Chapter 2: Clinging

The bell signaling the end of self-study rang, and Ye Xuan’s standing punishment finally came to an end. His English teacher Qi Yue, with red eyes, left the classroom without even glancing at Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan watched as the teacher walked away, feeling quite embarrassed.

Other classmates gradually left the classroom, preparing to go to the cafeteria.

However, at this moment, a girl panicked and exclaimed, “Where is my bracelet? Has anyone seen my bracelet?”

Surrounding classmates said, “Search carefully. Is it in one of your pockets?”

The girl touched herself and said, “It’s not in my pocket. It was a birthday gift from my dad. It cost over three thousand yuan from Pandora. I only wore it for a few days before losing it.”

Someone interjected, “Could someone have stolen it?”

The girl who lost her bracelet happened to be Wang Jiao, Su Mengli’s desk mate. Many students gathered around out of curiosity.

At that moment, another girl suddenly said, “Mengli, what’s on your hand? Why does it look like a Pandora bracelet?”

Wang Jiao’s expression changed. “Mengli, when did you buy a bracelet? I remember you didn’t have one!”

“Could it be…”

Su Mengli blushed and hurriedly said, “This is my own bracelet.”

Wang Jiao looked suspiciously at her. “Yours? How coincidental! Is it also Pandora Shining Galaxy? How can you prove that it’s yours?”

Su Mengli felt quite uncomfortable under these questioning gazes as she explained, “This is my own thing…”

Although Su Mengli explained, she could still feel the doubt in the eyes around her. No one trusted her.

Everyone knew a bit about Su Mengli’s family situation. Her family conditions were average, and her parents had a poor relationship, often quarreling. Even at parent-teacher meetings, her parents never attended. Where did she get the money to buy such an expensive bracelet?

“In my opinion, it must be her.”

“Should we report it? This bracelet costs three or four thousand yuan. Isn’t this considered theft?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, our class actually has a thief. If this gets out, our reputation will be ruined.”

“Not only that, I heard that Su Mengli has been fooling around with those hooligans outside of school. I heard she’s not a virgin anymore!”

The people around whispered to each other. These girls were naturally gossipy, and Su Mengli? She was so beautiful that it made other girls jealous.

If Su Mengli had excellent looks along with outstanding grades or a good family background, they wouldn’t dare to defame her like this.

But at the moment, it seemed that besides her exceptional appearance and figure, Su Mengli had no other advantages. These girls naturally tried their best to tarnish Su Mengli’s reputation.

These words and fragments of conversation kept entering Su Mengli’s ears.

Her face turned pale, and tears uncontrollably fell onto her books as she clenched her delicate fists tightly and lowered her head.

Her bracelet was given to her by her father when he finally divorced from her mother and gave custody to her mother.

Her father felt guilty towards her and bought her a phone along with this bracelet as a way of ending their father-daughter relationship on a positive note.

As for what others said about her fooling around with hooligans outside of school… The truth was that those guys had harassed her several times because of her beauty. She had only recently managed to get rid of them. Now, she was still pure and innocent, but her peers were saying that she was no longer a virgin. How could she not feel wronged and heartbroken?

Wang Jiao persisted, “Su Mengli, crying won’t help you. Did you steal my bracelet or not? If you did, give it back to me, and I won’t pursue it any further!”

Su Mengli looked at Wang Jiao with teary eyes, torn inside. She could continue to deny it.

But what was the point of denying it? It would only lead to more questioning and insults.

It would be better to admit it, return the bracelet to her, and escape from this place. Su Mengli felt a sense of despair as she prepared to confess to this baseless accusation.

However, at that moment, an annoyed voice sounded out, “Wang Jiao, what nonsense are you spouting? Who stole your bracelet?”

Wang Jiao looked up and saw Ye Xuan. Her expression changed.

Ye Xuan was quite handsome and had average grades. If he had to be labeled with something, it would be “not easy to mess with.”

Although Ye Xuan couldn’t be considered a rich second generation, his father was a boss in his own right, making their family much better off than ordinary people.

And Ye Xuan’s sister was a well-known lawyer. Ordinary students didn’t dare provoke Ye Xuan.

Wang Jiao also feared Ye Xuan. Her originally aggressive demeanor instantly wilted as she said weakly, “Ye Xuan, this has nothing to do with you. Mind your own business.”

Ye Xuan loudly declared, “How does this have nothing to do with me? That bracelet belonging to Su classmate was bought by me for her. You say she stole your bracelet? Isn’t that just talking nonsense?”

Wang Jiao’s expression changed. “You bought it? You…”

“Don’t ask me why I bought a bracelet for classmate Su. Do you have the right to interfere? In any case, it’s impossible for her to steal your things. Everything I, Ye Xuan, said is true. Now disperse!”

Ye Xuan had some influence in this class, so Wang Jiao didn’t dare to continue pestering him and left dejectedly.

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