The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 535: Interrogation

Mu Jianling and Ji You stepped into the room, and the atmosphere inside instantly shifted.

Professor Ye Hong was the first to frown, asking, "Mu Jianling, what are you here for?"

Mu Jianling, arms crossed with a stern face, retorted, "It concerns my student’s reputation. You’re asking what I’m here for? Should I stand aside and let you maneuver in the dark?" Having said this, Mu Jianling glanced coldly at Xu Siyu standing aside, implying more than his words conveyed.

Hearing this, Xu Siyu’s face turned pale, and she bit her lip slightly.

Dr. Luo hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over. She pulled Mu Jianling aside with a smile, saying, "Listen to yourself, with so many eyes watching, who would dare tamper secretly?"

"Hmph~"

Mu Jianling sneered and turned his scorn towards Ye Hong, Jiang Yulan, and several other Material Department teachers, saying, "It’s quite obvious who would rig things, considering it involves a once-in-a-century outstanding student from the Material Department. A bit of protection is understandable, isn’t it?"

Jiang Yulan’s eyelid twitched as she said, "Sword Spirit, that’s a bit wide a swipe to take. Don’t make baseless accusations."

Mu Jianling snorted disdainfully, "Hmph~"

Professor Ye Hong’s face darkened immediately. What did Mu Jianling mean by this? Clearly targeting all staff in the Material Department, and by extension, himself? He abruptly stood up—

Principal Hong suddenly interjected, "Everyone sit down! How does it look, making a ruckus in front of the students."

Though Principal Hong’s tone was moderate and his voice not loud, the tense atmosphere in the room eased somewhat once he finished speaking.

Mu Jianling sat down with a grunt.

Ye Hong also sat down with an unhappy expression on his face.

Ji You, witnessing this, wondered whether she should say something or do something.

Suddenly—

Principal Hong looked up and said to Ji You, "As one of the parties involved, you should be here. Please take a seat first."

Without needing to guess, Ji You knew this must be a matter concerning the senior management of the school investigating the plagiarism case.

This was precisely what Ji You had hoped for. Settling down, she found a seat, looked at the professors, and politely said, "Thank you, teachers."

Xu Siyu, who was hanging her head, remained silent throughout, seemingly lost in thought.

Then.

Principal Hong said, "This matter is very grave, affecting both the school and individual students significantly. Therefore, we must clarify the facts as soon as possible. Let me make this clear: before the truth is revealed, no one is allowed to protect their own students!"

Saying this, Principal Hong purposefully glanced at Mu Jianling and Ye Hong.

Mu Jianling had a grim expression.

Ye Hong had a tight face.

Both looked displeased and miserable but said nothing, evidently out of respect for Principal Hong.

Principal Hong continued, "Dr. Luo, take it from here."

Dr. Luo stood up, her gaze primarily on students Ji You and Xu Siyu, looking quite stern as she said, "The security department has introduced the latest model of a lie detector from the Alliance. I have just personally tested it and it does not affect the body. You two will later explain everything you know as requested by security."

Ji You blinked: Is there really such an advanced lie detector? Would there be no errors?

A glint of light also flashed past Xu Siyu’s eyes.

Seeing the expressions of the two, Dr. Luo continued with a stern face, "The device utilizes the latest mental linkage technology, detecting all the numerical values, especially the fluctuations of the Spiritual Silk produced while you speak and your brain waves activate. Rest assured, there will be no errors."

Ji You immediately felt relieved.

Dr. Luo said, "Words can be fabricated, expressions can be fabricated, brainwave activity levels can be controlled in advance, but! A person’s Spiritual Silk will not lie! Therefore, the results of this lie detector are absolutely accurate."

With that statement, Ji You widened her eyes: "Is it really that miraculous?"

Dr. Luo responded noncommittally: "You are quite welcome to try it."

Beside her, Xu Siyu, throughout the entire time, kept her gaze down, not uttering a word.

Dr. Luo gave both of them a glance, her words were not only about explaining the device but also to exert psychological pressure on the two students: whoever was the true plagiarist should, upon hearing her words, abandon any hope of luck, step forward to admit their fault, and strive for leniency, which would be the right approach at this moment. Otherwise...

The school’s review team was not to be trifled with.

After Dr. Luo finished speaking, at this moment—

Director Wang stepped forward and said, "In addition to the lie detector, the school will also re-examine all the evidence submitted by you. Rest assured, no one will be wronged, nor will anyone be shielded."

Another authority figure stood up and said this, calming Ji You’s heart instantly. Ji You stood up proactively and asked, "Teachers, when will the review begin?"

Principal Hong glanced at Ji You but did not answer her question; instead, he surveyed both Ji You and Xu Siyu back and forth.

Tremendous pressure!

An incredibly terrifying pressure.

When Principal Hong’s gaze swept past each of them, it was as if carrying the sharpness of a Blade, filled with a frightening deterrent power, leaving one unable to muster any resistance.

Ji You shrank her neck, not daring to make the slightest move.

Beside her, Xu Siyu, by this time, had already turned pale, with a forehead covered in sweat... Clearly, under Principal Hong’s intimidation, Xu Siyu could hardly hold on; her figure swayed...

It was then that Principal Hong retracted his pressure and spoke, "Before the formal review, I’ll give you a chance to admit your mistakes voluntarily, so the penalty could potentially be reduced."

Having said this, Principal Hong fixed his gaze sharply on the two.

second.

seconds.

seconds.

...

Ji You straightened her spine, facing all scrutinizing eyes, and loudly said, "I, Ji You, have always walked a straightforward and honorable path in my life, fearless of any scrutiny."

Xu Siyu’s shoulders trembled slightly, imperceptibly. After hesitating a few seconds, she also said, "I... I also fear no scrutiny."

"Very good."

Principal Hong uttered two words, gazing at them, his eyes cold, "I hope that one of you is not harboring any hope for luck."

"Let’s start."

Once Principal Hong finished speaking, the professional personnel from the security department immediately began making arrangements.

Firstly, robots removed any devices, including both their Light Computers, that could possibly affect the digits. After a series of stringent screenings, finally, it was arranged for both to undergo the test.

The entire process was conducted under the supervision of several school administrators and security personnel, ensuring it was conducted publicly and transparently.

Ji You followed the instructions and cooperated with all the examinations.

...

About two hours later, the testing finally ended. Ji You walked out of the lie detector, and the first thing she saw was Xu Siyu’s pale face.