No Good Friends Will Ask You To Be Nice

After Jane finished her presentation, the classroom fell silent.

Professor Baker adjusted his glasses and spoke cautiously, "Did you complete your thesis independently?"

Jane smiled faintly, "Of course, Professor! I know it's hard to believe, but this excellent paper is indeed my own work!"

Professor Baker interrupted her, "What I mean is, did you plagiarize? Yesterday, I received an identical paper in my email."

Jane looked at the professor with a sense of injustice. "Professor, you're wronging me, and I have no way to defend myself!"

The professor, expecting an explanation, was bewildered, thinking, “How can I determine who was the plagiarist if you don’t defend yourself?”

In my past life, Jane had remained silent, not saying a word.

I desperately signaled her to explain, but she pretended not to see.

Her classmates murmured among themselves, calling her a copycat.

Unable to stand it, I assured the professor that Jane's work was original and analyzed the timeline to prove someone else was the plagiarist, which allowed her to graduate smoothly.

Having benefitted, she yet criticized me for being scheming and embarrassing her in public. Eventually, she graciously became good friends with the other girl, leaving me disliked by everyone, and gossiped about me behind my back in college.

This lifetime, I thought, I would not intervene again, waiting to see how she solved her own problem.

The classroom was abuzz. "Who would have thought the school beauty could do this?"

"Her usual indifference and non-competitive nature must be an act!"

"Exactly! I didn’t expect she would plagiarize someone else's paper!"

Jane didn’t even try to defend herself, leaving the professor no choice but to conclude Jane had plagiarized.

Hearing about her delayed graduation, Jane panicked and asked me for help with her pleading eyes.

She was the aloof and dignified school beauty, too proud to quibble over such trifles. Normally, I would have stood up for her.

I turned away, ignoring her.

She anxiously cued me. "Sue, do you also think I plagiarized?"

I looked at this hypocritical woman.

In my past life, she stepped on me to gain popularity.

This time, she still wanted to use me as a stepping stone again.

I mimicked her tone, saying, "Don't worry, Jane. Justice naturally prevails. No one can wrongly accuse you if you didn’t do that!"

Jane was stunned by my response, her face turning pale!

In the past, when she spoke like this, I would stand up for her and speak the words that didn't fit her serene persona, fearing she would lose out.

Now, she wanted me to speak up for her again? Dream on!

Back in the dorm, she questioned me.

"Sue, why didn't you help me just now?"

"Ah? Jane, does it bother you? It's just a trivial matter!"

I mimicked her tone again. "Isn't that what you said? Fighting like a shrew. I think you're absolutely right, and from today, I'll start learning from you!"

Jane opened her mouth in dismay, "O-Of course I don't mind, but..."

I waved my hand.

"I knew it, Jane. Luckily, I held back just now, or you would have blamed me again!"

Jane was at a loss for words.

Humph, in my past life, I was like a fool. This time, I was determined to expose her hypocrisy.

Everyone in the dorm admired Jane for not defending herself even in the face of such an incident, praising her poise and elegance. Jane listened, quite pleased with herself.

But behind closed doors, I saw her secretly making several calls home.

Sure enough, with me no longer playing her emotional advisor, she needed to find another. Otherwise, she couldn't possibly graduate.