Online dating backfired? A wealthy heir begged me to continue lying to him.

"I admit that I misunderstood her. I was misled by the information given to me by the public. I made the wrong conclusion without learning more about her. I apologize."

"Tong Yao!"

"Is this how you admit your mistake?"

Regardless of whether Tong Yao's words are true or false, it is true that she avoided the main issue.

Tong Yao, however, showed no sign of backing down.

But she didn't speak, using silence as a form of resistance.

The leaders didn't tolerate her either.

"Since you acknowledge the facts listed in these documents, the school will impose appropriate penalties on you based on these materials."

A slight look of surprise flashed across Tong Yao's eyes, but she kept her mouth tightly shut.

All she did was post her speculation online and anonymously report it to the school; it didn't cause any real damage to Su Ruan.

Besides, the police have already imposed the maximum penalty of fifteen days of detention on her, which is enough.

The leader on stage then produced another document.

"This is an application for a heavier sentence submitted by the victim's mother."

Su Ruan, who had been quietly listening in the corner, immediately perked up her ears.

The victim's mother?

Her mother?

She knew that her mother had come to the school to look for her before, but they missed each other due to some unforeseen circumstances.

She was planning to go back next weekend, but unexpectedly, her mother not only came to see her, but also inquired about what happened at school and stood up for her.

Mom, you recognized me, didn't you?

You agree with me, it's not my imagination, is it?

Although she had verified this through various sources and guessed that she was the original owner of this body, she was not 100% certain because she lacked memories of the previous 18 years.

Now that her mother has come into the picture, she has gained even more confidence.

Whether she is her daughter or not, her mother clearly has a greater say.

More importantly, her mother actually submitted an application to the school in her capacity as her mother.

She was declaring to everyone that she, Su Ruan, was not an orphan without parental support.

Her heart clenched painfully.

It was as if a thread was firmly tied to it, pointing it into the distance.

In this world she had always thought was in a book, she found herself with heavy ties for the first time.

That kind of unbreakable bond, the connection that comes from blood ties.

Tong Yao was just as shocked as Su Ruan.

She had been able to maintain a calm expression, but upon hearing the document, she instantly lost her composure.

"On what grounds?"

"Su Ruan! What gives you the right?!"

Su Ruan, who was secretly sighing, looked at Tong Yao in surprise.

Tong Yao's reaction was too much.

This is strange.

When she was bullied, her mother would appear to stand up for her. Isn't that a normal thing to outsiders?

Why did Tong Yao suddenly seem to lose control?

"Did my mother go to see you?"

Although her words were a question, her tone was affirmative.

Tong Yao was provoked again.

"Don't think you're so great just because you have a mother."

Su Ruan's lips curled into a smirk. "I really do think it's amazing."

She was a mother who would talk to the bad guys who bullied her daughter, and a mother who would publicly support her daughter.

Why can't she feel amazing?

"Ahhhhh!"

Tong Yao completely broke down.

After screaming, she slumped into her chair.

Su Ruan suddenly understood.

Despite the fact that such a big thing happened to Tong Yao, she still hasn't received any news from Tong Yao's parents.

On this occasion, Tong Yao is the only one present.

It seems Tong Yao is jealous that she has a good mother.

There's nothing we can do about it.

She was born into a good family.

Tong Yao's breakdown and collapse did not affect the final punishment in any way.

The school ultimately announced its decision: expulsion.

This is already the most severe punishment.

Tong Yao, who had been slumped in her seat, was revitalized.

"I refuse to accept this! Why?! Su Ruan wasn't actually injured, so why am I being fired?"

"Tong Yao! Watch your attitude!"

"Today, the school is punishing you for your egregious behavior, and it has nothing to do with whether Su Ruan was injured. Don't confuse the two!"

"Furthermore, the punishment you received was decided upon after discussion among all of our school leaders. If you have any objections, you may submit a written appeal."

"Meeting adjourned!"

The meeting has ended.

Tong Yao seemed to have lost her soul.

"How could this happen?"

Clearly, she hadn't anticipated such a severe punishment.

"Did her mother put pressure on the school?"

"Did the school lose to capital?"

"You're so willing to sacrifice my future to curry favor with the powerful?"

The leaders who were about to leave all stopped in their tracks.

"Tong Yao, don't talk nonsense. The written application submitted by Su Ruan's mother is only one of the references and not the decisive factor. If you continue to spread rumors and slander, we will take necessary legal measures!"

"Tong Yao, you are an adult now, and you should learn to be responsible for your words."

"The world is never short of geniuses; you are just one of them. To achieve success, you still need to put in enough effort."

"Su Ruan, whom you look down on so much, is more outstanding than you, and she works harder than you."

"You have a long life ahead of you. It's never too late to wake up. That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself!"

The teachers, being elders who educate and nurture students, despite being quite angered by Tong Yao, still tried to wake her up in the end.

Tong Yao stopped making a fuss, but she looked like she had lost all her backbone.

Su Ruan looked at her calmly.

I still feel a little sad.

I heard that Tong Yao was also the top scorer in the province.

A top scorer in a province—it wasn't easy for him to make it this far.

She was once the pride of that place.

It's a pity she ended up at J University, a place teeming with geniuses.

The once-proud and talented student has become just one of the many students here.

This disparity in identity can inevitably lead to feelings of confusion.

Some people overcame the challenge and gained a new understanding of themselves.

Some people can't overcome the obstacles and end up as ordinary people instead of shining stars.

Life's journey is always filled with choices and uncertainties; some people get off here, while others stay there.

Different forks in the road, different choices, create different lives.

There's Tong Yao, who got into J University but lost her enrollment while feeling lost, and Xu Nianhe, who got into an ordinary second-tier university and then chose to marry a rich man.

Some are choices they make voluntarily, while others are not in control of their own lives.

Su Ruan didn't want to judge whether their choices were right or wrong, nor did she want to judge whether their lives were good or bad.

Different choices lead to different paths, and different joys and sorrows.

After sighing, Su Ruan sent the results of Tong Yao's case to their dormitory group chat.

Ruan Daole's news was the first to pop up.

"Great job! The school's handling of this situation is so gratifying. I need to go tell my friends this good news right away."

Ji Ning: "Same to you!"

Su Ruan: "Alright, this matter is finally over. How about we go out for a big meal for lunch today?"