RBS Chapter 2.2: Rejecting Confession (2)

From the moment that Bo Xiyun was disclosed as the imposter, he had received a lot of malicious intent. This rumor about him being secretly infatuated was probably one of the ways used to shame him.

Young Master Yi himself was unlikely to hear about this rumor. However, with his family background, if he was displeased, even a slight punishment from Young Master Yi would be very tricky for Bo Xiyun to handle in his current predicament.

“Xiyun?”

Teacher Liu saw the strange expression on Bo Xiyun’s face and became worried. He comforted him by saying, “It’s okay, don’t be afraid. Teacher will be with you.”

He took out his mobile phone, “Come, input the number. I will talk to them.”

Pulled back to reality, Bo Xiyun replied, “OK.”

He knew that Teacher Liu was worried that the Bai family would say harsh words to him and hurt him, so he sincerely thanked Teacher Liu.

“Sorry for the trouble, Teacher.”

While they were making the call outside, Head Teacher Gao sighed in the office. “The Bai family’s actions have caused a lot of trouble for this child.”

“Do you know what is the matter with the change of name?”

Head Teacher Gao used the back of his hand to hit his palm.

“This is because his own father Bai Gelei forced him to change his surname! If it wasn’t for Teacher Liu and the rest of the teachers dissuading him actively and getting a few days' grace, the Bai family would’ve wanted him to change his name before the competition! If that went through, wouldn't Xiyun be unable to take part in the competition, much less get this gold medal?”

Head Teacher Gao was really angry. As a teacher, he hated to see a good student’s potential being wasted.

“Look! Sigh, this is the critical period in life. Grade 3 in High School and the Bai Family almost ruined his future!”

Head Teacher Gao’s breaths were becoming shorter and shorter.

But he also knew that this was a private matter of Bo Xiyun’s, and not for discussion with others. Yi Zhongshen’s character would also not allow him to develop an interest.

Head Teacher Gao calmed himself down and suppressed his anger. He was about to change the topic when he heard Yi Zhongshen say, “It’s not only about the name change.”

Head Teacher Gao paused, “What do you mean?”

Yi Zhongshen’s expression was calm but his voice sounded as cold as the snowy weather outside.

“The letter earlier.”

“Letter?” Head Teacher Gao asked, “You mean the letter that Xiyun brought over that was supposed to contain an ‘itinerary’?”

He was well aware of Yi Zhongshen’s character and could feel that he was not in a good mood, thus he wanted to explain, “That must have been a misunderstanding, Xiyun is not this kind of child…”

He had not finished his sentence when he heard Yi Zhongshen say.

“It isn’t a misunderstanding, someone is plotting against him.”

“Eh?” Head Teacher Gao realized, “You mean someone is trying to frame Xiyun?”

Yi Zhongshen said, “Teacher Liu mentioned that the Olympiad team rushed back today to complete the registration process for the principal's recommendation letter.”

Similar to a direct admission from an Olympiad competition, a principal’s recommendation letter was another resource used to enter universities directly. Bo Xiyun’s results were good, and with a good character, he naturally would be on the list to get the principal’s recommendation letter.

“To get the recommendation letter, there would be an observation period before the announcement,” Yi Zhongshen continued, “If there were rumors of him being homosexual and in a relationship during this period, the school wouldn’t pass his observation and he wouldn't be able to get the principal’s recommendation letter.”

Head Teacher Gao was startled, “Yes…correct, you are right.”

Only then did he discover he had miscalculated—whether it was himself or Teacher Liu, they were both familiar with Bo Xiyun and knew very well he wouldn't act recklessly, therefore they ignored the earlier letter.

But if this news spread, other teachers and students in the school who didn’t know Bo Xiyun’s character would cast a very big shadow on the child.

“It’s my negligence,” Head Teacher Gao composed himself. “Xiyun had a high fever just before the competition. He would have to depend on the principal's recommendation letter if his results were not favorable..”

In these two years, it has been harder to get into universities via independent admission examinations; any special considerations were checked thoroughly. As for direct admissions, the only ways left were through Olympiad competitions and principal recommendation letters.

Head Teacher Gao had been the head teacher for so long, and swiftly realized the implications, “At this moment, if his recommendation was rejected, the direct admission would be in jeopardy. His mentality would also suffer, severely affecting his college entrance examinations…”

Yi Zhongshen was silent.

His fingers were crossed, the pads of his fingers slowly rubbing against the slender tendons on the back of his hands.

“Oh right, now that you mention it, there was another incident.” Head Teacher Gao said, “Previously, there was an anonymous complaint against Xiyun.”

“It said that he was impersonating the Bai family’s son, his conduct was bad, and that he should be punished publicly.”

Head Teacher Gao paused and he couldn’t sit still any longer. “Looks like someone was already planning to go against him long ago.”

“How was the complaint handled?” Yi Zhongshen frowned.

“At that time, the school felt it had nothing to do with studies, and replied with ‘there was no such matter’, and did not take it seriously.” Head Teacher Gao was puzzled, “Who would want to go against Xiyun?”

Yi Zhongshen paused, “I have heard, there’s been a lot happening within the Bai family.”

“Their reaction is quite big…” Head Teacher Gao was startled. “You mean to say, the Bai family did all this?”

Yi Zhongshen said concisely, “Those words were written by someone imitating Junior’s handwriting.”

Head Teacher Gao was still startled but believed this was possible after thinking it through.

“That’s right, only someone close would be aware of Xiyun’s family matters… There seems to be another child from the Bai family in Grade 3, called Bai Tang or Bai Song.”

Regardless, one could just imagine that Bo Xiyun’s time with the Bai family when he returned home wouldn't be smooth.

Head Teacher Gao sighed, “I will get someone to check on the previous complaint and also the person who asked Xiyun to pass on the note today.”

Just when there were some clues to go on, the two people who had left for a phone call returned.

Teacher Liu’s expression was not good. “The Bai family said they were busy, there’s no time to look for the documents.”

Head Teacher Gao couldn’t believe his ears, “Busy?”

Teacher Liu sighed, “The phone call was not even picked up by the parents. It was a secretary who said there was a party being held in the Bai family, hence they had no time.”

This was an eye-opener for Head Teacher Gao.

Why were there such parents?

On the other hand, Bo Xiyun’s reaction was a lot calmer. “I’ll go back and get the documents,” he volunteered.

He asked Teacher Liu, “Do you need them tonight or tomorrow?”

Yi Zhongshen replied, “As soon as possible.”

Once he spoke, Bo Xiyun subconsciously avoided his gaze.

He needed to maintain a distance from him.

Teacher Liu said, “Then go now since there’s no night revision class today.”

Bo Xiyun nodded and was about to leave the office with a sigh of relief when he heard Yi Zhongshen talking to Head Teacher Gao, “Do you still remember what we have just discussed…”

“Right!” Head Teacher Gao immediately interjected, “Xiyun don’t go alone, let someone accompany you.”

According to what they had imagined, the Bai family was not a safe place. No matter who was the culprit, the critical thing now was to ensure that the direct admission for Bo Xiyun would go on smoothly without any hiccups.

There were still students in the school tonight, and both teachers were unable to leave. Old Gao said, “Zhongshen, why don’t you help and make this trip too, the documentation can be submitted at the same time.”

Bo Xiyun paused.

Together with Yi Zhongshen?

Teacher Liu sighed, “Sigh, the Grade 3 students will be unable to hear a speech from Zhongshen.”

Right. Bo Xiyun wanted to concur and nod his head, then he heard Teacher Liu continue, “Next time then. This is more important.”

Bo Xiyun: “……”

By the time he regained his senses, he was already on the way home with Yi Zhongshen.

Even when boarding Yi Zhongshen’s car, he wanted to pull open the door to the back seat, but heard him say in his low voice, “There are things in the back.”

Thus, Bo Xiyun had to move to the front passenger seat under the other party’s gaze and sat stiffly in the passenger seat.

Both of them were seated in the front, and they were now closer than they had been in the office.

Bo Xiyun placed his hands on his knees and stared at the tips of his fingers, trying to avoid any accidental eye contact or touching to avoid any offense.

Buzz—

The car had not even started when a sudden vibration sounded out. The driver pulled out his mobile phone.

Bo Xiyun had already been avoiding him deliberately and now out of politeness, he felt that he should not listen in on the conversation.

Seeing that the owner of the mobile phone did not have any intention of getting out of the car, he gestured politely and prepared to disembark.

In the end, he heard Yi Zhongshen say instead, “No need.”

Bo Xiyun was sure that he had heard from others about Master Yi’s nature as reserved and taciturn, but now, he heard him talk again.

“It’s cold outside.”

When Bo Xiyun paused, the call was connected and the speaker turned on. A sound emerged from the mobile phone.

“Young Master Yi?”

Bo Xiyun’s hand was still on the door handle when he heard a “click”.

He saw Yi Zhongshen’s finger move and locked all the doors from the driver’s seat.

“…”

Now he couldn’t open the door even if he tried.

Releasing his hand from the handle, Bo Xiyun finally realized that he was unable to maintain his distance for now.

The voice from the mobile phone was starting its report, “We have connected with someone from the First High School Registrar’s Office…”

Yi Zhongshen listened silently, making sounds of agreement occasionally.

Although Bo Xiyun did not want to listen in on the conversation, it was so quiet in the car that he managed to figure out the gist of the conversation.

Yi Zhongshen was investigating the Student Council member who had passed Bo Xiyun the envelope.

Before they had left the school, Head Teacher Gao had already interrogated Bo Xiyun about the envelope and about who asked him to bring it over, saying that they would investigate this matter and let him make his trip home in peace.

But now, although the Head Teacher already mentioned that they would investigate, Yi Zhongshen looked like he had tasked someone else to do the same thing.

Bo Xiyun lifted his head and looked forward, but saw the young man who was on the mobile phone through the rearview mirror.

Yi Zhongshen’s deep gaze was looking forward as the light from the road shone on his handsome features, making him look stern and cold.

Looks like he really minded the matter of being confessed to in public.

Bo Xiyun remembered the conversations of his classmates. Apparently, this God of Studies didn’t like any rumors or gossip attached to him.

While deep in thought, Yi Zhongshen ended his call. Perhaps he felt a gaze on him through the mirror. He looked up and their eyes locked through the rearview mirror.

It was too late for Bo Xiyun to look away.

“Is anything the matter?”

They were already locked in that confined space of the car, and hearing Yi Zhongshen’s low voice with its cool indifference filled with magnetism seemed to cause his ears to shiver.

Bo Xiyun shook his head, “Nothing.”

But Yi Zhongshen did not remove his gaze. Instead, he turned directly toward Bo Xiyun.

Bo Xiyun had no choice. He paused for a while, but he still asked.

“Do you not like rumors?”

Yi Zhongshen looked at him deeply and replied instead, “No need to be so formal.”

He didn’t remove his gaze, and Bo Xiyun finally realized that since he had gotten into the car, he didn’t wear his mask again.

Within this silent place, Yi Zhongshen’s presence was fully felt with that cool and indifferent face close at hand. No matter how many times you looked at his pictures, it was still impossible to disregard his stunning face.

Yi Zhongshen said, “Yes, I do not like them.”

Bo Xiyun sighed secretly.

As expected.

To be on the safe side, he had better not stay too close to Young Master Yi.

While thinking about how to keep his distance, Bo Xiyun suddenly heard the other party say again.

“Unless it’s real.”