Chapter 309: Just Because You Don't Want to Pursue Further, Doesn't Mean Others are Willing to be the Scapegoats
"I overheard what some of you were saying and I am furious. Senior Yi isn't a professional zither player. Her profession is writing. She's a famous author!"
Qiao Qing looked over to the girl, "Did I say I broke her zither?"
The girl was taken aback, "if it wasn't you, then it must've been your friend. Or else why did you two go backstage? It only broke after you went back there. Who else could it be if not you?!"
Yi Shiqiong's eyes flickered, "It's okay. I don't want to pursue further. There's nothing wrong with wanting to show off what you're good at. Plus, to be able to hear such a beautiful song makes it worth it that I didn't get to perform."
Though she was helping Qiao Qing in appearance, she was actually agreeing with what the other girl was saying.
Qiao Qing coldly snickered, "Just because you don't want to pursue further, doesn't mean others are willing to be the scapegoats!"
After she spoke, the projector stopped projecting the stage onto the big screen. Instead, it turned into the backstage surveillance video.
On the screen, right after Lin Xiyan's class left, a girl walked in holding a zither.
This girl was easily identifiable. It was the girl who was accusing Qiao Qing and Lin Xiyan of damaging the zither.
Qiao Qing looked over to the girl, "You're saying me and Xiyan broke the zither? Then watch the surveillance video."
Yi Shiqiong and the girl who got the zither looked flustered now. They all thought this would be over once Yi Shiqiong said she didn't want to pursue further.
Though they didn't get to pin this onto Qiao Qing and Lin Xiyan completely, it would've successfully planted seeds of doubt in everyone's heart. That would mean nobody could see those two the same.
Even if those two asked to see the surveillance video, it would take them some time to do so. Nobody in the audience would be willing to wait around for that anyway.
Plus, this "victim" didn't even want to pursue further, why would the school get the video for the ones who committed the crime?
Who can tell them why the surveillance video was suddenly being projected on the big screen?!
Everyone had just listened to Qiao Qing's zither playing and was completely smitten. Without even realizing it, they were all leaning towards her a little.
Plus, based on the reaction of everyone involved, things didn't seem right.
Not many people wondered why the surveillance video came up so suddenly, but nobody left. They all waited patiently to give Qiao Qing back her innocence.
Everyone saw that not long after the zither was put onto the shelf, Qiao Qing and Lin Xiyan appeared.
The two entered backstage but didn't even stop by the shelf. They headed straight to the change room.
After some time, they came out of the room.
Just then, the girl who accused those two reappeared to take the zither.
The video wasn't sped up. Everyone could clearly see that Qiao Qing and Lin Xiyan did enter backstage.
But from the time the zither was put there until the time it was taken out, those two never touched the zither!
After the video was done, the audience grew loud yet again.
"What the hell! So people can now make claims without taking any responsibilities? Those two didn't even stand near the zither and yet they're being blamed for the damage?!"
"Thank god there is a video. Or else they'd be so wrongly blamed! This concerns someone's reputation!"
"If they are given the titles of b!tchy juniors who wanted glory, how will they establish themselves in this school in the future?"
"Exactly! She 'didn't want to go down that road' and sounded like she was being the bigger person. The ones wrongly blamed should be the ones shouting and yelling!"
Chapter 310: The Vinegar Jar Spilled Again
"What a joke. Generous and kind? Her words only made her appear like the bigger person. Every single one of her words actually directed everyone to believe that Qiao Qing was the one who did the crime. Could it be that I'm the only one who can identify a b!tch when I see one?"
"..."
Yi Shiqiong listened as the gossip about her started to spread uncontrollably. Her heart and skin hurt.
She stretched out a smile and said, "Looks like the zither was broken before it was delivered to me. I will have to apologize to junior Qiao."
"I was too flustered at the time since I was in front of an entire stadium of people. I believed what someone else told me without investigating."
"It's fortunate that we ended up getting to listen to junior Qiao's amazing zither playing. I must admit that I still have much to learn. Junior Qiao is much more skillful than me when it comes to the zither."
Since Qiao Qing had gotten off cleanly, she must get herself out of this also.
After what she said, some people in the audience began to defend her. However, some remained suspicious.
Someone from the audience stood up, "I have no ulterior intention, I'm just curious. How come the two of you went backstage so suddenly? Also, why did you have to snatch her away in the middle of her performance?"
Qiao Qing said, "You'll know when you see the next video."
She then tapped on her watch, "How come it's not playing?"
After her signal, Lang Yin sent her a "sad" emoji, "Miss, I was waiting for your signal..."
Then, he began to project the next surveillance video.
Down below, when Fu Siying saw which surveillance video was playing, she widened her eyes and anxiously dialed Fu Xiuyu's number, "Brother, hurry up and help me..."
When people saw Fu Siying on screen, they were a little confused.
When they saw her bribe Lin Xiyan's classmate and played around with Lin Xiyan's stage costume, the crowd went nuts yet again.
"My god! So that's what happened! That woman sure is evil?!"
"What! I can't imagine what Lin Xiyan would've had to face if Qiao Qing didn't rush up there! How can any decent human being do that?"
"She used her power before to try and steal the lead role. She also used her fans to make Lin Xiyan look bad. And now, she tried again to ruin Lin Xiyan's reputation publicly. Why is she biting onto Lin Xiyan and refusing to let go? This is terrifying!"
"Someone just now called Lin Xiyan a girl full of evil tactics. But she's being chased around by a dog with rabies! Why can't she counter strike!"
"Fu Siying sure is an embarrassment to UCC. Why haven't they expelled her? Are they waiting for the new year to do it?"
Someone suddenly shouted, "Fu Siying is here!"
After that explosive scream, Fu Siying crazily dashed towards the exit.
Despite so, a lot of people took pictures and posted them. They also posted the story of how she tried to humiliate Lin Xiyan.
It won't be long before she trends on Weibo again.
Yi Shiqiong watched as Fu Siying ran away like an exhausted puppy. She whispered a curse. What a moron!
Luckily she didn't cooperate with her. Or else she would've been dragged down also.
After this was all done and dealt with, Qiao Qing dragged Lin Xiyan down the stage, "I've avenged you."
Lin Xiyan hugged Qiao Qing, "Qingqing, you're so great!"
Qiao Qing smiled and patted her head.
Lin Xiyan was about to say something more when she felt coldness attack her like needles.
She turned around and saw a pair of eyes smiling at her through a mask.
She shuddered and immediately released Qiao Qing.
Chapter 311: Are You Two Together Now?
Jun Yexuan took over Qiao Qing's hand, "Can we go now?"
Qiao Qing nodded, "Let's go."
Though there was a lot of drama with those last two performances, they had now been resolved.
Cui Yan's assistant said, "Dean, I'm sorry you had to witness such a joke tonight."
Cui Yan shook his head. "They are all too young."
"That's true." Jing He agreed, "But Qiao Qing sure is a surprise. Not only is she a great Go player, she's also skilled at playing the zither."
Cui Yan raised his eyebrow, "That's true. When I first met her, I thought she had purposely concealed her true capabilities. Or else I never would've saved that admission spot for her, especially after seeing how her historic grades have been."
Tian Zhen got up to leave. However, when she heard what Cui Yan had just said, she froze.
She thought of something and then walked away, ugly in the face.
Jing He had said, "That girl truly lived up to your expectation. She ended up getting in using her own abilities. She even scored 100%."
"She's just too lowkey. Even without her good appearance, she could've been the talk of the university."
Cui Yan, "You don't know better. The more mature, calm, and lowkey someone is, the more likely they will be successful."
...
On the other side, Qiao Qing and Jun Yexuan didn't get far when Feng Heng grabbed Qiao Qing's wrist.
"You two are together now?"
Jun Yexuan's expression was cold as he pushed Feng Heng's hand away and pulled Qiao Qing into his chest, "Feng Heng, watch where you are!"
Feng Heng snickered at Jun Yexuan, "You sure aren't embarrassed to be the one saying that. In front of an entire crowd, you dance with her like that. Did you watch where you were?!"
Students who heard the fight all crowded over to watch.
Qi Yusen, who had just stepped out of the door, shouted coldly, "Get everyone out!"
After his order, a bunch of men dressed in black rushed over.
Before the students could figure out what was going on, the group of men had blocked their views and asked them to leave.
Once the bodyguards divided up the two groups of people, Feng Heng asked again, "Qingqing, are you two together now? Tell me!"
Qiao Qing didn't say anything. She only calmly extended her arm, "Feng Heng, give me back my necklace."
Jun Yexuan's eyes narrowed, "What necklace?"
Feng Heng's pupils restricted, "How's he better than me?!"
"Sigh, didn't I draw the conclusions for you last time?" Mu Jinghang walked over lazily then took off Jun Yexuan's mask.
"Don't you see? My third brother's better looking, more capable, and more talented. Qingqing? I would even choose my third brother, okay?"
Feng Heng, "..."
Qi Feng then said, "Other than the first point, I disagree with the other two. The Sect Leader is just as capable and talented! Also, is it a good thing that a man is prettier than a woman? To me, that's a con!"
Mu Jinghang, "I don't care what you say. Qingqing chose my third brother. What about it? You can be mad yourself!"
Qi Feng, "You..."
"Qi Feng, don't make this into an argument!"
Feng Heng interrupted Qi Feng. He stared at Qiao Qing and his tone turned sour, "If I don't give you back the necklace, would I still have a chance?"
Qiao Qing retreated her hand and said calmly, "Feng Heng, I have said many times, we are just friends. If you want, we can remain so. A necklace represents nothing. If you want to keep it, keep it. Just don't be stupid."
She then turned around and walked towards Qi Yusen, "Brother, let's go."