NOVEL WEB chapter 183
108. Before Nightfall
“According to the information I got from seniors in fifth and sixth grade, Anna Carberlin was quite popular for a time at the beginning.”
On the edge of a bench by the roadside, Mu En quietly listened to the intel that Senior Fanny had gathered.
“After all, she’s good-looking and often helps others without asking for anything in return, so there were quite a few people who took a liking to her. Many young nobles have pursued her.”
“Then… why does the senior have such a bad reputation?” Mu En questioned, “I remember you mentioned that the upperclassmen’s evaluation of her wasn’t very good.”
“Probably… because she rejected everyone,” Senior Fanny replied.
“Although I haven’t had much contact with Anna Carberlin, from the information I’ve gathered, she seems to be a very elusive person.”
“I agree with that.” Mu En nodded gently.
“She’s very interested in other people’s romances and often goes out of her way to set them up, but when it comes to confessions directed at her, she avoids them like poison, even using strange reasons like ‘not believing in love’ to reject them. Over time, those people start to feel mocked and begin to angrily badmouth her, saying she’s a beautiful woman on the outside but venomous like a snake on the inside, deriving pleasure from playing with others’ feelings.”
“But those are just badmouthing.”
“Exactly, just badmouthing.”
At this point, Senior Fanny suddenly stood up and apologized to Mu En:
“I’m really sorry for speaking ill of Anna because of others’ gossip. As you said, such things shouldn’t be believed until seen with one’s own eyes.”
“Don’t worry about it; you didn’t say much at the time, and even if you were to apologize, it should be directed at Anna, right?”
Mu En smiled and waved her hand.
“That’s true.”
Senior Fanny nodded, her gaze sweeping over Mu En’s face, revealing a hint of suspicion:
“Mu En…”
“Hmm?”
“I can’t help but feel… that you’re quite happy to hear this news.”
“Happy? Well… a little, I suppose. After all, knowing some important things has made me more resolute about what I need to do next.”
“What did you think would happen when I learned this news, Senior Fanny?”
“I thought you’d be really angry.”
Senior Fanny blinked and said:
“You’d rush over impatiently and give a beating to those who spoke ill of Anna Kablina.”
“Hmm, I did have that thought at first, but it’s not the right time yet. I have more important things to do.” Mu En shook his head nonchalantly, “They’re just some losers who probably haven’t even seen your smile, so why should I care?”
“Truly, you are the academy’s famous playboy; this lingering charm is indeed remarkable.”
“Haha, Senior Fanny, please don’t tease me.”
Mu En stood up from the bench, smiling as he bid farewell to Senior Fanny:
“Our chat ends here. Thank you for your help, Senior Fanny. If you need anything in the future, feel free to find me; I won’t say something as distant as paying you for your help.”
“Alright, then goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
……
……
Behind the heavy clouds, a stubborn ray of sunset spilled forth, casting a soft halo over the shadows of the distant city, much like a girl’s shy cheeks.
“Is it evening already?”
Mu En walked along the familiar path, moving forward.
On the wide road, students poured toward the cafeteria and dormitories in groups after class, their vibrant and lively chatter coloring every corner of the campus.
Yet Mu En swam against the current, heading out of the school.
Along the way, curious glances were often cast his way, but it seemed they sensed a certain emotion about him and did not disturb his thoughts.
Until…
“Mu… Mu En?”
A familiar voice came from behind.
“Shirley?”
Mu En turned in surprise, looking at the girl still wearing her conspicuous large black-framed glasses, her hair braided in a twist.
She struggled to drag a huge suitcase, looking as if she was about to go on a trip, standing out among the crowd of students.
“Mu En, what are you doing here?”
Shirley’s eyes sparkled with doe-like surprise as she suddenly rushed over, grabbing Mu En’s hand:
“Are you here to see me off?”
“Send…”
Mu En frowned slightly, looking down at Shali’s large suitcase:
“I’m sorry, I just came out for a walk. But Shali, with such a big suitcase, where are you going?”
“Oh, just… just for a walk?”
The light in Shali’s eyes dimmed, her disappointment palpable:
“Well… yes, I haven’t told anyone about this yet. How could you possibly know, Mu En?”
“This matter?”
“Actually…”
Shali scratched her cheek, lowering her head as she spoke softly:
“I’m dropping out.”
“Dropping out?”
Mu En was taken aback, discreetly pulling his hand away from Shali’s grasp, his gaze sweeping deeply over the girl:
“At a time like this?”
“Yes, something happened at home. I need to go back and help my father.”
“That’s so sudden.”
“Isn’t life always unpredictable?”
Shali’s expression was tinged with sadness.
“Have you applied to the school?”
“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be leaving through the front gate.”
“I see.”
Mu En nodded, then asked earnestly:
“They didn’t ask you anything at all?”
“Eh? How would you know, Mu En?”
Shali exclaimed in surprise, then pouted in dissatisfaction:
“I don’t know why either. I was just going to handle the dropout procedures, but a whole bunch of scary people started asking me all sorts of questions, even pulling out some magical device that supposedly detects lies. It really scared me to death.”
As she spoke, Shali patted her chest, still shaken. Even through her loose uniform, one could vaguely see the tumultuous waves of her emotions.
“And what did they find out?”
“Mm? Mu En, do you really think I would do something bad?”
“Of course not.”
Mu En smiled gently.
“I’m just worried about classmate Shali.”
“I see.”
Shali blushed and twisted her waist: “Of course, there’s nothing at all. I’ve grown up this big, and I haven’t even killed a bug, let alone do anything bad!”
“Classmate Shali is really impressive.”
“Hehe… to be praised by classmate Mu’en makes me so happy…”
“Then…”
Mu’en’s gaze swept over classmate Shali again, as if confirming something, or perhaps searching for something.
But this girl, dressed simply and with an ordinary appearance, was indeed hard to see anything special about.
Compared to the impression he had of her, it could be said that they were worlds apart.
But…
“Then please convey my regards to your father, classmate Shali. The food last time was really delicious.” After thinking for a moment, Mu’en decided to give up on probing deeper.
“Th… thank you, I will pass it on.”
“It’s getting late, so I won’t disturb you any longer, classmate Shali. Goodbye, and go home early.”
“Mm, goodbye, classmate Mu’en.”
After saying goodbye, Shali dragged her suitcase, reluctantly turning to leave.
But it seemed she still couldn’t suppress a certain emotion in her heart at this moment. She suddenly turned back, stared into Mu’en’s eyes, and nervously asked:
“Classmate Mu’en, will we meet again?”
“Meet again?”
Mu’en also gazed into those clear eyes behind the black-framed glasses, which revealed no hint of falsehood, and suddenly smiled.
A smile that was soft and warm.
Just like that fading sunset, sinking into the cold night.
“Of course, I think we’ll be able to meet again soon, classmate Shali.”