Chapter Ten: Iron Resolve and Tenderness Entwined at Fingertips (10)

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Fán Sìjǐn weakly collapsed into Gāo Dǐngzhōng’s arms. “N-no more walking... my legs are about to give out... Let’s, let’s go back...” Gāo Dǐngzhōng was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly. Despite the crowd around them, he scooped Fán Sìjǐn up into his arms, thinking to himself: his wife was simply too adorable!

Once inside the car and after fastening Fán Sìjǐn’s seatbelt, Gāo Dǐngzhōng reminded her, “Don’t keep associating with her anymore. I have a feeling that girl isn’t very straightforward.” From prior experiences with Chén Chǔchǔ, her behavior and methods were far from sincere. It was best to avoid contact whenever possible.

Fán Sìjǐn teased deliberately, “Oh, how can you say that about your ex-fiancée? So heartless... after all, you two were just one step away from marriage...” As she spoke, she tried to tug at Gāo Dǐngzhōng’s ear, but he caught her hand and kissed her deeply.

After facing setbacks, Chén Chǔchǔ did not give up; instead, she showed even stronger determination. Using the excuse of being unfamiliar with the city, she called Gāo Dǐngzhōng at least five times, only to be rejected each time. Eventually, Gāo Dǐngzhōng grew tired and stopped answering unknown calls, which temporarily silenced Chén Chǔchǔ.

However, this minor obstacle did not deter her. She adopted a more circuitous approach to get closer to Gāo Dǐngzhōng—first by using a project as a pretext to approach Fán Sìjǐn.

The first time Chén Chǔchǔ came to Fán Sìjǐn, she claimed it was to seek advice on a project. Though Fán Sìjǐn held only the title of teaching assistant, she was highly respected. Chén Chǔchǔ’s project had been rejected by her advisor, so she hoped to slip past the process through Fán Sìjǐn’s influence.

After Fán Sìjǐn politely declined, Chén Chǔchǔ believed she was being targeted deliberately—was it not because Gāo Dǐngzhōng had nearly married Fán Sìjǐn? Instead of reflecting on herself, she thought Fán Sìjǐn was petty and stingy.

Upon hearing that Chén Chǔchǔ was calling her petty behind her back, Fán Sìjǐn smiled.

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Petty, huh? Then let Chén Chǔchǔ see what real pettiness looks like.

Fán Sìjǐn decided to treat her with her own medicine. She casually greeted Chén Chǔchǔ’s advisor, and as a result, every project in the group was approved—except Chén Chǔchǔ’s, which was singled out for rejection and required complete revision.

In truth, these minor projects were usually handled perfunctorily, yet the advisor scrutinized hers exceptionally strictly, claiming it was because he valued her! Chén Chǔchǔ felt something was amiss.

Her groupmates were all outstanding students, but the advisor only focused on her, often giving her one-on-one tutoring or guidance on her project. At first, Chén Chǔchǔ felt flattered, thinking she was being specially favored.

But as time went on, she changed her mind. The other students began distancing themselves, whispering behind her back. Female classmates occasionally excluded and bullied her—her hot water mysteriously turned cold, documents on her desk disappeared, and she was tripped while walking.

Though these antics were petty enough for Chén Chǔchǔ to endure, what frightened her most was that her advisor was a man—and he found excuses to keep her behind for private tutoring every day.

She couldn’t help but suspect he had ulterior motives... perhaps even wanted to take advantage of her?

She called Gāo Dǐngzhōng again, this time using a senior’s phone. On the call, she sobbed pitifully, sounding utterly wronged.

Between the lines, she lamented being ostracized by classmates, feeling lonely and isolated in the capital, without a single person to talk to, missing home and family desperately...

Gāo Dǐngzhōng listened expressionlessly, signaling to Fán Sìjǐn across from him that it was Chén Chǔchǔ on the line. Fán Sìjǐn, sipping her milk, rolled her eyes.

To be honest, Fán Sìjǐn was curious—did Chén Chǔchǔ truly like Gāo Dǐngzhōng, or was she just exploiting his future achievements?

If Chén Chǔchǔ was trying to steal her man, the difficulty was hellish, but if she wanted to do something, it was effortless.

Especially since Chén Chǔchǔ had been pursued by a senior for some time. Though she never accepted his advances, she also didn’t date anyone else.

Her noncommittal attitude led the senior to see her as a reserved, gentle girl, and he persisted, hoping one day to win her heart.

Fán Sìjǐn imagined the scene if the senior knew Chén Chǔchǔ was merely using him to get closer to Gāo Dǐngzhōng—it would be spectacular.

Gāo Dǐngzhōng’s way of handling the matter was blunt; he confronted the senior, disclosing Chén Chǔchǔ’s harassment.

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The senior couldn’t believe it—his idealized goddess Chén Chǔchǔ was this kind of person. He had always thought she wouldn’t like a “strong” man like Gāo Dǐngzhōng.

Gāo Dǐngzhōng didn’t elaborate; he let the senior hear Chén Chǔchǔ’s voice for himself. Just then, Chén Chǔchǔ’s call came through, and Gāo Dǐngzhōng put it on speaker.

The senior had known Chén Chǔchǔ for over two years and had been infatuated since their first meeting. He had invested considerable energy and money in her but never regretted it.

Yet, on the call, Chén Chǔchǔ’s voice was so fragile and sweet, even lowering herself just to get Gāo Dǐngzhōng’s attention.

The senior felt betrayed. Taking a deep breath, he listened to her repeatedly calling “Dǐngzhōng gege” (Brother Dǐngzhōng), a mocking smile curling his lips. He realized he didn’t truly know Chén Chǔchǔ, but she knew him all too well.

He began doubting her true intentions, especially recalling how she had just taken five hundred yuan from him that morning.

After hanging up, Gāo Dǐngzhōng said to the senior, “You heard everything, right?”

“Yeah.”

Gāo Dǐngzhōng stood up and said, “I’m done with this. I’ve heard rumors you two are a couple at school. Whether they’re true or not, please tell Chén Chǔchǔ to stop calling me.”

Yet long after Gāo Dǐngzhōng left, the senior remained seated, motionless.

He had poured so much money, time, and heart into this, only to end up like this.

Ha, wonderful—this was undoubtedly the worst outcome! Chén Chǔchǔ was the first to deceive him like this and make him sick. He sincerely hoped she wouldn’t regret it!

Though secretly in love with Chén Chǔchǔ, the senior was no fool. He knew that breaking ties outright wouldn’t end well.

So he decided to cut off all financial support to her.