It was lunchtime, and the staff in the dormitory area had all gone home for dinner.

When Ye Linchen shouted, the neighbors upstairs and downstairs came out to see what had happened.

Upon seeing this, everyone was startled by Ye Linchen's disheveled appearance and the scarlet wounds on his face.

"Hey, Xiao Ye, what happened to your face?"

Ye Linchen touched his face and cried bitterly.

Feng Linlin and Xu Yuru also came downstairs. Hearing the neighbor ask this question, Feng Linlin ran over in two steps, anxiously checking Ye Linchen's injuries.

"Xiao Chen, why is your face bleeding?"

"My mom hit me!" Ye Linchen said, tears streaming down her face, her voice choked with sobs.

Xu Yuru also came over: "What happened?"

Ye Linchen wiped away her tears, looked at Xu Yuru, and said aggrievedly, "Aunt Xu, I can't go to school anymore!"

"Why?" Xu Yuru was taken aback.

She heard from her daughter that Ye Linchen was taking the entrance exam for the high school section of the affiliated school today. Could it be that he didn't do well and the school wouldn't accept him?

Did Meng Xueyun feel ashamed, so she took action?

That's no reason to beat someone up like that!

Hearing Ye Linchen crying outside, Meng Xueyun rushed out and angrily berated Ye Linchen.

"You liar! Aren't you ashamed?! Come back with me right now!"

He reached out and grabbed Ye Linchen.

Meng Zihan ran out the door with the twins and tried to persuade Ye Linchen, "Sister, let's talk at home."

Ye Linchen dodged Meng Xueyun and grabbed Feng Linlin and Xu Yuru's hands tightly, as if they were grasping at a lifeline.

"Today I took the entrance exam and did well. Teacher Li put me in the advanced class, and my dad agreed. He even promised to let me go to university. But when I got home, my mom heard about it and disagreed. She wouldn't let me study and told my dad to find me a job so he could earn money to tutor Meng Zihan for university!"

The crowd erupted in astonishment, finding it all unbelievable.

The steel mill has ten senior high school classes, but only one "rocket class" (a highly competitive class for high-achieving students).

Which child of a steel mill worker doesn't desperately want to get in?

"Xiao Meng, your child's education is a big deal, it affects her whole life. You can't make a mistake at this crucial moment!"

Ye Linchen sobbed, "My mom said... my mom said the family's financial situation isn't good... tutoring Xiaohan... means... there's no extra money left for my schooling!"

Upon hearing Ye Linchen's words, everyone's expressions towards Meng Xueyun and Meng Zihan immediately changed.

Meng Zihan hadn't expected the blame to fall on her, and feeling wronged, she blurted out, "Sister, how could you say that? It was clearly you who cheated on the exam, and that's why Auntie..."

She seemed to suddenly realize that she had accidentally revealed the truth, and covered her mouth in regret, no longer saying anything more.

Meng Xueyun, however, realized what was happening.

Meng Zihan shouldn't be involved in this matter, otherwise there will be endless gossip later.

She had to shift the blame onto Ye Linchen.

It's because this child is of bad character and cheats on exams that he can't study.

Meng Xueyun immediately shouted at Ye Linchen.

"Go home right now! Do you have to make a scene so everyone knows before you're satisfied? I'm ashamed for you!"

The two aunt and niece seemed to have said everything without saying anything at all.

Meng Xueyun seemed afraid that the neighbors wouldn't believe her, so she kept explaining, "Sigh, this child is used to being wild in the countryside. She has no manners and throws tantrums at the slightest thing, which makes everyone laugh."

Several neighbors believed Meng Xueyun and Meng Zihan's assertions.

His gaze toward Meng Xueyun was filled with sympathy.

It's really troublesome when kids are disobedient; they all feel the same way.

However, she still kindly advised, "Xiao Meng, mother and daughter should talk things out. You're such a big girl, what if you get disfigured after slapping your face like this?"

"Oh dear, you have no idea how infuriating she was. I lost my temper for a moment, and... I'll be more careful next time."

Meng Xueyun smiled and agreed, then rushed to Ye Linchen's side, grabbed her, and glared at her fiercely, reminding her to behave.

Ye Linchen hid behind Feng Linlin, crying as she questioned her, "Mom, why are you slandering me like this?"

"My teacher, Mr. Li, and my dad were both in the office during the exam today, watching me the whole time. How could I possibly cheat?"

"If you don't believe me, you can call Teacher Li right now and ask her clearly. If she says I cheated, I will drop out of school immediately and never go to school again!"

"Also, why did Linlin lend me her Walkman and notebook? She needs them for her college entrance exams, but don't I?"

"I've already given up my bedroom and am sleeping in the living room, why should I also have to give up my opportunity to study?"

Ye Linchen became more and more upset as she spoke, and in the end she covered her face and sobbed.

Hearing her shout, Meng Zihan was so angry that she almost ground her back teeth to powder.

She originally thought Ye Linchen would consider her parents' feelings, but she didn't expect her to disregard everything.

This is clearly an attempt to ruin the reputation of the entire Ye family!

We can't let her have her way!

Meng Zihan also started to sob: "Sister, I thought we were family and could share good things together. I only agreed when Auntie said I could use it. If I had known you wouldn't want it, I wouldn't have taken it!"

Upon hearing this, the onlookers turned their attention back to Ye Linchen.

Yes, even though they are cousins, they are all family. There's nothing wrong with sharing school supplies, right?

If there's anything wrong with that, it's that Meng Xueyun was a bit too domineering, not getting Ye Linchen's consent.

Meng Zihan was wronged.

The twins standing nearby, however, felt uncomfortable.

Just now, when Ye Linchen was arguing, he said that Meng Xueyun wronged her own family by taking money to subsidize Meng Zihan.

If this kind of thing isn't said, no one will think anything of it, but once it's brought to light, the twins realize something's wrong.

Over the years, Meng Zihan has always been given priority in everything, and only what's left for her is given to them.

But why should I?

She's not a member of the Ye family!

Now that they hear Meng Zihan lying and pinning the blame on Meng Xueyun, they are even more dissatisfied.

It was clearly her who rummaged through Ye Linchen's backpack, took out the notebook and Walkman, and even generously gave them the Walkman to use, as if it were her own.

If you have the guts to do it, why don't you have the guts to admit it?

Although they didn't like Ye Linchen, she never told a lie; it was all the truth.

Meng Zihan, however, has always been like this; whenever a problem arises, she pushes it onto others.

Who would like a person who lies all the time?

Ye Linnan, being straightforward, immediately exposed the truth: "Sister Xiaohan, it was you who went through my sister's bag and asked my mom for the notebook and Walkman. How can you say that my mom gave them to you?"

Ye Linbei chimed in, "Yeah, I saw it too. Sister Xiaohan, just admit it if you did it, it's not a big deal."

Meng Zihan was shocked that they would suddenly turn against him, and her mouth dropped open in surprise.

Doesn't this mean she lacks responsibility and lies carelessly?

"Xiao Nan, Xiao Bei, you..."

Meng Zihan's eyes darted around as she quickly thought of how to explain herself and clear her name!