Shu Lanzhou swept her gaze across the crowd.
In her previous life, she had cared too much about her reputation. She hadn't dared to speak up, believing that as long as she stayed silent and denied everything, the swirling rumors would eventually die down.
Little did she know, her silence had been taken as admission, and her constant retreat had only become a weapon for others to hurt her, pushing her closer and closer to despair.
But now, she was no longer that timid, fearful girl. She had the courage to face any filth they tried to throw at her.
Shu Lanzhou smiled faintly and said:
"Are you all so eager to know whether or not I slept with Professor He?"
"Then come along. It'll save me the trouble of explaining it to each of you individually. But let me warn you—if it turns out I'm innocent, every one of you owes me an apology."
"And not just an apology. Slandering Professor He's reputation might not get you sued, but the school will certainly discipline you!"
The students who had gathered hesitated, uncertain whether they should follow.
The girl being dragged by Ding Yuejiao shouted:
"Who are you trying to scare? We were just gossiping! The school has no right to punish us—we didn't post anything online!"
"And you! Ever since you left Professor Han's team, you've been acting like some attention seeker, always stirring up drama, both at school and online. I really wonder if you're just trying to become an influencer!"
"You're not focusing on your studies, always chasing the spotlight—no wonder rumors like this pop up about you!"
Her shouting drew even more onlookers.
Without a word, Shu Lanzhou slapped her across the face, the force snapping the girl's head sideways.
"Do you know why I hit you?" Shu Lanzhou gave her no chance to react, grabbing her chin firmly:
"Because you're not a good person yourself. Otherwise, why would I single you out?"
Ding Yuejiao and Zhang He laughed in unison.
"Exactly! You believe the victim is always to blame? Since you think that way, you can't possibly feel wronged by getting slapped, can you?"
The crowd instantly fell silent.
Shu Lanzhou shot Zhang He a grateful glance, then swept her cold gaze over the onlookers:
"I don't owe any of you an explanation. But Professor He is a good man, and I refuse to let you throw dirt on his name."
"Come on, let's go meet him together."
Zhang He and Ding Yuejiao weren't sure what Shu Lanzhou intended, but seeing how calm and unaffected she was by the rumors eased their worry a little.
Together, they dragged the girl—who hadn't dared say another word—over to the teachers' building.
Just as they arrived, they ran into Wu Cheng, He Xin, and Mu Yaning and Mu Side exiting together.
Seeing the group, Mu Yaning frowned. "What are you all doing here? Crowding around the teachers' building—it's improper."
Shu Lanzhou quickly stepped forward and slipped her arm through Mu Yaning's:
"Don't be upset, Teacher. Everyone just heard that Professor He was on campus and wanted to catch a glimpse."
"Oh, and by the way, they didn't know Professor He is your husband!"
The crowd gasped in unison.
Mu Yaning and He Xin had always kept their marriage low-key. Very few people knew they were a couple!
With that revelation, how could anyone still believe Shu Lanzhou had an improper relationship with Professor He? Clearly, they had misunderstood!
"You little brat, was that really necessary to say out loud?" Mu Yaning tapped Shu Lanzhou lightly on the head in mock scolding.
Shu Lanzhou grinned playfully, letting her:
"Professor He, you really should visit the school more often. That way, people won't get the wrong idea."
"What wrong idea?" He Xin snorted:
"If it weren't for signing a contract with Wu Cheng, I wouldn't have even come. Saves me from having to watch you kids spin up gossip every time you see me talking to a female student!"
"I'm busy with my research—don't have time for this nonsense!"
His words made it clear: he was here for an official signing, not because of any investigation.
Shu Lanzhou nodded seriously:
"You're right. Listening to too much filth lowers your IQ. We, as future doctors, can cure illnesses, but we can't fix stupidity."
"Exactly," Wu Cheng added. "That's why they say 'rumors stop at the wise.' There's a reason for that."
"I'll walk you out, Professor He, so you can get back to your work."
Before leaving, He Xin turned to Mu Yaning with a gentle smile:
"I'm not working late tonight. I'll make sweet and sour fish for dinner—be home on time."
"I'll make sure Mom gets home, Dad!" He Sixin piped up with a grin, jumping in before Mu Yaning could reply.
He Xin glared at her:
"Always so talkative. I was speaking to your mother—why are you butting in?"
"Got it, got it! You go!" Mu Yaning waved him off with a smile.
Hearing He Sixin call He Xin "Dad" made the crowd's faces shift again.
If the marriage wasn't enough proof, the daughter certainly was.
After all, when Shu Lanzhou had first joined Mu Yaning's team, she, He Sixin, and Mu Side had all been teammates!
Given these relationships, unless Shu Lanzhou was insane, there was no way she would ever have an improper relationship with He Xin!
As soon as He Xin left, Mu Yaning's expression hardened:
"You've seen Professor He now. What are you still hanging around for? Waiting for the school to punish you?"
The students exchanged uneasy looks—no one dared say a word.
They knew full well that Shu Lanzhou was giving them a way out. If they'd dared confront He Xin directly with their baseless accusations, they'd be looking at serious disciplinary action!
In a flurry, the crowd dispersed.
But Zhang He and Ding Yuejiao didn't let go of the troublemaker.
"Shu Lanzhou, what should we do with this one?"
Shu Lanzhou pointed toward the Political and Educational Office:
"Director Zhou is waiting for us. Let's go."
The girl paled with fear.
"I'm sorry, Shu Lanzhou! I shouldn't have said those things. Please let me go. I promise I won't spread any more rumors!"
"This isn't just about badmouthing me," Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "You still don't understand the gravity of what you've done."
Zhang He shoved the girl into the office:
"Yeah! You thought you could just say sorry and that would be the end of it? Weren't you just running your mouth back there? Keep talking now!"
The girl glanced at Mu Yaning and immediately shut up, looking utterly terrified.
Just as Shu Lanzhou was about to step into the office, Mu Side caught her hand:
"Are you okay?"
"Me?" Shu Lanzhou lifted her chin proudly. "I'm fine. The ones with a real problem are them."
To an outsider, it almost seemed like she wasn't the one being slandered at all!
Mu Side's heart ached fiercely. What kind of pain had she endured to face such cruel slander with such calm?
"Leave the rest to me," he said, gripping her wrist gently. "Whoever's behind this, I'll make sure they pay."
Maybe it was just because he was too kind-hearted, Shu Lanzhou thought.
The feeling was strange—soft and warm—and touched her heart.
But dealing with those who hurt her? It would be far more satisfying to handle it herself.
"I know who it is," Shu Lanzhou said, gently patting the back of his hand. "Thank you, Senior, but I want to do this myself."
She smiled up at him as she spoke.
The smile was sweet, but Mu Side could see the hidden bitterness behind it.
He wanted to hold onto her—but she had already stepped into the Political and Educational Office.