ou since very early on. In the past, you used to say that I was arrogant and often didn't want to go to your house or play with you, always hiding far away by myself. What you don't know is that every...Chapter 78: Controversies Arising from Derivatives

The next day, Su Can arrived at school for the first time. Everything seemed unchanged; walking a few more blocks and not seeing her figure near Tang Wu's station suggested that she must have taken the bus alone after her parents picked her up as mentioned in their phone conversation yesterday. People continued to stream into No. 27 Middle School.

First-year or second-year students were on duty at the entrance, and some of them looked at him curiously when he walked in.

Otherwise, the school was calm as if nothing had happened since yesterday's heated discussions; there wasn't any overly noisy area. No. 27 Middle School still displayed its solemn, grand, and stable demeanor before Su Can.

However, a small commotion broke out when Su Can appeared in Class Three, Grade Three. After the news of Sun Man having feelings for him spread, it was followed by the revelation that he and Tang Wu were dating. This stirred enough chatter to make people sigh about this triangular relationship being one of the most talked-about among their peers at No. 27 Middle School.

The most unforgettable moments during student days are perhaps a thrilling game, an unexpected test, some indelible scenery, or certain deeply ingrained individuals.

Su Can and Tang Wu belong to that latter category; regardless of whether they knew these people or not, their initial ordinary school dismissal scene yesterday would stand out as something extraordinary years later when recalled like a film reel.

This is the indelible mark of this era and its characteristic milestone.

Underneath the school flower bed during class breaks, lush green leaves thrived despite the somewhat overcast sky. Clouds gathered in the center, gradually lowering the temperature.

In late 2007, a cold front began affecting southwestern inland regions and the western part of China, with temperatures dropping across the nation that autumn.

"Where did you go yesterday afternoon How far have you gone with Tang Wu... Have you made it to home base" Lin Zouwu chuckled beneath the flower bed, rubbing his hands while looking dreamy.

"Ignore him," Wang Weiwei said straightforwardly.

"I don't know this person." Lin Luoran ignored him directly.

Su Cen smiled and said, "It's not easy to explain the situation in detail. However, to put it simply... I sent her home and ran into her mother."

Wang Weiwei and the others were stunned for a moment before they started sorting things out. Su Cen and Tang Wu held hands openly in front of everyone, exposing their relationship, and then left school without ever returning.

This story sounds like a legend of living dead people's graves under Zhongnan Mountain where Sword Saint Couple disappeared from the江湖 (martial world), making one unconsciously imagine scenarios where they fled evening study sessions, strolled along nearby riverbanks or went shopping. More romantic ideas suggest they might have taken an unknown destination bus to the end of its route.

However, hearing that Su Cen actually encountered Tang Wu's mother is still quite surprising.

"You met with Tang Wu’s mom This is one of the most embarrassing things in a date! What did you talk about Did her mom not invite you to their home for tea" Wang Weiwei widened his eyes. The phrase "having tea" had always carried a negative connotation in his memory, often heard when his father's friends joked about being called in by the CCP Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCP CCDI). Thus, Tang Wu's mother was directly categorized as an equivalent existence of "CCP CCDI" by Wang Weiwei.

Su Cen recalled the situation at that time, “Overall, the conversation remained friendly with no major conflicts. She explicitly invited me to attend Tang Wu’s birthday party.”

"That should be a good start then! I knew it would work out for you. Adults all like you—Wang Weiwei's dad and Lin Luoran's dad—they are always impressed by your charm, right You just need the same vigor to conquer Tang Wu’s parents as well," Lin Zhonwu said with satisfaction.

Su Cen thought that they were overestimating him. Wang Bo and Lin Guozhou would definitely not be fooled by him; instead, their admiration came from seeing through phenomena to grasp the essence, observing his soul with a more profound gaze. Of course, this didn't mean they completely understood Su Cen; perhaps at times, they might consider him too extraordinary and wonder about it but ultimately remember his actions and thoughts that are inconsistent with his high school identity.

Maybe their true recognition of Su Cen originates from the shared understanding—that both of them harbor countless secrets deep within themselves.

"I don't want to pour cold water," Lin Luoran finally spoke up, frowning since he started talking. "Based on my analysis, Tang Wu's mom seems unusual in her behavior. Considering our birthday banquets, she would never interfere with whom Tang Wu invites. So, given your good relationship with Tang Wu, it’s expected that she invited you to the party. But this doesn’t necessarily require an invitation—she’s saying this so that you can't refuse attending. Is there something she wants to display at the banquet"

"What does her mother want to declare to me" Su Cen frowned.

"It's not necessarily directed at you; perhaps she just wants to express her gratitude to Tang Wu's friends," Lin Luoran added. "Of course, I hope it’s just my overthinking and that she simply doesn’t want her daughter to have any regrets on her eighteenth birthday."

A kind-hearted mother or a mysterious woman like Bai Suzhen—Su Can really couldn't figure out Tang Wu's mother.

During the next physical education class, many people would secretly point and whisper about him during breaks.

Guan Xiaozhong was now quite a significant figure; many in his class knew that he and Su Can were friends from the same courtyard. As such, they almost stamped on Guan Xiaozhong a label of belonging to Su Can, Wang Weiwei, and Zhang Xian's group.

Consequently, Guan Xiaozhong naturally rose in status within his class. Even his tone of voice became louder; previously, some of Guan Xiaozhong’s actions would become the laughingstock among those who walked tall in the class, but now no one dared to make fun of him. Some girls who had previously ignored him started interacting with him and probing for information about Tang Xiaowu and Su Can.

Given how shocking this incident was, it would remain a hot topic within the school for some time.

Su Can was now at the center of attention in No. 27 High School. His journey could be compared to that of a simpleton from a small town entering a castle in a fantasy novel. This simpleton happened to be humble yet extremely bold, perhaps not playing out a hero fighting against evil but definitely doing everything every student wanted to do yet was too afraid to.

Therefore, it was natural for him to bask in the limelight. And Tang Wu's favor towards him was another major event that stirred the nerves of everyone at No. 27 High School.

The incident of Su Can and Tang Xiaowu holding hands after school also sparked other controversies within the school.

After Su Can and Tang Wu left school side by side, Sun Man, who had confessed her feelings to him before, naturally didn't have a good expression on her face.

Although she was in the same class as Tang Wu, since then, they hardly exchanged greetings or spoken words, not even making eye contact.

During those late afternoons at school broadcasting time, Sun Man's voice sounded unusually low and melancholic, unlike her usual lively and upbeat tone.

When Tang Wu walked up the stairs and stopped, she found four or five girls standing in front of her. These girls were all familiar to Tang Wu; they belonged to the top four student organizations: Student Science and Technology Association, Communist Youth League Committee of No. 27 Middle School, Student Council, and Student Club Union. Some of them were key members.

The leading girl seemed somewhat familiar to Tang Wu; she was Yang Yang, Secretary General of the Student Council. With phoenix eyes, a high ponytail, and wearing an upper garment worth over three hundred yuan and a summer dress from Issey Miyake worth at least five hundred yuan, she was examining Tang Wu from head to toe with obvious jealousy and contempt.

The other girls were rather bold and outspoken; they often made sharp comments about outstanding individuals within the school. They rallied around Sun Man in particular, showing great support for her.

Not long ago, Sun Man had just told her close friend that she liked Su Can. However, Tang Wu preempted her by holding Su Can's hand and walking down from the teaching building—a well-known incident that made people across the school buzz with excitement. They were surprised by Tang Wu's declaration of a romantic relationship with Su Can, but they also couldn't help but be secretly called "sluts" by Yang Yang-type girls.

"Do you know Sun Man likes Su Can What was your intention that afternoon To show off to us Who are you doing this for" Yang Yang's tone rose and fell maliciously.

Tang Wu frowned, "Please make way."

This sentence was cold, causing Yang Yang and the other girls' hearts to flutter. After all, Tang Wu’s status and reputation at school were rarely challenged by others. They approached Tang Wu mainly out of support for Sun Man and their own discontent, but they also had a certain level of caution when facing someone like her, who stood on the cutting edge of campus opinion.

However, Tang Wu was different from Sun Man; while Sun Man excelled in social connections, Tang Wu tended to be arrogant and was often admired by others. She wasn't as adept at handling interpersonal relationships compared to Sun Man. Therefore, Yang Yang and her group didn’t have much hesitation.

"What Do you think you’re pretty enough to lure another person's man I've never seen someone so shameless!" A girl with a confrontational stance said, and people on the side of the corridor avoided them at a distance.

Even if Tang Wu was usually very calm, she couldn't help but feel annoyed now. But besides slightly frowning, she didn’t reveal anything else.

Yang Yang felt quite satisfied; they had always envied Tang Wu because her name frequently appeared on recommendation lists for many school activities. This made other girls who tried their best to get listed even more envious but dared not say anything due to Tang Wu’s reputation.

Now that they found an opportunity, naturally, they wouldn't hesitate to unleash the venomous nature of a snake. Additionally, at this crowded hallway intersection, having so many people witness Tang Wu being interrogated made them feel very accomplished and proud.d with ease by her. Liszt could play furious octaves because he had naturally large hands, but for this girl to be able to perform genuine octaves is truly remarkable."Fan Qiyi turned and saw Mo Xue’s...