A Grand-Prize Surprise for Them

Because of that post, Yan Wen had become considerably less popular with his classmates.

Whenever a classmate came to ask him about a problem, another would make snide remarks.

"So what if you get good grades? You have no character. Being in the same class as you is downright embarrassing."

Yan Wen shot back without hesitation, "Then you can apply to transfer classes. Don't put yourself through such misery."

"You!"

Yan Wen ignored the classmate picking a fight and turned back to carefully explain the problem to the one asking for help.

"So what if your grades are good? You've disgraced all of Class One! If you have any shame left, go tell our advisor you can't show your face in Class One anymore and apply for a transfer."

Yan Wen's pen paused. "I think Class One is pretty nice. I don't really want to leave, so why don't you transfer instead? Then you won't have to see me anymore."

Unable to win the argument with Yan Wen, the classmate turned on Xiang, the student asking for help. "What a good classmate you are, eagerly coming to him with questions at a time like this."

"You might not want to study, but don't get in my way. How does me asking a question affect you?"

"You don't know what's good for you!"

Yan Wen asked with a smile, "You really don't mind? What if they start attacking you too? You can't imagine what the internet can do."

The classmate smiled. "What's there to be afraid of? I came here to learn. Whether those posts are true or false has nothing to do with me. That's your family business. Would it be right for an outsider like me to start passing judgment?"

"Then let's get back to the problems. What else don't you understand?"

"This one too, right here."

Tang Yun walked into the classroom. "Hey! Still not done explaining?"

Yan Wen looked up. "Almost. We don't have any homework today or classes this afternoon. Want to go to the gym?"

"Sure!" Tang Yun patted the classmate listening to the explanation. "Want to come along?"

"Sounds good. I don't have anything to do this afternoon either."

Cafeteria No. 2, third floor

The three sat at the same table eating, all unable to hold back their laughter at whatever they were discussing.

Tang Yun asked, "By the way, what's your name?"

"My surname's Gao. Gao Yuyang."

Yan Wen asked curiously, "Then Gao Zhen from the Gao Family in Weicheng is your..."

Gao Yuyang explained openly, "Gao Zhen is my cousin. Our dads are brothers, and his dad is my eldest uncle. After that incident, my cousin nearly gave my uncle a stroke."

Yan Wen smiled awkwardly. He had played quite a part in that incident. I really want to get out of here. What do I do?

Gao Yuyang didn't seem to mind. "My grandfather even made my cousin kneel in the Ancestral Hall for an entire night. As a member of the Gao Family, he went and did something that stupid. If my aunt hadn't stopped them, he probably would've been beaten half to death."

Tang Yun knew nothing about the incident and started chatting with Gao Yuyang. "Then what your cousin did must have been pretty awful, right? For your grandfather and uncle to get that angry."

"You bet. My uncle even went out of his way to have experts authenticate those videos and recordings. They all turned out to be real, so his last shred of hope was gone. I don't know who got hold of all that stuff, but who cares? I'm pretty happy about it."

Yan Wen's brain momentarily froze. "Huh? You're happy? Isn't he your cousin? You're happy even though this happened to him?"

Gao Yuyang shook both his head and his hand in a double denial. "We're only family on the surface. Our families have never gotten along. Our dads might be brothers, but their relationship has always been strained. His family has always used their company's greater success to oppose us at every turn. They've even snatched business that was supposed to be ours several times."

"My dad kept putting up with it because we're related. Now that their family has taken such a hard fall, it's given ours a little satisfaction."

Host, among the Gao Family's younger generation, Gao Yuyang is the best candidate for heir after Gao Zhen. With this scandal, Gao Zhen is no longer eligible. The Gao Family is preparing to focus on grooming Gao Yuyang, Xiao Qi said.

Yan Wen continued eating without letting anything show. The Gao Family might not compare to the Mu Family, but another connection means another option. Building a good relationship now might come in handy later.

Medical Department, outside Building A

Han Mo arrived at the agreed location, where her friend was already waiting.

"What did the results say?"

"There's definitely something wrong." Her friend handed Han Mo the results. "Long-term use of this drug causes irreversible damage to the vocal cords. In severe cases, it can leave someone unable to speak for the rest of their life!"

An icy chill suddenly shot up Han Mo's spine. Despite the midsummer heat, she trembled all over.

Her friend looked deeply worried. "Who did this? Do you know who it was? If you do, let's report it to the police. This is intentional bodily harm. We absolutely can't let it slide!"

Han Mo nodded. "I know who it was, but I don't have any evidence right now. Reporting it probably wouldn't help."

"Then what are you going to do? If they dare to drug someone this time, they might use poison next time."

"Don't worry. I have a plan. Once I've gathered the evidence, I'll send her to prison."

Han Mo put the results into her bag. "Once you're done with work, I'll treat you to a nice meal. I'll get going now."

Her friend shooed her away. "Why are you telling me all that? Go on, get going. Do you think I'm desperate for you to buy me a meal?"

The gym stood southeast of the basketball court, with the soccer field directly to the west.

There were quite a few people in the gym. All fifteen treadmills were occupied, and people were using the other exercise equipment too.

The three walked around the gym. Only two hula hoops were unused, but those were no use to them.

As they passed the leg press machine, a male student in a basketball uniform smiled. "Aren't you the guy that post on the confession page was about?"

Yan Wen stopped, looked at him, and nodded. "Yeah, that's me. Did you need something?"

"Hey, hey, I'm your senior. Show a little respect, will you? Why don't you look worried at all? Everyone on that post is attacking you."

Hearing this, Tang Yun took out his phone and opened the post. With Zhang He and Mu Huai'an stirring things up, plenty of students who didn't know the truth had joined the campaign against Yan Wen.

Some had even started spreading rumors, claiming they had personally seen Yan Wen's parents slipping money to the school administration, and that they had seen Yan Wen enter the dean's office alone and only come out two or three hours later.

Others claimed they had seen Yan Wen working as a drinking companion at an upscale bar before he entered Shengyuan.

The attached picture was from the time Mu Xu Ye had taken Yan Wen to a bar. Everyone else's faces had been blurred, while Yan Wen's had actually been sharpened.

Yan Wen raised an eyebrow. They really will drag out anything to spread rumors.

Tang Yun cursed under his breath in fury. "Fuck!"

Yan Wen skimmed the post. Xiao Qi, I think the time is about right. Get ready to give them a surprise, especially Mu Huai'an and his lot. I want a grand-prize surprise ready for them.

Xiao Qi displayed an "OK" gesture on the screen. Everything is ready. The surprise can be delivered at any time.

Set a timer. In an hour, post that recording of Mu Huai'an and Zhang He plotting to frame me. I don't need to teach you how to write the caption, do I?

Rest completely assured, host. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the result.

The senior got off the leg press machine. "But you don't seem like the person that post describes. Money alone can't get you into Shengyuan, let alone get you the top score."

Gao Yuyang said, "Yan Wen is really impressive. He consistently ranks first in every subject. Saying he bought his way into Shengyuan is ridiculous."

Yan Wen smiled and soothed the two, who were even angrier than he was. "Don't get worked up yet. I've already figured out how to hit back. Just wait and enjoy the show."

"Really?!"

"Then you'd better make them pay, especially the ones spreading rumors."