Scumbag A's Plan to Save the Heroine - Chapter 24

Recalling Bai Ziming’s behavior at the banquet, Fu Jin Yan, confined to his sickbed, seethed with resentment. His voice dripped with bitterness as he said, “Bai Ziming and I were merely casual acquaintances. He used his connections to get into Noadon, where he flirted with everyone, obsessed with marrying into a wealthy family. I don’t know who told him what, but he took a reckless gamble, luring me to a bar and drugging me.”

By this point, Fu Fu’s expression had darkened. If the photos from the banquet were genuine, and Bai Ziming had the Zhi Family backing him, pursuing legal action in the Federation would likely jeopardize his son’s safety.

Fortunately, Fu Jin Yan wasn’t so foolish. Sensing his father’s concerns, he cut straight to the point, adding, “The drug was common; many aristocratic youths I associate with use it for recreation. I only took a sip before recognizing the foul taste. Since he tried to scheme against me, I had my men beat him on the spot.”

Fu Fu’s expression softened slightly as he pressed further, “Then tell me, did you actually say the words in the screen’s photos and recordings? And when did you have a falling out with the Zhi Family’s only daughter?”

The man on the sickbed paused, as if burdened by an unspeakable secret. Fu Jin Yan didn’t want to reveal what had happened in the changing room that day, but if the truth came out, those waiting to mock him would only gloat more triumphantly.

Gritting his teeth, Fu Jin Yan replied, “The recording is genuine. Bai Ziming used his injuries to blackmail his way into an internship at my company. Of course, I couldn’t keep a ticking time bomb spying on me by my side. As for Zhi Qiu…”

“That day in the changing room, I had an argument with a female Omega. I accidentally released my pheromones, and the Omega immediately collapsed, thinking I was going to force myself on her. She tried to kill herself. I have no idea how Zhi Qiu sensed the pheromones so quickly and burst in…”

Upon learning the truth about his son’s hospitalization, Fu Fu rose to his feet, leaning on his cane, and roared at the man on the sickbed, “How dare you use your pheromones to coerce an Omega! Do you think the Federation’s laws are just for show? Who taught you such behavior?! Haven’t you figured out why Zhi Qiu arrived so quickly? You touched her Omega—how could she not know?!”

Leaning against the table, Fu Fu pressed his forehead and sighed, “What a misfortune for our family! What a misfortune!”

Fu Jin Yan frowned, wanting to defend himself, but after struggling to rationalize his deductions based on the outcome, he could only lower his head.

If asked who in the world understood Fu Jin Yan best, Fu Fu, who had raised him single-handedly since childhood, would undoubtedly be considered second to none.

The moment the man on the sickbed lowered his head, Fu Fu immediately sensed his son’s lingering resentment. Softening his tone, he said, “Speak your mind.”

Fu Jin Yan wrestled with his thoughts for a moment, unable to logically convince himself. Finally, he shook his head in frustration and denied, “It’s nothing. I was probably overthinking things.”

To preserve the Fu Family’s reputation and quell any potential investigation by the Zhi Family, Fu Fu chose to downplay the scandal at the banquet. He issued a public apology to appease public anger, expelled his son to demonstrate punishment, and then leveraged Fu Jin Yan’s injuries to garner public sympathy. Afterward, he planned to gradually restore the Fu Group’s image through strategic marketing.

Thus unfolded the scene in the Principal’s office today.

Inside the office, Fu Jin Yan didn’t fully explain the circumstances, but the simple phrase “my father’s decision” spoke volumes.

Heirs of powerful families rarely have control over their own lives. Lei Ke sighed regretfully and finally stamped the withdrawal application. Handing it back to Fu Jin Yan, he offered a veiled warning: “Jin Yan, I’m the Principal, but I’ve also watched you grow up. You were born into privilege, and everything you’ve ever wanted has been handed to you. You’ve never known the taste of denial, so you don’t understand what it means to be denied.”

Under Fu Jin Yan’s puzzled gaze, Lei Ke stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and cautioned, “Sometimes what you think is playing hard to get might just be someone genuinely disliking you and wanting to avoid you. Don’t be too confident in yourself. You can’t force matters of the heart.”

The campus courtyard was filled with students arriving for morning classes.

It was Monday of an odd-numbered week. According to Noadon Academy tradition, the Dean of Academics would lead the students in reciting the oath of allegiance to the Federation from the podium every odd-numbered week.

No one knew what had happened, but instead of the Director, the person addressing the students from the podium today was the Principal, whom they rarely saw even once a year.

The students immediately buzzed with excitement at the change of speaker, whispering and speculating beneath the podium. Even Ruan Ye couldn’t suppress her curiosity, leaning close to Zhi Qiu’s wheelchair to ask in a low voice, “Why did the Principal suddenly come to school today?”

Zhi Qiu knew perfectly well why the Principal was here and what was about to happen. The Fu Family had sent people to probe her, both openly and covertly, the night before. But to spare Ruan Ye from feeling guilty, she feigned ignorance, stammering, “Maybe… maybe there’s some important announcement the Principal needs to make himself.”

Never one for lying, the girl in the wheelchair’s face flushed crimson, her eyes darting nervously around, unable to meet Ruan Ye’s gaze. Ruan Ye, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle shifts in Zhi Qiu’s expression. She lowered her eyes, which seemed to dim slightly, and chose not to expose the lie.

A deep, resonant male voice boomed from the podium, silencing the students. “Greetings, students of Noadon,” the voice announced. “It’s been too long. I am your Principal, Lei Ke.”

“This year marks the centennial anniversary of Noadon’s founding. Over the past century, Noadon has supplied the Federation with countless talents, including exceptionally gifted Mecha Pilots, skilled business leaders, internationally renowned artists, and many more,” the man on stage continued to elaborate.

“Noadon’s motto has always been ‘Greatness, Inclusivity, Understanding.’ For a hundred years, no student has ever dropped out. We respect anyone who thirsts for knowledge, show tolerance toward those with ability, and offer opportunities to those who have made mistakes. However, the school cannot ignore the students’ voices. Today, a senior who is about to graduate from Noadon has some words he wishes to share with you all. Please welcome him to the stage.”

The microphone hovered in the air for a moment before someone took it. A tall figure, his body covered in scars, stood straight on the podium, raised the microphone, and his raspy voice carried through the air to every ear.

“Hello everyone, I am Fu Jin Yan.”

The appearance of the controversial figure instantly ignited the crowd’s gossip instincts. The previously restrained murmurs erupted into a noisy uproar, the chaotic chatter from all directions making ears ache.

When Fu Jin Yan appeared, Ruan Ye’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Combining this with the unnatural behavior of those around her, an unbelievable suspicion began to form in her mind. She glanced at the girl in the wheelchair with astonishment.

However, the girl in the wheelchair didn’t return her gaze. Her expression remained solemn as she stared intently at the speaker on the podium, as if waiting for them to continue. Fortunately, Fu Jin Yan didn’t keep Zhi Qiu waiting long.

The clamor from the crowd below sounded less like a school assembly and more like a bustling morning market. Despite his father’s instructions to play the victim, Fu Jin Yan couldn’t conceal his impatience. He aimed the microphone directly at the high-magnetic speakers.

The high-volume microphone meeting the magnetic speakers produced a deafening, explosive-like screech. The sound was so piercing that even Meng Yuan, standing at the back of the crowd farthest from the podium, couldn’t help but cover her ears.

The murmuring ceased abruptly.

If a pin had dropped at that moment, everyone on the schoolyard would have heard it.

Meng Yuan lowered her hands from her ears and looked up at Fu Jin Yan, who stood rigidly on the podium. The Alpha’s voice was weary but each word rang with unwavering conviction.

“I apologize to Ruan Ye, Bai Ziming, Chu Yuan, and all the other Omegas and Betas I once mocked, belittled, and threatened at this school.”