I bought a secret manual of the Hehuan Sect for ten yuan.

Qin Ge shook his head inwardly. Zhou Xing was so sophistical and had no intention of reasoning with him. How could Liu Yang possibly win an argument with him?

However, he was surprised and grateful that Liu Yang stood up for him.

"I have evidence!" Liu Yang declared defiantly, "Song Yuan and I didn't know at the time that the questions Zhu Yang brought were the exam questions."

"We only found out after the first exam was over. So, during the second exam in the afternoon, Song Yuan and I, as agreed, left all the questions we'd seen at Zhu Yang's place blank!"

"Whether I'm telling the truth or not, just take a look at my and Song Yuan's exam papers for the second subject!"

"We took the exam in different exam rooms. If we hadn't seen the exam questions in Zhu Yanghe beforehand, how could we have so coincidentally left the same questions blank?"

"Of course, it's only for some of the questions. Even if Zhu Yang is a terrible student, he can't possibly not know the answers to every single question on the entire test. He just needs to ask about the questions he doesn't know!"

The office was deathly silent; everyone was staring at Zhou Xing.

Zhou Xing remained calm and composed, saying, "What you're saying seems logical, but it's actually full of flaws."

"The fact that you're here today to speak up for Qin Ge proves that you're in cahoots with him."

"Qin Ge and Zhu Yanghe had a conflict before, and he holds a grudge. It's not impossible that he would have you join forces to slander Zhu Yanghe."

"Whether the questions you leave blank on your exam papers are the same or not proves nothing. As long as you're determined, just leave the questions blank according to the agreed-upon question numbers, and then slander Zhu Yanghe."

"How can you prove that Zhu Yanghe really asked you those questions? Are there any other witnesses who can testify?"

He cursed Zhu Yang and Zhu Yang in his heart. He had repeatedly told them to be careful, but they actually took the questions directly to their roommate and gave him leverage over them.

That's incredibly stupid!

However, as long as Zhu Yang stubbornly denies the matter and continues to mediate, Liu Yang's so-called evidence will be nothing but a joke!

"You're shameless! That's just sophistry!" Liu Yang exclaimed, "According to your logic, what evidence do you have that Qin Ge cheated?"

"Qin Ge is already in the late stages of pancreatic cancer. What's the point of cheating for someone who's nearing the end of their life?"

"What reason could he possibly have for doing this...?"

Liu Yang stopped abruptly before he could finish speaking. He realized he had let something slip and glanced guiltily at Qin Ge.

Lin Yao was struck dumb, staring blankly at Qin Ge, her pupils trembling.

After a moment, she took a deep breath to calm herself. "What did he just mean? Is it true?"

"Don't listen to his nonsense, it's not true." Qin Ge turned her gaze away from Liu Yang and gave Lin Yao a smile. "I'll explain it to you in detail later."

He was puzzled. This was really strange. How did Liu Yang know?

Guo Wenzhou stood up, looking impatient. "Stop arguing, all of you. Do you think my office is a vegetable market?"

"Liu Yang, Song Yuan, I will have someone investigate your affair with Zhu Yanghe. If what you say is true, and Zhu Yanghe cheated, he will be dealt with severely without exception!"

"But you also need to be prepared that if you team up to slander your classmates, then your studies will be over."

He looked at Qin Ge, "As for Qin Ge, I'll give you another chance to retake the exam. Will you take it or not?"

"What a selfless principal!" Qin Ge said with a mocking smile. "I thought it was a sacred ivory tower, but it turns out to be a filthy place where snakes and rats are in cahoots!"

"Do you think I'm anything special?"

Qin Ge strode out of the office without looking back.

"Qin Ge, you stop right there!"

In the small square in front of the office building, Lin Yao caught up with Qin Ge.

Her eyes reddened, and she looked like she was about to cry. "Are you really giving up like this?"

"And what Liu Yang just said in the office, is it true? Explain yourself clearly!"

A gentle smile appeared on Qin Ge's face. "Wait here for me. I have something to say to Liu Yang and the others. I promise I'll explain everything to you."

"Liu Yang, Song Yuan!" Qin Ge walked quickly toward Liu Yang and Song Yuan, keeping a distance from Lin Yao.

"We've been to Shuguang Hospital." Before Qin Ge could ask, Liu Yang explained, "We didn't mean to pry into your privacy, we just felt you were acting a bit strange and wanted to check on you."

"Qin Ge, we were wrong about your conflict with Zhu Yang. You've helped us a lot this past year."

"We accepted it all without a second thought, until recently when we belatedly realized how guilty we felt."

Song Yuan nodded frantically. "Qin Ge, do you have any other wishes?"

"If you need us, we will do everything we can to help you achieve that!"

"I see." Qin Ge was both amused and exasperated. Did these two really think he was going to die soon?

He looked around, his expression suddenly turning serious. "Liu Yang, you were too impulsive just now."

"I think you've already guessed that Zhou Xing and Zhu Yang have a close relationship. I'm very touched that you've stood up for me."

"But doing this will not only fail to do anything to them, but you may also get implicated!"

"What if I get fired because of this? Wouldn't I regret it for the rest of my life?"

"Given Zhou Xing's personality, if he wants to mess with you, he might even get the education department to impose additional penalties such as banning you from taking exams."

"In that case, you won't even have the chance to retake the college entrance exam before your punishment period ends!"

"I know." Liu Yang gave a wry smile. "In the situation just now, even in front of the principal, there was no result. I knew we were in grave danger."

"However, I do not regret doing this. I was once a person with ambition and ideals, but I was briefly lost in the past year."

"It all depends on human effort. A good result is certainly welcome, but if not, just strive to have a clear conscience."

"To borrow a phrase you just said, a century-old prestigious university, which I thought was a sacred ivory tower, if it becomes filthy, then it's better not to study there!"

"Me too, who doesn't have a bit of backbone!" Song Yuan grinned sheepishly. "Back in high school, I was a prominent figure, a star among men in the eyes of teachers and classmates."

"I don't want to become the kind of person I hate most at this age!"

"Can you guys stop being so sentimental? You're getting me all worked up!" Qin Ge patted Liu Yang and Qin Ge on the shoulder. "You two brothers, I, Qin Ge, acknowledge you!"

"If you ever need anything, just let me know. Anything is fine with me. Trust me!"

He glanced in the direction of the office building and lowered his voice, "No matter what that old bastard Zhou Xing does from now on, you should ignore him."

"Guo Wenzhou said he would investigate before taking any action, but I suspect that's just an excuse for him to stall for time."

"Dealing with two students is far simpler than dealing with a dean and the ensuing consequences!"

"I've already thought of a solution. If you trust me, then don't do anything for now."

As Qin Ge spoke, he put his arm around Liu Yang and the other man's shoulders and pulled them closer to him, then whispered a few words in their ears.

Liu Yang and Song Yuan were both stunned, their bodies frozen in place as they watched Qin Ge walk away.