The online outcry had lasted for a week, and Mo Qingyun's votes had fallen far behind. Even more tragic was Xie Youlin's education center.
Besides the plummeting stock prices, there were warnings from market regulators and a 2.5 million fine, causing billions in assets to evaporate from the online education sector, which had just enjoyed a period of high profits.
Xie Youlin was constantly being summoned by regulatory departments. He had no energy left to look after Mo Qingyun, who was also caught in the storm.
Today was likely Mo Qingyun's last sign language class. Despite her scandal, this group of special students stood by her.
Mo Qingyun choked up several times in class, but looking at the eager eyes of her students, she persisted and finished the lesson.
After class, she bowed and thanked each student individually. The students were also very understanding of Mo Qingyun's feelings, and some even used sign language to encourage her to keep going.
When all the students had left the classroom, the little胖子 returned.
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Why are you back? Did Grandma not come to pick you up?"
Little胖子's sign language: "No, teacher, I want to stay with you a little longer."
Mo Qingyun gently patted the little胖子's head and gave him a smile and a hug.
Little胖子's sign language: "Teacher, are you unhappy?"
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Of course not, why do you say that?"
Little胖子's sign language: "Did the things online hurt you?"
Mo Qingyun was stunned for a moment, but she quickly put on a brave face.
Little胖子's sign language: "Grandma told me everything! Those people are bad people! I hate them!"
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "It's okay..."
Little胖子's sign language: "Teacher, I know a way to make you happy."
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "What is it?"
Little胖子's sign language: "Let that very handsome uncle accompany you!"
Mo Qingyun was surprised that the little胖子 remembered Ou Yunchen. They had only met once during that public class.
Little胖子's sign language: "That's how it always happens on TV! You become happy when you're with your boyfriend!"
Mo Qingyun raised her hand, but she didn't know how to respond.
Little胖子's sign language: "What's wrong? Where is that uncle?"
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "He's very busy with work, and I'm not unhappy."
Little胖子's sign language: "Then let me be your boyfriend! I'll keep you company!"
Mo Qingyun was amused by the little胖子. Just then, the little胖子's grandmother called his name from outside the classroom and walked in.
Little胖子's grandmother: "Oh my! Why did you run back again! I've been waiting for you at the door for a long time!"
The little胖子 looked a bit embarrassed.
Little胖子's grandmother: "Teacher Xiaoyun, I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "It's okay."
The little胖子's grandmother quickly walked over to grab him, saying goodbye to Mo Qingyun while scolding him for running off.
Mo Qingyun stood at the doorway watching their receding figures. It seemed she would never see these lovely students again...
From the other end of the hallway, two teachers' voices could be heard.
Teacher A: "So annoying. We have people coming to inspect us these days, and no one has time to prepare lessons."
Teacher B: "That's nothing. Do you know the math teacher who came not long ago? She was forced to resign!"
Teacher A: "Huh? Why?"
Teacher B: "What else could it be? Because they advertised her as a graduate of a prestigious university, but she only went to an ordinary one!"
Teacher A: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I hope this doesn't implicate us."
Teacher B: "If you ask me, our boss shouldn't have gotten involved with Mo Qingyun's situation! If he hadn't stepped in, no one would have dug into it!"
Teacher A: "Exactly! Do you know that some of the implicated teachers have resigned, but she's still allowed to teach!"
Teacher B: "Of course, I know. Isn't it because of her improper relationship with the boss? Our boss is just foolish, why did he have to help her? Now he's dragged himself down too."
Teacher A: "Hey, hey, hey, speak softer, she's over there."
Teacher B: "So unlucky. Let's go, let's go."
Mo Qingyun lowered her head and almost brushed past the two teachers. She heard everything but didn't want to retort. She even felt it was all her fault.
Xie Youlin also wanted to help her. If she wasn't a jinx, how could she have implicated the education center?
Back in the teachers' office, all the teachers looked at her as if she were a plague god. They whispered and wished they could stay far away from her.
Mo Qingyun went to her desk and packed her belongings. She didn't want some of the trinkets, so she decided to give them to colleagues she liked.
She picked up an item to give to the teacher at the next desk, but as soon as she handed it over, that teacher got up and left.
She placed the trinket on the desk, but the teacher said, "Can you throw trash in the trash can, please? Don't put it on other people's desks."
Mo Qingyun took her hand back and finally put it into the box she had brought.
She took out a letter from her bag. At that moment, Xie Youlin's secretary came into the office, and she quickly handed it to the secretary.
The secretary just glanced at the writing on the envelope, clipped it onto a file, and didn't even ask anything.
Secretary: "The teachers whose names I call will come to the conference room for a meeting."
The office quickly emptied. Mo Qingyun picked up her box again. It seemed it was time to leave.
***
Ou Yunchen sat in his car, looking at Xie Youlin's office building, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
He had originally only wanted to prevent Mo Qingyun from attending the socialite ball, but he hadn't expected to also bring down Xie Youlin's company.
He truly wasn't even worthy of being his opponent, yet he still thought of stealing Mo Qingyun away?
Trash is indeed trash!
-- Ou Yunchen on a call --
A Ming: "Yunchen Ge, this is bad, is Game Station going to fail?"
Ou Yunchen thought about it. Game Station's stock had been performing well recently. What signs were there of it failing?
Ou Yunchen: "No, why do you say that?"
A Ming: "Do you remember the forum I told you about? It's been shut down! Everyone can't log in!"
Ou Yunchen: "The forum is shut down? Do you know why?"
A Ming: "Everyone's unclear, but this has had a huge impact on us. Everyone relies on this forum to discuss stocks. This is our base! Now that the forum is closed, how can we contact each other?"
Ou Yunchen quickly opened the stock website. The stock was indeed performing somewhat unsatisfactorily, even showing signs of continuous decline.
However, Ou Yunchen soon realized that there were too many peculiar aspects to this. Would the closure of a forum really affect the stock?
Ou Yunchen: "Why don't you observe it again? From an operational perspective, Game Station has no issues. It might be intentional manipulation by capital."
A Ming: "Yunchen Ge... to be honest, I've used most of my savings to treat my daughter's illness, and I want to sell my shares..."
Ou Yunchen: "I understand. Has the hospital matched a suitable bone marrow yet?"
A Ming: "No... Although we are on the list, the endless waiting has made Apple and I despair."
"The child's condition is deteriorating. I'm really afraid of receiving a call in the middle of the night, fearing it's a critical illness notice from the hospital..."
Ou Yunchen: "There will be a way. As I said, if you need any help, just ask."
-- End of call --
After hanging up, Ou Yunchen's heart was restless.
He had been betrayed by a brother before, so he hadn't trusted anyone for a long time, let alone wholeheartedly helped them.
Perhaps he had been away from his adopted family for too long, to the point where he could live like a normal person.
Ou Yunchen was no longer cold. Whenever A Ming needed help, he would extend a hand. He had never experienced such a feeling, even when he was with Axe.
He realized he wasn't an utterly evil person after all. He was somewhat grateful for the people he had met now. They made him feel that being trusted and needed by friends was also a kind of happiness.
***
In the distance, Mo Qingyun, with a blank expression, walked out of the education center carrying a large cardboard box.
Her eyes were empty and lifeless as she walked down the street in a daze.
Ou Yunchen, who was hiding not far away, watched her through the rearview mirror. He didn't dare to let Mo Qingyun out of his sight because he knew he was the one who had caused her such despair.
Ou Yunchen's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He couldn't let go of this mute woman, just as he had long realized that he cared about her because he had fallen in love with her.
Yet, his love had to be hidden, concealed, and even endure torment and be cruelly pushed away.
But he had never left. He would protect her from afar. As long as Colin didn't find out, Mo Qingyun wouldn't be used as a weapon against the Tang Empire!
At this moment, Mo Qingyun got into a taxi. Was she going home?
Ou Yunchen guessed in his heart.
He followed the taxi for a while. As they approached Mo Qingyun's home, the taxi made a sharp turn and headed in another direction.
Ou Yunchen watched the taxi pass by. He saw Mo Qingyun's profile. She seemed to be crying, her eyes fixed on the phone in her hand.
This scene greatly surprised Ou Yunchen. Something urgent must have happened!
Ou Yunchen quickly turned his car around. While wondering what could be causing Mo Qingyun such urgency, he nervously followed the taxi.