Chapter 102: "Unless You Become the Third, There Will Be No More Chances."

Until dawn.

Finally, an online video appeared titled “Su Mo’s Clarification.”

In the video, the girl’s long, jet-black hair hung loosely down her back. Her eyes were red and swollen, a clear sign she had been crying.

As she tried to speak, she choked up for a moment. “The post online about Luo Xing using her influence to force Qi Zhi out—I was the one who posted it. Gu Shiyan found me and threatened me with my grandmother, who is in the hospital, to make me clarify things.”

She gritted her teeth as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

“I am Gu Shiyan’s half-sister. Until now, his father has been paying for my grandmother’s medical expenses. I’m still just a student and can’t afford those exorbitant bills myself. So today, I’m here to clarify that everything I said online was fabricated by me alone and is entirely untrue.”

“I apologize to Luo Xing and to Qi Zhi’s fans.”

When she finished speaking, the girl in the video, proud to her core, nevertheless bowed her head in humility.

The video was released.

Once again, the topic exploded in popularity.

Su Mo clicked on the comments beneath her own video.

A Sweet Little Cake: Sis, you’re being wronged! Why is it that the one exposing the truth has to apologize to the perpetrator? Luo Xing still hasn’t responded or explained anything—this is so unfair.

Happy Gossip Watcher: So now Luo Xing doesn’t want to admit what happened, so the Gu family is pushing this helpless adopted daughter out instead? Are they even human?

Su Mo’s heart ached when she saw this comment. That’s right, she was only a helpless adopted daughter, and she had nothing left.

Stop Pretending: Uh, if she really was threatened with medical bills, shouldn’t she just apologize properly? There’s something off in what she’s saying—it’s like she’s shoving Luo Xing back under the wave.

Thunder Melon: You can tell she doesn’t want to give in! The world needs more people with backbone like her. By the way, haven’t any of the great internet detectives found Luo Xing’s home address yet? I want to send her a razor blade.

Stir-fried Pork: Are you looking for trouble? Be careful or you’ll get a lawyer’s letter thrown at you.

The arguments on each floor grew ever more heated.

Still, perhaps out of fear of legal consequences, no one said anything too vicious.

Seeing that most people were on her side, Su Mo finally felt a bit of relief.

...

The first time Luo Xing truly felt the impact of all the negative rumors online was on her first day back at Beicheng for classes.

Previously, only friends and family who believed in her had been around.

She hadn’t thought much of it, but returning to reality, she found not everyone believed her. Quite the opposite—many looked at her with suspicion, their stares like poisoned knives cutting into her.

That afternoon, during the first class—tennis, which Luo Xing had chosen—the instructor forbade students from bringing their phones.

So when class ended and everyone returned to the locker room to get their phones—

Yun Cai had chosen basketball; the only one who had chosen tennis with Luo Xing was Ming An.

Ming An, having misjudged her force while using a reverse grip, had accidentally strained her calf muscle.

Luo Xing supported her as they headed back to the locker room.

Before they even entered, they heard exclamations from inside.

“Oh my god, Qi Zhi actually came out himself to clarify for Luo Xing. Just how deep is her background that Qi Zhi, even after leaving the industry, is being squeezed for her!”

“Qi Zhi is nothing. The daughter of a capitalist even came out herself to take responsibility. They’re both from the Gu family, but Gu Shiyan forced a multimillion idol out just to chase Luo Xing, while Su Mo has to be the scapegoat and clarify for her?”

“Su Mo’s always been so low-key—who would have thought she’s the Gu family’s heiress? Even someone that discreet has been forced to come out and make a clarification video, tsk.”

Ming An frowned and looked at Luo Xing.

Luo Xing didn’t want her issues to drag others down. “I’ll go in first.”

The moment Luo Xing entered, the noisy crowd fell silent.

One bold girl stepped up to her, but even she didn’t dare question her directly. “Luo Xing, why don’t you post a clarification video? The internet’s saying all sorts of things about you.”

This group was always like this—brave with their words behind her back, but not daring to say a word to her face.

They were afraid of trouble finding them, too.

“Clarification isn’t just about saying a few pitiful words.” Luo Xing looked calmly at everyone in the room. “These things should be handled by professionals. The police and lawyers will deal with everything fairly and justly.”

Qi Zhi’s clarification video had been shared over a million times!

But the rumors weighing down on Luo Xing had not disappeared.

She never received an apology from the online keyboard warriors.

Instead, various netizens dug up the elementary, middle, and high schools she had attended.

Her photos were maliciously photoshopped.

People accused her of having undergone plastic surgery, even claimed she had used her connections to suppress Qi Zhi, forcing him to quit the industry, and then dragged him back into the mess to clarify for her.

It seemed the netizens delighted in spending their time trying to prove they were right. Even after she posted her own video, they stubbornly sought every angle to prove that Luo Xing was, in fact, at fault.

—

They even dissected Luo Xing’s final defense at the competition in the capital, analyzing every detail—even though none of them had the slightest expertise in physics—posing so-called professional questions and doubts.

The situation grew so serious that, a week later, Luo Xing had no choice but to suspend her classes temporarily.

Professor Wen advised her to focus on preparing for the national competition in December and leave everything else aside for now.

Luo Xing stopped going anywhere except the lab and home—not even the cafeteria.

Regarding the academic doubts raised against her, the authorities had already issued a statement.

When netizens could no longer attack her academically, they shifted their focus to her character and values.

At the same time, another video was being circulated, showing Luo Xing firmly rejecting Gu Shiyan, followed by a video of Gu Shiyan single-handedly beating up Ke Yu.

The entire affair threatened to become the most serious online scandal in Xing University’s history.

Yet Luo Xing still did not appear to speak or clarify for herself.

She knew clearly that anything she said now would be twisted—every single word turned into another weapon by the internet.

So she said nothing, choosing to act instead.

After a renowned lawyer, undefeated in domestic lawsuits, issued dozens of legal letters, those who had spread and fabricated the worst rumors disappeared overnight.

Even those who had started threads to curse Luo Xing deleted their posts in a single night.

They had known all along they were lying, not standing up for justice.

Luo Xing was still dropped off at the lab’s entrance by her brother every day.

No one in the team believed the rumors online. They knew what kind of person Luo Xing really was.

As soon as they entered the lab, they got to work, only chatting briefly at the end.

“Luo Xing, you show up here, holding up under all this pressure. Where have you been hiding?” Xu Yan was sorting data, talking to Gu Shiyan on speakerphone.

He seemed to deliberately bring the phone closer to Luo Xing.

Luo Xing edged her stool away.

Still, she heard the voice over the line—a cold, tired tone laced with impatience: “I’m busy. Don’t bother me.”

“Come on, what could you possibly be busy with? You haven’t come to the lab in three days. Do you even consider me the team leader?”

Beeep...

The call ended decisively.

That night—

A major entertainment blogger released a video.

It featured a joint statement from Gu Shiyan, Ke Yu, and Luo Xing, presenting all the evidence— even exposing the original posters and handing all the proof over to the police.

The next day, several students were taken away from Xing University.

Among them were Ke Yu, Su Mo, and a quiet, unremarkable student from Luo Xing’s class.

It wasn’t that Luo Xing had wronged or offended him; he’d simply taken money.

The internet went wild.

Many thought that the pitiable girl could never have harmed Luo Xing.

People questioned how Su Mo and Luo Xing, who had almost no interaction, could have any grudge.

But all the evidence was there, and the names on the police statement included Su Mo’s.

Debate raged online.

But in the midst of it all, Luo Xing’s phone had no signal.

She and four others, backpacks on their shoulders, were climbing a mountain.

It was a school-organized event, not just their group but several others as well—dozens of participants in all.

Luo Xing had never liked activities like hiking and had wanted to decline the invitation when she received it.

Shen Que, afraid she’d see the ugly rumors online if she stayed home, dragged her out for some fresh air.

Thus, Luo Xing was unaware that Su Mo and Ke Yu had been detained.

She only knew that the lawyer her father had hired had sued dozens of people, and most others now dared not join in the slander. Things had begun to calm down, buried beneath the latest trending topic about a pop idol’s alleged sugar daddy.

“If you ask me, those people are just bored out of their minds. Assign each of them two academic papers and they’d behave,” Qi Changbai said, trying to cheer up Luo Xing, who had been quiet throughout the hike.

Luo Xing nodded.

—

“Keyboard warriors fancy themselves heroes, but only online—they’re cowards in real life. Put them in front of you and they don’t dare say a word. Behind the mask of the internet, they really think they’re paragons of virtue,” Qi Changbai said, patting Luo Xing’s shoulder. “You’ve handled this well—performed above and beyond in the competition, and didn’t let the rumors get to you.”

Luo Xing pressed her lips together, nodded, and said nothing.

Qi Changbai looked worried. “Don’t be upset. Once the heat dies down, it’ll all be over.”

Luo Xing stood upright, looking at Qi Changbai, who kept trying to comfort her.

Should she tell him she wasn’t much bothered by it at all?

Because of this, her brother had been experimenting with new recipes at the store every day and bringing her treats. Her father had made time to talk with her, even bought her luxury watches she’d never been willing to splurge on before.

Even her usually busy mother would occasionally come to her apartment to cook for her and bring her little gifts to cheer her up.

Her grandmother and Grandpa Gu had also shown their support in various ways. These days, Luo Xing was positively immersed in the joy of receiving presents.

She’d never cared much about those baseless online rumors, and her family’s loving gestures made her care even less.

If not for Shen Que dragging her on this hike, she’d probably be relaxing on her father’s yacht right now.

“I’m not upset, it’s just...” Luo Xing was so tired from the hike she didn’t even want to breathe, let alone answer Qi Changbai’s questions.

She wiped her sweat with a tissue.

Qi Changbai, thinking she was crying, called out, “Wait, don’t cry! It’s nothing serious. We’re all on your side. That girl who got arrested was obviously a master at playing the victim, but those blind netizens, even with a police statement, are still defending Su Mo.”

Up ahead, Gu Shiyan and Xu Yan both turned to look back.

Xu Yan glanced at Luo Xing, then at Gu Shiyan walking in front of him.

The exhaustion under Gu Shiyan’s eyes was even more pronounced in the sunlight—he looked as if he hadn’t slept for days.

Xu Yan sighed helplessly. “What’s with you? Wasn’t this hike all for her? You didn’t come to compete with me, did you?”

Xu Yan pulled him closer. “You shouldn’t be trying to walk ahead of me—you should be at Luo Xing’s side, understand?”

He caught his breath.

The school had announced a 20,000 yuan prize for the first to reach the summit.

Even Shen Que, who was always short on money, stayed with Luo Xing.

Xu Yan thought he had no rivals left, but as soon as Gu Shiyan heard Luo Xing was coming, he came too.

Yet instead of staying by her side, he’d been racing for first place.

He charged ahead like an ox—no one could keep up.

“Rich boy, you don’t need that twenty grand. Slow down, go comfort your ex, maybe there’s still a chance. As for the top prize, give me a break and let me have it,” Xu Yan said, clapping Gu Shiyan on the shoulder.

Gu Shiyan, breathless, let the sweat drip down his face. “No chance.”

He shook his head and kept going, head lowered. “Unless I became a third party, there’s no chance.”

Xu Yan’s eyes went wide, more shocked than when he heard about the prize. He chased after Gu Shiyan, tugging at his shirt. “What do you mean? You want to? Be the third wheel?”

Gu Shiyan glanced back coldly. “I won’t.”

Qi Changbai, watching Luo Xing finish wiping her sweat, slapped him on the back. Luo Xing rasped, “Who’s crying? I’m just exhausted. Could you stop talking to me? I really don’t have the energy.”

Qi Changbai fell silent, then looked at Shen Que, who was patting Luo Xing’s back. “Doesn’t she care at all?”

“If I made half a million because of this, I wouldn’t care either,” Shen Que replied blandly.

Qi Changbai shrieked, “What! Half a million! Mercy, please! I might as well roll back down the mountain!”

Clutching his head, he grumbled, “Why? Why didn’t they scold me? Compared to Luo Xing, I’m obviously worse! I played the lovesick fool for three different girls in high school! I even chased a rich heiress once—I’m way more entertaining!”

Xu Yan shouted from above, “If you got cursed, you’d totally deserve it. I’d believe it too.”

Luo Xing, amused by Qi Changbai’s over-the-top complaints, leaned in to whisper to Shen Que, “The five hundred thousand was from Grandpa Gu. I didn’t accept it, but all the gifts together do add up to that much.”

Shen Que nodded knowingly. “Did you get my gift?”

“I did! The cassette tape, right?” Luo Xing smiled, “Whose song is on it? I haven’t listened yet.”

Shen Que lowered his eyes, gripping his water bottle a little tighter. “It’s nothing special. When you have time, or if you’re bored, give it a listen.”

Luo Xing smiled and kept walking. “Don’t worry, I’ll treasure your gift. I still have the present Yun Cai gave me years ago.”

Hearing himself compared to Yun Cai, Shen Que’s expression froze for a moment, then he quickly smiled again. “Alright.”