Chapter 66: Adding Fuel to the Fire

Li Tingting had been in a very good mood these past few days.

Extremely good, so good she felt like humming while walking.

Ever since the cafeteria incident, Zhou Duoduo’s reputation had plummeted.

People were discussing it in group chats every day.

“I heard about it? The stuff from Zhou Duoduo’s high school days.”

“Heard it, heard it. Messing around with a bunch of guys.”

“And there was a senior girl too.”

“Tsk, she really knows how to have fun.”

Li Tingting looked at these messages, the corner of her mouth curling up.

But she felt it wasn’t enough.

The heat from just those high school stories would die down soon.

She needed to add some more fuel.

She thought for a moment, then opened the school forum.

Using a burner account, she posted a thread:

[Expose] About Zhou Duoduo, there’s one more thing you don’t know

The content was written vaguely: “Heard she’s been giving a certain new girl ‘special attention’ lately. The kind of attention, you know it if you know it. She was like this with a senior before too.”

Below it was a picture—

A photo of Zhou Duoduo and Shen Qingyue standing together talking.

The angle was chosen well, making it look like Zhou Duoduo was standing very close, as if whispering something.

Sigh…

After posting.

She waited a while.

Comments started appearing:

“Holy shit, is she going after the freshmen too?”

“Shen Qingyue? The one who’s always with Lin Mo?”

“Zhou Duoduo is that bold?”

“No wonder she’s always hanging around Lin Mo, so that’s why…”

Li Tingting looked at these comments and nodded in satisfaction.

But what she didn’t know was—

Someone gave it an extra push from behind.

Su Qing sat in her dorm room.

Holding her phone. Looking at that post.

The corner of her mouth curled up.

Hehe…

Li Tingting’s move was good.

But too amateur.

She thought for a moment, switched to another burner account.

This account was registered with Alice’s help, with a fake IP address, untraceable.

She replied with a comment below:

“What I heard is way more explosive than this. Zhou Duoduo’s thing with Shen Qingyue isn’t just ‘special attention’. Someone saw her with their own eyes cornering Shen Qingyue against a wall downstairs at the dorm building. The way she moved… tsk tsk.”

After posting.

She switched to another burner account and replied to her own comment:

“Really? Any proof?”

Su Qing smiled.

She was already prepared.

She opened her photo album and pulled up a picture.

It was a photo of Zhou Duoduo and Shen Qingyue talking downstairs a few days ago.

Zhou Duoduo was indeed standing very close, and Shen Qingyue had taken a step back. From a certain angle, it looked like Zhou Duoduo had Shen Qingyue cornered against the wall.

She cropped it a bit, removing the extra people in the background.

Now it looked exactly like—

Zhou Duoduo had Shen Qingyue cornered against a wall.

Perfect.

She uploaded the photo.

With the caption:

“Picture as proof. See for yourselves.”

After posting.

She waited.

The comment section exploded.

“Holy shit holy shit holy shit!”

“Is this real? Zhou Duoduo is that perverted?”

“Shen Qingyue looks so pitiful…”

“Damn, I used to think Zhou Duoduo was pretty nice. Turns out she’s this kind of person!”

Li Tingting also saw this reply. She was stunned.

This photo…

How come she never took one like this?

But she didn’t think too much about it.

Someone helping her add fuel to the fire was exactly what she wanted.

She quickly used her burner account to repost and spread it everywhere.

*

The next day.

Cafeteria.

The moment Zhou Duoduo walked in, she felt something was off.

Everyone was looking at her.

Their gazes were strange.

Some were evasive.

Some were disdainful.

Some… were watching the drama.

She frowned.

Walked to the food serving window.

Several people nearby immediately scooted away.

Hmm?

Zhou Duoduo froze.

“What are you guys doing?”

No one answered.

She got her food and found an empty seat to sit down.

The moment she sat, the people at the next table picked up their trays and left.

They left.

Zhou Duoduo’s face turned pale.

She took out her phone and opened the forum.

Saw that post.

Saw that photo.

Saw those comments.

…

Her hand was trembling.

No.

It wasn’t like that.

She did look for Shen Qingyue, but only to ask about Lin Mo. She did stand close, but she didn’t corner her.

It wasn’t like that.

She wanted to explain.

But explain what?

How to explain?

That photo…

She stared at the photo and suddenly noticed a detail.

That angle…

What a coincidence?

*

On the other side.

Shen Qingyue also saw the post.

She was stunned.

When was this taken?

She thought about it, remembering that day—

Zhou Duoduo did come to find her, asking what Lin Mo usually liked to eat.

She was a bit nervous at the time and took a step back.

But it was definitely not “cornered against a wall.” Who took this?

Why write it like that?

As she was thinking, her phone vibrated.

A message from Su Qing:

Qingyue, did you see that post?

Shen Qingyue: I saw it…

Su Qing: Those people are going too far. Don’t pay attention to them.

Shen Qingyue: But that photo…

Su Qing: Must be the angle. Don’t worry, I’ll help you ask around to see who’s behind this.

Shen Qingyue looked at this message.

Felt a bit touched.

Thank you, Qingqing.

Su Qing: What’s there to thank? We’re best friends.

Shen Qingyue put down her phone.

Her heart felt warm.

But what she didn’t know was—

At this moment, Su Qing was looking at her phone screen. The corner of her mouth was curved.

Great.

Zhou Duoduo is socially ruined.

Shen Qingyue is being “protected.”

Li Tingting is doing the dirty work for her.

She herself did nothing.

Just moved her fingers a bit.

She stood up and walked to the window.

Looked downstairs.

Lin Mo was passing by below.

Walking with Zhang Yang and a few others.

She stared at his back.

For a long time.

Then said softly:

“Brother, look.”

“These people, they’re all fighting over you.”

“Fighting until the end…”

She didn’t finish.

But her smile deepened.

*

Zhou Duoduo locked herself in her dorm room.

The entire day.

Didn’t go to class.

Didn’t go to the cafeteria.

Didn’t reply to any messages.

Wang Xue knocked on the door for half an hour outside, but she didn’t open it.

…

She stared at her phone screen.

That post.

Those comments.

That photo.

And that line—

“Messing around with a bunch of guys and girls.”

She took a deep breath. Exhaled.

Took another deep breath.

Exhaled again.

Useless.

She was still trembling with anger.

Since when, in her entire life from childhood until now, had Zhou Duoduo ever suffered this kind of humiliation?

In elementary school, surrounded by boys.

In middle school, treated as a goddess by girls.

In high school, even more influential and popular.

Now?

Now being socially ruined by some little brat who just awakened her ability?

She stood up, walked to the window, and looked downstairs.

People were coming and going on the playground.

A few girls passed by, even looked up in this direction.

Then huddled together, whispering.

Zhou Duoduo knew what they were saying. She trembled with anger all over, her expression uncontrollably twisting.

So damn angry!!!

Her phone vibrated.

She picked it up.

It was a text message from an unknown number.

Want to know who’s messing with you? Check Li Tingting.

…

Zhou Duoduo was dumbfounded.

Li Tingting?

That seemingly harmless underclassman?

She stared at this text message for a long time.

Then opened the forum.

Looked up the posting history of that thread.

The poster was a burner account.

But there were several accounts in the comments section that had been steering the narrative.

She clicked on one of them.

The profile was empty. But in the following list, there was Li Tingting.

Zhou Duoduo’s hand started trembling.

Not from anger, but from excitement.

So it’s you.

So it’s you.

Good, good, good, haha!!!!

Very good, very good.

She laughed.

This laugh was rather morbid.

If Wang Xue saw it, she’d definitely be scared enough to take three steps back.

Hehe…

“Li Tingting.”

“You’re something else.”

*

That night.

Zhou Duoduo finally opened the door.

Wang Xue came in. “Duoduo! You, are you okay! I came back today and saw you locked yourself in the room—”

Zhou Duoduo sat on the bed, expression calm.

This calmness wasn’t quite right, instead it seemed a bit frightening.

Wang Xue hesitated for a few seconds, tentatively asking, “Duoduo… you…”

Zhou Duoduo looked up.

At her.

“Xue’er, help me with something.”

Wang Xue nodded.

“Tell me.”

Zhou Duoduo handed her the phone.

On the screen was a text message.

Want to know who’s messing with you? Check Li Tingting.

Wang Xue was stunned.

“Who sent this?”

Zhou Duoduo shook her head.

“Don’t know. But I checked. The accounts steering the narrative under that post are following Li Tingting.”

Wang Xue’s face changed.

“Li Tingting? Why would she…”

Zhou Duoduo smiled.

“Because she wants to chase Lin Mo. She likes Lin Mo.”

Wang Xue was a bit confused.

“What does that have to do with her chasing Lin Mo?”

Zhou Duoduo stood up.

Walked to the window.

“Because Shen Qingyue also likes Lin Mo. She’s messing with me to make Shen Qingyue think I’m in cahoots with her? No, that’s not quite right…”

She thought about it.

“She’s stirring the pot. Making me and Shen Qingyue fight, so she can reap the benefits. No, not that either. Anyway, she’s first ruining my reputation, while simultaneously making me suspect Shen Qingyue is the one messing with me. Of course, Shen Qingyue’s suspicion isn’t ruled out either. I suspect they might be in it together.”

Wang Xue was bewildered.

“But… how do you know it’s…”

Zhou Duoduo looked back at her.

“I don’t know. But I can guess.”

She walked back and sat down next to Wang Xue.

“Xue’er, do you remember that day in the cafeteria?”

Wang Xue nodded.

Zhou Duoduo continued:

“Li Tingting was also in the cafeteria that day.”

Wang Xue nodded again.

“She was acting off. I think she was putting on an act for me the whole time?”

“Right. She’s building her own persona, the good girl.”

Zhou Duoduo sneered.

“Then she spreads those rumors, and everyone will think: Oh, so Zhou Duoduo was never a good person to begin with.”

Wang Xue fell silent.

After a good while.

“Then… that thing with the senior…”

Zhou Duoduo looked at her.

“Only you and I know about that. Everyone else is just speculating. Only you and I know, after all, last time the three of us were together…”

Wang Xue’s face turned red, remembering the last time with the three of them. But then her face turned from red to pale.

“Duoduo, it wasn’t me—”

“I know.” Zhou Duoduo cut her off. “It wasn’t you. Someone peeked at your phone, or overheard us talking.”

Wang Xue was stunned.

“Who?”

Zhou Duoduo shook her head.

“Don’t know. But it’s definitely related to Li Tingting.”

She stood up.

“Xue’er, I need you to help me with something.”

Wang Xue nodded.

“Tell me.”

Zhou Duoduo looked at her.

“Help me keep an eye on Li Tingting. See who she’s been close with lately, if she’s made any suspicious moves.”

Wang Xue hesitated for a moment.

“What about you?”

Zhou Duoduo smiled.

“Me? I’m going to have a little chat with her.”

*

The next day.

Cafeteria.

Li Tingting carried her tray and found a seat.

After just a few bites, someone sat down across from her.

Li Tingting looked up.

Zhou Duoduo.

Ah.

Li Tingting’s chopsticks paused for a moment.

But she quickly regained her composure.

“Senior Duoduo, is something the matter?”

Zhou Duoduo looked at her.

And smiled.

“Li Tingting, impressive.”

Li Tingting blinked.

“What?”

Zhou Duoduo leaned back in her chair.

“Those rumors, you spread them, right?”

Li Tingting’s heart skipped a beat for half a second, her expression turning a bit unnatural, but she quickly adjusted.

“What rumors? I don’t know anything.”

Zhou Duoduo stared at her. This gaze.

Made Li Tingting’s back feel a bit cold.

But she braced herself and held her ground.

“Senior Duoduo, did you misunderstand something? I have no grudge against you, why would I spread rumors about you?”

Zhou Duoduo smiled.

“No grudge? You like Lin Mo, right?”

Li Tingting’s face flushed red.

“I… I don’t…”

“Don’t?” Zhou Duoduo leaned in a little closer. “Then why are you always hanging around him every day? Exercising?”

Li Tingting was speechless.

Zhou Duoduo continued:

“You think I don’t know? You’re messing with me to make Shen Qingyue oppose me, so you can take the chance to get close to Lin Mo.”

Li Tingting’s face changed.

“You… you’re talking nonsense…”

Zhou Duoduo smiled.

“I’m talking nonsense? Then explain, why are the accounts steering the narrative under that post all following you?”

Li Tingting was stunned. “What accounts? I don’t know.”

Zhou Duoduo stood up.

Looked down at her.

“Li Tingting, I originally thought you were just a small fry, not worth mentioning. Didn’t expect you to be quite capable.”

She smiled.

Zhou Duoduo turned and left.

After a few steps, she turned back.

“Oh, right. That thing with the senior, only I and Wang Xue know about it. How did you know?”

Li Tingting froze.

Zhou Duoduo looked at her.

“Let me guess. Did you use some ability to peek? Are you an Ability User?”

Li Tingting’s heart raced wildly.

Zhou Duoduo smiled.

“Alright, I get it now.”

She left.

Leaving Li Tingting sitting there alone. Her face somewhat pale.

*

In the distance.

Su Qing sat in a corner.

Holding her tray.

Watching this scene.

The corner of her mouth curved up.

Hehe…

Fight, fight, fight.

Fight more fiercely.

Hmph, Lin Mo, it’s been a long time since I’ve been close to you. Should I find a chance to hypnotize Lin Mo and recharge myself?

Forget it, I’ll think about it later. Anyway, I’m in a very good mood right now. She lowered her head to eat.

Mmm, in a very good mood.