Chapter 59 A Slap

Chapter 59: The Slap

Teacher Song smiled and said, "Two eighty-four! Who knew Jiang Ruotang would score the highest among all the art students from our school who took the unified examination!"

The English teacher also nodded. "Looks like we need to focus on his academic scores now. If this kid puts in a bit more effort, he’s a shoo-in for a top-tier university!"

Wang Fuzi grumbled, "If only he took his Chinese essays seriously, he could’ve aced it! I don’t know if he’s doing this to spite me—I already apologized for that monthly exam misunderstanding!"

The younger teachers in the office exchanged glances. Who would’ve thought that Mr. Never-Wrong, Wang Fuzi, would actually apologize to a student?

When Jiang Ruotang sat down at his seat, Cai Ji was the first to congratulate him.

"Ruo Tang! You’re amazing! I didn’t have a sense of what a high score for the Art Unified Examination was, but after asking around, I realized 284 is really impressive!"

Jiang Ruotang grinned, messing up Cai Ji’s curls roughly—he loved how soft it was. "Thanks!"

Meanwhile, Lin Lu froze in place. Two hundred and eighty-four points? He couldn’t have misheard, could he? How could Jiang Ruotang score so high?

Could it… really be because of that special symbol "V"?

If that were the case, Geng Yu should’ve scored well too, right?

Lin Lu turned to look at Geng Yu, who sat diagonally behind him. There was no trace of joy on his face—instead, he looked like he’d bitten into something rotten.

"What’s your problem?" Geng Yu shot Lin Lu a glare.

Geng Yu’s deskmate, Xie Liang, shook his head at Lin Lu. Clearly, Geng Yu’s exam results weren’t ideal.

Lin Lu sent Xie Liang a message: [Do you know how much he scored?]

Xie Liang replied: [He’s really unhappy—only 226.]

Geng Yu had previously sworn up and down he’d clear 250, so this 226 was a gut punch.

But in Lin Lu’s opinion, Geng Yu hadn’t even built a solid foundation in art. If he’d relied on himself, he might not have even reached 200. This 226 might’ve been the graders pity-passing him.

"Jiang Ruotang, didn’t you say you’d take us out for karaoke if you scored high?" Bai Yingchuan leaned back, his spine resting against the desk behind him as he turned his head to look at Jiang Ruotang.

"Ah… sure thing! New Year’s Day work?" Jiang Ruotang asked.

Bai Yingchuan nodded. "Deal."

Perhaps because success puts him in a good mood, Jiang Ruotang didn’t give Bai Yingchuan a cold shoulder.

And besides… Bai Yue, along with Lin Chengdong, had gone from investing in the Ark project to buying up a huge stretch of fishponds. Given their conflicting interests, they were headed for a showdown.

Jiang Ruotang had dropped so many hints precisely to make him realize that following his mother and Lin Chengdong would lead nowhere—there were far better opportunities out there. He needed to let Bai Yingchuan experience the benefits of breaking free and making independent choices so that, when the critical moment arrived, Bai Yingchuan would resist Lin Chengdong without hesitation.

Lin Lu finally noticed he’d been so focused on Geng Yu’s score that he’d forgotten to congratulate Jiang Ruotang.

"Ruo Tang, congratulations! With such a high score in the unified exam, the pressure on your academic scores is much lighter now! You’re really amazing!"

Jiang Ruotang replied, "The pressure’s still pretty high. My dream school’s bar is sky-high."

Lin Lu piled it on, "Before, I thought the Central Academy of Fine Arts might be too difficult for you, but now it looks like you can definitely take their entrance exam!"

Jiang Ruotang noticed Geng Yu’s sour expression. Lin Lu had deliberately made sure everyone heard him praise him—probably just to stir up resentment.

*Sigh, Lin Lu… Lin Lu, aren’t you tired of living like this?*

Jiang Ruotang turned to look at Lu Guifan, who was sitting in the back row. The other boy was bent over an academic journal, but sensing Jiang Ruotang’s gaze, he lifted his eyes. Jiang Ruotang immediately curved his lips into a smile.

Though Lu Guifan’s expression remained mostly neutral, his lips quirked up just a fraction.

Jian Sha, who sat across the aisle from Jiang Ruotang, also turned around and sighed, "Wow… If our class president is the ice queen Bao Si, then Jiang Ruotang—you’re King You of Zhou, setting off the beacon fires to amuse the nobles. Scoring 284 in the unified exam—it’s like you did it just to make the class president smile!"

Jiang Ruotang didn’t hold back and joked back, "I’d love to be King You of Zhou, but Bao Si isn’t smiling!"

"She did. I caught it with my 1.0 vision," Jian Sha insisted.

Jiang Ruotang tilted his chin at her. "New Year’s Day, remember to grace us with your presence for karaoke."

Jian Sha blinked, pointing at herself. "You’re inviting me?"

"Your ‘ball-passing’ kindness is etched in my heart."

Jian Sha lit up. "Wasn’t it the class president who passed you the most balls? And not just balls—points too!"

Listening to Jiang Ruotang and Jian Sha banter, Lin Lu grew increasingly uncomfortable.

For the longest time, Jiang Ruotang had been seen by their classmates as an entitled brat and Bai Yingchuan’s obsessed fanboy—someone many steered clear of.

But now, he and Zhao Zhangfeng had genuinely become tight; with Lu Guifan helping him with exam prep, his academic performance had skyrocketed; Cai Ji trusted and admired him; Jian Sha had his back; and Bai Yingchuan… his unusual interest in Jiang Ruotang, his desire to get closer—if Lin Lu hadn’t been sitting between them, God knows where they’d be now.

After night study ended that day, Geng Yu was clearly still seething, so Lin Lu invited him out for hot pot.

Between bites, Geng Yu vented, "You should’ve heard how long my parents lectured me when the scores came out! Why don’t they question whether the examiners they hired were unreliable? Jiang Ruotang’s family is the one with real connections! Him? Pulling a 280? Who’d believe that!"

Lin Lu didn’t believe it either. He’d seen Jiang Ruotang’s limits firsthand.

Back in their first year of high school, Jiang Huaiyuan had even hired a famous tutor for one-on-one lessons, but the tutor quit after just a month because Jiang Ruotang ran him off.

And now, in his third year, he suddenly got good?

Geng Yu fumed, "If Jiang Ruotang didn’t cheat, I’ll eat my shoe!"

"Gross, we’re eating here!"

For some reason, hearing Geng Yu badmouth Jiang Ruotang gave Lin Lu a sick little thrill.

"Damn it, why does Jiang Ruotang get over 280 while I look like a clown? My parents keep comparing me to him—every time I go home, I hear them harping on about him. It’s so annoying!"

Lin Lu said casually, "Wouldn’t it be something if we could prove Jiang Ruotang cheated."

"How? We can’t see his exam paper!" Geng Yu bit out, biting into a shrimp ball and scalding his tongue.

"We can’t, but I remember there’s a supervision committee for this year’s unified exam, right? Why don’t you call them?" Lin Lu suggested, playing dumb.

Geng Yu paused, frowning at Lin Lu. "Wait, aren’t you two tight?"

Lin Lu backpedaled fast. "I—I just think if he didn’t cheat, then there’s nothing to fear from an investigation. But if it’s eating at you, it’s better to clear things up to put your mind at ease."

"Damn right he cheated!" Geng Yu huffed.

"Alright, alright, I believe you. Chill out and eat!" Lin Lu then pulled a fake ‘oh!’. "Oh—"

"What now?" Geng Yu looked at him.

"Nothing… nothing. Let’s eat." Lin Lu deliberately wouldn’t meet Geng Yu’s eyes.

"You must be hiding something from me, right? Did you remember something about Jiang Ruotang cheating? Out with it! If you don’t tell me, I’ll tell my dad and make sure he never shares any info with your dad again! Our families are through!"

"Fine, I’ll tell you, but don’t say anything to your dad... It was that day... After you told me about the symbol V... When I was chatting with him, he mocked you for clinging to the examiner like a lifeline, and I just said maybe symbol V was useful... Now that I think about it, he might have used it on his own paper..."

In reality, Lin Lu had deliberately called Jiang Ruotang to tell him, but after twisting the story, it sounded like he had accidentally let it slip after being provoked by Jiang Ruotang’s words.

Geng Yu was so mad he nearly hit the roof. "What the hell! Why are you only telling me now? Today, Jiang Ruotang was showing off big time! Even Wang Fuzi praised him! Turns out he was using my symbol? The examiner probably thought it was me! I’m fuming!"

"I... I’m sorry, but Jiang Ruotang seemed really calm at the time, like he didn’t even notice the symbol V thing!"

"He’s no dummy! Of course he’d act like he didn’t know anything! Lin Lu, I swear, you’ll be the death of me yet!"

Lin Lu had no choice but to keep apologizing until he finally walked Geng Yu home. Once alone, he gave a cold smile.

He didn’t believe Geng Yu could hold back.

Sure enough, Geng Yu came home late that night and caught another earful from his parents—"Jiang Ruotang either goes to the studio to paint or stays at school for night study," "Jiang Ruotang doesn’t need his parents to watch over him, he works hard on his own," "Jiang Ruotang is even applying for the Central Academy of Fine Arts’ entrance exam, and you won’t even dare to apply for Chengjiang College’s exam..."

Geng Yu had truly reached his limit. That night, he looked up the supervision committee’s hotline and called the next morning, reporting that Jiang Huaiyuan’s son, Jiang Ruotang, had cheated in the unified examination.

"May I ask how this student, Jiang Ruotang, cheated?"

"He... he used a special symbol! The examiner saw it and gave him a high score!"

"Student, could you tell us what kind of symbol it was?"

Geng Yu hesitated for a long time before stammering. The supervisor replied, "Student, without solid proof of cheating, we cannot accept this report."

Hearing this, Geng Yu immediately hung up. But he still couldn’t drop it. The only person he could discuss this with was Lin Lu.

Geng Yu invited Lin Lu to lunch and told him about the call.

"I used symbol V too. What if I report him and the committee ends up investigating me instead?"

Lin Lu rolled his eyes internally. Geng Yu was all talk and no action—making such a scene last night but too chicken to speak up when it came down to it.

He quickly reassured him, "Geng Yu, have you considered how many people take the unified examination? Even if the committee investigates, they can’t possibly check every single paper, right? They’d only look at the high scorers. Your 226 is average—investigating you wouldn’t move the needle."

"R... really?"

"Of course! And you’re reporting Jiang Ruotang, not yourself. You named him directly—why would the committee look elsewhere? Jiang Ruotang’s dad is a big-shot director, a public figure. Catching him would be a big win for the committee. Investigating you? Who even knows who your dad is?"

"You’re right!"

With that, Geng Yu’s temper flared again. Right in front of Lin Lu, he called the hotline again.

"Yes, it’s Jiang Ruotang! The son of director Jiang Huaiyuan! His exam paper had symbol V! That’s proof he colluded with the examiner! His score’s bogus—he’s nowhere near that good!"

The supervisor noted his report and promised to announce the investigation results within three days.

Geng Yu felt a rush of vindication.

Meanwhile, Lin Lu lowered his eyes and smiled. Jiang Ruotang, I don’t even need to lift a finger. With all your glory, someone will come after you.

Back in the classroom that afternoon, Geng Yu threw Jiang Ruotang a nasty smirk. Jiang Ruotang was completely lost, having no idea what he’d done to provoke Geng Yu.

But the investigation wouldn’t be disclosed to Jiang Ruotang.

Lin Lu had no intention of letting Jiang Ruotang remain oblivious. What he wanted now was to see Jiang Ruotang rattled, on edge, and sweating.

So when Jiang Ruotang was on the phone reserving a karaoke room for New Year’s Eve, Lin Lu gently tugged at him, gesturing that he needed to talk.

Lin Lu even acted mysteriously, having Jiang Ruotang fake a food delivery pickup first before following him out.

Once they reached the foot of the teaching building, Lin Lu finally spoke up, making it seem like some secret meetup.

"Ruo Tang, there’s something I need to warn you about, but don’t tell anyone I told you."

Jiang Ruotang blinked. "Huh?" He assumed Lin Lu was just using someone else’s secret to score points again.

"If it’s something you shouldn’t say, then don’t," Jiang Ruotang replied.

Lin Lu quickly grabbed him. "It’s about you. At lunch today, I overheard Geng Yu calling to report you for cheating in the unified examination!"

Jiang Ruotang was stumped. "Me? Cheating? Did I sneak in cheat sheets or use spray fixative?"

"No! He said you left a mark in your painting!"

"What?" Jiang Ruotang broke out laughing. "Is Geng Yu off his rocker? Just because he cheated, he thinks everyone else did too? If calling that hotline makes him happy, then so be it."

Lin Lu put on a worried face but was inwardly surprised.

Why was Jiang Ruotang so calm?

He didn’t even rush off to confront Geng Yu, leaving Lin Lu’s prepared script of "don’t pick a fight" useless.

And based on Jiang Ruotang’s personality, if he had cheated, he’d be throwing a fit right now.

If he hadn’t, he’d be raising Cain until Geng Yu was torn to shreds.

But this reaction... made Lin Lu’s "concern" feel completely pointless.

"Let’s go back. I called a bunch of places, but all the karaoke rooms for New Year’s Eve are booked. Not sure what to do now."

Jiang Ruotang returned to his seat like it was no big deal.

Lin Lu truly couldn’t understand him. How was he worried about KTV bookings at a time like this?

Being reported for cheating in the unified examination was a major deal!

Admittedly, the 18-year-old Jiang Ruotang from his past life would’ve blown his top if someone falsely accused him.

But in those ten years, as part of Bai Yingchuan’s management team, Jiang Ruotang had been through it all—hate from antis, online harassment, dirty tricks from rivals. It had thickened his skin.

In a way, that past life wasn’t a total loss.

Jiang Ruotang sent Bai Yingchuan a message: [Hey... I wanted to book a New Year’s Eve karaoke room, but I think I was too late—everything’s full. Should we reschedule for winter break, or do you know another place?]

Bai Yingchuan was the guest of honor, after all. For other friends, Jiang Ruotang could just invite them to his rooftop for fireworks and barbecue—they’d be happy either way.

When Bai Yingchuan got the message, the corner of his mouth quirked up. This text meant Jiang Ruotang cared about their plans.

At least it was better than being ignored like before.

Bai Yingchuan replied: [New Year’s Eve is crowded everywhere. How about hotpot and card games at your place?]

Jiang Ruotang: [Sounds great! We can set off fireworks too. I’ll ask the others!]

Bai Yingchuan put his phone down and glanced at Jiang Ruotang. He was texting away, his nose pert, and when someone sent him something amusing, his grin was catching.

So they agreed to ring in the New Year at Jiang Ruotang's place.

Jian Sha was thrilled, genuinely curious about what the celebrity director’s house looked like.

Zhao Zhangfeng directly told Cai Ji to pack overnight clothes so they could watch cartoons and have a sleepover.

Jiang Ruotang, seeing Zhao Zhangfeng’s message in their New Year’s group chat, suddenly felt this was an opportunity and DM'd Lu Guifan.

[Why don’t you bring pajamas too? We can sleep together.]

[Zhang Feng plans to stay up all night watching cartoons with Cai Cai. Do you want to cram problems all night with me?]

Lu Guifan had only meant to tease Jiang Ruotang, but after sending the message, he worried it might come off too serious—what if Jiang Ruotang took it literally?

Just as he was about to retract it, Jiang Ruotang replied.

[You can cram problems all night. I’ll pull an all-nighter drawing you.]

Reading this, Lu Guifan rested his chin in his palm and smiled.

This was Jiang Ruotang’s greatest skill—and his most charming trait.

Even if they seemed completely different—one oozing artistic flair, the other rational and logical—Jiang Ruotang would never delve into something like the Goldbach Conjecture, and Lu Guifan would probably never grasp the difference between Van Gogh’s sunflowers and Gauguin’s water lilies. But that didn’t stop Jiang Ruotang from sharing a space with him in a comfortable, mutually understanding way.

Lu Guifan quickly replied: [Okay.]

That single word was enough to keep Jiang Ruotang on cloud nine all day.

Watching the group chat, Lin Lu was genuinely surprised Jiang Ruotang could keep his cool, still asking everyone what they wanted to eat, drink, whether they wanted to do fireworks together…

Did he really not care about Geng Yu’s accusation at all?

Before New Year’s Eve, the investigation results from the supervision team came out.

During third period that morning, their homeroom teacher Song Qinghe stepped onto the podium, his serious look scanning the class. Though no one knew what was happening, the tension was palpable.

"Today, the school received a notice regarding cheating violations in the provincial Art Unified Examination."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire class instinctively looked at Jiang Ruotang.

His scores were crazy high—higher than anyone expected.

And for days, rumors had been going around that his high marks were the result of cheating. No one had expected the disciplinary action to come so soon.

Some were there for the tea, others felt pity, and a few were secretly gloating.

Lin Lu tugged lightly at Jiang Ruotang’s sleeve under the desk. "It can’t be…"

Jiang Ruotang calmly moved his hand away.

"Relax. It definitely has nothing to do with me."

Across the aisle, Jian Sha didn't bat an eye. If Jiang Ruotang had cheated, given Director Jiang’s fame, the news would’ve already leaked to the media. Wouldn't it be all over the internet?

Zhao Zhangfeng, sitting in the back, looked merely curious, never once suspecting Jiang Ruotang.

When he noticed other students staring at Jiang Ruotang, Zhao Zhangfeng frowned and shot them a warning glare to stop their baseless assumptions.

Meanwhile, Geng Yu couldn't wipe the smirk off his face!

Jiang Ruotang, you’re toast! Serves you right for being so smug!

"The supervision team conducted a random sampling of exam papers from the provincial Art Unified Examination, reviewing five hundred submissions. Among them, three papers contained obvious markings."

At this, Geng Yu’s eyes widened—why had they done a "random sampling" instead of directly pulling Jiang Ruotang’s paper?

"And one of these three students is from our school."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruotang smiled. He was certain Geng Yu had been caught.

Given Geng Yu’s skill level, there was no way he could’ve seamlessly integrated the "V" mark into his lines and shading. The inspectors would’ve spotted it immediately.

Now it was Jiang Ruotang’s turn to slowly turn and look at Geng Yu.

His gaze drew the entire class’s attention, and soon, everyone was staring at Geng Yu.

Geng Yu was getting more and more rattled, glaring back at anyone who met his eyes.

What are you looking at? I’m not some circus act! Stop staring!

There was no guarantee his paper was the one caught—Jiang Ruotang’s score was so high, maybe his markings were just more obvious!

"I won’t publicly name this student here. I hope he reflects on his actions and thinks about his future! The school’s disciplinary action will be posted shortly."

Now everyone was dying to know, eager to check the bulletin board after class to see who the cheater was.

"Additionally, I have some awesome news to share. Jiang Ruotang has won third place in the national art competition hosted by Mr. Fu Chunshi—a competition open to all age groups in the fine arts category. The first and second-place winners are already-established rising artists. Moreover, Jiang Ruotang is also the champion of the ‘Next Wave’ division for artists under twenty!"

Jiang Ruotang blinked. "Me…?"

Teacher Song started applauding. "Yes, you! Let’s all give him a round of applause!"

Jiang Ruotang had been too caught up in the New Year’s group chat earlier and had missed the award notification from Teacher Liang at the art studio.

From the back row came loud, steady clapping. Jiang Ruotang instinctively turned—the first to start clapping for him was Lu Guifan.

Zhao Zhangfeng, sitting behind him, immediately threw an arm around Jiang Ruotang’s neck. "Jiang Ruotang, you’re unreal! I’m starting to idolize you—what am I supposed to do with this?!"

"Then better start calling me ‘Ge’ properly!"

"Ge! Remember, you promised to put on a show for me!"

Jian Sha chimed in too. "And paint for me! I’m going to treasure your painting!"

Cai Ji watched Jiang Ruotang with a proud smile.

Jiang Ruotang felt on top of the world. That winning piece? It was a portrait of Lu Guifan. He was certain he’d never achieve the same level of success painting anything else—that piece had poured all his bottled-up, deep, bursting feelings.

"With skills like this, we can be sure Jiang Ruotang wasn’t the one cheating in the unified examination," Bai Yingchuan remarked, bringing everyone back to earth.

Lin Lu stared at Jiang Ruotang in shock. He had no idea Jiang Ruotang’s skills had improved so much, his art had gotten so legit.

Or perhaps, he’d never truly paid attention to Jiang Ruotang’s professional achievements.

Thinking back, aside from the painting Jiang Ruotang had gifted Bai Yingchuan, Lin Lu hadn't seen his new stuff in a long time.

"Ruo Tang… you’re… next-level…"

Jiang Ruotang nodded at Lin Lu’s stunned expression. "I know—for once, you're being real."

"Sincerity? What’s Jiang Ruotang getting at?"

Lin Lu looked at the confident and composed Jiang Ruotang, feeling downright mediocre in comparison.

Class ended, and Geng Yu opened his phone to see a message from the inspection team. His hands shook so badly, too afraid to even tap on it.

Meanwhile, Song Qinghe called his name directly: "Geng Yu, come with me to the office."

His heart sank—it was exactly what he’d dreaded. Geng Yu opened the message and saw it was indeed a disciplinary notice addressed to him.

As he stood up, he shot Lin Lu a cold glare.

Lin Lu couldn’t help but shiver. Was Geng Yu blaming him for the punishment?

But it was Geng Yu who had made the call, who had told the inspection team about the "V" mark, and who had chosen to cheat in the first place!

The school bulletin board was packed with students, like it was college acceptance day.

Previously, it had been Lu Guifan’s championship posters from various competitions, so frequent that everyone had grown accustomed to them.

But this time, it was Jiang Ruotang’s red celebratory notice and Geng Yu’s white disciplinary announcement posted side by side.

Jian Sha stood on tiptoe but still couldn’t see.

Zhao Zhangfeng, standing behind her, found her struggle exhausting.

"What’s so interesting?"

"A wedding and a funeral! How often do you get to see both at once?" Jian Sha replied.

Cai Ji beside her burst into laughter at her analogy.

"Need a boost?" Zhao Zhangfeng asked.

"What? Am I a pot or something?"

"Whatever, never mind. I’ve already seen it anyway."

Just as Zhao Zhangfeng turned away, Jian Sha grabbed him.

"Lift me! Hurry up! I’m letting you lift me!"

The next second, Jian Sha was hoisted into the air.

For that moment, all eyes were on her—she experienced firsthand what it meant to be "lifted high."

She was even more eye-catching than the "red and white affairs" on the bulletin board.

When Wang Fuzi, notorious for busting puppy love, approached, Jian Sha shouted, "We’re bros!"

Zhao Zhangfeng added, "Obviously! What, sisters?"

Cai Ji doubled over laughing beside them.

Wang Fuzi gave them a cold glance before walking past.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang stayed put, ignoring the fuss. He felt regret—if only the celebratory notice had come earlier, his name could have been posted side by side with Lu Guifan’s.

At the same time, Geng Yu’s father rushed to the school and ripped into him mercilessly.

"Explain yourself! The examiner told me someone maliciously reported a high-scoring student, but that student was in the clear—instead, they caught you during the random check!"

Geng Yu didn’t dare admit he had essentially reported himself. But looking back, he felt like Lin Lu had been manipulating him all along.

Hadn’t Lin Lu assured him he wouldn’t be caught?

Then why was he the one exposed?

The more he thought about it, the angrier and more regretful he became.

"Look at Jiang Ruotang—how impressive! Champion of the 'New Wave' division in Mr. Fu Chunshi’s national art competition! Do you know what that means? Top art schools will fight over him! Collectors will buy his works early, waiting for their value to soar! And you? You couldn’t even make a proper mark! You screwed over the examiner who had our back!"

Geng Yu was definitely repeating the year, but with this disciplinary record, it was unclear if any school would accept him.

If he hadn’t made that call or reported Jiang Ruotang, his scores might’ve barely gotten him into a no-name college. Now, everything was ruined.

He suspected Lin Lu had deliberately misled him. How could Lin Lu not know Jiang Ruotang’s painting had made it to the national finals?

After class that evening, Geng Yu slammed Lin Lu’s desk and sneered, "Come on, let’s grab hot pot?"

Lin Lu gulped. Instinctively, he reached for Jiang Ruotang beside him but grasped empty air—Jiang Ruotang was turned away, chatting with Zhao Zhangfeng about whether to have hot pot or barbecue on New Year’s Eve.

Lin Lu then tugged at Bai Yingchuan.

But Bai Yingchuan replied, "You go with Geng Yu. I’m keeping it light to watch my weight."

No! This wasn’t happening.

Bai Yingchuan missed Lin Lu’s desperate look entirely.

Geng Yu threw an arm around his shoulders, playing buddy-buddy, and all but dragged Lin Lu out of the classroom.

Lin Lu’s stomach was in knots the whole time, his hands clammy.

Especially when they passed the bulletin board, where people were still gathered, some even whispering, "Who even is Geng Yu?" or "Cheating in the unified exam happens every year, but Geng Yu won the cheating Olympics this year..."

Sure enough, once outside the school gates, Geng Yu dropped the act. He yanked Lin Lu by the shirtfront and hauled him into a side street.

"Lin Lu! You set me up, didn’t you? You talked me into reporting Jiang Ruotang! You swore he knew about the 'V' mark—just to trick me into thinking he cheated!"

Lin Lu’s eyes reddened instantly. "Geng Yu, how could you think that of me? You were the one ranting about Jiang Ruotang cheating—I was just agreeing with you! Don’t pin this on me!"

"Just agreeing? Bullshit! Didn’t you admit you told Jiang Ruotang about the 'V' mark?" Geng Yu’s voice rose sharply.

"I—I did, but that doesn’t mean Jiang Ruotang would use it!" Lin Lu’s face was wet with tears.

"Cut the act!" Geng Yu, though spoiled, wasn’t the hitting type—usually just verbal taunts.

But this time, with his future at stake, he couldn’t hold back. He slapped Lin Lu hard across the face.

Caught off guard, Lin Lu couldn’t dodge in time. The slap was so loud it turned heads.

Geng Yu wasn’t satisfied. He gritted his teeth, wishing he could kick Lin Lu—this backstabbing snake!

Lin Lu’s cheek burned, half his face numb, his head buzzing. It took him a moment to realize Geng Yu had actually hit him.

Sure enough, bystanders staring turned their way.

"You promised they wouldn’t check anyone else! Thanks to you, I called them again!"

This time, there was no need to pretend—Lin Lu's tears came pouring down.

His voice choked up, "But the inspection team only does random checks... You just had bad luck... Even if you hadn’t made that call, how could you be sure they wouldn’t have picked your paper?"

Lin Lu looked increasingly pitiful. He tugged at Geng Yu’s arm, playing weak and pleading with convincing sincerity. "Geng Yu, don’t be like this... I really didn’t mean for this to happen. How was I supposed to know this would happen?"

A classmate passing by, seeing Geng Yu’s furious expression and Lin Lu’s helpless distress, spoke up, "Can’t you work this out calmly? He’s already apologized!"

"Apologized? You think an apology makes up for what he did?"

"Fine, then tell us exactly what he did!"

More and more students stopped to watch.

Geng Yu was seething but couldn’t bring himself to admit he was the one who’d made the tip-off call. The fury burned inside him, with no outlet.

Yet letting Lin Lu walk away just like that was impossible.

"You just wait!" Geng Yu ground his teeth hard enough to shatter them.

Lin Lu took a deep breath—he'd finally managed to fool this idiot into leaving.

*I’ll wait. What exactly can you do?*

*Are you going to tell your dad that your cheating accusation was the result of your own tip-off?*

*Damn it, how dare you hit me...*

Lin Lu went to the restroom and splashed cold water on his face. But the slap had been too forceful—even after a long time, the swelling wouldn’t fade.

He thought about skipping the afternoon and going home. He didn’t want anyone to see his face like this.