Zhao Guangran and Gong Ruini would never bring up this incident at home.

But they couldn’t stop Gong Jiaming, who was studying at Fourth Middle School and was very interested in all sorts of gossip.

Gong Jiaming vividly recounted the events that had happened before to everyone; he was quite the performer.

Gong Ruini really didn’t understand why people were so gossipy nowadays; how could this matter spread like this?

Everyone was engrossed, of course, and added plenty of comments.

The comments weren’t kind, all saying how excessive Cao Na was.

Gong Ruini really didn’t dare to turn back; she really didn’t want to see Zhao Guangran’s expression.

"I don’t feel like eating now." Zhao Guangran’s tone was so calm it was hard to tell if he was pleased or not. After saying that, he turned and left.

Ah, just like that? Gong Ruini turned her head to see Zhao Guangran’s retreating figure, walking away quickly.

Gong Ruini knew that if she chased after him now, she’d just be telling him that it didn’t matter.

"You." Gong Ruini walked into the room and tapped the head of Gong Jiaming, who was still putting on a show, "Apologize to Guang Ran later."

Ah, why apologize to Zhao Guangran? Gong Jiaming was a bit unconvinced, thinking he hadn’t said anything about Zhao Guangran.

"You should apologize. Talking about Cao Na like that behind his back, he’s not going to be happy." If it were before, Zhan Banxia would have certainly joked about whether her big brother was being a bit sensitive, but now she wouldn’t say that at all.

"I told you not to talk about it." Gong Jiaxin looked helpless.

Ah, how was this his fault again? Clearly, when they were listening before, everyone was delighted, but now she was the unlucky one—these people were too much.

"Do you think forgetting someone is that easy?" Gong Ruzhi looked like he knew it all, "Sigh, you don’t understand."

Ha, Gong Jiaming was exasperated. If Gong Ruini had said that, even if he didn’t agree, he’d listen. Although she’s younger than him, she understands more, and he had to admit it.

But what does such a big child understand? Gong Jiaming was not convinced.

"Forget it, it is difficult, but let her make a fuss." Gong Jiaming admitted his fault; it was just an apology, and maybe he had gone a bit too far just now.

"Really?" Zhao Xuran had watched Gong Jiaming’s performance and hadn’t expected it to be like this.

"Yeah, I also didn’t think those people would be so eager." Even though on the surface, it seemed they were venting for Zhao Guangran, wanting to show Cao Na that someone was very popular.

But they also had their plans, like potentially marrying into the Zhao Family, only they were embarrassed to act directly right now—what if he and Cao Na got back together?

"They’re just watching, and maybe by the second half of the year, they’ll take action." Zhao Xuran was genuinely a bit worried about finding a well-connected sister-in-law.

Just one incident already put his brother in a difficult position; if it happened again, he wouldn’t know what to do.

"They are watching, but they might make Cao Na look even worse, so Guang Ran notices her embarrassing moments and completely gives up on her." Gong Ruini looked worried.

Not only did she not want to see her friend Cao Na look so bad, but she also didn’t want the blame to fall on Zhao Guangran in the end.

Maybe this really had nothing to do with Zhao Guangran, but the Cao Family would actively blame him for being too popular and causing it.

"I’ll talk to him tonight." Zhao Xuran actually didn’t really want to intervene, following Cao Na’s aggressive questioning today, he was quite annoyed.

"Thank goodness you didn’t go abroad." Otherwise, who knows what stories Cao Na would concoct, given that her mind is already elsewhere, always not quite on track, would she miss using such explosive news?

Even though everyone at home knows Zhao Guangran and Gong Ruini are innocent, would outside rumors overlook them?

Zhao Xuran knew there were many people eyeing him eagerly, but because Gong Ruini was always by his side, and they showed no signs of quarreling, people couldn’t find an opportunity, making them lie low.

With such explosive news spreading around, would they not take advantage?

Even if tracking down the source of the rumors ends badly for Cao Na, it’s still inevitable. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

With Zhao Guangran involved, they couldn’t exactly move against Cao Na directly, "Why do these people think so quickly."

Zhao Xuran couldn’t help but click his tongue; these people were really fast thinkers, "If they channeled their quick thinking into studying, imagine how good their grades could be."

Into their grades? Gong Ruini chuckled, "Even if their grades trail far behind mine, they’ll still attend top-ranked universities in Beijing."

Gong Ruini finally understood why the faculty resources at Fourth Middle School were top-tier, yet their college entrance exam results consistently lagged behind First High School: because these kids had other ways into better universities, as long as their grades weren’t too outrageous.

"For them, studying is to meet more people and learn how to interact, so these little schemes aren’t a big pressure for them." Internally, there’d be all sorts of struggles, and fighting had become ingrained in their hearts, bones, and blood.

"They’re accustomed to considering various plans when encountering issues, finding the one that benefits them the most." Gong Ruini felt that in the half-year she’d been with them as classmates, she had actually improved a lot.

Because of the day-to-day interaction with Zhao Xuran and the others, they hadn’t noticed, but Gong Jiaxin and the others felt that Gong Ruini had become more composed, adding pressure on them.

Even if there was a hint of ingratiation in that tone, Gong Ruini knew she had changed.

Now, when facing issues, she would think a lot, rather than assuming too much about others’ intentions.

"Don’t they find this boring?" Zhao Xuran really didn’t understand, "They’re missing out on so much."

Missing out? Gong Ruini didn’t think so; after all, their experiences were richer than their peers, "Not progressing means being suppressed by others, look at Wang Yuzhe."

Someone groomed by Old Sir Wang for so many years, in the end, even his position became unstable.

Even though Wang Yuzhe is highly capable, he has no choice but to cooperate with them.

Gong Ruini wasn’t foolish. She could tell that Wang Yuzhe probably didn’t want to cooperate in this situation, as it would place him in a weaker position.

But no matter what he thought, he genuinely had no other options.

"Wang Yuzhe isn’t stupid, he knows that getting along with us means he can have a good relationship with the Chu Family."

"He should have connected with the Chu Family people." Zhao Xuran initially thought Wang Yuzhe would work harder and harder to prove to the Wang Family who’s most qualified to represent them.

It was unexpected that he chose another way; not being surprised would be a lie, but there was full appreciation too.

"Few would give up the Wang Family identity like he did." In the probing gaze of Gong Ruini, Zhao Xuran gave an answer that would surprise her.

Ah, really? Giving up the Wang Family identity, Gong Ruini was that shocked.

"Then wouldn’t he become the Chu Family’s..."

"It’s better than being ridiculed by Wang Yudong in the future." Based on the information received in the past few days, Zhao Xuran felt Wang Yuzhe’s choice was truly correct.

"Old Sir Wang’s health isn’t great, and it’s just a matter of a couple of years."