Chapter 25 Suspension

After reading the entire post, the students on the forum were in an uproar.

They had fought tooth and nail for a spot in the Math Olympiad, yet now, with barely a word, the coveted position was handed to a transfer student whose previous exam scores were all zeros? Moreover, the Asian Olympiad wasn’t just a matter of personal glory—it concerned the reputation of their entire school.

Other schools sent their top students, the cream of the crop. And their school was sending a so-called flower vase—a student whose test scores had been zeros since childhood? Recalling the post from Friday accusing Gu Ci of bullying someone in the cafeteria, everyone’s impressions of her plummeted to rock bottom.

Within moments, the comment section beneath the post was flooded with insults directed at Gu Ci.

"I almost got fooled by that face, but thinking back to Friday’s post, the more I consider it, the more terrifying she seems."

"Disgusting. How is someone like this still allowed in our school?"

"I said all along the transfer student cheated, but you all attacked me—now look who’s right!"

"Isn’t our school supposed to be famous for its strict discipline? One bad apple has ruined the whole barrel!"

"Is the school not going to respond? I suggest expelling this student to restore fairness for everyone else."

"Yes! Gu Ci out of No. 1 High!"

"Gu Ci out of No. 1 High!"

The situation had escalated rapidly; in the span of a single lunch break, nearly every student in the school knew what had happened.

The class representative for math in Class One even organized a petition among the students, taking it straight to the director of student affairs.

With both teachers and students watching closely, the director realized waiting for the principal’s return was no longer an option.

After some thought, he decided it wasn’t a bad opportunity to resolve the issue. After all, the principal’s attitude toward the Gu family...

With that in mind, he prepared to summon Jin Jiejiao to his office.

However, before he could send for her, Jin Jiejiao arrived hurriedly. “Director, have you heard about the situation on the forum?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, I was just about to look for you.”

“I’ve decided to return the spot to Duan Jingyi and have Gu Ci publicly apologize to her. We need to minimize the impact of this incident.”

Jin Jiejiao had come to discuss the forum post, but she hadn’t expected the director to suggest this.

She objected, “Director, my student hasn’t done anything wrong. Why should she apologize to Duan? And the spot belonged to Gu Ci in the first place—why should it go to Duan?”

“The spot belonged to Gu Ci?” The director sneered. “Ms. Jin, after reading the forum, you must know her grades, don’t you?”

With a snap, he slapped a transcript onto the desk in front of her, his tone harsh. “Let me tell you now, the results posted online are real! Do you still think the spot was Gu Ci’s?”

Jin Jiejiao opened the transcript, so stunned by the string of zeros that she forgot to breathe.

But soon her resolve returned. She inhaled deeply and pulled out Gu Ci’s recent homework, which she had brought along to show the director. “I believe her past grades don’t reflect her current ability. Besides, perhaps she had her reasons before. Here is her homework from the past two days—I think she’s an excellent student. She—”

The director, uninterested, impatiently pushed the assignments away. “What can I learn from your class’s homework? Whatever Gu Ci is like, that’s not my concern right now. The spot should go back to Duan, who worked for it. Otherwise, where’s the fairness?”

“And Gu Ci must apologize! The whole school knows about this—if she doesn’t apologize, do you want it to become a public scandal?”

Jin Jiejiao’s face flushed red from his rebuke, but she mustered her courage and spoke evenly, “Director, I don’t believe my student should apologize for something she didn’t do. Please don’t judge my student unfairly. If she’s on the list, it means she has the ability.”

Did the director not realize how much public apology over such a matter could hurt a student? In the end, this was a decision made by the higher-ups; how much responsibility could Gu Ci bear as a student?

“Gu Ci has the ability? Ms. Jin, you must be out of your mind!”

Raising his voice, the director pounded the desk, issuing an ultimatum. “You have two options: have Gu Ci return the spot to Duan Jingyi and apologize, or immediately accept suspension and go home to reflect.”

Jin Jiejiao’s face turned pale. After taking a steadying breath, she looked up, her eyes resolute. “I’m willing to accept suspension, but the school must not do anything to damage my student’s reputation. I believe the forum post has harmed her, so I request that the director instruct the forum administrator to delete it.”

With that, she turned and left the director’s office.

Watching her go, the director’s face darkened.

After considering for a moment, he posted an announcement on the school forum, declaring the spot would go to Duan Jingyi.

He had initially wanted to summon Jin Jiejiao mainly to secure Gu Ci’s apology; he hadn’t expected her to refuse to give up the spot as well. If that was the case, he’d have to handle it personally!

He then called in Duan Jingyi. “Duan Jingyi, the spot is yours again. I’ve posted the announcement. Work hard and strive for an excellent ranking in the Math Olympiad—it’ll benefit your future.”

“Thank you, Director!” Delight flashed in Duan Jingyi’s eyes, but she quickly asked, “What about Gu Ci? Will she apologize to me?”

She could hardly wait to see Gu Ci’s humiliation.

At the mention of Gu Ci, the director frowned. “There’s no need to concern yourself with a student like that. You’re destined for greater things; you won’t be on the same level in the future.”

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flickered in Duan Jingyi’s eyes.

The director’s point was clear: she should let the matter with Gu Ci drop.

But after everything Gu Ci had done, how could she be allowed to escape without any punishment? That wouldn’t do.

With these thoughts, Duan Jingyi left the office, lost in contemplation.

—

Meanwhile, Gu Ci knew nothing of the storm raging on the school forum.

Wen Zixin, seeing Gu Ci’s calm demeanor, hesitated before asking quietly, “Ci-jie, do you ever check the forum?”

“Mm.” Gu Ci glanced sideways. Noticing that Xiao Yang’s seat was still empty, she asked, “Xiao Yang isn’t here yet?”

Wen Zixin exhaled in relief, but before she could reply, Shi Xuetong interjected gleefully, “Oh? Even now, you’re still concerned about our Brother Xiao?”

“Brother Xiao often skips class; it’s perfectly normal for him to be absent today. You’re not expecting him to stand up for you, are you? If so, you’re bound to be disappointed.”