Chapter 126 Conflict
Wu Yuqing found it hard to believe. With a look of disgust, she walked over and snatched the list. Sure enough, Liu Ran's name was clearly written on it, along with her student ID and even that damnable photo.
Wu Yuqing slammed the table and exclaimed, "Who is in charge of this? Why would an invitation be sent to such a trashy student? Are we, Qingzhou University, losing all dignity?"
As Wu Yuqing unleashed her fury, the surrounding student union members cowered, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had always known Wu Yuqing to be gentle, elegant, and graceful, their former student union president, but they never imagined she could be so terrifying when angered.
Just then, two girls approached. One of them was Wu Yuqing and Liu Ran's roommate, and also Liu Ran's best friend back then. Her name was Liao Meili.
Liao Meili came forward, put an arm around Wu Yuqing's shoulder, and with a somewhat flattering smile, asked, "Oh my! Our class beauty, what's gotten into you? Why are you so furious?"
Wu Yuqing frowned, pointed at Liu Ran's information on the table, and said, "I don't know which idiot invited Liu Ran, this trashy woman. How can such a woman be allowed into our university on such an important occasion as Qingzhou University's 100th anniversary? Isn't this tarnishing Qingzhou University's reputation?"
Liao Meili's expression also changed. She exclaimed in surprise, "No way! How could that bitch be invited? Whoever was in charge of this must be held accountable."
"However, class beauty, don't worry too much. Even if Liu Ran received an invitation, does she have the audacity to attend this anniversary celebration? So, no need to worry, she definitely wouldn't dare to come!"
The student union members responsible for reception overheard Liao Meili and Wu Yuqing. They cautiously asked, "Does this Liu Ran not even have a graduation certificate or a degree?"
"Good heavens, did she really plagiarize her graduation project? Such a student has terrible character. How could she possibly receive an invitation to the centennial celebration?"
"I don't understand, I really don't understand."
"I think this senior, Liu Ran, definitely won't come."
As a group of people were discussing this, a woman wearing sunglasses and a mask walked over. She presented an ID card and a student card.
The woman said, "Hello, my name is Liu Ran, and I'm here for the anniversary celebration."
The next moment, everyone in the vicinity turned their heads to look at Liu Ran. Their eyes were filled with disbelief.
Wu Yuqing let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with anger and mockery.
Wu Yuqing said, "Oh my! Liu Ran, I never expected you to come to the anniversary celebration."
Liu Ran turned and saw Wu Yuqing and Liao Meili, and she was momentarily stunned. Then she took two steps forward. Her relationship with Wu Yuqing had never been good, so Liu Ran merely nodded at Wu Yuqing. She then looked at Liao Meili and said with a smile, "Oh! Meili, what a coincidence! I didn't expect us to run into each other at the entrance!"
Liao Meili was taken aback, then a fake smile spread across her face.
Liao Meili nodded and said, "Liu Ran, it is indeed a coincidence! We've lost touch with you over the years. How have you been?"
Liu Ran smiled. At least in her heart, she still considered Liao Meili a friend. After all, Liao Meili had been her roommate and best friend in university. They often went to study rooms and libraries together, and ate meals together.
Liu Ran said, "It's been a bit rough, but that's all in the past. Let's go, let's get into the school first, and then we can sit down and have a good talk."
Liu Ran was wearing sunglasses and hadn't yet noticed the flash of disgust in Liao Meili's eyes.
At this moment, Wu Yuqing coldly sneered at Liu Ran, "Liu Ran, stop pretending. You want to come to the school for the anniversary celebration? Have you even considered if you're worthy?"
"None of us have forgotten about your plagiarism incident back then. If we let you into the school today, it would be an insult to Qingzhou University, an insult to our Design School!"
"You plagiarized someone else's work and were expelled. How dare a student with such a tainted record come back to Qingzhou University?"
A student union member also stood up.
The students were naturally quite forthright. The girl said to Liu Ran, "Senior, we suspect there's a problem with this list. So, we need to confirm if your name is indeed on the invitation."
"The seniors mentioned earlier that your graduation project was suspected of plagiarism. I believe Qingzhou University is a renowned institution with a 100-year history. Our academic standards are rigorous. We cannot accept students who plagiarize others' work, especially in the field of design, to reappear."
The other students nodded in agreement, staring menacingly at Liu Ran, their eyes filled with disdain and disgust. They couldn't bear the thought of being alumni with a plagiarist. They couldn't tolerate such an insult.
Seeing the situation, Liu Ran flinched slightly. She took a small step back, waving her hands frantically, trying to explain.
Liu Ran stammered, "No, it's not what you think. My graduation project wasn't plagiarized. I..."
The more anxious Liu Ran became, the less clearly she could explain. More importantly, the matter was difficult to explain, as the school had indeed issued that punishment back then.
Just then, a hearty laugh suddenly echoed, and a girl, about 1.75 meters tall and incredibly robust, rushed over from behind and swept Liu Ran into her arms.
The girl laughed heartily and exclaimed, "That's great, Liu Ran! You're back too! It's an honor for our Design School to have you return. This time, don't disappear! We must exchange contact information. You absolutely cannot miss our class reunions in the future."
This girl was Liu Ran's former classmate and the class monitor of their design major, Gao Juan.
Gao Juan was tall and strong, and her voice was as full of vigor and boldness as a man's.
Gao Juan spun Liu Ran around a couple of times, then waved her hand behind her and shouted loudly, "Hey, students, hurry and come see who's here! It's our Design School's former star, the number one genius of the Design School, and Qingzhou University's campus beauty, and even more so, the former president of the Qingzhou University Student Union, Liu Ran! She's here! Students, come quickly!"
Following Gao Juan's call, more than a dozen design school students rushed over. Both boys and girls saw Liu Ran and were very excited, constantly asking about her condition.
The worship in many students' eyes was undeniably genuine.
For a moment, the student union members guarding the school entrance were stunned. They couldn't understand what was happening at all.
Was Liu Ran a plagiarist or a respected academic prodigy? How could there be such a contradiction?