Chapter 124: Maintaining Dignity

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Maintaining Dignity

Su Wan returned the barb without showing any emotion. The two women locked eyes, both understanding exactly what the other meant.

"It seems he’s matured. He used to say he’d work hard and get transferred to the Capital Military District, so he had to be more serious and stop drinking. I thought he was just saying things in anger the day we parted, but I didn’t expect him to actually do it." Xu Rongrong gave a desolate smile.

Su Wan’s nose stung, and she nearly burst into tears. She forced herself to hold them back, but the rims of her eyes still turned a little red.

"Miss Xu, your friendship is very moving." Su Wan maintained her composure and gave her a faint smile.

Xu Rongrong clenched her fists, a little angry.

"Miss Xu, Sister-in-law is pregnant. She can’t stand for too long. Why don’t you save this conversation for another time?" Xiao Deng couldn’t hold back any longer and cut Xu Rongrong off.

’He felt that what Xu Rongrong was saying was going too far; it was like she’d come here just to provoke her. No normal person would be happy about this, especially not a pregnant woman like Su Wan. If anything happened to her, he would definitely have to answer to Qi Battalion Commander.’

"Alright, then. We’ll talk next time." Xu Rongrong waved with a smile. Seeing Su Wan’s eyes lowered, seemingly emotionless but actually gripping her sleeves tightly, she curled her lip, satisfied that she had achieved her goal.

Xu Rongrong turned and took two steps toward the exit.

Suddenly, she stopped again, turned to look at Xiao Deng, and asked, "Xiao Deng, I was wondering which dorm Comrade Su Wan is in. It would make it easier for me to visit her in the future."

’Xiao Deng didn’t want to answer. It was clear at a glance that Xu Rongrong was trouble.’

Xu Rongrong saw the meaning in his eyes but, surprisingly, didn’t get angry. She said deliberately, "What? Are you afraid I’ll do something to Su Wan? Would I really risk my education over her?"

’That was true. After all, Xu Rongrong had been confined at home for two years before she managed to get into Capital University.’

When the restoration of the college entrance exam was proposed a few years back, the Xu Family had their younger generation start preparing for it immediately.

"Sister-in-law is in Room 206." After Xiao Deng answered, a satisfied Xu Rongrong pulled Zhang Chunhua upstairs to the second floor, heading to Room 216.

Once the two had left, Xiao Deng apologetically explained, "Sister-in-law, Third Brother, it’s not that I wanted to help Miss Xu. It’s just that even if I didn’t tell her the room number, she could have found out within half an hour. I figured it’s better to just tell her than to let her hold a grudge."

Su Jue was about to get angry, but Su Wan reached out and stopped him.

’She wouldn’t let her third brother offend the Xu Family and Xiao Deng because of her.’

’Xiao Deng held a respectable position. If it weren’t for Qi Hao, his attitude certainly wouldn’t be this amicable.’

"Xiao Deng, I understand. I was thinking the same thing. Thank you for your trouble."

Xiao Deng let out a sigh of relief. "As long as you’re not angry, Sister-in-law."

"It’s nothing. Shall we go to the room now?" Su Wan changed the subject.

Xiao Deng nodded repeatedly. He didn’t want to bring up Xu Rongrong either, afraid that Su Wan would get so upset it might affect her pregnancy. He readily complied, grabbing the heaviest piece of luggage and heading up to the second floor.

Su Jue followed behind, carrying a bucket, a thermos, and other things.

Feeling useless and angry, Su Jue went into Room 206, fetched some water from the washroom, and started silently wiping down the bottom bunk near the window with a cloth.

"Wanwan, you rest. I’ll get the bed ready." Aunt Zhao deftly started spreading the bedsheet.

After putting the things down, Xiao Deng saw Su Wan sitting at the desk, looking over her registration documents, class schedule, and the military training schedule.

"Sister-in-law, I’ve already spoken with the university president and applied for an exemption from military training for you. Since you’re quite far along, you can rest at home and take care of yourself. You can start attending classes in a month," Xiao Deng said, stepping forward.

Su Wan wasn’t in high spirits. She glanced listlessly at the class schedule.

The Physics Department had a lot of courses. There were classes almost every day, even on Saturdays, with only Sunday off.

Fortunately, she had already studied the material for several of these courses, especially the ones taught by Professor Wang.

"The university allows a month’s leave for military training?" Su Wan hesitated, frowning. "Even though I can’t participate in the training, I can still come to the university."

"You’re a military dependent, so of course you can."

Xiao Deng explained.

"Alright, I’ll take a month of leave then."

Aunt Zhao, who had just finished making the bed, heard this and quickly turned to ask, "Wanwan, should we put a cover on this bed then? If you’re not sleeping in it for a month, I’m afraid it’ll get quite dusty."

"Auntie, would that be too much trouble?" Su Wan asked, looking up.

"Not at all, it’s very simple." Aunt Zhao said with a smile as she and Su Jue continued tidying up.

Su Wan had drunk a lot of water and got up to use the washroom. Just then, a roommate burst in frantically. Without even noticing all the people in the room, she darted into the ensuite washroom and shut the door behind her.

Su Wan simply sat back down.

But after waiting for two minutes, the person still hadn’t come out.

Su Wan was getting uncomfortable. Just then, Su Jue picked up the basin of dirty water, ready to go to the sink in the hallway to change it.

"Third Brother, I’ll go with you." Su Wan knew there was a sink and a communal restroom on each floor.

Su Jue glanced at her and grunted in acknowledgment. He waited for Su Wan to draw near before matching her pace. When they were a short distance from the dorm room, Su Jue spoke up. "Wanwan, aren’t you going to contact Lu Zhengchuan?"

"Hm?" Su Wan’s heart still jolted at the name. "Why would I contact him?"

"I don’t trust that Xu Rongrong." Su Jue frowned, displeased. "I know this is your brother-in-law’s past relationship and it shouldn’t be a big deal, but she can’t be allowed to threaten your safety."

"If I’d known coming to the Capital would be this much trouble, we would have been better off choosing a different university. There were other good ones," Su Jue said with some regret.

He was truly worried about Su Wan.

Su Wan understood what her brother meant. Feeling a pang of poignant guilt, she reached out and hugged him.

"Third Brother, I’m sorry for making you worry," Su Wan said softly. "I’m sorry. Please don’t be upset."

"Sigh, I’m not upset, I’m just worried." Su Jue’s brow was furrowed, making him look like someone not to be messed with. ’Who would have thought this man with a crew cut could be so sensitive?’

"It’s alright, Third Brother. We’ve made it through so many years. We’re in the Capital now, the most developed place in the country. We’re here to build a future for ourselves. Enduring a few slights is nothing."

"If we have to put up with some grievances now to have a promising future, it’s all worth it," Su Wan comforted him. "Xu Rongrong might be difficult, but she probably wouldn’t dare to actually do anything to me. The most she can do is say things to get under my skin."

"But I don’t care. It’s useless no matter what she says." Both Su Wan and Su Jue were from a poor family.

They had known hardship and they had enjoyed good fortune, so they had a natural desire for a better life. Enduring some difficulties along the way was normal.

"But..." Understanding it was one thing, but Su Jue still couldn’t feel at ease.

"Besides, Lu Zhengchuan will be back from his mission in a month. I’ll be at home most of the time for this month anyway, so I won’t have any contact with Xu Rongrong."