Want To Help

Rumors were a never ending cycle in high school. Whether it be in a public or private institution, drama is omnipresent.

In Hua Institution, one can find about a handful of gossips in a week. Mostly harmless, but it provided a source of entertainment among such pressured students.

Jiang Shen was known as a model student with a peerless reputation. In any case, sometimes her good reputation became a source of envy among students who wanted to be the same.

In addition to her quite normal family background, of course students wouldn't hesitate to bring a man when he's down.

"Rumors had been posted on the student forum about you," Shi Fen matter of factly said.

"..."

Jiang Shen waited for him to continue his words, but after a few seconds there were none.

"And?"

"Ah, right!" It was as if a light bulb flickered above his head. Everyone shook their head. "Pictures of you and a guy who I assume to be Yang Mu caught in... questionable positions."

Jiang Shen's eyes met with Yang Mu's, one had expected it while one looked surprised. For some reason, the fact that someone had taken it upon themselves to post pictures of her acting close with a man wasn't surprising.

All of them knew how intimately she acted. It was never in the bounds of being in a relationship. Nor was her actions promiscuous. It was the kind of interaction you'd normally do with friends, albeit with the same sex.

So when Cao Wei showed them the pictures, Yang Mu had a deep frown on his face. "This isn't the first time this has happened but this is on another level. The newspaper club already told me it was completely real. No photoshop or edit of any kind. It's just that the angles are tricky, giving the illusion that you guys are doing something kinky."

Kang Shu inevitably slapped her shoulder in frustration. "Do you have to say it that way?!"

"In what way did I say something wrong?!" Cao Wei yelped in pain. She winced as her shoulder felt tingly from the slap.

"The last thing you said!"

"What, kinky?"

"There it is, again!" Another hit came from Kang Shu, prompting Cao Wei to scoot away for fear of being subjected to violence.

Jiang Shen wished she could look on with amusement but there was a rumor to settle. The slap from last night completely stressed her out, a throbbing headache making its way to her head.

She held down the pain and said in a hoarse voice, "That's all that the rumor is about?"

"I personally think someone is behind this. Since this isn't the first time this has happened, then why is this time successful? I say someone is behind it. Definitely," Cheng Muyi joined in on the conversation.

"Who do you think is the main culprit?" Yang Mu asked concernedly, the worry in his eyes evident.

"There's too many bad people to point out and if we scoured through all of them then there's a good chance Jiang Shen's reputation might cause her to lose her reputation."

Having a good reputation was vital because she was already a senior. Without a good first impression, her chances of being admitted to a first rate university would severely dwindle. Everyone was concerned for her.

"I might know someone who can help," Jiang Shen quipped.

Truthfully, it didn't matter to Jiang Shen how people viewed her. It was just more beneficial to have a good reputation because it'll help her on her resume. The trouble of trying to salvage it... Jiang Shen had no energy for.

If possible, she could've left it alone. After all, she didn't want to trouble herself dealing with more problems. Her emotions were at a down low as it is.

"Who then?"

"Qing Yao."

Yang Mu visibly stiffened. He felt a strong sense of rivalry with him, if that wasn't obvious enough. He didn't hate him. It was just the thought of seeing Jiang Shen with him that bothered him. To the point that would become a mess.

His hands clenched underneath the table that Ju Sheng's sharp eyes couldn't possibly miss. Her lips turned up into an amused smile as she discovered a juicy secret.

"How will you call him?"

"I have his number," Jiang Shen said as she pulled out her phone to send a text to Qing Yao. Not a moment later did his reply come through. She held up her phone for everyone to see. "See? He said he'll help."

Cao Wei and Shi Fen exchanged knowing looks. The number of people who had Jiang Shen's number could be counted in one hand. Four were her friends. The remaining one was family.

So, they already knew who the remaining four was. Everyone let out a sigh of relief knowing that the issue could be settled.

"You guys are acting like i'm going to get killed when it was just pictures of me and Yang Mu," Jiang Shen added.

"Don't you care about your reputation?" Kang Shu asked in confusion.

"Besides, you're our model student. You can't afford to have your reputation be tarnished," Shi Fen added.

"It'll look good on your application and help you get a job easily."

"And even attract the attention of young bachelors," Cao Wei added while snickering.

Kang Shu smacked her head. "Attract, your head."

Cao Wei tsk'ed loud enough in indignation. She didn't know why she continued to subject herself to such violence from a thin woman she could easily snap.

"I also want to help," Yang Mu then spoke up for the first time.

Jiang Shen turned her head to look at him, her lips curling down in a frown and her brows furrowing in deep thought.

"I want to be of help to you," He added. "Even if it's just a little."

A large part of him didn't want to see her so down in the dumps with a gloomy aura, even though it was so subtle he almost couldn't notice it. Another little part of him didn't like being the only one who had nothing to contribute and not lose to the other party.