Chapter 142: 139 Professor of the Imperial University: Looking for student Ying Zijin [2 updates]

“She’s still your cousin, and you’re doubting her like this? Have no trust at all? Wanting to push her into the fire pit?” The Academic Director became increasingly angry as he spoke, “You must know what the consequences of cheating on an exam are, right?”

Cheating on an exam leads to direct expulsion and annulment of student status.

Moreover, no key high school in Hua Country would accept a student expelled by Verdant.

It’s no different from cutting off one’s future prospects completely.

“Zhong Zhiwan, I’m telling you, whether Ying Zijin cheated or not is crystal clear to the school teachers.” The Academic Director slammed the table fiercely, “You doubt her, you have no evidence, and when you cast your doubt, you must consider the consequences you’ll bear!”

The Academic Director’s outburst was relentless, showing no mercy just because Zhong Zhiwan was a girl.

Zhong Zhiwan’s face turned pale, her lips trembling fiercely with indignation.

As the top student of the grade and the young lady of the Zhong Family, she had never been reprimanded by a teacher like this before.

And it was all because of Ying Zijin.

Ying Zijin had quite the ability, even managing to win over the Academic Director.

A normal person, who would believe that someone could score full marks on the Elite Class test?

Even the college students at Imperial Capital University couldn’t do that.

Wasn’t her suspicion a perfectly normal reaction?

“Classmate Zhong Zhiwan, I’m suppressing this allegation for now,” the Principal’s tone was still somewhat mild, “If you still wish to doubt, then the school will deal with you directly. You have classes to attend, you should go back now.”

Zhong Zhiwan abruptly stood up, the force of her movement toppling the chair.

Her eyes were double red, and tears were forming, unable to hold back, she covered her face and ran away.

“Principal, this is too much.” The Academic Director was still fuming, “I don’t believe she’s the only one who thinks this way, there surely are many others who suspect Ying Zijin of cheating.”

Of course, that’s only human nature.

A student who always failed suddenly achieving full marks and ranking first in the grade—students would naturally be skeptical, and so would he.

But everything must be based on evidence.

Without evidence, on what grounds can someone be accused of cheating?

“Sigh.” The Principal shook his head, “The affairs of those families are too complicated, but this matter must be discussed. Let me think about it.”

**

Outside the Academic Affairs Building.

Zhong Zhiwan didn’t return to class but instead sat on the steps, continuously wiping away tears.

Fortunately, it was during class hours, so there weren’t many people around.

The more Zhong Zhiwan cried, the more wronged she felt, and very heartbroken.

If Ying Zijin hadn’t cheated, this term’s overall ranking would still undergo coefficient conversion.

Then, she would still be the top of her grade, not possibly leaving such a rubbish rank of 1001 in her record.

Such a score, she couldn’t even bring herself to show it to Lady Zhong at home.

After the midterm exam, there would be a parent-teacher meeting.

By then, what would all those parents think of her?

As Zhong Zhiwan was crying, a baffled and low voice sounded above her head.

“Classmate Zhong?”

Zhong Zhiwan hurriedly wiped her tears and looked up: “Teacher He.”

Seeing her swollen eyes, He Xun was taken aback: “What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing, Teacher He, I just… I just don’t understand anymore, does Grandpa still care about me at all, to the extent that he even got the exam answers for my cousin.” Zhong Zhiwan said this and tears flowed again, her voice choked with sobs, “Is apologizing that difficult? Ying Zijin can’t lose face, but I can?”

The test papers might be sealed, but the answers were prepared early.

The school forum’s bet; Elder Zhong knew about it, so wouldn’t he have gotten the answers for Ying Zijin?

Never once considering her feelings.

He Xun frowned.

He had also come to see the Principal regarding Ying Zijin’s exam results.

That result, to be honest, was too fake.

Not to mention, when he supervised the inter-disciplinary exam, he had observed Ying Zijin answering carelessly.

And she scored full marks?

Ridiculous.

“Classmate Zhong, you should go back to class first; I have to see the Principal,” He Xun glanced at his watch, his expression cool, “Justice, it’s never too late.”

**

Elsewhere.

Biology Department Office.

Bai Shaoshi only had classes in the afternoon, so she didn’t come in the morning.

She went back to Imperial Capital during the five days of Labor Day break and didn’t grade any papers, so she was unaware of this term’s midterm exam scores and rankings.

As soon as she entered the office, Bai Shaoshi saw the other teachers looking at her with rather strange expressions.

She frowned, somewhat displeased: “Why are you all staring at me like that?”

One of the biology teachers coughed and asked, “Teacher Bai, do you know the rankings for this term yet?”

“I haven’t seen them yet; isn’t it the usual?” Bai Shaoshi responded dismissively, “The average score of my class must be the first in the grade.”

She led a science experimental class, and the kids in her class made her proud, ensuring her a hefty bonus.

“Teacher Bai, it’s different this time,” the biology teacher shook his head, “For biology, Class 19 has the highest average score in the grade.”

Bai Shaoshi halted in her steps, amused: “Which class did you say?”

Seeing her disbelief, the biology teacher simply turned the computer monitor toward her: “Look, Class 19 has an average score of 80.93, while your science experimental class is at 75.98.”

Bai Shaoshi’s expression stiffened: “That’s impossible!”

What kind of students are in Class 19? She knew it all too well.

When she taught in Class 19, hardly anyone listened.

But Bai Shaoshi knew that Class 19 was actually very united.

To help those few students who had to attend classes because they were poor, someone would surely come to ask her to expel Ying Zijin from Class 19, but no one did.

“Teacher Bai, that’s such a pity.” Another biology teacher spoke up, unable to tell if it was regret or schadenfreude, “You said you still lead Class 19, how much would your bonus have been this time?”

Verdant didn’t skimp on retaining good teachers.

For every hundred ranks a student improved, not only the student received a bonus, but so did their teacher.

For one rank improvement in the average class score, teachers would get fifty thousand.

This time, Class 19’s average biology score was number one in the grade.

Last time, hardly anyone showed up for the exam, so naturally, they were last.

The Elite Class wasn’t included in the calculations, and Class 19 jumped eighteen spots in one go, which would translate to a bonus of at least nine hundred thousand.

Bai Shaoshi’s face turned green, and she almost couldn’t catch her breath.

The other teachers in the biology department weren’t too fond of her either, and seeing this, none of them said anything; they all got ready for their own tasks.

**

In a private hospital.

Ying Zijin held the hot tea Fu Yunshen had prepared for her, lost in thought.

Her phone rang; she glanced at it and picked up.

It was the principal on the other end, who simply recounted what happened that day.

“Classmate Ying, the solution here from the teachers is to issue a clarification, after all, there are quite a few posts in the forum, and several teachers have damaged your reputation considerably.”

Ying Zijin wasn’t surprised; she said indifferently, “No need, let’s resolve it face to face.”

The principal was taken aback, “What do you mean by that, Classmate Ying?”

“As they wish,” Ying Zijin yawned, “I’ll accept their questions in person, they can ask whatever they want.”

The principal thought about it and couldn’t come up with a better solution.

But for those few who had doubts, it really was a public execution.

The principal agreed in one breath, “Okay, Classmate Ying, when will you be back at school?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

After ending the call, Ying Zijin remembered that there was a scholarship for being first in the grade.

Well, that was still acceptable.

Meanwhile, Fu Yunshen, who had asked Verdant for Ying Zijin’s answer sheet, was looking at it.

Yet he had not moved past the language subject; his gaze shifted from the blank composition paper and settled on the girl, pausing there.

Fu Yunshen recalled their conversation a few days ago.

——Yaoyao, are you confident you’ll pass?

——Hmm, in language, yes.

Indeed, she was very confident.

Not a point off.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t pass, it was just that the little girl couldn’t be bothered to write the essay.

Ying Zijin finally noticed his gaze.

Those peach blossom eyes, lightly smiling, seemed tender with a hint of deeper affection when they looked at someone.

Gently entwining.

She paused, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just that I think—” Fu Yunshen moderated his gaze a little, looking lazy, “our little friend at home is truly a treasure.”

A treasure worth cherishing and valuing.

**

Six o’clock in the afternoon.

The students in the Elite Class were packing their bags, ready to go home.

But an unexpected visitor came to their classroom; a young man, in a hurry and out of breath, clearly very urgent.

Zhong Zhiwan was in no mood to care, her head down, thus she didn’t look up.

“Zhiwan, that’s someone from Imperial Capital University!” her deskmate suddenly exclaimed with delight, “Look at the school emblem he’s wearing!”

Zhong Zhiwan looked up, her heart skipping a beat.

On the right upper corner of the young man’s shirt was a platinum badge.

No high school student wouldn’t recognize it.

It was the emblem of Imperial Capital University.

Imperial Capital University, the advanced institution every student in Hua Country dreams of attending.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Zhiwan, he must be here for you,” her deskmate was excited, “Didn’t we have seniors in the last few years who got picked by Imperial Capital University in their second year of high school?”

Zhong Zhiwan smiled with pursed lips, “What are you talking about? He’s not here for me.”

“Don’t be modest, Zhiwan,” her deskmate insisted, “if there’s anyone in the Elite Class who’s worthy of a personal visit from someone of Imperial Capital University, who else if not you?”

Zhong Zhiwan didn’t respond.

It was as good as an acknowledgment.

“Zhiwan, go on over.” Without waiting for a response, her deskmate pulled her towards the door.

Zhong Zhiwan stood nervously in front of the young man, “Hello, I’m Zhong Zhiwan. May I know why you’re looking for me?”

The young man didn’t look at her, but instead glanced around the classroom and asked, “Excuse me, is Classmate Ying Zijin here?”