“And the perpetrators are those who sit on the sidelines—those who watch the excitement and make snide remarks, and those who criticize from behind! It’s those cowards who stalk the Internet and think that they can do whatever they please, constantly giving out toxic comments through their keyboards. They are simply venting out all the nasty things they are too afraid to say in real life!”
Tan Mo looked around her.
The crowd was getting bigger.
She did not flinch.
Just as she had said, victims did not need to flinch.
On the contrary, Tan Mo took another step forward and looked around casually as more and more people crowded around her.
Some people were still oblivious.
Some were trying to avoid eye contact.
Some looked embarrassed.
Others just sneered.
Tan Mo smirked. A corner of her steely lips curled up.
Somehow, at this moment, Tan Mo suddenly became steely and unattainable to the crowd that had gathered.
The soft and cute girl that everyone once knew was now exuding an air of coolness.
At this time of day, B City was burning with heat…
Even though the sun was halfway setting and the weather should have been slightly cooler than the earlier half of the day.
In fact, it was still hot and stuffy.
However, the crowd of people felt as though they were in front of an opened refrigerator door. The air was so cold that it seemed almost like they were standing at the foot of a snow-capped mountain.
There was no breeze blowing, but there was a chill in the air.
“Yesterday, I followed my team to Jiaoyuan City to recruit new students. Several of my classmates and I once mentioned that students at Beijing University have always been united and upstanding. In the three years that I’ve been there, I have always thought the same way too. I felt fighting for Beijing University’s glory and honor was my duty.
“However, I realized today that not every student in Beijing University is as honorable as I thought. I know that everyone can’t be so positive all the time because everyone has a negative side. But no matter how negative, I never thought that someone would utter such atrocities on the Internet, talking and thinking as if we still lived in the olden society, dominated by the patriarchy!”
“I also know that not everyone behaves in this way, there were many people who defended me under the post, condemning the person who started the thread and those dirty-minded people who agreed with it,” Tan Mo said loudly. “I feel warm and grateful when I see those supportive comments. I love Beijing University, and there are still students who deserve to be equally cherished by Beijing University. I thank the classmates who stood up to speak for me and condemned the attackers in my stead.”
“Now, I am standing right here!” Tan Mo pointed her finger in the direction of the crowd. “Those who left comments under the post, those who criticized me, would you dare to come on out and say it again in front of me?”
“If you could do that, then I can at least admire your courage for admitting to your actions. Even if your thoughts are dirty and corrupt, at least that means you have the bravery to say it out.” Tan Mo looked more people in the eye. “I know these people must be here in the crowd. Would you dare to come on out?”
“If you don’t, then you are destined to live this life as vermin forever cowering in the shadows! This has nothing to do with your academic qualifications and your knowledge because your thoughts and your hearts have long been infested by toxic vermin!”
“Well said!” The voice of a woman came from within the crowd.
“Some people are just that toxic! All they do is hide behind their keyboards, doing all sorts of hurtful things on the Internet. When you ask them to come forth, they wouldn’t have the courage. They are only bold enough to wag their tails but too afraid to show their faces. How despicable!” The girl walked out from the crowd and made her way next to Tan Mo. “Tan Mo, I stand by you!”
“I stand by you too!” Another girl stood up, walked to Tan Mo’s side, and turned to face the crowd of onlookers. “The scene started with just a photo, and the rest of it was all editing. May I be so bold as to ask the person who posted this if they have any proof? If not, why did you make that up?”
A man came forth. Tan Mo glanced and saw that it was Cheng Xiuze.
He stood beside Tan Mo too. “Also, in any case, if Tan Mo was really dating, so what? She’s a grown woman, and she has the freedom to date whomever. Whether it is the person who started the thread or those vermin who made snide remarks, you’re all just being busybodies. Is this even any of your concern?”
“Does that mean Tan Mo can never date?” another woman spoke up.
“Tan Mo!” Wang Yuemu’s voice suddenly sounded.
There was some commotion among the crowd.
She looked again and saw Ying Siyuan walking in the forefront, opening a path as she led the way. Each and every one of her upperclassmen in Professor Gu’s team was there.
“It’s bad enough to talk and simply speculate based on just a few photos, but to slander Tan Mo’s past too,” Guan Ruyue said loudly, “How can there be such a disgusting person in Beijing University?”
“Upperclassman, hi!” Too many of them came. Tan Mo could barely greet everyone.
“Don’t worry, we’re all here for you.” Wang Yuemu hugged Tan Mo with an aching heart.
“Tan Mo!” Just then, Wu Xiaoye’s voice sounded too.
He had just rushed over with Professor Tang’s team.
They were panting so hard that they could barely catch their breath.
Tan Mo could tell from a glance that they had run all the way here from the laboratory.
“Upperclassman Wu, why are you here?” Tan Mo saw Wu Xiaoye and the rest of them panting loudly, barely able to mutter a complete sentence, and her eyes started to swell.
“What kind of question is that?” Yu Jianan sounded as if he was angry, but in fact, he was concerned. “We were in the lab the whole afternoon, so none of us checked the forums. When Zhu Heguang went by the building entrance just now to collect the food delivery, he overheard it. How could you not tell us about this? Aren’t we your fellow upperclassmen?”
Tan Mo had to explain herself. “I only just found out myself. At first, I was so furious I could barely think about what to do next. After I finally calmed down, I decided to call out all these people.”
Admitting her mistake, Tan Mo lowered her head and said in a soft voice, “I was too occupied to tell all of you.”
“Seeing as you must have been traumatized, and your brain was probably in shambles, we fully understand, so we’ll let this slide,” Zhong Liusi said. “But just this once.”
Tan Mo clapped her hands together and did a begging-for-mercy gesture. “Of course! I know, never again.”
Zhang Honghai chimed in, “That’s not right. We should say, Tan Mo should never have to encounter such misfortune caused by disgusting scumbags ever again.”
“Yes, that too,” Zhong Liusi agreed with Zhang Honghai and nodded his head. “Definitely, never again.”
“Upperclassman Cheng, you came by yourself! Why didn’t you call us?”
Taking another glance, she saw Professor Yue’s team.
The bunch of upperclassmen came walking shoulder to shoulder.
“Tan Mo was bullied, and you didn’t think to call us to come and support her?” Mao Ruiying protested.
“Yeah! How could you?”
“I was already here when I saw. In the heat of the moment, it slipped my mind.” Cheng Xiuze quickly apologized and begged for mercy.
“Hmph!” Mao Ruiying grunted angrily and ignored him. She turned around and said to Tan Mo, “Tan Mo, don’t be scared, we’re all here for you.”
Right then, Song Mingqi, Wei Haosong, Du Zeyang, and Chi Xuanzi rushed over too.
“Tan Mo, don’t worry. I contacted a senior who is studying for a Ph.D. in computer science and asked him for help.” Du Zeyang was sweating all over from the running but had no time to wipe it off. He quickly blurted everything out the moment he stopped in front of Tan Mo.
