Chapter 90: Finally, I Did Something Meaningful

“Go ahead, the lecture tickets are hard to come by. Let’s finish eating first and then head over. If we’re late, I don’t know if there will still be seats left,” Shen Wenyang suggested.

“Go with your friends,” Wen Zhixia refused.

Yet Shen Wenyang watched her eagerly. “You don’t want to go out with me?”

Wen Zhixia remained silent.

“Then you agree. Let’s go. There’s a shop up ahead that serves delicious food.”

Wen Zhixia pressed a hand to her forehead. All right, they might as well go. According to Gu Pingsheng’s attendance records for lectures, the hall was always packed. With so many people there, it wasn’t likely they would catch a glimpse of each other by chance.

But Wen Zhixia seemed to have forgotten how, in the past, she never dared to harbor such hopes. Murphy’s Law was always proven true: the less one expected something to happen, the greater the chance it would.

Shen Wenyang led her to a small noodle stall. The food was decent, though she didn’t eat much.

As they emerged, she noticed the shop she and Gu Pingsheng used to frequent was still open, with the same owner. She paused to look for a moment. Shen Wenyang assumed she wanted something to eat. “I’ll buy it for you. Wait here.”

Boys of this age were impulsive. Seeing what she liked, they wanted to thrust everything toward her.

Wen Zhixia stopped him. “No need.”

“It’s fine. It’ll be quick. There’s a seat over there. You sit and rest while I go back.”

He dashed toward the shop entrance, speaking as he went.

Wen Zhixia sighed inwardly. Honestly, she hadn’t waited standing for anyone in a long time. These past years at home had made her increasingly indolent. Thankfully, the weather was pleasant despite the chill; the warm sunlight felt soothing on her skin.

Lost in thought, she was suddenly jostled from behind, and the bag slung over her shoulder was snatched away.

Wen Zhixia froze. This was her first bag-snatching in broad daylight, yet compared to being kidnapped in her own neighborhood, it barely surprised her.

Still, a person with limbs running in terror over a bag while fearing capture must lead a miserable life. She felt sorry for them.

“You little girl, are you scared out of your wits? Chase after them!”

“Thief! Grab the thief!”

Seeing her stand motionless, the onlookers grew anxious and suddenly shouted in her ear, startling her.

She wanted to tell them it was fine—there were security cameras nearby. Identifying the person and retrieving the bag or money would be simple. A single phone call and they would return it obediently.

But the passersby knew nothing of this and kept shouting for her to catch the thief.

Shen Wenyang returned with the food, saw the commotion, glanced at Wen Zhixia, and shoved the items into her arms. Without a word, he rushed out.

He moved too quickly; she couldn’t stop him even if she tried. Staring at the still-warm snacks in her hands, she frowned.

“I saw that thief holding something earlier. Could it be a knife?”

“In broad daylight? Probably not.”

“What if it is? Cornered, he might do something desperate.”

“…”

Listening to the surrounding speculation, Wen Zhixia’s brows knit together. A knife?

If anything happened, how would she explain it to Xu Qichen?

She looked at the phone Shen Wenyang had tossed her. Should she call Gu Pingsheng? His temper could flare or smolder. If something befell Shen Wenyang, she couldn’t bear the fallout.

But Gu Pingsheng… even if the man were saved, he would likely not show mercy.

Jebang was a prime example. Gu Pingsheng believed he had acted unseen, yet he overlooked that Wen Zhixia had worked with him for years and knew his methods intimately.

If it was anger, it would serve as a lesson for Shen Wenyang. It was only a bag. Why chase? What if he got hurt?

When was life ever less important than money? How could he be so reckless, rushing out without listening to a word she said?

Just as she held the phone, her fingers trembling as she considered dialing, Shen Wenyang came running back, panting. He draped an arm around her shoulder and handed her the bag. “You… check if anything’s missing…”

At that moment, Wen Zhixia had no mind to examine the contents. “Are you hurt? He seemed to be holding a knife.”

Shen Wenyang straightened, flashing a grin. “You’re worried about me?”

Wen Zhixia studied his carefree expression and frowned.

“I’m fine. Nothing happened.” He spread his hands. “I took first place in a school long-distance run. At the corner, I pinned him down. He had a knife, but I ran into some classmates who helped restrain him. It was them…”

Shen Wenyang gestured. The group approached, bumping his arm in encouragement. “Introduce us.”

Shen Wenyang rubbed the back of his head. “This is Wen Zhixia.”

The group exchanged knowing looks. “Got it, got it. You’re quite the catch. You even managed to pursue such a beauty.”

Shen Wenyang shot Wen Zhixia a glance, as if seeking her reaction. When he saw her slight frown, disappointment flickered in his eyes. “It’s not what you think. We… aren’t in that kind of relationship. You said you’re here for the lecture too. Let’s go together. We have to head over as well.”

In this forced, duck-on-a-cart manner, Wen Zhixia found herself at Fourth City University.

A Bugatti glided slowly into the campus, parking before a multifunctional teaching building adorned with banners. Faculty members waited at the entrance.

In their school days, Gu Pingsheng and Wen Zhixia had been notorious figures, though in very different ways.

She had been a scholarship recipient, showered with awards and academic prizes, the darling of her professors. As for Gu Pingsheng… four words would suffice—not worth mentioning.

Yet this unremarkable student became a celebrated alumni, ranking high on the honor roll. Years later, his return to alma mater drew a grand procession. Had Professor Wang not been repeatedly urged by the administration to extend the invitation, he might never have appeared.

Even his former mentor’s personal plea had failed to secure his presence. The professor who had taught him was furious, calling Gu Pingsheng a white-eyed wolf.

Professor Wang stroked his beard and felt this boy had finally done something commendable.

“Xia Xia?”

Gu Pingsheng looked out the car window and noticed a figure walking toward the teaching building, chatting and laughing with a group of young men. He paused.

But in an instant, they disappeared inside. He wondered if he had imagined it.

How could Wen Zhixia be here?