Chapter Thirteen: He Definitely Stole It
“Have you heard? Last night Chen Xiang was taken away by Jiang Changyuan and his gang.”
“Did you know? Jiang Changyuan and Chen Xiang are an item now—they’ve made it official.”
“Let me tell you, yesterday Jiang Changyuan even brought Chen Xiang home…”
The rumors twisted beyond recognition weren’t really rumors anymore. From the moment Jiang Changyuan arrived at school, countless curious eyes relentlessly sought the truth.
Their hearts clawed like kittens desperate to know, yet no one dared to ask outright.
So, everyone flocked to Chen Xiang’s classmates to pry into the matter. Inevitably, Chen Xiang herself—one of the main figures—was bombarded with questions by nosy onlookers.
Irritated, Chen Xiang’s brows knitted sharply, a chill radiating from her as if she were an outdoor air conditioner.
“Why are you so eager to pry into others’ business? Is it because you have a long tongue?”
“I never knew a guy like you aspired to become the village gossip queen.”
“Instead of meddling in others’ private affairs, why not figure out why your drool is dripping into your brain?”
Just then, Jiang Changyuan arrived, bearing sweets, and caught sight of Chen Xiang unleashing her verbal barrage. He immediately gave her a thumbs up, showing his highest respect.
Excellent!
A total knockout of everyone around!
“Chen the top student, I brought you some treats.”
“Hmm, well done.”
Rare praise from Jiang Changyuan made him silently appreciate that the twentyfold tutoring fee was money well spent.
Everyone craned their necks, eyes fixed eagerly, desperate for fresh gossip.
“I brought the rest of the tutoring fees too.”
Bang!
The heavy sound instantly captured the attention of all the gossipers. What kind of tutoring fee could make such a satisfying noise?
Chen Xiang calmly opened her backpack, revealing just a corner of its contents—and the students behind her turned pale.
A huge bundle of cash!
Wow!
The onlookers were stunned. Is tutoring really this lucrative now?
For a moment, the crowd cast resentful glances at Jiang Changyuan. Everyone said tutoring him was a tough job, but now they wanted a piece of that hardship.
“Jiang Changyuan, where did you get all that money? Don’t tell me you stole it?”
Someone’s jealousy swelled, and the flat-top guy’s words immediately garnered several nods of agreement.
“A mere thirty thousand is nothing to me. If you don’t have it, it just shows your narrow vision.”
“You!”
The flat-top guy’s face twisted with anger at the mockery.
“Hmph, Chen Xiang, if you accept stolen money, be careful you don’t get dragged into a lawsuit.”
“Heh, can what cultured people do really be called stealing?”
Jiang Changyuan smirked ambiguously, turning to glare at the flat-top guy who had been bullied by the original owner.
“Let me tell you, all my money comes from innocent fools. I should thank you.”
“Thank you, you big fool!”
“Jiang Changyuan!!”
The flat-top guy, losing his temper after being roasted twice, clenched his fists and stepped forward. Jiang Changyuan, however, coolly fingered his ear.
Sure enough, seconds later, Jiang Changyuan’s gang from Class Two rushed up to protect their leader.
“What’s going on? Looking for a fight?”
“Trying to mess with Jiang Shao? You gotta get past my fists first.”
Seven people from Class Two stood behind Jiang Changyuan, their numbers and presence overwhelming the flat-top guy.
Impulsively, the flat-top guy lost his composure…
“You—just wait! I’m going to expose you!”
“Go ahead.”
Jiang Changyuan sneered. If he remembered correctly, the flat-top guy was some mid-level villain.
No matter, this villain’s territory now.
“What are you all doing here?”
A sharp voice cut through the tension as Gu Qing entered, accompanied by the armband and members of the student council.
Chen Xiang paused mid-snack selection, then nonchalantly continued picking treats.
The flat-top guy, seeing a savior, immediately rushed over to report.
“President Gu, Jiang Changyuan stole money from others. I’m filing a formal complaint.”
“Stole money?”
“Yes, a huge stack—definitely stolen by him!”
Glancing at Jiang Changyuan’s calm expression, the flat-top guy’s face darkened, tone firm.
Gu Qing felt a sudden surge of anger. Didn’t Jiang Changyuan ever cause trouble without making a fuss?
Naturally, he wasn’t Jiang Changyuan if he behaved.
“Jiang Changyuan, how do you respond?”
“Why should I explain?”
“So you admit to stealing?”
Jiang Changyuan’s eyes widened exaggeratedly.
“President Gu, don’t eat your food carelessly, and don’t speak recklessly.”
“If I accuse Zhang Chengliang of eating shit, and he denies it, does that mean he’s just too scared to admit it?”
A stifled laugh burst out from someone. Zhang Chengliang—the flat-top guy—immediately fumed.
Jiang Changyuan had just humiliated him in public. This wasn’t over today!
“Nonsense! You’re the one who ate shit.”
“Jiang Changyuan, you won’t admit your deeds. Everyone’s eyes are sharp. The tutoring fee you gave Chen Xiang is definitely stolen money.”
“Does it say ‘stolen money’ on it?”
Jiang Changyuan glanced over, chuckling lightly.
“No one else saw it, but you think you’re the clever one?”
“Quiet!”
Gu Qing’s cold shout silenced Jiang Changyuan, but Zhang Chengliang wasn’t backing down.
“President Gu, you can ask everyone here. Everyone saw it.”
“Besides Zhang Chengliang, who else is accusing Jiang Changyuan?”
The crowd exchanged looks and then lowered their heads in unison.
Putting Jiang Changyuan’s school bully status aside, there was still the question of whether the money was stolen.
After all, Jiang Changyuan was known for his lavish spending, never seeming to worry about money.
And with so many people contributing, the amount in the backpack could be explained.
“You guys… you…”
“I accuse him!”
Hearing this, Zhang Chengliang’s heart sank. When he saw who spoke up, his expression instantly soured as if he’d swallowed a fly.
Gu Qing frowned deeply. Jiang Changyuan was far from peaceful.
Was he about to accuse himself?
“President Gu, I accuse Zhang Chengliang of slandering me, seriously damaging my reputation, harming my feelings, and affecting my mental…”
“Shut up!”
Gu Qing glared fiercely at Jiang Changyuan, then turned sharply toward Zhang Chengliang.
“If you have evidence, show it. I will report this to the principal and the school.”
“I-I, I…”
Zhang Chengliang’s palms sweated. He had no evidence; his proof was just his words.
“Chen Xiang!”
“Yes, Chen Xiang must know this is stolen money.”
Looking up, Zhang Chengliang’s hopeful eyes met Chen Xiang’s cold face, which suddenly broke into a dazzling smile.
Jiang Changyuan’s gaze flickered quietly between Gu Qing and Chen Xiang. Good grief, the ice was melting.
“You want me to admit it?”
Zhang Chengliang nodded vigorously, confident that the ever-principled Chen Xiang wouldn’t cover for Jiang Changyuan.
Otherwise, it would mean confirming their relationship.
Suddenly, a wicked curve curled Chen Xiang’s lips.
“Sorry, I have no intention of colluding.”
“This money is my tutoring fee.”
“Lies! You’re lying!”
Zhang Chengliang screamed, clutching Gu Qing’s arm like a drowning man grasping a last straw.
“President Gu, you have to believe me.”
“Chen Xiang and Jiang Changyuan have an improper relationship. They’re in cahoots—you must not trust them.”
The classroom fell deathly silent, the sound of a pin dropping audible.
Regardless of whether the money was stolen, being caught dating at school could mean severe punishment—demerits at best, expulsion at worst.
Even if their relationship was innocent, they were far too close.