Ji Fei initially thought of the drama as mere entertainment, but little did she know, the drama was unfolding right beside her.

Chu Xinyue, known to Ji Fei, was resolute and brave, battling depression alone and breaking free from all shackles to finally embark on a new life.

Yet, to others, she appeared entirely different.

Reflecting on the conversation between those two, Ji Fei was utterly disgusted.

In her mind, Ji Fei sarcastically replayed everything she had just witnessed from start to finish.

Others couldn’t hear her thoughts, but Qin Zhao’s aura grew increasingly oppressive next to her, his gaze towards Cao Ya sharp enough to throw daggers.

Nothing infuriated him more than other men fantasizing about his beloved.

Had the other not been a woman, Qin Zhao would have thrown a punch long ago.

"Could it be... a misunderstanding?" the female researcher asked incredulously. "How could Kang Zhi think this way?"

She wasn’t defending Cao Ya or doubting Ji Fei; she simply found it unbelievable and absurd.

"Zhi... he’s just talking nonsense, I know it!" Cao Ya said, her face flushing with urgency, her rational side still aware of right and wrong.

Yet, Ji Fei feigned surprise: "Oh, so you knew? Now I understand. Earlier, when you were arguing with your ex-boyfriend in the lobby, you were just stalling him with delaying tactics. You seemed half-convinced by his words, even saying you’d come back to ask Xinyue. I thought you really misunderstood Xinyue and was just trying to help clarify things. Good to know you didn’t believe it. Hahaha."

Ji Fei’s face was plastered with a fake smile, tactlessly revealing someone’s embarrassment without caring about making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Everyone was stunned, staring at Cao Ya in disbelief.

Now, recalling Cao Ya’s attitude towards Chu Xinyue upon her return, everything clicked, and their expressions grew even uglier.

More absurd than Kang Zhi’s rumors was Cao Ya’s doubt.

Cao Ya never expected Ji Fei to speak like that, staring blankly at her, then her expression turned extremely aggrieved, as if she was being targeted on purpose.

Chu Xinyue’s complexion was already terrible, "You think I would with your ex-boyfriend..."

Chu Xinyue was too disgusted to continue.

Cao Ya, head bowed, didn’t dare meet Chu Xinyue’s eyes, her voice quivering with grievance, "I didn’t, I was just brushing him off."

"Ha!" Chu Xinyue was too angry to speak.

A male researcher couldn’t hold back, "Brushing him off? Shouldn’t you be firmly denying it on Xinyue’s behalf? Just like how she always firmly supports you whenever you ask for help. If it weren’t for your constant requests for help every time you argue with your boyfriend, she wouldn’t even know who he is."

"I’ve heard of a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh, but never of a toad fantasizing about a swan throwing herself at him! Cao Ya, your ex might still be delusional," another male researcher finally couldn’t resist mocking.

Feeling bullied by everyone, Cao Ya’s tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful.

"At that time, Zhi was very certain, I was just..."

Qin Zhao could no longer hold back, and with a sneer said, "Certain? The person I can't even beg on my knees is secretly in love with your ex-boyfriend? Where does he get his confidence from?!"

Ji Fei: ? Is he smuggling in some personal bias?

Chu Xinyue, who had just been disgusted, stiffened upon hearing this, her angry thoughts seemingly washed away by a flood, leaving only panic behind.

This was the first time Qin Zhao openly revealed his feelings for Chu Xinyue.

Yet the person in question hadn't even reacted, continuing angrily, "Why not call him over, let me see just how outstanding this man is, so I can learn a thing or two!"

Looking at the chilling Qin Zhao and his fists clenched on the table, the trio of researchers shuddered.

No one doubted that once the man was summoned, the fist of justice would not hesitate to 'blossom' the shameless man's head.

"And you, do you even know how to write the words 'ungrateful wretch'?!"

Cao Ya, thin-skinned, was almost breathless being directly mocked by such a man like Qin Zhao.

"I didn't think that way, I was just panicked and didn't react on the spot. It wasn't intentional, we could have handled it privately, why..."

She wasn't introspective, but rather blamed Ji Fei internally, wondering how such an embarrassing matter could be brought up in public!

Moreover, she had already noticed Qin Zhao's presence. Even if he didn't want her to misunderstand Chu Xinyue, he should have been more considerate of her feelings.

How was she supposed to face people in the future?

Feeling Cao Ya's resentful gaze.

Ji Fei smiled elegantly, she hadn't even started to make a big deal yet. It was just leaving some face for the girl.

In this world, good people should get good returns. One shouldn't let the ungrateful ruin kindness.

Since Qin Zhao had already become a protector, Ji Fei naturally stepped back and started idly watching the drama.

But she was immediately disgusted.

She was looking at Cao Ya's gossip.

"This girl really can, turns out every time she has a disagreement with her ex-boyfriend, the ones she complains to aren't just their research group, but also various friends far away. She just transfers all the negative energy given by that scumbag to others, and after releasing all her negative emotions, she goes back and lovingly reunites with the scumbag. Having her as a friend, must have been karma from a past life."

"Damn! She was in the restroom for so long just now, actually, she was secretly contacting other friends, bringing up her suspicions about Chu Xinyue for discussion. It just so happened that a distant friend could only hear what came from Cao Ya's mouth, took it as the truth, and concluded that Chu Xinyue was trying to break them up and steal her boyfriend, calling her a scheming bitch! Cao Ya even replied with a 'Really?' with an innocent emoji. I'm disgusted!"

"The other person even praised Cao Ya, thinking that someone of Chu Xinyue's caliber being unable to win her man proves Cao Ya's charm. Cao Ya even replied with an 'awkward shy' emoji. My God! She actually believes it? Where does this vanity come from! How low must one be to harbor such delusional fantasies!"

"She even had the nerve to say that as long as Cao Ya doesn't break up with her scum boyfriend, she'd forever be the official wife and all else would be mere mistresses! Mistresses? Chu Xinyue a mistress? And Cao Ya actually replied with a ‘teary-eyed face’ expression. Damn, where is my blade?"

Suddenly, a loud bang resonated, startling everyone present.

Ji Fei too came to her senses, seeing Qin Zhao's murderous look. He could not control his anger any longer and slammed the table with his fist.

Right now, he was glaring fiercely at the incessantly explaining Cao Ya.

Cao Ya felt an onslaught of hostility. She was so frightened that she froze, her face pale as a sheet, tears falling incessantly.

"You!" Qin Zhao was so furious he was on the verge of erupting.

"Qin Zhao!" Chu Xinyue suddenly interrupted.

Just like a dog being hit by a leash, Qin Zhao halted his anger, wanting to say something but he was speechless, only casting a wronged look at Chu Xinyue.

"She...she's humiliating you!"

Chu Xinyue was taken aback, she didn't stop him for this...

"You're causing too much of a scene, do you want to be caught on camera?"

Indeed, they had attracted a lot of attention.

Ji Fei also patted Qin Zhao, signaling him to calm down. Although she didn't know what was wrong with Qin Zhao, she guessed he must have cared too much.

But she fully agreed with the term 'humiliation'.

Indeed, some people just don't deserve any respect.