Though Yin Fang was strict, she had always been a reasonable person. Since this incident happened in her class and the parties involved were speaking up, she naturally wanted to thoroughly understand what had occurred.

So she nodded: “Wait for me.”

She walked out quickly.

Only a few teachers grading assignments remained in the office. They didn’t look up, but their ears perked up.

Liu Yazhen approached in her high heels: “Gu Xue Jiao, what are you doing now?!”

“Cheng Mingjiao knows what I’m doing.” Xue Jiao’s voice was calm and flat, as if devoid of any emotion.

Li Sitong and Liu Yazhen instinctively looked toward Cheng Mingjiao, who guiltily averted her gaze.

Li Sitong was stunned. Xue Jiao got physical… there was more to this?

“Mom… I’m fine… let it go…” Cheng Mingjiao opened her mouth slightly and said softly.

Liu Yazhen was taken aback. In an instant, she understood what had happened!

It must have been Cheng Mingjiao who provoked Gu Xue Jiao, which led to Xue Jiao’s reaction!

Before Liu Yazhen could make any decision, Yin Fang had already brought several people in.

In front were three girls who had been close to them at the time, followed by two handsome boys—one was the smiling Xi Junyang, and the other was the defiant Yi Tianyu.

Liu Yazhen didn’t recognize the others, but when she saw Yi Tianyu, she couldn’t help but exclaim: “Young Master Yi?!”

Li Sitong didn’t participate much in the Cheng family’s business affairs, but Liu Yazhen liked to flaunt her presence, often representing the Cheng family at various events and balls, so naturally, she recognized this famous local tycoon’s precious son.

Yi Tianyu often breathed through his nose when looking at people, naturally ignoring Liu Yazhen who stood beside Cheng Mingjiao.

His gaze moved directly to Gu Xue Jiao, and he was startled: “You were slapped?!”

Xue Jiao didn’t speak. Yin Fang spoke first: “Alright, I called everyone here to understand the ins and outs of the fight between Gu Xue Jiao and Cheng Mingjiao. Can you explain what happened?”

Everyone paused, looked at each other, and opened their mouths, but no one spoke.

“Students, Mingjiao has always been obedient and sensible. Today, Mingjiao didn’t hit Gu Xue Jiao, right?” Liu Yazhen said with a smile. Having gained some worldly experience over the years, she was confident she could fool a few children without any problem.

Indeed, her question was quite technical.

Everyone looked at each other but didn’t speak.

“She didn’t hit her,” Yi Tianyu said, raising an eyebrow.

Liu Yazhen immediately smiled. At this moment, she thought of many things—would Young Master Yi from the Yi family protect Jiaojiao?

She knew her precious daughter was both smart and beautiful; how could she not attract these young people?

Liu Yazhen couldn’t help but slightly raise the corners of her mouth and ask the next question: “Gu Xue Jiao hit Mingjiao, right?”

“No,” Yi Tianyu raised an eyebrow, “Gu Xue Jiao did not hit Cheng Mingjiao.”

“Nonsense!” Liu Yazhen raised her voice. At this moment, she no longer cared about any “Young Master Yi.” “The teacher said it herself!”

Yi Tianyu continued smiling: “But I don’t think Gu Xue Jiao hit Cheng Mingjiao at all. Given those filthy things Cheng Mingjiao said, if it were me, I would have grabbed a stool and gone after her.”

He gave a half-smile: “With Gu Xue Jiao’s little arms and legs, she just grabbed Cheng Mingjiao’s clothes to stop her from talking. How did that become hitting someone?”

Everyone in the office was stunned.

Yi Tianyu’s mouth curled up as he looked at the people beside him: “Classmates, isn’t that right?”

“Yes!” Xi Junyang nodded seriously, “Gu Xue Jiao did not hit Cheng Mingjiao. As a class monitor, I can testify that Gu Xue Jiao has been studying diligently for a month and has never caused any trouble.”

The other classmates nodded in agreement.

“The fact that Gu Xue Jiao’s grades have risen from such low scores to all passing shows that she has truly focused on studying and has no time to cause trouble.”

Li Sitong was completely dumbfounded. All passing grades?

The fight wasn’t Jiaojiao’s fault?

Yi Tianyu glanced at Xue Jiao, his peripheral vision lingering on her face. Xue Jiao was very fair, with delicate skin.

Once during class, when bored, he had secretly observed that her face looked even more delicate than his favorite soft tofu pudding, which made the clear handprint on her face now especially prominent.

Yi Tianyu’s gaze turned cold as he continued: “Cheng Mingjiao didn’t hit Gu Xue Jiao, and Gu Xue Jiao didn’t hit Cheng Mingjiao either. But considering those filthy words she said, she deserved to be hit. It’s only because Gu Xue Jiao is too gentle that she didn’t hit her. Classmates, if someone spoke to you that way, would you be angry?”

“Yes!” Xi Junyang’s voice was clear, and others nodded in agreement.

“What did Mingjiao say?” Li Sitong slowly opened her mouth, looking at Gu Xue Jiao with guilt in her eyes.

Yi Tianyu looked at Gu Xue Jiao, and their eyes met.

Xue Jiao knew he was seeking her opinion. Xue Jiao wasn’t a bad person, but she wasn’t someone who returned evil with kindness either, so she nodded.

At that moment, she found this boy, who wasn’t particularly likable on ordinary days, somewhat endearing.

Without him, she could certainly have explained things clearly, but it would have been more troublesome.

Having received Xue Jiao’s nod, Yi Tianyu, along with several students, clearly recounted the scene at that time.

Li Sitong stepped back, looking at Cheng Mingjiao in disbelief: “You… view me… like that?”

Cheng Mingjiao shrank back, hiding behind Liu Yazhen. “No… that’s not it…”

Liu Yazhen was also stunned. Although she thought the same way, she would never say it directly. Therefore, she changed her previously aggressive demeanor.

“Well… Siting, this must be a misunderstanding. Mingjiao is still young and probably said those things in the heat of the moment. She didn’t mean it that way—she has always respected you!”

“Sixteen already… still a baby?” Yi Tianyu murmured. His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone heard it.

Li Sitong was still in shock: “Mingjiao… is that how you speak about me and Jiaojiao?”

Liu Yazhen’s face turned grim. “…She’s not yet an adult. We’re all family; let’s resolve these matters at home.”

“That’s not what you said earlier,” Xue Jiao coldly interjected. “Earlier, you insisted the school expel me.”

“Expel?!” Yi Tianyu raised his voice, and like the other classmates, looked at everyone in surprise.

Yi Tianyu’s expression was grim, but since he didn’t pay attention to class affairs, he wasn’t familiar with Cheng Mingjiao. Xi Junyang, the class monitor, however, knew quite well.

He stepped forward, “Cheng Mingjiao, I remember you often saying at school that Gu Xue Jiao is very favored in your home. Why do I feel… that your mother, this aunt, is very unfriendly…”

Yi Tianyu remarked sarcastically: “It’s not just unfriendly—it’s malicious, isn’t it?”

Liu Yazhen’s eyes widened. She was about to speak when Yin Fang interrupted: “Enough! Since you’re family, go home and sort this out yourselves. Whether Gu Xue Jiao or Cheng Mingjiao is right or wrong, discuss it at home, but both of you need to write self-criticisms for the impact this incident has caused!”

“Teacher, shouldn’t she apologize to me? She called me a vixen—that’s slander, rumor-mongering, and troublemaking. Just now, her mother even mentioned expulsion…” Xue Jiao said calmly, instantly shifting the direction of the conversation.

“Why would my daughter be expelled?!” Liu Yazhen exploded.

Yin Fang frowned slightly. She didn’t like Liu Yazhen, but as her gaze moved to the girl who was crying with her head down, she remembered this student ranked fifth in class and eighteenth in the grade.

Moreover, she was still improving, a promising candidate for the college entrance exam…

So she merely said: “Since you’re relatives, I won’t say much more. Today, both of you go home with your parents and reflect. Bring your self-criticisms when you come to class tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, thank you, teacher!” Liu Yazhen hurriedly replied as Cheng Mingjiao clutched her sleeve, silently crying.

Xue Jiao watched coldly, then lifted her foot and left the office.

The afternoon classes were just reviewing test papers; it didn’t matter whether she attended or not. Her mood was terrible now, and she just wanted to leave immediately.

“Jiaojiao—” Yi Tianyu’s instinctive move to follow was interrupted by Li Sitong’s call.

He looked at Li Sitong, who was going after her, and said loudly: “Gu Xue Jiao suffered such a great injustice, and you, as a mother, didn’t even say one word to defend her.”

Li Sitong’s steps faltered, but she continued to pursue.

Xue Jiao was caught up by Li Sitong at the school gate. She held her hand tightly with a face full of guilt: “I’m sorry… Jiaojiao, I’m sorry…”

Li Sitong’s face was filled with sadness and distress. She gripped Xue Jiao’s hand so tightly her fingers turned white. So this time it wasn’t fighting; it was… for defending her…

Xue Jiao’s voice was almost emotionless: “Mom, are you my birth mother?”

Li Sitong’s face instantly turned frightfully pale. Her fingers trembled slightly, and she could only say: “I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

“Regardless of right or wrong, Cheng Mingjiao’s mother always stands by her side. If she gets hit, her mother demands justice; if it’s her fault, her mother immediately defends her. What about you?” Xue Jiao didn’t finish, but they both knew what remained unsaid.

—But you slapped your daughter before even understanding the cause and effect. After learning your daughter was defending you, you just stood there in shock, not seeking justice for her.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” She seemed to have lost her language function and could only repeat this one phrase.

“I know I was thoughtless before, but I thought my behavior these past few days should have reassured you. You’re my mother—if even you don’t trust me first, who else will?”

She closed her eyes slightly, reached out, and placed her hand on Li Sitong’s wrist, gently pulling her hand away.

“I’m tired. I’m going for a walk alone.” After speaking, she strode away.

“Jiaojiao—”

Li Sitong’s voice was desperate as she watched that small, lonely figure walk away, her heart filled with fear.

——

Xue Jiao wandered the streets in a daze. Around her, passing pedestrians included fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, couples, and friends… their lives were ordinary yet happy.

People came and went in the shops on both sides, seeming so lively.

At this moment, Xue Jiao felt lonely.

That feeling of walking on a bustling street, surrounded by excitement, yet none of that excitement had anything to do with her.

She was like a wanderer outside the world, out of place in this lively environment.

Xue Jiao stopped at a stuffed toy store, standing calmly outside the window, staring at a panda doll.

This feeling was exactly like when she was little—what she wanted, she could neither have nor afford.

She was trying hard to be Gu Xue Jiao. Admittedly, Gu Xue Jiao had left her with a mess, but she still felt somewhat pleased.

She had Gu Xue Jiao’s identity, a family that, though not hers, could accommodate her, a mother who, though her methods were wrong, still cared about her…

Now, everything felt empty again.

She was already superfluous in her world, and now she had come to a strange world—a world that seemed even more irrelevant to her.

Xue Jiao turned away from the window, walked to the park, and sat down beside the fountain pool.

After about half an hour, she suddenly covered her face, unable to control her tears.

Whether as herself being Xue Jiao, or as herself becoming Gu Xue Jiao, she was still alone.

When she had cried enough, a clean white handkerchief was offered to her. Xue Jiao, with her reddened eyes, looked up following the handkerchief.

Author’s note: Yi Tianyu: I think I’m very handsome.

Lin Zhihua: Haha.