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n91 She’s Rumoured to Be a Mistress

nJiang Xue knew well that Shen Xi was not the so-called mistress everyone thought she was, but Su Ni did not know that. The misconception seemed to build on itself and renewed Su Ni’s belief that Shen Xi was a mistress.

nA smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Xue’s mouth. Her expression reflected her ill intentions, but they were not observable to anyone else under cover of her bed’s curtains. She kept her true thoughts to herself as she continued typing on her phone.

nJiang Xue: Don’t do anything rash. I’m fine. It’s alright if Shen Xi targets me. I don’t want you to get hurt just because you want to help me vent my anger.

nSu Ni: Don’t worry. Shen Xi is like that. She can’t do anything to me.

nJiang Xue: Yes, yes. It would put me at ease to know you’re being mindful of your safety.

nSu Ni: Xue’er, you’re such a good person. My brother will be here for the school’s anniversary the day after tomorrow. Do you think you can pull some strings to allow him to get to know Xiang Cheng?

nJiang Xue: Of course!

nSu Ni was extremely happy. If she could help her brother get to know Xiang Cheng, her parents would probably think highly of her too.

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nWhen Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan arrived at their classroom the next day, they were keenly aware of the number of unfriendly eyes trained their way.

nSu Ni eyed Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan, smirking as if she was enjoying the show.

nZhao Yuan trailed after Shen Xi in confusion. “What’s wrong? Why is everyone looking at me and Shen Xi like that?” She asked the students closest to her.

nThat classmate glanced at Shen Xi and pulled Zhao Yuan aside. “People are saying that Shen Xi sold her body to some rich old man and got beaten up by someone. Is it true that you were beaten up as well?” He asked in hushed tones.

nZhao Yuan flew into a rage upon hearing her classmate’s question. She slammed her desk, cursing Su Ni, “Are you gossiping behind my back? Do you know that harming someone else’s reputation like that is tantamount to defamation?”

nSu Ni was not afraid of Zhao Yuan. “What’s wrong with what I’ve said? It’s the truth. When you’ve done something dirty, you should expect others to gossip. Now you’re pinning the blame on me for a rumour you have no evidence to show I started it. Isn’t that slander?” Su Ni sneered.

nZhao Yuan gritted her teeth in anger, not knowing how to respond. She could only glare at Su Ni with bloodshot eyes.

nSu Ni returned the glare with full force. The two were like cats with their hackles raised, hissing and posturing. The atmosphere grew tense, with no one willing to step forward to defuse the situation.

nJiang Xue looked at Shen Xi and said sarcastically, “Xixi, I want to believe that you’re not such a person, but you have to prove yourself. On the first day of school, rumours abounded of your status as a mistress to some wealthy old man. Yesterday, you were beaten up for seducing a man and becoming the third wheel in another relationship. If you don’t provide us with proof to the contrary, how are we to believe you?”

nWhispers broke out in the crowded classroom. Many felt Jiang Xue’s words were reasonable. Although they had been Shen Xi’s classmates for two years, no one was exactly close to her, and most knew nothing of her family or situation.

nIf Shen Xi was not some man’s mistress, she should have proof of her innocence.

nThe whole class’s attention focused on Shen Xi, waiting for her to explain.

nBefore Shen Xi could defend herself, six girls rushed into the classroom, tears streaming down their faces as they crowded around Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan.

nThe girls tugged at Zhao Yuan’s clothes, staring at her pleadingly.

nThe short-haired girl with the bob cut cried pitifully as she said, “Shen Xi, Zhao Yuan, please spare us! Don’t let the school expel us… We were just following orders. Please, we beg of you both.”

nAs if on cue, the other girls began wailing hysterically. The classroom was instantly filled with the wails of ghosts and wolves.

nShen Xi shook herself free from the offending hands gabbing at her uniform, her expression one of complete neutrality, “Whether the school decides to expel you or not has nothing to do with me. I never raised any allegations. You’re begging the wrong person; there’s nothing I can do.”

nZhao Yuan hurriedly interjected, “I didn’t report you girls either. I don’t have the power to influence the school’s policies or to expel anyone. Please don’t drag me into your mess. Also, could you get your hands off of me?”

nA tall girl with a swollen face shuffled into the classroom. That girl was Peach, who had been beaten black and blue by Shen Xi. Behind her was Guan Lei, who strolled in leisurely.

nWhen the short-haired girl saw Guan Lei, she immediately recalled Guan Lei’s sharp gaze, which was as fierce as a hawk, and the bodyguards all dressed in black. The memory caused her heart to skip a beat.

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