Book One, Chapter 26: Lu Ning Really Is a Genius at Her Studies

Almost everyone turned their eyes toward Lu Ning.

Qin Xiang’s expression was exceptionally tense as she preemptively struck: "Sister Ning, Chen Hong and the others also falsely accused you of cheating on your exams before, so you should understand my current predicament. I know you have always hated my existence, but we are family."

Seeing Qin Xiang’s nervous appearance, Lu Ning realized that even she had moments of fear.

She spoke indifferently: "I remember that Qin Xiang did, in fact, turn around."

She was speaking the truth.

Qin Xiang’s eyes instantly reddened with urgency: "Sister Ning, how can you talk such nonsense? Just a moment ago, you said Chen Hong was lying."

"Sidekick Number Two" nodded: "That’s right, we all heard it just now. Lu Ning, why do you keep changing your story? How can anyone believe what you say anymore!"

Lu Ning replied slowly: "I didn’t think much about it earlier; I just suddenly remembered it now."

Qin Xiang was nearly livid. That bitch Lu Ning!

She looked up at the head teacher with a pitiful, aggrieved expression: "I really didn’t cheat. I only turned around because I heard Chen Hong calling me, and the note was slipped into my desk by her when I wasn't paying attention. I knew nothing about it."

The head teacher had originally been inclined to favor Qin Xiang, but recalling how Lu Ning had been falsely accused of plagiarism previously, he felt there was something questionable about Qin Xiang’s character.

The head teacher spoke up: "Qin Xiang, Chen Hong, both of you come with me to the office."

Lu Ning sat at her desk while those around her discussed the plagiarism incident. She opened her textbook to check her answers, eager to see what score she had achieved.

Not long after, the class monitor came to call her: "The head teacher wants you to come to the office."

Lu Ning had guessed as much. She went to the office but noticed that "Sidekick Number One" was not there. Instead, she saw her second brother.

Of course. Qin Xiang would certainly call for reinforcements.

Qin Xiang’s eyes were bloodshot as she looked up at her: "Sister Ning, do you hate me that much? What exactly do I have to do for you to forgive me?"

Lu Ning replied calmly: "I was merely stating what I saw. If I wanted to destroy you, I would have just said I saw you cheating directly!"

Qin Xiang’s face instantly flushed a deep red.

Lu Nanfeng could not stand by any longer and scolded Lu Ning: "Watch your tone. Xiangxiang is also a member of the Lu family. When encountering something like this, I thought you would know the right way to act!"

Lu Ning looked up: "How does my second brother want me to act? To say I saw nothing at all? Fine, that works too. I really didn't see Qin Xiang turn around."

Lu Nanfeng felt a headache coming on. Why couldn't she understand what he meant?

The head teacher coughed: "Well, I have a general understanding of the situation now. Qin Xiang, you are also at fault. You shouldn't have others doing your homework, and you shouldn't be whispering during exams."

Lu Nanfeng explained: "Teacher, the reason Xiangxiang let others do her homework was because family matters took up her time. I can vouch for that."

Having a classmate help with homework was just a small matter, after all. Qin Xiang had a reason for doing it.

***

Qin Xiang looked especially aggrieved: "Second Brother, I didn't know Chen Hong wanted to frame me for cheating. It’s just because I mentioned that she had borrowed money from me that she developed such malicious intentions."

"Xiangxiang, I know you are always kind and like to help needy classmates, but even kindness must have its limits."

Lu Nanfeng believed that Qin Xiang had not cheated and had definitely been framed.

The head teacher said: "We will discuss the outcome of this matter. You may return to the classroom for now."

Lu Ning turned and walked away.

Lu Nanfeng chased after her: "Ning, how could you testify that you saw Xiangxiang turn around? What if the teacher really decides she is suspected of plagiarism and punishes her? Have you thought about the consequences?"

Lu Ning stopped: "If Qin Xiang really did cheat and then shifted the blame onto that impoverished student Chen Hong, have you thought about the consequences for Chen Hong?"

"Impossible, Xiangxiang wouldn't do something like that."

Lu Nanfeng denied it almost instinctively.

Lu Ning sneered, so she didn't bother answering.

"Lu Ning, I know you feel wronged and think we are biased toward Qin Xiang. But that is because her father saved your life, and she has always been obedient and sensible. What is wrong with us being kind to her? If you want to blame someone, blame me, don't drag Qin Xiang into this!"

Lu Ning felt a throbbing in her temples. She was momentarily speechless.

She wore a mocking expression: "I’ll blame myself, is that good enough?"

Blame herself for being blind and failing to see through this so-called family affection sooner!

Lu Ning ran into the classroom.

Lu Nanfeng stood outside, looking helpless. He wanted to mend his relationship with Lu Ning, but she never seemed to accept it. How could he make her understand that he was strict with her only because she was his biological sister? Qin Xiang was not, so he had no such expectations of her. This wasn't favoritism!

Qin Xiang walked over: "Second Brother, I'm sorry. Maybe I should move out so that Sister Ning doesn't stay angry with the family and cause trouble with you all. I don't want to see your sibling bond suffer because of me."

Lu Nanfeng forced a smile: "What silly things are you saying? This has nothing to do with you. You don't need to move out. You are my, Lu Nanfeng's, sister, and you always will be."

Qin Xiang broke into a smile through her tears: "Then let's pinky swear! It's a deal!"

Lu Nanfeng looked at Qin Xiang with satisfaction; if only Lu Ning were as sensible as she was. He said: "You need to focus your energy on your studies and stop letting classmates do your homework."

Qin Xiang’s expression stiffened for a moment: "I know I was wrong."

"As long as you recognize your mistakes and correct them, that's fine."

***

Lu Nanfeng observed Qin Xiang's apologetic attitude and wished Lu Ning could be the same.

When Lu Ning returned to the classroom and saw the empty seat where "Sidekick Number One" had been, she felt no sympathy.

A few days later, the school announced the results of the plagiarism incident; Chen Hong received a warning, and Qin Xiang was also criticized by the head teacher in front of the entire class.

After the head teacher finished, he brought out the report card: "The results are out. I want to give special praise to Lu Ning. She has made significant progress, ranking tenth in this exam. Everyone should learn from her; a final sprint can indeed improve one's grades."

The classroom erupted in an uproar.

"My God, not only is Lu Ning a top student, but she's also amazing at gaming."

"If Lu Ning improved this much, is it too late for me to work hard now? I want to get into the same university as the goddess!"

"How does Lu Ning manage to balance gaming and studying without sacrificing either?"

Seeing her own results, Lu Ning wore a satisfied smile. Did this mean she had a chance at Yun University?

The head teacher looked at Lu Ning with a smile: "Why don't you share your secrets for improvement so everyone can learn from you?"

Lu Ning’s recent performance had been truly excellent, and she had tested very well.

Lu Ning stood up, feeling uncharacteristically nervous: "The reason I was able to improve so much is that I had an epiphany: one must live for oneself, and then stay up late every night grinding through practice problems."

Live for herself, and no longer make sacrifices for so-called family. Like in her past life, where she only ended up moving herself.

Seeing Lu Ning’s dazzling appearance, Qin Xiang was so jealous her face twisted. Why did this bitch get to score so well!

She looked at her own score and crumpled her test paper into a ball. This was all that bitch Chen Hong's fault; if she hadn't been careless and gotten caught by the teacher, her own scores would have definitely improved this time.

After the lunch break, Lu Ning returned to the classroom to find several love letters in her desk. She was taken aback; this came as quite a surprise.

The class monitor leaned over: "Lu Ning, your popularity is through the roof right now. E-sports goddess plus top student—even the heartthrob from the private high school next door has been asking about you and wants to add your contact info."

The heartthrob from the private high school next door?

Wasn't that Qin Xiang’s crush?