Chapter 16: Gentle Wenwan, My New Counselor!

Tang Xiwei thought it was the new counselor arriving and immediately stood up. As the temporary class leader, it was only right for her to welcome the new counselor, and besides, it would leave a good impression.

Suddenly, the door was flung open with a bang and a figure strode in.

"Teacher..." The words froze on Tang Xiwei’s lips. She halted mid-step, for the newcomer was not the counselor, but a familiar face.

Delicate yet striking features, complemented by a steadier air since his rebirth, and the slight breathlessness from running combined to create an image that felt strangely unfamiliar to her. Had it only been one night? He seemed to have changed.

Did men truly become more handsome after their first night, after crossing that threshold from boyhood? For a fleeting moment, Tang Xiwei felt a pang of regret. If only she’d seized the opportunity before—then Chen Luo would be hers now!

Oh? Judging by his urgency, could it be he’s here to apologize? Of course, that must be it—he can’t bear the weight of his conscience, still has feelings for her, and regrets his "offense," coming to confess and beg for forgiveness.

With that thought, Tang Xiwei crossed her arms over her modest chest, her expression proud and aloof as she fixed her gaze on Chen Luo.

"Chen Luo, you have the nerve to show your face here? Have you figured out how you’re going to apologize to me?"

Her voice rang out, drawing the attention of the entire class. As they saw the two facing off, the room instantly erupted into chatter.

"No way! Is Chen Luo about to return to his simpering ways and apologize to the new campus belle, Tang Xiwei?"

"Wait, what do you mean ‘return’? Did I miss something?"

"You must’ve been offline! The whole school forum blew up—yesterday, Chen Luo, once Tang Xiwei’s most faithful admirer, left her in public for a glamorous woman driving a Maybach!"

"Not just that! I heard he didn’t even go back to the dorm last night. Anyone with half a brain can guess what he was up to!"

"So that’s why Tang Xiwei wants an apology. But didn’t she reject his confessions several times? He’s not her boyfriend—why is she making such a scene?"

"You don’t get it. Even the betrayal of a devoted admirer is still betrayal!"

"Hey, you’re behind the times. This morning, another wealthy woman driving a Maybach confessed to Chen Luo and he turned her down—left her in tears!"

"What? Is he some kind of rich lady slayer?"

"Exactly! If he rejected her, maybe he really regrets it and is coming back to beg Tang Xiwei for another chance."

Hearing the gossip swirling around her, Tang Xiwei felt even more certain she’d guessed right and decided to press her advantage.

"Chen Luo, as long as you get down on one knee and apologize to me—say three times, ‘Goddess, I was wrong’—I’ll forgive you. How about it?"

All eyes were on Chen Luo, waiting to see how he’d react. If he really knelt and apologized, they’d remember this humiliation forever.

"You’re insane."

Without a pause, Chen Luo brushed past Tang Xiwei without a hint of hesitation and calmly took his seat beside Liu Hao.

The classroom fell into a deathly silence, all eyes turning to Tang Xiwei.

Some had expected Chen Luo to yield and apologize; others thought he’d publicly confront her. But no one expected that Tang Xiwei’s aggressive confrontation would be met with nothing but Chen Luo’s utter indifference.

For someone as self-important as Tang Xiwei, to be completely ignored was a deeper humiliation than being insulted or mocked outright.

Under the weight of so many stares, Tang Xiwei felt as though she’d been slapped across the face, over and over, by invisible hands.

All her life she’d been cherished—protected, adored, with scores of boys eager to win her smile. Chen Luo had once been the most devoted among them.

Now, however, he was the one humiliating her again and again. The world had turned upside down!

"Chen Luo! You bastard! What do you mean by this?" Tang Xiwei could no longer maintain her composure. Her temper flared, and she marched over to Chen Luo’s desk, jabbing her finger at him, ready to unleash a tirade.

Chen Luo didn’t even look up, his eyes fixed on his phone. He’d seen enough of her self-righteous façade in his previous life—even one more glance now made him sick.

Enraged by his attitude, Tang Xiwei lunged, reaching for his collar.

Just then, the door opened again.

"The counselor’s here!" someone called.

At those words, Tang Xiwei choked down her anger. She’d invested so much effort and money, humbled herself before every dorm leader, all to win the position of class secretary today. She couldn’t afford to lose points with the new counselor because of Chen Luo.

She slowly withdrew her hand and returned to her seat, but her resentful gaze still bored into Chen Luo.

Just you wait, Chen Luo! Once I become class secretary, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this class!

The sharp tapping of high heels echoed as a woman in her thirties entered and walked to the podium.

It was Zhao Hong, the counselor who had been overseeing all four finance classes—a familiar face to most students.

"Students, I’m here today for the handover. From now on, your new counselor will be looking after your studies and daily life. She’s far more accomplished than I am—a Ph.D. graduate from Harbin University, and a full professor."

"Wow!" The students gasped in unison. A Ph.D. from Harbin University coming to be their counselor? Wasn’t that using a cannon to kill a mosquito?

All eyes brimmed with anticipation as Zhao Hong raised her hand and said, "Let’s welcome your new counselor—Professor Wen!"

The click of high heels sounded again as a tall, elegant figure in black ascended the podium.

When she turned to face them, the entire class erupted in astonishment.

"Wow!"

Chen Luo instinctively looked up, and when he recognized the new counselor’s face, he shot to his feet.

"Wen... Wan... Is she… my new counselor?"