Night Fire Lingering

Wen Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, her words clear and articulate, each one seemingly touching the hearts of everyone present.

Some law students found those famous papers in the paper database and discovered that they were exactly the same as what Wen Yan said!

"Mingzhu's papers didn't use Monte Carlo simulations at all! She couldn't have misremembered, could she?"

"None of the five papers mention judicial fairness or criminal procedure reform. These two themes are very distinct and cannot be confused!"

"Could it be that Mingzhu didn't actually write these papers herself?"

“I heard that Mingzhu’s family is very wealthy, so it’s not impossible for her to buy the thesis.”

"She didn't even write her own dissertation, so why should she go straight to a PhD program?"

……

The chatter grew louder and louder.

Mingzhu stood on the stage, her face pale and her forehead covered in cold sweat. She wanted to explain, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She could only glare fiercely at Wen Yan.

Wen Yan... that bitch Wen Yan actually schemed against her!

Holding the microphone, Wen Yan said solemnly, "Mingzhu, please explain your words and actions. Otherwise, we have reason to doubt the source of these papers."

"Exactly! Please explain!"

"If someone like that can get a direct PhD, then aren't we just clowns sitting here?"

"No fair! No fair!"

……

The students were filled with righteous indignation, and several of them had already stood up indignantly.

The school leaders looked grim. One of them pointed at Wen Yan and asked, "Wen Yan, are you instigating ignorant classmates to cause trouble? There are so many of us watching, and even outstanding alumni of our school are testifying for Mingzhu. How could it be fake?"

Looking over at the list of outstanding alumni, Wen Yan saw Ji Chang sitting in the middle of the first row.

She wore a white suit and light makeup today, looking elegant and intellectual. She sat there, looking at Wen Yan with a detached air, exuding an innate sense of superiority.

“I was responsible for reviewing three of Mingzhu’s papers. Are you doubting me? Show me the evidence,” Ji Chang said to Wen Yan.

Ji Chang worked at the magazine.

This is obvious: even if she gives Mingzhu the green light, you'd better come and confront me if you dare!

Their eyes met, and a long stalemate ensued.

Wen Yan gritted her teeth.

Just when Ji Chang thought Wen Yan was about to shut up, Wen Yan spoke up: "It would be great if your magazine were willing to disclose the review process. However, the review process does not affect our doubts about the authenticity of Mingzhu's paper."

Ji Chang said to Wen Yan, "I heard that you have also published several papers, and I can also doubt the authenticity of your papers."

Mingzhu felt emboldened by this suggestion.

"Wen Yan, you're very unwilling to accept that you didn't get a spot in the direct PhD program this time. I know it's because of your best friend Luo Beiqing, who has always disliked me. But you shouldn't bring your personal feelings to a simple place like school, and you shouldn't take advantage of classmates who don't know the truth! If you disrupt the normal order of the school like this, aren't you afraid that no school will dare to accept you in the future!"

This is just a way of putting a big accusation on her, guiding her classmates away from joining her in their hatred of her, and at the same time implying that if she doesn't behave, she might not be able to continue her studies!

Some students, guided by Mingzhu, looked at Wenyan with suspicion.

"You're threatening me—" Before Wen Yan could finish speaking, the microphone in her hand was suddenly snatched away.

It was Ji Chang's bodyguard who warned her in a low voice, "Third Young Mistress, that's enough!"

The auditorium was too big, and without a microphone, no one could hear her speak.

Wen Yan's face turned pale.

She took a deep breath, preparing to speak loudly, when the microphone was handed back to her.

Gu Yanci was dressed in an extremely low-key black outfit. With his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he was handsome and noble, attracting everyone's attention the moment he appeared.

Ji Chang's bodyguard stood to the side, wanting to take the microphone away, but dared not be presumptuous in front of Gu Yanci.

The smile on Ji Chang's face vanished.

Mingzhu's face turned completely pale: "Why is Gu Yanci here..."

She could only stare longingly at Ji Chang, silently pleading for help.

Ji Chang is Gu Yanci's mother. How can a son disobey his mother?

Wen Yan didn't tell Gu Yanci about the school's last-minute announcement last night, nor did she tell him that she was coming to the school. She didn't expect him to come anyway.

"Mrs. Gu, do you have anything else to say?" Gu Yanci asked.

Wen Yan took the microphone, her gaze sweeping around with unwavering determination before finally settling on Mingzhu's face.

"From freshman to junior year, Mingzhu had to retake at least five subjects. How could someone who repeatedly had to retake exams possibly rank second in the class in terms of GPA?"

"Wen, but you need evidence!" the college teacher said with a grim expression.

Wen Yan pursed her lips.

These materials are kept by the college, and given the existence of GPA manipulation within the college, she really couldn't produce any evidence.

"Evidence?" Gu Yanci chuckled.

Before he could finish speaking, several students entered the auditorium:

"Teacher, I took an advanced mathematics retake in my freshman year, and I was in the same exam room as Mingzhu. She was even twenty minutes late!"

"I was retaking Economic Law in my sophomore year, and Mingzhu was in the classroom next to mine."

“Mingzhu and I are in the same research group. She slacked off the whole time, and the subject teacher only gave her a passing grade… Giving someone who slacks off a passing grade is already being lenient with her!”

However, the score on the report card that Mingzhu showed was not that low.

Isn't this a blatant case of fraud?

There was an uproar in the auditorium.

Ji Chang's expression changed slightly.

When Mingzhu asked her for help with her thesis, she showed her her transcript. It was because Mingzhu's GPA was very good that she was willing to support her in pursuing a direct PhD.

"That concludes today's speech. Please leave the room in an orderly manner!"

The situation gradually spiraled out of control, and a teacher picked up the microphone, trying to end the farce.

The students, however, did not want to leave.

This is the age when everyone is most passionate. After being admitted to a university in the capital, everyone is a chosen one and has no shortage of arrogance.

Finally, the law school leaders came out and promised that they would investigate the matter thoroughly before deciding on the direct PhD quota.

"Wen Yan, you...you're really something!" The professor in charge of the direct-entry doctoral program pointed at Wen Yan's nose, his hand trembling with anger. "You're young and impetuous, and you don't consider the consequences. You'll get what's coming to you later!"

Wen Yan said calmly, "Teacher, the worst outcome would be if I were standing here today, not getting a direct PhD or even a guaranteed postgraduate admission. Maybe you've thought about colluding to slander me and make me rejected by all universities in China, but you can't cover up everything. If all else fails, I can still choose to study abroad."

Their threats were completely ineffective.

Wen Yan's gaze was firm: "I hope my alma mater is glorious, I hope my college is righteous, and I hope my actions are worthy of myself. I do not regret my decision, and I am willing to bear the responsibility and even the consequences for my actions!"

Gu Yanci laughed abruptly.

Everyone looked at him.

Gu Yanci seemed puzzled, but his gaze was sharp: "Since when has pursuing fairness required bearing consequences?"