Chapter 2 — Don't Press the Submit Button

"Last December, I went to find Lam Niem. At that time, she was opening To Tinh's computer, plugging in the USB and copying a large number of files. At that time, I thought she was helping to back up data. Now that I think about it, it turns out that she had planned it in advance." His voice choked up: "I'm sorry to Tinh. I trusted her too much." I squeezed my palm hard, my nails almost tearing the skin. That time To Tinh's computer froze, she asked me to copy the card image to USB for help. Chu Can Nien is also right next to him. In my archive I still have photos from that day. The mouse vibrated twice: "He's swapping concepts, you must hold back! Let him finish." I gritted my teeth, not saying a word. Chu Can Nien's expression became even more proud: "Normally she also likes to watch To Tinh's works..." My stomach rolled with nausea. The disciplinary commissioner bowed his head and quickly took notes. Teacher Tran looked at me with disappointment in his eyes: "Hua Niem, that night you really told me to go to the security room to get the computer the next morning, right?" I nodded. "I can guarantee that after I got the computer, no one touched it. But before I took that computer, what did you do with it, I didn't see it with my own eyes, so I can't guarantee you 100%." To Tinh's tears immediately flowed. out, the voice became shrill: "You guys heard it! During that free time, she had all the time to copy my files!" "The video she took afterwards even more proves that she has a habit of being startled!" Chu Can Nien immediately nodded and chimed in. Director Trieu frowned and looked at me. Teacher Truong was silent, didn't say a word for me, even leaned back. My throat felt like it was being squeezed. The mouse in the bag vibrated, the voice was very small: "The video did not start recording from the moment the computer was closed, but went straight to the screen. At the frame at 11:52 p.m., the folder in To Tinh's account was fully recorded. There were only three files inside, not seven." "But now I have to hold back. Director Trieu sitting next to me is To Tinh's father's college classmate." I took a deep breath, my nails digging into my palms. The disciplinary commissioner closed the notebook: "Considering that the current evidence still exists in dispute, I propose to launch an official investigation into academic misconduct. The eligibility of both sides to receive the award is temporarily frozen." "Three days later, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, an official investigation will be held. Both sides will bring all the evidence." He looked at me, his voice stern: "Lam Niem, you should think carefully. The consequences of academic misconduct are not It's not a joke. Being forced to drop out of school, canceling your degree, those things are still minor. Serious cases will be recorded in your reputation, affecting your whole life! "4 These three days, I lived like I was in hell. On social networks, my photo was edited to look like a thief, with labels like "academic cockroach" and "scum", and was shared thousands of times. Someone posted a large poster under my dormitory, using a red pen to write: "Academic thief, get out of school!" The mouse shook: "These things are nothing compared to the experiences of your previous life." "At least now, you can still fight back." I took a deep breath. The mouse told me to check the hospitals. I squatted in the stairs leading to the rooftop, calling each hospital one by one. When calling the City Center Hospital's inquiry line, I provided the name and last four numbers of To Tinh's mother's identification number. The other party replied: "There has been no hospitalization record of this patient within the last month." I called the second and third hospitals again, checking all the first-class hospitals.

highest in the city. Do not have. No place has it. To Tinh's mother was not hospitalized at all. All are fake. I squatted on the ground, my hand tightening on the phone. The mouse vibrated: "Calm down. Go to the notary office tomorrow, do the evidence preservation procedure for the recording. Then go to the information center, request to extract the upload log from your archive server. That timestamp no one can edit." "During the investigation the day after tomorrow, let her tell all the lies first." I followed the mouse's words and prepared everything. The night before the inquest, all the evidence was laid out on the table. Group call recordings, archive login logs, server timestamps, hospital lookup records… Each was a fatal blow. The next day, the investigation took place. The vice president, representatives of the school's academic committee and people from the legal department were all present. The meeting room was full of seats. To Tinh sat opposite, with a bare face, looking extremely haggard. His trembling fingers clutched the documents tightly, his eyes were as swollen as walnuts. Chu Can Nien sat next to her. The deputy principal spoke up: "To Tinh, I will present first." To Tinh took a deep breath and began her most complete performance.