Lu Ning had always been comforting herself not to care about these things. Qin Xiang could only play these tricks and even brought Lu Liu to the school. The most probable ending would be the cancellation of her results. But when she heard Ji Chiqian asking about the results, she still couldn’t stop feeling upset.
Just as Lu Ning was about to reply, someone beside her called out, “Lu Ning, the homeroom teacher wants you to go to the office.”
She pursed her lips. “I’ll go to the office first, we can talk later.”
After hanging up the phone, Lu Ning went straight to the homeroom teacher’s office. When she entered, she found Lu Liu already there, and the atmosphere was tense.
Lu Liu said coldly, “Lu Ning, I never expected you to cheat in the exam just to win. Do you know what this behavior means?”
Lu Ning wasn’t surprised at all. She knew Lu Liu would never believe her. Her gaze was clear and cold. “I didn’t cheat.”
She wouldn’t admit to something she hadn’t done.
“Lu Ning, the facts are right in front of you, and you’re still lying? Based on your usual grades and your behavior at home, it’s impossible for your scores to improve this much. You had every motive to cheat! Hurry up and admit your cheating, try to get the school to just give you a warning.”
Lu Ning sneered. “Can these things be used as evidence to prove I cheated?”
Lu Liu stood up angrily. “Lu Ning, look at what you’ve become now!”
The homeroom teacher quickly stepped in to stop him, afraid he might get physical. “Talk to the child properly.”
Lu Liu, frustrated, said to the homeroom teacher, “Sorry, Lu Ning cheated because she was angry at the family. Let’s do as we discussed earlier. Let her write a self-reflection letter and apologize publicly to the whole school. Don’t give her any punishment.”
The homeroom teacher sighed. “That works. I hope Lu Ning can correct her mistakes.”
After all, she was almost graduating from high school, and carrying a punishment would be shameful.
Lu Ning lowered her head, staring at the floor. Her already cold heart sank deeper. They had sentenced her with just a few words. No one had ever believed her.
“Lu Ning, you’ve really shamed our Lu family. How can we have such a disgraceful biological younger sister like you? I’m ashamed to even mention you!”
“You think I want to be your Lu family’s sister?”
Lu Ning’s fair face and cold black eyes were filled with indifference. She didn’t care anymore.
“Lu Ning, say that again if you dare?”
Lu Liu’s face darkened, glaring at her angrily.
An old man walked in, looking kind and gentle.
The homeroom teacher quickly said, “Principal, why are you here?”
“I heard a senior student made great progress but was accused of cheating. Since it’s causing a stir, I came to see what’s going on.”
Lu Liu said gruffly, “Principal, there’s no need to investigate. Lu Ning only got good grades because she cheated. If she refuses to apologize, just punish her.”
She had to be taught a lesson. He had already pleaded with the teacher earlier to get a no-punishment result, but Lu Ning still wouldn’t accept it. Fine, he wouldn’t do anything for Lu Ning anymore. She didn’t care anyway.
The principal looked kindly at Lu Ning. “Student, there’s actually a very simple way to verify if you cheated. Just redo a test in front of all of us under supervision. Would you be willing to accept this test?”
Lu Ning looked at the principal. “I accept, but I have a condition. If it’s proven that I didn’t cheat, shouldn’t those who slandered me apologize publicly?”
Lu Liu sneered. “Fine, let’s see what results you can get!”
Soon, the homeroom teacher handed Lu Ning a set of questions. “I’ll time you.”
Lu Ning sat down, picked up the pen, and began working on the paper.
The office was very quiet, everyone watching Lu Ning.
The homeroom teacher sat closest and, upon seeing Lu Ning’s process of solving math problems, was instantly surprised. This set of questions was much harder than the monthly exam, yet Lu Ning got almost all of them right!
Time passed minute by minute.
Qin Xiang was curious about what was happening in the office. When she came over and saw Lu Ning taking the test, she immediately had a bad feeling.
She walked straight to Lu Liu’s side. “Sixth Brother, what are you doing? Is Sister Ning Ning retaking the test?”
Lu Liu snorted. “Yes, she refuses to admit cheating. This time, we’ll make her lose completely.”
Qin Xiang immediately walked to Lu Ning’s side. “Sister Ning Ning, don’t be stubborn. We all believe you, you don’t need to force yourself.”
Lu Ning didn’t respond or look at Qin Xiang, not letting this woman disturb her rhythm.
Seeing that she couldn’t affect Lu Ning, Qin Xiang bit her lip and looked at Lu Liu. “Sixth Brother, Sister Ning Ning is still mad at me.”
Lu Liu was instantly irritated. “Lu Ning, Qin Xiang is talking to you. Can’t you hear?”
Lu Liu was choked. “Qin Xiang is giving you a chance to step down gracefully, and you still won’t take it? Don’t embarrass yourself later!”
“Qin Xiang, don’t disturb Lu Ning while she’s taking the test. Whatever you want to say, wait until she’s done.”
The homeroom teacher couldn’t stand it anymore. From the look of Lu Ning’s paper, she probably hadn’t cheated.
Qin Xiang unwillingly pretended to be obedient. “Teacher, I didn’t mean anything else.”
But she just didn’t want Lu Ning to prove her so-called strength. She couldn’t accept Lu Ning being better than her and wouldn’t allow it to happen.
Qin Xiang stood by and watched, a little doubtful. Lu Ning shouldn’t be able to score well, right? But seeing Lu Ning’s recent changes, she felt a bit uneasy.
The exam time ended.
The homeroom teacher immediately collected the paper and, along with other teachers, graded it quickly.
Lu Ning sat quietly in the chair, feeling unusually calm. Even seeing Qin Xiang standing beside Lu Liu didn’t stir much emotion in her anymore. Indeed, when you stop caring, you won’t get hurt.
The homeroom teacher spoke excitedly. “The results are out.”
Qin Xiang looked over, filled with malice, hoping Lu Ning would score poorly.
Lu Liu spoke coldly. “Teacher, if she did badly, just forget it. It’s too embarrassing.”
“No, Lu Ning did very well! And this set of questions was even harder than the monthly exam. Her score is better than the last exam!”
Upon hearing this, Lu Ning finally let go of the weight in her heart. She pursed her lips and showed a smile.
Lu Liu’s expression cracked as he grabbed the paper to check. The scores couldn’t lie. Lu Ning indeed did very well.
Qin Xiang tiptoed to see the score and was instantly filled with jealousy. When did Lu Ning become so good? This was impossible!
The principal smiled. “The truth is clear now. Lu Ning made such great progress through her own efforts.”
The homeroom teacher nodded. “Lu Ning has indeed been working hard recently.”
Lu Liu’s face changed colors like a palette. In the end, he put the paper back on the desk, realizing Lu Ning really didn’t cheat. At this moment, he suddenly felt the Lu Ning in front of him was a little unfamiliar.
The principal coughed. “Since the truth is clear, those who slandered Lu Ning should apologize.”
Qin Xiang’s face instantly turned awkward.