Chapter 11: Could She Have Reincarnated Too?

Immediately, voices of agreement rose up.

"Yes, yes, no matter what Chen Lin did, it doesn’t affect Qiao Weiwei’s cheating, right?"

"Chen Lin was expelled long ago; now it’s Qiao Weiwei who’s being punished. Don’t let them distract us."

"Some people really play their cards loudly, but Shengde won’t tolerate bad students who cheat and leech off wealthy patrons."

...

Qiao Weiwei watched the lively activity in the group chat, her gaze finally settling on an anonymous username. She typed a few lines of code and revealed the real account behind it.

Sure enough, it was Lin Zhiyi.

Though never showing herself, she always managed to redirect the hatred back onto Qiao Weiwei at crucial moments.

On the other end of the line, Fang Xue was anxious, like ants on a hot pan, defending her fiercely.

“What should we do? It’s just one photo, are they idiots?”

“Besides, they don’t even study at home, so how can they accuse you of cheating!”

Qiao Weiwei soothed Fang Xue softly, “Don’t worry, I have a plan.”

Then she posted a message in the school group.

“I am willing to retake the exam with questions chosen by the school teachers at their discretion, fully live-streamed. If my results do not meet the standard, I will voluntarily withdraw.”

She did not post anonymously. This message once again set the group abuzz.

“Any questions they want to throw at you! Even the top student wouldn’t dare say that.”

“With such confidence, could it be that she’s truly innocent?”

“Anyone can talk big; it’s just stalling. After the live stream, they’ll say the test was too hard and the score gap is normal.”

Still, a small number of people spoke up for Qiao Weiwei.

Naturally, this matter could not escape Gu Jinnian’s notice.

In fact, as soon as the voting post was published, Zhang Shengnian contacted Gu Jinnian.

“President Gu, the student body is furious. I’m at a loss here.”

Having seen many strange things, Gu Jinnian easily sensed the smugness behind his seemingly troubled tone.

“The court won’t convict based on a mere rumor,” he said coldly. “If the facts are true, the school can handle it according to regulations.”

After speaking, he hung up.

“President Gu, should we find a new school for Miss Qiao?” Chen Li asked in his usual tone.

When he took Qiao Weiwei in, he thoroughly investigated her background, including her past grades.

To be honest, Chen Li found it hard to believe that within just one month, Qiao Weiwei could improve from a score of just over 500 to nearly 700.

Poor grades were one thing, but cheating was on another level.

---

Giving opportunists room to run wild.

Yet Gu Jinnian did not agree, instead stating firmly, “She wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Chen Li looked surprised.

Gu Jinnian was always suspicious of people, but with Qiao Weiwei, he believed her without needing an explanation.

This was becoming increasingly intriguing...

He withdrew his curiosity and asked, “What about the forum posts? Should we handle them?”

The rumor mill was growing, and Miss Qiao might not be able to cope.

“No need.”

Gu Jinnian glanced at a message that popped up on his phone. “She can handle it herself.”

He never intended to raise Qiao Weiwei as a delicate flower in a greenhouse; these small trials were just practice.

However, another person could not stay calm—Gu Zhiyuan, who constantly monitored Qiao Weiwei’s school affairs, saw the slanderous words on the forum and angrily called Zhang Shengnian.

“Has Gu Corporation’s investment all gone to the dogs?”

His eyes flashed with killing intent as he said coldly, “Within one day, deal with all the students spreading rumors or stirring trouble, or else someone else can take the principal’s seat.”

At the same time, he regretted handing Weiwei over to Gu Jinnian.

How could someone as cold and ruthless as Gu Jinnian possibly take good care of Weiwei?

Now that Weiwei was being bullied so badly, Gu Jinnian did nothing.

His dissatisfaction with Gu Jinnian grew deeper.

Zhang Shengnian was confused—he hadn’t expected one Qiao Weiwei to be protected by two men from the Gu family.

Neither Gu Jinnian nor Gu Zhiyuan were people to offend.

So, following Gu Zhiyuan’s orders, he disciplined the most troublesome students.

Once the announcement was made, it was like throwing fuel on a fire.

Students who had remained silent now erupted in anger, demanding Qiao Weiwei’s expulsion, even sending her messages telling her to get out of school.

Qiao Weiwei saw the announcement but was momentarily stunned.

She had just messaged her uncle, who promised to let her handle the matter herself—so why did Zhang Shengnian suddenly make this move?

However, the answer came the next moment.

A message popped up on her phone.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you handle the school matter. You just need to be happy every day.”

Such an arrogant, condescending, and self-righteous tone—any fool could guess who it was.

If killing were not a crime, Qiao Weiwei truly wished to seal Gu Zhiyuan in cement, so he couldn’t come out to harm people.

In her previous life, anyone or anything that made her unhappy was utterly destroyed by Gu Zhiyuan, never to appear before her again.

Because of that, no one around dared say anything to upset her.

---

Even if she fought, caused trouble, or fell into addiction.

They only pampered her.

But now, Gu Zhiyuan’s approach was stupider than ever.

She pressed the call button and said irritably, “I can handle the school matter myself. Could you stop making things worse?”

“Weiwei must be very unhappy,” Gu Zhiyuan said gently. “You’re still young; those people only spread rumors and won’t listen to your explanations.”

“Be good. Leave this matter to me.”

His tone was indulgent, as if no matter how the sky fell, he would bear it for her.

Any little girl hearing that would be moved beyond words.

But this time, she didn’t need that.

Qiao Weiwei frowned, her voice icy. “You are not my guardian. I have nothing to do with you. Even if I get expelled and can’t go to school, that’s my business.”

She lowered her eyes, as if recalling something.

A faint smirk curled on her lips, disdainful.

“Mr. Gu, instead of meddling in other people’s affairs, you’d better focus on the right path and stop leeching off my uncle all day.”

The last sentence struck at Gu Zhiyuan’s sore spot.

He hated more than anything being compared to Gu Jinnian.

Especially being told he was inferior.

Hearing her mocking words now, Gu Zhiyuan felt as if his heart had fallen off a cliff onto countless sharp knives.

He never imagined such words would come from Qiao Weiwei’s mouth.

In the previous life, as Gu Corporation declined, shareholders mocked him at the anniversary celebration, embarrassing him by saying he was less capable than Gu Jinnian.

It was Qiao Weiwei who stood before him, defended him, and exposed those shareholders’ dirty secrets.

Afterward, Qiao Weiwei lifted her head, eyes sparkling, and said to him, “Brother, you are the best person in the world.”

But now, this very person was stabbing a knife into his heart.

Was it simply because the adoption had gone wrong? Or could it be...

Gu Zhiyuan suddenly recalled the look in Qiao Weiwei’s eyes when she woke from the car accident.

That look... he had seen before.

It was the last glance Qiao Weiwei gave him before she died in the previous life.

Full of resentment, grievance, and deep loathing...

Could it be that Weiwei had been reborn as well?