Chapter 39: Stop Acting

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The crowd looked at Chen Yusheng with disgust. Despite his age, he had framed a young girl. They also felt ashamed for doubting Shen Jing earlier.

“Master, how could you do such a thing?” Qiao Boyue, sensing that something was wrong, suddenly questioned Chen Yusheng. “I trusted you so much that I was willing to doubt our classmate just to seek justice for you. But you…”

Chen Yusheng was astonished by Qiao Boyue’s swift change of attitude. He couldn’t help but bitterly smiled. His disciple had turned her back on him at the first sign of trouble, placing all the blame on him.

Qiao Boyue choked up, feeling greatly deceived and hurt. “Chairman Qin, Principal Liu, esteemed teachers, I’m sorry. I apologize on behalf of my master. I never expected that my master would…”

Qiao Boyue cried, her tears flowing like pearls. It softened the hearts of those present. Chen Yusheng was the one who had made the mistake, and Qiao Boyue was only deceived, which made her an accomplice in Chen Yusheng’s actions.

Some classmates wanted to console Qiao Boyue. “Oh, Qiao Boyue, don’t blame yourself too much. Actually, you…”

Just then, a male voice suddenly spoke up, “Alright, stop pretending and continue watching the big screen.”

Upon hearing these words, Qiao Boyue’s heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously looked towards the person who spoke, but there were too many people, and she didn’t know who it was. As she struggled to find the person, a female voice slowly rang out—it was her own voice!

“Master, on the day of the competition, there will be representatives from Hua City and even Chairman Qin himself. Do you think that this painting will be able to get you into the National Art Association?” Qiao Boyue’s voice sounded through the speakers.

“Just as you said earlier, it’s impossible for a university student to paint this. You are the Vice Chairman of the Jingcheng Art Association. Will people believe you or that student?” Qiao Boyue’s voice continued.

Qiao Boyue’s face drastically changed when she heard the voice. She quickly turned to look at the large screen, only to find a video playing. The person in the video was none other than herself and Chen Yusheng!

In the video, Qiao Boyue continued to speak, “On the day of the announcement, it will be live-streamed across the internet. You can personally identify the person who copied your artwork, which will not only bring you fame but also gain the favor of Chairman Qin. Or perhaps, with this painting, you can catch his attention.”

Chen Yusheng asked, “Does your classmate have any connections or contacts in the Chinese art circle?”

Qiao Boyue replied, “No.”

Chen Yusheng said, “I understand.”

The video ended there, and everything became clear. Qiao Boyue’s face turned pale, and she slumped in her chair. The various looks from those around her made her body tremble involuntarily.

Mu Sinian leaned towards Fu Linyuan in seek for praise and said, “Brother, am I amazing?” He had hacked the system and played the video. His hacking skills are amazing. In this world, other than Fu Linyuan and the person from the Hacker Alliance, no one is better than him!

Fu Linyuan’s lips curled as he watched Shen Jing on the stage.

Once the videos were revealed, Qiao Boyue couldn’t quibble anymore. Qin Mu waved his hand and looked at Shen Jing with a smile on his face. “My dear disciple, how should we deal with these two people?” His tone was relaxed, as if Shen Jing had the final say in how to handle them.

“Chen Yusheng has a questionable character and is unworthy of Chinese art,” Shen Jing said. After speaking, Qin Mu looked at Zhang, the chairman of the Chinese Arts Association. “Chairman Zhang, do you understand what my disciple means?”

Chairman Zhang hurriedly nodded. “I understand. Chen Yusheng’s character is despicable. From today onwards, he is expelled from the Chinese Arts Association and will be blacklisted.”

Chen Yusheng closed his eyes in despair. Being blacklisted by the Chinese Arts Association meant that from today onwards, no Chinese Arts organization would dare to accept him, and no one would commission him to paint. His decades-long career in Chinese painting had come to an end.

“And what about Qiao Boyue?” Chairman Zhang asked.

Upon hearing her name, Qiao Boyue shuddered, and tears uncontrollably streamed down her face. She never expected that one day Shen Jing would be sitting in the position of power, determining her fate.

“She… She is a student of Jingcheng University. How to handle her is better left to the school,” Shen Jing said.

Principal Liu’s face turned grim. Qiao Boyue’s actions had made their school a laughing stock. At the same time, he understood that Shen Jing was giving him face by leaving the decision to him.

“Chairman Qin, esteemed professors, we will handle this matter according to the school regulations, and we will not tolerate any leniency,” Director Ling, the person in charge of the art festival, quickly stepped forward to make a statement.