The boy who had been spreading rumors was about to slink away when Lin Mo called out, "Stop!"
Zhao Zixin and Shen Ji'an immediately reacted, each grabbing one of his arms.
The boy trembled from head to toe.
"I—I didn’t mean it! I just said it without thinking! Please, let me go!"
Comments like that were common among many students at school.
Though they were only in high school, early romances were rampant, and some even sought wealthy partners at this age.
Lin Mo hadn’t actually heard what the boy said.
But if it had provoked both Shen Ji'an and Zhao Zixin into fury, it couldn’t have been anything good.
Her expression remained calm. "You just said it without thinking, but have you considered the impact your words could have on someone?"
"If Zhao Zixin hit you, come to me for medical compensation. At the same time, I’ll sue you for defamation and slander."
The boy shook his head like a rattle drum. "What medical compensation? I’m fine! Totally unharmed!"
Zhao Zixin sighed regretfully. "We didn’t hit him hard enough!"
Shen Ji'an added, "Should’ve just punched him once."
The boy: "..."
He dropped to his knees. "I was wrong! I’ll never do it again!"
Those who had joined in the earlier discussion now watched with lingering fear.
On one side, a lunch tray as a weapon; on the other, the law as a weapon.
They’d never dare gossip recklessly again!
Lin Mo turned to the surrounding crowd. "I don’t care how you see me. No matter my age, I have the right to learn."
With so many students in school, rumors and scandals were inevitable.
Most people would choose to avoid such situations, waiting quietly for the storm to pass.
But no one had ever seen someone like Lin Mo, who faced the storm head-on.
The radiant girl stood in her blue-and-white school uniform, her voice steady, her peach-blossom eyes clear and cool.
Like a traveler walking against a gale.
The crowd of sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds stared at her, momentarily forgetting to breathe.
But then—
A voice, equally composed, spoke up. "It’s your right, sure. But if you drag down the school’s ranking, aren’t you infringing on our rights?"
The crowd found this argument reasonable and immediately erupted into chatter.
"That post said you can only write your name, that you’re an idiot. Fine—if you can pass a test right now in front of us, we’ll shut up."
"I happen to have a math test here. Dare to take it?"
"Finishing the whole thing would take too long. Just do the multiple-choice section!"
Zhao Zixin wasn’t great at academics, especially math—she often failed.
She glanced at Lin Mo, worried.
People could do anything when pushed to the brink—except solve math problems!
These bullies were just trying to humiliate her!
Shen Ji'an, seeing the crowd ganging up on his sister, clenched his fists. "Do it, then! What’s there to fear?"
"Jie, show them what you’re made of!"
A math test was already placed on the table.
But Lin Mo didn’t even glance at it. Instead, she said calmly, "You’re the ones questioning whether I’m an idiot and whether I’ll hurt the school’s ranking. So, you provide the evidence."
"The burden of proof lies with the accuser. The fact that I was bedridden for over a decade isn’t evidence—it’s speculation."
If she had to prove she wasn’t an idiot today, what next?
If someone claimed she was Sailor Moon, would she have to transform to prove it?
Some had expected Lin Mo to take the test. Others thought she’d refuse.
But no one anticipated her delivering such a logical, unshaken rebuttal!
She hadn’t fallen into the trap of self-justification!
Terrifying. Mind-blowingly so.
Shen Ji'an hadn’t expected his sister to counter like this. Suddenly, he felt childish.
Zhao Zixin, convinced by Lin Mo’s reasoning, perked up instantly. "Exactly! Where’s your proof? She hasn’t even taken a single test yet—how can you judge?"
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, silenced.
A slender, pale hand reached out and picked up the test from the table.
Folding it neatly, the owner said expressionlessly, "We’ll know after the next monthly exam."
It was Xu Yan—the current top-ranked STEM student at their school, who had never placed second since enrollment.
Lin Mo glanced at him. "Then let’s all disperse. Back to your meals!"
The crowd scattered.
Zhao Zixin sat at the same table as Lin Mo, grinning ear to ear.
So happy!
Shen Ji'an lowered his gaze. Just his luck—Zhang Shuo hadn’t shown up today, but now Zhao Zixin was here.
So unhappy!
After lunch, Zhao Zixin managed to add Lin Mo on WeChat.
Overjoyed, she performed a full set of mantis-style boxing moves on the spot.
By afternoon, the exposé post was still on the school forum—but it was no longer the hottest topic.
The top post now was the video of Lin Mo’s cafeteria speech.
Many who had supported her from the start were furious.
KindFleece: "You’ve gone too far! Gossiping online is one thing, but saying it to her face? How could you, when she’s literally a goddess?"
TimidPup: "So mad I could assault poop!"
TimidPup: "Typo! I meant ‘so mad I could lose my mind!’"
Others were newly converted fans.
PorkChowMein: "That speech was legendary. I’m officially stanning!"
HypeAddict: "Burden of proof on the accuser? So cool!"
Time flew, and soon evening self-study ended.
Lin Mo stepped out of the classroom and checked her phone.
Still no reply from Zhao Ziling.
She was starting to worry.
Even if she’d fainted, she should’ve woken up by now!
It had been almost twenty-four hours!
She sent another message: "Where are you?"
Walking out of school with her backpack, she called Zhao Ziling on WeChat.
No answer after multiple attempts.
She had no choice but to message Zhao Zixin: "Do you have your sister’s phone number?"
Zhao Zixin replied immediately: "Yeah!"
After sending the number, she asked, "What’s wrong?"
Lin Mo didn’t respond yet.
She immediately dialed Zhao Ziling several times.
Still no answer.
A bad feeling settled in Lin Mo’s chest.
