CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 179: KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE (10)

Qiao Mo spoke again: "The soil outside the classroom window is slightly saline-alkaline. It’s hard for other trees to survive, but white willows can thrive in saline conditions below 1.0% salinity, making it a common choice for greenery and protective forest belts, which is why the school planted them here."

"What does this have to do with you sabotaging Tingting’s equestrian outfit? Don’t change the subject!"

Qiao Mo smiled slightly, walked forward a few steps, stopped in front of Yu Xiaoqin, and stared at her: "When soil is too saline-alkaline, it forms a layer of white alkali. The soil appears gray-white mixed; it isn’t obvious when wet, but once a shoe steps on it, it leaves a layer of alkali mud on the shoe when dry, making the surface yellow-white..."

The color drained from Yu Xiaoqin’s face as she instinctively looked down at her shoes. Her black suede ankle boots had a faint layer of white on the toe, not very apparent, but on closer inspection, it was clear it was due to excessive salinity!

Qiao Mo calmly drew her gaze back and looked at Yu Xiaoqin: "So, where did the alkali mud on your shoes come from?"

Yu Xiaoqin’s face turned pale, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes, she stepped back two steps and shouted angrily, "It wasn’t me! Qiao Mo, stop spouting nonsense!"

After Qiao Mo spoke, someone immediately chimed in: "Look, Yu Xiaoqin’s shoe tips really are turning white."

"Indeed, Yu Xiaoqin could very well have gotten access to Shen Tingting’s wardrobe key!"

"But aren’t their relations quite good? Why would she do such a thing?"

"Yes, hasn’t Shen Tingting always treated her well? Why would she do this?"

"The human heart is like a closed book, who can say for sure!"

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Yu Xiaoqin was particularly flustered, immediately turning to Shen Tingting and Professor Han, saying, "It really wasn’t me... it really wasn’t me... Tingting, you have to believe me, Professor Han... it wasn’t me!"

A mist of tears clouded her eyes, she couldn’t help but be terrified.

If this incident is uncovered, she not only faces suspension but might even be expelled for offending Shen Tingting!

Thinking of this, she became utterly frantic.

Shen Tingting’s gaze was slightly cold as she looked at Yu Xiaoqin but restrained herself from speaking.

After all, her outfit was already ruined, and Yu Xiaoqin’s suspension and Qiao Mo’s suspension had completely different implications for her!

So she remained silent.

Qiao Mo chuckled quietly, she couldn’t deny even fate was aiding her.

If Yu Xiaoqin had worn different shoes, the results might not be so obvious, but she wore suede shoes, which easily show marks when wet, let alone from saline substances.

Yu Xiaoqin, with tear-filled eyes, looked all around, seeing nobody speak for her, and finally couldn’t hold back and said again: "Qiao Mo! You’re so malicious, why frame me! Even if my shoes have salt stains, it doesn’t prove I did it, the school area is so large, maybe another part is saline, even if I accidentally stepped there, it can’t prove my guilt!"

Qiao Mo’s gaze was indifferent, apparently, when people are pushed, wisdom is boundless.

Little did she expect even someone as foolish as Yu Xiaoqin to learn logical analysis.

Finally, Shen Tingting spoke: "Qiao Mo, while what you say carries some logic, it doesn’t prove Xiao Qin did it, and I trust Xiao Qin wouldn’t do such a thing."