Chapter 128
Chapter 128 - A Quarrel
The next time the Lin family launches an attack, the unity previously seen among the major families will be a thing of the past. As a result, Lin Rou'er has effectively weakened the collective strength of the alliance formed by these families.
“The alliance's strength has been reduced by at least 30%.”
“Moreover, it's highly probable that the families will no longer collaborate as they did before.”
Lin Rou'er had ingeniously laid a trap.
Even a powerful family like the Zheng family, fully aware it was a trap, plunged headfirst into it without a second thought.
Such schemes could never outwit the shrewd tycoons.
Amidst the turmoil in Glento, a video abruptly surfaced online.
It depicted Ye Hao attempting to assault a girl and the teachers who swiftly intervened to rescue her.
The nation was shocked.
“I've always said Ye Hao was a scoundrel, but you wouldn't believe me.”
“The video isn't a fabrication.”
“Someone as vile as him doesn't deserve to live in this world.”
“I strongly recommend that Ubliasia adopts Tethain's laws and castrates Ye Hao.”
“Castration? I say we go straight to execution!”
“Ye Hao is devoid of any morals. To think that as a college student, he would attempt to rape a girl in broad daylight.”
Netizens continued their relentless condemnation of Ye Hao. Meanwhile, a group of students from Riverdale College, banner in hand, marched towards the principal's office, chanting loudly.
“Ye Hao doesn't belong at Riverdale College.”
“We should expel Ye Hao and banish him from our college.”
“We are disgraced to attend the same institution as such a lowlife.”
Over time, the crowd inside the principal's office swelled to hundreds.
At that moment, Yuan Gaoxing and two others arrived. When Yuan Gaoxing recognized Meng Yongyan as the ringleader pressuring the principal to expel Ye Hao, he addressed him with an icy tone, “Meng Yongyan.”
“I knew you jerks would go after Ye Hao,” Xiao Laoshi spat with contempt.
“What did you say?” Meng Yongyan retorted furiously.
Xiao Laoshi, pointing at Meng Yongyan, challenged, “What's the matter? Haven't had your fill of prison food? If you're brave enough, hit me.” Xiao Laoshi then thrust his face close to Meng Yongyan's and taunted, “And the rest of you twelve cowards. If you've got the nerve, hit me.”
Xiao Laoshi's remarks instantly enraged the twelve brothers of Meng Yongyan.
As they were gearing up to retaliate, Meng Yongyan intervened.
“We can't retaliate.”
Meng Yongyan and his group were still under observation. If they got into another fight, they would surely face legal consequences. That would lead to their expulsion from school.
Once Meng Yongyan had explained the situation, the twelve students quickly cooled off.
“You bunch of cowards,” Xiao Laoshi taunted.
“You bunch of jerks,” Yuan Gaoxing scoffed. “That video's source is questionable. Plus, it's obviously incomplete.”
“The police haven't even made a statement, and you've already judged Ye Hao guilty. You've even pressured the principal to expel him. What right do you have?” Zheng Xiaolong chimed in.
“The video is crystal clear,” Meng Yongyan stated firmly. “Your arguments are pointless.”
Then, a towering figure emerged from the crowd and declared, “Even without this video, the evidence against Ye Hao is overwhelming.”
“Zhong Sifang, are you saying this because Ye Hao once gave you a beating?” Zhang Lan asked icily.
“I have no idea what you're talking about,” Zhong Sifang replied, his eyes filled with frost.
Previously, in the cafeteria, Zhong Sifang had tried to skip the line to talk to Zhang Lan, but Ye Hao had publicly thrashed him.
This had left Zhong Sifang with a burning grudge against Ye Hao.
He had always sought revenge on Ye Hao but had never found the opportunity.
Now, he certainly wasn't going to pass up this chance to get back at him.
“You know exactly what I'm talking about,” Zhang Lan retorted angrily.
Ye Hao was already in deep trouble, yet Zhong Sifang and the others were still intent on framing him.
Amidst their heated argument, the door of the room swung open. Hwa Xu, clad in a suit, stepped into view.
“Principal, I urge you to rid our school of someone like Ye Hao,” Meng Yongyan said to Hwa Xu with gravity.
“What is your relationship with Ye Hao?” Hwa Xu inquired, his tone even.
Meng Yongyan found himself at a loss for words.
“You've been blinded by hatred. Let me make it clear—Ye Hao is your classmate,” Hwa Xu said with a look of sorrow. “All I see in your eyes is hatred. You'd love nothing more than to see Ye Hao plummet into an abyss. You'd relish the thought of him being torn to shreds.”
“Has the animosity between you two become irreconcilable?” Hwa Xu demanded, “Meng Yongyan, can you honestly place your hand over your heart and say you don't harbor resentment towards Ye Hao?”
Meng Yongyan's face turned ashen.
Hwa Xu's words left him speechless.
“Everyone, please leave,” Hwa Xu gestured dismissively. “You're all jumping to conclusions without knowing the full story.”
His words carried weight, and slowly, the crowd of students began to disperse.
Zhang Lan approached Hwa Xu with respect. “Principal, thank you for defending Ye Hao.”
“Why do you thank me on behalf of Ye Hao?” Hwa Xu inquired, fixing his gaze on Zhang Lan.
Zhang Lan was at a loss for words.
“Do you understand why I spoke out earlier?”
“Because you believe we shouldn't rush to judgment before the whole truth comes to light.”
To Zhang Lan's surprise, Hwa Xu shook his head gently. “I spoke because I know exactly what kind of person Ye Hao is.”
“What are you implying?”
“Ye Hao is in a different league from you,” Hwa Xu said gravely. “You'd be wise not to waste your time on him any longer.”
“I don't follow,” Zhang Lan admitted.
“Just heed my advice,” Hwa Xu replied, not wishing to elaborate further. He then turned and made his way back to the principal's office.
After Hwa Xu had left, Bai Hehua asked with curiosity, “What did the principal mean by that?”
“I'm not sure,” Zhang Lan replied, shaking her head.
Yet, a sense of foreboding took hold of her. She couldn't shake the feeling that Hwa Xu's words weren't without reason.
When Lin Rou'er received the video message, she immediately had the Vluwno Group's computer expert analyze it. The expert concluded that the video had not been tampered with—it was authentic.
“Did Ye Hao really do such a thing?” May whispered to herself.
“Impossible,” Xiaolan stated without hesitation.