The math teacher frowned. “Everyone, be quiet.”
Cheng Fenghao’s expression turned unpleasant. “Teacher, Cheng Ye cheated. Unless he can provide evidence to prove he didn’t.”
From last place in the class to first place in a single leap—his suspicion of cheating was far too obvious.
Otherwise, how could he possibly score full marks?
The math teacher turned his gaze toward Cheng Ye.
Cheng Ye replied casually, “If you think I cheated, then show your evidence. Why should I have to prove myself?”
Cheng Fenghao clenched his fists. “Last semester, your math score was only 12, and now you got 150. If that’s not cheating, what is?”
“I just didn’t take studying seriously before. Now I do. Is that not allowed?” Cheng Ye’s voice turned cold. “Or is it that you can’t accept losing?”
Cheng Fenghao gritted his teeth. “Cheng Ye, you need sufficient evidence to prove you didn’t cheat. This isn’t about whether I can accept losing—it’s about academic integrity.”
“If you’re willing to cheat on this math quiz, then what about future major exams? If the school leadership finds out, it’ll ruin Yahua High School’s century-old reputation.”
Cheng Ye glanced at him sideways and said coldly, “If you’re not using your brain, are you saving it as an heirloom? The one who makes the accusation provides the evidence—even elementary school students understand that. You don’t? Tsk, looks like something’s wrong with your head.”
Cheng Fenghao’s face turned extremely ugly. Being publicly rebutted like that left him speechless.
Although the students below were still whispering, no one continued to question whether Cheng Ye had cheated.
The one who makes the accusation provides the evidence—there was nothing wrong with that statement.
The math teacher couldn’t help but look at Cheng Ye with newfound respect. Well said.
“Remember, next Monday, write your 10,000-word self-reflection in advance, and during the flag-raising ceremony, apologize sincerely in front of the entire school for falsely accusing me.”
Cheng Ye curled his lips. “Cheng Fenghao, you won’t forget the bet, right?”
Cheng Fenghao’s face shifted between pale and green. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Chu Xiyan looking in their direction.
If he broke his promise, the good impression he had in Chu Xiyan’s eyes would be greatly damaged.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Cheng Fenghao said bitterly. “I’ll honor the bet.”
After class, Cheng Ye stood up leisurely, a taro-flavored lollipop that Jiang Mian had just given him in his mouth, and walked over to Chen Yang.
Remembering what had happened before, Chen Yang instinctively shrank his neck. Hugging his head with both hands, he looked up at the cold young man looming over him with fear.
“Ch-Cheng Ye, what do you want?!” Chen Yang tried to slip away, but Cheng Ye easily grabbed his collar, leaving him unable to move.
Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow. “I have a good memory. Didn’t you say that if I got first place, you’d go eat SHI?”
Chen Yang was terrified, his whole body trembling. “Ch-Cheng Ye, bullying classmates violates the Student Handbook!”
Last time, Cheng Ye used the Student Handbook to pressure him. This time, he could use it to push back!
Cheng Ye’s tone lowered, carrying a hint of amusement. “It’s fine. If you want to report to the teacher, I don’t mind crippling you before you do. I can always drop out afterward.”
Chen Yang trembled uncontrollably, his legs going weak. “Cheng Ye, you’re not playing fair!”
Before he could say anything more, Cheng Ye forcefully shoved him out of the classroom and pointed toward the restroom at the end of the corridor. “You know what to do. I don’t need to teach you, right?”
Chen Yang felt like crying without tears. Damn it—if he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have run his mouth. Of all people, he should never have provoked Cheng Ye!
Cheng Ye always repaid grudges!
Five minutes later, Chen Yang returned to the classroom reeking of a foul odor. Before he could even step inside, Chu Xiyan sharply scolded him and drove him away.
Her pretty face was filled with anger. “Chen Yang, clean yourself properly before coming back to class!”
Chen Yang felt utterly miserable. Amid the classmates’ roaring laughter, he left the classroom again and went to the restroom, awkwardly washing off the filth.
At the same time…
Cheng family villa.
Cheng Shiyan had gathered everyone in the Cheng family in the living room. Her tone was excited. “Dad, Mom, Big Sister, Second Sister, I’ll call Fenghao’s math teacher in a moment to ask about both his and Cheng Ye’s test scores.”
The thought of Cheng Ye embarrassing himself soon made her feel incredibly satisfied.
Last night, Cheng Ye had been far too arrogant!
He actually dared to bet with Fenghao, dreaming of taking first place in the class?!
Did he even deserve it?!
Cheng Shiyan dialed the math teacher’s number, deliberately turning on speaker mode and raising the volume to the maximum so that everyone present could clearly hear the conversation.
“Hello, is this Teacher Li, Fenghao’s math teacher?” Cheng Shiyan asked excitedly.
Teacher Li responded with a hum. “Yes. May I ask what this is about?”
“I’d like to ask about Fenghao’s test score. How many points did he get this time?”
“145 points. Very well done,” Teacher Li praised sincerely.
Fenghao was first again!!
Cheng Shiyan beamed with pride. “Of course. He’s the pride of our Cheng family.”
Father Cheng, Mother Cheng, and the elder sisters all revealed satisfied and proud smiles.
Fenghao was the carefully cultivated heir of the Cheng family. His future was boundless.
Teacher Li frowned slightly. The Cheng family was one of the most prominent families in the capital city. Even someone like him, who didn’t pay much attention to high society gossip, had heard about the situation between Cheng Ye and Cheng Fenghao.
Cheng Ye was the real son, while Cheng Fenghao was only the adopted one.
Didn’t wealthy families always value bloodlines the most?
So why did the Cheng family favor the adopted son Cheng Fenghao while cutting ties with their biological child Cheng Ye?
The fact that the biological son couldn’t even return to his roots was rather ironic.
“Oh right, Teacher Li, how many points did Cheng Ye get this time? It shouldn’t be something ridiculous like a single-digit score, right?”
Cheng Shiyan had already assumed that Cheng Ye was once again the bottom of the class.
Her tone when asking about Cheng Fenghao was gentle and patient, but when it came to Cheng Ye, it was filled with undisguised disdain and mockery.
Teacher Li understood immediately. The Cheng family wanted to compare Cheng Ye and Cheng Fenghao’s scores, make Cheng Ye lose face, and laugh at him.
Unfortunately for them, they wouldn’t get that chance.
With that thought, Teacher Li said firmly, “Miss Cheng, Cheng Ye scored a perfect 150. He ranked first in the class.”
After speaking, he added meaningfully, “Your Cheng Ye has improved tremendously. He must have received a lot of support and help from the Cheng family, right? His excellent performance should be the result of your encouragement, wouldn’t you agree?”
Cheng Shiyan’s smile froze instantly.
Teacher Li’s words felt like repeated, resounding slaps, mercilessly striking the faces of everyone in the Cheng family!
Fenghao wasn’t first?!
150 points, a perfect score?
Tremendous improvement? Cheng Ye scored even higher than Fenghao?
Support and help from the Cheng family? Great encouragement?!
When had Cheng Ye ever been fortunate enough to receive any care or affection from the Cheng family?!
Cheng Shiyan’s expression darkened with resentment. “Teacher Li, did Cheng Ye copy Fenghao’s answers?”