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The dust has settled.

When Xiao Ran, Liu Yuan, and Chen Qiming walked out of the security office, they looked as if they had just been pulled out of the water, completely exhausted.

The sunlight outside was blinding.

"Xiao Ran! Are you alright?" Han Ling's eyes were red, clearly she had been crying.

Xiao Ran looked at her, then at Su Ning who came out behind her, and a strong sense of humiliation welled up in his heart.

At this moment, he especially wanted to question Han Ling about whether she had begged Su Ning, what conditions she had agreed to, and what her relationship with Su Ning was now...

But in the end, he didn't ask anything.

Some questions only lead to more pain when answered.

"It's nothing," Xiao Ran said in a hoarse voice. "A demerit, probation, and compensation."

Han Ling breathed a sigh of relief, and tears welled up in her eyes again. "It's good that it's not a big deal."

"What's so good about it?" Liu Yuan said irritably. "The repair costs will be tens of thousands of yuan. How are we going to pay for it?"

Chen Qiming also looked worried, "If my dad finds out, he'll beat me to death..."

Sun Yumei, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Money can be earned slowly. As long as you're not fired, there's always a way."

As she said this, her eyes drifted toward Su Ning, who was not far away.

Su Ning was talking to the head of the security department, his profile sharply defined in the sunlight.

He seemed to sense the gaze, turned his head, and smiled slightly at Sun Yumei.

Sun Yumei's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly looked away.

Han Ling also witnessed this scene, and her heart inexplicably tightened.

She walked up to Xiao Ran and whispered, "Xiao Ran, I'm sorry... it's all because of me..."

“It’s none of your business,” Xiao Ran interrupted her, his tone curt. “We were just too stupid.”

Even so, the aloofness and hurt in his eyes cut Han Ling's heart like a knife.

"I'll help you raise the money," Han Ling said eagerly. "I've saved some money, and I can even do tutoring..."

"No need." Xiao Ran turned and left. "I'll handle my own affairs."

"Xiao Ran!" Han Ling wanted to chase after him, but Sun Yumei stopped her.

"Let him calm down," Sun Yumei advised softly.

Han Ling stood there, watching Xiao Ran's resolute figure disappear at the end of the tree-lined path, tears blurring her vision.

Little did she know, this turmoil was just the beginning.

The gears of fate have only just begun to turn.

……

That evening, in the girls' dormitory.

Han Ling tossed and turned in bed.

Everything that happened that afternoon replayed in my mind like a movie: Suning's roses, Xiao Ran's anger, the car vandalism incident, the standoff at the security office, and finally, Xiao Ran's wounded look...

"Han Ling, are you asleep?" Sun Yumei asked softly from the bed opposite.

"No."

"Do you think... Su Ning really likes you?"

Han Ling remained silent.

“I think so,” Sun Yumei said to herself. “Otherwise, why would he go to so much trouble? Chasing after you in a Mercedes, and then forgiving Xiao Ran and the others even after his car was scratched… That’s incredibly magnanimous.”

"Yu Mei, Xiao Ran is the only one in my heart," Han Ling said softly but firmly.

“I know.” Sun Yumei rolled over. “But to be honest, Su Ning’s conditions are really too good. He’s handsome, rich, and has a good personality… Xiao Ran is also good, but what will you two do in the future? He’ll only earn a couple hundred a month at most if he gets a job. How many years can you rely on dancing? You don’t need a house to get married? You don’t need money to have children?”

These words pierced Han Ling's heart like needles.

She must have thought about these things too.

Every time her mother wrote, she kept mentioning the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing and a wealthy husband. Her girlfriends also privately discussed how it was a pity that she and Xiao Ran were together...

“Besides, Xiao Ran has too much pride,” Sun Yumei continued. “He must feel extremely embarrassed about what happened today. From now on, every time he sees you, he’ll remember being ‘favored’ by Su Ning. How awkward is that?”

Han Ling bit her lip to stop her tears from falling.

She knew Sun Yumei was right.

Today at the security office, Xiao Ran's gaze towards her contained not only hurt, but also a deep, unhealable humiliation.

“And then there’s Su Ning,” Sun Yumei said with envy. “He pursued you openly, gave you flowers, and took you to the movies. Even after your car was vandalized, he still repaid evil with kindness… You might never meet a man like that again in your lifetime.”

The dormitory fell silent.

Han Ling kept thinking about things and couldn't sleep all night.

On the opposite bed, Sun Yumei was also awake.

With my eyes open, I kept replaying Suning's smile in my mind.

A bold idea quietly sprouted in her mind.

……

For the next few days, the talk of the campus revolved around the "Mercedes-Benz vandalism incident".

Xiao Ran and his two companions became the target of public criticism.

Wherever I go, people point and whisper.
"Look, they're the ones who scratched Suning's car."

"That's really despicable, just jealous of someone driving a nice car."

"I heard they're losing tens of thousands. Even if they sold everything they own, they probably couldn't afford it."

Xiao Ran became unusually silent.

He stopped going to the library to study, stopped participating in class activities, and even had his roommates bring his meals back to the dorm for him.

Liu Yuan and Chen Qiming were in no better shape; the three of them were like rats in the street, unable to lift their heads.

Suning, however, acted as if nothing had happened.

He still drove his Mercedes in and out of the campus as usual, still waited for Han Ling to finish class at the entrance of the dance building as usual, and still greeted every classmate who greeted him with a gentle smile.

This contrast stung Xiao Ran's heart even more.

Friday afternoon, dance class ended.

When Han Ling and Sun Yumei walked out of the teaching building, they indeed saw the black Mercedes parked in the same spot.

The scratches on the car body have disappeared. Suning spent a lot of money to hire a professional mechanic to repair it to its original condition overnight.

Su Ning leaned against the car door, holding two movie tickets in her hand.

"Han Ling." He walked over and handed her the ticket. "《Rolling Red Dust》, starts at six. Want to go?"

Han Ling hesitated, recalling Xiao Ran's hurt gaze, her roommates' gossip, and her mother's admonitions in her letter...

"I……"

"Go, Han Ling!" Sun Yumei suddenly interrupted, nudging her. "I heard this movie is really good, starring Brigitte Lin and Chin Han!"

Han Ling looked at the two tickets, then at Su Ning's sincere eyes, and took them as if possessed.

"I'll pick you up at six." Su Ning smiled, a clean and warm smile. "Remember to dress nicely."

After saying that, he nodded to Sun Yumei, then turned and got into the car and left.

"Han Ling, are you really going?" Sun Yumei asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"I..." Han Ling looked at the movie ticket in her hand, "I'll just consider it a thank you for helping Xiao Ran and the others."

"That's a good reason," Sun Yumei blinked. "But after watching the movie, shouldn't we treat them to a meal or something?"

Han Ling didn't say anything, but she was already thinking about which dress to wear.

……

At 5:50 p.m. sharp, Su Ning appeared downstairs at the girls' dormitory.

I changed my clothes today: a light blue shirt with khaki pants, my hair was neatly combed, and I smelled faintly of cologne.

On a university campus in 1992, his attire and demeanor made him look like a male lead straight out of a Hong Kong or Taiwanese movie. When Han Ling came downstairs, she was wearing a white dress, her hair was down, and she had light makeup on.

She was already beautiful, and with a little makeup, she became even more radiant.

"It's beautiful," Su Ning praised sincerely, opening the car door for her.

This scene was witnessed by many girls, who exclaimed with envy.

The Mercedes drove out of the campus and headed towards the downtown cinema.

Soft music drifted through the carriage; it was Teresa Teng's "I Only Care About You".

"This song..." Han Ling was somewhat surprised.

In 1992, Teresa Teng's songs were still considered "decadent music" in mainland China and had not yet been fully banned, so they were not commonly heard.

"These are cassette tapes I brought back from Shenzhen," Su Ning said with a smile. "Do you like them?"

Han Ling nodded. She did like Teresa Teng, but she didn't dare to listen to her in public.

The movie theater was crowded.

"Red Dust" is one of the most anticipated art films of the year, telling a poignant love story set in a turbulent era.

Brigitte Lin and Chin Han's acting skills, Sanmao's script, Lo Ta-yu's music... every element attracts young people.

In the darkness, Han Ling watched intently.

When the song "Easy to come, hard to go, a journey through life for decades" played on the screen, her eyes welled up with tears.

Su Ning sat quietly beside her, neither taking the opportunity to hold her hand nor saying anything more.

He silently handed Han Ling a handkerchief as she wiped away her tears.

After the movie ended, the two walked out of the theater with the crowd.

"Are you hungry?" Su Ning asked. "I know a nice Western restaurant nearby, want to go try it?"

Han Ling wanted to refuse, but her stomach growled loudly.

She blushed and nodded.

Western restaurants were a rarity in this era.

Soft lighting, a small square table covered with a white tablecloth, silver cutlery, and waiters in black vests.

Suning skillfully ordered steak, salad, soup, and dessert, and also a bottle of red wine.

"Do you come to places like this often?" Han Ling asked somewhat reservedly.

After all, it was her first time at a Western restaurant, and she didn't even know how to use a knife and fork.

“I’ve eaten here a few times.” Su Ning helped her lay out a napkin and patiently taught her how to use the knife and fork, “Hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right. Use them from the outside in, first the salad, then the main course…”

His gentleness and attentiveness gradually put Han Ling at ease.

The red wine brought a blush to both of their cheeks.

The conversation ranged from movies to music, from campus life to the future.

"Han Ling, where do you plan to go after graduation?" Su Ning asked.

"I don't know." Han Ling poked at her salad with her fork. "Maybe she'll stay at the university as a teacher, or go to the performing arts troupe. What about you?"

“My father wants me to go to Shenzhen to help him manage his business,” Su Ning said, taking a sip of her drink. “But I want to do something on my own. With the reform and opening up, there are many opportunities in Shenzhen.”

“Shenzhen…” Han Ling’s eyes drifted to the window. “I heard it’s a very prosperous place, full of skyscrapers.”

“Indeed.” Su Ning nodded. “But it’s also very cruel. They don’t believe in tears there, only in strength.”

He paused, looking at Han Ling, "Han Ling, have you ever thought about leaving here and seeing a bigger world?"

Han Ling was stunned. She had lived in this city since she was a child, studying, dancing, falling in love...

I never thought about traveling far away.

"I……"

"No rush to answer," Su Ning smiled. "There's still time. If you want to see the sea, skyscrapers, and a different world, I can take you there."

These words were like a seed, quietly planted in Han Ling's heart.

……

Dinner ended in a pleasant atmosphere, and it was already 10 p.m. when Suning took Han Ling back to her dormitory.

In front of the dormitory building, the shadows of the sycamore trees swayed under the streetlights.

"Thank you for the invitation tonight," Han Ling said softly. "The movie was great, and the dinner was delicious too."

“It’s my honor.” Su Ning looked at her gently. “Han Ling, I know you still have feelings for Xiao Ran. I won’t force you or pressure you. I just hope you can give me a chance to prove that I can give you happiness, not the kind that can be bought with money, but a real and lasting happiness.”

Han Ling's heart raced, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

"There's a dance at school next week," Su Ning said. "Can I ask you to be my dance partner?"

Han Ling bit her lip, intending to refuse, but the words that came out were, "I...I'll think about it."

"Okay." Su Ning smiled. "Good night, Han Ling."

"Good night."

Watching Han Ling walk into the dormitory building, Su Ning turned around and got back into the car.

Instead of leaving immediately, he lit a cigarette and quietly finished it.

A system notification sounded in my mind:
Side quest 'Initial Contact' completed.

Han Ling's favorability rating: 35/100 (curious, wavering, slight favorability)

[Xiao Ran's Destiny Deviation: 15%]

[Liu Yuan's Fate Deviation: 10%]

[Chen Qiming's Fate Deviation: 8%]

[Award received: Insider information about the Shenzhen stock market in 1992]

Suning exhaled a smoke ring, a smile playing on his lips.

It’s just a good show.

Meanwhile, in the boys' dormitory, Xiao Ran was staring blankly out the window.

He knew that Han Ling and Su Ning had gone to the movies tonight.

When my roommate came back, she accidentally let it slip, "Xiao Ran, I saw Han Ling get into Su Ning's car, she was dressed up so beautifully..."

At that moment, Xiao Ran felt as if his heart had been stabbed.

Thinking of Han Ling's happy face as she held the roses, remembering how she pleaded for him at the security office, and imagining herself sitting side by side with Su Ning in the movie theater tonight...

"Xiao Ran." Liu Yuan walked over and handed him a cigarette. "Don't think about it. Women are all realistic. Given our current situation, it's normal for Han Ling to choose Su Ning."

"Shut up," Xiao Ran said coldly.

But he knew in his heart that Liu Yuan was right.

Without money, without status, and without even the ability to protect your woman, what's the point of talking about love?
Xiao Ran stubbed out his cigarette, his gaze gradually turning cold and resolute.

He wants to become stronger, to earn lots and lots of money, to have status, and to be respected by everyone.

We must make Han Ling regret her choice today.

He also wanted to let Su Ning know that Xiao Ran was not someone to be trifled with.

The night is getting darker.

At an agricultural university, the fates of several young people are quietly changing due to the arrival of a time traveler.

In 1992, China's reform and opening-up was surging forward at an unprecedented speed.

The Shenzhen stock market, the Hainan real estate market, civil servants leaving government service to start businesses, the spring breeze brought by Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour speeches...

In the context of a great era, everyone's choices will determine their next ten, twenty years, or even their entire life.

Ten years of love?

Perhaps this time, the story will have a different ending.

...(End of chapter)