He Jinxuan shared his plan: "I’ll need your help with this matter."
Qin Peiyi cheerfully replied: "Alright, it’s not a big deal. I’ll personally accompany you for the investigation when the time comes."
The two discussed a few more things before hanging up the phone.
He Jinxuan thought that once the matter was handled, he would have a serious talk with Xinyan, to make her deeply understand the importance of self-awareness.
As the rumors spread wildly, Qiao Shanmei thought triumphantly: "Let’s see how you’ll continue studying at Jing University now."
Jiang Peiqin was somewhat worried about Xinyan and softly advised: "Xinyan, since you have already spoken to the department, I believe it won’t take a few days for the result to come out. Do you want to take a few days off?"
Xinyan was indeed in a bad mood before, but since the rumors weren’t true, she believed that justice would prevail over evil, and that the more the person spreading the rumors was proud now, the more they would regret later: "No need, if I take leave, it would seem like I’m feeling guilty. Don’t worry, I have a clear conscience and fear no shadows."
At this point, class president Kong Yuexiang stood up to speak for Xinyan and also criticized those classmates gossiping.
Seeing this, Qiao Shanmei couldn’t stand it, and rumors started spreading again that Kong Yuexiang harbored affection for Han Xinyan, which is why he is defending her. She thought regardless of whether it’s true or not, Han Xinyan wouldn’t be able to explain clearly.
Yet, Xinyan seemed unaffected, and continued to attend classes as usual.
After Han Jingchen called He Jinxuan, he instructed Su Jingsong to bring people over to Jing University’s side.
When He Jinxuan and Qin Peiyi encountered Su Jingsong at the school, they weren’t surprised because, given Han Jingchen’s affection for Xinyan, there was no way he wouldn’t intervene.
However, what He Jinxuan didn’t expect was that not only did Han Jingchen inform him, but he also had Su Jingsong come over to Jing University, and Han Jingchen himself was currently in the Vice Principal’s office.
The principal, wearing a smile on his face, was brewing tea: "What brings you to this old man of mine?"
Han Jingchen didn’t directly state his purpose, instead exchanged pleasantries: "I’m here to take care of some matters, and thought I would visit Uncle Huo."
Vice Principal Huo pushed the brewed tea toward Han Jingchen: "Here, try it. If it weren’t for your visit, I wouldn’t be willing to bring out this tea."
Han Jingchen appreciated the gesture, took a sip and said: "Hmm, this tea is indeed good. I still have some tea that my young lady prepared for me. I’ll have someone send some over next time."
Vice Principal Huo, a thorough tea enthusiast, replied: "That’s wonderful news, I’ll be waiting."
The two chatted, ranging from Han Jingchen’s work to topics far and wide, so much so that they hadn’t finished talking even when it was almost time to get off work.
But as they were chatting, Su Jingsong and He Jinxuan knocked on the door and walked in.
Han Jingchen looked towards them: "Is there a result?"
Vice Principal Huo heard the question: "Jingchen, what’s this about?"
Su Jingsong handed the investigation results over to Han Jingchen, who scanned through them before passing them to Vice Principal Huo: "Take a look."
Vice Principal Huo wasn’t aware of Xinyan’s situation; Professor Tao had reported it to the department, and naturally, they didn’t have results this fast.
The more Vice Principal Huo read, the darker his face became: "Jingchen, this victim is also surnamed Han, could it be..."
Han Jingchen nodded: "Yes, her name is Han Xinyan, and she’s the precious daughter I’ve finally found. I’m here today because of this matter, and I apologize for not informing you earlier. But I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm her with such despicable means."
Vice Principal Huo, possibly too infuriated, slammed a palm directly onto the table: "This is outrageous."
Immediately following that, he made a call to the Western Language Department; the leaders there knew what it was about as soon as they heard him speak, and they only mentioned that they were in the process of investigation.
Vice Principal Huo understood that the matter certainly needed a resolution today; it wouldn’t make sense for them to have personally investigated and gotten results only to be kept waiting, especially given his longstanding ties with the Han Family: "You all wait here, I’ll head over now."
As soon as he hung up the phone, that department head relayed the content of the call to several department leaders, prompting them to look at each other in confusion, with someone voicing: "What’s going on here?"
The department head suspected something was amiss, quickly summoned Professor Tao: "Old Tao, that female student you reported earlier as being attacked by rumors—does she have any notable background?"