"I don't think I did anything wrong, why should I apologize?"
Yu Yahe deliberately avoided Yu Wenli's gaze, clinging to her dwindling pride.
The atmosphere became tense again.
Yu Wenli's brows furrowed slightly, his aura turning icy.
He didn't have the patience to indulge her provocations and slander time and again.
The word "cheating" was an absolute taboo, both in student life and in the future workplace.
Once branded, it was an indelible stain.
Did she, Yu Yahe, not understand this?
She did.
Yet, she had reached such a conclusion so easily.
When everyone else skirted around the topic of cheating, she had directly accused Wen Tingxue.
She knew the consequences, yet she still did it.
This was what he found most unbearable.
Just as he was about to speak, a cool, small hand covered the back of his own.
Then, the young girl he had been protecting looked up with a calm expression, meeting Yu Yahe's gaze.
"That's right, you have the right to question."
The girl, with her frail shoulders and petite frame, spoke slowly, her voice filled with absolute composure and strength.
"But questioning doesn't mean speaking without basis. I can accept your doubts about my grades.
"And I can even forgive your accusations, as I didn't refute them or present evidence.
"However..."
Wen Tingxue picked up the completed test papers and the corrected mistake booklet, flipping through them page by page.
"When these are presented, and the surveillance footage is played, what right do you have to continue denying my efforts?"
Yu Yahe was stunned by Wen Tingxue's gaze, unable to utter a word.
Wen Tingxue lowered her eyes, her voice soft.
"Do you know how long I spend writing papers and correcting mistakes every day?
"The gap between Lucheng and Jiangcheng wasn't bridged in twenty-seven days; it was written away, bit by bit, day and night.
"But if Yu Wenli hadn't arrived in time, if the principal and the head of the grade level weren't at school...
"Do you know the impact those two words you casually uttered could have had on me?"
Yu Yahe subconsciously lowered her eyes.
She knew.
But she had still done it.
"..."
She opened her mouth, but the word "sorry" remained difficult to utter.
Yu Yahe pushed aside the onlookers and stumbled out of the office.
Wen Tingxue, as if unfazed, calmly packed up her papers.
She didn't expect an apology from Yu Yahe.
From Yu Yahe's perspective, it was indeed difficult to accept her success.
However, she wouldn't forgive Yu Yahe's deliberate obstruction.
Time and time again, she wasn't that magnanimous.
"I'm sorry."
Wen Di walked up to Wen Tingxue, his face flushed as he spoke, his eyes fixed on the ground.
He seemed ashamed to face her.
"I'm truly sorry. I shouldn't have judged you before investigating properly.
"And I shouldn't have betrayed your trust in me and almost wronged you again.
"I apologize for my wrong thinking and for Yahe's inappropriate actions. I'm very sorry."
He offered a standard ninety-degree bow.
Wen Tingxue was taken aback.
She always felt that Wen Di didn't apologize like a teacher.
More like a child.
Because he was genuinely reflecting on his mistakes and making a profound self-examination.
There was no hint of perfunctoryness.
Although he could be very annoying at times.
Yet, when he apologized, he could easily melt one's heart.
Later, other teachers and classmates also came to apologize, but none were as sincere as Wen Di.
It seemed they were just going through the motions for the principal.
-
The exam papers for each subject were distributed one by one.
Each time, Wen Tingxue's name was the first to be called.
"Wen Tingxue, first in Chinese, 147!"
"English, first in the grade, 149, Wen Tingxue!"
"150, Wen Tingxue."
"The only perfect score in Science Comprehensive, Wen Tingxue."
Yu Yahe's face grew darker with almost every subject announced.
She had expected Wen Tingxue to do well, but not this well.
Achieving such incredible results was not luck, but genuine ability.
And yet, she was unwilling to acknowledge her talent.
Jiangcheng High School was also quick to release the grade reports.
They were handed out during the evening self-study session that day.
Grade 11 (Class 4) March Examination Results.
First place, Wen Tingxue, total score 746, first in the grade.
Second place, Xu Kexin, total score 730, ninth in the grade.
"Holy crap! Even the class monitor is only ninth with this score?"
"What did you expect? The top three classes are all filled with academic gods!"
"Speaking of which, what's up with Big Shot Yu this time? He only got second place!"
"It seems he missed one multiple-choice question, about a point and a half behind Wen Tingxue."
"I think Big Shot did it on purpose."
"But Wen Tingxue is genuinely capable, with a perfect comeback in less than a month!"
"Exactly! She's my goddess now!"
...
Wen Tingxue's first place in the grade was known throughout the entire school.
Whether it was her soaring grades, her emergence as a dark horse,
or the farce in the office, all proved her formidable strength.
She instantly dominated the school's online forums and discussion boards, but this time, it wasn't because of Yu Wenli.
1l: By the way, does anyone have Wen Tingxue's contact information? I want to be her student.
10l: Honestly, I want Wen Tingxue as my private tutor [doge].
11l: Yu Wenli: You're dreaming.
20l: Even if Big Shot Yu taught you himself, believe me, you wouldn't reach Wen Tingxue's level. She's truly brilliant.
30l: Looking at these scores, I think Wen Tingxue deserves Yu Wenli.
50l: Is it your place to say whether she deserves him or not?
70l: Exactly. Big Shot dotes on Wen Tingxue so much, are you blind if you can't see it?
80l: Let's not talk about anything else, have you ever seen Yu Wenli tutor anyone else? And even create questions for them himself?
99l: emmm, actually, putting aside their grades, Wen and Yu are quite a match themselves.
Seeing this comment, Yu Wenli gave it a satisfied like and exited the forum.
Wen Tingxue was lost in thought until Yu Wenli pinched her ear, causing her to turn back slowly.
Her eyes were clear, tinged with a hint of innocence.
"What's wrong?"
She asked, her voice soft and sweet.
Like a delectable bun.
Yu Wenli observed her closely for a moment, then asked, "Are you unhappy?"
She hadn't said much since they got in the car.
Wen Tingxue shook her head obediently, "No, I'm actually quite happy."
Everyone had changed their attitude towards her, even the teachers paid attention to her.
First in the grade, who wouldn't like that?
It's just...
The little girl bit her lip with a hint of hesitation. "I don't know if I should transfer classes..."
She wanted to be in the same class as him, but Wen Di had apologized to her today.
It seemed her gaze that day had hurt him, so he was always worried.
Yu Wenli pondered for a few seconds, "Then do you want to transfer classes?"
The little girl remained silent.
Yu Wenli, sensing her dilemma, advised, "Yiyi, sometimes, a simple and direct solution is also a very good choice."
"But..."
Wen Tingxue remembered Wen Di's expression and still felt a pang of sympathy.