Chapter 28: I Will Not Shield You Either

Yan Chang wore a fierce expression, yet he felt a sense of delight in his heart. He had finally caught Jiang Changyuan in a mistake; this was his chance to excise this malignant tumor once and for all.

"I may not have proof, but as my homeroom teacher, since you claim I cheated, please produce the evidence."

"Not only cheating but lying as well—Jiang Changyuan, you have disappointed me deeply!"

In front of the other teachers, Yan Chang did not let his inner glee show, maintaining his facade of righteousness. Jiang Changyuan sneered, piercing through his hypocrisy in the next second.

"Don't make it sound so noble; you never had any expectations for me in the first place."

"Everyone knows you look down on me. Now that I’ve done well on the exam, are you surprised? Surprised enough to make baseless accusations and pin a label on me without a shred of evidence? Is this it? And you call yourself a homeroom teacher? Ha."

The biting sarcasm caused Yan Chang’s expression to shift instantly.

"How insolent!"

"You are absolutely audacious!"

The other teachers exchanged glances, hearing the two of them. Just as they were preparing to intervene with some diplomatic words, they were interrupted.

"As a homeroom teacher, you received a report about a student in your class and, without any evidence, you insist on my guilt. You demand I withdraw from school without even consulting the administration? Since when does a homeroom teacher have the authority to override the principal and the department heads?"

Yan Chang’s face darkened; he hadn't expected Jiang Changyuan to be so sharp-tongued, pinning him down on every one of his mistakes. If this got out, he would surely be the one in trouble. Thinking of this, his tone softened. Since Jiang Changyuan wouldn't admit to cheating, he would have to lure it out of him step by step. Jiang Changyuan had to be expelled today!

"Student Jiang, I know you are angry with me, but you must also look at your own shortcomings. If you hadn't been so unruly and resistant to discipline in the past, would I have been disappointed in you?"

Yan Chang still wanted to play the part of a well-meaning mentor, but at this point, Jiang Changyuan had no intention of saving his face.

"Anyone can spout pretty words. Isn't this all because my family didn't offer you enough 'tributes'?"

The room gasped. Jiang Changyuan was truly bold! Yan Chang’s face turned green.

"Jiang Changyuan, don't talk nonsense! Everyone knows your family situation is average, yet you still squander your parents' money. As your homeroom teacher, my duty is to guide you. Since you won't admit to cheating, I am taking you to the director."

With that, Yan Chang grabbed Jiang Changyuan and dragged him out, refusing to listen to another word. If he let the boy stay any longer, there was no telling what kind of damaging secrets might spill out.

"I have watched the surveillance footage; there is no evidence of Jiang Changyuan cheating."

"Director, please look again. Just because it isn't there doesn't mean he didn't cheat."

"If you have the leisure for that, you can watch it yourself." Director Lu rubbed his temples, his expression clearly displeased.

Yan Chang was stifled. He dared not offend the director, so he continued to find fault with Jiang Changyuan.

"Since the director says there is nothing, then there is nothing. But Director, the rumors about Jiang Changyuan cheating are spreading like wildfire. If we don't take action, the students might cause a scene."

"And what measures do you suggest we take?" Director Lu frowned, throwing the question back at him. Yan Chang carefully observed the director's expression, trying to gauge his thoughts.

"I think... our school's students are all good children. Since someone reported it, there must be some truth to it; it's just that Jiang Changyuan managed to evade the cameras. To appease the students, he should be given an expulsion notice."

Hearing this, Director Lu looked at the silent Jiang Changyuan. "Jiang Changyuan, what do you think?"

"I didn't cheat, and there is no evidence to prove my innocence. But if the school forces me to withdraw, I will not let this matter rest."

Director Lu ground his back teeth. Everyone knew Jiang Changyuan was a troublemaker. Had Yan Chang brought him here just to make his own life more difficult?

"Jiang Changyuan, how dare you threaten the director?"

"Shut up!" After snapping at Yan Chang, Director Lu had made up his mind. "Forget about expulsion; the school will not wrong any student."

"Director, we can't just let it go like this..."

"Enough!" Director Lu tapped the table impatiently, growing more and more annoyed with Yan Chang. "Do not engage in hearsay without evidence. If the reporter has proof, bring it forward, and then we will decide. That is all. I have work to do; you may go."

Knowing that pushing further would only earn the director's further disdain, Yan Chang left, unwilling and frustrated. He was determined to find evidence to get Jiang Changyuan expelled.

"Young Master Jiang, what did the director say?"

"It's fine. Go back to what you were doing."

His followers let out a sigh of relief. If their leader were expelled, what would be the point of them staying?

"I don't know which bastard reported you, Young Master. When I find out, I'll beat him until his own parents won't recognize him."

"Young Master Jiang, the top student Chen and Su Yingying came to ask about your situation earlier, and so did Gu Qing."

"I didn't realize you were so concerned about me, President Gu?"

Gu Qing watched as Jiang Changyuan sat on his desk. He resisted the urge to push him off until he finally couldn't take it anymore and swatted him away. "School affairs are the student council's business. I am not concerned about you."

"Hey, I understand. 'Brothers in heart,' right?"

"Who is your brother?"

"Aren't you being a bit distant? We do share a common secret, after all. Or does President Gu no longer want me to keep it for you?"

Hearing this, Gu Qing looked up, his clear black-and-white eyes fixed on Jiang Changyuan, and slowly spat out seven words: "Jiang Changyuan, you are truly shameless!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

Seeing Jiang Changyuan turn to leave, Gu Qing pursed his lips and added, "The student council will also investigate who made the report, but if you really did cheat..." I won't cover for you either!

Jiang Changyuan waved his hand without looking back, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

For a time, both the student social groups and the student council were in motion, working together with unprecedented synergy to investigate the matter. Although they hadn't yet identified the whistleblower, Yan Chang, having failed in his first attempt, had no intention of letting Jiang Changyuan off the hook.

"Some students come from poor backgrounds yet only cause trouble for their families. This is a serious negative example; we must view it with a critical eye."

"A student's task is to study, not to associate with unsavory characters and neglect their duties. Such students will never get into university..."

Yan Chang, as if fueled by endless energy, would use his Chinese literature class to make passive-aggressive remarks. He never named Jiang Changyuan, but every word was clearly directed at him.

Little Fatty and the others were filled with indignation, daring to be angry but not to speak out. Jiang Changyuan, however, didn't care at all. While Yan Chang taught literature on the stage, he spent the time furiously studying mathematics, choosing to ignore the barking of the dog.

Yet, Jiang Changyuan's silence only caused the cheating scandal to grow more intense. It reached the point where the entire school was whispering about it, and students from the freshman to senior years would cast looks of disdain whenever they encountered him.

"Why don't you explain yourself?"

"Explain what? I have no proof; the more I try to justify it, the worse it looks."

Gu Qing pursed his lips tightly. For the past two days, he had watched how hard Jiang Changyuan had been studying. Could someone who worked this hard really be a cheater? Looking at Jiang Changyuan, who had been isolated by the entire school, Gu Qing wanted to believe him, but he couldn't convince himself to do so. How could Jiang Changyuan have possibly jumped into the top ten in just over ten days?