Volume One, Chapter Eight: Let Your Brain Settle Before You Speak

"Yes, yes, and it would be best if she apologized and quit the industry all in one go. She could even boost the show's ratings before she leaves—a double blessing, wouldn't you say?" Su Nianxi nodded vigorously, not forgetting to give Qiao Yunan a playful wink.

Stung by Su Nianxi’s sarcastic banter, Qiao Yunan fell silent, looking awkward and embarrassed.

The management staff had already left the scene, leaving only a few cameramen to accompany the trainees in the performance hall. Song Xiao had been itching to leave for a while, but with the livestream still running, he reluctantly stayed by Ye Zhixia's side to maintain his public image.

Meanwhile, on Weibo, the conversation between Su Nianxi and Qiao Yunan had already set the internet ablaze.

"Since Qiao Yunan asked like that, it's 80% likely that Su Nianxi is the one who cheated, right?"

"Ugh, I thought her acting had actually improved, but it turns out she just cheated. Speechless. Who is giving work to such a morally bankrupt person? Can someone ban her immediately?"

"Isn't that happening soon? Offending Director Mu is no different than being blacklisted. LMAO, I knew Bitch Su would crash and burn."

"Karma is real. No one gets away with it. The retribution for Bitch Su has finally arrived."

"But don't you guys think Su Nianxi's retort was interesting? It feels like she doesn't think she cheated at all."

"Pfft, what credibility does her word have? She’s been acting crazy for days."

The online vitriol was toxic, and the people at the scene were naturally not oblivious to it.

Song Shi’an moved a few steps closer to Su Nianxi and whispered comfortingly, "Teacher Su, don't look at the comments online. Everyone has seen your level of skill with their own eyes."

Although Su Nianxi’s schedule and behavior had been bizarre these past few days, her performance in class had been nothing short of stellar. The instructors could barely find a single fault. However, since that footage hadn't been released yet, the audience was unaware.

"I’m not looking," Su Nianxi said, scrolling through her phone and yawning indifferently.

Attentive viewers watching the livestream zoomed in on Su Nianxi’s screen. They discovered that instead of paying attention to the online turmoil, she was actually playing *Miracle Nikki*, meticulously putting together an outfit so hideous it was truly unprecedented.

Then, everyone watched helplessly as Su Nianxi used this abysmal dress to defeat her opponent and obtain a "Perfect" rating.

Just as the netizens were torn between marveling at Su Nianxi’s calm demeanor or the game’s bizarre fashion sense, Song Xiao lost his patience.

"Su Nianxi! Hurry up and apologize. We still have recording tasks today; no one has time to waste here with you." Song Xiao looked at Su Nianxi, his face etched with impatience.

"Why should I?" Su Nianxi crossed her legs and shot him a sidelong glance. "I’m not the one who cheated. Whoever did it should be the one to go. If you’re looking to scapegoat me, try again in your next life."

"You still won't admit it even now? Among all of us, you have the highest score, and you improved so quickly. If it wasn't you who cheated, then who?" The more Song Xiao spoke, the more convinced he became of his own logic, his voice rising unnecessarily.

"Brother, next time, try shaking your brain until it’s evenly mixed before you speak." Watching the erratic Song Xiao, Su Nianxi finally understood the meaning of a fool who goes to his grave with his stupidity.

Hearing the argument, Ye Zhixia stood up to mediate. "Brother Xiao, don't get agitated. Didn't Director Mu and the others go to investigate? The results should be out soon. If we keep guessing like this, it won't be good if we wrong someone. After all, we’re all colleagues; it’s best to leave a bridge intact for the future."

Her words were smooth and gave Song Xiao some face. Frowning, and considering he still needed to maintain his public favorability on the show, Song Xiao gritted his teeth and sat back down.

This little interaction between them undoubtedly delighted the "ship" fans. The comments on the big screen scrolled by rapidly, hailing the "Xiao-Xia" pairing as sweet forever.

Watching the group settle down, Qiao Yunan couldn't help but speak up again. "I still think it's better to admit your mistakes voluntarily. If we wait for Director Mu and the others to return, I'm afraid you might really have to quit the industry to apologize."

As she spoke, she cast a few intentional glances at Su Nianxi.

Su Nianxi smiled. She had just been talking about leaving a bridge intact, and yet here she was, racing to cross the finish line of malice?

"Dear, were you a cartoon pig in your past life?" Su Nianxi originally wanted to say "Zhu Bajie," but remembering they were on a live broadcast, she held back. "You love to rake muck so much."

"You!" Qiao Yunan was about to retort when the doors to the performance hall were pushed open again. Director Mu and the instructors walked in one after another.

Unlike when they left, their faces were stern. Even Professor Zheng, who was usually all smiles, had a rare, grim expression.

"We have checked the surveillance and hidden cameras and have identified which trainee cheated," Director Mu announced in the ensuing silence. "Qiao Yunan, please step out."

He was direct as always, leaving no room for negotiation, and called her out by name.

One second, Qiao Yunan was still casting shade at Su Nianxi; the next, she had been called out directly, completely caught off guard.

Standing in the corner, Song Shi’an instinctively reminded her, "Director Mu is calling you."

"I heard him!" Qiao Yunan glared at him before walking out under the gaze of everyone present.

The instructors watched her leave, their expressions unchanging.

"So... the one who leaked the test and cheated was actually Qiao Yunan?" Ling Xiyue asked, stunned and unable to accept the result for a moment. "She was in my group for the initial evaluation. I remember her foundation was quite good, wasn't it?"

"It’s precisely because her foundation was good that she was more afraid of being surpassed by others," Lin Yue said, walking back to the instructor's desk in her high heels and shaking her head. "Remember this lesson. Since you’ve come to participate in a variety show, you should leave these crooked schemes behind."

The shock of those at the scene was ten times greater for the audience. No one expected Qiao Yunan to be the cheater; the series of reversals left them completely dumbfounded.

"So what was Qiao Yunan doing earlier, deliberately guiding Su Nianxi to admit fault? Trying to shift the blame?"

"Wouldn't she be too stupid? If Su Nianxi didn't cheat, why would she admit it for no reason? She's not some obscure nobody."

"She probably assumed both she and Su Nianxi cheated, but she didn't expect that while Su Nianxi might be a bit crazy, she actually has the skills. Only she cheated, so she ended up tripping over herself, didn't she?"

"I have to say, she’s really insidious. If Su Nianxi hadn't been so upright and honest, wouldn't she have been framed by her trap?"

"She dared to speak like that, she must have had backing from capital. She just didn't expect Director Mu to investigate to the end; otherwise, she would have gotten away with it."

"Another one tainted by capital. Hard to comment."

"God, thinking about it now, Su Nianxi is so pitiful. She was misunderstood and insulted for so long, and it turns out she didn't do anything wrong."

The public sentiment took a sharp turn, and for the first time, netizens started to feel sorry for Su Nianxi.

Unfortunately, Su Nianxi didn't need their pity, because she had no heart—her heart had long been left to knit sweaters for the God of Wealth.

Standing behind her, Song Shi’an looked stunned and sighed, "Is this what the workplace is like? It’s terrifying."

Su Nianxi turned around, gently patted his shoulder, and said with earnest gravity, "That’s why you shouldn't treat the workplace as a workplace; only then can you live with ease."

"Then what should I treat it as?" Song Shi’an couldn't keep up with Su Nianxi’s brainstorming.

"A dojo," Su Nianxi said meaningfully. "Every day at work, you only need to care about two things: Yin-Yang, and gossip."