Seventeen Again: The Sweet Life with My Family

Chapter 135: Unscrupulous Media

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Wen Nian dialed Xu Chang’s number to provide an update on the situation and requested an additional two days of leave.

Before it was noon at her location, Wen Nian noticed that public opinion on the Internet was once again brewing and gaining momentum.

It originated from the Hai City secondary school forum and rapidly disseminated across various online platforms. The news propagated so swiftly that Wen Nian couldn’t help but wonder if someone had hired paid posters to accelerate its spread. “It appears that Huang Yue possesses significant financial resources,” she mused, contemplating the situation.

Wen Nian chose not to retaliate immediately. She maintained her composure and patiently waited until after four in the afternoon when she received a call from Li Fang.

Wen Nian answered the call with a composed demeanor, though her voice betrayed her true feelings of despondency. “Teacher Li,” she uttered, her tone heavy with sadness.

Li Fang’s voice took on a serious tone. “Wen Nian, are you still in Hai City? We need to meet.”

Confused, Wen Nian responded, “I’m at home. Ms. Li, what happened?”

Li Fang frowned and did not say much. “Let’s talk when we meet. Call your parents too.”

Wen Nian immediately agreed and called her parents.

At this moment, there was a commotion at the entrance of the house.

When Wen Yu caught sight of Wen Nian emerging from the bedroom, he momentarily forgot his initial frustration and widened his eyes in surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be on the noon flight?” he asked, his voice tinged with astonishment.

As Wen Nian recounted the events of the morning, Wen Yu’s expression grew increasingly grim. “1 happen to know some university students who specialize in information technology,” he said, his frown deepening. “Let me pay someone to trace the IP address of the person who posted it.”

Wen Nian reached out and gently tugged at Wen Yu’s arm. “Brother, Shen Jun is already aware of the situation. The posts were made anonymously, from different internet cafes in Hai City. They were even using temporary ID cards. He’s currently investigating those locations and reviewing the surveillance footage.”

Wen Yu was stunned for a moment. “Shen Jun is the deskmate who was tutoring you?”

Wen Nian nodded in acknowledgment. As Wen Yu processed the information, he couldn’t help but feel that his sister’s classmate was unusually dedicated. He had never witnessed such wholehearted support for a fellow classmate. Just as he was about to inquire further, their parents arrived, accompanied by Li Fang.

Wen Nian took a few steps forward. “Hello, Dad, Mom, Teacher Li.”

Li Fang nodded with a serious expression.

Zhou Mei, concerned that Li Fang might be influenced by the negative rumors online and develop unfavorable thoughts about Wen Nian, mustered a forced smile on her previously anxious face. She greeted Li Fang with exaggerated warmth and said in a fawning tone, “Teacher Li, please have a seat.”

Then, she shifted her gaze towards Wen Xing and gave him a meaningful look. “Darling, please fetch the tea leaves for our esteemed guest and prepare a cup of tea for Teacher Li.”

Wen Xing promptly responded to his wife’s request and rushed over to the television cabinet to retrieve the tea leaves.

Li Fang hurriedly stopped them and said, “Wen Nian’s parents, you don’t have to go through so much trouble. Just give me a glass of water.”

Upon noticing Li Fang’s slight frown, the Wen couple exchanged a glance, sensing his preference for simplicity. Wen Xing promptly poured a glass of warm water and delicately placed it on the coffee table in front of Li Fang.

Li Fang settled onto the single sofa, while the Wen couple anxiously occupied the long sofa on the opposite side. Wen Nian and Wen Yu stood together in the vacant space between the coffee table and the television. Observing the expressions on the family members’ faces, Li Fang let out a soft sigh of understanding.

Having taught Wen Nian for a year and a half, Li Fang was well acquainted with her situation. Throughout their time together, starting from the first year of high school until the final year of their cohort, Li Fang had attempted to engage Wen Nian in conversation on multiple occasions. However, Wen Nian’s persistent silence had left Li Fang feeling helpless.

Just when Li Fang had almost resigned herself to the belief that Wen Nian, this promising student, was on the verge of being stifled, she was pleasantly surprised to witness a remarkable transformation in the early stages of their second year of high school. It became evident that Wen Nian had shed her previous vanity and instability, emerging as a changed individual.

Wen Nian had rekindled the same spirited determination that had initially caught Li Fang’s attention. Furthermore, during the afternoons when she stayed in the classroom to study, Wen Nian would diligently claim her spot, becoming an exemplary presence among her peers. Other teachers, upon witnessing her commitment, even praised her for her dedication and focus.

Li Fang cast a discreet glance at the members of the Wen family and posed her question in a hushed tone, “Earlier today, several newspapers and online media outlets reported that your family granted an interview. I just wanted to confirm if the statements attributed to you in those reports were indeed made by your family?”

Wen Xing and Zhou Mei had been occupied with their business matters throughout the day and had not had a chance to check their phones. However, upon seeing the serious expression on Li Fang’s face, they harbored a sense of apprehension and swiftly retrieved their phones to access the internet.

Wen Yu, having already been informed about the day’s events by Wen Nian beforehand, furrowed his brows and expressed his anger, saying, “Mr.. Li, my sister didn’t utter any of those words today! The versions circulating on the Internet are all fabricated by unscrupulous media, twisting the truth!”