The principal frowned and asked, "Student, is there something you need?"
The eyes of everyone in the room turned to Luo Yuan.
Su Hua's gaze toward him was icy, devoid of any emotion.
Luo Yuan felt intimidated and once again thought of backing down.
Qin Ruoyao clenched her fists. Damn it, how could she have forgotten to tell Luo Yuan not to report this!
Su Hua was the school's board director, and reporting her and the principal was practically asking for trouble!
Qin Ruoyao shook her head at Luo Yuan, signaling him to stop.
Luo Yuan noticed Qin Ruoyao's reluctance to let him continue, and he was deeply moved. Ruoyao must be worried about him, afraid he might get hurt. How could he let her down after she had been so kind to him?
"Director Su, I want to report someone!" Luo Yuan blurted out loudly, mustering his courage.
Qin Ruoyao froze, then began trembling with anger.
That idiot Luo Yuan! Didn't she tell him to stop?
Su Hua narrowed her eyes. "Go on."
Luo Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow. Why was Director Su's aura so overwhelming?
"Director Su, the person I want to report is..." Luo Yuan's voice grew softer, "the principal and his mistress."
The principal was dumbfounded.
Mistress? What mistress?
Kid, you can eat whatever you want, but don't spout nonsense. If this reached his wife's ears, he'd be skinned alive—not to mention banished to the couch.
The principal decided it was better not to speak up, lest he appear guilty.
"Director Su, this morning, the woman by the principal's side couldn't stand Ruoyao's beauty, so she had the principal punish her, making her write a self-criticism and read it out loud in front of the entire school!" Luo Yuan's voice grew louder as he spoke.
The principal: "..."
Director Su was his... mistress?
Holy crap!
He didn't have the guts or the ability to make Director Su his mistress!
Where did this kid hear such nonsense?
"Principal," the assistant hurried over, handing him a phone.
After reading the contents, the principal's expression darkened.
"Who posted this?"
The assistant replied, "It was Li Siyu from the third-year computer science class. She's friends with Qin Ruoyao."
Li Siyu always used her real identity on the forum, so there was no need to investigate further.
"Alright, I understand," the principal said gravely.
Lin Xuan had already settled into a spectator's stance, ready to enjoy the show.
Daring to provoke Su Hua? Luo Yuan had some serious guts.
Lin Xuan felt a bit sorry for Luo Yuan. Back in the day, he had also fawned over Qin Ruoyao, only to be thoroughly used by her.
"Director Su!" Luo Yuan declared indignantly, "As the principal of Qinghua University, he has a mistress, which is a moral failing! They say educators should nurture students, but the principal is punishing a student for the sake of his mistress. That's dereliction of duty! Someone like this, Director Su, must be severely punished!"
"Oh?" Su Hua chuckled lightly. "And how do you suggest I punish the principal and this so-called mistress of yours?"
Luo Yuan: "Remove the principal from his position and have him and his mistress come here to apologize to Ruoyao!"
"If you ignore this matter today, Director Su, I have reason to suspect you're shielding the principal. Qinghua University is a prestigious institution, and if this gets out, it will damage the school's reputation. I'm sure you don't want that, do you?"
This last statement was a blatant threat.
"Hah." Su Hua laughed softly. "Do you know who this mistress you're talking about is?"
For some reason, as Luo Yuan looked into Su Hua's eyes, a terrible premonition rose in his heart.
"That mistress is me—Su Hua," Su Hua said coldly.
Boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck.
Not only Luo Yuan, but Li Siyu and the other students also widened their eyes in shock.
Su Hua was the woman by the principal's side... which meant all the insults they had posted about her on the forum...
Li Siyu and the other students quickly pulled out their phones to delete their posts. They couldn't afford to mess with Director Su.
"Was Li Siyu blinded by friendship or something?" a female student muttered. "To think Director Su would be jealous of Qin Ruoyao? That's ridiculous. Director Su has both beauty and wealth—why would she be jealous of her?"
"Yeah, I even helped Qin Ruoyao curse Director Su. I hope she doesn't come after us."
Qin Ruoyao clutched her clothes in embarrassment.
She had always been the center of attention, but things had changed this semester. Yes, ever since Lin Xuan's attitude toward her shifted, everyone else's had too. And the root of this problem was Lin Xuan.
No, it wasn't Lin Xuan. It was this woman who had stolen him away...
By now, Luo Yuan was also panicking, his face pale as a sheet.
If Su Hua was the woman in question, then everything he had just said was baseless. Everyone knew the head of Su Corporation was ruthless and decisive. What would she do to him?
The principal spoke gravely, "Luo Yuan, I'll answer your question now. Why was Qin Ruoyao punished? Article 11, Chapter 3 of the student handbook states that using improper means to extort large sums of money from others is prohibited. Minor offenses result in self-criticism, while major offenses lead to severe disciplinary action."
"All the professors, administrators, and Director Su witnessed how Qin Ruoyao pestered Lin Xuan for money. Having her write a self-criticism was already lenient. I didn't expect you to stir up trouble on the forum and during the opening ceremony!"
"Principal, I'm sorry. I was wrong," Luo Yuan stammered, bowing his head in apology.
Li Siyu's face was deathly pale, but she didn't blame Qin Ruoyao. Even now, she believed the principal and other school officials were protecting Su Hua and twisting the facts.
The principal walked over to Su Hua and respectfully asked, "Director Su, how should we handle these three?"
Su Hua replied indifferently, "Follow the school regulations."
Jiang Qing wasn't surprised by Su Hua's response. These two small fry weren't worth her attention. Of course, if they had slandered Lin Xuan, Su Hua wouldn't have let it slide so easily.
"Understood," the principal said, relieved. If Su Hua had demanded severe punishment, it would have been troublesome—not only damaging her reputation but also affecting the school.
"Then we'll handle this according to the school regulations, with stricter penalties!" the principal announced. "Li Siyu, for spreading rumors on the forum, and Luo Yuan, for blindly believing them, will both receive major demerits! As for Qin Ruoyao, her punishment will be revised, and she will also receive a major demerit! None of these penalties can be revoked!"
In an instant, the faces of all three turned pale.
This disciplinary record would follow them for life, a permanent stain on their records.
Qin Ruoyao had tried to gain an advantage but ended up losing everything.
The lecture ended.
Lin Xuan returned to the small villa to pack his things, while Su Hua propped her chin on her hand, gazing at him.
Ah, Xuan. I could never get tired of looking at you.
"Xuanzi," Wang Dahe called Lin Xuan. "Where are you? There's a problem in this computer book you gave me that I can't figure out. I need your help."
"I'll send you my location. Come over," Lin Xuan said.
"Alright."