Chu Zhi laughed angrily. "I can't even go to my own bar now? Going there means I'm sleeping with old men? Principal Zhang, no offense, but the students in your school really have filthy minds!"
The students who had just been furiously condemning Mu Beiyin immediately panicked.
"We didn't mean it like that!"
"Yeah, it was all Wu Lina making things up. She spread rumors without knowing the truth."
"We were deceived!"
Wu Lina was flustered. "No! Qianrou told me! Qianrou, say something for me!"
Mu Qianrou was absolutely furious with this idiot.
Mu Beiyin raised an eyebrow. "Oh... so it was my dear sister who told Wu Lina I went to the bar last night to drink and sleep around? Then why were you pretending to apologize for me earlier? Could it be that what Miss Chu said is true—your real intention was to ruin my reputation?"
Chu Zhi laughed out loud. "Mu Qianrou, you kept saying Beiyin was being improper for going to the bar, but weren't you drinking there last night too? How proper were you then?"
With a snap, several photos flew out and landed at the feet of the students.
Everyone looked down—and their eyes widened in shock!
Mu Qianrou was sitting between several older men, face flushed, smiling brightly, leaning against them!
The tide of public opinion turned in an instant.
"Wow, it was Mu Qianrou who was drinking with those men?"
"Mu Beiyin's photos only showed her back, but Mu Qianrou's clearly shows she was enjoying herself."
Mu Qianrou's mind went blank for a second, then rage nearly drove her mad.
That bitch! Mu Beiyin actually kept evidence? She was going to kill her one day!
Mu Beiyin raised her brows. "Sister, the campus network at An University requires a student ID to log in. Last night, only the two of us from An University were at the bar. So who took those photos, and who posted them to the forum? Don't you think you owe everyone an explanation?"
"Besides, Wu Lina said you were the one who told her I live an indecent life. You said we're family—if we're family, why go to such lengths to slander me?"
Mu Qianrou panicked. She bit her lip, tears instantly falling, looking utterly pitiful.
"Beiyin, you've misunderstood me. I didn't take those photos or post them. If you don't believe me, check the IP address."
(She had, in fact, bribed a junior student to post them using her student ID.)
Mu Qianrou looked extremely wronged. "I only mentioned it to Lina in passing, told her not to jump to conclusions. I never expected she'd twist my words into saying your private life is a mess. I was just trying to look out for you."
"After all, you grew up in the countryside. You're not used to city life or how people act. You don't get along with your old classmates and have no friends. I was worried you'd get bullied, so I asked Lina to take care of you."
"But she misunderstood me... Beiyin, it's my fault. I'm sorry."
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
After all, Mu Qianrou had a point—Mu Beiyin did come from the countryside, and as a sister, Mu Qianrou's concern seemed understandable.
It all seemed to be Wu Lina's fault. What did it have to do with Mu Qianrou?
Mu Qianrou let out a quiet breath, and smugly looked toward Mu Beiyin.
This idiot really thought she could bring her down like this? So naive.
But Mu Beiyin suddenly smiled. "So, you were worried I couldn't fit in because I came from the countryside? But why was I living in the countryside to begin with? Doesn't my dear sister know better than anyone?"
Mu Qianrou's face changed. She instinctively tried to stop her—
But it was already too late.
Mu Beiyin said quickly and clearly:
"Because your mother was the mistress who forced me out. When I was ten years old, she drove me to the countryside. Everyone in the Mu family said I was a bumpkin, while you were the noble princess. But what did I ever do wrong?"
"You, the illegitimate daughter, were showered with affection in the Mu family. Meanwhile, I, the daughter of the legal wife, didn't even have enough to eat or wear. I had to worry about survival every single day."
"If you really cared about me, then why do you keep reminding everyone I'm from the countryside, stabbing me in the heart again and again?"
The moment she finished, the room fell into a stunned silence.
The students stared, wide-eyed, completely shocked.
No way! Mu Beiyin was only sent to the countryside because the mistress deliberately cast her out?
Mu Qianrou had always claimed that Mu Beiyin couldn't handle the Mu family's strict rules and ran away to the countryside on her own.
But the truth was completely different!
The mistress's daughter stole the rightful daughter's place and still mocked her for being a bumpkin? How did they never notice how fake Mu Qianrou was before?
Mu Qianrou's face looked like she couldn't breathe.
How dare Mu Beiyin! This would disgrace the entire Mu family. How could she be so selfish?
The students began to speak out in disgust:
"So cruel! I bet Mu Qianrou was the one who made that forum post. After all, Mu Beiyin, as the daughter of the legal wife, was in her way."
"Did you go to the award ceremony for the painting contest? Mu Qianrou stole Mu Beiyin's fiancé and even bragged about it!"
"Hiss... Like mother, like daughter. The mistress's daughter is also a mistress in spirit. Pretending to care for Mu Beiyin, but probably wishing she were dead!"
Chu Zhi glanced at Huo Shiqing and then sneered. "Mu Qianrou, you'd better give a good explanation. Others might fear you, but I don't."
Mu Qianrou was trembling all over, overwhelmed by rage and frustration.
Apologize to Mu Beiyin? Never!
She bit her lip and started sobbing, pretending to be remorseful.
Then, like a willow in the wind, her body swayed and she collapsed softly to the floor.
Chu Zhi scoffed. "Resorting to cheap tricks again, as always."
"Principal Zhang." Huo Shiqing, who had remained silent, suddenly looked up. His gentle smile seemed harmless.
But Principal Zhang could clearly feel the murderous aura behind it.
The man spoke lazily, "Since Mu Beiyin was clearly framed, how does Principal Zhang plan to deal with the student who spread these false rumors?"
Mu Qianrou had already "fainted." Wu Lina could no longer pretend. Her teeth were chattering with fear.
Hearing Huo Shiqing speak, Principal Zhang immediately stiffened, not daring to delay.
"Wu Lina deliberately slandered and spread false rumors about her classmate, causing severe harm to Mu Beiyin's reputation. In order to prevent future incidents, we must deal with this seriously. She is expelled immediately!"
Wu Lina had earlier demanded Mu Beiyin be expelled. She never imagined she'd be the one expelled instead.
The students cheered.
"Serves her right! Wu Lina bullied a younger student into attempting suicide last time. Luckily, that girl was saved."
"Everyone knows Wu Lina's been a long-time campus bully. Mu Beiyin finally gave her what she deserved!"
Wu Lina's mind went blank. She stumbled in shock.
Expelled…? Kicked out of school…?
No, no, no—she was supposed to marry into a wealthy family. Her parents had worked so hard to get her into Ancheng University. If she had this stain on her record, which rich family would still want her?
How did things end up like this?
Suddenly, she turned and looked at the collapsed Mu Qianrou—then snapped, charging forward—
"It's you! You ruined me! Mu Qianrou, I'll kill you!"