The Villain in the Quick Travel is My Wife

Chapter 96

Chapter 96.4.09

Zhou Xiaobai's confident, almost arrogant, remarks quickly spread through the class, prompting those who had initially planned to confront An Shuting to back off.

Regardless of what anyone thought inwardly, on the surface, they maintained a noticeable distance.

Meanwhile, Liu Ning, An Shuting, and Zhou Xiaobai were becoming closer. Liu Ning was lively and entertaining, filling their time together with plenty of classroom gossip.

This period felt like the calmest, most fulfilling chapter of Zhou Xiaobai's high school life, almost making him forget the chaotic and embarrassing memories from before.

With some time before the next class, Zhou Xiaobai was working on his English test paper, occasionally biting the tip of his pen. In the previous monthly exams, he'd barely passed, except in Chinese, where his score was higher. An Shuting had suggested a study plan for him: cast a wide net, focus on the key points, and prioritize improving his English. As An Shuting explained, English didn't require complex techniques-just memorization.

Zhou Xiaobai valued his current life deeply, staying diligent without needing reminders from others.

Just then, Liu Ning rushed in, holding a water cup, tossed it onto the table, and handed his phone to Zhou Xiaobai. "Stop studying for a second! I'm telling you, something major is going down. Look at this post."

He sat down, catching his breath.

Zhou Xiaobai looked at him, puzzled. But his face quickly changed when he saw the phone screen. His fingers slid rapidly over the screen as he read.

Someone claiming to be "in the know" had posted shocking allegations on the school forum. They claimed that An Shuting and Zhou Xiaobai were in an inappropriate relationship, citing rumors of them going in and out of hotels and even living together.

The post included details as if the writer had been present, describing Zhou Xiaobai's supposedly fragile state afterward, lying pale on a bed as if watching a live broadcast.

The poster was clearly prepared, sharing several suspicious photos-some showing them walking arm-in-arm out of a hotel, others with An Shuting giving Zhou Xiaobai a ride home. The angles made them look ambiguous.

At the very end, there was a photo of Zhou Xiaobai leaning against a wall, his shirt torn to reveal his thin, pale chest, bruises at the corner of his mouth, giving a disheveled yet provocative look.

Zhou Xiaobai's hand trembled as he held the phone, that haunting sense of nightmares revisiting him.

"It's just a rumor. Nothing worth stressing over. We can find the source and ask them to clear it up," Liu Ning said quickly, sensing Zhou Xiaobai's distress.

When An Shuting returned from the restroom, he saw Liu Ning comforting Zhou Xiaobai earnestly.

He wiped his hands with a tissue and sat down across from Zhou Xiaobai. "What's wrong?"

Zhou Xiaobai looked up at An Shuting, his expression tense, but said nothing, handing him the phone instead. His dark eyes were hard to read, partly hidden behind his thick-framed glasses.

I thought I'd finally caught a break, he thought bitterly. But maybe luck just doesn't exist for me. Sometimes, good fortune is just a trap in disguise, a punishment for hoping. He wondered if An Shuting would see him as a burden now, or if others would look at them with suspicion and malice.

"I'll take this to the principal. If it gets worse, I'll call the police and report it as defamation. They should learn a lesson," An Shuting said calmly, handing the phone to Liu Ning.

Liu Ning grinned, holding the phone. "No wonder all the girls idolize you! Ever since you returned, the former school idols Qi Ze and Wen Qian barely get any attention. Brother Ting, you're on another level!"

Liu Ning genuinely admired An Shuting, envying his calm approach and how effortlessly he handled problems with a smile.

Zhou Xiaobai glanced at An Shuting, who smiled back, easing his tension a little. "Why do they always cause trouble for me?"

All he wanted was a peaceful high school life, not this endless string of problems.

"Don't blame yourself," An Shuting said, placing a reassuring hand on Zhou Xiaobai's shoulder. "It's their fault. They're just stirring trouble because they have nothing better to do."

"Any guesses on who's behind this?" An Shuting asked.

Zhou Xiaobai thought about it seriously. "Luo Feng," he replied. "He's the one who dislikes us the most right now."

An Shuting shook his head. "I'm betting it's Qi Ze. Luo Feng isn't the type to spread rumors like this."

Zhou Xiaobai set his pen down and stood up. "Let's go talk to the principal."

An Shuting followed, amused by Zhou Xiaobai's determination. "Do you know what you're going to say to him?"

As they made their way down the stairs, they noticed classmates watching them, clearly aware of the rumors circulating online.

Zhou Xiaobai glanced at An Shuting. "I'll tell him that someone spread explicit rumors to defame me, which has hurt me both physically and mentally. If the school doesn't investigate, I'll go to the police and report harassment."

An Shuting nodded approvingly. "Now that's the right approach."

When they reached the principal's office, Zhou Xiaobai took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came a warm, slightly accented voice from inside.

The principal set down his pen as they entered, adjusting his silver-framed glasses. "How can I help you, students?"

Zhou Xiaobai pulled out his phone and showed the forum post. "I just want to study, but between the bullying before and now these obscene rumors, it's like they're watching me like hawks. This school has become a nightmare. Maybe the police will have a stronger effect than the school's actions."

The principal looked at the post, then glanced at An Shuting, who was standing by in support. He seemed to recognize An Shuting's potential as an impressive future alumnus.

"If the police get involved, they'll likely give a warning and move on. It's best to let the school handle this, but you clearly have something specific in mind, don't you?"

Zhou Xiaobai hadn't expected the principal to be so receptive. Gathering his thoughts, he replied, "We suspect it's Qi Ze and his friends. If we find proof, I'd like them to apologize publicly in front of the school and sign a statement of apology to be posted on the school bulletin board for a week."

The principal smiled, moving to the window as he looked out at the students on the playground. "Fair enough, but accusations need evidence. Simply suspecting someone isn't enough."

Zhou Xiaobai realized he'd been so focused on his studies that he hadn't been keeping tabs on their activities, let alone gathering proof. He glanced at An Shuting for support.

An Shuting picked up the steaming cup of tea from the principal's desk, handing it over with a smile. "Thank you for your cooperation."

He added, "Let's bring in Qi Ze, Luo Feng, and Li Mudi for a direct conversation and clear this up face to face."