Chapter 6 — The Day I Left University A

Even at this point, she still believed her only wrongdoing was stealing my boyfriend, foolishly thinking that simply "returning" him could make up for everything. I refused her without a single trace of mercy.

Your matter will be handled by the university according to the regulations. I will not withdraw my formal report.

Vu!

Before she could continue her desperate screaming, I hung up the phone. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ye Shuxun's call came through as well. His voice sounded far more exhausted than it had days prior.

Vu, was it you who reported us?

Yes.

Why?

You broke the law, and reporting you is nothing less than my natural duty.

Vu.

His voice dropped to a low murmur.

If I am expelled from the university, my entire life will be completely ruined.

I replied coldly:

When you maliciously altered my college entrance application, did you ever stop to think that my life would be ruined too?

The other end of the line fell silent. After a long, agonizing pause, he finally spoke again.

That is completely different.

You are brilliant and academically gifted; even if you had to retake the exams for another year, you could easily pass into a good university. Me... I am not nearly as smart as you. If I get expelled, my parents will beat me to death.

I was practically on the verge of laughing out loud at his twisted logic.

Ye Shuxun, do you even hear yourself? Are those words coming from a rational human being?

Vu, I am begging you, just this once! Please withdraw your report, and I am willing to do anything you ask.

I remained completely unyielding.

Ye Shuxun, you must bear the consequences of your own actions.

With that, I hung up the phone and blocked his number entirely. Five days later, the official website of University A published a stark public announcement, detailing the official disciplinary decision to expel students Ye Shuxun and Xia Ling.

Following a thorough investigation, University A students Ye Shuxun and Xia Ling, belonging to the class of 2025, illegally and without consent altered the college entrance examination choices of fellow student Vu in July 2025, directly causing her to miss out on her desired university admissions. After careful deliberation and decision by the president's office conference, the university hereby issues the punishment of expulsion for both Ye Shuxun and Xia Ling.

I did not notice this announcement immediately. It was Shen Qiao, my dorm mate, who sent a screenshot into our dormitory chat group, bringing it to my attention.

Vu, isn't this Ye Shuxun the guy who used to cling to you all the time? And this student named Vu mentioned here, that couldn't possibly be you, could it?

She asked with cautious curiosity. I replied with a single character.

Mm.

The chat group fell completely silent for a full three minutes. Then, my other two roommates chimed in one after another.

Oh my god, girl, you have suffered so terribly!

Huang, but they finally got the retribution they deserved! Evil always meets its match in the heavens!

It is such a blessing that you finally managed to break away from them! No more words, tonight we are all going out for a grand feast to celebrate!

Due to the severe consequences and negative social impact of their actions, and considering that both Ye Shuxun and Xia Ling were legal adults, the university's administrative punishment was only the beginning. The two of them were subsequently sentenced to eleven months in prison and ordered to pay financial compensation for my emotional distress. At that moment, I finally felt the fierce anger I had harbored for a year completely dissipate. As for what would happen to them in the future, I no longer cared in the least.

Time flowed by swiftly. By the end of the very first month of the new semester, I had completely adapted to the vibrant rhythm of life at University S. During that period, my daily routine was wonderfully simple: attending lectures, studying in the library, and sharing delicious meals with my roommates and friends. There was no toxic drama, no messy entanglements, only genuine laughter and joy. In my freshman year, my GPA ranked first in my entire cohort. By my junior year, I had successfully joined the research team of a respected veteran professor in the physics department. Another year passed, and I was directly admitted to a combined master's and doctoral program at the university without needing entrance exams.

That year, when I returned home for the Lunar New Year, my mother brought up news about Ye Shuxun and Xia Ling over the dinner table.

Ye Shuxun attempted to retake the college entrance examinations, but his results were far from ideal. In his first year, his score plummeted by sixty points compared to his previous performance. Refusing to accept defeat, he studied for yet another year, only to see his score drop by another sixty points. After spending three years retaking the exams, he finally resigned himself to fate and enrolled in a mediocre vocational college. He completely disgraced his parents, and despite their advancing age, they went ahead and had a second child last year, hoping to raise a spare heir. As for Xia Ling, she worked at a supermarket for half a year, but unable to handle the physical hardship, she actually had the nerve to come begging your father and me.

Knowing my parents were not fools who would let themselves be taken advantage of, I asked:

And how did that go?

They chased her away immediately, of course!

Seeing my mother recount the story with such vibrant glee, I could not help but chuckle, picking up a piece of braised pork ribs and placing it in her bowl.

Mom, eat a bit more, you must be exhausted from telling such a long story!

My mother gave me an affectionate, scolding look.

Fine, fine! You are the one who needs to eat more! Look how thin you've gotten from all that intense studying!

After finishing the festive New Year's Eve dinner, I stood out on the balcony, watching the brilliant fireworks illuminate the night sky. My phone vibrated in my hand; it was my academic advisor sending a generous red envelope into our lab group chat.

Happy New Year, wishing you all the best in everything!

Quick-witted and fast-fingered, I swiftly grabbed the digital red envelope and typed out a flood of auspicious blessings to send back into the group. Setting my phone down, I looked out toward the bustling street outside the window. Suddenly, my thoughts drifted back to myself from so many years ago. That girl who, despite missing her college choices, managed to gather her strength and fight for her future once more. That girl who stood beneath the dormitory building of University A, and upon witnessing her boyfriend and best friend betray her, still possessed the immense courage to turn around and walk away. That girl who patiently gathered every piece of evidence to reclaim her own justice. I smiled faintly into the cold winter night, deeply grateful for every step that had led me here.