Later that evening, at home, Aunt Li pointed at the television.
“Yun Qing, isn’t this your classmate on TV?”
On the screen, Xu Yiran was being interviewed, looking radiant and proud.
“My study methods and attitude have always been a model for my peers and juniors. I’m honored to be a special guest on ‘Exam Star.’ This is a mutual recognition between me and the program,” she said, as the audience erupted in applause.
“Xu Yiran, we understand you estimated a score of 680 on the college entrance exam and have a good shot at Minghua University. Can you tell us about your mindset during the exam?” the host asked.
“My condition during the exam was no different from usual. Especially the essay—it’s always been my strong suit. I wrote an original piece, relying on my unique insights and solid foundation in writing, not any templates or clichés,” Xu Yiran answered confidently.
“Xu Yiran, is there anyone you’d especially like to thank for your achievements?”
“For me, gratitude is something to be expressed face-to-face. The person I want to thank is waiting for me at Minghua University. He gave me tremendous help during the exam, and only by achieving real results can I be worthy of someone so outstanding,” she said, her eyes shining.
The audience in front of the TV let out a collective “Wow!”
It looked like Lin Chen would have to shell out tens of thousands more if he wanted to keep Xu Yiran’s fire burning.
“Xu Yiran is not only an excellent student…”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
“Ding ding ding…”
Aunt Li opened the door and looked at the “lost and desperate” Lin Chen standing outside, then glanced at me sitting calmly on the sofa.
Right on time—just like in my previous life, Lin Chen had come to my house at this exact moment.
“Yun Qing, Aunt Li, here’s the situation… My internship company is looking everywhere for that design draft… It really was handed to me at the time…”
“It was the day I came to pick up Yun Qing. I’d just come from the company and had the draft paper with me. I must have left it here by accident.”
“If we can’t find it, the company says I’ll have to take responsibility for the loss, considering the investment and…”
“…Judging by the construction situation, the compensation could be substantial…” Lin Chen said, his voice trembling.
Aunt Li quickly distanced herself from any blame. “I haven’t seen any design drafts these days. I’ve been cleaning the house, Lin Chen, are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?”
“It can’t be,” Lin Chen insisted. “There’s a security camera at your front door. We can check the footage!”
The surveillance video showed Lin Chen leaving with a folded piece of draft paper in his hand, but by the time he exited the building, it was gone.
In my previous life, Lin Chen subtly shifted the blame onto me.
“Yun Qing, you asked me what I was holding that day, and I showed you. It was actually a business secret, something I shouldn’t have let anyone else see, but I trusted you—I believed you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“The design draft was just a thin piece of paper. It could easily have been mistaken for trash and thrown away. After your exams, you sold so many books and study materials; maybe it got mixed in with them.”
“Yun Qing, I’m not blaming you. I’m just really stressed out right now. This has never happened to me before, and I’m not a careless person. Why don’t we go check the recycling center together?”
My parents, drawn by the commotion, came into the living room. The recent incident of Aunt Li’s missing wages was still fresh in their minds.
With all these doubts swirling, I couldn’t explain myself, nor did I dare to guess that Lin Chen was the real culprit. I could only stand there, dumbfounded.
In the end, the recycling center told us the trash had already been destroyed.
Because Lin Chen had helped me with my schoolwork, my family assumed he was diligent and trustworthy.
But the truth was, it was the private tutor we’d hired who really helped me improve.
Chapter 08
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