The garden was quiet that afternoon. The breeze stirred the scent of lilies that framed the marble path, and the soft trickle of water from the artificial fountain mingled with the distant hum of chatter from the school buildings.
Sunlight dappled through the trees, brushing faint gold over Su Ning's hair as she sat on a wooden bench. Her calmness contrasted sharply with the earlier chaos in the hallway.
Chen Anya threw herself onto the seat beside her, face still flushed from anger. "I can't believe those people!" she burst out, her voice trembling with outrage. "How can they spread such horrible lies and act so proud about it? Why aren't you doing anything, Su Ning?"
Su Ning lifted her gaze from the small cup of coffee she was idly stirring. Her movements were unhurried, her expression composed, but her eyes those cold, clear eyes held a faint glint of amusement. "And what—" she asked softly, "would you have me do, Anya?"
"Anything!" Chen Anya exclaimed, gripping her knees tightly. "They're ruining your name online! Everyone's talking about it. They're saying you're—" She couldn't finish the word. The shame and fury choking her voice made her face turn red. "How can you sit there and smile?"
"I'm not smiling," Su Ning replied, a small, serene curve forming at the corner of her lips. "I'm just amused."
Beside them, Mu Suying leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. Her voice was gentle, but her eyes were serious.
"She's right, Su Ning. This isn't just gossip anymore. The rumor is everywhere—Stargram, Startok, Starbook. People are saying all sorts of disgusting things. What do you plan to do about it?"
Before Su Ning could reply, her phone vibrated softly against the bench. She glanced down, her expression barely changing when she saw the name flashing on the screen—Principal Di.
She swiped to answer.
"Principal Di," her voice was calm, elegant, carrying a quiet power that made both girls fall silent beside her.
"Miss Su," Di Fulin's voice came through the speaker, heavy with concern and a hint of anger. "I just saw the news. The school is already aware of the situation, and I promise you, we'll handle the spread of these rumors immediately. Those responsible will be severely dealt with."
"There's no need," Su Ning replied, her tone gentle but firm. "Don't interfere."
There was a pause on the other end. "Miss Su—"
"It will be handled," she said, each word light yet final. "When it's time."
Her voice wasn't loud, but there was something in it that silenced arguments before they could begin. Di Fulin, who rarely took orders from anyone, exhaled quietly. "If you need anything, please let me know. Personally."
"I will, thanks." Su Ning said, her tone softening slightly before she ended the call.
When she looked up, both Chen Anya and Mu Suying were staring at her with a mix of confusion and awe.
"That was the principal, wasn't it?" Chen Anya asked hesitantly.
Su Ning nodded. "Yes."
Mu Suying blinked. "Wait… Principal Di called you personally?" She tried to sound casual, but the disbelief was clear in her voice. "Most of us can't even reach his secretary."
Su Ning didn't answer. She simply reached into her bag, took out a compact mirror, and adjusted her earrings. Her movements were graceful, deliberate, as though the world's chaos had nothing to do with her.
Anya frowned. "Ningning, are you… really not upset? They called you—" She bit her tongue again, unable to say the word "all that...doesn't it make you angry?"
Su Ning closed her mirror, her eyes meeting Anya's. "I've been called worse," she said softly. "Anger is a gift I don't waste."
Her phone vibrated again. Another call.
This time, a name flashing on the screen, it was Mu Fucheng.
Su Ning picked up, her tone unchanging. "Director Mu"
"Miss Su," came Mu Fucheng's low, urgent voice. "I've seen the news. Do you want me to deal with it? I can have the entire thing wiped out within an hour."
Su Ning's lips curved faintly, but her eyes remained distant. "No need. I'll handle it myself."
He was silent for a moment. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," she said quietly. "Just make sure no one interferes."
"Understood," Mu Fucheng replied, "Pls take care of yourself."
When the call ended, she placed the phone beside her and leaned back against the bench. The fountain rippled softly behind them, its rhythm matching the calm rise and fall of her breath.
"Was that my dad?" Mu Suying asked curiously.
"Hmn" Su Ning nodded.
Chen Anya crossed her arms tightly. "You're too calm, Ningning. It's scary."
Su Ning smiled faintly. "You'll understand soon enough."
Meanwhile, in the principal's office, Di Fulin sat behind his mahogany desk, scrolling through his tablet. The screen was filled with various scandal headlines about Su Ning.
The comment sections were worse, vicious strings of envy and mockery.
Di Fulin's lips curved into a slow, disdainful smile as he read through the comments. "Idiots," he muttered to himself. "Blind idiots."
He leaned back, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. "If only they knew…" he smirked.
His eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "What a beautiful irony."
Hours later, in the school's boardroom, tension simmered like a live wire.
A dozen board members sat around the long oval table, papers and tablets scattered before them. The air was thick with accusation and unease.
"I'm telling you," one elderly man said heatedly, slamming his palm on the table. "We can't just sit and watch! The entire public is mocking FUYUAN! Parents are calling in every hour demanding an explanation!"
A younger woman nodded firmly. "She should be expelled immediately! Regardless of who she is, we cannot let this tarnish our reputation."
"Exactly!" another voice agreed. "It doesn't matter if she's someone with a black card. Rules are rules!"
Principal Di sat at the head of the table, silent, his fingers interlocked before him. His calm, almost lazy demeanor contrasted sharply with the others' frantic energy.
Finally, he raised his gaze. "You all seem very eager to make decisions," he said mildly. "Tell me, on what grounds do you plan to expel her?"
"On grounds of moral misconduct!" the first man snapped. "Her actions bring shame to the school!"
"Actions?" Di Fulin arched a brow. "Do you mean the unverified rumors circulating online?"
"She's been photographed with that Director Zhao," the woman interjected. "They're not related, and there's no reasonable explanation for their relationship. What else could it be?"
Murmurs of agreement rippled across the room.
Di Fulin sighed quietly. "So… none of you thought to verify the source before forming your moral judgment?"
The room fell silent for a moment, but the older man spoke again, red-faced. "Principal Di, this isn't about verification, it's about reputation! The public doesn't wait for proof. If we don't act now, we'll lose sponsors, our name—everything!"
Di Fulin's smile turned sharp. "Sponsors?" he echoed.
The room stilled. Puzzled frowns formed around the table.
He let the silence stretch, the tension thick enough to choke on. Then, softly , with that dangerous calm that made the room still — he spoke, "And what if I told you that the student you're so eager to expel… owns this academy?"
The words landed like thunder.
Every head turned toward him.
"What… what did you say?" someone whispered.
"You heard me," Di Fulin said. "Student Su Ning isn't merely a student. She's the primary shareholder and legal owner of FUYUAN Academy."
Disbelief rippled across the table. "That's impossible!"
"Is it?" Di Fulin's eyes glinted. "Because the Minister of Education called me personally this morning to confirm her identity and advise me not to entertain any foolishness. But here we are."
No one spoke. The earlier fury had vanished, replaced by dawning horror.
Finally, Di Fulin rose from his seat, buttoning his jacket with deliberate calm. His voice was cool, detached. "If anyone still wishes to continue this discussion, you may do so. Just make sure you've packed your things — you won't be needing your position afterward."
He paused at the doorway, turning back just once. His smirk was faint, but his eyes were sharp as glass.
"Next time," he said softly, "try not to plot against the person who feeds you."
Then he walked out, leaving the boardroom steeped in silence, shock and fear.