Chapter 26
On the way to the convenience store, Tao Zhi changed his steps and decided to go to the office building first.
She had just asked the school doctor how to get to the office.
Soon, Tao Zhi stood outside the dean's door. She knocked on the door and didn't push it open until someone inside said "Come in".
Tao Zhi greeted everyone as usual, then introduced herself, and then recounted the details of how Xu Chengyu had handled the situation from the beginning. The dean frowned as he listened.
Tao Zhi knew when to stop and changed the subject: "Director, I'm sorry to bother you today. I have a request."
Director Liu said, "Mother Cheng Man, you're welcome. Just tell me what you want to say."
"I wonder if the school would consider changing Cheng Man's class?"
"Changing classes..." Director Liu paused for a moment. "Mother Cheng Man, changing classes midway through your senior year involves a lot of things, and the process is quite complicated. We also have to consider the acceptance of other classes and teachers."
"Director, you've worked so hard. I understand your difficulties. I made this request with no other intentions. I just want to change the environment for my child so that he can prepare for the upcoming college entrance examination with peace of mind."
"How about this? I'll talk to Teacher Xu first, and then we can consider changing classes."
Tao Zhi stood up and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Director. I'll take Cheng Man back and wait for news."
Director Liu was very surprised: "Why do you want to take Cheng Man back?"
"Other students have gone to the hospital, and I also want to take Cheng Man to get checked out." Tao Zhi stopped there.
"Okay, okay. Then you guys go check it out first. I'll let you know as soon as there's any progress."
"Thank you, Director. I'm sorry for your trouble. I won't keep you any longer. See you later."
"See you later."
Tao Zhi went downstairs to the school clinic, took Cheng Man with her and went to the hospital without saying hello to Teacher Xu.
With Cheng Xing's experience as a cautionary tale, Tao Zhi went to the same hospital and saw the same doctor, following the same procedures as last time.
Tao Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief after Cheng Man confirmed the injuries were minor. He was most worried about young people fighting, as they didn't know how to handle the injuries. If they got hurt, it was hard to say where they were.
The doctor applied medicine to Cheng Man, and her skin was covered in bruises, like a clumsily patched doll. Tao Zhi felt so distressed when she saw her. So when Cheng Man asked for Western food, she agreed without hesitation.
Although Tao Zhi was very calm today and did not lose her temper or make trouble, her daughter had suffered physical pain in vain, and she did not want to let it go easily.
After returning home, the first person she called was Wen Xu. Based on their previous collaborations, the two already had a good understanding.
Tao Zhi asked him to investigate the students who had bullied Cheng Man and to pay special attention to their families. She remembered that Teacher Xu had said the parents refused to let the matter go. She wanted to see what kind of family could raise such a tyrannical child.
Ms. Tao's way of doing things was very much to Wen Xu's liking, and he was very happy about it.
Cheng Man went back to her room to review. The new course had already been completed. Now she needed to consolidate her foundation, constantly review, and practice a lot of exercises, trying to engrave every knowledge point into her mind.
Cheng Man felt particularly comfortable at home. There were no flies buzzing in her ears, and no strangers hanging around. She felt the air was so wonderful and fresh.
She was so lost in the ocean of knowledge that she didn't even realize what day it was. Tao Zhi knocked on the door several times, asking her to come downstairs for dinner, but Cheng Man didn't hear.
By the time she came downstairs, everyone had washed up and was ready to go to bed.
Tao Zhi was about to heat up some food for her, but Cheng Man said hurriedly, "Mom, let me do it myself. I'll stretch my body and relax my mind."
Tao Zhi took the report and went to school to ask for leave.
Since there was no shift change, I still looked for Xu Chengyu.
The teacher asked, "How many days do you need to take off?"
Tao Zhi said: "It depends on the subsequent recovery."
As she left, she added, "If the other parent refuses to give in, teacher, you can ask them to come to me."
Tao Zhi's calm demeanor made Xu Chengyu wonder if she had kicked an iron board that she shouldn't have kicked.
Tao Zhi didn't have time to care about others. She stayed at home for two days and saw that Cheng Man didn't feel any discomfort. Instead, she seemed very happy. So she asked Cheng Man, "Do you want someone to cook for you?"
Cheng Man said, "No need. I'll just ask the restaurant to deliver the food, just like Aunt Li."
Tao Zhi has always respected her children, so she let go and continued to focus on the decoration of the house.
Tao Zhi waited for a few days, but no parents came to contact her. Instead, the principal called her and invited her to the school for an interview.
This time, Tao Zhi changed her clothes and asked Zhao Zihao to take her there.
When the car stopped at the school gate and Xu Chengyu saw Tao Zhi getting out of the car, his expression changed again and again.
She had never imagined that Cheng Man, who had transferred from the countryside, dressed in gray and looked so poor, would have such a privileged family. This time, she had really been playing with eagles all day, and ended up getting her eyes pecked by an eagle.
Tao Zhi didn't even see Xu Chengyu. She dressed appropriately out of courtesy, not to impress anyone. She went straight to the dean's office.
Tao Zhi said that the students should not be disturbed, so Zhao Zihao went outside to park the car.
Before Tao Zhi even sat down, the director got straight to the point: "Mother Cheng Man, the teachers have discussed it and we do not recommend that Cheng transfer to another class at this point in time."
"Hello, Director. I'd like to hear more details."
"Every class has a different teacher for each major subject. If Cheng were to transfer, she'd have to adjust to her teachers and classmates, wasting precious time. Secondly, Cheng has already been in her current class for a semester. If she were to suddenly transfer to another class, young people's curiosity would be strong, and that might affect other students. At this critical juncture, my advice is to stay still. What do you think, Cheng Man's mother?"
"I have a question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."
"Please go ahead."
"What's the current situation regarding my daughter being beaten?"
"Teacher Xu and those parents insisted that Cheng Man was the first to attack."
"The testimony of the parties involved is not credible."
"When the incident happened, Cheng was in the playground, and the other students were in the classroom. No one saw what happened."
Tao Zhi was very surprised: "Is it possible that in the entire school, with so many teachers and students, there wasn't a single witness?"
Director Liu smiled and said, "The seniors are close together, and their classes start and end at the same time. If they didn't notice, then the students in other grades would have a harder time remembering the seniors they don't know."
"So, you only asked your classmates?"
"The head teachers of other classes don't want their students to be disturbed by these things."
Tao Zhi smiled and said, "Excuse me, Director, do you also think this is an insignificant matter?"
"Everyone has their own story, and there are no other witnesses. For the sake of the child, if we all take a step back, wouldn't everyone be happy?" Director Liu said helplessly.
"It's joy for the perpetrators, but for the victims, it's probably the beginning of a nightmare."
"Mother Cheng Man, don't say anything careless. Where is the abuser?"
"Director, I'm from the countryside, so I'm pretty straightforward. Please don't be offended. Let me tell you something very simple: Cheng Man was alone, and the other side had several people. Isn't it obvious who was beaten?"
The dean was a little annoyed. "Mother Cheng Man, unless you can provide evidence, according to the current public opinion, it is Cheng Man who is provoking trouble."
"So, what does the school plan to do?"
Director Liu was stunned: "What do you mean?"
"Doesn't the school have any punishment for students who make mistakes?"
"Didn't Teacher Xu say that we should apologize, pay for the medical expenses, and then publicly criticize the whole school?"
"Director, let me confirm. Not only can Cheng Man not transfer to another class, but she will also be criticized and reported to the entire school. Is that correct?"
The Dean of Studies nodded: "You understood correctly. Announcement of criticism is already the lightest punishment."
Tao Zhi stood up and said, "Director, what if we don't recognize it?"
"What do you mean by 'disown'?"
"That's what you said. Provoking trouble, fighting, Cheng Man denied it all. She was the one who was beaten."
Director Liu's face changed: "Mother Cheng Man, are you kidding?"
"I am discussing this with you seriously."
"The school took into account the opinions of all parties and only gave criticism instead of disciplinary action. This is already a lenient move."
"Then let me ask again, are you criticizing Cheng Man alone, or all the students involved?"
Director Liu did not answer.
Tao Zhi laughed in anger: "Director, I was right about you. You are truly a good leader. You are a master at shielding and protecting others."
Tao Zhi picked up the bag and said one last thing: "Before I find out the truth, I hope you won't act rashly. Otherwise, I'm not afraid of those wearing shoes, and I should be able to pull a few people off their horses."
Director Liu was so angry that his veins popped out: "Are you threatening me?"
Tao Zhi smiled and turned back: "No, this is just a warning, because if something happens, I will do what I say."
Tao Zhi walked out of the campus slowly, not caring what the people upstairs thought.
For a mother, even if she can't protect her children forever, she hopes to protect them for a while. If bullies are allowed to go unchecked, there will be another victim sooner or later. Tao Zhi doesn't intend to eliminate this evil for the people, but she hopes that those who do evil will pay the price.
After making up her mind, Tao Zhi got into the car briskly, asked Zhao Zihao to take her home, and picked up Cheng Man to go to the police station together.
There is no other way. Since the school cannot find out the truth, we can only ask the police to intervene.
Why didn't she go by herself? Simply because she wasn't involved.
When she arrived at the police station, she said she wanted to report a case as soon as she entered the door, and a police officer came over to receive them immediately.
Cheng Man described what happened clearly. She detailed the time, place, people involved, and the events that unfolded. The bruises on Cheng Man's face also provided a clear explanation. Tao Zhi also produced the medical report, two recordings, and a statement from Cheng Man's deskmate—another victim.
After the police officer accepted the case, Tao Zhi went to find her biggest supporter, her sister-in-law Cheng Xiangmei.
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