Chapter 44 A Small Ripple Jumps Around in the Minefield
"Qiqi, I'm really begging you..."
In the hospital ward, the girl lying on the bed had a sallow complexion and slightly sunken cheeks. Her bright and lively eyes, which had been clear and lively just a few days ago, were now dull and lifeless as she silently looked out the window.
Zhao Yannan sat anxiously on the edge of the bed. He originally wanted to hold her hand, but when he saw the IV in her wrist, which looked so thin that it seemed like only a layer of skin remained, he paused and instead gripped the mattress tightly.
“As long as you don’t respond, that’s fine. No one is spreading any rumors about you anymore; their attention is all on Lian Yi.” She leaned forward slightly and said urgently.
"Even Xie Ling came forward to clarify things for you, so you really don't need to take the blame for yourself anymore."
Song Qiqi's eyelashes suddenly trembled slightly, her dry, slightly chapped lips parted, and her voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against cement.
“I’ve said it so many times… why won’t you believe me? Lian Yi is innocent. She helped me… saved me. I know how difficult this situation is. You want me to stay silent? I really can’t do it.”
After saying that one sentence, it seemed as if she had exhausted a lot of her strength.
Zhao Yannan pursed her lips and said resentfully, "Isn't this what she deserved?"
"...Zhao Yannan, can you tell me the truth? Did you spread those rumors? I don't blame you, I just want to know the truth." Song Qiqi suddenly moved her head with difficulty, looking at her quietly with sad eyes.
"Why would you doubt me?! I really didn't do such a thing, Kiki, we're best friends, aren't we?"
Zhao Yannan gritted her teeth slightly, subconsciously wanting to stand up but holding back. Looking at Song Qiqi's lifeless appearance, she softened her tone, "I'm just worried about you. You don't need to do or say anything to Lian Yi."
"As long as you neither admit nor deny it when you are asked about this matter."
"...We still have one semester left, Qiqi. Do you really want people to still be talking about you after school starts?"
Upon hearing this, Song Qiqi closed her eyes with a clear expression of pain and clenched her teeth.
"Don't be sad, it's all their fault." Zhao Yannan felt tormented seeing her good friend's pain, but it was too late now, like an arrow on a bowstring that had to be released.
The torment in her heart gradually transformed into determination.
The harm caused to her friend was beyond Zhao Yannan's expectations and went uncontrollable, but in the end, the matter was brought back on track.
As long as Lian Yi is punished, her goal will be achieved.
Looking at the haggard and pained Song Qiqi, Zhao Yannan gritted her teeth in resentment. She still refused to say why she went to Qinghe with Cai Dongming, which was obviously a painful memory for Song Qiqi.
This further confirms Zhao Yannan's suspicions: if Song Qiqi hadn't been forced and then threatened, why wouldn't she have dared to speak out?
But it didn't matter. She kept reaffirming her belief in standing up for her friend, her face showing genuine pity, and she reached out to smooth the strands of hair that had fallen across Song Qiqi's face.
But she dodged it by turning her face away.
Zhao Yannan paused, then sighed sadly, "I know you still suspect that I spread those rumors... but it's okay, Qiqi, I don't blame you."
"You should rest first. I'll go see if Auntie is back yet."
Before leaving, she glanced one last time at Song Qiqi, who still refused to open her eyes, and then turned and left.
Zhao Yannan took out her phone in the hospital corridor and saw a message from that person urging her to make a decision as soon as possible. She frowned.
A formal complaint against Lian Yi...
She was somewhat resistant to the idea, but couldn't think of a way to refuse him for the time being, so she put her phone away and pretended not to have seen the message, and continued walking forward.
In her line of sight, Zhao Yannan saw two police officers asking questions at the nurses' station, and she walked over with a normal expression.
Just as she was about to turn, one of the police officers, who was habitually observing her, paused for a moment, then became serious. He nudged his colleague and walked towards her.
"Hello, are you Zhao Yannan?" he asked seriously.
"...Yes, yes."
He nodded and exchanged a glance with the policewoman beside him.
The other party immediately understood his meaning, took a step forward, and said in a calm, slightly soft voice, "Zhao Yannan, we have received a report about you spreading rumors."
"Please come with us."
"Police sister... I..." Zhao Yannan's face turned deathly pale instantly, cold sweat broke out on her back, and she clenched her fists weakly.
"It's not convenient to talk here. Why don't you come back to the station with us?" The policewoman sighed inwardly, seeing that she was not very old.
If it weren't for the conclusive evidence submitted by the complainant, she would have found it hard to believe that a girl who looked like a good student could do such a heinous thing.
Zhao Yannan looked dejected and stammered for a long time without being able to speak. In the end, she was only able to leave the hospital with the help of a policewoman.
In the hospital ward.
When Song's mother returned with the water, she lovingly moistened a cotton swab and applied it to Song Qiqi's lips.
"Baby, once you've recovered, how about Mommy and Daddy take you on a trip? You mentioned wanting to go to that amusement park last time, and your daddy is already looking into how to get there..."
"mom."
Song Qiqi opened her eyes. Her voice was rough and harsh because of the vomiting she had been forced to produce. Her eyes were filled with tears. "If I did something wrong, will you and Dad forgive me?"
"..."
Song's mother looked at her with eyes full of heartache, "Everyone makes mistakes. You are your father and mother's daughter. If you do something wrong, your father and mother also bear responsibility. Don't talk about forgiveness or not, but as long as you realize your mistake, your father and mother will face it with you."
Thinking back to the way she saw her daughter in the bathroom, Song's mother still feels lingering fear.
“As long as you’re alive, there’s still time to do anything. Before, your father and I only thought that you were obedient and sensible, and we thought we didn’t need to worry about you too much, so we neglected to care about you.”
Song's mother touched her face, tears welling up in her eyes, "It won't happen again, okay? Whatever happens, your father and mother will face it with you."
"Mom..." Song Qiqi's eyes slowly closed, and two lines of tears ran down her temples and disappeared into her hair.
She almost sobbed, "I want to go back to school, right now. I don't want to be a selfish person, I can't..."
"Okay, okay." Song's mother quickly agreed, but hesitated again when she thought about her health condition.
"Please, Mom." Song Qiqi, ignoring the IV needle in her hand, struggled to raise her hand. "I don't want to carry this guilt for the rest of my life. I'm in so much pain, so sad."
...
After receiving their report cards, some students were happy while others were worried.
Listening to the teacher advising them not to slack off even during the holidays, everyone relaxed and whispered among themselves, occasionally bursting into laughter at a single remark from the teacher.
With endless tests and exercises to do, who can afford to slack off?
Only after the teachers finally finished speaking and announced the dismissal did the students scatter from the classroom in a chaotic rush.
Many people felt a sense of regret that the school seemed to ignore the public opinion surrounding Lian Yi, yet they also had a feeling that it was exactly what was going on.
Who told her her family is rich? If they knew how to handle things, they would have persuaded her to leave long ago, instead of waiting until today.
Groups of students crowded in the corridor and moved towards the stairwell, chatting and occasionally talking about where they were going to play later, and then they walked noisily toward the school gate.
There were already many people, and when they arrived at the school gate, there was an inexplicable crowd of people blocking the way, with various shocked voices mixed together, making it extremely chaotic for a moment.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
What happened up ahead?
"Holy crap, this is shocking! Someone said that Lian Yi led a group of people to block the school gate."
"Huh?? What is she going to do?"
"It seems... uh... if I heard correctly, she seems to be going to issue a lot of lawyer's letters?"
The further forward you go in the crowd, the more silent you become.
The students at the front instinctively turned around in bewilderment, but there were too many people behind them to turn back, and moving forward was impossible...
They were all utterly shocked to see the row of well-dressed, elite-looking men and women, and the group of bodyguards who seemed to be forming a circle around them.
"Hello? Test, Test?"
The open space outside the school gate has formed a circular plaza, where several long tables are now set up. Lawyers dressed in a smart and professional style are standing behind the long tables, tidying up stacks of papers on the tables, and occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.
A group of people dressed as bodyguards stood scattered at the entrance, among them were several lawyers who looked much younger.
After Lian Yi finished testing the megaphone, she smiled sweetly and glanced at the various expressions on the faces. Her inner emotions were filled with pleasure as her eyes darted around or looked confused.
"Many of you are probably aware of what has happened recently, and may have even participated in discussions about it."
She leaned casually against a long table behind her, her legs crossed, looking quite relaxed.
"So, I'd like to waste a little bit of everyone's time here." Lian Yi raised her hand, lightly pinching her index finger and thumb together, gesturing to indicate the concept of "a little bit".
"As you probably know, I have a bad temper and I hold grudges. Therefore, I have prepared a gift for each of the students who spoke out in this incident."
She watched indifferently as the expressions of disdain and mockery gradually shifted among the crowd.
"Next, please have those of you who can hear this pass on to the students in the back."
Lian Yi lowered her eyes and smiled lightly, then casually picked up a piece of paper from the table beside her. "I have a list of students who are good at making up stories in this incident. Now, students whose names are called, please go to your right and pick up your own lawyer's letter."
"Oh, right."
"Perhaps you are taking a chance and think that this is just to scare you. To avoid giving you that impression, your lawyer's letter will also include a copy of the complaint receipt for your review."
The school gate was packed with people, but suddenly there was a strange silence.
Lian Yi sighed with some disappointment. She was actually quite hoping that someone would jump out and refute her.
But it seems that everyone is a little frightened.
"By the way, just in case some students don't take what I said seriously."
Lian Yi raised her eyes, looked at them and smiled, "For the students on the list, I have thoughtfully made backups of your chat history in various group chats and even some private chats."
"If anyone tries to leave quietly today, it's okay. I'm a very patient person. Once you get into university, these chat logs will appear on your university forums or campus walls, including records of lawsuits against you, and so on."
To many, the smile on her face looked almost like that of a demon.
"If anyone doesn't believe me, they can try and see if I can do it."
As she finished speaking, the bodyguards spontaneously dispersed, leaving behind a few lawyers who looked relatively young. They held the list in their hands, cleared their throats, and began to read out the classes and names in turn.
"Class A2, Lin Changqing."
“Class C1, He Jingshan.”
"Class B2..."
The crowd was still very dense, but even though Lianyi's people made way for them to leave, no one seemed to want to go.
Most people in this incident played the role of knowing about it but not participating, casually making a few comments, or privately sending them to friends or telling their parents and family.
In their minds, this was something that had nothing to do with them, something they could just watch for fun.
Therefore, as one name after another was read out, students who recognized those names quickly looked at the person with pity, curiosity, amusement, or disdain.
And subconsciously, they moved further away.
The expressions on the faces of those whose names were called were increasingly unpleasant. They sullenly stood their ground, and some muttered resentfully to those around them, "I don't believe she would actually dare to do something like this."
Yes, nobody believes it.
Some people couldn't help but mutter under their breath, "Is Lian Yi really just causing trouble because her family is rich? Doesn't the school care? Please, we're all students."
"Even if some people say something harsh, she didn't have to be like this. Money really can buy you anything, how arrogant."
"This is really outrageous. How can she sue so many people? Just watch, if this blows up, the school will definitely take action against her."
"It's probably all bark and no bite."
Besides the dozens of names that were read out, such remarks gradually began to circulate among many students.
At this moment, the bodyguards who had been pushed aside took out a thick stack of leaflets from under the long table, walked towards the school gate, and headed towards the students under the watchful eyes of the security guards who were constantly urging them through their walkie-talkies.
They distributed flyers while dispersing the crowd.
In an instant, the students who had crowded the school gate quickly spread to the entire square, but most of them were still holding flyers and refused to leave. They looked down at the dense pictures and texts on the flyers while glancing at Lian Yi, who was leaning against the long table with a leisurely expression.
Soon, a buzz of surprised discussions arose.
Some people, with grim expressions, crumpled the flyers shoved into their hands into balls or tore them up and threw them on the ground.
"Lin Changqing usually seems like a normal person. How could he say something like that?"
"...It's disgusting to make such fantasies about a girl like that, calling her a prostitute??"
"No, what era are we living in? Why are people still saying things like this? What do you mean by seeing Song Qiqi coming out of a hotel with a man? Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"
"Hey Xiaoyue, look at your crush, tsk, he actually said that he knew Song Qiqi was sexy just by seeing her breasts bouncing around when she ran during PE class..."
The square was a microcosm of human life.
Some people clicked their tongues in amazement, glancing from time to time at the chat logs of the people involved in the flyer, revealing expressions of surprise and disdain.
Some people looked increasingly pale and wanted to leave, but the thought of that damn lawyer's letter made them, lacking social experience, freeze in place, subjected to all sorts of stares.
Some people walked quickly into the school with sullen faces.
Yet not a single person took the initiative to approach the waiting lawyers and collect their legal letters.
It seems that as long as no one else goes, they can blend into the crowd and find a faint sense of security in conformity.
As Lian Yi watched these scenes unfold, her smile grew even more delighted.
She knew that by doing this, she was undoubtedly crossing the line and would not gain a good reputation.
People are always like this: they criticize those who make mistakes, yet they are also afraid of those who retaliate and wield the whip.
No, it's unnecessary, she went too far, there were clearly better ways with higher emotional intelligence, and she's not a good person either...
Such sounds can always be faintly heard.
But Lian Yi didn't care; she didn't need such supporters and recognition.
In her eyes, these people were nothing more than a flock of sheep. They were foolish and confident that the sheepfold they were in was the whole world. Driven by the shepherd or sheepdog, they spent their days following a predetermined route, grazing, excreting, and sleeping.
Lian Yi preferred to see their fear and disgust rather than their praise and approval.
It's all about achieving the goal, so why bother about what the sheep are bleating about?
"What are you doing!" A group of teachers rushed out of the school gate, led by the dean of students.
In front of him, a student lowered his head and glared at Lian Yi with a hint of smugness in his eyes.
The dean of students surveyed the chaotic scene in the square, his expression grim. He was particularly exasperated when he saw Lian Yi. He strode up to her and snapped, "Lian Yi! Don't you have any sense of responsibility as a student at all?!"
"Of course," Lian Yi said with a smile. "Director, if I didn't have this sense of responsibility, I wouldn't have given the school face and waited until everyone received their report cards before giving them gifts."
The dean of students was further angered by her attitude. He looked around the square and said in a deep voice, "Is this what you call a gift? Lian Yi, you get these people out of here right now and come to my office with me."
"The impact you have caused is too serious, and the school must take action against you."
"No, that won't work."
Lian Yi looked at him innocently and shook her head. "No classmate has accepted my gift yet. I want to see their happy expressions after receiving the gift, so I don't want to leave yet."
"Lian Yi!" The director's expression was quite interesting, his eyes fixed on her with a serious and authoritative gaze.
“If you continue to act recklessly like this, I can tell you right here and now that the school will expel you. Have you thought about your future? You've made a mess of the whole school.”
"You may not care about the college entrance exam, but other students shouldn't be affected by your situation at this crucial moment!"
“Director… I really didn’t expect it to turn out like this, but if I’m wrong, I’m willing to apologize instead of having my information made public like this.” The student next to him had a somber expression.
Once the first person spoke up, a second person quickly followed suit.
“I spoke recklessly online and hurt an innocent classmate. I can apologize and compensate her, but I don’t know what position Lian Yi was in to do these things now.”
"I was misled into posting these messages; I really didn't expect it to turn out like this..."
"If my parents knew I'd been sued, they'd beat me to death!"
Among the scattered crowd, sincere voices, some tinged with apology and others with sobs, rang out one after another.
They seemed to have realized their mistakes, their faces showing expressions of remorse and regret.
Hearing this, the head of student affairs stared at Lian Yi's still nonchalant smile and said with exasperation, "Look at what you've done! I'm warning you one last time. If you don't get these people out of here, I will call the police on behalf of the school and I will definitely expel you!"
"Director, don't be so angry."
Lian Yi's voice was indifferent, completely unconcerned by his threat, "Want to call the police? Then go ahead and call the police."
"What do you want to say when you call the police?"
"Are there students who have filed lawsuits against those who spread rumors because they were the ones who caused trouble?"
"Or is it that I simply printed out what they said and showed it to everyone, and that hurt their fragile and helpless hearts?"
Lian Yi's eyes widened slightly as if she had mentioned something funny, and she laughed crisply, "Ah, I broke the law."
"What law did you break—"
"It's just laying out what they've done and showing it to everyone."
Lian Yi's eyes turned slightly cold. She looked at the head teacher's face, which was filled with anger, and said, word by word, "When they made mistakes, you didn't care because you felt you couldn't control them. When they spread rumors about me, you still didn't care because you felt you couldn't control them."
“Then I will take charge of this personally, Director. If I were you, I would reflect on whether there is a problem with the school’s management system.”
"Instead of solving the problem, we should simply eliminate the person who raised it."
The dean of students' face turned as red as a pig's liver. He was furious, but for the moment he couldn't refute Lian Yi's words.
"Do you know that doing this will ruin their lives?" the director said in a deep voice.
"How interesting!"
Lian Yi's round eyes curved slightly. "Director, didn't you just tell a really funny joke? Why don't you repeat it again?"
She looked at the reactions of these people and sighed somewhat listlessly.
"It's fine if they're too embarrassed to accept the lawyer's letter. If they refuse to accept it, then they can't blame me for going to extremes."
Lianyi's voice floated lightly into their hearts.
“Every single person who doesn’t pick up my gift today, whether you’re in college or looking for a job after graduation,” she said casually, lowering her eyes. “I don’t mind spending a little money to make this thing you did follow you forever.”
"This threat doesn't seem to have much effect on you, does it?"
"After all, you must have considered the consequences when you spread rumors."
Of course I considered it... my ass!
Those on the list all wore expressions of barely concealed panic. After witnessing Lian Yi's complete lack of fear of the director, and seeing how crazy she could be, actually going alone...
No, it's after using financial power to do these things openly and legitimately.
They finally realized that neither the principle of "the law does not punish the masses" nor the dignity and rules that everyone should abide by could restrain Lian Yi, this madwoman.
The head of the teaching department looked at this indifferent troublemaker with a livid face and quickly made a decision in his mind.
"Very well, it seems you're determined to violate school rules. Since you insist on causing trouble, I'll take disciplinary action right here and now and expel Lian Yi!"
Regarding how to resolve the matter of Lian Yi suing so many students, the director decided to hold a meeting with the principal and others after returning home, and to contact Lian Yi's parents to persuade and pressure them.
But right now, as a school leader, he must take a firm stance on this heinous incident.
How can we allow such unhealthy practices to spread under the watchful eyes of the public?
Lian Yi didn't care at all; she even had the mood to laugh. Being fired was just a bonus for her retirement plan.
But those people, she wants them all to pay the price for what they've done.
No matter how grand or righteous the head of the teaching department may be.
Lian Yi leaned against the long table, thinking casually, "It's not like I don't have the ability to break this banner."
She said "Oh," then glanced at the people who were glaring at her hatefully but hurriedly looked away after her gaze swept over them. "Aren't you going to get your gifts? Don't you believe me?"
"You..." The head of the teaching department was so angry at her lawless attitude that he was about to explode.
"director!"
A figure rushed out of the school. He seemed to be running so fast that his calm voice was slightly out of breath, his black hair was blown aside, and his pale skin was tinged with a beautiful red from the exercise.
Xie Ling glanced quickly at Lian Yi's face. Although he was held up by something, when he arrived he only heard the director say that Lian Yi was to be fired.
But looking at the various expressions on everyone's faces in the square, he sensed that Lian Yi was isolated and helpless at this moment.
When the dean of students looked at Xie Ling, his expression, though still cold and serious, had visibly softened considerably.
It's not just because Xie Ling is now a shining star at the school, but also because of the contrast between his and Lian Yi's mature and rational attitudes in handling matters.
"Director, I do not agree with your decision to dismiss Lian Yi." He slowed his pace, walked up to the director, and spoke firmly under the gaze of everyone present.
"...What did you say?" The director looked puzzled, even doubting that he had misheard.
A group of people around them gasped in surprise. They remembered the rumors that Xie Ling and Lian Yi were together, and they became so excited that they focused all their attention on the conversation taking place in front of them.
Some people found it strange, since according to the widely circulated rumors, Xie Ling's relationship with Lian Yi was the result of her setting up a scheme.
“I know that Lian Yi’s approach seems too radical to you.”
The blush on Xie Lingqing's cold face gradually returned to normal. His eyes were calm, and his voice was slightly cold. "But is it fair to dismiss her so easily?"
The head of the teaching department frowned, took a deep breath, and hesitated repeatedly before changing his words.
If any student were to say such things to him, he would give them a thorough dressing-down.
But this is Xie Ling after all.
The dean softened his tone and earnestly said to him, "Xie Ling, I know you are a student with a strong sense of justice, but there are many ways to resolve things in school. The one thing that cannot be tolerated is this kind of extreme method that affects the mentality of all students."
Seeing Xie Ling listening attentively to him, the director felt somewhat gratified.
"Admittedly, spreading rumors also violates school rules, especially when it causes serious consequences. The school will not tolerate such behavior and will definitely punish students who do such things. However, Lian Yi's approach is too extreme and shows no remorse, which seriously affects the students' emotions."
“You are also a student, so you should know better than me that if students’ studies are affected as the college entrance examination approaches, it will affect them for the rest of their lives.”
He patiently explained the reasoning, "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but you can't ruin your whole life because of that, can you?"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding classmates nodded in agreement.
Yes, why can't we talk things out properly?
Xie Ling shook her head, her gaze calm and composed as she met the director's eyes. "I do not agree with your statement."
"You considered everyone's feelings, put the big picture first, and cared about the emotional state of each student, but why did you ignore Lian Yi's thoughts?"
He glanced at Lian Yi with a slightly complicated expression, and when he met her indifferent eyes, he lowered his eyes with a hint of sadness.
Then, raising his eyes, he continued speaking in a calm yet powerful voice, each word distinct and clear.
"You think Lian Yi's approach was extremely wrong, but she was simply using her rights to deal with the rumors and gossip against her. Before that, the school did nothing, did it?"
"..."
"You care about those students who create and spread rumors recklessly, and you hope that Lian Yi will consider their feelings and back down. Director, I cannot understand this logic."
He paused, "When discussing the right and wrong of a matter, it is not determined by the matter itself, but only by who is stronger and who is weaker. Based on this, whoever deserves sympathy and pity is destined to make concessions, even if it means suffering injustice and sacrifice for themselves."
"Since none of us are immature children, we should understand better than anyone else that we must be prepared to bear the consequences of our actions."
"Director, they did something wrong. With your and the school's concern for their mental well-being, we can help them."
"What about Song Qiqi and Lian Yi, who were the victims of these rumors?"
When Xie Ling finished speaking, his cool and calm eyes looked quietly at the dean's eyes, which were half-closed by drooping eyelids, and for a moment they were sharp and incongruous with his young age.
Lian Yi sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere around her and almost stood up straight and grabbed Xie Ling to sew his mouth shut.
'Has this guy gone mad?'
The smile on her lips became forced, and her slightly rounded eyes narrowed, concealing any dangerous glint.
She truly deserves to be called a top student; she's fearless when it comes to arguing her case. But why did she have to show up just when she was bullying others so easily?
Lian Yi caught a glimpse of many students deep in thought out of the corner of her eye, and her forehead twitched involuntarily.
Xie Ling must have been sent by God to thwart her retirement plans.
"Xie Ling, I admit you're absolutely right!"
At that moment, someone suddenly stood up and gave a wry smile.
"I really regret that I was blinded by greed and made a lot of unverified speculations. You're right, I should take responsibility for what I did."
He then became saddened, saying, "I truly realize my mistake and am willing to make amends, even a public apology is acceptable."
"But is Lian Yi's approach really without any problems?"
“I am a child from the countryside. My family was very poor. In order to support my education, my parents had to carry loads of vegetables to sell every day to earn a few yuan or five yuan in spare change, and little by little, they could save enough money for my tuition.”
“I’m not saying this to gain sympathy.” He lowered his head in dejection. “It’s just that, even though Lian Yi already had the list, she didn’t consult with the school or talk to us privately first. She just blocked us at the school gate and threatened to sue us.”
"I can't afford a lawyer, and I can't afford to pay compensation. Do I... do I have to die to atone for my sins?"
Upon hearing this, Lian Yi immediately relaxed and leisurely leaned back against the long table with her arms crossed.
This tactic of moral blackmail is quite powerful.
Sure enough, after this boy went so far as to reveal his shortcomings and play the victim, several other men and women spoke up in stiff tones.
Her words were implied to be wrong; although she admitted her mistake, she was still not entirely correct.
Xie Ling frowned slightly. He knew that the situation had returned to the beginning. If Lian Yi insisted on suing everyone on the list, the impact would be too great, and the school would certainly not agree.
In the eyes of her classmates, she would inevitably become a cold-blooded person, even if there were reasons for it.
At this moment, Xie Ling finally understood why Lian Yi always mocked and disdained other people's opinions.
If he weren't experiencing it firsthand right now, he probably would never have understood Lian Yi's feelings. It was clearly wrong, it clearly shouldn't be like this.
But it seems that all the voices are blaming and pressuring you, who want and deserve justice.
Why can't we just take a step back?
The dean of students' gaze fell on the faces of several key figures present. Those students who had spread rumors dared not look him in the eye and all lowered their eyes.
He sighed inwardly. In truth, as Xie Ling said, he knew perfectly well what was right and wrong.
How can we bear the consequences of these dozens of students being prosecuted at the most critical moment?
His gaze shifted slightly, landing on Lian Yi's face, who was smiling happily. She even raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. She had the most obedient and lovely appearance, but her personality was just so extreme.
The head of the teaching department wanted to sigh again, but finally looked at Xie Ling, his most prized student, who had a slight frown.
The director was actually pleased with Xie Ling's reasoned argument, but reality was not so kind. He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately softened his stance because of Xie Ling's expression.
“Lian Yi, I understand that you are angry and many decisions will be made in an extreme way without leaving any room for compromise… Xie Ling’s words make sense, but with so many people gathered here, it is not a good occasion to negotiate a solution.”
He softened his tone, "Why don't you, and the others on the list, come with me to the conference room and have an open and calm discussion?"
Shengyuan Law Firm is a 'rogue' firm with a small international reputation.
The head of the teaching department knew far better than these children that once the case went to trial, with the evidence Lian Yi had, coupled with Sheng Yuan, this "Pizza Hut" who only cared about money and provided absolutely top-notch service, they would be in serious trouble.
They will inevitably face a losing judgment.
"As for the dismissal, I admit it was a bit too arbitrary."
The director didn't mind showing humility at this moment. He looked at Lian Yi frankly and said, "If you think it's necessary, I will publicly retract this decision and apologize to you."
Seeing that the usually strict and rigid head of the teaching department was now willing to bow down to a student in order to resolve this matter was quite surprising.
Every student present was deeply moved.
Lian Yi tilted her head slightly to look at him, her slightly round eyes filled with a cold smile. She chuckled softly, "It seems that the director has a bad memory. I said I wouldn't let someone go. Even if they're dead, I'll still dig up their bones and carve their crimes on them to vent my anger."
"What Xie Ling said has nothing to do with me. I have no lofty ideals, nor am I standing up for anyone."
"I'm just teaching these students a life philosophy: it's best to avoid people you can't afford to mess with."
"You have two minutes. If you can't finish taking my gifts, then it's not my problem."
The surrounding crowd immediately erupted in an uproar.
A crack appeared on the cold, stern face of the head of student affairs, and the anger that Xie Ling had just suppressed suddenly resurfaced.
Xie Ling frowned, her cold eyes looking at Lian Yi. It wasn't that she disagreed with what Lian Yi said, but rather that she was worried about her. What Lian Yi said would only make the situation more unfavorable for her.
"Are you really going to force us to our deaths?!" someone shouted, finally breaking down. After shouting, they squatted down, buried their face in their knees, and wept bitterly.
Lian Yi looked over in surprise as if she had seen something amusing, and then burst out laughing.
"Crying also counts as time, you know."
"Lian Yi, don't go too far!" The head of the teaching department said, his face turning ashen.
He turned around and tried to call the security guards over to take coercive measures. He didn't believe that Lian Yi would dare to stop him if he wanted these students to leave first!
As long as we stabilize the current situation, we can naturally handle the subsequent lawsuit by contacting her parents later.
But just as he was about to make a move, the sound of wheels rolling on the rough floor tiles suddenly came.
All eyes turned to the wheelchair that was being pushed from the roadside.
Lian Yi hadn't intended to pay any attention to it, glancing at it casually. Just as she was about to look down to see if the time was up so she could continue with the next step of her plan—to make an example of someone—her slightly rounded eyes paused.
He then slowly turned back, gradually narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the sickly figure sitting in the wheelchair.
For some reason, Lian Yi had a bad feeling.
"...Director, hello, I am Song Qiqi." The girl in the wheelchair was extremely thin. She was wrapped in thick clothes and wearing a hat, but she still gave people the feeling of being as thin as a piece of paper.
Song Qiqi's voice was very soft, but it still reached the ears of those nearby clearly. It was harsh and hoarse, like claws scratching wood.
But everyone showed expressions of reluctance at that moment.
It was as if at this moment, they could see directly the girl who was being subjected to all sorts of rumors and the torment she suffered.
Just a few days ago, she was full of energy and loved to laugh. But the rumors spread by the dozens of people present and the discussions by the hundreds of people poured corrosive poison on her, gradually eroding her until she withered away.
The dean of students visited Song Qiqi at the hospital that day and knew that her condition was not life-threatening, although it was serious. However, the most important reason was that her emotional distress had led to her current poor condition.
However, when he saw Song Qiqi suddenly appear, he felt the same bad premonition as Lian Yi.
As the head of student affairs strode forward, he glanced at Lian Yi, whose smile held an ambiguous meaning, and felt a chill run down his spine. He had underestimated Lian Yi's shrewdness...
"Song Qiqi, what brings you here?" Despite having some suspicions, he remained outwardly calm and asked in a concerned tone.
"I've come to tell you something."
Song Qiqi looked at the dean of students with slightly dim eyes. Strangely enough, this was the dean she feared the most during her high school years.
She never imagined she would say those things in front of everyone when she came.
But once she arrived here, she was under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, and all sorts of emotions were directed at her.
Surprisingly, Song Qiqi didn't feel embarrassed to speak. Instead, she felt a sense of relief that she could finally explain everything clearly. Her lips twitched slightly, but the faint smile wasn't very attractive because of her sallow complexion.
"...You've always told us not to date too early, but I still broke that rule."
Song Qiqi let out a soft breath, feeling a sore throat.
She continued, seemingly unconcerned, "I was attracted to Cai Dongming's appearance and generous nature, so I accepted his advances and we became a couple."
“On December 28th, Cai Dongming invited me to a date at Dingsheng KTV, told me that some of his friends would be there that night, and took me shopping at Baiyun Plaza.”
"Because I felt that Dingsheng KTV was chaotic and believed that Cai Dongming had enough spending power, I asked him if the venue could be changed to Qinghe Club."
"He readily agreed, and I was so basking in the joy of being able to frequent upscale places that I overlooked his overly eager behavior..."
She recounted the events of that time word by word, her expression revealing a hint of pain, clearly admitting that she had harbored materialistic thoughts at the time.
But after catching his breath, he opened his mouth again, wanting to continue speaking.
"Stop talking." Not far away, Lian Yi's voice was slightly cold. She stared at Song Qiqi, her usually smiling eyes now filled with indifference.
Song Qiqi wanted to smile at her, but her lips were too heavy, so she had to give up.
"...After Cai Dongming tricked me into drinking half a glass of wine, I went to wash my face in the private bathroom in the room without closing the door, and that's when I overheard his conversation with his friends..."
He repeated those unbearable words in an almost numb tone.
Song Qiqi heard the shocked uproar of her classmates, heard her mother's sad whispers behind her, and saw the calm look in Lian Yi's eyes as she looked at her.
“I wanted to leave, but Cai Dongming and his group of friends stopped me. They started by trying to persuade me, but later they became very firm in their attitude. At that moment, Xie Ling, who worked part-time at Qinghe Club, came in to deliver the new drinks they had ordered.”
Song Qiqi calmly recounted what had happened, detailing every single thing, "Afterwards, Lian Yi passed by the private room and came in to help Xie Ling and me out of the predicament."
"The whole process, from the moment I decided to go to Qinghe Club to broaden my horizons, to meeting my classmates Xie Ling and Lian Yi, was purely coincidental."
"And whether I was assaulted by Cai Dongming at that time, and whether I am someone who sells my body for money." Song Qiqi stared lifelessly at the head of the teaching department.
"Director, I am willing to have the hospital conduct an evaluation on me."
The voice drifted weakly into almost everyone's ears, and the entire school gate fell silent.
The girl in the wheelchair stripped naked and, in a way that humiliated her dignity and self-respect, questioned them in a bloodstained voice.
Who is truly innocent?
Who is truly pitiful?
Who exactly is the culprit who should be the target of public criticism?
Lian Yi sighed helplessly in her heart. The grand show she had painstakingly planned was just one step away from bringing her the pleasure of punishing everyone amidst their deep hatred, contempt, and fear.
That's it, everything's ruined.
They felt the gazes directed at them, all filled with disgust and alienation, as they looked at the people on the list.
Lian Yi lowered her eyes, and after a moment, she said to the head of the teaching department with her last glimmer of hope, "Head, why don't you expel me first?"
"..."
Well said, "To kill someone is to destroy their spirit."
Everyone cast complicated glances at her, while the dean of students' jacket visibly heaved, his expression turning pale as he forcefully suppressed it to maintain a solemn demeanor.
He glanced at Song Qiqi, then closed his eyes.
"Other unrelated students should go home immediately, remember this lesson, and stop making irresponsible remarks online."
"As for you..." The director did not specify who he was referring to, but everyone immediately knew who he was talking about.
"Bring your things and come with me."
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