She Gives Too Much (GL) - Chapter 18

“Chen Xi, do you miss me?”

Chen Xi stood in the fifth-floor corridor of the office building, leaning against the wall with the Director’s office behind her.

Her gaze fell to Li Zhi’s message, her thumb hovering over the nine-grid keyboard, hesitating to press down.

After what felt like an eternity, she typed a single word:

“Yes.”

No cutesy emojis, no emoticons, no extra symbols—just a simple, stark word, so unlike Chen Xi’s usual style.

She stared at the message she’d sent, exhaled softly, and tilted her head back against the cool marble tiles behind her.

It was the weariness of someone who had shed their mask.

“Qian Qian, what’s going on?” Chen Ying rushed over, her face flushed and her hair slightly disheveled.

She hastily brushed her hair aside and closed her umbrella. “The Director wasn’t clear on the phone. How could Yan Tuo possibly get into a fight?”

Chen Xi put away her phone and straightened up. “I wasn’t there either. Xiao Xiao said Li Tingyun was gossiping about me in front of the freshmen.”

Li Tingyun was a second-year graduate student from a different department in the same college. Like Chen Xi and Yan Tuo, she had been assigned to mentor the first-year freshmen this year.

Chen Ying’s face darkened. She patted Chen Xi’s arm reassuringly. “Wait here. I’ll go see what’s happening.”

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Inside the Director’s office, the balding, middle-aged Director of Student Affairs was scolding the two female students standing before him, his index finger stabbing the desk for emphasis. His expression was grim.

“Tell me, as second-year graduate students, how can you set such a terrible example by resorting to violence in front of the freshmen?”

“You two are top students in your respective fields. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been assigned to mentor the freshmen.”

“And now look at this mess! You nearly caused a full-blown brawl between the freshman classes. What exemplary senior sisters you are!”

Yan Tuo stood expressionless, while Li Tingyun’s face burned with resentment.

Though their expressions differed, neither spoke.

“If we take this seriously, it’s considered misconduct and could result in academic demerits.”

At this, Chen Ying interjected, “Director, please don’t get too angry yet. Let’s hear both students’ accounts after Teacher Zhang arrives before making any decisions.”

Chen Ying was Yan Tuo’s mentor, while Li Tingyun’s mentor was still on their way.

The Director shot the students an disapproving glance.

Chen Ying then approached Yan Tuo, who seemed unharmed. Li Tingyun, however, had a red mark on her left cheek, as if she’d been slapped.

“Why did you resort to violence?” Chen Ying whispered, her voice low.

“She ran her mouth. She deserved it,” Yan Tuo retorted.

Li Tingyun whipped her head around, glaring fiercely at Yan Tuo, as if about to unleash a torrent of insults.

Chen Ying’s face hardened. “We’ll discuss the details later. For now, both of you stand here and reflect on your actions.”

Li Tingyun held her breath and turned her face away again.

The office fell silent.

Teacher Zhang arrived quickly. Unlike Chen Ying, who was supervising graduate students for the first time this year, the forty-something Teacher Zhang had mentored countless students over the years.

When she saw Chen Xi standing outside, she didn’t say a word but simply pushed the door open and walked in.

“Everyone’s here. You two, explain what happened.”

The Director set down his pen and looked at the two students.

The truth of the matter had already spread like wildfire through the student groups.

Chen Xi’s class and Li Tingyun’s class were stationed so close together during military training that the boys and girls from the neighboring class couldn’t help but turn their heads to look at Chen Xi.

“The senior sister next door is so beautiful! She’s gorgeous and has such an elegant aura.”

“Her fashion sense is amazing too. She carries a different bag and wears a different outfit every day.”

“Speaking of bags, did you notice? She carries a Chanel in the morning and a Hermès in the afternoon. They look like classic models, probably worth this much.”

The girl stretched out both hands, gesturing a large number.

Li Tingyun happened to walk by as the girls were gathered chatting after dinner, and she scoffed dismissively.

“You can’t judge people by appearances. You’ve only been here a few days—what do you even know?”

Her words carried a hint of gossip.

“Senior Sister, tell us more!”

Someone eagerly scooted over, gesturing for Li Tingyun to sit down and elaborate.

“There’s nothing much to tell. You’ll find out about her little secrets soon enough.”

Li Tingyun had high cheekbones and a sharp chin, and she always seemed to glance at people out of the corner of her eye, unintentionally projecting a sharp, bitter demeanor.

“Senior Sister, please tell us!”

“You really want to hear this?” Li Tingyun reluctantly let herself be pulled down to sit. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

“You might not know this, but the Senior Sister you all think is so beautiful actually did her undergraduate studies here.”

“Don’t let her designer bags fool you. Back in college, she was so poor she couldn’t even afford takeout. She only had a couple of outfits, and she even fainted from hunger in public once—everyone knows about it.”

“It’s only been a few years, and now she’s decked out in designer bags. She’s so pretty, who knows where those things came from?”

Li Tingyun practically accused Chen Xi of being someone’s mistress, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Li Tingyun lifted her chin, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction at being the center of attention.

Xiao Xiao had an evening class and was walking with Yan Tuo, who lived in the same direction, when they overheard the conversation.

Furious, Xiao Xiao marched over and demanded, “Who are you talking about?”

Li Tingyun rose from the ground, sizing Xiao Xiao up with a sidelong glance.

Crossing her arms, she sneered, “Aren’t you that girl’s roommate? Everyone on campus knows about her situation. Why shouldn’t we talk about it?”

“You—!” Xiao Xiao’s face flushed crimson with anger.

Yan Tuo stepped forward, standing beside Xiao Xiao. She asked lazily, “Who are you talking about? What situation does everyone supposedly know?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Li Tingyun scoffed. “I’m talking about Chen Xi. Can’t you figure that out?”

“A poor student flaunting designer bags? Who knows if she’s someone’s mistress or if she bought them with her scholarship money.”

Slap!

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the air, striking Li Tingyun’s face. For a moment, even the surrounding breeze seemed to still.

Yan Tuo shook her numb hand and lifted her eyelids to glare at Li Tingyun. “Say that again?”

Li Tingyun, humiliated by being slapped in front of her junior classmates, nearly lost her mind. Her voice rose to a sharp pitch. “If she dares to do it, why can’t I talk about it?”

A crowd gathered, mostly first-year graduate students Li Tingyun had brought with her.

Dozens of eyes fixed on Yan Tuo. “Senior Sister, how could you hit someone?”

“Her mouth is filthy. What’s wrong with slapping her?”

The two classes were close by. As the opposing group stood up, Yan Tuo’s first-year graduate students closed ranks behind her, while the male students from her class rushed over from nearby.

The speaker was Chen Xi, the class representative of Yan Tuo’s first-year graduate students. “Don’t you know it’s wrong to provoke people like that?”

“Who are you calling a provocateur?” Li Tingyun glared at the junior classmate, her tone dripping with menace.

With nearly a hundred students from both classes facing off, the air crackled with tension, threatening to erupt into violence at any moment.

Yan Tuo spoke coolly, “I’m talking about you.”

She hadn’t intended to explain, but the crowd was too large, and if she didn’t clarify, rumors might spread.

“Chen Xi earned her scholarship because she’s outstanding. Whether she buys a bag or a car is none of your business. You don’t need to be jealous just because your grades aren’t as good as hers.”

“I’ve known her since freshman year through her second year of graduate school. What do you know that I don’t?”

“Chen Xi was short on money during her freshman year because her mother was seriously ill and hospitalized. Every penny went toward her treatment. And when she fainted, it wasn’t from hunger—it was because her mother passed away that day after the treatment failed!”

Yan Tuo took a breath and glared at her. “What right do you have to talk about things you don’t understand? What gives you the authority to judge her private life?”

“Except for her first two years when Chen Xi received the National Endeavor Scholarship, she’s been awarded the National Scholarship every year since. Is your lower GPA the reason you’re slandering her behind her back?”

As her words hung in the air, silence fell over the crowd. The underclassmen behind Li Tingyun were especially embarrassed, unable to even lift their heads.

Xiao Xiao gently placed her hand on Yan Tuo’s trembling arm, her eyes shimmering with concern.

Li Tingyun felt every gaze around her like needles piercing her skin, her left cheek burning with humiliation.

“What’s going on here? Disperse!”

The drill instructor rushed over to break up the crowd, simultaneously notifying the department director.

A student had recorded the entire incident on video. After reviewing it, Chen Ying handed the phone to the director.

Her face grim, Chen Ying turned to Li Tingyun. “I won’t waste my breath defending my student. Just one thing: Chen Xi received the National Scholarship last year. If you don’t believe me, ask Teacher Zhang or the director.”

The National Scholarship and the National Endeavor Scholarship are distinct.

The former is awarded solely for academic excellence, while the latter requires both outstanding grades and demonstrated financial need.

The number of scholarship slots per department each year is limited, especially for national-level awards, which typically involve fierce competition among students within the same department.

Li Tingyun and Chen Xi were rivals, though Li Tingyun had barely missed being selected due to slightly lower grades.

Li Tingyun’s claim to the underclassmen that Chen Xi had used the National Inspirational Scholarship to buy a designer bag implied that Chen Xi didn’t deserve the scholarship and had deceived the school. If the rumor spread, the consequences could be severe.

Teacher Zhang nodded. “Teacher Chen Ying is right. Chen Xi voluntarily declined the National Inspirational Scholarship and received the National Scholarship instead. You shouldn’t question her on this matter.”

“Is this a question? It’s slander.”

Chen Ying’s face tightened. “My student’s excellence is the result of her hard work and what she deserves. Why should she be subjected to such vile accusations?”

“You’re a woman yourself. You understand the importance of reputation. By smearing her name and calling her a ‘third party,’ did you ever consider the public pressure she would face?”

Chen Ying turned to the Director. “I believe Li Tingyun should apologize to Chen Xi.”

After reviewing the video, the Director looked up at the two students and their respective mentors.

Teachers instinctively protect their students.

“Even if Li Tingyun was wrong, does that justify Yan Tuo resorting to violence?” Teacher Zhang countered.

“What issue can’t be resolved through words? Why resort to physical aggression? If Li Tingyun apologizes, shouldn’t Yan Tuo apologize to her as well?”

“Has Chen Xi arrived?” the Director asked Chen Ying.

“Yes, she’s at the door.”

The Director nodded. “Let her in.”

When Chen Ying opened the door, Chen Xi was squatting on the ground, her legs tired from standing. Hearing the movement, she looked up.

Chen Ying’s heart ached for her. “Qian Qian,” she whispered, “the Director wants to see you.”

“This incident has cast a shadow over everything. Li Tingyun shouldn’t have slandered her classmate, and Yan Tuo shouldn’t have resorted to violence. They’ve both set a terrible example for the newcomers. I’ll discuss appropriate disciplinary measures with your mentors later.”

The Director turned to Chen Xi, his voice softening considerably. “As the victim in this situation, do you accept Li Tingyun’s apology?”

Chen Xi blinked and glanced at her mentor, Chen Ying, who gave her an encouraging nod.

“No, I don’t accept it,” Chen Xi said, shaking her head. “She publicly slandered me. I won’t accept a private apology.”

Teacher Zhang frowned. “Chen Xi, we’re all classmates here.”

“Did she treat me like a classmate?” Chen Xi asked, her voice tinged with confusion. “If that’s the case, can I verbally insult her first and then offer a casual apology?”

“If verbal abuse isn’t considered wrong, then Yan Tuo shouldn’t have to apologize either. Yan Tuo only hit her face, but Li Tingyun wounded my heart.”

Chen Xi sniffled, her face fragile. “What if my mental fortitude isn’t strong enough and I jump off a building? Would you take responsibility, Director?”

The Director stared at her, his silence speaking volumes.

Chen Xi’s meaning was clear: if they were settling this privately, Yan Tuo shouldn’t be punished.

The Director looked at Chen Xi. “While their actions don’t warrant a formal disciplinary action or deduction of academic credits, they certainly can’t continue supervising students. My suggestion is this: Li Tingyun apologizes to you, Yan Tuo apologizes to Li Tingyun, and we put an end to this matter.”

Chen Xi smiled. “The Director is right.”

The two mentors nodded in agreement.

Yan Tuo glanced lazily at Li Tingyun. “Sorry for hitting you.”

Her apology lacked even a shred of sincerity.

Li Tingyun desperately wanted to refuse, but under the Director’s watchful gaze, she had no choice but to comply.

She glared at Chen Xi, pinching her nose as she spat out, “I’m sorry.”

Chen Xi smiled, radiating magnanimity. “I’m not just academically gifted, I’m also incredibly forgiving. I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t let it happen again, okay?”

Li Tingyun’s face twisted with disgust.

As they left the Director’s office, Chen Ying said to Yan Tuo, “Even though the Director said you can’t supervise students anymore, he didn’t say you can’t help Qian Qian with her class. You should still go, okay?”

Yan Tuo stared blankly.

Chen Ying had thought she’d gotten off easy earlier.

She turned to Chen Xi. “Qian Qian, your family—”

Chen Xi tilted her head and smiled. “It’s okay, Teacher. It’s all in the past.”

Chen Ying didn’t press further, simply patting Chen Xi’s arm.

Xiao Xiao arrived after school to pick them up and bring an umbrella, her voice bubbling with glee.

“Li Tingyun is going to be so embarrassed! Serves her right for talking about Qian Qian behind her back.”

“Our Qian Qian can buy as many bags as she wants! What’s it to them?”

Yan Tuo gently shook her head at Xiao Xiao.

Chen Xi didn’t like bringing up her freshman and sophomore years; those times held no glimmer of light for her.

Xiao Xiao realized her mistake, pursing her lips and stealing a glance at Chen Xi.

“It’s okay,” Chen Xi said, her face wearing a carefree smile. “Thank you both for today.”

She reached out to pinch Xiao Xiao’s round cheek, then patted Yan Tuo’s arm. “Thank you.”

Yan Tuo awkwardly brushed Chen Xi’s hand away. “Just talk. No need to get handsy.”

Chen Xi didn’t retort. “Oh, my delivery’s here. You two go ahead. I’ll grab it and catch up.”

With a bright smile and a wave, she opened her umbrella and skipped toward the campus gate.

Xiao Xiao felt a pang of worry. Chen Xi’s smile seemed too forced, too sweet.

She instinctively took a step forward. “It’s so dark. I’ll go with you.”

Yan Tuo reached out and grabbed Xiao Xiao’s wrist. “Come back after you eat,” she called after Chen Xi.

Chen Xi waved without turning around.

Xiao Xiao glanced at Yan Tuo, puzzled. “The cafeteria’s probably closed by now. Where’s she even going to eat?”

“She didn’t order anything.”

Yan Tuo pulled Xiao Xiao toward their dorm, her face flushed and her palm burning. “She just wanted to take a walk.”

The death of Chen Xi’s mother had been a devastating blow. Even years later, the memory still felt surreal.

The person she had desperately clung to had slipped away, leaving a despair that no one who hadn’t experienced it could truly understand.

Yan Tuo remembered that during those dark days, Chen Xi’s eyes had lost their light, and she had moved through life like a living ghost.

Later, Chen Xi’s father seized a business opportunity and his company suddenly took off. It was only after his business grew that her family became wealthy.

Chen Xi loved buying handbags because the last birthday gift her mother gave her before she passed away was a handmade purse.

Perhaps Chen Xi channeled her longing for her mother into handbags, which is why her eyes lit up whenever she saw one.

Yan Tuo told Xiao Xiao, “Everyone has their vulnerabilities. Today, Li Tingyun’s mention of Chen Xi’s family background and her habit of buying bags probably reminded her of her mother.”

“Let her have some time alone. Tomorrow, she’ll be back to her usual narcissistic, vain self.”

Chen Xi walked aimlessly through the campus under her umbrella, her other hand unconsciously resting on her dark green shoulder bag, gently stroking it.

In the dim, rainy weather, the bag looked almost black. Only under the streetlights could its deep, rich green hue be discerned.

It’s so beautiful, she thought.

A few more steps would take her out of the campus gate. Feeling tired, Chen Xi sat down on a round stone stool near the entrance, not caring that it was damp.

She lowered her head, touching the bag on her lap, her lashes drooping. Her face was expressionless, her gaze empty, like that of a delicate, beautiful doll.

Until a pair of familiar black patent leather stilettos suddenly appeared in her line of sight.

The exposed instep of the shoe was delicate and shapely, as refined and capable as its owner.

Chen Xi stared at the shoes, thinking it was a hallucination. She blinked twice and tentatively tapped the toe of her own shoe against them.

Li Zhi was speechless.

She genuinely hadn’t expected Chen Xi to react this way upon seeing her.

Shouldn’t she be throwing herself into my arms? What kind of greeting is this foot-tapping?

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