"Mengyao, you're being a bit much. You skipped class again under the bathroom excuse, right? Keep this up, and I'll report you to your dad."

Xia Yining called Lin Mengyao to the office and sternly warned her.

She sympathized with her niece’s craving for freedom, but that didn’t mean endless indulgence. If Lin Mengyao showed signs of spiraling, Xia Yining would call her father without hesitation.

"Did you hear me? Why so distracted? Insomnia last night?"

Noticing her dazed look, Xia Yining sensed something off and asked worriedly.

But Lin Mengyao suddenly burst into loud sobs.

It wasn’t heart-wrenching grief—it was pent-up frustration spilling out. Xia Yining saw the imbalance from anger; it felt like her emotional defenses had shattered.

"Auntie, someone’s bullying me..."

Lin Mengyao stood wiping non-existent tears, looking utterly wronged. Xia Yining felt both exasperated and amused. Who in this school could possibly bully her?

Still, as her aunt and teacher, she had to take it seriously. If true, she’d step in.

"Alright, alright. Tell me exactly who bullied you. No false accusations—I’ll investigate properly."

She stood, ruffling Lin Mengyao’s hair. Alone in the office, Xia Yining dropped her teacher act, showing auntly warmth.

Though the elder, they looked like near-aged sisters. Without Xia Yining’s teacher outfit and mature black-rimmed glasses, a JK uniform would’ve erased all doubt about her youth.

Lin Mengyao’s eyes were slightly red—she’d rubbed them hard for sympathy. Her vision blurred from forced tears.

"It’s Jiang Fan... When I went downstairs... I ran into him and his girlfriend... They ganged up on me..."

She spoke in a deliberately shaky whisper. But Xia Yining, knowing her well, saw right through the act. Not a flicker of pity crossed her face, making Lin Mengyao feel like a terrible actress.

Realizing manipulation wouldn’t work, Lin Mengyao dropped the pretense. She bluntly recounted meeting Jiang Fan and Mu Yuli at the gate.

She didn’t exaggerate much, but added her own theory after summarizing.

"Jiang Fan’s seriously problematic! Auntie, trust me—if he’s really just a normal solo high schooler like you think, his girlfriend makes zero sense. I suspect he used shady tricks to deceive her!"

"And from what I know, he’s 100% a PUA master! That girl seems tough, but would someone strong stay calm after her boyfriend kissed another girl? Teacher Xia, I urge you: investigate Jiang Fan thoroughly!"

Mu Yuli had left a deep mark—her looks and aura made Lin Mengyao feel inferior. For the first time, a peer pressured her like this.

Like a princess facing a queen, she could only bow.

How could such a person easily forgive "fickle" Jiang Fan? It made no sense.

The more Lin Mengyao dwelled, the surer she became. Her dislike for Jiang Fan deepened. In her mind, he’d become a "demon king" villain; she was the "hero" saving deceived girls. Duty and justice fired her up like never before.

"You’re painting him too darkly. Jiang Fan’s only a year older and still a minor. PUA? Mengyao, I think you’re just seeking revenge for that ‘stolen’ first kiss."

Xia Yining saw through it all, untouched by speculation. She pierced straight to the truth.

"Impossible! Do you see me as that petty, Auntie? I genuinely think he’s suspicious—it’s not personal!"

Her exposed thoughts made Lin Mengyao stubbornly deny it.

Xia Yining didn’t argue; she knew better.

"It’s not that severe, but if true, Jiang Fan and that girl might be too close. You’re students—mess up boy-girl boundaries, and you’ll stray easily."

She didn’t oppose teen romance, but as a teacher, guiding them was her duty.

Tapping her desk unconsciously, Xia Yining pondered, then looked up.

"Mengyao, head back. I’ll discuss this with Shu Yue later. Class starts soon—no more skipping, okay?"

"Got it! But Auntie, interrogate Jiang Fan properly. Don’t let his acting fool you!"

Lin Mengyao barely heard the warning, agreeing while stressing her point, scared they’d let him off easy.

"You’re treating him like a criminal? We can’t ‘interrogate’ anyone."

Shaking her head with a wry smile, Xia Yining texted Shu Yue—Jiang Fan’s homeroom teacher—after Lin Mengyao left. She asked her to hold Jiang Fan after noon class; she had questions and wanted Shu Yue to stay.

They were close friends from university days. Shu Yue didn’t ask why—just replied with an "OK" panda emoji.

Xia Yining smiled faintly, organizing her lesson plans.

Her next class was Senior 3, Class 5. She might as well observe that boy.

Anyone who could obsess her haughty niece this much? She was getting curious.