Chapter Thirty: Known Throughout the School

Mo Qinghan missed her morning class; she had overslept. Last night, He Zheyu and Mo Qinghan had only gone to bed at four in the morning. Mo Qinghan had no idea when He Zheyu left. She brought the quilt cover to her nose and sniffed lightly—it carried a faint fragrance, perhaps left behind by He Zheyu. At this thought, her face blossomed with a gentle, contented smile.

For the afternoon class, Mo Qinghan feared that if she returned to her dormitory to fetch her textbook and then went to the classroom, she might be late. She called Dai Yawen and asked her to bring the book for her. Dai Yawen replied with a single word, "Alright," before hanging up. Mo Qinghan wanted to say more, but all she heard was the dial tone. She stood in place for two seconds, then continued running toward the classroom.

Upon arriving, Mo Qinghan felt that her classmates were regarding her with peculiar gazes. She went to Dai Yawen for her book; Dai Yawen said nothing, merely pointed to the corner of the last desk where the textbook had been placed. He Yurou, as usual, sat in the front row. Seeing Dai Yawen about to interact with Mo Qinghan, He Yurou shot Dai Yawen a fierce glare. Mo Qinghan noticed this, gave a cold smile, and walked over to sit in the corner.

When Professor Liu, who taught International Business Law, entered, he was puzzled to find Mo Qinghan sitting alone in the last row's corner. "Mo Qinghan, so many seats up front are empty—why sit in the corner?" he asked.

He Yurou responded in a mocking tone, "Someone with such a scheming mind—of course no one wants to sit with her."

"Yurou, personal attacks are not permitted," Professor Liu admonished.

Mo Qinghan, sitting in the corner, showed no anger, replying carelessly, "It's fine, Professor Liu. I like it here." Then she added, "If one weren't cunning themselves, how could they always see others as scheming?"

Sensing the tension, Professor Liu quickly said, "Alright, let's begin the lesson."

After class, Mo Qinghan packed her books and left the classroom. Those passing by looked at her oddly; occasionally, a few words drifted to her ears—"That's Mo Qinghan," or, "She's the one who tried to get close to He Yurou and seduce Senior Zhao."

Mo Qinghan knew these rumors must have originated from He Yurou. No wonder everyone regarded her with such strange eyes today. She understood that trying to explain herself would only make things worse; time would prove the truth. And, after all, there was some truth to their words—she had once liked Zhao Qingwu.

As Mo Qinghan was about to cross the garden, she saw Zhao Qingwu approaching. Instinctively, she turned and walked in the opposite direction, but Zhao Qingwu blocked her path. Mo Qinghan glared at him, signaling him to step aside, but he remained unmoving. She turned again, and Zhao Qingwu immediately shifted to block her once more.

"Senior Zhao, what is the meaning of this?"

"Is it true what they're saying in school—that you like me?"

At his words, Mo Qinghan grew flustered; her eyes darted around nervously, and she stammered, "Th-they're just talking nonsense. If you choose to believe them, there's nothing I can do."

Seeing her flustered and stammering, Zhao Qingwu realized that the girl in front of him—the nervous, helpless little liar—was not telling him the truth.