Chapter 14: Accusation of Cheating

Chapter 14: Accusation of Cheating

"It was indeed me who asked An Wen first," Zeng Xiuman also spoke up.

Shi Jing and the other girl froze, and the atmosphere in the class grew awkward.

Shi Jing reacted quickly, smiling as she said, "Oh, I see. Then, can you lend it to me after Zeng Xiuman is done? I really want to take a look at the exam paper that surpassed Tang Rui's score."

"Sure," An Wen replied.

"She did that on purpose! Zeng Xiuman must be helping her! Why would you still ask to borrow it?" The girl, dragged away by Shi Jing, said angrily.

"Don’t overthink it," Shi Jing reassured her.

Instantly, the class's sympathy shifted back to Shi Jing's side. They thought An Wen should have mentioned earlier that she had already lent the paper to someone else, but since An Wen had just returned from abroad, her way of thinking was different, so they let it go.

Thus, everyone refocused on their own exam papers.

Zeng Xiuman, however, noticed Shi Jing's unusual behavior and said indignantly to An Wen, "What’s Shi Jing’s problem?"

"She just doesn’t like me and wanted to throw a little threat my way," An Wen replied.

Zeng Xiuman widened her eyes in shock. "You… why would you say it like that?"

"What’s wrong?" An Wen blinked, amused by her expression.

It was startling to hear such a worldly remark from a girl who looked like an ethereal fairy untouched by mortal concerns.

"Nothing. An Wen, why didn’t you tell her earlier that you’d already promised the paper to me?"

An Wen smiled faintly. "The stage was already set. Might as well let her finish her performance."

"Huh?" Zeng Xiuman stared, utterly confused.

"Just focus on the exam paper," An Wen said.

The Rocket Class had no concept of a 10-minute break—every second had to be seized to avoid falling behind. But today, as soon as class ended, students kept leaving the classroom. During the second break, when everyone headed to the playground for exercises, Zeng Xiuman couldn’t help but say to An Wen, "This is so weird. Normally, the honor roll is posted right after the first class. Why hasn’t it appeared even after the second? Did the school’s computer crash?"

"Maybe it’ll be up after the exercises," An Wen suggested.

After the exercises, as they walked back, they spotted the honor roll from afar. A crowd surged toward it, and Zeng Xiuman pulled An Wen along.

Blocked by the crowd, Zeng Xiuman couldn’t see the rankings and asked, "An Wen, can you see it?"

"Yes!"

"Quick, check where we ranked!"

"I’m first. You…" An Wen scanned down the list. "37th."

"My rank went up! Hahaha! An Wen, you’re amazing—not only did you rank first, but your eyesight’s great too!" Zeng Xiuman praised, then asked An Wen to check the rankings for her other friends.

So An Wen stood there, announcing scores for a group of girls.

Suddenly, the school broadcast blared: "An Wen from Class 1 of the Rocket Class, please report to the Teaching Director’s office immediately! An Wen from Class 1 of the Rocket Class, please report to the Teaching Director’s office immediately…" The announcement repeated several times, as if worried she might miss it.

Teaching Director’s Office

An Wen knocked and entered. Inside sat the Teaching Director and several teachers from the Rocket Class.

"Good day, Director. Good day, teachers," An Wen greeted politely.

The Teaching Director's eyes were stern as he asked sharply, "What's with this disheveled hair? Tie it up immediately!"

An Wen's brows furrowed slightly before she pulled a hair tie from her pocket and tied up her hair.

"Student An Wen, you've been accused of cheating on the exam. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"