Chapter 120: Face Is a Good Thing
Although Director Shen was a bit annoyed, he had no intention of holding Su He accountable.
After all, Su He did give him a chance to speak on stage—even if briefly and among a large crowd.
But more importantly, he was now worried she might back out of working part-time with their Xiangyang Commune. How could he risk upsetting her?
Once the flower presentation ceremony ended, only the final event remained: the group chorus.
Just as Su He finished announcing the next act, someone in the audience suddenly shouted, “Wait! I want to report Su He!”
The voice was sharp and high-pitched, immediately drawing everyone’s attention to its source.
Zhu Yanli basked in the spotlight, her face gleaming with smug satisfaction as she looked toward Su He on stage.
Just half an hour earlier, she’d been seething with jealousy, watching the radiant Su He from the crowd and barely restraining the urge to claw at her face.
That should’ve been me up there, not her!
She blamed Su He entirely, convinced the girl had stolen everything from her.
As she gnawed her lip in rage, a familiar voice called from behind, “Yanli, come here a second.”
Turning around, Zhu Yanli was startled to see Fu Peng—his face so swollen and wrapped it resembled a pig’s head. She let out a loud shriek, drawing even more attention.
Fu Peng was furious. He had wanted to act discreetly, but now this idiot had attracted a crowd.
Oblivious to his frustration, Zhu Yanli blurted, “Cousin, what happened to your face? Why are you wrapped up like this?”
Fu Peng, holding back his anger, replied, “I got stung by a hornet while picking wildflowers. No big deal, I’ll be fine in a few days.”
Zhu Yanli relaxed. “As long as you’re okay. But Cousin, how did Su He end up hosting this night school event? I even heard she’s the student council president now?! Who chose her? Are they blind?”
Fu Peng shook his head. “I only arrived recently, so I’m not sure. And her name isn’t on the class roster.”
Zhu Yanli’s voice shot up in pitch. “What?! She’s not on the roster? Then she’s a fraud!”
Fu Peng frowned. “I don’t think Su He’s that kind of person. Maybe the name was left out, or there’s some misunderstanding. Don’t make a scene—if anyone hears you, it could hurt her reputation.”
Zhu Yanli snapped, “Why are you defending that tramp?! She’s clearly a liar and a cheat! I’m going to expose her and let everyone see her true face!”
Fu Peng tried to stop her. “Cousin, don’t—”
But she shoved his arm away and ran toward the venue.
A glint of triumph flashed in Fu Peng’s eyes. If Zhu Yanli publicly embarrassed Su He, her reputation would be ruined. Then, once she hit rock bottom, he could swoop in with fake concern. She’d surely be grateful and obedient.
Of course, he’d prepared for failure too. If things went sideways, Zhu Yanli would take the fall—it’d have nothing to do with him.
Back on stage, Su He merely looked puzzled when Zhu Yanli shouted her accusation—not panicked, as Zhu Yanli had hoped.
Zhu Yanli thought she was just pretending to be calm and shouted louder, “Everyone listen! Su He is a fraud who sneaks into classes and falsely claims to be the student council president!
She’s morally bankrupt, shameless, and utterly despicable!
Her actions are an attack on socialism itself—completely unforgivable!”
The crowd erupted in shock.
“If that’s true, she’s really got some nerve! All that for a few perks?”
“Probably thought she’d get away with it. I always thought she was a troublemaker! You think someone well-behaved would keep stirring up drama like this?”
“And they even let her host? What a joke!”
Many in the audience began sweating for Su He. She had always seemed sharp and clever—how could she do something so foolish?
Night school tuition was practically nothing. Why take such a risk?
Director Shen was especially disheartened. If you needed money, you could’ve just told me—I’d have lent it to you!
Now she’d been exposed, her reputation was finished.
He deeply regretted telling the high-level leader earlier that Su He was their commune’s liaison. What if the leader now thought he had poor judgment?
He shot a glare at Principal Chen. You’re supposed to be sharp—how could you make such a rookie mistake?!
You didn’t even verify if Su He was really a student before making her student council president?
Meanwhile, Director Lu nudged Principal Chen and whispered, eyes gleaming with gossip, “What’s going on here? Didn’t you say Su He was an external instructor? That doesn’t sound like fraud to me. Is that woman mentally unstable or something?”
Principal Chen: “…”
For once, he found Director Lu tolerable.
He lowered his voice and said to the visiting leader, “There seems to be some misunderstanding. I’ll go clarify things on stage.”
The leader nodded.
Principal Chen stepped onto the stage.
“This comrade was partly correct—Su He indeed is not a registered student at our night school.”
Another wave of gasps rippled through the audience.
Zhu Yanli’s face radiated triumph. She could already picture Su He’s downfall. That liaison job, her position as special correspondent—gone!
She’d become a pariah, hunted like a rat in the street.
Maybe even thrown in jail…
The more she imagined it, the more twisted her smile became.
Standing at the back, Fu Peng wore a similarly smug expression. Su He was finished—that’s what you get for defying me.
He used to think she was pretty. Even if the plan was to discard her later, he would’ve compensated her.
But since she refused to play nice and kept humiliating him, she deserved everything coming to her.
Back on stage, Principal Chen raised a hand for silence.
“Although Su He isn’t enrolled at our night school, she did not commit any deception.
She’s a highly principled young woman who voluntarily gave up a university recommendation to offer her help here. She came to me asking to serve as our external mentor.
To assess her ability to blend in and guide her peers, I had her participate in student activities under the guise of a student.
And clearly, she did an excellent job.
I had originally planned to reveal her identity after this performance, but since this comrade forced the matter, I’m doing so now.”
Gasps once again swept through the room.
Director Shen exhaled in relief and turned to Director Wu from Qiping Commune. “I knew Comrade Su wouldn’t do such a thing! I watched her grow up—her character is impeccable!”
Director Wu raised an eyebrow. “I heard Su He grew up in the provincial capital. How exactly did you ‘watch her grow up’?”
Director Shen coughed awkwardly. “Just a figure of speech, don’t take it so literally! Either way, Comrade Su is an excellent liaison of our Xiangyang Commune!”
Director Wu: “…”
Face is a good thing, after all.
