“What… is this?”
The girl stared at the strings of code and numbers on the A4 paper, scratching her head in confusion. *How is this supposed to help right now?*
“Ahem.” Gao Liang silently took back the document. “This is the IP address of the person who posted that thread. I had my family look into it today. Smart of him to use a proxy—but we still tracked him down.” He pointed to the last line. “With the IP, I verified his address, identity, and even the poster’s name.”
Lin Lin blinked, then looked up, voice trembling slightly. “Who… who is it?”
“Unfamiliar name. But easy to check—we just need Teacher Zhu to pull up the student roster.” Gao Liang paused. “Finding him is simple. Deleting the post? Easy. But undoing the damage…”
Lin Lin lowered her head. He was right. Even if they exposed the rumor-monger and punished him, the post had already spread. Her reputation at school… would it ever clear?
Dejected, she murmured, “We… we didn’t do anything. Why say those things?”
“Let’s delete the post first,” Gao Liang said, nodding. He opened WeChat, sent a message. Moments later, Lin Lin checked the forum—the thread was gone. A few scattered replies wondered why the explosive gossip post vanished. She sighed in slight relief, yet melancholy lingered.
*Should we confront him? His tactics were slimy… but he only posted the real video and left room for speculation…*
“I’m sorry, Lin Lin. This is my fault—I picked a bad spot. He posted it late last night. By the time I woke up, it had blown up. I held off deleting it to trace his identity.” Gao Liang’s tone softened. “But don’t worry. I’ll clear your name.”
“Mm…” Lin Lin nodded. A trace of warmth bloomed in her chest. Cheeks flushing, she lowered her head and mindlessly refreshed the school forum—just to distract herself. She couldn’t bear to read the criticisms.
Suddenly, a new post appeared. She held her breath. The ID was unmistakable—the same troll.
【My post was deleted for no reason. Guilty conscience? Reposting! Delete once, I post again!】
“Gao Liang—the poster’s back!” Lin Lin shook his arm, thrusting the phone toward him. Gao Liang’s eyes widened, then narrowed into a cold, angry smirk.
“He’s asking for it.”
He stood, glanced at her, and extended a hand. “Lin Lin… come with me to see Teacher Zhu?”
“Mm…” Flustered, she peeked at classmates’ curious stares, blushed, and nodded. They stepped out of the classroom, one after the other.
Watching them leave, a girl murmured softly, head bowed: “Honestly… I’m kinda envious…”
…
“Ah… I see,” Teacher Zhu said in the office, rubbing her temples. She looked up at the pair standing before her, sat straighter. “But seriously—what were you two *actually* doing there?”
“Tutoring!” Gao Liang cut in. “I admit the location was poorly chosen. But I was genuinely helping Lin Lin with math. My mistake, Teacher. I only wanted her to catch up.”
“Hmm…” Teacher Zhu eyed Lin Lin with gentle skepticism. “Xiao Lin? True?”
“Yes…” the girl whispered, face crimson.
“Good!” Teacher Zhu smiled. “Gao Liang, what spot *did* you pick? I wouldn’t believe you alone—but I trust Xiao Lin. *I* suggested she get tutoring from you! Tell me what you need—I’ll help.”
She pulled up the school exam rankings, quickly locating the name. “Hmm… Class 19. Again.” She tapped the screen. “He was reprimanded by the Dean before for online posts. His forum account got banned. Back at it already? Does he *enjoy* stirring drama?”
“Seems like a habit,” Gao Liang said coldly. “Tried hiding his IP. Did he think I couldn’t find him? Hmph.”
“Shall I come with you?” Before Teacher Zhu finished, the office door swung open.
The Dean strode in, heading straight for them.
“Dean.” Teacher Zhu stood, closing her laptop. “What brings you?”
“Uh…” The Dean shot Gao Liang an awkward glance—met with icy silence—then forced a smile. “Heard rumors were spreading on the forum, slandering a student. Here to help.”
Lin Lin glanced at Gao Liang, eyes shimmering with quiet admiration. He gave a faint smile and nodded. “Thank you, Dean. We appreciate the school protecting our reputations.”
“Of course, of course.”
Gao Liang stepped forward. “We’ve confirmed the poster: a Class 19 student. A repeat offender. Dean, would you join us?”
“Oh, *him*! Right, right—I handled him last time. Bold little troublemaker.” The Dean nodded eagerly. “Let’s go.”
Teacher Zhu tilted her head. *Oh dear… The Dean’s being oddly deferential. Gao Liang’s still heated. Xiao Lin’s so quiet… Hope nothing escalates…*
“Wait! I’m coming too!”
And so—the oddly assembled quartet hurried to Class 19’s classroom door.
Gao Liang moved to charge in mid-morning reading. Teacher Zhu gently blocked him. “Ahem. Don’t rush. Teacher Han’s still at the podium.”
Gao Liang took a breath, nodded, and entered beside her.
Lin Lin stood aside, swallowing nervously.
*Gao Liang…*
*He really is… so reliable.*
