One morning, Qi Chengyan prepared his belongings and was ready to depart.
Cheng You insisted on accompanying him to see him off.
Because she knew this would not be the last time.
Before he left, she slipped a box into Qi Chengyan's bag.
Qi Chengyan couldn't carry too much, and she couldn't have him take everything she thought of.
So she consolidated various medicines into a small box.
"Inside are three brown bottles. If conditions permit, carry them with you. There are also some Taiji Pills, which can be used in emergencies if you get injured and develop a fever. I've included instructions on how to use them. And half a piece of ginseng..."
Qi Chengyan leaned down and kissed her chattering lips, kissing her deeply.
"Youyou, wait for me to come home."
Cheng You stopped in her tracks and watched him leave from the doorway.
This was their first long separation, and her heart was filled with reluctance.
This tall man would hold up a sky for peace.
The sky was not yet fully bright, and Cheng You didn't know how long she had stood at the door.
Sister-in-law He next door was also standing at the door, comforting her, "This is common, you'll get used to it."
Hearing bursts of rumbling sounds, cars drove past one after another.
Cheng You's gaze swept over every car, but she didn't see his figure.
Only when the last car had driven away, and dawn broke, did the sky lighten.
Cheng You sighed, "Sister-in-law, you should go back and rest."
"Yes, you too. Don't worry too much, they will all return safely."
Sister-in-law He was clearly anxious herself, but she was a little better off than Cheng You.
They had not witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield; if they had, they would only be more frightened than they were now.
Cheng You turned and went back inside. She couldn't sleep, so she tidied up the flowers and plants in the yard.
The half piece of ginseng she cut for Qi Chengyan was dug out from a flowerpot. The remaining half couldn't fit, so she had to leave it to dry and later send it to Zhen Shan Tang.
After finishing these tasks, it was almost time, and she still had to go to class.
When she arrived at the classroom, Yuan Yuzhen approached her.
"Cheng You, can I talk to you for a moment?"
She wasn't Feng Xue, so Cheng You naturally agreed.
She got up and walked out, and they went to a less crowded place.
"I overheard Feng Xue and Lin Yutian discussing doing something bad. I don't know the specifics, but they plan to frame you for having an affair with another boy."
After Yuan Yuzhen finished speaking, she turned and left.
She had struggled for a long time before deciding to say something, considering it as settling her debt with Cheng You.
Cheng You walked back to the classroom with her hands in her pockets and saw Lin Yutian coming in from outside.
To frame her for an affair with another boy, they would need evidence, right?
Either by being caught in the act or by finding evidence of their communication.
She was curious about what method Lin Yutian would use.
"Lin Yutian," she called out.
Lin Yutian, sitting in the front row, stiffened her back and turned to look at her.
"What is it..."
Cheng You smiled slightly, meeting her gaze.
"Nothing, just a reminder, don't court death."
Lin Yutian: "...You're crazy."
Fang Yunbao nudged her with her elbow, "Why did you say that?"
Cheng You shook her head slightly and mouthed to her: I'll tell you when we eat.
After enduring until class ended, Cheng You finally discussed the matter with Fang Yunbao and Cao Yanyan.
Cao Yanyan exclaimed, "Feng Xue is too despicable!"
Even if she framed Cheng You, Qi Chengyan would never look at her twice.
Cheng You shrugged, "Whatever she wants."
If she likes to court death, then let her come.
"How do they plan to do it?"
"I'm not sure, we'll have to wait and see," Cheng You mumbled.
Fang Yunbao said, "I think it's best to inform the teacher about this."
Cheng You and Cao Yanyan looked at her.
She continued, "My parents always taught me that if something happens at school, you should find a teacher. This is such a big deal, of course, we should ask the teacher to help us resolve it."
They were just students.
Cheng You and Cao Yanyan exchanged glances, understanding dawning in their eyes.
It seemed reasonable; why should they shoulder this burden themselves?
So, after lunch, they went together to find Su Jinwen and asked for her help.
Upon hearing this, Su Jinwen became furious.
"They finally got into university, and all day long, instead of focusing on their studies, they're thinking about these absurd things!"
The country was waiting for them to graduate and contribute to the people and society.
These people, however, were truly disappointing.
"I will report this matter, and no matter what, I will absolutely not let her have the opportunity to slander you!"
Cheng You's academic performance last semester had the highest GPA in the entire grade.
Even the principal paid special attention to her, specifically instructing Su Jinwen to teach her well.
She might even become an outstanding alumna in the future, so how could she allow others to do such a thing to Cheng You?
"Thank you, teacher. I originally wanted to handle it myself, but I was worried about affecting my grades, so..." Cheng You looked at her remorsefully.
In Su Jinwen's heart, nothing was more important than nurturing talent, so she immediately declared,
"How can you handle such a matter yourself? It should be left to the school! The school is not just a place for teaching and educating, but we are also responsible for ensuring your physical and mental well-being. Telling the teacher is the correct choice!"
Su Jinwen comforted her a bit more before letting them leave.
Next, Cheng You just had to wait for the result.
For the past two days, Lin Yutian had been lingering around Cheng You.
As if she had forgotten their previous conflict, she tried to ingratiate herself with Cheng You.
Even if Cheng You ignored her, she was happy to offer a warm face to a cold butt.
A week later, Lin Yutian, in front of the entire class, righteously accused Cheng You of betraying the soldiers and having secret interactions with a male classmate.
Cheng You guessed that this long speech, delivered with spittle flying and each word dripping with venom, had been rehearsed for a long time.
After Lin Yutian finished speaking and saw Cheng You's lack of reaction, she couldn't help but ask, "Cheng You, why aren't you saying anything!"
Cheng You smiled, "Because I don't need to say anything."
Soon, Su Jinwen entered with two police officers.
"Lin Yutian, a classmate witnessed you forging letters and attempting to frame Cheng You. You will go with the police officers to cooperate with the investigation."
Her words hadn't even caused a ripple before she was taken away by the police in front of everyone.
However, she was stubborn and, despite a long interrogation, did not implicate Feng Xue.
Cao Yanyan speculated, "Does Feng Xue have something on Lin Yutian?"
Cheng You shook her head, "I haven't heard anything."
Fang Yunbao smiled mysteriously and said, "I've heard some things. Lin Yutian is so stingy; she gives all the money she saves to her boyfriend."
Cheng You and Cao Yanyan exclaimed in unison, "She has a boyfriend!"
She had kept it well hidden.
"Yes, I heard he's from a neighboring school. She scrimped and saved every month, giving all her money to that boy. I also heard that he's seeing someone else. I don't know if it's true," Fang Yunbao said.
Cheng You nodded thoughtfully, remaining silent.
As soon as school ended, she rushed to the police station, wanting to see Lin Yutian.
After only two days, Lin Yutian had visibly aged and become much thinner.