Chapter Sixty-Three: This Must Never Happen Again

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The second week of the new term had barely begun when an event shook the entire Changqing No. 1 High School like an earthquake. On Monday morning, as students stepped into their classrooms, they were greeted with news so incredible it seemed almost impossible to believe: a student from Changqing No. 1 was suspected of rape and had already been arrested by the police. The case was under further investigation, but the evidence was overwhelming and the facts were already confirmed.

Such news stunned every student who heard it. Changqing No. 1 was the best high school in Changqing City, renowned for its academic excellence and the high quality of its students. Common incidents of campus violence found in other regular or vocational schools were rare here, let alone actual criminal acts. Since its founding, not a single student had ever broken the law during their time at Changqing No. 1—not even for minor infractions that called for short-term detention. The vast majority of its students would become future elites of society; to be admitted, one either had to possess exceptional self-discipline and strict upbringing, or come from a privileged background. Neither group seemed likely to harbor criminal motives, and if any did, powerful families could usually make such incidents disappear.

Thus, the appearance of this news was like a bomb detonating in Changqing No. 1. As suspicion lingered among the students, a police car arrived on campus, and the officers inside—said to be familiar with the case—intentionally or unintentionally let slip that the verdict had already been decided. Faced with undeniable reality, the students had no choice but to believe it. Their attention quickly shifted to the identity of the culprit: who was audacious enough to be the first to break Changqing No. 1’s pristine record, tarnishing its reputation?

Soon, rumors named the offender: Qin Anyi, a senior in Class Two. At first, students outside Class Two were surprised—the name meant nothing to them. But then someone revealed that Qin Anyi was the mysterious boyfriend of Wang Yiran, who had become famous throughout the school in the first week of the term. Now the whole school erupted. If it had been an unknown figure, students might have cursed and moved on in a few days, the matter fading from conversation. But this was Wang Yiran’s boyfriend—the one envied by all the boys in school—who had committed such a heinous crime and was now facing arrest and sentencing. The news was explosive.

For a moment, everyone’s thoughts turned to Wang Yiran—how would she react? Many secretly hoped to see her regretful, anguished, and heartbroken. In this world, those who truly find happiness in others’ happiness are rare. But to everyone’s disappointment, Wang Yiran remained as calm and gentle as ever. As the news spread across campus, she showed no sign of distress: she attended classes and chatted as usual, seemingly unaffected by Qin Anyi’s predicament. Those who had expected to see her become the subject of ridicule were left thoroughly disappointed.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Wang Yiran slipped a note to Wei Dong as she stepped out of the classroom, her voice so quiet that anyone a bit farther away could not hear. Wei Dong, carrying his bag, happened to walk beside her and took the note without missing a beat, all the while joking with fellow classmates. Their interaction was brief and unobtrusive, and they went their separate ways. Both Wang Yiran and Wei Dong’s composure puzzled the students of Class Two—surely they should be the most concerned, yet they acted as though nothing had happened. Some began to doubt the authenticity of the rumors, but that seemed impossible.

“Yiran, do you have time tonight? Let’s have dinner together,” Guo Qingyuan approached, beaming, as soon as Wang Yiran exited the teaching building, clearly having waited for her. The scene drew the attention of nearby students.

“No,” Wang Yiran replied coldly, not even offering her usual smile, continuing toward the school gate without pause.

“About Qin Anyi—I might know more than you think,” Guo Qingyuan forced himself to smile, biting his lip as he hurried a few steps to block her path.

Wang Yiran stopped and suddenly flashed a dazzling smile, speaking slowly and clearly: “He is my man. When it comes to his affairs, I know more than anyone.”

She continued solemnly, “His identity means he cannot be involved in any political conflicts. That’s a matter of principle. He doesn’t understand this yet, nor did you. So this time, I can request that Anyi not be punished, but remember, Wei Dong—there can be no next time! Anyi must remain pure, or he will face great trouble.”

Wei Dong stared at her in astonishment, his usual joking expression replaced by surprise. He asked, “You know what we’re planning?”

“There are no absolute secrets in this world. Not noticing and preventing this sooner was my failure. But a whole day is enough for me to understand everything.”

“Who are you, really…” Wei Dong frowned at Wang Yiran, suddenly finding her beautiful face—so familiar for two years—strangely foreign.

“Too much curiosity isn’t healthy. In any case, since we’ve already begun, let’s accelerate. I’ll use my resources to support your action. But never let anything like this happen again. If you truly care about Anyi, don’t let him get involved in anything political.”

Wang Yiran spoke with resignation, knowing she would have to call her father again… Matters like this were too sensitive and troublesome; only someone at her father’s level could intervene.

“I don’t fully understand what you’re saying, but I get the gist. One last question,” Wei Dong raised a finger.

“What?”

“Have you really slept with Anyi?” His face, which had struggled to remain serious, instantly twisted into a lewd grin.

“Get lost!”