After the results of the midterm exams came out, Fu Ling actually shot to the top five which caused a huge commotion.
Cheating rumours were starting to come up but they were quickly put out by Cheng Yi and all the other teachers who had noticed his improvement bit by bit.
At the end, there was too much evidence and no one could accuse him of cheating. But that didn't stop people from talking behind his back.
Wei Hong Yi was called out by the teacher during recess and spent almost half the time there so he decided not to go to the cafeteria anymore because most of the good food would have been snatched up by now therefore he made his way back to class.
A group of students were clustered on the hallway talking in loud voices. He didn't like this group of students and didn't want to have anything to do with them so he increased his pace but their words had him nailed in place.
The group of young men were talking with blatant maliciousness not knowing there was someone listening. Even if they did, they wouldn't care.
"Fu Ling really thinks he's something huh? Is it not just some unwanted child? I don't know what's so good about him."
"And now he's acting all smart. Everyone knows he must have bribed the teachers"
"He must be doing it to attract Wen Ting's attention. What a lapdog. He's so stupid"
"If Wen Ting asked him to walk on fire I'm sure he definitely would. What a dog "
"He's such a stupid simp. It's so disgusting "
Their mocking laughter filled the air and Wei Hong Yi couldn't help but feel angry. He had a firsthand view of how much effort Fu Ling had put into his studies during this time. And after getting to know him, he had come to the conclusion that Fu Ling really didn't like Wen Ting. These people's words were just plainly malevolent. Wei Hong Yi knew this and couldn't stop himself from speaking up.
"You guys don't have any idea how hard Fu Ling worked this period? Do you know how difficult it is to catch up on seven months of school work? Of course you don't. If you did, you wouldn't be here running your mouths like a broken tap. Also, has Fu Ling ever mentioned having feelings for Wen Ting? Did he open his mouth to say he liked Wen Ting? You guys are just spreading rumours."
One of the boys frowned unhappily
"Where did this chattering fool come from?"
Another one said
"It's the boy Wen Ting helped. It seems he's Fu Ling's other best friend. What an ungrateful bastard"
The first boy scoffed
"Making friends with a coward and a pauper. Has the Fu family really declined this much?"
One of the other boys said
"Who doesn't know he's not favoured by his family? Being friends with these two outcasts is just right."
Wei Hong Yi narrowed his eyes
"What right to you dogs who only know how to bark at the order of your master have to talk about our families? I didn't plan to make trouble. I'm just telling you to stop spreading rumours and lies about an innocent person to feel better about yourselves. Whatever you say about Fu Ling doesn't change the fact that you're all a bunch of trash."
Wei Hong Yi walked away after saying that. He had exhausted every bit of courage in all his lifetimes to say that. He was actually a bit scared. He had always avoided trouble like a plague but this time he was really pissed by their dirty mouths and couldn't help himself. After realizing what he had done, he was fully prepared to be beaten he didn't expect to actually be able to walk away.
After reaching the classroom, Wei Hong Yi saw Fu Ling moved his chair to Gu Lian's desk and they were solving problems. He felt that even if he had gotten beaten, it would be worth it. After spending so much time with Fu Ling, he had abandoned every bit of prejudice in his heart and realized Fu Ling was person who was very easy to talk to and extremely helpful.
If someone had told him the first ever friend he would make in his life is Fu Ling, he would have laughed in their faces. But there was one thing he was worried about.
He had come to the conclusion that Fu Ling wasn't interested in Wen Ting by himself and knowing those people, they would soon spread it around school. He didn't want Fu Ling to hear it from someone else so he decided to confess first.
Fu Ling watched as Wei Hong Yi walked into class and stared at him with loving eyes from the door and started wondering if his desk mates brain was malfunctioning again. He seemed to have made a very important decision and walked towards them with determined steps.
The bell to end recess rang and Wei Hong Yi twisted his hands together.
"I have something to tell you"
Fu Ling looked at him attentively
"I told a bunch of people you don't like Wen Ting. I'm sorry. I'm not sure if you like her but from what I've noticed, you don't and that was why I told them that but after thinking about it again, I decided to tell you so it would not seem presumptuous of me. I'm sorry but their words were very infuriating and I couldn't just stand without saying anything"
Fu Ling could understand. The original owner had been used various times and it had become the norm to say nasty words about him. Wei Hong Yi much have come into contact with such things for the first time.
"It's okay. Thank you, for speaking up for me. And you're not wrong. I have no interest in her anymore. I just want to live well."
Wei Hong Yi sighed in relief. At least he wasn't wrong. He did have some selfish intentions. He didn't want to compete with Fu Ling for the goddess but it seems like that won't be necessary. Wei Hong Yi was in a good mood and went to sit down with a small smile on his face.
Fu Ling noticed his expression and could almost guess what was thinking. He sighed in his heart. The boy was bound to be disappointed. Wen Ting is not a good person. He would never let his friends get taken advantage of.
Before school was over, everyone had heard the rumor that Fu Ling had no interest in Wen Ting. The girls commended him for seeing through her. Wen Ting also heard the rumors. She didn't believe it at first but after hearing it from many people, she had no choice but to believe.
And after circulating, the story had become
"Fu Ling said with his own mouth that he has no interest in Wen Ting and has never liked her. Anyone who says otherwise will be declaring enmity on him"
Although Wen Ting didn't fully believe it, she knows that these rumours much have started from somewhere so she decided to get to the bottom of it. She waited for Fu Ling after school and saw him walking out shoulder to shoulder with Gu Lian.
She had to admit, Gu Lian is especially handsome. If not that his family background wasn't up to standards, she would have given him more attention. Seeing them walk side by side like this gave her an indescribable feeling. She felt a bit weird but couldn't put her hands on it. She quickly rushed to stop Fu Ling and could have sworn she saw a flash of annoyance in his eyes.
Fu Ling was trying to convince Gu Lian to take his car back home today when the heroine rushed up. He lost control of his emotions for a moment but quickly covered it up. Why is she so annoying? He suppressed his disgust and smiled.
"What's up?"
Wen Ting suppressed her doubts and looked up timidly, making sure to show her good side.
"Fu Ling, can I talk to you? There's something I want to tell you. Alone."
She deliberately made her words ambiguous and took a quick glance at Gu Lian from the corner of her eyes. Unfortunately he wasn't paying any attention to her which made Wen Ting slightly frustrated.
Fu Ling watched her poor acting and wondered how she managed to fool so many people. He was about to refuse when he thought of something.
"System, where is Wei Hong Yi?"
"He's at the lovers corner."
Fu Ling nodded his head. Wei Hong Yi usually stayed at school even after most of the other day students had gone back so Gu Lian wanted to take this opportunity to show him the true face of his goddess.
"Let's go then."
He turned to Gu Lian
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Gu Lian turned around without a word and Fu Ling shrugged. Chaos is quite temperamental.
Fu Ling led her to the place called lovers corner. It was a cherry tree with a bench under it. It is called lovers corner because many students confessed to their sweethearts because of the view and gradually it became the meeting place of many lovers.
Wen Ting's heart skipped a beat when she recognized the place. She glanced at Fu Ling and when she saw his handsome face, heat climbed up her cheeks.
Fu Ling led her all the way to the tree and when he heard the system notification saying Wei Hong Yi was on the other side, he stopped with satisfaction.
"Okay, tell me. I'm listening."
Wen Ting cleared her throat
"I heard what they were saying at school today. I want you to know that I believe in you and I don't believe a word they said"
Fu Ling looked at her in mock confusion
"Why not? I said that."
Wen Ting's face turned slightly pale
"What do you mean?"
Fu Ling sighed
"Wen Ting, do you take me for a fool?"
His voice was soft like the devil's whisper and Wen Ting took two steps back but the excitement in her heart was overflowing. She didn't know Fu Ling had this side to him. It made her want to conquer him.
Fu Ling laughed
"Want to conquer me? Do I look so easy?"
Wen Ting turned pale
"What do you mean?"
"Your thoughts are all over your face. Wen Ting you are the only person in my life who have ever shown me kindness. I appreciate that and I've tried my best to help you but it seems there's been some misunderstanding. I didn't want to embarrass you so I didn't say anything about the rumors saying I was interested in you.
I have always considered you a sister and I would have done everything in my power to make you happy. But after seeing your true face, Wen Ting you disgust me. Why are you coming to me while knowing fully well you're already with Luo Xing Jie? Do you want to get me killed? Was the first attempt not enough? As his girlfriend, you cannot tell me you have no idea the type of person Luo Xing Jie is. I'll let you go this time for the sake of our former friendship. Please stay away from me starting now. I don't want to have to be rude to you."
With every word he said, Wen Ting's face turned paler and paler. Now her face was white as a ghost and she was trembling slightly. Fu Ling made no effort to comfort her and turned around. He wasn't even lying because the original owner had never had any romantic thought about her. He was like a drowning man who found a piece of driftwood. He considered her the only ray of light in his life. He felt many emotions towards her but Fu Ling was sure romantic love wasn't one of them.