Chapter 171: Slithering in the Shadows
Zeng Nanting knew that Zhao Ran shared a similar personality and mindset; they were the same kind of people. He led Zhao Ran out of the dormitory to a quiet, secluded path, explaining his suspicions as they walked.
“Hmph. They say university is a miniature society. Look at thisâtheyâre already using tactics like bribery and snatching honors that rightfully belong to us.”
Hearing Zeng Nantingâs words, Zhao Ran became indignant.
The two huddling together, their mouths never ceasing as they grumbled about the unfairness in their hearts. They resented the fact that the opportunity was gone before they even had a chance to submit an application, and they cursed their own lack of a prominent family background.
Indignant about this, resentful of thatâthey looked down on everyone while simultaneously feeling inferior to everyone.
One hadn’t bothered to verify if his suspicions were actually true, and the other simply believed every word without questioning the credibility of these conjectures.
Even the biting, bone-chilling wind couldnât blow away the senseless anger smoldering in their chests.
“This won’t do. Since we know theyâre acting in collusion behind the students’ backs, we can’t actually let Gu Wanrong get that ‘Excellent Student’ award.”
Zeng Nanting saw that after he shared his “discoveries” from the counselorâs desk, they had almost reached the end of the path, yet Zhao Ran was still just complaining alongside him.
He couldn’t help but stop Zhao Ranâs endless grumbling to ask if he had any ideas.
As soon as he spoke, Zhao Ran immediately followed up with a heavy nod in agreement. “Of course! On what basis does Gu Wanrong deserve an award? Just based on…”
Zhao Ran wanted to say Gu Wanrong deserved it based on her grades, but a memory of the final exam results from last semester suddenly flashed through his mind, making his expression sour.
His and Zeng Nantingâs experiences over the past ten-plus years of schooling were basically identical. They were always the “good children” in the eyes of teachers and parents, with grades always at the very top.
They only had to study hard, manage their classmates, and enjoy the envious and jealous gazes of the entire class.
They thought they would receive the same treatment in university, but the very first class meeting was a blow to the head. There was Zhang Shi, who was better at social climbing; their two roommates were more popular and knew how to have fun; and so many others had better family backgrounds and looks…
After enduring a semester, the final grades came out. They were good, as expected.
In the class group chat, they posted self-deprecating comments about having “average” grades, feeling they had finally vindicated themselves.
Yet, they failed to realize that there is always a higher heaven beyond the one you see. Among the students from all over the country who got into the same top-tier university, how many were actually incompetent?
The grades they had discussed so boastfully in the class group were like a loud slap to their own faces once the counselor released the full ranking.
After showing off for ages, they turned out to be just middle-of-the-pack.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ran changed the subject. “Gu Wanrong only knows how to use her money to show off everywhere!”
“Think about itâwho hasn’t been in first place before? But she acts like she wants the whole world to know, even giving out red envelopes.” Zhao Ran huffed twice, his disdain barely masking a deep-seated jealousy. “People from those petit-bourgeois backgrounds learn how to buy people’s hearts from a young age.”
Zhao Ranâs words also triggered Zeng Nantingâs embarrassing memories.
When he first joined the Student Union last year, he had been on good terms with the upperclassman in charge of the Campus Wall. He had watched with his own eyes as the lawyer hired by Gu Wanrong took that upperclassman to court.
Fortunately, he looked honest enough and had cried to the teacher, claiming he had never operated the Campus Wall. The teacher, seeing how pitiful he looked, helped explain things for him.
Fine. Both of them added another layer to their hatred for Gu Wanrong.
“What do you want to do?” Zeng Nanting asked with a malicious, low voice, making his already unpleasant tone sound even more ghoulish.
Zhao Ran blinked, putting on the face of an honest man driven to desperation. “Lao Zeng, you’re in the Student Union; you definitely have more connections and ideas than I do. This award also affects the future selection for the Student Union President. It would be such a pity to miss it!”
I know that, of course.
This Zhao Ran really was a blockhead, only capable of complaining along with him without a single original thought. He didn’t even know how the guy got into Jinhua University.
“Look at usâhonestly studying, just hoping to finish university smoothly, preferably getting a recommendation for grad school or passing the civil service exam. If we don’t even have a chance at these campus honors or Party applications, what are we going to do?”
Zeng Nantingâs face was filled with sorrow, as if fate had dealt them a hand full of constant setbacks.
After a few seconds of silence, he put on a front of being someone who wouldn’t be knocked down by the wind and waves. Summoning all his strength, he leaned into Zhao Ranâs ear. “We can’t let the voices of the majority of us be drowned out. If one person isn’t enough, then two. If two aren’t enough, then three… Gu Wanrong and the counselor can’t cover the sky with one hand.”
[Classmates: What voices do we have?]
[Classmate A: Does canceling the campus run count?]
[Classmate B: I don’t want to be a ‘volunteer audience’ member anymore. Does that count?]
[Classmate C: The life-and-death sprint of changing classrooms… that must be addressed!]
As if his grad school recommendation had already been snatched away, Zhao Ran clenched his fist. “Are you going to write a report letter and have the students sign it together?”
“Yes, exactly.” Zeng Nanting was reminded by Zhao Ran that this was indeed a way. “Before that, we have to keep it a secret from them and tell the students exactly whatâs going on to catch them off guard.”
“You really do have a way!” Zhao Ran slapped his thigh in excitement.
Zeng Nanting basked in Zhao Ranâs admiration, thinking he must perfect this plan. When the time came, his heroic posture in taking down the “villains” would surely be passed down through the generations of the school’s students.
After much deliberation, the two went back and forth, refining the plan of what to do next to rouse the students’ fighting spirit while strictly hiding their discussion from the counselor.
They even went to the library to carefully organize every word of the report letter, transcribing it stroke by stroke onto a fresh sheet of A4 paper.
Why write it by hand?
Because a machineâs print wasn’t enough to display their indignation!
Soon, Zeng Nanting carefully tucked away the report letter that finally satisfied him after ten transcriptions. Then, he pulled the students from the class group into a new group chat.
The counselor, Gu Wanrong, and those like Yu Yingying who were close to her were naturally excluded.
[Zeng Nanting: Classmates, for the sake of fairness and justice, I hope everyone can come to the study room on the third floor of Building B in the library as soon as possible to sign your names!]
[Zeng Nanting: Report_Letter.jpg]
Zeng Nanting informed everyone of the news he heard from the teachers in the Student Union regarding the selection of this semesterâs “Excellent Students,” as well as the news that recommendations for Party entry would be made from among the “Excellent Students” and “Triple-A Students.”
Then he mentioned how the counselor had hidden the truth from everyone today, allowing Gu Wanrong to submit her application directly. All of this was neither open nor transparent, nor was it a fair selection!
Despite Zeng Nantingâs attempts to incite the crowd, he didn’t actually have a single shred of evidence.
Last semester, Gu Wanrong had already given the entire faculty and student body a lesson on what “rumors and slander” meant. No one was stupid enough to believe him without solid proof.
We college students may be innocent, but we aren’t idiots.
Recommended Reads
