Yue Ling leaned wearily against the desk, her countenance engulfed in a fog of detachment. It seemed as if her very soul had taken leave. She just couldn't understand how Jiang Ling'er had triumphed so spectacularly.
Her gaze was candid and unmoved. After all, she was an adult who should discern the boundaries of right and wrong.
Bai Xue appeared composed on the surface, but her heart simmered with explosive emotions.
Covertly, Bai Xue retrieved her phone and dispatched two messages—one to Li Yan's assistant, beseeching him to uncover the informant behind Wen Nuan's revelation about Jiang Ling'er, and another to Jiang Jun, inquiring about the astonishing transformation in Jiang Ling'er's demeanor.
At noon, Li Yan arrived to whisk Bai Xue away for lunch, only to find her crestfallen.
"What troubles you?" Li Yan inquired, brimming with concern.
Reluctant to disclose that Jiang Ling'er had secured the top spot, Bai Xue hesitated momentarily before replying, "Yue Ling checked the results and informed me that she didn't make the qualifying rounds for the competition."
Bai Xue, cunningly, wove a web of deception, concealing her active role in examining the scores and intentionally casting herself as an unwitting recipient.
Li Yan speculated silently and remarked, "I heard that those eliminated this time failed to produce any noteworthy results. Do you wish to know which among Yue Ling or Jiang Ling'er scored higher?"
Considering the well-known bet between Jiang Ling'er and Yue Ling, the entire school was riveted by the outcome, even in the face of elimination.
With a melancholic look, Bai Xue responded, "No, Ling'er passed. You're aware of her tenacious spirit. I initially treated it as a joke, but I never fathomed Ling'er to be so serious and force Yue Ling to drop out."
Bai Xue spun her falsehoods with ease, disguising the lack of any actual occurrence while deliberately implicating Jiang Ling'er. This further reinforced Li Yan's disdain for Jiang Ling'er's supposed irrationality.
Li Yan found himself greatly astounded. Could it truly be that Jiang Ling'er had managed to succeed? Unthinkable. "You wish for Yue Ling to remain at the school?" Li Yan inquired.
Bai Xue nodded, her countenance awash with guilt and self-reproach. She pleaded, "It's my responsibility to take charge of both Yue Ling and Ling'er. How could Yue Ling provoke someone like Ling'er? Li Yan, can you ensure Yue Ling's stay?"
If Yue Ling stayed, it would be a slap to Jiang Ling'er's face.
Li Yan, though unwilling to witness his beloved in sorrow, saw no reason to antagonize the Jiang family on behalf of Yue Ling, who held no ties to him. He gently replied, "Little Xue, I understand your remorse, but it was Yue Ling who underestimated her opponent."
Jiang Ling'er's success in the examination had been an unexpected turn of events. Nevertheless, Yue Ling's provocation of Jiang Ling'er was an ill-advised move. Even if Jiang Ling'er were an insignificant figure, her departure from the school would provide the Jiang family with innumerable methods to exact retribution upon Yue Ling.
Li Yan's refusal only deepened Bai Xue's discontent. Suppressing her inner dissatisfaction, Bai Xue pleaded, "Li Yan, I know you're right. However, I suspect Ling'er might have resorted to cheating. Just think about Ling'er's previous performances. How could she outshine Yue Ling so suddenly?"
Li Yan fell silent, pondering Bai Xue's words.
Bai Xue was right. Jiang Ling'er's grades had been abysmal before. How had she experienced such a dramatic transformation? Cheating was a plausible explanation, yet lacking evidence, he dared not make any accusations.
Seeing that Li Yan was wavering, Bai Xue interjected, "I once witnessed Miss Wen providing Ling'er with copious information. Perhaps Jiang Ling'er had acquired the answers through that means."
Li Yan furrowed his brow and questioned, "Miss Wen supplied information to Jiang Ling'er? Is it related to this examination?"
"I'm pretty sure such information was exchanged," Bai Xue revealed after a moment's contemplation. "I witnessed Ling'er receiving it from Wen Nuan, although I cannot ascertain its exact contents."
Pausing momentarily, Bai Xue continued, "I asked Assistant Lin to investigate just now. There hasn't been any updates yet. Oh, by the way, did Assistant Lin not inform you?"
Bai Xue feigned confusion, despite having explicitly instructed Assistant Lin not to inform Li Yan, now cunningly deflecting the responsibility onto him.
Li Yan chuckled and remarked, "It's a minor matter. Assistant Lin possesses the authority to decide. Besides, it's only natural for you to seek his assistance."
Bai Xue's expression grew complex. "Li Yan, I'm torn right now. I don't want Yue Ling to leave our school, but I also can't tolerate Ling'er's deceit."
With a sigh, Li Yan responded, "You possess a kind heart. If you can prove that Ling'er cheated, Yue Ling can remain. If not, Yue Ling will have no choice but to leave."
"Can't you think of another solution?" Bai Xue implored, her frustration mounting.
Bai Xue's discontent began to simmer. If Li Yan were to take action, Yue Ling's position would remain secure.. Why, then, was Li Yan so unwilling?