"What did you say?" The Principal narrowed his eyes, placing his teacup down heavily on the table, emitting a dull and serious sound.
Guo Ting made an effort to ignore Principal Wang's none-too-pleased expression and continued, "Principal, please don't be angry," still playing the role of the innocent White Lotus.
"I heard it from others that there's a rumor going around the school suggesting that Student Gu has some hidden relationship with the President of Shenghan, claiming her status is different now. Moreover, many boys confessed to her at noon yesterday, and she rejected them all for not having sports cars or villas. The whole school is abuzz, saying she's taken the President of Shenghan as her godfather and looks down on everyone else now..."
"Godfather?!"
Images of that imposing and authoritative man evoking the airs of a child with splendid future prospects flashed through Principal Wang's mind. "Cough cough cough!" He almost sprayed out the sip of tea he hadn't swallowed.
"Principal, please don't get mad, and don't blame Student Gu!" Guo Ting was very considerate, handing over a tissue to Principal Wang with an "I didn't mean to say it" expression, seeming sincere and innocent.
"Principal, I really don't mean anything else by saying this, I'm just considering the reputation of our school. It's one thing for this talk to circulate within our school, but if it reaches the President of Shenghan, wouldn't he be furious? What if he takes his anger out on our school and it affects future investments—that would be..."
With her head slightly lowered, Guo Ting trailed off, but she intentionally watched the Principal's reaction.
Internally, she couldn't help feeling triumphant: Principal, you should get angry, lash out, and it would be best if you just expelled Gu Xiaoer directly! I've won so much honor for the school, why should someone with a bad reputation like Gu Xiaoer get such a great opportunity? It should belong to me!
Her gaze was modest, but inside she was grinding her teeth with hatred. She had already made up her mind that Gu Xiaoer couldn't possibly have any relationship with the President of Shenghan, so she was certain this rumor would completely suppress Gu Xiaoer!
By this time, how could Principal Wang not understand the implications of Guo Ting's words? He felt both a sigh of regret and anger, wondering when the school atmosphere had deteriorated to this point, with people gossiping everywhere.
Guo Ting used to be a good child; how did she become so scheming?
He took a slow sip of his tea and spoke with quite a serious tone: "From now on, spread less of this baseless gossip! As a student leader of the school, you should be more cautious in what you say. How can you partake in spreading unfounded rumors instead of helping to stop them?!"
What?
"Principal?" Guo Ting looked incredulously at Principal Wang, who at over fifty years of age, no longer had his usual kindness when speaking to her. Only sternness and dissatisfaction remained.
She had never been criticized by the Principal; she'd always been a capable and well-behaved student in the eyes of the teachers and the Principal. How could she be criticized!
She couldn't believe it—after all this, the Principal was still defending Gu Xiaoer and accusing her of nonsense?
She felt so unwilling!
"Principal, I didn't say those words..." With a pale face, she tried desperately to salvage her image.
Principal Wang merely snorted softly, not continuing the topic. "I've drafted a document here; help me deliver it to the service desk at the Shenghan Building to be passed on to the President."
Principal Wang knew that Guo Ting was dissatisfied, so he decided to let her witness Shenghan Group's grandeur for herself.
That place wasn't somewhere just anyone could enter. Having one's graduation design appreciated by Shenghan and being exceptionally recruited as an employee was an honor in itself.
No matter what relationship Gu Xiaoer had with that kingly man, she'd undeniably brought glory to their school!
It was about time for Guo Ting to see the gap between herself and Gu Xiaoer!
"Principal, I..."
"Knock knock knock." The sound of knocking on the office door began.