"This world doesn't only accept pretty people. Being bullied, mocked, or ignored—that's not your fault. The fault lies with those people. You can hate them, you can choose not to forgive them. But choosing to deceive others—that is your fault."
Wang Xiaotong's lips trembled.
"There's someone here who suffered a stomach hemorrhage from your deception. He almost died."
Zeng Keqin pointed at Ke Rui, who was standing behind.
Ke Rui scratched his head awkwardly. "It wasn't that bad. I just had a bit too much to drink."
Wang Xiaotong looked at him, and finally, tears spilled over.
"I'm sorry. I... I'll pay them back. Please give me some time. I can work part-time, take photos..."
Zeng Keqin frowned, looking troubled.
At that moment, a cold voice cut in. "Tomorrow morning, you turn yourself in at the police station."
Jiang Shiyu looked at Wang Xiaotong, his tone devoid of warmth. "Since you made a mistake, you have to pay the price."
Wang Xiaotong jumped up from her seat excitedly, grabbing Zeng Keqin's arm. "I was wrong! I really was wrong! I'm young, I don't want to go to jail! Please, let me off!"
Zeng Keqin stared into her eyes and said slowly, "If I were you, I would choose to turn myself in. According to criminal law, if you fully return the ill-gotten gains and get the victim's forgiveness, you could get a sentence of one to two years, possibly suspended. If you don't turn yourself in and the victim reports it to the police, you'll face three to five years in prison. Instead of living in fear every day, it's better to reform yourself and start over."
Wang Xiaotong's face slowly drained of color. She collapsed to the ground, as if all strength had left her.
After a long while, she whispered hoarsely, "I'll turn myself in."
*
It was already afternoon when they came out of the police station.
Wang Chunyue excitedly hugged Zeng Keqin. "Great! It's finally over! Let's go sing karaoke!"
Fang Yu and Liu Ying chimed in, "Yeah! I'll book a room!"
But Zeng Keqin said calmly, "It's not over yet."
"What?"
Under everyone's astonished gazes,
She walked step by step toward the tall figure, looked up, and said, "There's still your apology missing."
Jiang Shiyu wasn't too surprised. He chuckled lightly and raised an eyebrow. "So how do you want me to apologize?"
"I want you to prove my innocence in front of the whole school."
Jiang Shiyu stepped closer, bending down slowly. "Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Alright."
He turned around, and his tall figure disappeared from sight. Less than ten minutes later, he returned, holding a megaphone.
The overcast sky gradually parted, and a ray of sunset light broke through the clouds, dyeing the entire earth orange.
Jiang Shiyu stood in the middle of the playground and raised the megaphone.
"My name is Jiang Shiyu, a senior in the Fine Arts Department. Some time ago, because of a misunderstanding, I caused great trouble for Zeng Keqin, a junior in the Law Department. Today, I'm standing here to formally apologize to her."
People on the playground stopped in their tracks and turned to look.
Zeng Keqin stood not far away, feeling everyone's gaze suddenly fall on her. Her face burned, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
She regretted it.
She shouldn't have impulsively asked him to apologize. Just as she was about to turn and leave, someone grabbed her arm.
Jiang Shiyu pulled her to the center of the playground, stood face to face with her, and shouted loudly—
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have suspected you without evidence. I shouldn't have treated you that way. I was immature and unintentionally hurt you. It won't happen again. Please forgive me!"
The last five words were delivered with extreme force, echoing across the playground for a long, long time.
Someone in the crowd started to cheer, "Forgive him!"
Then the entire playground erupted with cries of "Forgive him!" growing louder and louder.
Zeng Keqin looked up, meeting his dark eyes. The twilight glow reflected in his eyes, casting a soft amber light.
She squeezed out three words through gritted teeth. "I accept."
With that, she quickly withdrew her hand and walked away without looking back. Whistles and cheers followed her.
She jogged to a secluded spot, stopped, and covered her burning cheeks with both hands.
Damn.
Tomorrow, her name would definitely be all over the forums.
She cursed Jiang Shiyu thousands of times in her mind. That guy did it on purpose. He knew she hated being the center of attention, yet he made such a big scene!
But remembering his earnest eyes, the anger that had just risen eventually turned into a sigh.
Forget it.
She took her hands off her face and replied to Wang Chunyue's message: [You guys go ahead to the KTV. I'll be there later.]