Junhao was heading to the cafereria with Meiling, when he sees Mingyu running out from the cafeteria. He calls out to his best friend who is running through the crowd, looking all messed up. He was surprised to see her hair and outfit all messy with food and drinks. He didn't need to look closely to know that Mingyu was crying while she was escaping the crowd.
"Mingyu!" Junhao calls her name again, but she had already disappear into the crowd.
Meiling turns her head to see her boyfriend. She noticed his face looks worried at Mingyu, in which she didn't like. Junhao turns around to face his girlfriend.
"You should have lunch first. I'll catch up with you later," Junhao says, as he stares into Meiling's eyes.
Meiling went speechless. She just lets out a sigh, before Junhao suddenly starts running away to follow Mingyu.
Can she stop getting his attention for at least one day? Meiling thought.
At the ladies' restroom...
Mingyu is in the middle of washing her face in the restroom. Some of the girls in the restroom just stares at her with a discgust look. After washing her face, Mingyu gets a tissue and dries her wet face, while still thinking about what to do about her hair and outfit which had food all over.
As she stares at her own reflection in the mirror, she couldn't help but let a tear slide down her face. She felt ashame that she couldn't stand up for herself at the cafeteria. She was panick at the time when Jing Jing started throwing food at her. She didn't even know what she did wrong, when all the rumours about her were false. She never slept with Liqiang, or did she try to interrupt Jing Jing's relationship with him. The fact that people would accuse her of such things breaks her more, making her feel worthless than she is already before.
"Mingyu!"
The restroom door suddenly slams open, surprising all the ladies inside, including Mingyu. She turns her head to see Junhao standing in front of the door, looking worried. Without anymore words, he quickly walks over to Mingyu, ignoring the stares from the surprised ladies.
"What happened to you?" Junhao ask with a worried tone.
"Jing Jing accused me of sleeping with Liqiang, and so she started to throw food at me, followed by the others," Mingyu says in a low tone. She turns her head down to avoid eye contact with Junhao, since she's on the edge of sobbing anytime sooner.
"I didn't do it. I didn't sleep with Liqiang," Mingyu says. Junhao could hear that she is starting to sob, making him curled up his fist. Fury starts burning inside him at the thought of the false rumour that attacked his best friend.
"Who made up those stupid rumours? And where is Liqiang when his stupid girlfriend suddenly attacked you?" Junhao ask, rage starting to fill his voice.
"I don't know. He was not in the cafeteria," Mingyu says in a low tone, tears starting to fill her eyes again.
Junhao looks at his crying friend in front of him. The sight both breaks his heart and made him furious at the same time. He is dying to know who the hell spread those false rumours. Just thought of it already burns the rage in him.
"Let's get you home. You are all wet and your clothes are dirty," Junhao says as he grabs Mingyu's hand.
"I don't want to!" Mingyu says in a fearful voice.
Junhao turns his head to look at Mingyu who has a fearful look on her face, while her eyes are filled with tears.
"My momma will get furious if she sees me like this," Mingyu says.
Junhao stares into Mingyu's sad eyes. For him, it was sad to know that she is scared of even the littlest things, including her own mother. Junhao still wonders how in the world did everything just seems to get worse for her, when all she wants to do is just go on with her life like a normal person while trying to fix her damaged mental health. The world just seems too cruel towards her.
"Ok, let's just go to my place first. You can get yourself clean up there. After that, I'll drive you back home," Junhao says.
Mingyu didn't answer, instead she just replied with a nod. She is in the middle of trying to hold herself from crying more. She didn't want to always look weak in front of Junhao, since she didn't want to trouble him. Not to mention, now she feels guilty that she just gave him trouble to take her to his house, when he could have spend his lunch time with Meiling.
Junhao grabs her hand gently and leads her out of the ladies' restroom. Before taking Mingyu to his house, he decides to go to the cafeteria first to tell Meiling that he'll be taking Mingyu to his house to clean up first. Other than that, he also wanted to confront whoever spread those rumours about Mingyu. As the two continue to walk through the hallway, they walk pass a tall guy in a black hoodie who just exited the library.
"Wang Mingyu!"
Junhao and Mingyu stops and turn their heads to see the guy looking at Mingyu in shock. He widens his eyes with a disbelief look. He looked too surprised.
"What happened?" the guy, Xiaoliang, ask the two teenagers as he walks closer to them.
"I got thrown with food by some students in the cafeteria," Mingyu says, her eyes looking at the ground. She didn't want Xiaoliang to notice that her eyes are still puffy.
"What? Why? How did that happened?" Xiaoliang ask, his voice filled with curiousity.
"Some losers spread false rumours about her," Junhao says. "Well, enough with that, we're going to the cafeteria now."
Junhao continues to walk through the hallway while holding Mingyu's hand, leaving Xiaoliang standing speechless at the sight of them, but also at the thought of the false rumours that got Mingyu into trouble. Looking at her sad somehow broke his heart.
What kind of false rumours could get her into this much trouble?
Xiaoliang thought.
Curious, Xiaoliang decided to follow Junhao and Mingyu to the cafeteria to see whatever dramas will happen. He thought that maybe he could find out more about those rumours and who spread them in the first place.
At the cafeteria enterance...
"I don't want to go inside," Mingyu says with fear in her voice. She didn't want to encounter Jing Jing or anyone who threw food at her earlier. She couldn't handle the embarrassment.
Junhao turns his head to see Mingyu looking anxious. He realized that she's probably traumatized by the incident, and thought about letting her stay outside for a while.
"Fine. I'll just go and talk to Meiling. I'll be back in a moment," Junhao says, in which Mingyu nods.
Mingyu stood outside the cafeteria, as she watches Junhao entering the cafeteria. Her anxiety starts to get higher at the sight of the people passing by staring at her. All she want right now is to escape this crowded place. Just as she is waiting outside the cafeteria, Xiaoliang walks over to her. His face looks both worried and curious at the same time.
"Hey!" Xiaoliang says, as he approaches the anxious girl.
"Hi," Mingyu says in a low tone.
"Who did this?" Xiaoliang ask, letting his curiousity out.
Mingyu sighs, "Jing Jing suddenly confronted me. She said that I slept with Liqiang, when I never did. She and some other girls then started throwing food and water at me."
Hearing this, Xiaoliang could feel himself feeling hurt and furious. He then starts walking to enter the cafeteria. He wants to see if the drama is still happening, and maybe he could eventually find out the jerk who spread those rumors.
"What are you doing?" Mingyu ask spontaneously. She starts to fear that Xiaoliang will get himself into trouble.
"Checking out what's going on," Xiaoliang says as he enters the cafeteria.
The crowded cafeteria seems to already calm down. He could see the cleaner mopping the floor, which assumed was messy before after the students throwed food at Mingyu. Meanwhile, on the other table, he could see Junhao talking with Meiling. In a glance, it looked like they were having a small argument.
"You always have more time for her than me," Meiling says in a sulk tone.
"Meiling, it's not like that. She just got bullied earlier. I'm just helping her out," Junhao states.
"You are so concern with everything about her. Zhao Junhao, do you actually like her?" Meiling ask.
Junhao sighs. He really didn't want to argue with his girlfriend about the same thing over and over again, but she never understand him every time he tried to explain about anything related to Mingyu. He knew she was jealous, but he just thought that she had trust issues since he is only looking after Mingyu as a friend, and that he pitys her for not having anyone else in a weak state where her mental health is already ruined since a very young age.
"Meiling,"
"Fine, just go with her! Don't even bother to think about me," Meiling says, her voice sounded mad and upset at Junhao.
Junhao sighs. Causing Meiling to misunderstood the situation was the last thing he wanted to happen, but when it all happens, it's not like he has another option to change what had happened, and what needs to be done. He still needed to help Mingyu.
"I'll pick you up after college," Junhao says, but Meiling just choose to ignore him.
Junhao takes one last look at his upset girlfriend. He couldn't lie to himself that he feels guilty for making her feel upset, but he knew he needed to help his mentally broken friend. Junhao starts walking away from Meiling, leaving the crowded cafeteria.
A few minutes later...
At Junhao's house...
Junhao stops the engene as he parks his car upon arriving at his house. During the ride, Mingyu had been constantly worried about whether her mom would find out, by that she had asked Junhao to help her think of an excuse if she gets suspicious.
"She's gonna question why my clothes are dirty," Mingyu says.
"That's why you're gonna take a shower and put some new clothes on," Junhao states.
"I didn't bring any extra clothes," Mingyu says.
Junhao turns his head and raise one of his eyebrow. He felt surprised that Mingyu didn't quite get that he was gonna ask her to wear his clothes, since her clothes are all dirty.
"You're gonna change into my clothes," Junhao says, making Mingyu to turn her head and face him. Her cheeks are now a blushing a deep shade of red as she feels an odd feeling running inside her chest.
Junhao stares at the blushing girl, before he lets out a small chuckle. He always thought she looked adorable when she's clueless (and speechless). She looked like the innocent little girl he just wants to protect.
"Just tell her I accidentally spilled food all over your clothes, and by that you have to change into my clothes," Junhao says. He thought that the idea to tell Mingyu's mom that he had spilled food all over her clothes was a simple excuse.
Mingyu raise her eyebrow after hearing Junhao's statement. She finds it hard to believe that he just made up a simple excuse so easily, though she doubt her mom would even believe it.
"I doubt my momma's gonna believe that," Mingyu states.
"Fine. We'll think again later, now let's just get out of the car and get yourself clean," Junhao says, in which Mingyu nods.
The two teenagers exit the car and walks inside Junhao's house. There's no one in the house, since Junhao's parents are out at work at their statues shop. There are some boxes in the living room, looking a bit messy.
"What are these boxes for?" Mingyu ask.
"These are some of the statues for my parents' shop," Junhao states, before leading Mingyu to the bathroom.
"Oh yeah, I'll go get the towel and clothes first," Junhao says, in which Mingyu nods.
Junhao enters his room and grab a pair of clean t-shirt and shorts along with a new towel. He walks back to and hands them to Mingyu.
"Here you go," Junhao says.
"Thanks. Well, I'll go shower now," Mingyu says shyly, feeling quite awkward since this is the first time she's taking a shower in someone's house.
"Yeah. If you need anything else, I'll be here sorting out these boxes," Junhao says.
"Ok," Mingyu says, before walking inside the bathroom and locking the door.
Junhao then walks back to the living room to start sorting out the boxes of statues. Since he has some spare time before driving Mingyu back and picking up Meiling, he wanted to sort out the boxes to help his parents.
He eventually finished sorting out the boxes. After that, he takes a seat on his couch and grabs his phone on the table. After the incident at the cafeteria, Meiling had both not text or call him, in which she would usually often call him everyday. A few minutes later, he hears the bathroom door opening, signaling that Mingyu had finished with her shower.
Junhao turns his gaze to see Mingyu walking up to him. He felt surprised to see how petite she looked in his oversize shirts and shorts, complete with her wet hair. Somehow, he finds her to look really cute in his shirt. Her eyes just stares down at the ground. He could tell she is probably feeling anxious again.
"So, how do you feel?" Junhao ask all of a sudden as he stares at the girl standing in front of him.
"Ok," Mingyu answers in a low tone.
Junhao smiles, "A shower never fails to make me feel better."
Mingyu turns her head to face Junhao. Their brown eyes meet as Mingyu shyly stares into Junhao's bright eyes. Deep inside, she secretly wonders how did the boy always look so cheerful and full of spirit in life, when all she's been feeling had been sorrow and pain, sometimes making her want to give up with life. Junhao's eyes has always been filled with hopes and joy, and he's pretty much the reason she's still breathing today. He had been constantly supporting her to heal herself since they first met. Looking at him now, she realized that she needs to thank him a lot for everything he did.
"Junhao," Mingyu says all of a sudden.
"Yes, Mingyu?" Junhao replies.
Mingyu takes a deep breath, before turning her gaze down, breaking the eye contact she had with him.
"Again, thanks for helping me out," Mingyu says. Her voice sounded pretty shy as she starts to feel awkward at the situation.
"Hey! Don't mention it. I'm happy to help a friend," Junhao says with a smile.
Mingyu turns her head to face Junhao. Slowly, she forms a small smile at him. She feels grateful to have met such a kind soul like him, who had saved her many times.
5:15 PM...
At Huang University...
Xiaoliang's POV...
I walk through the crowded hallway, with the sight of people passing by, it already makes me want to escape this mess. Too much had happened today that it already gives me a dramatic feeling. Right now, I gotta escape this mess and just go to work.
I was about to exit the college door, when I happen to hear a guy talking to Liqiang about the rumours that happened earlier. Curious, I decided to stop and eavesdrop their conversation. Speaking of earlier, Liqiang was no where in sight at the cafeteria today. Where did he went? Could it be possible that he knew about the rumours and instead just disappear? This seems weird.
"So Jing Jing told us you slept with Mingyu?" the guy teases Liqiang.
"I haven't get the chance, but whoever made up those rumours wanted me to get popular. I should be thankful," Liqiang says in a cocky tone. "But I will try. To prove it, I'll make a video and show it to you guys."
My jaws almost drop as fury starts rising inside of me upon hearing his words. He better not think about doing anything dumb to Mingyu. He could scare the hell out of the poor girl, since she's already always so anxious.
"Yeah right. Like are you even brave enough to do that? She could smack your head if she ever finds out," the guy ask.
"I have my ways. Besides, she shouldn't feel insulted. It's a good thing I still want to take pictures of her body," Liqiang says.
I could feel the fury already burning inside of me. Without thinking, I walk up to Liqiang, making him and the guy that was talking to him to turn their heads to face me.
"Watch your mouth, Liqiang! Real men don't go around talking bad about a woman to other men," I say, trying my best to keep my calm at the annoying guy, though I already feel like exploding anytime sooner.
"Yeah, right. Says the hero who saved the anxious girl from a glass of decent drink," Liqiang scoffs.
"Don't think about messing with her. Real men don't mess with women," I say.
"Yeah, right. Why would I even want to mess with that weirdo? I'll probably just use her to satisfy my lust, before humiliating her to the whole school for her ugly appearance and lack of skills," Liqiang says, before bursting out into a humiliating laugh.
My hand starts to curl into a fist. The rage inside me is burning insanely. I became lost at my words, so I only let my action speaks to this annoying guy in front of me. Without any warning, I punch Liqiang on the face, making him shock.
"What the hell?" Liqiang shouts.
To be continue...