Li Ziqing leaned back slightly, her gaze calm yet razor-sharp. Her voice carried the unhurried cadence of someone who already knew the outcome.
"You said I seduced you?"
The boy, clenched his fists and answered almost instinctively, "Yes."
A faint smile curved Li Ziqing's lips. "Then tell me," she said softly, "why was it you who confessed to me first?"
The boy flinched. His breath hitched for a moment, but he quickly composed himself, forcing a sneer to hide his panic. "Because you were the one who tried to get close to me first," he said, his voice trembling slightly despite his effort to sound firm.
Li Ziqing tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "Oh? Any specific occasion where I supposedly made these inappropriate advances? Did anyone witness me behaving indecently toward you?" She let her words hang in the air before continuing, "No witnesses? Then perhaps a letter, a message, a call—anything to support your claim?"
Beads of sweat began to form at the boy's temple. His breathing quickened. Then, as if grasping at the first straw he could find, he blurted out, "The back garden… behind the science lab. You came to me there, alone."
Li Ziqing's smile deepened, cold and deliberate. "The back garden? That's a secluded place no one visits without reason." Her voice dropped to a whisper that carried like a blade across the room. "What were you doing there?"
The boy's eyes widened. His lips trembled. "Y-you… you called me there," he stammered.
Li Ziqing gave a short, amused chuckle. "And you came? Without a thought? Don't you have your own judgment?"
The boy's breathing turned ragged. His composure was slipping fast. Across the room, his mother stiffened; she could see her son unraveling under Li Ziqing's unyielding poise. Panic flashed in her eyes. If her son had confessed before Principal Bao arrived, it might have been manageable. But now, with witnesses present, there was no way she could let this continue.
She abruptly stepped forward, forcing a saccharine smile. "That's enough," she said sharply. "You don't need to question my son's judgment any further. We won't pursue this matter anymore." Turning hastily to Principal Bao, she added, "Principal Bao, we'll be taking our leave now. It's nearly class time; let's not waste any more of the students' time."
At her words, Lu Mairong, who had been trembling like a leaf, exhaled in relief. Her eyes darted to Li Ziqing, burning with resentment. She hoped the confrontation was over, and she prayed she wouldn't get dragged into the aftermath.
But Li Ziqing wasn't done.
Her posture remained composed, but her voice turned like steel. "Do you really think you can walk out after insulting me?" Her tone sharpened with each word. "Calling me a slut, a wench, a cheap whore? Who do you think you are?"
The room froze. Even Principal Bao's eyes widened.
Li Ziqing continued, unwavering. "This isn't for Principal Bao to decide anymore. This is my personal matter now. If anyone dares to walk out of this room, I will call the police immediately. I will have your entire family arrested for molestation and verbal assault. Do you know what that means? Not only a year in jail for molesting a minor, but also additional charges for verbal abuse—three months, at the very least. And that's without considering the psychological harm you've caused me. So stay. Right here. Until this is resolved."
Her voice wasn't raised, but its weight crushed the air out of the room.
A heavy silence fell. Even the ticking of the wall clock sounded deafening. Principal Bao found himself staring at Li Ziqing in stunned admiration. It wasn't just her poise and beauty that held everyone in thrall now—it was her command, her eloquence, and an aura that seemed immovable, like a fortress against any storm.
The boy broke first. His panic spiraled into tears. "Mom… what is she saying? I don't want to go to jail! Let's just leave, please! Dad, let's go!" His wailing filled the room, a pitiful contrast to Li Ziqing's composed presence.
The father, a seasoned businessman, felt a cold sweat on his back. His son's outburst could ruin everything. He gritted his teeth and snapped sharply, "Stop crying!" His voice was hard, but his eyes darted nervously toward Li Ziqing. "Remember—it was she who seduced you. Why are you afraid? Don't lose your ground now."
It was a subtle warning to his son, an unspoken plea to stick to their story, for there was no retreat now.
The boy sniffled, wiped his tears roughly, and raised his voice again, though it quavered. "Yes! You called me, and I came! How could I use my judgment against a girl like you? How was I supposed to know someone so indecent even existed?"
Li Ziqing's lips curved faintly as she raised her chin and asked calmly, "Tell me, how exactly did I call you to the back garden behind the science lab? Did I write you a letter? Did I personally come to your class? Or perhaps I sent someone to summon you?"
Her tone was measured, yet each word landed like a hammer.
The boy froze. A moment ago, in the heat of the moment, he had blurted out that Li Ziqing called him behind the science lab. But now, faced with her direct questioning, he realized he had never thought through the details.
His hesitation was brief, but in that instant his parents' faces paled, and even Lu Mairong felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Then, with a forced burst of bravado, the boy stammered, "D-Don't you remember? You met me outside the school and told me to come to the back garden during lunch break."
He exhaled sharply and mentally congratulated himself. Quick thinking. That should shut her up.
But instead of backing down, Li Ziqing's eyes lit up with a spark of excitement. "Can you tell me the exact date this happened?" she asked smoothly. "Because, if you recall, the school has plenty of surveillance cameras—even near the science labs. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, one of the cameras in the biology lab faces directly toward the back garden. If we check the footage for the day you claim, we'll know the truth immediately. Don't you agree?"
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Lu Mairong felt as if her soul had been wrenched out of her body. Her knees weakened; cold sweat trickled down her spine. She knew it was over. And now, her only hope was that this foolish couple and their equally foolish son wouldn't implicate her further.
As for the boy, his legs trembled so violently he nearly collapsed. His eyes darted toward his parents, wide and desperate, silently begging them to save him.
Li Ziqing's lips curled into a cold, disdainful smile. "If you have nothing more to say," she said softly, her voice dripping with mockery, "I'll take that as an admission of guilt."
She turned toward Principal Bao with a graceful composure that belied the storm in her heart. "Principal Bao, everything is clear now. He has slandered me with a malicious accusation. I wish to call the police and file an official complaint—not just against him, but also against his parents for their involvement."
The boy's face turned ashen. "Li Ziqing, what's wrong with you?!" he blurted out in panic. "Why are you making such a big deal over something so small? I just—I just confessed because I liked you! What's so wrong about that?"
The moment the words left his mouth, his face crumpled. Idiot! Why did I admit that out loud? But it was too late to take them back.
Li Ziqing's eyes gleamed with triumph. She turned once again to the principal. "There's your truth, Principal Bao. Now, how do you plan to handle this matter?"
Principal Bao's expression darkened as he glared at the boy. His voice was cold and cutting. "You're only in your third year of middle school, and already this vicious? To falsely accuse a junior girl of seducing you? Have you no shame? Do you not know the school rules? Early romance is strictly prohibited!"
His gaze snapped toward the director of academics, who had previously sided with the boy. "And you! Weren't you just saying he was the victim and this girl seduced him? Is this what you call maintaining discipline in the school? Is this your so-called judgment?"
The director of academics broke into a cold sweat and bowed deeply, voice trembling. "Principal Bao, I'm sorry. I—I failed in my duties. Please forgive me and give me another chance. I won't make such a mistake again."
Principal Bao snorted. "We'll deal with you later. As for this boy—expel him. We cannot allow such a morally corrupt student to remain in this school."
The announcement hit the boy and his parents like a thunderclap.
"Principal Bao, please!" the boy's father pleaded in panic, his voice cracking. "It's his final year. If you expel him now, all his years of study will be wasted. Please, I beg you! We'll make sure he apologizes to Li Ziqing and never causes trouble again."
His mother clutched Principal Bao's sleeve, weeping uncontrollably. "Principal Bao, have mercy! He's still young and ignorant. He made a mistake—please don't ruin his future over one foolish act!"
The boy himself was trembling, tears streaming down his face. "Principal Bao, I was wrong. I'll kneel and apologize to Li Ziqing right now. Please, don't expel me. I'll accept any other punishment, just not this!"
But Principal Bao remained unmoved. His voice was stern and unyielding. "The future of this school's reputation cannot be compromised for one immoral student. Li Ziqing, you were the victim here. What is your opinion?"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Li Ziqing stood quietly for a moment, her expression unreadable. She understood all too well what it meant to change schools in the final year—it could destroy a student's academic path entirely. Though she had every reason to want revenge, she was no saint, nor was she cruel enough to ruin someone's entire life over this.
She exhaled slowly and cursed her own softness inwardly before speaking. "Principal Bao, I don't wish to pursue expulsion. Instead, I suggest placing a permanent demerit on his academic record. Let it follow him wherever he goes. That will be punishment enough."
Her voice was calm, but her words were sharper than any blade.
The boy's face turned chalk-white. A permanent demerit would haunt him for years—it was a mark far more lasting than mere humiliation.
Principal Bao nodded firmly. "Very well. A demerit it is. But let this be a warning to you," he said, his voice thunderous as he addressed the boy. "This is the only mercy you'll receive. One more act of misconduct, and you'll be expelled without a second thought."
The boy's fists trembled at his sides, his face flushed with fury as he glared at Li Ziqing. But before he could utter another word, his parents stepped forward. They turned to Principal Bao with respectful bows and thanked him for sparing their son and than also apologized to Li Ziqing.
Under his parents' sharp gaze, the boy bit his lip, his pride clearly warring with his shame. Finally, he muttered, "I'm… sorry."
Li Ziqing neither gloated nor lingered on his humiliation. She simply nodded, her expression calm and unreadable, as if the matter no longer concerned her.
The family quickly excused themselves, leaving the office heavy with a different kind of silence.
Principal Bao glanced at his wristwatch, his brows drawing together. "Student Li," he said, his voice steady but warmer than before, "I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. Because of this delay, you're already late. Go directly to the school store to collect your textbooks and supplies, and then head to class."
Li Ziqing inclined her head slightly. "Thank you, Principal Bao." Her voice was soft yet firm. Without sparing a single glance at Lu Mairong or the Academic Director, she turned on her heel and walked out with composed grace, her figure disappearing down the hallway.
Only when she was gone did Bao Weiming's eyes narrow sharply. He pivoted to face Lu Mairong and the Academic Director, his glare like a cold blade.
"Shame on the both of you," he snapped, his voice ringing across the office. "You can't even handle such a small matter properly? Have you ever considered what could have happened if that girl hadn't had the courage to defend herself? A student—no, a child—showed more backbone and sense than the two of you combined."
Both Lu Mairong and the Academic Director felt their faces burn crimson. Cold sweat pricked at their backs as they stammered, "We… apologize, Principal Bao. We were careless."
"Careless?" Bao Weiming snorted, the sound filled with disdain. "Carelessness doesn't ruin only reputations—it ruins lives. Do better." His sharp gaze lingered on them a moment longer before he turned back to Lu Mairong.
"I've decided," he said curtly. "Don't remove any students from the Rocket Class for now. Let the new student remain. After the first monthly exams, the entire sophomore year will be reshuffled based on performance. Until then, let things stand as they are."
Without waiting for a response, he strode out, his presence leaving behind an oppressive silence.
Lu Mairong exhaled in visible relief, wiping her clammy palms against her skirt. She had escaped disaster today—both her job and her dignity were intact, thanks only to her silence when Principal Bao entered.
But that relief curdled almost instantly into simmering hatred. Her jaw tightened as she replayed the humiliation in her mind. Because of Li Ziqing, she had nearly lost her high-paying position.
Her nails dug into her palm as her thoughts turned venomous. That girl… I won't let her stay in Rocket Class for long. She'll pay for what happened today. I'll make sure of it.
---
At the school gate, a sleek BMW purred to a stop. Rong Ruxue stepped out gracefully, her patent-leather stilettos clicking softly against the pavement. Her gaze swept over the campus, taking in the aging walls and modest grounds with thinly veiled disdain. So this is what they call the best school in Wuhan? she mused coldly.
But then her mother's words echoed in her mind: "Remember, appearances matter. Sweetness wins hearts before beauty conquers minds." With practiced ease, she smoothed her expression into one of innocent charm, the corners of her lips curling into a demure, harmless smile. She adjusted the oversized gradient-lens Dior sunglasses perched on her face and walked toward the school entrance, head held high.
She didn't know if Shen Zeyan had arrived yet, but her mission began today. As her mother had instructed, she would not only secure the top spot academically but also claim the title of campus belle. With her looks, charm, and pedigree, how could she not? And once she became the brightest star in this school, how could Shen Zeyan fail to notice her?
Rong Ruxue had dressed for impact. Her outfit screamed luxury from head to toe: a cream-colored Chanel tweed dress with a subtle A-line cut that skimmed her slender frame, cinched at the waist with a delicate Hermès Kelly belt; a pair of nude Christian Louboutin stilettos, their signature red soles flashing with every step; a dainty Cartier Love bracelet on one wrist, stacked with a thin Piaget rose-gold watch; and small diamond Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings glinting against her dark hair, which she'd styled in soft, cascading curls. Slung over her shoulder was a quilted lambskin Chanel flap bag in pale beige, its gold-tone chain catching the morning light.
She looked exquisite, elegant—and just a shade too mature for a middle-school student. Exactly as planned. She wanted everyone to believe she was a cut above her peers.
Although classes had already begun, plenty of students lingered near the gates. Their chatter died as she crossed the courtyard, each step commanding attention. Heads turned. Whispers rippled through the small crowd.
"Whoa… is there a magazine shoot going on?" a boy muttered, eyes wide.
"Who is she? Look at that dress—it has to be Chanel!"
"Those shoes… Louboutin? Aren't those insanely expensive?"
"She looks like she stepped right out of a drama! Is she an actress?"
"I've never seen her before. Did a celebrity transfer here or something?"
Rong Ruxue basked in their astonished stares, her lips curving into the faintest, most innocent smile. Exactly the reaction she wanted. Good, she thought smugly. From this day on, no one will be able to stop me from becoming the campus belle.
This was who Rong Ruxue truly was—hungry for attention and addicted to admiration, though she pretended to be above such things. At her previous school, she had been the undisputed campus queen, projecting an image of effortless grace while secretly working tirelessly—and ruthlessly—to maintain her crown. If anyone dared outshine her, in beauty or academics, she made sure their light was snuffed out. She had sabotaged rivals before; she wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
After asking a few students for directions, she finally arrived outside Lu Mairong's office. She smoothed her skirt, checked her reflection in the dark tint of her sunglasses, and knocked lightly.
Inside, Lu Mairong had just reached for the doorknob. When she opened it, she froze. Standing there was a stunning girl dressed in luxury from head to toe. For a split second, envy flickered in the teacher's eyes, particularly at the sparkling jewelry that gleamed against Rong Ruxue's flawless skin. But years of professionalism kicked in quickly, and she schooled her expression into polite calm.
"Yes? How may I help you?" Lu Mairong asked, voice neutral.
Rong Ruxue slowly slid her Dior sunglasses down the bridge of her nose and looked up with wide, doe-like eyes and a sweet, demure smile. Her voice was soft but carried a subtle thread of pride.
"Hello, teacher. My name is Rong Ruxue," she said, each syllable deliberate. "I've transferred from Beijing, and I'm here to join the Rocket Class."
___
So on the demand of my regular readers I posted four chapters this weekend❤️🥰
But from tomorrow again I can only post single chapter, because I've a research projects going on and have 9-5 collage to attend. But I'll definitely try to post two chapters on weekends.
Keep supporting🥰😊