Wang Fu Ya stood rigidly near the door, her heart hammering against her ribs as she watched Yu Qi. She was terrified that Yu Qi might suddenly snap and physically injure her. If an attack came, she fully intended to bolt out of the room first.
Meanwhile, Yu Qi did not pay her the slightest bit of attention. She had no intention of causing physical harm.
She knew that if she laid a finger on Wang Fu Ya, the teachers would immediately side with the "victim." After all, Wang Fu Ya was a master of the "White Lotus" act, and she knew exactly how to play the part of the fragile, bullied girl.
Wang Fu Ya did not know that this room was equipped with two discreet CCTV cameras, one hidden within a framed picture on the wall and another tucked behind a decorative vase.
Yu Qi was also well aware that other faculty members were likely monitoring the feed from the main office. She cast a knowing glance toward the cameras and flashed a subtle, mysterious smile.
In the monitoring room, the teachers watching the screen were stunned. They clearly saw the student look directly into the hidden lens and smile at them. Students were not supposed to know about the cameras, let alone their exact locations.
"Maybe it was just a coincidence." One of them whispered, though they all felt a chill of uncertainty.
Teacher Guan finally entered the room. Seeing Wang Fu Ya hovering fearfully by the door, she gestured for her to sit on the sofa beside Yu Qi. Once they were settled, she began the interrogation.
"Miss Wang Fu Ya, do you admit to what happened?" Teacher Guan asked, repeating the same heavy question.
"Yes..." Wang Fu Ya admitted.
She felt she had no choice but to confess here; after all, only Yu Qi and Teacher Guan were present. Surely the secret would stay within these four walls.
"Please, Teacher Guan, forgive me! Yu Qi, I am so sorry, please forgive me!" Wang Fu Ya immediately slipped into her White Lotus act with her eyes welling with crocodile tears.
Yu Qi simply watched her with a faint smile. She understood exactly why Wang Fu Ya was confessing so readily now instead of in front of the class. Wang Fu Ya assumed that if she apologised privately and showed "remorse," Teacher Guan might drop the matter and let it end right here. She had no idea that a room full of teachers had just witnessed her performance.
"Yu Qi, what are your thoughts on how we should handle this?" Teacher Guan turned to Yu Qi.
"I think it's best if we end the matter here, Teacher. Miss Wang has already apologised to me, and in the grand scheme of things, the matter isn't that large." Yu Qi replied calmly.
Yu Qi made sure to emphasise the word "apologised," knowing full well that Wang Fu Ya looked down on her with utter contempt.
To Wang Fu Ya, Yu Qi was nothing more than a pathetic orphan. Having to voice an apology to someone she considered "trash" was a massive blow to her pride.
Wang Fu Ya managed a small, tight smile. 'I'll deal with this slut later. Just wait until she has to go home; no one will be there to help her then.' Satisfied that she had escaped formal punishment.
Teacher Guan dismissed them both. As they walked down the quiet corridor back to class, Wang Fu Ya's mask slipped.
"Just wait until we're back at the house. You won't be able to keep that arrogant look on your face for long." Wang Fu Ya hissed, her voice dripping with venom. With that final threat, she disappeared back into the classroom.
Yu Qi let out a soft sigh, her smile never wavering. 'Wait for me at home? You'll never get that opportunity.' She had no intention of ever setting foot in that house again. She had already packed her meagre personal belongings and tucked them safely away in her "space" after confirming the details with Bo Ya.
'Oh, Master! So that is why you put your things in the space before we left this morning.' Bo Ya chirped excitedly, having enjoyed the show of his master dismantling the White Lotus.
'Yes. Now, we just need to find a temporary shelter. I will have to ask my boss if she can help us with a place to stay.' Yu Qi thought as she re-entered the classroom.
The room fell into an immediate, uncomfortable silence the moment she stepped inside. Ignoring the stares, she walked to her seat and looked out the window, lost in thought. Suddenly, someone stormed over to her desk. She looked up to find Shen Mei glaring down at her with a face reddened by anger.
"What do you want?" Yu Qi asked coldly.
"Why did you do it?" Shen Mei demanded, echoing Wang Fu Ya's earlier question.
'Honestly, these people are so boring. Can't they think of a new question?' Yu Qi thought. She decided to play along. "Do what, exactly?"
"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about!" Shen Mei's voice rose, drawing the attention of the entire room.
"And? So what if I do?" Yu Qi asked back.
"Why would Fu Ya ever bother stealing an essay from you? She is a better student than you could ever hope to be!" Shen Mei snapped.
Yu Qi nearly laughed out loud at the sheer irony of the question.
"You should really be asking your 'best friend' that question. I am quite curious about it myself. Why did she steal my essay?" Yu Qi paused, turning her gaze directly toward Wang Fu Ya, who was sitting only a few desks away. She projected her voice so the entire class could hear. "Miss Wang, why did you do it? Your best friend here says you can do so much better than me... so why did you feel the need to take mine?"
Wang Fu Ya froze, her entire body stiffening as the eyes of her classmates turned toward her once again. Shen Mei, who had started the confrontation, suddenly looked anxious. She had not expected Yu Qi to turn the tables so aggressively in public.
Yu Qi watched them both with a lazy, unimpressed expression until the next teacher entered the room, forcing the matter to a close. When the school session finally ended, Yu Qi prepared to leave. She could feel a wave of pure hatred radiating from across the room.
She did not even have to look to know it was Wang Fu Ya, who was glaring at her with a murderous expression. After a few seconds, Yu Qi simply turned her back on her and walked out of the classroom, leaving her past behind.
This chapter is edited by Tzin99... Thank you for your help...