So What If the Beautiful Campus Belle Loves Money? (37)

The classroom.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Su Qingqing."

"Shi, Shi Zheng! Cough, cough, cough... Su Qingqing is over there."

Following the direction the student pointed, Shi Zheng walked straight up to Su Qingqing and planted herself firmly in front of her.

Su Qingqing noticed the shadow and looked up. She visibly froze when she saw Shi Zheng.

A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes, but she quickly forced herself to look calm. "Shi Zheng? What did you want to see me about?"

"I came to find you." Shi Zheng cut her off. "Su Qingqing, I have something to ask you. Come outside with me."

"But class is about to start..."

Shi Zheng sneered. "Su Qingqing, those two photos on the forum came out pretty clearly."

It was a statement, not a question.

The smile froze on Su Qingqing's face, and her eyes flickered. "What, what are you talking about? What photos? I don't understand..."

"You don't understand?" Shi Zheng leaned forward slightly. "If you want everyone to hear our conversation, I don't mind laying everything out right here in the classroom."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

Su Qingqing: "..."

She bit down hard on her lower lip.

She noticed the curious glances her classmates were subtly casting their way.

Under Shi Zheng's calm yet intimidating gaze, she ultimately didn't dare take the gamble.

Su Qingqing shot to her feet, her chair legs scraping shrilly across the floor.

"Come with me," Shi Zheng ordered, heading out of the classroom first.

Su Qingqing clenched her fists in frustration.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, she hurried after her.

The two left the classroom one behind the other.

The obviously tense atmosphere instantly became the classroom's newest topic of gossip.

Rather than going somewhere crowded, Shi Zheng led Su Qingqing straight to a secluded grove on the hill behind the school.

As soon as they reached the deserted spot, Su Qingqing tore off the mask she had worn in the classroom.

All traces of gentleness vanished from her face, replaced by unconcealable irritation. "Shi Zheng, what exactly do you want?! Whatever photos you're talking about don't have a damn thing to do with me. There's no point coming to me!"

Su Qingqing dared to say that because of her meticulous arrangements—the anonymous account that made the post had been operated by someone outside the school whom she had specifically sought out.

The IP address had also been disguised, so even if anyone investigated, they wouldn't be able to trace it back to her anytime soon.

Even if they did trace it back to her, that "scapegoat" would naturally take the blame.

Shi Zheng said, "I haven't even said anything yet. Why are you getting so worked up?"

Su Qingqing said, "You're slandering me without a shred of evidence. How could I not get worked up?"

"Do I need evidence?" Shi Zheng stepped forward. "Last night, the only place those photos could have been taken from that angle, looking down at the spot beneath the dorm building, was our girls' dorm room. And as it happened, you were standing outside the window last night. I don't need to spell out the rest, do I..."

Su Qingqing's heart skipped a beat, but she forced a sneer. "There are so many people in the girls' dorm. Can you prove I was definitely the one who took them?"

"Still refusing to admit it?" Shi Zheng gave her no chance to catch her breath, pressing her step by step. "...You should recognize that name, shouldn't you?"

The name Shi Zheng had spoken belonged to the very person outside the school whom Su Qingqing had recruited.

As for how she had found out, she had the system's help to thank for that.

At those words, all color drained from Su Qingqing's face in an instant.

System: [Host, you really did guess right. The mastermind behind the forum exposé is indeed the female lead.]

[Why didn't the original plot mention it at all? I thought the female lead really was the kind of person who was true, kind, and beautiful. She almost had me fooled.]

Shi Zheng: [Would the author let you readers know that the female lead of a sweet romance was like this? If you'd known, you would have run off ages ago.]

"I... I..."

Su Qingqing's denials rang hollow.

Under Shi Zheng's gaze, which seemed to see through everything, her mental defenses began to crumble.

Her last shred of hope vanished without a trace.

Shi Zheng asked, "Why did you do it?"

Su Qingqing's lips trembled.

Under the immense psychological pressure, she finally cracked and admitted in a shrill voice, "Yes, I posted them, so what? Shouldn't a shameless gold digger like you, who sleeps her way to the top by seducing men, be exposed?!"

Shi Zheng wasn't angered by her insults. Instead, she pressed on, a trace of puzzlement in her voice. "I love money, and I rely on men. Does that affect you? Have I stood in your way or taken something from you? Why do you hate me so much?"

The rapid-fire questions struck Su Qingqing's heart like a sledgehammer.

"Why?!" Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Su Qingqing erupted, the emotions she had suppressed for so long bursting out in an instant.

"Why should a gold digger like you—so fake and vain, good for nothing but your face and your ability to seduce men—get Gu Yanshen's attention? Why should you win Hua Jinchen's favor? How can you even make Huang Siyuan and the others speak up for you?!"

"Why do you get to live so easily, solving all your troubles by latching on to men?"

"And someone like me, who keeps her feet on the ground and works hard for every step she takes, who follows the rules to compete for scholarships and actively takes part in activities, gets nothing and still has to watch someone like you swagger around in front of me?!"

Su Qingqing poured out all her resentment. "The very existence of people like you is the greatest insult to people who live earnestly!"

"People should rely on themselves, not take crooked paths and depend on men! You're a disgrace to us women!"