Chapter 53.2

Due to how pitiful the crying roommate looked, when they reached the academic affairs office, the teacher first asked him why they had fought and who had struck first.

The roommate couldn’t admit he was seeking revenge for losing the girl to Pei Zheng. Humiliated and angry, he stumbled over his words, unable to explain himself.

The teacher turned to Pei Zheng, asking, “Tell me, why did you and Zhao Shucheng fight? Who started it first?”

Pei Zheng was just as confused as the teacher. He had no idea why that idiot had inexplicably hit him. He imitated his stepmother’s way of pretending to be wronged and said with his head down like a young wife, “Zhao Shucheng started it first. I don’t know why he hit me. I hit him back in self-defense.”

Teacher: “???” Beating someone to tears in self-defense? Do you think he is ignorant of the law?

Zhao Shucheng: “…” Pei Zheng, have some shame. You’re still aggrieved after beating me like this? Vomited.

Zhao Shucheng’s face twisted in frustration, feeling sick to his stomach. Yet, he knew he was in the wrong. Many people had seen him throw the first punch.

…It was even worse that he only threw one punch before being beaten senseless.

Zhao Shucheng was very unwilling to accept this. He couldn’t admit he was wrong, so he devised a way to smear Pei Zheng’s reputation.

It was well-known that Pei Zheng had a beautiful history major classmate, who Pei Zheng claimed was his sister. Zhao Shucheng didn’t believe it at all. He and his male classmates had secretly checked her out, and there was no resemblance between Lu Nong and Pei Zheng. There was no way they were siblings or even cousins.

If they are cousins, the law doesn’t prohibit them from marrying. Perhaps they really are in a close sibling-like relationship.

Zhao Shucheng felt sour. Why should all the good fortune go to Pei Zheng? It wasn’t enough for him to have an “older sister” and now he was also pursuing Zhou Xiaoyu. Zhao Shucheng wondered what made him better than Pei Zheng.

So, in front of the teacher and the onlookers, Zhao Shucheng slandered Pei Zheng, saying, “I started it first because I can’t stand seeing Pei Zheng messing around with romantic relationships!”

As soon as he said this, things escalated.

In a way, a fight could result in a warning, but messing around in relationships could lead to expulsion and leave a permanent mark on one’s record. In a few years, as societal norms become stricter, anyone labeled with “messing around” could be publicly shamed and humiliated, ruining their lives.

“Is what Zhao Shucheng said true?” the teacher asked sternly.

Zhao Shucheng held his head high and replied, “Of course it’s true! Everyone knows that Pei Zheng has an older sister named Lu Nong, who is from our school’s History Department. Many students have seen them together. They are inseparable, walking to and from school together. Even a fool can see their relationship is unusual. I heard that on the first day of school, Pei Zheng skillfully carried a little boy, and Lu Nong openly admitted that the boy is her child.”

“Maybe that child is Pei Zheng’s, born from Lu Nong and Pei Zheng! Yes, that’s it!”

The more Zhao Shucheng spoke, the more convinced he became.

Pei Zheng was so angry that he wanted to punch Zhao Shucheng again. “Nonsense! The relationship between Lu Nong and I is not like what you said. I am sixteen years old, and Xiao Huai is two years old. Can I give birth to him at the age of fourteen?”

“Who knows?” Zhao Shucheng scoffed. “There are plenty of cases like this in remote areas. Lu Nong could have been your child bride.”

“Say that again!?” Pei Zheng exploded with anger. This guy was full of nonsense, only saying “maybe” and “possibly,” as if he was making up stories!

The teacher stepped in to stop Pei Zheng and turned to Zhao Shucheng, saying, “Even if that’s the case, it’s still a private matter between Lu Nong and Pei Zheng, and it has nothing to do with messing around in relationships.”

“Pei Zheng is also with our department’s Zhou Xiaoyu! He is playing both sides, not only having a child with Lu Nong but also getting involved with Zhou Xiaoyu, who has no idea! I hit him to rid the world of a scourge!”

After saying this, Zhao Shucheng was so moved by his own actions that he looked righteous despite his battered face.

Pei Zheng: “……” This is just ridiculous!

Unable to hold back, he asked, “Who is Zhou Xiaoyu? When have I ever dated her?”

Zhao Shucheng: “……”

Zhao Shucheng was furious and shouted from behind the teacher at Pei Zheng, “What are you pretending for! Zhou Xiaoyu said that her ideal partner is someone like you! And you didn’t know?”

“Also, Lu Nong, such a beautiful woman has already given you a child, and you still want more. You refuse to give her a title and betray her for another woman. You are a scoundrel!”

Pei Zheng rolled up his sleeves. He didn’t want to waste time arguing with someone so clueless. If he didn’t beat this guy to the ground today, he wouldn’t be Pei!

Seeing this, Zhao Shucheng quickly turned to the teacher for help: “Pei Zheng is going to kill someone! Teacher, he is guilty!”

“Enough,” the teacher interrupted them, rubbing his temples. “Right now, each side has their own reasoning, and I can’t come to a conclusion. Go find Lu Nong and Zhou Xiaoyu, the two involved parties. That will clarify everything.”

As a result, Lu Nong was called to the academic office, drawing much attention. Some onlookers believed Zhao Shucheng’s claims and looked at her with sympathy.

Lu Nong: “……”

Zhou Xiaoyu hadn’t arrived yet. When Lu Nong entered, Zhao Shucheng worried that Lu Nong might collude with Pei Zheng to protect him. So he tried to seize the moment and said, “Lu Nong, we all know who the father of your child is! You don’t need to hide it anymore.”

Lu Nong ignored Zhao Shucheng and, after checking that Pei Zheng wasn’t hurt, felt relieved. Even though she knew Pei Zheng was strong, she was genuinely worried about him facing Zhao Shucheng, who was tall and muscular.

The teacher gave Zhao Shucheng a warning glance, then called Lu Nong forward and explained the situation seriously. “Lu Nong, you are also a student here. If you have any grievances, you can talk to the school and the teachers. This is a new society, and we will help you.”

Pei Zheng: “……” So they still didn’t believe him.

Lu Nong understood the teacher’s good intentions. If Pei Zheng really was a scumbag, this approach would greatly comfort the hurt woman.

The ones at fault were the ones spreading rumors.

Lu Nong began to explain, “Thank you for your concern, teacher. But I assure you, there is no ambiguity between Pei Zheng and me. The father of my child is a soldier named Gu Weiguo. If you don’t believe me, you can verify this. I do have a relationship with Pei Zheng, but it does not involve a romantic one.”

“Many people in the History Department know that I have a husband, who is a soldier. As for Pei Zheng, to be precise, he is related to my husband, which is why we go to school together every day.”

Not just related. Her husband is Pei Zheng’s father.

The term “soldier” carries significant weight. If Lu Nong really is a military family member, claiming she has a romantic relationship with Pei Zheng would imply that military family members engage in illicit affairs.

Moreover, Lu Nong had denied that Pei Zheng was the father of her child and even provided the father’s name, showing she had nothing to hide. Everyone observed Lu Nong’s confident demeanor, realizing she was likely telling the truth.

Since Lu Nong’s claims seemed true, Zhao Shucheng’s words were obviously false. The crowd turned to him, waiting to see what he would say next.

In a fit of rage and humiliation, Zhao Shucheng shouted, “You’re in cahoots with Pei Zheng, so of course you’d back him up. And Zhou Xiaoyu too! Pei Zheng is pursuing Zhou Xiaoyu!”

Lu Nong sighed, “You are a law student, how can you be so illogical? Since Pei Zheng and I are clear, even if he is dating Zhou Xiaoyu, it doesn’t count as messing around in relationships, does it?”

“Why are you so indignant? Oh, I guess it must be bothering your eyes,” Pei Zheng said with a smirk.

“You!” Zhao Shucheng’s face turned red from anger.

Pei Zheng quietly added, “I’m not in a relationship with Zhou Xiaoyu. In fact, I’ve been wanting to ask, who exactly is Zhou Xiaoyu?”

Lu Nong was surprised and exclaimed, “You didn’t know her? Then why did he say you were dating Zhou Xiaoyu?”

“I’m not him, so how would I know why?” Pei Zheng rolled his eyes.

“…So, who is Zhou Xiaoyu?” Lu Nong asked Zhao Shucheng curiously.

Pei Zheng looked at Zhao Shucheng, and Lu Nong followed suit. Both of them wore identical expressions of curiosity.

Zhao Shucheng: …

Game over.