"You all don’t think that just because of this, I’m scared, right? That I’ll run out with reddened eyes and tears, and then not show up in the classroom again until this blows over? And when I co back to class later, with my head bowed and shoulders hunched, wishing I could just disappear into the ground?"
"For two and a half years we’ve studied together. The kind of person I, Ye Li, am—if you don’t understand or aren’t clear, you should at least have a judgnt in your heart, shouldn’t you? Just parroting what others say, and even joining in the speculation, I’d really like to know where all those years of your education went! With such intelligence, how did you manage to get into Imperial University?"
The perplexity on her face wasn’t feigned at all. Ye Li said earnestly, "The Ye Family has indeed gone bankrupt and we do owe a hundred million. But all the things said in the forum about knocking on doors to sell my body to pay off debts and keeping company for drinks at night, it’s all defamation. My lawyer has started to collect evidence and will soon file a lawsuit. I believe the law will provide with fair treatnt."
"I explain this because I have nothing to be guilty of; I am innocent. Your behavior now will not embarrass ; instead, it makes think you’re all very immature!"
Whispers began to fill the classroom.
Soone felt provoked and, burning with embarrassnt, wanted to retort but was pulled back and cald down by soone beside them.
Others shuffled in their seats, sheepishly making room by vacating the ones beside them.
When applause broke out from behind, Ye Li turned around just in ti to see Professor Zhao entering for the lecture.
"I heard what Ye Li said, and I fully agree!"
Signaling Ye Li to take a seat, Professor Zhao looked around the room and spoke with a heavy voice, "In ancient tis people caught at shadows, and today, we have keyboard warriors. There are no perfect victims in this world; if you look hard enough with a magnifying glass, you can always find faults and blemishes. And you, you have to learn to apply your intelligence and talent where it belongs. Especially for us in design; we need to focus and not just chase after every commotion. We are adults and should have our own judgnt!"
As he said this, Professor Zhao glanced at Ye Li, "I won’t comnt on Ye Li’s situation, but as long as you haven’t graduated, you’re classmates for four years of university. If she has been blackened and defad and if she becos a renowned designer in the future—and so do you. Just imagine, what would you feel if you encountered each other at an international jewelry exhibition in the future, looking back on today?"
The classroom went silent.
Leaving aside the forum’s hubbub, Ye Li’s talent was undeniable.
For two years in a row, she had been number one in the Jewelry Design departnt’s academic courses.
If there were only one opportunity in the entire design departnt to truly stand out, without a doubt, it would be Ye Li’s.
The very people who had been gleefully trying to embarrass Ye Li just monts ago were now flushed with sha and kept their heads down.
With his point made, Professor Zhao said no more and switched on the projector to start the day’s lesson.
From the back row, Ye Li took out her textbooks and pencil case and turned to thank the person beside her, "Qingkong, thank you!"
"No need to thank !"
Su Qingkong shook her head with a smile, "The last ti they did this to , it was you who stood up for , rember?"
Ye Li was taken aback.
It took her a while to recall the incident when Su Qingkong’s period had co early, staining her pants without her noticing. A group of guys laughed uproariously, nearly driving her to tears.
It was Ye Li who had scorned them for having no trace of gentlemanliness, their minds stuck centuries in the past, and it was she who lent Su Qingkong a jacket to tie around her waist for cover so she could return to her dorm and change, thus defusing the situation.
"My mom always used to say, ’n die as boys.’ I never believed her before."
Su Qingkong shook her head, sighing, "Now I really do believe it! n, whether they are 20 or 60, they’re all just a bunch of kids!"
Ye Li couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle.
...
Tang Yanhui acted swiftly. In just a couple of days, he had already spoken with those who were the most jubilant and offensive keyboard warriors on the forum.
Those who realized they had gone too far expressed, albeit awkwardly, their willingness to publicly apologize and ensure it wouldn’t happen again.
Then there were those who defiantly said, "If she dares to do it, what can’t I dare to say?" They remained unrepentant from start to finish, and subsequently received a lawyer’s letter and lawsuit notification.
A spectacular scene unfolded on Thursday evening.
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