Shen Qingqing didn't come to school, and her seat was empty.
Yun Que'er was used to having someone nearby always being sarcastic. Now that she was absent, Que'er felt a bit out of sorts.
"Today is really strange. Could it be that she didn't do a good job and was beaten so badly by Teacher Lu that she can't get out of bed?"
After class, Yun Que'er whispered to Ji Chengxuan.
"Haven't you noticed that Teacher Lu is also absent?" Ji Chengxuan nodded towards the blackboard.
The student on duty had erased the English class schedule on the blackboard and replaced it with Chinese by Teacher Xue.
"I heard that there's something going on at home."
The class bell rang, and the students quickly returned to their seats.
Teacher Xue walked in with a solemn expression on her face. She stood on the podium and let out a soft sigh.
"Classmates."
Everyone looked at her in unison.
Teacher Xue seemed not to know where to start. She hesitated for a while before speaking.
"As you all know, Shen Qingqing is absent today because something happened to her family."
Teacher Xue lowered her eyes. "Shen Qingqing's older brother passed away last night."
The class was in an uproar, extremely surprised.
They had never heard that Shen Qingqing had an older brother before.
Yun Que'er and Ji Chengxuan were also very surprised. Although they already knew that Shen Qingqing had a brother, the boy was fine when they followed her and her mother home last time. How could he suddenly be gone?
After class, Ji Chengxuan specifically went to inquire and finally managed to piece together the truth.
"It's said that the accident happened last night." Ji Chengxuan gulped down a large mouthful of water before continuing. "It's rumored that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning from burning charcoal."
It was getting cold this season. It didn't matter for houses with a good orientation, but for Teacher Lu and her daughter who lived in such a dilapidated house, it was indeed necessary to light a stove.
"This can't be true!" Yun Que'er's first reaction was that there was something fishy. "You could tell that they're very thrifty on a daily basis. It's okay to burn corn cobs or straw in the stove, but how could they burn coal? Moreover, her brother always lived in the sheepfold. How could they light a stove for him?"
"That's not the point." Ji Chengxuan interrupted Yun Que'er. His expression was a bit strange. "It's said that Shen Qingqing was taken away last night. Teacher Lu was worried and followed. Only their son, who couldn't take care of himself, was left at home. They left in such a hurry that they didn't have time to check. By the time they got home, he was already gone."
Ji Chengxuan looked at Yun Que'er seriously. "Think about it. Why was Shen Qingqing taken away last night? Even if she's not the murderer, who do you think will be blamed for indirectly causing the little brother's death?"
Yun Que'er's heart skipped a beat. Naturally, it would be her, Yun Motan, and maybe even Li Lan.
"What a web of lies!" Yun Que'er stood up excitedly, attracting frequent glances from those around her.
Ji Chengxuan quickly pressed Yun Que'er down and told her to sit properly.
"Why are you shouting so loudly? No one knew about it before. Now everyone can hear you!"
Yun Que'er was trembling with anger. "I can see that there's never a peaceful moment with her family!"
What did Yun Que'er say before?
If there were any more unfounded things happening, she would never let this mother - daughter pair off easily.
She just didn't expect this day to come so soon.
Yun Que'er let out a cold laugh. "Fine. Since they're so unbridled, let's just wait and see."
Shen Qingqing didn't show up for a whole week. When they met again, she looked haggard and had lost a lot of weight.
Yun Que'er was just leaving the classroom when she bumped into Shen Qingqing head - on.
Yun Que'er looked at Shen Qingqing coldly and was about to dodge when Shen Qingqing suddenly rushed forward and grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Now my family is on the verge of falling apart. Are you happy?"
Shen Qingqing roared at Yun Que'er like a madwoman. People inside and outside the classroom all looked over.
Yun Que'er thought that this was exactly what she had expected. She shook off Shen Qingqing's hand.
"I think you're really out of your mind. What does your family's downfall have to do with me?"
Shen Qingqing laughed maniacally. "My brother is dead! Do you know how he died? It's all because of your father. Those policemen insisted that I go and testify. My mother was worried about me and went with me. As a result, my brother was alone at home and was suffocated to death by carbon monoxide poisoning!"
Yun Que'er knew that Shen Qingqing would say this and retorted immediately.
"Your brother always lived in the sheepfold. That sheepfold is drafty everywhere. Even if a stove was lit, there wouldn't be any poisoning. Yet you want to blame me?"
Shen Qingqing was obviously stunned. She didn't expect Yun Que'er to know so much about her family.
She couldn't help shivering.
What else did Yun Que'er know?
"What, is this your own family's matter and you've forgotten it too?" Yun Que'er sneered. "That night you were taken to the police station by the police and also sent back. Don't forget that I was also at the police station that day. I know best whether Teacher Lu went or not! And there are people who can testify for me. Don't think you can pin the blame on me!"
Shen Qingqing trembled. Right, she had forgotten about this.
Seeing that Shen Qingqing didn't say anything for a moment, Yun Que'er pressed on.
"By the way, I remember you came from the city and always said your family was well - off. If so, why do you live in such a house and lock your brother in the sheepfold?"
Everyone around heard every word clearly. They looked at each other and whispered to each other.
"Didn't Shen Qingqing always say her family was rich? How come..."
"How can their family treat the older brother like this?"
"Humph, I always thought she was no good. Now she's showing her true colors!"
Shen Qingqing's face flushed red. She stared at Yun Que'er angrily.
She never expected that Yun Que'er would know so much about her family background.
She thought she could use this to bring down Yun Que'er, but she didn't expect that Yun Que'er would rather endure the rumors and slurs to bring her down.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Yun Que'er asked coldly.
Shen Qingqing was sweating profusely. What should she do?
"If you have nothing to say, don't block the way!" Yun Que'er walked around Shen Qingqing.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Shen Qingqing grabbed Yun Que'er's wrist forcefully.
"You hurt someone and you want to leave?"
Shen Qingqing swung her arm and aimed a blow at Yun Que'er's face.
Yun Que'er was quick - witted and caught Shen Qingqing.
Unexpectedly, the moment she touched Shen Qingqing, Shen Qingqing let out an "ouch" and fell to the ground, unable to get up.
Yun Que'er's eyes widened.
Oh no, she had fallen into a trap!
*
"Yun Que'er!"
After school, Ji Chengxuan rushed into the Yun family's courtyard and found Yun Que'er sitting on a small stool in a daze under the corridor of the east wing.