Are we still going to build the building?

As a local enterprise in South City, Double Star’s status in the eyes of the locals was something foreign companies like Universal could never hope to match. In the most prosperous city for entertainment in the nation, Double Star’s influence was simply unparalleled.

So, when the screenshot of the missing person notice exploded onto the forum, First High School found itself in an uproar once again.

Comparison photos of Chen Ruowen, stories both big and small about her, and the incident where she, in full view of everyone during recess, smashed a photographer’s phone and then paid for it—all of this was fanned into a storm, wave after wave, provoking a massive reaction.

Now, all sorts of discussions flooded the forum. Some thought Chen Ruowen had a terrible temper; others pointed out she wasn’t a public figure, and being swarmed and photographed would upset anyone—it was only natural she’d be angry.

Rumors from unknown sources popped up too, claiming Double Star’s heiress had always had a bad temper, that she was not someone to be trifled with…

But one thing was clear: with the arrival of the luxury car and her identity revealed, all talk of “being kept” had vanished without a trace.

Who could possibly be keeping the daughter of South City’s richest man?

It was laughable!

As Chen Ruowen’s identity and background came to light, another crucial question surged to the surface—just who was Bai Jinyan?

Many had witnessed Chen Ruowen hugging him outside the school gates. There had even been photos posted before, but back then, everyone’s attention had been firmly fixed on her. Was the one being so boldly pursued by the wealthy heiress an ordinary, impoverished boy, or was he a hidden scion of wealth himself…?

The question was tantalizing, stirring everyone’s curiosity.

The situation was spiraling out of control. Some forum users had even started listing the city’s famous companies to try and uncover who he was. At last, Chen Ruowen once again knocked on the door of the principal’s office.

“Chen Ruowen, why aren’t you in class at this hour? What brings you to the principal’s office?” Principal Xiong Benchang eyed her warily as she made herself at home on the sofa, much as she had last time. Most students were terrified at the prospect of being called to his office, but she looked as relaxed as if she were returning to her own living room.

And for her to come to him on her own accord… Xiong Benchang felt certain nothing good could come of it.

From the moment she entered, Chen Ruowen had been watching his expression. Seeing his eagerness to send her away, she felt even more certain of her suspicions.

“So you really don’t know,” she said, pushing her phone toward him and leaning back into the sofa.

“Principal Xiong, it’s your own school’s forum. Even if you don’t browse it yourself, you should at least have someone keeping an eye on it, shouldn’t you?”

“The forum? What’s happened on the forum?” Xiong Benchang asked curiously. He picked up her phone and his face immediately changed as he saw the forum homepage flooded with posts about “Chen Ruowen.”

He clicked into a few threads and skimmed the content, growing more agitated. His students, instead of focusing on their studies, were busy digging up information on South City’s rich kids? This was nothing short of courting disaster!

“Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?” he exclaimed, immediately pulling out his own phone to summon someone to his office.

Chen Ruowen waited patiently for him to finish his call before calmly retorting, “Principal Xiong, am I the network administrator of First High School?”

He seemed caught off guard. “...What network administrator?”

“Am I the director of academic affairs?”

This time, he replied quickly, “Of course not!”

“Then what obligation do I have to report unusual student behavior to you?” she asked.

Xiong Benchang was nearly speechless with frustration. “But you’re at the center of this! If you’d told me earlier, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point!”

“No,” Chen Ruowen corrected him with gravity. “I am the victim here, and I have no patience for victim-blaming. Now the forum is awash with rumors, Principal, I expect an official response from you. Otherwise, my legal team reserves the right to take action against First High School at any time.”

“Chen Ruowen, you’re going too far. This all started because you drove a luxury car to school. Such ostentation has a seriously negative impact on the school’s atmosphere. It’s your behavior I should be questioning!”

She replied lightly, “Leaving aside whether I was showing off—since when is riding in a luxury car a crime? Is showing off even a crime?”

He was left speechless.

“But slander and invasion of privacy are crimes,” she reminded him.

Agitated, Xiong Benchang tugged at the top two buttons of his shirt. As much as the chaos on the forum rattled him, he realized that this mess could also present a perfect opportunity.

“Chen Ruowen, this situation was beyond our expectations and has developed beyond our control. Both sides bear some responsibility. To minimize your trouble and inconvenience, I’ll expedite your transfer to another school. How does that sound?”

He looked at her with open hope, sincerely wishing she’d take this chance to just leave.

“Who said I’m transferring?” Chen Ruowen countered, catching him off guard.

“But the situation…”

“Is out of control?” she echoed, letting out a cold laugh. “A prestigious principal can’t even handle such a minor issue? Principal Xiong, are you insulting my intelligence?”

“If you remain at First High, it won’t be good for either you or the school. It’s mutual destruction—why bother?”

“You really want me to leave?” she asked. Then, with a sly smile, she pointed toward the west side of the school.

“Principal Xiong, the new building on the west side… construction has started, hasn’t it? If I leave now…” She pretended to ponder with great difficulty. “Should the building continue, or… should it be left unfinished?”

“Chen Ruowen!” His face changed again.

“I am your teacher, and you would threaten me with this?”

She snorted. “Teacher? That’s a word better suited to Ms. Wu. Our relationship has always been nothing but a contract. A little trouble and you want to kick your partner out? What kind of professionalism is that?”

At that critical moment, a knock sounded at the office door. Chen Ruowen stood up from the soft sofa without a backward glance, finally stating her purpose.

“If I were you, I’d shut down the forum immediately, delete all related posts, and mute every account involved in the discussion for a month. Convene a staff meeting to reinforce classroom discipline and hold an early college entrance exam mobilization assembly to refocus the students. If they have time to gossip about me, perhaps the teachers aren’t assigning enough homework.”

She walked to the door, hand on the knob, and just before opening it, she turned back as if suddenly remembering something.

“Be quick with the shutdown. My background is one thing, but if any more information about Bai Jinyan appears on the forum—regardless of whether you’re my teacher or my partner, I’ll see you in court.”