CHAPTER 390: 361 CLICHE CAMPUS ROMANCE

Gan Yanfang’s sudden appearance left Du Heng slightly taken aback. He couldn’t understand why this woman, who enjoyed being contrary, would be so enthusiastic toward him.

However, he did not intend to accept her kindness. "No need, Doctor Gan. I want to stroll around by myself and take in the sights of the Capital."

Gan Yanfang’s sweet smile remained undeterred by Du Heng’s rejection. "Then let me be your tour guide, Doctor Du. I moved to the Capital when I was eighteen to study, so now I’m practically a local. Just tell me where you want to go, and I can take you there."

Unable to handle such enthusiasm, and with his poor first impression of her—he disliked women who talked too much—Du Heng rejected Gan Yanfang once again. "Sorry, Doctor Gan, I don’t want to disturb your work. I just want to walk around by myself, not visit tourist spots."

With that said, he quickly left.

Du Heng’s original intention was to experience the charm of this top academic institution. But once he found himself wandering the campus alone, his mood took a turn for the worse.

As groups of students passed him, laughing loudly and enjoying themselves, Du Heng suddenly felt old—not because of his age, but rather a change in his mindset.

He enjoyed the students’ lively spirit but found himself feeling awkward and unable to join in.

Moreover, every time he passed a couple engaging in public displays of affection, his mood worsened.

After walking for less than twenty minutes, Du Heng headed straight to his residence, following his memory.

Once he arrived at his room, he went straight to sleep.

Although it had only been one day, he felt as if he had lived a week, or even a month.

After a good sleep, he noticed that the sky outside was getting darker. Du Heng washed up, packed his belongings, and left.

Today, he had indeed arranged to meet someone—not a classmate, not a friend, but his beloved niece, Du Xuejing.

In the end, when she submitted her university preferences, she decided against the wishes of her parents. She didn’t listen to her mother’s advice to apply for a normal university or to Du Heng’s suggestion to study Oral Medicine.

Instead, she followed her heart and applied for Chinese Medicine at the Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Furthermore, she chose a nine-year program—the Qihuang class.

This decision almost drove her mother, Zhang Sumei, insane.

Zhang Sumei could tolerate her daughter studying traditional Chinese medicine; after all, they already had Du Heng in the family. One more wouldn’t make a difference.

Going to school far away was not a problem either—as long as it was a good university.

But what was the meaning behind a nine-year program? Does she plan to study until she’s old and practically dead?

When her acceptance letter arrived, her mother nearly ripped it to pieces.

Moreover, when it was time for Du Xuejing to leave for school, her parents refused to provide tuition fees or living expenses, and they strictly forbade Du Heng from giving her any money either.

Luckily, Wang Shuqiu was still around at that time, and she provided Du Xuejing with the tuition and living expenses...

Damn it, how did I end up thinking of that irresponsible woman again? Du Heng vigorously shook his head.

Following the navigation, Du Heng finally arrived at the place Du Xuejing had mentioned.

Looking around, Du Heng found himself near the school’s main gate.

He scanned the area for Du Xuejing but couldn’t spot her. Just as he was about to give her a call, someone grabbed his hand from behind.

Feeling a surge of panic, Du Heng quickly tried to pull his hand back, thinking someone was trying to snatch his phone or something else. Just then, a familiar voice called out, instantly relaxing him, "Little Uncle, why are you so late? I’m starving!"

Du Heng let out a quiet breath, turning around to see the familiar yet slightly different girl.

Almost five months had passed since they had last seen each other. The young girl he knew had transformed from an innocent high school student into a poised and graceful young woman.

Observing her beautiful and charming smile, Du Heng couldn’t help but lightly tap Du Xuejing on the head. "You’re so rash! I almost thought you were a phone snatcher."

"Hmph, this is the Capital. Who would dare to rob someone right at a university gate?" Du Xuejing pouted playfully, then suddenly burst into laughter, pointing behind her. "Little Uncle, quick, quick! Let me introduce you. These are my dorm mates..."

After Du Xuejing introduced everyone, Du Heng didn’t remember any of their names.

He just thought that they were all quite pretty, especially one girl with long, flowing hair, who was particularly eye-catching.

Du Heng didn’t know how to describe her, but if he had to make a comparison, she was similar to Wang Shuqiu—both her appearance and figure were exceptional.

However, this girl possessed an added innocence, which only enhanced her appeal, making her resemble the idealized campus beauty from everyone’s fantasies.

After Du Xuejing happily introduced her classmates, she stood before them with pride. "See? I didn’t lie to you, did I? Isn’t my Little Uncle handsome? HA! Edit his photos? Does my Little Uncle need to? Tsk, tsk, tsk, look at you all, practically drooling! But I’m telling you, you don’t stand a chance. He already has a little aunt, and she’s way prettier than any of you, so there!"

As she joked, the girls erupted into laughter and ran off playfully.

Du Heng awkwardly touched his nose and watched the retreating girls, once again feeling that he was genuinely old compared to these exuberant students.

He treated Du Xuejing and her classmates to a nice dinner. Noticing it was getting late, he prepared to escort the girls back.

On the way back, the girls finally calmed down and walked along at a leisurely pace.

Du Xuejing curiously asked Du Heng, "Little Uncle, are you really working at the Good Friend Hospital now?"

Du Heng didn’t answer directly but took out the work identification card he had obtained that morning.

"That’s great!" Du Xuejing’s face beamed with excitement, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she held Du Heng’s work card. "Little Uncle, does this mean you’ll be working here permanently? And does that mean you can always be here with me?"

Just as Du Heng was about to shatter his niece’s fantasy, she herself suddenly grew worried. "But wait, if you work here, what about my little aunt?"

Du Heng sighed. "We broke up. You don’t have a little aunt anymore."

Du Xuejing’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be possible?

Just as she was about to speak, Du Heng continued, "Alright, let’s drop the subject. Don’t bring it up again. If you dare to mention it even once, I won’t treat you to any more delicious food. Also, I’m here for an exchange study program, and I’ll probably return home after the Chinese New Year."

Du Xuejing really wanted to ask about him and Wang Shuqiu, but seeing Du Heng’s expression, she obediently skipped the question. "After the New Year?" she said. "So that means you can stay here for two months? Not bad."

Although Du Xuejing was smiling, she didn’t feel as happy as she had initially.

The atmosphere gradually, and almost imperceptibly, quieted down.

When they reached the street opposite the school gate, Du Heng waved goodbye to the girls, preparing to watch them head back.

The girls also waved goodbye. Just as they were about to cross the road, a boy suddenly rushed out, blocking the long-haired girl.

"Li Fuyao, what are you doing?" Du Xuejing reacted the fastest, grabbing the girl’s other hand and positioning herself between the two.

The boy, Li Fuyao, directly pushed Du Xuejing. "This is none of your business! It’s between Xie Lu and me."

The boy used considerable force, causing Du Xuejing, who had just stepped between them, to stagger.

However, this gave the other two girls a chance to quickly pull the girl named Xie Lu behind them.

Du Heng touched his nose. This scene is familiar.

During their school days, he and his friends had often helped Wei Kaida in similar situations.

But back then, it wasn’t Wei Kaida pursuing girls; instead, several girls would rush up wanting to deal with Wei Kaida, that playa. They were the ones who’d take the heat, giving Wei Kaida a chance to escape.

Du Heng hadn’t wanted to get involved, but he was displeased by how forcefully the boy had pushed Du Xuejing.

And judging from Du Xuejing’s expression, she wasn’t planning to back down.

Du Heng touched his nose again and stepped towards the group.

"Lulu, I really like you. For you, I’m willing to change anything."

The familiar and awkward confession reached Du Heng’s ears again, reminding him once more of his college days.

Seeing the boy’s humble and cautious demeanor, Du Heng quietly sighed.

Back in college, I was poor and never pursued any girls. But I saw others do it. Anyone who pursued a girl like this never had a good outcome.

Du Xuejing and the other three girls tightly shielded Xie Lu behind them, giving Li Fuyao no opportunity to get close.

At this point, Xie Lu also spoke. "Li Fuyao, stop bothering me. I’ll never like you. I already have someone I like."

Tsk, such familiar lines, what a cliched plot. I hadn’t realized that even ten years after my graduation, kids nowadays are still the same—unoriginal and using the same old lines.

Du Heng suddenly glanced at his niece.

My niece isn’t unattractive; she’s tall too. Although not as stunning as this Xie Lu, she’s still quite a beauty. Is anyone pursuing her? Has she started dating yet?

Du Heng inexplicably felt a tightness in his chest, like a flower he had carefully raised was about to be plucked by someone else.

The boy, having been explicitly rejected, grew agitated. He tried to grab Xie Lu’s hand again but was completely blocked by the three girls in the middle.

In his desperation, the boy began to forcefully shove them.

Seeing the increasingly aggressive boy, Du Heng walked over to them. "Hey, young man, what’s going on?"

As he spoke, he swatted away the boy’s arm, which was applying more force.

"Who are you? This is none of your business!" Seeing an adult man intervene, the boy’s machismo was instantly provoked.

But, as luck would have it, the girl named Xie Lu suddenly darted out from behind Du Xuejing and the others, taking refuge behind Du Heng.

Already agitated, the boy became enraged. "Aha! So that’s it! No wonder you look down on me. You found yourself an old man!"

Damn it! I almost laughed out of anger. It was one thing for me to make fun of myself for being old, but for someone to call me an old man to my face? That was a bit much, wasn’t it?

However, looking at the boy’s position, Du Heng couldn’t help but warn him, "Young man, you must be mistaken. If you have something to say, let’s step over here and discuss it calmly. You’re standing in the road; it’s not safe."

The boy, completely incensed by now, paid no heed to Du Heng’s well-intentioned advice. Instead of moving to the sidewalk, he took two more steps backward. "You don’t need to act like a good person, you..."

"Watch out!"

Du Heng quickly reached out, but his hand grasped only air.

Immediately after, there was a loud BANG. A speeding car struck the boy, sending him flying.

Then came the screech of brakes, a sound that made everyone’s heart clench.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Utterly dumbfounded.

Even Du Heng hadn’t anticipated such an outcome.

If I hadn’t come over, the boy wouldn’t have backed up, and then he wouldn’t have been hit by the car.