The Fallout of Scandal and a Sister’s New Path

When Gao Ruixue slowly awoke from her unconsciousness.

What awaited her,

was not only the sensational headline, “Renowned Author Accuses Talented Newcomer of Plagiarism on Live Broadcast,” but also an explosive post circulating across the academy’s forums.

It revealed several photographs of Gao Ruixue, taken during a wild night out at a KTV where she had been heavily intoxicated, now spreading like wildfire on a popular youth blog.

The very first comment beneath them read…

[Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on here?]

Gao Ruixue’s vision swam, and she nearly succumbed to unconsciousness once more.

Slander! This was blatant, unadulterated slander!

The problem, however, was that Gao Ruixue found herself utterly speechless in the face of those incriminating KTV photos, for they undeniably depicted her from a few nights prior, reveling with a group of boys from Xijing University’s high school division.

The ringleader, she vaguely recalled, was someone named Nishiki…

Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been an issue at all.

While the law prohibited entry for those under 18 and alcohol consumption in KTVs, regulations were often merely suggestions; most of the time, not just high schoolers but even middle schoolers would freely enter KTVs and bars.

It was much like internet cafes forbidding minors, yet in reality…

But precisely because of this.

After she was accused of plagiarism, this scandal erupted simultaneously, not only falsely implying her misconduct (TL Note: The original Chinese uses asterisks, suggesting a censored or implied negative action, likely related to promiscuity or inappropriate behavior.) but, more critically, tarnishing the academy’s reputation.

Now, rumors were running rampant: female students from Saint Hwa Angel Academy were not only plagiarizing novels but also engaging in illicit activities (TL Note: The original Chinese uses asterisks, suggesting a censored or implied negative action, likely related to promiscuity or inappropriate behavior.), and even worse…

Such rumors, by their very nature, would only grow more outlandish.

Especially when compounded, Gao Ruixue quickly became branded as someone with an immodest lifestyle, a dissolute and unrestrained individual.

This only fueled suspicions that she was indeed capable of plagiarism.

It was the classic case of a ‘bad student’—whatever wrong they did, others would simply deem it inevitable.

After several days of public outcry, the academy finally issued Gao Ruixue a disciplinary action on the second Monday: probation and a major demerit—though this was merely for appearances.

Privately, discussions had already taken place with her and her family, resulting in an effective transfer.

Thus, the punishment was tantamount to expulsion.

After all, as a prestigious aristocratic academy, they had to maintain a certain decorum and couldn’t simply expel students at will.

Gao Ruixue, for her part, had never imagined that in just a few short days, her life would undergo such a seismic shift…

****

“Holy crap, Xiaoran, Lengleng, that girl actually got expelled!”

During lunch break, Fan Xiaoting burst in excitedly, declaring the “final victory” to Chen Ran and Jiang Lengleng.

Evidently,

even though the academy had tried to grant Gao Ruixue a semblance of dignity, among the students, everyone was well aware of the true outcome.

“Xiaoran, how on earth did you do it? That’s incredible! I thought you just wanted her to apologize.”

“Apologize for what?”

Chen Ran pursed his lips.

“Someone like her wouldn’t offer a sincere apology even if she did. So, there’s no need to hear one; what’s important is for her to pay the price and receive her due punishment.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

Fan Xiaoting chimed in, agreeing wholeheartedly.

“If apologies were all it took, what would we need the police for, right?!”

However, the girl quickly flashed a mischievous smile on her pretty face, feigning a dramatic tone.

“Oh, Xiaoran, you sound just like a domineering CEO! I love it~”

“Xiaoting!”

“What?! So quickly learning to ‘guard your food,’ Lengleng?!”

“What are you talking about…”

Jiang Lengleng, clearly unable to win an argument against her best friend, could only blush and quietly eat her meal beside them.

The events of this period had unfolded too suddenly for her.

She had never imagined that things would turn out this way.

Yet, just as Xiaoran had said, she now felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Actually, it was an accident. Who knew that girl played around so much outside?”

Chen Ran remarked.

He completely distanced himself from the truth: that he had instructed Nishiki to deliberately lure Gao Ruixue to the KTV, take photos, and then post them online.

“I merely sought out Rinzi. She became quite indignant after hearing the story, which is why she acted that way on the program.”

He spoke of the matter with a dismissive air.

Yet, the more nonchalant Chen Ran became, the more he noticed Fan Xiaoting beside him, her beautiful large eyes sparkling with adoration.

“Alright, Xiaoran, no need to be so modest now~”

“…”

Still, he did owe Rinzi a favor.

That evening, during the recording at Xijing TV Station, Chen Ran had brought Jiang Lengleng along; however, the two of them stayed in the backstage lounge, having been led in by Rinzi.

After Gao Ruixue fainted on the spot, the program was immediately cut short.

Afterward, Chen Ran and Jiang Lengleng bid farewell to Rinzi, preparing to head home.

For some reason,

Chen Ran noticed Rinzi looking utterly dejected, repeatedly asking him if he was hungry, or if he wanted to get something to eat.

However, it was indeed too late then, already nearing nine or ten o’clock, so they opted to go straight home.

They had also ridden in Rinzi’s car on the way back.

When they parted ways in front of his house,

the beautiful woman from next door suddenly pulled him aside, whispering something about wanting him to promise her one thing in the future.

Chen Ran nodded without a second thought.

After all, he had asked her for a favor that very night, so returning the favor seemed perfectly normal. Besides, he recalled Rinzi often asking him for help with minor things like repairing home appliances, so it probably wasn’t a big deal, right?

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, as Chen Ran observed the white-haired beauty’s secretly gleeful expression, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss…

****

Late into the night.

That day, Chen Ran had accompanied Jiang Lengleng until nine o’clock, after evening self-study had concluded, before they headed home together.

They walked along the dimly lit old street.

Chen Ran looked at the girl still walking a little ahead of him, her steps hurried, and spoke softly.

“Leng-jie (TL Note: ‘jie’ is a respectful term for an older sister or female peer) will still write novels in the future, won’t you?”

“…”

“Even Rinzi said Leng-jie is very talented—that novel was truly excellent, worthy of the Akutagawa Prize (TL Note: A prestigious Japanese literary award). It would be a real shame if you didn’t continue writing.”

Beneath the night sky,

Chen Ran observed Jiang Lengleng’s lips silently move a little.

Knowing what the girl wanted to say, he preempted her.

“Of course, being a writer is a very unstable profession. Throughout history, many so-called ‘genius writers’ have ended up destitute, not to mention countless more unknown writers, right?”

“But trying to write, without having to study so desperately, that’s still an option, isn’t it?”

“Allowing ample time for rest, relaxing your mind, and doing what you love can actually be beneficial for your studies, right, Leng-jie?”

“What’s more,”

Chen Ran said, blinking at Jiang Lengleng.

“Don’t you have me at home, Leng-jie? I’ll also work hard, so you don’t have to carry such a burden alone…”

“…”

Chen Ran watched as Jiang Lengleng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly looked at him with earnestness.

The girl stopped walking.

She gazed at him for a long moment, her pale blue eyes behind the black-rimmed glasses shimmering like twinkling stars in the night sky.

“Mm…”

Jiang Lengleng nodded softly, a shy, sweet smile gracing her face.