Chapter 45: Zuo Jingjing Repeats Her Old Tricks

Today, Zuo Jingjing was once again planning to use her old tricks!

Originally, after she, Bai Liyao, and Zhai Yan’er finished lunch in a private room on the second floor of the cafeteria, they were about to go together to check out the massive astronomical telescope at their department when they ran into Zuo Jingjing and Gao Wenyu along the way.

Ever since Xianyu Zhen failed the entrance exam, Zuo Jingjing’s spirits had soared. But just a few days ago, she saw a post on the university forum: someone had snapped a photo of Xianyu Zhen getting into a luxury car. That’s when Zuo Jingjing realized with a jolt that Xianyu Zhen had also entered Liyang College.

She spent some time investigating and finally discovered that Xianyu Zhen was now in the History Department.

Gao Wenyu was an old family friend of Zuo Jingjing’s cousin, whom she had met during a visit to her aunt’s house. So she contacted Gao Wenyu, probing him for information about Xianyu Zhen.

When she learned that Xianyu Zhen had joined the student council as soon as the semester started, she was even more surprised. From what she knew, Xianyu Zhen’s family background was far from affluent—how did she manage to get into Liyang College, let alone the student council?

The memory of the forum post lingered. Was it possible that Xianyu Zhen had latched onto some rich heir?

Ha! But she probably didn’t dare let anyone know about her sordid past.

So Zuo Jingjing left a comment under the post: “Isn’t the girl in the photo that someone from South City High School who was expelled for mental health reasons?”

She even attached old photos of Xianyu Zhen that she’d had someone take in secret, as well as what appeared to be psychiatric medical records.

With that, the comments exploded, filled with all sorts of speculation.

“Is that the South City High School in the working-class district? I didn’t know they had such pretty girls.”

“Are you missing the point here?”

“No way—the college actually admits people with mental illnesses now?”

“The medical record is solid proof. What more do you want?”

“Photos can be faked, so why not medical records?”

“Real or not, that rumor was all over South City High’s intranet back then.”

“But the person calling her mentally ill must be from South City High too, right? Otherwise, how would they know so much?”

“I heard she’s now an officer in the student council’s disciplinary team…”

“Well then, are we all under the management of a lunatic now?”

…

The next day, when the story spread online and reached the student council, Xianyu Zhen was “coincidentally” running into Zuo Jingjing on campus.

Previously, Mao Wandou had warned Xianyu Zhen, so she wasn’t surprised to see Zuo Jingjing.

It was Zuo Jingjing who looked awkward: “Xianyu Zhen, it really is you! I saw the news online and thought it was just a rumor. I can’t believe you really came to Liyang College…”

The moment Xianyu Zhen heard the word “online,” she knew this was another of Zuo Jingjing’s ploys, and her expression darkened.

Bai Liyao and Zhai Yan’er, like Xianyu Zhen, weren’t the type to browse the forums, so they were confused by the conversation.

Gao Wenyu, however, had vaguely heard some classmates discussing it that morning, though he hadn’t expected Xianyu Zhen to be at the center of the commotion. He was surprised: “Xianyu, is that person in the post really you?”

Xianyu Zhen remained silent.

Zuo Jingjing feigned concern: “Xianyu Zhen, is your illness all right now?”

Xianyu Zhen’s eyes were icy: “What illness?”

“The forum says you have…”

Gao Wenyu hadn’t finished when Zuo Jingjing quickly tugged his sleeve, signaling with a glance and a subtle shake of her head, as if warning him not to provoke Xianyu Zhen.

Gao Wenyu immediately fell silent, looking at Xianyu Zhen with a guarded, secretive expression.

He hadn’t seen any sign of mental illness in Xianyu Zhen since the semester began, but since Zuo Jingjing, a fellow South City High alumna, had brought it up, it could be true.

Zhai Yan’er, unable to stand the uncomfortable stares from Zuo Jingjing and Gao Wenyu, immediately pulled out her phone and logged onto the campus forum.

The more she read, the angrier she became.

“Which lunatic is making up these rumors!”

She hadn’t known Xianyu Zhen long, but it was obvious someone was deliberately manipulating public opinion and framing her.

Bai Liyao glanced over and his face turned grim: “Don’t those people ever stop?”

He suspected Lu Hankai and Luo Liya were behind it.

Xianyu Zhen’s lips curled into a cold smile: “Old classmates really are as ‘enthusiastic’ as ever, presenting me with such a grand gift the moment they see me.”

Zuo Jingjing pretended not to understand: “Xianyu Zhen, this time you mustn’t fall ill and take a leave of absence because of online bullying. I’m sure the college will soon help you get the post removed again…”

Her words were a blatant confirmation that Xianyu Zhen did, in fact, have a mental illness.

Zhai Yan’er couldn’t help but snap back: “What nonsense are you spouting! Who are you calling sick? I think you’re the one who’s not normal!”

Bai Liyao fixed her with a piercing gaze: “You’re the one spreading those rumors, aren’t you?”

Zuo Jingjing put on a wounded look: “You’ve misunderstood me. I’m Xianyu Zhen’s old classmate. How could I do something like that? I’m just worried about her…”

Xianyu Zhen had long grown used to her tactics and didn’t want to get drawn into her games: “Thank you for your concern. But I’m not the same Xianyu Zhen I was before. I won’t let anyone throw mud at me ever again…”

Just as she finished speaking, a female student suddenly lunged out from the side, flinging a drink at Xianyu Zhen while cursing, “Lunatic, get the hell out of Liyang College!”

It happened so abruptly that no one had time to react.

Even though Xianyu Zhen managed to dodge in time, her skirt was still drenched by the hot cocoa.

Bai Liyao was livid and ready to fight, but Zhai Yan’er was faster—she shoved the female student back several steps.

“You’re the lunatic here!”

The girl shrieked, “How dare you push me!”

“That’s the least you deserve!” Zhai Yan’er turned to Bai Liyao. “Call the police and report her for endangering someone’s safety!”

The girl was dumbfounded. Wasn’t it just a drink? Why call the police?

Gao Wenyu hurried to intervene: “Let’s talk this out. We should report it to the student council first…”

Zhai Yan’er ignored him: “The victim is a student council officer! She’s so arrogant, why would she fear the council? Call the police!”

At this school, everyone came from power and privilege; the student council would have to consider family interests and wouldn’t handle it well.

Bai Liyao understood this too, and was about to call when Xianyu Zhen stopped him: “No need.”

“Zhen Zhen!” Zhai Yan’er thought Xianyu Zhen wanted to let it go and became anxious. “You can’t let things like this slide!”

The Zhai family had never tolerated bullying, much less swallowed their anger.

But Xianyu Zhen knew the girl was just following orders—her real purpose was to blow things up, to make the whole college aware, to make Xianyu Zhen “famous” once more as she had been six months ago.

Xianyu Zhen had no intention of giving them that chance.

“You,” Xianyu Zhen looked at the girl, “do you even know who I am?”