"Who is my patron? I'm completely in the dark about this!"
"Gu Wenxuan told me that you were taken care of by someone from the Fu family. Yesterday, you were kidnapped and taken to a club to serve several men. After those men were apprehended, they informed the police that the person who harmed you was a girl from our school—someone very beautiful. Because of this, I faced punishment. I spent all of yesterday rehearsing with Zuo Chen; how could I possibly have had time to harm you? But you, not only do you have a patron, but you also treat me as a rival trying to snatch Zuo Chen away to exact your revenge on me…"
As Zhao Yiran spoke, her voice broke, and she began to cry again, sobbing heavily.
Her brief tirade dropped several bombshells in front of Zuo Chen regarding Gu Yining.
First, it suggested that Gu Yining was indeed being supported by the Fu family. Second, it implied that she had been kidnapped and assaulted the previous day. Third, it painted her as someone who, despite having a benefactor, sought to eliminate Zhao Yiran as a romantic rival for Zuo Chen.
In just a few short sentences, Zhao Yiran succeeded in ruining Gu Yining's image in Zuo Chen's eyes.
This woman could have made a brilliant career as an actress.
In contrast to Gu Wenxuan's brazen arrogance, Zhao Yiran's cunning was far more terrifying.
At that moment, Zuo Chen looked at Gu Yining with disbelief, while she met his gaze with a half-smile, seemingly unbothered. "How much of that do you actually believe?"
Zuo Chen hesitated, lowering his gaze as he pondered for several seconds. Finally, he lifted his head and said, "As long as you say it's not true, I won't believe a word of it. Yining, I trust that you're not that kind of person."
"Indeed, I was kidnapped yesterday, but the mastermind behind it has already been captured," Gu Yining replied sharply, her keen gaze fixed intently on Zhao Yiran.
The Zhao family had considerable influence in Ling City. If anyone could quickly uncover the kidnapper's identity and manipulate the principal to take action, it would undoubtedly be Fu Hanniang.
If Fu Hanniang was punishing Zhao Yiran, then it stood to reason that she must be the one behind the kidnapping.
Meanwhile, Gu Wenxuan sought only to amplify the rumors about Gu Yining being supported by the Fu family through Zhao Yiran's mouth.
This tactic aimed to portray Gu Yining, the legitimate Mrs. Fu, as a lowly mistress willing to flirt with the powerful in order to curry favor.
What a crafty way to slander someone, using public opinion as a weapon to kill quietly.
Gu Yining would never be crushed by gossip, not now, not ever.
With each step, Gu Yining advanced closer to Zhao Yiran, her eyes sharp as knives, ready to slice through the web of lies.
"Zuo Chen, just look at her! It's obvious she wants to devour me. I must have hit the nail on the head, and now she's embarrassed and furious," Zhao Yiran said, cowering like a frightened dog behind Zuo Chen.
"Zhao Yiran, I have something to ask you. If you have the guts, don't hide!"
"The kidnapping has nothing to do with me! You must have gone to the principal and slandered me. I suspect that the person who harmed you is Gu Wenxuan; if you have the guts, go confront her!"
Zhao Yiran's face was a picture of grievance, making her appear truly wronged in the eyes of onlookers.
However, Gu Yining was not swayed. "You know very well what you've done. If you want to divert blame, you should consider whether your own house is at risk of burning down. Zhao Yiran, take a good look at my hands and feet."
Gu Yining rolled up her sleeves and pant legs, revealing her pale wrists and ankles.
The bruises and swelling on her limbs were grotesque and alarming.
Just looking at them made one wince in pain.
Upon seeing her injuries, Zuo Chen's brows furrowed deeply, his expression filled with concern. "What exactly did you go through yesterday? Tell me; I'll stand up for you."