Zhao Mengqi smiled faintly, her smile like the orchids she meticulously tended, elegant yet with a hint of distance.
She picked up the celadon teacup from the table, taking a light sip, her movements unhurried, her voice still in that soft, Suzhou-style accent: "Lu Xuan, you also said that these remarks involve the privacy of Students."
"Our Network Information Center is mainly responsible for the technical maintenance and information security of the school network. To be honest, our authority and technical means for tracing anonymous IPs are very limited."
"Moreover, the school has always advocated freedom of speech. As long as it's not too excessive, we generally don't interfere too much."
These words sounded watertight, expressing both a 'powerlessness to help' and placing herself on a moral high ground of 'abiding by regulations.'
Lu Xuan sneered inwardly; it was the same old rhetoric as in his previous life, just a different flavor.
Could this Director Zhao be the mastermind hidden behind the scenes?
But he had never met her before, had no grudges against her, so why would she go to such lengths to harm him?
This didn't make sense logically.
Unless…
Lu Xuan's gaze fell on Zhao Mengqi's well-maintained face. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes relaxed just right when she smiled, adding a few touches of mature feminine charm.
"Teacher Zhao," Lu Xuan leaned forward slightly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable penetrative power, "May I be so bold as to ask, has someone… given you some benefits, making you turn a blind eye to certain matters, or even… provide some convenience?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the office seemed to freeze.
Zhao Mengqi's hand, holding the teacup, trembled almost imperceptibly. A drop of tea spilled from the rim, landing on her dark green cheongsam, quickly spreading into a small dark stain.
Her smile froze at the corners of her mouth, though only for an instant, but a flicker of panic and sharpness quickly flashed in her originally smiling eyes.
But she was, after all, a person of experience. Almost immediately, that abnormality was forcibly suppressed by her, replaced by a slight indignation at being offended.
"Lu Xuan!" Zhao Mengqi's voice suddenly rose a few octaves. Although she still tried to maintain a steady tone, the gentle grace of a Jiangnan woman was completely gone, replaced by a hint of sharpness.
"I don't know what nonsense you're talking about! As the Director of the Network Information Center, I have always acted impartially. How could I do such a thing as you described?"
She placed the teacup heavily on the table with a dull thud.
"I have already answered your question very clearly. If you have nothing else, please leave! I have a lot of work to deal with here, so I won't keep you company!"
The dismissal order was given without ceremony.
Lu Xuan, however, acted as if he hadn't heard, a knowing smile appearing on his face instead.
It worked!
He was only afraid she would have no reaction at all.
The more she was eager to clear herself, the more it showed she had something to hide.
It seemed that the mastermind had indeed arranged everything in advance, just waiting for Luo Xiaoran to deliver the 'evidence.'
"Why is Teacher Zhao so agitated?" Lu Xuan leaned back in his chair at his leisure, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.
"I was just asking. After all, to make a rich young lady like Luo Xiaoran willingly act out a 'faking an accident' scene, the person behind it must have put in a lot of effort. It's only natural to smooth over some connections."
Zhao Mengqi's face grew even uglier, her chest rising and falling slightly, clearly quite angered.
She hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary Student to be so unyielding, and his words so sharp, hitting every crucial point.
"You…" She stammered for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence.
Seeing that the time was right, Lu Xuan stopped wasting words with her. Since you won't say it, I'll find out myself.
He slowly took out his phone and, facing Zhao Mengqi's face, which was slightly distorted with anger, took a photo with a 'click.'
The flash was particularly dazzling in the dimly lit office.
"Lu Xuan! What are you doing!" Zhao Mengqi shrieked, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, springing up from her chair, her voice sharp, "How dare you take my picture! Delete it now!"
She wanted to step forward and snatch his phone, but seeing Lu Xuan's half-smiling gaze and his build, which was considerably sturdier than that of an average Student, she stopped herself, merely scolding him with an intimidating but inwardly fearful tone.
Lu Xuan completely ignored her yelling, looking at his phone screen on his own.
Almost at the moment the photo was taken, the system's prompt sounded in his mind.
【Ding! New analyzable target person detected…】
【Scanning photo information…】
【Target Person: Zhao Mengqi.】
【Analyzing target person information… Please wait…】
A few seconds later, the information on the screen refreshed.
【Name: Zhao Mengqi】
【Gender: Female】
【Age: 33】
【Beauty: 95】
【Control Value: 0 / 100】
【Bust/Waist/Hips: 79 / 62 / 76】
【Height: 167cm】
【Weight: 53KG】
【Target Evaluation: Outwardly gentle as water, understanding and reasonable, but in reality, narrow-minded, vindictive, and extremely good at disguise. She usually presents herself as a kind and understanding elder sister, but in fact, she is deeply scheming and possessive, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, ready to retaliate at the slightest displeasure.】
Lu Xuan's mouth twitched uncontrollably as he looked at the system's evaluation.
Good heavens! Another actress-level player!
On the surface, she was a gentle, well-educated Jiangnan beauty, but deep down, she was a narrow-minded, vindictive viper of a woman.
This contrast was much more exciting than Luo Xiaoran, that silly sweet girl.
Especially the phrase "like a venomous snake lurking in the dark"—it was simply the perfect touch.
"Lu Xuan! I told you to delete the photo, did you hear me!" Zhao Mengqi saw Lu Xuan looking down at his phone, completely ignoring her, and her chest heaved violently in anger. Her dark green cheongsam became tighter, further accentuating her mature curves.
Lu Xuan looked up, put his phone back in his pocket, and showed a harmless smile: "Teacher Zhao, don't be angry. I just thought your cheongsam today was particularly elegant, and I couldn't resist taking a souvenir. Don't worry, I won't send this photo around."
"You…" Zhao Mengqi was so infuriated by his unyielding attitude that she almost choked. She pointed at Lu Xuan, her finger trembling, "You… you're shameless!"
"Teacher Zhao flatters me." Lu Xuan smiled faintly, stood up, "Since Teacher Zhao is busy with official duties, I won't disturb you. However, I still want to advise Teacher Zhao, it's best not to wade into certain muddy waters easily. Otherwise, if your shoes get wet, it won't look too good."
With that, he no longer looked at Zhao Mengqi's livid face, turned, and leisurely walked out of the office.
It wasn't until Lu Xuan's footsteps completely disappeared down the hallway that Zhao Mengqi, as if drained of all strength, slumped back into her chair.
She picked up the teacup on the table, wanting to drink some water to calm her nerves, but found her hand trembling so much that she spilled tea all over the table.
"Bastard! Little scoundrel!" Zhao Mengqi cursed in a low voice, her eyes sinister, no longer showing any of her previous gentleness.
She took out her phone, her fingers quickly tapping on the screen, and dialed a voice call.
"Hello? Things seem a little off…" Her voice was very low, with a hint of imperceptible panic and malice.