Chapter Fourteen: A Grudge Formed with Jiang Changyuan

Rumors are fiercer than tigers; even with Jiang Changyuan’s underlings as witnesses, who would believe him?
A good student’s words can’t compare to a bad student who runs tirelessly, and Zhang Chengliang was considered a good student in the beginning.
His grades were average, and he hadn’t turned dark yet.
Jiang Changyuan’s smile gradually faded, his sharp gaze flickering with dangerous light.
Under such a look, like a beast stalking its prey, Zhang Chengliang panicked and silently shielded Gu Qing in front of him.
“Chairman Gu, look, Jiang Changyuan is furious out of shame. I told you he and Chen Xiang are definitely involved in something shady.”
“Maybe this money is...”
Zhang Chengliang glanced meaningfully at Chen Xiang, a flash of hatred in his eyes.
He had fawned over Chen Xiang for a year and a half, yet she stood up for Jiang Changyuan at a critical moment.
If that’s the case, then let him be punished!
Jiang Changyuan furrowed his brows and suddenly lunged with lightning speed, grabbing Zhang Chengliang and landing a punch.
“Ah!”
A scream from Zhang Chengliang, gasps from the onlookers.
No one expected Jiang Changyuan to suddenly erupt, and everyone quickly vacated the prime spots to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
“What are you doing?”
Gu Qing grabbed Jiang Changyuan’s wrist, anger brewing like a storm.
Jiang Changyuan shook off his hand angrily, pointing a finger at him.
“You’re biased against me. I don’t mind being slandered and you not intervening. Fine.”
“But Chen Xiang is innocent—beautiful, kind-hearted, and a top student. You won’t stand up for her when she’s smeared?”
“Chairman? Is that all?”
Standing on the moral high ground felt like basking in sunlight.
Praising Chen Xiang subtly deepened the male lead’s guilt while strengthening the bond between the male lead and the second female lead.
Jiang Changyuan silently gave himself a nod of approval.
“If Chairman Gu doesn’t give us an explanation today, we’ll take this to the department head.”
“If the department head ignores it, we’ll go to the principal...”
“That’s right, Zhang Chengliang must apologize today.”
The seven underlings felt righteous as they stood on the moral pedestal built by Jiang Changyuan.
Their loud voices quickly drowned out Zhang Chengliang’s protests, and a headache buzzed in Gu Qing’s ears.
Just as the tension peaked, Jiang Changyuan raised his hand to quiet them, and the seven underlings instantly fell silent like five hundred ducks.
“I don’t mind being slandered, but Chen, the top student, is being implicated because of me. This matter needs to be explained.”
“You all know the stakes between our student club and the student council. We’re all underachievers; that’s why we asked Chen, the top student, to tutor us.”
“As you’ve seen before, it took three days of begging for Chen to finally agree. Today, I specifically brought the tutoring fee...”
At this, Jiang Changyuan cast a mocking glance at Zhang Chengliang.
“It was to shut the mouths of dark little scoundrels like you!”
At these words, the color drained from Zhang Chengliang’s face as he began to panic.
“Then tell us, where did you get that money?”
“Hmph, do I have to report how much money my family has to you?”
The seven underlings immediately flattered him, well aware of the Jiang family’s wealth, and many classmates chimed in.
After all, high school students who could ride heavy motorcycles certainly weren’t short of money.
If the stolen money accusation falls through, then Jiang Changyuan and Chen Xiang’s relationship is also baseless.
“I’ll get to the bottom of this. If Jiang Changyuan is truly slandered, I’ll make things right for him.”
Gu Qing’s cold gaze swept the crowd and finally landed on Zhang Chengliang.
“Zhang Chengliang, do you have any evidence?”
“The fact that they’re dating is common knowledge. What evidence do you need?”
Even now, Zhang Chengliang stubbornly denied it, sweating nervously yet refusing to admit defeat.
“He says his family has money, so they do; he says he’s not involved with Chen Xiang, so he’s not...”
“If they are innocent but get expelled because of you, can you bear the consequences?”
A sharp shout shook Zhang Chengliang, leaving him stammering and eyes darting nervously.
Seeing this, Gu Qing knew exactly what was going on.
“Zhang Chengliang, if you’re so sure Jiang Changyuan’s money is stolen and their relationship is unusual,”
“then do you dare come with me to see Director Lu or the principal?”
“I... I...”
Zhang Chengliang was completely scared. A small scandal wouldn’t affect him much, but if it reached the director and principal, one side would definitely be punished today.
He knew clearly that he would be the one punished.
And with a record, some prestigious universities would blacklist him.
“Apologize!”
Gu Qing said coldly, a flash of disgust in his eyes.
If Zhang Chengliang succeeded today, not only would Jiang Changyuan suffer injustice, but Chen Xiang would also be punished. This was no small matter.
Seeing no one on his side, Zhang Chengliang gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, unwilling to lower his proud head.
“Who dares to act without taking responsibility? Wronging innocent people and refusing to apologize, where’s your conscience?”
“Apologize quickly, or we’ll show you what we can do.”
The seven underlings sneered and threatened, successfully breaking Zhang Chengliang’s defenses. He didn’t want to be blocked after school or beaten up.
At least apologizing now only cost him face; retaliation would cost him everything.
“Sorry.”
“Sorry for what? Because I said you eat shit?”
Jiang Changyuan’s offhand remark sparked low laughter. Zhang Chengliang lowered his eyes, filled with resentment.
“I misunderstood you without evidence. Sorry.”
“No, it’s slander, it’s defamation...”
After tormenting Zhang Chengliang thoroughly, Jiang Changyuan forced him to apologize to Chen Xiang as well.
Under the strange gazes of their classmates, Zhang Chengliang obediently returned to his seat, though his heart was far from calm.
Although Jiang Changyuan didn’t escalate the matter, his reputation was clearly tarnished.
Damn it!
He had made an enemy of Jiang Changyuan!
Jiang Changyuan quietly withdrew his gaze. A mid-level antagonist trying to steal the spotlight?
Did this big villain ask for permission?
“Chairman Gu, a bit of advice.”
“Next time someone files a real-name complaint, make sure you hear out the victim first. Don’t condemn everyone blindly.”
Hearing this, Gu Qing deeply reflected.
“It was my fault for handling things poorly. I apologize to you as well. Sorry.”
“Today it’s just me. If it were someone else, they might have been expelled already. Especially Chen, the top student, she...”
“Not interested, you may leave.”
Before he finished, two heavy bags of snacks were placed in his hands.
Jiang Changyuan’s eyes flicked as he understood: they wanted him out of the way.
“I still have to study. Chairman Gu, please comfort Chen a bit more. I’m leaving.”
Patting Gu Qing’s shoulder, Jiang Changyuan carried the two bags of snacks and quietly returned to class, hiding his achievements.
“Jiang, that brat dared to slander you. Shall we deal with him after school?”
The chubby kid made a fist, the underlings behind him eyes gleaming.
It had been too long since they stirred up trouble; their instincts were restless.
“What? What do you want to do? We’re good students now.”
Jiang Changyuan looked at them speechlessly. Wow, in no time, all his underlings had gathered.
If you didn’t know, you’d think a gang fight was about to break out.
“Have you finished memorizing the formulas? And you, have you learned all the vocabulary?”
The singled-out underlings groaned. Evening tutoring and daytime review—they had never experienced such hard days.
“I’m heading back to study now.”
“Stop nagging, please, Jiang, stop nagging! I’ll memorize the words right away.”
Jiang Changyuan nodded with satisfaction. Good. As long as they’re willing to work hard, in the future they will have... endless hardships to endure.