Chapter 706: Position Lost Director Chen found Shen Mo, looked at the girl in front of him, tried to make his tone gentler, and conveyed the attitude and decision of the dean in a tactful manner, and finally sighed:
"Student Shen Mo, I know you may have been wronged, but this time, you were indeed too impulsive. Kicking the door, hitting someone... These actions are wrong no matter what. They gave others a handle."
He pushed his glasses and advised earnestly, "Listen to the teacher's advice, bow your head for a moment, apologize to Professor Sun, and admit that you acted too aggressively.
Regarding the thesis issue, we can investigate it slowly. That way, I'll have a chance to negotiate with the dean to see if the punishment can be reduced, perhaps to a demerit or a serious warning, to minimize the impact on your future studies. If you continue to push through with it, you'll only suffer."
Director Chen's words were very sincere, and indeed they were full of cherishing her talent and wanting to protect her.
Shen Mo listened quietly, knowing that Director Chen meant well.
She stood up and said, "Director Chen, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and for fighting for me."
She raised her head, her eyes blazing, not flinching at all. "But I can't admit this mistake. I admit that I kicked the door and kicked people, and my behavior was extreme and violated school rules. If the school punishes me for this, I accept it. But the premise is that it must be for my 'excessive behavior', not for 'slandering the teacher.'"
Shen Mo gritted her teeth: "I have never slandered you. Professor Sun plagiarized my research results. The facts are clear and the evidence is irrefutable. You want me to apologize for exposing the theft?
Absolutely not. If the school believes that protecting the reputation of a thief is more important than upholding academic justice and the basic rights of students, then I would rather bear the consequences of such a punishment. Even if they expel me, I will never admit to a trumped-up charge.
Director Chen was speechless for a moment when he saw the unshakable determination in her eyes.
I saw the most precious character of a young scholar, but I also foresaw that this matter would probably not end well.
"Chen Mo, you...why are you doing this? Sometimes you should take a step back..." Director Chen wanted to persuade her again.
Shen Mo interrupted, her eyes extremely serious, "If I take this step back today and admit that I was the one who slandered you, it would not only be a personal humiliation for me, but also a harm to all the students who worked hard and longed for justice.
It makes people feel that academic thieves can get away with it, while the victims have to bow their heads and plead guilty. I can't open this topic, because I believe there is always room for reason.
If the school ultimately decides to discipline me, I will accept all consequences, but I will never compromise on the truth of the paper."
She turned and left, her back thin but straight.
Director Chen looked at her leaving with mixed feelings.
While I admire her courage to persevere, I also feel deeply powerless for the severe consequences she may face.
And what we can do seems to be very limited.
Shen Mo returned to the courtyard and told Lu Qingyang the school's attitude and her decision.
After listening to her, Lu Qingyang did not blame her for being impulsive: "You are right. We don't cause trouble, but we are not afraid of it. Since you are unreasonable, then we will not reason with you."
Lu Qingyang knew far more people than Shen Mo thought, and he was also very decisive in doing things.
You want to make a big deal out of this, right?
Then let's make a big fuss and show everyone who is to blame.
…
Early the next morning, Dean Wang had just walked into the office and hadn't even taken a sip of his tea when the confidential phone on the desk rang rapidly.
I picked up the phone and just after I said "Hello", a rather intimidating voice came from the receiver. It was a senior leader in charge of the education system.
"Dean Wang, is there a professor named Sun Weimin in your college? And a freshman named Shen Mo? I heard there was quite a stir, and there was even violence over an academic dispute."
Dean Wang's heart skipped a beat, and a thin layer of sweat instantly broke out on his back.
I didn't expect this matter to be reported to the higher authorities so quickly, and judging from the tone, the leader seemed to have known a lot of the inside story.
He quickly tried to explain, "Leader, this is what happened. It's mainly a freshman who was dissatisfied with the professor's criticism and acted excessively. We are dealing with it and will definitely take it seriously..."
"Handle it?" the leader interrupted, his voice suddenly getting louder. "Dean Wang, what I'm saying is the truth and a fair handling of the matter."
The leader's words hit Dean Wang's heart like a hammer: "There are rumors outside that a well-known professor in your college stole student research and was exposed by the students in public. The impact is extremely bad."
Dean Wang quickly replied, "Leader, I understand, I understand...it's just that Professor Sun..."
"I don't care what professor you are or what your qualifications are. I want you to thoroughly investigate this matter. Every detail must be investigated. Whose report is that? How did Zhao Zhicheng's paper come about? What role did Sun Weimin play in this? The person involved must be given a clear explanation!"
The leader finally hit him hard: "Dean Wang, if you can't handle this matter well, can't find out the truth, or want to cover it up, then I think you should stop doing this as dean. The higher-ups are watching."
With a "click", the call was hung up.
Dean Wang stood there with the busy microphone in his hand, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Finally, I realized that Shen Mo, this student, might not be as simple as I thought. There might be an unexpected force behind this matter.
More importantly, the higher-ups' attitude was crystal clear: a thorough investigation, strict punishment, and zero leniency.
He suddenly put down the phone, not even bothering to drink his tea, and immediately dialed the internal number, his tone hurried and even a little panicked:
"Director Chen, come to my office immediately."
Director Chen arrived quickly and was shocked to see Dean Wang’s pale face, as if he was facing a great enemy.
"Dean, what are you doing?"
Dean Wang took a deep breath and said, "Old Chen, regarding the matter between Professor Sun and Shen Mo, the higher-ups... the higher-ups called and are taking it very seriously. They want to get to the bottom of it!"
Director Chen was stunned. "What do you mean?"
Dean Wang's attitude at this moment was completely different from yesterday. He said anxiously, "Go and comfort Shen Moxue immediately, tell her that we wrongly accused her, and don't let her get angry."
Director Chen just felt it was strange. Yesterday he vowed to fire Shen Mo, but today... he changed his attitude and even changed his direction.
놛 nodded immediately: "Okay, Dean, I'll do it right away!"
Dean Wang sighed.
Professor Sun and Zhao Zhicheng cannot be saved.
And if I can't do this well, I'm afraid my position will be in jeopardy.
…
Professor Sun's calf was still aching, and he was thinking about how to put more pressure on the school to expel Shen Mo as soon as possible. Seeing Dean Wang coming in person, he thought the dean came to express his support, so he quickly stood up and tried to pretend to be a victim.
"Dean, why are you here? Is it about that Shen Mo matter? You must give us justice. This kind of student..."
"Old Sun!" Dean Wang interrupted and closed the door of his office.
"Don't give me those polite words anymore. Tell me the truth. What's going on with Zhao Zhicheng's paper?"
Professor Sun's heart sank, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Dean, what do you mean? Zhicheng's thesis is the result of his own hard work and I carefully guided him. How could it be false? It's all that Shen Mo who slandered him..."
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