Chapter 135: Turning the Tables

“You shameless woman! It was clearly your boyfriend who wanted to cheat and was rejected by my daughter, yet you have the audacity to slander them as a couple and defame my daughter. I’m going to sue you—just wait, I’ll take this to court!”

The female assistant’s mother raged like a madwoman, trying to lunge at Qin Qing, but was held back and began hurling insults. Qin Qing, terrified, could only weep, yet she steadfastly refused to change her testimony.

The police, unable to do more at the moment, let Qin Qing leave while warning her to stay safe.

Back in the dormitory, Qin Qing collapsed onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Gou Xiangru sat nearby, dabbing her own tears. Other classmates busied themselves trying to find solutions. Suddenly, one of Qin Qing’s female classmates strolled over, leaning against the door to mock Qin Qing, saying she deserved all this. Enraged, Qin Qing howled, ready to fight her.

“If you’re so capable, why don’t you go talk to their parents instead of picking a fight with me? You’re just a coward who bullies the weak. No wonder you ended up with such a boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend! I’ve said it before—it’s you who keeps spreading rumors that he is. How can someone be so vicious-hearted!” Qin Qing cried out, her voice trembling, while the other sneered coldly.

“Truth can’t be faked, and lies can’t be made real. Your constant denial just shows you’re guilty. I don’t have time to argue. I’m going on a date.”

With a flick of her hand, the girl left. The other classmates, unable to help, gradually dispersed.

“What are we going to do now?” Gou Xiangru pulled Qin Qing back into the dorm. “Why argue with her? People outside are already blaming you. If you make a scene, the school might punish you.”

They had finally been admitted to graduate school. If this escalated and led to expulsion, not only would their families be disgraced, but they themselves would never accept it.

When Chen Xin returned from the library, the fight had already ended. It was her roommate next door who filled her in on what had happened. Though concerned for Qin Qing, Chen Xin trusted the police’s judgment. This matter had little to do with Qin Qing; her testimony confirmed the two deceased were indeed a couple, and the man still pretending to be hospitalized was the true third party. The deceased woman’s family, refusing to accept the truth due to their disdain for poverty, demanded Qin Qing change her statement. Meanwhile, the man’s family refused to believe their son’s relationship with the deceased, insisting that the future daughter-in-law they knew was Qin Qing. They accused the dead woman of seducing their son, claiming he killed because she made him a laughingstock.

Though the elderly couple’s logic was touching in its own way, from their perspective, their son was dead and should not be disgraced. Even if they had to force it, they wanted a reasonable excuse for their son. Thus, Qin Qing, who had only tried to help, became the center of the controversy.

In recent years, the school had gradually lost its ivory tower aura. Especially in developed areas, campuses had become miniature social circles.

These social circles were complex, and the campus was no exception. Some felt sympathy, others thought Qin Qing deserved it, but most simply watched for entertainment. It wasn’t surprising; after all, the campus was large, and most people didn’t know each other well. If trouble arose, it was just another spectacle and gossip.

That afternoon, Chen Xin met Zhou Hao off campus. He had brought along his two younger cousins. Their attempted runaway had failed, but as a compromise, they were allowed to attend a high-tech summer camp at Jin University—something they loved most. Their parents had set conditions: if they continued to misbehave next semester, no more summer camps—only military camp.

This high-tech camp was relatively relaxed. The boys still had half a day each week free for activities, during which Zhou Hao would bring them snacks and daily necessities. Of course, Chen Xin never missed out either.

They met at a fried chicken shop off campus, the boys’ favorite spot for fried chicken and cola.

“Xin, I heard there was a homicide in your graduate department? Is that true?” The chattier boy couldn’t help but ask as soon as they sat down. The other, cooler one perked up his ears too.

“It’s true, but the rumors have been distorted,” Chen Xin whispered to Zhou Hao, then explained Qin Qing’s situation. “The deceased woman was the one we saw that night. Honestly, judging by her pretentious attitude, I don’t believe she and Dr. Xing Kai were a couple. They don’t match at all.”

Chen Xin hadn’t interacted much with Xing Kai, only met him twice when he delivered snacks. The man’s honest, taciturn demeanor seemed from a completely different world than the female assistant. If it weren’t for trusting Qin Qing’s truthfulness, Chen Xin wouldn’t believe they were dating.

“No way!” The boys whispered excitedly. “Wasn’t that woman just a kept woman?”

Zhou Hao’s face darkened as he smacked their heads. “What nonsense are you talking? They were dating properly—none of that kept woman stuff.”

Seeing Chen Xin frown, he quickly amended, “Even if she was two-timing, you can’t just say that without proof. We have to be evidence-based, or else it becomes slander.”

The boys pouted and moved aside, grumbling, unwilling to argue with their earnest cousin.

“You’re right, we need proof, but…” Chen Xin pouted. Though she wanted to help Qin Qing, she wasn’t familiar enough with her or her hometown affairs to be of much assistance.

“If it happened, there will be traces. Don’t worry, the police will handle it.”

“I just worry about Qin Qing. The female assistant’s parents seem capable, and I’m afraid her parents might take revenge on Qin Qing.”

Chen Xin did not believe the female assistant’s parents were completely unaware. The most likely scenario was they knew about their daughter and Xing Kai, and to break them up, they introduced this young section chief.

Being a student and working in the field were two different matters. One couldn’t say the female assistant’s feelings for Xing Kai were fake, but clearly, under the section chief’s strong advances, she gave in—perhaps it was her nature all along, just lacking the right environment to flourish.

In short, Xing Kai felt betrayed and, unable to bear it, chose a scorched-earth path. The consequence was their deaths, leaving two families tangled with the innocent Qin Qing. Rational people knew Qin Qing was blameless, but the female assistant’s parents stubbornly denied the relationship between their daughter and Xing Kai. Meanwhile, Xing Kai’s parents insisted Qin Qing was their son’s girlfriend and called the female assistant a seductress. This had even the police baffled.