Chapter 30
1294 Words
When Xu Mei stepped out, she saw a young man with glasses waiting at the door.
Her teacher introduced him, “This is Mr. Du, the secretary to the vice dean.”
“Hello, Mr. Du.” Xu Mei greeted him politely.
“Hello, Xu Mei,” he replied with a warm smile. “Vice Dean Tong would like to speak with you about something. Are you free now? Would you mind coming with me?”
Left with no choice, Xu Mei went back to change and followed Secretary Du to the vice dean’s office.
It was a bit of a walk from the dance studio. On the way, Xu Mei noticed that Secretary Du seemed like he wanted to say something several times. So she took the initiative and asked, “Mr. Du, is this about the post on the forum?”
Secretary Du glanced at her and nodded. “Yes.”
After a pause, he added, “You’ve been wronged.”
Xu Mei shook her head and asked what she cared about most, “Do you know who tracked the IP address?”
There was a flicker in Secretary Du’s eyes as he countered, “The person who tracked the IP must be a friend of yours, right? Don’t worry, we’re not trying to punish anyone. The school’s forum is managed by the engineering faculty. Your friend not only hacked in to trace the IP, but also locked the post so that even the moderators couldn’t delete it—that’s seriously impressive. The engineering school really wants someone like that. We were wondering… is he already a student there?”
His tone was friendly, but Xu Mei could tell—they hadn’t figured out who did it yet, and they were eager to find out.
She shook her head, eyes wide and innocent. “I wish I had a friend that amazing. I was hoping you’d tell me if you found out who it was so I could thank them. It’s only the first day of school and something like this happened… If it weren’t for that person’s help, I… I don’t know…”
Her voice trailed off as her eyes reddened.
Secretary Du quickly comforted her, assuring her the school would get to the bottom of it and clear her name. Then he hurriedly changed the subject.
They arrived at the building where the vice dean’s office was located. Just as Secretary Du pressed the elevator button, someone called out from behind, “Secretary Du.”
Xu Mei turned and felt her heart skip a beat.
Two people were approaching. One was an elderly man, slightly plump with completely white hair and a kind, smiling face—he looked like a living Buddha. He walked with difficulty and was being supported by a middle-aged man in a suit.
The old man looked familiar. Xu Mei had just seen his picture online the day before—Shen Li, Jin Mu’s professor.
“Professor Shen, Senior He,” Secretary Du rushed forward to help support him.
So it really was Shen Li!
Xu Mei suddenly felt that luck might indeed follow the law of conservation. She had started her first day with a major setback, and now, as if to compensate, fate had allowed her to bump into the rarely-seen Shen Li.
“Professor Shen, Mr. He,” Xu Mei greeted them as well.
“What a lovely young girl,” Shen Li chuckled. “No wonder she’s a dancer. That’s what I love about your school—everywhere I look is pleasing to the eye. Today’s my lucky day.”
The second half was said to Secretary Du.
Du quickly replied, “It’s our great fortune—and Xu Mei’s—to run into you, sir.”
“Absolutely!” Xu Mei chimed in without missing a beat.
“You agree?” Shen Li raised a brow at her. “You know who I am?”
“I do,” Xu Mei nodded. “Though I’ve only seen your photos online. I read the preface to your book The Bottom Line of Cybersecurity.”
“Haha! What a delightful girl.” Shen Li laughed. “But you’re a dancer—why would you be reading that?”
As they chatted, the elevator arrived. Xu Mei noticed they were headed to the same floor, meaning Shen Li was also visiting Vice Dean Tong.
Thoughts raced through Xu Mei’s mind.
Secretary Du had revealed they still didn’t know who the hacker was.
Given the ties between the two schools, it made sense for Vice Dean Tong to reach out to the engineering faculty for help.
And since Shen Li had known she was a dancer without asking, he’d clearly been briefed. He had likely seen the post.
Still, a single forum post shouldn’t be enough to get Shen Li personally involved.
That He guy—probably Shen Li’s student—was likely here to handle the issue.
But Shen Li tagging along… Could it really be, as Secretary Du implied, that they were here to recruit talent?
“Incredible,” Xu Mei said aloud, still smiling. “I deeply respect all knowledge beyond my understanding… Even when I don’t understand it, I enjoy watching the show.”
Shen Li burst out laughing again and stepped out of the elevator first.
The rest followed.
“Professor Shen, please wait in the lounge—” Secretary Du began.
“No need,” Shen Li waved him off. “I’m here to see Vice Dean Tong anyway. Let’s go together.”
Secretary Du looked surprised, as if he wanted to say something, but held back.
Xu Mei quietly let out a sigh of relief.
They knocked on the vice dean’s office door and, hearing a response, Secretary Du opened it.
Vice Dean Tong was a refined-looking middle-aged man, seated behind his desk and speaking to a few students. When he saw Shen Li, he immediately stood up to greet him.
Four girls were already in the office: Xu Lang, Zhu Rui, Wang Xue, and a curly-haired girl Xu Mei didn’t recognize—likely another roommate.
“Professor Shen,” Vice Dean Tong glanced at everyone and exchanged a subtle look with Secretary Du before inviting Shen Li to sit.
“You go ahead,” Shen Li said with a wave. “The kids matter more. I don’t mind waiting.”
Vice Dean Tong had no choice but to return to his seat.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Xu Mei, we brought you here today because of the forum post. You’re aware of the situation, right?”
Xu Mei glanced at the others.
Xu Lang and Wang Xue had their hair down, hiding most of their faces, but their red, swollen eyes made it obvious they’d been crying. Even the usually brash Zhu Rui had red eyes and trembling legs. The unfamiliar girl stood a noticeable distance away from them.
So Zhu Rui had likely posted the thread. Whether Wang Xue and Xu Lang were involved was unclear, but that other girl definitely hadn’t taken part.
“I know a bit,” Xu Mei replied calmly. “But I don’t know who did it.”
Vice Dean Tong looked at Zhu Rui.
Zhu Rui suddenly rushed forward, trying to hug Xu Mei. “Mei, I’m sorry! It was my fault. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me…”
Xu Mei sidestepped her, not even bothering to argue.
Everyone had seen the post. And she had the nerve to claim it wasn’t intentional?
Did they think she was an i***t?
Xu Mei said nothing, and the room fell into an awkward silence.
Vice Dean Tong glanced at Shen Li, then cut off Zhu Rui’s sobbing.
- Writer
