Chapter 69 - "It looks like Lin Xi's parent is really some big shot." (3)
What Lin Xi didn't know was that as soon as the two students who had walked passed her returned to the classroom, they immediately shared with the others that they had seen her in the hallway.
It wasn't a big deal in and of itself but with Lin Xi's "celebrity" effect, that had stirred up quite a bit of discussions among the students.
The classes had just finished and, seeing that Gu Shao and Gu Xi were leaving, many poked their heads out from the classrooms and ogled.
"Eh, that really is Lin Xi."
"Is she leaving already?"
"Is she transferring?"
All sorts of voices could be heard.
Quickly, these individuals' attention went from Gu Xi to Gu Shao.
"Is that her parent next to her?" Said someone in surprised while pointing at Gu Shao.
Ever since the beginning of school, nobody had never seen Lin Xi's parents before. They had never even seen anyone coming for her parent-teacher conference.
As such, the parents of the number one in her grade had become a legend.
And now, seeing that there's an adult next to Lin Xi, everybody couldn't help but be curious.
"Looks like it," grumbled someone softly.
"Wow, amazing... For a while there I thought she has no parents."
"How does that make sense. Perhaps they live overseas. That being said, I felt that her parent is really somebody."
Gu Shao did not look like just any ordinary person when it came to his aura or temperament.
"That is a custom car, right? It's not a ready-made one. And, look at that license plate. Not every one can get one of those."
The few who were gossiping exchanged a look.
"Old Mr. Gu. Is Lin Xi's parent some sort of a big shot?"
"Now that you have mentioned it. I can't see him clearly from this distance but he does look somewhat familiar. I think I have seen him in some publications before."
The person next to them nodded. "I think so too. Look, why else would the principal walk them out in person?"
***
The discussion quieted down.
All of them recalled something at the same time: The rumor from the forum.
It said that Lin Xi came from a lowly background. Giving what they were looking at right now, that sounded like a blatant rumor!
And the saying that Lin Xi was only able to do so well on her examinations because she had a "thing" with the boss of the print shop and was able to get the test papers ahead of them was even more ridiculous.
Judging from the respectful look on the principal and how he was nodding and bowing, had Lin Xi wanted the test papers ahead of time, she might as well get them directly from the principal. Why would she need to use such a stupid and convoluted method?
Not to mention that in many of examinations, quizzes, and competitions that followed, Lin Xi had more than proven that she was a valedictorian. She did not need to cheat.
"Aye, it was all that rumor's fault." Someone lamented.
"Exactly. What was that all about? The school never did announce who it was behind that. I thought those were all true."
"... ..." They resumed their gossiping.
The truth had been there all along. The only difference was what the others choose to believe in at different time from different perspective.
***
Lin Anxin was one among the crowd.
She had been talking about Lin Xi with the others as well, except that the topic had already switched course.
"That's Lin Xi's parent, right? Do you know him, Anxin?" Someone turned and asked Lin Anxin.
Lin Anxin shook her head.
She had, in fact, saw that man before. At their house, just the other day. But she didn't want to share that.
Seeing that, the person next to her nodded. Then, something else occurred to them and they smiled, "I knew it. Someone said you and Lin Xi were related before. That was hilarious."
Another one of them chimed in as well, "That was right. I was quite surprised too."
Lin Anxin remained silent with a long face.
–– Even though Lin Xi left with her and arrived at school together every day, Lin Anxin did not want others to know that she was her sister.
As such, she would ask the chauffeur to pull over when they were still a little distance from the school and had Lin Xi get out first before dropping her off at the front of the school.
Their family did not object to that.
Later on, when the rumors had started and Lin Xi earned a bad reputation, Xu Jiaofeng and the others agreed with Lin Anxin's behavior.
They even had the two of them go to school separately afterward.
They didn't want Lin Anxin affected by Lin Xi's poor reputation.