The next day, another post about Mu Yao shot to the top of Yingshengya Academy’s forum—and was even pinned as a featured thread by a moderator.
As everyone knew, the forum had only three moderators: Headmaster Long Yue, Wang Chuanqi (homeroom teacher of Grade 10, Class C), and Nangong Yao, the academy’s board chairman. Naturally, students buzzed with speculation over who had pinned it.
Posted by the user “Vast Starry Sky”—
Title: "The Forbidden Romance Between the Student Council President and Long Xueer!"
(Image) A high-res photo of Mu Yao sobbing, her head buried in Nangong Ruihui’s lap.
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1F: Holy crap?! Is this in a classroom?
2F: I… damn…
3F: You sure this isn’t… *ahem*?
…
12F (Zhou Yuan): Hmph. (╯#-_-)╯╧═╧
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“Yaoyao, we’ve gone viral~” Nangong Ruihui remarked with a cold smile.
“Ruihui, you should be angry…”
Mu Yao felt dizzy and disoriented. It wasn’t just the post—it was the escalation. They’d stopped questioning whether she was Long Xueer and were now outright declaring she *was* her.
“Of course I’m angry. And I’ve got a good idea who did this. Don’t worry, Yaoyao—I’ll get it deleted.” The smile slowly vanished from Nangong Ruihui’s face.
Wang Chuanqi was the logical first stop.
Slam!
In his office, Nangong Ruihui unceremoniously tossed her phone onto his desk. Wang, mid-lesson prep, flinched and stared at her with flustered eyes.
“Bro Chuanqi, care to explain? Not that I doubt you—I just want to know who pinned it.”
As daughter of the board chairman and student council president, Nangong Ruihui carried undeniable authority. Top of her class, on familiar terms with Wang—he never minded. Her father was too busy; Headmaster Long Yue prioritized the academy’s reputation. That left… Wang.
“Well… I forgot to lock up yesterday. I’ll pull the security footage.”
Wang had misread the photo too, but stayed serious—this threatened both girls’ reputations.
“No need. The girl who snapped it yesterday did this. I’ll check student council records.”
It had been ages since something fired Nangong Ruihui up like this. She *would* make the poster and pinner pay. She could handle it—but Mu Yao, a girl? She must feel utterly shattered. If she couldn’t fix this, how could she claim to protect her?
The post was gone. The photographer wore a blue badge. Narrow to Grade 10, exclude boys and Class C—quick work. Nangong Ruihui remembered her face.
Student Council Office
“President, found her. Li Jie, sixteen, female, Grade 10 Class G, school news club member. Here’s her enrollment photo.” A council member handed over the snapshot.
“Good. Tell their club president: expel her. We don’t need paparazzi here.”
“Understood.”
Yingshengya’s Student Council held real power—even equal voice with faculty on academy matters. Locked cabinets held records for over five thousand students.
A rule from the first headmaster: students knew the academy best. Their council deserved a share of authority.
…
“You’re Li Jie, right? You took that photo. You know who I am—and why I’m here.”
Nangong Ruihui skipped her last class, legs propped on her desk in the council room. Day students headed home tonight—if she missed Li Jie now, she’d wait till morning. No time to waste. She intercepted the girl just as Li Jie quickened her pace to avoid her.
Plain-faced, slightly buck-toothed, freckles dusting her cheeks.
“I… I don’t know what you mean…” Li Jie avoided her gaze.
“Don’t play dumb. You pinned it too, didn’t you? I’ve got footage. One word from me, and you’re expelled.”
“Don’t abuse your power! This academy isn’t your family’s playground!”
“Oh? Cute. Since when do bullies play innocent lambs?”
Nangong Ruihui wasn’t boasting. Yingshengya was a private elite academy—technically, the Nangong Clan’s domain. Admission was fiercely competitive. She knew Li Jie’s panic: expulsion meant no refund, a stained record, and near-zero chance another school would take her.
“President Nangong… do you really think you can stop me~?”
A Grade 10 girl materialized beside Li Jie, wooden sword slung over her shoulder, flipping Nangong Ruihui the middle finger with smug arrogance.
Nangong Ruihui almost chuckled. *Go on. Try me.*
“Want to fight? Fine. Win, and it’s over. Lose, and you apologize to Yaoyao.” She rolled her shoulders and stepped forward. Armed opponents—no room for carelessness.
Bang!
She feinted back, body arching as an invisible BB pellet whizzed past her eyes.
“BB pellets? So… three of you. Hmph.”
Strictly banned on campus. One expulsion, two reprimands—plenty to work with. Only the shot’s report gave it away. Toys like this had no place here.
“Not three. The Platinum Trio.” Li Jie drew a tarot deck. Her eerie shuffle seemed to chant Nangong Ruihui’s defeat.
“Platinum Trio. Noted.”
The sword-girl was clearly kendo club. Nangong Ruihui had dabbled—but only one truly threatened her mobility. The second-floor sniper was basically…
“What are you doing?!”
Mu Yao clattered up the stairs and tackled the shooter flat.
*Worthy of my fiancée. Impressive~* Nangong Ruihui gave a knowing smile.
