C20 Retreat from School

Upon hearing those words, Mu Xun's face darkened. As a man himself, he understood the workings of a man's mind all too well.

Men often grow tired of the old and yearn for the new, and Ye Yufei was no exception. It wasn't surprising that he might seek someone else's company. The Ye family had a prominent reputation in the city, and there was no shortage of women eager to associate with them, many of whom came from wealthier backgrounds.

If Ye Yufei's interest in Mu Yanrou waned, it would be all too easy for him to turn his attention to other women.

"Why don't we hold off on the temper tantrums at home, okay? Like I've told you before, sometimes you really need to work on your temperament. If you're set on marrying Ye Yufei, you're going to face many more challenges. If you can't handle this, how will you cope with being by his side in the future?" Mu Xun spoke gently, knowing that for the sake of the family's honor, he had to marry off his daughter. Life with the Ye family wouldn't be easy, but she and Ye Yufei had shared a bond once. Ye Yufei had been quite accommodating to Mu Yanrou, and with some patience, they should be able to get along well.

"Don't be upset right now. It's quite normal for a man's thoughts to wander. Rather than wallowing in sadness, why not think about how to overcome the awkwardness between you two? You need to figure out how to win back Ye Yufei's affection and get him to focus on you again."

Mu Xun spoke earnestly, but Mu Yanrou was too agitated to take his advice to heart.

Love wasn't like a business transaction where interests were the only concern. If they joined with the Ye family, they would be the ones to benefit, and the Ye family was no fool.

"Dad, what am I supposed to do? When I speak to him now, he's so distant, he doesn't even want to look at me. How can I possibly bridge the gap between us under these circumstances?" Mu Yanrou looked at Mu Xun, more anxious than she had ever been. She had once believed that Ye Yufei would always be devoted to her, but reality had proven her wrong.

"Don't be so anxious. Men appreciate a gentler touch from women. From now on, you must avoid showing any hint of your previous haughtiness around him. Try to see things from his perspective, and in time, he'll come to see you as an essential part of his life."

When Mu Xun made his statement, Mu Yanrou strongly disagreed. In a relationship, it wasn't just about the benefits; caring for each other was crucial. What was the point of sharing life with just someone's physical presence?

The following morning, as Chen Xue arrived at school, she noticed many people pointing and whispering about her. She was puzzled by the situation. These individuals seemed different today, oddly muttering among themselves, unlike their usual interactions.

Chen Xue typically ignored such gossip, but the intensity of the whispers today caught her attention. Was it related to yesterday's incident?

"Chen Xue, there you are! I've been searching all over the school for you. You need to get to the school director's office quickly. It's room 2202 in the administration building," gasped a girl, catching up to her from behind. Chen Xue turned around with a frown.

She wondered what this was all about. Lately, she'd been summoned to the principal's office and now the director's office. Was she suddenly that popular at school?

"Hold on, Ruirui! Who told you this? And why do I need to go to the director's office?" Chen Xue asked, her curiosity piqued. Ruirui, standing before her, was just as bewildered.

She had been waiting for Chen Xue in the study room, but Chen Xue never showed up.

"You're asking me? We had plans to meet in the study room today, but you weren't there. When I came out, I saw school staff waiting for me at the study room entrance. I tried calling you several times, but couldn't get through, so I ended up looking for you all over the school," Ruirui explained, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Chen Xue instinctively checked her phone, which she had left in a rush the previous day without her charger. After the unsettling encounter with those two crazies yesterday, she had no desire to even touch her phone.

"Can you take my stuff back to the dorm? I need to check out what's happening at the director's office," Chen Xue said, handing her backpack to Ruirui before heading off at a brisk pace.

Upon reaching the vicinity of office 2202, Chen Xue felt a twinge of apprehension. She rarely interacted with the school's board of directors.

Peeking inside, she caught sight of Xia Lin standing there.

"Oh, even you get scared? You're already here, so why lurk in the background? Come on in."

He grinned at Chen Xue, his smile oozing malice. Clearly, he had summoned her to the office for a reason. Considering their resemblance, could they be related? Or perhaps father and son?

"So, you're Chen Xue. You were the one arguing with my son in the cafeteria yesterday, weren't you? Today, you must apologize to him. Your words were a grave insult to my son. If you don't apologize publicly, how is he supposed to face anyone at school?"

The burly man sat behind the desk, his slight movements causing the chair to squeak. It was baffling to Chen Xue how such individuals found their way into the school.

Chen Xue scoffed. It made sense now why the board had sought her out; these two shared a connection. No wonder Xia Lin strutted around the school with such impunity, his father's support emboldening him.

Chen Xue looked them straight in the eye. This was an educational institution, not a playground for their theatrics. His father might be a director who had contributed to the school, but they had also leveraged that position for personal gain, which had nothing to do with the student body.

His status was confined to his own social circle, while Chen Xue was merely a member of the school community.

"Why should I apologize? You should be asking your son who started the confrontation. It was your son who publicly humiliated me. Am I not allowed to defend myself? Not everyone is content to be walked all over by you, to be treated like dirt. I refuse to be that person!"

Chen Xue bit down hard on her last few words. Xia Lin's father just smiled, pulled a document from a drawer, and placed it before her.

"If you're unwilling to apologize, then sign this consent form. You can pack your belongings and leave by this afternoon. As of today, you'll be dismissed from the school."

Chen Xue's fists tightened. These people were intolerable. Though the school held little for her to miss, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret; not graduating was a departure from her plans.

"Once you sign this agreement, make sure you won't regret it. Because even if you end up pleading, I won't return."