c performance within the school, which could be seen from the perpetually worried expression on their homeroom teacher, Xiao Rihua's face. The overall excellence rate of a class directly affected his...Chapter 46 You by My Side

The lighting in the KTV room wasn't dim, but after stepping out of Haoke迪 (Karaoke), the street lamps on the lampposts seemed blindingly bright.

The streets were not adorned with neon lights and wine bottles as one might expect, but they truly epitomized the typical nightlife scene. There wouldn’t be rows of luxury shops or meticulously decorated malls; instead, most areas would be lined with street vendors. The aroma of meat-filled buns and the steam rising from bowls of tofu and vermicelli soup could be smelled in alleyways. Often sitting beside these stalls were middle-aged men dressed only in shirts after taking off their suits at the end of a workday, or groups of students.

Between the buildings with eighties-era architecture dangled crisscrossing antennas; leisure spots and residential areas remained bustling.

In the air-conditioned KTV room, he hadn’t felt the residual heat outside. But once he stepped out into a breeze, he realized his T-shirt was damp from sweat.

Earlier, when he had argued with the Korean student inside the KTV with such confidence and style, it was merely a strategic dismissal. However, in terms of tactics, he took this confrontation very seriously as the other party did indeed touch on critical points that were painful to him. He could not deny their sharpness but couldn't tolerate them using this as a stepping stone for building authority or reputation.

Li Han, Zhang Xiaqiao, and Xiao Xu had been silently following beside him; so quiet was the scene that it seemed fitting for the four knights who had just emerged from the stunned crowd in the KTV room. This felt truly cool.

A very intangible term, which might make anyone else dismiss it outright, but at this moment, they could feel its magic and weight.

Being rebellious isn't about cruising city streets in a Mercedes or BMW; neither is being bold about standing before an array of fallen enemies with weapons in hand.

The sense of standing on the street, after breaking some rules and trampling over those who think highly of themselves, feeling unbound and unanchored, was indeed somewhat smug and self-satisfied.

Everyone at the beginning stage of their lives experiences or yearns for a "wanderlust" sensation. Many years were spent proclaiming "I want to go wander," yet few actually did it. Who had the courage to pack up and set off into the unknown, living freely and wild

Even after entering university, Li Han, Zhang Xiaqiao, and Xiao Xu felt they lived in a routine: classes, skipping class, libraries, sleeping through days, gaming... They were just part of the crowd at gatherings, talking more to those who shared common interests and less to others. At the end of such events, everyone dispersed, which was how university life went and perhaps foreshadowed their lives for the next decade.

Among the people in that room were students from Nan University as well as friends from Zhang Xiaqiao's extensive circle. Perhaps after they left the KTV with Su Can, these people would be left behind.

Would David Du feel that he had lost face because Su Cun and the foreign exchange students were causing a commotion in his territory Would others think they were too assertive and start to exclude them, or would those South University exchange students privately criticize their own school's Chinese community

All of these so-called conventions and rules didn't matter anymore.

At least at this moment, Dorm 602 truly felt that they had found a sense of "wandering."

They were so unrestrained, exhilarated, like knights who could walk away unscathed after every battle, standing on the street and smelling the aroma of a bowl of spring noodles. At this moment, many people couldn't fully understand their loneliness.

"Boss, this time you lost out." Li Han turned back to look at the KTV with regret in his voice, "Do you have no regrets"

"I have a good relationship with her. This kind of situation isn't new to me; I can understand," Su Cun naturally knew what Li Han was referring to and couldn't help but recall this girl who had deeply imprinted on him in his memories.

They would sit on the steps at No. 1 High School, each with a can of beer, while there were scattered people playing soccer on the field, watching the slowly setting red sun on the horizon.

Lin Luoran, contrary to her usual reserved demeanor, would quietly smile and watch them argue and laugh, silently opening beer cans for them one by one. At that time, they hadn't thought so far ahead; they wouldn't have imagined that three years later they'd be scattered across Shanghai, Beijing, Henan, and elsewhere.

"Hey."

The group turned to see the tall girl standing at the entrance of the song city, her T-shirt hugging her curves snugly at the waist, connecting seamlessly with a pair of gray-brown pleated pants. Her posture was full and dynamic.

As she approached Su Cun, Lin Luoran's large eyes gazed directly into his face without any obvious emotional expression; only a subtle yet faint sense of unease could be seen in her gaze as she asked, "Where are you going"

"Back to school. Where else The dormitory building gates will be closed soon."

"Oh. I just came out for some air. It's okay; go ahead."

The three people around Su Cun instinctively stepped back two paces, giving Lin Luoran and Su Cun their own space, clearly skeptical of her "fresh air" excuse.

"Hmm. Where are the taxis around here" Su Cen glanced around and then looked at the other three people, "You guys should keep an eye out for one."

The entrance had many taxis passing by; it wasn't a busy hour so there weren’t too many empty ones around, but that didn't mean there were none. The three of them could only nod and look around to see if anyone was getting off near them or if any red-lit empty taxis would come their way. They also couldn’t help but notice Lin Luoran’s expression as she stared at Su Cen biting her lower lip, and they felt that if they were in his position, they wouldn't have the composure under such pressure.

Finally, a taxi with an "Available" sign turned around the corner and stopped at the red light, then sped straight towards them when they waved their hands.

The taxi stopped right in front of Su Cen.

The three people beside him hesitated for a moment; Zhang Xiaqiao finally opened the front door and got in. Li Han and Xiao Xue also ducked their heads to get into the back seat, eagerly watching outside as Su Cen, along with Lin Luoran who was staring at him intently from the side.

This scene felt like a sense of impending doom rising imperceptibly.

"I'm leaving now. You should also go home early and don't stay out too late," Su Cen smiled at Lin Luoran, feeling that this girl’s body had suddenly stiffened, and her aggressive aura seemed to have diminished.

Just as he was about to open the car door and get in, he found his arm being pulled back by a slender hand.

Su Cen looked over in surprise. Lin Luoran clearly also felt startled by this sudden action of hers; her cheeks flushed red but she couldn’t help but say, "Is it really okay for you to be such a big shot How arrogant can one get! You didn't even tell me before leaving. Anyway, have I given my permission Alright then, go ahead."

Am I being too high and mighty Women are indeed hard to understand at times, even if this woman is Lin Luoran who seems very rational in Su Cen's impression. However, while saying so, she didn’t completely let go of his hand.

Li Han stretched out his long arm to close the car door and waved goodbye, "Boss, you should stay a bit longer and have some fun. We'll head back first; no need for an escort."

Seeing the taxi carrying Li Han and the others leave in a hurry, Su Cen felt these three were really lacking in loyalty.

Turning around, Lin Luoran had already let go of his hand but was smiling at him with hidden amusement as he looked rather forlorn.

"Then let's take a walk and enjoy the breeze," Su Cen couldn't help but chuckle and sigh.

"Who would like to give me a heads-up Didn't you want to go back very much Someone is waiting for you, so why are you in such a hurry I guess it's best if I don't disturb you," Lin Luoran said as she glanced at him.

As Su Can felt that he couldn't handle the situation, he realized that the best way out was to not糾纏。 He walked forward and smiled, saying, "Are you hungry Let me treat you to a meal. Of course, there's no hot pot chicken here like in Rongcheng."

"You still remember what I like eating That’s not completely without conscience," Lin Luoran was taken aback and pouted. However, her tone towards Su Can wasn't as confrontational anymore, "But I don’t want to eat, thank you, I’m not hungry."

"Earlier weren’t you very busy Why are you now accusing me" Su Can glanced at Lin Luoran suspiciously.

"I was indeed busy. But can't you come and talk to me yourself Do you think we’re strangers"

Su Can wanted to say that of course they weren’t strangers, but the way she behaved earlier clearly showed that it was her who acted like a stranger. Women are always difficult to explain their behavior, "Alright, I’m sorry. Actually, before this happened, I was worried that you wouldn't talk to me."

Lin Luoran turned around and carefully observed Su Can's expression when he said this. She then smiled and walked up to him, linking her arm with his, "Okay, I’ll reluctantly forgive you. I’m not hungry, but thirsty. Let’s go buy something."

In that moment, Su Can felt a strange sensation arise as Lin Luoran got so close.

When Lin Luoran walked out of the small shop with two cans of Budweiser, Su Can pointed towards the karaoke city in surprise and asked, "You’re not going back"

Lin Luoran took out her phone and turned it off.

"Since you’ve taken a stand against those overseas students, I naturally have to take sides. How about that My stance is very clear, right"

Then she opened another can of Budweiser with a "psh" sound and handed it to Su Can. As he took a sip, he noticed Lin Luoran's sparkling eyes staring at him. She was fiddling with the pull tab on her beer can with slender fingers as if it were a dazzling diamond ring.

"Actually, I really like collecting soda can tabs. Even those from your cans that you’ve drunk before, I’ve collected them all and put them in a large bottle that I brought to Shanghai."

Su Can’s heart was touched tenderly by this gesture. to tease her a bit."Then how can you not get angry" Chen Lingshan clenched her fingers tightly, wishing she could punch him. She never lowered herself to such an extent when dealing with boys before,...