With the dust settled, I got along well with my two new roommates.

Not long after, I heard about Qiao Lan dropping out of school.

But at that time, I was busy preparing for various exams and didn't care much about it.

It was Zhao Mei who often shared the news she heard with me.

"I heard that the day Qiao Lan had a big argument with her parents, accusing them of not helping her at all, but instead becoming obstacles in her life here. Even the principal looked unhappy."

"Qiao Lan moved to a new dorm but still did her own thing, broadcasting until the early hours. Later, I don't know who leaked your situation, and now other junior sisters are following your method to start their own broadcasts. I heard each account is doing well now and can even get advertisements."

"Qiao Lan moved out of the dorm, now living off-campus, and seems to rarely attend classes, having been warned several times."

"Oh my! Qiao Lan's parents seem to have come to the school to handle her withdrawal procedures, saying they can't teach this daughter anymore, so they cut off her living expenses, letting her fend for herself, as if they never had this daughter."

"How dramatic," Zhao Mei chewed on potato chips, "a year ago, we were at the same starting line, and now we've reached two diverging paths."

I reached into the bag of chips in her hand and grabbed two pieces to eat.

"Isn't this just life, a slight deviation leads to a different path."

Zhao Mei nodded.

"You're right."

I picked up my pen and continued studying.

Qiao Lan's situation was just a small episode in my life, though not very pleasant, it has passed.

On the broad road of life, we always encounter all kinds of people.

She is just one of them and cannot influence my future path.

It will only make me more determined in my direction.

(End)