Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

In the afternoon, during the class meeting.

Counselor Liu stood on the podium, looking at dozens of pairs of eyes below.

"The department has already reviewed the report letter regarding student Mu Wanqing."

The classroom fell silent.

Zhao Weiguo's eyes lit up.

A slight smile appeared on Liu Yuanchao's lips.

Counselor Liu continued, "After investigation, it was found that Mu Wanqing and Zhang Dabiao established their romantic relationship before enrollment. According to school regulations, matters occurring before enrollment are not within the scope of this investigation."

The classroom erupted in chaos.

"What?!"

"This isn't fair!"

"Why should I?!"

Counselor Liu raised his hand and pressed it down.

"Furthermore, Mu Wanqing and Zhang Dabiao are engaged and are considered a betrothed. School regulations only prohibit dating during school hours, not engagement. Therefore, the department has decided not to take any action."

"Bang!"

Zhao Weiguo slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"Teacher Liu! This isn't fair! They clearly violated school rules, why aren't they being punished?"

Counselor Liu glanced at him.

"Zhao Weiguo, tell me, which school rule prohibits engagement?"

Zhao Weiguo was stunned.

"Which rule states that dating before enrollment will be dealt with?"

He was stunned again.

"No, right?" Counselor Liu closed his notebook. "Therefore, no action will be taken, which is in accordance with regulations."

He turned to leave, then stopped.

"By the way, Zhao Weiguo and Liu Yuanchao, I understand your feelings about submitting the report. However, I hope you will focus your energy on your studies instead of staring at your classmates' private lives."

he's gone.

The classroom was deathly silent.

Zhao Weiguo stood there, stunned, his face ashen.

Liu Yuanchao gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table.

The girls next to her exchanged glances, and a few of them secretly looked at Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing sat in the corner with her head down, and no one could see her expression.

But her hand, clutching the hem of her clothes, trembled slightly.

Fortunately, the department didn't investigate further, and the engagement just happened to skirt the edge of school rules.

I've passed this hurdle; I won't be punished or expelled.

------------

The matter of the report was dropped.

But Mu Wanqing's life was not easy.

"Wanqing, our group is full for today's group assignment."

"But...didn't we agree yesterday that I would join?"

Yesterday is yesterday, today is today. Go find someone else.

"Wanqing, three people are enough for our group this time. Why don't you ask other groups?"

"Wanqing, the vocal practice time has been changed this week. Didn't anyone tell you? Oh dear, I probably forgot."

Overt and covert exclusion is everywhere.

In class, no one wanted to team up with her for collaborative assignments.

During rehearsals, she stood on the sidelines and never got a chance to perform.

In the cafeteria, she sat down with her lunchbox in hand, and the people around her immediately stood up and moved to other tables.

Mu Wanqing bit her lip and remained silent.

She knew it was intentional.

Because her fiancé was too powerful, because her social class was too low, because they were jealous, because they were unwilling to accept it.

So they want to make her suffer.

Let her give up.

Let her get lost.

But she didn't.

She remembered what Zhang Dabiao had said.

What they say is their business. Who you are is your business.

She took a deep breath, raised her head, and went back to the practice room to practice singing. What were these little storms compared to this?

------------

A week later, creative class.

The teacher stood on the podium and announced the assignment.

"At the end of this month, the school will be holding an arts festival. Each class in our department needs to put on a performance. It can be singing, dancing, or even a small musical. Teams are free to form, and everyone is free to create. First drafts are due in two weeks, and the best ones will be recommended."

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom became lively.

"Let's team up!"

"I'll team up with you!"

Who should be the team leader?

Mu Wanqing sat in the corner, watching the lively discussion around her, but no one came to find her.

She lowered her head, opened her notebook, and pretended to write something.

"Mu Wanqing".

She looked up—it was her class monitor, Zhao Weiguo.

Zhao Weiguo looked at her with a slight smile on his lips.

"For this assignment, a few of our class committee members have formed a team. Would you like to join?"

Mu Wanqing was stunned.

"You...would you let me join?"

"Of course," Zhao Weiguo smiled warmly. "You're a member of our class, how could you fall behind?"

A sense of vigilance rose in Mu Wanqing's heart.

But before she could say anything, Liu Yuanchao spoke up.

"However, Mu Wanqing, we have a small request."

"What are your requirements?"

Liu Yuanchao smiled.

"Don't you have a really talented fiancé? Why don't you have him help you with your creative work? Let's see if he's really as talented as you say."

Mu Wanqing's expression changed.

As mentioned in a previous conversation, Zhang Dabiao helped Mu Wanqing with singing techniques and songwriting before the college entrance examination. Although Zhang Dabiao couldn't understand sheet music, his musical sense was unmatched.

Aside from having better vocal and physical attributes than Zhang Dabiao, Mu Wanqing's "essential understanding" of music might not actually be as good as Zhang Dabiao's.

He's a genius!

Of course! How much did Zhang Dabiao in later generations listen to? And how much did Mu Wanqing listen to now?

"What do you mean?" Mu Wanqing felt that Zhao Weiguo and his group had ill intentions.

"It's nothing," Zhao Weiguo waved his hand. "It's just a friendly competition. You two will be on one team, and a few of our class committee members will be on the other. We'll have the teacher as the judges and see whose work is better."

"Yes," Zhang Mingyuan leaned closer, "If you win, we'll never interfere in your affairs again. You can do whatever you want with him."

He paused.

"But what if you lose—"

"What if we lose?"

"We lost," Zhao Weiguo smiled, "so tell your fiancé not to pick you up from school anymore. Our school can't afford to lose face."

Mu Wanqing clenched her fists.

"You're bullying us!"

"Bullying me?" Liu Yuanchao laughed. "Mu Wanqing, this is fair competition. Your fiancé is so capable, are you afraid you can't beat us?"

Several girls nearby gathered around, chattering amongst themselves.

"That's right, let him come!"

"Let us see what kind of man can make you fall head over heels for him!"

"Are you kidding me?"

Mu Wanqing's face flushed red, and her chest heaved.

She wanted to refuse, to yell at someone, to turn around and leave.

But she held back, suddenly remembering Zhang Dabiao's boast—"To be honest, I'm completely hopeless at playing instruments and doing theory, but when it comes to songwriting, composing, and music creation, even your teachers might not be able to beat me!"

Mu Wanqing unconditionally trusted Zhang Dabiao! He was her man!

So she looked at Zhao Weiguo and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"If I agree, will you never bother me again?"

Zhao Weiguo was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Of course. A gentleman's word is as good as his bond, and the whole class can attest to that!"

Mu Wanqing remained silent for a few seconds.

"it is good."

The surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Everyone stared at her, their eyes filled with surprise—and excitement.

"Mu Wanqing, have you gone mad?"

"You, alone and an outsider, are trying to compare yourself to them?"

"They're class committee members! Professionals!"

Mu Wanqing ignored them.

She looked at Zhao Weiguo.

"When will the competition be held?"

"Two weeks later, when it's time to submit the assignment." They first submit their work for screening, then the department recommends it, and finally the college leaders make the final decision before rehearsals begin.

"OK."

She stood up, packed her schoolbag, and left without looking back.

Behind me, a buzz of discussion arose.

"She really agreed?"

"He's gone mad, completely mad."

"Just wait and see what happens."