The Mighty Mage
Chapter 325: Clearing Up The Rumor

Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Clearing Up The Rumor

"Enough of this nonsense!" Yan Mei tried again, her voice rising with frustration.

"Gu Jin is not like that. She’s been through a lot, and Long Yifan is only helping her recover!"

But her words fell on deaf ears.

The more she tried to stop them, the more the students turned against her, echoing their growing disdain for Gu Jin and Long Yifan’s relationship.

"You can’t be serious, Yan Mei," another student said, their tone now harsh.

"You’re just defending them because you’re in on it too. Who else would be so blindly loyal to Gu Jin if not someone who’s been with her the whole time?"

"Don’t act like we don’t see what’s going on," another voice joined in.

"Long Yifan’s practically living in that tent. It’s like he’s forgotten all about Gu Aihan."

There was a flicker of uncertainty in Yan Mei’s eyes. She could feel the growing hostility in the air.

Her heart tightened in her chest as the students’ words rang in her ears.

She knew she had to do something to stop them, but there was no reasoning with a group that had already made up its mind.

"You’re wrong!" Yan Mei said, her voice shaking with the effort to stay calm.

"You don’t understand. Gu Jin has been unconscious for days, and Long Yifan is helping her because he’s trying to save her life!"

The silence that followed her words felt suffocating.

The students exchanged skeptical glances, their faces unreadable.

"How do you know so much about her, Yan Mei?" one of the students asked coldly.

"Seems like you’re more concerned with covering for Gu Jin than looking out for the rest of us."

Yan Mei’s blood ran cold at the accusation.

Was this how they truly saw her? As someone who would protect Gu Jin blindly, without question?

"Enough!" Yan Mei snapped, stepping forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "I’m done with this. If any of you continue with these lies, I will personally make sure you regret it."

But no one seemed to take her threat seriously. One by one, they turned their backs on her, their minds made up.

The group now openly mocked both Gu Jin and Long Yifan, with laughter and cruel comments floating in the air.

Yan Mei felt a pang of helplessness settle in her chest.

Suddenly, the tent flap rustled, and Long Yifan stepped out. His expression was icy, his gaze like a blade as it swept over the group.

The students fell silent, their attention shifting to him.

"If you truly want to question my loyalty or my actions," Long Yifan began, his deep voice carrying authority, "then I suggest you look at Gu Aihan first."

The crowd froze, stunned into silence. Gu Aihan, who had been watching the spectacle unfold with a smug expression, suddenly stiffened.

Her confidence faltered, but she quickly masked it with a haughty glare.

"What are you talking about, Long Yifan?" Gu Aihan demanded, her voice dripping with indignation.

"You’re trying to deflect blame onto me now? How pathetic."

Without a word, Long Yifan strode toward her, his movements calm but deliberate.

Before anyone could react, he reached out and brushed her hair back, revealing the side of her neck.

Gasps rippled through the group as several dark marks became visible—hickeys, unmistakable and glaring under the sunlight.

A hush fell over the group as realization dawned.

"Wait... if Long Yifan’s been with Gu Jin all this time, then..." one student muttered, their voice trailing off.

"How does Gu Aihan have those marks?" another finished, their tone laced with disbelief.

Gu Aihan’s face flushed crimson. Panic flickered in her eyes as she hastily pulled her hair back into place, covering her neck.

"I—I have an allergy! These marks... they’re from a rash!" she stammered, her voice higher-pitched than usual.

Yan Mei, sensing an opportunity, stepped forward with a smirk. "Oh? An allergy, you say?" Her tone was sharp, dripping with sarcasm.

"Tell me, Gu Aihan, where can I find this allergy that happens only on neck?"

A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd, cutting through the tension.

The students exchanged amused glances, their suspicions shifting toward Gu Aihan.

Gu Aihan’s composure cracked. "It’s none of your business!" she snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

"Why are you all focusing on me? The issue here is Gu Jin!"

"No," Long Yifan interrupted, his voice cold and commanding.

"The issue here is your dishonesty. You’ve been trying to smear Gu Jin’s name while hiding your own actions. I don’t care what you’ve done, but don’t drag innocent people into your mess."

The crowd began murmuring among themselves, their earlier animosity toward Gu Jin and Long Yifan dissipating as they processed the revelation.

"I guess Gu Aihan’s been cheating on him," someone whispered.

"That explains why Long Yifan hasn’t been paying attention to her," another added.

"And she had the audacity to spread rumors about Gu Jin?" a third chimed in, shaking their head.

Gu Aihan’s eyes darted around the group, her panic mounting.

"You’re all being ridiculous! Don’t believe him—he’s just trying to cover for Gu Jin!"

"Enough!" Long Yifan’s voice cut through the chatter, silencing the group. He straightened, his gaze sweeping over the students.

"Let me make one thing clear: Gu Jin saved my life. She pulled me out of the water when I was drowning, even at great risk to herself. The only reason I’ve stayed by her side is to repay that debt and ensure she recovers."

The students exchanged uncertain glances, the weight of their earlier accusations now settling uncomfortably on their shoulders.

"She’s been unconscious for days," Long Yifan continued. "And in all that time, she hasn’t once sought my attention or anyone else’s. If any of you think she’s been seducing me, you’re gravely mistaken."

Yan Mei stepped forward, her voice steady as she added,

"And let me testify to that. Gu Jin has always kept her distance from Long Yifan, even when we were working together as a group. She’s never tried to get close to him or anyone else in that way."

Several other students nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, now that I think about it, she’s always been reserved," one said.

"She didn’t even talk to Long Yifan unless it was necessary," another pointed out.

Gu Aihan’s face twisted in frustration as the tide began turning against her. "You’re all being manipulated!" she shouted. "Don’t let him fool you—"

"Stop it, Gu Aihan," Long Yifan said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"You’ve caused enough damage. Whatever problems you and I have, don’t involve Gu Jin in them. She doesn’t deserve this."

The students fell silent, their earlier hostility replaced by a mix of shame and unease. Slowly, the weight of Long Yifan’s words began to sink in.

They had been quick to judge, quick to believe the worst without considering the truth.

"I guess we were wrong about her," one student admitted, looking down at their feet.

"Yeah," another murmured. "Maybe we should apologize..."

Gu Aihan, realizing she had lost, clenched her fists and turned away, muttering under her breath.

But the damage to her reputation had already been done, and the whispers now focused on her rather than Gu Jin.

As the group began to disperse, Yan Mei looked at Long Yifan with a small nod of gratitude.

"Thank you for standing up for her," she said quietly.

Long Yifan didn’t respond immediately. His gaze softened as he glanced back at the tent where Gu Jin lay.

"She saved me," he said simply. "It’s the least I can do."

He couldn’t openly love her. But he can protect her.

Long Yifan returned to the tent.

Yan Mei glanced at Long Yifan’s back and muttered,

"Should I call you a scumbag?"

Long Yifan was very confusing to her.

If he hated Gu Aihan and knew she was cheating on him why not annul the engagement? Was it because of his mother’s promise?

Yan Mei tilted her head and muttered,

"Truly living can’t compare to dead."

From what she knows Long Yifan’s mother had sacrificed too much for him. And he can’t get over the guilt of causing her mother’s death.

She remembered the conversation she had heard during her childhood and shook her head.

That night.

Long Yifan fell asleep and had a dream.

The sound of raucous laughter echoed through the grand hall of the Long family mansion, but for a small boy standing in the shadows, the noise felt deafening.

Eight-year-old Long Yifan stood with his head bowed, his tiny fists clenched at his sides, as the weight of the adults’ words crushed him.

His young heart struggled to understand the magnitude of the accusations hurled at him, but the pain was unmistakable.

His father’s voice cut through the chatter, sharp and filled with fury.

"You’re the reason she’s gone!" the elder Long bellowed, pointing an accusatory finger at the boy. "If it weren’t for you, she’d still be alive!"

Tears welled up in Long Yifan’s eyes, but he didn’t dare look up.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.