Chapter 59: You Will Beg Me to Return

Nothing good ever came out of Cao Guang's mouth. Gu Xiangnan remained indifferent to his biting sarcasm, walked straight to the last row of the classroom, and took a seat. Xu Chenyin followed closely behind, entering the classroom and sitting next to Gu Xiangnan. The classmates exchanged bewildered glances.

What was going on here? Word had it that yesterday the two had fought fiercely over the campus beauty. Yet today, they seemed like brothers, inseparable.

Zi Xiaoyin, startled at the sight of Xu Chenyin, instinctively assumed he had come to pester her again. But seeing him sit peacefully beside Gu Xiangnan, she felt a slight relief. After hesitating for a moment, Zi Xiaoyin picked up her books and took the seat on Gu Xiangnan's other side.

"Gu, have you checked the school forum?" she asked softly.

Both Gu Xiangnan and Xu Chenyin looked at her in confusion before shaking their heads. She scrolled through her phone, opened the Traditional Medicine University's forum, and handed her phone to Gu Xiangnan. Xu Chenyin also pulled out his phone and logged into the forum.

It was the main communication platform for the faculty and students—besides students, many staff members regularly posted and interacted there. Every event, big or small, could be found discussed on the forum.

Zi Xiaoyin showed them the top post, its bright red, bold title catching the eye:

"Shocking! Male student consorting with wealthy older woman, frequenting upscale venues and squandering money! Suspected of disreputable occupation."

The post detailed a male student from their own university, describing his close relationship with a female benefactor and frequent visits to high-end establishments. While the choice of partner was personal, the post criticized such materialistic pursuits and the temptation of easy gains. It even insinuated that the student worked in a massage parlor, engaging in unsavory work.

What was most shocking was the series of candid photos attached below, featuring Gu Xiangnan. From the background, it was clear these were taken at last night’s charity banquet.

The only attendees besides Gu Xiangnan, Xu Chenyin, and the campus beauty were Cao Guang. Clearly, Cao Guang was the most likely culprit behind the photos. He and the campus beauty had left early, so he was unaware of Gu Xiangnan's true identity. Yet, in that brief window, he had hidden among the crowd and surreptitiously snapped several shots of Gu Xiangnan with Su Hanyan.

The angles were chosen with deliberate cunning: in the pictures, Gu Xiangnan seemed to be tenderly kissing Su Hanyan.

After returning to his dorm, Cao Guang anonymously posted these photos on the university forum, crafting a provocative headline to attract attention. With one photo as the hook, he fabricated the rest. Rumors spread like wildfire.

The post was rapidly shared across platforms, its click count soaring past fifty thousand in no time. Replies beneath it reached a staggering three thousand.

"Shameless, a grown man living off a woman."

"Jealous, aren’t you? Only the handsome get to enjoy this kind of life."

"Disgraceful. What an embarrassment to our school. I strongly demand the university expel him."

"People with no moral baseline—how did his mother even raise him?"

As the post continued to ferment, more and more netizens joined the discussion, their opinions clashing and swirling into an online storm.

Gu Xiangnan had never even heard of the forum. Reading the scathing comments about himself, he frowned.

Zi Xiaoyin said, "I already posted to clarify things for you, but so many people jumped on me, and the post was deleted by the administrator..."

"Thank you," Gu Xiangnan replied.

Xu Chenyin slapped the desk, stood up in fury, and shouted, "Who the hell is spreading rumors about my brother online? I was there last night, and none of that is true!"

The classmates were stunned into silence. Everyone knew Xu Chenyin—he was the school bully.

Cao Guang, feeling guilty, trembled violently.

Xu Chenyin strode up to Cao Guang, grabbed his collar, and demanded, "Was it you who posted it? You little bastard!"

Cao Guang mustered up some courage, "There are photos. Let’s see how you clean up his reputation!"

He’d heard that Xu Chenyin’s father had been demoted to teach in a remote area, and Xu Chenyin was no longer a privileged young master. Only now did he dare to talk back.

"Class monitor, if you really made the post, just delete it. We were all there last night; that was clearly Gu’s sister," Zi Xiaoyin urged Cao Guang.

Cao Guang gave a wicked grin, "Isn’t it said that the innocent need not explain? If he’s done nothing wrong, why is he so anxious? Or is he afraid more dirt will be uncovered?"

Xu Chenyin burned with rage. This brat had never dared to speak to him like this before.

He raised his fist, ready to strike Cao Guang’s face.

Just then, Teacher Han pushed open the door.

Xu Chenyin grudgingly withdrew his hand and returned to his seat at the back.

Teacher Han stood at the podium, his expression grave. "Something happened at school today. A certain student in our class has become the subject of rumors. I hope you all refrain from believing or spreading them and wait for the school’s investigation."

Gu Xiangnan remained silent, inwardly giving Teacher Han a thumbs up. This was what a true teacher should be.

The classroom door opened again. The department head stood at the entrance.

Teacher Han politely invited him in.

With an air of superiority, the department head stood at the podium and asked, "Who is the student featured in the photo on the school forum?"

All eyes turned to Gu Xiangnan.

"It’s me," Gu Xiangnan replied, standing up.

"Are you aware of the harm you’ve brought to the school’s reputation? The school can punish you!" The department head scolded sternly.

Cao Guang grinned triumphantly.

Zi Xiaoyin timidly raised her hand, "Sir, Gu is being wrongly accused. I was there— the woman in the photo is his sister."

The department head faltered, surprised by the answer.

He cleared his throat, "Regardless of whether he’s wrongly accused, the damage to the school’s reputation has been done. He must be punished."

Teacher Han smiled, "The director is right! I fully support this. But... Could we wait until the principal returns to decide whether to punish him?"

"No. The media is watching closely. If we don’t act now, the school will face even harsher criticism."

Teacher Han protested, "Director, please reconsider?"

Bang!

The classroom door was kicked open.

Everyone looked toward the entrance in surprise.

The group of male students who had been beaten by Gu Xiangnan stood at the door, surrounding an elderly man.

Both the department head and Teacher Han bowed, "Good day, Vice Principal!"

The old man, face severe, strode into the classroom. His hawk-like gaze swept the room. One of the battered students pointed to Gu Xiangnan, who was still standing.

"Grandpa, he’s the one who hit us!"

"So you’re the one who bullied my grandson?" The vice principal’s voice was low, carrying an intimidating pressure.

Gu Xiangnan answered nonchalantly, "That’s right. It was me."

"Do you know what punishment awaits those who bully classmates in school?"

"But I didn’t bully him. It was your grandson who gathered others to bully another student," Gu Xiangnan replied without fear.

The beaten students, holding their swollen faces, protested miserably, "We didn’t bully anyone."

"He’s lying!"

Xu Chenyin stood up to defend Gu Xiangnan. "Vice Principal, these guys bullied me this morning. Gu Xiangnan stepped in to help me. Everything started because of me. If anyone deserves punishment, it should be me."

The vice principal cared nothing for justice, only wanting revenge for his grandson. He signaled to the department head.

The department head understood immediately. "Gu Xiangnan, for tarnishing the school’s reputation and bullying classmates, the school has decided to expel you."

The class erupted in shock.

Teacher Han pleaded softly, "Vice Principal, Director, isn’t this too severe? Can’t we wait for the principal’s return?"

Zi Xiaoyin and Xu Chenyin also stood to beg for leniency.

Amid the chorus of pleas,

Gu Xiangnan smiled, walked to the door, and turned to face them all.

"Very soon, you’ll be begging me to come back!"

With that, he left with an air of unruffled elegance.