Chapter 98: Mistaking a Bone for a Wooden Stick

When Li Dong arrived in the classroom, Li Tie immediately asked, "Dongzi, our class is going to the botanical garden for a barbecue tomorrow. Are you coming?"

Li Dong twitched the corner of his mouth. While others are burning paper, you're going for a barbecue? That's quite something!

Without a second thought, he shook his head and said, "I have something to do. Maybe next time."

Xu Chen, who was nearby, expressed some dissatisfaction, "Stop using that excuse all the time. It's always 'having something to do.'"

Li Dong raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was off.

Before he could respond, Meng Qiping interjected to smooth things over, "Dong Ge really has something to do. If he can't make it, that's fine. We'll have another chance to go together next time."

Xu Chen scoffed, said nothing further, and lay down on his desk to sleep.

The atmosphere grew tense. Li Dong frowned but kept silent, taking a seat next to Zhang Hao.

When the teacher entered the classroom, Zhang Hao leaned in and whispered, "I don't know who spread the rumor, but they're saying Huang Shanshan likes you. Chenzi is a bit upset about it."

Li Dong didn't respond, his expression unchanged, as if he hadn't heard.

---

The morning classes passed quickly.

When the bell rang for the break, Li Dong packed his books and prepared to leave when Bai Su approached him and said, "Li Dong, I need to talk to you."

Li Dong almost swore under his breath. Whenever Bai Su said she had something to discuss, it rarely meant anything good.

He was inclined to ignore her but seeing Bai Su's earnest gaze, he sighed and said, "Fine, speak."

Bai Su glanced around at the crowd and said, "Let's talk while we walk."

As soon as she said that, Li Dong felt a piercing gaze from the side.

He didn't need to look up to know who it was—Li Tie and Xu Chen. They were angry not at Bai Su but at him.

It's ridiculous that they blame others for their own failures with women. If you can't win someone over, just move on to someone else. Complaining about it is pointless!

Even if Li Dong and Bai Su had something to do with Huang Shanshan, it was not for these two to get angry over.

Not wanting to argue with them, Li Dong followed Bai Su out of the classroom.

After they went downstairs, Bai Su asked, "Did you forget the favor I asked last time?"

Li Dong was puzzled and said instinctively, "What favor?"

Bai Su gave a knowing look and said, "Li Qian!"

Li Dong realized and cleared his throat before saying, "I didn't forget. There were some complications. As you know, Li Qian didn't attend the event in Yuanfang."

Bai Su nodded and then, somewhat regretfully, said, "If I had known Yuanfang invited Yang Si, I would have gone too. You should have told me in advance."

Li Dong forced a smile. How was he supposed to know she was a fan of Yang Si?

Moreover, even if he had known, he wouldn't have informed Bai Su—it would just add more trouble for himself.

Changing the topic, Li Dong said, "If Huang Shanshan really wants to meet Li Qian, it's actually quite simple."

"You have a solution? I heard Li Qian is managing her own accommodation and the student council doesn't even know where she's staying," Bai Su said, curious.

Li Dong shrugged. Since Yuanfang wasn't covering the expenses, Li Qian had to arrange her own lodging.

Not dwelling on that, Li Dong nodded and said, "If you want to meet Li Qian, you just need to contact Teacher Fang. As long as she agrees, not only can you meet her, but you can even share a bed if necessary."

Bai Su rolled her eyes but didn't mind the teasing in Li Dong's words. She said curiously, "But Teacher Fang isn't responsible for this, right?"

"Why ask so many questions? Just go as I said. Old Fang is close with Li Qian," Li Dong replied impatiently.

Bai Su didn't pursue it further and changed the subject, asking, "Are you coming to the barbecue tomorrow?"

Li Dong shook his head and, after a moment, suddenly said, "Actually, you'd better not go tomorrow."

"Why?"

Li Dong gave a mysterious smile and lowered his voice deliberately, "I heard the botanical garden was converted from an old graveyard. Do you think it's appropriate to have a barbecue there during Qingming Festival?"

Bai Su shuddered, disbelieving, "Is that true?"

"Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, check online. Most people in Pingchuan know about it. You're so daring to have a barbecue on someone else's turf during Qingming. Aren't you afraid they'll come and snatch your food?"

Bai Su felt uneasy but tried to appear calm, "Don't be ridiculous! I'm an atheist. Even if it really was a graveyard, I wouldn't be afraid!"

"Hehehe..."

Li Dong's laugh was eerie as he said, "If you're not scared, that's fine. Just don't make a mistake by burning bones instead of wooden sticks."

"Li Dong!"

Bai Su yelled, both angry and frightened, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll..."

After a long pause, Bai Su couldn't come up with a proper threat against Li Dong.

Seeing her reaction, Li Dong secretly chuckled and forced himself to stop laughing, "Alright, I'm leaving now. If you need anything, don't bother me!"

Before Bai Su could respond, Li Dong's phone rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, Li Dong's face showed an odd expression.

Avoiding Bai Su, he stepped away to answer the call.

As soon as he picked up, Huang Zhigao's irritated voice came through, "Li Dong, don't you think you owe me an explanation about Li Qian?"

Li Dong felt a bit awkward, cleared his throat, and said with a smile, "Dean Huang, it was all a misunderstanding."

The situation with Li Qian had been smoothed over thanks to Jiang Da's influence, but Li Dong had played Huang Zhigao a trick as well.

Huang Zhigao had previously badmouthed Li Qian, and had even scolded Fang Qingfei, the recommender. Now Li Qian had become a judge, so Huang Zhigao was certainly displeased.

Li Dong explained, "The previous comments were made by Li Qian's former manager, who left and wanted to take revenge by spreading falsehoods. Later, Li Qian personally came to explain, and Yuanfang couldn't break the contract, so we had to continue with it."

Huang Zhigao seemed to either accept the explanation or didn't want to deal with more trouble, and after a few pleasantries, ended the call.

Li Dong sighed in relief.

Turning around, he was startled to almost bump into Bai Su.

Fortunately, Li Dong managed to stop in time and said with a dark expression, "Were you eavesdropping on my call?"

Bai Su rolled her eyes and retorted, "Who was eavesdropping? I just saw you talking on the phone for a while and came to tell you I was leaving. I didn't expect you to turn around suddenly."

Then Bai Su asked curiously, "Which Dean Huang?"

Li Dong's face turned dark, "You still say you weren't eavesdropping!"

"Cut it out! You were speaking loudly—'Dean Huang, hello. Dean Huang, goodbye. Dean Huang…'" Bai Su mimicked him, then asked again, "Is he the Dean from our college?"

Li Dong was at a loss for words. He realized Bai Su's curiosity was boundless.

She wanted to know everything, and inquire about every detail.

Too lazy to deal with her, Li Dong huffed, "I'm leaving. Don't look for me next time!"

He added, "And don't look for me even if you have something to ask. It's better to bother Li Tie. He'd love it!"

Before Bai Su could react, Li Dong had already made a swift exit.

Watching Li Dong leave, Bai Su stamped her foot. Realizing the surroundings were too quiet, she hurriedly shrank her neck and walked quickly away.