"The technical department at the school must be overwhelmed by now." Mickey snickered, "Serves them right, letting people spout nonsense on the platform unrestrained."
Gu Qili stared at the glaring white screen, bereft of those vile comments; her mood slowly settled like a lake after the winds had ceased.
Though she claimed not to care, only she knew the wounds she suffered and the blood she spilled, visible only when she licked her wounds in solitude.
"We can’t control what others say since mouths are on their faces," Gu Qili closed the webpage and suddenly felt much lighter. The malicious comments that had weighed her down made even breathing require immense effort these past days.
The internal network, albeit hacked, wouldn’t be down for long and normalcy would soon return; however, she couldn’t help but admire and thank the remarkable hacker, wondering what vendetta they had against Australian University to warrant such drastic actions.
"Qiqi, I heard the scholarship approval came through. Didn’t Teacher Shang notify you?"
"No, Teacher Shang hasn’t approached me. Counting the days, the approval should be in. I’ll go ask her."
Gu Qili found it strange too. In previous years, Teacher Shang would notify her a few days before the scholarship announcements; this time, the announcement day had arrived with no word from her.
Calling would be a hassle, so she decided to make a trip to the office.
There were few people in the faculty office at noon, and Shang Yu wasn’t at her seat. Gu Qili knocked on the door, and a teacher invited her in.
She was a notable figure at Australian University, previously famed for her academic excellence and striking appearance, now embroiled in a scandal that had everyone talking, even the head chef in the cafeteria recognized her face.
Teachers who usually looked upon her kindly suddenly wore sour expressions, "Is there something you need?"
"Hello, teacher, I’m looking for Teacher Shang." Gu Qili stood respectfully at the door, sensing the teacher’s hostility, her heart chilled but her face still wearing a suitable smile.
"Teacher Shang went to the restroom, wait outside for her."
"Thank you, teacher." Google seaʀᴄh NoveI★Fire.net
Just as Gu Qili was about to step out, the director in charge of scholarships coincidentally returned and paused upon seeing her, "Student Gu, come in."
Gu Qili followed him to his office area.
"You came to inquire about the scholarship, right?" The director sat down, pouring himself a glass of water.
"Yes, I heard the list has been approved."
"That’s right." The director pulled out a form stamped with various red seals from a drawer, expressing regret: "This time, Student Gu, you are not on the list for the scholarship. However, everyone recognizes your effort and excellence."
Gu Qili had not anticipated such a result; to her, the scholarship was not just an honor, but the source of her tuition. Without the scholarship, she’d have no tuition for the year, and it was unimaginable for something to go wrong in her final year when she had consistently secured the scholarship.
Yet, upon reflection, she understood where the issue lay.
Since the decision was final, there was no point arguing with the director. It would be futile and perhaps even more embarrassing.
The director naturally spoke many platitudes, encouraging her to keep up the effort. Gu Qili thanked him and walked out with a heavy heart.
Looking up, she spotted a familiar figure suddenly entering her line of sight, furrowed her brows, and turned her gaze away coldly, but Hu Jiaojiao called out to her.