“Substitute exam?!” Secretary Zhang’s expression changed drastically, his voice full of disbelief. “There’s actually such a thing!”
“Forcing their own daughter to take someone else’s exam this is far too vile…” someone beside him muttered.
Everyone around them sucked in a sharp breath. A child being forced by her own father to take a substitute exam, and even threatened with being sold to human traffickers this was too tragic.
They had originally thought she was a spoiled, unruly child from a privileged home, but the truth was the opposite: she was a miserable girl who wasn’t loved by her parents at all.
Everyone’s gaze toward Song Qiaoan immediately filled with sympathy. Even Wang Lei, who had been aggressive earlier, now looked ashamed and awkwardly turned his face away.
If the examinee was willingly participating in cheating, both parties would be guilty of illegal misconduct.
But this girl was clearly a coerced victim the situation was entirely different.
“Child, don’t be afraid,” Secretary Zhang said gently. “Tell me everything clearly, and we will definitely uphold justice for you.”
But Song Qiaoan only shook her head, crying and trembling all over. “No… I can’t… If my father finds out I ruined things, he’ll definitely beat me to death. My stomach hurt and I wanted to go to the bathroom, but the invigilator wouldn’t let me, afraid I’d run into someone outside and ruin their plan…”
“The invigilator?!” Secretary Zhang’s eyes sharpened. “The invigilator also knows about the substitute exam?”
“This is clearly collusion this is a group crime!”
“They even bribed the invigilators? My God, is there no law anymore?!”
Everyone was stunned. They had seen cheating before, but this kind of “full chain” operation involving parents planning, teachers participating, and coercion of a child was the first time they had ever encountered it.
This was no longer a simple exam violation it was corruption within the system itself.
Secretary Zhang’s expression turned completely cold. He crouched down to meet her eyes.
“Tell me everything carefully. I guarantee you will not be harmed.”
Only then did Song Qiaoan nod through her sobs and, intermittently, explain everything how Song Jianren bribed officials and teachers, forged documents, and arranged the entire scheme step by step.
The more they heard, the darker everyone’s expressions became. Song Jianren was truly audacious, and those teachers and officials who accepted bribes had completely lost their conscience.
“They must be severely punished! Not a single one can be spared!” Wang Lei said angrily, clenching his fists.
Secretary Zhang’s chest rose and fell with anger as well. Just as he was considering how to wipe out this entire network of corruption, he heard Song Qiaoan plead tearfully, “Uncle, please… don’t let my father know I told you. He really will beat me to death.”
Looking at the crying girl in front of him, Secretary Zhang felt deeply pained. What a good child how did she end up with such a beast of a father?
“Don’t worry, child. All investigation and action will only proceed once your safety is ensured. We will not put you in danger.”
He comforted her gently and patted her shoulder.
“Alright, go wipe your tears and return to the exam room. Don’t let the invigilator become suspicious.”
“Mm… thank you,” Song Qiaoan said, wiping her tears and quickly running back toward the teaching building.
“Secretary, what should we do next?” a staff member asked quietly.
Normally, in a major cheating case like this, they would immediately contact the police and detain all involved parties to collect evidence.
But now, with Song Qiaoan involved, they absolutely could not alert the enemy and risk putting her in danger.
After a brief silence, Secretary Zhang said sharply, “For now, remain still. Seal off the information, investigate and gather evidence in secret. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll take them all down at once without giving them any chance to react or counterattack.”
“Yes!”
“This Song Jianren is no ordinary person. His network is likely deeply entrenched, and even internal systems may not be clean. Therefore, this investigation must be highly confidential, and all personnel involved must be absolutely trustworthy.”
“Understood!”
Someone then asked, “What about Song Jiabao’s results?”
“Nullified,” Secretary Zhang said firmly and without hesitation. “Anything obtained through cheating must be erased.”
“Yes!”
When Song Qiaoan returned to the classroom, Sun Maocai was blocking the doorway, narrowing his small eyes as he scrutinized her.
“Why did you take so long?”
“My stomach hurt badly,” she replied with lowered eyes.
“Is that so?” He leaned closer, suspicion in his tone. “Did you meet anyone on the way?”
“No.”
Seeing that he still didn’t believe her, she added, “Teacher, it’s almost time. I still have a question left unfinished.”
Sun Maocai’s expression shifted. He stepped aside impatiently. “Hurry up! Don’t delay the exam!”
She returned to her seat. Ten minutes later, the bell rang and the exam ended.
Zhang Meilan and Song Jianren were already waiting at the door and immediately squeezed up to Sun Maocai.
The three of them gathered together, whispering about Song Qiaoan’s performance.
Sun Maocai smiled broadly and only spoke of good things, completely omitting her absence.
“Don’t worry,” he said confidently, patting his chest. “Her answers were flawless. I can’t guarantee a perfect score, but top-tier results are absolutely certain.”
“Oh my! That’s wonderful!” Zhang Meilan nearly jumped with joy.
The burden she had carried for days finally settled.
“You can rest easy,” Sun Maocai continued. “With me supervising the whole time, nothing could possibly go wrong!”
“Just go home and wait for good news wait for Jiabao to top the rankings!”
Zhang Meilan beamed, exchanging a look with Song Jianren and finally letting out a long sigh of relief.
After so many anxious days, everything was finally over and all their preparations had not been in vain.
Song Jianren shook Sun Maocai’s hand tightly.
“This time we truly have to thank Teacher Sun! Words cannot express our gratitude we really don’t know how to repay you!”
As he spoke, he quickly glanced around, then discreetly pulled out a stack of cash wrapped in newspaper and slipped it into Sun Maocai’s pocket.
With an understanding smile, he said, “This is what we agreed on earlier. I’ll transfer the remaining payment to your account when I get back every cent will be there.”
Sun Maocai pressed the bulging pocket, his smile deepening.
“Easy to talk to, easy to talk to! Then I’ll congratulate your son in advance on his success. When you hold the celebration banquet, don’t forget to invite me for a drink, haha!”
“Of course! We’ll throw Jiabao a grand banquet drinks all around!” Song Jianren laughed heartily as well.