In the following days, I attended classes, studied by myself, and participated in various competitions, keeping myself very busy.

Most of my classmates know that I'm not on good terms with Zhu Lingjia, but the drama they were expecting never took place again.

However, even though I spent all my time studying, news about Zhu Lingjia still reached my ears.

Zhu Lingjia became the entertainment committee member.

Zhu Lingjia joined the External Relations Department.

Zhu Lingjia is being pursued by a senior from the External Relations Department.

My roommate Hong Hua would always update me on Zhu Lingjia’s activities, oblivious to how busy I was and how little time I had to care about others.

I had to attend various lectures and sign in as an audience member to earn that 0.5 credit.

I had to prepare for the National College Students Entrepreneurship Competition and aim for the first prize.

I participated in the Rural Education Support Program and taught at a village elementary school, earning the title of Outstanding Student.

Today, while I was packing my backpack to go to class, my roommate Hong Hua walked by.

“Are you going to the library today?” She looked at me packing my things, incredulously.

I was even more incredulous: “What else?”

“Everyone’s saying you’re being kept, and the rumors seem pretty convincing.”

Last Friday, my uncle was on a business trip and happened to pass by my school, so my mom asked him to take me home.

My uncle works in civil engineering and is seasoned in social drinking, fitting the stereotype of a middle-aged man with a bald head and beer belly. Unfortunately, he drove a Benz SUV and parked right at the school gate.

Sitting in my uncle’s luxury car under the watchful eyes of everyone, I left the campus in high spirits.

During this, my uncle kindly patted my head at the school gate, witnessed by my classmates.

In just a weekend, two days, the matter fermented thoroughly.

From the industry the “boss” was in, his age and family background to my listless return on Sunday night—the rumors were detailed and believable, vivid and verbose.

Heaven knows, the pain of being dragged up Wugong Mountain for night hiking over the weekend!

After climbing and descending, I was almost brain-dead.

I was even more stunned upon hearing the rumors at the foot of the mountain, my legs wobbly from fatigue and shock.

The muscle soreness from a good hike was now attributed to indulgence in debauchery. If I weren't the person involved, I'd have praised it as a rich nightlife.

“Rumors are nothing to fear, moreover.”

“Moreover, what if it’s true?” Zhu Lingjia interrupted my words as she pushed the door open.

“Tsk tsk tsk, it’s disgusting. If you're going to sell yourself, at least be discreet, get on the car when no one is around.”

“What are you saying! Deng Sui is not this kind of person! She’s either in the library or in the dormitory every day,” Hong Hua defended me.

“Oh, she could have you beside her keeping time while she sells herself.”

“No wonder you get all the votes when you’re on stage— you must have slept with them in advance. Poor you, so many men, tsk tsk tsk, it’s disgusting.”

“Hong Hua, you better be careful. Who knows what disease she might catch and spread to you! Ah!”

I used all my strength and slapped Zhu Lingjia hard.

Her left cheek quickly reddened with a slap mark.

“You seem so knowledgeable about catching diseases, quite familiar, eh? Have you done it before?”

“So knowledgeable, did you see it happen?”

“Deng Sui, you’re just a kept slut, already rotted by how many men!” Zhu Lingjia raised her hand high again, claws bared, and lunged at me.

I countered with an elbow strike, grabbing her hair and slapping her back and forth multiple times.

Then I subdued her and threw her onto the bed.

“Rotted by men? Ha, Hong Hua, you heard her, call the police! I don’t remember anything like that happening, but Zhu Lingjia is so confident—it must mean someone drugged and raped me, and Zhu Lingjia saw it!”

“Hong Hua, call the police quickly and let the officers get me justice!”

“And the boys in our class! Zhu Lingjia was so sure just now, she must have seen them among them! Arrest them all!”

I raised my voice, crying out to my dorm mates gathering at the door.

“Every day people talk about how I’m being kept and selling my body. I have no one to complain to. Thankfully, Zhu Lingjia came to tell me I was drugged and raped! Girls, help me call the police; don’t let the criminals get away!”

Tears streamed down my face like running water from a tiered electricity bill overhead.

“I’ll call for you! Don’t cry.”

“Yes, we’ll help you!”

“I always said Deng Sui studies every day; she wouldn't do such things!”

“Monitor, don’t cry. It’s not your fault!”

...