Chapter 32
1157 Words
Xu Mei originally wanted to wait for Chen Li downstairs, but after thinking about it, she felt it might cause trouble. It could attract unwanted attention and bring negative rumors about Professor Chen, so she decided to head back to class instead.
When she returned, the first class had just ended. Feng Xiao-zhi pulled her aside eagerly to ask what happened, and a bunch of classmates crowded around as well.
Xu Mei skipped over the details and simply said, “They’ve found out who posted it. Associate Dean Tong said the school will give me an official explanation. Let’s wait for the school’s notice.”
“That’s great news,” said Yun Sisi, the girl with the bun who had apologized to Xu Mei first. “People like that need to be punished. I still can’t believe someone that disgusting could exist in our school.”
“Exactly. Being pretty is a crime now? What did good looks ever do to anyone?” a female classmate chimed in. “Our program is full of beautiful girls—are they going to get jealous of all of us?”
“Whoever did it is vile.”
…
Everyone was filled with righteous anger, including several of the people who had been gossiping about Xu Mei the day before.
Xu Mei pretended she had amnesia and didn’t call anyone out.
There was no need to make too many enemies. Most of these people were just mildly jealous and easily influenced by the crowd.
The girls were actually a bit better. The real awkward ones were the guys in class—especially Lin Yuyi.
Others had added her on WeChat or secretly peeked at her, but all had done so discreetly and left no proof. Even if Xu Mei knew, she wouldn’t have said anything. So the thick-skinned ones just acted like nothing happened and even joined in the scolding.
But Lin Yuyi had been exposed in front of everyone. Now that the truth was out, even for the sake of their own reputations, people were starting to keep their distance from him.
He had always been a coward. Now he was huddled in the corner, not even daring to look at Xu Mei.
Xu Mei ignored him. None of these people really mattered. What she truly cared about was whether the IP address had been traced.
Was it Fu Shuyang?
And how could she approach Chen Li naturally?
How could she persuade him to help?
There were only two foundational training classes in the morning, and no other classes afterward.
As soon as the bell rang, the room erupted into cheers.
After changing clothes, Xu Mei stepped out and heard someone shout, “Xu Mei, there’s a hot guy looking for you!”
Her brow twitched instinctively at the word “hot guy.”
Seeing it was Chu Yeyan and Meng Tao, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sis, I heard someone bullied you?” Meng Tao had a big voice—just one shout and his voice echoed through the entire hallway. “Which dumbass wants to die?”
Several of those "dumbasses" immediately scattered like startled rabbits.
“Don’t be afraid, sis. On our turf, there’s no one I can’t handle—besides Shuyang, of course,” Chu Yeyan added, his voice clear and confident.
He was already good-looking, had a well-off family, and was close to Fu Shuyang, so he was quite the big shot at their university.
While most of the freshmen in the film academy didn’t recognize him, some of the upperclassmen from nearby classrooms did.
“Isn’t that Chu Yeyan?”
“Who’s that freshman with him? Since when does he have a sister?”
“That’s Ranran! So handsome!”
“Still not as handsome as Shuyang.”
“Forget Shuyang—he’s in a whole other league. Chu Yeyan’s more... reachable.”
…
Xu Mei tried to suppress a laugh as she glanced at Chu Yeyan.
Chu Yeyan said stiffly, “...Let’s go. I’m treating you to coffee.”
Xu Mei gave Feng Xiao-zhi a quick heads-up, saying she had something personal to deal with.
Feng Xiao-zhi was tactful and didn’t ask questions. She offered to help Xu Mei take her things back to the dorm.
Meanwhile, Xu Mei followed Chu Yeyan and Meng Tao to the campus coffee shop.
“Sorry, sis. We didn’t notice the post when it first came out,” Chu Yeyan apologized. They had been busy with Fu Shuyang’s issues and hadn’t realized someone had targeted Xu Mei online. “Otherwise, we would've hacked the whole thing down.”
“No worries. Actually, I was going to ask you—did you guys trace the IP address?” Xu Mei asked eagerly.
“Nope,” Meng Tao shook his head. “After they traced the IP, the forum admin wanted to take down the post to avoid more drama. But someone remote-locked the thread so it couldn’t be deleted. Left no trace either. Super clean job. Definitely Shuyang.”
So it was Fu Shuyang. Xu Mei bit her lip slightly.
“I heard the principal called you in today?” Chu Yeyan asked. “What did he say?”
Xu Mei told them about her meeting with Professor Chen this morning and smiled happily. “I was thinking, once the school releases the final decision, I’ll personally visit him to express my gratitude. Maybe I can find a chance to ask him for help with senior Fu.”
Chu Yeyan clicked his tongue.
One of them stayed up all night just to protect the other from cyberbullying.
The other got bullied and didn’t even care—only thinking about how to help the first one get justice.
Truly moving. A match made in heaven. Soulmates!
Too bad Fu Shuyang was still as dense as ever.
“What’s with that look?” Xu Mei felt a little uneasy under his gaze. “Is my plan not good?”
“It’s fine, but showing up at his place directly might be a bit inappropriate,” Meng Tao voiced some concern. “Could stir up gossip. Better to ‘run into’ him somewhere outside.”
Xu Mei hesitated. “...What if he never goes out?”
“Then we send little Shuyang out to show off some skills—lure him out,” Chu Yeyan said.
Xu Mei: “…”
“We’ve tried talking to a few people in his lab,” Meng Tao said more seriously. “They’re very cautious. The moment we mention Shuyang, they shut down. We didn’t want to spook Jin Mu, so we backed off. Right now, Professor Chen might be our best, and maybe only, way in. We have to be careful. Our words don’t carry much weight, so we need to wait until we’re certain before bringing it up.”
Xu Mei thought that made sense and quickly agreed.
- Writer
