Chapter 10 - I Don't Wanna Be High-profile
“Miss Hsu, I'm having trouble understanding your point.” Ye Hao's tone was awkward.
Hsu Lee's voice dripped with anger, “You're not grasping what I'm saying? Fine, let me rephrase it. Why is your overall score so high this time? Having poor grades isn't a shame. Plagiarism, however, is.”
“Do you even comprehend the concept of plagiarism? Plagiarists are thieves, do you get that?” Hsu Lee's irritation was palpable.
Truth be told, many students had harbored suspicions about Ye Hao's work being copied.
However, none dared to voice their thoughts aloud.
Now that Hsu Lee had openly aired her suspicions, a buzz of whispers erupted among the students.
Ye Hao's gaze remained fixed on Hsu Lee as he retorted, “I fail to understand your insinuation.”
Hsu Lee's anger seemed to escalate at this response. She fired back, “Ye Hao, still not comprehending? You've thoroughly disappointed me.”
“Miss Hsu, don't you believe you're going too far?” Ye Hao's words were edged with anger.
Hsu Lee's gaze turned frigid as she stared at Ye Hao. “Do you think I've gone too far? Ye Hao, it appears you haven't grasped the gravity of this situation. Having cheated openly in an exam could mar your record.”
With this pronouncement, Hsu Lee spun on her heel and walked away.
“Wait.” Ye Hao's voice resonated with intensity.
Hsu Lee halted and inquired, “Do you have anything else to add?”
Ye Hao's eyes gleamed with a cutting coldness as he asserted, “You've accused me of plagiarism? Then you must provide evidence. Otherwise, I'll report this to the Education Department.”
Hsu Lee's fury was further stoked by Ye Hao's statement. She strode towards him and declared, “You want evidence, do you? I'll present it to you right now.”
Even as she spoke, Hsu Lee reached Ye Hao's desk and picked up his history book. “If memory serves, your history score was a 98.”
“That's right.”
“In other words, you remember all the knowledge in the history book, right?”
“Yes.”
“What is the meaning of winning the Opium War?”
“The opium destruction at Humen signifies the resolute spirit of the Chinese people opposing foreign aggression,” Ye Hao recited the line word by word.
Subsequently, Hsu Lee posed several historical questions from the textbook, and Ye Hao responded with ease.
Hsu Lee then picked up Zhou Shuai's mock college entrance exam and recited a passage in an archaic language.
Once Hsu Lee finished reciting the passage, numerous students displayed perplexed expressions.
This was due to them encountering this sentence for the first time.
Observing Ye Hao contemplating, Hsu Lee sneered, “What intellectual movement does this material excerpt reflect from that era?”
Ye Hao pondered for a while and answered, “The mentioned material showcases the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism during a time of societal upheaval.”
Hsu Lee appeared momentarily taken aback, yet she continued her questioning, “What contributed to this phenomenon?”
“The societal turmoil precipitated the successive emergence and advancement of Taoism and Buddhism. These ideologies converged, intertwined, and eventually fused into a harmonious amalgamation.”
With astonishment in her gaze, Hsu Lee scrutinized Ye Hao and inquired, “Did you happen to see the answer to this question?”
“No.” Ye Hao shook his head.
“In that case, why does your response align with the correct answer?” Hsu Lee found it hard to accept this reality.
“Considering the historical context, arriving at such an answer wasn't particularly challenging for me,” Ye Hao's voice held depth as he explained.
“Allow me to pose a few more inquiries.” Hsu Lee presented several more intricate questions, but Ye Hao provided logical answers.
At this juncture, Hsu Lee genuinely believed that Ye Hao hadn't copied anyone's work.
Such comprehension and nimble thinking would have been requisite to address those queries, after all.
Ye Hao's tone was casual as he remarked, “Miss Hsu, why not test me on politics, biology, and geography? I'd rather not have accusations of plagiarism overshadow my reputation.”
“Why did you conceal your capabilities earlier?” Hsu Lee abruptly comprehended something.
Hsu Lee had held such suspicions due to prior occurrences of a similar nature.
“Because I aimed not to attract undue attention.” Ye Hao didn't want to incite excessive astonishment, thus echoing Hsu Lee's rationale.
Hsu Lee pointed at Ye Hao and did not know what to say.
This made Hsu Lee very passive.
But what could she do now?
Hsu Lee left.
The whole class was in an uproar.
They gazed at Ye Hao, who they had underestimated, their expressions a mix of astonishment and skepticism.
“So you've been concealing your strength!” Zhou Shuai thumped Ye Hao's shoulder and remarked.
Ye Hao rose to his feet and exited the classroom.
The mockery from fellow students and the mistrust from teachers had worn on Ye Hao both physically and mentally.
The notion of departing from this school began to cross Ye Hao's mind.
Ye Hao found himself back by the pond once more, gazing pensively at its tranquil green waters. The memories of a few months prior replayed in his thoughts.
Just as Ye Hao was ruminating, a woman clad in Daoist robes suddenly entered his field of view.
What was happening?
Mei Xinxue didn't anticipate encountering a student near the pond. She cast an irritated look at Ye Hao and questioned, “It's class time. What brings you here?”
Ye Hao responded, “I'm feeling down.”
“Even if you're feeling low, this isn't the place for it.” Mei Xinxue huffed disdainfully.
Ye Hao queried in puzzlement, “Why not?”
Mei Xinxue refrained from answering directly, instead stating, “In any case, you should leave this spot.”
As Mei Xinxue evaded his question, Ye Hao ventured tentatively, “Did you come here because you sensed some sort of dark energy?”
Mei Xinxue's eyes lit up involuntarily, and she exclaimed, “I never thought you'd be my colleague.”
“Well, I'm actually just a student,” Ye Hao replied, looking down.
Mei Xinxue seemed taken aback and inquired, “In that case, how did you figure out there was demonic energy here?”
“I made an educated guess. You know how Taoists like to play enigmatic roles,” Ye Hao responded, even though he didn't genuinely hold that view.
But then, how do you explain the appearance of the demon that day? And who was that enigmatic middle-aged man?
“Are you looking down on me? Do you have a death wish?” Mei Xinxue's brows knitted, her tone laced with anger.
“I apologize,” Ye Hao admitted sincerely.
Mei Xinxue's expression softened somewhat when she saw Ye Hao acknowledge his mistake. She advised, “You should leave now. What's about to transpire isn't suitable for someone your age.”
“I might be able to lend a hand here,” Ye Hao expressed his reluctance to leave.
“I'll warn you again. Depart from this place at once,” Mei Xinxue cautioned.
Just as Ye Hao began to speak, Mei Xinxue's face exhibited an impatient demeanor.
Mei Xinxue softly chanted an incantation, producing a yellow Talisman Paper in her hand.
Immediately after her utterance, the Talisman Paper burst into flames.
Simultaneously, Ye Hao abruptly lost consciousness.
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