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墨書 Inktalez
Two days before Qinglan's due date, which coincided with the start of the school year, students gradually returned to campus.
After the Spring Festival, Beijing City basked in bright sunshine. The rare good weather restored the bustling scene of daily life, especially with students returning to universities and companies resuming operations. People who had traveled home for the holidays and those who had gone on vacation during the Spring Festival were all returning, causing Beijing to almost reach a boiling point.
After breakfast, Xu Wen called Qinglan, saying he would visit her later and first stop by the college.
Since his mother had talked to him before the New Year and had vaguely mentioned issues regarding student life several times, it seemed she was hinting at something. Thus, Xu Wen felt uneasy about certain matters; on one hand, he wanted the school year to start soon, while on the other hand, he feared it. He hoped for an early start to face whatever was coming rather than being caught off guard. However, he also wished to avoid the reality ahead; who wouldn't want to escape if they could? If one could foresee impending disaster, wouldn't they wish time would just stop?
Yet time does not pause for anyone's wishes. Regardless of whether the path ahead is thorny or smooth, everyone must move forward and confront it.
Although what Xu Wen faced was not his own life, each step he took tightened his heart. The ground ahead felt like a cliff, and he worried that a misstep could lead him into an abyss.
As he approached the college, an inexplicable panic arose within him. His steps grew weaker yet unconsciously quickened as he sensed an unusual tension in the atmosphere around him.
In reality, it was just the beginning of the school year, and not many students had arrived yet, especially seniors. Therefore, he hardly recognized those passing by him, but it seemed their gazes were strangely fixed on him.
Was something wrong?
He quickened his pace and hurried up the steps. Just as he entered the college building, a prominent notice board caught his eye at the entrance of the hall. A large red paper was posted there. It was so eye-catching that Xu Wen paused in front of the notice board to read what was written on the red paper.
This notice board was used by the college to post announcements. Red paper was typically reserved for good news; however, when Xu Wen finished reading all the text on it, his heart sank as he thought, "This is bad."
The red paper did not contain typical announcements about a teacher or student receiving an award or similar good news from the college. Instead, it was a warning about academic integrity. After classes resumed, the college would be tightening regulations on academic conduct, particularly for students renting off-campus housing or staying overnight elsewhere. They would be thoroughly investigated and severely punished if found in violation.
Just as Xu Wen was thinking this was bad news, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He never expected that all his worries and premonitions would unfold so quickly, like a storm.
It was the dean's phone call, asking him to come to his office. He replied, "Okay, I'll be right there," as he was downstairs.
On the first day of school, the dean was so eager to find him, combined with the warning notice about academic conduct and his mother's several conversations with him, filled with vague words. Aside from matters concerning Qinglan, what else could it be?
Sure enough, as soon as he entered the dean's office and politely asked Xu Wen to sit down, he got straight to the point about Qinglan. "Is there a female student named Qinglan in our class of 2000?"
Xu Wen nodded but said nothing.
"I heard that you have a close relationship with her?"
Xu Wen was taken aback for a moment, then thought for a while before answering, "We are classmates."
"Do you know that she is pregnant?"
Although he had sensed something before, being asked so directly left Xu Wen stunned. After that, he couldn't recall what the dean said or how he responded. In any case, the dean learned everything about Qinglan, including the leave of absence he had requested for her and her internship situation.
Clearly, not only did the school know about Qinglan's pregnancy, but they had also investigated many matters at her internship site.
Xu Wen only remembered asking the dean one last question: "What do you plan to do about this?"
The dean replied, "If this matter were only known within the department, we could keep it quiet for the sake of our reputation. Depending on the severity of the situation, we could issue a warning, privately advise her to terminate the pregnancy, or encourage her to withdraw from school or take a year off. However, since someone has already reported this to the school, and they have all the information and notified us to understand the situation and report back to them, we can only follow the school's handling of it. How they will handle it is something you should discuss with your mother."
Xu Wen didn't know how he left the dean's office; all he knew was that from the moment he entered, his mind felt numb and unable to think clearly.
Let him go ask his mother. Alright, he will go ask her now. He no longer knows what to do, feeling lost and confused.
Since this matter is being handled by his mother, at this moment, Xu Wen still holds a glimmer of hope regarding the entire situation. As he walks toward his mother's office, his steps become lighter.
Qinglan is someone his mother knows very well. He has talked a lot about Qinglan in front of her, to the extent that when he was in a relationship with Qinglan, his mother did not object and later even agreed to let him bring Qinglan home to meet them.
Qinglan is a girl who studies diligently and excels in various aspects; her pregnancy is merely an accident and does not reflect any issues with her character or mindset.
What is wrong with loving someone? What is wrong with making sacrifices for love?
If there is a mistake, it is not solely hers! But why does she have to bear all the blame?
If there is a mistake, it can only be said that she is too naive and devoted, taking love too seriously. But shouldn't one be a bit simple in life? Shouldn't love be approached this way?
If there is a mistake, then he shares the blame as well. He watched her step by step arrive at this outcome; it was for love that he allowed her to follow her heart.
As Xu Wen walks toward his mother's office, he thinks of various reasons to defend her.
Just as he arrives at the front of the office building, Xu Wen receives a call from his mother—not from her mobile phone but from the office phone. Before she can speak, Xu Wen says, "I'm downstairs at your office; I'll come up right away."
His mother responds with an "mm" before hanging up.
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