The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 530: Accepting the Challenge

Ji You’s lips curled into a smile as she asked again, "Senior Xu Siyu, do you agree with what I just said?"

"The truth of the matter has been determined already," Xu Siyu replied, her lips turning pale, "It’s not whatever you say it is."

Ji You smiled and said, "So, Senior Xu Siyu does not agree with the statement I just made."

Facing numerous doubtful and complex gazes from around her, Xu Siyu, suppressing discomfort, said, "I did not do it, so naturally, I do not agree."

Ji You nodded, "So, that means you disagree."

The boy next to Xu Siyu, Wu Xing, watching Ji You slowly cornering Xu Siyu into an embarrassing situation, suddenly felt pity for her; he immediately stood up, got in front of Xu Siyu, and protested, "What are you trying to do here? Siyu already said she didn’t do it, so she definitely didn’t. Why are you forcing her to admit to something she hasn’t done?"

Xu Siyu tugged on Wu Xing’s sleeve, "Wu Xing..."

Ji You looked at the tall and imposing Wu Xing, playing the knight in shining armor, then suddenly pinched her nose with a hand, a look of disdain on her face, "What’s with you? Just because you say you didn’t eat garlic today, does that mean you didn’t? Just smell the garlic breath you’re exhaling! And you still claim you didn’t eat it..."

Wu Xing: "..."

Wu Xing subconsciously raised his hand, breathed out, and sniffed it.

Chu Jiaojiao was already pinching her nose, with a look of disgust, "Stinks!"

Sheng Qingyan stamped her feet and stepped back a few paces, saying, "Oblivious to his own stench..."

Yue Qiguang shouted, "Can’t you just learn from others and keep your mouth shut?"

Shen Changqing and Yue Qiyuan both remained silent, but their eyes showed a restrained and dignified disdain, letting it reveal just enough for everyone to clearly see...

Afterward.

Ji You waved her hand grandly and said, "I’d appreciate it if Senior Wu Xing, the garlic lover, could kindly stand aside, and to avoid affecting the air quality, please try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible."

Wu Xing’s face turned an ashen hue, the remark, clearly a jab at him, but!

But!

Wu Xing clenched his fists, wanting to argue on principle when suddenly, Professor Jiang Yulan spoke with a stern face, "Wu Xing, shut up. Those who aren’t involved should also keep quiet, otherwise, I’ll deduct 10 points."

Whoa~

What did Professor Jiang Yulan mean by that? Was she trying to let Ji You and Xu Siyu clarify things on the spot?

Xu Siyu’s face suddenly took on a very unpleasant look.

This turn of events was not what she had wished for.

Xu Siyu turned towards Professor Ye Hong. In the whole school, the person who most admired and supported her was Professor Ye Hong. If only Professor Ye Hong would show her a slight bit of partiality...

Professor Ye Hong had a stern face and said, "Did everyone hear that clearly? Those unrelated to this, no speaking."

Upon hearing this, Xu Siyu gently bit the corner of her lip.

Ji You, after hearing the professors’ statements, quickly said, "Thank you both professors for your understanding and support. I shall handle this matter properly with Senior Xu Siyu."

Saying this, Ji You looked around and spoke aloud, "I have publicly stated a phrase before: the only thing that can be stolen is the finished product of the dead, but not the living soul and creativity. Since Senior Xu Siyu refuses to admit to what she has done, there is only one way to prove my words. I, Ji You, from class 131 self-funded class, now publicly challenge Senior Xu Siyu and accept the supervision of both professors, as well as all the teachers and students of the Material Department... Senior Xu Siyu, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Xu Siyu clenched her palms.

Silence.

She remained silent...

The surroundings were quiet, and no one uttered a word to disturb the two at the center of the storm; everyone’s gaze focused on Xu Siyu.

Would she—

Accept the challenge?

Or—

Ji You was very patient; she quietly stared at Xu Siyu without urging her or saying anything more.

In fact, Ji You understood that regarding the manuscript she provided and her previous strategic moves, as long as Xu Siyu adamantly refused to admit it, Ji You couldn’t truly convict her.

Therefore, it was essential for Ji You and Xu Siyu to settle who was superior!

Only by demonstrating her solid foundation in material processing in front of everyone and resoundingly defeating Xu Siyu could more people be persuaded to believe in her. The stains on her reputation would also start to clear...

Furthermore, both Professor Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan take academics very seriously and are people of high integrity. They would absolutely not allow something as despicable as one of their students stealing someone else’s achievements and then slandering the victim to occur.

Therefore, this was also the reason Ji You chose to retaliate against Xu Siyu at a time when Professor Ye Hong, Professor Jiang Yulan, and several other teachers from the Material Department were present.

Even if Xu Siyu wanted to retreat or avoid confrontation, she couldn’t back down in front of so many teachers—she had no choice but to go forward.

Xu Siyu had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept the challenge.

A few seconds.

It wasn’t a long time, but looking at the teachers, Xu Siyu hardened her resolve and said, "I accept."

Xu Siyu was well aware that she was in too deep to back out now. To salvage the situation, she had to accept Ji You’s challenge. Xu Siyu thought to herself: Ji You had been delayed for a year, while she enrolled earlier and started systematic study of the material courses. As long as she could leverage the extra year of knowledge to stabilize the situation and gain an advantage, everything that Ji You had done would naturally unravel.

As soon as Xu Siyu finished speaking, Ji You’s face lit up with a smile. She eagerly looked at Professor Ye Hong and Professor Jiang Yulan and said, "Professor Ye, Professor Jiang, could I trouble you to provide a venue for our competition?"

The last time, publicly challenging all first and second-year Material Department students cost Ji You 100,000 points. Ji You still winced at the expense. Now that she had forced Xu Siyu to agree, Ji You’s inherent thriftiness kicked in again.

Professor Jiang Yulan said, "Let’s go to the Material Department auditorium."

Ji You blinked, "Is it free?"

Professor Jiang Yulan: "..."

"Let’s go!" Professor Ye Hong, with a darkened face, stepped forward and strode toward the auditorium.

The determination of Ji You’s alleged plagiarism was led by Professor Ye Hong. If there turned out to be a mistake, Professor Ye Hong would bear the main responsibility. Thus, his mood was extremely sour at the moment. He prided himself on being fair and just and had dedicated his teaching career to being diligent and meticulous. He was quite strict with his students, but never had he encountered a major mistake. If it was true...

If Xu Siyu really did this, then...

It would be an insult to Professor Ye Hong.

Needless to say, Professor Ye Hong was furious.

Professor Ye Hong’s steps were quick, and in a few strides, he had covered several meters. Seeing this, Professor Jiang Yulan turned to the other teachers and said, "Let’s follow; this matter is very serious. The experimental seminar can be put aside for now."

The teachers nodded in agreement and followed suit.

Hearing Professor Ye Hong’s words, Ji You looked at the rushing figure of the old man and quickly called out, "Professor Ye, we’re coming! Right away! We won’t delay."

As she spoke, she also turned her head, looked at Xu Siyu with a beaming smile, and made a welcoming gesture, saying, "Xu Siyu senior, after you—"