making it seem like he was very uncultured, and the sunny and handsome image he had built up with difficulty would probably collapse in an instant.

  Thinking, regretting, and feeling sorry, I walked out of the library's entrance hall and lazily sat on the back seat of an electric bicycle. Looking around, the scenery seemed to have changed with my mood, but after a while, everything looked normal again. The neatly trimmed wintergreen plants looked like students in uniform standing in line, without any vitality; the teaching buildings that were repaired just right, the straight and level tree-lined road, and the teachers' serious faces all looked stiff and lifeless.

  Just as Shanyong was lost in thought, the screeching sound of brakes startled him. A bright red MINI had stopped not far from the library entrance. In the driver's seat sat a girl with half-yellow hair and a pale face. She rolled down the window and beckoned to Shanyong, saying "Come over here."

  This is Song Siying, as evaluated by Simu Xian. She's a girl who gives people the feeling of "being full and warm, with desires". Her actions, calling someone "Singleton", are no different from calling a pet dog. However, there are not a few boys in Luan Institute who are willing to be her pet dogs. This is her habitual way of addressing people. With just a hook of her finger, she can basically hook away most of the boys and male teachers in school, especially those old guys from the Physical Education department. Although they respect "Egg Brother" on the surface, in their hearts, they almost have to treat this rich and generous girl as their boss.

  Shan Yong's mood was already off, and he didn't care. Song Siying glared at him and raised her voice, shouting: "I'm calling you over here!"

  "You're calling me but I'm not willing. Too lazy to move, no way?" Dan Yong turned his face sideways and ignored him.

  The car door slammed shut, and a girl got out. She had blonde hair, a pink skirt, and high heels, looking stunning to the point of being a bit seductive. If you didn't know her, you wouldn't dare think she was a student at this school. As she walked, the accessories on her ears, wrists, and neck sparkled with gold, revealing half of her white jade-like arms and her slender, long, smooth, and fair legs under her skirt. With just a few steps, her allure was fully revealed.

  In the rumors of the Luoyang Institute's Wolf Friends, no matter if it was ranking beauty, ranking high breasts, or ranking facial features, Song Siying could also occupy a place. Now, in front of Shan Yong, she first twisted her waist, then puffed out her chest, and finally swung her hips with a flirtatious air. Her expression, which was both displeased and playful, would make even the most worldly men's hearts flutter, not to mention the school's inexperienced boys. When the fragrance wafted over, Shan Yong's first reaction was to hold his breath. For his overly sensitive sense of smell and taste, this perfume was still a bit too strong.

  Song Siying seemed to be really angry, angrily saying: "I took the initiative to come in front of you, okay? You're quite arrogant, aren't you, sincerely not letting me get along with you?"

  For a beautiful woman, all other women and men who do not admire her are enemies. Shan Rong's attitude belongs to this category of enemies, not only is he an enemy, but also seems to have some enmity, disdainfully saying: "Who can't get along with you?"

  "So I'm asking you, how did Sha Lei and Wang Hua-ting get together? Are they just causing trouble on purpose? Just now when I drove over, Sha Lei even spat at me, this must be someone's instigation." Song Si-yun asked, this matter also left her puzzled.

  Upon hearing this, Shan Yong couldn't help but laugh. He had originally planned to instigate Lei Ge to tease Dang Hua a bit, but who would have thought that Dang Hua wasn't someone to be trifled with? In the blink of an eye, she had subdued Lei Da Peng and made him obedient, and the two even seemed to hit it off, making it seem like they were really meant to be. As for Song Siying's anger, Shan Yong could somewhat understand it. Ever since joining the party, she hadn't been able to catch up with the first batch, and in the student council election, she had been suppressed by Wang Huating. She had thus drawn closer to students like Lao Bao, Chou Jiao, and Shan Yong, who were considered inferior, with a hint of seeking support from them.

  "Kuan jie, can't blame me for this? They're in love, what can I do?" Dan Yong said with a smile, usually calling Song Siying like that, and every time he called her that way, she would accept it calmly. However, today her mood was really bad, so she glared at Dan Yong and said: "Don't call me Kuan jie... It's impossible, not to mention Sha Lei, even you, Wang Huating didn't give a serious look... Forget it, let's not talk about this. So what do we do now?"

  "It's all about playing it cool now, school is taking a cold approach, no one can change this situation, whoever dares to speak out will be the first to suffer."

  Shan Yongdao said, the situation is very clear now. I have to admire the way the bureaucracy handles things - on one hand, they use public relations to suppress the incident, and on the other hand, they push the student union to the forefront. The other day's event was a bit unexpected, but now everywhere you look, there are student union cadres and students from each department and class who want to make progress. At this time, whoever jumps out to stir up trouble will definitely be the one who suffers. Among the good students, there is no shortage of those who would betray others by making secret reports.

  The mastermind behind this matter is the person in front of you. To be strict, Danyong can only say that he disapproves of the cafeteria's practices and occasionally plays the role of a dog-headed military advisor, after all, there are not many people who have richer experience and lessons from struggling with the school than him.

  Song Siying's eyes showed a hint of difficulty, looking at Shan Yong's attitude as if he was holding something heavy but pretending it was light. One plan failed, and another was born. She pulled on Shan Yong's arm, shaking it back and forth, pleading: "Shan Yong, you can't just ignore this, think of a solution."

  "What can I do?" Dan Yong said with a bitter smile.

  "You're quite famous, who doesn't know that you're the leader in school, the sports department and Chinese department all listen to you. Last time you initiated a sit-in protest, didn't over 200 people go?!" Song Siying said, pulling Single Yong's hand tighter, as if she had grasped a lifesaving straw. Single Yong struggled to break free, staring with wide eyes: "You want me to lead the trouble again, our department head has already warned us, if we dare to cause trouble again, he'll deduct my graduation certificate! I'm not easy to deal with, I've mixed for four years and there are only a few days left, can I afford to lose my graduation certificate?!"

  "No big deal, whoever dares to mess with you, I'll take care of it... Now all I need is someone to rally the troops and shout 'Charge!', and you're the best candidate." Song Siying was lavishing praise on him, even with a hint of admiration, as if she were about to jump into his arms.

  Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But Song Siying's overly enthusiastic behavior made Yuan Xiong's eyes narrow suspiciously as he said, "Not right, Qian Jie? You don't even eat in the school cafeteria, so why are you always thinking about getting along with others... No, this doesn't add up. This large cafeteria has poor quality and high prices, yet it sells well and has a huge profit margin. The contract rights are said to be highly sought after every year, could it have something to do with that?"

  Song Siying's eyes narrowed, and she quickly covered up by saying: "What are you talking about? Don't make wild guesses... I just can't stand the student union people, it's fine if we make them uncomfortable. You think of a plan, as long as we can get rid of Xia Pangzi who runs the cafeteria, I'll find a way to get your disciplinary record cleared up, how about that?"

  Song Siying's two eyes were flying with charm, tempting Single Yong's eyes to stare blankly, this condition was even more tempting than Song Siying herself. The file contained a school disciplinary action that was also a heart disease for someone, let alone Single Yong's file which had more than one.

  He hesitated for a moment, and in the face of greater temptation, Dan Yong became even more cautious and careful, to the point where he didn't dare to easily agree...

  (Additional update, please recommend, click and collect. Next chapter will be updated at 0 o'clock as usual.)