Lin Xin also nodded. “If it hadn’t been for Sister Tang, I wouldn’t have improved so quickly,” she argued. “I also believe in her capabilities. She’d definitely ace this test!”

Qin Jing didn’t have to say anything as she stared through the window. After all, her determined expression was enough to proof as to whom she was siding with.

There was a few minutes of silence before she said, “This Yao Ran is really unpredictable.” Her frown deepened. “Her true colors are starting to show.”

..

By the time all the teachers had finished grading their papers, it was already 11 PM.

The results had finally been released.

Yao Tang had almost scored full marks in all her subjects if it hadn’t been for the essay portion, where two points had been deducted.

Yao Ran, however, scored a few points above 700–as usual.

The test paper was completely new and known to be the infamous midterm exam in Shanghai. It was unlikely that anyone had ever seen this test before, nor had they taken it.

Yet, Yao Tang still got a high score. There was no way she could be accused of cheating.

Yao Ran, however, was still more than ten points behind her.

Luo Hua scowled at the results of the test papers. His fingernails dug into his palms. He didn’t want to believe that Yao Tangreally was smart enough to achieve such a thing.

With a roll of her eyes, Yao Tang shoved her pen back into her pockets and walked over to the front of the desk.

Yao Ran had also walked over. She took a deep breath and stared as the teachers conversed outside the hall together. The results were yet to be released.

The teachers who had finished grading their papers all smiled at Yao Tang. Some even gave her a thumbs up before they headed down the stairs.

A strange feeling stirred in Yao Ran’s chest. Something wasn’t right.

With a creak, Principal Kong and Xi Yanstepped out of the door. Luo Huahad stepped out of the teacher’s facilities. As soon as Meng Yangand the others had seen them, they immediately rushed over.

“How did the exam go?”

One glance at Principal Kong, and Qin Jing was already feeling confident about the results. She relaxed just a bit and smiled brightly at the newcomers.

“The exam had exceeded all of our expectations. Both students performed really well,” Principal Kong praised.

Although he was the one who had called for a retreat, he already expected such results from his student prodigy. “Yao Tang has performed quite exceptionally in this exam. In fact, she nearly scored full marks.”

“She scored 748 points. The only reason she wasn’t able to score 750 was because of our teachers deducting two points as a conservative practice.”

“Yao Ran also scored well, with 712 points.”

His eyes were shining with pride for his two students, but that certainly couldn’t be said for the teacher standing behind him.

Luo Hua looked like he had just bitten a lemon with the way his face was all scrunched up. He could only shift his gaze away, not bothering to say a word.

Xi Yan, who had been standing beside the students, patted Yao Tang’s head. “Yao Tang did very well, even proving to all of us that she didn’t cheat in the city-wide exam.”

“Of course!” Principal Kong clasped his hands together. “If anyone were to accuse Yao Tangagain, I’ll be the first to let him off the case. Her cheating–that’s ridiculous!”

“Hmph!” Meng Yang snorted, eyeing the older teacher behind him. “Maybe you can start with him—accusing someone who doesn’t even have any pieces of evidence to back him up!”

“What a villain.”

They all glared at Luo Hua in unison. Even Lin Xin, who was generally a soft-hearted student, was also staring daggers at his back.

Despite being outraged by the students’ outbursts, Luo Hua didn’t know what else to say.

“You have to respect your teachers, Meng Yang,” Principal Kong instructed.

However, there really wasn’t much weight on the principal’s words.

“Well, now that you believe that Sister Tang couldn’t have cheated, don’t you think it’s time for you to admit your mistake?” Qin Jingcrossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the railings.

“That’s right! How dare you accuse the innocent?” Xiao Pang quickly added.

Yao Tang wasn’t minding the messy ordeal happening before her. Instead, she took her time scanning over her phone as if she was trying to look for something.

“What do you mean — “admit my mistakes”?” Luo Hua rolled his eyes. “Is it so wrong for me to investigate her for the questionable paper I found in her drawer? I’m merely acting as a teacher.”

“Yeah!” Yao Ran also said. “Please don’t take any of this to heart. We were also thinking of Yao Tangin this investigation. It was a good thing that she was investigated now since such consequences would ban her from taking the exam for three years!”

After all, what they had just taken was a national exam. If someone were to be caught cheating, they would be banned from ever taking it for three years.

“You were thinking of her?” Qin Jing rolled her eyes. Yeah, right!