32 Clarifying Rumors II

The students began to whisper to each other as soon as they heard what the headmaster said. 

"Is he talking about Jing Yunzhao?" 

"It has to be, who else created such a scene at school? Especially when her father came to school yesterday, you should see how loud he was when he said that Jing Yunzhao dated one of the gangsters. It was just a rumor at first, and people began to believe it after Jing Yunzhao's father said it himself." 

Jing Yunzhao could hear the whispers around her clearly. 

"Simmer down, students!" The headmaster raised his voice and said, "about the gangster incident that took place recently, Jing Yunzhao had lodged a police report with the school's assistance. The police arrested the gangsters and confirmed that Jing Yunzhao had nothing to do with them after further investigation. The gangsters and Jing Yunzhao do not know each other, and the rumor about Jing Yunzhao dating one of the gangsters was definitely not true. We are hoping our students will watch what they say and stop spreading rumors, and the teachers of each class will be in charge of ensuring this. In the event that any student was found to be spreading rumors in an attempt to cause a stir, strict punishment will be imposed…" 

The headmaster continued to lecture the students. When the session came to an end, the headmaster announced in front of the whole school, "Lu Jia of Class 2 is hereby warned for causing a stir at school. Demerit points will be given if it happens again." 

There was an uproar among the students when they heard what the headmaster said. 

Jing Yunzhao heaved a sigh, emotions flashing in her eyes. 

In her previous life, she had been forced to suffer the consequences of false accusations in silence, but it was different this time.

One of the students standing beside Jing Yunzhao in line, Qiao Hongye was surprised and upset to hear the announcement. She always hated to hear about Jing Yunzhao from others, especially now when Jing Yunzhao's name was cleared in front of everyone as if she had suffered so much because of the rumors. 

What grievance did she suffer? Her parents had taken care of her for years, and even an animal would have been grateful for that. 

Qiao Hongye couldn't help but stare hatefully at Jing Yunzhao as she thought about it. 

Jing Yunzhao turned around when she felt someone's eyes on her and her lips curved into a cold smile when she caught Qiao Hongye staring at her. 

Qiao Hongye's heart skipped a beat. She rolled her eyes and looked away, acting unaffected. 

"What's wrong, Hongye?" A student asked when he noticed Qiao Hongye acting strange. 

"Nothing, it's just that the sun is making me dizzy," said Qiao Hongye impatiently as she felt a buzzing in her head. 

That student frowned and kept quiet. 

How could that be when it was still early morning? It was not summer yet so the sun wouldn't have made her dizzy even if it was afternoon. Also, he had noticed the vicious expression on Qiao Hongye's face. Who had offended her? 

Jing Yunzhao watched as Qiao Hongye looked away with a spiteful expression and turned back in front after smiling indifferently at Qiao Hongye. 

"I am so sorry, Jing Yunzhao. I told quite a few people about the rumors but I really didn't mean to damage your reputation," a girl approached Jing Yunzhao on her way back to the classroom and said apologetically. 

"You know the truth now, it's fine," said Jing Yunzhao with a smile on her face. 

While she could be calculative with her enemies, most people in this school actually meant her no harm and as such there was no point in her holding grudges against them. Furthermore, the fact that this girl came to apologize to her actually showed that her reputation was being repaired. 

"This is my first time talking to you. The others were saying that you are arrogant, but that isn't true at all! You are so good at studying too… Can I borrow your notes next time?" The girl looked relieved when Jing Yunzhao forgave her and asked. 

"Of course," said Jing Yunzhao. Unused to socialising, Jing Yunzhao was rather brief, but her smile was charming and some boys actually blushed when they looked at Jing Yunzhao's smiling face.