So What If the Pretty Campus Belle Is a Gold Digger? (5)

The deputy director had previously regarded Shi Zheng as a somewhat troublesome little fish, but one he could ultimately crush at will. At most, she had relied on her looks to muddy the waters among the rich second-generation crowd.

But now, if that little fish had somehow managed to latch onto the great ship that was Gu Yanshen...

If the Academic Affairs Office forcibly suspended Shi Zheng now, it would not only substantiate her accusations, but also bring them into direct conflict with the Student Council.

And then there was the Gu Family behind Gu Yanshen... and his influence on the Board of Trustees...

At the thought of that possibility, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on the deputy director's forehead.

He was only an academic affairs director. He couldn't shoulder that responsibility.

In the space of a lightning flash, a hundred thoughts raced through the deputy director's mind.

Noticing the grave look on the deputy director's face, Teacher Wang's expression grew solemn as well, and he realized how complicated the matter was.

An eerie silence fell over the office.

The anger from moments ago was quietly replaced by an uncertain weighing of the situation.

Teacher Wang didn't understand what was going on and wanted to say more, but the deputy director stopped him with a stern look.

The deputy director took a deep breath and slowly let it out, as if trying his utmost to calm his churning thoughts.

He pushed up his glasses. "Student Shi Zheng, since the Student Council has already decided to hold a meeting to review this matter, the Academic Affairs Office will respect the relevant procedures."

Teacher Wang stared in disbelief. "Deputy Director, how can that be—!"

"Teacher Wang!"

The deputy director cut Teacher Wang off. "Before the Disciplinary Committee reaches a formal decision, you may continue attending classes and living on campus."

Shi Zheng nodded. "I understand."

The deputy director gave nothing away, merely responding with a cold "Mm."

Catching the tail end of the class bell, Shi Zheng pushed open the back door of the classroom.

At the lectern, the teacher had already begun the lesson.

Hearing the noise, the students' gazes, previously fixed on the blackboard, turned in unison toward the door and landed on her.

Those gazes were like searchlights, filled with undisguised curiosity, scrutiny, and contempt. A few even held a hint of schadenfreude.

Whispers spread through the seats like a tide.

Even though the speakers kept their voices down, their words could still be heard clearly.

"After everything on the forum, she still dares to come to class. She's really thick-skinned."

"Look at what she's wearing. Designer brands again. Who knows how she got them?"

"Tsk, she really is pretty, though. What a pity..."

Expressionless, Shi Zheng met those gazes and walked straight to an empty seat at the back of the classroom.

As she sat down, the girl in the next seat instinctively shifted her books away.

It was a small movement, but the disgust behind it was obvious.

Shi Zheng ignored it.

At last, the bell rang.

As soon as the teacher dismissed the class, the classroom erupted in noise.

But a considerable part of that commotion was directed at Shi Zheng.

Someone rushed in through the classroom door.

It was a boy with hair dyed an exaggerated bright yellow and a sleazy smile on his face.

He had a clear target and headed straight for Shi Zheng's seat.

He was clutching a bouquet of roses.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he approached Shi Zheng's desk and held the bouquet out to her in a pose he apparently thought was deeply affectionate.

"Shi Zheng, don't pay attention to those rumors on the forum. In my heart, you'll always be the most beautiful goddess! I know you might be having some difficulties right now, with money and stuff... I'll give you some!"

He spoke loudly, deliberately making sure the whole class could hear. His chest was puffed out, and he tried hard to make his expression look more sincere, but he couldn't hide the calculating look in his eyes.

"Shi Zheng, I like you. Go out with me! I'm not fabulously rich, but my dad gives me thirty thousand a month for living expenses. I promise, from now on, all my money is yours to spend! I'll buy you anything you want!"

When he finished, he looked at Shi Zheng expectantly and held the bouquet a little closer.

A chorus of ambiguous jeers and whistles rose around them, and quite a few people craned their necks, waiting to see how Shi Zheng would respond.

He grew even more pleased with himself, as if he had done something extraordinary.

A girl with no experience in love might have been left dizzy and disoriented by such sweet words.

Unfortunately for him, Shi Zheng wasn't one.

She was a money-grubbing social climber who loved vanity, and in order to befriend the children of the powerful and wealthy from prominent families, she had deliberately crammed a great deal of relevant knowledge.

She first lowered her eyes, calmly sweeping her gaze over the Swiss Longines watch on his wrist and the highly recognizable pair of Vans on his feet.

His entire outfit cost no more than twenty thousand yuan.

She looked him over so closely and for so long that the smugness on his face began to falter, and the jeering around them gradually died down.

Meanwhile, in the hallway outside the classroom.

Hua Jinchen was strolling past with his pack of disreputable friends.

He had just finished a boring general elective and was headed to the basketball court.