The Tender Beauty is Sweetly Doted in the 20th Century Novel!-Chapter 217 - 216: The Power of Gossip

So, are they gossiping about her being a sugar baby?

"You all..."

Ye Manman turned around, ready to explain, but before she could finish speaking, those two people, upon realizing they’d been noticed, immediately turned their heads and ran.

She couldn’t possibly chase after people to explain herself, but it was obvious that many seemed to be discussing this matter.

Thinking about it that way, those who looked at her with complicated expressions probably believed she was with a sugar daddy, and that the sugar daddy was an old man.

Ye Manman felt speechless.

But this kind of matter can’t be broadly announced. After all, she’s not a public figure, and suddenly declaring a family affair like this would probably make most people think she’s crazy.

"Ring, ring..."

It was class time again. Ye Manman had to put the matter aside temporarily, planning to discuss it with Old Mr. Liu in the evening. He probably had a good relationship with the principal, and he could perhaps discuss with the principal about placing a small segment in the school newspaper to let everyone know they are family.

She didn’t give it much thought, but others wouldn’t let it go easily.

The freshman representative was someone all the new students had seen and recognized this year. She was considered a leading figure among the freshmen, besides Ji Bowen and other competent students.

They discussed the matter during recess and decided to follow Ye Manman after school in the afternoon.

Ye Manman had no idea about this. Following her grandfather’s instructions, she went to the school gate as soon as class ended, and sure enough, Old Mr. Liu was waiting there.

Since it was after school, a peak time for leaving campus, there were many students around, which wasn’t unusual. Ye Manman didn’t think much of it and got into the car as Liu Gaoyuan welcomed her enthusiastically.

At this moment, the students following her were in an uproar.

"Wow, I knew something was off! She doesn’t return to her dorm after school and spends every night outside. She used to claim she was living with her husband, but this is clearly an excuse! It’s obvious her relationship with this old man is not simple."

"How can a person like her represent us? Openly cheating in marriage, even when pregnant. At such a young age, instead of doing the right thing, she only thinks of becoming a sugar baby as a shortcut. Let’s go report her to the principal!"

"In the past, someone like her would have been drowned in a pig basket. She’s really gotten off easy. What will the principal do about it? Would the school really turn a blind eye just because of her good grades?"

"Hmph, if the school handles it that way, we’ll report it to the municipal government. There’s strength in numbers. I refuse to believe the school would protect a morally corrupt woman like her."

"Let’s go!"

A large group charged towards the principal’s office.

Principal Zhang, who had personally arranged for Ye Manman to eat at a small window in the cafeteria, was now busy handling other matters. Seeing a group of students approaching in anger surprised him.

"What’s happened, students? Is there something you need to discuss?"

Usually, if there’s something, small groups of three or four students would come together. It was rare to see as many as ten or more at once.

The leading male student reported truthfully what they had seen and heard. As he spoke, all the students behind him were boiling with righteous indignation, eager for Ye Manman to be dealt with immediately.

But after he finished, Principal Zhang suddenly laughed.

"Students, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding."

"Are you referring to the old gentleman with a white beard driving a Hongqi car?"

His expression remained kind and unchanged, yet it sent a jolt through the students who came to report her.

They looked at each other. One student raised their hand and said, "That’s right, it was a Hongqi car."

Upon hearing that, Principal Zhang’s smile broadened. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Students, it seems you really misunderstood. That old gentleman is Ye’s grandfather. The reason you only saw them together now is that they just reunited this morning, right here in this office with myself and the vice-principal as witnesses. The vice-principal can also attest—oh yes, it was the vice-principal who called Ye out of the classroom this morning."

"This is originally Ye’s family affair, which the school didn’t intend to announce. Now it seems, are you the only ones who misunderstood?"

Principal Zhang’s words were like a bolt from the blue, shocking all the students present.

After all, they were just students full of jealousy and unwillingness, paying excessive attention to Ye Manman in hopes of surpassing her. But such attention caused a misunderstanding, almost leading to a big mess.

Everyone’s expression turned to shame; many lowered their heads, especially the furious male student who led the report. He was stunned and, after realizing his mistake, blushed deeply, wishing he could find a hole to hide in.

"I’m sorry, principal. We misunderstood. We shouldn’t have talked about Ye without knowing the truth."

He bowed his head and apologized sincerely.

Principal Zhang waved his hand, "No worries, no worries. If you truly feel you’ve made a mistake, there’s no point in apologizing to me. You should apologize to Ye and clarify it to your classmates, so others won’t continue to misunderstand."

"In this day and age, words can be dangerous. Everyone should know how important reputation is to a girl. I won’t interfere much in this matter. Since you now know your mistake, I’ll leave the follow-up to you. If you need any help from the school, feel free to ask me."

"You all are outstanding talents of our school, and I trust you can handle this matter well."

With that, he looked down at the file in his hand again, "Alright, off you go."

The group came with high spirits and left hanging their heads.

Once downstairs, a female student couldn’t help but speak up.

"I’ll go back to the dorm tonight and tell the others about this. It was indeed our misunderstanding, and tomorrow I’ll apologize to Ye Manman."

With someone taking the lead, others soon chimed in, making plans to explain and clear up the misunderstanding in their dorm that night and agreeing to apologize to Ye Manman together the next day.

Ye Manman remained oblivious to it all.

She returned to the Liu Family, having long since put this matter behind her.

She asked Liu Gaoyuan for some snacks that Liu Rulan liked in her younger days from a roadside stall and went to see Liu Rulan first thing upon arriving at the Liu Family home.

It was already dark. The Liu Family had installed several light bulbs in the yard long ago. When all the lights were on, Liu Rulan stood against the dusk, in the warm yellow light, quietly and beautifully, like a painting.

Ye Manman softly called, "Mom, I’m back."

Liu Rulan had been staring dazedly at the tangerine tree. Upon hearing her voice, she immediately ran to the iron gate and pressed herself against it, eyes fixed intently on Ye Manman.

Ye Manman’s heart warmed as she handed over the bought peach crisps and puff pastry slices.

"Mom, I promised to bring you something tasty after school. Look, aren’t these your favorites?"

She placed the puff pastry slices and peach crisps in Liu Rulan’s hands. Liu Rulan did not refuse.

Although visibly tempted, continuously swallowing saliva, Liu Rulan took the first piece of puff pastry and immediately offered it to Ye Manman’s mouth.

"Manman, eat."