The classmates’ whispers behind him all reached Xiao Chen’s ears, yet he remained completely calm.
Hearing the discussion, Song Ziyan was stunned. She suddenly stood up and said loudly, “Impossible. He wouldn’t cheat.”
The classroom fell silent at once. All the students looked at her in confusion.
Song Ziyan was also a transfer student and usually kept to herself. No one understood why she was suddenly so agitated.
Ignoring their stares, she hurried out.
“Xiao Chen, I came to this high school because of you. I believe in you.”
In the principal’s office, Xiao Yuanhe, his wife, and Xiao Ming were already there.
“I am Xiao Chen’s father. His physics results were obtained through cheating. His score must be invalidated and his competition qualification canceled.”
“Mr. Xiao, what you are reporting is very serious. I will investigate thoroughly,” Principal Li Zhen said sternly. “But you are Xiao Chen’s biological father? He was admitted to our school under the poverty student quota. What is going on?”
“And he has been receiving the school’s meal subsidy as a poverty student. If you are truly his parents, then that qualification no longer applies.”
Li Zhen looked at the well-dressed family before him. Meanwhile, Xiao Chen was listed among the poverty students. What was happening here?
“He didn’t grow up with us. He’s a jinx,” Xiao Chen’s mother said emotionally. “If not for him, my Mingming wouldn’t be so weak and sickly. Our company nearly went bankrupt because of the bad luck he brought.”
“Please calm down. Let me first clarify the situation,” Li Zhen said, puzzled.
He had learned that Xiao Chen and the Xiao Ming beside the couple were twins. Yet these parents clearly disliked Xiao Chen.
Their tone carried deep resentment. What kind of parents acted like this?
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Xiao Chen had arrived.
Seeing his parents, Xiao Chen immediately understood. He walked to the desk. “Principal Li, I am Xiao Chen.”
“Xiao Chen, I need to understand a few things,” Li Zhen said, asking him to sit and personally pouring him a glass of water.
“Are these your parents and your brother?” he asked, pointing at the Xiao family.
“No,” Xiao Chen said firmly.
“No?” Li Zhen’s expression grew serious. Pretending to be a student’s parents could warrant calling the police.
“You unfilial son,” Xiao Yuanhe roared. “You dare deny us?”
“I gave birth to you for nothing. Why don’t you just die?” Xiao Chen’s mother said viciously.
“At noon today, Mr. Xiao signed a document severing our parent-child relationship,” Xiao Chen said coldly. “So when I say they are not my parents, is there a problem?”
“Would you like me to show you the signed document?”
“You’re serious about this?” Xiao Yuanhe pointed at him angrily. “Fine. If you ever step into the Xiao house again, I’ll break your legs.”
“Ungrateful wretch. That’s what he is,” Xiao Chen’s mother trembled with rage.
“Please calm down,” Li Zhen intervened. “I understand the family situation now. Let’s discuss the accusation.”
“Xiao Chen, your… former parents have reported that you cheated in the interschool physics competition. Did that happen?”
“Principal Li, I did not cheat,” Xiao Chen said calmly. “This is a false accusation.”
“You think I’d waste time framing you?” Xiao Yuanhe’s blood pressure soared. If they weren’t in a school, he would have hit him already.
“They are falsely accusing me because their son Xiao Ming did not place in the top five in the interschool competition,” Xiao Chen said evenly. “The top five qualify for the city physics contest. If you rank in the top three, you can be directly recommended to top universities.”
“They accused me of cheating to take my spot.”
His reasoning was clear and composed. Xiao Yuanhe and his wife were furious but unable to refute him.
“Mr. Xiao, you claim Xiao Chen cheated. Do you have any evidence?” Li Zhen asked.
“Do I need evidence? He grew up in the countryside and never received proper education,” Xiao Yuanhe said darkly. “If he didn’t cheat, how could he score so high? On the other hand, my Xiao Ming has always been outstanding.”
“He ranked sixth this time. If Xiao Chen hadn’t cheated, the competition spot would belong to Xiao Ming.”
“Principal, my brother didn’t mean it. Could you give him another chance?” Xiao Ming said pitifully.
Xiao Chen glanced at him and almost laughed in anger. “Who do you think you are? I need you to beg for me?”
“Look at his character, Principal,” Xiao Chen’s mother said, pointing at him. “His brother is pleading for him, yet he insults him.”
“That’s what his grandmother taught him. Completely unreasonable.”
“Xiao Chen, do you have evidence to prove you didn’t cheat?” Li Zhen asked.
“I don’t need to prove myself. The innocent remain innocent,” Xiao Chen smiled. “Principal Li, you used to be a renowned physics professor.”
“You even taught at one of the country’s top universities. Why don’t you give me a few difficult questions and test me?”
“Very well,” Li Zhen said, a trace of admiration in his eyes. “I’ll test you.”
He believed Xiao Chen because his eyes were clear.
In contrast, Xiao Ming seemed artificial and constantly playing the victim.
“Xiao Ming, your parents say you’re excellent. Why don’t we test you together?” Xiao Chen glanced at him.
“I… I…” Panic flashed in Xiao Ming’s eyes.
Xiao Chen knew exactly what he was capable of.
His grades had mostly been fabricated. In his previous life, even his admission to a prestigious university had involved someone taking the exam for him. Li Zhen was not someone easily fooled.
“If we’re testing, then test,” Xiao Chen’s mother said confidently. “My Mingming will be fine.”
“Very well.” Li Zhen printed several questions from his computer. “There are three questions. They are quite challenging.”
“You don’t need to answer all of them perfectly. Just show clear reasoning.”
The test paper was split in two and handed to Xiao Chen and Xiao Ming separately.
Xiao Chen smiled and immediately began writing. Xiao Ming, however, held his pen stiffly.
Even ordinary physics problems were difficult for him. These questions were among the hardest.
“Mingming, hurry and answer. Your parents believe in you.”
“That’s right. Expose that cheater.”
Xiao Yuanhe and his wife encouraged him.
Xiao Ming had no choice. He was already in too deep. He forced himself to start writing.
Xiao Chen worked quickly. In just over ten minutes, he set down his pen.
“So fast?” Li Zhen said in surprise. These questions were indeed difficult.
Even he would need at least twenty minutes.
Yet Xiao Chen had finished so quickly.
“Principal, please take a look,” Xiao Chen said, handing over the paper.
“Let me see.”
Li Zhen took the sheet. After only a few glances, his brows furrowed deeply.
“Hmph. Scribbling nonsense and claiming you solved it? Who would believe that?” Xiao Yuanhe said coldly.
Seeing the principal’s frown, he assumed it was a mess.
When Li Zhen reached the final and most difficult question, his eyes suddenly lit up.
He slapped his thigh. “So that’s it. I see now. I understand.”
“Principal, what is it? Did he just write nonsense?” Xiao Chen’s mother hurriedly asked. “I told you he cheated.”