NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65 - 65: Details
Chapter 65: Details
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Before Liu Sisi could finish, Zhang Man had devised a more devious course of action. “We should test the waters, posting a few hints online about who is the fake heiress and who is real. Then, on Monday, we’ll single out He Jing and convince everyone of Xiao Yi’s innocence. No matter how influential He Jing is, she won’t be able to quash the majority’s opinion.”
Having settled on a plan, Cheng Yi could not be more satisfied.
However, to maintain her image, Cheng Yi could not agree to Zhang Man’s proposal too easily. Hence, she feigned hesitation and said, “But isn’t this wrong? After all, He Jing is innocent…”
“Xiao Yi, you’re too kind!” Zhang Man cried indignantly. “That’s why He Jing takes advantage of you. Even if you aren’t worried about yourself, you should still consider your parents’ positions. He Jing deceived them and stole their attention from you. Don’t you want to win the title of school belle and force them to acknowledge you?”
“Yes,” Cheng Yi said in a muffled voice.
Liu Sisi interjected, saying, “Xiao Yi, you’re not evil. You’re doing this in self-defense. You need not have considered such measures if He Jing hadn’t forced your hand. He Jing is to blame for come what may.”
Cheng Yi considered their words, nodding cautiously, “Then we’ll do as you both suggest. But we can’t repeat this ever again…”
Zhang Man nodded enthusiastically. “Xiao Yi, don’t worry. No matter what happens, we will be by your side. If this plan fails, I will take responsibility for everything. Besides, no one likes me much except for you; you’re the only one who treats me with sincerity.”
Cheng Yi smiled. “Manman, don’t say that. You’re a wonderful person. You’ll always be my friend.”
The three of them hugged one another.
The three of them discussed the details of the operation and how they would secure witnesses. By the time they stepped out of the washroom, the bell signaling the start of class had already rung. To their surprise, Yan Hanxi also exited the gents at this time. He looked to have washed his hands, his slender fingers still dripping water.
Cheng Yi panicked. Afraid that Yan Hanxi had overheard their conversation, she called out weakly, “Student Yan.”
Yan Hanxi looked at her with cold eyes and no expression. “What is it?”
Cheng Yi did not know what to say. She shook her head and thought, ‘If Yan
Hanxi had heard us, he would not be so calm.’
With that thought in mind, she felt relieved and led Liu Sisi and Zhang Man back to class.
He Jing had no idea that she was being watched, so she was momentarily stunned when she heard Wu Yu gossiping about what had happened in the corridor.
Had such a sequence of events occurred in the original novel?
She did not think so.
According to her memories, the plot revolved around the real heiress and how she became the most popular girl in school, overshadowing the fake heiress who failed to win and later chose to slander the former in retribution by posting untruths on the school forums. The fake heiress was quickly discovered and publicly shamed for her actions.
Meanwhile, the supporting female cast, involving Xu Bi and Shen Qiuyu, joined hands to muster the votes in their favor. It was only after Yan Hanxi, the male lead, stepped forward to deal with the mess that forced the two to back down, paving the way for the real heiress.
After that, the real heiress became the school belle, untouched and unchallenged. It was smooth sailing, with no real bumps on the road. So why did Xu Bi draw Cheng Yi into an altercation instead?
It was a strange deviation from the plot.
Still, it had nothing to do with her, or so He Jing thought. She had not participated in the School Belle Competition, so what they did or chose to do was of little consequence.
He Jing forgot about the matter almost as soon as she heard it. It was not until the afternoon after school that He Jing was reminded of what transpired earlier that day by a post on the school forums. It was a trending topic with an eye-catching title: ‘818 Cheng Family’s Real and Fake Daughter Appears
Peaceful on the Surface, but Actually, There Are Undercurrents of Grudges and
Hatred.’
He Jing had a bad feeling. She clicked on the post and saw that someone was talking about her and Cheng Yi from a third-person perspective, discussing things she and Cheng Yi supposedly did or did not do. It was clearly trying to paint a target on her back..