Rumors and Revelations

‘Yet another new antagonist?’

That was the first thought that sprang to mind.

Our grade director was, in simple terms, a man whose talent for flattery far outstripped his teaching ability. Yet, I had absolutely no interactions with him, so why would he ask Old Zhang to kick me out of our class?

Old Zhang’s brow furrowed deeply, as if he found the situation equally perplexing. “I’m not sure why he’d do something like that, but I did manage to overhear a few things.”

“The grade director seems quite displeased with you, apparently because you’ve become very close with Bai An An.”

I stared, utterly bewildered. “What does that mean? What does my good relationship with her have to do with any of this?”

“I suspect someone might be pulling strings behind the scenes. You know Bai An An’s background, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know a little.”

“I’m fairly familiar with Bai An An’s family situation. Perhaps your close relationship with her has provoked certain individuals.”

I sighed dramatically. “It seems I’m getting shot while merely lying down. So, what did you do, Old Zhang?”

“Of course, I ignored him. My students, do they need outsiders pointing fingers?”

I gave him a thumbs-up. “Old Zhang, you’re awesome!”

Old Zhang patted my shoulder with a solemn expression. “Ling Jiu, even though you’re a girl, the idea of you being kept by a wealthy woman still makes me a little uneasy. Let me just ask, you and Bai An An aren’t *that* kind of relationship, are you?”

Old Zhang was actually quite open-minded and didn’t oppose students dating. However, at his core, he remained a traditional teacher; his views couldn’t be too progressive.

I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my temple. “She and I are just best friends. There’s nothing special going on.”

“That’s good,” Old Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. “When someone told me your relationship with Bai An An was unusual, I was genuinely startled.”

My expression turned grim. “Who said such a thing?”

“For now, I’ll keep it confidential.”

‘This is beyond endurance!’

They could spread rumors about me, but to dare fabricate stories about An An?

Damn it, they had truly infuriated me now!

“Ling Jiu, don’t get angry yet. Both you and Bai An An are good kids. I know this sounds harsh, but in a way, you might have been targeted precisely because your relationship with Bai An An is so close, leading people to misunderstand.”

Finally, the realization dawned on me.

Indeed, I had transformed into a girl, but my past experiences as Ling Jiu had not been entirely erased. This meant that now, Bai An An and I were being mistaken for a lesbian couple, whereas before, we were seen as a heterosexual one.

Bai An An and I were, of course, innocent; we were merely friends. However, to some, the perpetually aloof and unapproachable Ice Queen, Bai An An, being intimately close only to me, sparked endless speculation.

My reputation was being ruined.

What had a shut-in like me done to deserve such treatment?

I uttered, filled with resentment, “I think those who spread baseless gossip all day long should commit seppuku. Three times, I tell you, three times.”

To be fair, a small part of me felt a secret delight at being mistaken for An An’s lover. However, from a sociological perspective, these adolescent high school students would inevitably embellish and distort rumors as they spread, potentially causing significant distress to An An’s daily life.

Humans are social animals, but as long as our animalistic nature persists, factionalism and the exclusion of outsiders are inevitable.

I had mentioned that Bai An An was straightforward and never lied. Her blunt honesty had thus offended some fragile individuals, making her a thorn in their side. However, An An’s image was simply too perfect; they couldn’t find a single flaw to attack. She was practically unassailable.

So, these individuals resorted to malicious tactics. ‘If you’re an Ice Queen goddess, then we’ll expose your true colors by digging into your private life.’ Everyone loves hearing about the unknown secrets of an honor student and is eager to gossip.

Thus, my relationship with An An became their weapon to attack her.

One must understand that in this country, while certain aspects of ACG culture were starting to spread, traditional ideologies remained deeply entrenched. Some groups were long stigmatized, completely ostracized by society.

Therefore, the intent of those spreading rumors was clear: they aimed to tarnish my goddess’s reputation through such means. I had already been blackened into a lump of coal; I didn’t care what others thought of me. But An An was different; she was a truly kind person and would never comprehend the malicious intentions of those individuals.

Damn it, if An An were to suffer campus bullying, ostracism, or verbal abuse because of me, I would be the one who deserved to commit seppuku.

“The girl who told me your relationship wasn’t normal has already been disciplined by me. Don’t worry about it.”

I looked directly into Old Zhang’s eyes. “Old Zhang, you must understand the trouble such rumors can cause An An, right? Is mere discipline enough?”

Old Zhang seemed troubled. “Ling Jiu, I’ve tried many methods to resolve the social ostracism you’ve faced in class, but none have been effective.”

“Gentleness and kindness sometimes truly cannot stop such behavior. Not to mention me, a teacher; even if the patriarch Confucius were called here, he’d probably be helpless.”

“Physical campus bullying is easy to solve, but collective bullying is difficult for me alone to address.”

“You need to resolve this issue yourself, but the school and I will be your backing.”

I pondered. “Can I hit them?”

“That… violence is out of the question.”

“Confucius said: ‘How should one repay kindness? Repay injustice with justice, and kindness with kindness.’ Since their rotten minds cannot be changed, eliminating them physically is undoubtedly a sound choice.”

Old Zhang was speechless.

“Sometimes I truly don’t understand you. When I say you’re smart, you always do something foolish, yet when I say you’re foolish, you see things clearer than anyone. Ling Jiu, encountering a unique student like you, am I fortunate or unfortunate?”

“Old Zhang, you’re an excellent teacher. If you can’t even handle me, how will you establish your authority?”

“I can’t do anything about you,” Old Zhang chuckled with resignation. He then scrutinized me for a moment, his gaze turning to curiosity.

“Hey, Ling Jiu, are you in love?”

“!?”

What was happening?

Had my affection for An An been exposed?

“Although you’re dressed exactly as before, I feel like your demeanor and image have changed; you’ve become much softer. I used to always think you should be a boy, but now I truly feel like you’re a girl.”

Had my image truly changed that much?

Could I have actually become a complete girl?

This feeling…

Damn it! What in the world was I secretly pleased about?

Was being seen as a delicate girl something to be proud of?

I was a true iron-blooded tough guy!

Definitely not some pretty girl!

“Ling Jiu, what’s wrong?”

My expression, a mix of discomfort—no, chest ache—struck Old Zhang as odd. I had to force a smile.

“Do you really think someone like me needs to be in a relationship? Old Zhang, you’re overestimating me. I just wanted to change my image a bit.”

“Is that so? It seems Ling Jiu, you’ve really grown up.”

“Don’t act like you’re my dad.”

“Haha. Anyway, it’s getting late. Go back to class. We can chat again next time.”

I grimaced. “Can you please not call me to the office again? I really don’t want to come.”

“Do you have a problem with me?”

“No, no, no! Old Zhang, you are brilliant and awe-inspiring! Listening to your guidance is like basking in the spring breeze! It’s my good fortune to be called by you! I’m overjoyed!”

Old Zhang’s mouth twitched. “Are you trying to kill me with flattery? With you, it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind’! Go back to class.”

“Alright!”

“Oh, and try to play less on your phone in class. Why were you suddenly crying during class? Were you watching a K-drama?”

I had just stepped out of the office. Hearing Old Zhang’s words, I nearly stumbled and fell.

The homeroom teacher was truly formidable, terrifyingly so!