ROT CH 38

Chapter 38: I Can Explain

Han Junzhou, holding Bai Chengyu’s hand, openly declared to everyone, “We are in a consensual relationship. What crime is there in that?”

The natural warmth between Han Junzhou and Bai Chengyu, coupled with the words of their classmates, confirmed that this was a genuine and mutual romance. As Han Junzhou stated, this was a relationship between consenting adults, unrelated to any exchange of benefits between teacher and student. Even Li Fan couldn’t argue otherwise.

“You… You… You’re all just twisting the facts!” Xue Bingsheng shouted. Seeing that Dean Li Fan’s expression had softened and that others were beginning to nod in agreement with this supposedly shameless teacher-student couple—some female classmates even looking at them with hearts in their eyes—Xue Bingsheng became furious. “Even if there’s no coercion between you two and it’s a legitimate relationship, it still harms the rest of us! You’re his teacher, and he’s your student. You used your position to leak exam questions to him. That’s clearly infringing on the rights of others!”

“Mr. Han did not leak any exam questions to me!” Bai Chengyu retorted angrily. “And I didn’t use any special privileges to gain scores I don’t deserve!”

“Who would believe that?” Xue Bingsheng shot back.

“I believe it,” Wang Ziheng chimed in.

“So do I,” echoed Liao Sheng and Li Wenting. Other classmates, including Guo Xinkai, Liang Yuchan, Lin Yunru, and Wen Yuyi, also nodded in support, standing firmly behind their class president’s innocence. It was hard to doubt Bai Chengyu, as his arrogance made it seem impossible for him to stoop to anything as sneaky or underhanded as cheating. Moreover, Teacher Han’s image was beyond reproach.

The tension escalated as Xue Bingsheng glared at the seven classmates opposing him. It was one against seven.

“Thank you for your trust. I truly did not leak any exam questions,” Han Junzhou said, nodding to Wang Ziheng and the others. “Everyone understands the saying: ‘Don’t tie your shoes in a melon field, and don’t fix your hat under a plum tree.’ This is common sense. So,” Han Junzhou glanced at the surrounding classmates and continued, “I wasn’t the one who created your midterm exam for Secondary Gender Studies.”

The Secondary Gender Studies midterm wasn’t created by the Secondary Gender Studies teacher?

Han Junzhou explained to the bewildered students, “When I decided to pursue Chengyu, I understood that my actions needed to be impeccable to earn your trust. That’s why I requested Professor Chen to prepare the exam questions this time. Professor Chen’s health has improved significantly, and he was feeling bored staying at home. When I asked him to prepare the test, he was happy to agree. After finalizing the exam paper, he submitted it directly to the academic affairs office for printing and sealing. On the day of the exam, another invigilating teacher collected the test packet from the office and unsealed it. I was never involved in the process and had no opportunity to learn or disclose the questions in advance.”

“Moreover, the grading was entirely handled by Professor Chen,” Han Junzhou continued. “My role was limited to entering the scores into the system. Chengyu’s perfect score was given by Professor Chen.” He turned to Xue Bingsheng. “And as for your deductions, those were also made by Professor Chen.”

Hearing this, Bai Chengyu was just as surprised as the others, though perhaps more delighted. When he received a perfect score in the secondary gender studies exam from Han Junzhou, he had never doubted it was earned through his own efforts. He trusted that Han Junzhou would not be so careless or condescending as to manipulate scores for favoritism or mockery. Confident in his abilities, Bai Chengyu believed his perfect score was a testament to his strength. Yet, knowing the validation came from the meticulous Professor Chen elevated his joy further.

Han Junzhou addressed Dean Li Fan, “You can confirm this with Professor Chen Tingyu and Teacher Huang Jiaqi to clear Chengyu’s name.” Bowing his hands in a respectful “please assist” gesture, he implored the dean to verify the facts in front of the students.

Left with no choice, Dean Li Fan called Professor Chen to confirm the details. Afterward, he checked with Teacher Huang about the unsealing of the exam papers, further corroborating that the test had not been tampered with and the allegations of leaked questions were baseless.

The suspicion of leaked questions was dispelled, restoring the reputations of both Bai Chengyu and Han Junzhou.

Xue Bingsheng, however, flushed with frustration and stubbornly argued, “Even if you didn’t leak the questions, you’re still our teacher and yet in a romantic relationship with him. You had so much time to give him private tutoring, which is unfair to the rest of us!”

Han Junzhou chuckled and shook his head. “My primary job is as a doctor, and I only teach part-time at the school. Meanwhile, he’s a medical student and a busy student council member who’s constantly running around. With both of us so occupied, we barely have time to date, let alone conduct private lessons. If we’re talking about asking questions, you all come to me far more often after class than he ever has.” Turning to Bai Chengyu, he added with a teasing tone, “Hey, come to think of it, I don’t think you’ve ever asked me any questions?”

“…I just understand the material, so I don’t have any questions,” Bai Chengyu replied, exasperated. “But isn’t this beside the point right now?”

Xue Bingsheng fumed. “Who knows if you’ve been secretly taking lessons? You two are so close—just now, Han-laoshi admitted this is a classic case of ‘pulling melons under the vines.’ Everyone here is a medical student, but Bai Chengyu has a teacher boyfriend who’s also a clinical doctor. That gives him an unfair advantage!”

“What kind of nonsense logic is that?” Li Wenting frowned. “Why does having a doctor as a teacher-boyfriend make it unfair? For that matter, I have a father who’s the dean of the medical school!” Turning toward Li Fan, he addressed him bluntly. “Dad.”

“…!” Everyone gasped in shock. It turned out Dean Li Fan was Li Wenting’s father.

“What time is it now, and you’re still causing trouble,” Li Fan said, rubbing his temples in frustration.

“I’m not causing trouble,” Li Wenting replied. “I’m just stating the facts.”

“My father is also a doctor, and not only that, he’s the dean of the medical school I attend. By your logic, my dad should be tutoring me privately every day and leaking exam questions to me constantly. Given his position, he wouldn’t just have access to one subject—he could get the questions for every subject! Yet my grades are only average. Last year, I ranked 43rd.”

Li Fan couldn’t help but comment, “And you’re proud of having poor grades?”

“I’m proving your innocence,” Li Wenting said innocently.

“Well, thank you so much,” Li Fan said with a mix of anger and helplessness, letting out a sigh.

Li Wenting stuck out his tongue and smiled at his father in a placating manner before turning back to Xue Bingsheng. “Actually, from what I know, there are quite a few classmates in our class with parents or siblings who are doctors. Not all of them are at the top of the class. Whether someone excels depends on their own efforts, not on whether they have a doctor as a tutor. You of all people should know that.”

“That’s true. Look at you,” Liao Sheng chimed in. “You don’t seem to have any doctor relatives around, but you’re so outstanding. You ranked first last year, and everyone calls you ‘Xue Tyrant.’ Since you’ve achieved so much through your hard work, how can you think just having a doctor as a tutor guarantees good grades?”

“Because I know I genuinely work hard, unlike him!” Xue Bingsheng snapped, pointing at Bai Chengyu and losing all composure. “Unlike him, who’s full of lies—one moment claiming he’s an Alpha, the next an Omega. Just now, he even denied being in a relationship with Teacher Han, which is obviously a guilty conscience!”

Han Junzhou sighed helplessly. When someone is determined to twist the truth, no amount of explanation will help.

Bai Chengyu, however, wasn’t as calm. Holding back his rage, he looked ready to explode. If it weren’t for Han Junzhou gripping him tightly, he would have stormed over and punched Xue Bingsheng to shut him up.

“You’re the ones doing all the talking, defending each other with every word!” Xue Bingsheng continued angrily. “No matter how much you say, you can’t explain why my correct answer was marked wrong. Isn’t it clear that Professor Chen deliberately marked me down to curry favor with Teacher Han, suppressing other students to give Bai Chengyu high marks and make him the only one in the grade with a perfect score?”

“Why would Professor Chen curry favor with Teacher Han?” Li Wenting asked, looking baffled. “If he were going to curry favor, it would be with my dad. My dad’s the dean of the medical school, yet I only scored 79 in the secondary gender studies exam…” He looked pitifully at Li Fan. “Dad, your influence isn’t strong enough! If Professor Chen had given me just one more point on the essay question, I could’ve scored 80.”

“Please, stop announcing your scores. It’s embarrassing…” Li Fan furiously demanded that Li Wenting shut up.

Xue Bingsheng also realized his reasoning was flawed but still clung to his theory. “Maybe, maybe there’s another reason… Ah! It could be to thank Teacher Han for stepping in as a substitute at the last minute. Yes, that must be it—he’s repaying Teacher Han a favor.”

These words left everyone exchanging uncertain glances, even making Li Fan frown.

Han Junzhou was brought in by Li Fan. If there was any favor owed, it would be Li Fan’s debt to repay, not Professor Chen Tingyu’s.

Speaking of Professor Chen Tingyu, he was a meticulous and strict scholar, wholly devoted to teaching, with no interest in anything outside of academics. He had never bothered with networking or gaining personal relationships. This was why, despite his seniority and credentials surpassing Li Fan’s, he had no interest in vying for the position of dean of the medical school or even vice-president of University A. He simply didn’t care.

Someone as socially aloof as Professor Chen wouldn’t curry favor or owe anyone anything. His sole passion was medical education, and a trivial matter like Han Junzhou dating someone wouldn’t even register on his radar.

Of all people, Xue Bingsheng couldn’t aim his accusations at Professor Chen.

“I can explain,” Han Junzhou said to Xue Bingsheng. “I can explain why points were deducted from your essay question.”

(To Be Continued…)

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