MTB - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: We'll Each Stick to Our Own Terms

The university's disciplinary notice regarding Chen Hao was released the next evening. In addition to mentioning that he had deliberately fabricated and spread false information to damage another's reputation, it also cited sexual harassment, multiple instances of provoking trouble, fighting, and plagiarism. Due to the severity of the offenses, the university decided to expel him.

Yun Yang didn't see the notice right away. She was at a milk tea shop in the Graduate School building, waiting for Tang Yuelou to finish class.

Teacher Tang had run a fever of 38.5 degrees the previous night and had barely slept. Although her fever had broken the next day, she still insisted on coming back to teach. While her courage was commendable, Yun Yang thought it over and couldn't help but worry, so she came to the Graduate School to intercept her as soon as her 8 a.m. class ended.

Z University's undergraduate campus was short on resources, and by the end of the semester, any classroom available for self-study was packed. So, she had brought her materials to review here instead. Yun Yang didn't look at her phone while studying. When class time was over, she was just about to take out her phone to send Tang Yuelou a message when her gaze froze—she saw Tang Yuelou walking out of the main entrance with another girl. The girl was proactively carrying Tang Yuelou's bag, and the two were talking and laughing the whole way, the atmosphere incredibly harmonious.

So dedicated despite her physical ailments, Yun Yang shoved her book into her bag, sneering inwardly. But on her face, she wore a professional smile and greeted the two as they approached.

"Have you been waiting long?" Tang Yuelou, receiving a subtle eye-roll from her, smiled and made the introductions. "This is Zhou Yue, my graduate student. And this is Yun Yang, my partner."

Zhou Yue, the "first disciple," glanced between the two of them, her expression one of sudden realization. She bowed politely. "Hello, Teacher Yun."

Yun Yang's mood was soothed by the words "my partner." Her jealousy vanished, and she couldn't be bothered to be sarcastic anymore. She said cheerfully, "Hello, Senior Sister."

Zhou Yue didn't react for a moment. "Huh?"

"You call me Teacher, and I'll call you Senior Sister. We can each stick to our own terms."

Tang Yuelou lightly patted her on the back, cutting off this nonsense. She smiled. "You don't have to call her that; she's not a teacher. I'll email you the revision suggestions for your thesis later. They're just minor details, so don't worry. We'll be going now. You should get some rest."

"Oh... oh, oh, okay. Thank you for your concern, Teacher." Zhou Yue was a bit dazed but quickly expressed her thanks. "Goodbye, Teacher—"

So why would Teacher Tang's girlfriend call me Senior Sister? Doesn't that mess up the seniority?

---

After a heavy snowfall, Beicheng was greeted by a sunny day. The snow had been quite heavy yesterday, yet there was still hardly any accumulation on the ground. Yun Yang had only been to the Graduate School twice, both times for elective courses. It was a bit larger than the undergraduate campus and was part of the old campus. Next to the parking lot stood several lush pine trees covered in a thin layer of snow. Yun Yang casually pinched a bit and rolled it between her fingers, leaving a small puddle of water on her fingertips.

"Your hands will get cold," Tang Yuelou said, taking her hand as a reminder.

"This is nothing. It's not that cold, not enough to freeze me into a fever," Yun Yang retorted.

Tang Yuelou: "..."

It seemed she would never live this down.

Yun Yang loved seeing her look flustered. She hummed smugly twice, stuffed both their hands into Tang Yuelou's pocket, and left a trail of dirty footprints on a clean patch of snow.

After making their relationship official, not much seemed to have changed between them in any substantial way. But for them, the most important part of being a "couple" wasn't about what it changed in their relationship, but rather the courage and anticipation that came with saying those words. They now had a reason to say "I love you" to each other, and the confidence that "this person will be with me for a long time."

"Hey, wait." Yun Yang stopped Tang Yuelou's hand as she reached for the car door, jerking her chin to the side. "Passenger seat."

Tang Yuelou was a little surprised, her expression momentarily unguarded. "You're driving?"

Yun Yang: "I have a license." She'd just never actually driven on the road.

"I know, but... Yangyang," she said, phrasing it delicately, "there's a lot of traffic on the way back."

"So?"

"Alright." They looked at each other for a few seconds before Tang Yuelou conceded. She moved to the passenger seat and added worriedly, "If you feel like it's too much, just tell me. Drive slowly and concentrate."

"See? This is what I call a lack of trust. Don't you worry, Teacher Tang." Yun Yang started the car with an air of importance and pointed to the back seat. "There's a thermos in my bag. You should drink some hot water."

Tang Yuelou: "Okay, just watch the—"

Before she could finish the word "road," Yun Yang drove over the curb. The car jolted with a clang, and the thermos Teacher Tang hadn't had time to grab yet fell to the floor.

Yun Yang: "...An accident."

And because of this "accident," she was coaxed and cajoled back into the passenger seat.

Finally remembering to check her phone, she was dazzled by a flood of messages. She picked through them to find the key information: first, Chen Hao had been expelled, and second, there were apology messages from Shen Mengmeng and Zhang Jia.

Too little, too late, Yun Yang thought, rolling her eyes inwardly.

To be honest, although she was angry, she had no intention of holding a grudge against those two. After all, they weren't the main culprits. Shen Mengmeng was half a victim herself, and Zhang Jia's actions, done in defense of a friend, were somewhat understandable. Besides, they had both helped clarify the situation that afternoon. The best way to end this matter was to simply let it go.

But even if she wasn't going to pursue it, there was no way Yun Yang would be moved by their actions. What angered her was the "lack of trust" itself. Whether it was the clarification or this cheap, after-the-fact apology, it was all as useless as the belated words of comfort from so-called "friends" who had been eagerly seeking gossip just days before the truth came out. Maintaining surface-level harmony was the biggest concession Yun Yang was willing to make; she didn't have the merciful temperament to forgive everyone.

But that didn't stop her from being in a good mood.

Guan Yan had sent her dozens of WeChat messages, flooding her screen. She patiently read from the beginning to the very last one: That bastard's expulsion is so satisfying! Are you still going to sue him?

Yun Yang: Sue him? Of course I'm going to sue him. The expulsion is from the university, but the compensation money is for me.

Guan Yan: You're ruthless!

"What happened? You seem a little happy," Tang Yuelou asked with a smile, glancing over from the corner of her eye.

"Alright, stop pretending. I know you had a hand in it," Yun Yang huffed.

Tang Yuelou just smiled, not denying it.

Since Tang Yuelou had another class in the afternoon, they grabbed a quick lunch near the university. This time, Yun Yang didn't go with her to the classroom to use the Wi-Fi and do her homework. She planned to head back to her dorm first, then find an empty classroom to study in.

"Teacher, you should be free tonight, right?" Yun Yang asked, her mood excellent as she held Tang Yuelou's hand. "Don't tell me you have to grade papers."

Tang Yuelou: "I can be free anytime."

"That's good. Keep your schedule open, then. Tonight... shall we go home a little early?"

Yun Yang lowered her voice slightly, her fingers sliding suggestively and ambiguously between Tang Yuelou's. Tang Yuelou didn't comment, simply tightening her grip on her hand.

The afternoon streets were still bustling with traffic. By the university gate, several groups of students were waiting for people, talking and laughing. As they passed, Yun Yang thought she heard someone call her name. She looked back, bewildered, but saw no one she knew. Did I mishear? she wondered.

"Yun Yang! Yangyang!"

Yun Yang stopped dead in her tracks. Tang Yuelou stopped with her and glanced back. "Yangyang?"

That voice... Yun Yang froze, stiffly turning her head to meet the eyes of the woman behind her.

"...Mom?"

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