We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

The deafening sound echoed in the empty classroom; it seemed Wu Changguo was truly angry.

"Who spread the rumors that Li Mubai comes from a poor family and is badmouthing him behind his back? Stand up and let me introduce myself."

His cold gaze swept across the entire class, and those whose eyes met his lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

The atmosphere in the classroom was so oppressive it was hard to breathe. After a long silence, Wu Changguo finally spoke again:

"As a class committee member, Li Mubai has always done things for everyone without pay, and I believe everyone has seen that. Yet you still maliciously slander him. Don't you feel disheartened?"

"It seems I've been too lenient with you. Parents send you to school so you can study in peace, not so you can spread rumors and cause trouble! I'm only emphasizing this once and for the last time. If anything similar happens again, the school will deal with it seriously and without leniency!"

It's so hard to catch people spreading rumors. In the process of information transmission, it may be intentional or unintentional, and it may be distorted or misunderstood by some people, thus covering up the truth.

Looking at the students with their heads down, suddenly an arm was raised.

"Li Mubai, is there anything you want to say?"

"I want to say to those who spread rumors, whether intentionally or unintentionally, please stop this behavior. Please put yourself in their shoes; you wouldn't want to be slandered for no reason either."

He stood up, his gaze calm as he looked at the backs of the students below the stage, his voice clear and steady.

"Moreover, my parents work very hard. Although they may not be as good as some other families, they have provided me with the material conditions they can afford. They also care about me a lot, and I think that is the most valuable thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Changguo led the applause, and applause immediately filled the classroom as everyone raised their hands.

Wu Changguo gestured for Li Mubai to sit down, his tone much gentler:

"Li Mubai is a student with sound values ​​and a willingness to work hard. He rose from eighteenth in the class to the top ten. I hope everyone will learn from his example."

The oppressive atmosphere in the classroom dissipated slightly, and Wu Changguo stopped talking and just stood quietly on the podium.

Sometimes, silence is more effective than reprimand.

"Let's leave this matter here and move on to the next one." He paused, "Next Friday, the top liberal arts classes from No. 1 Middle School and No. 3 Middle School will be coming to our school for an exchange program. Be mindful of your words and actions then and show the demeanor expected of students from No. 6 Middle School."

After giving his instructions, Wu Changguo continued teaching.

Ring ring—

The bell rang, but no one rushed out of the classroom as usual. Perhaps they had just been scolded, or perhaps they felt guilty and temporarily lost the energy to rush to the cafeteria.

"That's well said." Chen Qiuhe turned around and gave Li Mubai a thumbs up. "But how come I'm only finding out about this now?"

Xie Shu also turned around, her gaze gently falling on him.

"Uh—let's go eat first, we'll talk later."

"You must tell me everything honestly later!" Chen Qiuhe said, feigning a fierce expression.

After Xie Shu and the others left, a few girls hesitated before stepping forward.

"Class monitor, I'm so sorry!"

The leader was Zhang Qian, the literature and art committee member. I wonder if the person spreading the rumors was among this group.

"It's alright, let's go eat first." Li Mubai waved his hand gently.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, class monitor!"

Not everyone is like Zhang Qian, who is willing to apologize even for spreading rumors.

Many people may condemn themselves in their hearts, but they will never apologize to the person who was slandered.

But all things considered, this matter is now closed...

"Why haven't I seen Chen Qiuhe and the others?"

Upon arriving at the club activity room, Li Mubai only saw Xie Shu sitting alone in his seat.

"They need to go back to their dorm to wash their hair," Xie Shu said, flipping through the book in her hand.

Li Mubai responded and, as usual, moved his chair next to her, intending to wait for Chen Qiuhe to arrive before they did a dictation exercise together.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Xie Shu put down the book and looked straight at him.

Li Mubai was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

"Li Mubai, don't be like Chen Qiuhe, keeping everything inside. Waiting for your emotions to build up and explode will only make you feel worse. Tell me sooner rather than later, and we can work together to find a solution."

"No...no." He lowered his eyes. "I just don't want to be taken care of and helped by you all the time. There are some things I want to try to solve myself."

Xie Shu's fingertips paused slightly.

She suddenly realized that her concern, perhaps like her mother's, was always trying to solve everything for him, but this would not allow him to truly grow.

She gently took Li Mubai's hand.

"Sit closer."

Li Mubai, not understanding why, gently moved his chair closer.

The next second, his body suddenly stiffened.

Xie Shu gently rested her head on his shoulder.

"Your shoulders are so stiff, like a rock," she joked softly.

Li Mubai tried to relax, but only managed to ease the tension slightly.

"No matter what, if you encounter any problems in the future, you must tell me first. I want to know what trouble you've run into." Xie Shu's voice was as soft as a dream.

"good……"

The two nestled together quietly, the only sounds in the activity room being the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the ticking of the clock behind them. He had no idea how much time had passed.

"Sorry! I didn't see anything!"

Chen Qiuhe's voice broke in, and Xie Shu immediately straightened up and resumed his seated posture.

"Ahem." Li Mubai coughed lightly twice, and the atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment.

……

Chen Qiuhe and Deng Yi glanced at Li Mubai, whose eyes darted away uncomfortably.

They glanced at Xie Shu again; her eyes were calm and her expression composed.

"So, what exactly is this rumor? I asked the other girls, but they all refused to say," Deng Yi said.

"Yeah, what is it?" Chen Qiuhe asked curiously.

"That means my family isn't well-off." Li Mubai selectively ignored the comments that he was a kept man and a jerk.

"How's your home...?" Chen Qiuhe asked cautiously.

"That's good, at least we don't have to worry about food and clothing."

"That's good, that's good." She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then said angrily, "But it's awful that we didn't catch the person who spread the rumors."

"It's really hard to catch someone spreading rumors. If the person doesn't show up on their own initiative, no one knows whether it's intentional or unintentional."

"Does anyone know anything about your family situation?" Xie Shu asked.

"have."

"Who is it?" Chen Qiuhe asked.

"I ran into Huang Lingling while helping out at home during the May Day holiday, but I asked her this morning and she didn't spread the rumor."

"Is it possible that she's lying?" Deng Yi frowned in thought.

"Unlikely, she showed no signs of lying." Li Mubai smiled. "Let's focus on our studies first. This matter is considered closed, and it probably won't happen again."

Xie Shu glanced sideways at Li Mubai, his eyes clear and earnest:

"I don't care what your home is like."

Chen Qiuhe and Deng Yi exchanged a glance...