Some people are inherently envious and resentful of others' success. Perhaps some people didn't believe the rumors at first, but upon hearing that Xia Qingqing's coat cost 60 yuan, they might feel a little envious. These feelings might not make them intentionally hurt Xia Qingqing, but they also wouldn't want to see her living such a comfortable life.

Liu Huimin was quite outgoing in class, and some of her close friends secretly told her about this. She was furious when she found out and questioned everyone involved. In the end, she discovered that the rumor originated from Liu Guizhi.

“She’s definitely jealous of Qingqing. We know what kind of person she is all too well,” Xiang Qiu said, her face a picture of unspeakable unease.

Chen Xiu nodded in agreement: "That's right. Didn't she have a conflict with Qingqing when school started? This person doesn't put her mind on anything serious. If she put her mind on studying, she wouldn't be at the bottom of the class in the final exams."

Xia Qingqing was not angry at all. She could not control whether others liked her or not, but spreading rumors about her was going too far.

In later generations, spreading rumors and fabricating stories will be considered illegal and criminal acts. Even if the law doesn't address this issue now, she will still strive to seek justice for herself.

The next day after class, Xia Qingqing and her three roommates stopped Liu Guizhi: "Liu, don't leave yet, I have something to talk to you about."

"I have nothing to talk to you about. Get out of my way, I'm leaving soon," Liu Guizhi said, her voice stern but her heart pounding with fear. She was vaguely worried that Xia Qingqing had come to cause her trouble.

Seeing this scene, Xue Mengyu glanced weakly at Liu Guizhi and said, "Guizhi, I need to go to the toilet, so I'm going back to the dormitory first. You can come back by yourself later."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guizhi became anxious: "Mengyu, wait for me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xue Mengyu had already walked several meters away with her textbooks, without even turning her head back.

Liu Guizhi cursed inwardly. It was all Xia Qingqing's fault. Why didn't they stop Xue Mengyu as well? Didn't they know they were together?

And Xue Mengyu is just as awful. She accompanies me in everything I do, but now that I'm in trouble, she runs away. It's pure, fake sisterhood.

Xia Qingqing interrupted Liu Guizhi's inner monologue: "Alright, Liu, stop daydreaming. Let's talk about the matter of you spreading rumors about me."

"What? Rumors? I don't understand what you're saying," Liu Guizhi hurriedly denied. Even if it were true, she couldn't possibly make such a promise in front of the person involved; she wasn't stupid.

Liu Huimin sneered: "Still pretending with me? You dare to say you didn't spread rumors that Qingqing found a married old man?"

A pang of guilt crossed Liu Huimin's mind, but she quickly retorted confidently, "Didn't she look for someone? Where did she get so much money to buy clothes? A coat costs 60 yuan. Who in an ordinary family can afford such expensive clothes?"

"Xia Qingqing, do you dare to say that your family background is very good?"

Liu Huimin choked for a moment, then quickly added, "Couldn't it be that Qingqing earned it herself? Your own thoughts are filthy, and you see filth in everything you do."

"Ha, how could that be? She's just a student, where could she possibly earn money?" Liu Guizhi said with disbelief.

Xia Qingqing suddenly smiled: "Studying makes money. I was the top scorer in the province. The city, county and commune all gave me rewards. I also get tutoring fees. People who don't focus on studying probably find it hard to understand."

Liu Guizhi froze: "You're the provincial champion? There's a bonus for the provincial champion?"

She really hadn't considered that possibility, but even if there was a prize, it probably wouldn't be much, right?

"What business is it of yours how much money I have? Are you trying to steal my money? Mind your own business and stop meddling," Xia Qingqing rolled her eyes inelegantly.

Liu Guizhi was almost breathless from her words. She...she...she actually accused her of stealing money. Who does she think she is?

Xia Qingqing stopped arguing with her and said directly, "Alright, I've answered your question. Now let's talk about the harm you've caused me. I'll give you one day to clarify the rumors, write me an apology letter, and compensate me 10 yuan for emotional distress."

"Otherwise, I'll go to the school leaders. Someone like you, with such poor character and spreading rumors about your classmates, will definitely be given a major demerit by the leaders. You should think it over carefully."

Hearing that she was going to find the school leaders, Liu Guizhi suddenly panicked: "I didn't mean it, Xia Qingqing, please don't go to the school leaders. I didn't do anything, I just said a few sarcastic things."

Xia Qingqing shrugged: "We'll see how you do."

“I will clarify the rumors, and I can write you an apology letter. Can you not give me the 10 yuan? I don’t have that much money.” Liu Guizhi felt heartbroken at the thought of having to compensate Xia Qingqing 10 yuan.

Xia Qingqing's face darkened: "I'm informing you, not discussing this with you. I hope you recognize the facts."

A look of inner conflict flashed across Liu Guizhi's face, but she ultimately agreed to pay the compensation.

Xia Qingqing asked her to give her the apology letter and the compensation for emotional distress tomorrow, and to state in the apology letter that the money was compensation she gave voluntarily.

She didn't want Liu Guizhi to turn around and accuse her of extortion after she had taken the money.

After explaining things to Liu Guizhi, Xia Qingqing left with her roommates.

"Qingqing, you were amazing just now, you completely stunned her," Chen Xiu whispered.

Xia Qingqing was amused by her: "What's so great about that? She was just feeling guilty."

Chen Xiu asked with a puzzled look, "But Qingqing, why don't you just tell the school leaders? Someone like Liu Guizhi should be given a major demerit by the school."

Why not tell the school leaders? Of course, it's because I don't want the trouble. The impact of this matter wasn't that big to begin with; it was only circulating in a small circle within the class. If I report it to the school, it might become known to everyone in the school.

Besides, what if the boss really wants to investigate her and where the money comes from? She has many little secrets that she can't let anyone know.

"Let's not bother the leaders with these minor conflicts between classmates. They all have more important work to do," Xia Qingqing said, offering a plausible excuse.

Xiang Qiu added, "Besides, even if we tell the leaders, Liu Guizhi might not necessarily get a major demerit. It's just a few words from the crowd. It can be serious in some ways, but not in others."

“That’s true. In that case, we might as well scare Liu Guizhi. She was so scared that her legs went weak just now,” Chen Xiu’s tone was surprisingly gloating, which was quite different from her usual quiet personality.