novelraw Chapter 527: Confrontation
Chapter 527: Confrontation
Chu Jiaojiao gazed at Ji You’s face; this was the first time Ji You spoke with such a self-mocking tone.
This—
Was so unlike Ji You.
Despite her low strength, Ji You’s eyes always sparkled with confidence, optimism, and a fierce determination to never give up and always fight hard. These qualities were inescapable for anyone who knew her or had spent time with her.
Though her talent was modest, she never belittled or undervalued herself.
Chu Jiaojiao liked this aspect of Ji You the most.
But now?
A second-year student from the Material Department named Xu Siyu had pushed Ji You to say such things.
For a moment, Chu Jiaojiao felt indescribably upset.
Not just Chu Jiaojiao, but even Sheng Qingyan, Shen Changqing, Yue Qiyuan, Yue Qiguang, and others felt uneasy watching Ji You.
The scene was silent.
No one spoke.
Ji You stared quietly at Xu Siyu, waiting for her response.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xu Siyu felt somewhat cornered and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Ji You, I’m sorry, I have something to do right now."
Ji You curled her lips slightly and slowly said, "Are you so busy that you don’t even have time to face my challenge? Or are you—afraid of losing to me, Senior Xu Siyu?"
Immediately, Wu Xing standing next to Xu Siyu said, "How could Siyu possibly lose? Why should she accept your challenge just because you say so? Who do you think you are? Do you think everyone has as much free time as you?"
After Wu Xing spoke, Xu Siyu indeed felt relieved. Her concern was that saying those things herself would be inappropriate, but having Wu Xing speak for her eased her nerves significantly.
But!
Suddenly, Chu Jiaojiao next to Ji You said, "And who are you? Are you Xu Siyu herself? As just a bystander, don’t you understand the simple principle of keeping your mouth shut? Or are you looking for a fight?"
Saying this, Chu Jiaojiao started rolling up her sleeves, preparing to step forward.
Yue Qiguang jumped in: "Count me in for the fight! Dad’s fists haven’t thrown punches in a while."
Sheng Qingyan, Yue Qiyuan seemed somewhat eager to move, and even the usually well-behaved Shen Changqing had a glint in his eyes...
Seeing this scene, Ji You raised her hand to stop them, saying, "Jiaojiao, step back. As for fighting, I prefer to handle it myself."
Hearing this, they all promptly retreated behind Ji You, saying no more.
Wu Xing was getting frustrated with the back-and-forth from them and was about to say something—
At that moment—
Ji You took a few steps forward, and looking solemnly at Professor Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan, she said, "Professor Ye Hong, Professor Jiang Yulan, I have a manuscript here that I’ve been reorganizing recently; I would like both of you to take a look."
Ji You didn’t intend to confront Xu Siyu any longer. Given Xu Siyu’s attitude of clear reluctance to face her directly, Ji You decided...
To try a different approach to force Xu Siyu to accept.
As Ji You spoke, Xu Siyu’s brows instantly furrowed.
Professor Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan’s brows also slightly furrowed. Professor Ye Hong asked, "What manuscript?"
Ji You said, "This was my initial conception, recording my interest in the subject of materials since I was twelve, continuing with self-studying material processing, and devising a set of methods. Though rudimentary, they were indeed conclusions drawn from my own practice."
Professor Jiang Yulan said with a smile, "Oh? Is that so? I must have a look then."
Professor Jiang Yulan had a very good impression of Ji You, having wanted to exceptionally accept her into the program during the ceremony at the auditorium, but this idea was dismissed when Mu Jianling suddenly intervened.
Ji You opened her Light Computer, and sent the organized manuscripts by Xiao You to both professors.
Observing Ji You’s actions, Xu Siyu’s eyes flickered with unease, sensing something unfavorable, but then she remembered that Ji You’s manuscript, which she had borrowed, had been destroyed, and she was confident that apart from that manuscript, Ji You had no other evidence to prove originality...
Thinking of this, Xu Siyu felt a surge of relief.
After receiving the manuscripts, Professor Jiang Yulan appeared indifferent, but Professor Ye Hong’s face grew darker and more somber.
A few minutes later.
Professor Ye Hong asked in a stern voice, "What are you trying to imply?"
The content of this manuscript was identical to the one Xu Siyu submitted to the school’s review committee as evidence of Ji You’s plagiarism! What was Ji You trying to do? Confirm the fact that she plagiarized?
Ji You said solemnly, "Professor Ye, do you find this manuscript familiar, identical to the one that Xu Siyu submitted for your review?"
Professor Ye Hong, with a composed face, said, "Yes."
Ji You continued, looking at Professor Jiang Yulan, then at other classmates, and said with a smile, "Initially, everyone knew I plagiarized, but they did not know exactly what I copied, nor what evidence Xu Siyu provided, right?"
Originally, when Xu Siyu obtained the manuscript, she immediately created a copy using her own notes and published Ji You’s concepts and ideas on Star Network ahead of Ji You, leaving her traces...
So Ji You was left speechless, and all the explanations could not outweigh Xu Siyu’s substantial evidence.
...
Hearing Ji You’s question, several students from the Material Department present began to ponder and remained silent.
Xu Siyu opened her mouth and said, "Ji You, when you stole from me, it almost caused me to be unable to enroll, and I have publicly stated I won’t fuss about it anymore, it’s all in the past, why do you keep bringing it up?"
Ji You stared into Xu Siyu’s eyes and said, "Because, it wasn’t you who was plagiarized and wronged, it was me!"
Xu Siyu, agitated, her face turning pink, said, "You... don’t talk nonsense."
Ji You stared at her, articulating each word, "I am the one being slandered! I am the one who was expelled! I am the one who had all savings confiscated... and even desperate to the point of seeking relief through suicide!"
As Ji You’s words fell, the atmosphere became increasingly silent.
Xu Siyu looked at the gloomy faces of Professor Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan, feeling a bit anxious, and said, "Ji You, don’t talk nonsense, the situation has long been clarified by the teachers present..."
Ji You suddenly asked, "Xu Siyu, have you ever been to Zone 10?"
Xu Siyu, "What?"
Ji You said, "You know how to answer my question, have you been there, or not?"
Although Xu Siyu didn’t understand why Ji You asked this, her eyes quickly shifted, and sensing something, she blurted out, "Yes. Of course, I have been."
Ji You nodded and said, "Good."
Ji You no longer looked at Xu Siyu, but turned to Professors Ye Hong and Jiang Yulan, speaking softly, "Professors, I just asked senior Xu Siyu, and she confidently answered that she has been to Zone 10. Here, let me explain to everyone where Zone 10 is..."
Then, in a clear voice, Ji You explained the situation of Zone 10 to everyone present.