Chapter 9: Chapter 8 Lev Tolstoy's Pen

Everyone thought the argument at the school gate would end abruptly with the retreat of the female side.

However, unexpectedly, Gu Yu stepped forward.

Following Gu Yu's words, the watching crowd's gaze collectively focused on the canvas bag carried by the woman.

Sure enough, a small stain the size of a thumbnail, circular and spreading, appeared on one corner of the canvas bag.

Anyone who has used a fountain pen knows that this is the most common ink absorption and leakage situation when the pen tip touches toilet paper or thin fabric!

Ying Hong's expression became visibly flustered, and she tugged her canvas bag behind her, trying to cover the stain with her clothing.

"Oh, it was my own pen leaking, thanks for the reminder!"

Ying Hong tried her best to appear calm, hoping to bluster her way through the situation.

She tugged at her close friend next to her, trying to leave this troublesome spot quickly.

The expressions of the onlookers grew increasingly indignant.

If things continued like this, it might indeed provoke public outrage and lead to a forced inspection of her canvas bag!

"Really nosy... so handsome, yet surprisingly talkative, what a pity..."

Ying Hong, pulling her friend, brushed past Gu Yu.

Just then, Gu Yu suddenly reached out a hand and grabbed her arm, "Hold on, please take out your pen and show everyone, if it's a misunderstanding, then let's clear it up directly, shall we?"

Gu Yu's grip wasn't strong, but it was enough to stop Ying Hong in her tracks. Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Ever since he exchanged for enhanced physique, his body's coordination had improved significantly!

Ying Hong tried to pull her arm away forcefully a couple of times, but Gu Yu was immovable like a mountain, his hand gripping like a vice, firmly locking her arm.

"What are you trying to do? This is in front of the school gate!"

"Are you trying to molest me?"

Ying Hong, unable to free herself from Gu Yu's grasp, looked at him with a hostile expression.

"I wouldn't dare."

Gu Yu slightly smiled and released Ying Hong's hand, stepping back a little. He also feared that this woman might accuse him of molestation.

The school security was still watching!

"Hmph! Good that you know your place! You've pinched my arm red! Weiwei, let's go!"

Seeing Gu Yu back down, Ying Hong smiled triumphantly.

What if she had been caught?

She was a woman!

If anyone dared touch her improperly, she would scream!

She didn't believe this guy in front of her wouldn't be afraid of losing face!

Just as she triumphantly thought she had escaped the predicament, Gu Yu suddenly muttered something softly in her ear.

Her face turned pale, and just as she took a couple of steps forward, she stopped.

Looking at Gu Yu standing beside her with a smiling face, she suddenly felt that this handsome man was truly a smiling devil!

"Take it out! Take out your pen and show everyone, if it really is yours, we won't make it difficult for you."

Gu Yu pulled over a befuddled young man standing nearby, "What brand did you say your pen was just now?"

The young man realizing Gu Yu was helping him, quickly said, "It's a Montblanc Lev Tolstoy fountain pen from the great writers' series! It's worth over nine hundred US dollars! It's a gift from my dad to..."

"Stop! Okay, I've got it, you don't need to add anything more!"

Gu Yu raised his hand to interrupt the young man's words.

He just wanted to know the model of the pen; he didn't want to know its backstory.

However, this did indirectly show the immense importance of the lost pen to this young man.

The reason he chose to help this young man was purely because he disliked the unfair advantage being taken due to gender.

Additionally, this young man he had seen a few times before at the Student Affairs Office, and from his distant observations, he seemed like an easygoing and agreeable person.

"All right, take out your pen!"

Having obtained the model of the lost pen, Gu Yu looked at Ying Hong and said leisurely, placing particular emphasis on the word "take."

If Ying Hong took out the pen, the truth would naturally come to light.

However, just to be safe, Gu Yu still exchanged for a Treasure Appraisal Skill called Golden Eyes using five hundred check-in points at the System Mall.

[Ding! Five hundred check-in points have been deducted! Golden Eyes (Entry-level) exchanged successfully!]

Golden Eyes came in three levels: Entry, Proficient, and Master. The Entry level required only five hundred points, Proficient five thousand, and Master a staggering fifty thousand!

But for merely identifying a pen, the Entry-level Golden Eyes was already sufficient!

According to the description, it was capable of recognizing most luxury products and some common antiques.

Ying Hong listened to Gu Yu's words, her expression hesitant and awkward, clearly very reluctant to take the pen out of her bag.

But the thought of what Gu Yu had just whispered made her shiver.

And now with so many people watching, there was no way she could not take it out!

She had no choice but to feign composure, her face red and neck stiff as she said, "I can take it out! But let me make it clear first! I also have a Lev... Lev Tolstoy pen!"

Ying Hong had cleverly given a preemptive excuse, but hadn't she just incriminated herself even more?

Her friend named Weiwei lightly nudged her, whispering a reminder, "It's Tolstoy... not Tolstoy, it's toy..."

The well-meaning friend just received a glare from Ying Hong, which made her quickly shut up.

"I know!"

"Just take it out already!"

"Exactly! Dragging it out! You say you also have one, so show it to everyone!"

"Yeah! If you stole it, you stole it! Getting caught and still trying to argue! What a joke!"

"..."

The crowd, having witnessed the situation from the start, had pretty much figured out what was going on.

This pen thief had effectively exposed herself!

Still beating around the bush, wasn't she just wearing out their patience?

The crowd's anger was nearly tangible, and had it not been for the presence of security guards and the fact that this was at the school entrance where they feared a negative impact, they would have already burst out cursing!

"Take it or leave it! I said I didn't steal it, and I didn't!"

Seeing the pointing fingers of the crowd, and unable to argue anymore, Ying Hong had a meltdown, pulling the pen out of her bag.

Ink stained her five fingers black, and she cursed, "What a lousy pen! It leaks so badly!"

The crowd finally saw the true face of the missing pen!

Its conical body, silver nib, and silver-plated barrel reflected the sunlight with sparkling hammer marks, giving it a very high-grade look!

Just by the appearance of the pen, one could guess that it was definitely not cheap!

"This pen looks really expensive! No wonder she stole it!"

"Exactly! Would anyone steal if it weren't valuable? Look, I just checked, this pen previously cost over nine hundred US Dollars abroad and it's a limited edition! You definitely can't buy it now!"

"A nine hundred US Dollar pen! No wonder losing it made someone so upset! If I lost it, I'd probably tear up the school!"

"..."

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, some attracted by the pen's exquisite appearance and others shocked by the price.

All the talk ultimately pointed to the woman having stolen the pen!

Ying Hong was frantic, no longer caring about her image, pointing at the crowd indiscriminately and shouting like a shrew, "Are you sick? I already said I have a Tolstoy pen too! What right do you have to say I stole it!"

"This is defamation! Damaging my reputation! I'm going to tell the teacher!"

Watching Ying Hong rant like a shrew, the crowd looked at her as if she was a fool, their eyes full of disdain.

Even now, this woman was still arguing!

And saying she'd tell the teacher? Wasn't that a trick for primary schoolers?

The boy who had lost the pen could no longer stay silent and directly confronted Ying Hong!

"You're lying! This is my pen! You say you also have one, then show us the box or the purchase receipt!"

Ying Hong was retorted sharply, hesitated for a second, and continued arguing:

"Of course I have the purchase receipt! It's in my dorm! Who carries that thing around!"

"You're lying, you don't have it at all!"

"..."

"Enough arguing! Give me the pen! I have a way to prove whose pen it is!"

Watching the two squabble, Gu Yu frowned and shouted loudly.

His voice full of authority, the two immediately quieted down.

"Give it to me!" Gu Yu reached out his hand towards Ying Hong.

Ying Hong hesitated for a second, but still reluctantly handed the pen to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu raised an eyebrow: "The cap too!"

Ying Hong reluctantly fished out the dark grey cap from her canvas bag.

"Here you go! What are you so fierce for! A man doesn't know how to be gentle to a girl at all!"

"Sorry, my boyfriend is only gentle with me."

Just then, Lin Xinyue walked in from the back of the crowd and hooked her arm around Gu Yu's, her eyes smiling as she looked at Ying Hong, full of provocation.