Chapter 18: Someone Put You Up to This

Before Liang Jinshang even left the campus, she ran into Shang Ao'er and Chao Xinghe, who had come together to visit her at Jin University.

Shang Ao'er had heard from Chao Xinghe about how Gong Xueyuan bullied her the previous day, and was indignant, determined to stand with Liang Jinshang against their common enemy.

Upon learning about the issue with the thesis, Chao Xinghe volunteered to help. He was a computer whiz, leagues above the technicians at the electronics market.

He Huan had originally been seated, but when she saw Liang Jinshang return, she sprang up as if she’d been loaded with springs, anxiously keeping her distance.

Chao Xinghe opened Liang Jinshang’s laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced speed.

Shang Ao’er spent ten passionate minutes unleashing a torrent of eloquent invective at He Huan, until even Liang Jinshang could no longer bear it and gently stopped her, “Enough, Ao’er. Mind your status. Some words are too vulgar; don’t tarnish your own mouth.”

Chao Xinghe truly did seem exceedingly professional. Liang Jinshang had tutored him before and knew his intellect was extraordinary.

Three minutes later, he paused, his handsome young face darkening. “Ao’er’s cursing was justified. Even that was too mild!”

He glanced at the mottled marks on He Huan’s face and, without hesitation, said to Le Quan, “Looks like you’ve already taught her a lesson for me. Thank you!”

Le Quan opened his mouth, looked toward Liang Jinshang with a complex expression, wanting to speak but thinking better of it.

Yes, once she calmed down, this young lady appeared pure and harmless—a little fairy. Who would believe she was the one who acted?

Le Quan opened a drink and took a few gulps, cooling off before replying, “No need to thank me. It was something I ought to do.”

For the first time that morning, Liang Jinshang, whose expression had been somber, allowed a hint of amusement to show.

She turned to Chao Xinghe. “Well? Can you recover it?”

Chao Xinghe shook his head. “She’s truly shameless. She replaced the entire hard drive!”

In other words, not even a deity could conjure the original files now.

Liang Jinshang hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before. Already a bit hypoglycemic, she felt even weaker at this news and swayed slightly.

Shang Ao’er steadied her. “Send me the name of the journal. I’ll contact the person in charge directly, get her plagiarized paper taken down, and issue a public clarification for you.”

Chao Xinghe chimed in, “I’ll go with you later to speak to your department leadership about what punishment this person deserves.”

These two children were bold in their words, and Le Quan gave them both another look.

The problem was, Liang Jinshang had no evidence to present right now. How could she expect an authoritative journal to issue a statement, let alone persuade the college to punish He Huan?

Liang Jinshang gazed at He Huan. “Someone directed you, didn’t they?”

“After your thesis was submitted, you rushed to finish your architectural model. That was when you borrowed my computer—giving you the chance to steal my thesis. With your abilities, even copying would take at least a week.”

She smiled with sarcasm. “You couldn’t possibly have beaten me to submission unless some wealthy, influential Miss from the Gong family cleared the way for you. Am I right?”

At the mention of the Gong family heiress, He Huan’s cheek twitched involuntarily.

Liang Jinshang knew she’d guessed correctly.

Ever since that friction over changing teachers at the Shang family, Gong Xueyuan had begun plotting against her.

But no matter how wealthy and powerful Gong Xueyuan was, a poor student remained a poor student.

What she didn’t realize was that before submitting a professional thesis, a supervisor always reviews and guides it.

So Liang Jinshang’s advisor had kept every draft she revised.

Liang Jinshang called her advisor, who was more than willing to help his prized student and asked her to come to his office in an hour.

He Huan collapsed to the floor, and out of sight, furtively pulled out her phone, tapping away at the screen.

An hour passed quickly. As she walked past the department office, Liang Jinshang saw the person she least wanted to encounter.

Gong Xueyuan.

Beside her was a young man in a suit. The two walked out of the office together.

Shang Ao’er recognized the newcomer and muttered, “Isn’t that my uncle’s assistant? What’s he doing here?”

Shang Yucheng’s assistant?

Liang Jinshang stopped in her tracks.

Ah, so that’s it.

No doubt Gong Xueyuan was seeking revenge.

To please her, Shang Yucheng was willing to risk his own reputation and future as cannon fodder!

Gong Xueyuan spotted Liang Jinshang at once and walked toward her.